rb
Rob Barnett
Vaughan Williams: Symphonies 2, 5, 7 & 8 (Pristine Audio)
Hallé, Barbirolli and HMV all in one place [RB]
Nenov: Piano Works (CRD Records)
Diminutive scores yet grand in expressive compass – deeply serious, folksy, sumptuously expressive [RB]
Shor: Cello Concerto and other works (Naxos)
You would be hard-pressed to identify this as contemporary; it is kind to the ear [RB]
Martinů: Orchestral Works (Supraphon)
(Déjà Review) Catching the Martinů sound in full flight [RB]
Lopes-Graça: Piano Works (Hyperion)
A subtle folk-inflected collection, not simplistic – impressive [RB]
Shostakovich: Incidental and Film Music (Naxos)
A stream of vivid musical tesellae [RB]
Marx: Orchestral Songs and Choral Works (Chandos)
(Déjà Review) The disc with which to introduce this composer to music-lovers [RB]
Holst: Orchestral Works Vol 1 (Chandos)
The finest Holst disc in years [RB]
Finnish Works for Violin & Orchestra (Naxos)
Naxos has again pushed the repertoire boundaries [RB]
Len Mullenger: an appreciation
by Rob Barnett
Delius: The Complete Violin Sonatas (Conifer Classics)
(Déjà Review) Done with unblinking and almost daunting passion [RB]
Pleyel: Clarinet Concertos 1 & 2 (cpo)
(Déjà Review) Most listeners will succumb immediately [RB]
Stenhammar: Piano Concertos No 1 & 2 (Hyperion)
(Déjà Review) Two leonine concertos of the Scandinavian romantic persuasion [RB]
Szymanowski: The Complete Music for Violin and Piano (Hyperion)
(Déjà Review) A natural and inspired choice for this repertoire [RB]
Myaskovsky: Complete Symphonies & Orchestral Works (Warner Classics)
Wondrous works, at minimal price (and presentation) – not to be missed [RB]
Bowen: The Piano Sonatas (Hyperion)
(Déjà Review) A major romantic reprise [RB]
Bax & Ireland: Works for Piano & Orchestra (Somm)
(Déjà Review) The Bax premiere is a revelation [RB]
Casella: Sinfonia per orchestra, Italia (cpo)
(Déjà Review) A stirring epic symphony and the dazzle of a latter-day Capriccio Italien [RB]
Tchaikovsky: Orchestral Suites (Decca)
(Déjà Review) Compact good value and pleasing musical sense [RB]
Gouvy: Symphony No 3 & 5 (cpo)
(Déjà Review) Symphonies in an idiom between Bizet, Beethoven & Mendelssohn [RB]
Stokowski conducts Falla (Pristine Audio)
(Déjà Review) Of great interest to enthusiasts of Stokowski, Kapell and de Falla. [RB]
Brahms: Double Concerto, Violin Concerto (Deutsche Grammophon)
Déjà Review) The best sounding of the Brahms double, and a fine Violin Concerto to match [RB]
Bax: Symphony 6, Overtures (Lyrita)
The symphony is essential Bax in performance and recording terms [RB]
Sibelius: Luonnotar and Orchestral Songs (Ondine)
(Déjà Review) This is a glorious disc that will delight lovers of Scandinavian song as well as Sibelians everywhere [RB]
