Author: Stan Szpakowicz

Schumann: Symphony No. 1; Strauss: Sinfonia domestica (Orfeo)

(Déjà Review) Mitropoulos’ readings offer a must-hear, never less than fascinating experience [CC]

Auerbach: Milking Darkness (Challenge Classics)

Delta Piano Trio continue to excel in Auerbach’s music [LW]

Ekaterina Siurina (soprano): Where Is My Beloved? (Delos)

A stream of imperturbably sedate tone, virtually devoid of characterisation [RMo]

Puccini: Tosca (Pentatone)

An indifferent Scarpia, so this is not a premier choice, but great singing by Melody Moore and Ștefan Pop [GF]

Lully: Benedictus (Château de Versailles Spectacles)

An impressive testimony of Lully’s skills as a composer of sacred music [JV]

Beethoven, Berwald: Septets (BIS)

Two lovely chamber scores for strings and winds [SV]

Weyse: Sovedrikken [The Sleeping Draught] (Dacapo)

(Déjà Review) The score is bright, carries warm harmonies and is fast moving with enjoyable themes, and catchy motifs [RW]

Jazz Violin Concertos (Gramola)

Crossover concerti triumphantly bridge the gap between Jazz and Classical [NB]

Corigliano: The Lord of Cries (Pentatone)

An astounding new opera from John Corigliano receives a benchmark performance [PCG]

Topos – 20th-Century Greek Orchestral Music (Naxos)

Hugely enjoyable [DJB]

Festive Sounds (SWR Classic)

A pleasant hour of music basking in a warmly resonant recording [MP]

Pedersøn: Motets & Hymns (cpo)

This disc sheds light on liturgical practice in Denmark in the early 17th century [JV]

Cortese: Chamber and vocal music (Dynamic)

Not flawless but interesting (re)introduction to the work of a neglected neoclassical Italian composer [GPu]

Bach: The Art of Fugue (Alia Vox)

(Déjà Review) Buy this without hesitation if you want to discover the richness of this magnificent work, in a haunting, unique arrangement [KM]

Charpentier: In Nativitatem Domini Canticum (Erato)

(Déjà Review) This is a joyful celebration of Christmas and will make an ideal present for the coming festivities [CF]

Janáček: Káťa Kabanová (Unitel Edition)

Powerful performances, but spare and drab staging [LW]

Bach family: Family Affairs [motets] (cpo)

An impressive survey of the art of the Bach family [JV]

Villa-Lobos: Cello Concerti, Fantasia for Cello and Orchestra (Naxos)

A very fine opportunity to hear Villa-Lobos’s complete output for cello and orchestra [HC]

br klassik hindemith cardillac

Hindemith: Cardillac (BR Klassik)

This concert performance of Cardillac makes a strong case for the opera [MC]

Tormis: Reminiscentiae (ECM)

A must for Tormis admirers; give him a try if you have not yet come under his spell [GF]

Mozart: Haffner Symphony, Paris Symphony, Oboe Concerto (Pentatone)

An auspicious start to a period-instrument series of Mozart symphonies [DF]

Dvořák: Complete solo piano music (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) Fine performances of seldom heard repertoire [JW]

Goossens: Chamber music for flute (Chandos)

(Déjà Review) A consummately successful collection [RB]

Respighi: Roman Trilogy (Ondine)

An outstanding performance and recording of these orchestral showpieces [EJW]