Verdi Ernani

Bruno Campanella

No wonder Ernani was such a favourite in the 19th century. Everything is in place. The hero keeps his word;...

Reviewed by John Steane in issue: 8/2010

Bernier Motets

Alain Zaepffel | Ensemble d' Instruments Anciens | Ensemble Vocal de Bourgogne | Isabelle Poulenard | Jacques Echivard | Jean-Claude Orliac | Michel Verschaeve

It is one thing to be consigned to a footnote of musical history, it is quite another to have one’s...

Reviewed by Harriet Smith in issue: 7/1998

Joplin Rags, Vol 2

Forever associated with The Sting and “good time” pianists wearing keyboard ties, ragtime has landed itself with a PR problem....

Reviewed by Philip_Clark in issue: 9/2007

Debussy Piano Works

Cécile Ousset

I often find performances of Debussy's piano music to be musically bland with an unbalanced emphasis on 'keyboard colour'. Nobody...

Reviewed by James Methuen-Campbell in issue: 3/1989

Overtures for the Hamburg Opera

Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin

This disc claims to explore overtures composed for the Hamburg Opera but the concept proves to be loose: no room...

Reviewed by David Vickers in issue: 8/2005

Fibich/Smetana Orchestral Works

Detroit Symphony Orchestra | Neeme Järvi

You'd be hard pressed to assign a particular nationality to Zdenek Fibich's First Symphony (1877). Now and then, it's true,...

Reviewed by Andrew Achenbach in issue: 12/1993

Silent Noon Songs of Vaughan Williams

Levering Rothfuss | Nancy Bean | Ruth Golden | Thomas Woodman

Heartfelt gratitude is due, in the first place, for Along the Field. A recording was made by Nancy Evans and...

Reviewed in issue 5/1994

French and Spanish Songs

James Lockhart | Margaret Price

A company calling itself Orfeo should have some good singing in its catalogue, and the name of Margaret Price should...

Reviewed by jswain in issue: 4/1984

Babbitt Soli e Duettini

(The) Group for Contemporary Music

Watchers of the new music scene should know what lies in store when the back cover of a disc advertises...

Reviewed by Peter Quantrill in issue: 9/2006

Respighi Orchestral Works

Dallas Symphony Orchestra | Eduardo Mata

This recording was made in the Dallas Symphony Orchestra's new hall, and the outstandingly natural spaciousness of the acoustic gives...

Reviewed by Michael Oliver in issue: 1/1994