jq

John Quinn

Britten Spring Symph Rattle LSO Live LSO0830

Britten: Spring Symphony, Sinfonia da Requiem, Young Person’s Guide (LSO Live)

A successful and enjoyable Britten anthology [JQ]

Bruckner: From the Archives, Volume 1 (SOMM Ariadne)

The auspicious launch of what promises to be a Bruckner series of uncommon interest [JQ]

holderlin sony presto

Brahms, Strauss, Reger & Rihm: Hölderlin-inspired works (Sony Classical)

A fascinating compilation of Hölderlin-inspired pieces [JQ]

Zemlinsky lyrische C210241

Zemlinsky: Lyrische Symphonie (Orfeo)

This CD will be indispensable to admirers of Michael Gielen [JQ]

Zemlinsky: Lyrische Symphonie, Symphonische Gesänge (Decca)

A very valuable disc of Zemlinsky’s sharply contrasting scores [JQ]

elder symphonies halle

Elgar: Symphonies Nos 1 & 2 (Hallé)

Distinguished recordings which surpass the earlier recordings by these performers [JQ]

Listening Studio Report

by John Quinn

Arnold: Overtures (Chandos)

(Déjà Review) Hugely entertaining music conducted with incisiveness and flair [JQ]

Stravinsky: Petrouchka & Debussy: Jeux, Poème Dansé (Decca)

A fine follow-up to Klaus Mäkelä’s previous Stravinsky disc [JQ]

faure songs hyperion

Fauré: Complete Songs Vol. 2 (Hyperion)

(Déjà Review) This disc has given me enormous pleasure and will continue to do so [JQ]

Sibelius Tone Poems Malkki Helsinki BIS 2638 SACD

Sibelius: Lemminkäinen Legends, Rakastava & Karelia Suite (BIS)

Fine performances, presented in exemplary sound [JQ]

Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius (Signum Classics)

A considerable achievement [JQ]

Dupre Calvaire GMCD7239

Dupré: La France au Calvaire (Guild)

A major work by Dupré. Very strongly recommended [JQ]

chesnokov sacred choral naxos

Chesnokov: Sacred Choral Music (Naxos)

Fine performances from Cambridge of wonderful choral music by Pavel Chesnokov [JQ]

Rachmaninoff: All-night Vigil (Chandos)

Musically and sonically outstanding [JQ]

Stanford shamus RO011

Stanford: Shamus O’Brien (Retrospect Opera)

The premiere recording of Stanford’s fourth opera in an excellent performance [JQ]

mahler boult pristine

Mahler: Symphonies 5, 7 & 8 (Pristine Audio)

A specialist issue, but Mahler devotees and admirers of Sir Adrian Boult will find it fascinating [JQ]

tippett child naxos

Tippett: A Child of Our Time (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) An indispensable purchase for all admirers of Tippett and all lovers of the English choral tradition [JQ]

Delius: Eine Messe des Lebens (LAWO Classics)

An outstanding recording of Eine Messe des Lebens [JQ]

Vaughan Williams Birthday Garland Somm CD0683

Vaughan Williams: A Birthday Garland (SOMM Recordings)

Lovers of English song should not hesitate: acquire this disc and gatecrash Uncle Ralph’s musical party [JQ]

Durufle Requiem Poulenc Hyperion CDA68436

Duruflé: Requiem & Poulenc: Lenten Motets (Hyperion)

There is wonderful French choral music here and it’s expertly performed [JQ]

mahler symphony warner

Mahler: Symphony 8 (Warner Classics)

(Déjà Review) – A second view: Superbly performed by all concerned and expertly recorded [JQ]

strauss four last songs alpha

Strauss: Four Last Songs (Alpha Classics)

A thoughtful project and, as such, a significant addition to the discography of the Vier letzte Lieder [JQ]

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Stölzel: Ein Lämmlein geht und trägt die Schuld (cpo)

Hearing this very fine performance makes it easy to understand why Bach esteemed Stölzel’s Passion oratorio [JQ]