GABRIEL FAURE
Faure: The Complete Songs vol.3 Felicity Lott (sop) Jennifer Smith (sop) John Mark Ainsley (tenor) Jean-Paul Fouchecourt (ten) Christopher Maltmann (bar) Graham Johnson (piano) [ Hyperion / CD - released 10/Aug/2005 ] 'recording and presentation are the stuff of dreams. Hyperion has done Fauré proud' - Gramophone |
RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS
Vaughan Williams: A Vaughan Williams Anthology [8 CD set] Joan Rodgers (sop) Christopher Maltman (bar) Jennifer Pike (violin) / Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, New Zealand Symphony, Royal Liverpool Philharmon [ Naxos / 8 CD Box Set - released 8/Apr/2022 ] Ralph Vaughan Williams is one of Britain's most illustrious composers, and this specially curated selection of works demonstrates the sheer breadth of his achievement. |
HECTOR BERLIOZ
Berlioz: Roméo et Juliette / Cléopâtre Joyce DiDonato (mezzo) / Cyrille Dubois (ten), Christopher Maltman (bar) / Coro Gulbenkian, Chœur de l'OnR, Philharmonique de Strasbourg, John Nelson [ Erato / Warner Classics / 2 CD - released 31/Mar/2023 ] "What makes Hector Berlioz such a great composer?", asks conductor John Nelson. "In one word, originality ... He broke all existing traditions of orchestration, structure, harmonic language and storytelling. Even today, his music is fresh, surprising... |
BEETHOVEN / SCHUMANN / SCHUBERT / BRAHMS / WOLF
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Olaf Bar - Lieder Recital Olaf Bar (baritone) Geoffrey Parsons (piano) [ EMI Red Line / CD - released 15/Oct/1998 ] "..Bar has already won himself an altogether enviable reputation as an interpreter of Lieder.." Gramophone |
JACK BODY
Poems of Love and War Robert Easting (narrator) David Greco (bar) Somara Ouk, Budi Putra (vocals) Martin Riseley (violin) / New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Kenneth Young [ Naxos / CD - released 28/Mar/2014 ] "works of immense skill and real communication that in these fabulous performances will give him a worldwide audience. Even the splendid Meditations on Michelangelo for violin and strings really catches the ear. Don't pass on thjis." (John Button) |
W. A. MOZART
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Die Zauberflote [The Magic Flute] (Complete opera recorded in 1990 with libretto) Samuel Ramey, Cheryl Studer, Kiri te Kanawa, Olaf Bar / Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Neville Marriner [ Philips / 2 CD Box Set - released 20/Jun/1990 ] "This is a strong, clear, forthright account of Die Zaubeilleite, beautifully played and on the whole finely sung, which I think will win many friends." (Gramophone) |
FRANZ SCHUBERT
Complete Songs: An 1815 Schubertiad (II) Simon Keenlyside (bar), Patricia Rozario (soprano), Catherine Wyn-Rogers (mezzo), John Mark Ainsley (ten), Jamie MacDougall (tenor), Graham Johnson (p [ Hyperion Complete Schubert Edition Vol 22 / CD - released 1/Jan/2010 ] 'This is an archive of glorious Lieder singing as much as it is a definitive treasury of the greatest Lieder ever composed' (The Guardian). |
J. S. BACH
Bach: Christmas Oratorio (complete oratorio) Anthony Rolfe Johnson, Nancy Argenta, Anne Sofie von Otter, Olaf Bar / The Monteverdi Choir, English Baroque Soloists / John Eliot Gardiner [ Archiv Collectors Edition / 2 CD - released 1/Aug/2014 ] Gardiner's celebrated Christmas Oratorio, first released in 1987, offered at mid-price for the first time. With soloists including Anthony Rolfe Johnson (Evangelist), Nancy Argenta and Anne Sofie von Otter. |
Bar Italia
Tracey Denim [ Matador / CD - released 19/May/2023 ] 'Tracey Denim' was recorded and produced by bar italia with mixing from Marta Salogni. It features the single "Nurse!" which was released in March to acclaim, and described as "a hypnotic post-punk ballad" (The Guardian) and "narcotically arresting"... |
Bar Italia
Tracey Denim (LP) [ Matador / LP - released 8/Sep/2023 ] 'Tracey Denim' was recorded and produced by bar italia with mixing from Marta Salogni. It features the single "Nurse!" which was released in March to acclaim, and described as "a hypnotic post-punk ballad" (The Guardian) and "narcotically arresting"... |
JOSEPH HAYDN
Haydn: Die Schopfung [The Creation] Christina Landshamer (sop), Maximilian Schmitt (ten) Rudolf Rosen (bar) / Collegium Vocale Gent, Orchestre des Champs-Élysées, Philippe Herreweghe [ PHI / 2 CD - released 16/Oct/2015 ] "[the music] bursts from the speakers with the same combination of vigour, technical accomplishment and, above all, unforced pleasure in Haydn's cornucopian invention that should make even the most dedicated Creation admirer listen with fresh ears." |
JEAN SIBELIUS
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Sibelius: Kullervo, Op.7 Eeva-Lilsa Saarinen (mezzo-sop) Jorma Hynninen (bar) Ida Haendel (violin) / Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Paavo Berglund [ EMI Classics Matrix / CD - released 10/Feb/1994 ] "The 1971 performance is still a considerable one, and the analogue recording has plenty of atmosphere." (Gramophone) |
MALCOLM ARNOLD
Arnold: The Dancing Master, Op. 34 Eleanor Dennis (sop) Catherine Carby (mezzo) Fiona Kimm (contr) Ed Lyon (ten) Mark Wilde (ten), Graeme Broadbent (bass-bar), BBC Concert Orchestra [ Resonus / CD - released 25/Sep/2020 ] "Arnold's inventive, eclectic score is vividly brought to life...this is no dismissible pastiche, but a seriously worthwhile addition to the repertoire." BBC Music Award WINNER 2021 - Opera |
W. A. MOZART / VERDI / LEHAR / J. STRAUSS II / RICHARD STRAUSS
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Elisabeth Schwarzkopf - Opera arias Elisabeth Schwarzkopf (sop), with Karl Schmitt-Walter (bar) / Philharmonia Orchestra. Vienna Philharmonic, Herbert von Karajan, Wilhelm Furtwangler [ EMI / CD - released 2/Feb/1990 ] Recordings from 1950, Le Nozze di Figaro, to, 1959, Capriccio. |
ERIC WHITACRE
Whitacre: Light & Gold Grace Davidson (sop) Stephen Kennedy (bar), Christopher Glynn (piano), Eric Whitacre Singers, Laudibus, King's Singers, Pavao Quartet, Eric Whitacre [ Decca Universal / CD - released 26/Oct/2010 ] "Their collective intonation is stunning, and they sing with conviction and enjoyment...Simply glorious!" Recording of the Month Gramophone Magazine Dec 2010 |
JOHANN STRAUSS II
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Strauss, (J.): Die Fledermaus (Complete operetta) Kiri Te Kanawa, Edita Gruberova, Brigitte Fassbaender, Olaf Bar, Tom Krause / Vienna Philharmonic, Andre Previn [ Philips Duo / 2 CD - released 10/Aug/1999 ] "Dame Kiri te Kanawa's portrait of Rosalinde brings not only gloriously firm, golden sound but also vocal acting with star quality..this goes to the top of the list of latterday Fledermaus recordings..recorded sound is superb." *** 3 stars Penguin |
BACH / HANDEL / PURCELL / PAISIELLO / GIORDANI
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Let The Bright Seraphim Kiri te Kanawa, Luica Popp, Marjana Lipuvsek, Robert Holl, Roberta Alexander, Olaf Bar, Jose Carreras, Janet Baker, Elly Ameling, etc [ Philips Golden Baroque / CD - released 25/Jan/1996 ] Jesu joy of man's desiring, Bist du bei mir, When I am Laid in Earth, The Trumpet Tune, Let the Bright Seraphim, and more |
JOSEF HAYDN
Haydn: The Creation (recorded in 1990) Lucia Popp, Francisco Araiza, Samuel Ramey, Olaf Bär & Iris Vermillion Wiener Philharmoniker & Konzertvereinigung Wiener Staatsopernchor, Riccardo Mut [ Arthaus Musik DVD / DVD - released 1/Jul/2010 ] "There is plenty of glamour, and Muti is excitingly dramatic." BBC Music |
W. A. MOZART
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Mozart: Zaide K344 (Complete opera) Lynne Dawson, Hans Peter Blochwitz,Olaf Bär, Herbert Lippert / The Academy of Ancient Music; Paul Goodwin-director [ Harmonia Mundi / CD - released 24/Jun/2004 ] Mozart began this masterpiece in 1780 for the new Viennese Singspiel company, but at their insistence on a comedy he switched to writing Idomeneo, and Zaide remained unfinished. |
ANDRE CAMPRA
Campra: Messe de Requiem (with works by Rameau & de Mondonville) Marie Perbost, Emmanuelle Ifrah (sops), Samuel Boden (countertenor), Zachary Wilder (ten), Victor Sicard (bar) / Le Concert d'Astrée, Emmanuelle Haim [ Erato / 2 CD - released 25/Aug/2023 ] Emmanuelle Haïm, a Baroque expert "with an instinct for the crucial balance between energy and eloquence" (New York Times), directs the orchestra and singers of her ensemble Le Concert d'Astrée in choral works by three French composers of the 18th... |
ROBERT SCHUMANN
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Schumann: Lieder / Scnes from Goethe's Faust Olaf Bar, Dame Janet Baker, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Juliane Banse, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Thomas Hampson, etc [ EMI Budget Boxes / 6 CD Box Set - released 15/Oct/2010 ] Celebrating Robert Schumann's 200th Anniversary with four CD sets from EMI's catalogue performed by many of the world's leading artists, orchestras and conductors. |
JAN DISMAS ZELENKA
Zelenka: Missa Dei Patris, Psalms & Capriccio's Peter Schreier (tenor), Olaf Bär (baritone), René Jacobs (alto) & Ludwig Güttler (corno da caccia, trumpet & conductor) [ Brilliant Classics / 2 CD - released 8/Nov/2013 ] "Zelenka was one of Bach's and Telemann's most musically colourful contemporaries." (Gramophone) |
ARTHUR SULLIVAN
Sullivan: On Shore and Sea / Kenilworth Sally Silver (sop); Nico Darmanin (ten); Louise Winter (mezzo); Donald Maxwell (bass-bar) / Orchestra of Victorian Opera Northwest, Richard Bonynge [ Dutton Epoch / CD - released 20/Sep/2014 ] "Rousing applause for Dutton and these musicians for this disc of first commercial recordings. A red letter day for these are substantial and very rare Sullivan works. They emerge in good heart under veteran Richard Bonynge's life-ebullient convictio |
Schellenberger/Bar/Orth/Welker
D'albert:die Toten Augen [ Cpo / 2 CD - released 31/Jan/2000 ] |
Bar Italia
The Twits (Indie Exclusive LP) [ Matador / LP - released 3/Nov/2023 ] 'The Twits' was recorded by the trio over eight weeks from February 2023 in a makeshift home studio in Mallorca, and was mixed by Marta Salogni. It finds bar italia's economical yet evocative songcraft taking raucous, mystic, unkempt, occasionally... |
Bar Italia
The Twits (LP) [ Matador / LP - released 3/Nov/2023 ] 'The Twits' was recorded by the trio over eight weeks from February 2023 in a makeshift home studio in Mallorca, and was mixed by Marta Salogni. It finds bar italia's economical yet evocative songcraft taking raucous, mystic, unkempt, occasionally... |
Bar Italia
The Twits [ Matador / CD - released 3/Nov/2023 ] 'The Twits' was recorded by the trio over eight weeks from February 2023 in a makeshift home studio in Mallorca, and was mixed by Marta Salogni. It finds bar italia's economical yet evocative songcraft taking raucous, mystic, unkempt, occasionally... |
BEETHOVEN
Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 'Choral' Christiane Oelze (sop) Petra Lang (mezzo) Klaus Florian Vogt (ten) Matthias Goerne (bar) / Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen / Paavo Jarvi [ RCA SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 1/Apr/2010 ] "Even if you think you know the work intimately, Järvi's interpretation will likely render it afresh in many ways, a precious gift from a major talent." The Independent, 15th January 2010 ***** "The Bremen Chamber Philharmonic plays superlatively... |
JACEK SZYMANOWSKI
Szymanowski: Litany to the Virgin Mary / Stabat Mater / Symphony No. 3 'Song of the Night' Aleksandra Kurzak (soprano) Agnieszka Rehlis (mezzo) Dmitry Korchak (tenor) Artur RuciĆski (bar) / Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra & Choir, Jacek Kaspsz [ Warner Classics / CD - released 25/Sep/2017 ] "This huge ensemble is captured in brilliant sound - essential for appreciating the composer's luxuriantly detailed soundworld...[in the Stabat Mater] Kaspszyk ensures that everything is balanced between introversion and dramatic impact" BBC Music |
CHARLES GOUNOD
Gounod: Mors et Vita Barbara Hendricks (sop) Nadine Denize (mezzo) John Aler (ten) José van Dam (bass-bar) / Orchestre du Capitole de Toulouse, Michel Plasson [ Erato / Warner Classics / CD - released 1/Sep/2017 ] "Plasson's remains a serviceable rendition of Gounod's grandiose conspectus of human spiritual experience." BBC Music |
W.A. MOZART
Don Giovanni (complete opera) Alexandrina Pendatchanska (sop) Olga Pasichnyk (sop) Johannes Weisser (bar) Lorenzo Regazzo (bass) / Freiburger Barockorchester / Rene Jacobs [ Harmonia Mundi / 3 CD - released 12/Oct/2007 ] "Jacob's period Don is among the liveliest and most enjoyable on offer" (Recording of the Month Gramophone Awards Issue 2007) |
FINZI / BRITTEN / HOLST
Works for Choir and Orchestra Alison Barlow (sop) John Mark Ainsley (ten) David Hoult (bar) Stephen Varcoe (bar) / Britten Singers, City of London Sinfonia, Richard Hickox [ Chandos Hickox Legacy / CD - released 19/Jul/2013 ] "If any lover of the music of English twentieth century composers does not have this disc in their collection, they should take steps to rectify the omission immediately." (Recording of the Month musicWeb Aug 2013) |
ELGAR
The Apostles (complete oratorio) Anna Leese (sop) Louise Poole (mezzo) Andrew Staples (ten) Colin Campbell (bar) / Canterbury Choral Society / Philharmonia Orchestra / Richard Cooke [ Quartz / 2 CD - released 6/Feb/2007 ] Elgar embarked seriously on The Apostles in 1902 and the first performance took place in October of the following year at the Birmingham Festival conducted by Hans Richter. |
MENDELSSOHN
Die erste Walpurgisnacht / etc Annelies Burmeister (contralto), Eberhard Buchner (tenor) & Siegfried Lorentz (bar) / Rundfunkchor Leipzig, Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, Kurt Masur [ Brilliant Classics / CD - released 22/Feb/2016 ] "Mendelssohn's Druidic cantata is a relative rarity, but makes a fresh, vital impression in this Leipzig performance under seasoned Mendelssohnian Kurt Masur. Three overtures add ballast, and are also excellent." (BBC Music January 2016) |
GIACOMO PUCCINI
The very best of Puccini: Excerpts from operatic and orchestral works Armando Ariostini (baritone) Lando Bartolini (tenor) Felipe Bou (bass) Silvano Carroli (bar) Giovanna Casolla (sop) Masako Deguci (sop) & many more [ Naxos / 2 CD - released 8/Dec/2005 ] Presented in a stylish slipcase with a modern take on John Minnion's composer cartoons, with detailed track listings and accessible texts on the composer's life and an overview of their most famous works. |
Bar-Kays
Soul Finger (LP) [ Music On Vinyl / LP - released 20/Mar/2020 ] Soul Finger is the debut album of the Bar-Kays, recorded by Tom Dowd and Chris Huston. The instrumental band was tutored by Al Jackson, Jr. and the other members of Booker T. & the M.G.'s, which shows in the tightness of the rhythm section. This is... |
Bar-Kays
Too Hot To Sleep / Flying High On Your Love [ Superbird / CD - released 27/Apr/2010 ] |
The Bar-kays
Gotta Groove/Black Rock [ Ace Records U.K. / CD ] |
J. S. BACH
Bach: Mass in B Minor, BWV 232 Christina Landshamer (sop) Anke Vondung (mezzo) Kenneth Tarver (ten) & Andreas Wolf (bass-bar) / Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks & Concerto Köln, Peter [ BR Klassik / 3 CD Box Set - released 9/Jun/2017 ] For Bach, the Mass in B minor marked the culmination and also the end point of his life's work as a composer. This "great Catholic Mass," the only mass he composed, and in which he set to music the complete Ordinary of the Latin Mass, was his last... |
LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
Beethoven: Der glorreiche Augenblick / Choral Fantasia Claire Rutter (soprano) Matilde Wallevik (mezzo-soprano) Peter Hoare (tenor) & Stephen Gadd (bar) / Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Hilary Davan Wetton [ Naxos / CD - released 10/Aug/2012 ] "With first-rate recorded sound, the disc is strongly recommended." (BBC Music) |