Aesthetically Unified as One Romantic Brotherhood

On RHEINMÄDCHEN, France's all-female vocal chorus ENSEMBLE PYGMALION, conducted by RAPHAEL PICHON, assays, with an invigorating twist, Wagner, Schubert, Schumann, Johannes Brahms and others.
by David McGee
 

 
 

A Dazzling French Connection

After dazzling the opera world on stage last year, Belgium's SONYA YONCHEVA is doing it on record, with her debut album, PARIS, MON AMOUR--a different sort of French connection. Also: TRIO MEDIAEVAL.
by David McGee
 

 

 
 

It’s Got That Swing…: Alexandre Tharaud’s Swinging Paris Le Boeuf Sur le Toit

Recalling the glory days in the 1920s of the famed Paris nightspot Le Boeuf Sur le Toit, French classical pianist Alexandre Tharaud offers a program of material you might have heard in the club when it was sizzling, ranging fro...
by David McGee
 

 
 

The Latinate Cello

On the enticing ALVORADO, OPHELIE GAILLARD, better known as a baroque and classical cellist, convincingly performs a wide variety of Spanish and Latin American music by Piazzolla, Jobim, Villa Lobos and other greats.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Melody and Drama from a Baroque Master

As part of CECILIA BARTOLI's Steffani Project, I BAROCCHISTI, under the direction of DIEGO FASOLIS, has recorded 'a first-class collection of instrumental suites and movements from Agosto Steffani's operas, DANZE E OUVETURES. P...
by David McGee
 

 
 

A Fellow Romanian Remembers Dinu Lipatti

On Piano Music of Dinu Lipatti, one Romanian virtuoso, pianist LUIZA BORAC, pays tribute to another, the late DINU LIPATTI (1917-1950), in selections of his works performed on the composer's own favored Bechstein instrument.
by David McGee
 

 

 

‘Mission’ Possible: Cecilia Bartoli Rules the Classical Roost

With Mission, her acclaimed new album of Agostino Steffani songs, CECILIA BARTOLI is not only getting the best reviews of her distinguished career, but says she is 'going against the typical cliche of a diva, of being beautiful...
by David McGee
 

 
 

‘Constantly Moving Between the Centuries…’

As they did on 2013's Mediterraneo, CHRISTINA PLUHAR & L'ARPGIATTA take a different approach, this time on the 17th century music of England's greatest composer, HENRY PURCELL
by David McGee
 

 

 

A Fresh Take on Fibich

Among Czech nationalistic composers, Zdenek Fibich's work has been woefully overlooked. The Czech National Symphony offers a partial corrective on its new CD.
by David McGee
 

 
 

‘As long as you can look fearlessly at the sky, you’ll know you’re pure within’

Introduced on stage in 2005, James Whitbourn's Annelies, the first adaptation of Anne Frank's diary into a large-scale choral work, will at last be released on CD on Jan. 22. Here's our preview of the first important recording ...
by David McGee
 

 

 

Shakespeare, In Concept

CLARA SANABRAS has adapted SHAKESPEARE'S 'THE TEMPEST' into an operatic production and, now, a concept album with Britten Sinfonia and others. It's a beauty. ROBERT HUGILL reviews.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Bach by Thile (Not Thile Does Bach)

It was inevitable: after flirting with Bach for his entire professional career, CHRIS THILE has released a solo album of the Baroque giant's Sonatas & Partitas. Reviewer CHRSITINE N. LAYTON hails it as a big winner.
by David McGee