Music Reviews
A grand collection of reviews. If you are a professional music reviewer and would like to contribute a review to this blog, please contact us.
Not Just Another ‘Ravel Highlights’
This new release, presented as a āconcept-albumā around Maurice Ravel, is not just another Ravel Highlights. It is an emotionally led, deliberate choice. It has numerous points of interest not found elsewhere. Firstly, the use of gut strings and special bows, as was customary in Ravelās time; Secondly, the chosen pianos, one of which āpreparedā, […]
A brilliant example of music and sound serving the ānicheā crowd
It is no secret that High-Resolution Super Audio is under pressure. Over the years, some labels have given up altogether. Streaming has become the norm, so it seems. We, the ānicheā crowd, are indebted to all those still operating at the sharp end of quality, and to Native DSD for passing on the best sound […]
Exploring the Shadow of the Great Masters
Two Spanish musicians, whom I did not know before, embarked last year on a mission to bring works of great beauty, for too long hidden in the shadow of great masters, back into the general publicās interest. A laudable initiative; joining like-minded musicians adamant about neglected composers taking their rightful place in todayās musical landscape. […]
A Review of Anna Fedorova’s Rachmaninoff Piano Concertos 2 & 4
Itās All About Passion & Poetry In her first instalment of a projected survey of Rachmaninoffās Piano Concertos, Anna Federova hugely surprised me, and surely many others, with a reading of the first piano concerto that surpassed quite a few existing recordings by pianists of note. This follow-on release notably including the ever-so-popular Second Concerto […]
Praise for Reference Recordings’ Latest Beethoven Symphony
With this latest release, Reference Recordings continue to push standards beyond existing boundaries. I think that no collector is without at least several complete sets of Beethoven symphonies, covering old and new, small and big in all their facets. And Iād imagine that none carries away the 100 percent perfect prize. This latest release of […]
Relax | The Best DSD Albums to Evoke Peace and Calm
It seems that these days many of us are feeling the need to relax, to wind down, and to take a step back – myself included. So I thought I might list a few NativeDSD sets that I personally find interesting and involving, but ultimately relaxing. Ā Iām just scratching the surface with these, and […]
Spain’s Erudite Piano Trio
Some might feel that under the present circumstances one should stay away from anything Russian. I think that we ought to realize that not all Russians support the ruler and his ideas. Several artists have – and some even openly ā criticized the Russian invasion in Ukraine whilst quitting their jobs in protest. Seen in […]
Russia and Russians are not always the same
In these dire times, Russia and Russians mustnāt be judged by the same token. It crossed my mind when I heard Dmitry Ferschtman playing the cello, accompanied by Mila Baslawskaja at the piano, in a series of romantic compositions by Glinka, Tchaikovsky, and Rachmaninoff. Nothing in this Cobra release can be compared to what is […]
An inconspicuous instrument in the middle?
An inconspicuous instrument in the middle? In a personal note, Dana Zemtsov says that there is no real shortage of good viola music. Despite general belief to the contrary, with this new release of rarely heard pieces, I tend to agree with her statement. On the other hand, and for all sorts of reasons, it […]
Some Surprises
While looking (and listening) for prospective nominations for the Album of the Year Nominations of 2021 list, I was pleased to rediscover some wonderful releases. These are not āalso-ransā! They are top quality recordings of superb musicianship– easily recommendable on their own. Soā¦ Schumann is not a name one associates with Organ music, but these […]
And when itās done, the pleasure is yours
What is the secret? Find some good players, select music that is not yet (Mozart) or hardly (Beethoven) available in high definition, written by famously appreciated composers, and recorded by Jared Sacks. Thatās all. And when itās done, the pleasure is entirely yours. So, what more need I say? The logo? The cover of the […]
Rosanne Philippens & The Vondel Strings
It is said that many good things have their origin in bad times.The proof is here. No matter what national policies had to be followed, fact is that over the past two years most of international cultural life came to an abrupt halt. Empty venues, concerts postponed, musicians hoping for better times. However, and thanks […]