Van der Pals: String Quartets Vol. 1 (cpo)
Gently melancholic chamber works from a less-well-remembered composer [JW]
Bruckner: Symphony No. 8 (Archipel)
A faintly disguised incarnation of Karajan’s classic first studio recording with the BPO, which has long been available on other labels in somewhat superior sound [RMo]
Schubert: Die Schöne Müllerin (Alpha Classics)
Worth hearing for the sheer beauty of Krimmel’s voice alone [DMD]
Wagner: Götterdämmerung (Decca)
A recording for the ages, revealed in full splendour in a new re-mastering [JQ]
Stanford: Songs Vol. 2 (Hyperion)
(Déjà Review) A good representation of the strength and variety of the central, most important, part of Stanford’s career [CH]
Schoenberg: Verklärte Nacht, Chamber Symphony No. 2 (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) Anyone who believes that Schoenberg is approachable only for the specialist listener should hear this disc [TB]
Beethoven: The Symphonies (Deutsche Grammophon)
Does this cycle justify its release – the answer is an enthusiastic if qualified yes [DMD]
Bruckner: Symphony No.2 (Capriccio)
Beautifully balanced between thrilling tension and lyricism despite – or because of? – the pervasively propulsive speeds [RMo]
Echoes of Bohemia: Czech Music for Wind (Chandos)
The Orsini Ensemble rises superbly to all the challenges of this colourful and attractive music [GPJ]
Nathan Milstein (violin) Mendelssohn, Bruch & Tchaikovsky (Biddulph)
The first Bruch/Mendelssohn coupling is restored, with Tchaikovsky to swell the programme [JW]
Purcell: Dido and Aeneas (Pentatone)
A colourful and dramatic performance of “The only perfect English opera” – with a modern twist [GF]
Warlock: Maltworms and Milkmaids (EM Records)
Exemplary performances and recording expose both the strengths and limitations of this elusive composer [NB]
Debussy: Night in Granada (Cala)
(Déjà Review) An important addition to the Debussy discography [IL]
Grechaninov: Symphony No.3 (Chandos)
(Déjà Review) The strongest of the Grechaninov CDs from Chandos – the cantata is a work of the greatest virtue [RB]
Puccini: Il trittico (Unitel Edition)
The superb Asmik Grigorian sings all three female leads in the generally impressive performances from the 2022 Salzburg Festival [RWe]
Haydn: Late Symphonies Vol. 1 (Naxos)
Thoroughly enjoyable “period-informed” performances of some favourite Haydn symphonies, light, witty and acerbic [RMo}
Hovhaness: Mountain Fantasies (MSR Classics)
Rites of mountainous meditation here played and recorded with eloquent muscularity [RB]
Ekaterina Siurina (soprano) Where Is My Beloved? (Delos)
Ekaterina Siurina’s voice is in mint condition, with perfectly controlled vibrato and a glowing delivery [GF]
Chopin: Robert Lortat – Complete recordings (APR)
Muscular and occasionally idiosyncratic playing from the latest discovery in APR’s French Piano School collection [RCh]
Cooke: Complete String Quartets Vol. 1 (Toccata Classics)
Warmly welcomed works by a somewhat underappreciated composer [JW]
Bottesini: Double Bass Concertos (cpo)
(Déjà Review) The performances have fire, commitment and eloquence, and will surely convince even the most sceptical of listeners [TB]
Bach: Organ Music Vol. 12 (Nimbus)
(Déjà Review) No Bach lover should be without some of Kevin Bowyer’s recordings of this perennially fascinating music [PGW]
Gounod: Faust (Malibran-Music)
A beautifully sung Faust, expertly conducted and superior to the later studio recording in everything but sound [RMo]
Fagerlund: Terral (BIS)
The latest works by the new Finnish master [SB]
