MusicWeb International

Busoni: Violin Sonatas (Chandos)

An excellent disc [WK]

Frankly Speaking with Leopold Stokowski (Somm Recordings)

A reissued BBC broadcast, two rehearsal segments in improved sound and a never-before-released BBC interview [JW]

Bach: Musikalisches Opfer (Ricercar)

A really approachable edition of A Musical Offering [JF]

Elgar: Symphonies Nos 1 & 2 (Hallé)

The Hallé under Sir Mark Elder demonstrates its special affinity for performing Elgar [MC]

Granados: Goyescas Piano Suite, El Pelele (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) To put it simply, this is the finest recording of music for guitars that I have ever heard [KS]

Roussel: Symphonies Nos 2-4 (Warner Classics)

(Déjà Review) The Cluytens-Prêtre team is formidable and allied to the lesser known, but still ardent, Dervaux you have as incisive a trio of conductors as you could wish at this price range [JW]

De Grigny: Premier Livre d’Orgue (Château de Versailles Spectacles)

De Grigny’s early death deprived future generations of a great deal his genius had to offer [SG]

Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition (Gramola)

Two classic accounts of Mussorgsky’s pictures in both the original version and Ravel’s orchestration [SB]

Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique (The Cleveland Orchestra)

A considered, measured and ultimately satisfying account of the Symphonie fantastique from a legendary orchestra [PH]

Glass: Complete Etudes for piano (Delphian)

Carroll’s poetic playing comes to the fore in the slower pieces [DJB]

British Cello Works Vol 3 (Lyrita)

Further discoveries in the British cello lineage [JW]

Beethoven: Symphony No 6 & Dvořák: Slavonic Dances (Janus Classics)

Wholly satisfying performances in beautifully remastered sound featuring a somewhat neglected conductor [RMo]

Handel: Arias (Sony Classical)

Another highly attractive addition to my already impressive collection of present-day mezzos [GF]

Foulds: Dynamic Triptych (Warner Classics)

Sensational, often exhilarating, music, given sensational, sensitive and radiant performances [EML]

While The Night Falls (Levin Studios)

An unusual disc of modern chamber music, but highly approachable [GF]

Aline van Barentzen (piano) Radio Archives Edition (Meloclassic)

An absolute feast of piano recordings that greatly expands our knowledge of a pianist who has been very undeservedly forgotten [RCh]

Mahler: Symphony No 9 (High Definition Tape Transfers and Pristine Audio)

Two highly successful remasterings of a great, highly individual and even idiosyncratic recording – but Pristine take the palm [RMo]

Youri Egorov Diary de Haan Private Release

Youri Egorov: Diary, or the secret notes (Private Release)

A fascinating snap-shot of an artist’s personality [SG]

Weber: Der Freischütz (C Major)

An extravagant, gothic horror funfest from beginning to end [MP]

The Kurt Weill Album (Deutsche Grammophon)

A stylish, first-class Weill compilation [JQ]

Deja JC Bach Complete Symphonies Hanover Band cpo 9998962

J C Bach: Complete Symphonies (cpo)

(Déjà Review) Brings to fruition a marvellous eight year project in one well presented box. Playing is excellent. A chance to reappraise the work of an underrated composer [JL]