Beethoven elise MIR9972

Beethoven: Lettre à Elise (Mirare)

One of the most charming piano recitals that I have come across in years [KS]

Britten bridge 855720

Britten: Orchestral works (Naxos)

Another spectacular and poetic Britten collection ex-Collins courtesy of Naxos [EM]

Berg Brahms Violin Concertos Tetzlaff Ondine ODE1410-2

Brahms and Berg: Violin Concertos (Ondine)

Christian Tetzlaff provides outstanding performances of the two concertos [MC]

Porpora L'Angelica Sardelli Dynamic CDS7936

Porpora: L’Angelica (Dynamic)

This world premiere recording is an appetising taster for more Porpora [GF]

schumann symphonies bis

Schumann: Symphonies (BIS)

A comprehensive survey stunningly played and beautifully recorded [NB]

Shostakovich Symph 10 KSanderling ICAC5171

Shostakovich: Symphony 10 (ICA Classics)

An important musical document of a great live performance of Shostakovich’s Tenth by a legendary German conductor [GT]

Francaix Chamber Music Brilliant 96341

Françaix: Chamber Music (Brilliant Classics)

Refreshing Frenchness in a blast from the past [DC]

Rachmaninov Vespers-King's Delphian DCD34296

Rachmaninov: Vespers (Delphian Records)

A fresh, well-drilled young choir has bitten off more than it can chew here [RMo]

Bach Keyboard Works Vol9 Martins Labor LAB7025-2

Bach: Keyboard Works (Labor Records)

(Déjà Review) Some will think these exceptional recordings are the best Bach-on-the-piano ever, others will hate them [PSh]

Schubert Winterreise Mertens Mathot Challenge CC72152

Schubert: Die Winterreise (Challenge Classics)

(Déjà Review) A fresh, personable and individual reading that shows these well-known songs in part in a new light [GF]

senfter viola hanssler

Senfter: Complete works for viola & piano (Hänssler Classic)

Regerian inheritances haunt Johanna Senfter’s unsettled and largely melancholic viola works [JW]

mignone guitar azul

Mignone: Complete works for solo guitar (Azul Music)

Revelatory for the uninitiated [ZT]

milford organ priory

Milford: Complete Organ Works (Priory)

An excellent recording of little-known music by a pupil of Vaughan Williams and contemporary of Finzi [MSt]

barstow final scenes decca

Josephine Barstow (soprano) Final Scenes (Decca)

For me, the two outer tracks alone make this anthology of final scenes compulsory [RMo]

schmitt salome apaches

Schmitt: La Tragédie de Salomé (B Records)

An expert and fascinating exposition of the full version of Florent Schmitt’s ballet score [JQ]

schutz auferstehungshistorie accentus

Schütz: Auferstehungshistorie (Accentus Music)

A fine performance of Schütz’s masterpiece [JV]

puccini turandot lombard

Puccini: Turandot (Warner Classics)

(Déjà Review) The pleasure that Caballé’s beautiful tone and imaginative approach gives is enormous [JS]

studer legacy claves

Michael Studer (piano) The Legacy (Claves)

(Déjà Review) Buy it for the Bach, and become enthralled by the rest [DC]

Claudio Arrau (piano) The Complete Warner Classics Recordings (Warner Classics)

Aristocratic, authoritative and poetic performances [SG]

Malipiero, Ghedini & Casella: Cello & Orchestra (Naxos)

Ghedini’s work is the standout on this well-played, interesting disc [GPu]

Bronisław Gimpel (violin) Violin Concertos (Biddulph)

Gimpel’s Vox concertos: rich in virtuosity, glamour and colour [JW]

Glière: String Quartets (DUX)

Attractively confident and assured quartets in dramatic, virtuosic readings [NB]

Nebra & Corselli: Cantatas (Pan Classics)

Another step toward full appreciation of Spanish music of the 18th century [JV]

Dove: In Exile (Lyrita)

Music and performance can be recommended without reservation [JQ]