Silvestrov: Piano Works (Le Palais des Dégustateurs)
Performances that can turn the abstract towards the poetic, and simplicity into sophistication [DC]
Verdi: Requiem (Cleveland Orchestra)
A subtle, rather than spine-chilling performance, with a mixed bag of soloists [DJa]
Wranitzky: Symphonies Op.35 (cpo)
First recordings of some fine but rare Classical symphonies in excellent performances [GH]
Finzi: The Dance Continued (Signum Classics)
An outstanding Finzi recital [JQ]
Bruckner: Symphony No.7 arr. for organ (Hänssler Classic)
A splendid arrangement for organ of Bruckner’s Seventh Symphony, vibrant and thrilling [RMo]
Loriod: Trois pièces; Messiaen: Visions de l’Amen (Alpha Classics)
The revelation of Yvonne Loriod’s own music recasts from within her partnership with Messiaen [CAE]
Loesser: Guys and Dolls (Chandos)
These Guys and Dolls provide great entertainment [JQ]
Mendelssohn, Rabl & Fibich: Piano Trios (Supraphon)
Of particular interest for the relative rarities, and a good Mendelssohn as well [DJB]
Mathias: Piano Concerti; Vaughan Williams: Fantasy (SOMM Recordings)
(Déjà Review) Rewarding revelations that beckon the listener to return [RB]
Mahler: Symphony No.3; Debussy: La Mer (ICA Classics)
(Déjà Review) The first official release of Mitropoulos’s mighty vision of Mahler’s Third [JQ]
Mozart: Piano Concertos 20 & 27 (Decca)
(Déjà Review) An outstanding CD by one of the greatest Mozart players of our time, beautifully recorded [PBW]
Lutoslawski: Opera Omnia, Vol 3 (CD Accord)
(Déjà Review) The gold standard for these works [DC]
Heavenly Lights: Mustonen & Kodály (Alpha Classics)
A unique programme and terrific performances [LW]
Ravel: Orchestral Works (OUR Recordings)
Competent, essentially rather prosaic, Ravel, without quite the requisite release or elation in the two central works [RMo]
Mahler: Symphony No 2 ‘Auferstehungssinfonie’ (BR Klassik)
An exciting and distinguished release [JQ]
Elgar & Dvořák: Cello Concertos (Hyperion)
A master cellist takes a new look at two favourite concertos [WH]
Janáček: Orchestral Works (Reference Recordings)
(Déjà Review) A fine introduction to Janáček’s orchestral music and at budget price [LW][RB]
Edwards & Sibelius: Violin Concertos (Canary Classics)
(Déjà Review) An exceptional Sibelius concerto, and a very enjoyable coupling [NB]
Puccini: Turandot (Decca)
Decca’s Turandot, newly remastered, is a magnificent achievement [JQ]
Johann Strauss II: Perpetuum mobile (BR Klassik)
Good performances with an offbeat “bonus” [RMay]
Järvi Conducts Shostakovich (Chandos)
A jewel-in-the-crown souvenir of Neeme Järvi’s astonishingly fruitful relationship with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra [SGa]
Schubert: Symphonies 8 & 9 (Recursive Classics)
A superb double-bill of Schubert’s last two symphonies which trumps its predecessors in terms of sound, playing and edition [RMo]
Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier – Book I (Hyperion)
‘What will he do next?’ we ask ourselves, about music we already know back to front [DC]
Donizetti: Maria Stuarda (Naxos)
A fine effort which succeeds on almost every level [MP]
