Advent vol3 SIGCD768

Advent Live Vol. 3 (Signum Classics)

A varied and very enjoyable programme of music for Advent [JQ]

Cartellieri syms 7776672

Cartellieri: Complete Symphonies (cpo)

Worthy of your attention [SG]

Hartmann pianovol5 DACOCD968

Hartmann: Piano Works Vol. 5 (Danacord)

Danish romantic piano music, full of interest, gives much pleasure [JF]

Rachmaninov Piano Alpha

Rachmaninov: Piano works (Alpha)

A treat for Rachmaninov enthusiasts [DMD]

Alwyn film2 CHAN9959

Alwyn: Film Music Vol. 2 (Chandos)

An excellent well-contrasted compilation of important British film music that needed to be rescued from oblivion [IL]

Bach katsaris Apex0927408192

Bach: Keyboard Concertos (Apex)

Marvellous performances of marvellous music [TB]

Where is my Beloved Siurina Delos DE3602

Ekaterina Siurina (soprano) Where Is My Beloved? (Delos)

I have enjoyed hearing this praiseworthy collection of ten celebrated opera arias [MC]

Verdi I Lombardi Munich RSO BR Klassik 900351

Verdi: I Lombardi alla Prima Crociata (BR Klassik)

The choral singing is first class, but the soloists are disappointing; the two old Gardelli recordings are better [GF]

Frederick Stock Chicago v3 Pristine Audio PASC699

Frederick Stock (conductor) Chicago Symphony, Vol 3 (Pristine Audio)

Further evidence that Stock was an exceptionally able conductor [JW]

Wof-Ferrari I quatro rusteghi Rubicon RCD1024

Wolf-Ferrari: I quatro rusteghi (Rubicon)

An odd and at times rather sharp-edged and disconcerting satirical comedy [RMo]

Bach Goldberg Var Syriab Trion Solaire SOL1015

Bach: Goldberg Variations (Solaire)

…something rich and strange [DC]

Turnage Music to Hear Black Box BBM1065

Turnage: Music to Hear (Black Box)

(Déjà Review) Turnage’s chamber music has a restrained confessional tone far from Turnage’s “public” statements. His chamber music communicates directly through simplicity, subtlety and sincerity. Highly accessible and communicative music [HC]

Fayrfax Masses Cardinalls Music ASV Gaudeamus CDGAX353

Fayrfax: The Masses (ASV Gaudeamus)

(Déjà Review) Magnificent discs containing sumptuous examples of early Tudor polyphony presented in first class performances [JQ]

scheller grain acte prealable

Scheller: Dead Grain (Acte Préalable)

Cold, creepy, crepuscular and clever – Scheller’s eerie sounds slither delightfully under the skin [RHa]

Martinu Piano Trios Arbor Trio Naxos 8.572251

Martinů: Complete Piano Trios (Naxos)

The Arbors showcase these compelling works with vitality and élan [SG]

Arne Skjold Rasmussen pianist Danacord DACOCD 966-7

The Forgotten Danish Pianist Arne Skjold Rasmussen (Danacord)

Forgotten but Restored: the art of a fluent, fleet but nervous Danish pianist and Nielsen specialist [JW]

jauchzet gott accent

Jauchzet Gott (Accent)

A disc to treasure, with probably the best ever performance of Bach’s famous Cantata BWV51 [JV]

Leiviska Symph 1 PC Hanssler HC23050

Leiviskä: Symphony No 1 & Piano Concerto (Hänssler Classic)

Late-romantic works by a neglected Finnish composer in committed, well-recorded performances [EJW]

Sumera Mushroom Cantata BISCD1560

Sumera: Mushroom Cantata (BIS)

(Déjà Review) As irreplaceable as a volume by a favourite author – be sure never to lend it to anyone; you’re unlikely to get it back! [DC]

Nielsen Aladdin Suite Naxos 8.557164

Nielsen: Aladdin Suite (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) An excellent introduction to Nielsen’s marvellous music. Established Nielsen enthusiasts should also add this splendid anthology to their collections without delay [JQ]

Godecharle: Harp quartets (Ramée)

Well-written, entertaining harp quartets by a little-known composer, in excellent performance [JV]

Brahms: Double Concerto; Viotti: Violin Concerto No. 22; Dvořák: Silent Woods (Ondine)

A touching tribute by elite musicians to a friend and colleague [DMD]

Mischa Elman (violin) plays Mozart and Paganini (Biddulph)

RCA LPs restored, showing Elman schmoozing his way through Mozart and encore trinkets [JW]

Music on Christmas Morning (Naxos)

An enjoyable and varied Christmas programme, expertly performed [JQ]