Recordings of the Month

higgins bride lyrita

Higgins: Horn Concerto, The Faerie Bride (Lyrita)

Excellent recordings of three highly imaginative scores [JQ]

sokolov mozart deutsche grammophon

Grigory Sokolov (piano) Purcell and Mozart (Deutsche Grammophon)

Authoritative and heartfelt performances, warmly recommended [SG]

weber freischutz c major

Weber: Der Freischütz (C Major)

An extravagant, gothic horror funfest from beginning to end [MP]

zelenka missa carus

Zelenka: Missa Gratias agimus tibi, Vesper music (Carus)

Another testimony to Zelenka’s brilliance [JV]

keel road ecm

Danish String Quartet: Keel Road (ECM)

Immaculate production, impassioned musicianship, impeccable planning – do not let it pass you by [RHa]

fred jorden 2l

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

Something rather special [DC]

Erlanger: La sorcière (B Records)

A tremendous performance of an unexpectedly compelling French rarity [PSt]

Rózsa, Bartók: Violin Concerti (LSO Live)

A truly outstanding recording in every respect [PRJ]

Mussorgsky: Sorochintsï Fair & Salammbô Suite (Naxos)

A completely convincing account of a rarely performed opera in a new orchestration for chamber orchestra [MP]

Benjamin Appl (baritone) The Christmas Album (Alpha Classics)

This disc will certainly be my favourite Yuletide companion for years to come [GF]

Shostakovich: Symphony 10 (Exton)

A Titanic Shostakovich Tenth of almost unique power and darkness [MB]

Kenneth MacMillan’s Manon: (Opus Arte)

An outstanding performance marks the 50th birthday of MacMillan’s great ballet [RMay]

Kapustin: Orchestral works (Capriccio)

Notated Jazz from the master of the art, Nikolai Kapustin, performed by his leading exponent [JW]

Strohl: Chamber Music (La Boîte à Pépites)

How can this wonderful music have lain undiscovered for so long? [DJB]

gubaidulina triple orfeo

Gubaidulina: Triple Concerto (Orfeo)

Gubaidulina’s Triple Concerto and Rejoice! receive outstanding advocacy [LW]

rodgers carousel chandos

Rodgers: Carousel (Chandos)

Wilson and his colleagues do full justice to this Broadway masterpiece [JQ]

busoni nicoara hanssler

Victor Nicoara (piano): Polyphonic Dreams (Hänssler Classic)

The version here of Busoni’s magnus opus for piano should now become the standard one [SB]

rosand memoriam rhine

Aaron Rosand (violin) In Memoriam (Rhine Classics)

The vibrant, alluring art of arch-Romanticist, Aaron Rosand [JW]

mendelssohn elijah lso

Mendelssohn: Elijah (LSO Live)

A tremendous performance [JQ]

strohl orchestral boite

Strohl: Orchestral Music (La Boîte à Pépites)

What a discovery these ravishing, mystical scores are! [DMD]

ana chopin beethoven sonatas

Chopin & Beethoven Piano Sonatas (Warner Classics)

Strong, thoughtful and vivacious performances of these revolutionary sonatas [RCh]

gilded veins linn

Our Gilded Veins (Linn)

Nicely varied, with much to enjoy [HC]

rendall contemplation erato

Huw Montague Rendall (baritone): Contemplation (Erato)

A debut recital that every lover of great singing should treasure [GF]

shostakovich symphonies decca

Shostakovich: Symphonies 4-6 (Decca)

Terrific performances of three very contrasting Shostakovich symphonies [JQ]