Classical Music

A natural inheritor of Scriabinesque exoticism, Szymanowski brings out the best in Scriabin's most imaginative interpreters, which is why Gergiev proves such a convincing interpreter... excellent playing from the LSO. Matsuev has his feet... firmly planted on terra firma... The gorgeous return to lushness in the second movement suggests an almost Ravelian sensibility... Matsuev and Gergiev turn the finale into Szymanowski's danse generale. (Gramophone). "Stabat Mater is beautiful and Gergiev has the full measure of it's 23 gorgeous minutes." (MusicWeb).

A simmering first recording of Granados' luscious Dante and strong performances of Goyescas and Piezas, all vividly recorded. Dante is a find, a two-part symphonic poem, the first section not quite Tchaikovskian, using luscious post-Wagnerian chromaticism which even brings voluptuous hints of Scriabin and early Schoenberg... When Francesca tells her story, there are even hints of Puccini. The vocal entry, beautifully prepared, is longingly and entreatingly sung by Herrera... How beautifully they introduce the bewitching highlight of Goyescas, 'La maja y el ruiseinor' ! simply and beautifully sung by Lucey. Anselm Ferrer's orchestration of the Piezas sobre cantos populares re-creates the music in orchestral terms, to make an entertaining centrepiece in a first-class collection, richly recorded. (Gramophone)

movement-by-movement comparison makes it clear that... The Borodins win hands down... their internal balance at every point is irreproachable (Gramophone)

Classical Music

Special 2CD set, Unique Compilati on of all the Greatest Moments in Opera Bjorling, Tebaldi, de los Angeles, Freni, Price, di Stefano, Bergonzi. Specially Priced 2 CD set with an amazing array of the best arias and ensembles from Puccini's Operas. All the most famous highlights from Nessun Dorma to Vissi D'arte. 32 tracks

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

(9th) They capture not only the joyful irreverence but the sense of danger lurking beneath... solo wind playing is excellent throughout... brilliantly played and vividly recorded (CD Review) (15th) "with a superbly vivid Fifteenth, generally hard-driven � la Mravinsky but far more convincingly poised... first movement goes at a frightening lick, deserting the toy shop for the asylum, the slow movement lacks only the very last ounce of desolation and the finale, always intelligently conceived, is suitably emotive at the close. The sound has immediacy and enough depth." (Gramophone)

The complete legendary set, very well-filled discs, BUT using the Olympia masters, plus their ground-breaking expert music notes within 36PP book

Richter's interpretations in these years had an elemental power, unselfconscious abandon that was refined and tempered in later life. These entirely unedited performances, given over more than three decades from the mid 1950s to late 1980s, feel not only live but somehow extraordinarily real. Not that Richter ever gives the impression of playing for the microphone, and his vision of musical structures remains constant whether in the studio or concert-hall.... The Schubert D major Sonata (studio recording 1956) is a tower of inner strength

Gramophon magazine greeted both these recordings with rapturous reviews when first released; "Profoundly satisfying, the work of musicians who know the scores backwards, love playing them and know what not to do... Haitink and the LSO seem set to provide one of the top Beethoven cycles of the digital era"

All the great reviewing publications, Penguin Guide, Gramophone, International Record Review, gave this release a rapturous reception when first issued. The atmoshpere of a great occasion is caught admirably with impressive timpani and organ, and a special mention for the final Chorus Mysticus bringing a real sense of gravitas and uplift. The massed voices are wonderfully hushed. Outstanding.

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