BERNSTEIN conducts A Faust Symphony

"Bernstein's is a marvellously convincing performance that in its uninhibited way blows any cobwebs off one's impressions of this romantic masterpiece. Under Bernstein there is never boredom: only freshness and much excitement.

Bernstein's freshness and directness have a cumulative effect ... it is a hair-raising experience he provides, and the recording, very reverberant but brilliant as well, is recognizably more modern"

Thus wrote The Gramophone about this excellent 1960 recording of Liszt's Faust Symphony with Leonard Bernstein conducting the New York Philharmonic. To modern ears, the LP sound of 52 years ago may seem a little less than "modern" - but this new 32-bit XR remastering blows away the cobwebs and lifts the veil from a brilliant performance and a cracking recording.

BAX the English Music Society recordings

Columbia UK's short-lived English Music Society produced just two volumes before war and changing economics put an end to British "Society" issues. This was the second of those, a 7-disc set devoted to the music of Sir Arnold Bax.

It's hard to say which of these three works is the highlight. A superb, definitive rendition of the Viola Sonata cuts brilliantly through the ages in this new, vibrant and clear XR remastering. The Nonett has great depth and character; whilst the BBC Chorus produce an excellent rendition of the fiendishly difficult unaccompanied Mater Ora Filium.

"Extraordinarily moving", wrote The Gramophone's critic in August 1939, before these discs (and others) were swallowed up by a greater concern. In new 32-bit XR remastered transfers from quiet US pressings, it's surely time the entire set was heard together again.