BRAHMS / CLARA & ROBERT SCHUMANN
Clara & Robert Schumann: Piano Concertos Beatrice Rana (piano) / Chamber orchestra of Europe, Yannick Nezet-Séguin [ Warner Classics / CD - released 3/Feb/2023 ] "Rana throws herself into both concertos with vim, vigour and virtuosity to spare, demonstrating just what kindred spirits Robert and Clara were." BBC Music |
SERGEI PROKOFIEV
Prokofiev: Peter and the Wolf / Classical Symphony / Overture on Hebrew Themes Henry Feagins / Roy Hudd / Sting / Chamber Orchestra of Europe / Claudio Abbado [ Deutsche Grammophon DVD / DVD - released 26/Sep/2007 ] This brilliantly inventive visualisation of Prokofiev's beloved musical tale features Sting, Claudio Abbado, members of London's celebrated Theatre de Complicite, and some fantastic Spitting Image puppetry. "Sting's knack for getting into... |
LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN / W. A. MOZART
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Great Pianists of the 20th Century - Rudolf Serkin Rudolf Serkin (piano) / Adolf Busch Chmaber Players / London Symphony Orchestra / Chamber Orchestra of Europe [ Deutsche Grammophon / EMI / 2 CD - released 9/Oct/2006 ] Rudolf Serkin (28 March 1903 - 8 May 1991) was a Bohemian-born pianist. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest Beethoven interpreters of the 20th century. |
VARIOUS COMPOSERS
United Strings of Europe: In Motion United Strings of Europe, Amalia Hall (violin) / Julian Azkoul (director), Franck Fontcouberte (conductor) [ BIS / CD - released 6/Nov/2020 ] The streets of eighteenth-century Madrid; a contaminated test-bombing site in Australia and a song from El Salvador provide some of the subject matter for this album by the United Strings of Europe (USE). Formed in 2012 by students at London's... |
FRANZ SCHUBERT
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Schubert: Songs (Songs orchestrated by: Berlioz-Britten-Brahms-Liszt-Offenbach-Reger-Webern ) Anne Sofie von Otter / Thomas Quasthoff / The Chamber Orchestra of Europe / Claudio Abbado [ Deutsche Grammophon / CD - released 28/Apr/2003 ] "Von Otter remains one of the most searching, verbally aware of Lieder interpreters. Quasthoff, with his warm noble baritone, is just as compelling. Abbado is a near-ideal accompanist, alive to any special felicities of scoring but always considerate... |
W. A. MOZART / RICHARD STRAUSS
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Mozart/Strauss: Oboe Concertos Douglas Boyd (oboe) / The Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Paavo Berglund [ ASV / CD - released 30/Apr/1986 ] "..this 1986 recording of Mozart and Strauss' oboe concertos with them proves, he was one heck of an oboe player. He had an absolutely first-rate technique -- listen to him negotiate Mozart's lean lines -- an absolutely beautiful tone" AllMusic |
JOHANNES BRAHMS
Brahms: Choral Works & Folksongs [6 CD set plus CD Rom] Chamber Choir of Europe. Nicol Matt. with Jargen Meier, piano, and Martina Schrott, harp / Amadeus Choir [ Brilliant Classics / 6 CD Box Set - released 20/Nov/2011 ] Brahms's choral music ranges from the severe magnificence of the Fest- und Gedenk-sprüche to the ravishing opulence of the Op.17 Songs for female voices, horns and harp. Brahms conducted amateur choirs throughout his professional life, both as a... |
W. A. MOZART / FRANZ SCHUBERT
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Mozart: Symphonies 31, 39, 40, 41 / Schubert: Symphony No. 4 Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Vienna Philharmonic, Nikolaus Harnoncourt [ Deutsche Grammophon DVD / DVD - released 1/Oct/2016 ] Schubert's 'Tragic' Symphony and Mozart's 'Paris' Symphony are performed by the Vienna Philharmonic under the baton of Nikolaus Harnoncourt at the Wiener Musikvereinsaal in 1984. Harnoncourt goes back to Schubert's original manuscripts. |
JOHANNES BRAHMS
Brahms: The Symphonies Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Yannick Nézet-Séguin [ Deutsche Grammophon / 3 CD Box Set - released 16/Aug/2024 ] "These are spontaneous-sounding interpretations, sure, but they're also thoughtful....Indeed, throughout this set, Nézet-Séguin hardly puts a foot wrong, and the COE play their hearts out for him." Gramophone September 2024 Editor's Choice |
FELIX MENDELSSOHN
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto / Octet for Strings Daniel Hope (violin) / Chamber Orchestra of Europe / Thomas Hengelbrock [ Deutsche Grammophon / CD - released 19/Sep/2007 ] "The playing is consistently fine and the pairing of the concerto with the octet - with a few songs thrown in for good measure - makes for enjoyable listening. It is worth hearing this original version of the concerto, if only for interest's... |
Europe
Gold (3CD) [ Sony Crimson Gold / 3 CD - released 25/Nov/2022 ] This definitive 3CD set features 45 tracks spanning the band's most popular career. 'The Final Countdown' reaching UK number 1 in 1986 alongside; 'Rock The Night' UK 12, 'Carrie' UK 22, 'Superstitious' UK 34 and 'I'll Cry For You' UK 28. |
Europe
The Final Countdown (Expanded) [ Sony / CD - released 18/May/2009 ] |
ROBERT SCHUMANN
Schumann: Cello Concerto & Chamber Works Gautier Capuçon (cello), Martha Argerich (piano), Renaud Capuçon (violin) / Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Bernard Haitink [ Erato Warner Classics / CD - released 18/Jan/2019 ] "Capuçon's impetuosity and thoughtfulness are complemented by Haitink's lifelong engagement with this music...Each of the [chamber] works is played with collective grace and elan by these crème de la crème chamber musicians." Sunday Times |
LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Beethoven: Complete Piano Concertos Pierre-Laurent Aimard (piano) / Chamber Orchestra Of Europe, Nikolaus Harnoncourt [ Teldec / Warner Classics / 3 CD Box Set - released 24/Feb/2003 ] "Readings of purposeful spontaneity which do justice to both the lyrical and the epic." Editor's Choice Gramophone April 2003 |
ROBERT SCHUMANN
Schumann: Genoveva (complete opera recorded in 1997) Ruth Ziesak, Marjana Lipovsek, Thomas Quasthoff, Rodney Gilfry, Deon van der Walt, Hiroyuki Ijichi / Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Nikolaus Harnoncourt [ Teldec / Warner Classics The Opera Collection / 2 CD - released 4/May/2009 ] "Opera buffs might complain at a lack of action, but lovers of Schumann will celebrate a work that is at once intimate, thought-provoking and gloriously melodious. A sure-fire first choice." (Gramophone) |
Europe
The Final Countdown (Coloured Vinyl LP) [ Legacy / LP - released 13/Oct/2020 ] The Final Countdown is the third studio album by the Swedish rock band Europe. Released on 26 May 1986 through Epic Records, the album was a huge commercial success selling over 15 million copies worldwide, peaking at number 8 on the U.S. Billboard... |
MORTEN LAURIDSEN
Lauridsen: Light Eternal I Virtuosi Italiani / Chamber Choir of Europe, Nicol Matt, with Morten Lauridsen (piano) [ Deutsche Grammophon / CD - released 20/Dec/2018 ] Writing music that radiates a personal voice is the holy grail for many composers. Morten Lauridsen has found his by tapping into the root power of the human voice itself. |
W. A. MOZART
Piano Concertos Nos. 24-27 Alicia de Larrocha (piano) / Chamber Orchestra of Europe & London Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Georg Solti [ Decca / 2 CD - released 1/Feb/2011 ] "it would be a strange person indeed who did not submit to such warm-hearted, unmannered Mozart....Larrocha's pearly toned, lightly pedalled touch and the way she can taper a phrase ending to resemble musical speech (try the opening of K491) make... |
J. S. BACH
Complete Keyboard Concertos András Schiff (piano), Peter Serkin (piano) / Chamber Orchestra of Europe & Camerata Bern, András Schiff (directing from the piano) [ Decca Collectors Edition / 4 CD Box Set - released 10/Aug/2012 ] "Schiff's control of colour and articulation never seeks to present merely a harpsichord imitation, and in the concertos his shaping of Bach's lovely slow movements brings finely sustained lines and a subtle variety of touch." (Penguin Stereo Guide) |
LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
Beethoven: Heroic Beethoven (LP) András Schiff, Stephen Kovacevich, Rudolf Buchbinder (piano) / Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Nikolaus Harnoncourt / Artemis Quartet / etc [ Warner Classics / 2 LP - released 22/May/2020 ] Ludwig van Beethoven is one of the towering heroes of music. As a composer, he became a transformational, sometimes revolutionary force. As a man of spirit and inspiration, he triumphed over deafness to produce a wealth of masterpieces. Over the... |
BEETHOVEN
Beethoven: Overtures Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Nikolaus Harnoncourt [ Teldec Warner Maestro / CD - released 6/Apr/2009 ] 1997 Gramophone Award Finalist - Orchestral Editor's Choice - Gramophone Magazine (Feb 97) |
VIVALDI
Violin Concertos (with Aria 'Sovvente il sole') Daniel Hope (violin) / Chamber Orchestra of Europe / with Anne Sofie von Otter (soprano) [ Deutsche Grammophon / CD - released 1/Nov/2008 ] "Out-of-Season Vivaldi delivered with a winning blend of love and intelligence. As so often with Daniel Hope, for some reason a much bigger star in Germany than in his native UK, the watchword here is intelligence." Editor's Choice - Gramophone... |
BEETHOVEN
Harnoncourt - Beethoven [includes Symphonies, Piano & Violin Concertos, Overtures, etc] Gidon Kremer & Pierre-Laurent Aimard / Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Nikolaus Harnoncourt [ Warner Classics / 14 CD Box Set - released 20/Nov/2006 ] A superb value 14 CD set of the complete Harnoncourt/Chamber Orchestra of Europe Beethoven recordings for Teldec Classics. |
ALFRED SCHNITTKE
Concerti grossi Nos. 1 + 5; Quasi una sonata Gidon Kremer - Tatiana Grindenko. The Chamber Orchestra of Europe. Wiener Philharmoniker. Heinrich Schiff. Christoph von Dohnanyi [ DG 20/21 Series / CD - released 24/Sep/2004 ] The violinist Gidon Kremer is well established as a leading exponent of Schnittke's music. Both Concerti Grossi have been premiered by or dedicated to him. |
FRANZ SCHUBERT
Schubert: Violin Works (Incls Violin Sonatas, Fantasie, Polonaise & Konzertstuck) Gidon Kremer (violin) / Chamber Orchestra of Europe [ DG Collector's Edition / 4 CD Box Set - released 10/May/2012 ] Schubert's greats by one of the world's leading violinists! |
RAVEL
Piano Concerto in G (with works by Richard Strauss) [recorded in Paris in January 2009] Helene Grimaud (piano) / Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Vladimir Jurowski [ EuroArts / DVD - released 1/Aug/2010 ] "Jurowki conjures up some fine playing in this, encouraging his section leaders to play up the humour of the score, but the best of the disc is the opening work, an impassioned, heartfelt account of Strauss's Metamorphosen." (Gramophone) |
LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
Beethoven: Fidelio (Complete Opera recorded in 1994) Boje Skovhus, Sergei Leiferkus, Charlotte Margiono, Barbara Bonney / Chamber Orchestra of Europe / Harnoncourt [ Teldec / Warner Classics The Opera Collection / 2 CD - released 1/Aug/2009 ] "As you would expect, Nikolaus Harnoncourt, tackling Fidelio, reflects the climate of period performance, even though - with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe as immaculate as ever - modern instruments are used." *** Three Stars. Penguin Stereo Guide. |
CHOPIN
Piano Sonata No. 3 in B minor / Mazurkas / Waltzes / Cello sonata / etc Maria Joao Pires (piano) / Emmanuel Krivine (cello) / Chamber Orchestra of Europe [ Deutsche Grammophon / 2 CD - released 1/Sep/2009 ] "The transience of life and beauty; how keenly we feel this as the first chord of the B major Op 62 Nocturne subsides into its echo. But that's just one of many magical moments in this CD release - for once presented by DG with the dignity that the... |
SCHUMANN
Piano Concerto / Piano Quintet Maria Joao Pires (piano) / Chamber Orch. of Europe / Claudio Abbado [ Deutsche Grammophon / CD - released 10/Apr/2000 ] "Mari Joao Pires takes centre stage in two major Schumann works featuring the piano, receiving near ideal support from both the COE and her chamber-music colleagues." Editor's Choice - Gramophone Magazine (July 2000) |
W. A. MOZART
Piano Concertos Nos. 14, 17, 21, 26 Maria Joao Pires (piano) / Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Wiener Philharmoniker, Claudio Abbado [ Deutsche Grammophon Duo / 2 CD - released 1/Aug/2014 ] "Truly outstanding Mozart playing" (Gramophone) |
W. A. MOZART
Mozart: Cosi fan Tutte (Complete opera) Miah Persson, Angela Brower, Rolando Villazón, Mojca Erdmann / Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Yannick Nézet-Séguin [ Deutsche Grammophon / 3 CD Box Set - released 10/Aug/2013 ] GRAMOPHONE MAGAZINE AWARD NOMINATION 2014 |
BEETHOVEN
Symphony No.6 "Pastoral" / Overtures Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Nikolaus Harnoncourt [ Maestro Warners Classics / CD - released 19/Jan/2009 ] |
HAYDN / BEETHOVEN / SCHUBERT / SCHUMANN / BRUCKNER / etc
The Symphony Collection Royal Concertgebouw, Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Berlin Philharmonic, Nikolaus Harnoncourt [ Teldec Warner Classics / 5 CD Box Set - released 12/Oct/2009 ] "Under Harnoncourt the music's gently descending lines truly glow [in the Third], distinctively but never conspicuously, and the gradual 'dying away' is beautifully handled" (Gramophone) |
W. A. MOZART
Mozart: Piano Concertos Nos 25 & 27 Piotr Anderszewski (piano) / Chamber Orchestra of Europe [ Warner Classics / CD - released 1/Feb/2018 ] "It is the intimacy of his rapport with the (sadly uncredited) wind soloists of the COE that makes this issue so special. His pristine fingerwork is always at the service of the score in continuous dialogue with the orchestral musicians" Sunday Times |
BACH / VASKS
Distant Light: Violin Concertos Renaud Capucon (violin & director) / Chamber Orchestra of Europe [ Erato Warner Classics / CD - released 20/Apr/2015 ] Renaud Capuçon's first recording as both soloist and conductor is also his first recording with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe. He has chosen to juxtapose Bach's violin concertos in A minor and E major with a haunting concerto written more than 350... |
J S BACH / VASKS
Distant Light Renaud Capuçon & Celine Frisch (violins) / Chamber Orchestra of Europe [ Erato / CD - released 10/Apr/2014 ] Renaud Capuçon's first recording as both soloist and conductor is also his first recording with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe. He has chosen to juxtapose Bach's violin concertos in A minor and E major with a haunting concerto written more than 350... |
DVORAK
Dvorak: Composer Series [2 CD set] Pierre-Laurent-Aimard (pinao), Royal Concertgebouw & Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Nikolaus Harnoncourt [ Teldec / Warner Classics / 2 CD - released 17/Aug/2009 ] "This superbly played Seventh has a lot going for it...Harnoncourt is impressive...The recording is splendidly full and resonant, with every detail registering." (MusicWeb May 2006) |
W. A. MOZART
Don Giovanni (Complete Opera recorded in 1998) Bryn Terfel, Simon Keenlyside, Carmela Remigio, Matti Salminen / Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Claudio Abbado [ Deutsche Grammophon Grand Opera / 3 CD - released 20/Jun/2012 ] "An intensely musical performance, large in scale, keen in its awareness of what is going on in the score and eager to make everything tell. Abbado is often ready to stretch the pulse in order to allow an expressive point in the music to register... |
MENDELSSOHN
Complete Choral Works Chamber Choir of Europe and Warttembergische Philharmonie Reutlingen. Nicol Matt [ Brilliant Classics / 10 CD - released 16/Aug/2005 ] "This is all well recorded and beautifully performed. Full credit to Brilliant Classics for this wonderful and revelatory set of Mendelssohn's complete sacred choral works. Don't miss this super bargain!" (MusicWeb April 2004) |