rb
Rob Barnett
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]
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 Concerto, Quadri di Segantini (cpo)
Colourful nationalist music atmospherically presented and standing in the lineage of Dvorak and Respighi [RB]
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]
Baltic Voices 1 (Harmonia Mundi)
Lyrical yet challenging, they welcome the listener with open arms [RB]
Vasks: Symphony No.2, Violin Concerto (Ondine )
(Déjà Review) Two rewarding lyrical works [RB]
Tippett: Orchestral works (Decca)
(Déjà Review) Something special – treasurable and pleasurable, all in excellent sound [RB]
Canteloube: Songs of the Auvergne (Vanguard Classics)
(Déjà Review) These two Davrath discs remain the reference against which all other recordings are measured [RB]
Weigl: Symphony No 5 (BIS)
(Déjà Review) Music in Brucknerian manner; a symphony that includes a mighty adagio to treasure [RB]
The detailed orchestration has a French brilliance to it [GPJ]
Rózsa: Orchestral Works (cpo)
(Déjà Review) A refreshing collection with excellent interpretations all round [RB]
English Piano Quartets (Meridian)
(Déjà Review) A classic and generous collection of rare English chamber music [RB]
Medtner: The Complete Piano Sonatas (Hyperion)
(Déjà Review) The strongest recommendation [RB]
Chavez: Complete Symphonies (Vox)
(Déjà Review) An impressive clutch of serious and vigorously-driven symphonies from Mexico resoundingly recorded [RB]
Sibelius: Rondo of the Waves (BIS)
(Déjà Review) Exalted performance values and rare vintage Sibelius [RB]
Dello Joio, Creston & Bloch (Centaur)
Likely to win new friends for all three composers [RB]
Bax: Tone Poems (Chandos)
An essential acquisition for all Baxians [RB]
Steinberg: Symphony No 2 & Variations for Orchestra (Deutsche Grammophon)
(Déjà Review) Torrid Slavonic performances of both the graceful Variations and the gloomily brilliant Symphony [RB]
Rachmaninov: Symphonies Nos 1-3 (Sony Classical)
(Déjà Review) A burnished classic of the gramophone [RB]
A Malcolm Arnold Musical Companion (Malcolm Arnold Society)
A companion to hold your hand through the works of an utter professional [RB]
Jongen: Cello Concerto & Impressions d’Ardennes (Cyprès)
(Déjà Review) Cyprès have done a sterling job kicking over the predictable traces [RB]
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