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Stephen Barber
Silvestrov: Symphony for Violin and Orchestra ‘Widmung’ (Naxos)
Two of the works which made Silvestrov’s reputation, in good performances [SB]
Wagner: Das Rheingold (Pristine Audio)
This is a rewarding set, and fans of the singers, in particular, will be pleased [SB]
Debussy: Le Martyre de Saint Sébastien (SWR Classic)
A problematic version of a problematic work, but Debussyians should investigate [SB]
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]
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 (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]
Strauss: Piano Quartet & Metamorphosen (B Records)
Good performances but there are preferable versions of the main work [SB]
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]
Stainer: The Crucifixion (Delphian)
An ideal performance of this famous old work which should win it new friends [SB]
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]
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 Classics)
A charming new version of Grieg’s attractive violin sonatas [SB]
Stravinsky: Violin Concerto, Apollon Musagète (Chandos)
Superb recordings of all the works here [SB]
Busoni: Doktor Faust (Dynamic)
Good singing and lighting do not outweigh poor orchestral playing and perverse staging [SB]
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]
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