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) |
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) |
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 |
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... |
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... |
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) |
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) |
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) |
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) |
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 |
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 |
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 |