Russia From The Inside And The Outside

Rachmaninov Symphony No 3, Balakirev Russia

Performers : London symphony Orchestra conducted by Valery Gergiev

A work of exile looking back and a work rooted from within.

Full On Romanticism

Richard Strauss - Symphonia Domestica and Die Tageszeiten ( for male chorus and orchestra )

Performers : Radio Symphony Orchestra Berlin, male voices of Berlin Radio Choir. Conducted by Marek Janowski

Sleeve notes do not detail the full programmatic aspect of Symphonia Domestica and it is probably better listened to that way.

Apollo Of The Piano ?

Britten - Piano Concerto, Diversions, Young Apollo.

Diversions are for piano left hand and orchestra, Young Apollo for piano, string quartet and string orchestra.

Performers : Steven Osborne piano, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra conducted by Ilan Volkov.

Early works by Britten and the only ones for piano and orchestra in any form in his output.  

More than a Neo-Classical exercise

Shostakovich - The Preludes and Fugues.

Performer : Alexander Melnikov, piano.

24 preludes and fugues, some instantly recognisable as Shostakovichian, others more surprising in style, all interesting.

Four Hands Make An Orchestra

Transcriptions for two pianists. Jeux - Debussy, The Rite of Spring - Stravinsky, Two Pictures - Bartok.

Performers : Jean-Efflam Bavouzet and Francois-Frederic Guy, pianos.

All transcriptions work well and show hidden details.

Year Of Song

The latest BBC Music magazine free cover disc. Schumann Ruckert Songs. Settings by both Robert and Clara Schumann of works by the poet Friedrich Ruckert.

Performers : Mary Bevan soprano, Katie Bray mezzo, Robert Murray tenor, Roderick Williams baritone, Sholto Kynoch piano.