January 2023

Handy and Hughes stride forth in their latest volume of British cello sonatas
[JW]

Another enjoyable reissue in the Naxos series of British light music [PCG]

This group quite surpasses its amateur status: a very good account of a demanding score [RWe]

A very entertaining disc, which gives a good impression of what may have been performed at the Bach-Abel concerts [JV]

The Quartet comes off better than the Quintet [SV]

Writer and composer Paul Bowles restored on disc [JW]

A long hidden operatic version of Boris Godunov gets its first recording with a respectable cast of young performers [MP]

Vital, elegant, discreetly period accounts of some delightful music but also some short on originality or inspiration [RMo]

Restored Enescu reveals his versatility and variety in fine performances [JW]

Masterly performances of two major concertos by a violinist at the height of his powers with superb and sympathetic orchestral playing in support [SB]

The final Solstice salute to a great piano stylist [JW]

An very fine release of Boult’s early recordings of Bach and Viennese masters [GT]

A live concerto flanked by other rare material shows the breadth of Fiorentino’s talent [JW]

by David Barker

The complete recorded output of a great but neglected soprano – with a fine bonus [RMo]

A superb overview of Arnold’s music from light to dark with a definitive concerto performance [NB]

A rare chance to understand Machaut’s magnum opus in a wonderfully presented and performed version [GH]

The second of three volumes, of great interest to all Ravelians [JF]

Surely the definitive version of these intruiging and influential studies ]SB]

Bland interpretations further compromised by compressed digital sound – stick to classic, vintage accounts [RMo]

Attractive music, English through and through [SG]

An extrovert reading of Theodora but one short of consolation [JW]

A delectable recital of music off the beaten track [GF]

No Glass recital is likely to ever match that of Vikingur Ólafsson, but this one is a good one nevertheless [DJB]