Romantic Songs – So tief im Abendrot (Hänssler Classic)
Disappointingly inadequate performances of Lieder arrangements, neither necessary nor desirable [PT]
Jakub Józef Orliński (countertenor): Beyond (Erato)
A captivating 17th century programme [DF]
Eck: Violin concertos (cpo)
Soaring lyricism from Mozart’s contemporary [JW]
Adrift (TRPTK)
Beautiful hidden gems from the clarinet trio repertoire [JF]
Charpentier & Desmarest: Te Deum (Alpha Classics)
Even if one does not need another Charpentier’s Te Deum, Desmarest’s setting deserves attention [JV]
A Room of Her Own (Chandos)
The Neave Trio charm us in this collection of rarities [RCh]
Saint-Saëns: Organ music (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) An excellent opportunity to move beyond the familiar [JF]
Scarlatti: Sonatas (BIS)
(Déjà Review) A pianist to watch out for, and a recording that need not fear critical listening [ED]
Wagner: Die Feen (Orfeo)
A very fine cast and excellent sound makes this a decent version of Wagner’s difficult first opera [MP]
Tchaikovsky & Korngold: String Sextets (Hyperion)
Two great Romantic string sextets played with the Nash Ensemble’s usual brilliance [NB]
Rossini: Elisabetta, Regina d’Inghilterra (Naxos)
Rossini’s rarely performed Elizabethan opera is given a lacklustre performance in the latest in Naxos’s Rossini Wildbad series [PT]
Adila Fachiri and Marie Soldat (violin): (Biddulph)
Fachiri, Tovey and Soldat: historic recordings freighted with significance [JW]
Delius: Eine Messe des Lebens (LAWO Classics)
An outstanding recording of Eine Messe des Lebens [JQ]
Beethoven: Complete Piano Trios (Bridge Records)
Excellent performances, engaging and rewarding [SG]
Rimsky-Korsakov & Stravinsky: Scheherazade, Song of the Nightingale (Sony Classical)
(Déjà Review) Sumptuous, exciting and wonderfully sensuous [IL]
Raff: String Quartets 6 & 7 (cpo)
(Déjà Review) A talented and wholly convincing composer, able to adapt classical principles and romantic ends [TB}
Gál: Concertinos (Hännsler Classic)
A fine addition to Gál’s discography [WK]
Tchaikovsky: Orchestral works (Chandos)
A very well played anthology of what is not Tchaikovsky’s most memorable or celebrated music [RMo]
Hermann: Complete Surviving Music Vol. 3 (Toccata Classics)
A fitting finale to the three-volume Hermann series; a carousel of small pleasures [JW]
Weber: Oberon (RCA)
Weber’s magical score is lovingly presented on this fine set [MP]
Prokofiev: Alexander Nevsky (Vox)
Splendid performances on this Vox reissue, but the Lt. Kije Suite is the less popular vocal version [RC]
Un air d’Italie: the mandolin in Paris in the 18th century (Arcana)
No-one with a fondness for the mandolin should miss this engaging disc [GPu]
Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli (piano) Mozart & Beethoven (Music & Arts)
A must-hear for Michelangeli fans, and indeed for all lovers of great pianism [CC]
Poulenc, Duruflé & Alain: Organ Works (Apex)
An imaginatively planned programme, performed with dedication and total accomplishment [GPJ]
