Category Archives: CD

No sweat for Brautigam: Mozart cycle of concertos for BIS continues

Mozart: Piano Concertos 15 & 16  Ronald Brautigam; Kölner Akademie/ Michael Alexander Willens The cover photo is an indication of how far Ronald Brautigam is through his cycle of Mozart piano concertos for BIS. The series “From Forest to Concert … Continue reading

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Voices of Persephone: the heart-melting soprano of Ilona Domnich

Surrender: Voices of Persephone  Ilona Domnich/ Signum Classics (SIGCD419) One of the greatest frustrations in my line of work comes when you hear an artist for the first time who absolutely bowls you over… and you’re not in a position … Continue reading

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Gergiev’s earthy Pictures painted in rich oils

Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition; Songs and Dances of Death; Night on Bare Mountain  The loudest noise I’ve ever experienced in the concert hall was courtesy of Valery Gergiev and the Mariinsky (then Kirov) Orchestra. Admittedly, it was in the … Continue reading

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Roguish Mozart from Pip Eastop in Mozart’s horn concertos

Mozart: Horn Concertos 1-4; Horn Quintet in E flat major K407 Pip Eastop; Eroica String Quartet; The Hanover Band/ Anthony Halstead (Hyperion CDA68097) Modestly, the booklet biography of Anthony Halstead for this release makes reference only to his conducting or … Continue reading

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Blind faith: Netrebko stars in Tchaikovsky’s Iolanta

Tchaikovsky: Iolanta (DG)  How fortunes change! Tchaikovsky’s Iolanta began life as the more successful pairing in a double bill, premiered in St Petersburg in 1892 alongside his ballet The Nutcracker. Since then, it has fallen into obscurity outside Russia, whereas … Continue reading

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