R Strauss: Tone Poems (Philharmonia Records)
Some marvellous Strauss tone poems that mark the beginning of Rouvali’s stewardship of the Philharmonia [ST]
Cage: Choral Works (Ondine)
An interesting corner of John Cage’s output expertly performed by a choir and conductor who really understand and enjoy working in the idiom [MS]
Stamitz: Violin Concertos (cpo)
Lively performances of little-known compositions from the end of the Baroque period [CRo]
Mozart: Symphonies 39-41 (BR Klassik)
Masterful, ideally executed and engineered recordings of Mozart’s three greatest symphonies [RMo]
Biber: Sonatas (Accent)
The sonatas are fabulous, but the trumpet duos do rather drag on [DJB]
Schoenberg: Gurrelieder (Warner Classics)
(Déjà Review) Recorded just a week after 9/11, this stunning performance heralds a new era for Rattle in Berlin [CT]
Bach: Mass (Claves)
One of the best recordings with a small ensemble [JV]
Baroque Arabesque
A very enjoyable disc, full of delightful textures, infectious rhythms and inventive juxtapositions [GPu]
Gluck: Alceste (Pristine Audio)
A fine transfer of Flagstad’s farewell to the Metropolitan in a performance of great dignity [RMo]
Holst: Choral Works (SOMM Recordings)
A mixed bag, but indispensable to the Holst completist [SB]
Lalo & Casals: Cello Concertos (Sony Classical)
My high expectations were exceeded by Jan Vogler’s compelling performances [MC]
Beethoven: Piano Trios (Sony Classical)
A terrific Ghost Trio, less impressive E flat major Trio [PBW]
Puts: The City (Naxos)
Three substantial and very fine orchestral works; the Marimba Concerto is a joy [DJB]
Vaughan Williams: A London Symphony (Chandos)
(Déjà Review) If you have any interest in the music of Vaughan Williams this is an almost mandatory purchase [SF][PC]
Petersen: Symphony No. 3 (Profil)
A valuable and welcome addition to the Petersen discography [SG]
Gomes: Opera Overtures and Preludes (Naxos)
Enjoyably tuneful music, a delight in these attractive accounts [RMay]
Magnificat 3 (Signum Classics)
Outstanding performances of a varied and satisfying programme in superb sound [WH]
Haydn: String Quartets op. 33 No. 1-3 (BIS)
A very valid interpretation emphasizing Haydn’s wit and invention [LP]
Miaskovsky: Cello Concerto, Cello Sonatas (cpo)
A welcome release centred on the cello works of Nikolai Miaskowsky and his teachers [GT]
Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 2 (Fuga Libera)
A performance suffused with the Russian spirit, technically and sonically proficient, aesthetically satisfying [RMo]
Pisendel: Violin Concerti (Berlin Classics)
A resounding success [DJB]
Korngold: Sinfonietta, Violin Concerto (Dorian)
(Déjà Review) A classic of recorded sound [RB]
JS Bach: The Art of Fugue (Ramee)
A suggestion that the art of counterpoint is infinite [DC]
Holst: The Planets (BR Klassik)
A solid, “safe” account, hobbled by a dull, listless opening movement [RMo]
