Recommended

From Mannheim to Berlin (Challenge Classics)

Cello playing of the highest calibre [JV]

Fraser-Simson: Complete Settings of Songs by A.A. Milne (EM Records)

A complete delight [WK]

Haydn pianotrios RD250423

Haydn: Piano Trios (Praga Digitals)

An album of distinction from the Guarneri Trio Prague [MC]

angelus ad fontes

French Sacred Song (Ad Fontes)

A fascinating programme, with top class performances in excellent sound [GPu]

Weinberg Symph 12 BBCPO Storgaards Chandos CHAN20165

Weinberg: Symphony No 12 (Chandos)

A superb, state-of-the-art recording of Weinberg’s symphonic works [GT]

bartok concertos alpha

Bartók: Concertos (Alpha Classics)

Characterful performances of familiar Bartók in a stunning vibrant recording [LW]

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]

rodgers oklahoma chandos

Rodgers: Oklahoma! (Chandos)

A ground-breaking recording of a ground-breaking American musical [PCG]

Nielsen: The Symphonies (Deutsche Grammophon)

A distinguished addition to the Nielsen discography [JQ]

Folksongs PTC518707

Folk Songs (Pentatone)

A life-enhancing experience of which I wish every music lover could be a part [GF]

Glass patentia LWC1255

Glass & Bjerkestrand: Violin Concertos (lawo)

Fascinating music, fine performances and recording, poor presentation [WH]

Shostakovich: Symphonies 5 & 9 (Naxos)

A first-rate pairing of two of Shostakovich’s more approachable symphonies in excellent sound [RMo]

Charpentier: David & Jonathas (Château de Versailles)

A staging of French baroque opera at its finest [MP]

Schubert mullerin HMM902720

Schubert: Die schöne Müllerin (Harmonia Mundi)

A marvellous reading of Die schöne Müllerin that should please every lover of this indestructible masterwork [GF]

Bruckner Symp 4-Haitink BR Klassik 900213

Bruckner: Symphony No 4 (BR Klassik)

Another superlative rendering of a Bruckner symphony from Haitink [RMo]

Sheppard Missa Cantate Tallis Scholars Gimell CDGIM053

Sheppard: Choral Works (Gimell)

Magnificent examples of Tudor polyphony, superbly performed [JQ]

Mozart and his Europe (Genuin)

A beautiful tone and natural, unmannered playing and flexibility of phrasing [RCh]

Respighi: Roman Trilogy (Ondine)

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

Britten: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Opus Arte)

A superior reissue of Peter Hall’s other superlative Britten production from Glyndebourne [PCG]

Shura Cherkassky (piano) Complete Recordings (APR)

Astonishing playing from a giant of the piano world [RCh]

Liszt vol2 PFCD21011

Liszt: Salon and Stage (Prima Facie)

This wonderful recital shows the amazing breadth of Liszt’s response to the composers who wrote for stages both grand and intimate [RCh]

Tubin kratt 1006

Tubin: Kratt (Alpha Classics)

An excellent survey of Polish and Estonian music in virtuoso performances by Estonia’s Festival Orchestra [GT]

shostakovich violin concerto cedille

Shostakovich: Violin Concerto No 1 (Cedille)

Superb Shostakovich coupled with a contemporary concerto that challenges convention [NB]