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Stephen Barber

Silvestrov Widmung Naxos 8.574413

Silvestrov: Symphony for Violin and Orchestra ‘Widmung’ (Naxos)

Two of the works which made Silvestrov’s reputation, in good performances [SB]

Wagner Rheingold Knappertsbusch Pristine PACO210

Wagner: Das Rheingold (Pristine Audio)

This is a rewarding set, and fans of the singers, in particular, will be pleased [SB]

Debussy martyre SWR19149CD

Debussy: Le Martyre de Saint Sébastien (SWR Classic)

A problematic version of a problematic work, but Debussyians should investigate [SB]

Enescu Ysaye Bacewicz Wilson Chandos SACD CHSA5325

Enescu, Ysaÿe and Bacewicz: Music for Strings (Chandos)

John Wilson’s latest recording of string music is a winner [SB]

Zemlinsky: Eine florentinische Tragödie (BR Klassik)

A good version but there are better [SB]

Lumas Winds: British Wind Quintets (Champs Hill Records)

Five entertaining works and one more serious [SB]

Dindy piano PCL10255

d’Indy & Magnard: Piano works (Piano Classics)

d’Indy’s sonata is impressive but Magnard’s Promenades are more entertaining [SB]

Schubert Liszt Der Wanderer Songs Piano Classics PCL10271

Schubert/Liszt: Der Wanderer (Piano Classics)

Liszt’s reworkings of Schubert are well worth considering [SB]

Ravel: Chamber Music (First Hand Records)

Good performances of Ravel’s three major chamber works [SB]

Grieg: Symphonic Dances (Chandos)

Exemplary performances of some rare Grieg [SB]

Strauss: Piano Quartet & Metamorphosen (B Records)

Good performances but there are preferable versions of the main work [SB]

Busoni-Piano-Concerto-Lively-Gielen-SWR-Music-SWR19141CD

Busoni: Piano Concerto (SWR Classic)

A worthy performance of this massive work but others are better [SB]

Tchaikovsky, Korngold: String Sextets (Hyperion)

Two delightful string sextets, expertly played [SB]

Busoni Violin Sonatas Tactus TC860203

Busoni: Violin Sonatas (Tactus)

Busoni’s violin sonatas are well worth hearing [SB]

stainer cruci DCD34275

Stainer: The Crucifixion (Delphian)

An ideal performance of this famous old work which should win it new friends [SB]

Schumann Wind Instruments B Records L'Estran LBM058

Schumann: Chamber works with wind instruments (B Records)

Minor Schumann, but very pleasant listening [SB]

Britten: Violin Concerto (Orfeo)

An eloquent performance of the main work with an interesting early work to complement it [SB]

Part Tractus ECM 28004859166

Pärt: Tractus (ECM)

These new arrangements for string orchestra of existing works are of more specialist than general appeal [SB]

Franck: Les Béatitudes (Fuga Libera)

A fine performance of this ambitious but uneven work, but note the skimpy documentation [SB]

Grieg Violin Sonatas Brilliant 96949

Grieg: Violin Sonatas (Brilliant Classics)

A charming new version of Grieg’s attractive violin sonatas [SB]

Stravinsky Violin Concerto Ehnes Chandos SACD CHSA5340

Stravinsky: Violin Concerto, Apollon Musagète (Chandos)

Superb recordings of all the works here [SB]

Busoni Doktor Faust Meister Dynamic 37998 DVD

Busoni: Doktor Faust (Dynamic)

Good singing and lighting do not outweigh poor orchestral playing and perverse staging [SB]

lukaszewski symphonies DUX1844

Łukaszewski: Symphonies Nos 1 & 2 (Dux)

Two impressive choral symphonies by this important Polish composer [SB]

Clarke, Britten & Bowen: British Music for Viola and Piano (Claves)

An international version of some very British works [SB]