DMITRI SHOSTAKOVICH
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Shostakovich: Violin Concertos 1 & 2 Maxim Vengerov (violin) / London Symphony, Mstislav Rostropovich [ Teldec Elatus / CD - released 26/Jul/2010 ] "Vengerov's magnetism in both concertos is in no doubt; his playing is full of life and spontaneous feeling, helped by Rostropovich's highly supportive accompaniments." Penguin Stereo Guide (No 1) |
CARL MARIA von WEBER
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Weber: Symphonies 1 & 2 / Konzertstuck Melvyn Tan (fortepiano) / London Classical Players, Roger Norrington [ EMI Classics / CD - released 1/Feb/1995 ] Originally recorded in March 1994 |
FELIX MENDELSSOHN / FRANZ SCHUBERT / LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Beethoven/Mendelssohn/Schubert: Octets Members of the Melos Ensemble of London [ EMI Classics Double Forte / 2 CD - released 1/May/2006 ] Classic chamber works at a special price |
MAX BRUCH / EDWARD ELGAR
Elgar/Bruch: Violin Concertos Yehudi Menuhin (violin) / London Symphony Orchestra, Edward Elgar, Landon Ronald [ Naxos / CD - released 1/Jan/1999 ] "This is the first concerto recording made by Menuhin, in 1931. He is playing his 'Prince Khevenhüller' Stradivari, which was purchased for him when he was 12 years old. There is a strong sense in this recording of the promise of the future" Gramopho |
JOSEF HAYDN
The Seasons (Die Jahreszeiten) complete oratorio sung in German Miah Persson / Jeremy Ovenden / Andrew Foster-Williams / London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus / Sir Colin Davis [ LSO Live / 2 Hybrid SACD - released 1/Dec/2011 ] |
JOHN FIELD
Field: Piano Concerto No 1 in E flat major; Piano Concerto No.2 in A flat major Michael O'Rourke (piano) / London Mozart Players / Matthias Bamert [ Chandos Classics / CD - released 15/Mar/2005 ] "The soloist is very persuasive, and he receives admirable support from Bamert and the London Mozart Players. First-class, natural balanced recording." (Three Stars. Penguin Stereo Guide) |
RICHARD & ROBERT SHERMAN
Sherman: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Michael Ball, Emma Williams & Anton Rodgers / Original 2002 London Cast Recording [ Sony Classical / CD - released 2/Feb/2002 ] Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a musical with music and lyrics written by Richard and Robert Sherman and a book by Jeremy Sams. It is sometimes referred to as Chitty the Musical to distinguish it from the 1968 film of the same name on which it is based,... |
MALCOLM ARNOLD
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Arnold - Concertos Michael Collins (clarinet) Richard Watkins (horn) Karen Jones (horn) David Nettle, Richard Markham (piano) / London Musici, Mark Stephenson [ Conifer / CD - released 20/May/1993 ] Arnold was an exceptionally gifted orchestrator, and his writing for solo instruments, particularly winds and brass, is always extremely effective. All the soloists here seem to be having a great time with this light-hearted and gratifying music. |
MALCOLM ARNOLD
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Arnold - Concertos Michael Collins (clarinet) Richard Watkins (horn) Kenneth Sillito, Lyn Fletcher (violins) / London Musici, Mark Stephenson [ Conifer / CD - released 20/May/1990 ] "One of the most prolific British composers of the 20th century, Sir Malcolm Arnold remains best known for his phenomenal success in film and light music, as well as Concertos and Symphonies. |
W. A. MOZART / JOSEF HAYDN
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Antal Dorati: the Mozart & Haydn Recordings on Mercury Living Presence Minneapolis Symphony, London Symphony, Philharmonia Hungarica, Antal Dorati [ Mercury Living Presense Australian Eloquence / 4 CD Box Set - released 21/Aug/2020 ] Antal Doráti's complete Haydn and Mozart recordings for Mercury, predating his landmark collection of the Haydn cycle for Decca. |
FELIX MENDELSSOHN / ROBERT SCHUMANN
Mendelssohn/Schumann: Symphonies Henryk Szeryng (violin) / Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, Antal Dorati [ Decca Australian Eloquence / 2 CD - released 21/Aug/2020 ] "A nice, stylish version … much neat and enjoyable solo playing, and some beautiful string tone." Gramophone, October 1959 (Scottish Symphony) |
PYOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOSVKY
Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture, Capriccio Italien (with Beethoven-Wellington's Victory) Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra / London Symphony Orchestra / Antal Dorati [ Mercury Originals / CD - released 14/Jun/2007 ] "This most famous of all Mercury records was one of the most successful classical LPs of all time, selling some two million copies in the analogue era. Remastered for CD, it sounds even more spectacular than it ever did in its vinyl format, vividly... |
BORODIN / RUBINSTEIN / TCHAIKOVSKY / GLINKA / etc
Russian Arias & Songs Nicolai Ghiaurov (bass), London Symphony, Edward Downes, Zlatina Ghiaurov (piano) [ Deeca Australian Eloquence / 2 CD - released 25/Jan/2015 ] For thirty years, from 1960 to 1990, Nicolai Ghiaurov was an indispensable figure on the international operatic scene. His voluminous base, incisive delivery and imposing presence meant that he was in demand in every centre of opera. |
PIOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY
Tchaikovsky: Symphonies 1-6, Manfred Symphony, Overtures, Rococo variations Maxim Vengerov (violin) / London Philharmonic Orchestra, Mstislav Rostropovich [ Warner Classics / 6 CD Box Set - released 1/Mar/2017 ] "Rostropovich goes again for a broad, epic view, which provides some interesting alternative approaches to this music, including the slowest version of the Finale which I have heard. Instead of trying to barrel through the movement with sheer... |
JOHN BLOW
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Blow: Venus & Adonis Nancy Argenta (sop), Lynne Dawson (sop), Stephen Varcoe (bass) / London Baroque, Charles Medlam [ Harmonia Mundi Musique d'abord / CD - released 29/Sep/1992 ] First performed before the court at Oxford in 1681, Venus and Adonis was presented as a "masque for the entertainment of the King" (Charles II). Like Purcell's Dido and Aeneas, it is in fact a true opera. |
IGOR STRAVINSKY
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Stravinsky: Le Rossignol / Oedipus Rex (Complete Operas recorded 1999 & 1993) Natalie Dessay, Anthony Rolfe-Johnson, Marjana Lipovsek / l'Opéra National de Paris, James Conlon / London Philharmonic Orchestra, Franz Welser-Most [ EMI The Opera Series / 2 CD Box Set - released 1/May/2010 ] "A fine recording of Stravinsky's colourful ballet, The Nightingale, with Natalie Dessay perfect in the title-role." (Gramophone) |
RICHARD RODGERS / OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II
Rodgers: Oklahoma! Nathaniel Hackmann, Sierra Boggess, Rodney Earl Clarke, Louise Dearman, Jamie Parker / Oklahoma! Ensemble, Sinfonia of London, John Wilson [ Chandos / 2 Hybrid SACD - released 15/Sep/2023 ] Chandos Records announce the release of the world première recording of the Complete Original Score of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma! from John Wilson and Sinfonia of London. |
MOZART / PAGANINI / LISZT / WAGNER / OFFENBACH / STRAUSS / ELGAR / COPLAND / etc
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Discovering the Classics: Classics for Eternity [4 CD set] National Philharmonic, Charles Gerhardt / New Symphony Orchestra of London, Douglas Gamley / London Philharmonic Orchestra, Leonard Slatkin [ Reader's Digest / 4 CD Box Set - released 2/Feb/1994 ] A wide reaching collection of work that acts as a good sampler for those wishing to do a bit of discovery. More like a greatest hits compilation though, so don't expect too many surprises. |
BERNARD HERRMANN
Film Classics [incls 'The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad', 'Citizen Cane' & 'The Snows of Kilimanjaro'] National Philharmonic Orchestra & London Philharmonic Orchestra, Bernard Herrmann [ Decca SBS Eloquence / 2 CD - released 20/Dec/2010 ] "Do not miss this rich sampling of Herrmann's extraordinarily imaginative and enjoyable film music." (MusicWeb Bargain of the Month March 2011) |
PYOTR TCHAIKOVSKY / JACQUES OFFENBACH
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker / Offenbach: Le Papillon (Complete Ballets) National Philharmonic Orchestra / London SymphonyOrchestra / Richard Bonynge [ Double Decca / 2 CD - released 1/Jan/2001 ] "Richard Bonynge has the feel of this music (Nutcracker) in his bones, and gives a warmly expressive performance...he plays the 'Divertissement' with splendid panache, and he is very good indeed in the Valse des Fleurs" Gramophone |