Mahler: Symphony No 9 (High Definition Tape Transfers and Pristine Audio)
Two highly successful remasterings of a great, highly individual and even idiosyncratic recording – but Pristine take the palm [RMo]
Aline van Barentzen (piano) Radio Archives Edition (Meloclassic)
An absolute feast of piano recordings that greatly expands our knowledge of a pianist who has been very undeservedly forgotten [RCh]
While The Night Falls (Levin Studios)
An unusual disc of modern chamber music, but highly approachable [GF]
MacMillan: Chamber Music (Black Box)
(Déjà Review) A comprehensive survey of the chamber music, superbly played [HC]
J C Bach: Complete Symphonies (cpo)
(Déjà Review) Brings to fruition a marvellous eight year project in one well presented box. Playing is excellent. A chance to reappraise the work of an underrated composer [JL]
Bliss conducts Bliss (Pristine Audio)
Two important works, well performed under the baton of the composer [JF]
Williams: Orchestral Works (Resonus)
A programme full of attractive and highly imaginative music which is well worth getting to know [JQ]
Bach: Goldberg variations (Azure Sky)
Well played but very closely and reverberantly recorded, and somewhat anonymous, while the absence of repeats makes it sound truncated [RMo]
Śmietański: Chamber Music (Acte Préalable)
The trio is certainly worthy of your time and attention, the sonata less so [RHa]
Christine Walevska (cello) The Beauty and the Bow (Rhine Classics)
The admirable cellist Christine Walevska traced over 50 years of performances and recordings [JW]
Donizetti: L’aio nell’imbarazzo (Naxos)
Not a forgotten masterwork but an early comedy worth rescuing from almost total oblivion for 200 years [GF]
Schubert: Winterreise (Orchid Classics)
An extraordinary recording debut: a self-accompanied recording of Winterreise which proves to be much more than just a gimmick [PT]
Grainger: The Warriors (Cala)
(Déjà Review) High excitement, earthy vitality and superbly recorded sound [MC]
The Charm of the Lyre-Guitar (Brilliant Classics)
A disc which evokes a significant cultural phenomenon from Napoleonic France [GPu]
Endless Fascination: The life and work of Thomas Pitfield (Forsyth Brothers)
A fitting tribute to a remarkable polymath [JF]
Donizetti: Grand Seigneur – Baritone Arias (Dynamic)
A valuable collection of rarely heard scenes from Donizetti’s operas [GF]
Zelenka: Missa Gratias agimus tibi, Vesper music (Carus)
Another testimony to Zelenka’s brilliance [JV]
Beethoven: Symphonies 1 & 5 (Janus Classics)
Clean, crisp, immediate interpretations, very well restored and remastered [RMo]
Machaut: A lover’s death (Hyperion)
Achieved is the glorious work: The Orlando Consort sign off from Machaut [PH]
Mussorgsky & Rachmaninov: Piano Works (Navis Classics)
A valuable re-release by any standards [DC]
Delius: Florida Suite, Paris, Brigg Fair (Warner Classics)
(Déjà Review) These are gorgeous performances and recordings of Delius favourites played unaffectedly yet con molto amore [RB]
Lehár: Symphonic Works, Piano Sonatas & 39 Lieder (cpo)
This very well-produced collection will appeal to those who enjoy Lehár’s operettas [EJW]
Torroba: La Voz De La Guitarra (BIS)
Original works for guitar, masterfully played [ZT]
Busoni: Doktor Faust (Naxos)
A new recording of Busoni’s operatic masterpiece which falls short of expectations in a number of aspects [PCG]