April 2023

Humour and Classical Music: Dudley Moore

by David Barker

bruckner philips jochum

Bruckner: Symphony 5 (Philips)

(Déjà Review) A classic recording rightly restored to the catalogue in good sound and an example of Jochum’s Bruckner at its best [TD]

partiturbuch naxos

Das Partiturbuch (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) An entertaining and instructive collection, which whets the appetite for more music by these composers [GPJ]

Weill: Die sieben Todsünden (First Hand Records)

Two rarities; the performance of the main work is quite disappointing [SB]

Radigue: Occam Delta XV (Collection QB)

One of the greatest musical minds of our era [DMD]

Bellini: Bianca e Fernando (Dynamic)

A first video release of Bellini’s early work features some attractive singing and an elegant, if quirky, production [MP]

Vaughan Williams: Symphonies 7 & 9 (Hyperion)

A beautifully rendered conclusion to the Brabbins/Hyperion survey of the Vaughan Williams symphonies [NB]

Hamal: Motets (Musique en Wallonie)

This is how to put a relatively little-known composer on the map [JV]

Brahms, Ligeti & Sierra: Horn Trios (IBS Classical)

Two old horn trios and one new – terrific performances and a flawless programme [LW]

Beethoven: Late String Quartets (Nimbus Alliance)

(Déjà Review) Technically highly assured performances which communicate Beethoven’s vision well [PCW]

Shostakovich: Symphony No. 14 (BIS)

(Déjà Review) A superb performance by all concerned; a worthy addition to the catalogue [JP]

Bruckner: Symphonies 3 & 6 (Unitel Editions)

Today’s pre-eminent Bruckner conductor conducts the essential Bruckner orchestra in superb live accounts of two of the more elusive symphonies [RWe]

Chopin: Piano Sonatas (Deutsche Grammophon)

Performances of authority and distinction [SG]

El cielo y sus estrellas (Orchid Classics)

An interesting disc with little-known repertoire from the New World [JV]

stravinsky firebird rite decca

Stravinsky: Rite of Spring (Decca)

A disappointingly bland and flaccid Rite of Spring balanced by a far more compelling Firebird [RMo]

Broken Branches (Pentatone)

A superlative Songs from Chinese can’t quite redeem indifferent singing elsewhere [DM]

Vaughan Williams: Live Vol. 4 (SOMM)

Fascinating Vaughan Williams performances from both sides of the Atlantic in excellent transfers [JQ]

Bach: Brandenburg Concertos (Archiv Produktion)

(Déjà Review) An excellent recording of the first three Brandenburg concerti [KM]

Arthur Grumiaux (violin) The Boston Recordings (Parnassus)

(Déjà Review) Some of the most lofty and beautiful playing; I shall return to this disc with equal excitement and pleasure [JW]

Piccinni didon GB260232

Piccinni: Didon (Bongiovanni)

The level of the singing is such that I cannot, with the best will in the world, recommend this issue [GF]

Legacy Chauvin V7259

Legacy (Naïve)

An imaginative programme, given fine performances [DJB]

Blow Purcell OABD7308D

Blow/Purcell: Operas (Opus Arte)

A delightful baroque double bill in an enjoyable period production and setting [PCG]

Patino Sacra LAU021

Patiño: Música sacra para la Corte (Lauda)

An interesting survey of the impressive qualities of Patiño as a composer of sacred music for the liturgy [JV]

Dvorak dances 88697857482

Dvořák: Slavonic Dances (Sony Classical)

A reissue of an imperishable “classic of the gramophone” – the greatest music of its genre in the best of 60s stereo sound [RMo]