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Joseph Swensen; Christiane Libor; Michael Weinius; Derek Welton; Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine; Salvatore Caputo; Chœur de l'Opéra National de
Ring Odyssey [ Alpha Classics / 2 CD - released 20/Sep/2024 ] "'If, in a parallel universe, Wagner wrote a symphony rather than a sixteen-hour Ring, it might actually resemble my Ring Odyssey.' These are the words used by the new music director of the Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Joseph Swensen, to... |
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THOMAS DE HARTMANN
Thomas de Hartmann Rediscovered Joshua Bell, Lviv National Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, Dalia Stasevska, Matt Haimovitz Mdr-Rundfunkorchester, Dennis Russell Davies [ Pentatone / CD - released 16/Aug/2024 ] This album brings the glowing, cinematic Violin and Cello Concertos of Ukrainian composer Thomas de Hartmann, an important compositional voice in his own time, back into the limelight. Using an international all-star cast, the recording not only aims... |
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PACINI / BELLINI / MERCADANTE / DONIZETTI / etc
Stella di Napoli Joyce DiDonato (mezzo) Orchestre de l'Opéra National de Lyon, Riccardo Minasi [ Erato / Warner Classics / CD - released 1/Nov/2014 ] 'Joyce DiDonato's love letter to Neapolitan 'bel canto' is all about the voice, and what a voice it proves to be. Vocal pyrotechnics hold no terrors, and her creamy mezzo leaves no nuance unturned.' (Gramophone Award Nomination 2015 - Recital) |
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FRANK MARTIN
Golgotha (complete oratorio) Judith Gauthier (sop) Marianne Beate Kielland (alto) Adrian Thomson (ten) / Cappella Amsterdam / Estonian National Symphony Orchestra / Daniel Reuss [ Harmonia Mundi / 2 CD - released 1/Mar/2010 ] "Reuss maintains a tight grip on the unfolding drama...there is such an obvious intensity and love of this extraordinary piece that it never feels as though it is dragging...A revelatory recording." Gramophone Awards 2010 Finalist - Choral |
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TCHAIKOVSKY
Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto (Stereo Re-release) Julia Fischer (violin), Russian National Orchestra, Yakov Kreizberg [ Pentatone / CD - released 3/Jun/2022 ] First released in 2006, Julia Fischer's recording of Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto, alongside other gems by this composer has proven to be a reference recording. It not only highlights Fischer's exceptional skill, but also her unique congeniality... |
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KHACHATURIAN / PROKOFIEV / GLAZUNOV
Russian Violin Concertos Julia Fischer, violin, Russian National Orchestra. Conducted by Yakov Kreizberg [ Pentatone SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 20/Apr/2005 ] Gramophone Magazine Award Finalist 2005 - Concerto "I don't believe I have heard a better performance of the Khachaturian than Fischer's, and with the hi-res surround sonics we have here a sure winner. The Prokofiev and Glazunov concertos prove... |
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GEORGES BIZET
Bizet: Carmen (Complete Opera recorded in 1984) Julia Migenes, Placido Domingo, Ruggero Raimondi / National Orchestra of France, Lorin Maazel [ Warner Erato Classics Home of Opera / 2 CD - released 20/May/2016 ] "Maazel's buoyant lightness and edgy rhythmic energy are suitably Gallic, and his principals are visually and vocally compelling." (Gramophone) |
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PUCCINI
Edgar (Complete Opera) Julia Varady, Mary Ann McCormick, Carl Tanner / ChAœur de Radio France, Orchestre National de France, Yoel Levi [ Astree Naive / 2 CD - released 30/Jun/2003 ] "there is much to enjoy, especially when the piece gets the right degree of belief and commitment, as it does here. Levi plays the score as if it's top-drawer Puccini, and though the only really star name here is Julia Varady, the rest are in good... |
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WILLIAM WALTON
Walton: Christopher Columbus (A Musical Journey) Julian Glover, Jamie Glover (speakers) / Caroline Carragher (sop) / Jean Rigby (mezzo) / Tom Randle (ten) / BBC National Orchestra of Wales / Hickox [ Chandos SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 6/Apr/2005 ] This exciting release is conducted by Richard Hickox, the recipient of numerous accolades for previous recordings of Walton's music, and features father and son actors Julian and Jamie Glover |
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ASTOR PIAZZOLA
A Piazzolla Trilogy Karen Gomyo (violin), Stephanie Jones (guitar), Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire [ BIS SACD / SACD - released 6/Aug/2021 ] Karen Gomyo's violin takes centre stage in this homage to Astor Piazzolla. |
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SAMUEL BARBER
Barber: Knoxville: Summer of 1915, Op 24 / Toccata Festiva, Op 24 Karina Gauvin (soprano) Thomas Trotter (organ) / Royal Scottish National Orchestra / Marin Alsop [ Naxos American Classics / CD - released 20/May/2004 ] "A Knoxville performance to treasure as this essential Barber series reaches a new high point" Gramophone Magazine Recording of the Month (June 2004) |
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SAMUEL BARBER
Barber: Complete Orchestral Works [6 CD set] Karina Gauvin (soparno), Thomas Trotter (organ), Stéphane Rancourt (oboe), John Gracie (trumpet) / Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Marin Alsop [ Naxos American Classics / 6 CD Box Set - released 6/Dec/2010 ] "The RSNO positively glows in this extremely welcome and romantically rewarding and alluringly-priced set. It hardly matters that this is in fact the only such collection." (MusicWeb Sept 2010) |
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GEORGES BIZET
Bizet: Clovis et Clotilde / Te Deum Katarina Jovanovic (soprano) / Philippe Do (tenor) / Mark Schnaible (bass) / Orchestre National de Lille / Jean-Claude Casadesus [ Naxos / CD - released 27/Jan/2011 ] "There are many moments to cherish, notably Clotilde's prayer, starting on an exquisitely delicate pianissimo." Gramophone Magazine, February 2011 |
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LIEBERMANN
Flute Concertos (with works by Poulenc and Nielsen) Katherine Bryan (flute) / Royal Scottish National Orchestra / Paul Daniel [ Linn Records SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 1/Sep/2010 ] "Bryan revels in the [Liebermann's] mix of long-breathed lyricism and devil-may-care acrobatics...She's also a delectably poised exponent of Poulenc's ravishing Sonata (heard in Lennox Berkeley's perfectly judged orchestration)." (Gramophone) |
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ARAM KHACHATURIAN
Khachaturian: Piano Concerto and Orchestral Suites Constantine Orbelian (piano) / Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Neeme Järvi [ Chandos / CD - released 23/Jan/2006 ] Recorded ta the SNO Centre, Glasgow in August 1987 |
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PYOTR Il'yich TCHAIKOVSKY
Tchaikovsky: Eugene Onegin (Complete Opera in English) Kiri Te Kanawa (soprano) Thomas Hampson (baritone) Neil Rosenshein (tenor) / Welsh National Opera [ Chandos Opera in English / 2 CD - released 20/Sep/2001 ] .A further addition to Chandos's Opera in English series |
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BEDRICH SMETANA
Smetana: The Bartered Bride (Complete opera recorded in 1933) Jaroslav Gleich, Otta Horáková, Karel Hruška / Prague National Opera, Otakar OstrĨil [ Naxos / 2 CD - released 16/Jul/2001 ] "The orchestra of the Czech National Opera under Otakar Ostrcil produces a veritable tour de force. This 'Bartered Bride' is an early, rare opera-document, rendered by a one-hundred percent authentic Czech voice- and musical-culture." Pizzicato |
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KRZYSZTOF PENDERECKI
Penderecki: Orchestral Works, Vol. 4 (Violin Concerto No. 1 Violin Concerto No. 2) Konstanty Kulka (violin) Chee-Yun (violin) / Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra (Katowice) / Antoni Wit, conductor [ Naxos / CD - released 20/May/2003 ] Krzystof Penderecki's orchestral recordings continues on Naxos |
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JOHN PHILIP SOUSA
A Sousa Celebration Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Kristjan Järvi [ Chandos SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 28/Apr/2017 ] "Looking for something foot-tapping and beguiling, and with a fund of tunes? This Chandos Sousa release could be the answer." Classical Source |
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Krzysztof Bakowski, Violin, Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Wit
Lutoslawski-Funeral Music for Strings, Chain II: Dialogue for Violin & Orch + [ Naxos / CD - released 20/Aug/2001 ] one of the greatest 20th-century Polish music artists |