Recommended
Dvořák: Symphony No.9; Simon: Four Black American Dances (Reference Recording
A vivid, thrilling account of a warhorse symphony as the main course, enough to reinvigorate any jaded palate – followed by a piquant dessert [RMo]
La Traversière – Airs et Songes. Works for transverse flute (Harmonia Mundi)
An impressive recording debut [JV]
Martinů: Symphonies (Deutsche Grammophon)
A Martinů symphony cycle for the ages [DJB]
Shostakovich: Symphonies No 6 & 9 (Challenge Classics)
Two of Shostakovich’s most subversive symphonies, brilliantly played and sharply characterised [NB]
Akiho: Beneath Lighted Coffers (Reference Recordings)
Two brilliant ear-opening works that show what steel pans are capable of [PRJ]
Biber & Aufschnaiter: Choral Music (Accent)
Superb performances of three musical treasures from Austria’s musical heritage [JV]
Conversations à Trois: Trio Boccherini (BIS)
Scintillating performances of compelling music, especially the Cras [NB]
Chopin sans Chopin (First Hand Records)
A glorious, widely varied recital of Chopin-influenced piano music [RCh]
Alkan: Complete Organ Works Vol. 1 (Signum Classics)
Probably the best recorded organ disc I have yet encountered [RHa]
In Plain Sight: Piano works by women composers (Rubicon Classics)
A delightful surprise [DJB]
Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No 3 (Decca)
Kanneh-Mason is a real ball of fire in the concerto [SB]
Chopin: Piano Concertos (Hänssler Classic)
Outstanding live performances of the Chopin concertos [RBe]
Rediscovering Liszt (Prima Facie)
One of the finest all-Liszt discs I’ve heard in recent years; a unique program concept and personality [MK]
Schubert: Die schöne Müllerin (Signum Classics)
An unqualified success [JQ]
Ann Schein (piano): The Kapp Recordings (APR)
A wonderful tribute to a phenomenal artist [RCh]
Elgar: His first electric recordings (Pristine Audio)
Superb transfers of performances of the greatest importance and interest [PSt]
Bruckner: Symphony No. 9 (Profil)
The finest recording yet of Schaller’s completion of Bruckner’s Ninth, enhanced by the prowess of a great orchestra recorded in studio sound [RMo]
Earthly Solace: Eton Choirbook reconstructions (CRD)
Motets brilliantly brought to life again in superb reconstructions and sung with passion and sensitivity. [GH]
Johann Ludwig Bach: The Leipzig Cantatas (Ricercar)
An outstanding set of the church music of Johann Ludwig Bach [JQ]
Rituals: Ives, Hahn, Bolcom (Acis)
A thoughtfully constructed, beautifully performed song recital [DHa]
Heise: Complete String Quartets (Dacapo)
I was totally unprepared for how good these six quartets are [DJB]
Elsa Dreisig (soprano): Invocation (Erato)
A really memorable recital from a soprano who has developed into an intensely communicative artist [MP]
Beethoven: Late Piano Sonatas (BIS)
Enthralling late Beethoven from Paul Wee [DHa]
Röntgen, Maier, Grieg: Scenes of a Folk Life (Private release)
An entertaining book and CD, beautifully produced [DC]
