Author: Laurence Slater
Janáček: The Makropulos Affair (SOMM Recordings)
A very fine and fitting centenary tribute to Sir Charles Mackerras [JQ]
Alfvén: Complete Orchestral Songs (dB Productions)
A perfect disc in almost every respect [WK]
Schubert & Hummel: Piano Quintets (Somm)
A ‘Trout’ to challenge classic versions, exhibiting a welcome sense of forward drive, paired with a Hummel novelty [RMo]
Monteverdi: Vespro della Beata Vergine 1610 (Challenge Classics)
(Déjà Review) Scaled down, placid, serene, delightful, immediate and colourful [MS]
Pleyel: Clarinet Concertos 1 & 2 (cpo)
(Déjà Review) Most listeners will succumb immediately [RB]
Tim Rumsey (piano): Transcriptions (Luminate Records)
A triumphant transcription recital that shows the golden age of the piano is alive and well [RCh]
Dvořák: Piano Trios 3 & 4 (cpo)
Fine recordings of beloved chamber music [DHa]
Renaissance music for women’s convent (Lucky Music)
A fascinating picture of the liturgical practice in a women’s convent [JV]
Hymns by Vaughan Williams and others (Albion Records)
A fascinating album, which sheds light on Vaughan Williams’s association with hymnody [JQ]
Bartok: Piano Concerto 2 & Mahler: Symphony 5 (C major)
Bronfman excels in Bartók, Nelsons indulges in Mahler [LW]
Elgar: Orchestral Music (Hallé)
(Déjà Review) High standards … a fascinating programme [GPJ]
Bowen: Piano Concertos 3 and 4 (Hyperion)
(Déjà Review) Derivative but delightful. A wonderful romantic wallow [IL]
R Clarke: The Complete Songs (Signum Classics)
A revelatory set, superbly performed [JQ]
Berg: Violin Concerto & Mahler: Symphony 4 (Unitel)
Good seats for a fine Salzburg Festival concert at a fraction of the price [WH]
Mendelssohn: Overtures (Deutsche Grammophon)
A generously filled recording which has deservedly become a classic [RMo]
Telemann: Violin Concertos Vol 9 (cpo)
A spirited conclusion to cpo’s survey of Telemann’s violin concertos [CRo]
Tessarini: Flute Sonatas (Tactus)
Fine music in compelling performances [JV]
Strauss: Salome (Chandos)
(Déjà Review) Real emotional and sonic surge [DH]
Varese: Orchestral Works 2 (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) This is unmissable [CR]
Gregson: Concertos (Chandos)
A welcome 80th birthday tribute to one of Britain’s finest composers [PRJ]
Matthews: Orchestral Works (SOMM Recordings)
A distinguished and important addition to the discography of David Matthews [JQ]
16th century music for convents (Lucky Music)
Eavesdrop into an unfamiliar corner of religious music making during the Renaissance [DC]
Bowen: Music for organ, viola, violin and harp (Dutton)
Four musicians explore York Bowen’s more recherché compositions in some style [JW]
Mozart: Piano Concertos 21 and 22 (EMI Classics)
(Déjà Review) Thoughtful and transcendent playing. A winner on all counts [KS]
