From the Last Week

Interesting, different, fun, rarely heard and very well played [JWe]

Valuable recordings of a pianist who died too young [RCh]

An ideal mix of grace and energy, and a quite exceptional Fourth Concerto [DJB]

Refreshingly new guitar music, composed and played by a master musician [ZT]

(Déjà Review) Persuasive interpretations of these challenging works [JZ]

(Déjà Review) Tells the story compellingly with excellent singing and playing from everyone [ST]

(Déjà Review) Without orchestra, the Sibelius symphonies fail [BR]

(Déjà Review) Vivid, committed performances of some masterpieces of Iberian polyphony [JQ]

Fine performances by an unjustly neglected quartet [WK]

Propulsive readings that could have been leavened with a little more emotion [DJB]

Always melodic but never clichéd; Sollima’s orchestral writing should appeal to many fans of 20th  century music [ACG]

Pleasant and well-crafted music, well performed [JQ]

A welcome reissue of a contemporary classic [DHa]

A highly recommended addition to the catalogue [PC]

(Déjà Review) Splendid – the story may be slender but the music is anything but [GF]

Rouchon’s uningratiating vocals, lack of engagement with the psychology of the piece and poor word-pointing make this a real disappointment [SGa]

(Déjà Review) All in all, a magnificent success [DC]

A most rewarding disc [JQ]

Magical from start to finish [RCh]

Well-crafted, sincere music in excellent performances [JQ]

(Déjà Review) A well-filled disc and the performances of these quartets are as good as any [LW]

Extended extracts from three Wagner operas showcasing Bernstein and a trio of great American Wagner singers in top form [RMo]

Despite a cautious approach in places, Donohoe shows how much this music means to him, and what careful delight he takes in playing it [SGa]

(Déjà Review) Ulf Wallin clearly relishes these challenges [GD]

The brio and panache, and occasional limitations, of a great violinist (and Mahler’s brother-in-law) [JW]

A rare souvenir of a hugely under-recorded conductor in the company of two legendary artists, rendered into acceptable sound [RMo]

A most enjoyable and stimulating album [JQ]

Czech duo capture the spirit of Piazzolla [LW]

Déjà Review) Certainly worth hearing for the music itself, especially the Blow and Boyce [JS]

(Déjà Review) Well done Chandos – I waited for 36 years and you have not disappointed me! [JF]

Interesting, but there are significantly better recordings available [ZT]

Women who shaped RVW’s musical world [JF]

A disc of world premières, and numerous commissions, from a stylish cello quartet [JW]

(Déjà Review) This disc charmed me far more than I could have imagined [RH]

Enriching music, marvellously performed [JQ]

(Déjà Review) Blech conveys well the feeling behind the classical restraint [MG]

One much performed contemporary classic and one first recording make up this unusual programme [SB]

A taut, highly dramatic and skilfully crafted verismo melodrama, which certainly justifies its revival [RMo]

A magnificent release on all counts and the Cello Concerto is a true masterpiece [HC]

Bruno Walter’s pre-WW2 conducting in the best transfers yet [DF]

A fine version by Haitink of this most attractive of Mahler’s symphonies [SB]