September 2023
Schultz: Efterklange (Echoes) (Danacord)
Well-wrought and ultimately charming repertoire [JF]
Shostakovich: Symphony No 6 & 15 (LSO Live)
A slightly tame 6th coupled with a magnificent 15th [WH]
Dvořák: Symphony No 9, Serenade for Strings (Sony Classical)
(Déjà Review) Anyone who is more interested in genuine music-making rather than state-of–the-art sound will not be disappointed [TH]
Frankel: Complete Symphonies (cpo)
(Déjà Review) Frankel’s symphonies have now – at long last – been given their due [HC]
Rautavaara & Martinů: Piano Concertos (BIS)
This attractive coupling should win new friends for these works [SB]
The Zurich Affair – Wagner’s One and Only Love (Naxos)
A worthwhile effort is sadly – but seriously – flawed [RMay]
Overtures from Finland (Chandos)
Well-devised programme lacking the last degree of performance finesse [NB]
Gluck: Écho et Narcisse (Chateau de Versailles)
This recording is superb in every respect; nobody is likely to be disappointed by either the singing or the music [GF]
Anthems Vol. 1 (Hyperion)
A superb album [JQ]
Bruckner: Symphony No. 3 (RCA)
(Déjà Review) Distinction and commitment, sonorous and urgently compelling [TB]
Bliss: String Quartets (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) Another fine collection to the Maggini’s growing catalogue of English chamber music [NHo]
van der Pals: String Quartets Vol 1 (cpo)
A late-romantic cat’s-cradle of tenderness caught in a viscous tonal velour [RB]
Widor: Organ Symphonies 3 & 4 (Solstice)
Performances to cherish [SG]
Scott: Orchestral Works Vol. 3 (Toccata Classics)
Derek Scott encountered in a third disc of his music; tone poems, fantasies and darker music [JW]
Liapunov: Piano works (Da Vinci Classics)
This romantic and virtuoso repertoire has been neglected for too long [RCh]
Wolf: String Quartets (Hänssler Classic)
(Déjà Review) The Fine Arts Quartet enters into Wolf’s tormented world with total empathy [CH]
Vivaldi: The Four Seasons (Erato)
(Déjà Review) An amazingly dramatic, rock and roll rendition of the Four Seasons [KM]
Guðmundsson: The Gospel of Mary
A slow-moving meditative work based on an unorthodox gospel
Medtner in England (SOMM Recordings)
An appealing programme for Medtner collectors and newcomers alike [DC]
Listening Studio Report
by John Quinn
Mon amant de Saint-Jean (Alpha Classics)
A fascinating out-of-the-ordinary trip of nostalgia [GF]
Mahler: Lieder (Signum Classics)
An exceptionally fine Mahler recital [JQ]
Bortkiewicz: Symphonies (Hyperion)
(Déjà Review) Exultant, yearning, gloomy, sincere, passionate, nostalgic Slavonic music [RB]
Bach: Organ Works Vol. 12 (cpo)
(Déjà Review) Weinberger succeeds in conveying the personalities of these pieces [TB]
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