Adams: Sila (Cantaloupe)
Almost impossible to evaluate, but this has opened my eyes, ears and mind to something quite new [WH]
The Splendour of Florence (Linn)
In this annual release, Gothic Voices will not disappoint, even if other ensembles often cover the same musical territory [GH]
Jascha Heifetz: The Heifetz Collection Vol 35 (RCA-BMG)
Vivid and admirable shorter pieces but a Mendelssohn that has a heart of jagged tin [RB]
Beethoven & Mozart: Piano Transcriptions (BIS)
Sensational pianism, inspiration, and exuberant pianism in every track [MM]
Bruckner Spectrum (Berlin)
A compelling and superbly performed programme [WH]
van Dieren: Piano (Piano Classics)
Challenging, but satisfying [SG]
Verdi: French Rarities (Dynamic)
One new Verdi discovery combined with some previously released material, all neatly performed [MP]
Rauchenecker: Symphony No 1 (CPO)
Forgotten works by a forgotten composer may not be masterpieces but certainly worth a listen [NB]
Telemann: Suites (Dux)
Stylish and refined recordings of Telemann orchestral works in French and Polish character [CRo]
Sir Adrian Boult: Decca Legacy Vol. 1 (Eloquence)
The mono VW cycle offers the spine of Eloquence’s handsome Boult box [JW]
Aguilera: Organ Music (Brilliant)
Another fine contribution to the Brilliant Classics keyboard music catalogue [JV]
Montgeroult: Etudes (BIS)
Superb performances and recording of piano studies which should rank alongside the very best [GH]
Pfitzner: Das Christ-Elflein (Orfeo)
Probably the most recommendable of the three recordings of Pfitzner’s Christmas tear-jerker despite its drawbacks [PCG]
Illustrazioni (Stradivarius)
A fine recording explores the renewal and variety of Italian twentieth-century piano repertoire [JW]
Still: Summerland (Naxos)
Idiomatic performances from a mother and daughter combination [WK]
Mayer: Symphonies Nos 3 and 7 (CPO)
Two little-known symphonies prove to be interesting but not essential listening [NB]
Bruckner: Symphony No 4 (Capriccio)
Bruckner’s ‘Romantic’ Symphony in its original version from Poschner is solely for Brucknerian aficionados [GT]
The Psalms (Signum Classics)
A fine addition to the discography of Andrew Nethsingha and the Choir of St John’s College, Cambridge [JQ]
Werner: Salve Reginas, Pastorellas (Audite)
An impressive testimony to Werner’s skills in composition [JV]
Stravinsky: Le Sacre du Printemps (Alpha)
A superb Stravinsky collection [WH]
Mayr: Sacri Concentus (Challenge)
The performers are pretty much ideal advocates of Mayr’s oeuvre [JV]
Handel: Acis and Galatea (Decca)
A thoroughly welcome reissue that enshrines many of the virtues Handelian performance in the ‘pre-authentic’ era [PCG]
Gershwin: Fascinating Rhythm (RCA)
A welcome back to this astutely selected slice of Gershwin on Broadway [JW]
Jascha Heifetz (violin) New York Concerts (Rhine Classics)
Heifetz fans, of which I’m one, shouldn’t hesitate [SG]
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