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Nick Barnard
Coleridge-Taylor: Orchestral Works (SOMM Recordings)
A valuable, diverse and very well presented programme displays the composer’s strengths and weaknesses [NB]
Moeran: Orchestral Music (SOMM Ariadne)
Another treasure trove of archive broadcast performances crowned by a definitive version of the Violin Concerto from Albert Sammons [NB]
Tippett, Britten & Walton: Works for Piano & Orchestra (BIS)
An intelligent, generous and well-played survey of three fine British keyboard concertante works [NB]
Robert Bennett & Duke: Violin Concerti (Chandos)
Unfamiliar music presented with skill, authority and conviction [NB]
Schreker: Die Gezeichneten, Korngold: Sinfonietta & Krenek: Potpourri (BIS)
An excellent survey, skilfully played and in fine sound [NB]
G Williams: Violin Concerto, Sinfonia concertante & Elegy (Lyrita)
Another valuable addition to the Williams discography – impressive music very well played [NB]
Ravel: Orchestral Works (Naïve)
A valuable Ravel survey elegantly played, topped by a stunning Daphnis [NB]
Mignone: Fantasia Brasileiras, No 1-4 (Naxos)
Exuberant and attractive scores very well played and recorded [NB]
And the Blackbird Sang (EM Records)
An interesting survey of British part-songs – sensitively sung and well-recorded [NB]
Bax: The Blessed Damozel (EM Records)
A well-planned and exceptionally generous recital compromised by a very flawed recording and less than convincing performance choices [NB]
Beauty Veil’d: Berkeley Ensemble (EM Records)
A wholly enjoyable and well-performed programme with McEwen the highlight [NB]
Ginastera: Complete String Quartets (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) Jaw-dropping prowess revealing masterpieces of the quartet literature [NB]
Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Music for Two Guitars Volume 2 (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) Refinement and beauty … technical sophistication and musical taste [NB]
British Piano Quintets (SOMM Recordings)
Four very different works form a generous and diverse programme [NB]
Bériot: Solo Violin Music, Vol 1 (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) Exceptional violin playing reviving a major work of the solo violin repertoire [NB]
American Folklore (Nimbus Alliance)
A collection that serves as a memento of a fine student orchestra fails to compete where alternatives exist [NB]
Mahler: Symphony 8 (High Definition Tape Transfers)
An epoch-making historic performance has never sounded so good [NB]
Bacewicz: Orchestral Works Vol. 2 (Chandos)
Volume 2 reaffirms all the qualities of its predecessor [NB]
Barraine: Symphonies 1 and 2 (cpo)
Impressive music, very well performed and recorded presents an unfamiliar composer with a confident musical personality [NB]
Bax: Spring Fire – Complete Music for Cello and Piano (SOMM Recordings)
Passionate music performed with great skill and wisdom [NB]
Bach: King of Kings (Chandos)
A celebration of the unassuming genius of Sir Andrew Davis [NB]
Orchestral Anthems Vol. 2 (Delphian)
A second volume matches the high quality of the first – sensitive performances beautifully recorded [NB]
Brian: Complete Choral Songs Vol. 1 (Toccata Classics)
A lovingly presented collection – the unknown or underappreciated aspects of Havergal Brian’s work [NB]
Bliss: The Composer Conducts. A 50th Anniversary Tribute (SOMM Recordings)
A treasure trove of key works in vintage live performances [NB]
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