Ravel
Aaron Rosand (violin) In Memoriam (Rhine Classics)
The vibrant, alluring art of arch-Romanticist, Aaron Rosand [JW]
Mischa Elman (violin)The complete Victor recordings (1926-32) (Biddulph)
Elman’s glittering morceau (and some others) in splendid transfers [JW]
Karajan Conducts French Music (Pristine Audio)
Familiar recordings, probably skippable [SV]
Rachmaninov: Symphony No 3 (Fuga Libera)
The symphony is here given the best possible advocacy and Ravel’s nightmarish La Valse makes the perfect pendant [RMo]
Richard Galliano (accordion): Around Gershwin (Pentatone)
This imaginative and varied programme proves emphatically that Richard Galliano still sits safely on his throne as the King of the Accordion [GF]
Johannes Obermeier (piano): Brilliants (Genuin)
A début that very much lives up to its name [RCh]
Five Elements Vol 1: Acqua – piano recital (Da Vinci Classics)
An outstanding recital showcasing a formidable technique; let down by poor sound [DMD]
French Works for Two Pianos (Apex)
(Déjà Review) Great value, in terms of quality and quantity [GPJ]
Mythos and Memories (Da Vinci Classics)
Bold playing and a glorious richness of writing in Mariani’s evocative soundscapes [RCh]
Pierre Monteux (conductor): Live (SOMM Recordings)
A handsome tribute to ‘Le Maître’ sixty years after his death [JQ]
Ravel: Orchestral Works (Danacord)
A stylish and beautifully played collection of Ravel orchestral pieces that started life as piano works [GPJ]
Rachmaninov & Ravel: Piano Works (Naïve)
(Déjà Review) Indulgence is avoided, lending more, not less, emotive weight to the cascades of sound [CC]
Leopold Stokowski (conductor) BBC Legends Recordings 1963-74 (ICA Classics)
A collection of Stokowski’s live performances from the end of his career is inevitably something of a mixed bag [PCG]
Ravel: Chamber Music (First Hand Records)
Good performances of Ravel’s three major chamber works [SB]
Susan Graham (mezzo-soprano) Poèmes de L’Amour (Warner Classics)
(Déjà Review) Lovers of fine singing can purchase without hesitation now and enjoy an outstanding recording and performance [RJF]
475 Jahre Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden (Profil)
Many first-class performances to celebrate the 475th anniversary of the Staatskapelle Dresden [MC]
Erica Morini (violin) The Complete Victor Recordings (Pristine Audio)
Youthful Erica Morini’s earliest recordings from New Jersey show her scintillating in morceaux [JW]
Henry Merckel (violin) French Chamber Works (Forgotten Records)
Classic chamber recordings from the inimitable violinist Henry Merckel and his ensembles [JW]
Adriana von Franqué (piano) Filigrane (Genuin)
Floating, atmospheric, finely crafted Parisian music [JF]
Vaughan Williams – A Birthday Garland (SOMM Recordings)
A fine representative collection; no more rustic accents, please [JW]
Ravel, Berkeley & Pounds (Chandos)
A crisp interpretation of Ravel’s reverie that highlights its sui generis brilliance against his Boulangerist successors [NC]
Featured Naxos review |