GUSTAV MAHLER
Mahler: Kindertotenlieder + Songs & Arias by Gluck, Greene, Handel, Purcell etc Kathleen Ferrier (contralto) / Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Bruno Walter [ Warner Classics Masters / CD - released 3/Jul/2000 ] "...outstandingly beautiful, so moving and deeply felt" (Gramophone) |
LUDWIG van BEEHOVEN
Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 5 & 6 "Pastorale" Wiener Philharmoniker [Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra], Sir Simon Rattle [ Warner Classics Masters / CD - released 13/Feb/2012 ] "These are not interpretations set in stone, deeply as Rattle has obviously thought them through; and his encouragement of the brilliant VPO woodwind and horn soloists to challenge each other in imagination and individuality adds to the impression of... |
W. A. MOZART
Mozart: Horn Concertos Nos. 1 - 4 / Quintet for piano & winds Dennis Brain (horn) / Dennis Brain Wind Ensemble / Philharmonia Orchestra, Herbert von Karajan [ Warner Classics Masters / CD - released 13/Feb/2012 ] 'Truly an all-time classic. Timelessly neat and elegant orchestral playing under Karajan accompanies Dennis Brain's flawless and characterful horn playing.' ('The Gramophone' Good CD Guide, 2005) |
FRANZ SCHUBERT
Schubert: Die Schone Mullerin Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (baritone) / Gerald Moore (piano) [ Warner Classics Masters / CD - released 1/Feb/2012 ] "leaves one with the sense of the immortal and inexhaustible beauty" Gramophone |
The Doors
Live At The Matrix 1967: The Original Masters [ Rhino / Warner / 3 CD - released 8/Sep/2023 ] Complete and original recordings sourced from the first-generation 7" reels. Includes 2 never before heard recordings - "All Blues" and "Bag's Groove". The original recordings have been remastered by Bruce Botnick, The Doors' longtime... |
EDWARD ELGAR
Elgar: Enigma Variations (with Holst - The Planets) London Symphony Orchestra / London Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Adrian Boult [ Warner Classics Masters / CD - released 1/Nov/2010 ] "This is a desirable reissue that cannot be faulted. Wonderful performances of two orchestral masterworks." (MusicWeb Jan 2011) |
FRANCK / THALBERG / LISZT / CHOPIN / SCHUBERT
Mariam Batsashvili: Romantic Piano Masters Mariam Batsashvili (piano) [ Warner Classics / CD - released 26/Aug/2022 ] "Throughout, this is outstanding playing, the programme thoughtfully constructed." Guardian |
CLAUDE DEBUSSY
Debussy: Preludes Books I & II (recorded in 1953) Walter Gieseking (piano) [ Warner Classics Masters / CD - released 13/Feb/2012 ] "Gieseking achieves miraculous tonal shadings and half-tints that fully subscribe to Debussy's concept of a piano without hammers." ClassicsToday |
FELIX MENDELSSOHN / MAX BRUCH
Bruch / Mendelssohn: Violin Concertos Yehudi Menuhin (violin) / Philharmonia Orchestra / Efrem Kurtz, Walter Susskind [ Warner Classics Masters / CD - released 10/Feb/2011 ] "this coupling is an eminently recommendable one." Gramophone |
The Doors
Live At The Matrix 1967: The Original Masters (5LP & 7") [ Rhino / Warner / 5 LP - released 8/Sep/2023 ] Complete and original recordings sourced from the first-generation 7" reels. Includes 2 never before heard recordings - "All Blues" and "Bag's Groove". The original recordings have been remastered by Bruce Botnick, The Doors' longtime... |
LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
Beethoven: Symphony No.9 "Choral" Barbara Bonney, Birgit Rammert, Kurt Streit, Thomas Hampson / Wiener Philharmoniker [Vienna Philharmonic], Sir Simon Rattle [ Warner Classics Masters / CD - released 1/Feb/2012 ] "These discs are history: nine indubitable masterpieces lovingly recorded in gripping reinterpretations of our age." (NZ Herald on the complete set) |
GUSTAV MAHLER
Mahler: Symphony No. 8 in E flat major 'Symphony of a Thousand' Christine Brewer, Soile Isokoski, Juliane Banse, Birgit Remmert, Jon Villars, etc / City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Sir Simon Rattle [ Warner Classics Masters / CD - released 25/Jul/2017 ] "A Mahler 8 that seems dutifully fervent against a euphoric Rattle and his forces" - Recording of the Month Gramophone Magazine April 2005 |
J. S. BACH
Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier, Books 1 & 2 Edwin Fischer (piano) [ Warner Classics Masters / 3 CD Box Set - released 3/Sep/2012 ] 50 GREATEST RECORDINGS OF ALL TIME (No 44) - BBC MUSIC - "His ego-less playing bequeaths some of the most life-affirming Bach on disc." BBC Music Magazine |
FRANZ SCHUBERT
Schubert: String Quintet in C D956 Heinrich Schiff (cello) / Alban Berg Quartet [ Warner Classics Masters / CD - released 1/Dec/2012 ] "unusually vigorous playing and the sound is excitingly real."(Gramophone) |
W. A. MOZART
Mozart: Requiem Mass K626 / Exsultate, jubilate, K165 [with Barbara Hendricks] Helen Donath, Christa Ludwig, Robert Tear, Robert Lloyd, Orchestra conducted by Carlo Maria Giulini [ Warner Classics Masters / CD - released 1/Nov/2010 ] "As one would expect. what Giulini's insight conveys is the rapt quality of such passages as the end of the Tuba mirum and the Benedictus." (Penguin Guide) |
GABRIEL FAURE / MAURICE DURUFLE
Faure / Durufle: Requiems Janet Baker (mezzo) Stephen Roberts (baritone) Robert Chilcott (treble) / King's College Choir Cambridge, Sir Philip Ledger, Sir David Willcocks [ Warner Classics Masters / CD - released 3/Sep/2012 ] Since the advent of the compact disc, the Requiem in D minor, Op. 48, of Gabriel Fauré and the Requiem, Op. 9, of Maurice Duruflé have frequently been paired, not only because they neatly fit the running time, but also because they are complementary... |
HECTOR BERLIOZ
Berlioz: Grande Messe des morts [Requiem Mass] Robert Tear (tenor) / London Philharmonic Choir, London Symphony Orchestra, Andre Previn [ Warner Classics Original Masters / 2 CD - released 10/Feb/2019 ] Berlioz's magnificent setting of the Requiem Mass, with its mighty orchestral and choral forces, is ideally suited to André Previn's acute senses for dramatic structure and colour. The terror and awe of the Day of Judgement, the thundering climaxes... |
PIOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY
Tchaikovsky: Manfred Symphony (with Dvorak: Scherzo capriccioso) London Philharmonic Orchestra, Mstislav Rostropovich [ Warner Classics Masters / CD - released 11/Aug/2017 ] " Instead of trying to barrel through the movement with sheer momentum, Rostropovich gives it space, letting every section make a strong, declamatory impact, which starts to make all "normal" renditions of the movement facile." (MusicWeb on Manfred) |
SERGEI RACHMANINOV
Rachmaninov: Symphony No 2 / Vocalise / Aleko: Intermezzo & Dance London Symphony Orchestra, Andre Previn [ Warner Masters / CD - released 1/Feb/2012 ] 1001 Classical recordings you must hear before you die (1901-1950) - "This remains a classic account." - Rosette (Highest Rating) Penguin Stereo Guide |
HUMMEL / LEOPOLD MOZART / TELEMANN / VIVALDI
Trumpet Concertos Maurice Andre (trumpet) / Berlin Philharmonic, Herbert von Karajan [ Warner Classics Masters / CD - released 1/Dec/2012 ] 1001 Classical recordings to hear before you die (1761-1800) "...marvellous trumpeting...these fine performances are highlighted by the excellent recording quality." (Gramophone) |
JOSEF HAYDN
Haydn: Cello Concertos 1 and 2 Mstislav Rostropovich (cello) / Academy St Martins in the Fields [ Warner Classics Masters / CD - released 17/Mar/2000 ] "A quite extraordinary achievement. Marvellously expressive cello playing. The orchestra gives splendid support and the sound is warm and ingratiating" (Gramophone) |
GUSTAV MAHLER
Mahler: Symphony No 5 New Philharmonia Orchestra, Sir John Barbirolli [ Warner Classics Masters / CD - released 20/Apr/2013 ] "Barbirolli's famous 1969 version on any count is one of the greatest, most warmly affecting performances ever committed to disc, expansive, yet concentrated in feeling: the Adagietto is very moving … A classic version." Rosette (highest rating)... |
EDWARD ELGAR
Elgar: Violin Concerto / Introduction and Allegro for strings (Rec 1983 & 1984) Nigel Kennedy (violin) / London Philharmonic Orchestra, Vernon Handley [ Warner Classics Masters / CD - released 1/Dec/2017 ] "Kennedy's first recording of the Elgar Concerto is aflame with a young man's passionate inspiration, though never lacking subtler nuance, while Handley simply breathed Elgar like no-one else." BBC Music |
HECTOR BERLIOZ
Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique / Overture: 'Le Corsaire' / Royal Hunt and Storm & Trojan March ('Les Troyens') (recorded 1957-59) Orchestre National de la Radiodiffusion Francaise; Royal Philharmonic Orchestra / Sir Thomas Beecham [ Warner Classics Masters / CD - released 1/Feb/2012 ] Rosette Recording (highest rating) Penguin Stereo Guide - 'If you want a genuinely French Symphonie fantastique, wonderfully performed and superbly recorded, go out and get this release before it's snapped up by your neighbour.' (Gramophone) |
GIOACHINO ROSSINI
Rossini: Overtures (Including 'Il barbiere di Siviglia', 'La Cenerentola' & 'L'Italiana in Algeri') Philharmonia Orchestra, Carlo Maria Giulini (cond) [ Warner Classics Masters / CD - released 1/Feb/2012 ] "Giulini plays these pieces with plenty of charm, taking full advantage of the brightness of the Philharmonia's violins. The orchestra's sound is sumptuous." (MusicWeb Oct 2008) |
W. A. MOZART
Mozart: Requiem in D minor, K626 (with Bruckner - Te Deum in C major, WAB 45) Sheila Armstrong, Janet Baker, Nicolai Gedda, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau / English Chamber Orchestra / Daniel Barenboim [ Warner Classics Masters / CD - released 20/Apr/2013 ] "Barenboim has, of course, a superb quartet of soloists, an absolutely first-rate chorus and an orchestra that knows how to play Mozart with the utmost artistry…You really should not overlook this exciting and most beautiful performance." (Gramophone) |
BEDRICH SMETANA
Smetana: Ma Vlast Staatskapelle Dresden, Paavo Berglund [ Warner Classics Masters / CD - released 1/Jul/2011 ] "Best of the non-Czech Ma vicars, by some considerable distance, is Paavo Berglund's 1978 Staatskapelle Dresden recording for EMI. Berglund's greatest virtue (and he has many) is his attentiveness to the score." (Gramophone) |
LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
Beethoven: Six Piano Sonatas Stephen Kovacevich (piano) [ Warner Classics Masters / 2 CD - released 3/Sep/2017 ] |
FRANZ SCHUBERT
Schubert: Trout Quintet / Wanderer Fantasy (recorded 1981 & 1963) Sviatoslav Richter (piano) Borodin Quartet with Georg Hortnagel, double bass [ Warner Classics Masters / CD - released 25/Jul/2017 ] "A legendary virtuoso, Richter was also a master chamber musician. Here we find him near his peak...this is sovereign musicianship throughout" (BBC Music Five Stars) |
CARL ORFF
Orff: Carmina Burana Thomas Allen, Sheila Armstrong, Gerald English / London Symphony Orchestra, Andre Previn [ Warner Classics Masters / CD - released 1/Dec/2017 ] 1001 Classical recordings you must hear before you die (1901-1950) - "...a vividly characterised performance" (Gramophone) |
BEETHOVEN
Beethoven: The Nine Symphonies (Rec 1948 - 1954) Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Wilhelm Furtwangler [ Warner Classics Masters / 5 CD Box Set - released 20/Sep/2016 ] Beethoven was Wilhelm Furtwängler's guiding musical force. In his interpretations of the symphonies, the conductor generates irresistible dramatic momentum - and a constant sense of imaginative freshness - through the interrelationship of form,... |
LUDWIB van BEETHOVEN
Beethoven: Symphonies Nos.5 & 7 (Rec 1950 & 1954) Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Wilhelm Furtwangler [ Warner Classics Masters / CD - released 1/Oct/2013 ] Wilhelm Furtwangler's admiration of Beethoven's music started early. By the age of 12, it is said, he knew much of it by heart - so it is no surprise that he performed the Fifth symphony more than 100 times between 1918 and his death in 1954 with the... |