Donizetti: Grand Seigneur – Baritone Arias (Dynamic)

A valuable collection of rarely heard scenes from Donizetti’s operas [GF]

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

Another testimony to Zelenka’s brilliance [JV]

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Beethoven: Symphonies 1 & 5 (Janus Classics)

Clean, crisp, immediate interpretations, very well restored and remastered [RMo]

Machaut: A lover’s death (Hyperion)

Achieved is the glorious work: The Orlando Consort sign off from Machaut [PH]

Mussorgsky & Rachmaninov: Piano Works (Navis Classics)

A valuable re-release by any standards [DC]

Delius: Florida Suite, Paris, Brigg Fair (Warner Classics)

(Déjà Review) These are gorgeous performances and recordings of Delius favourites played unaffectedly yet con molto amore [RB]

Lehár: Symphonic Works, Piano Sonatas & 39 Lieder (cpo)

This very well-produced collection will appeal to those who enjoy Lehár’s operettas [EJW]

Torroba: La Voz De La Guitarra (BIS)

Original works for guitar, masterfully played [ZT]

Busoni: Doktor Faust (Naxos)

A new recording of Busoni’s operatic masterpiece which falls short of expectations in a number of aspects [PCG]

The Secrets of Andalusia (First Hand Records)

An enjoyable excursion through Southern Spain across three hundred years [GH]

Sweelinck: The Orpheus of Amsterdam (Pan Classics)

These excellent performances offer a different perspective on Sweelinck’s vocal and keyboard works [JV]

Glerup: Perhaps Thus The End (Dacapo)

If you are looking for harmony and easily accessible melodies this probably isn’t for you but it’s well played and full of emotion [KT]

Beethoven: Symphony No 5, Leonore Overture No 3 (BR Klassik)

Not necessarily so great an improvement over previous issues but wonderfully grand and energised [RMo]

Copland and his American Contemporaries (Avie)

(Déjà Review) A very good disc, which nicely rounds off a most stimulating mini-series [JQ]

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Pachelbel: Magnificat II (cpo)

An impressive display of Pachelbel’s art [JV]

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Ysaÿe: Poème nocturne (Musique en Wallonie)

More varied fare from Eugène Ysaÿe’s seemingly inexhaustible workbench [JW]

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Schubert: Lieder (Erato)

Dynamically small-scale but vocally very attractive readings, sensitively nuanced [GF]

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Journey to the Orient – Music for Flute and Guitar (Dynamic)

An enchanting musical journey towards the Orient involving familiar and brand new music [KT]

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Smetana: Má Vlast (Gramola)

A pioneering version still has appealing elements despite the appearance of many later rivals [PCG]

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Schumann & Taneyev: Piano Quintets (Signum Classics)

The Schumann is excellent; the Taneyev can be skipped (SV)

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Kaleidoscope – Contemporary Piano Music by Female Composers (Grand Piano)

This is a disc to savour through repeated hearings [SA]

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Britten: Gloriana (Arthaus Musik)

The closest recorded representation of the full operatic experience [MG]

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Contemporary Landscapes (Beau Fleuve Records)

Contrasting, accessible and enjoyable [DJB]

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Hétu: Symphony No 5 (Analekta)

A splendid performance of Jacques Hétu’s final masterpiece [HC]