Recommended
SWR Vokalensemble: Fin de siècle (SWR Music)
Richly rewarding choral arrangements of music from the turn of the twentieth century [MP]
Smetana: Piano Works (Naxos)
Smetana’s Czech Dances in superlative performances and an early rarity [RCh]
Loriod: Trois pièces; Messiaen: Visions de l’Amen (Alpha Classics)
The revelation of Yvonne Loriod’s own music recasts from within her partnership with Messiaen [CAE]
Mahler: Symphony No 2 ‘Auferstehungssinfonie’ (BR Klassik)
An exciting and distinguished release [JQ]
Schubert: Symphonies 8 & 9 (Recursive Classics)
A superb double-bill of Schubert’s last two symphonies which trumps its predecessors in terms of sound, playing and edition [RMo]
Puccini: Turandot (Decca)
Decca’s Turandot, newly remastered, is a magnificent achievement [JQ]
Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier – Book I (Hyperion)
‘What will he do next?’ we ask ourselves, about music we already know back to front [DC]
Couperin: Pièces de violes avec la basse chiffrée (Challenge Classics)
Excellent in every way [DC]
Enescu: Octet & Piano Quintet (Chandos)
I was bowled over by this one [SB]
Sinner, Don’t Let This Harvest Pass (Métier)
Variations for piano that cannot fail to inspire awe and catharsis [ACG]
In Search of Lost Time — Shchedrin, Stravinsky, Sergei Taneyev (Genuin)
Monumental input from each composer, and recording and performance quality to match [DC]
Adès, Kurtág & Tippett: Concertos (Hallé)
Modern masterpieces in superb accounts [LW]
Dvořák: Symphony 9 (Reference Recordings)
Two highly contrasting orchestral pieces in stellar performances and sound [JQ]
Aigul Akhmetshina (mezzo-soprano): Mujer Fatal (Decca)
A very welcome addition to the catalogue [MP]
Bloch: Violin Sonatas, Baal Shem (Naxos)
Remarkably wide-ranging repertoire, performed with passion and skill [NB]
Taneyev: Complete Trios (Northern Flowers)
Magisterial performances and unique understanding of the composer: unequaled [WK]
Dmytro Choni (piano) Heartlands (Naïve)
Marvellous performances by an outstanding young pianist [PBW]
Alexandre Tharaud (piano) Mémoire (Erato)
Balm in a troubled world [DJB]
Stephen Hough’s Piano Postcards (Hyperion)
Magical from start to finish [RCh]
Mentor and Muse (Albion Records)
Women who shaped RVW’s musical world [JF]
Giordano: Marina (Decca)
A taut, highly dramatic and skilfully crafted verismo melodrama, which certainly justifies its revival [RMo]
Hillborg: Orchestral & Concertante Works, Vol 1 (BIS)
A magnificent release on all counts and the Cello Concerto is a true masterpiece [HC]
Elgar: Elgar From the Archives, Vol 3 (SOMM Ariadne)
A release of great importance for all Elgar lovers [JQ]
Black Mozart: Jazz-inspired reinterpretations (Decca)
Listening to these brilliant Mozart reinterpretations is a sheer delight [ACG]
