you can't go wrong with Oistrakh's pre-authenticity Mozart. True, this is big-boned, dyed in the wool Mozart, 1960's style. Tempi are relaxed, textures quite heavy and the ethos masculine and robust... subtle shadings are there - but the prevailing spirit is strong-limbed engagement. K216 was always one of his best pieces of Mozart playing... he also contributes his own, rather good, cadenzas... second movement characteristically expressive and full of the artist's noble warmth, and a spirit of romance enlivens the finale. Sinfonia Concertante opens at a real maestoso-qualified Allegro. Directed from the viola by Barshai... once again, there's real affection in the Andante and the finale is nicely buoyant (MusicWeb)

the Piano Quintet does full justice to the densely packed chords and widely spaced spread of sound which Weinberg avowedly learnt from his mentor Shostakovich. It is engaging, expertly written and played with great address by the composer himself... To survive so much terror and retain such creative energy compels admiration. The Quintet may seem more rewarding for the surprising range of invention (eg. Wild Irish fiddle). The performance is admirable. ... Shostakovich declared how impressed he was with the Violin Concerto 'splendidly interpreted by the violinist-Communist L. Kogan' (a tart reference to Kogan's politics. ) This must be an authoritative performance... Kogan deals magnificently with a violin part that is seldom silent... Not surprisingly, Rhapsody on Moldavian Themes carries suggestions of the Enescu of the Romanian Rhapsodies. It receives a splendidly vigorous performance by Oistrakh (Gramophone)

Abravanel's account highly recommendable.. played with great conviction [Thomson] "colours glowing, resonantly atmospheric.most enjoyable" [Gould] "so vivid and atmospheric.. astonishing recorded sound. Guaracha irresistibly catchy" [Copland] "orchestral vitality and rhythmic power" (all 3 stars Penguin Guide)

Abravanel is very good in this music - crackling with energy tempered with tender ways with the great melodies. Antar is a neglected prize among Rimsky's works ranking with Sheherazade... Caucasian Sketches have These You Have Loved status with Procession of the Sardar establishing the idiom for a thousand Hollywood triumphal and barbarous marches... The Gli�re is a fun piece that stamps emphatically and clearly influenced by Mussorgsky's Pictures from an Exhibition. As an inexpensive single disc collection of less obvious Russian repertoire this is difficult to top. I recommend it strongly. (Rob Barnett / MusicWeb International)

'A passionately committed performance... outstanding recommendation' [BBC Radio]; 'I enjoyed the whole sweep of his conception, his commanding pianism and complete sympathy with the music... I enjoyed both performances enormously... The recording has an overall sound that is full and rich' [Gramophone] 'this is the best recording of the Paganini Rhapsody I've ever heard'.�[Fanfare, USA]

[Myslivecek] "She is a charming, persuasive advocate... The ECO, too, offer fine support and with a range of tone colours, match de la Vega's recreative imagination. Pentatone has captured these performances in particularly clear sound... de la Vega offers the first recording of a Concerto in D by Myslivecek, one that displays the utmost craftsmanship and appeal... her fine performance renders it memorable" (Gramophone). [Richter etc] "authentic instrument ensemble The New Dutch Academy has an international reputation, formed of well-established early music specialists... string symphonies by the 18th Century 'Mannheim school' composers... Vibrant, energetic and wonderfully secure playing is supported by a sumptuous recording... yet there is no loss of detail in the fast music" (Gramophone)

Paray's whimsically relaxed and sparkling account of Espa�a gives great pleasure and his rubato in the F�te is equally winning... wholly delightful... warm and polished... beautifully balanced [Lalo Namouna Suite] "What delightful music this is, particularly in such expert hands" (both: Penguin Guide 3*)

exciting reading of Arnold's finest symphony from unexpected sources, coupled with enchanting CD debutants... The 5th is a marvellous symphony, perhaps his greatest - powerfully argued, confidently structured, and full of memorable invention. It is good to see it so well played and recorded in Munich, guided by Douglas Bostock who comes into his own in four extra works, which are all first recordings. Divertimento- a splendidly characterful triptych; there is much outrageous fun in the St Trinian's score - bursting with irreverent ideas and effects; and the lovely, nostalgic 'Sarabande' of Solitaire (one of his most touching tunes).(Gramophone)

(Concerto): Hickox unfurls the opening tutti richly, nobley, purposefully... no lack of brilliance, the fireworks are dashingly, tastefully despatched... sudden flashes of Paganinian dazzle(others): "The slow movement of the Piano Concerto... with a sympathetic performance from Margaret Fingerhut. Douglas Bostock is persuasive with his Elgarian rubato, which is what matters most." (Gramophone) "Polonia is to my mind, one of the finest works Elgar wrote... The nail-biting martial music mixes with spine-tingling Polish themes to reach a gloriously romantic and bombastic conclusion... a splendid reading by Bostock. The disc receives one of Classico's best recordings to date with painstaking preparation in evidence throughout as his Munich players play with true commitment and dedication" (MusicWeb)

Most important, historically, is the Moscow recording of the original 1962 version of Shostakovich's Symphony No.13 (with the bass Vitaly Gromadsky), using Yevtushenko's (pre-censored) text commemorating the massacre of Jews at Babi Yar... Yevtushenko's original ('I feel myself a Jew'), was what the anti-Semitic Soviet government would have no truck with. So it's significant this is once again made available, especially in such a memorably intense performance. (Gramophone)

Probably the most significant Russian symphony between Tchaikovsky's Path�tique (1893) and the Fourth Symphony of Shostakovich (premiered 1961), this was to be hailed as the first Soviet Symphony, partly because of the use of French Revolutionary songs in the finale. This is a splendidly fiery, memorable and ultimately moving work which deserves a big-occasion performance and this performance is by far the best yet to be recorded

Iconic recordings of core Classical Repertoire Arthur Grumiaux (violin), Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Bernard Haitink, Eduard van Beinum, Riccardo Castagnone (piano) - [Brahms] "recordings are excellent, Grumiaux's playing and interpretation equal any I have ever heard... balance between soloist and orchestra is natural, no praise is too high for interpretation - a most lyrical performance, full of beauty" - " [Mendelssohn] "these performances are among the best and Grumiaux's playing has his usual purity of style and instinctive musicianship to commend it." - [Corelli] : "a glorious tone, and he infuses Corelli's beautiful slow movements with warm lyricism... difficult to resist such beauty" (all: Gramophone)

[BBC Music Magazine's Disc of the Month]: 'Right from the start, with those dark, dragging rhythms, there's a sense that something special is afoot here... Gergiev charts the whole labyrinthine course with thrilling assurance [whilst] the virtuosity and sensitivity of the L.S.O - is a continual exhilarating delight.' The Times]: "This is a terrific, gripping performance from Gergiev and the L.S.O of Mahler's Seventh, an edge-of-the-seat experience... Gergiev brings an almost palpable darkness, fear and mystery to the three central movements, giving an impression, in the central scherzo, of hot, tormenting laser lights darting in from all angles, and he imbues the outer movements with an almost frenzied momentum."

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.

This recording of Elgar's 2nd Symphony has garnered lavish praise; Classic FM proclaimed it the most passionate and detailed account with the world-class playing of the LSO. BBC Radio 3 while nominating it the top budget choice, described it as being "Larger than life, but capturing every mood with humanity and tenderness". The Guardian and Sunday Times included it in their list of best releases of 2002 and the Penguin Guide chose to highlight the breathtaking gentleness, glorious brass and remarkable dynamic range.

Regarding this performance of the 7th Symphony, The Sunday Times remarked; "This beautiful performance deserves to win many new friends for Dvorak's most Brahmsian symphony. Davis's love of this music shines out of every bar culminating in a towering account of the finale, which unlike many, here emerges as a fully satisfying conclusion" With reference to the 8th symphony, BBC Music Magazine applauded this performance; "More successfully than any other recording, Davis captures the slow movement's elusive heart of darkness." BBC Radio 3 1st Choice Recording.

This album has the best possible couplings for the inimitable New World Symphony "'Davis offers a story and a sense of conviction that place his performance in a wholly different league.' (BBC Music Magazine 5 stars) "Unmissable... Superb in all respects. Sound quality doesn't come any better than this whatever the price. Don't hesitate!" (Classic CD)

An extremely enjoyable and idiomatic side to the great Finnish composer. Unjustly overlooked, these works are exciting expressive and vivid. You come away with a great sense of Sibelius as an original creator who entertains.

19 of them receive their first recording on this enterprising disc.. The sumptuous result is convincing, sensitively moulded and alert to the expressive currency of Monteverdi... ' (Classic CD- 4 stars) 'Moments of heightened emotional intensity... aptly encapsulated the spiritual and musical aesthetic' (The Times) 5055354413766 AOTL1376.2 35456735 7.59 10.98 .22 ALTO COMPACT DISCS CLASSICAL ORCHESTRAL & SYMPHONIC 01/12/2018 https://media.aent-m.com/graphics/items/sdimages/a/500/2/6/0/4/3744062.jpg 31 1 N LINZ BRUCKNER ORCHESTRA / RICHTER,CASPAR KORNGOLD: CELLO CONCERTO MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING all performances warmly sympathetic.. sound with full amplitude and plenty of range to suit the music" "operatic excerpts make up a warmly enjoyable programme" (Penguin Guide 3 stars); "Zuill Bailey proves a superbly stylish soloist in the single-movement Cello Concerto... and I enjoyed it a lot. What a wonderfully compact and affecting work ! " �"Excellent sound: not to be missed." (Gramophone)

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"

Alto finally releasing a worthy version of this cornerstone of the repertoire. When it was first released the Sunday Times was rapturous; "a magnificent Ninth, done with total commitment under Haitink's inspiring leadership... with splendid chorus and soloists in full cry, and orchestra in blazing form"the slow third movement... moves along at a pace few conductors would have employed fifty years ago. Yet it never sounds hurried, and the dramatic brass interruptions towards it's close have an appropriately apocalyptic ring. The extraordinarily vivid recording, in which the basses are caught to stupendous effect - especially in their passages of recitative... before welcoming the 'Ode to Joy' theme - adds hugely to the effect." (BBC Music magazine)

a blaze from heaven descended on him while he was conducting this extremely good First Symphony. He sets a well-nigh perfect tempo for the march and follows with a really lively, excited allegro. Even better though, the playing captures that elusive vein of fantasy that is Elgar... moments of magic explain why Elgar wraps himself round our hearts... are all here in the beautifully balanced recording. Marriner knows where he is going and the final pages are superb. (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)

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)

(Guitar) "Yepes' cadenza is as clean and bright as a new pin, and his rapid repeated-note finish is fantastic." "I am coming to regard the Fantasia para un gentilhombre with it's gracious nobility and baroque feeling as a masterpiece to match the more famous Concierto de Aranjuez." (Harp): "Zabaleta plays most beautifully and the recording is immaculate." (Gramophone)