Soundbite 60 Reviews

Here we write a short précis of a CD or DVD giving you a concise summary in a sixty-word soundbite.

Arnold Bax: Tintagel … The Garden of Fand
Sir Arnold Bax (1883-1953) remains, in some quarters, sadly underrated. Like Vernon Handley, David Lloyd-Jones is an unfailing champion. This CD of symphonic poems could be the ‘way in’ for...
November 18, 2006
Fantasía – Maximiliano Martín & Inocencio Negrín
Maximiliano Martín (Scottish Chamber Orchestra) is a superb clarinettist, Inocencio Negrín a pianist of character. Lutosławski’s Dance Preludes is hugely inventive in rhythm and melody; Moreno’s pieces are atmospheric and...
November 14, 2006
Haydn 24 Minuets
If the thought of listening to 24 minuets (and trios) at one sitting seems stodgy, you can of course play just a few and note your favourites. Haydn’s genius is...
November 13, 2006
Sting/Dowland: Songs from the Labyrinth
Sting and Dowland: unlikely bedfellows? Yes. But it works. Sting’s totally unaffected singing of John Dowland’s 16th/17th-century melancholy lyrics and music make for a very special alchemy that succeeds where...
November 12, 2006
Gounod Symphonies
Charles Gounod (1818-93) – who composed the opera “Faust” – wrote two symphonies that are sheer delight. No.1 sparkles with joie de vivre and has a fund of tunes; fans...
November 11, 2006
Chopin/Cortot
Alfred Cortot (1877-1962) is synonymous with Chopin. These legendary recordings continue to stand the test of time. The 24 Préludes are intense and searching, the antithesis of ‘salon Chopin’ –...
November 10, 2006
Tales of Beatrix Potter
John Lanchbery’s musical illustrations for the Royal Ballet’s film of Potter’s “Tales” is 19th-century in inspiration – some Rossini, rather more Tchaikovsky (or sound-likes anyway). Squirrel Nutkin, Mrs Tiggy-Winkle (with...
August 18, 2006
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