BRAHMS / CLARA & ROBERT SCHUMANN
Clara & Robert Schumann: Piano Concertos Beatrice Rana (piano) / Chamber orchestra of Europe, Yannick Nezet-Séguin [ Warner Classics / CD - released 3/Feb/2023 ] "Rana throws herself into both concertos with vim, vigour and virtuosity to spare, demonstrating just what kindred spirits Robert and Clara were." BBC Music |
SERGEI PROKOFIEV
Prokofiev: Peter and the Wolf / Classical Symphony / Overture on Hebrew Themes Henry Feagins / Roy Hudd / Sting / Chamber Orchestra of Europe / Claudio Abbado [ Deutsche Grammophon DVD / DVD - released 26/Sep/2007 ] This brilliantly inventive visualisation of Prokofiev's beloved musical tale features Sting, Claudio Abbado, members of London's celebrated Theatre de Complicite, and some fantastic Spitting Image puppetry. "Sting's knack for getting into... |
LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN / W. A. MOZART
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Great Pianists of the 20th Century - Rudolf Serkin Rudolf Serkin (piano) / Adolf Busch Chmaber Players / London Symphony Orchestra / Chamber Orchestra of Europe [ Deutsche Grammophon / EMI / 2 CD - released 9/Oct/2006 ] Rudolf Serkin (28 March 1903 - 8 May 1991) was a Bohemian-born pianist. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest Beethoven interpreters of the 20th century. |
VARIOUS COMPOSERS
United Strings of Europe: In Motion United Strings of Europe, Amalia Hall (violin) / Julian Azkoul (director), Franck Fontcouberte (conductor) [ BIS / CD - released 6/Nov/2020 ] The streets of eighteenth-century Madrid; a contaminated test-bombing site in Australia and a song from El Salvador provide some of the subject matter for this album by the United Strings of Europe (USE). Formed in 2012 by students at London's... |
FRANZ SCHUBERT
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Schubert: Songs (Songs orchestrated by: Berlioz-Britten-Brahms-Liszt-Offenbach-Reger-Webern ) Anne Sofie von Otter / Thomas Quasthoff / The Chamber Orchestra of Europe / Claudio Abbado [ Deutsche Grammophon / CD - released 28/Apr/2003 ] "Von Otter remains one of the most searching, verbally aware of Lieder interpreters. Quasthoff, with his warm noble baritone, is just as compelling. Abbado is a near-ideal accompanist, alive to any special felicities of scoring but always considerate... |
W. A. MOZART / RICHARD STRAUSS
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Mozart/Strauss: Oboe Concertos Douglas Boyd (oboe) / The Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Paavo Berglund [ ASV / CD - released 30/Apr/1986 ] "..this 1986 recording of Mozart and Strauss' oboe concertos with them proves, he was one heck of an oboe player. He had an absolutely first-rate technique -- listen to him negotiate Mozart's lean lines -- an absolutely beautiful tone" AllMusic |
JOHANNES BRAHMS
Brahms: Choral Works & Folksongs [6 CD set plus CD Rom] Chamber Choir of Europe. Nicol Matt. with Jargen Meier, piano, and Martina Schrott, harp / Amadeus Choir [ Brilliant Classics / 6 CD Box Set - released 20/Nov/2011 ] Brahms's choral music ranges from the severe magnificence of the Fest- und Gedenk-sprüche to the ravishing opulence of the Op.17 Songs for female voices, horns and harp. Brahms conducted amateur choirs throughout his professional life, both as a... |
W. A. MOZART / FRANZ SCHUBERT
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Mozart: Symphonies 31, 39, 40, 41 / Schubert: Symphony No. 4 Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Vienna Philharmonic, Nikolaus Harnoncourt [ Deutsche Grammophon DVD / DVD - released 1/Oct/2016 ] Schubert's 'Tragic' Symphony and Mozart's 'Paris' Symphony are performed by the Vienna Philharmonic under the baton of Nikolaus Harnoncourt at the Wiener Musikvereinsaal in 1984. Harnoncourt goes back to Schubert's original manuscripts. |
LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
Beethoven: The Symphonies Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Yannick Nezet-Seguin, with Ekaterina Gubanova, Werner Gura, Accentus [ Deutsche Grammophon / 5 CD Box Set - released 15/Jul/2022 ] 'I am interested in how Beethoven's music can surprise us today. Our interpretation should feel to the audience as if they are hearing this music for the first time. That is my goal' - Yannick Nézet-Séguin. |
JOHANNES BRAHMS
Brahms: The Symphonies Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Yannick Nézet-Séguin [ Deutsche Grammophon / 3 CD Box Set - released 16/Aug/2024 ] "These are spontaneous-sounding interpretations, sure, but they're also thoughtful....Indeed, throughout this set, Nézet-Séguin hardly puts a foot wrong, and the COE play their hearts out for him." Gramophone September 2024 Editor's Choice |
FELIX MENDELSSOHN
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto / Octet for Strings Daniel Hope (violin) / Chamber Orchestra of Europe / Thomas Hengelbrock [ Deutsche Grammophon / CD - released 19/Sep/2007 ] "The playing is consistently fine and the pairing of the concerto with the octet - with a few songs thrown in for good measure - makes for enjoyable listening. It is worth hearing this original version of the concerto, if only for interest's... |
Europe
Gold (3CD) [ Sony Crimson Gold / 3 CD - released 25/Nov/2022 ] This definitive 3CD set features 45 tracks spanning the band's most popular career. 'The Final Countdown' reaching UK number 1 in 1986 alongside; 'Rock The Night' UK 12, 'Carrie' UK 22, 'Superstitious' UK 34 and 'I'll Cry For You' UK 28. |
Europe
The Final Countdown (Expanded) [ Sony / CD - released 18/May/2009 ] |
ROBERT SCHUMANN
Schumann: Cello Concerto & Chamber Works Gautier Capuçon (cello), Martha Argerich (piano), Renaud Capuçon (violin) / Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Bernard Haitink [ Erato Warner Classics / CD - released 18/Jan/2019 ] "Capuçon's impetuosity and thoughtfulness are complemented by Haitink's lifelong engagement with this music...Each of the [chamber] works is played with collective grace and elan by these crème de la crème chamber musicians." Sunday Times |
LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Beethoven: Complete Piano Concertos Pierre-Laurent Aimard (piano) / Chamber Orchestra Of Europe, Nikolaus Harnoncourt [ Teldec / Warner Classics / 3 CD Box Set - released 24/Feb/2003 ] "Readings of purposeful spontaneity which do justice to both the lyrical and the epic." Editor's Choice Gramophone April 2003 |
ROBERT SCHUMANN
Schumann: Genoveva (complete opera recorded in 1997) Ruth Ziesak, Marjana Lipovsek, Thomas Quasthoff, Rodney Gilfry, Deon van der Walt, Hiroyuki Ijichi / Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Nikolaus Harnoncourt [ Teldec / Warner Classics The Opera Collection / 2 CD - released 4/May/2009 ] "Opera buffs might complain at a lack of action, but lovers of Schumann will celebrate a work that is at once intimate, thought-provoking and gloriously melodious. A sure-fire first choice." (Gramophone) |
Europe
The Final Countdown (Coloured Vinyl LP) [ Legacy / LP - released 13/Oct/2020 ] The Final Countdown is the third studio album by the Swedish rock band Europe. Released on 26 May 1986 through Epic Records, the album was a huge commercial success selling over 15 million copies worldwide, peaking at number 8 on the U.S. Billboard... |
MORTEN LAURIDSEN
Lauridsen: Light Eternal I Virtuosi Italiani / Chamber Choir of Europe, Nicol Matt, with Morten Lauridsen (piano) [ Deutsche Grammophon / CD - released 20/Dec/2018 ] Writing music that radiates a personal voice is the holy grail for many composers. Morten Lauridsen has found his by tapping into the root power of the human voice itself. |
W. A. MOZART
Piano Concertos Nos. 24-27 Alicia de Larrocha (piano) / Chamber Orchestra of Europe & London Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Georg Solti [ Decca / 2 CD - released 1/Feb/2011 ] "it would be a strange person indeed who did not submit to such warm-hearted, unmannered Mozart....Larrocha's pearly toned, lightly pedalled touch and the way she can taper a phrase ending to resemble musical speech (try the opening of K491) make... |