Critics Choice September 2022

This month brings you another bumper crop of great reviews from the leading music magazines, quality dailies and online review sites. There’s no doubt about it: Naxos releases and distributes some of the best music and audiovisual albums!

Highly Reviewed Albums of the Month

MESSAGER, A.: Fortunio [Opera] (Opéra Comique, 2019) (NTSC)
Naxos 2.110672
Dubois • Gillet • Leguérinel • Bou • Martin • Chœur Les Éléments • Orchestre des Champs-Élysées • Langrée • Podalydès

‘…Pure enchantment from start to finish.’
 Classica


Basel Symphony • Matiakh

‘The Basel Symphony Orchestra under Ariane Matiakh illuminates this in an exciting way: curtains up and lights on! ’
 Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik (German Record Critics’ Award)

‘An elegant performance to match the beauty and refinement of this bafflingly neglected master of 20th-century music’
 The Guardian ★★★★★

‘…It has been no surprise to see this album ascend classical best-seller charts… The performances here are precise and quietly radiant… A major find indeed.’
 AllMusic.com ★★★★

‘Ariane Matiakh’s performance of the symphony is beautifully done and can be recommended alongside James Judd’s 1995 account for RCA. Her performance of Vers la voûte étoilée similarly holds its own alongside the fine recording by Heinz Holliger for Hänssler.’
 Gramophone

Audio Releases
Naxos Releases

BRAHMS, J.: Complete Songs, Vol. 1
Naxos 8.574268
C. Prégardien • Eisenlohr

‘Prégardien brings to all these pieces his impressive musical expertise and a deep understanding of the genre.’
 Classica ★★★★★


CLEMENTI, M.: Capriccios • Toccata • La chasse (Piano Jewels)
Naxos 8.574233
Rodolfo Leone

‘[Leone] plays [Clementi’s] “piano jewels” in such a charming, fresh and pointed manner that he ennobles even the simplest Clementi idea.’
 Piano News ★★★★★★


GUARNIERI, C.: Chôros, Vol. 2
Naxos 8.574403
Buosi • Schaefer • Pinto • Kopylova • São Paulo Symphony • Tibiriçá

‘It’s [Choros] truly vivacious music with a great sense of drama, while the additional Flor de Tremembé is a celebratory treat.’
 BBC Music Magazine ★★★★★

‘Spicy Latin-flavoured concertos, warmly played.’
 Limelight ★★★★★


GUERRA-PEIXE, C.: Symphonic Suites Nos. 1 and 2 • Roda de Amigos
Naxos 8.573925
Goiás Philharmonic • N. Thomson

‘This very well recorded CD with excellent interpretations is an attractive portrait of Brazilian musical culture and the composer’s own life story. ’
 Pizzicato ★★★★★


Italian Guitar Rarities – BETTINELLI, B. • BRESCIANELLO, G.A. • CASTELNUOVO-TEDESCO, M. • GHEDINI, G.F.
Naxos 8.574400
Giuseppe Buscemi

‘A display of brilliant virtuosity… First class sound.’
 Yorkshire Post ★★★★★


PENDERECKI, K.: Complete Music for String Quartet • String Trio
Naxos 8.574288
Tippett Quartet

‘Monumental achievement and magnificent musical triumph in every conceivable way.’
 Classical CD Reviews


PLÜDDEMANN, M.: Balladen und Gesänge • Lieder und Gesänge (excerpts) (Ballads, Songs and Legends)
Naxos 8.551460–61
Bästlein • Djeddikar

‘Bästlein’s performance with his excellent storytelling singing is delightful.’
 American Record Guide


PUTS, K.: Silent Night [Opera]
Naxos 8.669050–51
Wolverton • Mykkanen • Parks • Wilkowske • Jeremiah • Thurston • Minnesota Opera Chorus and Orchestra • C. Lewis
★★★★

‘The singers are terrific, the conductor sweeps you away.’
 Classica ★★★★★


ROSSINI, G.: La Scala di seta [Opera]
Naxos 8.660512–13
Urru • Angelini • E. Franco • Sill • Cracow Philharmonic • Pérez-Sierra

‘Performances full of delectable charm and infectious pleasure…’
 Classical Music Daily


SAINT-GEORGES, J.B.C. de: 6 Concertante Quartets
Naxos 8.574360
Arabella String Quartet

‘This is wonderful advocacy of enchanting music.’
 BBC Music Magazine ★★★★


SILVESTROV, V.: Ode to a Nightingale • Symphony No. 7 • Piano Concertino
Naxos 8.574123
Galatenko • Bezborodko • Lithuanian National Symphony • Lyndon-Gee

‘A very fine disc to explore Silvestrov’s work.’
 Classica ★★★★★


STILL, W.G.: Summerland • Violin Suite • Pastorela • American Suite
Naxos 8.559867
Z. Schiff • Royal Scottish National Orchestra • Eisenberg

‘This is a thoroughly delightful and musically enriching CD.’
 Classical CD Reviews


STRAUSS II, J.: Blindekuh [Operetta]
Naxos 8.660434–35
R. Davidson • Kunkle • Bortolotti • Sofia Philharmonic Chorus and Orchestra • Salvi

Blindekuh is a charmingly fizzy pastoral comedy…music is full of delights’
 Planet Hugill


TANEYEV, S.: Orchestral Works (4-CD Boxed Set)
Naxos 8.504060
Novosibirsk Academic Symphony • Russian Philharmonic • T. Sanderling

‘Do acquire this set for the sake of the many musical riches that it has on offer.’
 Gramophone

‘The performances are engaged and vibrant.’
 Classical CD Choice


WEINBERG, M.: Chamber Symphonies Nos. 2 and 4
Naxos 8.574210
Fedorov • East-West Chamber Orchestra • Krimer

‘Magnificent performance by Igor Fedorov…’
 Classica ★★★★★


Independent Label Releases (in alphabetical order)

Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra • Blomstedt

‘Everything sounds as lively, fresh and detailed as ever, and [Blomstedt] has the rare gift of making music glow from within.’
 Rondo ★★★★★

‘This album is a welcome addition to the rich discography of the prestigious conductor Herbert Blomstedt.’
 Crescendo


Bavarian State Orchestra • V. Jurowski

‘Backed by an orchestra of superb artistry, this reading surpasses that of Sebastian Lang-Lessing at the helm of the Tasmanian Orchestra (ABC Classics) and even that of the composer at the head of the Swedish Chamber Orchestra (BIS).’
 Crescendo


Zara • Loetzsch • Chum • Eröd • Munich Radio Orchestra • P. Hahn

‘Stellar cast’
 BBC Music Magazine ★★★★★

‘A gripping interpretation of Ullmann’s opera.’
 Pizzicato ★★★★★


Perspectives – ELFMAN, D. • JLIN • GLASS, P.
Cedille CDR90000-210
Third Coast Percussion • Flutronix

‘This album, appealing for anyone, could easily serve as material for discussions, educational or otherwise, of new directions in contemporary music and its relationship to popular and global traditions.’
 AllMusic.com ★★★★


HORNEMAN, C.F.E.: Aladdin [Opera]
Dacapo 6.200007
Beck • Tødenes • Reuter • Danish National Concert Choir • Danish National Symphony • Schønwandt

‘The orchestra…plays powerfully and superbly throughout under the direction of Michael Schønwandt, who displays all the energetic involvement and sense of panache required. ’
 MusicWeb International


Paganini Ensemble Vienna

‘…Crisp and elegant sensibility’
 BBC Music Magazine ★★★★★

‘A fun CD, nothing too heavy for the mind, but clearly well played and very well recorded.’
 The Art Music Lounge


Altomonte Orchester St. Florian • Ballot

‘Ballot knows how to deal with these acoustics and use them to advantage in his interpretation which has space and breath.’
 Pizzicato ★★★★★


Biljana Urban
★★★★

‘Biljana Urban plays a piano of rare elegance, nuanced as possible, with refined resonances; in short, everything that is needed to arouse interest in this music and this composer who is still largely unknown.’
 Classica ★★★★

‘Biljana Urban’s interpretation is perfect in every way. The delicate alchemy between the simplicity and subtleties of this music suits her delightfully.’
 Crescendo


Hansjörg Albrecht

‘Albrecht creates a wonderfully evocative soundworld with the two Klais organs.’
 Choir & Organ ★★★★★

‘Albrecht…brings out the symphony’s many nuances and complexities with tremendous skill.’
 Infodad.com ★★★★


SIBELIUS, J.: Symphony No. 7 • Pelléas et Mélisande • Kung Kristian II Suite
Ondine ODE1404-2
Finnish Radio Symphony • N. Collon

‘A Sibelius programme prepared with deep thought, a powerful reading of the final symphony sitting perfectly with the two accompanying suites.’
 Gramophone


Violin Unlimited – SCHULHOFF, E. • HINDEMITH, P. • JARNACH, P. • ERDMANN, E.
Orfeo C210051
Baiba Skride

‘[Skride] is a master of the violin and knows how to perform excellently in various repertoires.’
 Pizzicato


Åstrand • Teyssier • Thomsen • Salo

‘Their interpretation is truly appealing.’
 Pizzicato ★★★★★

‘Magnificent performance, committed from first to last, a more convincing and optimistic account of the quartet than you will hear on record from many more famous soloists.’
 Ludwig van Toronto ★★★★


Þorbergsson • Bernharðsson • Aarnink • Caput Ensemble • Duo Harpverk • Nordic Affect

‘Who can fail to be fascinated by these evocative and unique soundscapes?’
 Kulturdelen ★★★★★


Remigio • Simeoni • Zeffiri • Alberghini • Teatro la Fenice Chorus and Orchestra • Molina

‘A missing monument to modernism rediscovered.’
 Limelight ★★★★


Stuttgart Radio Symphony • Denève

‘This is a terrific performance with tons of character’
 Limelight

Audiovisual Releases
Naxos Releases

CASABLANCAS, B.: L’enigma di Lea [Opera] (Liceu, 2019) (NTSC)
Naxos 2.110712
Also available on Blu-ray Video
(NBD0143V)
A. Cook • Sabata • J.A. López • Gran Teatre del Liceu Symphony Orchestra and Chorus • Pons • Portaceli

‘Recorded in more than serviceable sound and well directed for video, this Naxos presentation proves L’enigma di Lea is a contemporary opera that deserves a future life.’
 Opera News


MONDONVILLE, J.-J.C. de: Titon et l’Aurore [Opera] (Opéra Comique, 2021) (NTSC)
Naxos 2.110693
Also available on Blu-ray Video
(NBD0131V)
Blondeel • De Negri • Van Mechelen • Mauillon • Les Arts Florissants • Christie • Twist

‘A fabulous performance of an opéra that is a real discovery. Try this: you won’t regret it.’
 Classical Explorer


WEINBERGER, J.: Frühlingsstürme [Operetta] (Komische Oper, 2020) (NTSC)
Naxos 2.110677–78
Also available on Blu-ray Video
(NBD0122V)
Sadé • Boecker • Akzeybek • Köninger • Kurt • Lindenberg • Orchestra of the Komische Oper Berlin • Souza • Kosky

‘Everything inscribes the work in a successful and invigorating mix of genres. Delightful.’
 Classica ★★★★★


Independent Releases (in alphabetical order)

WAGNER, R.: Parsifal [Opera] (Teatro Massimo, 2020) (NTSC)
C Major 759308
Also available on Blu-ray Video
(759404)
Hubbard • Hunold • Relyea • Tómasson • Gazheli • Tanovitski
★★★★

‘This is one of the most beautifully sung of Parsifals.’
 Limelight


MINKUS, L.: Don Quixote [Ballet] (Studio Production, 1973) (NTSC)
Opus Arte OA1350D
Also available on Blu-ray Video
(OABD7301D)
Nureyev • Helpmann • Aldous • The Australian Ballet • Lanchbery

‘This extravagant spectacle of glorious dance is absolutely unmissable, and belongs in the personal library of every lover of ballet—indeed, every lover of music in general. Highest possible recommendation.’
 Fanfare