March 2026

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Sibelius: Symphony 3 & 7 (CRQ)

A treasure of the Sibelius discography which deserves wider exposure [PH]

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English Choral Music (Signum Classics)

Unearthing twentieth‑century choral treasures anew [JF]

Büttner: Symphonies No.3-4 (Capriccio)

A neglected composer, most well-served in a splendiferous recording [EJW]

Puccini: La fanciulla del West (Walhall)

Tebaldi’s best Minnie, well-partnered, too – but in mono [RMo]

Wurmser: À la lueur du timbre (Hortus)

Wurmser’s miniatures explore impressionism when they venture out of a light salon mood [RCh]

Shostakovich: Piano Trios; Roslavets: Piano Trio No.4 (Naxos)

Shostakovich’s trios are good but Roslavets is a real discovery [SB]

Vaughan Williams: String Quartets, Phantasy Quintet (Nimbus Records)

(Déjà Review) A popular grouping of RVW’s chamber works played with emotional fervour [RB]

Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier (Opus Arte)

(Déjà Review) This live recording has a great deal to offer [GF]

Vivaldi: Il Bajazet (Naxos)

Naxos offers a real performance with warmth and life which compensates for some blemishes among the voices [MP]

Shostakovich: Symphony No 2 & 5 (Chandos)

An interesting Shostakovich coupling from John Storgårds and the BBC Philharmonic [DHa]

Biarent: Works for Cello & Piano (Pavane)

Biarent’s Cello Sonata is one of the finest composed in Belgium in the early 20th century [HC]

Chaminade: Piano Trios & Morceaux (Da Vinci Classics)

Chaminade’s trios should be better known, and this recording is a perfect way to rectify that [DJB]

Rózsa: Three Hungarian Sketches & Cello Rhapsody (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) Committed, idiomatic and sharply attuned to the composer’s sensibilities [JW]

R Strauss: Elektra (Warner Classics)

(Déjà Review) A sensible and impressive performance with no significant weak links [DH]

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Alexander Gibson (conductor) (High Definition Tape Transfers)

A trio of early records by Alexander Gibson from the vaults [PH]

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Vaughan Williams: Rise, Heart (Albion Records)

A deeply moving exploration of Vaughan Williams’s more intimate side [JF]

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Brahms: Late Piano Works (Warner Classics)

I had not expected to be so impressed by this recital [SB]

Stravinsky rite ALC1131

Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring & Petrushka suite (Alto)

Voluptuous, elemental … an orchestra caught in headlong flight [RB]

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Giardini: 6 Sonate per violino e continuo (Tactus)

Excellent performances of virtuosic sonatas [JV]

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Pacini: Il convitato di pietra (Naxos)

A different take on a well-known story is accompanied by a Pacini’s sure composition and an enjoyable first public performance [RJF]

LiseDavidsen LiveattheMet Decca

Lise Davidsen: Live at the Met (Decca)

The greatest soprano of our age in recital from the stage of the Met [PH]

Poulenc PianoMusic Nimbus

Poulenc: Piano Music (Nimbus)

Another enjoyable rediscovery from Nimbus [DHa]

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Out of Vienna: Leonkoro Quartet (Alpha Classics)

Intensity, irony, intimacy: modernism unveiled [JF]

Polignac PianoWorks GrandPiano

Polignac: Piano Works (Grand Piano)

Some impressively vivid music here that ignites an interest to hear it in its orchestral colours [RCh]