September 2023

Bruckner: Symphony No. 6, Te Deum (Testament)

An alpha performance of the Te Deum, but an omega one of the symphony [LD]

Hummel: Concertos & Septet (Alto)

Hummel’s music doesn’t aim for profundity, but its elegance, grace and intelligence are well-served in this reissue [GPu]

Grosz: Achtung, Aufnahme!! (Channel Classics)

Werner Herbers’s swansong with his Ebony Band: more previously unrecorded Weimar delights [JW]

Rachmaninov: Piano Concerti (Deutsche Grammophon)

A fine contribution to the Rachmaninoff 150 celebrations [JQ]

Strauss: Works for Cello (RCA)

(Déjà Review) Isserlis’s truly heartfelt performance expresses the Don’s humour, gravity, irony and pathos with marvellous subtlety [SF]

Voríšek: Symphony, Mass (Cedille)

(Déjà Review) An album to savour [IL]

Laura Strickling (soprano): 40@40 (Bright Shiny Things)

An attractive collection of newly written songs – and volume two is to follow [GF]

Spontini: La Vestale (Bru Zane)

Far from ideal, but on balance the best of the French versions and its appeal is enhanced by excellent sound and conducting [RMo]

Louis Kaufman sonatas Biddulph

Louis Kaufman (violin): Violin Sonatas (Biddulph)

A stylish release featuring a quartet of sonatas played by the sumptuous tonalist Louis Kaufman [JW]

Britten: Albert Herring (Opus Arte)

An unmatchable and irreplaceable video makes a welcome return to the catalogues [PCG]

Haydn: 6 London Symphonies (Philips)

(Déjà Review) There is a sense that the musicians are really listening to one another, obtaining a chamber-music-like delicacy [CH]

Forqueray: Jupiter (Signum Classics)

(Déjà Review) The arrangements are interesting, the music delightful and melodically satisfying [KM]

Mozart concertos SWR19129CD

Mozart: Piano Concertos (SWR Classic)

Michelangeli’s Mozart at its most ebullient, masculine and human [JW]

Atterberg aladin 5551612

Atterberg: Aladin (cpo)

A decent performance of Atterberg’s last opera, a tuneful rendition of a fairy tale in an exotic musical setting [EJW]

Martin & Franck: Piano quintets (CAvi-Music)

Superb performances of both works: a rewarding coupling [SB]

british concerti SRCD416

British Piano Concertos (Lyrita)

Five-star performances and recordings of second tier works [NB]

Handel acis DOR83227

Handel: Acis and Galatea (Dorian)

A delightful recording that captures the energy of a live performance [KM]

Britten songs CDH55067

Britten: Michelangelo Sonnets (Hyperion)

A convincing collection, well-sung, played and recorded [CG]

Transcend Lux Nova Duo Genuin GEN23842

Transcend (Genuin)

An exciting collection of new music for accordion, guitar, and chamber orchestra [SW]

Rachmaninov Tchaikovsky Romances Pentatone PTC5186866

Rachmaninov & Tchaikovsky: Romances (Pentatone)

A valuable addition to the discography of the songs of Rachmaninov and Tchaikovsky with sensitive and deeply considered performances [GF]

Anne-Sophie-Mutter-Vivace-SWR19133BD-Blu-Ray

Anne-Sophie Mutter – Vivace (SWR Classic)

A revealing documentary sheds light on a superstar career [RMay]

Mussorgsky Boris Godunov Opus Arte OA1376D DVD

Mussorgsky: Boris Godunov (Opus Arte)

Sir Bryn Terfel triumphs in Mussorgsky’s original vision of his conscience-stricken Tsar [PCG]

Carissimi Ten Motets Naxos 8.555076

Carissimi: Ten Motets (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) Music helped by the beautiful and beatific voice of bass Garrick Comeaux [GH]

Bach Six Partitas Hewitt Hyperion CDA67191-2

Bach: The Six Partitas (Hyperion)

(Déjà Review) Angela Hewitt again shows her mastery of Bach’s keyboard music [KM]