Rachmaninov Piano Concertos 2 and 3, Buniatishvili / Jarvi

2
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

0
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.
Bruckner Skrowaczewski symphonies

Stanisław Skrowaczewski

0
Underrated. Skrowaczewski was an underrated conductor in his lifetime. Yes the press would review the CDs he would release on smaller record labels but...
Levit Bach Beethoven Rzewski

Igor Levit’s Variations (Bach, Beethoven, Rzewski)

1
Even though I had been thinking of reviewing this 3CD set, the fact that it was recently awarded the Gramophone Recording of the Year...
Bell Jar Sylvia Plath

The Bell Jar

0
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...
Rachmaninov Argerich Chailly

Argerich’s Rachmaninov 3rd

4
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, Ozu, film review

Tokyo Story

2
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

1
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

0
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

0
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...