Mahler Symphony 5 – Jansons, Bavarian RSO
BR Klassik’s output lately consists of first class performances. Like its recent Haitink Mahler 3, this Mahler 5 with the Bavarian RSO and Mariss...
Mendelssohn, Scottish & Reformation Symphonies, Manacorda
There are many things to cherish in this new recording of Mendelssohn's 3rd and 5th symphonies. The Kammerakademie Potsdam with conductor Antonello Manacorda seem...
Mahler Symphony 3 – Haitink & Bavarian RSO
This is an exceptional Mahler 3rd. Having compared a dozen CDs before writing this review, I can attest it displaces a lot of the...
Currentzis and the BBC Music Magazine Opera Award 2017
The BBC Music Magazine award for Best Opera recording has been a justifiable victory for Currentzis and his forces for their recording of Don...
Schubert Symphonies – Günter Wand
This is one of the most all-round satisfactory (digital) cycles of the Schubert symphonies. Gunter Wand has been called a master of the core German...
Rachmaninov Piano Concertos 2 and 3, Buniatishvili / Jarvi
These are heartfelt, brilliant performances of the two warhorses. The playing here is not lightweight but rather brooding, revealing the dark colours of Rachmaninov's music. Both orchestra and pianist perform the concertos impeccably.
Stanisław Skrowaczewski
Underrated. Skrowaczewski was an underrated conductor in his lifetime. Yes the press would review the CDs he would release on smaller record labels but...
Igor Levit’s Variations (Bach, Beethoven, Rzewski)
Even though I had been thinking of reviewing this 3CD set, the fact that it was recently awarded the Gramophone Recording of the Year...
Szymanowski First Violin Concerto
Szymanowski’s First Violin Concerto can be described as sumptuous, lush, exotic. It is said that the composer himself was inspired by the Polish poet...
