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Simon Thompson
Chopin: Piano Concertos No 1 & 2 (MDG)
A welcome reissue of Zacharias’s poetic Chopin concertos [ST]
Schubert: Piano Music (Pentatone)
A marvellous rendition of Schubert’s final sonata [ST]
Holst: The Planets (LSO Live)
A Planets that just about justifies itself thanks to Pappano’s colourful theatricality [ST]
MacMillan: The Birds of Rhiannon (Chandos)
A good primer to start exploring Sir James MacMillan’s music [ST]
Martinů: Le Jour de Bonté (Arco Diva)
(Déjà Review) Charming and interesting, and leaves you hungry for more [ST] One of the highlights and discoveries of the Martinů celebrations [RB]
Elgar: Violin Concerto, Polonia (Chandos)
(Déjà Review) Outstanding throughout [ST]
Verdi: Simon Boccanegra (Prima Classic)
A one-dimensional Boccanegra, no match for Abbado’s classic [ST]
Richard Strauss: Electra (Chandos)
An orchestrally fine Elektra, but the singing is not up to scratch [ST]
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 (LSO Live)
A serviceable Pathétique, but not a great one [ST]
Brahms: Symphonies No.2, 4 (Chandos)
A good Fourth and an excellent Second [ST]
Beethoven: Missa Solemnis (1823) (C Major)
(Déjà Review) A performance of real stature [ST]
Handel: Serse (Erato)
Arrestingly beautiful, sung with passion and intensity [ST]
Mozart: Le Nozze di Figaro (Pristine Audio)
A classic that sounds better than ever, but look elsewhere for Figaro heaven [ST]
Verdi: Otello conducted by Toscanini (Pristine Audio)
(Déjà Review) Pick this one with confidence [ST]
Mozart: L’Aurore (Alpha Classics)
A marvellous release, particular for a best-of-both-worlds Sinfonia Concertante [ST]
Schubert: Chamber Music (MDG)
Performances that need fear comparisons with no other [ST]
Verdi: Requiem (Warner Classics)
(Déjà Review) Turn to this with confidence [ST]
Jonas Kaufmann (tenor) Doppelgänger (Sony)
A peculiar but wonderful release that showcases Kaufmann’s developing and deepening insights into the art of Lieder [ST]
Brahms: Piano Concerto No 2, Three Intermezzi (Pentatone)
A Brahms concerto full of poetry and quiet confidence [ST]
Gluck: Iphigénie en Tauride (Decca)
(Déjà Review) Fully in touch with Gluck’s keen sense of drama [ST]
Little Wanderer: Songs by Britten, Imogen Holst & Kidane (Signum)
An enormously strong recital by a major pairing in the world of English song [ST]
Offenbach: Les Contes d’Hoffmann (Unitel Editions)
A challenging production, but very rewarding if you give it a go, and the singing is sensational [ST]
The Verdi Tenor: Marcelo Alvarez (Decca)
(Déjà Review) A worthy survey of Alvarez’s Verdi career [ST]
O Holy Night: Christmas Carols From St John’s (Signum Classics)
A lovely Christmas disc with lots to enjoy [ST]
