Recommended
Puccini: Le Villi (BR Klassik)
As satisfying an account of the youthful Puccini’s first success as one could wish to encounter [RMo]
Elgar: The Kingdom (Signum Classics)
A fine achievement which amply demonstrates the greatness of Elgar’s score [JQ]
Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé (Warner Classics)
A delicate, subtle, very Gallic account, beautifully engineered [RMo]
Shostakovich: String Quartets 1-6 (Genuin)
Enduringly powerful music receiving performances of remarkable skill and insight [NB]
Glass: Another Look at Harmony Part 4 (B Records)
A tremendous recording of an unsung modern masterpiece [PRJ]
Mahler: Symphony No.3 (Pentatone)
All kinds of everything: Bychkov throws the kitchen sink at Mahler 3, and it works triumphantly [ST]
Bertrand Chamayou (piano): Ravel Fragments (Erato)
An imaginative and beautifully constructed album provides a real highlight for the Ravel anniversary [DHa]
Georg Österreich’s Resurrected Treasures – North German Cantatas (Et’cetera)
Outstanding interpretations of pieces from a large and important collection [JV]
Poldi Mildner (piano) German Broadcast Recordings (Meloclassic)
The treasures keep on coming in this third packed volume of Poldi Mildner’s dynamic and exciting playing [RCh]
Haydn: Die Schöpfung (BR Klassik)
An outstanding performance of Haydn’s life-enhancing oratorio [JQ]
Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake (Opus Arte)
This newly filmed Royal Ballet performance becomes the first choice for Swan Lake [RMay]
Granados: Goyescas and El Pelele (cpo)
A superb debut in these demanding but delightful works [SB]
Williamson: Chamber Music for Wind and Piano (Divine Art)
A superb reminder of why we need the music of Malcolm Williamson [PRJ]
Heavenly Light: Eton Choirbook Reconstructions (CRD)
Superbly reconstructed motets brilliantly brought to life [GH]
Messiaen’s Musical Universe (Fugue State Films)
A brilliant, revelatory release which enhances our understanding of Messiaen [DHa]
Messiaen: Vingt Regards sur l’enfant-Jésus, Petites Esquisses d’Oiseaux (Piano Classics)
A superb new version of Messiaen’s great piano cycle [SB]
Spain On Fire (Challenge Classics)
A delight from first note to last [DJB]
Bach: Keyboard Concertos (Warner Classics)
Spectacularly virtuosic playing of some of Bach’s most joyously inventive music [RMo]
Prokofiev: Symphony 6 (LSO Live)
A great version of one of Prokofiev’s finest works from the LSO and Noseda [PH]
Fatma Said (soprano) Lieder (Warner Classics)
This wonderful disc of Lieder for soprano and different forces held me spellbound [PT]
Ravel: Très Franc (TYXart)
A joyful recital of great music stunningly played and recorded [NB]
Mahler: Symphony 7 (BR Klassik)
Inspirationally conducted, fantastically played and stunningly recorded, this demands the attention of all Mahler devotees [JQ]
Rupture: Works for Saxophone Quartet (Centrediscs)
A spectacular and colourful musical cavalcade [SG]
Beethoven: Symphonies Vol. 5 (SOMM)
Scharwenka’s fine arrangements of these sunny, playful symphonies are superbly played [TMS]
