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Nick Barnard
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]
Sumera: Symphonies 1 & 6 (Ondine)
Knotty and serious scores receive powerful performances, beautifully recorded [NB]
Elgar: The Kingdom (Signum Classics)
A very fine recording that gives one the best chance to reconsider The Kingdom’s virtues [NB]
Guerra-Peixe: Symphonies 1 and 2 (Naxos)
Another fine addition to this series showcasing the stylistic range of the composer [NB]
An English Pastoral (SOMM Recordings)
A certain stylistic sameness compromises the fine performances [NB]
Film Fantasia: Emily Sun (ABC Classics)
The Oscar goes to Elena Kats-Chernin’s attractive and entertaining new concerto [NB]
Dring: Complete Works for Oboe (Chandos)
A disc of unexpected delights – delicious music played with wit and elegance [NB]
Ruth Gipps: Orchestra Works Volume 4 (Chandos)
This series goes from strength to strength – Symphony No.5 is quite a discovery [NB]
