Recommended
Benjamin Appl (baritone) The Christmas Album (Alpha Classics)
This disc will certainly be my favourite Yuletide companion for years to come [GF]
Rutter: Brass at Christmas (Naxos)
This album is a gem from start to finish and will make many listeners’ Christmases merry [KT]
Viadana: Sacri Concentus (Passacaille)
An exciting disc that leaves one wanting more [JV]
Shostakovich: Symphony 10 (Exton)
A Titanic Shostakovich Tenth of almost unique power and darkness [MB]
Schubert: Symphonies 5 & 8 (Linn)
Emelyanychev convinces me that Symphony 5 is Schubert’s first symphonic masterpiece and he demonstrates the distinctiveness of Symphony 8, too [MG]
Kenneth MacMillan’s Manon: (Opus Arte)
An outstanding performance marks the 50th birthday of MacMillan’s great ballet [RMay]
Kapustin: Orchestral works (Capriccio)
Notated Jazz from the master of the art, Nikolai Kapustin, performed by his leading exponent [JW]
Mozart: Fantasy (Naïve)
A disc of happy surprises with playing throughout that evinces warmth and sensitivity [SG]
Prokofiev: Piano Concertos Nos 2 & 3 (Orchid Classics)
This is one of the finest Prokofiev piano discs issued in recent times [RCu]
Shura Cherkassky (piano) The Ambassador Auditorium Recitals 1981-9 (First Hand Records)
A desirable collection that captures the Cherkassky magic [SG]
The King’s Singers: Close Harmony (Signum Classics)
I recommend this issue with all possible enthusiasm [GF]
Gipps: Piper of Dreams (Chandos)
Wonderful playing in an essential addition to the Gipps discography [WK]
Subissati: Sonate per violino solo e basso continuo (DUX)
Magnificent sonatas, splendid performances [JV]
Cimarosa: L’Olimpiade (Château de Versailles)
Rousset and his team earn a gold medal for this premiere recording of a long-unheard opera [MP]
Jackson: The Christmas Story (Delphian)
An important, eloquent and compelling addition to the Christmas repertoire in an accomplished first recording [JQ]
Benjamin: Picture a day like this (Nimbus Records)
This powerful, moving, beautiful and disturbing new work is a triumph [SB]
Bach: Suites for Solo Cello (OUR Recordings)
An outstanding performance of these great works and a clear contender for Recording of the Year [PB]
Strohl: Chamber Music (La Boîte à Pépites)
How can this wonderful music have lain undiscovered for so long? [DJB]
Schubert: Piano Works (Danacord)
Damgaard often achieves a wonderful calm in inspired interpretations [MG]
Gubaidulina: Triple Concerto (Orfeo)
Gubaidulina’s Triple Concerto and Rejoice! receive outstanding advocacy [LW]
Vaughan Williams: Royal Throne of Kings (Albion Records)
An essential investment for all RVW enthusiasts [JF]
Silenced – Unsung Voices of the 20th Century (Cedille)
A splendid selection of songs by composers cut short before their time [JW]
Awakenings (CAvi-Music)
The most exciting vocal recital disc I’ve heard in a long while [JQ]
The Palacio Songbook – Music for three voices & lute (Glossa)
Wonderful repertoire, and the performances could not be any better [JV]
