Author: Stan Szpakowicz
Copland: Music for solo piano (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) The playing complements the vivacity, complexity and depth of this fine music [JF]
Frescobaldi: Messa Della Madonna (Deutsche Harmonia Mundi)
(Déjà Review) Undeniably enjoyable, but probably more for the Frescobaldi devotee [PW]
M Haydn: String Quartets (cpo)
Six delightful and Instructive quartets by Michael Haydn [DF]
Sibelius & Prokofiev: Violin Concerti (Decca)
Terrific performances of two key works in the violin concerto repertoire [JQ]
Nathan Milstein (violin) The American Columbia Solo Recordings Vol. 1 (Pristine Audio)
Splendid transfers of Milstein’s 1930s baroque repertory [JW]
Gebel: Johannes Passion (cpo)
(Déjà Review) A totally forgotten Passion from 18th century Germany – a splendid work, moving and enthralling [JV]
Mozart: Divertimenti (Apex)
(Déjà Review) The playing in all of these pieces is a delight [GPJ]
Zádor: Piano Quintet, Accordion Concerto & other works (Naxos)
Elegant and distinctive music by an overlooked original [NC]
20th Century Foxtrots Vol 6: Southern Europe (Grand Piano)
Delights all round on this Mediterranean exploration [RCh]
Brahms: Reimagined Orchestrations (Reference Recordings)
Schoenberg’s orchestration of Brahms’s Piano Quartet in a very well recorded, lovely performance, and two surprises [EJW]
Dodgson: Mirage – Piano music (Somm Recordings)
Challenging yet rewarding music, fine performance and recording [WH]
Schubert: Moments musicaux, Drei Klavierstücke (Danacord)
Absorbing and moving performances [JF]
Bowen: Piano Concertos Nos 2 & 3 (Dutton)
(Déjà Review) A most enjoyable helping of Bowen’s late-romanticism [RB]
Bruckner: Symphony No 6 (Profil)
(Déjà Review) If you are looking for mid-price Bruckner 6 in modern sound, look no further [PCW]
Center: Instrumental and Chamber Music, Volume Three (Toccata Classics)
Intriguing course through a whirlpool of inventiveness [JPu]
Donizetti: Alfredo il Grande (Dynamic)
No masterpiece, but a well-performed and welcome addition to filmed Donizetti [RMay]
Prokofiev: Symphony No.6 (The Cleveland Orchestra)
A memorably sharp and sympathetic Prokofiev Sixth [NC]
Scriabin: Piano Sonatas No 2-4 & other piano works (Bridge Records)
The cream of Scriabin’s early sonatas and a handful of miniatures in strong performances [RCh]
Prokofiev: Piano Concerti (Danacord)
(Déjà Review) This fine addition to the discography could well be your first choice [JF]
Schwantner: Orchestral works (Hyperion)
(Déjà Review) Superb, immaculate and committed playing by all concerned, making the best of this strongly communicative music [HC]
Offenbach: Colorature (Alpha Classics)
A wholehearted recommendation for the unhackneyed programme and the magnificent singing [GF]
Thomas Pitfield • His Friends & Contemporaries (Divine Art)
A rewarding exploration [JF]