February 2023
Sorabji: Opus Clavicembalisticum (BIS)
(Déjà Review) Finally we have a great recording of this spellbinding piece [GF]
Mackenzie: Violin Concerto & Pibroch Suite (Hyperion)
(Déjà Review) Full of pleasing musical quality with continually attractive melodic invention [VB]
Mozart: Piano Sonatas Vol. 5 (SOMM)
Sometimes monumental, sometimes impish, invariably engaging [MG]
More than a dull ripieno! (Da Vinci Classics)
A most enjoyable disc, to which one may return regularly [JV]
Chants nostalgiques (B Records)
A well programmed and well performed recital of French song from La Belle Époque [NB]
Franck: Piano Rarities (Grand Piano)
Interesting transcriptions but the drama here is far too restrained [RCh]
Dvořák: Symphony 6 (Sony)
An affectionately played trio of works by Dvořák at his most typically exuberant [RMo]
Beethoven: Christus am Ölberge (PHI)
A rewarding version of Beethoven’s only oratorio [SB]
Todd: Saint Cuthbert (Mawson & Wareham)
A superb must buy for anyone remotely interested in British choral/contemporary music [NH]
Handel: Giulio Cesare (Harmonia Mundi)
Probably the best DVD version and one of the best in any format [BW]
Messes anonymes (Musique en Wallonie)
These two masses are fascinating stuff, but the style of singing may not be everyone’s cup of tea [JV]
Vers la source dans le bois (Da Vinci Classics)
If you like the French chamber music of this period, you will be in safe hands with this Italian trio [GPu]
Sibelius: Symphonies 5-7 (Pristine Audio)
The finest Fifth I know, and an excellent Sixth and Seventh, all given a new lease of life by Pristine as XR Remastered Ambient Stereo [RMo]
Lutyens: Piano Works Vol. 2 (Resonus Classics)
Another chance to discover little known works by a significant but often derided figure of twentieth century British music [GH]
Auber: Le Philtre (Naxos)
This light-hearted comedy is charming entertainment and the presentation is worthy [GF]
Bruckner: Symphony 4 (Capriccio)
A fine performance vitiated by Poschner’s penchant for rushed tempi [RMo]
Rautavaara: The Gift of the Magi (Arthaus Musik)
(Déjà Review) An intelligent, small-scale opera well performed, and accompanied by a moderately interesting documentary [Gpu]
Armenian Rhapsody (BIS)
(Déjà Review) The APO’s considerable team talents are put to fine use on this quality all-Armenian disc [Byz]
Sgambati: Symphony 2 (Naxos)
La Vecchia and his Rome orchestra do Sgambati proud in a premiere recording [RMay]
Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde (Beulah)
Bracing and dazzling [DMD]
Adriatic Voyage (Delphian)
A compelling survey of Croatia’s musical past [JV]
Swedish Piano Concertos (BIS)
Three strongly contrasting works for piano and orchestra repay repeated hearings [HC]
Bruckner: Symphony 9 (Pristine Audio)
Van Beinum’s flexible way with this music will appeal to those who also esteem Jochum in Bruckner but there are too many flaws [RMo]
Robert Casadesus (piano): Brahms/Falla (Maestro Editions)
Ringingly affirmative Brahms and a good if ordinary de Falla [RB]
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