classical cds

Billed as “Classical Music’s answer to K-Pop,” Yuncham Lin offers a debut recording of distinction. He won the Cliburn Competition in 2022 (at 18, the youngest ever winner); on July 29 he will make his […]

What a fascinating disc this is! Ravel and de Falla’s music is sumptuous; but far more than just that, and Alexandre Tharaud’s release from 2023 offers a major contender in this repertoire. Tharaud and his […]

There is something very special about John Nelson. His work at Strasbourg has regularly transformed that orchestra into a world-class ensemble; his Berlioz recordings are as important as Sir Colin Davis’, and yet they have […]

This is Classical Explorer‘s first Franck Symphony (D-Minor, M. 48) but it is certainly not our first Franck: we looked at piano music on Hänssler, organ music on BIS, heard Lucas Debargue’s piano transcription of […]

Affectionately dedicated to his friend and mentor Ruth Nye, this brilliant, significant release from Emmanuel Despax reveals performances of the highest integrity. As Despax himself puts it: I never perceived Liszt’s compositions as mere showmanship; […]

As Giuseppe Sinopoli’s DG recording with the Staatskapelle Dresden seems to no longer be universally available (although you can find, currently, a cheap copy at Amazon here), this new performance now takes centre stage. We […]

Williams, Ortiz, Dvořák María Dueñas (violin); Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra / Gustavo Dudamel (conductor). Barbican Hall, 02.06.2024 John WIlliams  Olympic Fanfare and Theme (1984)  Gabriela Ortiz  Altar de cuerda (LA Phil commission; UK premiere, 2021)  Dvořák   Symphony No. […]

Messiaen Vingt régards de l’enfant Jésus (1944) Nicolas Hodges (piano). Wigmore Hall, 31.05.2024 The last time I heard Messiaen’s vast Jesus-oriented canvas was at Milton Court in 2016 (review), Pierre-Laurent Aimard was the pianist, a […]

Giordano Andrea Chénier Cast; Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden / Sir Antonio Pappano. 30.05.2024 Production:  Director – David McVicar  Revival director – Thomas Guthrie  Set designer – Robert Jones  Costume […]

A disc of Preludes is not so unusual: but here there is no Chopin or Debussy in sight. Instead, Anton Arensky rubs shoulders with Rachmaninoff; Ravel meets Gershwin. I enjoyed Japanese pianist Yuki Negishi’s debut […]