Classical > Chamber Classical

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

Advantages: atmospheric and nostalgic
Disadvantages: none really

This was one of the first G&S recordings I bought in vinyl and it is such a delight to have it re-released by the wonderful Naxos. The cast comes from what some consider to be one of the golden ages of the D'oyly Carte Opera Company, with artists such as Martyn Green, Leonard Osborne and Darryl Fancourt. There is something quite nostalgic about this recording and the first act finale sounds absolutely wonderful, if not crystal clear, as in the newer ...
...I would heartily recommend this CD to anyone who may be interested in G&S and maybe has never seen this operetta, as it was one of the lesser performed ones of the group. A bargain at the price and well done Naxos for re-issuing all these old D'oyly Carte recordings on CD. ... Read review