Contains Delius' most essential statements. Summer Night on the River, On Hearing the First Cuckoo, Brigg Fair and the Irmelin Prelude are simply magical in their effect, and Beecham's interpretations arise out of the depths of the music itself... passages such as the introduction to Brigg Fair, seem to be outside time, one yet again wonders at the poetic rightness of every nuance, the delicately exact textural balance. His identification with the composer is so complete that one is not sure whom to credit for some features... This (collection) must surely be recognised as a gem. Sleigh Ride and the Marche Caprice are entertaining enough, but all the rest are wonderful Delius - and conducted by someone who has remained the one and only Delius interpreter. Each performance is superb. (Gramophone)

Stintonfinds plenty of interest in the music and interprets it with spirit and virtuosity. Her phrases are well thought-out and articulati on clear and effective. The beautifully written and emotionally charged finale of the D minor Concerto comes over well... crisp, responsive orchestral playing, well-chosen tempos and clean, incisive ensemble. I thoroughly enjoyed this playing of some wonderfully inventive music... helpful background notes (Gramophone)

For this box, ALTO has compiled ten albums by as many outstanding pianists of the 20th century. These include both exemplary recordings and new compilations by ALTO as well as live recordings from the catalogs of the great labels. The entire 20th century is covered from Artur Schnabel and Artur Rubinstein to Marta Argerich with works by composers they were highly celbrated for. The interested enthusiast doesn't get a random grab bag here, but rather a well-thought-out program that also impresses connoisseurs. 10 Giants of the Keyboard: Marta Argerich; Chopin, Brahms, Liszt, Ravel, Prokofiev Vladimir Ashkenazy; Chopin Alfred Brendel; Schubert including complete Impromptus Emil Gilels; Schumann, Chopin, Tchaikovsky GLenn Gould; Bach 1955 Goldbergs, Partitas, Fugues Vladimir Horowitz; Mozart, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Liszt, Scriabin, othrs Wilhelm Kempff; Mozart concerti Sviatoslav Richter; Iconic Schubert Artur Rubinstein; Chopin Favourites Artur Schnabel; Beethoven collection

A scintillating achievement... Sabina Cvilak's soprano has the focus... Bostridge brings piercing sincerity... Keenlyside - sonorous, commanding... an important issue: Noseda's judgement of pace is unerring, and the orchestra and chorus simply superb. (BBC Music 4). "LSO and Chorus are on cracking form, the soloists are as good as you will get... No one should be without (Britten's) but 50 years later, Noseda's dramatic, pulsating account represents another landmark." (Financial Times). "Noseda seeks to take the audience from the edge of consciousness to the blazing fires of the battlefield... Bostridge spins a beautiful line... Keenlyside is excellent throughout... Decisive and confident, Sabina Cvilak has the Slavic edge that has seemed hard-wired into the part since the incomparable Vishnevskaya." (Gramophone). "[Noseda] brings a strong sense of Italianate lyricism to bear on the score, reminding us of Britten's debt to Verdi... choral singing is fervent and intense, the playing fierce and sensitive." (The Guardian). "Another essential recording." (The Times).

this first important black female composer has become celebrated recently as we discover her works. This includes her best Symphony and major Suite (Alto)... *"history bears down on the opening of the Third Symphony... big moments where Price clearly feels the burden of the African American experience but allows it to fuel her soul. It's easy to forget that she's a contemporary of George Gershwin. In fact, (he) attended the premiere of Price's Symphony No.1. So how do we tell this story, recognising on the one hand... she's been neglected in this historiography, but... also she's very much a part of the American symphonic scene?" (*Gramophone)

16 of the best known and loved piano works by the King of Ragtime: "Bolcom is known as a pianist who made excellent LPs of ragtime, Gershwin, and several types of American 'vernacular' music. A composer himself, he brings a great understanding of the music of Joplin... one of America's most remarkable talents; possibly the first genuinely American composer. This album illustrates how adventurous this creator could be and also provides a near-perfect example of ragtime - a little masterpiece" (Gramophone).

great spontaneity and vitality... firm resonant bass... polished, strongly characterised accompaniments... The effect is exhilarating (Vivaldi- Penguin Guide 3 stars) "playing is alive, alert, stylish & committed... sound is first class" (Penguin Guide 3 stars)

Davis... magnificently crowns his whole career as a Berlioz interpreter, generally outshining even his pioneer version of 30 years earlier... Petra Lang is superb, firm, rich and intense, investing every phrase with emotional power, instantly establishing her dominance... Ben Heppner excels himself (Penguin Guide ROSETTE). Gramophone Awards' Best Opera; Academie Charles Cros' Grand Prix du Disc, Opera News' Recordings of the Year; Grammy Opera of the Year Award 2001

Tirimo is a fine pianist with first-rate technical command, and understands Debussy's world well. (Gramophone). "Probably first choice for those wanting a modern digital recording offering the complete set... recording most realistic and natural." (Penguin Guide). "A most enjoyable recital, and one for which listeners will be grateful... What is Impressive is the pianist's integration of fragility and firmness, simplicity and complexity." (Gramophone). "I'm glad to be able to praise a fluid but unhurried Jeux d'eau that is well served, too, by the velvety-rich recorded sound... it 's attractive. So are the Sonatine, and the tenderly solemn Pavane pour une infante defunte." (Gramophone). "Dickinson made Satie's music a center point of his repertoire, and his thoughtful approach to this highly rewarding music is all his own... variety of articulation and color is fully at the service of the composer." (Penguin Guide).

The complete Symphonies of Tchaikovsky along with other favourite orchestral works in one box set. Featuring famous Russian conductors such as Rozhdestvensky, Mravinsky, Svetlanov, Kogan and Kondrashin along with famous artists such as Richter, Oistrakh and Rostropovich.

crisp, clear-sighted approach, all proceeds at a proper tempo and, where appropriate, with a spring in it's heels. The slow movements are sensitively expressive... this is basically how such works would have been heard in their time, you may feel this is the way it should be... The strings are 'authentic' and respectful of every element... I thoroughly enjoyed this and the superb recording "Ivor Bolton is close enough to be heard in realistic balance, (his) clean and incisive fingers bring the music to life in these most enjoyable recordings." (Gramophone)

(in the year before Dr. Walter's own death.. his friend Mahler's own 9th symphony) "he unerringly builds up consistent structure, controlling tempo closely... middle movements are sharply focussed, and the finale tough and stoically strong" (3 stars) (4th) "sound has attractively vivid detail, naturally glowing... everything Reiner does sounds spontaneous... Viennese influence strong... slow movement striking intensity... Lisa della Casa in ravishing voice" (both Penguin Guide)