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Nick Barnard
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]
Labor: Piano Concertos for the left hand (Capriccio)
Three conservative concertante works for the left hand in exemplary performances [NB]
Mahler: Symphony 3 (High Definition Tape Transfers)
A classic performance in a never-before-heard revelatory recording [NB]
Leiviskä: Orchestral Works Volume 1 (BIS)
An auspicious first volume of orchestral music by an unfamiliar Finnish composer [NB]
Fairy Tales (Quartz)
An eclectic programme, dynamically played if lacking complete virtuosic ease [NB]
Don’t Forget About Me (Toccata Press)
A powerful and moving study of a potential great of Czech 20th Century music [NB]
Bach: Organ transcriptions (Brilliant Classics)
Well-crafted transcriptions hampered by a performing style that is too often heavy and ponderous [NB]
Mer(s) (Appassionato)
Well-played performances hampered by a claustrophobic recording [NB]
Shostakovich: String Quartets 7-13 (Genuin)
Blazingly impressive performances given with intense virtuosity and musical insight [NB]
Ballard: Orchestral music (Naxos)
Committed performances of works of cultural rather than musical significance [NB]
Shostakovich: Symphony No 8 (ICA Classics)
A concert that marks the beginning of a great conductor/orchestra relationship hampered by poor sound [NB]
Bonis: Entre Soir et Matin (CAvi-music)
The considerable talent of Mel Bonis showcased in a well-planned and well-executed survey [NB]
Delius: A Mass of Life (LAWO Classics)
The mighty Mass of Life is revealed as a genuine masterpiece in this blazing performance [NB]
H2O (ANCLEF)
Three Orchestral Masterpieces effectively rendered in piano 4-hands versions by their composers [NB]
Empire to Commonwealth (Ars Organi)
Underwhelming music performed with zealous commitment [NB]
Poston: Carols and Anthems (Naxos)
Impressive rediscovery of much beautiful but unfamiliar music by a familiar composer [NB]
Dello Joio J: Piano Concerto (Bridge Records)
Impressive performances of three diverse and serious works [NB]
Bonis: Complete Piano Works, Vol 1 (Toccata Classics)
Well played attractive music bodes well for the developing complete survey [NB]
The Lord’s My Shepherd (Acis)
This well-chosen programme is more interesting and varied than many similar showcase discs [NB]
Gibbs: String quartets (Convivium Records)
Dedicated performances of attractive if not ultimately compelling music [NB]
Ritchie: Symphony 6 (Rattle)
Ritchie’s symphonic journey continues with the deeply personal and introspective Symphony No.6 [NB]
Jazz Violin Concertos (Gramola)
Crossover concerti triumphantly bridge the gap between Jazz and Classical [NB]
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