massenet werther bru zane

Massenet: Werther (Bru Zane)

A version with a baritone title role, much more than a curiosity [RWe]

rooted trios chandos

Rooted (Chandos)

A truly magical disc with four of the loveliest of trios [SA]

bach reconstructed audite

Bach: Reconstructed (Audite)

Imaginative recreations of possible Brandenburg Concertos [SB]

charms soothe azica

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 flute da vinci

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

Stevenson: Songs (Delphian)

(Déjà Review) Depth and thoughtfulness, amplifying, refracting and complementing the poets’ lines in a way that enriches and moves [JW]

strauss domestica arte nova

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]

Pletnev berlin B108125

Mikhail Pletnev (piano) Live at Berlin Philharmonie (Farao Classics)

A sonata in romantic garb alongside familiar items in idiosyncratic performances [RCh]

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Mahler: Lieder aus Des Knaben Wunderhorn (MDG)

In a crowded market this newcomer holds its own against the competition [GF]

schubert quartets hyperion

Schubert: String Quartets Nos 15 & 8 (Hyperion)

Glorious Schubert from the Takács Quartet [LW]