Handel: Ópera Viva (IBS Classical)
Underwhelming singing compromises the attractiveness of this medley of Handel numbers from his operas played in strict period style [RMo]
Scriabin: Complete Piano Sonatas (Et’cetera)
An impressive debut in this demanding repertoire [SB]
Turnage: Greek (Decca)
(Déjà Review) Whether uncomfortable or not this remains essential listening for lovers of contemporary music theatre [TH]
Mahler & Gunning: Symphonies (Colorado MahlerFest)
An excellent Mahler performance and the premiere of an impressive new symphony [JQ]
Richard Strauss: Ein Heldenleben, Don Juan (Evil Penguin Classic)
Compromised accounts do not displace classic versions [RMay]
Paris 1913: L’Offrande lyrique (Nimbus)
A pleasing recital of French chansons all tied to the year 1913 [MP]
Maestros in the Mirror: Bach & Walther (Da Vinci Classics)
Interesting comparison between two colleagues and distant cousins [JV]
Verdi: Il trovatore (Pristine Audio)
This Pristine remastering is now the best option for hearing a classic, vintage account [RMo]
Donizetti: Roberto Devereux (Naxos)
The cast as a whole makes this the best set so far [GF]
Weill: The Seven Deadly Sins (LSO Live)
A collection of vivid performances of music by Kurt Weill [JQ]
Saimir Pirgu (tenor): Saimir (Opus Arte)
A recital of popular mostly verismo arias, but the singing leaves a great deal to be desired [PT]
Schumann, Brahms: Love Songs (C Major)
A Lieder masterclass, seen and heard from the best seat in the Musikverein [RWe]
Sibelius: Symphonies 6 & 7 (Alpha Classics)
Superb accounts of Sibelius’ last two symphonies put the seal on a triumphantly successful series [RMo]
Getty: Goodbye, Mr. Chips (Pentatone)
A touching opera, finely sung, permeated by deep humanity [GF]
Telemann: Ino (cpo)
Telemann’s dramatic cantata “Ino” alongside an attractive selection of his opera arias [CRo]
Anderson: Orchestral Music Vol. 5 (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) Undeservedly neglected light music [IL]
Bach: Three Cantatas (Erato)
(Déjà Review) A mature artist who patently comprehends the beauty and purity of the music [MMB]
Bruckner: From the Archives, Vol 6 (SOMM Ariadne)
The conclusion of a most rewarding series of archive Bruckner recordings [JQ]
Brahms: Piano Trio No 1 & Schoenberg: Verklärte Nacht (Rubicon)
Beautifully played chamber works by Brahms and Schoenberg [MC]
Nelson Freire (piano): The SWR Recordings (SWR)
Mining the archive produces gold from Nelson Freire [PH]
Bizet: Carmen (Pristine Audio)
Pristine Audio newly preserves Le Conte’s achievement in making Carmen as crisp and light as a freshly made churro [MP]
Hugues: Works for Flute and Piano (Tactus)
Hugues is not a ‘lost’ great, but this disc shows his best pieces are worthy of rediscovery [GPu]