Back catalogue: Classical

Review: In 2018, three-time Grammy Award-winning violinist Hilary Hahn returned to classical label-behemoth Deutsche Grammophon (her usual) for an official album of interpretations of J.S. Bach's violin concertos, in collaboration with Jeffery Kahane and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. The much-celebrated fiddler laid down a stunning, full rendition of the concertos, all recorded at the Colburn School Of Performing Arts and which added to her huge repertoire. This stealth reissue from the classical music giant bolsters Hahn's rep once more.

Review: Continuing his lengthy tour of JS Bach's works, Vikingur Olafsson shares his next mini-album: a recording of several Bach 'singles' - that's individual pieces rather than 45s - performed live at Reykjavik's Harpa concert hall in January 2024. Building on his deep-rooted passion for the works of the pioneering German composer, the classically trained Olafsson lends his own subtleties to four of Bach's cantatas, as well as two further sacred songs, amounting to a more than touching suite. Chief among these in our estimation is 'Komm, suBer Tod, komm selge Ruh' ('Come, sweet death, come, blessed rest'), which was likely written by Bach in the twilight of his life: the theme alone is morbid and tearjerking enough, yet Olafsson's dexter Icelandic hands bring a trademark coldness, an exactness, that only he could summon.

Review: After a six-year hiatus, acclaimed pianist Zhu Xiao-Mei returns with a personal and truly masterful recording of J.S. Bach's English Suites which completes her journey through Bach's piano works. This release marks a milestone in her extraordinary career and reflects years of preparation and a deep, daily relationship with Bach's music. Zhu Xiao-Mei's interpretation reveals the suites' rich subtleties and timeless essence, all of which are shaped by her dedication to living closely with each piece. Despite pandemic challenges and a meticulous search for the perfect piano, this recording captures her authenticity and the wonderfully contemplative nature of Bach's music.

Review: Originally released in 1997, Andrea Bocelli's remastered Romanza album is a resplendent showcase of his remarkable tenor. This reissue revitalises the iconic tracks with enhanced audio clarity that captures the lush orchestration and emotional depth of Bocelli's performance. Highlights include the stirring 'Con Te Partiro,' the haunting 'Vivo Per Lei,' and the passionate 'La Luna Che Non C'e', all of which are ripe with Bocelli's rich tones and dynamic range. Romanza is one of many great works from this classical mainstay and it has never sounded better than this.

Review: This recording of the Philadelphia Orchestra performing Sergei Prokofiev's 1936 story and orchestral score Peter and the Wolf was recorded in 1977 and was originally released in 1978. The role of the narrator on the recording was initially offered to both Peter Ustinov and Alec Guinness who both turned it down, before David Bowie agreed to take on the role, supposedly as a Christmas present to his son. On the B-side is another equally as charming piece of recent classical history, Benjamin Britten's Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra as narrated by Hugh Downs.

Review: To mark Anton Bruckner's bicentenary in 2024, Deutsche Grammophon releases a limited and numbered audiophile vinyl edition of Herbert von Karajan's famous recordings of the complete symphony cycle with the Berliner Philharmoniker, on 17 LPs. All recordings have been newly mastered and mixed by Rainer Maillard and Sidney C. Meyer from Emil Berliner Studios: Symphonies Nos. 4-7 (analogue recordings from 1975-1979), based on 8-track material were treated according to the Original Source Series standards. Symphonies Nos. 1, 2 & 3 are digital recordings from 1980 and 1981 and have also been newly mastered and cut by the same team at EBS, optimizing the sound by utilising new bespoke analogue-to-digital-to-analogue conversion technologies and using a tube-based mixing console from 1960. The 17xLP set is housed in a slipcase with O-card, with eight 2xLP gatefolds (Symphonies Nos. 2- 9) and one single sleeve (Symphony No. 1) presented in a sleeve (1 LP), with artwork based on the respective original releases including liner notes and with additional material including recording documentation and photos.

Review: Sir Simon Rattle and the Berlin Philharmonic are at the pinnacle of classical music and are renowned for their stellar recordings. Rattle's tenure with the orchestra has been marked by mutual growth and exceptional performances and this 2012 recording of Bruckner's 9th Symphony, featuring the 'Four Movement Version', showcases their unparalleled musicianship. The performance of the original three movements is particularly noteworthy, highlighting Rattle's ability to evoke the grandeur of Furtwangler and Karajan while adding his unique interpretive touch. Despite the symphony's unfinished fourth movement, the recording's excellence makes it essential listening, with the orchestra delivering a breathtaking performance.

Review: Few conductors have been as closely associated with the works of Gustav Mahler as Sir Simon Rattle, Here, the British maestro leads the world famous Berliner Philharmoniker in a rendition of Symphony 5, which itself is one of the most renowned pieces in Mahler's oeuvre. The first instrumental he composed since his Symphony No. 1, it's a powerful audio odyssey here performed flawlessly for Rattle's first ever concert as principal conductor of Berlin's prestigious orchestra. Comprising five movements, each packs its own unique personality. At times lighter than air, in other moments packing a subdued depth, pomp and pageantry, and epic drama ('Trauermarsch. In Gemessenen Schritt. Streng. Wie Ein Kondukt'), you could argue this showcases the breadth of classical in one stunning experience, but that might be stating the obvious.