Recommended
Bach: Das Wohltemperierte Klavier Book 2 (BIS)
Suzuki offers a brilliant, structurally transparent perspective that combines historical insight with spirit and verve [PB]
Lawrence Brownlee (tenor), Erin Morley (soprano): Golden Age (Pentatone)
A superb recital which should find a welcome home under any Christmas tree [MP]
R Clarke: The Complete Songs (Signum Classics)
A revelatory set, superbly performed [JQ]
Schubert: Chamber Music (MDG)
Performances that need fear comparisons with no other [ST]
Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen (Testament)
Greater than the “Recording of the Century” [LD]
Glass: Complete Piano Etudes (InFiné)
Straight to the top of the list for the complete set [DJB]
Jonas Kaufmann (tenor) Doppelgänger (Sony)
A peculiar but wonderful release that showcases Kaufmann’s developing and deepening insights into the art of Lieder [ST]
Gregson: Concertos (Chandos)
A welcome 80th birthday tribute to one of Britain’s finest composers [PRJ]
Pärt: Credo (Alpha Classics)
A 90th birthday tribute that serves as an exemplary introduction to Arvo Pärt [LW]
Scriabin: Orchestral Works (Deutsche Grammophon)
Outstanding Scriabin from an orchestra celebrating its centenary [PH]
Berlioz: Le carnaval romain, Symphonie fantastique (Pentatone)
Finally, a Symphonie fantastique to rival the vintage versions in superb, vivid, beautifully balanced digital sound [RMo]
Brahms: Double Concerto & Mozart: Sinfonia Concertante (Nimbus)
A delightful disc, offering an intriguing twist on the Mozart and a grand, virtuosic account of the Brahms, in superb sound [RMo]
Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius (LPO)
A splendid live recording of Gerontius [JQ]
a Riveder Le Stelle: Swedish Choral Music (BIS)
A wide-ranging collection of modern Swedish choral music superbly sung and recorded [WH]
Offenbach: Les Contes d’Hoffmann (Unitel Editions)
A challenging production, but very rewarding if you give it a go, and the singing is sensational [ST]
Tchaikovsky: Symphonies No.5-6 (London Philharmonic Orchestra)
Karina Canellakis and the LPO deliver thrilling live Tchaikovsky [DHa]
Sparks from Ashes – Czech Song Cycles (Chandos)
A satisfying collection of songs from Czech and Slovak lands from a tenor in fine fettle [PH]
Valls: Mapa Armónico Práctico 1742 (MDG)
Impressive display of Valls’ daring use of harmony [JV]
Nowel: Advent and Beyond (Delphian)
An exceptional disc in every way [JQ]
Prokofiev: The Gambler (Unitel Edition)
Prokofiev’s masterly opera about greed and desperation is presented in brilliant performances and a fine if somewhat controversial production [RC]
Wagner: Parsifal (Marston)
The Holy Grail available complete at last: The 1938 Met Parsifal [PH]
P Glass: The Complete Piano Etudes (InFiné)
A compelling balance of technical finesse with expressive depth [PB]
Bliss: Miracle in the Gorbals & Metamorphic Variations (Chandos)
An important and excellent release [JQ]
Simpson: Chamber Music Vol. 1 (Toccata Classics)
Much more than just an appendix to the Hyperion series of Simpson’s music [DMD]
