Jul 23, 2021 | CD reviews
Florian Arnicans, celloLiepāja Symphony OrchestraJohn Gibbons conductor TOCCATA TOCC0600 I have known Wordsworth’s Cello Concerto from a venerable BBC broadcast without ever being quite engaged by it, so this CD première from (among others) our very own Vice Chairman...
Jul 22, 2021 | CD reviews
Michael Hancock pianoCarducci String QuartetLaurence Perkins BassoonCBSOWilliam Goodchild conductor HYPERION RECORDS CDA68371/2 (two discs) The programme here follows the repertory for bassoon on its interesting journey from 1900-1999. Most, but not all, are by...
Jul 21, 2021 | CD reviews
Philip Martin pianoRoderick Elms pianoBBC Concert Orchestra Kenneth Alwyn conductor NAXOS 8.555229 This disc is not about the Warsaw Concerto. It is not the about Warsaw Concerto because it is not included (although there is room) possibly because it has...
Jul 19, 2021 | CD reviews
Volume 2 James Gilchrist tenorNathan Williamson piano SOMM RECORDINGS 0636 Volume 1 in this projected three-part series consisted of songs by Gurney, Rebecca Clarke, Holst and Bridge, note – not necessarily the usual suspects. Volume 2 introduces five composers also...
Jul 19, 2021 | CD reviews
Rosemary Tuck piano NAXOS 8.574299 For many people, in England and beyond, the years spanning the life of composer Albert Ketèlbey (1875-1959) were less than happy, what with two World Wars and in the thirties, the Great Depression. But was it all bad?...
Jul 17, 2021 | CD reviews
Various ensembles and conductors Naxos 8.578360 When I began writing my biography of Malcolm Arnold, around the time of his knighthood in 1993, things seemed on the up for the much-maligned composer. Sadly, since his death in 2006, it has been business as usual,...
