djb
David Barker
Gouvy: Ensemble Arabesques (Farao Classics)
Performances that bring out the best in these genial works [DJB]
Lerner & Loewe: My Fair Lady (Chandos)
Fine singing, but the orchestral accompaniment is revelatory [DJB]
R Fuchs: Cello Sonatas (Da Vinci Classics)
Not entirely convincing readings which occasionally tire the ears [DJB]
Shani Diluka (piano): Renaissance (Warner Classics)
Suffused with serenity and poetry; look elsewhere for keyboard fireworks [DJB]
Rota: Symphonies 1 & 2 (Chandos)
The best non-mainstream works I have heard in a long while [DJB]
Kabeláč: Symphony No. 2 (Capriccio)
Interesting, but not enthralling [DJB]
Puts: Orchestral Music (Delos)
Sophisticated, emotional, beautifully crafted and a delight from first to last [DJB]
Vanhal: Symphonies (cpo)
One of the best of the many 18th century symphonists in the shadow of Mozart and Haydn [DJB]
Le Roux: Complete Suites (Avie)
An intriguing mix of the pleasant and the exceptional [DJB]
Pictures from Finland (Chandos)
Thoroughly enjoyable if not especially memorable [DJB]
D Scarlatti: Keyboard Sonatas (Harmonia Mundi)
The most satisfying Scarlatti collection I’ve heard [DJB]
A & D Scarlatti: Keyboard Works (Onyx)
Revelatory first recordings of Alessandro on the modern piano, and some very fine Domenico as well [DJB]
Moór: Complete Piano Trios (cpo)
Thoroughly enjoyable Brahmsian trios that should have been given their first recordings long before now [DJB]
Haydn: String Quartets, op. 33 Nos 4-6 (BIS)
In its 20th year, the Chiaroscuro Quartet continues to set the standard for authentic-instrument quartets [DJB]
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]
