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RICHARD WAGNER
Wagner: Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (complete opera recorded live in 2008) BLU-RAY Bayreuth Festival / Michael Volle, Klaus Florian Vogt, Johannes Martin Kränzle, Anne Schwanewilms / Philippe Jordan (cond) [ Deutsche Blu-ray / 2 Blu-ray - released 5/Dec/2019 ] "The performances of the cast are of a high standard dramatically and mostly musically. Volle now paces himself well and Lehmkuhl is a magical and unclichéd Magdalene." Gramophone |
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PROKOFIEV / LISZT / SAINT-SAENS
Recital Behzod Abduraimov (piano) [ Decca Music Group / CD - released 11/May/2014 ] "He doesn't splash. He doesn't fake. It's real" (The Daily Telegraph) |
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CAMILLE SAINT-SAENS
Saint-Saëns: Piano Concertos Nos. 2 & 5 / Pieces for solo piano Bertrand Chamayou (piano) / Orchestre National de France, Emmanuel Krivine [ Erato / CD - released 1/Dec/2018 ] GRAMOPHONE AWARD WINNER 2019 - Recording of the Year |
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VARIOUS COMPOSERS
Music for Saint Katherine of Alexandria The Binchois Consort / Andrew Kirkman [ Hyperion / CD - released 31/May/2019 ] Admirers of Andrew Kirkman and The Binchois Consort will know what to expect of this group's recordings: not only carefully crafted programmes delivered with idiomatic flair (both of which may be taken for granted), but also lavishly illustrated... |
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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 |
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BENJAMIN BRITTEN
Britten: A Ceremony of Carols / Saint Nicolas The Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge / Holst Singers / City of London Sinfonia, Stephen Layton (cond) [ Hyperion / CD - released 1/Oct/2012 ] GRAMOPHONE AWARD FINALIST 2013: Choral |
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DURUFLE / STANFORD / BYRD / PALESTRINA / CROTCH / etc
The Feast of Saint Peter the Apostle at Westminster Abbey The Choir of Westminster Abbey / James O'Donnell (conductor) [ Hyperion / CD - released 10/Dec/2010 ] "A sumptuous banquet of choral delight awaits the hungry listener, laid out in three carefully balanced courses, to be savoured slowly, the whole programme sung (and played) with superlative skill" (Gramophone) |
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FRANCIS POULENC
Poulenc: Mass in G / Quatre Petites Prieres de Saint Francois d'Assise / etc The Choir of Westminster Abbey, James O'Donnell [ Hyperion Helios / CD - released 30/Sep/2013 ] 'The Westminster boys display an uncanny empathy with these miniature masterpieces. Their musicianship shines through every carefully measured phrase and dynamic' (BBC Music Magazine Top 1000 CDs Guide) |
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VARIOUS COMPOSERS
From the Vaults of Westminster Cathedral Choir of Westminster Cathedral / Martin Baker (director) [ Hyperion / CD - released 1/Nov/2009 ] "Throughout, the choral singing under Martin Baker's direction glows resplendently, while still retaining its celebrated 'continental' edge." (Gramophone) |
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MARX / MUSSORGSKY / RAVEL / MARTIN / BRIDGE / etc
If the owl calls again Christianne Stotijn (Mezzo) with Joseph Breinl (piano), Rick Stotijn (double bass), Antoine Tamestit (viola) [ Warner Classics / CD - released 20/May/2015 ] Dutch mezzo-soprano Christianne Stotijn presents an album of songs on the theme of nature and religion. From works by Martin, Ravel and Mussorgsky, to a world premiere by Dutch composer Fant de Kanter, and featuring song texts in Hebrew, Armenian,... |
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J. S. BACH
The Best of Johann Sebastian Bach (LP) Concentuis Musicus Wien, Nikolaus Harnoncourt / Beatrice Rana / Academy St Martin in the Fields, Neville Marriner / Ton Koopman / etc [ Warner Classics / 2 LP - released 11/Jun/2021 ] Highlights from the greatest masterpieces by JS Bach performed by first-class musicians: Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Mstislav Rostropovich, Ton Koopman, Alexandre Tharaud, David Fray, Sir Neville Marriner, Fabio Biondi, Emmanuel Pahud, Beatrice Rana,... |
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FRANCOIS COUPERIN
Couperin: Trois Lecons De Tenebres pour le Mercredi Saint / 4 Versets du Motet Sophie Daneman, Patricia Petibon / Les Arts Florissants, William Christie [ Erato / CD - released 28/Feb/1997 ] "Singing, accompaniment and recording are all that could be desired. The accompaniment is, appropriately, the lightest possible." MusicWeb |
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OLIVER MESSIAEN
MessiaenL Saint Francois d'Assise Dawn Upshaw / JosAC van Dam / Halle Orchestra / Kent Nagano [ Deutsche Grammophon / 4 CD - released 1/Jan/1994 ] 1001 Classical Recordings You Must Hear Before You Die A wonderful live recording of the Salzburg production of the only opera by Messiaen. |
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AARON COPLAND
Copland: Old American Songs / Eight Poems of Emily Dickinson / Billy the Kid Thomas Hampson, Dawn Upshaw /Saint Paul Chamvber Orchestra, Hugh Wolff [ Teldec Apex / CD - released 6/Jun/2005 ] BARGAIN OF THE MONTH MusicWeb October 2005 "Copland is in the first rank of those whose skill has created an American music, quite distinct from that of their own roots. A great disc." (MusicWeb Oct 2005) |
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Dean Martin
Dino: The Essential Dean Martin [ EMI Music / CD - released 2/Aug/2004 ] The 'King of Cool' is back with the ultimate compilation: 30 digitally re-mastered classic Capitol and Reprise hits on one CD! |
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Dean Martin
Forever Cool [ EMI Music / CD - released 24/Sep/2007 ] This is a collection of songs by the late great Deano, in collaboration with other top entertainment luminaries - including Joss Stone, Kevin Spacey, Robbie Williams, Charles Aznavour, Martina McBride, Dave Koz, Chris Botti and more! |
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Dean Martin
Playlist: The Very Best Of [ Legacy / Sony Music / CD - released 21/Jan/2014 ] Playlist: The Very Best of Dean Martin is a midline-priced collection that features 14 songs drawn from Martin's recordings for Capitol and Reprise in the '50s and '60s. |
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Dean Martin
The Very Best Of: the Capitol & Reprise Years [ EMI / CD - released 12/Jan/1998 ] |
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VERDI / ROSSINI / TCHAIKOVSKY / HANDEL / RACHMANINOV / etc
Dmitry Hvorostovsky: Portrait Dmitry Hvorostovsky (baritone) / Academy of St Martin in the Fields [ Philips Portrait of the Artist / 2 CD - released 12/Jun/2006 ] Dmitri Hvorostovsky is one of the leading representatives of a generation of Russian singers who, unlike their immediate predecessors, have been able to establish themselves as international stars. |
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Eric Clapton
Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues [ Polydor Records / CD - released 20/Sep/2004 ] European import. From the acclaimed PBS series, featuring tracks from The Bluesbreakers, Cream, Blind Faith, Howlin' Wolf, Derek & The Dominos, etc. |