June 2025
Postcards from Ukraine Vol 1 – Violin Miniatures (Toccata Classics)
Folklore predominates in a zesty Ukrainian selection, most sensitively performed [JW]
Timothy Ridout (viola) Works for solo viola (Harmonia Mundi)
A young virtuoso of the viola goes solo [PH]
Prokofiev: War and Peace (BSO Recordings)
Excellent performances, but the Regietheater production, with cuts and changes, might undermine its artistic worth for many [RC]
Stojowski: Piano Music Vol 2 (Acte Préalable)
A very enjoyable continuation of the series, a reawakening of Stojowski’s piano music in highly capable hands [RCh]
Haydn: String Quartets, op. 33 Nos 4-6 (BIS)
In its 20th year, the Chiaroscuro Quartet continues to set the standard for authentic-instrument quartets [DJB]
Improvisata: Sinfonie con titoli (Erato)
Authoritative, intelligent and entirely successful performances [JW]
Wagner: Götterdämmerung (Testament)
Keilberth ends Götterdammerung splendidly but that’s not enough – the world does not sound as though it is collapsing [DH]
Minimalist (IBS Classical)
A recital of mostly forgettable works of minimalism for piano [DHa]
Binchois: Loyal Souvenir (Ricercar)
Binchois’s sacred and secular output side by side in colourful, sensitive readings [GH]
Mendelssohn: Sacred Choral Works (Ondine)
A lovely Mendelssohn programme from one of the finest of choirs [WH]
Schubert: Piano Music (Hyperion)
All round excellence from one of our greatest pianists [PH]
Holst: The Planets (Sony Classics)
Bernstein at his most wilful and brilliant [LD]
Box of Delights: Light English Music (Lyrita)
Banish humdrum days with this delightful collection [JW]
Vivaldi: Heroes – Opera Arias (Erato)
A very impressive recital of some of Vivaldi’s finest opera arias [JV]
Tchaikovsky: Serenade for Strings
by Alan George
Glazunov: Rêverie Orientale
by Alan George
Borodin: String Quartet No.1
by Alan George
Liechtenauer: Masses (cpo)
A well-deserved monument to a forgotten composer [JV]
Sondheim: Chamber Music Arrangements (Bridge)
An interesting release that concentrates on Sondheim’s music rather than his lyrics [PT]
Lalo: Le Roi d’Ys (Bru Zane)
A welcome set which will provide considerable pleasure with one outstanding performance [PSt]
The San Carlo Opera House, Naples (1943-46) (ARS Recorded Editions)
Let’s Make an Opera: The British Army and the Teatro San Carlo [PH]
Haydn: Complete Symphonies (Hänssler Classic)
An admirable and highly desirable cycle – it goes straight to the top of my list [SG]
Verdi: Ernani (Warner Classics)
(Déjà Review) Outstanding portrayals from Domingo and Bruson to compensate for an over-parted Freni [RJF]
Vaňhal: Flute Quartets (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) Beautifully played music which makes few emotional demands, but hiding a verdant garden of rich colour and variety [DC]
 |
 |
 |
 |
