Berg: Symphonies Nos 4 & 5 (cpo)
Two wildly contrasting symphonies from the Swedish military veterinarian [JW]
Distler: Die Weihnachtsgeschichte (OUR Recordings)
In the great German tradition of sung Biblical narrative, but reinterpreted for the early 20th century [ST]
For Clara: Robert Schumann & Brahms (Deutsche Grammophon)
A thoughtfully conceived and excellently executed programme [JQ]
Mozart: Piano Concertos Vol. 8 (Chandos)
Bavouzet and Takács-Nagy are an ideal partnership in demonstrating the zest, eloquence and operatic underpinning of Mozart’s piano concertos [MG]
Beethoven: Symphonies 1-9 (Dynamic)
A long awaited cycle that is ultimately disappointing [LD]
Delius: A Mass of Life (LAWO Classics)
The mighty Mass of Life is revealed as a genuine masterpiece in this blazing performance [NB]
Prokofiev & Khachaturian (RCA Victor)
(Déjà Review) A classic recording restored in its best sound [TD]
Rebecca & Louise – Chamber Works (Alba)
Two fine chamber works given passionately committed performances by this outstanding Finnish ensemble [GPJ]
Aichinger: Virginalia 1607 – Motets (Tactus)
Discover complete Marian motets by a respected but largely forgotten late-Renaissance German master [GH]
Wagner: Siegfried (BR Klassik)
Simon Rattle’s traversal of the Ring finally reaches Siegfried, with highly recommendable results [PCG]
H2O (ANCLEF)
Three Orchestral Masterpieces effectively rendered in piano 4-hands versions by their composers [NB]
Henze: Royal Winter Music (NovAntiqua)
Three hours of enlightenment and entertainment [ZT]
Kagami – Mirror: viola da gamba pieces (Ramée)
Very personal choice of viola da gamba pieces, performed with much sensitivity [JV]
Vaughan Williams: Job – A Masque for Dancing (Onyx)
A highly persuasive account of Job [JQ]
Berlioz: Les nuits d’été and other songs (Virgin Classics)
(Déjà Review) Véronique Gens joins the exalted ranks of Crespin and Baker for top placing in Les nuits dété, and comes top of the list for modern recordings. A truly beautiful record [CC]
Tchaikovsky: Eugene Onegin (Opus Arte)
A superbly realised version of Tchaikovsky’s essentially domestic opera avoids any elements of tragic inflation [PCG]
Empire to Commonwealth (Ars Organi)
Underwhelming music performed with zealous commitment [NB]
Santillán: Symphonies (Da Vinci Classics)
Oscillates between dissonant folk-inflected modernism and schmaltz; neither approach works [RHa]
Krzyżanowski: Piano Works Vol. 4 (Acte Préalable)
Best yet in the exploratory series of Krzyżanowski’s piano music [RCh]
Dependent Rising (Cedille)
Magnetically communicative music given electric performances [DMD]
Stanfordian Thoughts: 22. Hymn Tunes
by Christopher Howell
Humperdinck: Königskinder (Naxos)
Impressive and likely to remain unchallenged for a very long time [MP]
Coleridge-Taylor: Partsongs (Delphian)
An enjoyable collection of partsongs [JQ]
Copland: The Populist (RCA)
(Déjà Review) An essential recording which should please a wide musical constituency [GSD]
 |
 |
 |
Featured Naxos review |
Featured Naxos review |
Featured Naxos review |
 |
 |
 |
 |
