CD-Charts Position 1

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Copland: Vocal and Orchestral Works

from: Double Decca

Release Date March 11, 1996

CD-Charts Position 2
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Holst: The Planets / Elgar: Enigma Variations

from: EMI Classics

Release Date March 11, 2002
This version of The Planets has replaced my recent LSO version.
Why? Well, the balance between the contributing elements is the best i've heard so far: The bass is thunderous analogue and the high woodwind/strings are like crystal in equal measure. This is a superb achievement and exceptionally important for, 'large orchestra' where Dynamics become a recording engineer's delight or problem depending on how good they are. And these people are the best: Abbey road have done a fantastic job on the remastering of a late 70's classic, although there is one thing they could never tackle: Is this as Holst intended?

Bolt was a friend of Holst and was given the opportunity to first conduct the piece; Bolt read and heard the original ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
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Elgar - Cello Concerto; Cockaigne; Sea Pictures

from: EMI Classics

Release Date August 02, 2004

There are now many releases in the EMI 'Great Recordings of the Century' series, and this has to be one of the best I've heard.

The three pieces on this CD date from the 1960's and all have benefited from recent remastering.

The 'Cello Concerto' is a 1965 recording performed by Jacqueline du Pre (who else would you expect?) and remains today, more than 40 years on, the standard to which all other performances of this work are measured. I'm sure I am amongst many others who regret not having seen such a gifted musician play live. I've seen several performances of Elgar's cello concerto, and always find that the best are when the soloist totally immerses him/herself into the music and brings out the emotions from somewhere ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
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Copland: Symphony No.3

from: Deutsche Grammophon

Release Date October 05, 2000

There are now many releases in the EMI 'Great Recordings of the Century' series, and this has to be one of the best I've heard.

The three pieces on this CD date from the 1960's and all have benefited from recent remastering.

The 'Cello Concerto' is a 1965 recording performed by Jacqueline du Pre (who else would you expect?) and remains today, more than 40 years on, the standard to which all other performances of this work are measured. I'm sure I am amongst many others who regret not having seen such a gifted musician play live. I've seen several performances of Elgar's cello concerto, and always find that the best are when the soloist totally immerses him/herself into the music and brings out the emotions from somewhere ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
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Richard Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra

by: Berliner Philharmoniker Herbert Karajan

Release Date September 18, 1995
The best recording of this under-rated piece of work from Richard Strauss. It is so much more than just the opening piece.

CD-Charts Position 6
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Dvorák: Cello Concerto / Tchaikovsky: Variations on a Rococo Theme

by: Mstislav Rostropovich Berliner Philharmoniker Herbert Karajan

Release Date April 04, 1995
Whoever is going to buy this cd will be certainly satisfied with it. It contains an excellent performance of Dvorak cello concerto. However its status as the "best", definitive performance (if ever these kind of statements can make any sense) of this work is certainly excessive. For instance, Rostropovich with Talich is not as sumptuously played but it is certainly more idiomatic. Personally I prefer it. The famous Casals recording is, as cello playing, unmatchable. The pulse and phrasing of Casals are a class apart even for Rostropovich. Du Pre with Celibidache provides such a moving performance which, for all its smoothnes, richness and fullness of sound, the Rostropovich-Karayan cannot match.

CD-Charts Position 7
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Works of Igor Stravinsky [22cd]

by: Igor Stravinsky

Release Date July 02, 2007

It's common to find good value box sets from labels such as EMI Classics, Brilliant Classics and Warner Classics, but not so often on the Sony label.

In general, the bigger the set the better the value, with collections of more than ten discs often falling into the bargain category of under £1 a disc.

This collection though represents not only value for money but also provides pretty much all of Stravinsky's lifetime works (he composed around 127 pieces) in a compact box of just 5cm width thanks to the CDs being supplied in card sleeves.

The enclosed 24 booklet provides a biography of the composer, and more importantly full recording dates, venues, orchestras, soloists and conductors, and if this doesn't sound reason enough ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
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Beethoven - Violin Concerto

by: Philharmonia Orchestra

Release Date October 05, 1998
In my opinion it is very difficult to identify one version of a work as great as this . Different interpretations can tell you so much more about a work .

That said this marvellous recording from the early 1980s was my introduction to a 25 year long love affair with this piece . Perlman spins tone of gold whilst also allowing introspection in the slow movement .

That said I wouldn't be without Menuhin/Furtwangler on Testament, Oistrakh/Cluytens on EMI or Hilary Hahn on Sony either

CD-Charts Position 9
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Rodeo

by: Aaron Copland

Release Date November 06, 2006
Like me, you probably don't know the Buffalo Philharmonic or the conductor Jo-Ann Falletta, but don't let that put you off. This is quite simply a stunning disc. The performances are full of life and very well played indeed. The recording is very truthful and combines immediacy with a good overall perspective on things. It also has a very extended bottom end so that things like the bass drum really do make an impact. Most enjoyable and thoroughly recommended, as well as excellent value for money.

CD-Charts Position 10
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Copland - Old American Songs

from: Apex

Release Date June 06, 2005
Like me, you probably don't know the Buffalo Philharmonic or the conductor Jo-Ann Falletta, but don't let that put you off. This is quite simply a stunning disc. The performances are full of life and very well played indeed. The recording is very truthful and combines immediacy with a good overall perspective on things. It also has a very extended bottom end so that things like the bass drum really do make an impact. Most enjoyable and thoroughly recommended, as well as excellent value for money.