DMITRY KABALEVSKY
Kabalevsky: Symphonies Nos. 1 and 2 / Overtures Malmö Symphony Orchestra, Darrell Ang [ Naxos / CD - released 20/Jun/2019 ] Dmitry Kabalevsky found his mature style and achieved international success with his first opera Colas Breugnon, the overture of which was soon picked up as an orchestral showpiece in the West. The Second Symphony was likewise championed by... |
RICHARD WAGNER
Wagner: Der Fliegende Hollander [The Flying Dutchman] ( Alfred Muff, Ingrid haubold, Erich Knodt, Peter Seiffert / Austrian Radio Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, Pinchas Steinberg [ Naxos Opera Classics / 2 CD Box Set - released 2/Feb/1992 ] "The recording is both atmospheric and clear, and the set comes with libretto, translation, notes and detailed synopsis, an outstanding bargain." Penguin Guide |
LEONARD BERNSTEIN
Bernstein: Dybbuk / Fancy Free (complete ballets) Nashville Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Mogrelia (Conductor) [ Naxos American Classics / CD - released 4/Dec/2006 ] "Dybbuck, written to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the State of Israel, is one of Bernstein's darkest scores. Over 45 minutes in length, it tells the creepy story of a sinister ghost, with the battle between good and evil." Penguin Guide |
RICHARD STRAUSS
Strauss, (R.): Ein Heldenleben / Macbeth National Symphony Orchestra Of Ireland, Gerhard Markson [ Naxos / CD - released 1/Jan/2010 ] "Markson gets his Irish orchestra to deliver a rousing performance." ClassicsToday |
HAVERGAL BRIAN
Brian: Symphonies Nos. 8, 21 & 26 New Russia State Symphony Orchestra, Alexander Walker [ Naxos / CD - released 10/Oct/2017 ] Each of the three symphonies on this recording represents a significant milestone in Havergal Brian's long musical journey, and each demonstrates the breadth of his symphonic approach. No. 8 was the first of Brian's symphonies to be performed and is... |
GIACOMO MEYERBEER
Meyerbeer: Overtures and Entr'actes from the French Operas New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Darrell Ang [ Naxos / CD - released 10/May/2014 ] "The New Zealand Symphony…plays with spirit and has been well trained. Singaporean conductor Darrell Ang brings to these performances an obvious love for the music, infusing them with taut rhythms, crisp attacks, and bountiful energy." Fanfare |
JOHN ANTILL
Antill: Corroboree / Outback Overture New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, James Judd [ Naxos / CD - released 30/Jun/2008 ] "This excellent recording of the complete ballet by James Judd and the New Zealand Symphony orchestra fills a big gap. With precision and charm, this disc brings out its originality and its primitivist colouristics." (Sydney Morning Herald) |
ALEXANDER ZEMLINSKY
Zemlinsky: Die Seejungfrau / Sinfonietta New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, James Judd [ Naxos / CD - released 1/Aug/2009 ] "James Judd… galvanises the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra into playing this challenging score with sensitivity and a good deal of virtuosity." BBC Music |
EDWARD ELGAR
Elgar: Orchestral Miniatures (Incls Chanson de matin & 3 Bavarian Dances) New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, James Judd (Conductor) [ Naxos / CD - released 9/Sep/2006 ] "Especially impressive are the woodwind, which excel the rest of the ensemble in both beauty of playing and ability to follow their conductor...the horns are also impressive. This orchestra has a great future in front of it." MusicWeb September 2006 |
RICHARD STRAUSS
Strauss, (R.): Tanzsuite Divertimento, Op 85 New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Jun Märkl [ Naxos / CD - released 23/Oct/2020 ] Richard Strauss was appointed co-director of the Vienna State Opera in 1919 and soon set about composing a new ballet for the refurbished historic Redoutensaal in the city. At carnival in February 1923 the work was unveiled - a delectable series of... |
FRANZ LISZT
Liszt: Symphonic Poems (Vol. 3) Incls 'Battle of the Huns' New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Michael Halasz [ Naxos / CD - released 8/Aug/2006 ] "There is some absolutely brilliant playing on this disc...With this sort of playing Liszt's orchestrations come fully alive, allowing us to appreciate some music that is very easy to see as inflated." (John Dutton ***** five stars Dominion Post) |
JEAN SIBELIUS
Sibelius: Scenes historiques I and II / King Christian II Suite New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Pietari Inkinen [ Naxos / CD - released 26/Jan/2008 ] "As an addition to the ever-growing Sibelius catalogue this is most welcome" (MusicWeb Feb 2008) |
RON GOODWIN
Goodwin: Drake 400 (includes the New Zealand Suite) New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Ron Goodwin [ Naxos British Light Music / CD - released 9/Sep/2022 ] Ron Goodwin is famous for several iconic film scores such as the rousing 633 Squadron. His was an instantly recognisable musical voice, combining an innate ability to write both memorable tunes and to evoke the many moods demanded by film directors. |
YASUSHI AKUTAGAWA
Akutagawa: Ellora Symphony / Trinita Sinfonica / Rhapsody New Zealand Symphony Orchestra / Takuo Yuasa, conductor [ Naxos Japanese Classics / CD - released 14/Jun/2005 ] "Thanks be to Naxos for continuing to plumb the mines of interesting and unusual music, and presenting it at their ever-attractive price. Highly recommended." (MusicWeb June 2005) |
TOSHIRO MAYUZUMI
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Mayuzumi: Bugaku / Mandala Symphony / Rumba Rhapsody New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Takuo Yuasa (conductor) [ Naxos Japanese Classics / CD - released 15/Jan/2006 ] "Excellent performances from New Zealand and very fine recording throughout." (MusicWeb April 2006) |
FEDERICO MORENO TORROBA
Torroba: Guitar Concertos, Vol. 2 Pepe Romero & Vicente Coves (guitars) / Extremadura Symphony Orchestra, Manuel Coves [ Naxos / CD - released 28/Mar/2017 ] Federico Moreno Torroba composed about one hundred works for the guitar, thereby reinforcing his status as one of Spain's great twentieth-century composers. Homenaje a la seguidilla pays lively tribute to that characteristically Spanish song and... |
WILLIAM ALWYN
Piano Concertos Nos. 1 and 2 / Sonata alla toccata Peter Donohoe (piano) / Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra / James Judd, conductor [ Naxos / CD - released 14/Aug/2005 ] "Peter Donohoe, born-again champion of the British piano concerto, gives tremendous performances of two works he can rarely if ever have played live. This is music well worth discovering: and nestling between the two concerti is the splendid Derby... |
GEORGE ANTHEIL
Antheil: Ballet Mecanique,/ Serenade for String Orchestra No.1 / Symphony for Five Instruments, etc Philadelphia Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra, Daniel Spalding [ Naxos / CD - released 20/Nov/2001 ] "The Philadelphia players sound as if they are enjoying themselves, and at its super-budget price it's an ideal introduction to the 'bad boy of music', who certainly wasn't nearly as bad a composer as many who've come after him." International Record |
DAVID STOCK
Stock: A Little Miracle / Yizkor / Tekiah / Y'rusha Elizabeth Shammash (mezzo-soprano), Stephen Burns (trumpet), Richard Stoltzman (clarinet) / Seattle Symphony, Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin, etc [ Naxos American Classics / CD - released 2/Oct/2006 ] "..there's no fancy stuff, no hamhanded sophistication and pretentions, to get in the way of the music's simple expression." American Record Guide |
BEDRICH SMETANA
Smetana: Ma Vlast (My Fatherland), including Vltava (Moldau) The Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra / Antoni Wit [ Naxos / CD - released 15/Sep/2000 ] "this new Naxos offering enshrines an interpretation of no mean stature and individuality: an undoubted bargain, I would say" - Gramophone |