classical cds

There is no doubt this release is cast from strength: one night suggest it is luxury indeed to have Helen Charleston, herself a fine Dido, as First Witch. But it is David Bates’ vision that […]

Following on from my report on the European premiere of Zou Ye’s Symphony Kūkai the other day, this pos presents another aspect of that composer’s art: film music. The Goddess (神女, Shénnǚ) is a film […]

This is something special: a Biddulph twofer celebrating the recordings of Isolde Menges (1893-1976), This is a violinist who was a student of the great Leopold Auer (she also studied with Carl Flesch). She founded […]

This is a stunningly beautiful Creation (it is sung in German, so properly, Schöpfung). The city of Dresden is a jewel in Germany’s crown, so full of rich music and projects (witness the ongoing authentic-instrument […]

Zou Ye Symphony Kūkai (2023). The Choir of Central Conservatory of Music; London Chinese Philharmonic Choir; Scherzo Ensemble; Orpheus Sinfonia / Derrick Morgan (conductor); Charles Mutter (leader/solo violin); Rebecca Hepplewhite (solo cello). Westminster Hall, London, […]

Like the repertoire concertos of Brahms and Beethoven, Busoni’s Violin Concerto is cast in D major (and indeed, Busoni wrote cadenzas for both of his great predecessors’ concertos). Busoni’s Violin Concerto, Op. 37a, was premiered […]

Sometimes described as Japan’s leading composer, Toshio Hosokawa (born 1955) s a composer whose scores, while Modernist, exude beauty. The Naxos series of his works is significant: it has been over a decade since I […]

Hungarian conductor Ádám Fischer returns to Haydn: his complete recording of all of the symphonies with the Austro-Hungarian Haydn Orchestra. Here he is again, in a less remnant acoustic this time (the concert hall of […]

Greenwood, Britten, Beethoven Mary Bevan (soprano); 12 Ensemble. St Marin-in-the-Fields, London, 8.8.2024 Jonny Greenwood Three Miniatures from Water Britten Les Illuminations  Beethoven String Quartet in A-Minor, Op. 132, Molto Adagio    The 12 Ensemble is […]

Itinéraire Baroque en Périgord, 2024: Bach Johannes-Passion, BWV 245 (1724). Amelia Berridge (soprano); Sophia Faltas (mezzo); Tilman Lichdi (tenor); Klaus Mertens (bass); Amsterdam Baroque Choir and Baroque Orchestra / Ton Koopman (conductor / harpsichord).  Église […]