January 2025
Schubert: Piano Sonatas Nos 20 & 21 (BIS)
Artist and instrument sound inseparable in both poetry and dynamism [MG]
Affetti Napoletani. 18th Century Neapolitan Music (Da Vinci Classics)
A splendid survey of trio sonatas by Neapolitan composers [JV]
Copland: Billy the Kid, Statements, Symphony No 3 (Alto)
Restraint, clarity, freshness and leanness inform these performances [JF]
Bruckner: Symphony No 3 (Profil)
Some will find Schaller’s tempi in the first two movements controversial [RMo]
Beethoven: Violin Sonatas Nos 9 & 10 (Centaur)
Performances where the stars align [SG]
Bach: Violin concerti & Brandenburg Concerto No 5 (Warner Classics)
(Déjà Review) Very fine performances that do not unseat my personal favourites [TP]
Bruckner: Symphony No 5 & 6 (SOMM Ariadne)
Collectors who have been following this important Bruckner series can invest with confidence in this penultimate installment [JQ]
de Machaut: Remède de Fortune (Hyperion)
A spin on the wheel of fortune with The Orlando Consort [PH]
Potter: Complete Symphonies Vol 2 (cpo)
Quite a discovery: an English composer whom time has wrongly overlooked [GH]
Ukrainian Preludes: Silvansky, Gozenpud & Yakhnina (Hänssler Classic)
Once heard, these works are difficult to ignore; this is an altogether magnificent disc [SA]
Tchaikovsky: Pique Dame (RCA)
A fine testament to five great singers at the top of their game in this beautifully engineered live recording [MP]
Walton: Complete Song Collection (Delphian)
Vibrant, imaginative and sympathetic performances [JF]
Thomas Jensen (conductor): Legacy Vol 23 (Danacord)
An interesting and eclectic collection showcasing Thomas Jensen’s manifest conductorial gifts [RMo]
Arnold: Concerto for 28 Players & Orchestral Suites (Chandos)
(Déjà Review) Hickox and Chandos at their very best [RB]
Frank Martin et ses contemporains (Claves)
A complete collection of Martin’s a cappella choral works, together with some by his contemporaries, beautifully sung [SB]
Pipkov: Complete Piano Music Vol 2 (Toccata Classics)
I have eagerly awaited Volume 2 and am thrilled to have it now as it certainly doesn’t disappoint [SA]
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas 3 & 29 (Hyperion)
Hamelin hits the heights with epic and fiery readings, gripping in every respect [SG]
Chopin Variations: Rachmaninov, Mompou & Busoni (Danacord)
Commanding performances of three works in homage to Chopin [JF]
J S Bach: Cantatas & Motets (MDG)
One of the best Bach recordings I have heard lately [JV]
Puccini: Love Affairs (Sony Classical)
Not a great recital disc, but of enough quality and interest to make it worth considering [PSt]
Dvořák & Elgar: Cello Concertos (Capriccio)
All sounds well until invidious comparisons are made with some past masters and a lack of personality becomes apparent [RMo]
Romantic Pieces for Piano (Challenge Classics)
(Déjà Review) Well-played and recommended, especially for the Alkan [DBl]
O Dolcezze Amarissime: Madrigali, Ricercari and Canzoni Strumentali (Fineline)
These performances offer a different perspective on the genre of the madrigal [JV]
Matthew Martin: Masses, Canticles, Motets (Linn)
This disc shows why Matthew Martin has achieved such a strong reputation in the field of English church music [JQ]
 |
 |
Featured Naxos review |
Featured Naxos review |
 |
 |
 |
 |
