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) |