Classical Reviews
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Prokofiev Violin Sonatas from Alina Ibragimova and Steven Osborne
14th Jul 2014by David Smith
David listens to two very contrasting Prokofiev Violin Sonatas, performed by the star duo of Steven Osborne and Alina Ibragimova.
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Bruckner Symphonies from Claudio Abbado and Iván Fischer
7th Jul 2014by James Longstaffe
James enjoys a double-bill of Bruckner symphonies - No. 9 from Claudio Abbado and the Lucerne Festival Orchestra, and the Budapest Festival Orchestra's account of No. 7 under Iván Fischer.
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Colin Davis conducts the LSO in Haydn Symphonies
30th Jun 2014by James Longstaffe
James listens to Colin Davis and the LSO's sparkling, poised accounts of late symphonies by Haydn.
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Vladimir Jurowski conducts music by Zemlinsky
23rd Jun 2014by Katherine Cooper
Katherine listens to a stormy, passionate tragedy by the late Romantic composer Alexander Zemlinsky, with Vladimir Jurowski conducting the LPO.
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Sakari Oramo conducts symphonies by Per Nørgård
16th Jun 2014by James Longstaffe
Sakari Oramo and the Vienna Philharmonic take James on a trip to Denmark with two symphonies by Per Nørgård.
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Michael Tilson Thomas conducts Bernstein's West Side Story
9th Jun 2014by Katherine Cooper
Katherine enjoys a wonderful, fresh new recording of Bernstein's modern re-telling of the story of Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story.
Featured product
Bernstein: West Side Story
Alexandra Silber (Maria), Cheyenne Jackson (Tony), Jessica Vosk (Anita), Kevin Vortmann (Riff), Kelly Markgraf (Bernardo), David Michael Laffey (Big Deal/Snowboy), Juliana Hansen (Rosalia), Louise Marie Cornillez (Consuelo), Zacharay Ford (Diesel), Cassie Simone (Francisca), Justin Keyes (Action), Chris Meissner (Baby John), Louis Pardo (A-rab), Michael Taylor (Officer Krupke), Julia Bullock (A Girl) San Francisco Symphony, Members of the San Francisco Symphony Chorus, Michael Tilson Thomas
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Verdi's Giovanna d'Arco with Anna Netrebko and Plácido Domingo
2nd Jun 2014by Katherine Cooper
Katherine reviews a new recording of Verdi’s Giovanna d'Arco from last year’s Salzberg Festival, with Anna Netrebko and Plácido Domingo.
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Violin Concertos by Stanford and Milford
26th May 2014by David Smith
David listens to Rupert Marshall-Luck’s performances of two unusual violin concertos, on the independent EM Records label.
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Sir Simon Rattle conducts Schumann
19th May 2014by Chris O'Reilly
Chris listens to the Berlin Philharmoniker's début recording on their own record label – the complete symphonies of Schumann, conducted by Sir Simon Rattle.
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Paul Lewis plays Schubert Piano Sonatas
12th May 2014by James Longstaffe
James enjoys Paul Lewis's latest recording of Schubert - the turbulent piano sonatas written towards the end of his life.
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Ailyn Pérez and Stephen Costello sing Love Duets
5th May 2014by Katherine Cooper
Katherine listens to the new CD of operatic love duets from husband-and-wife duo Ailyn Pérez and Stephen Costello.
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Shostakovich Cello Concertos from Truls Mørk
28th Apr 2014by David Smith
David listens to gripping accounts of Shostakovich’s two Cello Concertos from Truls Mørk, with Vasily Petrenko at the podium.
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Walton from Edward Gardner and Tasmin Little
21st Apr 2014by James Longstaffe
This week, James listens to Edward Gardner’s fiery rendition of Walton’s tempestuous Symphony No. 1 and Tasmin Little’s nimble account of his Violin Concerto.
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Berlin Comedian Harmonists
14th Apr 2014by Katherine Cooper
The Berlin Comedian Harmonists brighten up Katherine's Monday morning.
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Stravinsky's Oedipus Rex from the LSO
7th Apr 2014by James Longstaffe
James takes a trip to Ancient Greece with John Eliot Gardiner and the LSO’s muscular renditions of Stravinsky’s Oedipus Rex and Apollon musagète.
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Jack Liebeck plays violin music by Kreisler
31st Mar 2014by Katherine Cooper
Katherine enjoys Jack Liebeck and Katya Apekisheva’s performances of Kreisler’s flamboyant violin showpieces.
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Pablo Heras-Casado conducts Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 2
24th Mar 2014by David Smith
David rediscovers Mendelssohn's Lobgesang thanks to Pablo Heras-Casado and the Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks in this week's newsletter.
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Gustavo Dudamel conducts a new oratorio by John Adams
10th Mar 2014by James Longstaffe
James explores The Gospel According to the Other Mary, excellent performances from Kelley O’Connor as Mary Magdalene and Tamara Mumford as Martha.
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Gil Shaham plays Violin Concertos from the 1930s
3rd Mar 2014by Chris O'Reilly
The American violinist kicks off a new project exploring the decade with concertos by Barber, Hartmann, Berg, Stravinsky and Britten.