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Critics’ Choice
August 2014

Dear Friends,

Here comes a selection of the most glowing, recent reviews: fresh from leading music journals, quality dailies and respected online review sites. Naxos continues to accumulate outstanding ratings and reviews for its new and recent releases; please use the critical acclaim to continue to promote these titles.

Naxos Releases

Naxos NBD0042 [Blu-ray] / 8.573297 [CD]
BERLIOZ, H.: Harold en Italie / Le carnaval romain / Benvenuto Cellini: Overture
Berthaud, Orchestre National de Lyon, Slatkin


‘an exciting interpretation’ – Audiophile Audition

Naxos 8.573290
BLOCH, E.: Symphony in E-Flat Major / Macbeth: 2 Interludes / 3 Jewish Poems / In Memoriam
Royal Philharmonic, Atlas

‘The orchestra plays superbly throughout in what must have been totally unfamiliar scores’ – MusicWeb International

Naxos 8.573072
CATALANI, A.: Ero e Leandro / Contemplazione / Il Mattino
Rome Symphony, La Vecchia

‘All of these works are exquisite. …Discovering these works has not only been a real pleasure, but I feel I’ve missed out on some wonderful music all these years.’ – American Record Guide

Naxos 8.572901
FRANCK, C.: Early Piano Music - Ballade / 4 Mélodies de F. Schubert / Fantaisie sur 2 airs polonais / Souvenir d'Aix-la-Chapelle
Severus

‘[Severus's] lyrical tone, vivid ear for harmonic color, and commanding technique make her an ideal interpreter of Franck.’
American Record Guide

Naxos 8.572763
HINDEMITH, P.: Nobilissima Visione (Complete Ballet) / 5 Pieces for String Orchestra
Seattle Symphony, Schwarz

‘lively tempos, transparent textures, and strong rhythms serves the music best in any context, and the Seattle Symphony plays very well’
ClassicsToday.com

Naxos 8.660343-44
MERCADANTE, S.: Briganti (I) [Melodramma serio]
Mironov, Ivanova, Prato, Poznan Camerata Bach Choir, Virtuosi Brunensis, Fogliani


‘spirit and style’ – Financial Times


‘brisk, idiomatic interpretation’ – Daily Telegraph (UK)

Naxos 8.573195
MEYERBEER, G.: Overtures and Entr'actes from the French Operas
New Zealand Symphony, Darrell Ang

‘performed with a depth of understanding which allows the music every chance of presenting itself at its best’ – MusicWeb International

Naxos 8.573077
MONTSALVATGE, X.: Sinfonía de Rèquiem / Manfred / Bric-à-brac
Barcelona Symphony and Catalonia National Orchestra, Pérez

‘The four movements are alternately serene and playful, and the Barcelona Symphony plays it with sensitivity and joy.’ – American Record Guide

Naxos 8.572888
RAVEL, M.: Orchestral Works, Vol. 2 - Valses nobles et sentimentales / Gaspard de la nuit
Orchestre National de Lyon, Slatkin

‘Leonard Slatkin gives a performance that's full of sweep and sparkling color.’ – American Record Guide

Naxos 8.573168
RESPIGHI, O.: Gli uccelli (The Birds) / Trittico botticelliano / Suite in G Major
K. Brown, Chamber Orchestra of New York, Di Vittorio


‘Both 'Gli Uccelli' and 'Trittico Botticelliano' are performed in the most refined and transparent versions one can imagine.’ – Pizzicato

Naxos 8.559761
ROREM, N.: Piano Album I / 6 Friends
C. Enger

‘The sleight of hand is dazzling; fruity sounding chords turn out on closer listening to be made up of just two or three notes. ’ – The Arts Desk

Naxos 8.573153
TAKEMITSU, Toru: Original Solo Guitar Works (Complete) (Japanese Guitar Music, Vol. 1)
Shin-ichi Fukuda

‘Guitarist Shin-ichi Fukuda's playing is as impeccable and impressive as his credentials are’ – MusicWeb International

Naxos 8.573190
WEINBERG, M.: Symphony No. 18 / Trumpet Concerto
Balio, St. Petersburg Chamber Choir, St. Petersburg State Symphony Orchestra, V. Lande

‘there's no real alternative to this new recording, but it's so good that the absence of competition is of no concern’ – International Record Review

Naxos 8.572995
YSAŸE, E.: 6 Sonatas for Solo Violin, Op. 27
Tianwa Yang

   


‘Yang's rare ability to sustain a convincing emotional narrative in these elusive scores proves highly compelling’ – BBC Music Magazine

‘Tianwa Yang's colors are gorgeous, her nuances magical.’ – Pizzicato

‘performances of eyebrow-raising substance’ – The Strad

Naxos Digital 9.70177
LOPES-GRAÇA, F.: Violin and Piano Works / Solo Violin Works (Complete)
B. Monteiro, J.P. Santos

‘dispatched with unfailing assurance and eloquence’ – Gramophone

Naxos AudioBooks NA0148
WOOLF, V.: Jacob's Room (Unabridged)

‘[Stevenson] communicates her own excitement at Woolf's achievement in a way that delights and even instructs’ – AudioFile




Distributed Labels

Accentus Music
ACC-102177 [Blu-ray] /
ACC-202177 [DVD]
BRUCKNER, A.: Symphony No. 7
Barenboim

‘This series of Bruckner Symphonies goes from strength to strength with an absolutely superb performance of the Seventh.’ – BBC Music Magazine

Arthaus 108103 [Blu-ray] /
102184 [DVD]
GLUCK, C.W.: Orfeo ed Euridice (Studio Production, 2014)

BR-Klassik 900121
BERLIOZ, H.: Symphonie fantastique / VARÈSE, E.: Ionisation
Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Jansons

‘This is a big reading, spacious and detailed, but one that emphasises the unease underlying even the most lyrical passages. ’ – BBC Music Magazine

C Major 715504 [Blu-ray] /
715408 [DVD]
PENDERECKI, K.: Paths Through the Labyrinth (Documentary, 2013)

‘Performances, brief as they are, are hair-raising and serve to underscore the necessity for experiencing the physical effort involved in playing this music.’
American Record Guide

Cantaloupe Music CA-21100
LANG, David: Love Fail
Anonymous 4

‘engrossing, evocative and unsettlingly beautiful’ – San Francisco Chronicle


‘Beautiful, mysterious, a bit disturbing and wonderful!’ – Audiophile Audition

Capriccio C5172
SCHUMANN, R.: Vocal Music
Edelmann, Spencer

‘Here is yet another fine baritone singing yet another splendid performance.’ – American Record Guide

Cedille CDR90000-147
MOZART. W.A.: Clarinet Quintet in A Major, K. 581 / BRAHMS, J.: Clarinet Quintet in B Minor, Op. 115
McGill, Pacifica Quartet

‘The pure, gorgeous tone and expressive musicianship of the clarinetist Anthony McGill meshes with the talents of the excellent Pacifica Quartet for thoroughly enjoyable readings’ – The New York Times


‘These monumental clarinet war horses get a vibrant new treatment!’
Audiophile Audition

Dacapo 6.220574
NØRGÅRD, P.: Symphonies Nos. 1 and 8
Vienna Philharmonic, Oramo


‘Dacapo's recording is as beautiful as the Vienna Phil's playing’
Gramophone

Delos DE3455
ROSSINI, G.: Opera Arias (Virtuoso Rossini Arias)
Brownlee

‘Brownlee manages these daring feats with bountiful panache.’
Gramophone

EuroArts 2072674 [Blu-ray] /
2072678 [DVD]
SALZBURG FESTIVAL 2013: OUVERTURE SPIRITUELLE - HAYDN, J.: Jahreszeiten (Die) (The Seasons)
Harnoncourt


‘Harnoncourt demonstrates how efficient, full of tension and delicacy a more controlled performance of this masterwork can be.’ – Pizzicato

Grand Piano GP660
CARREÑO, T.: Rêverie - Selected Music for Piano
Oehler

‘[Alexandra Oehler's] interpretations of these tremendously gentle Reveries are a joy.’ – Viva Voce (Germany)

ICA Classics ICAD5124
STRAVINSKY, I.: Rite of Spring (The) / Capriccio / Symphony of Psalms
Bernstein

‘This is an outstanding example of an orchestral video.’
American Record Guide

Oehms Classics OC651
MAHLER, G.: Symphony No. 6
Cologne Gürzenich Orchestra, Stenz

‘Stenz and his musicians deliver the symphony with abundant energy, textural richness, expressive depth, and extreme clarity’ – Allmusic.com

Ondine ODE1248-2D
BEETHOVEN, L. van: Piano Sonatas, Nos. 1, 2, 3, 28, 29
Jumppanen

‘The orchestra plays beautifully under La Vecchia's sympathetic leadership.’ – American Record Guide

Opus Arte
OABD7142D [Blu-ray] / OA1132D [DVD]
PUCCINI, G.: Turandot (Royal Opera House, 2013)

‘Lise Lindstrom is pretty much the ideal Ice Princess: her voice one of steely intensity.’ – BBC Music Magazine



All the best,
 


Kay Rhodes
Naxos Marketing
Kay.Rhodes@naxos.com

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