Rautavaara: The Gift of the Magi (Arthaus Musik)
(Déjà Review) An intelligent, small-scale opera well performed, and accompanied by a moderately interesting documentary [Gpu]
Robert Casadesus (piano): Brahms/Falla (Maestro Editions)
Ringingly affirmative Brahms and a good if ordinary de Falla [RB]
Bruckner: Symphony 9 (Pristine Audio)
Van Beinum’s flexible way with this music will appeal to those who also esteem Jochum in Bruckner but there are too many flaws [RMo]
Swedish Piano Concertos (BIS)
Three strongly contrasting works for piano and orchestra repay repeated hearings [HC]
Sgambati: Symphony 2 (Naxos)
La Vecchia and his Rome orchestra do Sgambati proud in a premiere recording [RMay]
Stravinsky: Violin & Piano (Chandos)
(Déjà Review) An unexpectedly wide range of memorable repertoire in colourful and personally characterised performances [LF]
Arnold: Orchestral Works (Chandos)
A great way to fill the gaps in one’s Malcolm Arnold collection with these superb performances and sound LW]
Haydn: The Seven Last Words of Christ on the Cross (Brilliant Classics)
With added flute part, this arrangement is a welcome curiosity for those already familiar with the work [SW]
Heinichen: Dresden Vespers (Accent)
Excellent recording of music by a composer who was in no way inferior to the best of his time [JV]
Verdi: Messa da Requiem (Rondeau)
I have honestly never heard anything like this… [RMo]
Fabien Sevitzky (conductor) The Indianapolis Symphony Vol. 6 (Pristine Audio)
The final release in the Sevitzky-Indianapolis series ends in a celebration of the dance [JW]
Schönberg, Berg: Transfigurations (Alpha Classics)
Intelligently programmed and well played key works of the Second Viennese School [NB]
Magdalena Kožená (mezzo-soprano) Le Belle Immagini (Deutsche Grammophon)
(Déjà Review) A disc that should be bought even by those who resist hype on principle [CH]
Vivaldi, Leclair, Locatelli: Violin Concertos (Harmonia Mundi)
An excellent demonstration of what was written for the violin in the high baroque era [JV]
Rott: Symphony (Deutsche Grammophon)
Jakob Hrůša breaks a lance for the symphony by Hans Rott [JQ]
Rachmaninov: All Night Vigil (Pentatone)
The famous Vespers, beautifully sung and more intimate than usual but with no lack of gravitas [RMo]
Gideon Klein: Don’t forget about me (Toccata Press)
The life of a young genius tragically ended by a cruel and evil regime [SG]
Araja & Pellegrini: Keyboard Works (Brilliant Classics)
Two little known composers whose work illustrates the polarities of harpsichord music in 18th century Italy [GPu]
Sharon Bezaly (flute): Synergy (BIS)
Pleasing and moving, played with soulful and technical virtuosity [RB]
Dufay: Music for St Anthony of Padua (Hyperion)
(Déjà Review) Superlative performances, well recorded, of attractive music: another excellent Helios reissue [BW]
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