Review
Holst: The Planets; Raitio: Moonlight on Jupiter (Ondine)
Admirably controlled and impressively recorded Planets, and a Finnish treat [ST]
Bruckner: Symphony No.0 (MDG)
(Déjà Review) The symphony should have broader appeal, and is certainly a satisfying listen [GD]
Arriaga: Complete String Quartets (Cobra Records)
A superb recording of Arriaga’s masterly quartets [SB]
Inbar Rothschild (piano): The Chopin Connection, Vol 1 (CRD)
A lovely release setting Charlotte de Rothschild’s few compositions alongside her teacher Chopin’s sublime music [RCh]
McCabe: Symphony 2 & 3, Cello Concerto (Signum)
Each of these commanding works surely merits the epithet ‘masterpiece’ [WH]
Earl: 75th Birthday Tribute (Somm Recordings)
A fine recording that will enhance any piano collection [DC]
I Have Lived & Loved (Albion Records)
Conclusive proof that Songs of Travel need not be the preserve of male singers [JQ]
Borodin: Symphonies 1-3 (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) The Seattle Symphony have become a powerhouse in Russian repertoire [BR]
Arensky: Piano Music (Hyperion Helios)
(Déjà Review) A mesmerising recital… as charming as it gets [DM]
Schubert: Symphony 9 (Pristine Audio)
Fascinating listening [JW]
Spohr: Symphonies 8 & 10 (Hyperion)
A fine, musical, superbly engineered disc that guarantees much pleasure [CC]
Popov: Symphony 3 & Symphonic aria (Northern Flowers)
An imposing string symphony and a touching memorial form an effective programme [NB]
J S Bach: St Matthew Passion (Avie)
A few things make this performance a good choice but the deficiencies in the power of two of its soloists might bother some [SGa]
The Republic of Love. Opera and Political Freedom (Oxford University Press)
A philosopher takes a thought-provoking and timely look at opera [DHa]
Felix Mendelssohn: Organ Sonatas (First Hand Records)
Offers pretty much all you could ask for from these works [DC]
Suppè: Fantasia symphonica & Spanish dances (cpo)
Newly revived works shine a revealing new light on the composer [RMay]
American Music for Percussion Vol. 1 (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) So much here to delight the receptive ear – the most original percussion writing I’ve heard in ages [DM]
Martha Argerich and Friends – Lugano 2010 (Warner Classics)
(Déjà Review) A very rewarding collection of wonderful music in excellent interpretations [OL]
Rarities of Piano Music at Schloss vor Husum 2025 (Danacord)
A treasury of rare pianistic discoveries [JF]
Skog: Chamber Works (Brilliant Classics)
Gentle and pleasant works that need a little more variety [DJB]
Dupré: Symphonie-Passion (Base2 Music)
The music-making and the engineering make this a memorable disc [JQ]
Taneyev: String Quartets Vols 1 & 2 (Northern Flowers)
Re-releases of string quartets which should be much better known [GH]
Ladies First (Indésens Calliope)
A skilfully planned and beautifully played recital showcasing music of real quality [NB]
Chamouard: Orchestral Works (Indésens Calliope)
Slow and meditative music which could have been orchestrated for greater colour and effect [EJW]
