Review
Matthew Martin: Masses, Canticles, Motets (Linn)
This disc shows why Matthew Martin has achieved such a strong reputation in the field of English church music [JQ]
O Dolcezze Amarissime: Madrigali, Ricercari and Canzoni Strumentali (Fineline)
These performances offer a different perspective on the genre of the madrigal [JV]
Torke: Rapture, An American Abroad and Jasper (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) An excellent introduction to the sound world of Michael Torke. Minimalism with a difference [NH]
Bruckner: Symphony No 5 (NCPA Classics)
Another grand, weighty, live account from the NCPA of Bruckner’s most hieratic symphony, beautifully played and engineered [RMo]
Corelli ajusté à la flûte traversière (Da Vinci Classics)
Every lover of Baroque music will be delighted to listen to Corelli à la française [JV]
Bellini: Norma (Divina Records)
Simply one of the greatest ‘bel canto’ performances on record [MBu]
Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra – The Early Years Vol. 5 (Pristine Audio)
Excellent restorations of Ormandy’s ‘World’s Greatest Music’ recordings of the late-30s [JW]
Quilter: Go, Lovely Rose (Chandos)
A fine recital of songs is a welcome addition to the Quilter discography [PT]
Kats-Chernin: Wild Swans (ABC Classics)
(Déjà Review) Future listeners will wonder how music of this quality could possibly have escaped their attention [ZT]
Bruckner: The Symphonies (Naxos)
A superb contribution to the anniversary celebrations: original interpretation, fine playing, good sound and outstanding documentation [RWe]
Dvořák: Symphonies 5 & 6 (Melbourne Symphony Orchestra)
Fresh, vital, exuberant, strikingly energetic and authentic performances [RMo]
Michael Rabin (violin) Unpublished (Parnassus)
An unpublished live Beethoven Concerto spearheads this Michael Rabin release [JW]
Erlanger: La sorcière (B Records)
A tremendous performance of an unexpectedly compelling French rarity [PSt]
Bartók: Piano Concerti (Capriccio)
Satisfying performances of two concertos, a few doubts about the third [WH]
Coleridge-Taylor, Harrison: Violin concertante works (Lyrita)
(Déjà Review) Underappreciated English concertante works given fine readings [JF]
Handel: Fernando, Re di Castiglia (Erato)
(Déjà Review) A delightful score, fortunate here in being both sensitively and expressively performed [IB]
Earliest French Piano Recordings (APR)
A splendidly remastered and historically important tranche of piano recordings [JW]
Phibbs: String Quartets 2-4 (Nimbus Records)
If you enjoy Britten’s quartets you will enjoy these [SB]
Ukrainian Christmas (Naxos)
Dazzling orchestral arrangements of traditional and recent Ukrainian Christmas music [GH]
Handel: Messiah (Alto)
A brilliant, flawless live performance graced by some stellar solo singing [RMo]
Brahms: Piano Concertos 1 & 2 (Sony Classical)
The concerto performances are very fine but the late piano pieces should not be missed on any account [JQ]
Arnold: Concerto for Two Pianos (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) A valuable addition to the growing Arnold catalogue [BBr]