rb

Rob Barnett

shostakovich shchedrin hyperion

Shostakovich and Shchedrin: Piano concertos (Hyperion)

(Déjà Review) Stunning performances of very contrasting works [RB]

Janáček: Glagolitic Mass, Taras Bulba (Supraphon)

(Déjà Review) Resplendent digital remasterings of these classics of the gramophone [RB]

Auric: Phèdre, Le Peintre et son modèle (Timpani)

(Déjà Review) Lovely music bound to please those already enthralled by Markevitch, Stravinsky and Bliss [RB]

american heritage bridge

Society for the Preservation of the American Musical Heritage (Bridge)

(Déjà Review) Rapturous, restive and troubled late-romanticism [RB]

Ropartz: Symphonies Nos 1 & 4 (Timpani)

(Déjà Review) A grand success and a major addition to the catalogue [RB]

Riisager: Ballet Music (Dacapo)

(Déjà Review) Brilliantly orchestrated and balanced – moving forward in a blizzard of detail; the very antithesis of drab [RB]

Englund-pc12-ODE10152-1

Englund: Piano Concertos Nos 1 & 2 (Ondine)

Another indispensable addition to the Englund discography from Ondine [RB]

Arambarri basque 502001

Arambarri: Orchestral works (Claves)

Arambarri has the charm and freshness of Guridi and Canteloube [RB]

Le Flem: Works for Solo Piano (Accord)

(Déjà Review) Melancholy, heroic, sombrely optimistic – I cannot overstate the high quality of this music [RB]

Deja Review Schumann Symphs Kubelik Sony SBK48269

Schumann: Symphonies Nos 1-4 (Sony Classical)

(Déjà Review) Unassuming, confident, middle of the road performances very well recorded [RB]

Phibbs qts NI645

Phibbs: String Quartets Nos 2-4 (Nimbus Records)

Strikingly lyrical ideas that conspire to batter at the heart and the mind [RB]

bree orchestral cpo

van Bree: Orchestral Works (cpo)

Charm and concision from this little known early-Romantic charmer [RB]

Bendix, Simonsen: Piano Concertos (Danacord)

(Déjà Review) Marshev is a capably sympathetic advocate for these neglected romantics [RB]

Deja Review Guarnieri Symph 2 3 BIS CD1220

Guarnieri: Symphonies Nos 2 and 3 (BIS)

(Déjà Review) Likely to appeal strongly to those who are already captivated by Villa-Lobos and by the Latino Copland [RB]

Broadstock: Symphonies Nos 1-5 (Et’cetera)

(Déjà Review) This set represents a magnificent, vividly living and very emotional achievement which I urge you to hear [RB]

Deja Review Langgaard Symphs 9-11 DNRSO Dausgaard Dacapo 8.224182

Langgaard: Symphonies Nos 9-11 (Dacapo)

(Déjà Review) A rapturous masterpiece flanked by a pugnaciously enigmatic brevity and a euphoric example of Schumann-dominated nostalgia [RB]

Deja Review Diamond String Quartets v1 Albany TROY504

Diamond: String Quartets Nos 3 & 8 and Concerto for String Quartet (Albany)

(Déjà Review) The two earlier works are approachable examples of the middle ground between neo-classicism and romantic-impressionism [RB]

Larsson: Concert Overture No 2 & Sinfonietta (Phono Suecia)

(Déjà Review) Good examples of Larsson’s early and late styles [RB]

Deja Review Braga Santos Symph 4 Cassuto Marco Polo 8.225233

Braga Santos: Symphony No 4 & Symphonic Variations (Marco Polo)

(Déjà Review) Braga Santos – a nationalistic impressionist with Iberian exoticism. A top recommendation [RB]

Bowen: Piano Concertos Nos 2 & 3 (Dutton)

(Déjà Review) A most enjoyable helping of Bowen’s late-romanticism [RB]

Zandonai violin 7771072

Zandonai: Violin Concerto, Quadri di Segantini (cpo)

Colourful nationalist music atmospherically presented and standing in the lineage of Dvorak and Respighi [RB]

Deja Review Leifs Baldr BIS CD1230-31

Leifs: Baldr (BIS)

(Déjà Review) Tough, tonal, uncompromising music, rhythmically emphatic, not without melodic softness, hewn out of granite and adversity [RB]

Madetoja: Intimate Garden (Alba)

(Déjà Review) Played by a fine advocate well attuned to the music and its endearingly soft melancholia [RB]

Alwyn: Symphonies Nos 2 & 5 and Harp Concerto (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) The best single CD introduction to the major works of Alwyn [RB]