Alison Balsom (trumpet) Concertos (Warner Classics)
Glorious tone – top of the class [DJB]
Janácek, Brahms, Bartók: Violin Sonatas (Alpha Classics)
Two firecracker performers strike a storm of sparks off one another [DMD]
Poulenc: Piano Works (Danacord Records)
Affectionate, elegant and sophisticated performances [JF]
Adès: The Dante Project (Opus Arte)
A triumphantly achieved Royal Ballet production can now be watched at home [RMay]
Brussels Trio Sonatas (Et’cetera)
An interesting production, because of the repertoire and the instruments of the performers [JV]
Vaughan Williams: Symphonies 7 & 9 (Hyperion)
A fine conclusion to Martyn Brabbins’ distinguished Vaughan Williams symphony cycle [JQ]
Puccini: Turandot (Warner Classics)
A fine entry to the Turandot discography with the original conclusion by Alfano [LD]
Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier (Nimbus Records)
A recording that romantic era piano fanciers will have to have [PGW]
Alkan: Piano Concerto (Naxos)
A recording that romantic era piano fanciers will have to have [RB]
Henley: Piano Works (Bridges Records)
Variety, not uniformity: drama, quiet lives and noble protest [RB]
Music for Strings (Chandos)
An absolutely outstanding disc containing some of the best of English string music [EJW]
Vaughan Williams: Live Vol. 4 (SOMM Recordings)
More treasures lovingly restored – but without the revelations of the earlier volumes [NB]
Sibelius: Lemminkäinen Legends (Forgotten Records)
A strong performance, if sometimes tending towards literalness [PBW]
Lovesick (Signum Classics)
Lovely love songs, best taken in small doses for maximum effect [GF]
Tchaikovsky: Iolanta/Stravinky: Mavra (Bayerische Staatsoper)
A marriage made in hell does no favours to either partner – perhaps we might hope for a divorce? [PCG]
Brahms: Symphony 1, Alto Rhapsody (Dutton)
(Déjà Review) A must have for all historical devotees [GFe]
Gomes: Salvator Rosa (Regis)
(Déjà Review) One can but thank Dorset Opera for their enterprise [CF]
The Monteverdi Organ (Brilliant Classics)
Groundbreaking from the perspective of performance practice [JV]
Havergal Brian: Symphonies No. 8, 9, 22, 24 (Heritage)
Brilliant re-masterings of superb, and possibly definitive, recordings [JF]
Netzel, Sandström, Tarrodi: Piano Concerti (BIS)
A master pianist in music written for (and by) him – a voyage of discovery [WH]
Lipkin: Piano Works (Lyrita)
Not especially tough or unforgiving yet exerts a spell that stirs the heart and the mind [RB]
A Tribute to Pauline Viardot (Aparté)
Viotti’s range and diction are to be admired [MC]
Bach: Goldberg Variations (Hyperion)
(Déjà Review) A reference disc for these timeless variations for many years to come [GFe]