October 2025
Haydn: The Seven Last Words of Christ (Brilliant Classics)
Interpretatively cohesive and consistent but rather driven and unvaried [RMo]
Chopin: Études (Avie)
(Déjà Review) Superb Chopin which serves to underline Borac’s excellence [CC]
Casella: Sinfonia per orchestra, Italia (cpo)
(Déjà Review) A stirring epic symphony and the dazzle of a latter-day Capriccio Italien [RB]
Veracini: Sonate Accademiche – An Anthology (Challenge Classics)
A perfect introduction to the music of Veracini [JV]
Medtner (piano): Complete Solo Piano Recordings (APR)
APR’s single discs of Medtner from 1930-47 sessions return now packaged in an indispensable box [JW]
Strauss: Ein Heldenleben (Signum Classics)
A grand, more leisurely and reflective Ein Heldenleben which is wholly successful on its own terms [RMo]
Pitfield: Orchestral Music (Toccata Classics)
More evidence of the continuing rehabilitation of this ‘Modest Man of Music’, an imaginative and skilful composer [GH]
Aloiz & Winkler: The Brahms Trio (Naxos)
A fine pair of unknown romantic piano trios [RCh]
Donizetti: L’Elisir d’amore (VAI)
(Déjà Review) Strictly for opera addicts interested in how it used to be done [RJF]
Bernstein: Mass (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) Do not hesitate [ST]
Brian & Cooke: Symphonies (Lyrita)
Add this splendid CD to your collection without delay [JQ]
Beethoven: Missa Solemnis & Mass in C (Warner Classics)
These performances are still worthy of collectors’ attention [JQ]
Schubert: Quintette Imaginaire (Alpha)
A curiosity, but also a missed opportunity [ST]
Handel: Chandos Anthems, Vol 2 (Chandos)
A reminder that there is more than one way to do “authentic” performance [ST]
Shostakovich: Symphony 11 (LSO Live)
A very successful account of the Eleventh Symphony, superbly played [JQ]
The best of Martin Jones: Discover Erich Korngold (Nimbus)
A useful selection of Korngold’s piano music [SB]
Claudio Arrau (piano) The Ambassador Auditorium Recitals (First Hand Records)
A finely produced and consistently enlightening set [JW]
Beethoven: Septet & Serendade (Nimbus)
(Déjà Review) Fine performances of Beethoven at his most delightful [BW]
The Romantic Piano Concerto 48: Benedict and Macfarren (Hyperion)
(Déjà Review) Plenty of verve and drama; neither academic nor over-balancing [JW]
Galuppi: Wonder in Venice (Arcana)
A good introduction to Galuppi’s keyboard oeuvre [JV]
Handel: Italian Cantatas & Arias (cpo)
A selection of vocal and instrumental works from Handel’s Italian sojourn performed with flair [CRo]
Transatlantic: Onyx Brass (Chandos)
As always, the playing of Onyx Brass is near perfect, and so is the recording [WK]
Helen Grime: Chamber Music (Delphian)
A welcome album of chamber music showing the composer’s versatility [DHa]
CH Lloyd: Chamber Music for Clarinet (Toccata Classics)
Overlooked choral and organ composer is heard in chamber works with clarinet [JW]
