Piano

Béla Bartók et la Virtuosité: Piano Works

A fabulous disc, one entirely worthy of exploration

C. P. E. Bach

C. P. E. Bach: Der Auferstehung und Himmelfahrt Jesu

The music is truly revelatory. Don't miss this one!

Violin

David Oistrakh Melodiya Rarities

A fabulous disc: I should emphasise this is not for historical recording specialists: the power of the performances coupled with Biddulph's trimphant transfers makes this an essential listen

News

News Item: Freddie De Tommaso's forthcoming album announced

Decca Classics announces the eagerly anticipated second album of British-Italian tenor Freddie De Tommaso, entitled Il Tenore, released on 24th June,2022. Featuring some of the most iconic arias and duetsever written for the operatic voice, it follows his chart-topping 2021 debut Passione and a year in which the singer

Chopin Piano Concertos (Chamber Versions) from Emanuel Despax and Chineke!

Despax's pianism is all we know to expect form him by now: considered, eminently musical, deeply committed

Classical

Pianists rejoice! A full version of Wranitzky's Das Waldmädchen

The delights of the music of Paul Wranitzky continue with Volume 4 on Naxos: Das Waldmädchen

Birtwistle

Repost: Birtwistle Chamber Works (BIS)

A superb disc - the Nash Ensemble reminds us of their place at he top of the chamber tree, while Birtwistle's music remains as uncompromising and brilliant as ever

Baroque

Domenico Scarlatti's Stabat Mater: And Much More!

The programming of this disc is faultless in its mix of chamber and vocal works; it opens our eyes and ears to a new side of Domenico Scarlatti

Rossini

Rossini's Stabat Mater

Gimeno's new recording sets a new standard for this piece, as well as introducing us to the wonderful Luxembourg orchestra. Unmissable - and very pertinent at this time of year ...

Choral

Eastertide Evensong

This is now the third album from St John's Choir under Andrew Nethsingha we've covered: Advent from St John's [https://www.classicalexplorer.com/advent-from-st-johns/] and Magnificat 2 [https://www.classicalexplorer.com/magnificat-2-the-choir-of-st-johns-cambridge-triumphs-again/] . Now it's the turn ofEastertide Evensong, their second live Evensong

Mozart

Mozart 1786: Andsnes returns!

A fine companion to Mozart 1785!

Competitions

Invocations: Maroussia Gentet and the Concours d'Orléans

Gentet's disc is a beautifully realised, well-balanced recital of great interest

Choral

An invitation to the dark side: And the Sun Darkened (BIS)

The perfect disc for this time of year, New York Polkphony's faultless renditions bring this music to life

Beethoven Symphonies - for Piano Trio (and what a trio!)

This is more than a curio, although it is fascinating on many grounds. But let's first of all say that the performances here are as fresh as a daisy. It's as if performing Beethoven symphonies inthese reductions offered a completely fresh perspective for the players and

French Baroque

Lully Grands Motets from Versailles

Fuget and his group bring out the beauty of Lully's writing; recorded in perfect sound, this disc is a rare treat

Beethoven

Beethoven's Ninth, Philarmonia (concert review)

Even by the Philharmonia Orchestra’s exalted standards, this was an exceptional concert

News

News: Guitarist Miloš signs for Sony

World-renowned, highly acclaimed star classical guitarist, Miloš is joining Sony Classical’s distinguished roster of artists.

Puccini's La bohème from Irish National Opera on Signum

On August 11, 2021 Signum announced a partnership with Irish National Opera to rlease the company's first official recordings. Following their World Premiere recording of Gerald Barry’s Alice’s Adventures Under Ground, released last year, La bohème is Irish National Opera’s second recording in their new

Contemporary

Visions and Utterances: Concert Review

An invaluable experience for Rebecca Saunders’ blistering new piece and George Walker’s fine Sinfonia No. 5

Don Giovanni from Covent Garden

Kasper Holten's fabulously inventive staging of Mozart's Don Giovanni arrives on DVD and Bluray - and should be welcomed with open arms. Using Escher-like designs with state of the art technologies (the writing of the Don's lovers in cursice "over" the stage

Handel

Handel Organ Concertos & Vocal Works: Château de Versailles Spectacles

It is certainly to be hoped that these bejewelled performances make this music many friends

News

News: Composer Dani Howard Composer-in-Residence of the LCO

London Chamber Orchestra has appointed Dani Howard as Composer in Residence from the 22/23 season, following Freya Waley-Cohen’s successful tenure in the post. This is great news: the World Premiere of Dani Howard's Trombone Concerto was a highlight of this concert given by the Royal Liverpool

News: Deutsche Grammophon celebrates World Piano Day

Deutsche Grammophon marks World Piano Day (29 March) with six fabulous concerts on DG Stage and a film of rediscovered performances from legendary artists released digitally for the first time by the label. The Yellow Label’s third annual international virtual festival offers easy access to performances by some of

Pene Pati: Opera Arias

If there's one thing that attracts me to a disc of opera arias, it is the inclusion of  lesser-known arias alongside the familiar. And so it is here, in Samoan tenor Pene Pati's debut album: arias from Verdi's La battaglia di Legnano , Rossini'

Schubert

Schubert Late String Quartets from the Fitzwilliam Quartet

Superbly immediate Schubert, fresh, full of contrasts and raw power