April 2023

The Cleveland Orchestra stakes a claim to be currently the best in the world [DMD]

(Déjà Review) Much beautiful playing here, polished and musical [PJL]

(Déjà Review) Revelatory and refreshing [KS]

A fine survey of the Lachrimae with rather more verve and better balance than other options [RMo]

A pianist deserving of wider currency [SG]

Spry, lively performances in bold sound [DM]

Very attractive music beautifully played and caught in ideally sympathetic sound [NB]

Outstanding performances of music by an unjustly neglected master [JV]

Complex, sometimes evanescent but sombre quartets from a Czech Jew [JW]

(Déjà Review) It would be difficult to imagine a better duo partnership for this music [CH]

(Déjà Review) These fine chamber renderings of the Chopin concertos make them sound as if that is how they were meant to be [JL]

Extends the tradition of Britten with an added edge of unflinching American-ness [DC]

Tried and tested staples from Milstein’s discography [JW]

A beautiful recital of mostly rare 17th Century songs on an immortal subject [GH]

Splendidly captures the mood of these songs, with all their varied emotions [JF]

Baroque opera enthusiasts should snap up this disc [GF]

Quite exceptional performances of rarely heard pre-Bach Baroque solo violin works [PB]

Another spectacular and poetic Britten collection ex-Collins courtesy of Naxos [EM]

One of the most charming piano recitals that I have come across in years [KS]

A fresh, well-drilled young choir has bitten off more than it can chew here [RMo]

Refreshing Frenchness in a blast from the past [DC]

An important musical document of a great live performance of Shostakovich’s Tenth by a legendary German conductor [GT]

A comprehensive survey stunningly played and beautifully recorded [NB]

This world premiere recording is an appetising taster for more Porpora [GF]