Brilliant Classics

Nikolay Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov showed musical promise as a child, but the pursuit of a Naval career meant that much of his grounding in musical theory was gained in between various tours of duty. Although best known in the Western world for his nationalist orchestral works, Rimsky-Korsakov brought Russian opera to the fore, so that by the end...

Parisian composer Georges Bizet was enrolled in the Consevatoire at the age of nine and won a premier prix in solfege within six months of his arrival. He later received prizes for his skill as a pianist, gaining particular renown for his sight-reading, and won the coveted Prix de Rome in 1857. At this time, opera theatres in Paris were reluctant...

A second album from the brilliant young Italian pianist brings a focus on the 19th century lion of piano music whose anniversary was celebrated last year. The first Brilliant Classics disc from Vanessa Benelli Mosell included music by Prokofiev and Scriabin: a test for even the most engulfing virtuoso. "Sparkling technique in demanding music", "She...

The Debussy-year 2012 brought a wealth of reissues on the market, but surprisingly few new recordings. Reason the more to welcome this new recording of a generous selection of Debussy piano works, centred around the substantial "12 Etudes".These works, written in the later stage of Debussy's creative life, form the apotheosis of his style. Far from...

Symphony No.1 in C op.21Symphony No.2 in D op.36Symphony No.3 in E flat op.55 "Eroica"Symphony No.4 in B flat op.60Symphony No.5 in C minor op.67Symphony No.6 in F op.68 "Pastoral"Symphony No.7 in A op.92Symphony No.8 in F op.93Symphony No.9 in D minor op.125 "Choral".Margaret PriceMarjana LipovsekWolfgang SawallischRoyal Concertgebouw Orchestra...

The supreme master of the chamber duet genre was Agostino Steffani, recently celebrated by Cecilia Bartoli, and it is no coincidence that Handel had a manuscript copy of Steffani's famous duets with him at the beginning of his stay in Rome. The Italian composer's work was a model for the young musician from Saxony, an inspiration that left tangible...