Recommended

Haydn qts FF004

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]

mandolin gimo collection tactus

Mandolin works from the Gimo Collection (Tactus)

I have thoroughly enjoyed this recording, especially the sonatas by Gervasio [JV]

ravel trio lost dance cavi music

Ravel: In Search of Lost Dance (CAvi-Music)

Exceptional Ravel from this brilliant multi-national trio [GPJ]

Mozart: Symphonies 39-41 (BR Klassik)

Wise, seasoned Mozart that gets just about everything right [DMD]

telemann orchestral cpo

Telemann: Schwanengesang – The Last Orchestral Works (cpo)

Gloriously witty and entertaining music, played with style and élan by this superb German ensemble [GPJ]

messiaen vingt regards our

Messiaen: Vingt Regards sur l’Enfant Jésus (OUR Recordings)

This glowing account stands shoulder to shoulder with the very best versions in the catalogue [SG]

Shostakovich Symphony 14 Storgaards Chandos CHSA5310 SACD

Shostakovich: Symphony 14 (Chandos)

Beauty and power triumph over darkness in Storgårds’ latest Shostakovich disc [NC]

orchestral anthems delphian

English Orchestral Anthems (Delphian)

A terrific disc [JQ]

stanford requiem hyperion

Stanford: Requiem (Hyperion)

A genuine triumph – a completely convincing performance of a typically Victorian Choral Festival work [NB]

Beethoven: Piano Concertos (Reference Recordings)

Characterful performances captured in phenomenal sound [SG]

strauss wind capriccio

Strauss: Complete Music for Wind Instruments (Capriccio)

Precious jewels, delightfully played [ST]

Impromptus Chopin Faure Margain Naive V7860

Impromptus (Naïve)

Margain is very much at home in this music, and is its ideal exponent [SG]

Eileen Farrell Sings Verdi Presto Sony MHK62358

Eileen Farrell (soprano) Sings Verdi (Sony Classical)

Stunning singing from a great dramatic soprano who might have done more but chose otherwise [RMo]

Martinů, Krása, Kalabis: Harpsichord concerti (Hyperion)

A delightful collection of modern concertos for the harpsichord [SB]

Vaughan Williams: 49th Parallel (Dutton)

All VW devotees should ensure they hear this ear-opening disc without delay [JQ]

Reich: Music for 18 Musicians (Colin Currie Records)

A superb new version of Reich’s finest work [SB]

lim annunciation kairos

Lim: Annunciation Triptych (Kairos)

Welcome to the strange, murky, gorgeous world of Lim’s music [DMD]

Portraits VW Albion ALBCD057

Portraits of a Mind (Albion Records)

This CD is a wonderful, enduring celebration of Ralph Vaughan Williams [JQ]

Biber sonatas PAS1088

Biber: Mystery Sonatas (Passacaille)

An exciting, intense and often dramatic performance of these masterpieces [JV]

beethoven sonatas cambria takacs

Beethoven: Complete Piano Sonatas (Cambria)

Top-drawer interpretations in every respect [SG]

left hand legacy cobra

Left Hand Legacy Vol. 1 (Cobra Records)

Fervent and passionate music making, a joy from start to finish [RCh]

Vaughan Williams: Live Vol. 3 (Somm Recordings)

A remarkable archive set of Vaughan Williams conducting his own music [JQ]

Offenbach parisienne naxos

Offenbach: La Vie Parisienne (Naxos)

A winner in almost every respect featuring a new edition with an entire Act of previously unperformed music [MP]