SHOSTAKOVICH
Shostakovich: Cello Concertos Alban Gerhardt, WDR Sinfonieorchester / Jukka-Pekka Saraste [ Hyperion / CD - released 28/Aug/2020 ] Alban Gerhardt writes admiringly of Rostropovich and the legacy of marvellous works he inspired, but on the evidence of these extraordinary accounts of two of them, he need fear no comparisons with his great Russian forebear. |
JOHANNES BRAHMS
Brahms: Violin Sonatas Alina Ibragimova, Cédric Tiberghien [ Hyperion / CD - released 30/Aug/2019 ] Matchless accounts of Brahms at his most lyrically reflective, plus a benedictory encore by Clara Schumann: this is another outstanding release from today's pre-eminent violin and piano partnership. |
W. A. MOZART
Mozart: Violin Sonatas Vol 3 Alina Ibragimova (violin), Cédric Tiberghien (piano) [ Hyperion / 2 CD - released 26/Mar/2017 ] "Avoiding the twin traps of over-inflation and simpering coyness, the symbiotic partnership of Tiberghien and Ibragimova respect the music's innocence while relishing every tiny opportunity for mischief and humour." Gramophone Editor's Choice |
LOUIS VIERNE / CESAR FRANCK
Vierne & Franck: Violin Sonatas Alina Ibragimova (violin), Cédric Tiberghien (piano) [ Hyperion / CD - released 1/Mar/2019 ] "This is simply superb in every way…Ibragimova and Cédric Tiberghien are typically outstanding throughout, playing with exceptional control without ever forsaking spontaneity…Make no mistake,..." BBC Music Award Finalist 2020 |
W. A. MOZART
Mozart: Violin Sonatas Vol 1 Alina Ibragimova (violin), Cédric Tiberghien (piano) [ Hyperion / 2 CD - released 1/Apr/2016 ] "It is difficult to imagine [these sonatas] better played" (Five Stars BBC Music) |
DMITRI SHOSTAKOVICH
Shostakovich: Violin Concertos Nos 1 & 2 Alina Ibragimova (violin), State Academic Symphony Orchestra of Russia 'Evgeny Svetlanov', Vladimir Jurowski (conductor) [ Hyperion / CD - released 5/Jun/2020 ] Recording of the Month BBC Music Magazine July 2020 |
VARIOUS COMPOSERS
Homage to Godowsky Andrey Gugnin (piano) [ Hyperion / CD - released 27/Mar/2020 ] "Gugnin approaches these works on their own terms so that, far from seeming dated or brittle, they emerge fresh and full of vitality and charm" Editor's Choice Gramophone May 2020 |
LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
Beethoven: Variations Angela Hewitt (piano) [ Hyperion / CD - released 2/Oct/2020 ] "No qualifications are required for Angela Hewitt's new Beethoven album..Hewitt's touch is remarkably nimble and poetic" The Times |
BENJAMIN BRITTEN
St Nicolas / Hymn to St Cecilia Anthony Rolf Johnson (tenor) Corydon Singers, English Chamber Orchestra, Matthew Best (conductor) [ Hyperion Helios / CD - released 1/Nov/2009 ] "A fresh and atmospheric account of Britten's colourful cantata" Penguin Guide |
J.S. BACH / C.P.E. BACH / J.C. BACH
The Bach Family: Magnificats Arcangelo, Jonathan Cohen (conductor) [ Hyperion / CD - released 16/Feb/2018 ] "You would be hard-pressed to find a more illuminating disc than this latest offering from Arcangelo" BBC Music Choral & Song Choice March 2018 |
RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS
Vaughan Williams: Symphony No 5 / Scenes adapted from Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress Emily Portman (folk voice), Kitty Whately (mezzo-soprano), Marcus Farnsworth (baritone), etc / BBC Symphony Orchestra, Martyn Brabbins [ Hyperion / CD - released 30/Oct/2020 ] Vaughan Williams's incidental music for The Pilgrim's Progress has seldom been heard in its original guise since the 1906 premiere; yet further reason to acquire an outstanding interpretation of the composer's Symphony No 5. |
LUPUS HELLINCK / JOHNANNES LUPI
Hellinck: Missa Surrexit pastor; Lupi: Te Deum & motet The Brabant Ensemble, Stephen Rice [ Hyperion / CD - released 7/Feb/2020 ] Mining the rich musical seam of the Low Countries, Stephen Rice and The Brabant Ensemble have once again unearthed sixteenth-century treasure in the works of Lupus Hellinck and Johannes Lupi. |
ANTON BRUCKNER
Bruckner: Mass in F Minor / Psalm 150 Corydon Singers / Corydon Orchestra, Matthew Best [ Hyperion Helios / CD - released 10/Oct/2011 ] "Quite magnificent … hoping for a better all-round performance than this is probably an impossible dream!" (Gramophone) |
FRANCIS POULENC
Poulenc: Voyage a Paris Felicity Lott (soprano) Graham Johnson (piano) [ Hyperion Helios / CD - released 10/May/2011 ] 'Highly desirable' - BBC Record Review |
Haydn: String Quartets Opp 71 & 74
The London Haydn Quartet [ Hyperion / CD - released 27/Sep/2019 ] |
JOHANN BAPTIST CRAMER
Cramer: Piano Concertos Nos 1, 3 & 6 Howard Shelley, London Mozart Players / Howard Shelley [ Hyperion / CD - released 2/Oct/2020 ] "the immaculate playing here is alert and personable in a way that transcends contentious issues of style." BBC Music |
JOHANN BAPTIST CRAMER
Cramer: Piano Concertos Nos 4 & 5 Howard Shelley, London Mozart Players / Howard Shelley [ Hyperion / CD - released 28/Jun/2019 ] Listening to these fluent, expressive performances, it's difficult to see how even Cramer-one of the great virtuosos of his day-could have matched the effortless mastery so characteristic of Howard Shelley's pianism. |
FRANZ SCHUBERT
Schubert: Complete works for violin and piano Alina Ibragimova (violin) & Cédric Tiberghien (piano) [ Hyperion / 2 CD - released 10/Aug/2013 ] GRAMOPHONE MAGAZINE AWARD NOMINATION 2014 |
ANTON BRUCKNER
Bruckner: Mass in D minor & Te Deum Joan Rodgers (soprano), Catherine Wyn-Rogers (alto), Keith Lewis (tenor) / Croydon Singers & Croydon Orchestra, Matthew Best [ Hyperion Helios / CD - released 10/Mar/2010 ] "Highest honours must go to the outstanding 140-voice chorus who sing with earth-shattering conviction, utmost clarity of diction and enviable precision of ensemble and intonation." BBC Music Magazine |
RICHARD STRAUSS / LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN / MIKHAIL GLINKA
The Princess and the Bear: Strauss (R): Duet-Concertino / Beethoven: Trio / Glinka: Trio pathétique Laurence Perkins (bassoon), with Sarah Watts (clarinet), Martin Roscoe (piano) / Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Sian Edwards (conductor) [ Hyperion / CD - released 27/Jul/2018 ] "[the Glinka] finds Watts and Perkins squaring off and duetting like protagonists from one of the bel canto operas that inspired it, while Roscoe accompanies them with understated subtlety." Gramophone |
SIR HUBERT PARRY
Parry: Piano Trio No 2 / Piano Quartet Leonore Piano Trio [ Hyperion / CD - released 28/Jun/2019 ] After a successful rehearsal of his piano quartet in 1879, Parry declared that he was 'wild with delight'. He could have been no less enthusiastic on hearing this dynamic account from the Leonore Piano Trio with violist Rachel Roberts. |
LASSEN / SCHARWENKA / LANGGAARD
Lassen / Scharwenka / Langgaard: The Romantic Violin Concerto Linus Roth (violin) / BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Antony Hermus [ Hyperion Romantic Violin Concerto Vol 22 / CD - released 31/May/2019 ] "Roth plays with almost missionary zeal, he and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, under Antony Hermus, making a convincing case for these works to be more widely performed." The Observer |
MORITZ MOSZKOWSKI
Moszkowski: Piano Concerto in B minor (with Schulz-Evler - Russian Rhapsody, Op. 14) Ludmil Angelov (piano) / BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Vladimir Kiradjiev [ Hyperion Romantic Piano Concertos Vol 68 / CD - released 5/Jun/2016 ] "Ludimol Angelov plays with enviable fluency and affection" (InternationalPiano) |
VARIOUS COMPOSERS
Musique? Modern and electro-acoustic works for harpsichord Mahan Esfahani (harpsichord) [ Hyperion / CD - released 26/Jun/2020 ] Under Mahan Esfahani's hands-and occasionally fists-the harpsichord is transmogrified into an elemental force, by turns supported or menaced by an astonishing arsenal of electronics. Concerned listeners please note: no harpsichords were harmed in the... |
IGOR STRAVINSKY
Stravinsky: The Rite Of Spring & Other Works for Two Pianos Four Hands Marc-André Hamelin (piano), Leif Ove Andsnes (piano) [ Hyperion / CD - released 16/Feb/2018 ] "Hamelin and Andsnes are irresistibly clear and energetic...For sheer articulacy, synchronised gymnastics, flawless balance, range of colour and flinty attack, or any other criterion you care to reach for, this is breathtaking" Gramophone |
JOSEF HAYDN
Haydn: Piano Sonatas Vol 1 (2 CDs) Marc-Andre Hamelin (piano) [ Hyperion / 2 CD - released 25/Apr/2007 ] "The Hamelin charisma is stamped on this music from the first Sonata of the set, one of Haydn's greatest, No 50 in C major. In the opening movement, staccatos are as crisp as the best melba toast and, where lesser pianists rattle, Hamelin creates... |
NIKOLAI MEDTNER / SERGEI RACHMANINOV
Medtner & Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos Marc-Andre Hamelin (piano) / London Philharmonic Orchestra, Vladimir Jurowski [ Hyperion / Hybrid SACD - released 26/Mar/2017 ] A typical release-in so far as there can ever be such a thing-from Marc-André Hamelin, combining a stimulating, unexpected coupling; brilliant new light shed on the familiar; and pianism of the very highest calibre. Not to be missed. |
MAX REGER
Reger: Piano Concerto in E minor [with Richard Strauss - Burleske] Marc-Andre Hamelin (piano) / Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin, Ilan Volkov [ Hyperion Romantic Piano Concertos Vol 53 / CD - released 10/Mar/2011 ] "While an easy majority of pianists would run for cover when faced with such sheerly physical demands, Hamelin relishes every challenge, clarifying and refining Reger's potential for opacity at every point." (Gramophone Award Finalist 2011 - Concerto) |
SCHUBERT
Complete Schubert Edition: Winterreise Matthias Goerne (baritone) Graham Johnson (piano) [ Hyperion 30 / CD - released 1/Oct/2010 ] "The one to knock Fischer-Dieskau and Gerald Moore from the pedestal … Johnson and Goerne plumb the emotional depths of one of the most heart-wrenchingly sublime masterpieces in the genre" BBC Music Magazine |
MAX BRUCH
Bruch: String Quintets & Octet The Nash Ensemble [ Hyperion / CD - released 26/Mar/2017 ] "Together, these performances go to the top of a not exactly crowded field; in fact his disc needs to be heard by everyone who loves German Romantic chamber music." Gramophone Award Nomination 2017 - Chamber |
MALCOLM ARNOLD
Chamber Music Vol 2 (Includes Flute Sonatina Op 19 & Clarinet Sonatina Op 29) The Nash Ensemble [ Hyperion Helios / CD - released 5/Feb/2001 ] "This set may one day be equalled but it is unlikely to be bettered, and it deserves classic status." International Record Review Feb 2001 |
MEDTNER
Medtner: Piano Concertos Nos 2 & 3 Nikolai Demidenko (piano) / BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. Jerzy Maksymiuk, conductor [ Hyperion Romantic Piano Concertos Vol 2 / CD - released 1/Oct/2003 ] GRAMOPHONE AWARD WINNER - 'Performances as searingly intense as they are ardently lyrical. Truly extraordinary fire and brilliance' (Gramophone) |
VARIOUS COMPOSERS
Virtuoso Strauss Transcriptions Piers Lane (piano) [ Hyperion Helios / CD - released 22/Jan/2007 ] 'Throughout this collection Mr Lane's playing shimmers with liquid warmth ... his performances hang together out of his evident affection for these scores and the sheer convicton of his playing' (The New York Times) |
FREDERIC D'ERLANGER / THOMAS DUNHILL
Dunhill & Erlanger: Piano Quintets Piers Lane (piano), Goldner String Quartet [ Hyperion / CD - released 28/Aug/2020 ] As companionable, healthy and English as the South Downs on a sunny day' was an early verdict on Thomas Dunhill's Piano Quintet, one which could equally well apply to both works on this attractive programme. |
ROGER SACDEVERELL COKE
Coke: Piano Concertos Nos 3, 4 & 5 Simon Callaghan (piano) / BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Martyn Brabbins (conductor) [ Hyperion Romantic Piano Concertos Vol 78 / CD - released 1/Dec/2017 ] The late Romanticism of Roger Sacheverell Coke will appeal to anyone who enjoys Rachmaninov or Delius, Grainger or Scriabin. If that sounds an intriguingly eclectic mix, Coke establishes his own distinctive voice, and this is an important addition to... |
JOHANNES BRAHMS
Brahms: The Complete Songs, Vol. 10 - Sophie Rennert Sophie Rennert (mezzo-soprano), Graham Johnson (piano), Lawrence Power (viola) [ Hyperion / CD - released 2/Oct/2020 ] 'Sophie Rennert's voice is magnificently burnished, full and deep … the songs with viola form the centrepiece of the disc, and one could hardly hope for a finer exponent of the obbligato part than Lawrence Power' (MusicWeb) |
FRANCK / HOUGH / REYNOLDS / LISZT / TCHAIKOVSKY / HUMMEL / SCHUBERT / BOWEN / BRAHMS / WEBER / MOMPOU / CHOPIN
The Stephen Hough Piano Collection Stephen Hough, piano [ Hyperion / CD - released 10/Jun/2005 ] The Stephen Hough Piano Collection, available at budget price, brings together tracks from all eleven of Stephen Hough's acclaimed solo recordings on Hyperion, from Gramophone Award-winning Mompou, through rarely trodden byways of Weber and Reynolds,... |
JOHN TAVENER
Tavener: No longer mourn for me & other works for cello Steven Isserlis (cello) / Philharmonia Orchestra, Trinity Boys Choir, Omer Meir Wellber [ Hyperion / CD - released 30/Oct/2020 ] "Steven Isserlis has understood how to draw out the vocal quality in both those pieces and adapt it superbly for the eight cellos." Gramophone Editor's Choice November 2020 |
SERGEI PROKOFIEV / DMITRI SHOSTAKOVICH
Prokofiev / Shostakovich: Cello Concertos Steven Isserlis (cello) / Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra, Paavo Järvi [ Hyperion / CD - released 1/Apr/2015 ] BBC Music Magazine Awards 2016 Finalist - Concerto |
EDWARD ELGAR / WILLIAM WALTON
Elgar / Walton: Cello Concertos Steven Isserlis (cello) / Mahler Chamber Orchestra, Daniel Harding [ Hyperion / CD - released 15/Feb/2016 ] "This mesmerising meditation couldn't be in better hands" BBC Music Magazine Instrumental Choice March 2016 |