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Tony Haywood
Monteverdi: Madrigali amorosi (Deutsche Harmonia Mundi)
(Déjà Review) I can’t think of any better disc at budget price with which to get to know these marvellous works [TH]
Beethoven, Mendelssohn: Violin Concerti (Philips)
(Déjà Review) Will irritate as many as it will thrill [TH]
Delibes: Coppelia (Apex)
(Déjà Review) Nagano has such an infectious way with this score that makes it very hard to resist [TH]
Dvořák: Symphony No 9, Serenade for Strings (Sony Classical)
(Déjà Review) Anyone who is more interested in genuine music-making rather than state-of–the-art sound will not be disappointed [TH]
Casken: Darting the Skiff (NMC)
(Déjà Review) Truly inventive and stimulating music [TH]
Verdi: Simon Boccanegra (Morrison Music Trust)
(Déjà Review) With the frisson of live recording and none of the drawbacks, this set can confidently be recommended on all counts [TH]
Prokofiev: Symphony No. 2 (Chandos)
(Déjà Review) Impressively powerful; a coupling that is stimulating and generous [TH]
Grieg: Peer Gynt (Sony Classical)
(Déjà Review) A hugely enjoyable selection, and an ear-opener for those who only know the familiar suites [TH]
Pierre-Laurent Aimard (piano) Ravel & Carter (Warner Classics)
(Déjà Review) Aimard positively revels in complexities, eating up fistfuls of notes and spitting them out with ease [TH]
Debussy: Preludes I & II (Onyx)
(Déjà Review) A subtle and experienced advocate in the piano music of his homeland [TH]
Allegri: Miserere (Coro)
(Déjà Review) Those famous tumbling high Cs in the Allegri are piercing in their exaltation – tonal splendour and vocal blend a joy throughout [TH]
Bartók: Piano Concertos (Sony)
(Déjà Review) Marvellously subtle and polished … delightfully witty [TH]