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Reference Recordings

Classical CD Reviews: François-Xavier Roth conducts Mussorgsky and Ravel, Manfred Honeck conducts Tchaikovsky and Leshnoff, and Mikolajus Čiurlionis Orchestral Works

François-Xavier Roth and his period ensemble Les Siècles serve up freshness of playing and conviction of interpretation; Manfred Honeck is a conductor who can draw compelling, electrifying accounts of the standard canon as if on cue; the verdict’s mixed on the music of Lithuanian-born composer Mikalojus Čiurlionis.

By: Jonathan Blumhofer Filed Under: Classical Music, Featured, Music, Review Tagged: Francois-Xavier Roth, Harmonia Mundi, Jonathan Leshnoff, Les Siècles, Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, Manfred Honeck, Mikalojus Čiurlionis, Mondestas Pitrenas, Ondine, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Reference Recordings

Opera CD Review: A Compact, Powerful New Opera from Carlisle Floyd, Composer of “Susannah”

Prince of Players is based on a play that also yielded the movie Stage Beauty, and it’s one of the best new operas to come along in years.

By: Ralph P. Locke Filed Under: Classical Music, Featured, Music, Opera Tagged: Carlisle Floyd, Jeffrey Hatcher, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Prince of Players, Ralph P. Locke, Reference Recordings

Classical CD Reviews: The Tchaikovsky Project, Schumann Symphonies nos. 2 & 4, and Holst Orchestral Works

Semyon Bychkov and the Czech Philharmonic do justice to a lot of Tchaikovsky’s orchestral music, while John Eliot Gardiner and the London Symphony play Robert Schumann’s famously-dense orchestrations with clarity. But Michael Stern’s account of The Planets completely lacks mystery.

By: Jonathan Blumhofer Filed Under: Classical Music, Featured, Music, Review Tagged: Decca, John Eliot Gardiner, Kirill Gerstein, London-Symphony-Orchestra, LSO Live, Michael Stern, Reference Recordings, Semyon Bychkov

Classical CD Reviews: Bartók Ballets, Saint-Saëns Complete Symphonies vol. 2, and Korngold’s Symphony in F-sharp

A can’t-miss album of Bartók Ballets, Thierry Fischer continues to do right by the symphonies of Saint-Saëns, and a spirited recording of the “last great symphony in the German Romantic tradition.”

By: Jonathan Blumhofer Filed Under: Classical Music, Featured, Music, Review Tagged: Bartók Ballets, Bis, Chandos, Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, Hyperion Records, Korngold’s Symphony in F-sharp, Reference Recordings, Saint-Saëns Complete Symphonies vol. 2, Thierry Fischer

Classical CD Reviews: JoAnn Falletta conducts Schreker, Manfred Honeck conducts Beethoven & Strauss, and Baiba Skride’s “American Concertos”

JoAnn Falletta’s recording of Schreker’s orchestral works is fantastic; Manfred Honeck and his Pittsburgh Symphony make Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony shocking again, and Baiba Skride proves a strong advocate for Miklós Rózsa’s Violin Concerto.

By: Jonathan Blumhofer Filed Under: Classical Music, Featured, Music, Review Tagged: American Concertos, Baiba Skride, Beethoven & Strauss, JoAnn Falletta, Manfred Honeck, Naxos, Orfeo, Reference Recordings, Schreker

Classical CD Reviews: Matthias Goerne’s “The Wagner Project” and Mahler’s Symphony of a Thousand

Matthias Goerne offers proof that he is the Wagner baritone of the day. And Thierry Fischer’s understanding of Mahler deserves our admiration.

By: Jonathan Blumhofer Filed Under: Classical Music, Featured, Music, Review Tagged: Harmonia Mundi, MAHLER, Matthias Goerne, Reference Recordings, Symphony of a Thousand, The Wagner Project

Classical CD Reviews: Dvorak Overtures (Pentatone) and “Dawn to Dust” (Reference Recordings)

It’s no secret that 2016 has already been a strong year for albums featuring new and recent music: now things get even better.

By: Jonathan Blumhofer Filed Under: Classical Music, Featured, Review Tagged: Dawn to Dust, Jakub Hrůša, Pentatone, Prague Philharmonia, Reference Recordings, Thierry Fischer, Utah Symphony Orchestra

Classical Album Review: Manfred Honeck conducts Beethoven’s Symphonies nos. 5 and 7

This is truly exciting, world-beating Beethoven, played with gusto and a kind of musical intelligence that you simply can’t take for granted.

By: Jonathan Blumhofer Filed Under: Classical Music, Featured, Music, Review Tagged: Beethoven, Manfred Honeck, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Reference Recordings

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  • Freddie burns March 4, 2021 at 2:11 am on Poetry Review: Nobel Prizewinner Vicente Aleixandre—The Poetics of KissingAn excellent,evocative article John.I’ve always loved the poetry of Lorca, I can’t wait to read Aleixandre’s poetry in both languages.Thank...
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