September 2024
Un messe imaginaire (NoMadMusic)
Chœur Spirito give compelling performances of these works [MC]
Romance and Reverie: Holst and His Contemporaries (Albion Records)
An enticing selection of rarities and imaginative arrangements [JF]
Zoltán Székely (violin) (Biddulph)
Zoltán Szekely triumphs in dual roles, as concerto soloist and quartet leader [JW]
Shostakovich: Symphonies 4-6 (Decca)
Terrific performances of three very contrasting Shostakovich symphonies [JQ]
David Matthews: Complete String Quartets Vol 6 (Toccata Classics)
The latest volume in a significant string quartet cycle by a master of the form [GH]
Bliss: Works for Brass Band (Chandos)
A fine overview of Bliss’ endlessly impressive and engaging music [NB]
Hindemith: Die Harmonie der Welt (Wergo)
An excellent performance and recording of this magnificent, all but unknown opera [PSh]
Grieg: Orchestral works (BIS)
The engineers achieve the finest orchestral recording I have ever heard [DBi]
Broughton: And on the Sixth Day & String Theory (Naxos)
Broughton is a skilful composer of accessible contemporary concert music and this disc will reward repeated listening [TMS]
Mozart: Idomeneo (Archiv Produktion)
Idomeneo tastefully presented but takes the risk of being too often over-refined [MP]
Mahler: Symphonies Nos 1-10 (BIS)
A distinctive addition to the catalogue, with potential for growing appreciation [RWe]
Jongen and Absil: Piano Concertos (Forgotten Records)
Intriguing Belgian works from 1955 Decca LPs in good, clear transfers [JW]
Benjamin: Complete Piano Works (Piano Classics)
Commanding performances of all of George Benjamin’s piano works so far [SB]
Verdi: Noble Renegades – Scenes & Arias (Delos)
A stimulating and well-sung programme with lots of atmosphere from the stage [GF]
Karłowicz: Three Symphonic Poems (Chandos)
(Déjà Review) Passionate, intense, vivid, powerful and highly charged. This is the product of a fertile musical imagination [JQ]
Diamond: String Quartets Nos 3 & 8 and Concerto for String Quartet (Albany)
(Déjà Review) The two earlier works are approachable examples of the middle ground between neo-classicism and romantic-impressionism [RB]
Willem Mengelberg (conductor) Mahler & Strauss (The Willem Mengelberg Society)
Performances of great historical and musical interest in superb transfers [PSt]
Three Choirs Festival in Ten Concerts (Logaston Press)
A lively and perceptive introduction to the world’s oldest music festival [JQ]
Raff: Samson (Schweizer Fonogramm)
Raff’s Biblical epic is splendidly served by this premiere recording [JW]
Meyerbeer: Le prophète (LSO Live)
It is pleasing to see Meyerbeer operas receiving attention and this live recording is first-class [MC]
European Soundscapes (Convivium Records)
Peerless playing, crystal clear [SA]
Hommage à Evgueni Svetlanov (Naïve)
(Déjà Review) Eloquent testimony to Svetlanov’s stature as a conductor [CC]
Tiomkin: Red River (Marco Polo)
(Déjà Review) Marco Polo have done a wonderful service in ensuring that such a brilliant score has been fully restored and recorded [SA]
Leo Sowerby (University of Illinois Press)
This first class study is an absorbing read and well worth tracking down [SG]
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