Recordings of the Month
Higgins: Horn Concerto, The Faerie Bride (Lyrita)
Excellent recordings of three highly imaginative scores [JQ]
Grigory Sokolov (piano) Purcell and Mozart (Deutsche Grammophon)
Authoritative and heartfelt performances, warmly recommended [SG]
Weber: Der Freischütz (C Major)
An extravagant, gothic horror funfest from beginning to end [MP]
Zelenka: Missa Gratias agimus tibi, Vesper music (Carus)
Another testimony to Zelenka’s brilliance [JV]
Danish String Quartet: Keel Road (ECM)
Immaculate production, impassioned musicianship, impeccable planning – do not let it pass you by [RHa]
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 Concerto (Orfeo)
Gubaidulina’s Triple Concerto and Rejoice! receive outstanding advocacy [LW]
Rodgers: Carousel (Chandos)
Wilson and his colleagues do full justice to this Broadway masterpiece [JQ]
Victor Nicoara (piano): Polyphonic Dreams (Hänssler Classic)
The version here of Busoni’s magnus opus for piano should now become the standard one [SB]
Aaron Rosand (violin) In Memoriam (Rhine Classics)
The vibrant, alluring art of arch-Romanticist, Aaron Rosand [JW]
Strohl: Orchestral Music (La Boîte à Pépites)
What a discovery these ravishing, mystical scores are! [DMD]
Chopin & Beethoven Piano Sonatas (Warner Classics)
Strong, thoughtful and vivacious performances of these revolutionary sonatas [RCh]
Huw Montague Rendall (baritone): Contemplation (Erato)
A debut recital that every lover of great singing should treasure [GF]
Shostakovich: Symphonies 4-6 (Decca)
Terrific performances of three very contrasting Shostakovich symphonies [JQ]