December 2025
Martucci: Four Piano Pieces, Piano Sonata (Piano Classics)
An enjoyable disc of Martucci’s juvenalia which prompts reflections on his later, more substantial works [GPu]
Mozart: Requiem & Say: Mozart & Mevlana (Warner Classics)
An intriguing piece of cross-cultural programming combining an energised performance of Mozart’s Requiem with an exotic new work [RMo]
Miró Quartet: Hearth (Pentatone)
Wonderfully imaginative arrangements of Christmas favourites; something to enliven even the jaded palette – or ear [PRJ]
Strauss R: Elektra (Solo Musica)
Listeners seeking a completely unabridged Elektra may want to give this haphazard ‘karaoke version’ a miss [SSc]
Schloss Husum 2024: Rarities of Piano Music (Danacord)
This wonderful festival never lets us down [RCh]
Bruch: Arminius (cpo)
(Déjà Review) This recording is very welcome [CF]
Bartók: Orchestral Works, Dances (Deutsche Grammophon)
(Déjà Review) A good addition to your Bartók collection – some performances will be difficult to improve on [GH]
Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Opus Arte)
Get a Blu-ray player and buy this [JWn]
Mahler: Symphony 10 (Deutsche Grammophon)
A triumph, and one not to be missed [MJ]
Observations of Venice – Cinquecento consort music (Coviello Classics)
Ode to Venice and its musical culture [JV]
Felix Mendelssohn & Dvořák: String Quartets (Genuin)
“Promising, but doesn’t quite meet expectations.” [SV]
Shostakovich: Symphony 13 (LSO Live)
Much to admire in Noseda’s reading of this profound symphony [JQ]
Chausson: Le roi Arthus (Erato)
Heavily derivative of its Wagnerian models, Chausson’s sole opera intermittently impresses but is overlong and somehow remains unmemorable [RMo]
Swans: Music for cello & piano (Hyperion)
An intriguing collection of pieces with some welcome rarities [RCh]
Sibelius: Symphonies No. 6 & No. 7 (ESO Records)
A successful launch for a new Sibelius cycle [JQ]
Schubert: Piano Sonatas Volume 1 (Alpha Classics)
Illuminating Schubert from Martin Helmchen [DHa]
Bach: Das Wohltemperierte Klavier Book 2 (BIS)
Suzuki offers a brilliant, structurally transparent perspective that combines historical insight with spirit and verve [PB]
Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto no. 2 (Alto)
Red hot Gilels burns through the sound barrier [RMay]
Ravel: Chamber Works (Onyx)
Performances that the composer would have greatly admired but … [DJB]
Boccherini: Symphonies & Cello Concerto (cpo)
(Déjà Review) Packed with immediately appealing music by a sadly neglected composer [JPJ]
Bach: Brandenburg Concertos (Soli Deo Gloria)
(Déjà Review) Marvel afresh at the musical skill, imagination and invention [JQ]
Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1 (Hyperion)
Expressive, dramatic and compelling – what’s not to love? [DC]
Bowen: Piano Concertos 3 and 4 (Hyperion)
(Déjà Review) Derivative but delightful. A wonderful romantic wallow [IL]
Elgar: Orchestral Music (Hallé)
(Déjà Review) High standards … a fascinating programme [GPJ]
