Category Archives: CD

A refreshing, unfussy Tchaikovsky symphony cycle from Australia

Tchaikovsky: Symphonies Nos. 1-6; Manfred Symphony Oleg Caetani/Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (ABC Classics) As leafy Hampshire lay gripped by a Russian winter, it seemed only appropriate that a new box set of Tchaikovsky symphonies arrived for review. Perhaps a cycle from … Continue reading

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Glittering Swan Lake from Pletnev and the RNO

Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake  Mikhail Pletnev/Russian National Orchestra (Ondine) One of the highlights of Mikhail Pletnev’s relationship with DG was undoubtedly The Sleeping Beauty with the Russian National Orchestra. A decade on, and making their debut with Ondine, this partnership returns … Continue reading

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Half measures: Jansons’ Pictures lack light and shade

Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition Mariss Jansons/Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (RCO Live) In galleries nowadays, the visitor can clamp on a pair of headphones and listen to an audio guide while viewing the artwork. Mussorgsky got there first, of course, in … Continue reading

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Ripping heartstrings to shreds: Gergiev’s new Romeo and Juliet on LSO Live

Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet Valery Gergiev/London Symphony Orchestra (LSO Live) Following his LSO series exploring the symphonies of Mahler, Valery Gergiev returned to more familiar Russian soil last autumn with his Émigré season, presenting music of Russian exiles, the highlights … Continue reading

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An unpalatable experience: Macbeth on Naxos

Verdi: Macbeth **  Naxos 8.660259-60 When the Ballet gets the longest applause of the night in a performance of Verdi’s Macbeth, you know you’re in trouble! So it proves on this release from Naxos of a live performance from the … Continue reading

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