Puccini: Heroines (Pentatone)
An impressive, if not vocally perfect, recital from an experienced Puccini singer [DJa]
Shostakovich: Symphony No 2 & 5 (Chandos)
Storgårds’ more detached interpretative stance to both symphonies is valid and consistent but might be too cool for some tastes [RMo]
Saint-Saëns: Samson et Dalila & Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade (SOMM Recordings)
A fabulous live performance of Scheherazade, caught on the wing [JQ]
Canteloube: Songs of the Auvergne (Vanguard Classics)
One of the last century’s greatest recordings [RB]
Sir Thomas Beecham (conductor) Schubert, Wagner & Delius (SOMM)
The realisation of this current disc is everything the conductor’s admirers could wish for [JW]
Liadov: Piano Works (Le Palais des Dégustateurs)
Pleasant piano miniatures very much influenced by Chopin [SB]
The Story of Janáček’s Jenůfa (Moravské Zemské Muzeum)
A comprehensive, beautifully assembled and illustrated history of the genesis and first performances of one of the most performed operas in the world [JW]
Gustav Mahler: Symphony 1, Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen (Pristine Audio)
A highly satisfying and logical pairing, well-remastered and showcasing both Boult’s and Thebom’s eminence in Mahler [RMo]
Rubbra: Crucifixus pro Nobis (Delphian)
Rubbra has been exceptionally well served by this disc [JQ]
Biber: Vesperae longiores ac breviores (Carus)
(Déjà Review) An excellent Biber collection supplemented by contemporaries … as well performed as it was well-conceived [MS]
Brahms: Symphonies 2 & 3 (BR Klassik)
(Déjà Review) Strong performances marked by rich tone and just-right choices of tempo and demeanour [KS]
Ginastera: String Quartet No. 1 & Piano Quintet op. 29 (cpo)
Ginastera’s impressive chamber music and well-played Ravel [SB]
Glazunov: Complete String Quartets, Vol. 1 (Naxos)
A fine way to investigate this little-known corner of Glazunov’s output; the Third is a real discovery [DJB]
Rheinberger: Early Piano Works (ARS Produktion)
Attractive early romantic miniatures that supplement Hanselmann’s complete Rheinberger piano edition [RCh]
Bizet: Carmen (Château de Versailles Spectacles)
Two decent principal singers adrift in a sea of poor voices – a dispiriting issue [RMo]
Schoenberg: Orchestral Music (Berliner Philharmoniker Recordings)
An outstanding Schoenberg set from the Berlin Philharmonic and Kirill Petrenko [MBe]
Strauss: Elektra (Chandos)
Wonderful orchestral playing but variable singing [SB]
Gildemann: Chamber Music (Kairos)
Eerily atmospheric and meticulously designed, Ms Gildemann’s distinctive pieces uncannily evoke their titles [RHa]
Franck: Symphony in D minor (HDTT)
Treat yourself to an old favourite in a ripe, vibrant new transfer [PH]
Hasse: Cantatas Vol 1 (Brilliant Classics)
(Déjà Review) Outstanding performances of some heretofore lost gems for voices lovingly coupled with instrumental works that are sure to please [KS]
Herrmann: Hangover Square & Citizen Kane (Chandos)
(Déjà Review) A most rewarding and desirable issue [BBr][RB]
Martin: Chamber Music (MDG)
Some of Frank Martin’s most important chamber works [SB]
Coccia: Sacred Music from Eighteenth-Century Rome (Toccata Clasics)
Coccia’s music may not be everyone’s cup of tea but is excellently performed [JV]
Schubert: Irrlichter (BIS)
A beautiful performance of a number of Schubert’s most atmospheric Lieder – some old favourites and some less-known gems [DJa]
