Taster: Opera Rara's stunning new Simon Boccangra - 1857 version!

On  Friday 21 March, Opera Rara released the first ever studio recording of the original 1857 version of Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra (ORC65). Follow the link for a cornucopia of Verdian deliciousness: aria after aria, including this, Amelia's Cavatina sung by the great Eri Nakamura: For this recording,

Piemontesi, Ticciati & the LPO: Schumann & Mahler

Schumann, Mahler Francesco Piemonesi (piano); London Philharmonic Orchestra / Robin Ticciati (conductor). Royal Festival Hall, London, 19.03.2025 Schumann Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54 (1841/25)  Mahler Symphony No. 5 in C sharp minor (1901/2)  The young pianist Francesco Piemontesi rarely fails to impress. In May last

Bruckner Symphonies 8 & 9 from the Archives: Jochum & Sawallisch

This is Volume Six of Somm's Bruckner series; we looked at Volume One here. This contains the monumental Eighth Symphony. If thee is one orchestra the seems perfect for Bruckne, with its rich tradition, its creamy brass, its lush strings and its individualised woodwind, it is the Bavarian

Exquisite, tender Schumann from Tiffany Poon

Here Hong Kong-born pianist Tiffany Poon reveals her close affinity to Schumann - the only real comparison I can think of is someone whom I consider one of the greatest Schumann pianist of all time, Yves Nat. Yet her way is different, individual, as if she is privy to all

Elgar

Elgar's The Dream of Gerontius - on original instruments!

This is utterly remarkable

Filippo Gorini's filmed tributes to Bach

Not a CD, DVD or concert retire today but deails of a project hat may well be of interest from one of the most increasing musicians out there, from his publicists: Johann Sebastian Bach was born 440 years ago - on 21 March 1685 Italian pianist Filippo Gorini announces a

Florilegium at Wigmore Hall

Florilegium at Wigmore Hall Florilegium; Ashley Solomon (flute/director); with Helen Charlston (mezzo). Wigmore Hall, 11.03.2025 Telemann  Ouveture-Suite in A,TWV 55:A1. Cantata, Ihr Volker hört  J. S. Bach  Musikalisches Opfer, BWV 1079: Ricercar a 6  Telemann  Cantata, Ihr Völker hört, TWV 1:921  C. P. E.

Ravel

Ravel from Minnesota: Stan strikes again!

A fine reminder of the stature of Skrowaczewski in his pre-Manchester years

Ravel

Ravel Fragments: Bertrand Chamayou's anniversary tribute

... effectively a love letter to Ravel ...

Live Performance

The Czech Philharmonic in London: Mozart and Mahler

What a ride!

Emmanuel Despax plays Ravel

Ravel, Fauré/Despax, Despax Emmanul Despax (piano). Bechstein Hall, London, 07.03.2025 Ravel   Miroirs, M. 43 (1904/5)  Despax  The Sound of Music Fantasy (2020)  Fauré   Mélodies, Op. 7: Après un rêve (arr. Despax)  Ravel   Gaspard de la nuit, M 55 (1908)    Joseph Maurice Ravel was born on March

Rachmaninov

Unmissable Rachmaninov from Boris Giltburg

Superb pianism; and. fascinating arrangement

The Watchman #3: Save Our Souls

Save our souls, still up to date? VENI ensemble: Save Art, Stay Libertine! VENI ensemble: Save our Souls, Concert Review The Eternal Return of Form: Ruins, Art, & Metaphysics Schubert Schwanengesang from New York: review Chopped Story by Irene A. Preview for next issue: Liliana Kostrzewa Save our souls, still

Classical

The Overtures of Joseph Martin Kraus

A superb discovery

Live Performance

Conductor Omer Meir Wellber impresses at Southbank

Sometimes substitutions, especially last-minute ones, result in s frisson that elevates a performance to great heights

Baroque

More Geminiani: Cello Sonatas

Fine performances of fine Baroque music

Chopin

Pollini's early take on Chopin's Etudes

A remakable document

Elgar

Albert Sammons plays Elgar

A gem: transfer engineer Raymond Glaspole has worked absolute wonders on all three recordings

A tremendous Shostakovich 15 from Dresden

Miachael Sanderling (son of the great Kurt Sanderling) is a conductor I am aching to hear live. His contribution to this remarkable disc of Grieg and Schumann piano concertos with Elisabeth Leonskaja was notable indeed; and this is a Shostakovich 15 for the ages. Yes, the runtime is low for

Mozart

Mozart Horn Concertos: Double Bubble

Mozart Concertos: Two expert players battle it out

More Tchaikovsky: The Dudok's first volume of quartets

The Dudok Quartet Amsterdam is interesting firstly in that they boast beautiful vintage instruments and they perform Tchaikovsky with unwound gut brings nd period bows. It is the continuation of a journey begun in 2020 when the Dudoks used gut strings to explore the complete string quartets of Brahms for

Tchaikovsky

The return of Alpesh Chauhan: fine Tchaikovsky on Chandos

This is shaping up to be a series of major importance

Orchestral

More Novák on Naxos from Marek Štilec

If you are new to the music of Novák, this would be a great place to start

Stravinsky

Pierre Monteux Live: The Rite of Spring and much more on SOMM

A most valuable release

Glass

Glass' Piano Etudes on Somm: Giusto Di Lallo's extraordinary readings

This is a most rewarding album. Giusto Di Lallo is a fine pianist and I look forward to hearing more for himi