Classical > Other Classical > Brahms, Johannes

Advantages: Impressive performance of interesting opera at an unbeatable price
Disadvantages: You will be left wanting more

Introduction: There simply isn't anything to beat the adrenalin shot of being one of maybe 120 people on stage performing some major musical masterpiece in front of a hopefully packed house. Orchestral playing is totally addictive! So when I was recently asked to play in the 2nd violin section of the orchestra for a weekend opera workshop, I didn't have to hesitate before saying yes. I was told it would involve around 15 hours of rehearsal from ...
...performance of the entire opera. Loads of playing = lots of fun! The opera in question was Alexander Porfir'yevich Borodin's "Prince Igor". Since I didn't know the opera apart from the famous Polovtsian Dances, I thought it might be good to get a CD of it before going to the weekend. Whilst my sight-reading is pretty good, there is nothing more embarrassing as an orchestral player to turn the page, be confronted by an unexpected sight of lots of ... Read review

Advantages: Highly burnished, engaging, musically intelligent and emotionally mature playing; beautiful tone is never saccharine.
Disadvantages: Nil.

It would be one of the most daunting works to take on for any musician, given the history of its recording, yet British cellist Natalie Clein decided to do it. It took her some ten years to get to the point where she felt ready to tackle it again for posterity, and this CD gives her good reason to be proud. ELGAR'S CELLO CONCERTO AND DU PRÉ So what's so intimidating about Edward Elgar's Cello Concerto? Besides its call in the performer for technical ...
...concerto has also been inextricably linked with Jacqueline du Pré (1945 - 1987), cellist extraordinaire, who was tragically struck down at the prime of life by multiple sclerosis. Her landmark 1965 recording, made when she was just twenty (with John Barbirolli conducting the London Symphony Orchestra), is still hallowed by many today, and the shadow it casts upon all future performers is not easily avoided. Well, with this new, all-Elgar CD recording ... Read review

Advantages: Gorgeous music, played with much passion
Disadvantages: None really

Introduction: One of the things I love the most about classical music is that it is impossible to get to know everything that is written in the genre - no matter how much you listen to, study, play or find on the dustiest shelf in some archive in the middle of nowhere - there will always be something new just around the corner... Unfortunately it is often the case that concert promoters, orchestral administrators, record companies and even many ...
...the risk in putting on something which the average listener or audience member is unlikely to have ever come across. Everyone talks about the old arguments of not wanting to take a financial risk - which is understandable, but I do feel strongly that sometimes we do need to insert new musical blood into our concert and listening lives, especially if the potential piece has real quality. How do we know if it is going to capture the audience's imagination ... Read review

Advantages: Great music, fantastic value for money and fine performance
Disadvantages: Onepiece with slightly overbearing clarinettist...?

...The Performers: The Melos Ensemble had a long and illustrious concert and recording career lasting from 1950 to 1974. It was set up by a group of top British orchestral and solo musicians who wanted to bring together a flexible but regular group to play some of the more unusual chamber music repertoire. Founding members were violist Cecil Aronowitz, clarinetist Gervase de Peyer, flautist Richard Adeney, and cellist Terence Weil - all ofwhom apart ...
...enjoyed major careers in their own rights - with for example Gervase de Peyer being the principal clarinettist of the London Symphony Orchestra for many years and other members such as violinist Iona Brown, cellist Keith Harvey and violinist Emanuel Hurwitz were founding members of the renowned English Chamber Orchestra. The music and performances: Ludwig van Beethoven (1779-1827), Septet in E flat, Op. 20: This work is scored for the unusual combination ... Read review

Advantages: Complete operetta (musically) with great artists
Disadvantages: none

These Naxos re-issues are great and so reasonably priced for anyone who might be wanting to try out some Gilbert and Sullivan before plumping for the complete Decca set recorded during the 50s and 60s. This recording has Martyn Green, Leoard Osborne, Darrell Fancourt, the lovely Margaret Mitchell as Patience and Ella Halman in the contralto role. I am probably of an age that I can remember the end of this D'Oyly Carte era and the beginning of next ... Read review