Orchestral

A collection of 99 posts

Chinese

The Power of Chinese Symphonic Music: Xilin Wang's Third Symphony

This is not for the faint-hearted, but it is, absolutely, recommended.

Lalo

From Estonia with love: Neeme Järvi conducts Lalo

What joy this disc brings!

Orchestral

City Noir: Marin Alsop conducts John Adams

Adams' music scintillates and glittes undr Alsop

Richard Strauss

Richard Strauss' Josephs Legende

... a fine performance of a work that really should be heard more

Bruckner

More Bruckner: Symphony No. 2 in the rare 1872 version

We hear Bruckner on the way to true greatness, and on that road he births a fine, fine symphony

Bruckner

Many trees, not so much wood: Klaus Mäkelä conducts Bruckner

A performance replete with beauty and technical excellence, then, but one that ultimately failed to satisfy

Robert Schumann

Schumann Symphones from Dresden

The Dresden Philharmonic under Janowski provide a stunning set of Schumann Symphonies

Mahler

Richard Strauss & Mahler from Montréal

A fabulous coupling delivered in performances of consummate power

Sibelius

Susanna Mälkki conducts Sibelius

This is a phenomenal disc, full of energy and perfect in its mix of the famous and lesser-known pieces

Respighi

Repost: Alessandro Crudele conducts Respighi

The chameleon LPO responds perfectly to the multiplicity of shades of this music

Beethoven

Beethoven from Minnesota and Skrowaczewski

A valuable release: not only do we achieve a renewed appreciation of Skrowaczewski's art, but we hear lesser-known Beethoven in fabulous performances

Mozart

More Mozart from Il Pomo d'oro

... this is shaping into a significant cycle, one every Mozart lover should own.

18th century Featured

The Mozartists: Sturm und Drang #3

Long may this series continue - Page is like a gold miner who continuously comes up with the goods

Orchestral

Meeting Franz Lachner: the Sixth Symphony on cpo

The repertoire might be off the beaten track, but what delights await!

Mozart

Robert Levin and the AAM in Mozart's Concertos for Multiple Instruments

Don't hesitate - this is the nexus of musicology and the sheer excitement of joyous music-making

Shostakovich

Shostakovich from Budapest: Symphonies 5 & 9

Concerto Budapest remains a superb ensemble of the top rank

Scandinavian

Alfvén: Symphony No. 1 & much more ...

We've met Hugo Alfvén a few times already on Classical Explorer (Symphony No. 3; Symphony No. 2), and will meet him again. Hi First Symphony is short (just under 35 minutes) - so plenty of fillers on this disc, starting off with the Festspel, Op. 35 (Festival Overture,

Ballet

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

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

Orchestral

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

Another fine release in Noxos’ Wranitzky's series

Live Performance

Gil Shaham, the Israel Phlharmonic and Lahav Shani thrill in Gstaad

Gstaad Menuhin Festival 2023: Demut und Überschwang. Brahms. Gil Shaham (violin); Israel Philharmonic Orchestra / Lahav Shani. Gstaad Festival Tent, 26.08.2023 Brahms  Violin Concerto in D, Op. 77. Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68. Two of Brahms’ masterpieces heard at their finest: this was a major international

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

Gershwin

(Leonard) Slatkin excels in Gershwin

A fine collection fo Gershwiniana ... Slatkin and his St Louis players are on fire!.

Langgaard

Rued Langgaard: Symphony 1 & Piano Music

Two fabulous discs, both stunningly recorded and played. Together, they make a great introduction to the music of Rued Langgaard

Rachmaninov

Anna Fedorova returns in Rachmaninov

Commanding Rachmaninov and heartbreaking Silvestrov combine to create a winner

Mozart

Ecstasy and Abyss: Martin Fröst conducts (and plays) Mozart

Life-affirming, profound, entertaining - this release is all these things, and more