You are currently browsing the monthly archive for November, 2007.
Shostakovich: Piano Concerto No 1, Piano Quintet, Piano Trio No 2. (EMI)
Martha Argerich is the common factor and her playing is mesmerising, magnetic and luminous. She is partnered with exceptional vitality. I can’t ever remember her playing Shostakovch before. Anyway, even if it missed the anniversary year in 2006, it’s worth the wait.
Apparition (Onyx)
Christine Schäfer’s compelling and beautifully executed combination of Purcell and George Crumb (and chunks of spoken Shakespeare sonnets) is the most imaginative recital on disc I can remember for some time.
Victorious Love (BIS)
A more traditional Purcell recital from Carolyn Sampson sung with vivid musicality which features some of the same songs from the Schäfer recital. I predict you will want them both!
I’m so happy about this. The first two things I looked for, long out of the catalogue here, were Oliver Knussen’s brilliant 1990s recordings of Stravinsky which I lent to someone a long time ago and which never came back. In great sound too!
This blog has been going on about DRM free classical music for so long I feel a might contented tonight.
