stravinsky firebird rite decca

Stravinsky: Rite of Spring (Decca)

A disappointingly bland and flaccid Rite of Spring balanced by a far more compelling Firebird [RMo]

El cielo y sus estrellas (Orchid Classics)

An interesting disc with little-known repertoire from the New World [JV]

Chopin: Piano Sonatas (Deutsche Grammophon)

Performances of authority and distinction [SG]

Bruckner: Symphonies 3 & 6 (Unitel Editions)

Today’s pre-eminent Bruckner conductor conducts the essential Bruckner orchestra in superb live accounts of two of the more elusive symphonies [RWe]

Arthur Grumiaux (violin) The Boston Recordings (Parnassus)

(Déjà Review) Some of the most lofty and beautiful playing; I shall return to this disc with equal excitement and pleasure [JW]

Bach: Brandenburg Concertos (Archiv Produktion)

(Déjà Review) An excellent recording of the first three Brandenburg concerti [KM]

Scriabin sym2 8574139

Scriabin: Symphony 2 (Naxos)

Falletta and the Buffalo Philharmonic have the measure of Scriabin [LW]

Dvorak dances 88697857482

Dvořák: Slavonic Dances (Sony Classical)

A reissue of an imperishable “classic of the gramophone” – the greatest music of its genre in the best of 60s stereo sound [RMo]

Patino Sacra LAU021

Patiño: Música sacra para la Corte (Lauda)

An interesting survey of the impressive qualities of Patiño as a composer of sacred music for the liturgy [JV]

Blow Purcell OABD7308D

Blow/Purcell: Operas (Opus Arte)

A delightful baroque double bill in an enjoyable period production and setting [PCG]

Legacy Chauvin V7259

Legacy (Naïve)

An imaginative programme, given fine performances [DJB]

Piccinni didon GB260232

Piccinni: Didon (Bongiovanni)

The level of the singing is such that I cannot, with the best will in the world, recommend this issue [GF]

Allaturca Mauch ACD22347

Alla Turca (Atma Classique)

Invigorating yet subtly beautiful vocal and instrumental pieces expertly and sensitively played [MS]

Siepi prima NI7942

Cesare Siepi (bass) (Nimbus Prima Voce)

Hearing Cesare Siepi in his mature youth is a treat indeed [GF]

Handel Semele NZ Opera Walls DVD Opus Arte OA1362D

Handel: Semele (Opus Arte)

A modern take on a Handelian opera which for once makes dramatic sense, and is good fun as well [PCG]

Reinecke 2 Piano Works CPO 555454-2

Reinecke: Works for 2 Pianos (CPO)

Joyous music making unveiling a rich seam of undiscovered two-piano repertoire [RCh]

Christian Ferras Edition Eloquence ELQ4843652

Christian Ferras (violin) Edition (Eloquence)

A handsomely produced salute to the tragically short-lived Christian Ferras [JW]

Wellesz Chamber Music Toccata TOCC0617

Wellesz: Chamber Music (Toccata Classics)

Does this dark but gripping music proud [DMD]

Kleinknecht Trio Sonatas TYXart TXA19126

Kleinknecht: Trio Sonatas for 2 Flutes (TYXart)

The Ensemble La Cantonnade is the ideal advocate of Kleinknecht’s music [JV]

Mascagni L’amico Fritz Dynamic CDS7960

Mascagni: L’amico Fritz (Dynamic)

The Pavarotti- Freni recording still reigns, but this newest version is a worthy competitor [GF]

mozart sonatas brilliant pires

Mozart: Piano Sonatas (Brilliant Classics)

(Déjà Review) These original recordings melt the heart [JLa]

Schubert Lieder Watts Vignoles RCA 88697329322

Schubert: Lieder (RCA)

(Déjà Review) A fine young singer and a master accompanist [WH]

beethoven cello mps hoelscher demus

Beethoven: Cello Sonatas & Variations (MPS Records)

An excellent remastering of the Hoelscher-Demus Beethoven cello cycle [JW]

medtner storms ang

Medtner: Storms and Idylls (Private release)

More magical subtleties from Ang [DMD]