Comment:UK Pianist James Brawn begins his Beethoven Odyssey with Sonata No. 1 of 1795. From the outset James Brawn shows that he has a very clear idea as to where his Beethoven is going, and that his Odyssey through this music will be thought provoking!
Reviews:"… crisp and forthright, thoughtfully phrased with a judicious balance between head and heart." Geoff Brown, The Times, 22 March 2013. "… Brawn's pianism - and more importantly, his interpretative skills - are formidable indeed, some of the best recent Beethoven playing I have heard…" Steve Ritter, Audiophile Audition, May 2013.
Comment:Period instrument band Dulci Vento are - Eniko Ginzery, dulcimer, Johannes Kurz, recorder and shawm, Julian W. Gretschel, trombone. Most of the short pieces on this disc are taken from collections that represent a kind of music chart of their time!
Comment:Ten year old David Cizner follows in a line of famous boy sopranos, or trebles. He is accompanied by a period instrument band directed by his mother, Florence. David sings a wide ranging programme that includes three 20th century classics!
Comment:Slovakian pianist Miki Skuta releases his first selection of music by Chopin.
Comment:A timely reminder for his centenary of conductor Jean Fournet (1913-2008). This French collection (apart from Falla) demonstrates the marvellous playing of these Czech musicians and the quality of Supraphon recordings around the mid 1960s.
Comment:Unique collection of overtures, some of which are virtually symphonic poems of the operas they open. The Victorian Opera Orchestra plays in great style under Richard Bonynge, a master in this musical period. Hi-Fi buffs will love this recording!
Comment:Leading from the violin, Rachel Podger directs her Brecon Baroque in these concertos by J S Bach, two of which are reconstructions. Lovely SACD sound!
Comment:These delightful pieces are rare visitors to concert halls. All the more reason to get to know them with this nicely priced disc! The playing by members of the Bolshoi Orchestra is great too!
Comment:Soloists are - Gabriela Eibenova, soprano, Carlos Mena, alto, Lisandro Abadie, bass, Roman Hoza, baritone, Vaclav Cizek, tenor and Marian Krejcik, bass. Adam Viktora leads his Zelenka experts in this late Mass by the wild and wonderful Baroque master!
Reviews:"A very, very warm welcome, then, to a really uplifting recording of works which brilliantly balance courtly pomp with liturgical propriety, in a performance of simply astounding orchestral virtuosity." International Record Review, May 2013. "… listen to the "Et vitam venturi saeculi" of the Missa Sanctissimae Trinitatis - listen how Zelenka and Viktora make a simple scale into something absolutely magical." Early Music Review, April 2013.
Comment:Wonderful collection of music for French Horn by four little known 20th century Czech composers. The playing of Premysl Vojta is wonderful too!
