From the Last Week

A superb release which should not be missed [MP]

With abundant sonic splendour and musical prowess, Järvi and his band kick off their new Mahler cycle on a high (trumpet) note [KC]

A welcome return to the music of Shostakovich by the Jerusalem Quartet [DHa]

Hard to find many positives here [DJB]

These remarkable discs have been hard to track down so it is wonderful to have them collected together and to hear Etsuko Hirose’s dazzling pianism [RCh]

Fine performances but a problem with the recorded balance partially hinders one’s pleasure [GPu]

(Déjà Review) Merckel admirers can savour his very special musicianship in works entirely congenial to him [JW]

(Déjà Review) Finely paced readings with a clear sense of the inner relationship of the parts, textures and drama [ED]

Music from the age of Boccaccio, performed colourfully, with sensitivity and imagination [GH]

The cultured elegance of violinist Jelly d’Arányi in recordings from the 1920s and 30s [JW]

Brilliant performances of unusual, even quirky, repertoire [NB]

A newly released live recording reminds us of the legacy of a great Mahlerian [DHa]

Rübsam brings a fresh and intoxicating musicality to these captivating scores [SG]

Committed, full-throated bel canto singing – but it must be measured against formidable competition [RMo]

(Déjà Review) The players are clearly at home with these sonatas providing high expression combined with superb technique [MC]

(Déjà Review) Aristocratic playing and transfers that sound extremely well [JW]

Concertmaster-soloist Arthur Catterall in historically valuable late acoustic recordings [JW]

A glimpse back into a Golden Age of singing [PH]

Very interesting and worthwhile music in excellent performances [JQ]

The Varslavia Ensemble showcases the voice as an instrument for a magical experience [SA]

Virtuosic performances of Haydn full of wit, zest and the exuberance of life [PH]

An interesting take on this contrapuntal masterpiece – but the sound engineering is peculiar [RMo]

(Déjà Review) Not just recommended but absolutely essential to any civilised person [SH]

(Déjà Review) Resplendently carried off [RB]

Admirers of Gurney’s music and of English song in general should hasten to acquire this important release [JQ]

Danish Radio’s role in the Langgaard rediscovery is made explicit in this significant release [JW]

Bach’s last work goes well on a viol consort [SB]

An outstanding account of Tchaikovsky’s superb, if neglected, Third Quartet [RWe]

An impressive collection with Il Pomo d’Oro giving first class performances [MC]

A valiant effort all-around but the cast is largely disappointing in vocal accomplishment [MP]

(Déjà Review) Sequels rarely live up to the promise of the original, but here is an exception [CC]

(Déjà Review) Wilful but utterly stimulating [GF]

These two works are ideal companions and Hirose is fervent in her brilliant playing of them [RCh]

Nice music, good flutist, so-so strings [SV]

A headless Shostakovich symphony makes for a dispiriting experience [DHa]

Two German contemporaries and their very different approaches to the piano concerto [JW]

Another well-constructed and well-played recital in Mallinson and Weisner’s series [WK]

An entertaining conspectus of contemporary guitar music from the French capital, all well played and recorded [GPu]

An interesting and highly individual performance worth hearing. [SA]

I enjoyed practically everything that this disc offered with the Dufay being the star [GH]

Boult’s stature as the leading Elgarian reaffirmed in spoken word and musical deed [NB]