Brahms: A German Requiem (Antal Doráti Society)
A dull, turgid account of Brahms’ Requiem which fails to engage the listener’s interest [RMo]
JS Bach: The Well Tempered Clavier Book II (Pentatone)
Somewhat idiosyncratic, and not a recording that filled me with joy [DC]
Pierre-Laurent Aimard – Homage a Messiaen (Deutsche Grammophon)
(Déjà Review) A very special disc indeed [CC]
Saint-Saëns: Complete Works for Cello and Orchestra (Hänssler Classic)
(Déjà Review) A fruitful emotional encounter with Saint-Saëns [MC]
Vittorio Forte (piano) Volver (Mirare)
A vibrant and vivid exploration of Latin American piano [RCh]
Karol Mossakowski: The Organ of Saint-Sulpice (Aeolus)
Mossakowski traces a century of French organ mastery [JF]
Theodorakis: Orchestral Works (Genuin)
A rare chance to become acquainted with one of the most fascinating, if controversial, of Greek composers [GH]
Nenov: Piano Works (CRD Records)
Diminutive scores yet grand in expressive compass – deeply serious, folksy, sumptuously expressive [RB]
van Gilse: Sulamith & Der Kreis des Lebens (cpo)
Succulent and approachable early 20th century romantic rarities [DC]
Schwarz: Piano Works Vol. 1 (Danacord)
Rediscovery of elegant, virtuosic piano treasures [JF]
Puccini: Messa di Gloria (Naxos)
An attractive collection of Puccini’s non-operatic juvenilia, performed in spirited fashion [RMo]
Strauss: Eine Alpensinfonie (Ondine)
Good but hardly essential accounts of music for which we already have so many great recordings [RMo]
Bass Clarinet Concertos of the 21st century (Toccata)
The bass clarinet turns out to be a very viable concerto soloist [SB]
Franck & Widor: Works for organ and orchestra (CPO)
An excellent new version of Franck’s Op. 17 [DC]
Shor: Cello Concerto and other works (Naxos)
You would be hard-pressed to identify this as contemporary; it is kind to the ear [RB]
Dean: Orchestral works (BIS)
(Déjà Review) Excellent performances and superb recording of some of Dean’s most endearing works [HC]
Elgar: The Crown of India (Chandos)
(Déjà Review) At last a version of this legendary work for pleasure, analysis and study [JF]
Martinů: Orchestral Works (Supraphon)
(Déjà Review) Catching the Martinů sound in full flight [RB]
Diana Damrau (soprano): Mozart arias (Erato)
(Déjà Review) A bridge too far, too soon [RMo]
Colors of Bach (Sony Classical)
Re-imaginings of Bach’s immortal melodies in a modern idiom that provide many pleasures [DJB]
Liszt: Demonic and Divine (Prima Facie)
Liszt’s Demonic and Divine, uncannily played [JF]
Lopes-Graça: Piano Works (Hyperion)
A subtle folk-inflected collection, not simplistic – impressive [RB]
Strauss: Don Juan, Ein Heldenleben (OUR Recordings)
An impressive brace of Strauss tone poems of interesting provenance [RMo]
Smyth: String Trio (Solaire Records)
Cracking performance of a fascinating but neglected work [DC]
