Classical Reviews
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Otello from the Royal Opera House, starring Jonas Kaufmann
11th May 2018
The German tenor sings his first 'Lion of Venice' in Keith Warner's 2017 production, opposite Marco Vratogna and Maria Agresta.
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Federico Colli plays Domenico Scarlatti
4th May 2018
The Leeds International Piano Competition winner makes his debut on Chandos with a bold, inquisitive recital of the Neapolitan composer's keyboard sonatas.
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Ravel from François-Xavier Roth and Les Siècles
27th Apr 2018
The conductor and his period-instrument orchestra conjure a world of enchantments in two scores inspired by fairy-tales: Ma mère l’Oye (Mother Goose) and the early Shéhérazade overture.
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Andris Nelsons and the Gewandhausorchester perform Bruckner
20th Apr 2018
James enjoys magnificently sonorous performances of two symphonies by Anton Bruckner.
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Vivaldi's Four Seasons from Rachel Podger and Brecon Baroque
13th Apr 2018
The British violinist breathes new life into the most popular of baroque violin concerti with these vivid one-per-part accounts which exude wit and affection.
Featured product
Vivaldi: Le Quattro Stagioni
Rachel Podger (violin) Brecon Baroque
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Paul Lewis performs piano sonatas by Haydn
6th Apr 2018
James listens to the first instalment in a survey of Haydn's piano sonatas by Paul Lewis.
Featured product
Haydn: Piano Sonatas 47, 54, 59 and 60
Paul Lewis (piano)
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Bach from William Christie and Beethoven from Masaaki Suzuki
30th Mar 2018
Two veteran early music specialists venture into new territory: William Christie conducts Bach's Mass in B minor and Masaaki Suzuki turns to Beethoven's Missa solemnis.
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Bartók's Violin Concertos from Renaud Capuçon
23rd Mar 2018
Renaud Capuçon performs Bartók's two violin concertos, accompanied by the London Symphony Orchestra under conductor François-Xavier Roth.
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Alfred Brendel performs music by Schumann and Brahms
16th Mar 2018
Live recordings by Alfred Brendel of Schumann's Piano Concerto and Brahms's Handel Variations have been made available on disc for the first time.
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Music by Florent Schmitt conducted by Sakari Oramo
9th Mar 2018
James listens to a wonderful new recording of music by the neglected French composer Florent Schmitt, including his ballet suites, Antoine et Cléopâtre.
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Porpora from Max Emanuel Cencic
2nd Mar 2018
The Viennese countertenor marks the 250th anniversary of the composer and singing-teacher's death with a stunning collection of arias and a complete recording of Germanico in Germania.
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Respighi from John Neschling and the Orchestre Philharmonique de Liège
23rd Feb 2018
The Brazilian conductor and his Belgian orchestra perform Vetrate di chiesa, Il tramonto & Trittico botticelliano.
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Patricia Kopatchinskaja and Polina Leschenko perform music by Poulenc, Bartók, and Ravel
16th Feb 2018
Violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja and pianist Polina Leschenko perform sonatas by Poulenc and Bartók alongside Ravel’s Tzigane.
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Deux
Patricia Kopatchinskaja (violin), Polina Leschenko (piano)
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Murray Perahia plays Beethoven's Hammerklavier and Moonlight Sonatas
9th Feb 2018
For the first time in his illustrious career, Murray Perahia turns his attention to Beethoven's monumental Hammerklavier sonata, alongside the ever-popular Moonlight sonata.
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Verdi albums from Joseph Calleja and Sonya Yoncheva
2nd Feb 2018
The Maltese tenor and Bulgarian soprano triumph in their explorations of the composer's more dramatic roles.
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Alexander Melnikov plays four pieces on four different pianos
26th Jan 2018
James listens to a fascinating new disc from pianist Alexander Melnikov, who performs four pieces of music by Schubert, Chopin, Liszt, and Stravinsky, on four different pianos.
Featured product
Four Pieces - Four Pianos
Alexander Melnikov (pianos)
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Shostakovich from Paavo Järvi’s Estonian Festival Orchestra
19th Jan 2018
Katherine is impressed by the bracing, visceral playing of the Estonian conductor's summer festival band, making their recording debut with two works by Shostakovich.
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Riccardo Chailly conducts a world premiere recording of music by Stravinsky
12th Jan 2018
James enjoys a stunning new disc of orchestral music by Stravinsky, including the world premiere recording of a recently-discovered early work, Chant funèbre.
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Edward Gardner conducts the incidental music from Grieg's Peer Gynt
5th Jan 2018
Katherine embarks on a thrilling journey to the Hall of the Mountain-King in the company of Edward Gardner and the Bergen Philharmonic.
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Tippett Symphonies from Martyn Brabbins
29th Dec 2017
James enjoys commanding accounts of the two first symphonies by Sir Michael Tippett from Martyn Brabbins and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.
