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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]

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Robert Casadesus (piano): Brahms/Falla (Maestro Editions)

Ringingly affirmative Brahms and a good if ordinary de Falla [RB]

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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]

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Swedish Piano Concertos (BIS)

Three strongly contrasting works for piano and orchestra repay repeated hearings [HC]

Adriatic voyage DCD34260

Adriatic Voyage (Delphian)

A compelling survey of Croatia’s musical past [JV]

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Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde (Beulah)

Bracing and dazzling [DMD]

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Sgambati: Symphony 2 (Naxos)

La Vecchia and his Rome orchestra do Sgambati proud in a premiere recording [RMay]

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Stravinsky: Violin & Piano (Chandos)

(Déjà Review) An unexpectedly wide range of memorable repertoire in colourful and personally characterised performances [LF]

pettersson symphonies cpo

Pettersson: Symphonies 10 & 11 (cpo)

(Déjà Review) Deeply impressing pieces [RB]

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]

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Bantock: Sappho (Hyperion)

(Déjà Review) A sensual and voluptuous delight [LM]

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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 vigil pentatone

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 padua anthony hyperion

Dufay: Music for St Anthony of Padua (Hyperion)

(Déjà Review) Superlative performances, well recorded, of attractive music: another excellent Helios reissue [BW]