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Alphabetical Listing

Recommendations

Click for alphabetical listings by composer:
[Part 1 New] [Part 2 A-B] [Part 3 C-L]
[Part 4 M-R] [Part 5 S-Z]
[Part 6 Misc A-L] [Part 7 Misc M-Z]
[last 5 days] [Recommended recordings]

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RECORDINGS OF THE MONTH

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Michael William BALFE (1808-1870) Falstaff Marcel Vanaud, Majella Cullagh, National Chamber Ch of Ireland, RTÉ Concert O/Marco Zambelli rec. 2008 RTÉ LYRIC FM CD119 [75:52 + 67:27] [RW]

A breath of fresh air ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Cello Sonatas Nos. 1-3 Daniel Müller-Schott (cello); Angela Hewitt (piano) rec. 2008 HYPERION CDA67633 [78:07][TP] 

Wonderful, life-affirming music-making from this exciting partnership ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) String Quartet Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) String Quartet Gabriel FAURÉ (1845-1924) String Quartet Quatuor Ebène rec. 2008  VIRGIN CLASSICS 5190452 [80:27] [JFL]

One of the most exciting recordings that I’ve ever heard ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Violin Concerto Gil Shaham (violin); Chicago Symphony Orchestra/David Zinman rec. 2007 CANARY CLASSICS CC06 [48:28][TP]

Vulnerability and ebullience … do not miss this ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony No. 4 Bamberg Symphony Orchestra/Jonathan Nott rec. 2006 TUDOR 7151 [55:29][TB] 

Makes a strong impression ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Joseph MARX (1882-1964) Orchestral Songs and Choral Works Christine Brewer (soprano); BBC Symphony Chorus & Orchestra/Jiří Bělohlávek rec. 2008 CHANDOS CHAN10505 [71:33][RB]

A seething aureate blaze. Wonderful stuff ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Tilo MEDEK (1940-2006) Organ Works Wandlungs-Passacaglia (2001) [5:09] B-a-c-h, Vier Töne für Orgel (1973) [7:44] Verschüttete Bauernflöte (1969) [11:22]
Quatemberfeste für Orgel (1989) [29:16] Gebrochene Flügel (1975) [7:42] Rückäufige Passacaglia (1979) [11:02] Martin Schmeding (organ) rec. 25-27 March 2008, Evang. Aufstehungskirche, Düsseldorf-Oberkassel. CYBELE SACD 060.801 [72:21]   [DC]

Some of the most unearthly musical sounds I have ever heard ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) Complete Works for Cello and Orchestra Johannes Moser (cello); Radio Sinfonieorchester Stuttgart des SWR/Fabrice Bollon rec. 2007 HÄNSSLER CLASSIC CD93.222 [69:16][MC]

A fruitful emotional encounter with Saint-Saëns ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Giacinto SCELSI (1905-1988) Preludi, Serie I-IV: Serie I [21:05]; Serie II [17:49]; Serie III [18:40]; Serie IV [13:46] Alessandra Ammara (piano) rec. 30 September – 1 October 2008, Chiesa di S. Apollinaire, Monticello de Lonigo, Vicenza, Italy ARTS 47721-8  [73 :10] [DC]

Enigmatic, fascinating, and a technically outstanding achievement all round. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Boris TCHAIKOVSKY (1925-1996) Complete String Quartets Ilya Ioff (violin); Elena Raskova (violin); Lydia Kovalenko (viola); Alexey Massarsky (cello) rec. 2008 NORTHERN FLOWERS NF9964-65 [42:12 + 67:28] [RB]

Translucent singing melody - a treasury ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Sanctum est Verum Lumen - Multi-part Music for Choir Gabriel JACKSON (b. 1962) Sanctum est verum lumen Robert WYLKYNSON (c.1450–c.1515) Jesus autem transiens/Credo in Deum Francisco GUERRERO (1528-1599) Duo Seraphim Josquin des PREZ (attrib.) (c.1450–1521) Qui habitat Tomás Luis de VICTORIA (1548-1611) Magnificat sexti toni Tarik O’REGAN (b. 1978) I sleep, but my heart wakethFelice ANERIO (c.1560–1614) Stabat Mater Johannes OCKEGHEM (attrib.) (c.1410–1497) Deo gratia a 36 Bo HOLTEN (b. 1948) In nomine Thomas TALLIS (1505–1585) Spem in alium National Youth Choir of Great Britain/Mike Brewer rec. 2006/7 DELPHIAN DCD34045 [70:21] [JQ]

This magnificent CD ravishes and stimulates the ear ... see Full Review

 

BARGAINS OF THE MONTH

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Magnus LINDBERG (b.1958) Complete Piano Music Ralph van Raat (piano) rec. 2007 NAXOS 8.570542 [72:30][HC]

No Lindberg admirer should miss this ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Olivier MESSIAEN (1908-1992) Complete Edition CDs 1-7 Piano Music CDs 8-13 Organ MusicCDs 14-15: La Transfiguration de Notre Seigneur Jésus-Christ CDs 16-19 Opera: Saint François d'Assise CDs 20-32 Other Music Limited edition DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 4801333 [32 CDs: c.34:00:00] [PW]

Far from an exercise directed at completists only … a life enhancing experience … see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) The Complete Symphonies Scottish Ntl O/Neeme Järvi rec. 1984/5 CHANDOS 10500X [4CDs: 261:28] [JFL]

Marvelous, charming, sweeping ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) Maria Callas - The Complete Puccini Studio Recordings rec. 1953-65 EMI CLASSICS 2158942 [15 CDs] [RJF]

Her unique Puccini interpretations are gathered here with an unexpected bonus ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Vier letzte Lieder etc. Heather Harper (soprano); London Symphony Orchestra/Richard Hickox rec. 1986-7 EMI CLASSICS FOR PLEASURE 2283742 [63:11] [DM] 

A thrilling Straussfest. Not to be missed ... see Full Review

 


Click for alphabetical listings by composer:
[Part 1 New] [Part 2 A-B] [Part 3 C-L]
[Part 4 M-R] [Part 5 S-Z]
[Part 6 Misc A-L] [Part 7 Misc M-Z]
[last 5 days] [Recommended recordings]


 

 



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