rmo
Ralph Moore
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]
Bruckner: Symphony 8 (Fontec)
Another decent performance blighted by the conductor’s very audible vocal intrusions [RMo]
Bruckner: Symphony No. 2 (Profil)
A thoroughly commendable and consistent account of the most popular version of Bruckner’s Second Symphony [RMo]
Flotow: Piano Concertos No. 1 & 2, Overtures (cpo)
Melodious, undemanding but always skilful and enjoyable light music [RMo]
Bruckner: Symphony No. 1 (Capriccio)
A tight, driven account of Bruckner’s First Symphony which is a success even if I still prefer Schaller’s version [RMo]
Bruckner: Symphony No 7 (BR Klassik)
Haitink displays remarkable consistency in this grand and spacious account [RMo]
Elgar: Orchestral Works (LSO Live)
Best avoided – there are many far superior options [RMo]
Charpentier’s Louise
by Ralph Moore
Beethoven: Symphonies No. 1-3 (ABC Classics)
Breathlessly executed – flashy, but no interpretative nuance [RMo]
Wagner: Die Walküre (Sterling)
Fine conducting and orchestral playing and an impressive Brünnhilde – but compromised by a poor Siegmund and a weak Wotan [RMo]
Bruckner: 10 Symphonies (Gramola)
Grand, broad, live performances of Bruckner’s symphonies now collected in a box set [RMo]
Mahler: Symphony No 8 (BIS)
A stunner of a Mahler Eighth, one of the best since Solti’s classic account [RMo]
Cherubini: Medea (Pristine Audio)
Pristine’s revitalising of the sound here goes a long way towards countering any criticism of Callas’ sole studio recording of Medea [RMo]
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