February 2004

Schubert
Symphony No 8

There is a well filled Naxos CD which includes this work, along with the 5th Symphony and the 2nd ballet music from Rosamunde. The catalogue number is 8550145. Moving up the price scale brings Karl Boehm and the Berlin Philharmonic into contention with a coupling of the 9th Symphony on DG's Eloquence label 469 6272. The same combination of works ( with the same orchestra) can be found under Gunther Wand on RCA's 09026683142.

Schumann
Piano Concerto

Many recordings of this work are to be found with the coupling of the Grieg concerto. Although Andsnes has recorded both on an EMI recording issued fairly recently to critical acclaim (EMI 5575622 , an inspirational performance accompanied by Maris Jansons and the Berlin Philharmonic) there are also alternatives: Dame Myra Hess on Naxos Historical couples the concerto with Carnaval and Vogel als Prophet from Waldszenen on 8110604. On the Elatus label we find that the First Symphony is coupled with a white-hot live recording from Martha Argerich in the concerto (09274495682). At full price DG couple the Pires recording with the Piano Quintet in E flat, op44 (4631792).

Brahms
Hungarian Dances

There is a substantial set of the Hungarian Dances available on Naxos 8550110 performed by the Budapest Symphony Orchestra under Bogar; this has received a Penguin rosette and is described as "sheer delight from beginning to end". Moving up to mid price brings a Chandos recording into the frame with Jarvi and the LSO on CHAN7072.

Sibelius
Symphony No 7.

The Naxos recording on 8554387 features a fine performance by Sakari and the Iceland SO. This also includes the 6th Symphony as well as the Second Tempest Suite. At mid price Sir Simon Rattle couples the 5th with the 7th on CDM764 1222 although my own preference would be to bo for Osmo Vanska's recording on BISCD864 which couple the 6th and 7th Symphonies as well as Tapiola.

Liadov
The Enchanted Lake op 62.
Kikimora op63.

Two recordings of these works stand out. There is a budget recording on Naxos 8555242 played by the Slovak Philharmonic under Gunzenhauser. This offers a selection of Liadov pieces as well as the two on tonight's programme. However the other choice is probably the better option if you enjoy the performance tonight. The forces are the BBC Philharmonic under Vassily Sinaisky on Chandos CHAN 9911.

Elgar
Cello Concerto

Maria Kliegel's account on Naxos 8550503 is a coupling with the Dvorak Cello Concerto and is a good budget choice. You may recall her visit here a few years ago playing the Elgar. However once we move up the price scale, then we encounter a few recordings from EMI which are all contenders. There is a 1999 recording on the Virgin Classics label with Truls Mork and the CBSO under Simon Rattle which is available at mid price on VC5453562. Here the coupling is the Britten Cello Symphony. An older mid price choice, on Sony SMK89712 has Yo Yo Ma and the LSO under Previn.

The same year, 1984, saw a BBC Radio 3 review which listed another LSO recording as being its first choice. This was the legendary combination of Jacqueline Du Pre and Sir John Barbirolli on EMI. To many ears this still takes some beating. The combination of experience and youthful exuberance made this a magical performance. It is still in the catalogue at full price on CDC5568062, although there are rumours of a price change in the future. Watch this space...

Tchaikovsky
Nutcracker Act II

There is an excellent choice available from Previn and the LSO available on two budget priced CDs from Classics For Pleasure on CDCFPD 4706. Another option is the Double Decca recording on 444 8272 with the National Philharmonic under Bonynge; this set also includes Offenbach's Papillon. At full price there is the account of the whole of the ballet on Philips 4621142 played at speed by Valery Gergiev and the Kirov.

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