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SAINT-SAENS
Orchestral Works (Incls 'Phaéton, Op. 39' & 'Danse macabre, Op. 40') Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Neeme Järvi [ Chandos / Hybrid SACD - released 1/Jun/2012 ] The works on this disc are all early, dating from the first half of the composing life of Saint-Saëns - that is, with the one exception of the Marche du couronnement which the composer wrote for the coronation of Edward VII in 1902. |
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WAGNER
Wagner Transcriptions Volume 5: Orchestral Works Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Neeme Järvi [ Chandos / Hybrid SACD - released 1/Mar/2012 ] "It's still a pleasure, though, fresh and vigorous; Neeme Jarvi's fairly brisk reading, beautifully played by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, amply explains why Clara Schumann warned Robert he had a new rival." (BBC Music Five Stars) |
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DUKAS / SAINT-SAENS / ROSSINI-RESPIGHI
The Sorcerer`s Apprentice / Danse macabre, Op.40 / La Boutique fantasque Royal Scottish National Orchestra / Sir Alexander Gibson [ Chandos / CD - released 1/Sep/1990 ] Collect - the midprice Chandos label |
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JEAN SIBELIUS
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Sibelius: Symphonies No. 2 & 5 Scottish National Orchestra, Sir Alexander Gibson [ Chandos Collect / CD - released 1/Nov/1991 ] "Alexander Gibson's 1980s Sibelius cycle on Chandos, one of the first digital sets, was praised for its clean lines, propulsive phrasing, and bracing impact." MusicWeb |
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GUBAIDULINA / TAKANO / BEAMISH
Spellbound Sharon Bezaly (flute) / Svenska Kammarorkestern / Royal Scottish National Orchestra / Gateborgs Symfoniker [ BIS / CD - released 1/Oct/2008 ] Sharon Bezaly has been recognized not only for her superb gifts as a musician, but also for her commitment to her instrument and its repertoire. She has inspired numerous composers to compose directly for her, and makes it a priority to perform these... |
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WAGNER
Parsifal (Complete opera recorded in 1985) Sir Donald McIntyre, Waltrud Meier, Phillip Joll, Warren Ellsworth, Chorus and orchestra of the Welsh National Opera / Reginald Goodall [ EMI The Opera Series / 4 CD Box Set - released 1/Jul/2011 ] Parsifal was Wagner's last and many say most accomplished opera, the culmination of the development of the emotional intensity of the German Romantic movement. |
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BLOCH / SHOSTAKOVICH / CASALS
Sol Gabetta - Prayer Sol Gabetta (cello) / Amsterdam Sinfonietta, Orchestre National de Lyon, Cello Ensemble of the Amsterdam Sinfonietta [ Sony Classics / CD - released 20/Mar/2017 ] "Wit, aristocratic poise and elegance; mercurial shifts of mood, intensity and lightness of touch in near miraculous balance." The Herald on Sol Gabetta |
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SCHNITTKE
Symphonies Nos 0 - 9 Soloists & Choirs / Cape Philharmonic Orchestra / BBC National Orchestra of Wales / Stockholm Sinfonietta / Gothenburg Symphony / etc [ BIS / 6 CD Box Set - released 1/Nov/2009 ] BIS is proud to present the only available collection of the complete symphonies by Alfred Schnittke. The recordings, part of the Schnittke Edition begun in 1987, have been brought together in a 6-CD boxed set, which includes an initiated essay by... |
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GILBERT and SULLIVAN
G & S: H.M.S. Pinafore (Complete Operetta) Richard Suart, Thomas Allen, Rebecca Evans, Donald Adams / Welsh National Opera, Charles MacKerras [ Telarc Records / CD - released 7/Jul/2000 ] "Richard Suart is an excellent as Sir Joseph and Donald Adams is well cast (as usual) as Deadeye. It's great to have the women's chorus actually sounding 'out at sea' in Act One." Mel@Marbecks |
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MODEST MUSSORGSKY
Mussorgsky: Boris Godunov Martti Talvela, Nicolai Gedda, Leonard Mroz / Polish rdio Chorus iof Krakow, Polish Radio National Symphony Orchestra,Jerzy Semkow [ Warner Classics Home of Opera / 3 CD Box Set - released 18/Mar/2013 ] "It has many virtues, not least the great Talvela in a role tailor-made for his massive bass. He gives us a deeply felt Boris without resorting to the admittedly effective but increasingly unfashionable histrionics typical of his predecessors; his... |
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CLASSICS FOR FUNERALS
In Memory of... (Classics for Funerals) Various performers incls Scottish National Orchestra, the Sixteen, BBC Philharmonic, Emma Kirkby, Detroit Symphony [ Chandos / 2 CD - released 1/Jan/2005 ] Morbid though the subject of this disc may seem, it was very definitely the logical next Bear Essentials release. We are regularly contacted by bereaved relatives, who ask us to suggest suitable music for use at funerals - as indeed, we are told, are... |