BEETHOVEN
Fidelio / Leonore (complete operas) Edda Moser, Richard Cassilly, Josef Protschka / Staatskapelle Dresden / Rundfunkchor Leipzig / Herbert Blomstedt / Vienna Philharmonic / Dohnanyi [ Brilliant Classics / 4 CD - released 1/Apr/2007 ] This production juxtaposes two versions of Beethoven’s opera: a rare recording from 1976 of the 1805 one and a more recent one of the opera in its final form from 1814. |
ARTHUR SULLIVAN
Sullivan: The Beauty Stone (complete opera) Elin Manahan Thomas, Toby Spence, Rebecca Evans, Alan Opie, Stephen Gadd, Catherine Wyn-Rogers, Richard Suart / BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Rory [ Chandos Classics / 2 CD - released 15/Nov/2013 ] "It has never been recorded by professional singers before, and Rory Macdonald seems to have prepared with academic scrupulousness...it's very strongly cast, too, but there's no sense of an important rediscovery here." (Guardian) |
WILLIAM SHIELD
Rosina Elizabeth Harwood, Monica Sinclair, Margreta Elkins / The Ambrosian Singers & London Philharmonic Orchestra, Richard Bonynge [ Decca ABC Australian Eloquence / CD - released 1/Nov/2014 ] "there is charm in abundance ... Margreta Elkins's voice is warm and pleasing. Monica Sinclair seizes the few chances she is given of injecting vitality into the proceedings. The orchestral playing is assured. [...]Performance and quality are excelle |
LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 & 'Triple' Concerto Elizabeth Sombart (piano), Richard Harwood (cello), Duncan Riddell (violin) / Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Pierre Vallet [ Signum Classics / CD - released 9/Oct/2020 ] Born in Strasbourg, Elizabeth Sombart studied piano from the age of seven. She studied all over the world with various teachers, including Bruno-Leonardo Gelber, Peter Feuchtwanger, Hilde Langer-Rühl and Sergiu Celibidache. Elizabeth received the... |
VIVALDI
Six Violin Sonatas Op. 2 Elizabeth Wallfisch (violin) Richard Tunnicliffe (cello) Malcolm Proud (harpsichord) [ Hyperion Helios / CD - released 1/Aug/2012 ] 'This magnificent disc is complemented by an authoritative essay by Professor Michael Talbot. My only regret is that Hyperion has no plans to complete the set with a second volume. The quality of these performances beg for a prompt sequel' (Gramophone) |
GOUNOD / SAINT-SAENS / PONCHIELLI / CILEA / MASCAGNI / etc
Believe in Love: Rare French and Italian Opera Arias Elizabeth Whitehouse (soprano) / Orchestra Victoria / Richard Bonynge [ Melba Recordings SACD / SACD - released 20/Aug/2007 ] "Whitehouse ... makes a good case for these works ... Bonynge ... there is no one on earth more qualified to lead such a project. The sound is excellent with good depth ... The packaged presentation of the Australian label is a model of its kind."... |
HANDEL
Arias Emma Bell (soprano) / Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Richard Egarr [ Linn ECHO / CD - released 1/Dec/2014 ] "A ravishing recital that heralds what promises to be a great career on disc" Editor's Choice Gramophone Dec 2005 |
J.S. BACH / CARISSIMI / CLARKE / GRAZIANI / LEGRENZI / MONTEVERDI / PURCELL
Baroque Vocal Masterpieces Emma Kirkby (soprano) / St Albans Chamber Choir / Richard Stangroom (conductor) [ Griffin / CD ] A live concert recording by Lance Andrews, 26th February 1983 from St John's Smith Square, London. |
HANDEL / CHARPENTIER / BARBER / RACHMANINOV / BRITTEN / MOZART / BEETHOVEN
Sacred Treasures Emma Kirkby, Veronique Gens, Janet Baker, Barbara Hendricks, Andrew Parrott, Riccardo Muti, Richard Hickox, Georges Prêtre, Michel Plasson, Sir Simon [ Erato / Warner Classics / 3 CD Box Set - released 24/Dec/2016 ] Three CDs of some of the greatest sacred choral and vocal works of the last three centuries. |
JOHN PSATHAS
White Lies [Soundtrack] Emma Sayers (piano) Richard Nunns (taonga puoro) Sasha Gachenko (bass) Matt Cave (bass) & others [ Rattle Records / CD - released 10/Jan/2014 ] White Lies is a single piece of music for piano, taonga puoro and strings composed by John Psathas. The music was written for the film White Lies, directed by Dana Rotberg and released by South Pacific Pictures. The story is based on the novella... |
Eric Dolphy / Booker Little / Mal Waldron / Richard Davis / Eddie Blackwell
At the Five Spot, Volume 1 (Limited, 180 Gram Audiophile Vinyl Edition) [ Wax Time / LP - released 27/Feb/2012 ] Limited edition vinyl reissue. |
RICHARD STRAUSS / AARON COPLAND
Strauss: Duet Concertino, Prelude To Capriccio / Copland: Clarinet Concerto, Appalachian Spring Ernst Ottensamer (clarinet) Stepan Turnovsky (bassoon) / Academy of London, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Richard Stamp [ Signum / CD - released 11/Dec/2020 ] "Richard Stamp secures real zip in the faster music, secures real zip in the faster music, and there is some lovely tender playing from the Royal Northern Sinfonia principals in the more tender passages." BBC Music |
RAMEAU
Que les mortels servent de modele aux dieux Eugénie Warnier (soprano), Arnaud Richard (bass) / Ausonia / Frederic Haas [ Alpha / CD - released 20/Aug/2009 ] May the mortals be a model for the gods |
MICHAEL TIPPETT
Tippett: Symphonies / New Year Suite Faye Robinson, soprano / Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra / Richard Hickox, conductor [ Chandos Classics / 3 CD - released 18/Oct/2005 ] 'This is keen-eyed, thoroughly committed playing. What cannot be overstated is the mastery of Hickox's imaginative reading… Chandos's sound throughout possesses exciting realism.' - Hi-Fi News |
EDWARD ELGAR
Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius,Op. 38 [with Parry - Blest Pair of Sirens; I was glad] Felicity Palmer (sop) Arthur Davies (ten) Gwynne Howell (bass) / London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Hickox [ Chandos 241 Hickox Legacy / 2 CD - released 19/Jul/2013 ] 'It's one of the best digital versions, and sonorous renderings of Parry's Blest Pair of Sirens and I was glad complete a recommendable mid-price package.' Gramophone |
MARTINU
Chamber Music with Flute Fenwick Smith (flute) / Sally Pinkas (piano) / John Ferrillo (oboe) / Thomas Martin (clarinet) / Richard Ranti and Suzanne Nelson (bassoons) [ Naxos / CD - released 18/Oct/2010 ] "The disc is the idea of the outstanding Boston-based flautist, Fenwick Smith, the recordings, some dating back to 2002 being the product of the excellent American performers involved." (David's Review Corner) |
HOLST
'The Perfect Fool', Op. 39 / The Golden Goose, Op. 45 No 1 / The Morning of the Year, Op. 45 No. 2 Joyful Company of Singers & BBC National Orchestra of Wales / Richard Hickox [ Chandos SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 1/Jan/2009 ] "Holst's distinctive sound is carefully manicured in this recording; the rapid "mercurial" passages of string-and wind-writing of The Perfect Fool are delivered with exemplary crispness and vitality…" Disc of the Month Gramophone Magazine, Feb 2009 |
JOHANNES BRAHMS
Brahms: Piano Trios Nos. 1-3 (Complete) / Horn & Clarinet Trios The Florestan Trio, with Richard Hosford (clarinet) Stephen Stirling (horn) [ Hyperion Dyad / 2 CD - released 28/Sep/2014 ] "These are very desirable recordings … enriching performances that make one aware of Brahms's stature first and the superb musicianship of the executants second-which is exactly as it should be!" (Gramophone) |
CHARLES GOUNOD
Gounod: Faust (highlights from the complete opera) Franco Corelli, Nicolai Ghiraurov, Joan Sutherland / Ambrosian Opera Chorus & London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Bonynge [ Decca Australian Eloquence / CD - released 20/Sep/2015 ] Recorded in 1966 in superb 'Decca Sound', these highlights from Gounod's most widely-performed opera extracts music from the second act onwards. The Soldier's Chorus has rarely been done with such swagger, Ghiaurov is a terrifying Mephistopheles and... |
TOMKINS
Above the Starrs: Verse Anthems & Consort Music Fretwork, Emma Kirkby-soprano, Catherine King-alto, Charles Daniels-tenor, Donald Greig-baritone, Richard Wistreich-bass, Jo [ Harmonia Mundi / CD - released 22/Sep/2003 ] " Fretwork's considerable experience in this kind of repertoire shows in these faultlessly assured performances. A clear and attractive recorded sound completes a most accomplished release." - Gramophone |