Korngold: Sinfonietta, Violin Concerto (Dorian)
(Déjà Review) A classic of recorded sound [RB]
Vivaldi: Nulla pax in mundo (Gramola)
The performances are neat and stylish, but the expressive and theatrical features of Vivaldi’s music are underexposed [JV]
Verdi: Falstaff (C Major)
A classic staging and superlative cast return to the catalogue, newly minted on Blu-ray [MP]
Slavic Rhapsody (Brilliant Classics)
This programme of Czech music for strings gives much pleasure [LW]
Porpora: Carlo il Calvo (Parnassus Arts)
A neglected baroque opera providing a surfeit of beauty, best enjoyed over a couple of days [NF]
Liszt: Death and Transfiguration (Prima Facie)
thoroughly enjoyed this set – clearly a lot of thought went into programming these pieces [JWe]
Holst: The Planets (BR Klassik)
A solid, “safe” account, hobbled by a dull, listless opening movement [RMo]
JS Bach: The Art of Fugue (Ramee)
A suggestion that the art of counterpoint is infinite [DC]
Chopin: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 (Deutsche Grammophon)
(Déjà Review) Truly inspired performances of masterful music [PJL]
Romeo and Juliet – Tchaikovsky on the Piano (BIS)
Extraordinary playing of the highest quality and familiar music shown in a new light [RCh]
Rota: Il cappello di paglia di Firenze (Capriccio)
Probably the most charming comic Italian opera since Falstaff in a fizzing studio performance [GF]
Puccini: Manon Lescaut (Pristine Audio)
A gramophone stereo classic from the 50s is given yet more lustre by this splendid remastering [RMo]
Lully: Psyché (Château de Versailles Spectacles)
Rousset’s lively new version of Psyché offers the listener much pleasure [MP]
Reforming Hymns (Dacapo)
Interesting and important disc from a musical, historical and social angle [JV]
The Wild Sound of the 20s – 1923 (BR Klassik)
A good example of 1920s music in outstanding performances, let down by lack of texts [LW]
Elgar: Symphony 1 (Hallé)
(Déjà Review) An interpretation that underscores the mutual admiration between Elgar and Strauss [CF]
Poulenc: Stabat Mater (BR Klassik)
An unusual programme, attractive, but somewhat generic performances [PBW]
Offenbach: Robinson Crusoé (Opera Rara)
A splendid way to explore some of the composer’s lesser-known operettas [MC]
Andrei Gavrilov (piano) Complete Recordings on Deutsche Grammophon (Eloquence)
A release pianophiles will treasure [SG]
Flury: Symphonies 1 and 4 (Toccata Classics)
A well recorded, but still little-known composer – well worth investigating [GH]
Puccini: Turandot (Warner Classics)
Great sound, conducting, choral singing and orchestral playing, but only one principal singer who really comes up to scratch [RMo]
R Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra (LSO Live)
A patchy Zarathustra and a good Jeux, but you’ll find better performances of both elsewhere [ST]
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