June 2024
Radu Lupu (piano): Live Vol. 1 (Doremi)
Some welcome additions to the pianist’s discography [SG]
Center: Instrumental and Chamber Music Vol. 3 (Toccata Classics)
More music by an almost reclusive, highly original composer, played with understanding and care [GH]
Ravel: Chamber Music (First Hand Records)
Good performances of Ravel’s three major chamber works [SB]
Rose in Bloom – recital (Orchid Classics)
An imaginative programme, stunningly performed [NB]
Martinů: String Quartets No. 4, 5, 7 (Naxos )
(Déjà Review) Czech dances never seem to be far away … rollicking and suspense-laden [GH]
Nielsen: Symphony No. 5, Flute Concerto (Hallé)
(Déjà Review) Brilliant performances of brilliant music, in other words a great buy [NHo]
Blackford: Songs of Nadia Anjuman (Nimbus Records)
Moving, expressive poetry set to intense but accessible music and performed with burning conviction [JQ]
Piazzolla: Buenos Aires (Naxos)
Well played if just a tad too restrained [NB]
Thomas Quasthoff (bass- baritone) Evening Star (Deutsche Grammophon)
A cunningly devised programme ideally showcasing Quasthoff’s vocal versatility and dramatic gifts [RMo]
Shostakovich: String Quartets No 9 & 15 (Signum Classics)
Another fine disc from a quartet close to this repertoire [RWe]
Enescu: Piano Quintet, Quartet No 2 (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) Yet another jewel in the Naxos crown [KS]
Mahler: Symphony No 10 (Delos)
(Déjà Review) We will never know what Mahler 10 would have been like, but I’m sure it would not have sounded like this [TD]
Vaughan Williams: The Steersman, The Future, Fantasia (Dutton)
Sheds fresh light on Vaughan Williams’ composing activities around the turn of the twentieth century [JQ]
Tarkiainen: Midnight Sun Variations (Ondine)
Music that is predominantly static but the composer’s skill means that it never drags [PRJ]
Handel: Complete Violin Sonatas (Delphian)
Fine advocacy from these gifted performers [SG]
Moore: Velvet (Heritage)
Soothing music, best listened to individually [DJB]
Dello Joio, Creston & Bloch (Centaur)
Likely to win new friends for all three composers [RB]
Beethoven: Symphonies 5 & 6 (Hänssler Classic)
Expect to be surprised, moved and possibly irritated [CC]
Janitsch: Chamber Music (Prospero)
Energetic and engaging performances of five splendid quartets by Janitsch [JV]
Music for Flute by Women Composers (Dutton)
The flute is the focus in an album of works by British women composers [JW]
Wagner: Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (Naxos)
Some good performances do little to redeem this drab, even absurd production of Meistersinger [LW]
Corrado: Works for Ensemble (Kairos)
Agreeable new music from Italy which flows, floats and flourishes [RHa]
Shostakovich: Symphonies Nos 1-15 (Brilliant Classics)
(Déjà Review) As a way to experience one of the greatest symphonic cycles of the 20th century this has to be an essential purchase at this price [DBi]
Janáček: The Makropulos Case (Supraphon)
(Déjà Review) This has an unmistakably authentic feel about it [TH]
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