August 2023

Canteloube & Emmanuel: Songs of the Auvergne (Erato)

(Déjà Review) A languid approach with lovely singing from Upshaw [RB]

Prokofiev: Symphony No. 2 (Chandos)

(Déjà Review) Impressively powerful; a coupling that is stimulating and generous [TH]

Venezia violin Alpha935

Duello d’archi a Venezia (Alpha Classics)

Every lover of the baroque violin will be delighted to listen to these performances {JV]

Caplet BR 900342

Caplet: Le Miroir de Jésus (BR Klassik)

This illuminating performance is worth investigating [MP]

Refice Cecilia CDS796702

Refice: Cecilia (Dynamic)

Excellent orchestral playing, choral singing and conducting compromised by sub-par solo voices and thus a missed opportunity [RMo]

Mozart vol10 AAM042

Mozart: Piano Concertos Vol. 10 (Academy of Ancient Music)

Sparkling performances of early Mozart works you’ve never heard like this before [MG]

Rossini dreams C00727

Rossinian Dreams (Da Vinci Classics)

A recital demonstrating Liszt’s love of Rossini but with an odd coupling [RCh]

Naples cpo 5553152

Marvels of the 18th Century in Naples (cpo)

No marvels here [DJB]

Janacek orch RR2103

Janacek: Orchestral works (Reference Recordings)

The Serebrier Sinfonietta remains a top recommendation [RB]

Haydn syms 99925

Haydn: Complete symphonies (Brilliant Classics)

Energy and perception suffuse this life-enhancing project [CA]

rachmaninoff symphonies deutsche grammophon

Rachmaninoff: Symphonies 2 and 3 (Deutsche Grammophon)

These thrilling performances are fit to rank with the best in the Rachmaninoff discography [JQ]

Schuman Symphony 10 Slatkin RCA 09026 612822

Schuman: Symphony 10 (RCA)

A useful survey of Schuman’s works [SB]

El Nour Fatma Said Warner 9029523360

Fatma Said (soprano) (Warner Classics)

A ravishing debut album that heralds a great future for this artist [MP]

Caldara Bass Arias Pan PC10447

Caldara: Arias for Bass (Pan Classics)

It is good to have almost a dozen never before recorded arias from Caldara in excellent readings [GF]

American Dances Licad Danacord DACOCD965

Anthology of American Piano Music Vol. 5 (Danacord)

Licad’s extrovert pianism suits this vibrant recital [RCh]

CPEBach piano concertos Sciortino Hanssler HC23008

CPE Bach: Piano Concertos (Hänssler Classic)

I’m still not entirely sold on CPE’s keyboard music, but the concertos’ slow movements did impress [DJB]

Handel Tamerlano Pinnock Avie AV0001

Handel: Tamerlano (Avie)

(Déjà Review) A great work which deserves to be discovered or rediscovered through this fine set [KM]

Bliss String Qu 1 Maggini Naxos 8.557108

Bliss: String Quartet 1 (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) An interesting and worthwhile issue in every way [TB]

glinka piano forgotten records

Glinka: Piano Works (Forgotten Records)

Interesting and appealing with much to enjoy [SG]

kuhnau sacred cpo

Kuhnau: Sacred Works Vol. 8 (cpo)

With this disc one of the most interesting projects of recent years comes to a glorious conclusion [JV]

left coast bridge

A Left Coast (Bridge)

A fine disc which will reward all lovers of song [GPu]

hoyer organ ars sonora

Hoyer: Organ Works Vols 1-3 (Ars Sonora)

A series organ shedding more light on the world of German late Romanticism [MSt]

koczalski symphonic acte prealable

Koczalski: Symphonic Works Vol. 1 (Acte Préalable)

A long-running series throws up more compositional dilemmas [JW]

Kathleen Long APR 6041

Kathleen Long (piano) The Decca Solo Recordings 1941-1945 (APR)

A well deserved release for this supremely gifted but neglected pianist [RCh]