Readings of drama and pathos of two of Tchaikovsky’s best-known orchestral masterpieces.

As a leading Mozartean, Karl Böhm turns out exquisite and warm performances of three of Mozart’s most popular serenades – all collected on a single CD. The three distinguished wind soloists in the ‘Posthorn’ add immeasurably to its pleasure.

For many years, the ground was thick with misconceptions about Anton Bruckner – that he was a sort of idiot savant, that he composed nothing of merit until he reached middle age and that he was to be spoken of in the same breath as Gustav Mahler. None of these fables, and others, could be […]

For too long absent from the catalogue, Dohnanyi’s pair of recordings coupling Stravinsky and Bartok present him and the Vienna Philharmonic at their scintillating, dramatic best. Here is one of the most exciting accounts of ‘Petrushka’ ever to be committed to disc and the sordid tale of ‘The Miraculous Mandarin’ is sharply etched in this […]

For too long absent from the catalogue, Dohnanyi’s pair of recordings coupling Stravinsky and Bartok present him and the Vienna Philharmonic at their scintillating, dramatic best. ‘The Firebird’ is luxuriously done, the final apotheosis most moving and the lesser known ‘Two Portraits’ of Bartok are showpieces of instrumental colour, timbre and contrast.

Tchaikovsky poured his emotions into his symphonies, particularly the last three, and posterity has rewarded him by making them inescapable parts of the standard orchestral repertoire. The orchestral suites, however, have not attained the popularity of the symphonies, perhaps because they trade tragedy for wistfulness and exaltation for charm. All four are the work of […]

Given Bernstein’s sheer sweep of the music of Richard Strauss (the ‘Salome’ excerpts are spine-tingling) it’s a pity he didn’t record any more. These precious recordings with Montserrat Caballe, are valuable not only for Bernstein’s advocacy of Strauss on record but also for the Spanish singer’s shimmering interpretations – girl-like in the opera, ravishing in […]

A thrilling performance of Bruckner’s Sixth in a recording that has long languished in the archives. It is coupled with Stein’s legendary Weber performances.

This collection brings together a miscellany of orchestral works. In addition to the symphony, there’s Mozart’s most popular Serenade – ‘Eine kleine Nachtmusik’ – in a gloriously cushioned performance, plus five overtures. Four of these are lifted from the double-LP set ‘Mozart Opera Festival’ while that for ‘Cosi’ comes from the complete opera set.

Elegantly-turned performances of these symphonies with Kertesz revelling in the romantic ethos to which these works point. The recordings are rich, warm and beautifully balanced.

Robust and red-blooded performances of the later symphonies here, pointing unashamedly to the Romantic era. The opening of No. 39, especially, has few rivals in terms of intensity and the way Kertesz balances light and shade.

Famous for his waltzes and polkas, the popularity of Johann Strauss has endured, not just compositions he wrote himself but music arranged by others. Strangely enough, for one of the greatest composers of dance music, he never composed a ballet. This album couples two such arrangements, both for the ballet. Antal Doráti’s arrangement, entitled ‘Graduation […]