February 2024
Igor Levit (piano): Fantasia (Sony Classical)
Another outstanding recital from Levit, with a superb version of the big Busoni work [SB]
Four times Bach (HD Klassik)
Rich and vital performances in excellent sound [DC]
Bizet: Carmen (Warner Classics)
The most authentically French recording of Carmen from the stereo era [MP]
20th Century Middle European Flute Music (Dynamic)
Four 20th century composers united in their response to political extremism [JF]
Bartók & Kochan: Concertos (Forgotten Records)
Top-notch performances from the past given a new lease of life [SG]
Berlioz: Roméo et Juliette (ICA Classics)
There’s much for Rozhdestvensky’s admirers to enjoy here [JQ]
Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor (Pristine Audio)
On balance, still the best of Callas’ recordings of Lucia di Lammermoor [RMo]
Busoni: Sonatinas (Centaur)
(Déjà Review) Slotchiver is an ardent disciple of Busoni and her playing is authoritative [CSS]
Tchaikovsky: Symphonies 5 & 6 (Claves)
A lyrical, transparent account of the Fifth with an interesting condensed finale, and a good Sixth of no special distinction [RMo]
Beach: Piano music (Piano Classics)
Frezzotti is splendid in Beach’s romantic world [RCh]
Lully: Atys (Château de Versailles)
This will bring much pleasure to lovers of French Baroque [SG]
Beethoven: Symphonies 7 & 8 (Pristine Audio)
Great, essential performances, clearly recognisable even with less than ideal sound quality [PBW]
Artur Rodziński (conductor): The Complete Columbia Album Collection (Sony Classical)
Sony’s second Rodziński box fills a significant gap from his Cleveland years [JH]
Donizetti: La fille du régiment (Decca)
Sign me up for this regiment: this recording is as good as it gets [MP]
Ludford: Mass (Paraty)
A new perspective on the performance of the music of the English renaissance [JV]
Dupré: Organ Works Volume 6 (MDG)
(Déjà Review) Recommended without reserve – player, music and instrument are perfectly matched [GS]
Lise Davidsen (soprano): Christmas From Norway (Decca)
Be sure this makes it under your next Christmas tree [MP]
Diana Damrau (soprano): Operette (Erato)
An interesting and unhackneyed programme of operetta arias, with a soprano who possibly divides opinion [PT]
Las Huelgas Codex, Vol 1 (Brilliant Classics)
The mediaeval Las Huelgas Codex, the first instalment, in no-nonsense interpretations [GH]
Messiaen: La Nativité du Seigneur (Aeolus)
A glowing and atmospheric account in spectacular SACD sound [SG]
My Soul, What Fear You? (King’s College, Cambridge)
A fascinating Lieder recital [JQ]
Paderewski: Manru (cpo)
A most welcome recording of a neglected opera [EJW]
Segal: Harp and Bassoon ‘on the Roof’ (Harp & Company)
The musicianship is top-class throughout, but the compositions are somewhat uneven in quality [GPu]
Canteloube: Chants d’Auvergne (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) I’ve little doubt it will be the definitive version for many years to come [AO]
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