Classical

The Sony Classical label has begun issuing 50 CDs of the works of composer and conductor Pierre Boulez. Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews three offerings, with Boulez conducting works by Varese, Ravel, and Schonberg.

Classical music critic reviews Creators' Records, which compiles historic recordings from 1877-1903 of legendary operas sung by the original performers.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz says Russell Sherman's performances of these compositions are both technically accomplished and narratively powerful. A new recording has been released by the Albany Records label.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a new recording of "Flavio" on the Harmonia Mundi label. He says it's perhaps the best performance of the opera since Handel's own time.

Kent Nagano conducts the Berkeley Symphony Orchestra. He's known for performing lesser known, experimental works, including pieces by Olivier Messiaen and Frank Zappa. Contrary to many other musicians, he doesn't place much value in recordings, and believes the only way to fully appreciate a work is to witness it performed live.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz says a new recording of the ballet, performed by the Boston Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Bernard Haitink, lacks sexiness and uniqueness -- but the orchestra's precision allows the musicians to shine.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz has nothing but praise for two new CDs on the Pearl label, which feature recordings by the great violinist, Joseph Szigeti. Later in his career, Szigeti's developed a reputation for flagging technique and questionable intonation, but Schwartz says these performances should restore his reputation as a master musician.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz returns to discuss more of his favorite recordings from RCA's recent batch of reissues of the conductor's many recorded works.

The label has reissued the complete recordings of the maestro, which include over 80 releases. Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews three boxed sets featuring works by Beethoven, Brahms, and Verdi.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews two new recordings of pianist Dubravka Tomsic on the Stradivari label. He says the CDs, released after a series of successful recitals by Tomsic, are filled with fireworks, even on the slower, delicate pieces.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a new recording of John Field's Nocturnes, performed by Irish composer and pianist John O'Conor. (on the Telarc label).

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a new album of two Schubert Masses conducted by Robert Shaw (on the Telarc label). It features the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra & Choruses.

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "Charles Mingus Epitaph" (on the Columbia label) It's a live recording of the Mingus composition conducted by composer Gunther Schuller last year at New York's Lincoln Center.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a recording of Pierre Boulez conducting Mahler's 5th Symphony.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews the operatic adaptation of Henry James' story, "The Turn of The Screw." It was composed by Benjamin Britten in 1954, and London records has just reissued a recording of Britten performing the work.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews the final album by pianist Vladimir Horowitz.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews two new Angel recordings featuring British conductor Roger Norrington. Norrington is known for his use of original instruments. The albums feature music from the 19th century by Schubert, Mendelssohn, Weber, Wagner, and Berlioz.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz has a review of a new recording of composer Paul Hindemith conducting his own works with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. The composer died in 1963 and these recordings are live recordings from the archives of his Orchestra. (on the Orfeo label)

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "The Best of Teo Macero," a reissue of Macero's so-called "third stream" work from the 50s. It's on Stash records.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a new release of works by 20th century composer Leon Kirchner. Lloyd say Kirchner has managed to fuse the two major influences of 20th-century classical music, Schoenberg and Stravinsky. (the album's on the Elektra/Nonesuch label).