jf

John France

Chamber works Wigmore Soloists BIS 2547

Wigmore Soloists: Chamber Works (BIS)

Committed and inspiring performances of important chamber works [JF]

dreams desires divine art

Dreams, Desires, Desolation (Divine Art)

A substantial exploration of English song [JF]

Debussy: Études (Hyperion)

Performances with technical agility and remarkable interpretative skills [JF]

Copland, Creston, Kay & Piston: Concertos & Orchestral Suites (Naxos)

Mid-20th century Americanism in works of universal appeal [JF]

Wordsworth, Wilson & McGuire: Piano Works (Heritage)

Impressive performances all around [JF]

Beethoven: Late piano sonatas (Danacord)

Moving, inspirational recordings of late masterpieces [JF]

A Child’s Christmas: Orchestral Music for Christmas (Heritage)

Enjoyable, approachable, interesting pieces [JF]

Hartmann pianovol5 DACOCD968

Hartmann: Piano Works Vol. 5 (Danacord)

Danish romantic piano music, full of interest, gives much pleasure [JF]

Monteverdi: Stage Works (Apex)

(Déjà Review) Essential listening for all Monteverdi enthusiasts [JF]

Bendix Symphs Danacord DACOCD436-37

Bendix: Symphonies Nos 1-4 (Danacord)

(Déjà Review) Bendix wrote some extremely beautiful and moving music [JF]

Parry: Piano Music Vol. 1 (Da Vinci Classics)

Highly-successful performances of Parry’s largely forgotten piano music [JF]

dallapiccola orchestral chandos

Dallapiccola : Orchestral Works (Chandos)

(Déjà Review) Masterpieces of lyrical serial music that just demand to be discovered [JF]

Langgard piano DACOCD535

Siegfried & Rued Langgaard: Piano concertos (Danacord)

The Siegfried Langgaard concerto is one of the very best of romantic works [JF]

Parry piano HTGCD14041

Parry: Piano music (Heritage Records)

The pianist assimilates Parry’s earlier influences with his personal skill to create a satisfying whole [JF]

Cooke: Complete String Quartets Vol. 1 (Toccata Classics)

Committed and enthusiastic performances [JF]

A Year at Llandaff (Regent)

A splendidly eclectic church music mainly from the past two centuries [JF]

bernstein quartet navona

Bernstein: Music for String Quartet (Navona Records)

An important addition to Bernstein’s catalogue [JF]

Wordsworth piano TOCC0697

William Wordsworth: Complete Music for Solo Piano (Toccata Classics)

Christopher Guild brings clarity, enthusiasm and commitment to this music [JF]

cowie wood thrush sings metier

Cowie: Where the Wood Thrush Forever Sings (Métier)

A committed performance of Cowie’s visionary, numinous new composition [JF]

Schultz: Efterklange (Echoes) (Danacord)

Well-wrought and ultimately charming repertoire [JF]

Rarities of Piano Music at Schloss vor Husum – August 2022 Festival (Danacord)

Well-chosen, interesting repertoire, and many discoveries [JF]

de Falla Ballets IBS82023

Falla: El corregidor y la molinera (IBS Classical)

Spanish wit, musical clichés and sunshine [JF]

ek-stasis divine art

Ek-Stasis (Divine Art)

A splendid exploration of music set against the background of Classical mythology [JF]

Thomas Trotter (organ): Symphony Hall Sorcery (Regent)

Thomas Trotter’s technique and irrepressible enthusiasm shine in every bar [JF]