JOHANNES BRAHMS / FELIX MENDELSSOHN
Brahms/Mendelssohn: Piano Concertos Benjamin Frith, Jenő Jandó (piano) / Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra; Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra, Košice [ Naxos / CD ] Much of Mendelssohn's childhood was passed in Berlin, where his parents moved when he was three, to escape Napoleonic invasion. There he took lessons from Goethe's much admired Zelter, who introduced him to the old poet in Weimar. |
ANTONIN DVORAK
Dvorak: Complete Published Orchestral Works Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra; Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra, Košice; Polish National Radio Symphony; BBC Philharmonic Orchestra; etc [ Naxos / 17 CD Box Set - released 29/Apr/2013 ] Dvořák was a composer steeped in the national and folk music of his Bohemian homeland, and his orchestral music combines a broad and soulful melodic sweep with the wit of sparkling orchestration. |
WITOLD LUTOSLAWSKI
Lutosławski: Symphonies / Concertos / Choral and Vocal Works Olga Pasichnyk (soprano) Andrzej Bauer (cello) Krzysztow Bakowsk (violin) / Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Polish Radio Choir, Antoni Wit [ Naxos / 10 CD Box Set - released 29/Jul/2013 ] "Naxos has collected its existing recordings and issued a 10-CD box Lutosławski-Symphonies; Concertos; Choral and Vocal Works…featuring the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra (and others) under the direction of Antoni Wit." The WholeNote |
MODEST MUSSORGSKY
Mussorgsky: Boris Godunov (complete opera recorded in 1955) Miroslav Čangalović, Sofija Janković, Zlata Sesardić, Milica Miladinović, Stepan Andrashev / Belgrade National Opera Chorus, Kreshimir Baranovich [ Decca Australian Eloquence / 2 CD - released 20/Aug/2018 ] A first release on CD of Mussorgsky's epic tragedy recorded by the Belgrade National Opera. With this and six companion issues, Eloquence makes available for the first time on CD the seven complete Russian operas recorded in 1955 by Decca with the... |
ALWYN / GORECKI / VAUGHAN WILLIAMS / RAUTAVAARA / TAVENER / etc
Mystic Classics Various Artists incls Zofia Kilanowicz (soprano), Maria Kiegel (cello), Royal Scottish National Orchestra, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra [ Naxos / 2 CD - released 17/Sep/2007 ] This specially priced 2 CD set presents a selection of moving music by a number of important modern composers including Alwyn, Gorecki, Tavener, Part and Rautavaara. |
SERGEI RACHMANINOV / DMITRI SHOSTAKOVICH
Rachmaninov/Shostakovich: Piano Concertos Bernd Glemser (piano) Michael Houstoun (piano) / New Zealand Symphony Orchestra; Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra [ Naxos / CD - released 1/Jan/2000 ] The Piano Concerto No. 2 in F major was written in 1957 for Shostakovich's son Maxim, who gave the first performance of the work on his nineteenth birthday. The work has about it a youthful appeal for performers and audience alike. |
SERGEI RACHMANINOV
Rachmaninov: Complete Symphonies and Concertos Bernd Glemser (piano) / Polish National Radio Symphony, Antoni Wit / Ireland National Symphony, Alexander Anissimov [ Naxos / 5 CD Box Set - released 1/Oct/2001 ] "There are shattering climaxes when music calls for them, and the symphony ends in rousing style...thoroughly recommendable" Gramophone [Symphony No 3] |
GLAZUNOV
The Seasons / Violin Concerto Ilya Kaler (violin) / Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra / Camilla Kolchinsky (conductor) [ Naxos / CD - released 6/Mar/2008 ] Alexander Konstantinovich Glazunov has not fared well at the hands of later critics. He enjoyed a remarkably successful career in music, becoming Director of the St Petersburg Conservatory in 1905 in the aftermath of the political disturbances of... |
ANTONIN DVORAK
Dvorak: Symphony No. 3 / Carnival Overture / Symphonic Variations Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Neeme Jarvi [ Chandos / CD - released 23/Jan/2006 ] Original recording: 7 August 1987, 24-26 August 1987 |
RICHARD WAGNER
Wagner: Orchestral Highlights Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Johannes Wildner [ Naxos / CD - released 1/Jan/2014 ] Richard Wagner inspired in his contemporaries extremes of reaction. For some his music seemed as misguided and repulsive as his anti-Semitism, while others were overwhelmed by the size of his ambition and achievement. |
TRADITIONAL
Georgi Robev Russisch-Orthodoxe Weihnachtschore [Chants for Christmas] Boris Christoff (Bass) Choir Of The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Angel Popkonstantinov / Bulgarian National Choir Svetoslav Obretenov [ BRILLIANT CLASSICS / CD - released 28/Feb/2009 ] RUSSISCH-ORTHODOXEN WEIHNACHTSCHÖRE Russian Orthodox Chants for Christmas |
SERGEI PROKOFIEV
Prokofiev: A Portrait: His works / His life (2 CDs of music plus a detailed essay and photographs) Various artists incls Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra, Kosice, Ukraine National Symphony Orchestra, Ukrainian State Symphony Orchestra [ Naxos Educational / 2 CD - released 22/Dec/2007 ] Among the most popular of twentieth-century composers, Sergey Prokofiev is seen as a great musical giant of the Soviet Union. But after the 1917 Revolution he took his talents to the United States and France. Only later was he lured by the power of... |
LULLABY CLASSICS
Lullaby Classics (Including Clair de Lune, Dance of the Sugar-Plum Fairy, Fantasia on Greensleeves & Sheep May Safely Graze) Various artists including Howard Shelley, Craig Ogden, Cantilena, I Musici di Montreal, Scottish National Orchestra, etc [ Chandos 241 / 2 CD - released 1/Jul/2004 ] 'Proving music that sends you to sleep is no bad thing, these slumbering classics from Fauré's Berceuse to Schumann's Kinderszenen will soothe parents and children alike.' Classic FM Magazine |
COATES / WALTON / GOODWIN / BLISS / ELGAR / VAUGHAN WILLIAMS / etc
Remembrance Classics Various Artists including Royal Scottish National Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, BBC Philharmonic [ Chandos 241 / 2 CD - released 1/Oct/2004 ] Music with a war or patriotic theme including Land of Hope and Glory, Onward Christian Soldiers & the Battle of Britain March |
ORCHESTRAL SPECTACULAR
Orchestral Spectacular (Incls 'Bolero', 1812 Overture & 'Polovtsian Dances') Royal Philharmonic Orchestra / St. Petersburg State Symphony Orchestra / Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra / various conductors [ Naxos Super Budget Series / CD - released 30/Jun/2008 ] "The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra provide their own Spanish magic" - Essex Chronicle |
FRANK BRIDGE
Orchestral Works [6 CD set] Various Soloists / BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Richard Hickox [ Chandos / 6 CD Box Set - released 1/Aug/2012 ] The complete orchestral works by Frank Bridge are here released in an attractive six-disc box for the first time, as part of the new Hickox Legacy commemorative series on Chandos Records, leading up to (and continuing beyond) the fifth anniversary,... |
JOHN TAVENER
Richard Hickox conducts Sir John Tavener (Incls 'Theophany') Patricia Rozario, John Mark Ainsley & Andrew Murgatroyd / Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Richard Hickox [ Chandos 241 / 2 CD - released 28/May/2012 ] "While there may be doubts over the music there can be no doubt as to the excellence and commitment of all three performances on this pair of discs. The recorded sound and booklet are up to the usual very high Chandos standards." (MusicWeb, Aug 2012) |
JOSEPH CANTELOUBE
Canteloube: Chants d'Auvergne (selections), Vol. 2 / Chant de France / Triptyque Veronique Gens (Soprano) / Lille National Orchestra / Serge Baudo [ Naxos / CD - released 11/Nov/2007 ] "There's more to Canteloube than the Auvergne, so splendidly shown here. At a time when precious few sopranos ascend to true superstardom, I'd say that Véronique Gens deserves to be up there with the likes of (arguably) Natalie Dessay and Angela... |