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J. C. BACH
Welt, gute Nacht Julia Doyle, Katharine Fuge, Clare Wilkinson, Jeremy Budd, James Gilchrist / The English Baroque Soloists, Sir John Eliot Gardiner [ Soli Deo Gloria / CD - released 14/Apr/2011 ] "Bach of any generation from Gardiner's eminently engaged and engaging forces is self-recommending; yet for its rarity value alone Welt, gute Nacht is as important a release as that of a B minor Mass or St Matthew Passion." (BBC Music) |
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LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
Beethoven: Symphony No.10 / Symphony in C Major for Piano, Cello and Violin Op. 56 Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio / English Chamber Orchestra / Sir Alexander Gibson; City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra; Walter Weller [ Chandos Collect / CD - released 7/Aug/2003 ] *** Three Stars. Penguin Stereo Guide |
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HECTOR BERLIOZ
Berlioz: La damnation de Faust Karen Cargill, Bryan Hymel, Christopher Purves, Gábor Bretz / London Symphony Chorus & Orchestra, Sir Simon Rattle [ LSO Live SACD / 2 Hybrid SACD - released 19/Jul/2019 ] "Hymel's Faust is the most convincing soloist. But it's the vivid detail Rattle conjures up, the brilliant playing and the force and intensity of the choral singing that give greatest satisfaction." Sunday Times |
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MICHAEL TIPPETT
King Priam (recorded on film, 1985) BLU-RAY Kent Opera / Rodney Macann, Sarah Walker, Howard Haskin & Anne Mason / Sir Roger Norrington (cond) [ Arthaus Monarda Arts Blu-ray / Blu-ray Disc - released 1/Feb/2016 ] Rodney Macann heads a strong cast in the title role, giving a compelling performance as Priam, alongside Sarah Walker's moving portrayal of Hector's wife, Andromache. Howard Haskin plays Priam's rebellious son Paris, who elopes with Helen. |
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TRADITIONAL
Christmas at King's - 35 Favourite Carols & Fantasia on Christmas Carols King's College Choir, Cambridge, Sir David Willcocks [ Decca / 2 CD - released 1/Jan/1995 ] 35 seasonal favourites to put you in the Christmas mood, plus Vaughan Williams' 'Fantasia on Christmas Carols' |
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GIACOMO PUCCINI / GIUSEPPE VERDI
Kiri te Kanawa sings Verdi and Puccini arias Kiri te Kanawa (soprano) / London Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir John Pritchard [ Sony / CD - released 1/Mar/1983 ] "It is a pleasure to recommend this programme of Verdi and Puccini without reservation." (Gramophone) |
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RICHARD WAGNER
Wagner: Die Walkure [Acts I & III] (recorded in 1957) Kirsten Flagstad, Set Svanholm, Otto Edelmann / Vienna Philharmonic / Sir Georg Solti & Hans Knappertsbusch (Act 1) [ Decca ABC Eloquence / 2 CD - released 12/Dec/2009 ] "It is a monumental reading, sensitive and glorious and sung with admirably steady tone. No one can really mistake this singer for a young or middle-aged woman but no one could believe either that it is a woman of sixty-two with behind her a career... |
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GRIEG
Orchestral Songs (rec 1957) (with Wagner-Wesendonck Lieder) Kirsten Flagstad (soprano) / BBC Symphony Orchestra / Sir Malcolm Sargent [ BBC Legends / CD - released 28/Oct/2007 ] The Farewell concert caught live from London's Royal Albert Hall in September 1957 was an emotional occasion and consisted entirely of Grieg Songs. |
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BACH / HANDEL
The Flagstad Recitals Vol 4: Songs for Sunday - Sacred Arias Kirsten Flagstad (soprano) / London Philharmonic Orchestra / Sir Adrian Boult [ Decca SBS Eloquence / 2 CD - released 12/Dec/2009 ] "(The) Handel arias are definitely worth a listen and the contents give further evidence of Kirsten Flagstad's comprehensive repertoire." (MusicWeb Jan 2010) |
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RICHARD WAGNER
The Flagstad Recitals Vol 3: Opera Arias / Wesendonk-Lieder (with Mahler - Kindertotenlieder, etc) Kirsten Flagstad (soprano) / Vienna Philharmonic / Sir Georg Solti / Hans Knappertsbusch / Sir Adrian Boult [ Decca ABC Eloquence / 2 CD - released 12/Dec/2009 ] "The recorded sound is excellent and at Eloquence price this should be attractive for all lovers of great singing" (MusicWeb Jan 2010) |
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W.A. MOZART
Essential Mozart (Incls 'Eine kleine Nachtmusik', Piano Concertos 20, 21 & 23, Symphonies 38, 40 & 41, Clarinet Concerto & Horn Quintet) Klara Wartz (piano) the Philharmonia Orchestra / the Concertgebouw Chamber Orchestra. Sir Colin Davis etc [ Brilliant Classics / 10 CD - released 14/Aug/2005 ] The Essential masterworks in a handsome 10-CD wallet package, substantial but manageable. The great, complete masterworks together in superb performances by renowned artists. |
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LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
Beethoven: Complete Piano Concertos Krystian Zimerman (piano) / London Symphony Orchestra, Sir Simon Rattle [ Deutsche Grammophon / 3 CD - released 13/Aug/2021 ] "..these performances are as near-definitive as I ever expect to hear...[Zimerman's] interpretations here have a fleet grace which takes the breath away." BBC Music Magazine Awards 2022 Shortlisted - Concerto |
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LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
Beethoven: Complete Piano Concertos [3 CDs with Blu-ray Audio / Dolby Atmos & Blu-ray video] Krystian Zimerman (piano) / London Symphony Orchestra, Sir Simon Rattle [ Deutsche Grammophon / 5 CD/Blu-ray Disc - released 22/Apr/2022 ] Krystian Zimerman, Sir Simon Rattle, and Ludwig van Beethoven: three exceptional musicians and five great piano concertos brought together for this landmark recording. |
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EDWARD ELGAR
Elgar: 'Enigma' Variations / Pomp and Circumstance Marches / Three Bavarian Dances / etc Leon Goossens (oboe) / Bournemouth Sinfonietta, Norman Del Mar, George Hurst / Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Sir Alexander Gibson [ Chandos 241 / 2 CD - released 1/Feb/1999 ] "A great bargain and highly recommended." (MusicWeb) |
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GIUSEPPE VERDI
Verdi: Requiem Leontyne Price, Dame Janet Baker, Veriano Luchetti, Jose van Dam / Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Sir Georg Solti [ Sony Classical Masters / CD - released 1/May/2011 ] "Solti's 1977 Chicago version, with an unusually sensitive and pure-toned quartet of soloists, and with superb choral singing and orchestral playing, has all the ingredients for success." (Penguin Guide) |
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KORNGOLD
Lieder des Abschieds, Op. 14 / Symphony, Op. 40 Linda Finnie (contralto) / BBC Philharmonic Orchestra / Sir Edward Downes [ Chandos Classics / CD - released 1/Aug/2007 ] Scored for large forces - the rare Symphony in F Sharp major is a work of real imaginative power and ranks alongside the major symphonic works of Mahler and Bruckner; with a powerful and deeply felt slow movement of grandiose character. |
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VAUGHAN WILLIAMS
Symphony No. 6 in E minor / Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis (with works by Berg, Bax & Hadley) [recorded 1966-72] London Philharmonic Orchestra, New Philharmonic Orchestra & BBC Symphony Orchestra, Sir Adrian Boult [ BBC Legends / CD - released 20/Apr/2010 ] "…characteristically unforced, humane and, above all, honest readings of the Tallis Fantasia and Sixth Symphony… Boult aficionados will not want to miss this absorbing anthology." Gramophone Magazine, August 2009 |
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BRIDGE / IRELAND
Boult conducts Bridge & Ireland London Philharmonic Orchestra / Sir Adrian Boult [ Lyrita / CD - released 1/Jun/2007 ] "Immaculately turned Bridge and Ireland … fascinatingly partnered...The Ireland is given a full-blooded performance with a gripping sound typical of Boult's EMI recordings" (MusicWeb June 2007) |
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ELGAR
In the South Concert Overture / Symphony No 1 (Rec 1949 & 1955) London Philharmonic Orchestra / Sir Adrian Boult [ Testament / CD - released 7/Dec/2001 ] Boult and Elgar are most indelibly linked |
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BAX / HOLST
Orchestral Works London Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Adrian Boult [ Heritage / CD - released 23/Feb/2012 ] |