SOMM
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evidently taped off-air with less than the highest end equipment. Yet what comes through is a blazing performance – further evidence that Beecham was evidently far more inspired live than is... —
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Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphonies for Piano Duo, Vol.1
arr. Xaver Scharwenka
Tessa Uys, Ben Schoeman (piano duo)
Rather than adopt contemporary period instrument rhetoric and fleet-footed tempos, Uys and Schoeman set their interpretative compass around the mid-20th century – I was reminded on more than... —
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Why do the seven songs of William Alwyn’s 1978 cycle A Leave-Taking not feature more often in recitals? Tenor James Gilchrist’s intense interpretation makes a compelling case for it. The title... —
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Tenor James Gilchrist performs all of the songs in this collection, and in masterful fashion...his technical prowess is aligned with a remarkably involved and expressive delivery, aided in great... —
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Donohoe is particularly attentive to this [operatic] side of Mozart’s expression, prioritising a cantabile tone, vivid articulation and songful phrasing. Although, realistically enough, he eschews... —
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Girolamo Frescobaldi: Fiori Musicali - Organ Masses
Mark Bennett (baritone), Richard Lester (organ), The Greenwood Consort, Mark Bennett
Lester plays on the dark but kindly 1983 William Drake organ at St John’s, Totnes. He maintains a serious manner throughout, perhaps at a cost in brightness and attack, and the four chanting... —
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Elgar From America, Vol. II
Mischa Mischakoff, Edwin Bachmann, Carlton Cooley, Frank Miller, Yehudi Menuhin (violin), NBC Symphony Orchestra, Sir Malcolm Sargent, Arturo Toscanini
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Howick and Callaghan...are absolutely attuned and on form for the sultry Ravel, and John Ireland’s vigorous yet passionate First Violin Sonata, a work which emerges here as a great and grievously... —
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Facades - Music by William Walton and Constant Lambert
James Greer (tenor), Andrew West (piano), Ronald Woodley (piano)
Tenor James Geer has a recitalist’s voice...His contribution is thoughtful and enjoyable. The two-piano works are beautifully polished, and recording quality is excellent. This program is very... —
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Elgar from America, Vol. 1
Gregor Piatigorsky (cello)
NBC Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra, Arturo Toscanini, John Barbirolli, Artur Rodziński
There are several live versions of Toscanini conducting Elgar’s Enigma Variations, but in Elgar from America his 1949 performance has the benefit of Lani Spahr’s expert sound restoration, making... —
