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William ALWYN (1905-1985) String Quartets 1-3, Novelette Maggini Quartet rec. 2007 NAXOS 8.570560 [68:53] [BW]

For those investigating Alwyn beyond the symphonies ... see Full Review

Leroy Anderson (1908-1975) Orchestral Music - Volume 5 BBC Concert Orchestra/Leonard Slatkin rec. 2007 NAXOS 8.559382 [52:16][JF]

Somewhat removed from the popular impression of his music ... see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Gloria in excelsis Deo Jean-Joseph Cassanéa de MONDONVILLE (1711-1772) Grand motet, “Dominus regnavit” Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741) Gloria, RV 589 Tafelmusik Chamber Choir & Baroque Orchestra/Ivars Taurins; Jeanne Lamon rec. 2006 CBC SMCD5244 [67:40][KS] 

A well balanced program makes this disc a real gem ... see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Sacred Arias and Cantatas from Mass in B Minor, St John Passion, St Matthew Passion, Cantatas BWV82a, 170 & 208 David Daniels (counter-tenor) The English Concert/Harry Bicket rec. 2007 VIRGIN CLASSICS 5190372 [66:48] [JQ]

A fine disc ... see Full Review

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) Vergnügte Ruh’, beliebte Seelenlust, BWV170, Widerstehe doch der Sünde, BWV54, Gott soll allein mein Herze haben, BWV169* James Bowman (counter-tenor) The King’s Consort/Robert King rec.1988 HYPERION HELIOS CDH55312 [59:03] [BW]

This reissue deserves a place in every Bach collection ... see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) The Cello Suites Paul Tortelier (cello) rec. Temple Church, London, April 1982 EMI CLASSICS FOR PLEASURE 50999 2 28358 2 6 [71:52 + 72:25] [ST]

A thoughtful, old-school vision … full of integrity ... see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) The Bach Cantata Pilgrimage Vol. 17 Cantatas BWV16, 41, 58, 143, 153 & 171 Ruth Holton, James Gilchrist, Peter Harvey, Monteverdi Ch, English Baroque Soloists/Sir John Eliot Gardiner rec. 2000 SOLI DEO GLORIA SDG150 [69:26 + 26:28] [JQ]

Perfect music with which to greet an incoming year ... see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) The Bach Cantata Pilgrimage - Volume 5 Cantatas for the Eighth Sunday after Trinity, Cantatas for the Tenth Sunday after Trinity Joanne Lunn (soprano); Daniel Taylor (alto); Christoph Genz (tenor); Gotthold Schwarz (bass) The Monteverdi Choir; English Baroque Soloists/Sir John Eliot Gardiner. rec. 2000 SOLI DEO GLORIA SDG 147 [53:10 + 65:36]   [JQ]

Another distinguished and stimulating issue in this important series ... see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Solo Cantatas for Alto James Bowman (counter-tenor); The King’s Consort/Robert King rec. 1988 HYPERION HELIOS CDH55312 [59:03][JFL] 

A voice, not the most tender, beautiful in many ways, but tinged with artifice ... see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) French Suite 5 see SCHNITTKE

Music of Tribute - Volume 5: J. S. BACH Beatrice Berthold (piano) rec. Grosser Sendesaal, Saarländischer Rundfunk, Saarbrücken, Germany, 2005 LABOR RECORDS LAB 7079 [76:44] [CC]

A well-planned disc superbly delivered

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Cembalo Concertos  Francesco Cera (harpsichord) I Barocchisti/Diego Fasolis rec. 2005/8  ARTS 477298  [68:15] [JV]

Much noise, little expression - there is no reason to recommend this disc ... see Full Review

 Tadeusz BAIRD (1928-1981) Piano Concerto see SEROCKI

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 

Clarence BARLOW (b. 1945) Piano Works Ludus ragalis, Stücke für Selbstspielklavier, Coğluotobüsişletmesi Composer (player piano), Irmela Roelcke, Hermann Kretzschmar, Jürgen Kruse, Benjamin Kobler (pianos)/James Avery. rec. 2006 CYBELE 960.308 [71:31] [DC]

Take note – genius at work ... see Full Review

Béla BARTÓK (1881-1945) Quartet 6 Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) String Quartet Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Well Tempered Clavier, Book II Fugue 7 (arr. WA Mozart) Alexander String Quartet rec. 2003 FOGHORN CLASSICS CD1984 [63:15] [JW]

A heavier corporate sound, blunter and less tactile ... see Full Review

Mason BATES (b. 1977) String Band see American Trios

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Symphony No. 3 Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Siegfried’s Rhine Journey; Prelude to Act I and Death of Isolde from Tristan und Isolde Birgit Nilsson; London Symphony Orchestra/Sir Georg Solti rec. 1963-8 BBC LEGENDS BBCL42392 [79:18][PPLL]

Two superstars of the past century – outstanding performances ... see Full Review

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Clarinet Trio; Septet The Nash Ensemble rec. 1989 VIRGIN CLASSICS 5221262 [60:30][LW] 

The lighter side of Beethoven.  The players really enjoy themselves ... see Full Review

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Symphony No.4 in B flat major, Op.60 (1806) [33:46] Symphony No.7 in A major, Op.92 (1812) [39:39]* Manchester Camerata/Douglas Boyd rec. 3 February 2007 and 3 November 2007*, The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester (live recordings). DDD AVIE AV2169 [73:41] [TP]

Fresh, enjoyable Mancunian versions ... 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

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Sonatas: Vol.VII (Nos. 27-29) András Schiff (piano) rec. 2006 ECM NEW SERIES 1948 4766189 [76:36][DC]

Has to be considered a top recommendation – ultimate clarity and drama ... see Full Review

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Sonatas Nos. 30-32 (Vol. VIII) András Schiff (piano) rec. 2007 ECM NEW SERIES 1949 4766192 [64:42][DC]

Warning: may render your current versions redundant

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Fidelio Arnold Schoenberg Choir; Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/Simon Rattle rec. 2003 EMI CLASSICS GEMINI 2176302 [65:58 + 44:17][ST]

Deeply disappointing ... see Full Review

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Lieder Edition Fischer-Dieskau - Volume IV Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (baritone); Hertha Klust (piano) rec. Berlin, 25 May 1951 (1, 6-9), 13 January 1952 (2-5, 10), 13 June 1952 (11-21). ADD AUDITE 95.601 [58:34] [KMc]

Excellent early Fischer-Dieskau will appeal to true fans and completists ... see Full Review

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Violin Sonatas Vol. 3 Nos 8-10 Joseph Fuchs (violin) Artur Balsam (piano) rec. 1952 NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.111253 [70:18] [JW]

Robust, fluid and trenchant if occasionally rather impersonal ... see Full Review

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)  Symphonies 7 & 8 Tafelmusik O/Bruno Weil rec. 2008 ANALEKTA AN29947 [63:58 + bonus DVD: 46:26] [JS]

Wonderfully stylish and uncluttered ... see Full Review

 Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Sonatas 14, 17, 30 & 31  Heinrich Neuhaus (piano) rec. Moscow 1946-50  RUSSIAN COMPACT DISC  RCD16245 [66:50] [JW]

Utmost probity and moving control ... see Full Review

Vincenzo BELLINI (1801-1835) The Complete Operas rec. 1955-2007 DYNAMIC CDS552/1-25 [25 CDs: details included in review][RJF]

A welcome opportunity to follow the development of the leading opera composer of his generation ... see Full Review

Vincenzo BELLINI (1801-1835) I Capuleti e i Montecchi Agnes Baltsa, Edita Gruberova, CH & O Royal Opera House, Covent Garden/Riccardo Muti rec. live, 1984 EMI CLASSICS 5091442 [58:35 + 71:25] [CH]

Difficult to imagine Gruberova-Baltsa-Muti being bettered ... see Full Review

Hector BERLIOZ (1803-1869) Symphonie Fantastique, La Mort de Cléopâtre Susan Graham (mezzo) Berlin PO/Sir Simon Rattle rec. 2008 EMI CLASSICS 2162240 [75:59] [JQ]

A fresh approach to a remarkable symphony

Hector BERLIOZ (1803-1869) Requiem Ronald Dowd (tenor) Wandsworth School Boys’ Ch/Russell Burgess London SO & Ch/Sir Colin Davis rec. 1969 PENTATONE CLASSICS PTC5186 191 [40:57 + 50:22] [LW]

A classic among the glories of the Davis Berlioz discography ... see Full Review

Georges BIZET (1838-1875) Symphony in C; L’Arlésienne Suites Nos. 1 & 2 Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Children’s Corner Suite Leopold Stokowski and his Symphony Orchestra rec. 1949-52 CALA CACD0548 [78:15][CH]

For those who will exchange modern sound for the magic of a great interpreter ... see Full Review

Arthur BLISS (1891-1975) A Colour Symphony, Violin Concerto Lydia Mordkovitch (violin) BBC Ntl O Wales/Richard Hickox rec. 2006 CHANDOS CHAN10380 [73:35] [RB]

Two substantial Bliss works in stunning modern sound ... see Full Review

Ernest BLOCH (1880-1959) Concerto Symphonique, Scherzo Fantastique, Hiver - Printemps Halida Dinova (piano) State Academic Cappella of St Petersburg SO/Alexander Tchernushenko rec. 2002 CHANDOS CHAN10085 [62:03] [RB]

Early and late Bloch performed and recorded with weighty brilliance ... see Full Review

Arrigo BOITO (1842-1918) Mefistofele - opera in a Prologue, Four Acts and Epilogue (1868) Mefistofele - Ferrucio Furlanetto (bass); Faust - Giuseppe Filianoti (tenor); Margherita and Helen of Troy - Dimitra Theodossiou (soprano); Marta - Sonia Zaramella (mezzo); Pantalis - Monica Minarelli (mezzo) Chorus, Orchestra and Corps de Ballet of Teatro Massimo, Palermo, Sicily/Stefano Ranzani rec. 2008 DYNAMIC DVD 33581 [2 DVDs: 144:00] [RF]

This production does justice to Boito’s operatic mélange ... see Full Review

Alexander BORODIN (1833-1887) Symphonies Nos. 1 & 2 Dresden Philharmonic/Michel Plasson rec. 1992-3 BERLIN CLASSICS REFERENCE 0013962BC [58:56][SV] 

An athletic, driving manner with contrasting moments of liquid expression ... see Full Review

Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Piano Concerto No. 2 Pyotr Il’yich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Piano Concerto No. 1 Arthur Rubinstein (piano); London Symphony Orchestra/Albert Coates, John Barbirolli rec. 1919-32 NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.111271 [71:12][CH]

Difficult to look the other way when Rubinstein is playing ... see Full Review

Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Piano Concertos 1 & 2, Intermezzos, Six Piano Pieces  Wilhelm Backhaus (piano) Vienna PO/Karl Böhm rec. 1953-67  DECCA ELOQUENCE 480 0800 [67:04 + 68:42] [CH]

Seekers after Brahms cannot ignore Backhaus ... see Full Review

Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Symphony 1, Double Concerto  Willi Boskovsky (violin) Emanuel Brabec (cello) Concertgebouw O, Vienna PO/Wilhelm Furtwängler rec. live, 1950/2  IDIS 6554 [79:38] [JW]

A worthwhile pairing but transfers bettered elsewhere ... see Full Review

Luis de FREITAS BRANCO (1890-1955) Orchestral Works - Vol. 2 RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra/Álvaro Cassuto rec. 2008 NAXOS 8.572059 [67:49][RB]

It would be a mistake to pass over de Freitas Branco ... see Full Review

Benjamin BRITTEN (1913-1976) String Quartets 1-3, Three Divertimenti Belcea Quartet rec. 2003/4 EMI CLASSICS 2285182 [58:10 + 36:24] [JF]

Deserves to be in every Britten enthusiast’s CD library ... see Full Review

Benjamin BRITTEN (19 13-1976) Violin Concerto William WALTON (1902-1983) Viola Concerto  Maxim Vengerov (violin, viola) London SO/Mstislav Rostropovich rec. 2002  EMI CLASSICS 2285252 [64:29] [BBr]

Do you really want to buy this disk simply for the Walton? ... see Full Review

Anton BRUCKNER (1824–1896) Mass in E Minor; Libera me, Domine Josef Gabriel RHEINBERGER (1839–1901) Requiem KammerChor Saarbrücken; Kammerphilharmonie Mannheim/Georg Grün rec. 2008 CARUS 83.414 [59.10][RH]

Much to commend on this disc

Russian Settings of Robert Burns Georgy SVIRIDOV (1915-1998) Songs to Verses by Robert Burns (1955) [32:11] Edison DENISOV (1929-1996) Two Songs to Verses by Robert Burns (1951) [3:51] Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Three songs from Six Romances for Bass: excerpts (1942) [6:57] Yuri LEVITIN (1912-1993) Song-Cycle to Verses by Robert Burns (1956) [11:03] Tikhon KHRENNIKOV (1913-2007) Three songs from Five Songs to Verses by Robert Burns (1944) [6:41] Vassili Savenko (bass-baritone); Alexander Blok (piano) rec. 2002/5. TOCCATA TOCC0039 [60:34] [RB]

Fine rewarding songs … fascinating ... see Full Review

 

 

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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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