Pärt: Complete Symphonies (Chandos)
Compelling music of surprising variety from a composer many listeners will think they know [WH]
Kauder: Chamber Music Volume 1 (Toccata Classics)
The string sonatas of an intriguing Viennese figure [JW]
Alexander Malofeev (piano) – Forgotten Melodies (Sony Classical)
Bravura playing of a brilliantly constructed programme compromised by claustrophobic sound [NB]
Puccini: Tosca (Naxos)
This latest version of the perennial favourite is dramatically convincing, if not always quite adequate vocally [DJa]
Bonis: Orchestral Works (cpo)
Pretty, but ultimately rather shallow music, not a patch on her chamber works [DJB]
Cilea & Longo: Chamber Music (Tactus)
Unusual light shone on two composers not known for chamber composition [JW]
Sibelius: Violin Concerto (Alpha Classics)
A really impressive, beautifully balanced partnership resulting in a memorable account of Sibelius’ wonderful concerto paired with a superb Lemminkäinen Suite [RMo]
Strauss: Salome & Elektra (Pristine Audio)
Straussian excellence from seven decades ago silences any of the more recent competition [MP]
Garro & Guerrero: Choral Music (Delphian)
A fine celebration of Portuguese polyphony [DC]
Baroque German Bass Cantatas (cpo)
(Déjà Review) Cantatas by completely unknown German composers of the early 18th century – music and performances of high quality [JV]
Dallapiccola: Orchestral Works Vol 1 (Chandos)
(Déjà Review) Superb performances and recordings of works from an important decade in Dallapiccola’s composing life [HC]
JL Adams: Horizon (ABC Classics)
John Luther Adams continues to amaze in his first work since his move to Australia [DHa]
Vivaldi: Gloria; Mozart: Exsultate, jubilate (Forgotten Records)
(Déjà Review) Deeply satisfying [GF]
Walton: String Quartets (Chandos)
(Déjà Review) Thoroughly enjoyable, and I’m sure I will return to it often [MC]
Albares. Latin American Trumpet Concertos (Onyx)
Three contrasting works allow Flores to demonstrate his considerable talents [DJB]
Dzenītis: Symphonies No.1-2 (Skani)
Wide-open spaces rising to crests of belligerence [RB]
Bruckner: Mass No.1, Psalm 146 (High Definition Tape Transfers)
Two major choral works, magnificently recorded [WK]
Bach: Goldberg Variations (Genuin)
A strange reading, alternately irritating and delightful, marred by occasional self-conscious idiosyncrasies [RMo]
Schütz: Geistliche Chor-Music (Carus)
(Déjà Review) A splendid recording … blends care and precision with a broad musicality [MS]
Aga Mikolaj sings Strauss & Mozart: Songs (cpo)
(Déjà Review) Mikolaj certainly deserves to be heard alongside the greats [Byz]
Andrei Gavrilov (piano): Complete Warner Classics Recordings (Warner Classics)
Gavrilov’s ups and downs charted in his EMI (now Warner) legacy [JW]
Biber: Harmonia artificioso-ariosa (Accent)
The scordatura tuning takes some time to adjust to, but Biber’s wonderful invention makes it well worth the effort [DJB]
Sebastian Berner (trumpet): French Trumpet Concertos (Channel Classics)
Berner stands in the elite tradition of an André or an Aubier [RB]
French Orchestral Favourites (Chandos)
70 minutes of bon-bons beautifully played and well contrasted [RMo]
