May 2026
Mival: Orchestral works (Signum Classics)
Notable additions to the catalogue of British orchestral works [JQ]
Káťa Kabanová and The Cunning Little Vixen: Janáček’s new lease of life (Moravské Zemské Muzeum)
The first two great operas from Janáček’s final decade explored with generosity and detail [JW]
Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Piano Quintets (Naxos)
Refreshing and enjoyable piano quintets in an accessible idiom [SB]
Arnold Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto & Symphony 2 (cpo)
Full-lipped and high-tensile writing [RB]
Spanish Works for String Orchestra (Nimbus)
A well worked programme; not to be overlooked in the welter of releases and re-releases that continue to saturate the market [JW]
Rudolf Kempe conducts Dvorak & Strauss (ICA Classics)
Some superb performances directed by a conductor of the highest calibre, performing live and at the peak of his abilities [RMay]
American Tapestry: Calidore String Quartet (Signum Classics)
A well-planned, enjoyable selection of American string quartets [LW]
Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade (SOMM Recordings)
A live Beecham Scheherazade that generates the heat and drive sometimes missing from his commercial recording [JW]
Woodgates: The System Made Me Do It (Delphian)
A somewhat enigmatic release that raises more questions than it answers [PRJ]
Tye: Peterhouse Mass (Hyperion)
Exemplary performances of sacred Latin works, some reconstructed, by a composer who is still a rather mysterious figure in Renaissance music [GH]
Aitchison: Piano Quintets (Métier)
Two recent, uncompromising piano quintets [RB]
My Fayre Ladye – Tudor Songs & Chant (Nimbus)
(Déjà Review) This fine disc has worn very well [JW]
Sir Thomas Beecham: The Great Communicator (Warner Classics)
(Déjà Review) An excellent insight into the human relationships and stories behind some of the great symphonic and vocal music on record [DBe]
Pioneering Haydn On Record: Symphony 43
by Christopher Howell
Sibelius: Pelléas et Mélisande
by Alan George
Luceat Choir fundraiser
by Ralph Moore
Berlioz: Les Troyens (SOMM Beecham)
(Déjà Review) No enthusiast for Les Troyens should be without this set [JS]
Adès: Orchestral Music (Warner Classics)
(Déjà Review) An important disc of remarkable contemporary music [LW]
The Great Forgotten Danish Violinist Henry Holst (Danacord)
Fascinating concerto survivors from Henry Holst’s British days [JW]
Schubert: Piano Music (Pentatone)
A marvellous rendition of Schubert’s final sonata [ST]
Holst: The Planets (LSO Live)
A Planets that just about justifies itself thanks to Pappano’s colourful theatricality [ST]
Beethoven & Brahms: Orchestral Music
Old-fashioned, perhaps, but big, bold and sometimes surprisingly effective accounts [RMay]
López-Gavilán: Orchestral Music (Reference Recordings)
Sit back and enjoy a plenipotentiary’s sound-picture [RB]
MacMillan: The Birds of Rhiannon (Chandos)
A good primer to start exploring Sir James MacMillan’s music [ST]
