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Nick Barnard

Bruckner: Symphony No.4 (Profil)

A predictably fine performance of a rarer edition of this symphony [NB]

Foss: Symphony No 1, Renaissance Concerto (Naxos)

A very enjoyable and well-played survey of an under-represented composer although the sound is not ideal [NB]

Fernández: Symphonies Nos 1 and 2 (Naxos)

Another impressive Latin-American composer, presented in compelling performances [NB]

Schulhoff, Debussy, Janáček, Antheil: Violin Sonatas (Genuin)

A wonderfully intelligent, interesting programme, superbly performed [NB]

Hungarian String Trios (BIS)

Fascinating repertoire stunningly performed [NB]

Bridge Cello CHSA5346

Bridge, Frances-Hoad & Walton: Cello Concertos (Chandos)

A well-planned and brilliantly played programme but the recording lacks bite [NB]

Belle époque – clarinet & orchestra recital (Pentatone)

Exceptionally fine playing and recording compromised by unbalanced programme and poor documentation [NB]

Gordon: Mythologies and Mad Songs (Orchid Classics)

Challenging but absorbing contemporary music superbly performed [NB]

Roussel Violin Sonatas-Naxos 8574577

Roussel: Violin Sonatas and String Trio (Naxos)

Very stylishly played accounts of Roussel’s impressive chamber works [NB]

damase orchestral dutton

Damase: Orchestral Works v2 (Dutton)

Superbly performed concertante music by a French neo-classical conservative [NB]

Turina Works for Strings Naxos 8.573391

Turina: Works for Strings (Naxos)

An interesting survey of Turina’s music arranged for string orchestra. A little extra glamour in the recording would have made it even more appealing [NB]

delius hassan chandos

Delius: Hassan (Chandos)

A welcome new recording of a substantial Delius score as originally conceived [NB]

Rose in Bloom – recital (Orchid Classics)

An imaginative programme, stunningly performed [NB]

Piazzolla: Buenos Aires (Naxos)

Well played if just a tad too restrained [NB]

state fair dutton

State Fair and the 20th Century-Fox Songbook (Dutton)

A celebration of great Hollywood musicals of the 40’s & 50’s performed with stunning style, sophistication and pizzazz [NB]

Kammerchor giants ROP6249

Standing on the Shoulders of Giants (Rondeau Production)

Superb singing of a slightly undifferentiated programme [NB]

moravec overlook bmop

Moravec: Orchestral Works (BMOP Sound)

Well played diverse scores receiving committed performances [NB]

Russian Variations Piers Lane Hyperion CDA68428

Russian Variations (Hyperion)

Well planned and brilliantly executed recital culminates in a superb set of Rachmaninov variations [NB]

summer dreams brilliant

Summer Dreams – American Piano Duets (Brilliant Classics)

Intentionally slight music played with sensitivity and skill [NB]

GuerraPeixe naxos 8573924

Guerra-Peixe: A Retirada da Laguna (Naxos)

Another excellent addition to this revelatory series – brilliant music, brilliantly played [NB]

Dvorak Symphs 3 and 9 Genuin GEN24853

Dvořák: Symphonies Nos 3 & 9 (Genuin)

Well played and well recorded but interpretatively rather plain [NB]

albion ralph vaughan williams serenade to music

Vaughan Williams’ Serenade to Music (Albion Records)

An interesting concept executed with imagination and insight [NB]

Danza Gaya Two Pianos Lyrita SRCD433

Danza Gaya: Music for Two Pianos (Lyrita)

Attractive and entertaining, but unfamiliar music, beautifully performed [NB]

Tchaikovsky & Korngold: String Sextets (Hyperion)

Two great Romantic string sextets played with the Nash Ensemble’s usual brilliance [NB]