John Shirley-Quirk (baritone) English Song Anthology (Heritage)
John Shirley-Quirk’s definitive English recital [JF]
The Leipzig Collegium Musicum Volume 1: Music Before Bach (Pentatone)
An interesting start to a potentially valuable series [DJB]
Myaskovsky: Symphonies No.24-25 (Northern Flowers)
Myaskovsky’s symphonic brace that prioritises expansive tempi [JW]
Rangström: Kronbruden (Sterling)
A fine first recording of Rangström’s most important opera [WK]
Stevens: Orchestral Music Vol. 3 (Toccata Classics)
A very welcome triptych of releases [PRJ]
Noskowski: Piano Music 5 (Acte Préalable)
An engaging addition to the survey of Noskowski’s piano output [RCh]
Dale & Bowen: Piano Works (Hyperion)
(Déjà Review) Add this to your British piano collection without reservation [JW]
Beethoven: Fidelio (Decca)
(Déjà Review) This Fidelio will surely be one of the most important releases of 2011 [JQ]
Peter Donohoe (piano): The Chopin I Love (Somm Recordings)
Delivers all of the pianism and musical depth for which one could ask [DC]
Bruckner: Symphonies No 4 & 7 (Warner Classics)
Monumental, spiritual performances [DF]
Shostakovich: Symphonies No 6 & 9 (Challenge Classics)
Two of Shostakovich’s most subversive symphonies, brilliantly played and sharply characterised [NB]
Britten: Les Illuminations and other Works (Alpha Classics)
A very good Britten concert [SB]
Elgar: Piano Quintet & String Quartet (Hyperion)
(Déjà Review) Striking performances of these late masterpieces [JF]
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas No 8, 17 & 23 (Warner Classics)
(Déjà Review) Outstanding performances of three favourite minor-key Beethoven sonatas [WH]
Janitsch: Symphonies & Concertos (cpo)
Janitsch’s work is ripe for discovery and revival, assisted by excellent recordings such as this [DC]
From Dennis Brain’s Library Vol 2 Plus! (MPR)
Rare and well-chosen pieces from Dennis Brain’s library and some bonuses, all beautifully played [SJG
Lopatnikoff & Juon: Piano Trios (Naxos)
The Lopatnikoff is quite a discovery [DJB]
Czerny: Sonatas for Solo Piano Vol 3 (Nimbus)
A superb addition to Martin Jones’s marvellous one-man attempt to record everything unjustly neglected [Byz]
Bartók: Piano Concertos 1-3 (Elatus)
Peerless performances, alert, alive, astounding [DM]
Woyrsch: Symphonies (cpo)
First and last symphonic efforts from Woyrsch which again show his very limited gift for melody [EJW]
Jonas Kaufmann: Magische Töne (Sony)
Kaufmann might sound like a tourist in this survey of Hungarian operetta, but it is an enjoyable indulgence [ST]
Akiho: Beneath Lighted Coffers (Reference Recordings)
Two brilliant ear-opening works that show what steel pans are capable of [PRJ]
Mozart: Symphonies (Warner Classics)
Luxuriant, emotionally stirring renditions of Mozart’s final six symphonies [DF]
Bridge: Piano Music – Volume 3 (SOMM Recordings)
(Déjà Review) A worthy part of what is a major, important project in British recorded music [JF][RB]
