November 2024

Erik Möllerström (guitar): Guitar (Sterling)

An issue not only for guitar afficionados, but for anyone who appreciates beautiful music [GF]

Rimsky-Korsakov & Bortkiewicz: Scheherazade (Danacord)

Enchanted music with appeal to lovers of fairy tales of all ages [JF]

Schumann & Bruch: Violin Concertos (Channel Classics)

Stirring performances of two violin concertos with very different histories [WK]

Bantock: Orchestral Works (Hyperion)

(Déjà Review) Full-blooded, romantic readings of more exotic Bantock [IL]

Pepusch chandos ACC24397

Pepusch: Chandos Anthems (Accent)

There was more than Handel at Cannons [JV]

Beach piano ALC1481

Beach: Piano Music (Alto)

Virginia Eskin perfectly understands this mixture of drama, nature worship and contemplation [WK]

Oiseaux Say 5419791488

Fazil Say (piano): Oiseaux tristes (Warner Classics)

Artistry and insight from Say [PH]

ScarlattiD sonatas A568

D Scarlatti: A Man of Genius (Arcana)

Francesco Corti enriches the Scarlatti discography [DF]

Grieg sibelius PACM126

Grieg & Sibelius: String quartets (Pristine Audio)

More pre-war classics from the Budapest Quartet [JW]

Eastern reflections DCD34319

Eastern Reflections (Delphian)

An ideal performance of Bartók’s Contrasts in an interesting programme [SB]

Christmas Fantasia ALBCD063

A Christmas Fantasia (Albion Records)

A well-planned and beautifully executed programme sure to summon some Christmas cheer [NB]

Arambarri basque 502001

Arambarri: Orchestral works (Claves)

Arambarri has the charm and freshness of Guridi and Canteloube [RB]

Bach Cello Suites Thomsen OUR 8.226922

Bach: Suites for Solo Cello (OUR Recordings)

An outstanding performance of these great works and a clear contender for Recording of the Year [PB]

Strohl: Chamber Music (La Boîte à Pépites)

How can this wonderful music have lain undiscovered for so long? [DJB]

wagner knappertsbusch gotterdammerung

Wagner: Götterdämmerung (Pristine Audio)

All Wagnerians should consider this 1956 live Bayreuth Götterdämmerung [SB]

RVW Grinke Albion

Vaughan Williams: The Grinke Legacy (Albion Records)

Performances of real stature, superbly restored and immaculately presented [NB]

Departure Malion Quartet Solaire SOL1016

Malion Quartett: Departure (Solaire)

The Malion Quartett can stand comparison with anyone in this repertoire [DC]

Dvorak Legends Slavonic Rhapsodies Netopil Pentatone PTC5187221

Dvořák: Legends & Slavonic Rhapsodies (Pentatone)

Nepotil works better on longer-term planning than in short-form [JW]

Marchenerzahlungen Trio Eiger Prospero PROSP0084

Märchenerzählungen for Clarinet, Viola and Piano (Prospero)

Well worth acquiring for the Juon and Françaix pieces, while the Amberg is a true rarity [DB]

Deja Review MacMillan Birds of Rhiannon Chandos CHAN9997

MacMillan: The Birds of Rhiannon (Chandos)

(Déjà Review) A highly recommended collection of works for choir and orchestra by MacMillan, magnificently performed under the direction of the composer [CT]