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 PTC5186992

Mahler: Symphony 2 (Pentatone)

There’s a great deal to admire about this performance [JQ]

Armenian cello BIS2648

Armenian Cello Concertos (BIS)

Fine performances of Soviet and post-Soviet cello concerti with a distinct Armenian accent [NB]

MahlerA songs FUG796

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]

20thC classics 5PDR20

20th Century Classics Vol. 5 (Beulah)

Kubelík the modernist at his wizardly best [DMD]

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von Klenau: Orchestral works (Dacapo)

A strange triptych of previously unrecorded works by Paul von Klenau [JW]

Ruoff organv4 TOCC0672

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 parisienne naxos

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 hyperion

Beethoven/Brahms: Variations (Hyperion)

(Déjà Review) Tanyel’s playful Beethoven and loving Brahms make for a very attractive coupling [DS]

Polish Concerti Vol1 DUX 1958

Polish Concerti Vol. 1 (Dux)

An unusual and deeply satisfying disc – give it a try [WH]

Muller-Hermann Chamber Hanssler HC22082

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 Frost Sony 19658772252

Mozart: Ecstasy and Abyss (Sony Classical)

A release that will probably only appeal to superfans of clarinettist Martin Fröst [ST]

Al-Basma Canticum Novum Ambronay AMY 057

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 Poschner Capriccio C8086

Bruckner: Symphony 3 (Capriccio)

Played somewhat ‘wrong,’ but much of it still right [SV]

Seicento Stravagante BIS 2526

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 elegy naxos

Leshnoff: Violin Concerto (Naxos)

A trio of dramatic, highly accessible and very American works, skilful if not always especially memorable [RMo]

Albeniz Iberia Hamelin Hyperion CDA67476-77

Albéniz: Iberia (Hyperion)

(Déjà Review) Sweep and clarity as well as Hamelin’s special brand of architectural understanding [JW]

Hendrie organvol1 TOCC0684

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]

nyiregyhazi live sonetto

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 berliner

Shostakovich: Symphonies 8-10 (Berliner Philharmoniker Recordings)

Three magnificent Shostakovich performances [JQ]

fantasie melnikov harmonia mundi

Fantasie – 7 Composers, 7 Keyboards (Harmonia Mundi)

The most fun musical history lesson I can imagine [DMD]