EMI Classics

Brahms: Violin Sonata No 1-3 (Warner Classics)

(Déjà Review) Versions to return to on a regular basis [CC]

Deja Review Sibelius Symphs etc Berglund EMI 5744852

Sibelius: Complete Symphonies and Selected Orchestral Works (EMI Classics)

(Déjà Review) One of the greatest symphonic cycles under a conductor who shows a deep understanding and profound identification with it [CH]

Deja Review Schumann Symphs 1-4 Sawallisch EMI 5677682

Schumann: Symphonies Nos 1-4 (Warner Classics)

(Déjà Review) With splendid standards of music making, recording and presentation, this is a benchmark and self-recommending issue [TB]

Deja Shostakovich Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk Rostropovich Warner 3712342

Shostakovich: Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk (Warner Classics)

(Déjà Review) A stunning recording – overcome your prejudice and buy it [RMK]

dvorak brahms tortelier warner

Dvořák & Brahms: Concertos (Warner Classics)

(Déjà Review) Packed with drama and tunefulness and with virtuosity to burn [KS]

Strauss Hindemith Horn Concertos Dennis Brain EMI GROC 7243567782

R Strauss & Hindemith: Horn Concertos (EMI Classics)

(Déjà Review) One of the greatest instrumentalists of the 20th century in some of its juiciest music – it’s a disc you can’t really afford to miss [GPJ]

wagner tristan isolde warner

Wagner: Tristan und Isolde (Warner Classics)

Beautiful sonorities throughout but the conductor’s approach is an emotional letdown and hampers the stellar cast [MP]

J Strauss II Der Zigeunerbaron Philharmonia Ackermann EMI 5675352

J Strauss II: Der Zigeunerbaron (EMI Classics)

Johann Strauss’ Hungarian operetta truly sparkles in a performance that commands the field in spite of its age [MP]

Rota Film Music EMI 5749872

Rota: Film Music (EMI Classics)

(Déjà Review) The seven-movement ballet suite for La strada is the most significant item here and is worth the price of this CD alone [IL]

chopin arrau warner

Chopin: Piano Sonata 3 (Warner Classics)

Arrau’s Chopin enjoys something of classic status, and here are two perfect examples of why this is so [CC]

Dutilleux Symph 2 Plasson EMI CDC5571432

Dutilleux: Symphony No 2, Métaboles & The Shadows of Time (EMI Classics)

(Déjà Review) The fine cohesive forces and undeniable emotive power of these pieces should surely serve to guarantee them a lasting place in the repertoire … the more one listens, the more there is to discover [CC]

Brahms Sextets Menuhin Gendron Aronowitz EMI CDE5749572

Brahms: Sextets No 1 & No 2 (EMI Classics)

(Déjà Review) The quite wonderful playing of No 1, in particular, makes this an essential disc [CH]

mahler symphony warner

Mahler: Symphony 8 (Warner Classics)

(Déjà Review) Lean and direct, intent on clarity and sense of direction, but an apparent lack of some grandeur and sense of occasion [TD]

Debussy Dutilleux Ravel SQs Belcea EMI CDZ5740202

Belcea Quartet – Debussy, Dutilleux and Ravel (Warner Classics)

(Déjà Review) This disc represents the flowering of talent of an ensemble that, if they continue on their present well-chosen path, will achieve great things [CC]

meyer clarinet french emi warner

Sabine Meyer (clarinet) French Works (Warner Classics)

(Déjà Review) An outstanding achievement [MC]

argenta-great-conductors-emi-1

Ataúlfo Argenta (conductor) (EMI Classics)

(Déjà Review) Lisztians need to hear Argenta’s Faust; his El Amor Brujo is perhaps the best ever [RB]