May 2023
Berwald: Symphonies and Overtures (Hyperion)
(Déjà Review) Deeply rewarding lyrical statements [RB]
Williams: Trumpet Concerto (Private release)
Film and concert genres: brilliance tautly wrought [RB]
Beethoven: The Creatures of Prometheus (cpo)
Realizes the balletic and symphonic styles, but not everything gels [SV]
Ravel, Dutilleux & Hough: String Quartets (Hyperion)
An intriguing programme with an attractive new work [SB]
Fritz Busch (conductor) In Stockholm (Pristine Audio)
An unusual compilation featuring some highly energised and engaging music-making [RMo]
Coleridge-Taylor: Piano Works (Private release)
An album of piano music from the Edwardian age showing elegance and craftsmanship and performed with conviction [MSt]
Stravinsky: The Soldier’s Tale (Hallé)
An extremely well-produced and stylish performance of The Soldier’s Tale [MC]
Reich: String Quartets (Deutsche Grammophon)
One masterpiece and two occasional works make up Reich’s contribution to the string quartet genre [SB]
Mahler: Symphony 6 (SFS Media)
(Déjà Review) A Mahler 6 with contemporary resonance, superbly played and recorded, that competes with the best [TD]
Eudice Shapiro (violin): Sonatas and duos (Biddulph)
The admirable art of violinist Eudice Shapiro, heard in core repertory [JW]
Bach: Motets (Château de Versailles Spectacles)
This recording earns a place among the best in the catalogue [JV]
Vierne: Complete Piano Works 2 (Naxos)
A composer celebrated for his organ music shows his prowess as a creator of distinctive and rewarding piano music [MS]
Melchers: Symphony, La Kermesse, Élégie (Ondine)
Spirited and persuasive performances [SG]
Glass: Complete Piano Études (DUX)
A few tempos don’t quite work, but some of the pieces match the best [DJB]
Smetana: Má Vlast (Supraphon)
(Déjà Review) Ančerl and his wonderful orchestra are the ‘real thing’ – buy, hear and believe! [PJL]
Boughton: Of Delights and Passions (EM Records)
Expressive directness and frolicsome invention in a series of Boughton disc premieres [JW]
Bruckner: Symphony No. 4 (Capriccio)
Poschner’s well-directed Complete Versions series continues [RMo]
Alphons Diepenbrock: The Life, Times and Music of a Dutch Romantic Composer (Toccata Press)
A rewarding read [SG]
Haydn: Stabat Mater (Pentatone)
Haydn’s moving Stabat Mater reimagined – a success all around [LP]
Featured Naxos review |