TCHAIKOVSKY
Symphony No. 5, op. 64 / Francesca da Rimini, Op. 32 Russian National Orchestra. Mikhail Pletnev [ Pentatone SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 20/Sep/2011 ] "... the orchestra is superbly responsive, shaping the love melody with nobility and warmth…" BBC Music Magazine Disc of the Month Oct 2011 |
TCHAIKOVSKY
The Nutcracker (complete ballet) Russian National Orchestra, Mikhail Pletnev (conductor) [ Ondine / 2 CD - released 20/Nov/2011 ] "The Russian National Orchestra under Mikhail Pletnev highlights the delicacy of Tchaikovsky's orchestration. Even the more solemn moments have a wit and irreverence about them, as if the players are smiling to themselves as they play." (Daily... |
TCHAIKOVSKY
Swan Lake, Op. 20 (complete ballet) Russian National Orchestra, Mikhail Pletnev (conductor) [ Ondine / 2 CD - released 1/Mar/2010 ] "This is a performance that ballet lovers and Tchaikovsky fans alike can appreciate and enjoy without hesitation." (9/9 ClassicsToday.com) |
TCHAIKOVSKY
Suite No. 3 in G, Op. 55 (with Stravinsky - Divertimento & Ballet Suite from 'The Fairy's Kiss') Russian National Orchestra / Vladimir Jurowski [ Pentatone SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 26/Jan/2006 ] "The Russian National Orchestra, under its Principal Guest Conductor makes a wonderful job of these two colourful and tuneful works. I recommend it unreservedly." (MusicWeb March 2006) |
DMITRI SHOSTAKOVICH
Shostakovsky: Symphonies Nos 1 & 6 Russian National Orchestra, Vladimir Jurowski [ Pentatone SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 18/Apr/2006 ] Gramophone Magazine - Editor's Choice - July 2006 |
SHOSTAKOVICH
Symphony Nos. 1 & 6 Russian National Orchestra / Vladimir Jurowski [ Pentatone SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 18/Apr/2006 ] "It is one of the finest recordings in the PentaTone catalogue." -Christophe Huss, ClassicsToday 10/10 (France) |
SHOSTAKOVICH
Symphonies Nos. 5 & 9 Russian National Orchestra / Yakov Kreizberg (conductor) [ Pentatone SACD / SACD - released 5/Jun/2007 ] "The fifth symphony is given a most searing and intense account. I have never heard such a dramatic climax to the third movement allied with clear and precise playing - it is a wonderful but tragic moment that makes the heart ache with... |
Russian National Orch/Pletnev
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.1/Sla [ Pentatone / Hybrid SACD - released 20/Feb/2012 ] |
Russian National Orch/Pletnev
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.6 In [ Pentatone / Hybrid SACD - released 19/Sep/2011 ] |
TCHAIKOVSKY / PROKOFIEV / STRAVINSKY / DELIBES / KHACHATURIAN / etc
Great Ballet [10 CD set] Russian State Symphony Orchestra, Dmitry Yablonsky / Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, Andrew Mogrelia / etc [ Naxos / 10 CD Box Set - released 1/Dec/2015 ] This collection starts in France, with one of the most haunting and memorable examples of the ballet form: Giselle. We are then swept along in a whirlwind tour of some of the greatest Russian ballets by such composers as Prokofiev and Tchaikovsky. |
MAHLER
Das Lied von der Erde (Song of the Earth) Ruxandra Donose (mezzo-soprano) Thomas Harper (tenor) / Ireland National Symphony Orchestra / Michael Halasz, conductor [ Naxos / CD - released 16/Nov/2004 ] "All in all this is an amazing bargain" - Gramophone |
RANDALL THOMPSON / SAMUEL BARBER / SAMUEL ADAMS
Thompson / Barber / S. Adams: Symphonies Samuel Adams (electronics) / National Orchestral Institute Philharmonic, James Ross [ Naxos American Classics / CD - released 1/Jul/2017 ] The second Naxos recording by the elite conservatory students of the National Orchestral Institute Philharmonic explores further examples of the breadth of American music. Randall Thompson, famed for his vocal works, is represented by his Symphony... |
FRANK BRIDGE
Orchestral Works, Volume 8 (Incl The Pageant of London) Sarah Connelly (mezzo) Philip Langridge (tenor) / BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Richard Hickox [ Chandos / CD - released 1/Nov/2008 ] 'The nine orchestral songs prove the most rewarding. Connolly sings two exquisite Tagore songs with rapturous intensity, while Langridge is superb in Bridge's 1918 setting of Rupert Brooke's 'Blow Out, You Bugles'.' The Guardian |
FRANK EZRA LEVY
Cello Concerto / Symphony No. 3 / A Summer Overture Scott Ballantyne (cello) / Ireland National Symphony Orchestra / Takuo Yuasa (conductor) [ Naxos / CD - released 29/Jan/2006 ] "The sound quality of this disc fits in well with the overall quality of the Naxos releases. In the cello concerto, the solo instrument is warmly presented, well-balanced with the orchestra, and exceedingly well-played by Ballantyne" (MusicWeb April... |
SERGEI PROKOFIEV
Prokofiev: Complete Symphonies (Nos 1-7) Scottish National Orchestra, Neeme Jarvi [ Chandos Classics / 4 CD Box Set - released 20/Nov/2008 ] "The recorded sound is great, the Scottish National Orchestra plays like a world class band. All in all, this is not only a set to complete your Prokofiev collection, it's also the one to start it - if you haven't yet." (MusicWeb bargain of the... |
ANTONIN DVORAK
Dvorak: Complete Symphonies (Nos 1 - 9) Scottish National Orchestra. Neeme Jarvi [ Chandos Classics / 6 CD Box Set - released 28/Nov/2004 ] "a good choice for those wanting first-class digital recordings of these symphonies, the sound full and naturally balanced...Järvi is a consistently persuasive Dvorakian" Penguin Guide |
ANTONIN DVORAK
Dvorak: Symphony No. 6 / The Noon Witch Scottish National Orchestra, Neeme Jarvi [ Chandos / CD - released 23/Jan/1988 ] Recorded in the SNO Centre, Glasgow on 6-7 December 1986 |
DMITRI SHOSTAKOVICH
Shostakovich: Symphonies Nos 1 & 6 Scottish National Orchestra, Neeme Jarvi [ Chandos Classics / CD - released 25/Jun/2001 ] "Jarvi's account of the First Symphony is more volatile than Haitink's in the outter movements, while the Largo is intense and passionate. The Sixth has comparable intensity, with an elemant of starkness in the austerity of teh first movement." ***... |
SERGEI PROKOFIEV
Prokofiev: Symphony No. 1 in D major, Op. 25 'Classical' / Peter and the Wolf, Op. 67 / 'Romeo and Juliet' Excerpts / etc Scottish National Orchestra, Neeme Jarvi [ Chandos / CD - released 1/Aug/2006 ] 'Beautiful, persuasive playing from the Scottish National Orchestra' The Penguin Complete Guide |
SHOSTAKOVICH
Symphony No 4 in C minor Op 43 Scottish National Orchestra / Neeme Jarvi [ Chandos Classics / CD - released 25/Jun/2001 ] "Jarvi draws from the SNO playing which is both rugged and expressive, consistently conveying the emotional thrust of the piece and making the enigmatic ending, with its ticking rhythm, warmer than usual, as though the bitterness is finally... |