Tabakov: Symphonies Vol. 7 (Toccata)
A disc that lovers of contemporary music will find fascinating and hugely rewarding [SA]
Ravel: Orchestral Works (Ondine)
The two main works here are especially well performed, and in good sound [RWe]
Nuit et Jour (Rubicon)
Martinova’s abandoned musical personality unleashes no holds barred Ravel but less successful Debussy [DMD]
O Jesulein (Ricecar)
A little too much reverence in the music somewhat dampened my enthusiasm for this interesting exercise [DJB]
Berlioz: Harold en Italie (Erato)
Essentially unsatisfying accounts of two favourite Berlioz works [Rmo]
Berg: Orchestral works (Chandos)
Superb performances of two major works by Berg and two worthwhile rarities [SB]
Louise DiTullio (flute) (Crystal)
Near 50-year-old reissues of Franco-Russian repertoire stand the test of time [JW]
The Ballets of Ludwig Minkus (Cambridge Scholars)
A new edition of the definitive study of Ludwig Minkus’s career and work is very welcome [RMay]
Langgaard: Symphony 1 (Dacapo)
Very good, but not outstanding; Dausgaard’s 2007 recording remains the benchmark here [DM]
Bruckner: Symphony 3 (Capriccio)
An intriguing recording which will be wanted by those collecting this cycle [GT]
Bach: Goldberg Variations (Warner)
Spirited, mercurial playing, compromised by a poor recording from Warner [RMo]
Leoncavallo: Zingari (Opera Rara)
An all-round excellent effort to document a forgotten opera that likely won’t be returning to the stage anytime soon [MP]
Mendelssohn/Kubelik: Violin Concertos (Hanssler)
The romantic First Violin Concerto of Jan Kubelík receives a premiere recording [JW]
Henryk Szeryng (violin) Rediscovered (Rhine)
One of the twentieth century’s greatest violinists, a musical aristocrat with superb polished technique and a phenomenal intellect [SG]
The Secret Theatre (Opus Arte)
A novel and inventive seasonal treat from Scottish Ballet [RMay]
Humfrey: Sacred Choral Music (Delphian)
Interesting interpretational concept, but musically not really satisfying [JV]
Wagner: The Golden Ring (Decca)
A glorious sampler heralding a complete project which promises the best sound yet for this greatest of Wagner recordings [RMo]
de Hartmann: Orchestral Music Vol. 2 (Toccata)
A great Romantic symphony and an unusual concerto [LD]
Suppé: Die Reise (Naxos)
A musical world tour broadens our knowledge of von Suppé’s considerable output [RMay]
Le Voyage en Orient (Hortus)
A well executed esoteric program, let down by the lack of useful documentation for the casual listener [MP]
Britten: String Quartets (BIS)
Britten’s music for string quartet, a comprehensive collection [SB]
A Breath Between the Strings (Dynamic)
The British Harmonica School in safe Italian hands [JW]
Vaughan Williams: Symphonies 7 & 8 (Pristine)
Another triumph for Pristine’s re-masterings of the Boult/Decca cycle [PCG]
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