August 2025
The Gesualdo Six: Radiant Dawn (Hyperion)
A dazzling recital performed by The Gesualdo Six combined with the resplendent trumpet playing of Matilda Lloyd [DHa]
Lisa Maria Schachtschneider (piano): Planet Earth (ARS Produktion)
An excellent recital with variety as kaleidoscopic as the elements themselves [RCh]
American Folklore (Nimbus Alliance)
A collection that serves as a memento of a fine student orchestra fails to compete where alternatives exist [NB]
Kaufmann: Orchestral works (MDG)
Further Indo-European explorations of a pre-war Czech émigrée [JW]
The Song Also Rises (Alea Recording)
A cornucopia of mostly unknown music in excellent performances [DC]
Donizetti: Zoraida di Granata (Dynamic)
A classy production of an unfamiliar opera with a more than respectable cast of singers [MP]
Viana: Piano Music (Toccata Classics)
An always interesting and well-played selection of Viana’s piano music, all first recordings [DHa]
Handel: Great Handel Choruses (BIS)
Look no further for a cross-section of Handel’s best choral music [GF]
Stokowski conducts Falla (Pristine Audio)
(Déjà Review) Of great interest to enthusiasts of Stokowski, Kapell and de Falla. [RB]
The Silent Pool: British Piano Music by Women Composers (Heritage)
Discover rare, evocative voices in British piano music [JF]
Rautavaara: Complete Piano Works (Piano Classics)
Rautavaara writes idiomatically and well for the piano [SB]
Niklas Jahn: Organ Recital (Naxos)
A thrilling recital [DHa]
Melartin: Symphonies 5 & 6 (cpo)
Music full of lyricism, depth and occasionally perplexing direction [JW]
Eccles: The Judgment of Paris (Chandos)
(Déjà Review) A forgotten gem which deserves to be rediscovered [RH]
Brahms: Hungarian Dances Volumes 1 & 2 (Hyperion)
(Déjà Review) Full-blooded, fiery, romantic and passionate – superb [EML]
Tchaikovsky: Souvenir de Florence
by Alan George
Erskine: String Quartet
by Alan George
Beethoven: Symphony No.7
by Alan George
Brahms: Piano Concerto 2 and solo piano works (Alto)
Richter’s classic Brahms returns at budget price [LW]
Brahms & Schubert: Piano music (BIS)
Clever programming and remarkable playing: Kantorow is the real deal [ST]
Laurence Perkins (Hyperion) (bassoon) Honey-coloured cow
A superb, entertaining exploration of the bassoon repertoire [GPu]
Bach: Lute music arranged for piano (Orchid Classics)
Astute transcriptions of lute music for piano, skilfully executed [ZT}
Firkušný plays Debussy (Pristine Audio)
This release should play a major role in promoting Firkušný’s name [PBW]
Rossini: Il Viaggio a Reims (Deutsche Grammophon)
(Déjà Review) One of the best recordings of a Rossini opera ever set down [RJF]
