djb
David Barker
Anouar Brahem: After The Last Sky (ECM)
Soothing, hypnotic and very enjoyable [DJB]
Mozart: Solo, Duo, Trio, Quartet (Harmonia Mundi)
An imaginative program and a definite success [DJB]
Reimagining the Classics: 3. Holst’s Jupiter
by David Barker
Cello Tango (Aparté)
Some real highlights among the lesser-known Piazzolla selections [DJB]
Spain On Fire (Challenge Classics)
A delight from first note to last [DJB]
Midsummer Dreams: Mendelssohn & Beethoven (ARCO)
The strict HIP approach works better for the Mendelssohn than the Beethoven [DJB]
Respighi, Loevendie and Enescu: String Octets (Challenge Classics)
The Respighi is a delightful discovery, but I’m less convinced by the others [DJB]
Fesca: Piano Trios (cpo)
Hard to find many positives here [DJB]
Humour and Classical Music: Victor Borge
by David Barker
Bach: Keyboard Concertos (Warner Classics)
Rana again shows her affinity for Bach in these most wonderfully joyous performances [DJB]
Clara & Robert Schumann: Piano Concertos (Warner Classics)
An outstanding account of Clara’s concerto, but Robert’s is less convincing [DJB]
Glass: Complete Etudes for piano (Delphian)
Carroll’s poetic playing comes to the fore in the slower pieces [DJB]
Humour and Classical Music: Anna Russell
by David Barker
Contemporary Landscapes (Beau Fleuve Records)
Contrasting, accessible and enjoyable [DJB]
Impressions of Iberia (Da Vinci Classics)
An impressive debut recording from the Cygnus Trio [DJB]
Reimagining the Classics: Part 2
by David Barker
Who’s Afraid Of …? Boulanger Trio (Berlin Classics)
Superb playing, but the awkward mix of styles doesn’t work [DJB]
Reimagining the Classics: Part 1
by David Barker
Strohl: Chamber Music (La Boîte à Pépites)
How can this wonderful music have lain undiscovered for so long? [DJB]
Hartmann, Gade, Mendelssohn: Clarinet trios (MDG)
Slow tempos blunt much of the impact, but the Hartmann stands out [DJB]
Tal, Kaufmann and Rubin: Orchestral Works (Avie)
Three works by unfamiliar composers, with much to commend them [DJB]
Di Martino: Chamber Works (Da Vinci Classics)
A real discovery, the Cello Sonata is quite exceptional [DJB]
Alison Balsom (piccolo trumpet) Baroque Concertos (Warner Classics)
Doesn’t take the place of the Maurice André transcriptions in my affections, but still has much to offer [DJB]
von Webenau: Piano Quartet, Cello Sonata & Miniatures (Hänssler Classic)
In the hit-or-miss world of the unsung composer, this is definitely a miss [DJB]
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Featured Naxos review |
Featured Naxos review |
Featured Naxos review |
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