Sibelius: Symphonies 3 & 5 (Alpha)
Another winner in this series of Sibelius symphonies, suites and tone poems [RMo]
d’Ambrosio: Violin & Piano (Brilliant)
A collected look at the charming art of salon master Alfredo d’Ambrosio [JW]
de Hartmann: Orchestral Works (Toccata)
Fascinating music written on an epic scale played with skill and conviction – an exciting discovery [NB]
Stradella: La Circe (Dynamic)
This recording shows that Stradella was one of the great composers of the 17th century [JV]
Zwilich: Orchestral Works (Delos)
Beautifully crafted and entertaining music, showing the composer’s stylistic evolution [DJB]
Milford: Organ Works (Priory)
A very valuable survey establishing the quality and beauty of Milford’s sensitive compositions [NB]
Beethoven: Piano Concertos (BIS)
Astonishing virtuoso playing in a highly empathic partnership – the best modern accounts I know [RMo]
Baines: Pictures of Light (Divine Art)
Baines’ piano music always impresses and is well performed here, the songs less so [NB]
Stefan Askenase (piano) Concerts (Meloclassic)
Finesse and elegance in these richly recorded recitals [RCh]
Rimsky-Korsakov: Christmas Eve (Naxos)
Captivating performance of Rimsky-Korsakov’s enchanting Christmas opera [CRo]
Kapsberger: Il Tedesco (Harmonia Mundi)
Kapsperger’s vocal oeuvre is very well served here [JV]
Classical Piano Concertos (Tudor)
A staple Mozart concerto joined by two rarities [JW]
Rameau: Zoroastre (Alpha)
The original version of Zoroastre, substantially different from the usually performed revision, superbly presented here [RWe]
Schulhoff: Shapeshifter (Delos)
A great introduction to the achievement of an unjustifiably less well-known composer [JF]
Szymanowski: Stabat Mater (Orfeo)
Penderecki’s Dies Irae is frighteningly powerful, but Szymanowski’s Stabat Mater is given an underwhelming performance [SW]
Lisette Oropesa (soprano) Arias (Pentatone)
A delight from start to finish [MC]
Handel: Messiah (Eboracum)
Overall, an accomplished and enjoyable performance of Messiah [JQ]
Mahler: Symphonies 1-9 (BR Klassik)
Clarity, flexibility, detail and beautiful playing here but inconsistent as a set; some symphonies are superlative, others lack excitement [RMo]
Fanny Mendelssohn: Das Jahr (Danacord)
A powerful work of considerable creative strength and technical proficiency [JF]
Mozart & Salieri: Requiem (Chateau Versailles)
A very interesting pairing on a single CD but the performance achieves mixed results [MP]
Paray: Piano Works Vol. 2 (Ciar)
Attractively conceived music, well played [SG]
Tudor Church Music (Tudor)
A reissue devoted to a director and choir less well remembered for their early music recordings [JW]
Wolf: Christmas Cantatas (CPO)
Another major step towards a reassessment of Wolf’s oeuvre [JV]
Van Cliburn in Moscow (RCA)
Fine performances somewhat compromised by indifferent sound [RMo]
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