September 2023

Weill: Propheten, Four Walt Whitman Songs (Capriccio)

This legendary work turns out to be more a curiosity than a masterpiece [SB]

Talbot: Like water for chocolate (Opus Arte)

This highly-praised Royal Ballet production intrigues and delights [RMay]

Johnson: De Organizer, The Dreamy Kid (Naxos)

An interesting pair of early operas with roots in the African-American musical tradition [GF]

Parry: Scenes from Shelley’s ‘Prometheus Unbound’, Blest Pair of Sirens (Chandos)

Parry’s Wagnerian dilemmas encountered in this premiere recording [JW]

Sounds and Sweet Air – A Shakespeare Songbook ( BIS)

This fine, imaginative album will entertain and enlighten [JQ]

Mozart: Symphonies No. 34-36 (Hänssler Classic)

Played with sincerity, but the competition is fierce [MC]

Puccini: Le Villi (naïve)

(Déjà Review) Not just for anoraks, this is a marvellous introduction to Puccini [CF]

Rorem: Symphonies No. 1-3 (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) Three remarkable and previously unrecorded American Symphonies from a composer more noted for his vocal music [PSh]

Beethoven: Symphony No.3 & Overtures (DG)

A disc of distinguished Beethoven performances [JQ]

Weinberg: Dawn, Symphony No.12 (Chandos)

An unexpected and thrilling pendant to Storgårds’ survey of late Shostakovich [NC]

Enna: Violin Concerto, Symphony No.2 (Dacapo)

There is, unfortunately, little if anything that is distinctive in much of his music [JW]

The Life and Music of Elizabeth Maconchy (Boydell & Brewer)

An intellectually rewarding book, both absorbing and enlightening [SG]

Schubert: Stimme der Liebe (Somm Recordings)

A fine recital by one of great Schubert interpreters – more please! [RWe]

Stamitz: Six Trios (Linn)

Beautifully played and well-recorded, this is a valuable disc of chamber music by an underrated but interestingcomposer (GPu)

Lalo: Complete Piano Trios (MDG)

(Déjà Review) This is a most beautiful and appealing release, guaranteed to please chamber music lovers [MC]

Prokofiev: Piano Sonatas 5, 6 & 9 (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) I was captivated with Glemser’s playing which emphasises the lyrical and romantic side [GH]

Porte Chiuse (Closed Doors) – (Maurizio Vetri Editore)

Absorbing reading for anyone able to read Italian and interested in Italian post-war history, both musical and political [CH]

Works for Cello & Piano (LAWO Classics)

An attractive programme, expertly performed [RWe]

The First Songs of Travel (Albion)

Despite reservations, Standen’s Songs of Travel merits a place in the VW discography [JQ]

William Wordsworth: Complete Music for Solo Piano (Toccata Classics)

Christopher Guild brings clarity, enthusiasm and commitment to this music [JF]

An Invitation at the Schumanns’ (Harmonia Mundi)

A delightful easy-listening programme with a couple of more substantial morsels [GF]

Echoes of Bohemia: Czech Music for Wind (Chandos)

A highly effective disc [JW]

Liszt: Piano works (Deutsche Grammophon)

(Déjà Review) A fine choice for those who enjoy their Liszt stirred, not shaken [MM]

Delibes: Coppelia (Apex)

(Déjà Review) Nagano has such an infectious way with this score that makes it very hard to resist [TH]