Classical Music

Classical Music

A 70 minute selection of Lyric Pieces. Pletnev's highly acclaimed mid 1980s performance. "This masterly recital... contains playing of great poetic feeling and sensibility. Bell-Ringing has a remarkable range of color and dynamics... there are many (other) individual insights... nothing is routine, and there is a concentration that gives these miniatures a freshness and depth that few artists can match" (Penguin Guide - 3 stars).

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Charles Mackerras has shown himself one of the finest Jan�cek conductors. His readings convey a sense of burning belief in and love of Jan�cek's music; they are well prepared; yet it is as if the strangeness and beauty of the music were being revealed for the first time. The engineers have excelled themselves, matching this bold approach with an equally bold recording... In the four Preludes the performances are excellently dramatic, and most moving. (Gramophone)

Classical Music

These from his landmark complete cycle... all well received and I enjoyed hearing them again. B�hm is as excellent a Mozart conductor as Karajan, playing the quick movements in the most lively manner... Haffner is enjoyable, with a faster tempo in the finale, and plenty of momentum to the first movement. K318 has a vital and dramatic performance, The Linz minuet and finale both have sturdy, solid playing; a powerful performance... B�hm is really in his element with the Prague: the first movement is magnificent, superbly played, superbly architected. (Overall)... he shows an exceptional ability to bring subtle emphasis to the felicities of the writing... - (Gramophone).

Classical Music

A superb performance with excellent sound makes this a benchmark recording and my top CD choice of the year. Shostakovich fans ignore this release at their peril ! (MusicWeb) "A searing new live account by Rostropovich, well-recorded and unmissable (he) has something unique to say about this work, transcending any doubts about his conducting... The finale is articulated with tremendous cut and thrust, the sheer heft of the strings mightily impressive... The brass project powerfully as they do in real life, the woodwind audibly composed of individual stylists, the strings sound virile. It's all here... Play loud or not at all." (Gramophone)

'Colin Davis leads a superb quartet of soloists and brings out all the humanity and tenderness of the music with his customary skill. The LSO Chorus responds brilliantly.' (Classic FM). 'Colin Davis who meets the work on it's own particular ground with such imagination and style in this version. The great fugal perorations are crisper under Davis - more Haydnesque, you might say.' (Gramophone). BBC Radio 3 CD of the Week. 'This has impressed everyone... a feeling of immediacy and drama tempered with vision and maturity.' (BBC). 'Feel the warmth of Finley's opening bass solo, marvel at the open throats of the LSO Chorus.' (The Times).