Gounod

heifetz Biddulph85053

Jascha Heifetz (violin) ‘Live’ Recordings (Biddulph)

Heifetz caught live in broadcasts playing some discographic novelties into the bargain [JW]

Huw Montague Rendall (baritone): Contemplation (Erato)

Superb, sensuous, subtle singing from a highly gifted British lyric baritone [RMo]

French album ORC100317

The French Album (Orchid Classics)

This is a very fine disc; in fact, c’est magnifique! [JQ]

Ysaye Transformations Max Tan Centaur CRC4129

Ysaÿe: Transformations (Centaur)

Bizarre transcriptions, fantastic performances [RMas]

Pene Pati Nessun Dorma Warner 5419789771

Pene Pati (tenor): Nessun Dorma (Warner Classics)

That Pene Pati is a talented tenor far beyond the ordinary is obvious, and I hope he isn’t tempted to take on heavier roles too early [GF]

Roberto Alagna (tenor): Roberto Alagna 60 (Aparté)

A vital and compelling celebration of Roberto Alagna’s 60th birthday [GF]

rendall contemplation erato

Huw Montague Rendall (baritone): Contemplation (Erato)

A debut recital that every lover of great singing should treasure [GF]

singher arias pristine

Martial Singher (baritone) French Opera Arias (Pristine Audio)

(Déjà Review) I defy anyone to play these tracks through once and not do so immediately again [ED]

Véronique Gens (soprano): Paysage (Alpha Classics)

Delightful lost treasures from French musical history [JF]

Gloire immortelle! Grandes oeuvres patriotiques (Château de Versailles)

A pleasant romp through the realm of French patriotic music and beyond [MP]

albion ralph vaughan williams serenade to music

Vaughan Williams’s Serenade to Music (Albion Records)

This important historical document must be judged on its own terms [JF]

Lise Davidsen (soprano): Christmas From Norway (Decca)

Be sure this makes it under your next Christmas tree [MP]

Dans nos yeux  – recital (Warner Classics)

Crossover, yes, but don’t let that deter you from some very enjoyable music [DJB]

Songs Sampson BIS2673

Carolyn Sampson (soprano) but I like to sing… (BIS)

A delight from start to finish – Carolyn Sampson is on effervescent form [JQ]

LOpera de Paris Malibran CDRG215

The Paris Opera 1900-1960 (Malibran Music)

Ten very well-filled discs documenting six glorious decades at the Paris Opera [RMo]

gounod faust malibran

Gounod: Faust (Malibran-Music)

A beautifully sung Faust, expertly conducted and superior to the later studio recording in everything but sound [RMo]

Gounod: Faust (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) Some of the most glorious tenor singing ever recorded [GF]