Lutoslawski Christmas Carols Wit Naxos 8.555994

Lutosławski: Twenty Polish Christmas Carols (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) Makes one glad to be alive during the sparkling darkness of midwinter [DC]

Vivaldi Violin Concertos Mullova Onyx 4001

Vivaldi: Violin Concertos (Onyx)

(Déjà Review) Vivaldi, Mullova and Onyx are a winning combination [MC]

Shostakovich Symph 14 Storgards Chandos CHSA5310

Shostakovich: Symphony 14 (Chandos)

The programme is sombre but the performances are superlative [WH]

beethoven barber lim

Yunchan Lim (piano) (Deutsche Grammophon)

Towering performances of Beethoven and Isang Yun from South Korea [MB]

kaun symphony cpo

Kaun: Symphony 3 (cpo)

A German (temporary) expatriate’s little-known orchestral music [JW]

dlugoszewski abyss caress col legno

Dlugoszewski: Abyss and Caress (Col Legno)

The effervescent and truly original work of a forgotten maverick in ideal performances  [RHa]

sweet was the song tewkesbury regent

Sweet was the Song (Regent)

A Christmas disc that deserves to stand out from the crowd [JQ]

martinez recital naxos

David Martinez (guitar) Recital (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) A release that shows the guitar at its traditional best [ZT]

christmas prelude audite

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 naxos

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]

Gaito: Chamber Works for Piano & Strings (cpo)

A joy from start to finish [SG]

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]

Wildsounds 1929 BR900350

1929: The Wild Sounds of the 20s (BR Klassik)

The luscious hot dance music of Eduard Künneke meets Eisler’s boring agit-prop [JW]