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... |