A welcome entry in complete sets of Camille Saint-Saëns’ five symphonies — a composer of his caliber deserves a wealth of viewpoints.
Classical Album Review: Richard Danielpour’s “An American Mosaic” — A Potent Reminder of Shared Humanity
An American Mosaic is a fascinating study of how a contemporary composer can fuse the gestures and syntax of a tradition rooted in Bach with contemporary sensibilities.
Classical Album Review: Antonio Pappano conducts Vaughan Williams’ Symphonies 4 & 6
These are tough, feisty, devastating pieces — easily among the 20th century’s finest symphonies — and they receive ferocious readings from Antonio Pappano and the LSO.
Classical Album Review: Quatour Modigliani plays Haydn, Bartók, and Mozart
Any number of threads that tie these three pieces (and composers) together. But in this instance, such busywork is superfluous: the musical results – blazingly played and flawlessly recorded – speak for themselves.
Classical Album Review: Danish String Quartet’s “Prism III” — Exceedingly Fine, Probing, and Exciting
This disc stands comfortably in the company of Beethoven and Bartók performances by the Emerson, Tákacs, Alban Berg, and Juilliard Quartets.
Classical CD Review: Elliott Carter Ballets
Bottom line: these are excellent performances and a valuable documentation of Elliott Carter’s early work.
Classical CD Review: Virtuoso Percussionist Colin Currie plays HK Gruber
A welcome addition to Scottish percussionist Colin Currie’s endlessly fascinating discography – as well as to Austrian maverick HK Gruber’s.
Classical CD Review: A Vibrantly Harrowing “Bluebeard’s Castle”
If this is your first Bluebeard’s Castle, Susanna Mälkki’s recording makes for a fine, occasionally inspired, introduction.
Classical CD Review: György Ligeti’s “Études” — Well Played and Clearly Lived In
Throughout these Études, Driver’s playing marries tonal warmth with textural precision.
Classical CD Review: Antoine Tamestit, Cédric Tiberghien, and Matthias Goerne play/sing Brahms
One might risk hyperbole by saying so, but in this instance such recklessness is worth it: this album sounds like Brahms as he ought to be played and sung.