Recommended

Chopin: Études Op.10 & 25 (Decca)

Spectacular in every respect [SG]

Corrette Dandreau Ponsford Organ Music from the Golden Age v8 Nimbus NI6438

David Ponsford (organ): Corrette & Dandrieu (Nimbus Records)

A perfect match of music, organ and performer [JV]

shostakovich quartets signum

Shostakovich: String Quartets (Signum Classics)

The Carduccis’ Shostakovich: control and catharsis [NC]

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Kabeláč: Complete Chamber Music (Capriccio)

An important set from a composer who had much to say, and said it without any compromise [HC]

bruckner symphony hanssler

Bruckner: Symphony No 4 (Profil)

A magnificent account of the last version of Bruckner’s most approachable symphony, beautifully played in ideal recorded sound [RMo]

Hamelin new CDA68308

Hamelin: New Piano Works (Hyperion)

Remarkable playing, remarkable music [RCh]

Liszt Meyrowitz St. Laurent Studios YSL133678

Liszt: A Faust Symphony, Les Préludes (St Laurent Studio)

Uncontrived, yet revelatory, interpretations from a neglected podium auteur [NC]

beethoven toscanini pristine

Toscanini: The 1939 Beethoven Cycle (Pristine Audio)

One of the finest Beethoven Symphony cycles in the best remasterings [DF]

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Wilhelm Kempff (piano) Live Concert Edition (Meloclassic)

Indispensable for Kempff fans [SG]

sara levy viola christophorus

In Sara Levy’s Salon – Chamber Music for Viola (Christophorus)

Rare repertoire of fine quality, excellent performances [JV]

GuerraPeixe naxos 8573924

Guerra-Peixe: A Retirada da Laguna (Naxos)

Another excellent addition to this revelatory series – brilliant music, brilliantly played [NB]

Cav Pag Bjorling Pristine Audio XR PACO209

Mascagni: Cavalleria rusticana & Leoncavallo: I Pagliacci (Pristine Audio)

Remarkable sonic restoration, almost recreation, and a must for Verismo opera lovers [EJW]

Delius mass LWC1265

Delius: Eine Messe des Lebens (LAWO Classics)

Sir Mark Elder and his Bergen forces present Delius’ A Mass of Life in the best possible light [MC]

chopin etudes decca

Chopin: Études (Decca)

These Études aspire to a narrative unlike any other recording ever made – and is often remarkable in doing that [MB]

Mademoiselle Duval: Les Génies (Château de Versailles Spectacles)

A Baroque opera rarity is one of CVS’s happiest releases of recent years [MP]

Upheaval (OUR Recordings)

Wonderful playing, emotional depth and imagination in this beautiful music [RCh]

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Elgar: Symphonies Nos 1 & 2 (Hallé)

Distinguished recordings which surpass the earlier recordings by these performers [JQ]

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Stainer: The Crucifixion (Delphian)

An ideal performance of this famous old work which should win it new friends [SB]

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R Strauss: Intermezzo (Warner Classics)

The only studio recording of Strauss’s biographical opera is a complete winner on all front [MP]

Legende von Lerber Harp Claves CD503048

Légende – Solo harp works (Claves)

A consistently engaging anthology of ‘romantic’ music for solo harp, all perceptively played [GPu]

wagner rheingold pristine

Wagner: Das Rheingold (Pristine Audio)

A great performance revitalised in extraordinarily vivid sound – another Pristine remastering triumph [RMo]

spyres shadows erato

Michael Spyres (tenor) In The Shadows (Erato)

I enjoyed some unhackneyed repertoire and the marvellous singing [GF]

Samuel Barber: His Life and Legacy (University of Illinois Press)

A first class study, well worth tracking down [SG]

Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius (Signum Classics)

A considerable achievement [JQ]