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]
Vivaldi: The Four Seasons for violin & guitar (Evil Penguin)
A very familiar route, that leads to a totally new musical experience [ZT]
Carl Schuricht in New York (Archipel)
Schuricht leads the Vienna orchestra with surety and command [JW]
Paer: Sofonisba (Opera Rara)
A wholly admirable performance of a significant opera composer who was active immediately before Rossini [RJF]
Teatro La Fenice Opera Collection Vol 1 (Dynamic)
A mixed bag of operatic performances from La Fenice contains some unexpected riches, but the choice of repertoire is unusual [PCG]
Schütz: Wehnachtshistorie (Ricercar)
A valuable compilation, in excellent performances and sound [RWe]
Bennett: Orchestral Works Vol 5 (Chandos)
Another album of discovery in Chandos’ ongoing survey of R R Bennett [PH]
Haydn: Symphonies Vols 32-35 (Hänssler Classic)
An appetising collection of unfamiliar Haydn symphonies in unsurpassed performances [PBW]
Smaldone: What no one else sees … (New Focus)
Thrilling contemporary music with strong jazz influences [GF]
Bliss conducts Bliss (Pristine Audio)
Bliss conducts excellent recordings of two of his major works, refreshed in fine transfers [JQ]
Ligeti: Ligeti Project Vol 1-3 (Teldec)
(Déjà Review) A beguiling combination of clarity and sheer weirdness. Whether a Ligeti fan or not, heartily recommended – a rare sonic experience! [TH]
Martinů: Julietta (Supraphon)
(Déjà Review) Surreal music drama defying operatic convention, illuminated by Martinů’s gorgeous yet poetically fastidious palette [RB]
Bestiary on Ivory (Bridge)
Very well performed and recorded, this disc should be heard by all who love the repertoire of the piano [GPu]
Aline van Barentzen (piano) Radio Archives Edition (Meloclassic)
Pianophiles will warmly embrace this latest addition to the Meloclassic roster [SG]
Beethoven: Piano Concertos (Pristine Audio)
Classic concerti in vintage stereo from Rudolf Firkušný [PH]
G Williams: Missa Cambrensis (Lyrita)
A compelling and profound work in a very fine premiere recording [JQ]
Grace Williams’s Missa Cambrensis: An interview with conductor Adrian Partington
by John Quinn
Wurmser: Piano Works (Hortus)
A near-forgotten man of French music reappears with a piano retrospective [JW]