Classical Explorer

Mozart Symphonies 34-36 Collins and the Philharmonia stylishly capture all the freshness of Mozart;s symphonies while perfuming on modern instruments. An ideal compromise

Fresh performances of #Mozart symphonies from the @philharmonialondon.bsky.social : shorturl.at/0pduH

An Invitation at the Schumanns' A phenomenal disc; an idea, beautifully realised

An Invitation at the Schumanns': a cracking disc on Harmonia Mundi: shorturl.at/Xrp4F

Così fan tutte/i: ENO's fairground foray Relocation, relocation, relocation: Coney Island, Booklyn, is a long way from the Bay of Naples. But such is the setting for Phelim McDermott’s Cosi fan tutte; or is that Cosi fan tutti? The latter ap...

... also, my review of the current run of #Mozart Così at #ENO: shorturl.at/WA9hb

Trio de la cour de Belgique This is what it's all about: discoveries like this one

Trio de la cour de Belgique: Biddulph Recordings strikes (#chamber music) gold again: shorturl.at/jlxhz

To Gothenburg: Alfvén and Rautavaara A wonderful idea to pair Alfvén and Rautavaara. This SACD is bathed in glorious sound

#Alfvén & #Rautavaara on @ChandosRecords from the Gothenburg SO and Neeme Järvi: shorturl.at/Yl91M

yes indeed. I had the old Naxos in my collection!

You might be interested in tomorrow's post: it includes Rautavaara's "Cantus Arcticus," which includes recorded Arctic birdsong!

A Valentine's (barbed) bouquet: Songs of Love & War, Monteverdi's Eighth of Madrigals Monteverdi Madrigals, Book VIII (excerpts). Altri canti d’Amor; Ho che’l ciel e la terra; Il combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda; Ballo, Movete al mio bel suon la piante snll. Altri canti de Mare; V...

#Monteverdi's Eighth Book of Madrigals: Songs of Love & War, the Academy of Ancient Music at Milton Court: shorturl.at/Lkzbe

Branching out: Iris Scialom & Antonin Bonnet's "Aborescence" Arboescence is a fine debut disc

#Arborescence: Works for violin & piano by #Fauré,, #Ravel & Enescu/Enesco on the Scala label: shorturl.at/flOkX

Bookmarked for tea break listening this morning!

Wranitzky Symphonies on cpo Gupta brings out the best of the Hamburg orchestra; the recoding itself is simply superb. One of the best Wranitzky discs available

#Wranitzky Symphonies on #cpo: great morning listening (or any time, for that matter!): shorturl.at/VMVA7

Schubert 4 Hands: music from 1828 I have to confess to warming to the "fillers" more than to the Fantasie performance

#Schubert "Four Hands": Chamayou and Andsnes on @warnerclassics.bsky.social: shorturl.at/3zLbs

Pairings: Sacred Works by Michael Praetorius and Schütz A remarkable disc: don't hesitate if this repertoire appeals!

Praetorius and Schütz setting the same texts in this fascinating #cpo disc by Weser-Renaissance: shorturl.at/0wRYJ

Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue

A blue tit hanging backwards off a hawthorn branch to reach for one of its red berries. There are stems and berries all around the picture and bright blue, clear sky in the background. The scene is lit by the morning sun.

Today's Bird of the Day prompt is "Birds and Berries"

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Photo: Blue Tit and hawthorn, 2021

#BirdOfTheDay #Birds&Berries #Birds #WildlifePhotography #Nature #EastCoastKin

Out of Vienna: the Leonkoro Quartet on Alpha A superb debut on Alpha for the Leonkoro Quartet

Apologies for the repost yesterday: a glitch with our web host, all sorted now. Here's "Out of Vienna" on Alpha Classics, by the Leonkoro Quartet. Music by Berg, Schulhoff & Webern: shorturl.at/leZcm

Elgar's 'The Kingdom' in performance Definitely a case of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts

#Elgar's "The Kingdom" in performance at @southbankcentre.bsky.social: shorturl.at/ABnXN

beautiful!

Happy birthday, Mozart: from The Mozartists Ian Page really does represent a perfect marriage of musicology and performance

#Mozart Birthday Concert from Cadogan Hall, a report: shorturl.at/lMTTd

Gounod (& Gounod/Liszt) piano works A lesser-known side of Gounod

#Gounod from #Naxos (& a Gounod/Liszt bonus) today. Lots to discover, all delightful! shorturl.at/CMOIB

For John Cage: the Zen-like composed silence of late Feldman The late music of Moton Feldman (1926-87) is like no other

For John Cage: the remarkable world of late Feldman : shorturl.at/KVgAO

The opera at Verrsailles is very much with the trip. Small capacity though. I hope the record company survives .... the catalogue is exceptional

This is amazing! I saw this at Versailles: I think Mechelen is exceptional if memory serves? Also fascinating to hear the full opera after only being aware of it through Beethovens variations for so many years.

But my biggest revelation from Versailles over the years has been Mondonville! :)

Hamematsu winner Manami Suzuki at King's Place Suzuki clearly has a bright future ahead

Hamamatsu winner Manami Suzuki at King's Place, London: shorturl.at/nLarT #piano

Gluck: Rare Arie d'opera on Tactus ... a cautious recommendation

Rare #Gouck onTactus: shorturl.at/D5tCF

Another Wigmore triumph: Christian Gerhaher and Gerold Huber in Schubert Schubert Lieder Christian Gerhaher (baritone); Gerold Huber (piano). Wigmore Hall, London, 20.1.2026 Die abgeblühte Linde, D 514 (?1817). Der Jûngling an der Quelle, D 300 (c. 1817).  Die blinde Knab...

Gerhaher and Huber in #Schubert at Wigmore Hall, #London: shorturl.at/sP1Jf

British Orchestral Anthems on Delphian: shorturl.at/5htyp

Beethoven's final trilogy of piano sonatas: Cristian Sandrin excels Exploration isnt' just about repertoire; it's also about new talent. Crisian Sandrin here gives performances of the last three Beethoven piano sonatas for the ages: plus a bonus (Carl Tausig's arrange...

Phenomenal late #Beethoven (including a heart-wrenching arrangement of the Cavatina from Op. 130) from Cristian Sandrin: shorturl.at/XTwUi #piano

Arise, my love: Music for the Break of Day from Magdalen College Arise my love presents a beautiful concept, beautifully realised

"...with Gabriel Jackson (born 1962) and his To Morning, which set William Blake (O holy virgin!), and an entreaty for Her to "Unlock heaven's golden gate". The poem is magnificent; Jackson's setting equally so." says @classicalexplorer.bsky.social www.classicalexplorer.com/arise-m-y-lo...

Zoë Martlew's debut Album Z: an update Album Z Unleashed

Zoe Martlew's Album Z: the King's Place gig. shorturl.at/53BjX