Back catalogue: Classical

Review: In 2018, three-time Grammy Award-winning violinist Hilary Hahn returned to classical label-behemoth Deutsche Grammophon (her usual) for an official album of interpretations of J.S. Bach's violin concertos, in collaboration with Jeffery Kahane and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. The much-celebrated fiddler laid down a stunning, full rendition of the concertos, all recorded at the Colburn School Of Performing Arts and which added to her huge repertoire. This stealth reissue from the classical music giant bolsters Hahn's rep once more.

Review: Continuing his lengthy tour of JS Bach's works, Vikingur Olafsson shares his next mini-album: a recording of several Bach 'singles' - that's individual pieces rather than 45s - performed live at Reykjavik's Harpa concert hall in January 2024. Building on his deep-rooted passion for the works of the pioneering German composer, the classically trained Olafsson lends his own subtleties to four of Bach's cantatas, as well as two further sacred songs, amounting to a more than touching suite. Chief among these in our estimation is 'Komm, suBer Tod, komm selge Ruh' ('Come, sweet death, come, blessed rest'), which was likely written by Bach in the twilight of his life: the theme alone is morbid and tearjerking enough, yet Olafsson's dexter Icelandic hands bring a trademark coldness, an exactness, that only he could summon.

Review: After a six-year hiatus, acclaimed pianist Zhu Xiao-Mei returns with a personal and truly masterful recording of J.S. Bach's English Suites which completes her journey through Bach's piano works. This release marks a milestone in her extraordinary career and reflects years of preparation and a deep, daily relationship with Bach's music. Zhu Xiao-Mei's interpretation reveals the suites' rich subtleties and timeless essence, all of which are shaped by her dedication to living closely with each piece. Despite pandemic challenges and a meticulous search for the perfect piano, this recording captures her authenticity and the wonderfully contemplative nature of Bach's music.

Review: This recording of the Philadelphia Orchestra performing Sergei Prokofiev's 1936 story and orchestral score Peter and the Wolf was recorded in 1977 and was originally released in 1978. The role of the narrator on the recording was initially offered to both Peter Ustinov and Alec Guinness who both turned it down, before David Bowie agreed to take on the role, supposedly as a Christmas present to his son. On the B-side is another equally as charming piece of recent classical history, Benjamin Britten's Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra as narrated by Hugh Downs.

Review: To mark Anton Bruckner's bicentenary in 2024, Deutsche Grammophon releases a limited and numbered audiophile vinyl edition of Herbert von Karajan's famous recordings of the complete symphony cycle with the Berliner Philharmoniker, on 17 LPs. All recordings have been newly mastered and mixed by Rainer Maillard and Sidney C. Meyer from Emil Berliner Studios: Symphonies Nos. 4-7 (analogue recordings from 1975-1979), based on 8-track material were treated according to the Original Source Series standards. Symphonies Nos. 1, 2 & 3 are digital recordings from 1980 and 1981 and have also been newly mastered and cut by the same team at EBS, optimizing the sound by utilising new bespoke analogue-to-digital-to-analogue conversion technologies and using a tube-based mixing console from 1960. The 17xLP set is housed in a slipcase with O-card, with eight 2xLP gatefolds (Symphonies Nos. 2- 9) and one single sleeve (Symphony No. 1) presented in a sleeve (1 LP), with artwork based on the respective original releases including liner notes and with additional material including recording documentation and photos.

Review: Sir Simon Rattle and the Berlin Philharmonic are at the pinnacle of classical music and are renowned for their stellar recordings. Rattle's tenure with the orchestra has been marked by mutual growth and exceptional performances and this 2012 recording of Bruckner's 9th Symphony, featuring the 'Four Movement Version', showcases their unparalleled musicianship. The performance of the original three movements is particularly noteworthy, highlighting Rattle's ability to evoke the grandeur of Furtwangler and Karajan while adding his unique interpretive touch. Despite the symphony's unfinished fourth movement, the recording's excellence makes it essential listening, with the orchestra delivering a breathtaking performance.

Review: Vincenzo Maltempo's new recording of Chopin's Complete Nocturnes promises to captivate pianophiles by offering a fresh perspective on such timeless works. Drawing from the traditions of the 'Golden Piano Age', Maltempo approaches the Nocturnes as dramatic tone poems and blends rhetorical artistry with Belcanto-inspired expression. His interpretation is enriched by the use of an 1888 Steinway grand piano which is known for its exceptional dynamic range and lyrical tone. It captures the atmospheric stillness and resonance essential to Chopin's music perfectly.

Review: Widely acclaimed mezzo-soprano and two-time Grammy winner Sasha Cooke's debut album Poeme de la L'Amour et de la Mer 4 is a perfect example of what makes her so popular. Fabulous stage presence, fine vocal range and an emotional allure that really draws you in. The record is fabulously epic and over the top which Cooke deals with well. Her voice rides over Chausson's churning Symbolist score in a bewitching fashion. This special 180 gram heavyweight vinyl version is the best way to experience the record, which comes in just three separate pieces, each of which makes for a unique listen.

Review: Alice Sara Ott is a German-Japanese pianist and her new album finds her sinking herself down deep into the world of John Field, the creator of the beloved 'Nocturne' sound. The Nocturne is a widely cherished musical form yet its creator remains largely unknown today. An Irish composer who lived during Beethoven's time, Field's work profoundly influenced Chopin and generations of musicians since and with this album, Ott highlights Field's historical significance as well as offering up a standing album full of merit. It is a great way to get into the origins of the Nocturne."

Review: Few conductors have been as closely associated with the works of Gustav Mahler as Sir Simon Rattle, Here, the British maestro leads the world famous Berliner Philharmoniker in a rendition of Symphony 5, which itself is one of the most renowned pieces in Mahler's oeuvre. The first instrumental he composed since his Symphony No. 1, it's a powerful audio odyssey here performed flawlessly for Rattle's first ever concert as principal conductor of Berlin's prestigious orchestra. Comprising five movements, each packs its own unique personality. At times lighter than air, in other moments packing a subdued depth, pomp and pageantry, and epic drama ('Trauermarsch. In Gemessenen Schritt. Streng. Wie Ein Kondukt'), you could argue this showcases the breadth of classical in one stunning experience, but that might be stating the obvious.

Review: Spring has sprung, and for many, Vivaldi's original 'Spring' composition might have just as quickly sprung into the minds of most classical heads. But perhaps most of y'all didn't see this one coming. We were bowled over on hearing news of Max Richter's electronic recompositions of Vivaldi's 'Seasons' 10 years ago; there hadn't been a proper vogue for electronic resources of classical music since Wendy Carlos did 'Switched-On Bach'. Now it gets another 'alternative rendering' (keyword: rendering); performed by an ensemble that almost entirely consists of Black, Asian and ethnically diverse musicians, we hear yet another futuristic take on a stone cold classic, with Richter himself playing a vintage '70s Moog.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***


Silva Screen Records continues their vast compilation project here with another tribute to the late Ryuichi Sakamoto, the legendary former member of Yellow Magic Orchestra who passed not so long ago. They have pressed this one up to various formats and this is a gatefold transparent lime green and black splattered vinyl from the acclaimed film scorer. He wrote for epics such as Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence, The Sheltering Sky and The Last Emperor. This album takes in plenty of the most standout tracks from those movies, all performed by the Brussels Philharmonic and conducted by Dirk Brosse.

Review: Silva Screen Records continues their vast compilation project here with another tribute to the late Ryuichi Sakamoto, the legendary former member of Yellow Magic Orchestra who passed not so long ago. They have pressed this one up to various formats and this is a gatefold transparent lime green and black splattered vinyl from the acclaimed film scorer. He wrote for epics such as Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence, The Sheltering Sky and The Last Emperor. This album takes in plenty of the most standout tracks from those movies, all performed by the Brussels Philharmonic and conducted by Dirk Brosse.