Recordings of the Month
Smith: Dark Flower (Redshift)
The magnificent quintet which gives this exceptional release its title is a must; the couplings are hardly less compelling [RHa]
Rachmaninoff: All-night Vigil (Chandos)
Musically and sonically outstanding [JQ]
Nielsen: Symphony No. 3 & Flute Concerto (Chandos)
An essential Nielsen recording that crackles with the chaotic energy of the life-force [NC]
Ruby Hughes (soprano): End of My Days (BIS)
An outstanding recital; elegantly conceived, ideally recorded and beautifully performed [RHa]
Messiaen: Turangalîla-Symphonie (Harmonia Mundi)
A top-notch Turangalîla from Toronto; stellar sonics, too [DM]
Mahler: Symphony 3 (High Definition Tape Transfers)
A classic performance in a never-before-heard revelatory recording [NB]
Zayt Gezunterheyt – The Folk Soul of the Eastern Clarinet (Antarctica Records)
A simply outstanding meeting of stunning musicians and glorious music [PJ]
The Great Organ of Aarhus Cathedral (Danacord)
Superb performances, great sound quality, brilliant documentation and rewarding programming [JF]
Rakhi Singh (violin): Purnima (Cantaloupe)
Rakhi Singh’s exceptional playing and arranging skills in an exhilarating transatlantic contemporary violin recital [RHa]
Dvořák: The Complete Piano Trios (Supraphon)
If this doesn’t win every award going I will be astonished [DMD]
A Pianist Explores Her Jewish Heritage (Centaur)
Fabulous music, hugely enjoyable [SA]
Mahler: Symphony No 8 (BIS)
A stunner of a Mahler Eighth, one of the best since Solti’s classic account [RMo]
Shostakovich: String Quartets 7-13 (Genuin)
Blazingly impressive performances given with intense virtuosity and musical insight [NB]
Bartók: Concertos (Alpha Classics)
This performance has completely revised my view of the Viola Concerto [DMD]
Dependent Rising (Cedille)
Magnetically communicative music given electric performances [DMD]
Poulenc, Milhaud, Debussy: Music for two pianos (Orchid Classics)
Great music, wonderfully played, in perfect recording [GPJ]
Mendelssohn: Symphonies 3 & 5 (Linn)
Sui generis: a disc that will change the way you hear Mendelssohn [ST]
Britten: War Requiem (Decca)
A landmark recording revealed in the stunning realism of a new transfer on SACD [JQ]
A Byzantine Emperor at King Henry’s Court (Cappella Records)
A spellbinding confrontation of liturgical music from two traditions – a perfect ‘alternative’ for Christmastide [JV]
Jauchzet Gott (Accent)
A disc to treasure, with probably the best ever performance of Bach’s famous Cantata BWV51 [JV]
Byrd: Songs of sundrie natures (Inventa)
The first recording of all Songs of sundrie natures in exemplary performances show Byrd’s charm, humour and unwavering focus on the key messages [MG]
Rachmaninov: Piano Sonata No 1 & Preludes (Alpha Classics)
The key release of Rachmaninov’s 150th anniversary year – a revelation [RWe]
Beethoven & Schubert: String Quartets (Orchid Classics)
A highly attractive pairing of two of the greatest string quartets, interpreted and played to perfection [RMo]
French Sacred Song (Ad Fontes)
A fascinating programme, with top class performances in excellent sound [GPu]
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Featured Naxos review |
Featured Naxos review |
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