November 2025
Matthews: Orchestral Works (SOMM Recordings)
A distinguished and important addition to the discography of David Matthews [JQ]
Gregson: Concertos (Chandos)
A welcome 80th birthday tribute to one of Britain’s finest composers [PRJ]
Christmas in Monteverdi’s Venice (Arcana)
Christmas polyphony in Monteverdi’s Venice [JF]
Vaughan Williams: Mantegna – Hymnody and Beyond (Albion Records)
This enterprising, scholarly release of Vaughan Williams’s Hymn Tunes and their arrangements should reveal new byways into his œuvre [EJW]
Mahler: Symphony No.1 (Pristine Audio)
Considerably better than Walter’s stereo remake, but it’s for specialists only [SV]
Sir Charles Mackerras (conductor): The Complete Warner Classics Edition (Warner Classics)
A solid chunk of Mackerras, spanning half a century of recordings for the Warner group [JW]
Babadjanian: Complete Works for Piano (Claves)
Deserves a place in any good 20th century piano collection [DC]
Schubert: Winterreise (Harmonia Mundi)
(Déjà Review) This deserves to be ranked alongside the very best [JQ]
Nielsen: Symphonies 4 & 5 (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) Makes me impatient to hear Schønwandt’s readings of Nielsen’s 2 & 3 [DM]
Pärt: Credo (Alpha Classics)
A 90th birthday tribute that serves as an exemplary introduction to Arvo Pärt [LW]
Brahms: Piano Concerto No 2, Three Intermezzi (Pentatone)
A Brahms concerto full of poetry and quiet confidence [ST]
Clarke: Complete Songs (Signum Classics)
The twists and turns of Rebecca Clarke’s songs, presented in full for the first time in stylish, perceptive performances [JW]
Dessy: String Quartets and Quintet (Cypres)
First recordings of some of the unique output by this enigmatic and mysterious composer [GH]
Ibéria: Chabrier, Debussy & Ravel (Onyx)
The distinct perfumes and colours of Spain, orchestrated in France and brought to life in Liverpool [PH]
Rossini: Il Turco in Italia (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) Has some fine qualities, especially its leading lady [RJF]
Monteverdi: Sweet Torment (Chandos Chaconne)
(Déjà Review) A highly accomplished and engaging disc [GF]
Myaskovsky: Complete Symphonies & Orchestral Works (Warner Classics)
Wondrous works, at minimal price (and presentation) – not to be missed [RB]
Bruch & Paganini: Violin Concertos (Claves)
A serious entrant … Romantic affiliations and technical armoury [JW]
Mason: Lux Aeterna (Ulysses Arts)
Interesting survey of the recent work of an unfamiliar but rewarding composer [SB]
Mozart: Complete Piano Sonatas (Genuin)
A warm welcome to this set of Mozart’s complete sonatas [DC]
Purcell: Dido and Aeneas (Château de Versailles Spectacles)
A new presentation, strong and full of woe, but only partially successful [PH]
Walton: Symphony 1 & Cello Concerto (Chandos)
A generous collection of three fine works played with this orchestra’s usual flair [NB]
Bruckner: Symphony No. 9 (Deutsche Grammophon)
Abbado’s last curtain call is a final disappointment [LD]
Gaultier de Marseille: Symphonies divisées par suites de tons (Ambronay)
A disc any lover of baroque music will enjoy [JV]
