jq
John Quinn
Three Choirs Festival in Ten Concerts (Logaston Press)
A lively and perceptive introduction to the world’s oldest music festival [JQ]
Sibelius & Prokofiev: Violin Concerti (Decca)
Terrific performances of two key works in the violin concerto repertoire [JQ]
Beethoven: Symphony No 9 (Naxos)
A splendid achievement that transcends occasional lapses of orchestral technique and sonic limitations [JQ]
Mahler: Symphony No 2 (Colorado MahlerFest)
This Mahler performance is well worth the attention of all devotees; the exciting coupling adds considerable value [JQ]
Pierre Monteux (conductor): Live (SOMM Recordings)
A handsome tribute to ‘Le Maître’ sixty years after his death [JQ]
Byrd: Anthems, Motets, Services (Alto)
A most enjoyable and nicely varied selection of pieces by Byrd [JQ]
Mahler: Symphony No.3 (BIS)
If you have been collecting Vänskä’s cycle, you will want this fine account of the Third [JQ]
Saint Louis Reflections (Regent)
Another stimulating and rewarding programme from Saint Louis [JQ]
Mahler: Symphony 3 (Sony Classical)
In many ways this is an admirable Mahler Third [JQ]
Hanson: Organ Concerto (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) An attractive disc which fills some useful gaps in the Hanson discography [JQ]
Lloyd: A Symphonic Mass, A Litany (Lyrita)
If you like the music of George Lloyd, get these fine recordings, especially if you only know his orchestral music [JQ]
Bach: The Bach Cantata Pilgrimage, Volume 23 (Soli Deo Gloria)
(Déjà Review) This is another absorbing and splendidly performed release in this very important series [JQ]
Stanford: Cushendall, Irish Song Cycles (SOMM)
Containing a number of recorded premieres, this is an attractive selection of some of Stanford’s many Irish songs [JQ]
Stanford: Orchestral Songs (Resonus)
Admirers of Stanford’s music will welcome this very enjoyable disc [JQ]
Bruckner: From the Archives, Volume 2 (Somm Recordings)
This second instalment confirms this will be a series well worth following as the Bruckner bicentenary year progresses [JQ]
Stanford: Te Deum & Elegiac Ode (Lyrita)
An outstanding CD which is likely to be the most important contribution on disc to the Stanford centenary [JQ]
Shostakovich: Symphony No 13 ‘Babiy Yar’ (Chandos)
There’s a great deal to admire in this ‘Babiy Yar’, though it doesn’t shake allegiances to some earlier recordings [JQ]
Tippett: A Child of Our Time (Chandos)
An impressive achievement which serves as a fine memorial to a distinguished British conductor [JQ]
Magnificat 4 (Signum Classics)
A distinguished final recording by Andrew Nethsingha with the St John’s College Choir [JQ]
Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde (Warner Classics)
(Déjà Review) One of the finest accounts of Das Lied von der Erde ever committed to disc [JQ]
Humperdinck: Hänsel und Gretel (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) An unmissable bargain, which I cannot recommend highly enough [JQ]
Beethoven & Brahms: Symphonies (RCO Live)
One of the finest orchestral discs to have come my way for a very long time [JQ]