RICHARD WAGNER
Orchestral Excerpts Vol 3 (Incls Tristan und Isolde: Prelude & Liebestod) Alessandra Marc (soprano) / Seattle Symphony, Gerard Schwarz [ Naxos / CD - released 20/Nov/2012 ] "Marc is an excellent singer, thankfully free of the gusty tone production which afflicts too many Wagnerian sopranos today. She sings with expressiveness, delicacy and a real feeling for the text" |
MANUEL de FALLA
Manuel de Falla - The Spanish Soul Alicia de Larrocha (piano), Turibio Santos (guitar), Victoria de los Angeles (soprano), Jean-Claude Gérard (flute), Orquesta Nacional de España, etc [ Warner Classics / 11 CD Box Set - released 12/Nov/2021 ] Manuel de Falla is regarded as the greatest Spanish composer of the twentieth century. Established in Paris from 1907 to 1914, he met Debussy, Ravel and Dukas and steeped himself in their works. |
SERGEI RACHMANINOV
Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto Nos. 2 & 3 Anna Federova (piano) / Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie, Laërcio Diniz & Gerard Oskamp [ Brilliant Classics / CD - released 12/Apr/2024 ] The Ukrainian pianist Anna Fedorova is renowned for her playing of Rachmaninoff, and in particular the four concertos which she has performed across the world. She made these recordings in 2014, at a relatively early stage in her career. |
DEEMS TAYLOR
Peter Ibbetson [Complete Opera] Anthony Dean Griffey / Lauren Flanigan / Richard Zeller / Seattle Symphony and Chorale / Gerard Schwarz [ Naxos American Opera Classics / 2 CD - released 1/Aug/2009 ] From its triumphant, star-studded première in 1931 until 1985, Peter Ibbetson was the most-performed American opera at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. The story (based on the novel by George Du Maurier) of two star-crossed lovers who secretly... |
FELIX MENDELSSOHN
Mendelssohn: Music for Cello and Piano (Incs sonatas Nos 1 & 2) Antonio Meneses (cello) Gerard Wyss (piano) [ Avie / CD - released 17/Oct/2007 ] "This deserves a place alongside the best recordings of Mendelssohn's music for cello and piano. All lovers of Mendelssohn, or devotees of chamber music, will surely find a great deal to enjoy here." (MusicWeb Dec 2007) |
FRANZ SCHUBERT / ROBERT SCHUMANN
Schubert/Schumann: Cello Works Antonio Meneses (cello) Gerard Wyss (piano) [ Avie / CD - released 9/Mar/2007 ] "Virtuoso and sensitive players who put themselves at the music's service." Editor's Choice Recording of the Month March 2007 |
BACH / HANDEL
Arias Arleen Auger (soprano) / Mostly Mozart Orchestra / Gerard Schwarz [ Delos / CD - released 2/Oct/2002 ] "This simply is one of the best-ever recordings of Bach's and Handel's Arias." - SR, What CD? |
W. A. MOZART
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Mozart: Violin Sonatas Arthur Grumiaux, Walter Klien, Gerard Poulet, Blandine Verlet, etc [ Philips Complete Mozart Edition Vol 15 / 7 CD Box Set - released 11/Jan/1991 ] Original Recording From 1975, 1985, 1991 |
NIKOLAY RIMSKY-KORSAKOV
Rimsky-Korsakov: Symphonies Nos 1 & 3 Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Gerard Schwarz [ Naxos / CD - released 1/Apr/2016 ] Begun when he was a seventeen-year-old naval cadet, Rimsky-Korsakov's Symphony No. 1 was hailed by the nationalist group 'The Five' as the first truly Russian symphony, in contrast with the German-influenced music of Anton Rubinstein. With its use of... |
ERNST TOCH
Toch: Cantata Of Bitter Herbs / Jephta Theodore Bikel / Prague Philharmonic Chorus, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra; Seattle Symphony Orchestra, Gerard Schwarz Gerard [ Naxos American Classics / CD - released 28/Feb/2005 ] "Both works are of quality and very well performed and recorded: at a fraction of the price of a concert ticket, this is a real bargain which will well repay curiosity." Penguin Guide 3 Stars |
COMEDY CLASSICS
The Bricklayer:- 17 Comedy Classics Various Artists incls Michael Flanders and Donald Swann, Gerard Hoffnung, Peter Sellers, Bob Newhart, Shelley Berman & others [ ALTO / CD - released 18/Nov/2011 ] Featuring Gerard Hoffnung, Peter Sellers & Sophia Loren, Tony Hancock, Flanders & Swann, Tom Lehrer, Peter Cook & Bob Newhart. |
BRIGHT SHENG
Bright Sheng: The Phoenix / Red Silk Dance / Tibetan Swing / H'un (Lacerations) Bright Sheng (piano) / Shana Blake Hill (soprano) / Seattle Symphony Orchestra / Gerard Schwarz [ Naxos American Classics / CD - released 1/Apr/2009 ] The Phoenix, co-commissioned by the Seattle Symphony and Danish National Symphony Orchestra, was inspired by a Hans Christian Andersen tale, the mythical bird symbolizing for Chinese-American composer Bright Sheng "the muse of all peoples."... |
HOWARD HANSON
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Hanson: Symphonies Nos 5 & 7 / Piano Concerto In G Major, Op. 36 Carol Rosenberger (piano) / Seattle Symphony Orchestra & Chorale, Gerard Schwarz [ DELOS / CD - released 11/Oct/1992 ] The Seattle Symphony and piano soloist Carol Rosenberger play music by Howard Hanson. |
HOWARD HANSON
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Hanson: Symphonies Nos 3 & 6 / Fantasy variations on a theme of Youth Carol Rosenberger (piano) / Seattle Symphony Orchestra, New York Chamber Orchestra, Gerard Schwarz [ DELOS / CD - released 11/Oct/1990 ] Hanson created another reflective tribute to a previous generation in his 1951 Fantasy Variations on a Theme of Youth. The work, written for piano and string orchestra, commemorated the 100th anniversary of the founding of Northwestern University,... |
ALESSANDRO STRADELLA
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Stradella: San Giovanni Battista (Oratorio in two parts) Catherine Bott, Christine Batty, Gerard Lesne / Les musiciens du Louvre, Marc Minkowski [ Erato / CD - released 1/May/1992 ] Penguin Stereo Guide Rosette Recording |
EUGENE GIGOUT
The Complete Organ Works of Eugene Gigout - Volume Five The Cavailla-Coll Organs of Perpignan Cathedral / Gerard Brooks [ Priory / CD - released 10/Apr/2006 ] "Gerard Brooks performances cannot be praised too highly; his choice of tempi and the organs's colours are always appropriate and he has a natural affinity with Gigout's polished, refined musical style." (Gramophone Magazine) |
DMITRI SHOSTAKOVICH
Shostakovich: Execution of Stepan Razin (The) / October / 5 Fragments, Op. 42 Charles Robert Austin (Bass-baritone), Abraham Kaplan (Choirmaster), Seattle Symphony Chorale, Seattle Symphony Orchestra, Gerard Schwarz (Conductor) [ Naxos / CD - released 12/Apr/2006 ] Dmitry Shostakovich must be reckoned among the leading composers of the twentieth century. Heralded by Soviet authorities following the Bolshevik revolution, his fortunes rose and fell in response to the thoughts and actions of Joseph Stalin. During... |
SIBELIUS / RACHMANINOV
Sibelius Symphony No. 2 / Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 3 The Chineke! Orchestra, Gerard Aimontche (piano), Roderick Cox (conductor) [ Signum / 2 CD - released 28/Sep/2018 ] The Chineke! Orchestra return to disc on Signum in a new live orchestral recording from the Royal Festival Hall, London. Drawn from exceptional musicians from across the continent, the orchestra is part of the Chineke! Foundation - a non-profit... |
CLAUDE DEBUSSY
Debussy: Complete Works for Orchestra (Incls 'La Mer', 'Images' & 'Children's Corner') Christopher King (clarinet) Rachel Masters (harp) Gerard McChrystal (saxophone) / Ulster Orchestra / Yan Pascal Tortelier [ Chandos Classics / 4 CD - released 1/Feb/2007 ] 'What a glorious instrument the Ulster Orchestra is in Torteliers hands - eloquent principals in every section and supple consummate ensemble in this most subtle and flexible of repertoire…' American Record Guide |
SAMUEL JONES
Jones: Symphony No. 3, Palo Duro Canyon / Tuba Concerto Christopher Olka (tuba) / Seattle Symphony Orchestra / Gerard Schwarz [ Naxos American Classics / CD - released 1/Mar/2009 ] "Strong and enjoyable … a truly satisfying listen...A Hanson pupil with a personable and subtle lyric manner." (MusicWeb May 2009) |