BLOW / DOWLAND / FERRABOSCO / JOHNSON / PURCELL
A Painted Tale Nicholas Phan (tenor), Michael Leopold (lute), Ann-Marie Morgan (viola da gamba) [ Avie / CD - released 25/Mar/2015 ] 'As shown by this programme of Dowland, Purcell and others, Nicholas Phan is a wonderfully communicative tenor: a fine follow-up to his two Britten recitals.' (Editor's Choice Gramophone April 2015) |
CARL NIELSEN
Nielsen: Violin, Flute & Clarinet Concertos Kim Sjogren (violin), Niels Thomsen (clarinet), Toke Lund Christiansen (flute) / Danish National Symphony Orchestra / Michael Schonwandt [ Chandos / CD - released 25/Nov/2007 ] "there is real depth here, thanks in no small measure to Schønwandt. The recording is first class." Penguin Guide |
LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
Beethoven: Fidelio (Complete Opera) Inga Nielsen, Gosta Winbergh, Kurt Moll, Alan Titus / Hungarian Radio Chorus / Nicolaus Esterhazy Sinfonia, Michael Halasz [ Naxos Opera Classics / 2 CD - released 15/Sep/2000 ] A brilliant recording of Beethoven's only opera |
CARL HEINRICH GRAUN
Easter Oratorio Nina Koufochristou, Andreas Wolf, Jan Kobow, Dagmar Saskova / Kolner Akademie, Cologne Academy Choir, Michael Alexander Willens [ CPO / CD - released 16/Aug/2014 ] "Arduous vocal writing, both solo and choral, suggests that Graun had impressive singers at his disposal. The challenges are variably met here: tenor Jan Kobow is at his limits in places, though there's a particularly fine contribution from bass-bari |
FRANCK / BARRERA / de HEREDIA / de SOLA / CABANILIES / etc
Great European Organs No 73 Michael Novenko (organ of St Andreu, Santanyi, Mallorca) [ Priory / CD - released 1/Oct/2013 ] "I was truly amazed by the sound of this organ and I have to say this will be a gem in my collection. I'm sure it will prove distinct in yours." Star Recording - The Organ |
BEETHOVEN
The Symphonies [recorded Live in Rotterdam 2011] Rebecca Nash, Wilke te Brummelstroete, Marcel Beekman, Michael Tews / Orchestra of the 18th Century, Frans Bruggen [ Glossa SACD / 5 Hybrid SACD - released 22/Oct/2012 ] GRAMOPHONE AWARD FINALIST 2013: Orchestral |
FRANCK / WIDOW / DUPRE / BACH / etc
Organ Works Organ at St. John the Divine / Michael Murray [ Telarc Classics / CD - released 3/Nov/2004 ] "...dazzling moments in this hour's worth of music, and all of it suits Michael Murray down to the ground." -Stereo Review |
PHILIP GLASS
The Illusionist Original Soundtrack recording / The Czech Film Orchestra, Michael Riesman [ Orange Mountain Music / CD - released 1/Mar/2016 ] Widely acclaimed upon its release in 2006, Philip Glass's score for Neil Burger's film The Illusionist was ultimately overlooked for an Academy Award nomination (probably owing to the film's small budget) in favour of Glass's nominated score to Notes... |
ANTON EBERL
Piano Concertos Op. 40 and Op. 32 Paolo Giacometti / Riko Fukuda / Kolner Akademie / Michael Alexander Willens [ CPO Records / CD - released 20/Aug/2012 ] |
CHOPIN
La Dame aux Camelias (Complete ballet choreographed by John Neumeier recorded in 2008) Paris Opera Ballet / Agnes Letestu / Jose Martinez / Dorothee Gilbert / Michael Schmidtsdorff (cond) [ Opus Arte DVD / 2 DVD - released 1/Oct/2009 ] G : - 'John Neumeier has created a ballet in which emotions go crescendo … Agnes Letestu, the great dramatic heroine, triumphs in this ballet danced to music by Chopin.' Figaro |
CHOPIN
La Dame aux Camelias (Complete ballet recorded in 2008) BLU-RAY Paris Opera Ballet / Agnes Letestu / Stephane Bullion / Michael Denard / Dorothee Gilbert / Michael Schmidtsdorff [ Opus Arte Blu-Ray / 2 Blu-ray Disc - released 20/Jun/2009 ] DVD Blu-Ray - "A full length ballet which does justice to the Dumas novel on which La traviata is more loosely based. John Neumeier's poetic choreography is blessed with Agnès Letestu's Marguerite." (BBC Music) |
JOHN TAVENER
Fall and Resurrection Patricia Rozario / Michael Chance / Martyn Hill / Stephen Richardson / Richard Hickox [ BBC / Opus Arte DVD / DVD - released 10/Jan/2003 ] G :- Fall and Resurrection is a deeply religious work. It tries to encompass, in brief glimpses the events which have taken place since the beginning of time, but with reference to Christian doctrine. |
GIACOMO MEYERBEER
Meyerbeer: Il Crociato in Egitto (complete opera) Patrizia Ciofi / Michael Maniaci / Marco Vinco / Teatro la Fenice / Emmanuel Villaume [ Naxos Opera Classis / 3 CD Box Set - released 20/Apr/2010 ] ".. the true revelation in this recording is Michael Maniaci. The role of Armano offers him a great opportunity to showcase his unusual, beautiful voice. With a solid cast and great choral scenes, this disc set is highly recommended." (TheWholeNote.com) |
IVES
A Concord Symphony (with Copland: Organ Symphony) Paul Jacobs (organ) / San Francisco Symphony / Michael Tilson Thomas [ San Francisco Symphony / Hybrid SACD - released 23/Aug/2011 ] "The live recording...is absolutely stunning, with the organ clearly spaced in Davies Hall, allowing Paul Jacobs to be in the foreground, and yet an integral part of the orchestra, as the composer intended." (BBC Music Magazine) |
JOHANNES BRAHMS
Brahms: Cello Sonatas / Clarinet Trio Paul Watkins (cello) Ian Brown (piano) Michael Collins (clarinet) [ Chandos / CD - released 14/Jul/2014 ] "Collins, Watkins and Brown play as a proper, instinctive ensemble, well tailored in phrasing, unanimous in their attack and architectural finesse, and mellifluous in their shaping of Brahms's melodic and harmonic richness." The Telegraph |
ADOLF VON HENSELT / HANS BRONSART VON SCHELLENDORFF
Henselt & Bronsart: Piano Concertos Paul Wee (piano), Swedish Chamber Orchestra, Michael Collins [ BIS SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 31/May/2024 ] Wee's fingers dance with clarity and delight around the keyboard...he and the Swedish Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Michael Collins, have an excellent rapport. - Music Magazine |
ALBAN BERG
Lulu (recorded live at the Salzburg Festival in 2011) BLU-RAY Pavol Breslik, Michael Volle, Patricia Petibon / Wiener Philharmoniker & Upper Austrian Jazz Orchestra, Marc Albrecht [ EuroArts / Unitel Blu-ray / Blu-ray Disc - released 1/Feb/2014 ] "The singing and acting of Patricia Petibon as Lulu is magnificent. She is that rare creature, a singer with the face and figure of a model...One does not have to wonder why men fall under her spell and even die of it" (MusicWeb) |
JOHN PSATHAS
View From Olympus-Concertos for saxophone, percussion and piano Pedro Carneiro (percussion) / Michael Houstoun (piano) / Joshua Redman (saxophone) / New Zealand Symphony Orchestra / Marc Taddei (conductor) [ Rattle Records / 2 CD/DVD - released 1/Oct/2006 ] Three concertos bring three soloists at the top of their game, together with the NZSO to create the most ambitious orchestral recording project in New Zealand history. Includes a DVD about the recording featuring interviews and footage from the... |
GORDON CROSSE
Purgatory (1966) Opera in One Act Peter Bodenham (tenor) Glenville Hargreaves (baritone) / Orchestra and Chorus of the Royal Northern College of Music / Michael Lankester, [ Lyrita / CD - released 20/Mar/2008 ] "This edgy, ruthless, creepy and dissonant little two-hander is presented to best advantage. One cannot imagine needing another recording after this despite its three decades' vintage." (MusicWeb March 2008) |
WILLIAM MATHIAS
Mathias: Choral Music Peter Foggitt (piano), Michael Papadopoulos (organ & Piano) & Tom Winpenny (organ) / St Albans Abbey Girls Choir, The Lay Clerks of St Albans [ Naxos / CD - released 2/Sep/2016 ] "This is a fine introduction to Sergei Bortkiewicz's piano music. The playing is impressive, technically assured and quite simply beautiful." MusicWeb |