BachJS MDG92323156

J S Bach: Cantatas & Motets (MDG)

One of the best Bach recordings I have heard lately [JV]

Variations DACOCD984

Chopin Variations: Rachmaninov, Mompou & Busoni (Danacord)

Commanding performances of three works in homage to Chopin [JF]

Beethoven sonatas CDA68456

Beethoven: Piano Sonatas 3 & 29 (Hyperion)

Hamelin hits the heights with epic and fiery readings, gripping in every respect [SG]

Pipkov v2 TOCC0744

Pipkov: Complete Piano Music Vol 2 (Toccata Classics)

I have eagerly awaited Volume 2 and am thrilled to have it now as it certainly doesn’t disappoint [SA]

Martin Claves503115

Frank Martin et ses contemporains (Claves)

A complete collection of Martin’s a cappella choral works, together with some by his contemporaries, beautifully sung [SB]

Alkan Roma CC72154

Romantic Pieces for Piano (Challenge Classics)

(Déjà Review) Well-played and recommended, especially for the Alkan [DBl]

Bruckner Symph 4 Lu Jia NCPA 81620220-1

Bruckner: Symphony No 4 (NCPA Classics)

The last in this set of nine Bruckner symphonies conforms to the imposing style and impressively high standard set by its predecessors [RMo]

Stevenson Piano Works Jablonski Ondine ODE14532

Stevenson: Piano Works (Ondine)

A fantastic disc of Stevenson’s arrangements, elaborations and original pieces [JF]

Genius-Beethoven-Murtfield-Genuin-GEN24904

Beethoven: Piano Works (Genuin)

Ulrich Roman Murtfeld is totally in command of, and enthused by, the music [MG]

R Strauss Mahler Songs Payere Pentatone PTC5187201

Strauss: Ein Heldenleben & Mahler: Rückert-Lieder (Pentatone)

An interesting Strauss/Mahler coupling from early in 2024 which slipped through the reviewers’ net [PH]

Rihm Jakob Lenz Mannheim Oehms OC981

Rihm: Jakob Lenz (Oehms Classics)

A good performance of an uningratiating work [SB]

Matthew Matin Sacred Choral Linn CKD743

Matthew Martin: Masses, Canticles, Motets (Linn)

This disc shows why Matthew Martin has achieved such a strong reputation in the field of English church music [JQ]

O Dolcezze Amarissime Fineline FL72419

O Dolcezze Amarissime: Madrigali, Ricercari and Canzoni Strumentali (Fineline)

These performances offer a different perspective on the genre of the madrigal [JV]

Torke Percussion Concerto Currie Alsop Naxos 8.559167

Torke: Rapture, An American Abroad and Jasper (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) An excellent introduction to the sound world of Michael Torke. Minimalism with a difference [NH]

bruckner symphony ncpa

Bruckner: Symphony No 5 (NCPA Classics)

Another grand, weighty, live account from the NCPA of Bruckner’s most hieratic symphony, beautifully played and engineered [RMo]

corelli flute da vinci

Corelli ajusté à la flûte traversière (Da Vinci Classics)

Every lover of Baroque music will be delighted to listen to Corelli à la française [JV]

bellini norma divina

Bellini: Norma (Divina Records)

Simply one of the greatest ‘bel canto’ performances on record [MBu]

sun forest sibelius vernon

Sun Forest Lake (Candle Row Press)

A perceptive study of Sibelius and his key orchestral works [JQ]

fred jorden 2l

Fred over jorden (Peace to the World) (2L)

Something rather special [DC]

ormandy philadelphia pristine

Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra – The Early Years Vol. 5 (Pristine Audio)

Excellent restorations of Ormandy’s ‘World’s Greatest Music’ recordings of the late-30s [JW]

Quilter Songs CHAN20332

Quilter: Go, Lovely Rose (Chandos)

A fine recital of songs is a welcome addition to the Quilter discography [PT]

kats-chernin swans abc

Kats-Chernin: Wild Swans (ABC Classics)

(Déjà Review) Future listeners will wonder how music of this quality could possibly have escaped their attention [ZT]

Bruckner: The Symphonies (Naxos)

A superb contribution to the anniversary celebrations: original interpretation, fine playing, good sound and outstanding documentation [RWe]

Dvořák: Symphonies 5 & 6 (Melbourne Symphony Orchestra)

Fresh, vital, exuberant, strikingly energetic and authentic performances [RMo]