rb
Rob Barnett
Alkan: Piano Concerto (Naxos)
A recording that romantic era piano fanciers will have to have [RB]
Henley: Piano Works (Bridges Records)
Variety, not uniformity: drama, quiet lives and noble protest [RB]
Lipkin: Piano Works (Lyrita)
Not especially tough or unforgiving yet exerts a spell that stirs the heart and the mind [RB]
Tommasino: The Enigma of the English Mozart (Shelf Life)
Greatly refreshing and inspires surefooted confidence [RB]
Alwyn: Symphonies 1-5 (Chandos)
Lively interpretations that steer well clear of the routine [RB]
Robert Casadesus (piano): Brahms/Falla (Maestro Editions)
Ringingly affirmative Brahms and a good if ordinary de Falla [RB]
Sharon Bezaly (flute): Synergy (BIS)
Pleasing and moving, played with soulful and technical virtuosity [RB]
Korngold: Die Kathrin (cpo)
(Déjà Review) Music of your most romantic dreams and packing a grand emotional punch [RB]
Rachmaninov: Orchestral Works (RCA)
Responds to every seething texture, supple moment and elemental fury [RB]
Maria Kliegel (cello) Anniversary Edition (Naxos)
A fine cellist – expression, technical mastery, character all there – but a shame that this is a collection of excerpts [RB]
Jascha Heifetz: The Heifetz Collection Vol 35 (RCA-BMG)
Vivid and admirable shorter pieces but a Mendelssohn that has a heart of jagged tin [RB]