Sibelius: The Tempest (Naxos)
Kamu has the measure of Sibelius’s complete Tempest music [LW]
Schütz: David & Salomon (harmonia mundi)
An interesting production that is marred by some serious issues [JV]
Dracula – Bite Size (Cuillin Sound Music)
A famous tale told with stylish and compelling atmosphere [DC]
Bruckner: Symphony 8 (Tobu Recordings)
A wholly viable interpretation of indestructible integrity [RMo]
The Canticle of the Sun (Regent)
An interesting programme, impressively performed [JQ]
Bacewicz: Symphonies (cpo)
Rigour and rhythmic drive somewhat leavened by folkloric elements [JW]
Bacewicz: Violinissimo (Acte Préalable)
A feast of varied music for violin(s) [GPu]
Santoro: Symphonies (Naxos)
A superb second instalment of the Santoro cycle, and a good introduction to his music [HC]
Verdi: Aida (Pristine Audio)
Pristine’s typically successful remastering into Ambient Stereo helps appreciate afresh the virtues of this classic recording [RMo]
Debussy/Ravel: String Quartets (Forgotten Records)
The Loewenguth Quartet’s stereo Debussy-Ravel coupling reissued in fine transfers [JW]
Schulhoff: Shapeshifter (Delos)
Praiseworthy performances of fascinating repertoire [MC]
Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen (Naxos)
An innovative and at times challenging production, with high calibre singing and playing [RWe]
Veggio, Ridio, Bertoldo: Complete Organ Music (Brilliant Classics)
Scandali could not have made a better choice than the oldest of the two organs in San Petronio [JV]
Malipiero: String Quartets (Dynamic)
A welcome reissue of Malipiero’s compact cycle [JW]
One Hundred Years of British Song Vol. 3 (SOMM)
Exemplary singing and sensitive accompaniment in a fascinating song recital [JF]
Bach: Cantatas for Bass (Harmonia Mundi)
Anyone wanting a HIP recording of these deservedly popular cantatas need search no further [GF]
Jonathan Tetelman (tenor) Arias (Deutsche Grammophon)
Tetelman will win many new admirers with this outstanding debut album [MC]
Beethoven: Egmont (BR Klassik)
A decent performance but no text for the narration is a hindrance [SB]
British String Quartets (Rubicon Classics)
A lovely Celtic inflected collection of rarities [DMD]
Macfarrren: The Soldier’s Legacy (Retrospect Opera)
Macfarren’s 1864 ballad-chamber-pastoral-Opera da Camera for four singers [JW]
Mignone and Delvizio: Guitar Works (Da Vinci Classics)
A striking set of guitar studies heard in an excellent performance [GPu]
La Femme – A Journey of Female Composers (Naxos)
A brilliant disc to cherish and to share [SA]
Rossini: Il barbiere di Siviglia (Pristine Audio)
Pristine delivers this classic Barbiere in an airy and better-balanced revision, free of hiss and noise [MZ]