Classical Reissue Reviews


WAGNER: Lohengrin highlights – Jess Thomas, tenor/ Elisabeth Grummer, soprano/ Christa Ludwig, mezzo-soprano/ Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, baritone/ Gottlob Frick, bass/ Otto Wiener, bass/ Vienna State Opera Chorus/ Vienna Philharmonic/ Rudolf Kempe – EMI WAGNER: Lohengrin highlights – Jess Thomas, tenor/ Elisabeth Grummer, soprano/ Christa Ludwig, mezzo-soprano/ Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, baritone/ Gottlob Frick, bass/ Otto Wiener, bass/ Vienna State Opera Chorus/ Vienna Philharmonic/ Rudolf Kempe – EMI
Published on January 31, 2012

Even after almost 50 years, the Kempe recording offers the most intelligent and most ravishing incarnation of Wagner’s romantic opera, an archetype of unconditional love.


Emil Gilels Legacy, Vol. 9 = CHOPIN & SCHUBERT – Doremi Emil Gilels Legacy, Vol. 9 = CHOPIN & SCHUBERT – Doremi
Published on January 31, 2012

Master pianist Emil Gilels in live recital and performance, of which the Chopin Preludes offer potent insights, and the Schubert Fantasy a musical curio for the ages.


A Tribute to FRITZ KREISLER = with Kreisler, Ruggiero Ricci, Jascha Heifetz, David Oistrakh, Christian Ferras, Gidon Kremer, Anne-Sophie Mutter & others – DGG (2 CDs) A Tribute to FRITZ KREISLER = with Kreisler, Ruggiero Ricci, Jascha Heifetz, David Oistrakh, Christian Ferras, Gidon Kremer, Anne-Sophie Mutter & others – DGG (2 CDs)
Published on January 27, 2012

An extended tribute to Kreisler, with some of his early recordings as well as those of many other violinists.


GAVRIIL POPOV: Chamber Symphony (Septet) for flute, clarinet,  bassoon, trumpet, violin, cello, and double bass; Symphony No. 1 – St. Petersburg Orch./ Alexander Titov – Northern Flowers GAVRIIL POPOV: Chamber Symphony (Septet) for flute, clarinet, bassoon, trumpet, violin, cello, and double bass; Symphony No. 1 – St. Petersburg Orch./ Alexander Titov – Northern Flowers
Published on January 25, 2012

The performance of the symphony has more enthusiastic abandon than polish; a very fine performance of the Septet makes this release indispensible.


Conductor Fritz Busch in works of MOZART, HINDEMITH, BERG, LARSSON, REGER & BERWALD – Guild Conductor Fritz Busch in works of MOZART, HINDEMITH, BERG, LARSSON, REGER & BERWALD – Guild
Published on January 24, 2012

Restored concerts by Fritz Busch expand his recorded legacy and enlighten us as to the power of Hindemith and Lars-Erik Larsson.


IRELAND: Piano Concerto; BRIDGE: Phantasm; WALTON: Sinfonia Concertante – Kathryn Stott, p./ Royal Philharmonic/ Vernon Handley – Dutton IRELAND: Piano Concerto; BRIDGE: Phantasm; WALTON: Sinfonia Concertante – Kathryn Stott, p./ Royal Philharmonic/ Vernon Handley – Dutton
Published on January 23, 2012

High energy in rare keyboard works from three British composers, of whom the Ireland remains most familiar and the other two demanding more fame.


Carl Schuricht Conducts = Works of R. STRAUSS, LOTHAR, FRANCK, ZANDONAI & REZNICEK – Pristine Audio Carl Schuricht Conducts = Works of R. STRAUSS, LOTHAR, FRANCK, ZANDONAI & REZNICEK – Pristine Audio
Published on January 20, 2012

Elusive recordings, 1941-1942, by Carl Schuricht enjoy vivid restoration from Pristine, and offer a fine display of the conductor’s wide range of repertory.


Narcisco Yepes: The Beginning of a Legend = Guitar works of RODRIGO, RAMEAU, DE VISEE, SCARLATTI, BACH, MILAND, SANZ – IDIS Narcisco Yepes: The Beginning of a Legend = Guitar works of RODRIGO, RAMEAU, DE VISEE, SCARLATTI, BACH, MILAND, SANZ – IDIS
Published on January 16, 2012

Early recordings by the splendid guitar virtuoso Yepes, who evoked controversy about his cool demeanor but never about his flawless technical mastery.


Hanson: American Music, Volume 4 = Works of HARRIS, GRIFFES & BARBER – Eastman-Rochester/Howard Hanson – Pristine Hanson: American Music, Volume 4 = Works of HARRIS, GRIFFES & BARBER – Eastman-Rochester/Howard Hanson – Pristine
Published on January 13, 2012

Volume 4 of the Hanson survey of American scores makes visceral points in two large works, but finds no less mastery in the ‘impressionist’ scores of Griffes.


The Bitter Mirror = Songs by Brecht and Dylan – Bettina Jonic, soprano/ various accompanying musicians – Motema (2 CDs) The Bitter Mirror = Songs by Brecht and Dylan – Bettina Jonic, soprano/ various accompanying musicians – Motema (2 CDs)
Published on January 12, 2012

A long-awaited release that will tempt the musical taste buds of many.




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