Massenet: Werther (Bru Zane)
A version with a baritone title role, much more than a curiosity [RWe]
Bach: Reconstructed (Audite)
Imaginative recreations of possible Brandenburg Concertos [SB]
Charms to Soothe (Azica)
This is a disc for anyone with a taste for beautiful and stimulating music, played with taste and devotion [GF]
Hummel: Music for Flute & Piano Vol. 1 (Da Vinci Classics)
A rewarding conspectus of Hummel’s compositions for flute and piano [GPu]
Stevenson: Songs (Delphian)
(Déjà Review) Depth and thoughtfulness, amplifying, refracting and complementing the poets’ lines in a way that enriches and moves [JW]
R Strauss: Sinfonia Domestica (Arte Nova Classics)
(Déjà Review) Refreshing, highlighting the invention and vivacity [RBr]
Mahler: Symphony No.3 (BIS)
If you have been collecting Vänskä’s cycle, you will want this fine account of the Third [JQ]
Fitkin: Loosening (Signum Classics)
Wonderfully engaging sound world from a master [PRJ]
Verdi: Rigoletto (Warner Classics)
A powerful recording with much to commend it in spite of a few failings among the cast [MP]
Graun: A Gentle Tenor (Accent)
A valuable contribution to our knowledge of vocal music of the early 18th century [GF]
Loeffler: Octet; Debussy: Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune (Delos)
Obligatory for anyone interested in American music at the turn of the twentieth century [WK]
Schubert: Lieder with Orchestra (Deutsche Grammophon)
(Déjà Review) A disc to return to many, many times [CC]
Vasks: Symphony No.2, Violin Concerto (Ondine )
(Déjà Review) Two rewarding lyrical works [RB]
Stravinsky: Symphonies Vol 1 (BIS)
Poised and polished performances show these scores in an unusual light [NB]
The Gesualdo Six – Queen of Hearts (Hyperion)
Magnificent Renaissance motets and songs performed with ease and control [GH]
Jakub Józef Orliński (alto) – Beyond (Erato)
An ideal combination of mostly unfamiliar repertoire and stylistically convincing performances [JV]
Orefice: Piano Works (Dynamic)
Atmospheric and evocative piano music from this little-known Italian [RCh]
J L Adams: Waves and Particles (Cold Blue Music)
Too much physics and not enough music [PRJ]
Rota: La Strada Ballet Suite (Chandos)
(Déjà Review) A wonderful album straddling the worlds of the concert hall, the ballet stage and the silver screen [IL]
Rachmaninov & Ravel: Piano Works (Naïve)
(Déjà Review) Indulgence is avoided, lending more, not less, emotive weight to the cascades of sound [CC]
Mikhail Pletnev (piano) Live at Berlin Philharmonie (Farao Classics)
A sonata in romantic garb alongside familiar items in idiosyncratic performances [RCh]
Mahler: Lieder aus Des Knaben Wunderhorn (MDG)
In a crowded market this newcomer holds its own against the competition [GF]
Schubert: String Quartets Nos 15 & 8 (Hyperion)
Glorious Schubert from the Takács Quartet [LW]
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