January 2024

The mighty Mass of Life is revealed as a genuine masterpiece in this blazing performance [NB]

(Déjà Review) A classic recording restored in its best sound [TD]

Two fine chamber works given passionately committed performances by this outstanding Finnish ensemble [GPJ]

Discover complete Marian motets by a respected but largely forgotten late-Renaissance German master [GH]

Simon Rattle’s traversal of the Ring finally reaches Siegfried, with highly recommendable results [PCG]

Three Orchestral Masterpieces effectively rendered in piano 4-hands versions by their composers [NB]

Three hours of enlightenment and entertainment [ZT]

Very personal choice of viola da gamba pieces, performed with much sensitivity [JV]

A highly persuasive account of Job [JQ]

(Déjà Review) Véronique Gens joins the exalted ranks of Crespin and Baker for top placing in Les nuits dété, and comes top of the list for modern recordings. A truly beautiful record [CC]

A superbly realised version of Tchaikovsky’s essentially domestic opera avoids any elements of tragic inflation [PCG]

Underwhelming music performed with zealous commitment [NB]

Oscillates between dissonant folk-inflected modernism and schmaltz; neither approach works [RHa]

Best yet in the exploratory series of Krzyżanowski’s piano music [RCh]

Magnetically communicative music given electric performances [DMD]

by Christopher Howell

Impressive and likely to remain unchallenged for a very long time [MP]

An enjoyable collection of partsongs [JQ]

(Déjà Review) An essential recording which should please a wide musical constituency [GSD]

Three fascinating concertos from Norway [DC]

A most welcome survey of Peter Cabus’s piano music, finely performed and recorded [HC]

A first video release of a rare Schreker opera deserves a heartfelt welcome [PCG]

Beautifully textured playing in these three atmospheric collections [RCh]

Sacred music and performance of impressive quality [JV]