Wagner: Die Walküre (Sterling)

Fine conducting and orchestral playing and an impressive Brünnhilde – but compromised by a poor Siegmund and a weak Wotan [RMo]

Sean Shibe: Profesión (Pentatone)

An exciting album of South American solo guitar music [SW]

Popper: Complete Transcriptions for Violoncello and Piano (Paladino Music)

A valuable addition to the Popper discography and a chance to hear a Hubay rarity [RCh]

Migot: Complete Works for Guitar (Brilliant Classics)

Little known Migot given a chance to breathe again … a Fauré-like lambency and warmth [RB]

Lalo orchestral Chandos

Lalo: Orchestral Works (Chandos)

Played with sensitivity balanced by enthusiasm [JF]

Handel: Total Eclipse (Somm Recordings)

Some of Handel’s most beautiful arias in instrumental versions, performed with vitality, sensitivity and rhythmical precision [GF]

Bach JS: The First Cantata Year, Vol. 1 (Hänssler Classic)

This first volume in the projected series of J.S. Bach’s First Cantata Year has got off to a most auspicious start [MC]

Oboe Concertos from Bohemia (Claves)

(Déjà Review) An excellently planned programme [NHo]

Tosti sogno PTC5187184

Tosti: Sogno (Pentatone)

A lovely recital with several rarely heard Tosti songs [GF]

Sgambati piano 8573272

Sgambati: Piano Concerto (Naxos)

A heroic performance of a remarkable piano concerto [JF]

Lutoslawski concerto ODE14442

Lutosławski: Orchestral works (Ondine)

Spectacular in every respect [SG]

Stravinsky violin BIS2657

Stravinsky, Bartok & Martinů (BIS)

A puzzling release in which clarity trumps nuance and warmth [JW]

French 2piano NI5953

French Music for 2 Pianos (Nimbus Records)

A delightful collection of Hahn, Koechlin, and Tailleferre for two pianos [RMas]

Bruckner syms 99311

Bruckner: 10 Symphonies (Gramola)

Grand, broad, live performances of Bruckner’s symphonies now collected in a box set [RMo]

Szabo piano 97104

Szabó: Complete solo piano works (Brilliant Classics)

A scarcely known composer is permitted an eloquent and at times disconcerting calling-card [RB]

vivaldi concertos sony

Vivaldi: Late Violin Concertos (Sony Classical)

(Déjà Review) Magnificent accounts to cherish [MC]

Finnish piano works Hanssler HC23048

Finnish Piano Works (Hänssler Classic)

Richly evocative music that rewards repeated listening [RCh]

Hellstenius Past and Presence LAWO LWC1229

Hellstenius: Past & Presence (Lawo Classics)

A compelling concerto is the standout from this splendidly performed and recorded monograph [RHa]

Palimpsest Saxophone and Choir Signum SIGCD766

Palimpsest: New Works from Old for Saxophone and Choir (Signum Classics)

Provocative and substantial listening fare. No dearth of grace or awe [RB]

Puccini Manon Lescaut Tebaldi Pristine PACO201

Puccini: Manon Lescaut (Pristine Audio)

A so-so “classic” recording [RMas]

mahler symphony bis

Mahler: Symphony No 8 (BIS)

A stunner of a Mahler Eighth, one of the best since Solti’s classic account [RMo]

Coste Guitar Works v6 Naxos 8.574321

Coste: Guitar Works Vol 6 (Naxos)

Another winner from Naxos [ZT]

Marchand Suites oh trio Aparte AP301

Marchand: Suites (Aparté)

The performers deserve praise for bringing this unknown composer to our attention [JV]

Deja Review Beethoven Piano Sonatas Pires DG 4534572

Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos 13, 14 & 30 (Deutsche Grammophon)

(Déjà Review) This is a truly awe-inspiring offering from Pires which acts as a reminder of what a truly unique and inspiring musician she is [CC]