The Ross Review: Classical Candor

Monday, May 12, 2025

New Reviews at Classical Candor

Classical Candor recently published two CD reviews of mine. The first (treating the latest Weinberg string quartet series installment from Chandos) is available here: https://classicalcandor.blogspot.com/2025/05/weinberg-string-quartets-volume-5-cd.html

The second review considers the latest Ruth Gipps orchestral music volume, also from Chandos: https://classicalcandor.blogspot.com/2025/05/ruth-gipps-orchestral-works-volume-4-cd.html

I am significantly preoccupied with all sorts of projects at the present, which explains my lack of activity here. I will post as I am able. Thanks for reading!

Friday, April 11, 2025

Tuesday, February 25, 2025

New Review at Classical Candor

I couldn't stay away; I started reviewing music for Classical Candor again. First upon my return is the lovely third volume in Chandos's Ruth Gipps orchestral works series. Take a look: https://classicalcandor.blogspot.com/2025/02/ruth-gipps-orchestral-works-volume-3-cd.html

Early in 2023 I was asked by Karl Nehring to be a contributor to his classical music review blog, Classical Candor. Having gratefully accepted, I went on to author 15 recording reviews there in the space of about 16 months. I had intended to stay on longer, but I got very busy with my careers as a music history professor and orchestra manager. Unfortunately it was no longer possible to keep providing reviews for three outlets: Classical Candor, my site here, AND the occasional scholarly journal. I had to downsize, and I've made the decision to restrict my reviewing to The Ross Review for the foreseeable future. Academic research remains my top priority; criticism is just something I do for fun on the side. I only have so much time...

But I am a little sad to be leaving Classical Candor. It afforded me a great deal of reviewing practice, and I received wonderful support from Mr. Nehring and his staff. Working there taught me just how much I love engaging in criticism as a constructive outlet, and the many things about classical music I still have to learn. So as I sign off, I would like to thank Karl and the other gentlemen who made room for me on their site: Bill Heck, John Puccio, and Bryan Geyer. Whatever success comes of my reviewing, I owe a great deal to these individuals. I also encourage my readers to visit Classical Candor and browse their terrific content. The place is a treasure trove of insight.

If you are interested in accessing my work there, here it is:

1. Arnold: Commonwealth Christmas Overture Op. 64; Concerto No. 1 for Clarinet and Strings Op. 20; Divertimento No. 2 for Orchestra Op. 24/Op. 75; Larch Trees, Tone Poem for Orchestra Op. 3; Philharmonic Concerto for Orchestra Op. 120; The Padstow Lifeboat Op. 94A (March for Brass Band Arranged 2001 for Orchestra by Philip Lane). Michael Collins, clarinet; BBC Philharmonic; Yuri Torchinsky and Zoë Beyers, leaders; Rumon Gamba, conductor. Chandos CHAN 20152. 15 April 2023.

2. Weinberg: String Quartet No. 4 in E-Flat Major, Op. 20; String Quartet No. 16 in A-Flat Minor, Op. 130. Arcadia Quartet. Chandos CHAN 20180. 3 May 2023.

3. Nielsen: The Symphonies. Danish National Symphony Orchestra; Fabio Luisi, conductor. Deutsche Grammophon 486 3471 (3 CDs). 31 May 2023.

4. Rautavaara: Piano Concerto No. 3 ‘Gift of Dreams’; Martinů: Piano Concerto No. 3. Olli Mustonen, piano; Lahti Symphony Orchestra; Dalia Stasevska, conductor. BIS-2532. 13 August 2023.

5. Sibelius: Karelia Overture, Op. 10; Klami: Nummisuutarit; Melartin: Overture to ‘Prinsessa Ruusunen’, Op. 22; Madetoja: Comedy Overture, Op. 53; Järnefelt: Ouverture lyrique; Mielck: Dramatische Ouvertüre, Op. 6; Palmgren: Overture from ‘Tuhkimo-Sarja’, Op. 21; Kajanus: Overtura sinfonica; Kaski: Prélude, Op. 7 No. 1; Järnefelt: Praeludium. Oulu Sinfonia; Rumon Gamba, conductor. Chandos CHSA 5336. 8 October 2023.

6. Rachmaninoff: The Piano Concertos and Paganini Rhapsody. Yuja Wang, piano; Los Angeles Philharmonic; Gustavo Dudamel, conductor. Deutsche Grammophon 486 4759 (2 CDs). 25 October 2023.

7. Robert Müller-Hartmann: String Quartet No. 2; Three Intermezzi and Scherzo; Two Pieces for Cello and Piano; Violin Sonata. ARC Ensemble. Chandos CHAN 20294. 20 December 2023.

8. Helvi Leiviska: Sinfonia brevis, Op. 30; Orchestral Suite No. 2, Op. 11; Symphony No. 2, Op. 27. Dalia Stasevska, conductor; Lahti Symphony Orchestra (Sinfonia Lahti). BIS-2701. 7 February 2024.

9. Sibelius: Karelia Suite, Op. 11; Rakastava, Op. 14; Lemminkäinen, Op. 22. Susanna Mälkki, conductor; Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra. BIS-2638. 28 February 2024.

10. Rachmaninoff: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini; Respighi: Toccata for Piano and Orchestra; Casella: Partita for Piano and Orchestra. Joshua Pierce, piano; Anton Nanüt, conductor; RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra. MSR 1839. 3 April 2024.

11. Britten: Sinfonia da Requiem, Op. 20; Spring Symphony, Op. 44; The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, Op. 34. Elizabeth Watts, soprano; Alice Coote, mezzo-soprano; Allan Clayton, tenor; Tiffin Boys’ Choir, Tiffin Children’s Chorus; The Tiffin Girls’ School Choir; London Symphony Orchestra; Sir Simon Rattle, conductor. LSO Live LSO0830. 5 May 2024.

12. Elgar: Symphony No. 1 in A-Flat; Symphony No. 2 in E-Flat. Sir Mark Elder, conductor; Hallé. Hallé CD HLD 7564. 19 May 2024.