Thomas Fasano

Tom Fasano has been writing reviews of classical music recordings for the past quarter century. He's finally making them public on this blog.

Pfitzner’s Palestrina: Wunderlich’s Stellar Performance with the Vienna State Opera Ensemble

Composer: Hans Pfitzner Works: Palestrina – Excerpts from Act One and Act Three Performers: Fritz Wunderlich (tenor),…

Modern Oboe Compositions: Weiger and Conway’s Captivating Journey Through Diverse Works

Composer: Miguel del Águila, Robert Sibbing, David Gompper, Michael Angell, Arnold Rosner, Walter Piston Works: Sommergesang (1988),…

Khachaturian’s Iconic Suites: London Symphony Orchestra’s Dynamic Revival Under Stanley Black

Composer: Aram Khachaturian Works: Spartacus Suite (1956), Masquerade Suite (1941), Gayaneh Suite (1943) Performers: London Symphony Orchestra,…

Rawsthorne’s Chamber Works: Jill Crowther’s Expressive Engagement with English Northern Philharmonia

Composer: Alan Rawsthorne Works: Oboe Quartet (1935), Lament for a Sparrow (1962), Studies on a Theme by…

Stokowski’s Orchestral Mastery: Philadelphia Orchestra’s Timeless Interpretations of Romantic Ballet and Exoticism

Composer: Leopold Stokowski Works: Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker Suite; Ippolitov-Ivanov: In the Manger (orch. Stokowski); Glazunov: Danse Orientale…

Wolf’s Mörike Lieder: Rodgers and Genz’s Lyrical Exploration with Vignoles’ Sensitive Accompaniment

Composer: Hugo Wolf Works: Mörike Lieder Performers: Joan Rodgers (soprano), Stephan Genz (baritone), Roger Vignoles (pianoforte) Recording:…

Skalkottas’ Chamber Works: The New Hellenic Quartet’s Insightful Exploration

Composer: Nikos Skalkottas Works: String Quartet No.1 (1928), Zehn Stücke für Streichquartett (1940), Octet (1934), String Trio…

Svendsen’s Symphonic Legacy: Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra’s Captivating Performance under Dausgaard

Composer: Johan Severin Svendsen (1840-1911) Works: Symphony No. 1, Op. 4 (1865-6), Symphony No. 2, Op. 15…

Bach’s Art of the Fugue: Taussig’s Insightful Exploration of Counterpoint

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) The Art of the Fugue: Contrapunctus 1-19 Peter Elyakim Taussig, piano Recording Date:…

Frank Martin’s Piano Works: Badura-Skoda’s Dynamic Interpretation with Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana

Review of Frank Martin: Piano Works Composer: Frank Martin (1890-1974) Works: Ballade for piano and orchestra (1939)…

Powell’s Complete Recordings Vol 2: A Journey through Baroque and Romantic Gems

Composer: Maud Powell Works: Powell complete recordings Vol 2; JS BACH Sonata No 3 Movements 1 and…

Sculthorpe’s Musical Landscape: Ortuso and Ensemble’s Evocative Journey Through Australian Identity

Composer: Peter Sculthorpe Works: The Fifth Continent: Small Town (1963), Little Serenade (1968/1977/1983), Sun Music III (1967),…