Decca
Chopin: Études (Decca)
These Études aspire to a narrative unlike any other recording ever made – and is often remarkable in doing that [MB]
Zemlinsky: Lyrische Symphonie, Symphonische Gesänge (Decca)
A very valuable disc of Zemlinsky’s sharply contrasting scores [JQ]
Gershwin: Gershwin Rhapsody (Decca)
The concert platform meets Broadway in this thoroughly enjoyable disc of piano music and songs by Gershwin [PT]
Stravinsky: Petrouchka & Debussy: Jeux, Poème Dansé (Decca)
A fine follow-up to Klaus Mäkelä’s previous Stravinsky disc [JQ]
Sibelius: Symphonies Nos 1-7 & Tapiola (Decca)
Another way to skin the Sibelian cat – and enjoy sound of unparalleled depth and clarity [RMo]
Puccini: Il trittico (Decca)
Not a first choice recording but worth spending some time with for a few excellent individual contributions [MP]
Leoni: L’Oracolo (Decca)
Worth getting to know even in a less than successful recording [MP]
Wagner: Die Walküre (Decca)
The last instalment of the Decca ‘Ring’ enhanced by remastering in magnificent sound [JQ]
Wagner: Das Rheingold (Decca)
A classic Wagner recording in magnificently remastered sound [JQ]
Janáček: Káťa Kabanová (Decca)
An incandescent central performance heads an excellent ensemble cast under Mackerras’ renowned leadership [MP]
Rossini: L’italiana in Algeri (Decca)
A pleasing but hardly essential recording of Rossini’s opera, noteworthy for being the first recorded in stereo [MP]
Britten: Albert Herring (Decca)
A touchstone recording which is hard to beat for its general excellence and superbly detailed sound [MP]
Ponchielli: La Gioconda (Decca)
Perhaps not the finest La Gioconda recording but a deeply satisfying one nonetheless [MP]
Strauss: Die Ägyptische Helena (Decca)
Not ideal in every respect, this recording is a fine achievement nonetheless [MP]
Verdi: Macbeth (Decca)
A recording of power and presence, but with some really disfiguring cuts to the music [MP]
Donizetti: La fille du régiment (Decca)
Sign me up for this regiment: this recording is as good as it gets [MP]
Lise Davidsen (soprano): Christmas From Norway (Decca)
Be sure this makes it under your next Christmas tree [MP]
A Choral Christmas (Decca)
Beautiful sounds in big-boned arrangements which are best sample piecemeal rather than all at once [MP]
Gershwin: Porgy and Bess (Decca)
This remains a powerful experience 49 years after its initial release [MP]
Rossini: Semiramide (Decca)
A feast of stylish bel canto singing for the two stars but the rest of the cast can only struggle though [MP]
Britten: War Requiem (Decca)
A landmark recording revealed in the stunning realism of a new transfer on SACD [JQ]
Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto (Decca)
More than justifies the hype surrounding this young violinist [DMD]
Wagner: Götterdämmerung (Decca)
A recording for the ages, revealed in full splendour in a new re-mastering [JQ]
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