GIOACCHINO ROSSINI
Rossini: String Sonatas 1-6 (and works by Bellini, Donizetti and Cherubini) Academy of st Martin in the fields, Neville Marriner [ Double Decca / 2 CD - released 15/Jan/2008 ] "We have a very soft spot for the sparkle, elegance and wit of these ASMF performances of the Rossini String Sonatas, amazingly accomplished products for a 12-year-old. Marriner offers them on full orchestral strings but with such finesse and precisi |
ALBENIZ / GRANADOS
Musica Espanola - Piano Music volume 2 Alicia De Larrocha (piano) [ Double Decca / 2 CD - released 1/Apr/2014 ] |
ALBENIZ / GRANADOS
Albeniz: Iberia, Navarra / Granados: Goyescas Alicia de Larrocha (piano) [ Double Decca / 2 CD - released 11/Sep/2001 ] 1001 Classical recordings you must hear before you die (1901-1950) - "Alicia de larrocha plays with full-blooded temperament and fire. The recording is excellent and the Decca reissue makes a formidable bargain" ROSETTE - Penguin Stereo Guide |
W. A. MOZART
The Wind Serenades Amadeus Winds (on authentic instruments), Christopher Hogwood [ Double Decca / 2 CD - released 1/Apr/2014 ] |
GEORG FRIDERIC HANDEL
Handel: Messiah Elly Ameling, Anna Reynolds, Philip Langridge, Gwynne Howell / Academy & Chorus of St Martin in the Fields, Neville Marriner [ Double Decca / 2 CD - released 20/Oct/2013 ] "There have been many recordings of Messiah since this 1976 release and there will no doubt be many more to come, but few, if any, will match, let alone surpass, this of Marriner. It is truly a masterpiece!" (Fanfare) |
J.S. BACH
Solo Keyboard Works (Incls Italian Concerto in F major, BWV 971, 15 Two-part Inventions, BWV 772a-786) Andras Schiff (piano) [ Double Decca / 2 CD - released 5/May/2005 ] András Schiff is today regarded as one of the finest interpreters of Bach on the piano, a performing tradition that was earlier established by Glenn Gould with his legendary interpretations of the Goldberg Variations in the late 1950s and his... |
W.A. MOZART
Horn Music (Complete) Barry Tuckwell (horn) with Derek Wickens (oboe) Robert Hill (clarinet) Sheila Armstrong (soprano) and John Ogdon (piano) / English Chamber Orchestra [ Double Decca / 2 CD - released 25/Feb/2006 ] Mozart's ever popular concertos lead a collection of Mozart's music for horn. Outstanding performances from Barry Tuckwell as he celebrates his 75th birthday year. |
JOHANNES BRAHMS
Brahms: Piano Quartets Op.25, 26 & 60 / piano Trio in A Beaux Arts Trio (with Walter Trampler - viola) [ Double Decca / 2 CD - released 20/Aug/2012 ] Beaux Arts Trio |
GUSTAV MAHLER
Mahler: Das klagende Lied / Funf Lieder nach Ruckert / Kindertotenlieder / etc Brigitte Fassbaender (mezzo) Susan Dunn (soprano) Markus Baur (boy alto) / Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin / Riccardo Chailly [ Double Decca / 2 CD - released 30/Sep/2007 ] "The strength of the Chailly version lies with the splendid singing of the Dutsseldorf Choir and the demonstration-worthy Decca recording, full of presense." (3 Stars Penguin Stereo Guide on Das Klagende Lied) |
J. S. BACH
Bach: Brandenburg Concertos Nos. 1-6 BWV1046-1051 (Complete) English Chamber Orchestra & Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Benjamin Britten and Neville Marriner [ Double Decca / 2 CD - released 1/Apr/2014 ] Penguin Stereo Guide *** Three Stars |
THOMAS TALLIS
Sacred Works [Incls 'Spem in alium for eight five-part choirs '40-part Motet'] Choir of King's College, Cambridge & Choir of St John's Colleges Cambridge [ Double Decca / 2 CD - released 1/Apr/2014 ] |
HANDEL
4 Coronation Anthems / Foundling Hospital Anthem / Utrecht te Deum The Choir Of King's College / Sir David Willcocks / The Choir of Winchester Cathedral / David Hill [ Double Decca / 2 CD - released 27/Apr/2008 ] Penguin Guide 3 star |
SERGEI PROKOFIEV / ALEXANDER GLAZUNOV
Prokofiev: Cinderella (Complete Ballet) / Glazunov: The Seasons Cleveland Orchestra / Royal Philharmonic / Vladimir Ashkenazy [ Double Decca / 2 CD - released 12/Jul/2000 ] "Ashkenazy gets excellent results from the Cleveland orchestra. The recording's fine definition is enchanced, yet not at the expense of atmosphere, and the bright, vivid image is given striking projection." (Penguin Stereo Guide) |
W.A. MOZART
Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail (Complete opera) Lynne Dawso, Marianne Hirsti, Uwe Heilmann, Günter von Kannen, Wolfgang Hinze / Academy Ancient Music, Christopher Hogwood [ Double Decca / 2 CD - released 5/May/2003 ] This recording was made in 1990 after a series of stage performances. |
SCHOENBERG
Gurrelieder / Verklärte Nacht, Op. 4 / Chamber Symphony Siegfried Jerusalem, Susan Dunn, Brigitte Fassbaender, Hermann Becht, Peter Haage / Royal Concertgebouw, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Riccard [ Double Decca / 2 CD - released 7/Apr/2003 ] "Brigitte Fassbaender reigns supreme [as Waldtaube]...Susan Dunn is a vivdly drawn Tove...Best of all, there's finally a Waldemar who measures up to his part: Siegfried Jerusalem, who can sing the role as well as the notes." (Gramophone) |
JOHANN STRAUSS II
Die Fledermaus (complete operetta) Eberhard Waechter, Gundula Janowitz, Renate Holm, Heinz Holecek, Vienna State Opera Chorus, Vienna Philharmonic. Karl Bohm [ Double Decca / 2 CD - released 1/Jan/2007 ] Classic recordings now available at a budget price |
JOSEF HAYDN
The Creation (Complete oratorio in English) Emma Kirkby, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, The Chorus and Orchestra of the Academy of Ancient Music; Christopher Hogwood [ L'Oiseau-Lyre / Double Decca / 2 CD - released 1/Nov/2012 ] "fine clarity of detail and an attractive freshness" *** Three Stars Penguin Stereo Guide |
BEETHOVEN
Beethoven:piano Sonatas Friedrich Gulda (piano) [ Double Decca / 2 CD - released 1/Apr/2014 ] |
BACH / VIVALDI / HANDEL / PACHELBEL / MARCELLO / PURCELL / etc
Essential Baroque (Includes 'the Arrival of the Queen of Sheba', Albinoni's Adagio & the Hallelujah chorus) George Malcolm (harpsichord) Barbara Bonney (soprano) RenACe Fleming (soprano) / The Philip Jones Brass Ensemble / Academy of St. Martin in the Fields [ Double Decca / 2 CD - released 1/Aug/2006 ] Essential Baroque is the perfect CD for those who would like to purchase an introduction to baroque music. |
J. S. BACH
Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin BWV1001-1006 Gidon Kremer (violin) [ Double Decca / 2 CD - released 10/Nov/2012 ] "It is hardly necessary, perhaps, for me to remark upon the formidable technique of this artist, but formidable it certainly is. Kremer's intonation is well nigh faultless, his bowing easy and relaxed, and his phrasing graceful." (Gramophone) |