August 2024

mythos memories da vinci

Mythos and Memories (Da Vinci Classics)

Bold playing and a glorious richness of writing in Mariani’s evocative soundscapes [RCh]

meyerbeer prophete lso live

Meyerbeer: Le prophète (LSO Live)

A welcome release that promises much but doesn’t always deliver [MP]

senofsky american virtuoso rhine classics

Berl Senofsky (violin) American Virtuoso (Rhine Classics)

Although something of a mixed bag, there’s much to please the Senofsky admirer enshrined in these two discs [SG]

mahler symphony colorado mahlerfest

Mahler: Symphony No 2 (Colorado MahlerFest)

This Mahler performance is well worth the attention of all devotees; the exciting coupling adds considerable value [JQ]

Donizetti favorite naxos

Donizetti: La favorite (Naxos)

A complete recording of Donizetti’s La Favorite is let down by some less than beautiful singing [PT]

bryars lasso gb

Bryars: Oi Me Lasso (GB Records)

(Déjà Review) Endlessly fascinating and haunting [RH]

bruckner symphony profil

Bruckner: Symphony 3 (Profil)

(Déjà Review) A winner through and through and worthy of any collection [KS]

Dohnányi: Piano works (Capriccio)

Gülbadamova has a feel for Dohnányi’s style in this rewarding recital [RCh]

Pierre Monteux (conductor): Live (SOMM Recordings)

A handsome tribute to ‘Le Maître’ sixty years after his death [JQ]

Bach: Keyboard Concerti (Naïve)

The gloriously expressive slow-movement ariosos are the highlights [MG]

Thomas Pitfield • His Friends & Contemporaries (Divine Art)

A rewarding exploration [JF]

Offenbach: Colorature (Alpha Classics)

A wholehearted recommendation for the unhackneyed programme and the magnificent singing [GF]

Bomtempo: Symphonies Nos 1 & 2 (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) One work holds up quite well to the Haydn and Mozart models, and the other is close to being a masterpiece of early romanticism [DS]

Beethoven: String Quartets, Op 18 Nos 1 and 4 (Naïve)

(Déjà Review) Quatuor Mosaïques are an astonishing ensemble who deserve the utmost praise for these magnificent performances [MC]

Jorge Bolet (piano) His earliest recordings (APR)

Bolet at his sparkling best back in the catalogue [RCh]

mahler symphony alpha

Mahler: Symphony No 9 (Alpha Classics)

Full of surprises, this is a disc that will change the way you hear Mahler 9 [ST]

Pitfield: String Chamber Music (Divine Art)

Performances with brilliance, technical competence and a sympathetic understanding [JF]

Santa Maria: Missa O beata Maria (Pan Classics)

An excellent performance of a mass by an unknown master from Portugal [JV]

Marko Topchii (guitar) Laureate Series Recital (Naxos)

Hard to fault, easy to accolade [ZT]

Alwyn: Symphonies Nos 2 & 5 and Harp Concerto (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) The best single CD introduction to the major works of Alwyn [RB]

Beethoven: Symphony No 9 (Music & Arts)

(Déjà Review) Harshly recorded, but for some Toscanini enthusiasts it is the greatest of his preserved Ninths [CH]

Brusa requiem 8574589

Brusa: Requiem, Stabat Mater (Naxos)

Admirers of the composer will want to explore her choral works [WH]

Schubert mullerin HMM902739

Schubert: Die schöne Müllerin (Harmonia Mundi)

Another marvellous recording of Die schöne Müllerin to add to the ever-growing list of highly recommendable versions of this indestructible masterwork [GF]

ChenGang violin PTC5187230

Chen Gang & Paganini: Violin concertos (Pentatone)

A mixed bag of repertoire produces varied results [RMay]