Category: Classical
-
Daniil Shafran Bach: Six Suites For Cello
This is a re-issue but still sounds great: Bach played by a perfectionist who believed in bringing out the emotion in music rather than worrying about the technical. Obviously, he had to be really good to do that. Shafran was born in 1923, the son of the principal cellist of the Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra; his…
-
Niccolò Paganini: Works for Violin and Orchestra
This CD features a world première recording of the original versions of three works by Paganini: Le Streghe — described as a turning point in his career by the sleeve notes — Non più mesta and I Palpiti. A performance of Le Streghe in 1813 in Milan launched Paganini’s career. The “premier recording” line is…
-
The Overtones: The Overtones
All we can do with this is say it’s out: it is what it is. We’re guessing the target audience is older women, the inclusion of Rockin’ Robin, a hit in either 1958 (original version) or ‘72 (Michael Jackson) indicating a more mature audience. The sleeve notes write that the music is aimed at people…
-
Bavarian Radio Chorus: Joy to the World (Famous Christmas Songs)
The title gives it all away — the Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks (Bavarian Radio Choir to you post-Brexit Britishers) sings popular Christmas songs. It’s not Christmas carols, it’s Christmas songs and there’s a nice selection. The sound is lush and big budget, and it’s warming and comforting, like a National Trust shop. It put us…
-
Carson Cooman: Owl Night
We’d like to be the first to compare organ music with Phil Collins. This latest in the never-ending series of CDs by Cooman and/or Erik Simmons (who plays) is the one we like best thus far. Organ music can be a little formal or even ponderous, and there’s that whole echoey in a church thing…
-
Georg Telemann: Christmas Oratorios
This is proper Christmas music, all trumpets, the sound of angels — or at least a heavenly chorus and — and proper singers. Telemann was a German Baroque composer and multi-instrumentalist. Despite being self-taught, he ended up in Hamburg as musical director of the five main churches. He was a friend to JS Bach, who…
-
Yaniv d’Or: Exaltation
We went to a wedding in Turkey the other weekend — as you do — and then spent a week listening to Tatar music, with artists from Mongolia down to Poland. And all the time we were hunting out exotic sounds we had this on the desk. It’s a programme of music from Medieval and…
-
Suzanne Shulman: Serenades and Sonatas for Flute and Harp
This programme has been gathered from a selection of pieces inspired by English gardens, including Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on Greensleeves, as well as French and Italian music. It’s a nice touch of spring as winter approaches. The opening piece is Fantasia on Greensleeves, which sets the tone. We’d say pastoral rather than fluffy, though it’s…
-
Cilia Petridou: The Mystery of Christmas Greek Kalanda (carols)
This is a collection of songs for the festive season although, as it doesn’t sound “festive”, you get year-round value. The lyrics are Christmas-related but sung in Greek (translations provided). The sleeve/Press notes say that there is a tradition among the Greek people of the singing of carols (kalanda) on Christmas Eve. The notes reference…
-
Naji Hakim: Embrace Of Fire
This CD features works by Naji Hakim, revolving around organ and harpsichord. The main soloist is Simon Leach, joined for two works by a violinist and for one each by recorder and tenor. Opener Salve Regina (there are two versions) starts with lone vocal that’s melodic plainchant. A few toots on the organ and mournful…
Review Corner 