Beethoven

A tale of "two" operas: when is a Fidelio not a Fidelio?

So, when is a Fidelio not a Fidelio?: an updated post

Bach

Bach from Philippe Herreweghe

Magnificently recorded in Waalse Church, Amsterdam, this is unmissable ...

20th Century

Robert Simpson's Fifth and Sixth Symphonies

Robert Simpson's symphonies have long had a small but die-hard following who, rightly, believed in their greatness ...

French

Belle Époque: French Music for Wind

A selection of delicious French music from the so-called "Belle Époque" ...

Opera

A Devilish Pact: Gounod's Faust from the Royal Opera

A performance and staging that never fails to stimulate

Opera

Mascagni's Iris: a verismo gem

It is impossible not to be pulled into Mascagni's world ...

Manic Miner (Key) Grieg

What connects Grieg and Iannis Xenakis with the beginnings of the UK computer games industry? The ZX Spectrum was Britain’s first popular colour home computer. Launched by Sir Clive Sinclair in 1982 for an affordable £125, it quickly became a huge hit and went on to sell over 5

Vocal

Lise Davidsen stuns on Decca

A major soprano returns:

Piano

Spira, Spera: Bach transcriptions

A disc of great imagination, performed with both power and beauty

18th Century Discoveries: John Abraham Fisher's Symphonies

Bright, shining, gallant music in sterling performances: a disc designed to bring joy

Orchestral

George Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra: The Forgotten Recordings

This is a major release of historical recordings that at once reminds us of the stature of George Szell and his superb Cleveland Orchestra while also filling out our picture of their collaboration. The monolingual booklet comprises an extended essay by Lani Spahr on Szell himself. We hear how Szell

Orchestral

Rachmaninov Symphony No. 1: two new rivals

You wait for ages, then two turn up at once ...

Mahler

Mahler's Unfinished: The Tenth Symphony

This Mahler 10 puts the Minnesota Orchestra up there as one ofthe World's great orchestras

Vocal

The Miller's Daughter: Andrè Schuen in Schubert

Previously on Classical Explorer, we looked at a fabulous Schubert recital by Klaudia Tandl and Niall Kinsella, who were joined by Gabriele Jacoby in Schubert's Women [https://www.classicalexplorer.com/schuberts-women/]. Here, though, we begin our exploration of the song-cycles: Die schöne Müllerin, Winterreise and Schwanengesang, occasioned by

Opera

Es gibt ein Reich: Ariadne auf Naxos in Vienna

An act of pure joy as well as compositional virtuosity, Richard Strauss' opera Ariadne auf Naxos almost guarantees enjoyment

Violin

Paris: Hilary Hahn plays Chausson, Prokofiev & Rautavaara

The choice of music is exquisite; the result, fully satisfying ...

Orchestral

Encountering Bruckner's Sixth Symphony

Bruckner's score holds great treasures if we only give it a chance ...

Piano

French Duets

A decidedly Gallic pleasure garden of delights

Contemporary

For Clarinet and Strings ...

The work of Metier Records and of instrumental groups such as the one here, Gemini, should be universally lauded. They keep the music of today alive ...

Contemporary

The World Was Once All Miracle: The Defiantly Eclectic World of Raymond Yiu

If you like music that is intriguing, entertaining, challenging, sophisticated and sometimes outrageous, you'll like this

Baroque

Il Labirinto Armonico: Three Violin Concertos by Locatelli

The excellence of the Finnish Baroque Orchestra, with a contunuo group that includes a lute, is never in doubt; neither is Gringolts' stunning virtuosity. But it is Locatelli that leaves the most lasting impression, just as it should be ...

Piano

Fantasie Nègre: The Piano Music of Florence Price

Vital listening, beautifully recorded

Respighi

Respighi's "orchestral interpretations" of Bach and Rachmaninov

Composers interacting with other composers' music is a fascinating subject. From virtuoso 19th century pianists transcribing Bach organ works for the piano to the likes of Wendy Carlos and Leopold Stokowski, each offers us an opportunity not only to revel in the new but to remind ourselves of the

Schnittke

Discovering Schnittke: Violinist Daniel Hope in fine form

Hope and Botvinov's 2019 performances offer a perfect introduction to Schnittke's chamber music for violin

Piano

Benjamin Grosvenor's Liszt

This is a disc to satisfy both Liszt afficionados and newbies