Britten: Les Illuminations and other Works (Alpha Classics)
A very good Britten concert [SB]
Elgar: Piano Quintet & String Quartet (Hyperion)
(Déjà Review) Striking performances of these late masterpieces [JF]
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas No 8, 17 & 23 (Warner Classics)
(Déjà Review) Outstanding performances of three favourite minor-key Beethoven sonatas [WH]
Janitsch: Symphonies & Concertos (cpo)
Janitsch’s work is ripe for discovery and revival, assisted by excellent recordings such as this [DC]
From Dennis Brain’s Library Vol 2 Plus! (MPR)
Rare and well-chosen pieces from Dennis Brain’s library and some bonuses, all beautifully played [SJG
Lopatnikoff & Juon: Piano Trios (Naxos)
The Lopatnikoff is quite a discovery [DJB]
Czerny: Sonatas for Solo Piano Vol 3 (Nimbus)
A superb addition to Martin Jones’s marvellous one-man attempt to record everything unjustly neglected [Byz]
Bartók: Piano Concertos 1-3 (Elatus)
Peerless performances, alert, alive, astounding [DM]
Woyrsch: Symphonies (cpo)
First and last symphonic efforts from Woyrsch which again show his very limited gift for melody [EJW]
Jonas Kaufmann: Magische Töne (Sony)
Kaufmann might sound like a tourist in this survey of Hungarian operetta, but it is an enjoyable indulgence [ST]
Akiho: Beneath Lighted Coffers (Reference Recordings)
Two brilliant ear-opening works that show what steel pans are capable of [PRJ]
Mozart: Symphonies (Warner Classics)
Luxuriant, emotionally stirring renditions of Mozart’s final six symphonies [DF]
Bridge: Piano Music – Volume 3 (SOMM Recordings)
(Déjà Review) A worthy part of what is a major, important project in British recorded music [JF][RB]
Bach: Keyboard Concertos (Decca)
(Déjà Review) Life-enhancing fun, and breathtakingly and movingly beautiful [DC]
Telemann: Matthäus Passion (Christophorus)
(Déjà Review) A creditable, persuasive yet less than perfect recording of Telemann’s 1730 Matthew Passion [MS]
Schmid: Chamber Music (cpo)
(Déjà Review) Perhaps Schmid is due a revival for its melodic fluency and formal coherency, if slightly lacking in invention and adventure. Worth a listen though [GD]
Biber & Aufschnaiter: Choral Music (Accent)
Superb performances of three musical treasures from Austria’s musical heritage [JV]
Rosa Franziska Maier (guitar) Scenes of Reverie (Genuin)
A seductive programme skilfully executed [ZT]
Mendelssohn: Symphonies 3 and 4 (Deutsche Grammophon)
Exuberant, big-boned, Romantic readings, far from the light classicality of other interpreters [RMo]
Chee & Ballard: Indigenous American Piano Music (Navona Records)
One of the most original piano albums I’ve heard this year: engaging, cantabile works, beautifully played. [ACG]
Berlioz: La Damnation de Faust (Challenge Classics)
(Déjà Review) A stunningly vivid live recording of what must have been an electrifying evening at the Concertgebouw [DC]
Beach: Piano Works Vol. 3 (Guild)
(Déjà Review) One of the very best piano recordings I’ve heard [DM]
Felix & Fanny Mendelssohn: Complete String Quartets (cpo)
An unusually comprehensive and rewarding set of Mendelssohn string quartets [SB]
Steiger: String quartets (Kairos)
Political music that turns its gaze inward [DHa]
