Lutosławski: Twenty Polish Christmas Carols (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) Makes one glad to be alive during the sparkling darkness of midwinter [DC]
Vivaldi: Violin Concertos (Onyx)
(Déjà Review) Vivaldi, Mullova and Onyx are a winning combination [MC]
Shostakovich: Symphony 14 (Chandos)
The programme is sombre but the performances are superlative [WH]
Yunchan Lim (piano) (Deutsche Grammophon)
Towering performances of Beethoven and Isang Yun from South Korea [MB]
Kaun: Symphony 3 (cpo)
A German (temporary) expatriate’s little-known orchestral music [JW]
Dlugoszewski: Abyss and Caress (Col Legno)
The effervescent and truly original work of a forgotten maverick in ideal performances [RHa]
Sweet was the Song (Regent)
A Christmas disc that deserves to stand out from the crowd [JQ]
David Martinez (guitar) Recital (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) A release that shows the guitar at its traditional best [ZT]
Preludes for Holy Christmastide (Audite)
(Déjà Review) A first-rate collection with immensely assured playing [DM]
Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé (Chandos)
An enthusiastic welcome for a newly edited score of Ravel’s balletic masterpiece [PCG]
Vivaldi, D Scarlatti, Caldara: Cantatas (Capriccio)
A release well worth revisiting a decade later [SG]
Poston: Carols and Anthems (Naxos)
Impressive rediscovery of much beautiful but unfamiliar music by a familiar composer [NB]
Beethoven: Late piano sonatas (Danacord)
Moving, inspirational recordings of late masterpieces [JF]
Novák: Concertos (Supraphon)
Jan Novák’s daughters record his scores with vitality and filial authority [JW]
Strauss, Johann Jr.: Die Fledermaus (Warner Classics)
(Déjà Review) A vocally definitive version [RMK]
Schillings: String Quartet, String Quintet (cpo)
(Déjà Review) If only all recordings of unknown chamber music could be so well done [LF]
Rodwell: Jack Sheppard (Retrospect Opera)
A problematic genre gives a reviewer problems [JW]
Christmas from the Chapel Royal (Resonus)
A fine all-male choir in an unusual, well-balanced programme to suit a wide variety of tastes [GH]
Albéniz: Suites Iberia, Española & España (CAvi-Music)
Splendid piano music played most capably on the guitar [ZT]
A Child’s Christmas: Orchestral Music for Christmas (Heritage)
Enjoyable, approachable, interesting pieces [JF]
Cherubini: Medea (RCA)
(Déjà Review) A mouth-watering cast gives a memorable performance [CF]
Beethoven: Violin Sonatas (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) The greatest Beethoven violin sonatas performed by arguably the greatest duo partnership of the last century [SHJ]
1929: The Wild Sounds of the 20s (BR Klassik)
The luscious hot dance music of Eduard Künneke meets Eisler’s boring agit-prop [JW]