OLIVER DAVIS
Davis: Solace Oliver Davis (Piano and Vocals), Kerenza Peacock, Jonathan Hill (Violins), Katherine Jenkinson, Nicholas Holland (Cellos) [ Signum / CD - released 12/Mar/2021 ] Recorded at the height of the international Covid lockdown, Oliver Davis's sixth album for Signum is a feat of both technological as well as artistic achievement. Following from draws together artists from across the globe for a selection of moving... |
MALCOLM ARNOLD
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Arnold: Serenade / Sinfoniettas / Concerto for Two Violins San Diego Chamber Orchestra, Donald Barra, with Igor & Vesna Gruppman (violins) [ Koch International Classics / CD - released 5/Jun/1992 ] "This 90s release is fine example of the late, lamented Koch International and Malcolm Arnold. For someone not familiar with Arnold's music, this long out-of-print CD is a fine introduction (especially the Serenade for Small Orchestra)" Thomas Martin |
J. S. BACH
Bach: Piano Concertos BWV 1052, 1054, 1056, 1058 & 1065 Alexandre Tharaud (piano) / Les Violins du Roy, Bernard Labadie [ Virgin Classics / CD - released 1/Feb/2012 ] "..played with stylish, spontaneous-sounding elaboration of lines and sparing use of the sustaining pedal...Yet it all works remarkably well...this is a thoroughly enjoyable 'piano' version of these glorious Concertos." (BBC Music) |
BELA BARTOK
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Bartok: 44 Violin Duos Angela & Jennifer Chun (violins) [ Harmonia Mundi / CD - released 1/Jan/2010 ] "The Chuns' caring, committed, and stylistically perceptive Bartók playing deserves serious consideration." (9 / 9 ClassicsToday) |
J.S. BACH / BRAHMS / TCHAIKOVSKY / etc
Bach/Brahms/Tchaikovsky: Violin Concertos David Oistrakh, Igor Oistrakh (violins) / Wiener Symphoniker / Royal Philharmonic Orchestra / Staatskapelle Dresden [ Deutsche Grammophon Originals / 2 CD - released 1/Dec/2006 ] "strong, warm performances which bring out both the sweetness and purity of Oistrakh's playing" (Gramophone) |
GIOACCHINO ROSSINI
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Rossini: Six String Sonatas Elizabeth Wallfisch, Marshall Marcus (violins) Richard Tunnicliffe (cello) Chi-Chi Nwanoku (double bass) [ Hyperion Helios / CD - released 17/Sep/2005 ] 'These wonderful works are best heard in their original quartet version' (Gramophone) |
LOUIS SPOHR
Spohr: Violin Duets Vol 1 Jameson Cooper, James Dickenson (violins) [ Naxos / CD - released 17/Jul/2018 ] "Jameson Cooper and James Dickenson combine on a new recording on the Naxos label, their playing dexterous, witty and nicely judged, the two instruments frequently required to swap roles in a delightfully playful interchange." The Observer |
MALCOLM ARNOLD
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Arnold - Concertos Michael Collins (clarinet) Richard Watkins (horn) Kenneth Sillito, Lyn Fletcher (violins) / London Musici, Mark Stephenson [ Conifer / CD - released 20/May/1990 ] "One of the most prolific British composers of the 20th century, Sir Malcolm Arnold remains best known for his phenomenal success in film and light music, as well as Concertos and Symphonies. |
HENRI DUTILLEUX
Dutilleux: Centenary Edition Mstislav Rostropovich, Truls Mørk (cellos), Renaud Capuçon, Christian Tetzlaff (violins), Dawn Upshaw, Renee Fleming (sops), Jérôme Ducros (piano), et [ Erato / Warner Classics / 7 CD Box Set - released 22/Nov/2019 ] "The performances here are uniformly excellent, while some must be taken as definitive - not in the sense of saying the last word…rather in indicating directions of travel." BBC Music Five Stars |
HECTOR BERLIOZ
Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique (with Mark-Anthony Turnage: "Shadow Walker" Concerto) Vadim Repin, Daniel Hope (violins) / Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra, Sascha Goetzel [ Onyx / CD - released 1/Oct/2018 ] "Vadim Repin and Daniel Hope are, not surprisingly, ideally fluent, and the excellent Turkish players recreate Turnage's enigmatic soundworld with aplomb." BBC Music |