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September Reviews
We rate and review the very best new releases of CDs, DVDs and books so that you know exactly what’s hot and what’s not. We’ve also introduced extra facts, playlists and CD recommendations to enhance your listening enjoyment!
DISC OF THE MONTH
Zemlinsky: The Mermaid
Orchestral Works
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra/James Judd
Naxos 8.570240
‘The orchestra's rich, inner warmth evokes the sound of the Vienna Philharmonic'
Opera and Vocal Editor's Choice
Haydn
Die Jahreszeiten (The Seasons)
Soloists, Concentus Musikus Wien/Nikolaus Harnoncourt
Deutsche Harmonia Mundi 88697 28126-2
‘The witty characterisations and vivid orchestral colour make this the Haydn CD of the year'
Orchestral Editor's Choice
Elgar
Enigma Variations; In the South (Alassio); Serenade for Strings
Philharmonia Orchestra/Andrew Davis
Signum Classics SIGCD 168
‘Davis's superb musicianship tell in every beautifully paced and shaped bar'
Instrumental and Chamber Editor's Choice
Mendelssohn
Octet; Symphony No.1 (arr. piano four hands), et al.
Yaara Tal (pf), Andreas Groethuysen (pf), Oliver Wille (vln), Mikayel Hakhnazaryen (vcl)
Sony 88697 43160-2
‘Bound to be an award-winning contribution to the Mendelssohn bicentennial celebrations'
Great Artists on Disc
Mstislav Rostropovich
Haydn's Cello Concerto in D major (BBC Legends BBCL 4240-2); Rachmaninov Vespers (WCJ 2564-69366-6); Shostakovich Violin Concertos (WCJ 2564-69452-7), Complete Recordings for EMI (EMI 217 5972)
‘Rostropovich either premiered or commissioned a third of the works that make up today's core cello repertory'
DVD Editor's Choice
Humperdinck
Hänsel und Gretel
Jennifer Holloway (mz), Adriana Kucˇerová (sop), Wolfgang Ablinger-Sperrhacke (ten), LPO/Kazushi Ono
Decca 074 3361
‘Humperdinck's glowing, Wagner-inspired score leaps out, every note pointed, every phrase shaped'
Book Editor's Choice
The Violin
An Illustrated History
by Yehudi Menuhin (with Catherine Meyer)
‘Menuhin's inquisitiveness and burning desire to put everything in its historical and intellectual context this an absorbing read'
