EUGEN SUCHON
Baladická suita / Metamorfózy / Symfonietta rustica Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Neeme Järvi [ Chandos / CD - released 15/Apr/2015 ] Although his music is rarely performed nowadays, Eugen Suchoň was the most influential and respected Slovak composer of the twentieth century. Three of his greatest symphonic works are performed here by the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra and... |
DELIBES / MASSENET / AUBER / BOIELDIEU / THOMAS
French Music for the Stage Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Neeme Järvi [ Chandos / CD - released 5/Mar/2021 ] "All in all, this is a most rewarding and highly recommendable disc." MusicWeb Recommended |
EDOUARD LALO
Lalo: Symphony in G Minor / Suites Nos 1 & 2 from ''Namouna'' / etc Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Neeme Järvi [ Chandos / CD - released 23/Feb/2024 ] "… Conductor Neeme Järvi is a trusted guide through the byways of French repertoire, bringing vigorous joie de vivre to the livelier pieces, such as 'Fête foraine', yet sustaining the controlled insouciance of 'Dolce far niente (La Sieste)'." BBC |
LEO WEINER
Leó Weiner: Serenade, Divertimentos Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Neeme Järvi [ Chandos / CD - released 20/Oct/2017 ] Within his extended discography, Neeme Järvi has explored the work of some magnificent Eastern European composers of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, recently including Suchoň and Scharwenka. He here reveal s the delightful, witty... |
BOHUSLAV MARTINU
Martinu: Špalíček [suites] / Rhapsody -Concerto Mikhail Zemtsov (viola) / Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Neeme Järvi [ CHANDOS / CD - released 26/Jan/2016 ] "The Estonian strings sing their hearts out…the woodwind solos are very lovely, too. Viola-player Mikhail Zemtsov impresses with the sheer beauty of tone." BBC Music |
JOHANN STRAUSS II
Strauss In St Petersburg Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Neeme Järvi [ Chandos / 2 CD - released 28/Apr/2017 ] This is a double-anniversary disc, offering a rare collection of lively works to celebrate the ninetieth anniversary of the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra as well as the eightieth birthday of its principal conductor, Neeme Järvi. Cheerful... |
HEINO ELLER
Heino Eller: Night Calls Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Olari Elts [ Ondine / CD - released 4/Oct/2019 ] This second volume in a series dedicated to the orchestral works of Heino Eller by the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra under conductor Olari Elts is a ground-breaking introduction to one of the founders of the Estonian school of music. The... |
JEAN SIBELIUS
Sibelius: Symphonic Poems & Cantatas (Incls 'The Maiden in the Tower', 'Pelleas et Melisande' & 'Finlandia') Estonian National Symphony Orchestra & National Male Choir of Estonia / Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Paavo Jarvi [ Virgin Classics / 4 CD Box Set - released 20/Oct/2011 ] "Sibelians will welcome this collection as might choral conductors looking for ideas for a short concert appetiser." MusicWeb |
TONU KORVITS
Kõrvits: Hymns to the Nordic Lights, Orchestral Works Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Risto Joost (conductor), Meelis Vind (bass clarinet) [ Ondine / CD - released 21/Feb/2020 ] Tõnu Kõrvits (b. 1969) is together with Arvo Pärt and Erkki-Sven Tüür among the most interesting Estonian composers of our time. This album by the Estonian NSO and Risto Joost consists of orchestral works written between a period of ten years, from... |
ARVO PART
Part: In Principio Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir / Tallinn Chamber Orchestra / Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Tonu Kaljuste [ ECM Records / CD - released 1/Jun/2009 ] "This is a superbly constructed recital of some of the most recent music of Estonian composer Arvo Part." (Five Stars AudAud.com) |
SERGEI RACHMANINOV
Rachmaninov: All-Night Vigil, Op. 37, Vespers Eugen Antoni (tenor) / Raisa Palmu (soprano) / Erja Wimeri (contralto) / Finnish National Opera Chorus. Eric-Olof Soderstrom, conductor [ Naxos SACD / SACD - released 15/Jan/2005 ] Rachmaninov had been in contact with Orthodox sacred music since his childhood. The influence of Orthodox chant is clearly detectable in his music, for instance in his use of stepwise motion, a characteristic of Orthodox chant, in his themes. -... |
GUSTAV MAHLER
Mahler: Symphony No. 3 / Symphony No. 10 (Adagio) Ewa Podles (alto) / Cracow Philharmonic Choir / Cracow Boys' Choir / Polish NAtional Readio Symphony Orchestra / Antoni Wit [ NAXOS / 2 CD - released 1/Jan/2007 ] "This is a very impressive recording indeed" (American Record Guide) |
SERGEI PROKOFIEV
Prokofiev: Alexander Nevsky / Lieutenant Kije Suite Ewa Podles (Mezzo-soprano), Latvian State Choir, Lille National Orchestra / Jean-Claude Casadesus (Conductor) [ Naxos / CD - released 9/May/2006 ] "These are fine performances...the disc is worth purchasing for the wonderful six-and-a-half minutes of Podleś's performance of "The Field of Death"." (MusicWeb July 2006) |
RICHARD STRAUSS
Four Last Songs / Lieder Felicity Lott (soprano) / Royal Scottish National Orchestra / Neeme Jarvi [ Chandos Classics / CD - released 20/Oct/2008 ] 'Voice, orchestra and sound are all gorgeous; this is well worth having, and I think you will play it often, as I have already. I could never tire of a voice as beautiful as this.' (American Record Guide) |
BRITTEN
Les Illuminations, Op. 18 / Quatre Chansons franASaises / Serenade,Op. 31 Felicity Lott (soprano) Anthony Rolfe Johnson (tenor) Michael Thompson (horn) / Scottish National Orchestra / Bryden Thomson [ Chandos Classics / CD - released 5/May/2004 ] 'These are profoundly sympathetic performances, with Lott at her best in the 14-year-old composer's precocious settings of Hugo and Verlaine. Bryden Thomson and the RSNO support attentively, and the recordings are truthful and atmostpheric in the... |
RICHARD STRAUSS
Strauss, (R.): Orchestral Songs Vol 1 Felicity Lott (soprano) / Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Neeme Jarvi [ Chandos / CD - released 26/May/2003 ] 'Voice, orchestra and sound are all gorgeous; this is well worth having, and I think you will play it often, as I have already. I could never tire of a voice as beautiful as this.' (American Record Guide) |
CHRISTOPHER WRIGHT
Concerto for Violin & Orchestra (with Vaughan Williams - Symphony No 5 in D) Fenella Humphreys (violin) / Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Martin Yates [ Dutton Epoch / CD - released 10/May/2012 ] "Fenella Humphrey's performance is a wonder, and Christopher Watson, too, though backwardly balanced, sings with total conviction...The performance is very fine. I warmly recommend this beautifully recorded disc." (International Record Review) |
ERICH KORNGOLD
Korngold: Die Tote Stadt, Op. 12 (complete opera recorded in 2010) Finnish National Opera / Klaus Florian Vogt, Camilla Nylund, Markus Eiche, Sari Nordqvist / Mikko Franck (conductor) [ Opus Arte DVD / DVD - released 25/Nov/2013 ] "Holten's surreal evocation of Bruges, the dead city of the title, is wonderfully creepy...Vogt excels as the wild-eyed, obsessive Paul, desperately trying to make over Camilla Nylund's slutty Marietta in saintly Marie's image. Mikko Franck's conduct |
EINOJUHANI RAUTAVAARA
Rasputin (Complete opera) Finnish National Opera / Matti Salminen / Lillia Paasilivi / Jorma Hynninen / Jyrki Anttila / MIkko Franck (cond) [ Ondine DVD / DVD - released 4/Apr/2006 ] G :- "This is a grand show." [10/10 for performances and sound Classics Today] |
KANTELINEN
The Snow Queen: Ballet Suite Finnish National Opera Orchestra, Tuomas Kantelinen [ Ondine / CD - released 15/Jan/2014 ] The Snow Queen was a hit with the Finnish National Ballet - for this timeless tale, Kantelinen created a musical score that is at once nostalgic and easily accessible. |