John Cranko (choreography): The Taming of the Shrew (Unitel Editions)
Stuttgart Ballet’s survey of choreographer John Cranko’s work continues triumphantly [RMay]
Wenn ich nur Dich hab (Carpe Diem Records)
Top-class performances of German sacred music from the baroque period [JV]
Poulenc: La voix humaine (Alpha Classics)
A new vocal standard for La Voix humaine, but no translation of the text [RWe]
Valentin Malinin (piano): Laureate Recital (Naxos)
Pianist Valentin Malinin impresses with his technical ability, but with mixed musical results [LW]
A Little of What You Fancy (ASV)
(Déjà Review) An indispensable record for those who love the world of the old music hall [TD]
Handel: Water & Fireworks Music (Archiv Produktion)
(Déjà Review) An example that big can be beautiful too! [GFe]
Sandrine Piau (soprano) Voyage intime (Alpha Classics)
An excellent recital by a distinguished soprano [RWe]
Caplet: Le Miroir de Jésus (BR Klassik)
The refinement and lucid beauty of Caplet heard in a loving performance [JW]
Górecki: Beatus Vir (Dux)
These impressive works show that Górecki was much more than a one-work composer [SB]
Macfarren: The Soldier’s Legacy (Retrospect Opera)
A highly melodic Victorian opera – good tunes, vivacious duets, trio and quartets [JF]
Prokofiev: Violin Concertos (Channel Classics)
Could be the recording that takes Milstein’s career out of the wings onto centre stage [DM]
Kitty Whately (mezzo-soprano) Befreit: A Soul Surrendered (Chandos)
A very rewarding album, including songs by two unjustly neglected composers [JQ]
Bishop: Shakespeare At Covent Garden (Decca)
(Déjà Review) This excellently recorded disc sheds enlightenment on a long dimly-lit but far from discreditable corner of British music [PSc]
Ferneyhough: Shadowtime (NMC)
(Déjà Review) An amazing, fascinating and complex masterpiece that repays repeated listening [AO]
Hvoslef: Chamber Works XIII (Lawo)
Four highly contrasted works by an elder statesman of contemporary Norwegian music [GH]
MacMillan: Christmas Oratorio (LPO)
A tremendous performance of an important new work by James MacMillan [JQ]
Franck: Symphony (Alpha Classics)
A new team offers a distinctive account of an old favourite [RMay]
Schubert: Schwanengesang (Decca)
Urgent unfettered performances certain to divide the crowd [DMD]
Sibelius: Symphony 4 (Forgotten Records)
An interesting but largely disappointing CD, mainly because of an underpowered performance of the symphony [PBW]
Harpsichord Concertos (Hyperion)
Communicative powers to the fore, Esfahani breathes life into three Czech harpsichord works [JW]
Bartok: Duke Bluebeard’s Castle (DG)
No lover of Bartók’s music or of modern 20th century classics should be without this exceptional issue [GFe]
Alwyn: Symphonies 1-5 (Chandos)
Lively interpretations that steer well clear of the routine [RB]
R Schumann: Piano Works (Hänssler Classic)
Gerhard Oppitz excels in Schumann works he has lived with his whole career [MC]
Lortzing: Der Waffenschmied (Capriccio)
By and large, a worthy reading of Der Waffenschmied, and it is good to see a brand-new recording of the work [GF]
