Richard Strauss: Ein Heldenleben, Don Juan (Evil Penguin Classic)
Compromised accounts do not displace classic versions [RMay]
Mahler & Gunning: Symphonies (Colorado MahlerFest)
An excellent Mahler performance and the premiere of an impressive new symphony [JQ]
Donizetti: Roberto Devereux (Naxos)
The cast as a whole makes this the best set so far [GF]
Telemann: Ino (cpo)
Telemann’s dramatic cantata “Ino” alongside an attractive selection of his opera arias [CRo]
Getty: Goodbye, Mr. Chips (Pentatone)
A touching opera, finely sung, permeated by deep humanity [GF]
Sibelius: Symphonies 6 & 7 (Alpha Classics)
Superb accounts of Sibelius’ last two symphonies put the seal on a triumphantly successful series [RMo]
Schumann, Brahms: Love Songs (C Major)
A Lieder masterclass, seen and heard from the best seat in the Musikverein [RWe]
Saimir Pirgu (tenor): Saimir (Opus Arte)
A recital of popular mostly verismo arias, but the singing leaves a great deal to be desired [PT]
Weill: The Seven Deadly Sins (LSO Live)
A collection of vivid performances of music by Kurt Weill [JQ]
Bach: Three Cantatas (Erato)
(Déjà Review) A mature artist who patently comprehends the beauty and purity of the music [MMB]
Anderson: Orchestral Music Vol. 5 (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) Undeservedly neglected light music [IL]
Stanley: Complete Flute Sonatas (Brilliant Classics)
Fine performances of neglected flute sonatas [JV]
Hugues: Works for Flute and Piano (Tactus)
Hugues is not a ‘lost’ great, but this disc shows his best pieces are worthy of rediscovery [GPu]
Bizet: Carmen (Pristine Audio)
Pristine Audio newly preserves Le Conte’s achievement in making Carmen as crisp and light as a freshly made churro [MP]
Nelson Freire (piano): The SWR Recordings (SWR)
Mining the archive produces gold from Nelson Freire [PH]
Brahms: Piano Trio No 1 & Schoenberg: Verklärte Nacht (Rubicon)
Beautifully played chamber works by Brahms and Schoenberg [MC]
Bruckner: From the Archives, Vol 6 (SOMM Ariadne)
The conclusion of a most rewarding series of archive Bruckner recordings [JQ]
Schubert: Symphony No 9 & Mendelssohn: Die Schöne Melusina (Elatus)
(Déjà Review) A stunning classic recording, reissued in a sensible pairing – a must-have! [PSh]
Janáček: Jenufa (Erato)
(Déjà Review) A fine record of a great series of performances, particularly memorable for Karita Mattila in the title role and the playing of the Royal Opera House Orchestra [RH]
Strohl: Musique de chambre (La Boîte à Pépites)
A seriously impressive set in every respect [JQ]
Auber: Overtures Vol 7 (Naxos)
One of the best entries so far in this enterprising series [RMay]
French Piano Trios (Hänssler Classic)
The obvious enjoyment in playing together here results in committed performances that delight the ear [SA]
Szymanowski: Collection (Diapason)
Szymanowski fans should snap up these classic recordings [SB]