Can't view the graphics below? Please click here
 
Critics’ Choice
September 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 8.559727
CAGE, J.: Works for 2 Keyboards, Vol. 2
Pestova, Meyer

‘the Pestova/Meyer Piano Duo excels in transforming themselves in highly talented string players, percussionists and...pianists’
Pizzicato

‘this is a success on all levels’ – Fanfare

Naxos 8.559772
DANIELPOUR, R.: Toward a Season of Peace
Plitmann, Pacific Chorale, Pacific Symphony, St.Clair

‘The engineering is as impressive as the playing. A sense of total commitment on the part of the orchestra, the chorus, and the conductor is almost palpable.’ – Fanfare

Naxos 8.573008
DOHNÁNYI, E.: Symphony No. 2 / 3 Songs, Op. 22: Nos. 1-2
E.T. Jones, Florida State University Symphony, Jiménez


‘a gripping work, and the Florida State University Symphony Orchestra conducted by Alexander Jiménez gives a vibrant account of it’ – Pizzicato

Naxos 8.573360
DONIZETTI, G.: Aristea [Cantata]
A.L. Brown, Hershkowitz, C. Adler,
Members of Bavarian State Opera Chorus,
Simon Mayr Chorus and Ensemble, Hauk

‘The performance is thoroughly idiomatic and accomplished.’
MusicWeb International

Naxos 8.573080
DOVE, J.: Song Cycles - All You Who Sleep Tonight / Out of Winter / Ariel (English Song, Vol. 23)
Booth, Bardon, Spence, Matthews-Owen

‘This delightful anthology demonstrates that the composer is heir to the 20th-century English song tradition’ – Financial Times

Naxos 8.573279
DVOŘÁK, A.: Piano Trios, Vol. 1 - Nos. 3 and 4, "Dumky"
Tempest Trio

‘acquire this release for what may well be the best Dvořák “Dumky” on disc ever’ – Fanfare

Naxos 8.573223
FAURÉ, G.: Piano Quartet No. 2 / Piano Trio (version for clarinet trio) / 3 Romances sans paroles
Kungsbacka Piano Trio, P. Dukes, R. Hosford

‘What impresses in the playing of all the musicians on this superb disc is the absence of any struggle between piano and strings; it is not a case of the piano playing against the three string players.’ – MusicWeb International

Naxos 8.573197
FIBICH, Z.: Orchestral Works, Vol. 3 - Symphonic Poems: Othello / Záboj, Slavoj and Ludek / Toman and the Woodsprite
Czech National Symphony, Štilec

Naxos 8.573200
LOUSSIER, J.: Violin Concertos Nos. 1 and 2 / PADEREWSKI, I.J.: Violin Sonata
Kostecki, Iwicki, Hauer, Polish Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra

‘Piotr Iwicki is a delight’ – Allmusic.com

Naxos 8.572709
SARASATE, P. de: Violin and Piano Music, Vol. 4 - Transcriptions
Tianwa Yang, Hadulla

‘Yang and Hadulla seem to have a lot of fun with this music, playing with style and finesse.’ – WQXR (New York)

Naxos 8.573132
SHOSTAKOVICH, D.: Symphonies, Vol. 10 - Symphony No. 14
G. James, A. Vinogradov, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Petrenko

‘To have a new version and in such a stunning performance and recording as this one by Petrenko, James, Vinogradov, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, and Naxos is very welcome indeed, and urgently recommended.’ – Fanfare

Naxos 8.573121
Wind Band Music - CRESTON, P. / SCHWARZ, G. / GRAINGER, P. / COPLAND, A. (Above and Beyond)
The President's Own United States Marine Band, Schwarz


‘The playing is topnotch.’ – Audiophile Audition

Naxos 8.573088
ZEMLINSKY, A.: String Quartets, Vol. 2 - Nos. 1 and 2
Escher String Quartet

‘this disc is little short of sensational—remarkable expressive and musical range achieved with a technical security and near perfect ensemble that transcends any criticism’ – MusicWeb International

‘a performance that probes the depths and surges forwards with a sense of inevitability that is ‘authentic’ in the truest possible sense’ – Gramophone




Distributed Labels

Arthaus Musik 100391
PROKOFIEV, S.: Fiery Angel (The) (Mariinsky Theatre, 1993) (NTSC)


‘breathtaking, both dramatically and musically’ – Pizzicato

BR-Klassik 900125
HAYDN, J.: Schöpfung (Die)
Tilling, Padmore, Müller-Brachmann, Bavarian Radio Chorus and Symphony, Haitink

‘The present excellent live account of The Creation with impeccable Bavarian forces under Haitink is beautifully shaped and vividly radiates a fitting sense of reverence.’ – MusicWeb International

C Major 716404 [Blu-ray] / 716308 [DVD]
STRAVINSKY, I.: Stravinsky in Hollywood (Documentary)

‘This is a fascinating glimpse not only into the last years of one of the twentieth century’s most celebrated composers but also an instructive look into how film music works and doesn’t work.’ – MusicWeb International

Capriccio C5203
BRAHMS, J.: Schöne Magelone (Die)
Behle, Bjelland

‘…Daniel Behle is a top performer…not over romantic in Brahms’s Magelone. …highly recommendable.’ – Pizzicato

‘one of the warmest and cheeriest performances of Brahms you can possibly imagine’ – Fanfare

CD Accord CDAccordACD198
LUTOSŁAWSKI, W.: Opera Omnia, Vol. 6 - Piano Concerto / Cello Concerto / Paganini Variations
Daroch, Ohlsson, Wroclaw Philharmonic, Kaspszyk

‘it is lyrical, it is tempestuous, it is ironic, and it will put a smile on your face’
Fanfare

Delos DE3466
Guitar Quartets - FALLA, M. de / GRANADOS, E. / TURINA, J. /
RODRIGO, J. / MOMPOU, F. (Spanish Dances)

Brazilian Guitar Quartet

EuroArts 2072684 [Blu-ray] / 2072688 [DVD]
WAGNER, R.: Meistersinger von Nürnberg (Die)
(Salzburg Festival, 2013)

Harnoncourt

‘the most vivid and funny Meistersinger ever recorded’ – Pizzicato

Grand Piano GP637
BOWEN, Y.: 24 Preludes / Suite Mignonne / Berceuse
Ortiz

‘a delight for both the ear and the heart’ – Classica

Oehms Classics OC684
BACH, J.S.: Clavierübung, Part I - 6 Partitas, BWV 825-830
(arr. for organ)

H. Albrecht


‘a remarkable organ experience’ – SA-CD.net

Ondine ODE1243-2D
BIBER, H.I.F. von: Mystery (Rosary) Sonatas
S.-L. Kaakinen-Pilch, Battalia

‘extraordinary performance’ – Gramophone

Solo Musica SM211
FRANÇAIX, J.: Divertissement for Bassoon and Strings /
MOZART, W.A.: Bassoon Concerto, K. 191 (Through Time)

Lopes

‘masterly playing’ – Allmusic.com

Sono Luminus DSL-92178
Piano Duo Recital: ZOFO Duet - SISASK, U. / HOLST, G. / LANG, D. / CRUMB, G. (Zoforbit: A Space Odyssey)

‘A knock-your-socks off album of tremendous sonic import, with radiant performances to boot’ – Audiophile Audition



All the best,
 


Kay Rhodes
Naxos Marketing
Kay.Rhodes@naxos.com

Naxos Global Distribution Ltd. (ROHQ)
2/F DPC Place, Chino Roces Ave., Makati City, Philippines
Tel: +852-2760-7818 / Fax: +852-2760-1962
www.naxos.com · www.classicsonline.com · www.naxosmusiclibrary.com