JOACHIN RAFF
Symphony No 2 / Four Shakespeare Preludes Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Neeme Jarvi [ Chandos SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 1/Feb/2013 ] "Järvi and his Suisse Romande players seem to be having a whale of a time, or least that's the impression that these extremely vital performances suggest...a perfect place to dip a toe into Raffian waters." (Gramophone) |
EMMANUEL CHABRIER
Neeme Järvi conducts Emmanuel Chabrier Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Neeme Järvi [ Chandos SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 19/Jul/2013 ] "the unifying feeling [is] the sheer joy, craftsmanship and radiance that Chabrier's music possesses and which these performances encapsulate so ear-catchingly." (Gramophone) |
HECTOR BERLIOZ
Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique / Overture: 'Le Corsaire' / Royal Hunt and Storm & Trojan March ('Les Troyens') (recorded 1957-59) Orchestre National de la Radiodiffusion Francaise; Royal Philharmonic Orchestra / Sir Thomas Beecham [ Warner Classics Masters / CD - released 1/Feb/2012 ] Rosette Recording (highest rating) Penguin Stereo Guide - 'If you want a genuinely French Symphonie fantastique, wonderfully performed and superbly recorded, go out and get this release before it's snapped up by your neighbour.' (Gramophone) |
CLAUDE DEBUSSY
Debussy Orchestrated Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire / Pascal Rophé [ BIS SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 25/Feb/2022 ] "Both La boîte à joujoux and the similarly enchanting Children's Corner are performed with deft panache by this quality orchestra." BBC Music |
HENRI DUTILLEUX
Dutilleux: Le Loup / La Fille du Diable / Mélodies / etc Vincent Le Texier (baritone) / Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire, Pascal Rophé [ BIS SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 16/Feb/2016 ] In the centennial year of the composer's birth, the Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire and Pascal Rophé present a programme which focuses on works composed before 1954, and offers the opportunity to discover a less familiar side of Dutilleux |
ALBERT ROUSSEL
Roussel: Le Festin d'Araignée & Dukas: L'Apprenti Sorcier Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire, Pascal Rophé [ BIS SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 17/Jan/2020 ] "Rophé's Dukas is understated, yet quietly rewarding...splendid playing and sound." MusicWeb |
VARIOUS COMPOSERS
The Art of Charles Dutoit (with bonus DVD of music of Prokofiev) Orchestre symphonique de Montreal / Philharmonia Orchestra / Orchestre National de France / L'Orchestre de la Suisse Romande / Charles Dutoit [ Decca Budget Boxes / 7 CD/DVD - released 1/Nov/2006 ] This 6-CD orchestral spectacular features mainly recordings with the OSM but the Orchestra National de France is also included in Poulenc, while the Philharmonia is included with a popular tone-poem by Saint-Saëns (the earliest recording included... |
RUPERTO CHAPI
Symphony in D Minor / Fantasía morisca Orquesta de la Comunidad de Madrid / Jose Ramon Encinar [ Naxos Spanish Classics / CD - released 27/Sep/2010 ] "A bargain for admirers of Chapí's colourful and tuneful music. …Encinar and his Madrid forces are completely assured…" (Gramophpne) |
VIVALDI
Gods, Emperors and Angels - Concertos for Recorder, Violin, Bassoon and Strings Pamela Thorby (recorder) / Peter Whelan (bassoon) / Sara Deborah Struntz (violin) / La Serenissima / Adrian Chandler (violin) [ Avie / CD - released 1/Aug/2010 ] "Whelan with Pamela Thorby provide an evenly balanced partnership with plenty of tasteful ornaments." BBC Music Magazine, September 2010 **** |
GIAN FRANCESCO MALIPIERO
Malipiero: Violin Concertos Nos. 1 and 2 / etc Paolo Chiavacci (violin) / Orchestra Sinfonica di Roma, Francesco La Vecchia [ Naxos / CD - released 10/Jun/2022 ] |
MENOTTI
The Consul / Amelia al Ballo (complete operas) Patricia Neway / Margherita Carosio / Marie Powers / Giacinto Prandelli / Chorus and Orchestra of La Scala Milan / Nino Sanzogno / Lehmann Engel [ Naxos Historical Great Opera Recordings / 2 CD - released 1/Jul/2010 ] This 2-CD set is the first in a series devoted to Gian Carlo Menotti's compositions on the occasion of his centenary in 2011. The recordings will include several which have never before appeared on CD, and some that have not been available in any... |
VARIOUS COMPOSERS
Nouveau Monde: Baroque Arias & Songs Patricia Petibon (soprano) / La Cetra Baroque Orchestra, Andrea Marcon [ Deutsche Grammophon / CD - released 1/Nov/2012 ] "'Nouveau Monde' is a tightly thought-through and arranged and compelling programme, a tour de force for its performer/compiler, most atmospherically recorded. Compulsive, repeatable listening." Editor's Choice Gramophone Magazine, January 2013 |
BIBER
Biber: Les sonates du Rosaire Patrick Bismuth; Ensemble La Tempesta [ Alpha Classics / CD - released 23/Aug/2019 ] Following the Alpha label's successful Red, Yellow, Blue and Pink collections (a total of fifty-six reissues), which brought the pearls from the Baroque catalogue back into the spotlight, there are now fourteen new titles offering a chance to... |
Patrick La Caccia/Denecker
Bellissimo Splendore [ Ricercar / CD - released 1/May/2011 ] |
GIACOMO MEYERBEER
Meyerbeer: Il Crociato in Egitto (complete opera) Patrizia Ciofi / Michael Maniaci / Marco Vinco / Teatro la Fenice / Emmanuel Villaume [ Naxos Opera Classis / 3 CD Box Set - released 20/Apr/2010 ] ".. the true revelation in this recording is Michael Maniaci. The role of Armano offers him a great opportunity to showcase his unusual, beautiful voice. With a solid cast and great choral scenes, this disc set is highly recommended." (TheWholeNote.com) |
W.A. MOZART.
Don Giovanni / Die Entfahrung aus dem Serail (Complete operas) (Rec 1995 & 1999) Paul Groves, Yelda Kodalli, Nancy Argenta, Elena Vink, Werner van Mechelen. Collegium Compostellanum. La Petite Bande. Sigiswald Kuijken / Scottish Ch [ Brilliant Classics Mozart Edition Vol 18 / 5 CD - released 18/Aug/2005 ] "From the first notes of the overture, Mackerras gives us a brilliant, dramatic reading of "Die Entführung aus dem Serail". Speeds are fast but not overly so and one is left in no doubt that this is a stage work. The attractive, fresh voiced cast... |
PHILIP GLASS
Concert of the Sixth Sun (recorded Aug 2013) Philip Glass, Daniel Medina de la Rosa, Roberto Carillo Cocio [ Orange Mountain Music / CD - released 5/Sep/2013 ] |
GABRIEL FAURE
Fauré: Requiem, version 1893 / Messe des Pêcheurs de Villerville Agnes Mellon (soprano) Peter Kooy (baritone) / La Chapelle Royale, Les Petits Chanteurs de Saint-Louis, Philippe Herreweghe [ Harmonia Mundi / CD - released 21/Jul/2023 ] In 1988, Philippe Herreweghe and his musicians recorded a pioneering disc of Fauré's Requiem in its 1893 version. The French composer's masterpiece received an ideal interpretation, displaying restrained emotion alongside clarity and precision. As... |
GLUCK / J. C. BACH / JOMMELLI / HASSE / PICCINNI / etc
Philippe Jaroussky - Forgotten Arias Philippe Jaroussky (countertenor), Le Concert de la Loge, Julien Chauvin [ Erato / CD - released 27/Oct/2023 ] With Forgotten Arias countertenor Philippe Jaroussky pays tribute to composers of the late Baroque era and to the great librettist of the age, Pietro Metasasio. All ten arias on the album, written between 1748 and 1770 by nine composers, are heard in... |
A. VIVALDI / J. S. BACH
Vivaldi / Bach: Magnificat & Concerti Pierre Hantaï (clavecin solo) / Le Concert des Nations / La Capella Reial de Catalunya / Jordi Savall [ Alia Vox SACD + DVD / 2 Hybrid SACD/DVD - released 15/Feb/2015 ] "with performers of this calibre…the performances were always going to be impressive. All fans of Savall will want the set." (Early Music Review) |