February 2025

A recital of popular mostly verismo arias, but the singing leaves a great deal to be desired [PT]

A collection of vivid performances of music by Kurt Weill [JQ]

(Déjà Review) A mature artist who patently comprehends the beauty and purity of the music [MMB]

(Déjà Review) Undeservedly neglected light music [IL]

Fine performances of neglected flute sonatas [JV]

Hugues is not a ‘lost’ great, but this disc shows his best pieces are worthy of rediscovery [GPu]

Pristine Audio newly preserves Le Conte’s achievement in making Carmen as crisp and light as a freshly made churro [MP]

Mining the archive produces gold from Nelson Freire [PH]

Beautifully played chamber works by Brahms and Schoenberg [MC]

The conclusion of a most rewarding series of archive Bruckner recordings [JQ]

(Déjà Review) A stunning classic recording, reissued in a sensible pairing – a must-have! [PSh]

(Déjà Review) A fine record of a great series of performances, particularly memorable for Karita Mattila in the title role and the playing of the Royal Opera House Orchestra [RH]

A seriously impressive set in every respect [JQ]

One of the best entries so far in this enterprising series [RMay]

The obvious enjoyment in playing together here results in committed performances that delight the ear [SA]

Szymanowski fans should snap up these classic recordings [SB]

A very familiar route, that leads to a totally new musical experience [ZT]

A Happy New Year from Vienna with Muti [PH]

Schuricht leads the Vienna orchestra with surety and command [JW]

A wholly admirable performance of a significant opera composer who was active immediately before Rossini [RJF]

A mixed bag of operatic performances from La Fenice contains some unexpected riches, but the choice of repertoire is unusual [PCG]

A valuable compilation, in excellent performances and sound [RWe]

Another album of discovery in Chandos’ ongoing survey of R R Bennett [PH]

An appetising collection of unfamiliar Haydn symphonies in unsurpassed performances [PBW]