Rachmaninov Piano Concertos 2 and 3, Buniatishvili / Jarvi
These are heartfelt, brilliant performances of the two warhorses. The playing here is not lightweight but rather brooding, revealing the dark colours of Rachmaninov's music. Both orchestra and pianist perform the concertos impeccably.
Toni Erdmann
Instead of an ordinary review for this special film, I've decided to write just an outline to name the different reasons that make Toni Erdmann stand out as one of the best (if not the best) films of the year.
Stanisław Skrowaczewski
Underrated. Skrowaczewski was an underrated conductor in his lifetime. Yes the press would review the CDs he would release on smaller record labels but...
Igor Levit’s Variations (Bach, Beethoven, Rzewski)
Even though I had been thinking of reviewing this 3CD set, the fact that it was recently awarded the Gramophone Recording of the Year...
The Bell Jar
Title: The Bell Jar
Author: Sylvia Plath
Originally published in 1963 under the pseudonym Victoria Lucas
If Aliens were ever to visit us (if they haven’t so far) they might...
Argerich’s Rachmaninov 3rd
Rachmaninov Piano Concerto 3
Martha Argerich (piano)
Radio-Symphonie-Orchester Berlin / Ricardo Chailly
Released remastered for Philips 50 series (2001)I remember being a student in London and entering...
Tokyo Story
Title: Tokyo StoryDirector: Yasujirô OzuReleased: 1953
One of my favourite film reviewers, Dennis Schwartz claims that, “This very well might be the best film ever made.” I...
Cemetery of Splendour
Title: Cemetery of Splendour
Director: Apichatpong Weerasethakul
Released: 2015Well, this film is impressive in its ability to seem completely unimpressive, as is the case with most...
Szymanowski First Violin Concerto
Szymanowski’s First Violin Concerto can be described as sumptuous, lush, exotic. It is said that the composer himself was inspired by the Polish poet...
The Luminaries
Title: The Luminaries
Author: Eleanor Catton
Published: 2013
The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton is a massive book: massive in size, scope and depth. Set in 19th century...