EDWARD ELGAR
Elgar: Complete Works for Wind Quintet (Incls 'Harmony Music' & 'six Promenades') Athena Ensemble [ Chandos 241 / 2 CD - released 1/Mar/2006 ] 'These bubbly versions [10 Pieces for Wind] by the Athena Ensemble, the only ones in the catalogue, are highly recommended at bargain price.' The Observer |
FRANZ SCHUBERT
Schubert: Piano Music, Vol. 6 Barry Douglas (piano) [ Chandos / CD - released 2/Dec/2022 ] This sixth volume in Barry Douglas's acclaimed Schubert series features two major works. The Sonata in A minor, D 845 was completed in 1825, just before Schubert started work on his 'great' Symphony in C major. As in so much of his later writing,... |
FRANZ SCHUBERT
Schubert: Piano Works Vol.5 Barry Douglas (piano) [ Chandos / CD - released 1/Oct/2020 ] For his fifth volume of Schubert's piano works, Barry Douglas turns to a contrasting pair of sonatas composed in the 1820s. |
FRANZ SCHUBERT
Schubert: Works for Solo Piano, Vol.4 Barry Douglas (piano) [ Chandos / CD - released 31/May/2019 ] Barry Douglas's critically acclaimed series of Schubert's piano works reaches its fourth instalment. For this recording, Douglas has chosen to present three piano sonatas from the middle of Schubert's short life: No. 5 (D 537) and No. 11 (D 575),... |
PYOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY
Tchaikovsky: Plus One (with Rachmaninov: Six Moments musicaux) Barry Douglas (piano) [ Chandos / CD - released 1/Nov/2019 ] Tchaikovsky's Grande Sonate, or 'Grand Sonata' (Bolshaya Sonata), in G major was dedicated to Karl Klindworth, a pupil of Liszt, and first performed at a private hearing, on 21 October 1879, by Nikolay Rubinstein, founder of the Moscow Conservatory.... |
FRANCIS POULENC
Poulenc: Orchestral Works BBC Concert Orchestra, Bramwell Tovey [ Chandos / CD - released 2/Dec/2022 ] When we recorded this album, in March 2022, no-one could have imagined that it would be Bramwell Tovey's last recording. Chandos Records would like to dedicate this recording to the memory of Bramwell Tovey, with whom the company had collaborated for... |
ERIC COATES
Coates: Orchestral Works, Volume 3 [Incls 'Three Men Suite' & 'Dam Busters March'] BBC Philharmonic, John Wilson [ Chandos / CD - released 30/Jun/2023 ] "The BBC Philharmonic plays with buoyancy and style. The booklet notes are invaluable: a slice of British history compressed into a few well chosen words." Guardian |
DMITRI SHOSTAKOVICH
Shostakovich: Symphonies Nos 12 & 15 BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, John Storgårds [ Chandos SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 24/Mar/2023 ] "Another terrific release from this source." Gramophone |
HENRI DUTILLEUX
Dutilleux: L'Arbre des songes / Timbres, espace, mouvement / etc Martyn Hill (tenor), Neal Davies (baritone), Olivier Charlier (violin) / BBC Philharmonic, Yan Pascal Tortelier [ Chandos / CD - released 2/Feb/1996 ] "In the Violin Concerto (1985) Tortelier again favours a symphonic approach, and very effective it is too, with a soloist who's authoritative without being overly selfassertive." Gramophone |
PAUL BEN-HAIM
Ben-Haim: Music of Israel Claudia Barainsky (soprano), John Bradbury (clarinet), BBC Philharmonic, Omer Meir Wellber [ Chandos / CD - released 30/Oct/2020 ] "Altogether, a very worthwhile and rewarding release" Gramophone |
BACH / GABRIELI / MacMILLAN / SCHUTZ / WILLIAMS / PARK
Revoiced Corvus Consort, Ferio Saxophone Quartet, Freddie Crowley [ Chandos / CD - released 14/Oct/2022 ] "The combination of small-scale choir and saxophone quartet is a surprising one, though it would take a particularly crabbed purist not to deny its effectiveness." Gramophone |
SIR ARTHUR BLISS
Bliss: Mary of Magdala Dame Sarah Connolly (Mezzo-soprano), James Platt (Bass), BBC Symphony Chorus, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis [ Chandos SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 1/Nov/2019 ] Bliss composed The Enchantress in 1951, the year of his sixtieth birthday, for Kathleen Ferrier. The text is a free adaptation of the Second Idyll of Theocritus, made by Henry Reed, and well suited to Bliss's love of classical Greek... |
FRANZ SCHMIDT
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Schmidt - Symphony No. 2 in E flat major Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Neeme Jarvi [ Chandos / CD - released 2/Feb/1989 ] "Their sound is glorious and Chandos advocate it to us with all its damask lustre and density without rendering it opaque." MusicWeb |
DMITRI SHOSTAKOVICH
An introduction to Shostakovich (Incls 'Piano Concerto No 2' & 'Symphony No 5') Dmitri Shostakovich Jnr (piano) / I Musici de Montreal / Scottish National Orchestra / Neeme Jarvi / Maxim Shostakovich [ Chandos Intro / CD - released 1/Aug/2006 ] 'Neeme Järvi's understanding of the bleak world inhabited by Shostakovich's symphonies continues to impress. Chandos's sound is superb as always.' American Recird Guide |
BOHUSLAV MARTINU
Martinu: Špalíček [suites] / Rhapsody -Concerto Mikhail Zemtsov (viola) / Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Neeme Järvi [ CHANDOS / CD - released 26/Jan/2016 ] "The Estonian strings sing their hearts out…the woodwind solos are very lovely, too. Viola-player Mikhail Zemtsov impresses with the sheer beauty of tone." BBC Music |
W. A. MOZART
Mozart: Violin Concertos 3 & 4 Francesa Dego (violin), Francesca Leonardi (piano), Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Sir Roger Norrington (conductor) [ Chandos / CD - released 21/Sep/2021 ] "These performances capture the very essence of Mozart's Salzburg style best, setting up, meticulously matching and weaving in and out of the solo line with captivating suppleness and alertness." Five Stars BBC Music Recording of the Month Nov 21 |
W. A. MOZART
Mozart: Violin Concertos, Vol. 2 Francesca Dego (violin) / Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Sir Roger Norrington [ Chandos / CD - released 14/Oct/2022 ] Following their critically acclaimed first volume of Mozart's violin concertos (CHAN 20234), Francesca Dego and Sir Roger Norrington complete the set, once again with outstanding support from a reduced Royal Scottish National Orchestra. |
BENJAMIN BRITTEN / FRANK BRIDGE
Britten/Bridge: Works for Viola & Piano Hélène Clément (viola), Dame Sarah Connolly (mezzo-soprano), Alasdair Beatson (piano) [ Chandos / CD - released 12/Aug/2022 ] Hélène Clément, violist with the Doric String Quartet, is the current holder of the viola previously owned by both Frank Bridge and Benjamin Britten. Her ambition, quickly formed once she first played this instrument, has been to create a testament... |
RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS
Vaughan Williams: Songs of Travel James Gilchrist (tenor), Philip Dukes (viola), Anna Tilbrook (piano) [ Chandos / CD - released 20/Jan/2018 ] Having previously recorded British repertoire on Chandos, James Gilchrist joins the pianist Anna Tilbrook nine years after their previous recording, in a lyrical journey through some of Vaughan Williams's best songs and rarely heard chamber works.... |
FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN
Haydn: Piano Sonatas, Volume 11 Jean-Efflam Bavouzet (piano) [ Chandos / CD - released 29/Jul/2022 ] "Bavouzet's gifts of insightful exposition and revelation are matched by the wisdom of his curation…A triumph." Sunday Times Five Stars |
PIERRE-CHARLES SANCAN
Sancan: A Musical Tribute Jean-Efflam Bavouzet (piano), Adam Walker (Flute) / BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, Yan Pascal Tortelier (conductor) [ Chandos / CD - released 5/May/2023 ] "This tribute led by one of his many distinguished pupils, Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, and Yan Pascal Tortelier, who fell under Sancan's influence at the Paris Conservatoire, is as authentic as it is valuable and rewarding." Gramophone Editor's Choice Aug |
GERALD FINZI
Finzi: In Years Defaced / Prelude Op 25 / Romance Op 11 / Concerto for Small Orchestra John Mark Ainsley (tenor) Tasmin Little (violin) / City of London Sinfonia, Hickox [ Chandos Classics / CD - released 12/Feb/2001 ] GRAMOPHONE MAGAZINE: Editor's Choice (May 2001) |
RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS / HERBERT HOWELLS / FREDERICK DELIUS / SIR EDWARD ELGAR
Music for Strings John Wilson, Sinfonia Of London [ Chandos SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 3/Feb/2023 ] "I expect it has been said before, but the Sinfonia of London belongs in the Formula 1 class of orchestras, and in this repertoire sits in pole position." Gramophone Award Finalist 2023 - Orchestral |
AARON COPLAND
Copland: Orchestral Works, Vol. 2 - Symphonies Jonathan Scott (organ), BBC Philharmonic, John Wilson [ Chandos SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 16/Sep/2016 ] "Wilson obtains [a] superbly drilled and articulate response from the BBC Philharmonic…an outstanding release" (Gramophone) |
SAMUEL COLERIDGE-TAYLOR
Coleridge-Taylor: Early Chamber Works - Nonet / Piano Trio / Piano Quintet Kaleidoscope Chamber Collective [ Chandos / CD - released 10/Jun/2022 ] Samuel Coleridge-Taylor is best known for his cantata Hiawatha's Wedding Feast, which brought him international success as well as propelling his career at home in the UK - success which was remarkable in stuffy late-Victorian England because of his... |
JOHANNA MULLER-HERMANN / RICHARD STRAUSS / MARGARETE SCHWEIKERT / GUSTAV MAHLER
Befreit: A Soul Surrendered Kitty Whately (soprano), Joseph Middleton (piano) [ Chandos / CD - released 17/Mar/2023 ] The mezzo-soprano Kitty Whately trained at Chetham's School of Music, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and the International Opera School of the Royal College of Music. Having won both the Kathleen Ferrier Award and Royal Overseas League... |
LEOŠ JANÁCEK / ZOLTÁN KODÁLY / ANTONÍN DVORÁK / VITESZSLAVA KAPRÁLOVÁ
Pohádka - Tales from Prague to Budapest Laura van der Heijden (cello) Jâms Coleman (piano) [ Chandos / Hybrid SACD - released 18/Feb/2022 ] The label début of the Exclusive Chandos Artist Laura van der Heijden explores the rich musical heritage of Bohemia. |
JEAN SIBELIUS
Sibelius: Luonnotar, Tapiola, etc Lise Davidsen (soprano) / Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Edward Gardner [ Chandos SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 2/Jul/2021 ] Following their acclaimed recordings of Schoenberg with Sara Jakubiak and Britten's Peter Grimes with Stuart Skelton, Edward Gardner and the Bergen Philharmonic turn their attention to the music of Sibelius. |
MALCOLM ARNOLD
The Film Music of Sir Malcolm Arnold, Volume 1 (Incls Bridge on the River Kwai & Hobson's Choice ) London Symphony Orchestra / Richard Hickox [ Chandos Movies / CD - released 10/May/2004 ] 'This splendid CD is as much a tribute to the skills of the late Christopher Palmer who created the suites for this recording as it is to the performers and engineers and the ever-imaginative Arnold.' Gramophone |
CLAUDE DEBUSSY
Debussy: Piano Duets Louis Lortie, Hélène Mercier (piano) [ Chandos / CD - released 14/Oct/2022 ] Regular duet and two-piano partners Hélène Mercier and Louis Lortie have returned to the studio for this all-Debussy programme. The album features duets written by the composer himself -such as the Petite Suite, the Six Épigraphes antiques and the... |
FREDERIC CHOPIN
Louis Lortie Plays Chopin, Vol.6 Louis Lortie (piano) [ Chandos / CD - released 30/Oct/2020 ] For the sixth volume of his Chopin project, the Canadian pianist and exclusive Chandos Artist Louis Lortie has built a programme that includes works from the earliest to the latest periods in the composer's life, all of which have connection with or... |
EDMUND RUBBRA
Songs by Edmund Rubbra Lucy Crowe (soprano) Claire Barnett-Jones (mezzo) Marcus Farnsworth (baritone) Timothy Ridout (viola) Catrin Finch (harp) Iain Burnside (piano) [ Chandos / CD - released 24/Mar/2023 ] Whilst the English composer Edmund Rubbra is best known for his symphonic output, he composed a good deal of vocal music, and wrote songs throughout his compositional life. Rubbra studied with Cyril Scott and Gustav Holst, and was a great friend of... |
ARNOLD BAX
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Bax: Symphony No 7 / Four Songs for Tenor and Orchestra Martyn Hill (tenor) / Ulster Orchestra, Bryden Thomson [ Chandos Classics / CD - released 10/May/2004 ] "I found his interpretation of the Seventh fully acceptable...I found myself in his more leisurely company enjoying the scenery." MusicWeb |
STRAUSS / SCHUMANN / BRAHMS MENDELSSOHN etc
Festmusik: A Legacy Onyx Brass, John Wilson (conductor) [ Chandos / CD - released 4/Jun/2021 ] Described as 'easily the classiest brass ensemble in Britain' by BBC Music Magazine, Onyx Brass continues to be the leading light in establishing the brass quintet as a medium for serious chamber music, presenting it in the entertaining and... |
AIRAT ICHMOURATOV
Ichmouratov: Symphony 'On the ruins of an Ancient Fort' / Overtures Orchestre de la Francophonie, Jean-Philippe Tremblay [ Chandos / CD - released 10/Jul/2020 ] The second album of orchestral works by Airat Ichmouratov features three works united by an ear for bold orchestral colour, a dramatic sense of form, and a firm dedication to tonality. |
JACQUES OFFENBACH
Offenbach: Neeme Järvi conducts Offenbach Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Neeme Järvi [ Chandos SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 22/Nov/2015 ] "A melt-in-the-mouth confection, attractively played and presented; Järvi père is back on form at last." (MusicWeb Nov 2015) |
COPLAND / BERNSTEIN / CARTER / BARBER / CRUMB
American Works for Cello & Piano Paul Watkins (cello), Huw Watkins (piano) [ Chandos / CD - released 20/Nov/2015 ] Having explored much of twentieth-century British works for cello and piano, the Watkins brothers now turn their attention to the American contribution to this repertoire. The music spans a fascinating period of some four decades of intensive... |
EDVARD GRIEG
Grieg: Lyric Pieces Volume 1 Peter Donohoe (Piano) [ Chandos / CD - released 10/Jun/2022 ] If Chopin 'invented' the Mazurka, then surely by the same token Grieg 'invented' the Lyric Piece. Over his lifetime he published ten volumes of Lyric Pieces, containing sixty-six individual works. Born in Bergen, Grieg studied in Leipzig and became... |
EDWARD ELGAR
Elgar: Falstaff / Orchestral Songs / Grania and Diarmid Roderick Williams (baritone) / BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis [ Chandos SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 20/Jan/2018 ] "All told, a terrific anthology, and absolutely not to missed." Gramophone Editor's Choice January 2018 |
BERNARD HERRMANN
Herrmann: Suite from 'Wuthering Heights' / etc Roderick Williams (baritone) / Singapore Symphony Orchestra Conductor, Mario Venzago [ Chandos SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 30/Jun/2023 ] "Through their two voices - a radiant Keri Fuge and a towering Roderick Williams...stunningly recorded, serves as a tantalising example of what it might be to go on Herrmann's entire emotionally wrought journey." Recording of the Month BBC Music |