From Jewish Life (SWR Classics)
A valuable boxed reissue from SWR’s vaults brings melancholy, vivacity and many disc premieres [JW]
Brescianello: Works for Solo Lute (Tactus)
An agreeable invitation into the intimate world of solo Baroque lute music [CRo]
Arnold: Wind Chamber Music (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) Sir Malcolm is in his element here and I was with him all the way [MC]
Mahler: Symphony 2 (Pentatone)
There’s a great deal to admire about this performance [JQ]
Armenian Cello Concertos (BIS)
Fine performances of Soviet and post-Soviet cello concerti with a distinct Armenian accent [NB]
Alma Mahler: Meine Seele – Complete Songs (Fuga Libera)
Alma Mahler’s songs are utterly attractive, but the singing here may not be to everybody’s taste [GF]
von Klenau: Orchestral works (Dacapo)
A strange triptych of previously unrecorded works by Paul von Klenau [JW]
Ruoff: Organ works Vol. 4 (Toccata Classics)
A little-known German composer who writes distinguished music for the organ with a wide variety of influences [MSt]
Offenbach: La Vie Parisienne (Naxos)
A winner in almost every respect featuring a new edition with an entire Act of previously unperformed music [MP]
Beethoven/Brahms: Variations (Hyperion)
(Déjà Review) Tanyel’s playful Beethoven and loving Brahms make for a very attractive coupling [DS]
Polish Concerti Vol. 1 (Dux)
An unusual and deeply satisfying disc – give it a try [WH]
Müller-Hermann: Chamber Music (Hänssler Classic)
A chamber music pairing that reflects contrasting influences on a still little-known Austrian composer [JW]
Mozart: Ecstasy and Abyss (Sony Classical)
A release that will probably only appeal to superfans of clarinettist Martin Fröst [ST]
Al-Basma: Voyage au cœur d’Al-Andalus (Ambronay)
It isn’t quite ‘what it says on the label’, but there is much to enjoy here [GPu]
Bruckner: Symphony 3 (Capriccio)
Played somewhat ‘wrong,’ but much of it still right [SV]
Music for Cornetto and Keyboard (BIS)
An instructive and compelling survey of Italian instrumental music from the late 16th and early 17th centuries [JV]
Leshnoff: Violin Concerto (Naxos)
A trio of dramatic, highly accessible and very American works, skilful if not always especially memorable [RMo]
Albéniz: Iberia (Hyperion)
(Déjà Review) Sweep and clarity as well as Hamelin’s special brand of architectural understanding [JW]
Hendrie: Complete Organ Music Vol. 1 (Toccata Classics)
Committed and technically outstanding performances [JF]
Georg Nigl (baritone): Echo (Alpha Classics)
Georg Nigl is a magnificent storyteller – do not miss this well-filled disc [GF]
Ervin Nyiregyházi (piano) Live Vol. 3 (Sonetto Classics)
Will appeal both to fans of Ervin Nyiregyházi and aficionados of the art of piano [SG]
Shostakovich: Symphonies 8-10 (Berliner Philharmoniker Recordings)
Three magnificent Shostakovich performances [JQ]
Fantasie – 7 Composers, 7 Keyboards (Harmonia Mundi)
The most fun musical history lesson I can imagine [DMD]