Five of the best new releases we're featuring this month on CPR Classical.
May 2015
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Britten, Barber: Piano Concertos
Elizabeth Joy Roe2015, DeccaRoe makes her Decca debut with two great but lesser known concertos from last century. The Britten sparkles and the Barber is exuberant, and both are delivered with sensitive virtuosity.
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Brahms: The Hungarian Connection
Andreas Ottensamer2015, Deutsche GrammophonThis disc opens with a performance of Brahms' Clarinet Quintet that is beautiful, subtle and engaging. The performance also highlights the deeper influences of Hungarian folk music on Brahms as a composer. Those connections become clearer as the rest of the disc focuses on those Hungarian roots in lively performances featuring cimbalom and accordian.
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Mozart 5, Vieuxtemps 4 - Violin Concertos
Hilary Hahn2015, Deutsche GrammophonHahn has been playing these two works since she was 10 years old. Her familiarity with the music and her obvious love for these pieces adds depth and shine to the performances.
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Mozart: Piano Sonatas
Marc-Andre Hamelin2015, HyperionHamelin marshals his virtuosity and intelligence to bring these Mozart works to life in vivid performances that are both thoughtful and entertaining.
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Vivaldi: L'Estro Armonico
Rachel Podger and Brecon Baroque2015, Channel ClassicsVivaldi's Opus 3 concertos are among the treasures of the Baroque era and these recordings illuminate what is special about the works. The playing on this release is so full of joy and drama, and the result is fresh, vibrant, and thrilling.