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 Von Deutscher Seele: A Captivating Interpretation by Sieghart and Wiener Symphoniker

Composer: Hans Pfitzner Works: Von Deutscher Seele – Eichendorff-Kantate (1921) Performers: Gabriele Fontana (soprano), Barbara Hölzl (mezzo-soprano),…

Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 1: Rubinstein’s Majestic Interpretation and Katchen’s Poignant Ballades

Composer: Johannes Brahms Works: Piano Concerto No. 1, Four Ballades Op. 10 Performers: Arthur Rubinstein, piano (Concerto),…

Mendelssohn’s Masterful Landscapes: Scottish National Orchestra’s Evocative Interpretations of Overtures and Symphonies

Composer: Felix Mendelssohn Works: The Hebrides – Overture, Op. 26; Symphony No. 3 in A minor –…

Humperdinck’s Hänsel und Gretel: Nikiteanu and Hartelius Shine in Zurich Opera’s Enchanting Revival

Composer: Engelbert Humperdinck Works: Hänsel und Gretel Performers: Liliana Nikiteanu (Hänsel), Malin Hartelius (Gretel), Volker Vogel (Witch),…

Strauss’s Early Piano Works: Marshev’s Captivating Exploration of Mood and Emotion

Composer: Richard Strauss Works: Piano Sonata in B minor Op. 5, Five Piano Pieces Op. 3, Stimmungsbilder…

Liszt’s Poetic Mastery: Curzon’s Enchanting Performance of Diverse Piano Works

Composer: Franz Liszt (1811-1886), Joseph Haydn (1732-1809), Franz Schubert (1797-1828) Works: Sonetto 104 del Petrarca, Berceuse, Valse…

Monteverdi’s L ’ Incoronazione di Poppea: Watkinson’s Captivating Portrayal in Venice’s Historic Theatre

Composer: Claudio Monteverdi Works: L’Incoronazione di Poppea Performers: Carolyn Watkinson (sop) (Nerone), Judith Nelson (sop) (Drusilla), Peter…

Calegari’s La Resurrezione di Lazzaro: Academia de li Musici’s Captivating Revival of a Forgotten Oratorio

Composer: Antonio Calegari Works: La Resurrezione di Lazzaro Performers: Academia de li Musici / Athesis Chorus /…

Barber’s Vocal Masterpieces: Diverse Interpretations by Iconic Voices and Orchestras

Composer: Samuel Barber Works: Knoxville – Summer of 1915, Dover Beach, Hermit Songs, Andromache’s Farewell Performers: Eleanor…

Van Rossum’s Violin Concertos: Zazofsky’s Captivating Performance with Orchestre Philharmonique de Liège

Composer: Frederik van Rossum Works: Violin Concerto No. 1 Op.37 (1979/80), Violin Concerto No. 2 Op.45 (1985/90),…

Rachmaninov’s Symphony No. 1: Polyansky’s Captivating Revival with the Russian State Orchestra

Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Symphony No. 1 Cinq Etudes-tableaux (orch. Ottorino Respighi) Russian State Orchestra/Valeri Polyansky CHANDOS CHAN…

Schubert’s Schwanengesang and Brahms’ Vier ernste Gesänge: Quasthoff’s Introspective Journey with Zeyen’s Sensitive Accompaniment

Composer: Franz Schubert Works: Schwanengesang, D. 957; Johannes Brahms, Vier ernste Gesänge, op. 121 Performers: Thomas Quasthoff…