April 2024

Mozart’s Requiem

A survey by Ralph Moore

Wagner: Siegfried (Pristine Audio)

Another majestic instalment of living theatre – the best so far – in Kna’s 1956 Bayreuth Ring, in superb sound but again afflicted by persistent coughing [RMo]

Shostakovich: Symphony 13 (Chandos)

Shostakovich and Pärt, cheek by jowl, on this uneven disc [NC]

Four Temperaments (Linn)

Another outstanding recording by Phantasm, which presents English consort music in its full glory [JV]

Kathleen Ferrier (contralto) Songs of the British Isles (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) Craftsmanship that is quite incredible … remarkable control … a masterful, spirited and dynamic touch [EML]

11 Famous Cathedral Organs – recital (Alto)

Thirteen pieces, eleven cathedral organs, nine organists, one excellent concept [JF]

Zemlinsky: Lyrische Symphonie, Symphonische Gesänge (Decca)

A very valuable disc of Zemlinsky’s sharply contrasting scores [JQ]

Upheaval (OUR Recordings)

Wonderful playing, emotional depth and imagination in this beautiful music [RCh]

Mademoiselle Duval: Les Génies (Château de Versailles Spectacles)

A Baroque opera rarity is one of CVS’s happiest releases of recent years [MP]

Velvet Brown (tuba) – recital (Crystal Records)

A fine compilation of American tuba works, played a virtuoso soloist [PRJ]

Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5, The Voyevoda, Capriccio italien (BIS)

(Déjà Review) Popular and not so well known pieces, excellently played and stunningly recorded [JPh]

Shostakovich: Symphony No. 4 for two pianos (Chandos)

(Déjà Review) This will be compulsory and compulsive listening for admirers of DSCH [PCW]

Dukas: Orchestral & Piano Works (Warner Classics)

A go-to Dukas box of outstanding performances – but no texts [JW]

Foucquet: Pièces de Clavecin (Brilliant Classics)

A production every lover of the harpsichord should investigate [JV]

Gershwin: Gershwin Rhapsody (Decca)

The concert platform meets Broadway in this thoroughly enjoyable disc of piano music and songs by Gershwin [PT]

Mischa Levitzki (piano): Complete HMV Recordings (APR)

This splendid twofer just shouldn’t be missed [SG]

Vaughan Williams: Symphonies Nos 1-9 (RCA)

Over fifty years on, this set is still holding up pretty well, despite a few negligible flaws [RMo]

McKay: Violin Concerto and Sinfonietta No 4 (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) Beautifully crafted and well-orchestrated works [JPh]

Mozart: Don Giovanni (Orfeo)

(Déjà Review) A collector’s item specifically for opera buffs and Furtwängler fanatics which fills a gap in his recording legacy [AR]

Stainer: The Crucifixion (Delphian)

An ideal performance of this famous old work which should win it new friends [SB]

Stanford: Shamus O’Brien (Retrospect Opera)

A Stanford opera; uneven and unsatisfactory but beautifully presented [JW]

Bruckner: Symphony 3 (Capriccio)

Poschner once more subjects Bruckner’s Third Symphony to unreasonable and unaesthetic haste [RMo]

El cant de la Sibil.la & Draumkvedet (Carpe Diem Records)

A memorable adventure in early music and recording sonics [ZT]

Elgar: Symphonies Nos 1 & 2 (Hallé)

Distinguished recordings which surpass the earlier recordings by these performers [JQ]