Draeseke: Piano Works (Naxos)
A must for the fans of romantic piano [RCh]
Debussy: Piano Music Vol 5 (BIS)
The final disc of a wonderful cycle [CH]
Beethoven: Fidelio (Profil)
Defying its sixty-six years the sound quality of Keilberth’s Fidelio is certainly remarkable for its age [MC]
Heise: Complete String Quartets (Dacapo)
Ticks all of the boxes [DC]
Wagner: Tristan und Isolde (C Major)
A fine achievement which is decidedly more than the sum of its parts [MP]
Schumann: Violin Concerto (Pentatone)
Midori makes a compelling case for Schumann’s neglected violin concerto [MC]
Martinů: Symphonies (Deutsche Grammophon)
A Martinů symphony cycle for the ages [DJB]
Farrenc: Nonet & Brahms: Serenade No. 1 (Centaur)
(Déjà Review) Buy it for the curiosity of the “Brahms Nonet”; stay for the warmth and wit of Louise Farrenc [BR]
Beethoven: Diabelli Variations (Harmonia Mundi)
(Déjà Review) Further enhances Paul Lewis’s reputation as a leading Beethoven interpreter [JQ]
Bach: Keyboard Works (Hyperion)
(Déjà Review) A truly valuable and life enhancing collection [DC]
Beethoven: Violin Sonatas 3 and 9 (Signum Classics)
(Déjà Review) This stunning Onyx release can compete with the very best [MC]
de Wert: Nono Libro de Madrigali 1588 (Glossa)
An impressive display of the art of Giaches de Wert [JV]
Godowsky & Stravinsky: Piano Music (Rubicon Classics)
An ambitious debut: both virtuosity and thoughtfulness in a fascinating Javanese-inspired suite. [ACG]
John Shirley-Quirk (baritone) English Song Anthology (Heritage)
John Shirley-Quirk’s definitive English recital [JF]
The Leipzig Collegium Musicum Volume 1: Music Before Bach (Pentatone)
An interesting start to a potentially valuable series [DJB]
Myaskovsky: Symphonies No.24-25 (Northern Flowers)
Myaskovsky’s symphonic brace that prioritises expansive tempi [JW]
Rangström: Kronbruden (Sterling)
A fine first recording of Rangström’s most important opera [WK]
Stevens: Orchestral Music Vol. 3 (Toccata Classics)
A very welcome triptych of releases [PRJ]
Noskowski: Piano Music 5 (Acte Préalable)
An engaging addition to the survey of Noskowski’s piano output [RCh]
Dale & Bowen: Piano Works (Hyperion)
(Déjà Review) Add this to your British piano collection without reservation [JW]
Beethoven: Fidelio (Decca)
(Déjà Review) This Fidelio will surely be one of the most important releases of 2011 [JQ]
Peter Donohoe (piano): The Chopin I Love (Somm Recordings)
Delivers all of the pianism and musical depth for which one could ask [DC]
Bruckner: Symphonies No 4 & 7 (Warner Classics)
Monumental, spiritual performances [DF]
Shostakovich: Symphonies No 6 & 9 (Challenge Classics)
Two of Shostakovich’s most subversive symphonies, brilliantly played and sharply characterised [NB]
