Dean: Concertos and Orchestral Works (LPO)
Seven atmospheric pieces by Australian composer Brett Dean, wonderfully played by the London Philharmonic Orchestra [KT]
R Strauss: Tone Poems (Gramola)
A re-release of three great recordings on a different label, whose raison d’être eludes me… [RMo]
Otmar Suitner (conductor): Live in Leningrad 1963 (Profil)
I cannot make a convincing case for this double set of live recordings conducted by Otmar Suitner [MC]
Szymon Nehring (piano): Minimalist (IBS Classical)
A richly varied collection of loosely minimalist works [PRJ]
Mendelssohn: Elijah (LSO Live)
A fine, dramatic, beautifully sung live recording headed by Finley’s noble Elijah [RMo]
Smetana: Orchestral works (SOMM Recordings)
A valuable archive bicentenary tribute to Bedřich Smetana [JQ]
Lutosławski: Symphony No 3 & 4 (Sony Classical)
(Déjà Review) If you missed the earlier opportunities to acquaint yourself with these towering statements you should do so now, without delay [JW]
Rubbra: Violin Concerto, Improvisations (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) Makes me want to seek out more music by this composer and these performers. Should definitely be added to your collection [KS]
Kenneth MacMillan’s Manon: (Opus Arte)
An outstanding performance marks the 50th birthday of MacMillan’s great ballet [RMay]
Alfred Brendel (piano) Busoni, Bach & Liszt (APR)
Admirers of Brendel will be glad to have these legendary recordings [SB]
Bendix: Symphonies Nos 1 & 3 (Dacapo)
Insights that reveal qualities in the music unimagined in earlier recordings [NB]
Nesbit: Nativity (Delphian)
Inventive, interesting and accessible music, displaying an original approach to Christmas music [JQ]
Kapustin: Orchestral works (Capriccio)
Notated Jazz from the master of the art, Nikolai Kapustin, performed by his leading exponent [JW]
Mozart: Fantasy (Naïve)
A disc of happy surprises with playing throughout that evinces warmth and sensitivity [SG]
Smyth, Beach & Spain-Dunk: String Quartets (Lorelt)
I cannot remember a record I’ve enjoyed more this year or one I felt compelled to listen to time after time [SA]
Telemann: Recorder sonatas & fantasias (Apex)
A worthy testimony to the art of Frans Brüggen [JV]
Dvořák: Cello Concerto (Sony Classical)
A moving and timely disc, Dvořák’s matchless concerto stands alongside short works by Ukrainian composers [WH]
Puccini: Messa di Gloria (BR Klassik)
A good account of some of Puccini’s youthful works which is not necessarily an improvement on Pappano’s rival version [RMo]
Paris est une fête (Fuga Libera)
Paris, Pelléas, Party – a winning trio in this sparkling collection [RCh]
Songs from the North of Ireland (Delphian)
Wholesome songs from two Ulsterwomen of lyric, and folkloric, gifts [JW]
News of Great Joy: Christmas from St John’s College, Oxford (Resonus)
An enjoyable, thoughtfully prepared Christmas album [JQ]
Monteverdi: L’Orfeo (Château de Versailles)
L’Orfeo with a difference, especially in instrumental colour and dramatic projection [RWe]
Berg, Janáček & Hartmann: Violin Concertos (Apex)
(Déjà Review) One of the stronger Warner Apex CDs. By all means buy it to play straight through and enjoy the stimulation of the juxtaposition of the music of these three composers [CC]
Vaughan Williams: Film Music, Vol 1 (Chandos)
(Déjà Review) Thrilling, evocative performances captured in the best Chandos sound. Especially important for presenting the full score of Scott of the Antarctic [IL]
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