Déjà Reviews

Re-published reviews from the archive

Debussy Dutilleux Ravel SQs Belcea EMI CDZ5740202

Belcea Quartet – Debussy, Dutilleux and Ravel (Warner Classics)

(Déjà Review) This disc represents the flowering of talent of an ensemble that, if they continue on their present well-chosen path, will achieve great things [CC]

purcell queen mary apex

Purcell: Music for Queen Mary (Apex)

(Déjà Review) One of the crowning glories of John Eliot Gardiner’s early recordings [PB]

Bach: Goldberg Variations (Hänssler Classic)

(Déjà Review) One of the finest recordings of the Goldberg Variations on piano currently available [KM]

Chaminade: Mots d’amour (Deutsche Grammophon)

(Déjà Review) A tonic for the winter months [IL]

Demenga cello ECM17823

Thomas Demenga (cello) Bach, Hosokawa & Yun (ECM)

The contemporary pieces featured here would have been unthinkable without Bach’s innovative thinking [HC]

Bentzon Symphs 5&7 Dacapo 8.224111

Bentzon: Symphonies 5 & 7 (Dacapo)

(Déjà Review) These symphonies are examples of Bentzon’s metamorphic style in which the voices of Bartok, Simpson and Shostakovich nudge and jostle [RB]

braga santos symphony marco polo

Braga Santos: Symphony 2 (Marco Polo)

(Déjà Review) A natural next step for anyone who loves Vaughan Williams, Rózsa or Moeran [RB]

Albinoni: Concerti a cinque (Chandos)

(Déjà Review) An outstanding issue in all regards [TB]

Schubert: The Piano Sonatas (DG)

(Déjà Review) If a one-pianist complete set is required at reasonable price Kempff proves a generally reliable guide [CC]

Prokofiev Nevsky 09026637082

Prokofiev & Khachaturian (RCA Victor)

(Déjà Review) A classic recording restored in its best sound [TD]

Berlioz Songs Gens Virgin VC5454222

Berlioz: Les nuits d’été and other songs (Virgin Classics)

(Déjà Review) Véronique Gens joins the exalted ranks of Crespin and Baker for top placing in Les nuits dété, and comes top of the list for modern recordings. A truly beautiful record [CC]

copland populist tilson thomas rca

Copland: The Populist (RCA)

(Déjà Review) An essential recording which should please a wide musical constituency [GSD]

Beethoven: Piano Sonatas (Warner Classics)

(Déjà Review) Kovacevich’s technique is never in question, but the performances are somewhat mannered and un-spontaneous [SF]

Advent Carols from St. John’s (Nimbus)

(Déjà Review) Evocative and beautifully sung [CT]

Folkjul – A Swedish Folk Christmas (BIS)

(Déjà Review) A refreshing Christmas disc, off the beaten track [GF]

Bach xmas CDA680312

Bach: Christmas Oratorio (Hyperion)

A stylish and committed performance that renews again one’s awe at the genius of Bach [JQ]

carols parrott 5036802

Christmas Carols (Erato)

A model of good taste and creative programming [JV]

RVW Hodie Fantasia Naxos 8.570439

Vaughan Williams: Hodie (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) Though not quite ideal in the popular Fantasia, this version of Hodie brings to life a work which I had previously written off as one of RVW’s few failures [BW]

Parry Holst RVW Christmas Choral Lyrita SRCD270

Parry: Ode on the Nativity (Lyrita)

(Déjà Review) The reappearance on CD of these performances is a cause for great celebration [JQ]

piano christmas 1920s lyrichord

A Piano Christmas in the 1920s (Lyrichord)

(Déjà Review) An enjoyable and unabashed collection [JW]

tchaikovsky nutcracker opus arte

Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker (Opus Arte)

(Déjà Review) Truly magical – the ideal family Christmas present [IL]

Praetorius: Lutheran Mass for Christmas Morning (Archiv Produktion)

(Déjà Review) A refreshing antidote to all those unimaginative festive compilations [DM]

Berlioz: L’Enfance du Christ  (Hyperion)

(Déjà Review) A performance to love and to cherish [SV]

Anne Sofie von Otter: Lieder and Mélodies (Archiv Produktion)

(Déjà Review) A most satisfying recital by major artists in repertoire which expands our understanding of the composers [TB]