User Details - Castor

recommendations | wish list

Name:
   Graham Williams
Details:
   Main interests are orchestral music (post 1600 to present) and opera/vocal.
Location:
   Lancashire
UK
HiFi:
   Meridian 502 pre, 508-24 CD player, amps Meridian 557 and Quad 606
Sony SCD-XA777ES
OPPO DV-980H
Yamaha DSP-AX757SE amp /processor
Main speakers Monitor Audio Platinum PL300
Rears/ centre Quad 22L
Quad L subwoofer
Listening room dimensions 16'X 29'X 8'
Email:
  
Web:
  
Posts:
   466
 
 
Reviews
Found: 199 show all
  March 2, 2010

A glance at the Channel Classics catalogue will reveal that the label has an enviable number of fine recordings of the Baroque repertoire, not least due to the number of excellent ensembles specializing in music from the 17th and early 18th centuries that are based in the Netherlands. The Holland ... more
  February 28, 2010

Any preconceptions that Mahler’s Fourth Symphony might be the least suited to Gergiev’s generally forceful approach to Mahler were proved, in many respects, to be unfounded by this recording. The Russian maestro’s predominantly genial reading of the work is as surprising as it is welcome, though it ... more
  February 24, 2010

The major item on this new Hungaroton SACD is Bartok’s cheerful and engagingly tuneful early Suite No. 1 for orchestra written in 1905 a few years after he had discovered, and become an adherent of, the music of Richard Strauss. It is very much the work of a young man full of confidence in his ... more
  February 21, 2010

About fourteen years ago Mikhail Pletnev and the Russian National Orchestra recorded a CD for DGG entitled ‘The Enchanted Kingdom’ that has been a favourite of mine since it was released. Besides music by Liadov and Tcherepnin it also included a fine performance of the suite from Rimsky-Korsakov’s ... more
  February 19, 2010

The first volume in this series of Elgar’s ‘Complete Songs for voice and piano’ was well received both on this site and elsewhere, and this latest volume is equally recommendable. The twenty two songs performed on this beautifully recorded SACD span the period 1872-1931 and thus include Elgar’s ... more
 
 
Latest Posts
New Reference Recordings SACD in MC
March 12, 2010
The April issue of International Record Review also praises both the performances and the 'demonstration' sound quality. ... more
Wagner Parsifal coming on SACD
March 12, 2010
Agreed, but Pape is probably the best Gurnemanz around and Urmana is on great vocal form at the moment. I saw her some years ago as Kundry at Bayreuth and she was very fine indeed. Inevitably Gergiev's Wagner will divide opinion but we will all enjoy hating it, or loving it and endlessly discussing it. Peter Schneider -dull-dull-dull! ... more
Wagner Parsifal coming on SACD
March 12, 2010
A complete recording of the opera conducted by Valery Gergiev will be released on the Mariinsky label in September 2010. The cast includes René Pape, Violeta Urmana and Gary Lehman. Good news for Wagnerians! ... more
Elton John opens his big mouth...
February 21, 2010
Absolutely. It should be removed now. ... more
What Are Your Favorite Conductors??
February 16, 2010
I saw this about a year ago. It is brilliant! Can't believe no one has yet listed Carlos Kleiber amongst their favouites. ... more