Illustrazioni (Stradivarius)
A fine recording explores the renewal and variety of Italian twentieth-century piano repertoire [JW]
Pfitzner: Das Christ-Elflein (Orfeo)
Probably the most recommendable of the three recordings of Pfitzner’s Christmas tear-jerker despite its drawbacks [PCG]
Saint-Saëns: Piano Works and Transcriptions (Piano 21)
Saint-Saëns heard in a new way in a vivid and creative programme [RCh]
Foerster: Symphony 1 (Naxos)
Three enjoyable works from the less-angst ridden end of the Romantic spectrum, in fine performances [DJB]
Pianos & Orchestra (Naxos)
A unique programme very well played and recorded but of variable musical value [NB]
Vaughan Williams: Symphonies (Alto)
A fine pairing from two English conductors and orchestras, immersed in the idiom but in their very different ways [RMo]
Jascha Heifetz (violin) New York Concerts (Rhine Classics)
Heifetz fans, of which I’m one, shouldn’t hesitate [SG]
Gershwin: Fascinating Rhythm (RCA)
A welcome back to this astutely selected slice of Gershwin on Broadway [JW]
Handel: Acis and Galatea (Decca)
A thoroughly welcome reissue that enshrines many of the virtues Handelian performance in the ‘pre-authentic’ era [PCG]
Humour and Classical Music: Haydn
by David Barker
Mayr: Sacri Concentus (Challenge)
The performers are pretty much ideal advocates of Mayr’s oeuvre [JV]
Schubert: Symphony Nos 5 & 6 (Challenge)
Well-crafted accounts which would sometimes benefit from a lighter touch [MG]
Serenata (Naxos)
Graceful and charming but not at all Brazilian [DJB]
Bach: Flute Sonatas (TRPTK)
Aysha Wills is on pleasing form with this period-instrument recording of four of Bach’s flute sonatas [MC]
Bernstein: How Now, Dow Jones (RCA)
A Broadway flop takes a bow [NB]
Christian Ferras (violin) (Rhine Classics)
A 5-CD, finely upholstered salute to a great musician [JW]
Dufay: L’alta bellezza (Arcana)
This disc is my first acquaintance with Alta Bellezza, and it is a most pleasant one [JV]
Stravinsky: Symphonies (Chandos)
Superb new recordings of the Stravinsky symphonies with worthwhile extras [SB]
Igor Markevitch – Philips Legacy (Eloquence)
Recommended to all collectors of great 20th century conductors [GT]
Stradella: La Circe (Dynamic)
This recording shows that Stradella was one of the great composers of the 17th century [JV]
de Hartmann: Orchestral Works (Toccata)
Fascinating music written on an epic scale played with skill and conviction – an exciting discovery [NB]
d’Ambrosio: Violin & Piano (Brilliant)
A collected look at the charming art of salon master Alfredo d’Ambrosio [JW]
Sibelius: Symphonies 3 & 5 (Alpha)
Another winner in this series of Sibelius symphonies, suites and tone poems [RMo]
Fuoco Sacro (Naxos)
Very interesting content, marred by some sound issues and a jumpy narrative flow [DJB]
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