classical cds

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 […]

What Is the Use of Music Criticism Today? Guest article by Hana Gubenko What is the use of music criticism in an era when everyone feels free to form their own opinions, to like something […]

  Music In The Round: Romantic Piano Mishka Rushdie Momen (piano). Crucible Playhouse, Sheffield, 11 am, 23.05.2024 Schumann Gesange der Frühe, Op. 133: No. 1 (1853)  Fauré  Nocturne No. 13 in B minor, Op. 119 (1921)  Ramean Le […]

Ensemble 360. Crucible Playhouse, 22.05.2024 Ravel Berceuse sur le nom de Gabriel Fauré, MA 74 (1972)  Saint-Saëns Oboe Sonata in D major, Op. 166 (1921) Adès Alchymia (2021) Messager Solo de Concours (1899) Franck Piano Quintet in F minor, […]