STRAVINSKY / TCHAIKOVSKY / RACHMANINOV
Sir Simon Rattle conducts Stravinsky, Rachmaninov & Tchaikovsky (rec June 2009) BLU-RAY Yefim Bronfman (piano) / Berliner Philharmoniker [Berlin Philharmonic], Sir Simon Rattle [ EuroArts Music Blu-Ray / Blu-ray Disc - released 1/Feb/2014 ] The famous yearly Berliner Philharmoniker Open-Air concert at the Berlin Waldbühne attended by more than 20,000 people. The atmosphere is unique and unconventionally relaxed. People bring champagne, salmon and caviar, making the Waldbühne a giant... |
Admiral Sir Cloudsley Shovell
Check 'em Before You Wreck 'em [ Rise Above / CD - released 9/May/2014 ] The Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell are the last of a dying breed of Grease Rock Bastard musicians who somehow, despite and in spite of the last three decades trying their best to kill off balls out, non-bullshit rocknroll music, somehow, against all... |
Sir Was
Digging A Tunnel [ City Slang / CD - released 17/Mar/2017 ] "Blending Tame Impala-reminiscent vocals like a beam of light with playful yet melancholy electronic production" - Stereogum Sir Was' debut full length, Digging A Tunnel, is an album that constantly bucks trends and confounds expectations.... |
ROSSINI
Complete Overtures (Includes Bianca e Faliero; La Scala di Seta; Il Turco in Italia; L'Italiana in Algeri; William Tell & Il Barbire di Sivi Academy of St Martin in the Fields / Sir Neville Marriner with the Ambrosian singers [ Philips Trio / 3 CD - released 14/Jul/2003 ] "Twenty-four overtures plus two sinfonias make a delightful package in such sparkling performances, which eruditely use original orchestrations. Full bright atmospheric recording, spacious reverberant, admirably transferred to CD, with no artificial... |
W.A. MOZART
Symphonies 25-27, 29 & 32 Academy of St Martins in the Fields / Sir Neville Marriner [ Decca / London Serenata / CD - released 10/Sep/2008 ] "these are deeply satisfying performances and will provide an admirable introduction for those who have yet to discover these wonderful works." The Gramophone |
W. A. MOZART
Piano Concertos, K482 & K595 (22 & 27) Alfred Brendel (piano) / Scottish Chamber Orchestra / Sir Charles Mackerras [ Philips / CD - released 26/May/2001 ] This release celebrated Alfred Brendel's 70th birthday. |
W.A. MOZART
Piano Concertos No 12 K414 & No 17 K453 Alfred Brendel (piano) / Scottish Chamber Orchestra / Sir Charles MacKerras [ Decca / CD - released 15/Nov/2005 ] This is the latest release in the highly acclaimed Philips series of Mozart Piano Concerti from two of the World's most distinguished Mozartians - pianist Alfred Brendel and conductor Sir Charles Mackerras (who celebrates his 80th birthday in 2005). |
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... |
W. A. MOZART / BEETHOVEN / SCHUMANN / LISZT / BARTOK / SCHUBERT
Annie Fischer: The Complete London Studio Recordings Annie Fischer (piano) Philharmonia Orchestra, Sir Adrian Boult, Wolfgang Sawallisch, Otto Klemperer, etc [ Warner Classics Icon / 8 CD Box Set - released 23/Aug/2014 ] 'I can find no praise too high for Annie Fischer's playing, for she makes every phrase a delight. Sawallisch partners his soloist to perfection. Everybody has here combined to produce something really outstanding among recordings of Mozart... |
ARTHUR BLISS
A Colour Symphony / Things to Come / Cello Concerto / Christopher Columbus Suite / Checkmate - Suite / etc Arto Noras (cello) / Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Charles Groves / Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Vernon Handley [ EMI / Warner Classics / 5 CD Box Set - released 1/Mar/2015 ] "Has Bliss's music dated irrevocably? These two discs will give you all the data you need to decide, with lively, committed performers who appear to believe in every note of these works." (BBC Music Feb 2006) |
J. S. BACH
Bach: Orchestral Suites Nos. 1-4, BWV1066-1069 William Bennett (flute), Thurston Dart (continuo) / Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner [ Decca / CD - released 2/Feb/2004 ] Originally recorded in 1970 |
LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
Beethoven: Symphony No.9 "Choral" Barbara Bonney, Birgit Rammert, Kurt Streit, Thomas Hampson / Wiener Philharmoniker [Vienna Philharmonic], Sir Simon Rattle [ Warner Classics Masters / CD - released 1/Feb/2012 ] "These discs are history: nine indubitable masterpieces lovingly recorded in gripping reinterpretations of our age." (NZ Herald on the complete set) |
LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
Beethoven: Complete Symphonies (Nos 1-9) Barbara Bonney, Birgit Remmert, Kurt Streit, Thomas Hampson / City Of Birmingham Symphony Chorus / Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Sir Simon Rattle [ Warner Classics / 5 CD Box Set - released 1/Jul/2010 ] A superbly played account by one of the world's great orchestras. ***** Five Stars (Pick of the Month) BBC Music Magazine |
ANTONIO VIVALDI
Vivaldi: Gloria in D, RV589 (with Bach - Magnificat in D BWV243) Barbara Hendricks, Ann Murray, Jean Rigby, Uwe Heilmann / Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields / Sir Neville Marriner [ Warner Classics Inspiration / CD - released 1/Jun/2018 ] "Barbara Hendricks and Ann Murray are the admirably paired soloists in Vivaldi's Gloria; both bring beauty of line and a feeling of élan. Hendricks and Murray recur in Bach's Magnificat along with Jean Rigby, Uwe Heillman and Jorma Hynninen" MusWeb |
W. A. MOZART / ANTONIO ROSETTI
Die Schonsten Horn Konzerte (Best-Loved Horn Concertos) Barry Tuckwell (horn) / Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner / English Chamber Orchestra, Barry Tuckwell [ Warner Classics Inspiration / CD - released 13/Jun/2014 ] "The Academy strings sound very fresh and dance beautifully in the allegros... this reissue can be strongly recommended on all counts." - Gramophone on the Mozart |
LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
Beethoven: Symphony No 3 BBC Symphony Orchestra, Sir John Barbirolli [ Warner Original Jackets / CD - released 15/Feb/2018 ] "If this isn't great interpretation, I don't know what is," wrote Gramophone's reviewer in 1968, when this recording was first released, "I have no hesitation in saying that I think it the greatest performance I have yet heard on record." John... |
BENJAMIN BRITTEN
Four Sea Interludes / Variations on a theme by Frank Bridge / etc BBC Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis [ Warner Classics Teldec Apex / CD - released 1/Nov/2014 ] "An unmissable opportunity to test fresh musical waters....price, presentation and repertory selections, all are bang on target." Gramophone Magazine |
BRITTEN / DELIUS / ELGAR / VAUGHAN WILLIAMS / TIPPETT / HOLST
The British Line: A celebration of British Music BBC Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis, with Dame Evelyn Glennie, Thomas Hampson, Tasmin Little, Sir Bryn Terfel, etc [ Warner Classics / 16 CD Box Set - released 19/Jul/2019 ] In 1991, Hamburg-based record label Teldec Classics embarked on a fruitful partnership with Sir Andrew Davis and the BBC Symphony Orchestra. "The British Line" was soon to become an essential series of critically acclaimed digital recordings of major... |
RICHARD STRAUSS
Ein Heldenleben / Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme Suite Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra / Sir Simon Rattle [ EMI / CD - released 20/Mar/2006 ] "Rattle digs deep to deliver a reading of breathtaking power." Recording of the Month (Gramophone May 2006) |