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GABRIEL URBAIN FAURE
Fauré: Orchestral Works Pierre Fouchenneret (violin), Martin Johnson, Catriona Ryan RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, Jean-Luc Tingaud [ Naxos / CD - released 8/Nov/2024 ] Gabriel Fauré is best known for his Requiem and Pavane, but these are not typical of an output that focused largely on solo piano pieces, songs and chamber music, many of which were orchestrated by others. His Violin Concerto was never completed... |
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ANTONIN DVORAK
Dvorak Edition: The Slavonic Soul Pierre-Laurent Aimard (piano) Lucia Popp (soprano) Jacqueline du Pré (cello) Alban Berg Quartett, Concertgebouw Orchestra, Nikolaus Harnoncourt, etc [ Warner Classics / 27 CD/DVD Box Set - released 11/Jun/2021 ] This box provides an illuminating and enriching survey of Dvorak's works, including his complete symphonies. A number of the celebrated performers have Slavonic roots themselves; all their interpretations draw on a deep affinity with the composer. |
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VARIOUS COMPOSERS
Complete Fitzwilliam Virginal Book Pieter-Jan Belder (harpsichord) [ Brilliant Classics / 15 CD Box Set - released 20/Nov/2020 ] This landmark set gathers all seven volumes of Pieter-Jan Belder's exhaustive exploration of the Fitzwilliam Virginal Book in recordings spanning the current decade. |
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ARCANGELO CORELLI
Corelli: Complete Edition Pieter-Jan Belder (harpsichord), Musica Amphion [ Brilliant Classics / 10 CD Box Set - released 15/Nov/2010 ] "The Concerti grossi, Op. 6 are full of verve here; there's a real sense of enjoyment in the playing and the same enthusiasm is to be found throughout. At its most zestful the set is excellent, and the disappointments are few." Penguin Guide |
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J. S. BACH
Complete Concertos Pieter‐Jan Belder (keyboard), Thomas Zehetmair (violin), Christine Schornsheim (harpsichord), Andrius Puskunigis (oboe) / Amsterdam Bach Soloists, etc [ Brilliant Classics / 9 CD Box Set - released 6/May/2016 ] This 9 CD set contains the complete solo concertos by Johann Sebastian Bach: the Brandenburg Concertos, violin concertos, keyboard concertos for one, two, three and four harpsichords and the triple concerto. As an attractive "bonus" two CD's are... |
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J. S. BACH
Bach: Well-Tempered Clavier - Book II [excerpts] Piotr Anderszewski (piano) [ Erato / Warner Classics / CD - released 29/Jan/2021 ] GRAMOPHONE Award WINNER 2021 - Piano |
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LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
Beethoven: The Symphonies Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, William Steinberg [ Deutsche Grammophon / 5 CD Box Set - released 15/May/2020 ] In 1952, William Steinberg and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra embarked on a Beethoven symphony cycle which utilized the new and sonically advantageous process of recording on 35mm film. |
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BEETHOVEN / BRAHMS / BRUCKNER / TCHAIKOVSKY / WAGNER / COPLAND / etc
William Steinberg - Complete Command Classics Recordings Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, William Steinberg [ Deutsche Grammophon / 17 CD Box Set - released 29/Mar/2024 ] "Considering the sheer quantity and quality of music on offer, this collection represents excellent value." The Classic Review |
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CHARLES GOUNOD
The Gounod Edition: Operas, Choral Works, Symphonies Placido Domingo, Regine Crespin, Alfredo Kraus, Nicolai Gedda, Mirella Freni, Marilyn Horne, Rolando Villazon, etc [ Warner Classics / 15 CD Box Set - released 25/Jun/2018 ] "Anyone wanting a share in these darling old steeds at a tempting price will be amply satisfied." Opera |
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KRZYSZTOF PENDERECKI
Penderecki: Orchestral Works, Vol. 1 (Threnody, De Natura Sonoris, Symphony No. 3, Flourescences) Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra (Katowice) / Antoni Wit, conductor [ Naxos / CD - released 20/May/2003 ] "The performances are remarkably fine, the three earlier pieces at least as eloquent as the symphony; the recording is both clear and ample." - International Record Review |
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GUSTAV MAHLER
Mahler: Complete Symphonies Lynda Russell (soprano) / Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Warsaw Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra, Warsaw Boys' Choir, Antoni Wit, Michael H [ Naxos / 15 CD Box Set - released 10/May/2017 ] "The excellent quality of the Katowice Orchestra of Polish Radio is impressively demonstrated...it stands comparison with any rival" Penguin Guide on No 6 |
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VIRGIL THOMSON
The Plow that Broke the Plains / The River Post-Classical Ensemble / Angel Gil-Ordonez [ Naxos American Classics / CD - released 25/Nov/2007 ] 'If you just want the music - this disc is as authoritative as it gets. With a warm, detailed recording and informative notes by Joseph Horowitz this is a very desirable issue indeed." (MusicWeb Jan 2008) |
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TRADITIONAL
Medieval Christmas Pro Cantione Antiqua / Mark Brown, with English Medieval Wind Ensemble [ ALTO / CD - released 10/Dec/2010 ] "A spicy Christmas feast, from a time when classic and folk music mixed. There was little difference in the popular music of the church or the tavern! Often more Chaucer than Christian… A lively record to sit back and enjoy! The attraction of the... |
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SERGEI PROKOFIEV
Prokofiev: Symphony No. 1, 'Classical' / Symphony No. 5 National Symphony Orchestra Of Ukraine / Theodore Kuchar [ Naxos / CD - released 9/Sep/1997 ] Sergey Prokofiev belongs to the generation of Russian musicians who completed their studies before the Communist Revolution of 1917. His early education had been at home, where he had tuition from Glière, before entering the St. Petersburg... |
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HENRY PURCELL
Purcell: Complete Chamber Music Rémy Baudet (violin), Sayuri Yamagata (violin), Elisabeth Ingenhousz (violin) Rainer Zipperling (viola da gamba), Johannes Boer (viola da gamba), etc [ Brilliant Classics / 7 CD Box Set - released 10/Mar/2008 ] A rare treat: no less than 7 CDs with instrumental chamber music by Henry Purcell. In spite of his past and present international fame too little attention has been paid to this part of his oeuvre. |
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J. S. BACH
Bach: St Matthew Passion Julian Prégardien, Stéphane Degout, Sabine Devieilhe, Hana Blažiková, Tim Mead / Pygmalion, Raphaël Pichon [ Harmonia Mundi / 3 CD Box Set - released 29/Apr/2022 ] "With its glowing inner vitality and penetrating observations, this is a Passion that makes a very definite statement about what this work can communicate in our times." Gramophone Award WINNER 2022 - Choral |
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DEBUSSY / BEETHOVEN / PROKOFIEV / SCHUMANN / MOZART / BRAHMS / etc
Quartetto Italiano: Prima la musica - The Complete Warner Recordings Quartetto Italiano [ Warner Classics / 14 CD Box Set - released 11/Jun/2021 ] "The finest string quartet, unquestionably, that our century has known." In 1951, when the Quartetto Italiano first visited the USA, composer Virgil Thomson's was enthused: "Perfection is the only word to describe this playing." |
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CLAUDE DEBUSSY
Claude Debussy: The Complete Works Quatuor Ebene, Martha Argerich, Pierre-Laurent Aimard, Samson François, Renaud Capuçon, Natalie Dessay, André Cluytens, François-Xavier Roth, etc [ Warner Classics / 33 CD Box Set - released 13/Feb/2018 ] This 33-CD set, comprising outstanding recordings selected by Debussy experts, exemplifies the depth and breadth of the Warner Classics catalogue and the label's commitment to producing comprehensive landmark editions of the highest quality. |
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HANDEL
Handel: Messiah Rachel Redmond (soprano), Damien Guillon (counter tenor) Nicholas Mulroy (tenor), Capella Reial de Catalunya, Concert des Nations, Jordi Savall [ Alia Vox / 2 CD - released 6/Dec/2019 ] All the wonderfully diverse features of Baroque expression and vocal and instrumental declamation are present in Handel's Messiah. It is a sublime musical meditation which transcends simple narrative, going beyond the reality of Jesus to the mystery... |
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SERGEI RACHMANINOV
The Best Of Rachmaninov Budapest Symphony Orchestra, Gyorgy Lehel (conductor), Ireland National Symphony Orchestra [ Naxos / CD - released 1/Oct/1999 ] |