BIZET / MASSENET / ROSSINI / BELLINI
Aigul Akhmetshina - Aigul Aigul Akhmetshina (mezzo), Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Daniele Rustioni; with Freddie De Tommaso (tenor), Elisabeth Boudreault (soprano), Kezia Bien [ Decca / CD - released 16/Aug/2024 ] "She has a superb voice, no question, warm and even in tone, admirably agile, with a full, effortless top, and a tangy lower register...It all adds up to a fine recital, and a most auspicious debut." Gramophone September 2024 Editor's Choice |
OLIVER DAVIS
Davis: Blue Beth & Flo (Pianos / Piano Four Hands), Grace Davidson and Julia Doyle (sopranos), Joshua Davidson (treble), Royal Philharmonic Orchestra [ Signum / CD - released 6/Oct/2023 ] This is Oliver Davis' first album dedicated to the piano, and specifically two pianists, Dutch piano duo Beth & Flo. The album features this dynamic duo playing four hands piano and also on two pianos with full orchestra. The song cycle 'Siren Songs'... |
LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
Beethoven: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 and 2 / Rondo, WoO 6 Boris Giltburg (piano) / Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Vasily Petrenko [ Naxos / CD - released 1/Nov/2019 ] "Here's a very promising start to what I assume will be a new Beethoven piano concerto cycle...Fine playing, fine conducting, fine engineering-in short, a really fine release generally." ClassicsToday |
LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
Beethoven: Piano Concertos Nos 3 & 4 Boris Giltburg (piano) / Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Vasily Petrenko [ Naxos / CD - released 10/Feb/2023 ] For 19th-century audiences Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3 was the most loved of all his piano concertos, a work in which the balancing of high drama, tenderness, lyricism and humour is most pronounced and in which a coda resolves inner tensions... |
DMITRY SHOSTAKOVICH
Shostakovich: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 / etc Boris Giltburg (piano) / Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Vasily Petrenko [ Naxos / CD - released 17/Dec/2016 ] "Much of the credit for this belongs to Vasily Petrenko as well, who continues his series of top-notch Shostakovich recordings for Naxos." 10 / 10 ClassicsToday Jan 2017 |
ALEXANDER BORODIN
Essential Borodin (Includes Symphonies 1-3 & In the Steppes of Central Asia) Borodin Quartet / Nicolai Ghiaurov / London Symphony Orchestra / Suisse Romande Orchestra / Royal Philharmonic Orchestra / etc [ Double Decca / 2 CD - released 2/Jun/2004 ] "Ashkenazy's (1st) many delights come richly, thanks not only to the quality of the RPO playing but also to the warm (1992) digital recording." (Penguin Guide) |
DANNY ELFMAN
Danny Elfman: Percussion Concerto / Wunderkammer Colin Currie (percussion) / Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, JoAnn Falletta [ Sony Classical / CD - released 17/May/2024 ] " After 115-plus movies Elfman can't help but make pictures of sound and the fabulous engineering here certainly makes them pop." Gramophone |
CHOPIN / BALAKIREV / RACHMANINOV / DOHNANYI / etc
Cyril Smith: The Complete Solo Recordings HMV & Columbia recordings Cyril Smith (piano) with Philharmonia Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Malcolm Sargent [ APR / 3 CD - released 10/Aug/2015 ] We tend to remember Cyril Smith (1909-1974) these days as the pianist who overcame the misfortune of a paralysing stroke to form a hugely successful duo for three hands with his wife, pianist Phyllis Sellick. Before then though, he had conquered the... |
CLARA SCHUMANN
Romance: The Piano Music of Clara Schumann Isata Kanneh-Mason (piano) / Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Holly Mathieson [ Decca / CD - released 19/Jul/2019 ] "it is the performances of the two song transcriptions that show what a gifted musician Kanneh-Mason is." Gramophone Magazine Editor's Choice August 2019 |
SZYMANOWSKI / RAVEL / YSAYE / LUTOSLAWSKI
Janusz Wawrowski - Phoenix Janusz Wawrowski (violin), Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Grzegorz Nowak [ Warner Classics / CD - released 12/Mar/2021 ] Janusz Wawrowski's new album, Phoenix, could be subtitled 'Hidden Concerto'. It pairs violin concertos by Tchaikovsky and the 20th century Polish composer Ludomir Różycki. |
KARL JENKINS
Jenkins: Stravaganza Jess Gillam (soprano saxophone), Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Karl Jenkins [ Decca / CD - released 8/Nov/2024 ] "The catchy opening movement, Perambulation, has a dotted motif reminiscent of Mancini's theme for The Pink Panther, with the soprano saxophone melodies matched by fairground-frenzied accompaniment." BBC Music |
SCHUMANN / SAINT-SAENS / GLIERE
Konzertstück for Four Horns and Orchestra Markus Maskuniitty (horn), Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Sakari Oramo (conductor) [ Ondine / CD - released 2/Aug/2019 ] "The playing of Maskuniitty and his three colleagues is simply superb, with exemplary balance between them and the thrilling arpeggio swoops in the last movement" BBC Music Award Finalist - Concerto 2020 |
FERDINAND HEROLD / CHARLES LECOCQ
Herold: La Fille Mal Gardee / Lecocq: Mam'zelle Angot (Complete Ballets) Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, John Lanchbery / National Philharmonic Orchestra, Richard Bonynge [ Decca Australian Eloquence / 2 CD - released 20/May/2007 ] "Here, with sound of spectacular Decca digital fidelity, Lanchbery conducts a highly seductive account of the complete ballet with an orchestra long familiar with playing it in the theatre." (Rosette Penguin Stereo Guide) |
ARTHUR SULLIVAN
Sullivan: Pineapple Poll / Henry VII / Victoria and Merrie England Philharmonia Orchestra, Sir Charles Mackerras / Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Royston Nash [ Decca Australian Eloquence / CD - released 1/Nov/2010 ] "its glowing ambience casts a pleasing bloom over the spirited and elegantly polished playing of the Philharmonia Orchestra. Mackerras conducts with great warmth" Penguin Guide (Pineapple Poll) |
RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS
Vaughan Williams: Job / Old King Cole / The Running Set Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Andrew Manze [ ONYX / CD - released 30/Jun/2023 ] "Scrupulously prepared and boasting some superbly coordinated, infectiously dedicated playing from the RLPO, it's a thoroughly absorbing interpretation [of *Job*]...Overall, this is unquestionably a very fine achievement." Gramophone Awards Finalist |
ANTONIN DVORAK
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Dvorak: Symphony No 3 in E flat, Op.10 / Scherzo Capriccioso / Carnival Overture Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. Libor Pesek [ Virgin Classics / 2 CD - released 1/Oct/2005 ] Recording: Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, October 1988. |
PYOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOSVKY
Tchaikovsky: Manfred Symphony / The Voyevoda Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Vasily Petrenko [ Naxos / CD - released 1/Dec/2008 ] Gramophone Award WINNER 2009: Orchestral - "This is top-quality sound and playing - at bargain price, too." BBC Music Magazine, November 2008 **** |
DMITRI SHOSTAKOVICH
Shostakovich: Symphonies, Vol 9: Symphony No. 4 in C minor, Op. 43 Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Vasily Petrenko [ Naxos / CD - released 1/Nov/2013 ] "the Liverpool players get around the enormous technical challenges with great verve, and the self-destructive climaxes are never shirked. But there's a brittleness to how Petrenko treats some of the episodes. Much of his reading, though, is spot-on" |
RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS
Vaughan Williams: Symphony No. 2 / The Lark Ascending Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Andre Previn [ Telarc Classics / CD - released 1/Sep/2002 ] "A must for devotees of Vaughan Williams." -Audio |
OLIVER DAVIS
Davis: Air Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Paul Bateman [ Signum / CD - released 6/May/2022 ] Similarly to his previous album SOLACE, AIR was written during lockdown and draws on themes of nature, environment and the natural world. Davis's previous albums with Signum have reached the top 10 on both iTunes Classical and UK Specialist Classical... |
MALCOLM ARNOLD
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Arnold - Symphonies Nos 7 & 8 Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Vernon Handley [ Conifer / CD - released 20/May/1991 ] "There are ear-catching melodies in these two symphonies from the 1970's, given superb first recordings by the Royal Philharmonic under Vernon Handley." New York Times |
MALCOLM ARNOLD
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Arnold - Symphony No. 6 / Fantasy on a Theme of John Field / etc Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Vernon Handley, with John Lill (piano) [ Conifer / CD - released 20/May/1993 ] "As his Symphony No. 6, completed in the summer of 1967, shows, Arnold was as great a symphonist as Tippet or Walton, but he was a harder, tougher, and sharper composer than them." AllMusic.com |
FRANZ BERWALD
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Berwald: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 4 / Racing / etc Royal Philharmonic Orchestra,Ulf Bjorlin [ EMI Classics Maxtrix 21 / CD - released 1/Mar/1977 ] Recorded Jan and Sep 1976 |
MENDELSSOHN / BRITTEN / TCHAIKOVSKY
Mendelssohn / Britten: Violin Concertos Sebastian Bohren (violin), Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Andrew Litton (conductor) [ RCA Red Seal / CD - released 3/May/2019 ] |
SERGEI RACHMANINOV
Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos Nos 2 & 3 Simon Trpceski (piano) / Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra / Vasily Petrenko [ AVIE / CD - released 1/Apr/2010 ] "His playing has that rare combination of power, passion, and precision which, combined with his rich tone and singing line, make this one of the most moving and musical Rachmaninov Third's on disc." (10/9 ClassicsToday.com) |
ANTONIN DVORAK
The Best of Dvorak Balázs Szokolay (piano), Maria Kliegel (cello), BBC Philharmonic, Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Cappella Istropolitana [ Naxos / CD ] Artists: Balázs Szokolay (piano), Maria Kliegel (cello) BBC Philharmonic, Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Cappella Istropolitana, Moyzes Quartet, Stephen Gunzenhauser, Zdenek Kosler, Michael Halász, Jaroslav Krcek |
ALEXANDER ZEMLINSKY / FRANZ SCHREKER
Zemlinsky: Die Seejungfrau / Schreker: Der Geburtstag der Infantin Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, European Opera Centre, Vasily Petrenko (conductor) [ Onyx / CD - released 13/Aug/2021 ] "Petrenko's interpretation [of the Schreker] is a pleasure from first to last. The excellent playing of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic brings each of the episodes vividly to life" Gramophone Editor's Choice July 2021 |
CHARLES VILLIERS STANFORD
Stanford: Cello Concerto / Piano Concerto No. 3 Alexander Baillie (cello) Malcolm Binns (piano) / Royal Philharmonic Orchestra / Nicholas Braithwaite, conducter [ Lyrita / CD - released 1/Aug/2007 ] "This CD is a must for all enthusiasts of Stanford's music. I guarantee that it will not disappoint: in fact it will inspire you and make you want to explore the music of this Great Man in much more detail. And that can be no bad thing!" (MusicWeb... |
DMITRI SHOSTAKOVICH
Shostakovich: Symphonies, Vol 11 - Symphony No. 13, "Babi Yar" Alexander Vinogradov (bass), Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Vasily Petrenko [ Naxos / CD - released 1/Oct/2014 ] "Vasily Petrenko's generally sensational Shostakovich cycle concludes with this powerful and gripping performance of the Thirteenth Symphony. Naxos' sonics are also excellent, with particularly well-judged balances between the choir and the orchestra |
ALBENIZ / TURINA / MONTSALVATORE / SURINACH
Alicia de Larrocha - Concertos from Spain Alicia de Larrocha (piano) / Royal Philharmonic Orchestra / London Philharmonic Orchestra / Rafael Fruhbeck de Burgos [ Decca SBS Australian Eloquence / CD - released 12/Dec/2009 ] In 1977 Decca released an LP entitled 'Concertos from Spain' which coupled two contemporary piano concertos - those by Montsalvatge (Concerto Breve, written for Alicia de Larrocha) and Surinach's Piano Concerto. The Surinach - a kind of Spanish... |
LEHAR / KALMAN / STOLZ / ROMBERG / etc
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Heart's Delight - The Songs Of Richard Tauber Piotr Beczala (tenor) / Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Lukasz Borowicz, with Anna Netrebko, Richard Tauber & the Berlin Comedian Harmonists [ Deutsche Grammophon / CD - released 26/Jul/2013 ] "The surprise is the beautiful, rarely recorded Still wie die Nacht (As Still as Night) by the near-forgotten Carl Bohm. This disc will send Beczala's stock soaring, reaching a wider public than he has done so far." (Gramophone) |
MAHLER / SCHUBERT / STRAVINSKY / HOLST / BORODIN / RAVEL / BERLIOZ / etc
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: The Sound of Simon Rattle Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Simon Rattle, with Kate Royal & Magdalena Kozena [ Warner Classics / 3 CD - released 15/Feb/2016 ] "Rattle takes the broad view, reviving memories of the Berlin Phil's glory days...Deeply satisfying." Gramophone Magazine on the Schubert |
HECTOR BERLIOZ
Berlioz: Grande Messe des Morts, Op. 5 (Requiem) Bror Magnus Tødenes (tenor) / Choir of Collegiûm Mûsicûm, Bergen Philharmonic Choir & Orchestra, Royal Northern College of Music Choir, etc, Edward Ga [ Chandos SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 20/Nov/2018 ] With this surround-sound recording of Berlioz's Requiem, Edward Gardner and the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra tackle the infinite and the immeasurable.All the grandiose, striking beauty of the Requiem's large-scale ceremonial is encapsulated by... |
Bryn Terfel (bass-baritone) / Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, with guests.
Bryn Terfel: Dreams and Songs [ Deutsche Grammophon / CD - released 14/Sep/2018 ] After five years, Sir Bryn Terfel is back with his eagerly-anticipated new studio album 'Dreams and Songs'. It's a collection of his favourite tunes, recorded in brand new orchestral versions and including some special guest duets. |
LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
Beethoven: 9 Symphonies Carole Farley (soprano) Alfreda Hodgson (contralto) Stuart Burrows (tenor), Norman Bailey (bass) / Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Antal Doráti [ Deusche Grammophon / 5 CD Box Set - released 7/Apr/2023 ] For Antal Doráti, one of the mid-twentieth century's most gifted conductors, Beethoven was a central repertoire choice. This symphony cycle was recorded in 1975-76 at the beginning of his tenure as principal conductor of the Royal Philharmonic... |
VARIOUS COMPOSERS
Harp Concertos Charlotte Balzereit, Giselle Herbert, Jutta Zoff, Jana Bouskova, Roberta Alessandrini, etc (harps) / Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, etc [ Brilliant Classics / 5 CD Box Set - released 4/Dec/2020 ] The harp is an ancient instrument, with origins in the antiquity of perhaps many civilisations, and the modern orchestral harp is the culmination of a long evolution in form and technology. |
JOHN IRELAND
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Ireland: Piano Concerto in E flat / A London Overture / Mai-Dun - Symphonic Rhapsody / etc Colin Horsley (piano) / Royal Philharmonic Orchestra / Basil Cameron with Daniel Adni, Desmond Wright and the composer on piano [ EMI Classics / CD - released 3/Mar/1993 ] This release restores a classic of the catalogue, the Piano Concerto with Colin Horsley from 1957. |
J.S. BACH / BRAHMS / TCHAIKOVSKY / etc
Bach/Brahms/Tchaikovsky: Violin Concertos David Oistrakh, Igor Oistrakh (violins) / Wiener Symphoniker / Royal Philharmonic Orchestra / Staatskapelle Dresden [ Deutsche Grammophon Originals / 2 CD - released 1/Dec/2006 ] "strong, warm performances which bring out both the sweetness and purity of Oistrakh's playing" (Gramophone) |
Deep Purple with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Malcolm Arnold
Concerto for Group and Orchestra: Special Edition [ EMI Music / 2 CD - released 25/Nov/2002 ] Original performance plus bonus tracks, in stunning re-mastered digital sound . |
PHILIP GLASS / JOHN TAVENER / MICHAEL NYMAN
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Amy Dickson - Glass + Tavener + Nyman Amy Dickson (soprano saxophone) / Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Mikel Toms [ Sony / CD - released 1/Feb/2010 ] "With Australian Amy Dickson we discover a female soprano saxophonist who is offering something far different from either of these mixed options; her main focus is with classical literature, and Dickson has a luscious, creamy tone" AllMusic |