jq

John Quinn

Smetana: Má Vlast (Pentatone)

A very enjoyable account of Má Vlast, superbly played [JQ]

Briggs: Hail, gladdening Light (Hyperion)

A memorable disc [JQ]

Shostakovich Symph 10 KSanderling ICA ICAC 5171

Shostakovich: Symphony No 10 (ICA Classics)

The Shostakovich symphony receives a performance worthy of its stature [JQ]

berlioz romeo ica

Berlioz: Roméo et Juliette (ICA Classics)

There’s much for Rozhdestvensky’s admirers to enjoy here [JQ]

My Soul, What Fear You? (King’s College, Cambridge)

A fascinating Lieder recital [JQ]

Poulenc stabat AP323

Poulenc: Stabat Mater (Aparté)

If the programme appeals you can invest with confidence, despite the short playing time [JQ]

Bacewicz Orchestral works v1 Oramo Chandos CHSA5316SACD

Bacewicz: Symphonies Nos 3 & 4 (Chandos)

This SACD presents music, in fine performances, that is well worth getting to know [JQ]

Mahler pioneers 50222

Mahler Pioneers (SOMM)

This release will be of great interest to all Mahler devotees [JQ]

Shostakovich Symph 2-3-12-13 BSO Nelsons DG 4864965

Shostakovich: Symphonies (Deutsche Grammophon)

The final instalment in Andris Nelsons’ Shostakovich symphony cycle [JQ]

Strauss credo CDA68426

R Strauss: Choral works (Hyperion)

Choral singing of formidable accomplishment [JQ]

Arwel Hughes Saint David Rubicon RCD1100

Hughes: Oratorio – Dewi Sant (Rubicon)

A fine new recording of a Welsh oratorio [JQ]

Hough: Mirabilis (Orchid Classics)

Very rewarding choral music by Stephen Hough in terrific performances [JQ]

new millennium signum

New Millenium (Signum Classics)

Anyone who cares about the role of music in the liturgy today should hear this disc [JQ]

The Gesualdo Six (ensemble): Morning Star (Hyperion)

A notable musical celebration of the Feast of the Epiphany [JQ]

Sawyers: Mayflower on the Sea of Time (Nimbus)

A very interesting piece in a fine live performance [JQ]

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]

Clara SchumannBrahms 4864202

For Clara: Robert Schumann & Brahms (Deutsche Grammophon)

A thoughtfully conceived and excellently executed programme [JQ]

RVW Job RLPO Manze Onyx 4240

Vaughan Williams: Job – A Masque for Dancing (Onyx)

A highly persuasive account of Job [JQ]

Coleridge-Taylor: Partsongs (Delphian)

An enjoyable collection of partsongs [JQ]

britten requiem decca

Britten: War Requiem (Decca)

A landmark recording revealed in the stunning realism of a new transfer on SACD [JQ]

Bach xmas CDA680312

Bach: Christmas Oratorio (Hyperion)

A stylish and committed performance that renews again one’s awe at the genius of Bach [JQ]

Parry Holst RVW Christmas Choral Lyrita SRCD270

Parry: Ode on the Nativity (Lyrita)

(Déjà Review) The reappearance on CD of these performances is a cause for great celebration [JQ]

Listening Studio Report

by John Quinn

Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No 2 (Berliner Philharmoniker Recordings)

In all respects, a worthy 150th anniversary tribute to Rachmaninov [JQ]