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Ralph Moore
Beethoven: Complete Symphonies (National Symphony Orchestra)
A mercilessly rushed series of performances which almost invariably sacrifices grandeur in favour of mere propulsion [RMo]
Strauss: Metamorphosen, Piano Quartet (B Records)
An accomplished, early Strauss chamber work of mild interest and a tender, carefully wrought, but slightly too cautious Metamorphosen [RMo]
Wagner: Das Rheingold (Pristine Audio)
A great performance revitalised in extraordinarily vivid sound – another Pristine remastering triumph [RMo]
Schubert: Symphony No 9 (Deutsche Grammophon)
Bernstein in genial mood directing a luscious-sounding Concertgebouworkest [RMo]
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 (Sony Classical)
An extraordinarily daring and vital realisation of a masterwork by a “maverick” conductor who dares to challenge convention – and triumphs [RMo]
Sibelius: Symphonies Nos 1-7 & Tapiola (Decca)
Another way to skin the Sibelian cat – and enjoy sound of unparalleled depth and clarity [RMo]
Berlioz’s Béatrice & Bénédict
by Ralph Moore
Gershwin, Tower, Stucky: Works for Piano and Orchestra (Naxos)
A varied and absorbing medley of American works [RMo]
Tchaikovsky: Complete Symphonies (Brilliant Classics)
Conducting, playing and engineering of the highest quality – subtle and thrilling in equal measure; a treasurable set [RMo]
Strauss: Josephs Legende (Naxos)
A fine performance, well recorded, but inferior to Sinopoli’s more sensuous account [RMo]
Dvořák: Symphonies Nos 7 & 8 (SWR Classic)
A potentially attractive coupling, quite well played but too low-key and lightweight. [RMo]
Tchaikovsky: Orchestral works (Chandos)
A very well played anthology of what is not Tchaikovsky’s most memorable or celebrated music [RMo]
Bruckner: Symphony 2 (Capriccio)
A crisp, rhythmically alert account, making a wholly persuasive case for the original version of Bruckner’s Second Symphony [RMo]
Rachmaninov: All-Night Vigil (Chandos)
Another way to listen to this imperishable masterpiece, beautifully arranged for and performed by lower, male voices [RMo]
Berlioz’s Roméo et Juliette
A survey by Ralph Moore
Scenes of Horror: Baroque Arias From the Shadows (Perfect Noise)
Thoroughly disappointing – a voice of no great distinction in a gimmicky programme [RMo]
Puccini: I Canti – Orchestral Songs (BR Klassik)
The youthful Puccini’s complete songs, robustly sung – and an even more pleasing trio of early orchestral pieces [RMo]
Sibelius: Symphony No 4 (Alpha Classics)
A performance to convert the Sibelian reluctant to appreciate the bleak Fourth’s special qualities, in a death-laden programme complete with two superb companion pieces [RMo]
Ad Tenebras (Artway Records)
New repertoire from 16th and 17th Century Portuguese liturgical music, beautifully performed [RMo]
Bruckner: Symphony No 3 (Myrios Classics)
Another urgent, cohesive, thoroughly convincing account from a conductor who is a true Brucknerian [RMo]
Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor (Pristine Audio)
On balance, still the best of Callas’ recordings of Lucia di Lammermoor [RMo]
Tchaikovsky: Symphonies 5 & 6 (Claves)
A lyrical, transparent account of the Fifth with an interesting condensed finale, and a good Sixth of no special distinction [RMo]
Bach: Goldberg Variations (Alba)
A poetic, refined, beautifully played account from a remarkable young Finnish pianist [RMo]
Stravinsky: Rite of Spring (High Definition Tape Transfers)
If you want to hear Stravinsky conduct his own most famous work in what is by far the best sound to date, this is it [RMo]
