Schumann2 Signum Masters

Schumann: Piano Music (Signum Classics)

A mixed bag of Schumann [RMas]

brahmsjoachim hungariandances nimbus

Brahms arr. Joachim: Hungarian Dances (Nimbus)

(Déjà Review) Surprises of this kind can’t come along too often [JW]

italianclarinetsuites naxos

Italian Clarinet Suites (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) Interesting music from largely unfamiliar names [GPu]

The 18th Century American Overture (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) A recording that generates a contented smile [JS]

John Williams (guitar): The Beginning of a Legend Volume 1 (IDIS)

(Déjà Review) An important historical recording [ZT]

Glass: Etudes No.1-10 (Navona Records)

A little too percussive for my liking [DJB]

Smith: The Girl from the French Fort (Métier)

An enchanting fantasy narration for children 4 to 94 [PH]

Thomas Beecham (conductor): The Complete Acoustics (Pristine Audio)

An important set – for the academic rather than the general audience [PSt]

Verdi: Simon Boccanegra (Prima Classic)

A one-dimensional Boccanegra, no match for Abbado’s classic [ST]

Toldra, Casals & Montsalvatge: Music for String Orchestra (Nimbus)

(Déjà Review) An original and completely unhackneyed collection of Catalan music for string orchestra [RB]

Verdi: La traviata (Warner Classics)

(Déjà Review) An excellent bargain which competes with the very best versions on record [DBe]

Brambach: Complete Piano Quartets & Piano Sextet (cpo)

Brambach receives his first recordings with these well-crafted works [DJB]

Kullak: Piano Works (Naxos)

Winning performances of music from a mostly forgotten but undeniably inventive composer [RCh]

Alexander Gibson (conductor): Opening the Doors (Warner)

Celebrating a Centenary so auld acquaintance should ne’er be forgot [PH]

karajan berlin 1970

Herbert von Karajan Live in Berlin, 1970–1979 (Berliner Philharmoniker)

An important survey of one of the great partnerships of the 20th century at its peak [DHa]

Tippett ritual NI5217

Tippett: Ritual Dances & Sosostris’s Aria (Nimbus)

The first and brilliant fruit of Nimbus’s joint project with the 84 year old composer [RB]

karajan berlin 1970

Herbert von Karajan Live in Berlin, 1970–1979 (Berliner Philharmoniker)

A fascinating, marvellously presented anthology [JQ]

Munch WHRA6027

Charles Munch (conductor) A Treasury of French Music (West Hill Radio Archives)

There’s something here even for those with an extensive collection of Munch’s recordings [JW]

Strauss electra CHSA53752

Richard Strauss: Electra (Chandos)

An orchestrally fine Elektra, but the singing is not up to scratch [ST]

Schuback cpo 5557052

Schuback: Brockes-Passion (cpo)

A major discovery, which deserves to be treated on equal footing with the better-known versions of Telemann and Handel [JV]

Grinholc Gloria AP0599

Grinholc: Gloria in Excelsis Deo (Acte Préalable)

A modern, melodic ‘Gloria in Excelsis Deo’ in a commemorative recording at the 600th anniversary of Ełk [EJW]

Tcherepnin SymphoniesandPianoConcertos BIS

Tcherepnin: The Symphonies and Piano Concertos (BIS)

(Déjà Review) A fascinating and sometimes very engaging insight into the unfamiliar world of Alexander Tcherepnin [RB]

Verdi Traviata icaclassics

Verdi: La traviata (ICA Classics)

(Déjà Review) An enormously subtle creation enshrined for posterity [RMo]

Richter Symphonies cpo

Richter: Four Symphonies (cpo)

Great fun – a winner! [DC]