Recommended

rachmaninov symphony fuga libera

Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 2 (Fuga Libera)

This new recording from the Urals is a top recommendation [GT]

Hughes quartets meridian

Hughes: String Quartets (Meridian)

Discovery of the year [DMD]

Coates: Orchestral Works Vol. 3 (Chandos)

Coates’ life-enhancing music receives definitive performances [NB]

Walton: Violin Concerto, Respighi: Violin Sonata (Mirare)

Violinist Liya Petrova is the perfect advocate for these lush romantic works [DMD]

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L’altra Venezia (Snakewood)

Largely unknown repertoire of high quality in outstanding performances [JV]

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Monteverdi: Vespers of 1610 (Acis)

A hugely successful outing recorded in a very resonant acoustic [DMD]

Spontini: La Vestale (Bru Zane)

Rousset and his team breathe new life into what is now the top choice recording for Spontini’s greatest opera [MP]

mozart concertos alpha

Mozart: Concertos (Alpha Classics)

Youthful but remarkably distinguished Mozart concerto performances [NH]

Handel: Cleofida, Königin von Indien (cpo)

Enriches the Händel discography and provides insight into Telemann’s talents as an arranger [DF]

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Handel: Serse (Linn)

Highlights the variety of Handel’s invention and showcases a superb lead singer [RMo]

bach art of fugue harmonia mundi

Bach: The Art of Fugue (Harmonia Mundi)

Probably the best recording of the Art of Fugue I know [DMD]

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Magnificat 3 (Signum Classics)

A rather special disc [JQ]

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Saariaho: Reconnaissance (BIS)

An indispensable memorial to Kaija Saariaho [GF]

Tchaikovsky: Orchestral Works (Chandos)

Strikingly vivid and thrilling accounts of some of Tchaikovsky’s most atmospheric narrative tone poems [RMo]

Ferrabosco music to hear signum

Ferrabosco: Music to Hear … (Signum Classics)

A beautifully played selection of pieces from Ferrabosco’s Lessons of 1609 which should be on the shelves of all who love the viol [GPu]

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Fallen to Dust (BIS)

An outstanding recital of English song [JQ]

schnittke psalms pentatone

Schnittke: Psalms of Repentance (Pentatone)

One of the essential works of the last century given an exemplary performance [DMD]

Herrmann: Wuthering Heights (Chandos)

A great and extremely effective recording drenched in splendour [RB]

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Messiaen: Des canyons aux étoiles (Hyperion)

A thrilling account [LW]

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Leighton: Every Living Creature (SOMM Recordings)

An album to treasure [DC]

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von Tilzer: Into Eternity (trptk)

This includes a handful of important compositions that provide a deeply touching experience [MP]

Forbidden Fruit (Alpha Classics)

A deeply uplifting experience, and I recommend that you make the same journey [GF]

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Haydn: String Quartets Op 76 (NoMadMusic)

Fresh, mischievous Haydn from a brilliant young quartet [DMD]

Byrd Pavans Galliards Pienaar Avie AV2574

Byrd: Pavans & Galliards, Variations & Grounds (Avie)

A masterclass of historically informed performance on the piano with zip, colour and eloquence [MG]