BEETHOVEN: Violin Sonata No. 1 in D Op. Op. 12 No. 1. Violin Sonata No. 2 in A Op. 12 No 2. Violin Sonata No. 3 in E flat Op. 12 No. 3. Violin Sonata No. 4 in A Op. 23
Frank Peter Zimmermann, violin. Martin Henrichen, piano
BIS SACD 2517 TT: 73:12
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BRITTEN: Peter Grimes
Stuart Skelton (Peter Grimes). Samuel Winter, (Boy / John). rin Wall (Ellen Orford). Roderek Williams (Captain Balstrode0. Susan Buckley (Auntie). Bergen Philharmonic Choir Royal Northern College of Music Chorus / Choir of Collegium Museum / Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra / Edward Gardner, cond
CHANDOS SACD CHSA 5250 (2 disks) TT: 82:39 / 55:37
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BACH: St. John Passion
James Gilchrist (Evangelist). Hana Blazkova (soprano). Damen Guillon (alto). Zachary Wilder (tenor). Christian Imm;er )bass))Jesus).
Bach Collegium Japan Chorus and Orchestra / Masaaki Suzuki, cond.
BIS SACD 2441 (2 disks) TT: 105:20
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Master German violinist Frank Peter Zimmerman (b. 1965) has enjoyed a remarkable career and made numerous recordings for major labels.Now he has a contract with BIS and already has recorded chamber music of Beethoven and Mozart as ell as concertos of Hindemith and Shostakovich. Now he turns his attention once again to Beethoven; this is the first disk of Beethoven Violin Sonatas containing the first three of Op. 12. Zimmermann is accom[anied by his long-time partner pianist Martin Henrichen, Music-making if thehighest order here, and the recording is a model of natural rich sound. We look forward to future BIS releases by this distinguished artist

Benjamin Britten's Peter Grimes had its premiere at Sadler's Wells June 7,1945. It was an instant success and is now standard repertory. The story focuses on the tragic life of Peter Grimes a fisherman outsider not understood by the community. Grimes is a tragic figure and his demanding association with his young apprentice John, who was his young apprentice. John dies mysteriously and Grimes sets sail and disappears in the sea. The composer made two recordings, the first in 1958, both with his friend Peter Pears, in the title role There have been many recordings since and now we have this superb one featuring the Bergen Philharmonic conducted by Edward Gardner. The cast throughout is first-rate, headed by Stuart Skelton in the title role. The recording was made in Norway's Grieg Hall 25 - 27, 2918 (the famous orchestral interludes were reorded a month earlier). This is a deluxe production and a 134-page booklet contains many photos and the complete libretto. The Chandos engineers have provided a rich, detailed and perfectly balanced audio picture clearly separating the choruses and sooists. . A major release!

Amazing Bah specialist Massaki Suzuki has made dozens of Bah recordings but this one was made under unique circumstances. Suzuki and the Bach Collegium Japan as [art of their 30th Anniversary Tour which was to begin in Katowice, Poland followed by performances in Dublin and London,. However Covid19 cancelled the tour,were planning an extensive tour. Before making their return to Japan, the BCJ agreed with the Kölner Philharmonie to go ahead with the concert that had been planned, in the form of a live streaming without an audience. This recording was made at the time. Suzuki has made previous recordings of this masterpiece including a video, but this new one has the advantage of natural well-balanced multi-channel sound. And it is a sad reminder of today's Corona Virus situation when fine artists have no venues in which o perform. How

R.E.B. (October 2020)

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