December 2024
Rózsa, Bartók: Violin Concerti (LSO Live)
A truly outstanding recording in every respect [PRJ]
Rameau: Les Boréades (Erato)
This splendid production might convert newcomers to the delights of French baroque [SB]
Verdi: Il trovatore (Pristine Audio)
An obligatory buy for lovers of Il trovatore, never mind how many modern recordings you have [GF]
Shostakovich, Prokofiev, Scriabin: Piano Sonatas; Stravinsky: Serenade (ECM)
(Déjà Review) An absolutely tremendous disc, from all angles [CC]
Weihnacht in Österreich (Gramola)
(Déjà Review) A model of creative programming and stylish performance [JV]
Klaus Tennstedt (conductor): Live Vol 2 (Doremi)
Not the most obviously representative Tennstedt performances, but nevertheless strong and committed [PBW]
Glinka: Grand Sextet, Dvořák: Piano Quintet (Hänssler Classic)
This recording of chamber works by Glinka and Dvořák is in many ways ideal [MC]
Kuhnau: Uns ist ein Kind geboren (Christophorus)
Nice company for the upcoming Christmas season [JV]
Maria – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Warner Classics)
Callas’ voice restored for a film score; if you love her voice, maybe this is one for you [KT]
Lloyd Webber: Requiem, Barber: Adagio for Strings (BR Klassik)
A considerably brisker approach to the Lloyd Webber Requiem than the original [PCG]
Candlelight Carols – Christmas with Allmänna Sången (BIS)
(Déjà Review) Riches galore on this disc [GF]
Istanpitta – Festive music for the Visconti court (Naïve)
(Déjà Review) Some of the most complex forms of medieval music – fascinating repertoire, inspired performance [JV]
Marion Ravot (harp) Voyages (Solaire)
Bewitching total immersion in sublime harp sounds [DC]
Ester Mägi: Complete Songs for Female Voice (Toccata Classics)
We are unlikely ever to come across a finer exemplar of this music [SA]
Tippett: The Midsummer Marriage (London Philharmonic Orchestra)
Step into a magical forest and the transcendent realm of Tippett’s Midsummer Marriage [PH]
Who’s Afraid Of …? Boulanger Trio (Berlin Classics)
Superb playing, but the awkward mix of styles doesn’t work [DJB]
Puccini: Turandot (Pristine Audio)
Birgit Nilsson’s first Turandot now remastered on Pristine Audio brings the recording back into the field of comparison [PCG]
Wolcum Yule: Celtic and British Songs and Carols (Harmonia Mundi)
This is a Christmas disc for the connoisseur, I think, and it is strongly recommended as such [JQ]
Rarities of Piano Music at Schloss vor Husum Vol 14 (Danacord)
A fine selection of little known works by well-known and obscure composers each a masterpiece or a forgotten gem [JF]
Bellini: Norma (Pristine Audio)
Pristine’s remastering into Ambient Stereo both enhances the beauty of Callas’ Norma and amplifies that which is less admirable here [RMo]
Voices of Thunder: Works for Choir and Organ (Coro)
Organ and choir share equal billing in a varied programme of choral music [WH]
Still: Songs and Piano Music (cpo)
The disc sheds new light on Still’s work and musical personality [WK]
The Earliest French Piano Recordings (APR)
A perfect picture of French pianism in the early part of the twentieth century [RCh]
Matilda Lloyd (trumpet): Resonance (Chandos)
A nice selection of music for trumpet and orchestra that just lacks the needed impact [MBu]
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