Mahler: Symphony No 4 (BR Klassik)
A fine version by Haitink of this most attractive of Mahler’s symphonies [SB]
Chopin: The Complete Waltzes (Hyperion)
(Déjà Review) Breathtaking technique and musicality combined [DC]
Krenek: Symphony No 4, Concerto Grosso (cpo)
(Déjà Review) Very impressive indeed [RB]
Bruckner: Symphony 9 (Le Palais des Dégustateurs)
It’s fast, yet the Adagio somehow works [SV]
Richard Strauss: Orchestral Works (Warner)
The integrity and sheer musicianship of Kempe’s Strauss recordings demand their place in every serious Straussian’s collection [RMo]
Black Mozart: Jazz-inspired reinterpretations (Decca)
Listening to these brilliant Mozart reinterpretations is a sheer delight [ACG]
Encores for Mr Scotts (Quartz)
An Old School violin recital celebrates a fine Australian player via his portfolio of salon charmers [JW]
Beethoven Extended: Symphonies 5 & 7 (Harmonia Mundi)
An experiment in performing these great works which doesn’t produce obvious benefits [DJB]
Howells: The Winchester Service (Hyperion)
(Déjà Review) A superb, unmissable recital of Howells’ later choral and organ works [WH]
Mahler: Symphony 8 (London Philharmonic Orchestra)
(Déjà Review) This extraordinary, visionary reading of the Eighth is an unforgettable experience [JQ]
Handel: Inexorable Amour (Château de Versailles Spectacle)
An eminently well performed disc with only minor reservations which affect one’s listening enjoyment [MP]
Shura Cherkassky (piano) Rediscovered Recordings Vol. 3 (Nimbus)
Cherkassky in fine form in rediscovered recordings, including valuable additions to his discography [RCh]
British Music for Strings V (cpo)
Variety, contrast and novelty in a fine British selection [JW]
JS Bach: Partitas (Le Palais des Dégustateurs)
Good, clear Bach playing delivered with the benefit of deep scholarship, but sometimes lacking warmth and expansiveness [SGa]
Schubert: Lieder (Avie)
A pleasant recital of no special distinction [RMo]
Gounod: Faust (Warner Classics)
(Déjà Review) This Rizzi set trumps its competitors in many ways, not least the singing of Hadley and Gasdia [GF]
Britten: Complete Scottish Songs (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) An excellent and often moving release [JF]
Bridge, Britten & Bax: Sonatas for cello and piano (Hänssler Classic)
(Déjà Review) A very special issue [BBr]
Aldridge & Copland: Clarinet Concertos (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) An enjoyable new concerto and an old favorite, played with love and wit [BR]
Gordon: Field of Vision (Cantaloupe)
A vast sonic experience that is worth encountering [DC]
Schwindl: Symphonies (Capriccio)
One of those new classical discoveries that don’t come along every day [DC]
Schubert: Die schöne Müllerin (Signum Records)
A brave experiment in exemplary and intelligent singing, but go to Roderick Williams’s earlier recording for a more traditional pairing [SGa]
Vaughan Williams: From Ursula, with Love (Albion Records)
A treasury of Vaughan Williams, preserved with Ursula’s love [JF]
Beethoven: Symphonies 5, 6 & 7 (Harmonia Mundi)
Some good things here but a Pastoral I wish I’d not heard [DJB]
