cello diverse divine

Cello Diverse (Divine Art)

(Déjà Review) Some of the finest, most purposeful, cello playing I’ve heard in a long time [BBr]

Valentin Malinin (piano): Laureate Recital (Naxos)

Pianist Valentin Malinin impresses with his technical ability, but with mixed musical results [LW]

Poulenc: La voix humaine (Alpha Classics)

A new vocal standard for La Voix humaine, but no translation of the text [RWe]

Wenn ich nur Dich hab (Carpe Diem Records)

Top-class performances of German sacred music from the baroque period [JV]

John Cranko (choreography): The Taming of the Shrew (Unitel Editions)

Stuttgart Ballet’s survey of choreographer John Cranko’s work continues triumphantly [RMay]

Teodorescu-Ciocănea: Orchestral music (Toccata Classics)

This deserves to enhance Teodorescu-Ciocănea’s reputation and bring it before a wider public [DMD]

Sommer: Orchestral songs (Pentatone)

World premiere recordings of orchestral songs by a largely forgotten composer [JQ]

Handel: Water & Fireworks Music (Archiv Produktion)

(Déjà Review) An example that big can be beautiful too! [GFe]

A Little of What You Fancy (ASV)

(Déjà Review) An indispensable record for those who love the world of the old music hall [TD]

Kitty Whately (mezzo-soprano) Befreit: A Soul Surrendered (Chandos)

A very rewarding album, including songs by two unjustly neglected composers [JQ]

Prokofiev: Violin Concertos (Channel Classics)

Could be the recording that takes Milstein’s career out of the wings onto centre stage [DM]

macfarren soldier retrospect

Macfarren: The Soldier’s Legacy (Retrospect Opera)

A highly melodic Victorian opera – good tunes, vivacious duets, trio and quartets [JF]

Górecki: Beatus Vir (Dux)

These impressive works show that Górecki was much more than a one-work composer [SB]

Caplet: Le Miroir de Jésus (BR Klassik)

The refinement and lucid beauty of Caplet heard in a loving performance [JW]

Sandrine Piau (soprano) Voyage intime (Alpha Classics)

An excellent recital by a distinguished soprano [RWe]

Ferneyhough: Shadowtime (NMC)

(Déjà Review) An amazing, fascinating and complex masterpiece that repays repeated listening [AO]

Bishop: Shakespeare At Covent Garden (Decca)

(Déjà Review) This excellently recorded disc sheds enlightenment on a long dimly-lit but far from discreditable corner of British music [PSc]

Harpsichord Concertos (Hyperion)

Communicative powers to the fore, Esfahani breathes life into three Czech harpsichord works [JW]

sibelius sym4 fr2085

Sibelius: Symphony 4 (Forgotten Records)

An interesting but largely disappointing CD, mainly because of an underpowered performance of the symphony [PBW]

Schubert Schwanen 4853577

Schubert: Schwanengesang (Decca)

Urgent unfettered performances certain to divide the crowd [DMD]

Franck sym Alpha898

Franck: Symphony (Alpha Classics)

A new team offers a distinctive account of an old favourite [RMay]

macmillan christmas lpo

MacMillan: Christmas Oratorio (LPO)

A tremendous performance of an important new work by James MacMillan [JQ]

Hvoslev chamber8 LWC1246

Hvoslef: Chamber Works XIII (Lawo)

Four highly contrasted works by an elder statesman of contemporary Norwegian music [GH]

Alwyn syms CHAN94293

Alwyn: Symphonies 1-5 (Chandos)

Lively interpretations that steer well clear of the routine [RB]