Déjà Reviews

Re-published reviews from the archive

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]

biber artificiosa archiv

Biber: Harmonia artificiosa (Archiv Produktion)

(Déjà Review) It will be very difficult to find a performance which more convincingly explores these brilliant compositions [JV]

maisky argerich deutsche grammophon

Mischa Maisky (cello) & Martha Argerich (piano) In Concert (Deutsche Grammophon)

(Déjà Review) A magnificent triumph for all concerned [CC]

Shostakovich: Chamber Symphonies (BIS)

(Déjà Review) This is a challenging and absorbing listening experience [PJL]

A Scarlatti: The Cecilian Vespers (Avie)

(Déjà Review) The most exciting high baroque choral vocal music you will hear anywhere [PSh]

Reich trains MO782167

Reich: Different trains, Triple Quartet, The Four Sections (Naïve)

A must-have for any serious music lover [KS]

Engish Guitar Concertos Ogden Chandos CHAN9963

English Guitar Concertos (Chandos)

(Déjà Review) The strong personality of dedicatee Julian Bream is ever present, but Ogden more than rises to the task. A fine disc [AD]