August 2024

Schubert: Lieder with Orchestra (Deutsche Grammophon)

(Déjà Review) A disc to return to many, many times [CC]

J L Adams: Waves and Particles (Cold Blue Music)

Too much physics and not enough music [PRJ]

Orefice: Piano Works (Dynamic)

Atmospheric and evocative piano music from this little-known Italian [RCh]

Jakub Józef Orliński (alto) – Beyond (Erato)

An ideal combination of mostly unfamiliar repertoire and stylistically convincing performances [JV]

The Gesualdo Six – Queen of Hearts (Hyperion)

Magnificent Renaissance motets and songs performed with ease and control [GH]

Stravinsky: Symphonies Vol 1 (BIS)

Poised and polished performances show these scores in an unusual light [NB]

Rachmaninov & Ravel: Piano Works (Naïve)

(Déjà Review) Indulgence is avoided, lending more, not less, emotive weight to the cascades of sound [CC]

Rota: La Strada Ballet Suite (Chandos)

(Déjà Review) A wonderful album straddling the worlds of the concert hall, the ballet stage and the silver screen [IL]

Grancini Davinci C00895

Grancini: Novelli Fiori Ecclesiastici (Da Vinci Classics)

A valuable contribution to our knowledge of Italian music from the early 17th century [JV]

Quilter Songs CHAN20332

Quilter: Go, Lovely Rose (Chandos)

A thoroughly enjoyable recital [JQ]

schubert quartets hyperion

Schubert: String Quartets Nos 15 & 8 (Hyperion)

Glorious Schubert from the Takács Quartet [LW]

Mahler lieder 90823226

Mahler: Lieder aus Des Knaben Wunderhorn (MDG)

In a crowded market this newcomer holds its own against the competition [GF]

Pletnev berlin B108125

Mikhail Pletnev (piano) Live at Berlin Philharmonie (Farao Classics)

A sonata in romantic garb alongside familiar items in idiosyncratic performances [RCh]

Krebs vol6 PRCD739

Krebs: Complete Organ Works Vol 6 (Priory)

Kitchen is an ideal and expert advocate of this little known repertoire [GH]

Chopin lympany 2564601582

Chopin: Preludes, Etudes (Apex)

Definitely a top choice [KS]

Mahler Symph 1 Vanska BIS 2346SACD

Mahler: Symphony No 1 (BIS)

A superb if sometimes controversial performance of Mahler’s First Symphony, a showcase for Minnesota Orchestra [EJW]

Grieg PC Falla Eudora EUDSACD2405

Homeland: Grieg and de Falla (Eudora)

De Falla’s evocative music is the highlight of this disc with its unusual but highly effective coupling [RCh]

Budapest Quartet Early Recordings v2 Pristine PACM123

Budapest Quartet: Early Recordings Vol 2 (Pristine Audio)

Finally, volume 2 appears and it’s well worth the wait [JW]

Coates Orchestral Works v4 Wilson Chandos CHAN20292

Coates: Orchestral Works Vol 4 (Chandos)

Attractive and uplifting music played with perfect panache [NB]

Garrop Terra Nostra Cedille CDR90000227

Garrop: Terra Nostra (Cedille)

A colourful plea to look after our planet [PRJ]

Deja Review Danielpour American Requiem Reference Recordings RR97CD

Danielpour: An American Requiem (Reference Recordings)

A deeply-felt, well-crafted, moving and powerfully expressive work in a superbly committed reading; deserves wider recognition [HC]

Deja Review Shostakovich Symph 11 Rostropovich LSO Live LSO0030

Shostakovich: Symphony No 11 ‘The Year 1905’ (LSO Live)

Certainly the finest recording of the modern era [MB]

A Chronicle of First Performances: London 1900-2000

by Alastair Mitchell and Alan Poulton

tchaikovsky testament genuin

Tchaikovsky’s Testament (Genuin)

I like the directness and clarity of Rubinova’s approach [MG]