GUSTAV HOLST
Holst: The Planets (LP) London Philharmonic Orchestra, Geoffrey Mitchell Choir, Sir Adrain Boult [ Warner Classics / LP - released 19/Jun/2020 ] 'This magnificent performance of The Planets, recorded with an opulent realism, brings to a culmination Boult's supreme understanding of this work.' Gramophone |
GEORG FRIDERIC HANDEL
Handel: Semele (complete opera recorded in 2019) BLU-RAY Louise Alder, Hugo Hymas, Lucile Richardot / Monteverdi Choir, English Baroque Soloists, Sir John Eliot Gardiner [ EuroArts Blu-Ray / Blu-ray Disc - released 29/Jan/2021 ] In Spring 2019, the Monteverdi Choir and English Baroque Soloists, led by John Eliot Gardiner, presented a critically-acclaimed European tour of Handel's opera 'Semele', including Alexandra Palace Theatre in London. |
LUDOVICO EINAUDI
Einaudi: Undiscovered (LP) Ludovico Einaudi (piano) [ Decca / 2 LP - released 25/Feb/2022 ] A new collection of songs, personally selected by the world's biggest streaming "classical artist" - Ludovico Einaudi, from across more than 25 years of music making. |
Marco Beltrami
Ost: The Wolverine [ Sony Classical / CD - released 22/Jul/2013 ] |
FRANZ SCHUBERT
Schubert: Le Voyage Magnifique: Impromptus D 899, D 935 / etc Maria Joao Pires (piano) [ Deutsche Grammophon / 2 CD Box Set - released 25/May/2000 ] 1001 Classical recordings to hear before you die (1801-1850) - The wonderful Schubert Impromptus receive an award winning performance! |
W. A. MOZART
Mozart: Piano Sonatas (complete) Maria Joao Pires (piano) [ Deutsche Grammophon Collector's Edition / 6 CD Box Set - released 1/Nov/2006 ] 'A stylist and fine Mozartian' (Penguin Guide), Maria Joao Pires is at her best in these highly recommended recordings. Refined, full of passion but with plenty of classical poise. |
J. S. BACH
Bach, (J.S.): Complete Organ Works Marie-Claire Alain (at the organs of the Martinikerk, Groningen; Grote Sint Laurenskerk, Alkmaar; Freiberger Dom; St Georgenkirche, Rötha; Église Sain [ Erato / 15 CD Box Set - released 24/Aug/2018 ] New Remastering in 24-BIT / 96KHZ from original tapes by Art & Son Studio, Annecy (2018) |
FREDERICK DELIUS
Delius: Orchestral & Choral Works / A Village Romeo & Juliet / Songs Maureen Forrester, John Cameron, Dora Labbette / Beecham Choral Society, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Thomas Beecham [ Warner Classics / 7 CD Box Set - released 1/Mar/2017 ] "A record to treasure. The greatest recordings made in stereo by the greatest British conductor at the peak of his career." - Gramophone |
FRANZ SCHUBERT
Schubert - Complete String Quartets Melos Quartett [ Deutsche Grammophon Collector's Edition / 6 CD Box Set - released 18/Jun/2005 ] "The Melos arean impressive body whose accounts of this repertoire are unmannered and on the whole sympathetic" (Penguin Stereo Guide) |
LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
The Very Best Of Beethoven London Classical Player, Roger Norrington / François-René Duchâble / Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Jukka-Pekka Saraste / Dmitry Sitkovetsky / etc [ Virgin / Warner Classics / 2 CD - released 25/Aug/2019 ] "This reissue is greatly to be welcomed as it usefully collects together some very thought-provoking performances at an affordable price and in good, clear recorded sound." (MusicWeb) |
PYOTR TCHAIKOVSKY
Tchaikovsky: Eugene Onegin (complete opera recorded in 2013) Metropolitan Opera / Anna Netrebko, Mariusz Kwiecien, Piotr Beczala, Oksana Volkova / Valery Gergiev (conductor) [ Deutsche Grammophon DVD / 2 DVD - released 21/Feb/2014 ] "In a show-stopping Letter Scene, Netrebko conveys that first, uncertain declaration of love perfectly...She could easily have been the reigning Tatyana of the past decade." (International Record Review) |
GEORGES BIZET
Bizet: Les Pêcheurs de Perles [The Pearl Fishers] (complete opera recorded in 2015) BLU-RAY Metropolitan Opera / Diana Damrau, Matthew Polenzani, Mariusz Kwiecien, Nicolas Teste / Gianandrea Noseda (cond) [ Erato Blu-Ray / Blu-ray Disc - released 24/Jan/2017 ] "The Met has thrown everything they have at Les Pêcheurs de Perles. The current new production, shared with English National Opera, serves in New York as a vehicle for star soprano Diana Damrau." The Guardian |
GIACOMO PUCCINI
Puccini: La Boheme (complete opera recorded in 1977) Metropolitan Opera / Luciano Pavarotti, Renata Scotto, Ingvar Wixell / James Levine (cond) [ Deutsche Grammophon DVD / DVD - released 22/Sep/2005 ] Puccini's masterpiece shows young love at its most heartbreaking in this rich production from the Metropolitan Opera in New York. |
RICHARD WAGNER
Wagner: Lohengrin (complete opera recorded in 1986) Metropolitan Opera / Peter Hofmann, John Macurdy, Eva Marton, Leonie Rysanek / James Levine (cond) [ Deutsche Grammophon DVD / 2 DVD - released 20/Jul/2006 ] "The Met brought out its best available performers. . . James Levine. . . controls the music superbly and. . . brings out a texture of sound in which Wagnerian sensualists can simply wallow." (Washington Post, 1986) |
W. A. MOZART
Mozart: Don Giovanni (complete opera recorded 2000) Metropolitan Opera / Renee Fleming, Bryn Terfel, Solveig Kringelborn, Paul Groves / James Levine (cond) [ Deutsche Grammophon DVD / 2 DVD - released 5/Sep/2014 ] "It's hard not to give this Don a warm welcome. For those irritated by modern psychological stagings, this set could well provide the perfect answer" - MusicWeb April 2005 |
W. A. MOZART
Mozart: Mitridate, Rè Di Ponto (complete opera) Michael Spyres, Julie Fuchs, Sabine Devieilhe, Elsa Dreisig, Paul-Antoine Bénos-Djia / Les Musiciens du Louvre, Marc Minkowski [ Erato / 3 CD Box Set - released 29/Oct/2021 ] "that this is probably the most successful recording of Mozart's opera we will ever see on disc; there is no doubt in my mind that it is the most exciting by a long stretch." MusicWeb Recommended Jan 2022 |
HANDEL
Messiah (Complete oratorio arranged by Mozart) Audrey Michael, Magali Dami, Jard van Nes, Hans Peter Blochwitz / Ensemble Vocal et Instrumental de Lausanne, Michel Corboz [ Warner Classics / 2 CD - released 6/Apr/2009 ] 'There is much to praise in Corboz's realization of Mozart's revision… he has most appealing soloists… the orchestral playing is very stylish…the recording is truthful and well balanced and the acoustics of the Casino de Vevey, Switzerland, are very |
FRANZ SCHUBERT
Schubert: Mitsuko Uchida plays Schubert (Complete Sonatas and Impromptus) Mitsuko Uchida (piano) [ Decca Budget Boxes / 8 CD Box Set - released 15/Dec/2004 ] Celebrate the completion of Mitusko Uchida's outstanding cycle of Schubert solo piano works with this specially priced boxed set of all 8 discs. |
PYOTR Il'yich TCHAIKOVSKY
Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake (complete ballet recorded in 2005) Moscow Classical Ballet / Marina Rzhannikova / Nikolay Chevychelov / Maxim Guerasimov / Alexei Pryadkin / Pavel Salnikov (conductor) [ Decca Music Group Limited / DVD - released 25/Oct/2006 ] G :- A beautiful and authentic staging in the great tradition of Russian classical ballet (including the authentic Russian happy ending!) Featuring the remarkable ballerina Marina Rzhannikova in the demanding double role of Odette/Odile. |
W. A. MOZART
Mozart: Requiem / Ave Verum Corpus / Masonic Funeral Music Nancy Argenta, Catherine Robbin, John Mark Ainsley, Alastair Miles / The Schutz Choir of London, London Classical Players, Roger Norrington [ Erato Classics Red Line / CD - released 15/Oct/2018 ] "Norrington's soloists are very good, so too the recorded sound, and this version of the Mozart Requiem can be enthusiastically welcomed, both as an edition and as a performance." MusicWeb |