djb

David Barker

Shostakovich trio DUX1860

Shostakovich & Arensky: Piano trios (DUX)

Performances that underplay the essential character of each work [DJB]

Jenkins Armed Man Signum SIGCD779

Jenkins: The Armed Man (Signum Classics)

An arrangement for smaller forces that still makes as much impact [DJB]

schoch core es-dur

Andre Schoch (trumpet) Core (Es-Dur)

Readings that don’t match up with the best, and an ungenerous runtime [DJB]

Dans nos yeux  – recital (Warner Classics)

Crossover, yes, but don’t let that deter you from some very enjoyable music [DJB]

Farrenc: Piano Trios, Cello Sonata (Brilliant Classics)

A good introduction to the chamber music of this underrated and under-recorded composer [DJB]

Glass signature AN28755

Glass: Signature (Analekta)

For the Glass waverers out there, this might be the disc that dispels doubts [DJB]

Vivaldi Four Seasons Plewniak Chateau de V CVS138

Vivaldi: Le Quattro Stagioni (Château de Versailles)

Too strident for my liking [DJB]

Spanish Impressions – Piano Trios (Reference Recordings)

An interesting program, with good if not outstanding performances [DJB]

Humour and Classical Music: The Simpsons

by David Barker

Raff, Schreck, Jadassohn: Wind Serenades (cpo)

A delightful hour spent in the company of these three works [DJB]

Morricone Cinema Rarities Arcana A554

Morricone: Cinema Rarities (Arcana)

Enjoyable arrangements of some of Morricone’s less well-known film music, but suffering from a lack of variety [DJB]

Bach: Goldberg Variations Reimagined (Channel Classics)

Goldberg meets Brandenburg in a very successful merger [DJB]

Humour and Classical Music: Silent Monks & The Hallelujah Chorus

by David Barker

Humour and Classical Music: The Hoffnung Musical Festivals

by David Barker

Topos – 20th-Century Greek Orchestral Music (Naxos)

Hugely enjoyable [DJB]

Ibert, Hartmann & Dvorák: Chamber Music (Farao Classics)

A perfect release to encourage newcomers to explore the genre further [DJB]

Mozart figaro OA1356D

Mozart: Le Nozze di Figaro (Opus Arte)

The singing doesn’t quite match the wonderful staging [DJB]

Beethoven Piano Trios v2 Sitkovetsky BIS2539

Beethoven: Piano Trios Nos 2 & 7 (BIS)

Beethoven doesn’t seem to be an ideal fit with this very fine ensemble [DJB]

Sambach penguin EPRC0055

SamBach (Evil Penguin)

A strained attempt to link Bach with Brazilian samba which doesn’t work [DJB]

bach olafsson goldberg deutsche grammophon

Bach: Goldberg Variations (Deutsche Grammophon)

An Icelandic blizzard envelops these Goldbergs and I am left cold [DJB]

Humour and Classical Music: Elgar’s Smoking Cantata

by David Barker

avant l'orage cedille

Avant l’orage (Cedille)

I may not have loved everything here, but I did enjoy the journey of discovery [DJB]

Sinigaglia String Quartets Naxos 8574495 

Sinigaglia: Works for String Quartet Vol 2 (Naxos)

Sunny and engaging music, far removed from the typical late Romantic fare [DJB]

Humour and Classical Music: Salut Salon

by David Barker