Lincke: Frau Luna (cpo)
A rare example of German operetta, well performed but flawed yet again by inadequate documentation [PCG]
More Bach (Challenge Classics)
Vibrant and energetic performances, a standout Third Brandenburg, but the disc is underfilled [DJB]
Sibelius: The Tempest (Naxos)
Okko Kamu gives voice to one of Sibelius’s most enigmatic utterances [RB]
Mozart: Symphonies 34-36 (Hänssler Classic)
Symphonies 34 and 35 get entertainingly fresh, well balanced, focussed and detailed accounts but Symphony 36 is less secure [MG]
Stevenson: Piano Music Volume Six (Toccata Classics)
Another strong entrant in an excellent series of recordings from Toccata [MSt]
Castro & Ponce: Conciertos Románticos (Cedille)
Two rarely recorded piano concertos, well worth investigating [EJW]
MacMillan: Seven Last Words from the Cross, Te Deum (Hyperion)
(Déjà Review) Seven Last Words makes a profound impression; a masterpiece [JQ]
Mozart: …che cosa è amor… (Warner Classics)
(Déjà Review) I have derived much pleasure from this disc and I expect many opera lovers will like it too [GF]
Vladigerov: Stage Music (Capriccio)
Instantly captivating – to date the most desirable of the seven Vladigerov Capriccio sets [RB]
The Synthetists Revisited (Naxos)
Band music by a group of Belgian composers, worth repeated hearing [HC]
Oscar Shumsky (violin): Live at Berkeley (Biddulph)
Shumsky in a previously unreleased recital – a magnificent violinist with an admirable pianist [JW]
Moment of Eternity (Genuin)
A beautifully executed programme of solo piano music that has identity as its theme and its concealment behind masks [MSt]
Handel: Cleofida, Königin von Indien (cpo)
Enriches the Händel discography and provides insight into Telemann’s talents as an arranger [DF]
Karl Böhm (conductor): The SWR Recordings (SWR Classic)
A rewarding collection [GT]
Gounod: Faust (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) Some of the most glorious tenor singing ever recorded [GF]
JS Bach: The Keyboard Concertos Vol. 2 (Hyperion)
(Déjà Review) Bach performances to cherish [CH]
Carnival (Priory)
A balanced and unusual programme which also displays the tonal richness of an organ still little known. [MSt]
Willem Mengelberg (conductor) Concertgebouw Telefunken Recordings Vol. 3 (Pristine Audio)
Another first-rate addition to Pristine’s Mengelberg Telefunken series [PSt]
Leopolitanus: Musica liturgica (CD Accord)
An interesting and musically compelling document which sheds light on Poland’s musical past [JV]
Mascagni: L’amico Fritz (Dynamic)
A very good way to discover the attractions of Mascagni’s second opera [RWe]
The First Songs of Travel (Albion)
A 1950s English song recital restored; excellent remastering but stylistically uncertain [JW]
Handel: Serse (Linn)
Highlights the variety of Handel’s invention and showcases a superb lead singer [RMo]
Bizet: Carmen (DG)
(Déjà Review) A great evening at the opera, crowned by Grace Bumbry’s great performance of Carmen [CH]
Liszt: Complete Piano Music Vol 22 (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) Excellent recording, excellent Liszt playing, at times verging upon the legendary [PSh]
