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Alphabetical Listing

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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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Isaac ALBÉNIZ (1860 -1909) Iberia Yoram Ish–Hurwitz (pno), rec. 2007-9 TURTLE RECORDS TR 75529 & TR75530 [40:15/43:22] [BBr]

I cannot warm to this performance … see Full Review

William ALWYN (1905-1985) Overture in the Form of a Serenade, Prelude, Blackdown, Peter Pan Suite, Ad Infinitum Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) Heroic Elegy & Triumphal Epilogue York BOWEN (1884-1961) Eventide Sir Hubert PARRY (1848-1918) Hypatia Micaela Haslam (sop.), Roderick Elms (organ), London Chorus/Ronald Corp, BBC CO/John Wilson, rec. 2009 DUTTON EPOCH CDLX 7237 [72:52] [RB]

The Parry aside this is a most stimulating collection - full of surprises and memorable music ... see Full Review

Charles AVISON (1709 - 1770) Trio Sonatas op. 1 & Keyboard Sonatas op. 8 The Avison Ensemble (Pavlo Beznosiuk, Caroline Balding (violin), Richard Tunnicliffe (cello), Robert Howarth (organ, harpsichord)) rec. 2005 DIVINE ART DDA21214 [47:21 + 49:48] [JV]

An enjoyable set of discs with music which varies from expressive to entertaining ... see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Johann, I’m Only Dancing Red Priest (Piers Adams, recorders; Julia Bishop, violin; Angela East, cello; Howard Beach, harpsichord) rec. 2009. DDD. RED PRIEST RECORDINGS RP007 [69:04] [BW]

Fun with JS Bach but not at the expense of his music … deserves to be a runaway success ... see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) The Well-Tempered Clavier Roger Woodward (pno) rec. 2008 CELESTIAL HARMONIES 19922-5 [5 CDs: 279:56] [KM]

A Well-Tempered Clavier that feels just right … see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) The Art of Fugue, BWV 1080 [95:10] Vladimir Feltsman (piano) rec. 1996 NIMBUS NI 2549/50 [50:47 + 44:23] [DC]

Good, but a qualified success. ... see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Arias and Duets for soprano and bass with violin obbligato Hilary Hahn (violin); Christine Schäfer (soprano); Matthias Goerne (baritone) Münich Chamber Orchestra/Alexander Liebreich rec: 2008/9 DDD DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 477 8092 [56:55] [MC]

Hilary Hahn can certainly take great credit in what she describes as her dream project. ... see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) St. Matthew Passion Ex Cathedra Ch & Baroque O/Jeffrey Skidmore rec. live, 2009 ORCHID CLASSICS ORC100007 [79:58 + 77:45] [JQ]

A very successful and involving performance that conveys the essence of Bach’s masterpiece very well ... see Full Review 

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Cantatas Andreas Scholl; Barbara Schlick; Christoph Prégardien; Gotthold Schwarz, Concerto Vocale de Leipzig/Gotthold Schwarz Ensemble Baroque de Limoges/Christophe Coin rec. 1993-5 NAÏVE E 8911, 8918 & 8926 [65:38 + 62:20 + 70:53] [MC]

Fascinating and often enthralling Bach cantatas featuring the piccolo cello and played on period instruments. ... see Full Review 

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) The Works for Organ Vols 1 & 2 NIMBUS NI5280 [67:11] & NI5289 [55:32]
BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) The Works for Organ (MP3 Edition) Kevin Bowyer (organ) rec. 1991-2001 NIMBUS NI1721 [8 CDs of MP3 files: 30:52:00] [Equivalent to the 17 volume CD series] [BW] [KM]

All this wonderful music at such a low price; you can’t go wrong [KM] Not only Bargain of the Month, but almost certainly Bargain of the Year [BW] ... see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) St. Mark Passion Amarcord, Die Kölner Akademie/Michael Alexander Willens rec. live, 2009 CARUS 83.244 [73:15] [MC]

Excellently presented and performed … Bach collectors and lovers of sacred music should not hesitate ... see Full Review 

Carl Philipp Emmanuel BACH (1714-1788) Organ Works Thomas Trotter (organ) rec. 2009 REGENT RECORDS REGCD314 [66:48] [GD]

Overall a very satisfying recording ... see Full Review 

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Passacaglia and Fugue (transc. Stokowski) see BEETHOVEN

Bach and Friends A Documentary Film director: Michael R. Lawrence MICHAEL LAWRENCE FILMS [115:00 + 86:00] [KM]

A well-made and appealing film about Bach’s music though it focuses only on Bach’s solo works ... see Full Review 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Agustín BARRIOS (Mangore) (1885-1944) Confesión: La Catedral [7:33]; Estilo Uruguayo [3:39]; Aire de Zamba [2:48]; Vals, op 8 no 3 [4:13]; Danza Paraguaya no.1 [2:28]; Sargento Cabral (zamba) [2:19]; Confesión (romanza) [4:46]; Preludio, op.5 no.1 [3:55]; Choro da Saudade [5:11]; Leyenda de España [6:17]; Las Abejas [2:26]; Oración por Todos [2:31]; El Sueño de la Muñequita [2:45]; Vals de Primavera [5:27]; La Samaritana [4:02]; Mazurca Apasionada [5:32]; Cueca [3:12];Villancico de Navidad [2:50]; Una Limosna por el Amor de Dios [3:24] Alexander-Sergei Ramírez (guitar) rec. March 2000, Meinerzhagen, Stadthalle. DDD DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 289 471 532-2 [75:19] [ZT]

A treat for all aficionados of fine music - a must for Barrios devotees … see Full Review

Béla BARTÓK (1881-1945) Contrasts, Rhapsody 1, Mikrokosmos Josef Szigeti (violin) Benny Goodman (clarinet) Béla Bartók (piano) rec. 1940 NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.111343 [71:35] [JW]

Stark dynamism, warm timbral shading and astringent aristocracy ... see Full Review 

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Symphony 7 Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Passacaglia and Fugue Christoph Willibald GLUCK (1714-1787) Sicilienne Paul BEN-HAIM (1897-1984) From Israel Symphony of the Air, International Festival Youth O, All-American Youth O, Leopold Stokowski and his SO rec. 1941-69 CALA CACD0551 [77:16] [JW]

These vital, living inscriptions belong in the collection of all those smitten by the Stokowski sound ... see Full Review

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) The Complete Sonatas for Violin and Piano Robert Mann (violin); Stephen Hough (piano) rec. 1985/6 NIMBUS NI 2553/56 [4 CDs: 55:51 + 44:13 + 63:28 + 61:58] [GD]

Probably deserves obscurity ... see Full Review

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Sonata 29 Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Gnomenreigen, Liebestraume 3 Louis Kentner (piano) rec. 1939-41 PRISTINE AUDIO XR PAKM034 [50:51] [JW]

Kentner’s earlier, more openly virtuosic thoughts strong on kinetic drama and adamantine power ... see Full Review

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Concertos 3 & 4 András Schiff (pno), Staatskapelle Dresden/Bernard Haitink, rec. 1996 WARNER CLASSICS MAESTRO 2564 69173-5 [71:17] [JQ]

Enjoyable performances, though not Desert Island choices. ... see Full Review

Vincenzo BELLINI (1801 – 1835) Arias from I Puritani and La Sonnambula
Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797 - 1848) Arias from La Favorita, La Fille du Regiment, L'Elisir d'Amore, Don Pasquale and Lucia di Lammermoor Raul Gimenez (tenor); Sally Cooper Dyson (soprano); Frank Carroll (baritone) The Scottish Philharmonic Singers; Scottish Chamber Orchestra/Michelangelo Veltri rec. 1989 NIMBUS NI 5224 [69.44] [RH]

Gimenez brings considerable vocal ability, variety and intelligence to these arias ... see Full Review

Paul BEN-HAIM (1897-1984) From Israel see BEETHOVEN

Robert Russell BENNETT (1894-1981) Porgy & Bess: Symphonic Picture George GERSHWIN (1898-1937) 2nd Rhapsody, Pno Concerto in F André Previn (pno), Cristina Ortiz (pno), London SO/André Previn rec. 1971/80 EMI CLASSICS 9 67135 2 [64:49] [BR]

A classic recording of the Concerto is in print again … see Full Review

Hector BERLIOZ (1803-1869) Grande Messe des Morts Paul Groves (tenor) EuropaChorAkademie/Joshard Daus, SWR SO Baden Baden und Freiburg/Sylvain Cambreling rec. 2004 GLOR CLASSICS GC08034 [47:34 + 35:02] [J-PJ]

One of the best versions of the Requiem around ... see Full Review 

Hector BERLIOZ (1803-1869) Symphonie Fantastique, Overture Le Carnaval Romain Anima Eterna Brugge/Jos Van Immerseel, rec. 2008, ZIG-ZAG TERRITOIRES ZZT 100101 [65:14] [J-PJ]

A recording which genuinely tries to make a difference and largely succeeds. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Leonard BERNSTEIN (1918 - 1990) Chichester Psalms see RUTTER

 

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Georges BIZET (1838-1875) CD 1 Carmen Suite; L'Arlésienne Suite; Patrie! – Ouverture dramatique; CD 2 Symphony in C; Jeux d'enfants (Petite Suite); La jolie fille de Perth Suite Joaquin TURINA (1882-1949) Danzas fantásticas L'Orchestre de la Suisse Romande/Ernest Ansermet rec. 1958-1960 ADD DECCA ELOQUENCE 480 0457 [74:56 + 66:07] [DM]

Very desirable indeed … a chance to make amends for earlier misjudgements. ... see Full Review

Georges BIZET (1838 - 1875) Carmen: Suite 2 see BRITTEN

Hakon BØRRESEN (1876-1954) Symphony 1, Violin Concerto Rebecca Hirsch (violin) Aalborg SO/Owain Arwel Hughes rec. 1996 DACAPO 8.224059 [71:48] Symphonies 2 & 3 Aalborg SO/Owain Arwel Hughes rec. 1997 DACAPO 8.224061 [76:09] [RB]

Børresen: more at home with songful serenading than high-tension romantics - more Gade than Sibelius. Definitely worth hearing ... see Full Review 

Nadia BOULANGER (1887 - 1979) Trois pièces see French Cello Sonatas

York BOWEN (1884-1961) Eventide see ALWYN

Johannes BRAHMS (1833 – 1897) 21 Hungarian Dances (arr. Joachim) Oscar Shumsky (violin); Frank Maus (piano) rec. 1998 NIMBUS NI 2552 [51:24] [JW]

Surprises of this kind can’t come along too often ... see Full Review

Havergal BRIAN (1876-1972) Symphony 1 BBC SO/Sir Adrian Boult rec. 1966 TESTAMENT SBT2 1454 [52.09 + 55.58] [RB]

An historical document and a spiritual reflection faithful to contemplation, to awe and to the blast of conflict and turmoil. ... see Full Review

Benjamin BRITTEN (1913 - 1976) Four Sea Interludes Edward ELGAR (1857 - 1934) Cello Concerto, Sea Pictures Georges BIZET (1838 - 1875) Carmen: Suite 2 Catherine Hopper (mezzo); Felix Schmidt (cello) Young Musicians SO/James Blair rec. 2006/7 YMSO no catalogue number [75:17] [BBr]

I welcome this disk with much pleasure … see Full Review

Anton BRUCKNER (1824-1896) Symphony No. 7 in E (1881-3) [69:04] Czech Philharmonic/Lovro von Matacic rec. 1967 SUPRAPHON ARCHIV SU 3781-2 [69:04] [SV]

Matacic in vintage form for this fine Bruckner Seventh … see Full Review

Anton BRUCKNER (1824 – 1896) Symphony 9 Vienna PO/Carl Schuricht, rec. 1961 HDTT HDCD188 [55:56] [NB]

Unless you hold this version of Bruckner’s transcendent symphony close to your heart this would not be the place to start that exploration. ... see Full Review

Bruckner's Decision A film by Jan Schmidt-Garre rec. 1995 ARTHAUS MUSIK 101369 [80:00]  [CF]

A portrait of a genius, whose mental and physical collapse begins here ... see Full Review 

Gavin BRYARS (b.1943) The Garden Chapel see MARSHALL

Ferruccio BUSONI (1866-1924) Suite see Italian Clarinet Suites


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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