ejw

Jim Westhead

Rózsa: Overture to a Symphony Concert, Hungarian Serenade, Tripartita (Capriccio)

If you like this programme, you will like these performances [EJW]

Paderewski: Manru (cpo)

A most welcome recording of a neglected opera [EJW]

Mahler Symph 8 Vanska BIS 2496SACD

Mahler: Symphony No 8 (BIS)

Vänskä’s performance of Symphony of a Thousand; a rave review [EJW]

rachmaninov symphony red note

Rachmaninov: Symphony 1 (Red Note)

An interesting, well-presented performance on a budget issue [EJW]

Garūta: Apple Tree (Skani)

Beautifully performed and recorded Latvian choral songs, influenced by folk music [EJW]

Leiviska Symph 1 PC Hanssler HC23050

Leiviskä: Symphony No 1 & Piano Concerto (Hänssler Classic)

Late-romantic works by a neglected Finnish composer in committed, well-recorded performances [EJW]

Jonas Kaufmann (tenor): The Sound of Movies (Sony Classical)

A most enjoyable selection of songs from the movies, with some unusual items [EJW]

Humperdinck Königskinder Naxos 2.110759

Humperdinck: Königskinder (Naxos)

An enjoyable production of Humperdinck’s King’s Children, beautifully performed in effective modern staging [EJW]

schreker schatzgraber naxos

Schreker: Der Schatzgräber (Naxos)

A musically and emotionally intense opera by a composer at the peak of his career [EJW]

Respighi: Roman Trilogy (Ondine)

An outstanding performance and recording of these orchestral showpieces [EJW]

english tenor divine art

The English Tenor (Divine Art)

An enjoyable recital by a newcomer to the field of English Art Song [EJW]

enna symphony dacapo

Enna: Violin Concerto, Symphony No.2 (Dacapo)

Fine performances of mildly enjoyable works may win the composer new admirers [EJW]

Atterberg aladin 5551612

Atterberg: Aladin (cpo)

A decent performance of Atterberg’s last opera, a tuneful rendition of a fairy tale in an exotic musical setting [EJW]

Vladigerov Stage C8067

Vladigerov: Stage music (Capriccio)

Two well-filled CD’s filled with attractive 20th Century orchestral and vocal music from a composer unjustly neglected in the West [EJW]

Castro & Ponce: Conciertos Románticos (Cedille)

Two rarely recorded piano concertos, well worth investigating [EJW]

Rachmaninov Symphony Wilson Chandos

Rachmaninov: Symphony 2 (Chandos)

The luscious second symphony, recorded with rather too little presence for the strings [EJW]

Balakirev: Islamey (Hortus)

Balakirev’s mostly little-known piano music, beautifully performed and recorded [EJW]

Borenstein piano SOMMCD281

Borenstein: Piano Concerto (SOMM Recordings)

Interesting and at times striking works by a well performed composer [EJW]

strings chandos

Music for Strings (Chandos)

An absolutely outstanding disc containing some of the best of English string music [EJW]

Vaughan Williams: Chamber Works (Resonus)

Attractive rarities, including an unstoppable performance of the Old 104th Fantasia [EJW]