Déjà Reviews

Re-published reviews from the archive

Michelangeli mozart CD1147

Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli (piano) Mozart & Beethoven (Music & Arts)

A must-hear for Michelangeli fans, and indeed for all lovers of great pianism [CC]

Poulenc organ 2564619122

Poulenc, Duruflé & Alain: Organ Works (Apex)

An imaginatively planned programme, performed with dedication and total accomplishment [GPJ]

Brahms Sextets Menuhin Gendron Aronowitz EMI CDE5749572

Brahms: Sextets No 1 & No 2 (EMI Classics)

(Déjà Review) The quite wonderful playing of No 1, in particular, makes this an essential disc [CH]

Myaskovsky Cpt Symphonic Works v1 Olympia OCD731

Myaskovsky: Complete Symphonic Works (Olympia/Alto)

(Déjà Review) A major stride forward in the Myaskovsky revival. Strong and broadly expressed interpretations mostly in modern digital recordings [RB]

mahler symphony warner

Mahler: Symphony 8 (Warner Classics)

(Déjà Review) – A second view: Superbly performed by all concerned and expertly recorded [JQ]

monteverdi vespers naive

Monteverdi: Vespro della Beata Vergine (Naïve)

(Déjà Review) So many details teased out by Alessandrini make this new version very compelling indeed [TH]

magnard faure quartets aeon

Magnard & Fauré: String Quartets (Aeon)

(Déjà Review) Substantial works in immaculate performances [HC]

mahler symphony warner

Mahler: Symphony 8 (Warner Classics)

(Déjà Review) Lean and direct, intent on clarity and sense of direction, but an apparent lack of some grandeur and sense of occasion [TD]

Lauridsen: Choral music (Hyperion)

(Déjà Review) This disc is a must – I hope you enjoy it as much as I have [JPh]

Dvořák: Symphony No. 9, Carnival Overture; Smetana: The Bartered Bride Overture (RCA)

(Déjà Review) Ebullient and powerful and the finale sweeping but not overdone, and with tremendous inner rhythm [JW]

Quatuor Kandinsky: French Piano Quartets (Erato)

(Déjà Review) A sultry recording of surgingly romantic music given the hot-blooded approach [RB]

Chopin: Reminiscences (Linn)

(Déjà Review) It depends on whether you’re a fan of Pizarro, or his personal selection [TH]

Browne choirbook CDGIM036

Browne: Music from the Eton Choirbook (Gimell)

Near perfect music from the late fifteenth century sung in glorious style [JF]

Bruckner sym5 G010003192493A

Bruckner: Symphony No. 5 (RCA)

Harnoncourt’s remarkable vision of this great symphonic master [TB]

Tveitt Hundred Hardanger Tunes Naxos 8.555770

Tveitt: A Hundred Hardanger Tunes Suites Nos 2 & 5 (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) Between Engeset and the RSNO, this music is coaxed into shape without effort or artificiality. Highly recommended [GH]

Atterberg Piano Concerto CPO 9997322

Atterberg: Piano Concerto (cpo)

(Déjà Review) A feast for unashamed romantics. Grand Romantic, heart-on-sleeve stuff, over the top music, delivered in bravura performances [IL]

couperin lecons bis

F Couperin: Leçons de Ténèbres (BIS)

(Déjà Review) Music-making of a high order [RH]

donizetti elvida opera rara

Donizetti: Elvida (Opera Rara)

(Déjà Review) I strongly recommend all lovers of the composer’s music and the bel canto genre to add it to their collections [RJF]

bach fantasia hyperion

Bach: Keyboard Works (Hyperion)

(Déjà Review) A significant series, a laudable one, and there’s no lessening in perception in this final volume [JW]

buxtehude organ dacapo

Buxtehude: Complete Organ Works Vol. 2 (Da Capo)

(Déjà Review) Phenomenally relaxed and efficient technique on the most challenging of organs [CB]

Britten: Serenade for tenor, horn and strings, Nocturne, Phaedra (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) Overall a superlative disc, with flawless and very characterful performances [EML]

Beethoven: Overtures (Elatus)

(Déjà Review) There’s some great music here, so go and treat yourself [TH]

Bach sonatas AN29829

Bach: Sonatas for Violin & Harpsichord Vol. 1 (Analekta)

A disc that will have pride of place on my shelf and one that is sure to get repeated listening [KS]

Hahn VC PC Maguelone MAG 111.106

Hahn: Violin Concerto & Piano Concerto (Maguelone)

(Déjà Review) A truly enchanting album calculated to chase away the winter blues [IL]