rb
Rob Barnett
Novák: Orchestral Works Vol. 2 (Naxos)
Dewy-eyed, romantic and uncloyingly amorous [RB]
Manchester Beethoven Studies (Manchester University Press)
A variegated ocean of writing by and for the worlds of deep dive enthusiasts and academics [RB]
Caine: Agent Orange (Winter & Winter)
Ceaseless change … incessant steps to embrace the heart [RB]
Reade: A Celebration (Signum Classics)
Kindly lyricism … easily assimilated, easily enjoyed [RB]
Palumbo: Woven Lights (BIS)
Impressively virtuosic, but struggles with emotional purchase [RB]
Surinach: Acrobats of God (BMOP Sound)
Light of heart yet with substance and a certain misty-eyed nostalgia [RB]
Sagvik: String Quartets (Nosag Records)
Mesmerising modernisms mixed with tenderness along the way [RB]
Dyson: Symphony, Concerto da chiesa (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) Lloyd-Jones makes something very special of the concerto, and the other pieces are really very well done [RB]
The Coronation of their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla (Decca)
Resounds in splendour – a souvenir of a historic point in the story of British Isles [RB]
Berwald: Symphonies and Overtures (Hyperion)
(Déjà Review) Deeply rewarding lyrical statements [RB]
Williams: Trumpet Concerto (Private release)
Film and concert genres: brilliance tautly wrought [RB]
Ataúlfo Argenta (conductor) (EMI Classics)
(Déjà Review) Lisztians need to hear Argenta’s Faust; his El Amor Brujo is perhaps the best ever [RB]
Korngold: Sinfonietta, Violin Concerto (Dorian)
(Déjà Review) A classic of recorded sound [RB]
Brahms: Concertos (Sony)
(Déjà Review) Fortunate the listener who learns her/his Brahms through these works [RB]
Leningrad Choral Music (Northern Flowers)
Three surprising and often skilled composers of winningly varied choral music from the city’s Leningrad years [RB]
Salmanov: Works for Choir (Northern Flowers)
Sensitivity to sentiment, dynamically responsive, sung with a passion that does not jeopardise unanimity [RB]
Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Piano Music (SOMM)
(Déjà Review) All credit to Bebbington and Somm for opening this stimulating door [RB]
Iannaccone: Looking Back, Moving On (Navona Records)
Aureate radiance: radiant in calm; radiant in storm [RB]
Beethoven: Piano Concertos 1-5 (Warner Classics)
(Déjà Review) A revelation of what can still be revealed by dedicated musicians [RB]
Alkan & Liszt: Piano Works (RCA)
Utterly commanding – refuses to let you do anything other than flinch, succumb, brave it out and celebrate [RB]
Bristow & Fry: Symphonies (Bridge)
Early American romanticism – golden-age verve rather than dutiful museum revival [RB]
The Golden Shore (Matador Publishing)
A warm welcome is due this exemplary book which has been so well realised [RB]