Review

Rihm Jakob Lenz Mannheim Oehms OC981

Rihm: Jakob Lenz (Oehms Classics)

A good performance of an uningratiating work [SB]

Matthew Matin Sacred Choral Linn CKD743

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 Fineline FL72419

O Dolcezze Amarissime: Madrigali, Ricercari and Canzoni Strumentali (Fineline)

These performances offer a different perspective on the genre of the madrigal [JV]

Torke Percussion Concerto Currie Alsop Naxos 8.559167

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 ncpa

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 flute da vinci

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

Bellini: Norma (Divina Records)

Simply one of the greatest ‘bel canto’ performances on record [MBu]

fred jorden 2l

Fred over jorden (Peace to the World) (2L)

Something rather special [DC]

ormandy philadelphia pristine

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 Songs CHAN20332

Quilter: Go, Lovely Rose (Chandos)

A fine recital of songs is a welcome addition to the Quilter discography [PT]

kats-chernin swans abc

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Michael Rabin (violin) Unpublished (Parnassus)

An unpublished live Beethoven Concerto spearheads this Michael Rabin release [JW]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]