W. A. MOZART
Mozart: Piano sonatas 10, 11, 16 / Fantasia K475 / Rondo K511 Alicia de Larrocha (piano) [ Sony Classical Masters / CD - released 10/Dec/2012 ] "She is sharply responsive, to the variety of mood and texture in the opening variations of K331..her fine shading and shaping of detail in the Adagio variation where, as at other points on this disc, she adds her own discreet ornamentation in... |
FREDERIC CHOPIN
Chopin: Piano Concertos Nos 1 & 2 Arthur Rubinstein (piano) / New Symphony Orchestra of London / Symphony of the Air [ Sony Classical Masters / CD - released 10/Apr/2012 ] "The result is wonderfully exciting. This is a really superb account of this lovely music." (Gramophone) |
GABRIEL FAURE
The Secret Fauré 3: Sacred Vocal Works Benjamin Appl (baritone), Katja Stuber (soprano) / Sinfonieorchester Basel, Balthasar-Neumann-Chor, Ivor Bolton [ Sony Classical Masters / CD - released 12/Jun/2020 ] Recording: August 23-29, 2019, Goetheaneum Dornach |
LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
Beethoven: Symphonies 1 - 9 (5 CD set) Boston Symphony Orchestra, Erich Leinsdorf [ Sony Classical Masters / CD - released 20/May/2012 ] "The recording is atmospheric in the Boston manner, and with Dynagroove makes even small machines give an impression of opulence." (Gramophone on the LP release) |
GEORGE GERSHWIN
Gershwin: An American in Paris / Rhapsody in Blue (with works by Bernstein) Columbia Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, Leonard Bernstein (piano/conductor) [ Sony Classical Masters / CD - released 20/May/2011 ] "Mr. Bernstein is not only brilliant where brilliance is called for but he is supremely affectionate in the improvisatory passages and gives the impression of thoroughly enjoying himself, one that is by no means common." (Gramophone on Rhapsody in Blue) |
JOHANNES BRAHMS
Brahms: James Levine Conducts Brahms Chicago Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, James Levine [ Sony Classical Masters / 4 CD - released 4/Apr/2011 ] "It goes almost without saying that the playing of the Chicago orchestra is superb, and in the outer movements at least Levine's vivid sense of drama and concentrated control of structure are again most compelling." (Gramophone on Symphony No 3) |
FRANZ LISZT
Kissin plays Liszt Evgeny Kissin (piano) [ Sony Classical Masters / 2 CD - released 20/Apr/2011 ] A dazzling selection of Liszt performances - the great virtuoso pianist of the nineteenth century interpreted by a pianist in the Russian virtuosi tradition. |
FRANZ LISZT
Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsodies Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta [ Sony Classical Masters / CD - released 7/Nov/2011 ] "This 1989 performance of the Hungarian Rhapsodies that Liszt (and his assistants) orchestrated has stunning sonics; Mehta conjures highly idiomatic performances out of the Israel Phil." BBC Music |
ALBENIZ / GRANADOS
Spanish Guitar Music John Williams (guitar) [ Sony Classical Masters / CD - released 17/Jun/2011 ] While he is admired for his performances of the standard works for the guitar, John Williams has explored many different musical traditions outside the classical tradition. |
J. S. BACH
John Williams plays Bach John Williams (guitar) with Peter Hurford (organ) & the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Kenneth Sillito [ Sony Classical Masters / CD - released 1/May/2018 ] The Australian guitarist John Williams has long been universally recognized as a true master, to quote the Guardian. The centrepiece of his Bach recordings is formed by the Suites for solo lute. |
HANDEL
Messiah (highlights recorded in 1967) Judith Raskin, Florence Kopleff, Richard Lewis, Thomas Paul / Robert Shaw Chorale & Orchestra, Robert Shaw [ Sony Classical Masters / CD - released 10/Dec/2011 ] Robert Shaw Chorale, Robert Shaw |
JOAQUIN RODRIGO
Rodrigo: Concierto De Aranjuez / Fantasia para un Gentilhombre / etc Julian Bream (guitar) / Chamber Orchestra of Europe, RCA Victor Chamber Orchestra, John Eliot Gardiner, Leo Brouwer [ Sony RCA Classical Masters / CD - released 10/Dec/2017 ] "There is Bream's marvellous performance of the solo part, excellent orchestral playing and excellent recording." (Gramophone) |
BELA BARTOK
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Bartok: Violin Concerto No. 2 / Rhapsodies Nos. 1 & 2 Kyoko Takezawa (violin) / London Symphony Orchestra, Michael Tilson Thomas [ Sony / RCA Classical Masters / CD - released 1/Jun/1993 ] Born in Ōbu, Aichi, she started her training in Japan as a part of the Suzuki Method program and was part of a tour of the United States. She is a graduate of the Juilliard School (1989) where her teacher was Dorothy DeLay. |
GIUSEPPE VERDI
Verdi: Requiem Leontyne Price, Dame Janet Baker, Veriano Luchetti, Jose van Dam / Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Sir Georg Solti [ Sony Classical Masters / CD - released 1/May/2011 ] "Solti's 1977 Chicago version, with an unusually sensitive and pure-toned quartet of soloists, and with superb choral singing and orchestral playing, has all the ingredients for success." (Penguin Guide) |
RAVEL
Bolero / Rapsodie Espagnole / la Valse / etc (rec 1984) L'Orchestre National de France, Lorin Maazel [ Sony Classical Masters / CD - released 20/May/2011 ] "La valse is high powered with a mannered ending, but I enjoyed the rather sultry performance of the Rapsodie espagnole, while the Alborada is certainly brilliant." (Gramophone) |
W. A. MOZART
Requiem in D minor, K626 / Exsultate, jubilate, K165 - Alleluia / etc Lynne Dawson, Jard van Nes, Keith Lewis, Simon Estes / Philharmonia Chorus & Orchestra, Carlo Maria Giulini / with Kathleeen Battle [ Sony Classical Masters / CD - released 20/May/2011 ] "It is a marvellously polished and accomplished performance. The Philharmonia Chorus are in sterling voice; the string playing is immaculate." (Gramophone) |
W. A. MOZART
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Mozart: Piano Concertos No. 1 - 4 (K37, 39, 40, 41) Murray Perahia (piano and conductor) / English Chamber Orchestra [ Sony Classical Masters / CD - released 1/May/1991 ] "...wonderfully refreshing and delicate, with diamond bright articulation, urgently youthful in its resilience... Faithful, well-balanced recording." - The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs |
EDWARD GRIEG / ROBERT SCHUMANN
Grieg / Schumann: Piano Concertos (Rec 1989) Murray Perahia (piano) / Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Sir Colin Davis [ Sony Classical Masters / CD - released 20/May/2011 ] "Murray Perahia's 1987 Schumann and Grieg concertos with Colin Davis remain the most recommendable digitally recorded pairing of these war-horses, and they bloom even more via Sony's Expanded Edition remastering." (ClassicsToday) |
GUSTAV HOLST
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Holst: Planets / Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 New York Philharmonic, Leonard Bernstein [ Sony Classical Masters / CD - released 20/May/1997 ] Originally released in 1969 and 1973 |
WAGNER
Orchestral Music (Incls 'Good Friday Music') New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta [ Sony Classical Masters / CD - released 1/May/2011 ] "Zubin Mehta became the Philharmonic's Music Director in 1978. Mehta's 13-year tenure as the New York Philharmonic's Music Director - during which he conducted more than 1,000 concerts - was the longest in the Orchestra's history." (nyphil.org) |