Classical Explorer (Page 10)

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Hindemith from Christoph Eschenbach

Hindemith from Christoph Eschenbach

There is something about the enthusiasm of hese performances that is so perfectly invigorating

Chopin Mazurkas from Peter Jablonski

Chopin Mazurkas from Peter Jablonski

This is refined, poetic piano playing of a sort rarely heard today

Berlin 1923: Beethoven, Schulhoff & Schuch

Berlin 1923: Beethoven, Schulhoff & Schuch

What a fascinating disc this is! Both Beethoven and Ervin Schulhoff were innovators, but of course their music seems a million miles apart. And yet the two concertos are linked by Schulhoff's own concerto for the First Concerto. As to the ethos behind the disc, this is what

Mozart from Kristian Bezuidenhout

Mozart from Kristian Bezuidenhout

A mere eleven years separate the two concertos on this recording (nos. 6 and 25: 1776 and 1786), but they are worlds apart. It is always a joy to hear earlier Mozart, and the Piano Concerto inB flat, K238 is one of the rarer concertos. Yet it comes after the

Elisabeth Leonskaja in Grieg & Schumann

Elisabeth Leonskaja in Grieg & Schumann

Elisabth Leonskaja is one of the finest living pianists. Famously a duet partner of Sviatoslav Richer, her interpretations of the core repertoire are ever-illuminating. As here; and as in this previous post, in which her performances Beethoven's Third and Fourth Piano Concertos sat alongside comparative versions by Artur

Llŷr Williams plays Schumann: Album, and album launch

Llŷr Williams plays Schumann: Album, and album launch

Schumann Llŷr Williams (piano). Wigmore Hall, London, 12.01.2024, Papillons, Op. 2 (1830/31). Nachtstücke, Op. 23 (1839-40). Faschingsschwank aus Wien, Op. 26 (1839/40). This was an album launch event at the Wigmore Hall: Welsh pianist Llŷr Williams’ new all-Schumann twofer comes out his very day on Signum

Elena Firsova: Piano Concerto (Premiere recording)

Elena Firsova: Piano Concerto (Premiere recording)

Russian-born, UK-resident composer Elena Firsova (not to be confused with Alissa Firsova, whose Songs of the World we covered in a Psappha post here) has a huge international reputation. Her Piano Concerto is centred around death - Firsova lost her husband, the composer Dmitri Smirnov, to covid in 2020). Beethoven&

“Flamboyant bien-aimé”: The Harpsichord of Louis XV

“Flamboyant bien-aimé”: The Harpsichord of Louis XV

A great disc. Clément Geoffroy is a superb harpsichordist; and the repertoire is perfectly chosen

Verdi's Nabucco from the Met: Monastyrska shines

Verdi's Nabucco from the Met: Monastyrska shines

Verdi Nabucco. Cast; Chorus & Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera, New York / Daniele Callegari. Simulcast at Barbican Cinema One of performance from the Metropolitan Opera House, New York, 06.01.2024 Abigaille - Liudmyla Monastyrska Fenena - Maria Barakova Ismaele - SeokJong Baek Nabucco - George Gagnidze Zaccaria - Dmitry

Mahler 9 from Budapest

Mahler 9 from Budapest

This is Classical Explorer’s fourth post featuring the excellent Concerto Budapest: we kicked off with a concert report from Guildford, before looking at a couple of discs: Shostakovich Symphonies Nos. 5 & 9, and Schubert’s Ninth Symphony. Both of those discs were characterised by phenomenal sound quality (“SACD

Rheinberger and Mendelssohn: Radiant choral works

Rheinberger and Mendelssohn: Radiant choral works

This recording is phenomenal ...

Telemann: A Christmas Oratorio (pasticcio)

Telemann: A Christmas Oratorio (pasticcio)

A terrific idea, and one executed to perfection. Absolutely recommended ... now, where are those last mince pies?

One Hundred Years of British Song, Volume 1

One Hundred Years of British Song, Volume 1

This is an absolute treasure trove of British song in the hands of one of today's most sensitive and intelligent singers: tenor James Gilchrist. joined but he superb Nathan Williamson on piano. This is the first of a projected set of three volume of British song: the first

Images: Lorenzo Soulès' superb new disc

Images: Lorenzo Soulès' superb new disc

This is a disc to treasure, it also announces a pianist of real talent, Lorenzo Soulès

Leo Hussain conducts Lorzing: “Der Waffenschmied”

Leo Hussain conducts Lorzing: “Der Waffenschmied”

Any opera with a character called “Irmentraut” is OK by me

Luke Bedford: In the Voices of the Living

Luke Bedford: In the Voices of the Living

Four orchestras, four pieces: this is a wonderful collection of works by Luke Bedford

Beethoven from Minnesota and Skrowaczewski

Beethoven from Minnesota and Skrowaczewski

A valuable release: not only do we achieve a renewed appreciation of Skrowaczewski's art, but we hear lesser-known Beethoven in fabulous performances

Rimsky and Tcherniakov meet again: Snegorochka (The Snow Maiden)

Rimsky-Korsakov

Rimsky and Tcherniakov meet again: Snegorochka (The Snow Maiden)

Tcherniakov's staging is required viewing and listening, and Garifullina confirms herself as a major star

Verdi's Rigoletto: a brace of Javier Camarenas!

Verdi's Rigoletto: a brace of Javier Camarenas!

Powerful stuff, beyond doubt. Which would I chose? I think it has to be the Florence production

Advent Live, Volume 3: The Choir of St John's Cambridge returns

Advent Live, Volume 3: The Choir of St John's Cambridge returns

Another bull's eye from St John's, Cambridge

Noël sous l'Empire: organ music from Versailles

Noël sous l'Empire: organ music from Versailles

This is clearly a labour of love from Guerillot; and what a Christmas discovery this is!

“A Winter Breviary”: Choral Works for Christmas

“A Winter Breviary”: Choral Works for Christmas

A lovely album, all the more cherishable for its wealth of new Christmas material. St Martin's Voices is a superb choir

“Ehre sei Gott in der Höhe” ... Baroque Christmas Cantatas from Central Germany

“Ehre sei Gott in der Höhe” ... Baroque Christmas Cantatas from Central Germany

This is simultaneously a wonderful contribution to our understanding of the cantata, and a joyous celebration of the Christ birth

Humperdinck's Hänsel & Gretel returns to Covent Garden

Humperdinck's Hänsel & Gretel returns to Covent Garden

Humperdinck Hänsel und Gretel (sung in English, translation Kelley Rourke), Cast; Chorus & Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden / Mark Wigglesworth. Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, 16.12.2023 Production: Director & Designer – Antony McDonald Lighting Designer – Lucy Carter Movement Director - Lucy Birge Cast: Gretel – Anna Devin

Magnificat! C. P. E. Bach's - plus a Christmas Cantata

Magnificat! C. P. E. Bach's - plus a Christmas Cantata

A fabulous disc of rococo gems courtesy of C. P. E. Bach, and perfect for the season!