Classical Reviews

Latest Classical Reviews

• Antonio Vivaldi Vivaldi (Venice Baroque Orchestra feat. conductor: Andrea Marcon, Mezzo-Soprano: Magdalena Kozena)

  

  reviewed by Charlotte Gardner

  It's back to Baroque for Magdalena Kozena.

• Karol Szymanowski The Complete Music for Violin & Piano (feat. violin: Alina Ibragimova, piano: Cedric Tiberghien

  

  reviewed by Charlotte Gardner

  Extraordinary technique and powers of expression in glorious audio technicolour.
  • CD Review Disc of the Week

• Henry Purcell Ten Sonatas in Four Parts (Retrospect Trio)

  

  reviewed by Charlotte Gardner

  Marks the 350th anniversary of Purcell’s birth, and a fitting tribute it is.

• Gabriel Jackson Not no faceless Angel and other choral works (Polyphony feat. Stephen Layton, conductor)

  

  reviewed by Charlotte Gardner

  Music to take the ears and the mind heavenwards, whatever you believe.

• Dimitri Mitropoulos Conducts Schoenberg, Scriabin a& Schmidt

  

  reviewed by Michael Quinn

  Here’s an essential two-disc set for admirers of Dimitri Mitropoulos.
  • CD Review Disc of the Week

• Kate Royal Midsummer Night

  

  reviewed by Charlotte Gardner

  Luscious vocals and effortless, pure top register – a disc to be revisited again.

• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Violin Concertos 1 & 3, Sinfonia Concertante (Scottish Chamber Orchestra feat. conductor: Louis Langrée, vln: Renaud Capuçon, vla: Antoine Tamestit)

  

  reviewed by Charlotte Gardner

  There is real artistic synergy here
  • CD Review Disc of the Week

• Kronos Quartet Floodplain

  

  reviewed by Charlotte Gardner

  A disc that stretches, excites and inspires the senses.

• Ludwig van Beethoven Piano Concertos 3, 4 & 5

  

  reviewed by Michael Quinn

  These studio readings exult in vital spontaneity and alert reciprocity

• Dame Elizabeth Maconchy The Sofa/The Departure

  

  reviewed by Charlotte Gardner

  The credit really goes to Independent Opera's vibrant productions
  • CD Review Disc of the Week

• Pawel Lukaszewski Via Crucis

  

  reviewed by Charlotte Gardner

  Almost too emotionally overwhelming.

• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Sonatas For Fortepiano And Violin

  

  reviewed by Charlotte Gardner

  A real pleasure.
  • CD Review Disc of the Week

• The King's Singers Romance du Soir

  

  reviewed by Charlotte Gardner

  If only all artists could find such an elegant way of bridging these two musical worlds.

• Niccolò Paganini 24 Caprices

  

  reviewed by Charlotte Gardner

  She plays with intensity and maturity

• Maurice Ravel L'Enfant Et Les Sortileges

  

  reviewed by Charlotte Gardner

  Quite wonderful.
  • CD Review Disc of the Week

• Josquin des Prez Masses: Malheur Me Bat, Fortuna Desperata

  

  reviewed by Charlotte Gardner

  Showcases the extraordinary complexity of Josquin's writing
  • CD Review Disc of the Week

• Joseph Haydn Piano Trios Volume 1

  

  reviewed by Charlotte Gardner

  Their lines of phrase are smoothly satisfying
  • CD Review Disc of the Week

• Johann Sebastian Bach Solo Cantatas

  

  reviewed by Charlotte Gardner

  Just the right amount of religious propriety.

• Claudio Monteverdi Teatro d'Amore

  

  reviewed by Charlotte Gardner

  Very special, and very surprising

• Gioacchino Rossini Instrumental Music

  

  reviewed by Michael Quinn

  Performances throughout brim over with quicksilver wit and silky panache.
  • CD Review Disc of the Week