Amelita Galli-Curci (soprano): Operatic arias Vol. 1 (Nimbus Records)
A truly great lyric coloratura soprano of the early 20th century, showcased in first-rate transfers [RMo]
Dove: On the streets and in the sky (Signum Classics)
Attractive and accessible works [SB]
Malawski: Orchestral Works (Naxos)
A valuable disc of music by a composer writing at the height of the Stalinist terrors [NB]
Mozart: Piano Concerti No.17, 21 (Deutsche Grammophon)
(Déjà Review) Tremendous, life-affirming Mozart playing, marking Pollini’s welcome return to this territory [CC]
Offenbach: Romantique (Archiv Produktion)
(Déjà Review) A delightful collection, with some lesser-known material [RW]
Elgar: Symphonies Nos 1 & 2 (Hallé)
The Hallé under Sir Mark Elder demonstrates its special affinity for performing Elgar [MC]
Bach: Musikalisches Opfer (Ricercar)
A really approachable edition of A Musical Offering [JF]
Frankly Speaking with Leopold Stokowski (Somm Recordings)
A reissued BBC broadcast, two rehearsal segments in improved sound and a never-before-released BBC interview [JW]
Schumann: Symphony No 4 & Sibelius: Symphony No 1 (SWR Classic)
Masterly direction in live performances of two disparate symphonies, in which orchestral tone is not always the most opulent, but the spirit is invariably right [RMo]
Weigl: Symphony No 3, Symphonic Prelude (Capriccio)
This may appeal to those interested in the byways of Germanic composition in the early 20th century [EJW]
Roussel: Symphonies Nos 2-4 (Warner Classics)
(Déjà Review) The Cluytens-Prêtre team is formidable and allied to the lesser known, but still ardent, Dervaux you have as incisive a trio of conductors as you could wish at this price range [JW]
Granados: Goyescas Piano Suite, El Pelele (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) To put it simply, this is the finest recording of music for guitars that I have ever heard [KS]
Beethoven: Symphony No 6 & Dvořák: Slavonic Dances (Janus Classics)
Wholly satisfying performances in beautifully remastered sound featuring a somewhat neglected conductor [RMo]
British Cello Works Vol 3 (Lyrita)
Further discoveries in the British cello lineage [JW]
Glass: Complete Etudes for piano (Delphian)
Carroll’s poetic playing comes to the fore in the slower pieces [DJB]
Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique (The Cleveland Orchestra)
A considered, measured and ultimately satisfying account of the Symphonie fantastique from a legendary orchestra [PH]
Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition (Gramola)
Two classic accounts of Mussorgsky’s pictures in both the original version and Ravel’s orchestration [SB]
De Grigny: Premier Livre d’Orgue (Château de Versailles Spectacles)
De Grigny’s early death deprived future generations of a great deal his genius had to offer [SG]
Foulds: Dynamic Triptych (Warner Classics)
Sensational, often exhilarating, music, given sensational, sensitive and radiant performances [EML]
Handel: Arias (Sony Classical)
Another highly attractive addition to my already impressive collection of present-day mezzos [GF]
The Kurt Weill Album (Deutsche Grammophon)
A stylish, first-class Weill compilation [JQ]
Weber: Der Freischütz (C Major)
An extravagant, gothic horror funfest from beginning to end [MP]
Youri Egorov: Diary, or the secret notes (Private Release)
A fascinating snap-shot of an artist’s personality [SG]