Recordings of the Month
Dupré: Symphonie-Passion (Base2 Music)
The music-making and the engineering make this a memorable disc [JQ]
Mozart: Complete Works For Clarinet Vol. 2 (Alpha Classics)
Volume 2 of Baldeyrou’s Mozart survey is every bit as successful as volume 1 [ST]
Dvořák: Symphony 9 (Reference Recording)
A vivid, thrilling account of a warhorse symphony as the main course, enough to reinvigorate any jaded palate – followed by a piquant dessert [RMo]
Martinů: Symphonies (Deutsche Grammophon)
A Martinů symphony cycle for the ages [DJB]
Akiho: Beneath Lighted Coffers (Reference Recordings)
Two brilliant ear-opening works that show what steel pans are capable of [PRJ]
Biber & Aufschnaiter: Choral Music (Accent)
Superb performances of three musical treasures from Austria’s musical heritage [JV]
Chopin sans Chopin (First Hand Records)
A glorious, widely varied recital of Chopin-influenced piano music [RCh]
Alkan: Complete Organ Works Vol. 1 (Signum Classics)
Probably the best recorded organ disc I have yet encountered [RHa]
In Plain Sight: Piano works by women composers (Rubicon Classics)
A delightful surprise [DJB]
Rediscovering Liszt (Prima Facie)
One of the finest all-Liszt discs I’ve heard in recent years; a unique program concept and personality [MK]
Bruckner: Symphony No. 9 (Profil)
The finest recording yet of Schaller’s completion of Bruckner’s Ninth, enhanced by the prowess of a great orchestra recorded in studio sound [RMo]
Johann Ludwig Bach: The Leipzig Cantatas (Ricercar)
An outstanding set of the church music of Johann Ludwig Bach [JQ]
Heise: Complete String Quartets (Dacapo)
I was totally unprepared for how good these six quartets are [DJB]
Beethoven: Late Piano Sonatas (BIS)
Enthralling late Beethoven from Paul Wee [DHa]
Glazunov: String Quartets No.1-3 (Naxos)
Tippett Quartet on great form in delightful, impressive works [NB]
Bach: Johannes-Passion (Alia Vox)
Reflective and intimate [DF]
Fiddlers Three – Music from Charles II’s ‘Private Musick’ (Barn Cottage Records)
An exciting recording given an exemplary production [JV]
Sibelius: Violin Concerto (Alpha Classics)
A really impressive, beautifully balanced partnership resulting in a memorable account of Sibelius’ wonderful concerto paired with a superb Lemminkäinen Suite [RMo]
Kuula: Complete Solo Songs Volume Two (Toccata Classics)
This disc is completely worthy of its predecessor [WK]
Mahler: Symphonies 1-9 (Pentatone)
A very significant Mahler cycle [JQ]
Holst: The Planets Bax: Tintagel (LSO Live)
A terrific disc [JQ]
Dodgson: Turn Ye to Me (SOMM Recordings)
A wonderful demonstration of the craft of the song composer from Stephen Dodgson [DHa]
Vine: Child’s Play (Hyperion)
A wonderful introduction to the chamber music of one of the contemporary greats [PRJ]
Schubert: Irrlichter (BIS)
A beautiful performance of a number of Schubert’s most atmospheric Lieder – some old favourites and some less-known gems [DJa]
