Prokofiev: Alexander Nevsky (High Definition Tape Transfer)
Kudos to these Texan forces for a first-class Alexander Nevsky reproduced in superb surround-sound [RMo]
Puccini: Manon Lescaut (Pristine Audio)
A jewel of a recording, splendidly remastered by Pristine [MP]
The Harpsichord of Louis XV (Château de Versailles)
Tradition and innovation in a compelling recital of French harpsichord music [JV]
Rachmaninov: Piano Sonata No 1 & Preludes (Alpha Classics)
The key release of Rachmaninov’s 150th anniversary year – a revelation [RWe]
Bendix: Symphonies Nos 1-4 (Danacord)
(Déjà Review) Bendix wrote some extremely beautiful and moving music [JF]
Dvořák: Symphony No 9 & Cello Concerto (Archipel)
(Déjà Review) Sample the slow movement of the New World and hear a magician at work [JW]
Bach: Goldberg Variations Reimagined (Channel Classics)
Goldberg meets Brandenburg in a very successful merger [DJB]
Parry: Piano Music Vol. 1 (Da Vinci Classics)
Highly-successful performances of Parry’s largely forgotten piano music [JF]
Donizetti: Don Pasquale (Opus Arte)
Well received when launched, with good singing and staging, this problematic production treats the title role unsympathetically [RWe]
Rachmaninov: Piano Concerti (Hyperion)
(Déjà Review) Some fleet playing but 2 & 3 are too superficial to make the cycle recommendable as a whole [CH]
Onslow: Symphonies 1 & 3 (cpo)
(Déjà Review) Onslow’s is a voice that should be heard and not simply in relation to other bigger names [JW]
Bach & MacMillan: Motets & Sacred Songs (Signum)
Imaginative and technically stunning singing from this outstanding chamber choir [GPJ]
Müller-Hartmann: Chamber Works (Chandos)
A German traditionalist heard in music written before his enforced emigration to England [JW]
Schubert: Impromptus (BIS)
A refreshingly intimate account of Schubert’s impromptus in masterly performances by a fortepiano player of unparalleled recording experience [MG]
Abel: The Late Symphonies (Accent)
Fine performances of a little-known part of Abel’s oeuvre [JV]
Chopin: Etudes (Harmonia Mundi)
Chiu possesses a melting tone and a high level of musicianship [CC]
Foulds: Three Mantras (Warner Classics)
Deserves wide appreciation among general music lovers [JT]
Infinite Voyage (Alpha Classics)
Emerson Quartet’s farewell recording is rather special [LW]
Bonis: Complete Piano Works, Vol 1 (Toccata Classics)
Well played attractive music bodes well for the developing complete survey [NB]
Haydn: Late Symphonies, Vol 2 (Naxos)
Neat, deft playing from Ádám Fischer and a Danish band always light on its feet and strong on charm [RMo]
Mozart and the Organ (LAWO Classics)
A rewarding disc which brings together early and late Mozart [GPu]
Bacewicz: Works for Violin and Piano (Chandos)
(Déjà Review) A splendid opportunity to get to grips with a large body of Bacewicz’s chamber music [JW]
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos 8-11 (BIS)
(Déjà Review) A fresh viewpoint, though not everything convinces [CC]