May 2025

À Tre – 18th Century Cello Trios (Da Vinci Classics)

This ensemble’s debut could not have been any better [JV]

Franck: Symphony and other symphonic organ works (Hyperion)

Adeptly done, but for organ devotees only [SV]

Benjamin Appl (baritone): Lines of Life (Alpha Classics)

An absorbing, rewarding recital – another feather in the cap for Benjamin Appl [PT]

Wood conducts Bach and Handel (Pristine Audio)

Performances from another era, in fine transfers, which can be enjoyed without apology [PSt]

Andrée: Symphony No.1, Fritiof-Svit (cpo)

A worthy symphony is paired with an enjoyably Romantic suite [RMay]

Leoncavallo: Pagliacci (Orfeo)

Plácido Domingo‘s formidable reading of the title role, and excellent singing by others [GF]

Haydn: Symphonies No.30, 53, 69 (Apex)

(Déjà Review) Harnoncourt captures all the drama, humor and elegance with which these scores are rife [KS]

Mathias: Ave Rex, Elegy for a Prince, This Worlde’s Joie (Lyrita)

(Déjà Review) Recordings that do the greatest of service to Mathias’s music [CC]

R Strauss: Salome (Chandos)

A superb new recording of Strauss’s disturbing masterpiece [SB]

Verdi: Un giorno di regno (Fryderyk Chopin Institute)

Diverting but not definitive [SW]

Capponi: 6 Sonatas for Mandolin and Basso Continuo (cpo)

A delectable addition to the repertoire of music for mandolin [CRo]

Le Beau Chamber oehms

Le Beau: Chamber Music and Songs (Oehms Classics)

Discover more about a woman described as Germany’s first great female composer [GH]

Niemann: Piano Music Vol. 2 (Toccata Classics)

Inventive and evocative late Romantic piano music rescued from an obscurity that belies its one-time fame [RCh]

Brahms: Ein deutsches Requiem (BIS)

A very fine, deeply satisfying account of Brahms’ great masterpiece [JQ]

An English Pastoral (SOMM Recordings)

A certain stylistic sameness compromises the fine performances [NB]

Victoria: Second Vespers of the Feast of the Annunciation (Delphian)

(Déjà Review) A most enjoyable release to which I’m very happy to give an unreserved welcome [JQ]

Dualities DDX21122

Dualities: Arrangements for piano duo (Divine Art)

Highly effective and inventive works, neatly expanding the repertoire for two pianists [RCh]

Shostakovich sym6 PASC736

Shostakovich: Symphony 8

A memorable and historically important concert, faithfully captured in Pristine’s re-mastering of the 78s [GPJ]

Vivaldi ninfa cpo 5556462

Vivaldi: La fida ninfa (cpo)

A Vivaldi opera performed with sensitivity, warmth and charm [MP]

Anthemsvol2 DCD34351

Orchestral Anthems (Delphian)

An excellent follow-up to these performers’ previous disc of orchestral anthems [JQ]

Donizetti lucie 866057879

Donizetti: Lucie de Lammermoor (Naxos)

A thoroughly enjoyable, beautifully sung outing for this rarely heard version of Donizetti’s masterpiece [RMo]

Bruckner sym7 C8091

Bruckner: Symphony 7 (Capriccio)

Possibly the worst Bruckner Seventh I have ever heard [LD]

Cello tango AP368

Cello Tango (Aparté)

Some real highlights among the lesser-known Piazzolla selections [DJB]

Feinberg sonatas BISCD1413

Feinberg: Piano Sonatas Nos 1-6 (BIS)

Revelatory – hypnotic in the extreme, close to Scriabin in mystical mode [CC]