LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
Beethoven: The Last Five Piano Sonatas (28-32) Includes 'Hammerklavier' Michael Houstoun (piano) [ Trust / 2 CD Box Set - released 2/Feb/2001 ] The most difficult of piano sonatas played by our Michael |
RICHARD WAGNER
Wagner: Der Fliegende Hollander [The Flying Dutchman] ( Alfred Muff, Ingrid haubold, Erich Knodt, Peter Seiffert / Austrian Radio Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, Pinchas Steinberg [ Naxos Opera Classics / 2 CD Box Set - released 2/Feb/1992 ] "The recording is both atmospheric and clear, and the set comes with libretto, translation, notes and detailed synopsis, an outstanding bargain." Penguin Guide |
SERGEI PROKOFIEV
Prokofiev: The Collector's Edition Nikolai Lugansky, Martha Argerich, Yefim Bronfman, Michael Beroff, Steven Isserlis, Borodin Quartet, Truks Monk, Andre Previn, Mstislav Rostropovich [ Erato / Warner Classics / 36 CD Box Set - released 31/Mar/2023 ] March 2023 marks the 70th anniversary of death of Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953). A Russian composer, pianist, and conductor, he made a part of his career in "the west", moving to the United States and France after the 1917 Revolution. |
GEORGE ENESCU
Enescu: Symphonies Nos. 1-3 / Romanian Rhapsodies 1 & 2 Orchestre National de France, Cristian Măcelaru [ Deutsche Grammophon / 3 CD - released 26/Apr/2024 ] DG present a new recording of fascinating repertoire completely new to the Universal Music catalogue: Symphonies No. 1-3 by George Enescu, plus his most well-known works, the Romanian Rhapsodies. GRAMMY® Award winning conductor Cristian Măcelaru,... |
J. S. BACH / BEETHOVEN / DVORAK / BRAHMS / BOCCHERINI / etc
Pablo Casals - The Complete HMV Recordings (Rec 1926-1955/39) Pablo Casals (cello) with Alfred Cortot, Jacques Thibaud, Mieczyalaw Horszowski & others [ Warner Classics / 9 CD Box Set - released 25/Aug/2023 ] "In these splendid recordings, Casal's superb playing offers us the finest fruits of his great art." (Gramophone on the Bach Suites) |
J. S. BACH
Bach: Famous Concertos [Includes 'Brandenburg Concertos'] Thomas Zehetmair (violin), Amsterdam Bach Soloists / Pieter-Jan Belder, Musica Amphion / Erik Bosgraaf, Ensemble Cordevento [ Brilliant Classics Quintessence / 5 CD Box Set - released 22/Jan/2021 ] "This is a most rewarding reissue. Even those lovers of baroque music who usually avoid modern instrument performances, should consider this disc at budget price." (MusicWeb Sept 2013 Violin Concertos) |
GIUSEPPE VERDI
The Verdi Opera Selection: "Shakespeare" Otello / Macbeth / Falstaff Plácido Domingo, Barbara Frittoli, Leo Nucci, Thomas Hampson, Ruggero Raimondi, Manuel Lanza, etc [ Arthaus Opera Editrion / 3 DVD - released 1/Jul/2020 ] Otello - Live from the Teatro alla Scala Milan, 2001 Macbeth - Live from the Opernhaus Zurich, 2001 Falstaff - Live from the Teatro del Maggio Muusicale Fiorentino, 2006 |
GIUSEPPE SAVERIO MERCADANTE
Mercadante: Il Proscritto (complete opera) Ramón Vargas, Irene Roberts, Elizabeth DeShong, Sally Matthews / Britten Sinfonia, Carlo Rizzi [ Opera Rara / 2 CD Box Set - released 14/Apr/2023 ] "Mercadante wrote for a stellar cast, and Opera Rara field fine singers too" BBC Music Opera Choice July23 |
RICHARD STRAUSS / ANTON BRUCKNER / HUGO WOLF
Renee Fleming in Concert (recorded live in 2011 & 2012) Renee Fleming (soprano) / Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Staatskapelle Dresden, Christian Thielemann [ Opus Arte DVD / 2 DVD Box Set - released 5/Mar/2018 ] Two unforgettable evenings showcase the artistry of Renée Fleming alongside Christian Thielemann's mastery of the Austro-German Romantic idiom...."Beautifully filmed and recorded … worthy of special praise." (MusicWeb Nov 2013) |
LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 1 - 9 (Recorded live from the Opéra Bastille and the Palais Garnier, Paris 2014-15) BLU-RAY Ricarda Merbeth, Daniela Sindram, Robert Dean Smitm, Günther Groissböck / Paris National Opera Chorus and Orchestra, Philippe Jordan [ Arthaus Blu-Ray / 3 Blu-ray Box Set - released 20/Sep/2016 ] "A seasoned Beethovenian will likely conclude that a lot of care and thought went into the interpretations as well." Classical-Net |
W. A. MOZART
Mozart: The Piano Sonatas Robert Levin (fortepiano, Anton Walter, 1782) [ ECM New Series / 7 CD Box Set - released 2/Sep/2022 ] BBC Music AWARD NOMINATION 2023 - INSTRUMENTAL |
DELIBES / ADAM / HEROLD / TCHAIKOVSKY / TALBOT / PROKOFIEV / etc
The Royal Ballet - The Collection BLU-RAY The Royal Ballet / Leanne Benjamin, Carlos Acosta, Alina Cojocaru, Johan Kobborg, Marianela Nunez, Sarah Lamb, Federico Bonelli, Lauren Cuthbertson, e [ BBC / Opus Arte Blu-ray / 15 Blu-ray Box Set - released 8/Oct/2021 ] Over a decade of dance is represented here with no fewer than 22 ballets in this magnificent 15-disc collection of stunning performances by The Royal Ballet. |
GUSTAV MAHLER
Mahler: Complete Symphonies - The Chief Conductors Edition Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly, Daniele Gatti, Willem Mengelberg, Bernard Haitink, Mariss Jansons, Eduard van Beinum [ RCO Live SACD / 15 CD Box Set - released 2/May/2025 ] In 1903, Gustav Mahler conducted his own work with the Concertgebouw Orchestra for the first time. He was ecstatic about orchestra, choirs and audience: 'The music culture in this country is astonishing! The way these people can listen!' |
FRANZ LEHAR
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Lehar: Das Land des Lachelns [The Land of Smiles] Siegfried Jerusalem, Helen Donath, Martin Finke / Munchner Rundfunkorchester, Willi Boskovsky [ EMI / 2 CD Box Set - released 18/Oct/1982 ] "This set comes with obvious pedigree. Siegfried Jerusalem is a first-rate, intelligent singer with an easy tenor voice that imparts to "Dein ist mein ganzes Herz" a natural passion and fluency." Gramophone |
RICHARD WAGNER
Wagner: Siegfried Simon O'Neill (tenor), Gerhard Siegel, Iain Paterson, Martin Winkler, Hallé, Sir Mark Elder [ Hallé / 4 CD - released 7/Jun/2019 ] "The outstanding performances here come from the Hallé and their music director. With quality playing from all departments, Wagner's complex orchestral timbres are carefully presented." BBC Music |
RICHARD WAGNER
Wagner: Siegfried Simon O'Neill (Siegfried), Michael Volle (Der Wanderer), Peter Hoare (Mime), Symphonie-Orchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Sir Simon Rattle [ BR Klassik / 3 CD - released 6/Oct/2023 ] Following the 2015 release of Das Rheingold and of Die Walküre in 2019, BR-KLASSIK is now releasing Siegfried as part of the enthusiastically received Ring cycle under Sir Simon Rattle. |
JOHANNES BRAHMS
Brahms The Symphonies Staatskapelle Berlin, Daniel Barenboim [ Deutsche Grammophon / 4 CD Box Set - released 1/Dec/2018 ] ""The blend of clarity, intimacy and power the engineers have been able to achieve here fits the lustre and glow of these Staatskapelle performances like a glove" Editor's Choice Gramophone |
LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Tokyo String Quartet plays Beethoven [9 CD set] Tokyo String Quartet [ Sony Classical Masters / 9 CD Box Set - released 1/Nov/2012 ] "I doubt whether quartet playing comes much better than in this Tokyo set of the Op. 18. Quite frankly I don't think that you can go far wrong with this set: the playing is unfailingly alive, sensitive and poised." (Gramophone) |
DOUGLAS LILBURN
Complete Electro-Acoustic Works [3 CDs plus DVD] Various performers [ Atoll Records New Zealand / 4 CD/DVD - released 17/Jul/2004 ] Douglas Lilburn (1915-2001) is considered 'the father of New Zealand music'. After considerable success, he rejected composing for acoustic musical instruments and turned wholly to the creation of electronic works because he felt they would more... |
VARIOUS COMPOSERS
Peaceful Piano Moods Various Artists including Ludovico Einaudi, Vikingur Olafsson, Ola Gjeilo, Maria João Pires, Martha Argerich, Yuja Wang, Max Richter, Lang Lang, etc [ Deutsche Grammophon / 4 CD Box Set - released 15/Mar/2024 ] Immerse yourself in the most peaceful and chilled-out works written for the piano. Introducing Peaceful Piano Moods, a genre-dissolving compilation - a seamless blend of classical and contemporary piano repertoire. |