19th Century

A collection of 51 posts

Schubert

Schubert's Die schöne Müllerin: the pub edition!

This Müllerin is destined to captivate and amuse

Offenbach

Offenbach's “La Princesse de Trébizonde” from Opera Rara

A fine release, pretty much beyond criticism. Fabulous

Verdi

Verdi's I Lombardi: Pertusi, Pretti and Machaidze shine

A fine introduction to a Verdi opera that deserves far rmore performances than it actually gets ....

Ballet

“Orfa”: World Premiere of Adolphe Adam's Romantic ballet

This is a wonderful release, spotlighting magnificent music in a powerfully convincing performance

English Music

Prometheus Unbound: Parry on Chandos

This is a major release and one that I hope will received the aclclaim - and indeed awards - it deserves

Orchestral

Spain, Peru & Jerusalem: Paul Wranitzky returns ...

Another fine release in Noxos’ Wranitzky's series

Tchaikovsky

Tchaikovsky Tone Poems ignite under Alpesh Chauhan

Alpesh Chauhan is a fine conductor, and the BBC Scottish orchestra is on fine form in these neglected maserpieces

Rimsky-Korsakov

Rimsky-Korsakov and opera I: Sadko

The score is a masterpiece; this production and performance remind us, in their imaginative scope, of the sheer fertility of Rimsky’s operas

Robert Schumann

Schumann chamber music from the Kungsbacka Piano Trio

Schumann's Third Trio is a masterpiece; and then there are those fascinating Canonic Studies ...

Classical

Introducing Franz Krommer ...

An eminently enjoyable disc of the music of Franz Krommer, heard in the freshest performances imaginable

Piano

Benjamin Grosvenor plays Robert & Clara Schumann & Brahms

A superb disc, beautifully recorded - and an 86 minute playing time!

Raff

Raff: String Quartets Nos. 1 & 5

If all you know of Raff is his Cavatina, get this disc urgently. It shows so many sides of the composer's voice ...

19th Century

The Chamber Music of Eduard Nápravník

Superbly recorded, brilliantly and extensively annotated, this entire disc breathes class

Farrenc

Louise Farrenc, Symphonies and Overtures from Laurence Equilbey and Insula

It is truly wonderful that we how have Farrenc's theee symphonies in faultless performances by Insula in one place

Schubert

Padmore and Uchida perform Schubert’s “Schwanengesang”

This is a glorious disc: Padmore and Uchida deliver a stunning Schwanengesamg

Wagner

Wagner’s “The Rhinegold” at ENO

Musically, this is a fantastic evening, not to be missed. My personal jury, however, remains out as regards the production

Bruckner

A Tale of Two Järvis (2): Paavo Järvi conducts Bruckner's Seventh

Paavo Järvi - clearly now a lean, mean Bruckner machine - offers a Bruckner Seventh to treasure

Schumann

Emile Naoumoff plays Schumann

An amazing disc , one for pianophiles - and lovers of Schumann - the World over

Opera

Lisette Oropesa: French Bel Canto Arias by Rossini and Donizetti

A simply wonderful disc. The spectrum of emotions is vast, teh programming inspired

Wagner

Wagner’s Der fliegende Holländer from Bayreuth

Dark, oppressive, strangely compelling

Live Performance

Sir Bryn Terfel and Verdi's Falstaff in Lerici: the triumph of youth

This was a fascinating display of talent ... and there is no doubting Bryn Terfel is the Falstaff of today

19th Century

Weber Der Freischütz from Freiburg

This is the most significant of modern performances of Freischütz

Keyboard

A discovery: the Keyboard Concertos of Johann Wilhelm Wilms

Heartily recommended: there is such variety here, and the music is guaranteed to delight

19th Century

Requiem pour Louis XVI: Martini

It seems pretty much everything Niquet touches turns to gold ...

Donizetti

Donizetti's Three Queens: Sondra Radvanovsky triumphs

The "Three Queens" in relation to the operas of Donizetti refers to three operas: Anna Bolena (ill-fated wife of King Henry VIII of England), Maria Stuarda and Roberto Devereux (Queen Elizabeth I). There is a fourth queen, incidentally, but the opera is seen as "second-drawer" Donizetti