CD Review: Pentatone’s ‘Un Ballo in Maschera’ The forces behind the Dutch label Pentatone are deserving of every accolade for producing beautifully engineered recordings. This is especially important considering that heavy hitters like Warner and Sony only hesitatingly, and with big marketing efforts, venture into the operatic realm, knowing that its share of profitability has
Verdi: Un ballo in maschera (Dresden/Janowski) The British-Italian tenor Freddie de Tommaso is the star attraction on this new recording of Verdi’s tale of amorous intrigue. Tommaso made headlines when he was asked to step in mid-performance as Cavaradossi at Covent Garden a couple of years ago, becoming the youngest tenor and the first British
Mahler: Symphony No. 2 (Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Prague Philharmonic Choir, Semyon Bychkov) Bychkov’s dramatic instincts craft a Resurrection full of light and shade. Editor’s Choice – August 2023 Mahler’s Second had the most torturous gestation of all his symphonies. It started out as a mere torso – a symphonic poem by the name of “Totenfeier”
Verdi: Un Ballo in Maschera review – Freddie De Tommaso stars in lustrous lockdown tragicomedy Recorded in two separate studios, Marek Janowski’s dashing recording of Verdi’s opera draws power from its authoritative star, even if the rest of the cast can’t quite measure up New bespoke opera releases are rare commodities nowadays, and this is
LEBRECHT LISTENS | Czech Phil And Semyon Bychkov Bring Mahler’s Monumental 2nd Symphony To Miraculous Life If ever you want to know why records are going out of business, look no further than the small print at the back of the booklet. The present performance was recorded in November-December 2018 in the Dvorak Hall in
It has been a long time since we had a new studio recording of Un ballo in maschera. The most recent, as far as I can see, was Karajan on DG with Plácido Domingo, Josephine Barstow and Leo Nucci in 1989. It is still available, although only as download, and is well worth acquiring. Earlier than
Guter Maskenball aus Monte-Carlo Pentatone hat für den Janowski-Ballo aus Monte Carlo eine recht gute Besetzung zusammengestellt. Freddie De Tommaso beeindruckt mit der warmen Fülle der Stimme sowie einer guten Vokalführung über einen weiten Bereich. Von baritonal kräftiger Tiefe reicht die Stimme bis zu mühelos strahlender Höhe. Zu den guten Eindrücken zählt auch der vitale
June 2023 Classical Record Reviews Stephen Francis Vasta | Jun 7, 2023 From the opening attack, Bychkov’s Resurrection grabs your attention. The resonant bassi are alertly accented. The reed entry rides clearly above the strings. Within the movement’s turbulence, the aspiring second theme provides needed repose. The development’s slow march builds with careful control; dotted rhythms can feel lazy, but the
Classical CD and Livestream Reviews: Mahler 2, Two Ways By Jonathan Blumhofer In both performances, tempos are fleet but not rushed. The big moments — from the hellish apex of the first movement’s development to the screaming climax of the Scherzo and the cathartic resolution of the finale — pack heavy punches. Semyon Bychkov’s ongoing
Schwindende Begeisterung … Und da haben wir sie wieder, diese unglaubliche Intensität, mit der die Tschechische Philharmonie unter der Leitung von Semyon Bychkov Mahler spielt. Es gibt unglaublich viel zu hören in dieser Symphonie, die der Dirigent bis in den letzten Notenwinkel durchleuchtet und – zum Teil wenigstens – absolut großartig gestaltet. Zu diesem Klangeindruck