jq

John Quinn

Rachmaninov pcs AV2192

Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos 2 & 3 (Avie)

A fine achievement [JQ]

bruckner symphonies blomstedt accentus

Bruckner: Symphonies 1-9 (Accentus Music)

An important and impressive contribution to the Bruckner discography [JQ]

Vaughan Williams: Live Vol. 4 (SOMM)

Fascinating Vaughan Williams performances from both sides of the Atlantic in excellent transfers [JQ]

schmitt salome apaches

Schmitt: La Tragédie de Salomé (B Records)

An expert and fascinating exposition of the full version of Florent Schmitt’s ballet score [JQ]

Dove: In Exile (Lyrita)

Music and performance can be recommended without reservation [JQ]

Walton choral 8555793

Walton: Choral works (Naxos)

Some very fine music in absolutely top class performances which are accorded recorded sound of comparable excellence [JQ]

Holst Choral Works SOMMCD279

Holst: Choral Works (SOMM Recordings)

An excellent and very welcome disc of Holst’s choral music [JQ]

Dove Sappho CR076

Dove: Sappho sings (Convivium)

An excellent first recording of an attractive recent work by Jonathan Dove [JQ]

VW Symph 7 and 9 Brabbins Hyperion CDA68405

Vaughan Williams: Symphonies 7 & 9 (Hyperion)

A fine conclusion to Martyn Brabbins’ distinguished Vaughan Williams symphony cycle [JQ]

Beethoven: Violin Concerto (LSO Live)

A good performance of the concerto, fatally undermined by completely unsuitable cadenzas [JQ]

Chilcott canticles SIGCD729

Chilcott: Canticles of Light (Signum Classics)

A rewarding collection of recent British choral music, expertly performed in Poland [JQ]

Rachmaninov All Night Vigil Delphian DCD34296

Rachmaninoff: All-Night Vigil (Delphian)

A worthy tribute to Rachmaninoff in his anniversary year [JQ]

bernstein prelude sony

Bernstein: Orchestral Works (Sony Classical)

Essential, authentic listening for admirers of Leonard Bernstein [JQ]

Sommer: Orchestral songs (Pentatone)

World premiere recordings of orchestral songs by a largely forgotten composer [JQ]

Kitty Whately (mezzo-soprano) Befreit: A Soul Surrendered (Chandos)

A very rewarding album, including songs by two unjustly neglected composers [JQ]

macmillan christmas lpo

MacMillan: Christmas Oratorio (LPO)

A tremendous performance of an important new work by James MacMillan [JQ]

Rott: Symphony (Deutsche Grammophon)

Jakob Hrůša breaks a lance for the symphony by Hans Rott [JQ]

Vaughan Williams Boult Somm ARIADNE5018

Vaughan Williams: Live Vol 2 (SOMM Recordings)

Lani Spahr’s expert restorations have breathed new life into these important archive recordings [JQ]

mahler symphony PTC5187021

Mahler: Symphony 5 (Pentatone)

A distinguished account of Mahler’s Fifth [JQ]

Schubert revisited 4839758

Schubert Revisited (Deutsche Grammophon)

A revelatory album [JQ]

Canticle of sun hill regent REGCD567

The Canticle of the Sun (Regent)

An interesting programme, impressively performed [JQ]

British Choral Anthems (Naxos)

This recording of the Five Mystical Songs is touched by greatness [JQ]

The Psalms St Johns College Nethsinga Signum SIGDCD721

The Psalms (Signum Classics)

A fine addition to the discography of Andrew Nethsingha and the Choir of St John’s College, Cambridge [JQ]

Handel Messiah Eboracum

Handel: Messiah (Eboracum)

Overall, an accomplished and enjoyable performance of Messiah [JQ]