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Ataúlfo Argenta (conductor) (EMI Classics)

(Déjà Review) Lisztians need to hear Argenta’s Faust; his El Amor Brujo is perhaps the best ever [RB]

Biber Sonatas Accent ACC24386

Biber: Sonatas (Accent)

The sonatas are fabulous, but the trumpet duos do rather drag on [DJB]

Mozart Symph 39 40 41 Blomstedt BR Klassik 900196

Mozart: Symphonies 39-41 (BR Klassik)

Masterful, ideally executed and engineered recordings of Mozart’s three greatest symphonies [RMo]

Stamitz Violin Concertos CPO 5554792

Stamitz: Violin Concertos (cpo)

Lively performances of little-known compositions from the end of the Baroque period [CRo]

Cage Choral Works Ondine ODE1402-2

Cage: Choral Works (Ondine)

An interesting corner of John Cage’s output expertly performed by a choir and conductor who really understand and enjoy working in the idiom [MS]

R Strauss Philharmonia Santu SIGCD720

R Strauss: Tone Poems (Philharmonia Records)

Some marvellous Strauss tone poems that mark the beginning of Rouvali’s stewardship of the Philharmonia [ST]

Schubert Eine Winterreise Naxos NBD0165V Blu-ray

Schubert: Eine Winterreise (Naxos)

Musically excellent and dramatically intriguing re-imagining of Schubert’s story [RWe]

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Mahler: Symphony 5 (Colorado Mahlerfest)

Excellent Mahler, with a unique coupling [LD]

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Schoenberg: Gurrelieder (Warner Classics)

(Déjà Review) Recorded just a week after 9/11, this stunning performance heralds a new era for Rattle in Berlin [CT]

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Puts: The City (Naxos)

Three substantial and very fine orchestral works; the Marimba Concerto is a joy [DJB]

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Beethoven: Piano Trios (Sony Classical)

A terrific Ghost Trio, less impressive E flat major Trio [PBW]

lalo casals cello sony

Lalo & Casals: Cello Concertos (Sony Classical)

My high expectations were exceeded by Jan Vogler’s compelling performances [MC]

Holst Choral Works SOMMCD279

Holst: Choral Works (SOMM Recordings)

A mixed bag, but indispensable to the Holst completist [SB]

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Gluck: Alceste (Pristine Audio)

A fine transfer of Flagstad’s farewell to the Metropolitan in a performance of great dignity [RMo]

baroque arabesque gramola

Baroque Arabesque

A very enjoyable disc, full of delightful textures, infectious rhythms and inventive juxtapositions [GPu]

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Bach: Mass (Claves)

One of the best recordings with a small ensemble [JV]

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Vaughan Williams: A London Symphony (Chandos)

(Déjà Review) If you have any interest in the music of Vaughan Williams this is an almost mandatory purchase [SF][PC]

pisendel concertos berlin

Pisendel: Violin Concerti (Berlin Classics)

A resounding success [DJB]

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Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 2 (Fuga Libera)

A performance suffused with the Russian spirit, technically and sonically proficient, aesthetically satisfying [RMo]

Miaskovsky: Cello Concerto, Cello Sonatas (cpo)

A welcome release centred on the cello works of Nikolai Miaskowsky and his teachers [GT]

Haydn: String Quartets op. 33 No. 1-3 (BIS)

A very valid interpretation emphasizing Haydn’s wit and invention [LP]

Magnificat 3 (Signum Classics)

Outstanding performances of a varied and satisfying programme in superb sound [WH]

Gomes: Opera Overtures and Preludes (Naxos)

Enjoyably tuneful music, a delight in these attractive accounts [RMay]

Petersen: Symphony No. 3 (Profil)

A valuable and welcome addition to the Petersen discography [SG]