June 2025
Haydn: ‘Russian’ Quartets Op. 33 (BIS)
Matchless Haydn from the Chiaroscuro Quartet [DHa]
John Turner (recorder): A Few More Surprises (Prima Facie)
A sound and sophisticated production from the first note to the last [JF]
Schumann: Novelletten & Nachstücke (Piano Classics)
Commendable versions of two of Schumann’s lesser-known piano cycles [SB]
Rodrigo: Piano Music, Vol 2 (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) Constantly invigorating, inspiring music, played in masterly fashion [GF]
Prokofiev: Ivan the Terrible & Rachmaninov: The Bells (Warner Classics)
(Déjà Review) Classic performances in sound that is still demonstration-worthy [TH]
Mahler: Symphony 1 (Exton)
A new studio recording of Mahler’s First Symphony that should have been great [LD]
Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (baritone) A Centenary Tribute (SOMM)
A valuable insight into the life and work of one of the greatest performing artists of the past century [GPJ]
Arensky: Symphony 1 (Chandos)
Varied, energetic, colourful music by a composer who never found a distinctive, individual voice before his premature death [RMo]
Liszt: Phantasmagoria (Naïve)
A Liszt recital that oozes personality [RCh]
Sohal: The Wanderer, Asht Prahar (Heritage)
An essential issue of two of Sohal’s orchestral compositions [DHa]
Röntgen: Cello Concertos (Etcetera)
This is a fine addition to the Röntgen discography – a fringe enthusiasm that encourages affection [JW]
Mozart: Die Zauberflöte (Deutsche Grammophon)
A well-chosen selection from an already much-praised Flute [DM]
Bach’s Roots: Early Influences on the Young Master (Arcana)
An interesting and musically compelling survey of the musical world into which Bach was born [JV]
Ensemble Astera: Wind Chamber Music (Claves)
Attractive wind chamber music, brilliantly played [GPJ]
Le Temps suspendu: Beethoven & Schubert (B Records)
Superlative, daringly innovative accounts of two Romantic chamber music masterpieces [RMo]
John Neumeier’s The Glass Menagerie (C Major)
An intriguing narrative ballet from John Neumeier [RMay]
Flury: Orchestral Music Vol. 4 (Toccata Classics)
Flury’s mature orchestral works, well performed, recorded and documented [EJW]
Homs: Music for Chamber Orchestra (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) This offers the best introduction possible to the composer’s personal, endearing sound-world [HC]
Mozart: String Quartet & Quintet (Aeon)
This beautifully engineered package is one with which I shall be able to live happily for a long time [DC]
Rubbra: String Quartet 2
by Alan George
Rossini: La scala di seta (Sinfonia)
by Alan George
Shostakovich: Cello Sonata
by Alan George
Walton: Violin Concerto and other orchestral works (Chandos)
A fine choice if one seeks the Violin Concerto and is intrigued by the Suite from Troilus and Cressida [EJW]
Handel and Colonna: Sacred music (Ricercar)
A good case for Colonna and one of the best performances of Handel’s Dixit Dominus [JV]
