Suppressed Composers in the Netherlands (Toccata Press)
A useful compendium of suppressed Dutch composers. A trusty and practical guide [SG]
Constantinescu: Piano Concerto & Wedding in the Carpathians (Hänssler Classic)
The post-Enescu Romanian generation is exemplified by the colourful Paul Constantinescu [JW]
Shostakovich: Symphony No 13 ‘Babiy Yar’ (Chandos)
There’s a great deal to admire in this ‘Babiy Yar’, though it doesn’t shake allegiances to some earlier recordings [JQ]
A Musical Tour from Renaissance to Baroque (Da Vinci Classics)
A compelling demonstration of an uncommon performance practice [JV]
Cilea: Gloria (Dynamic)
A fine production of a neglected work, not quite Adriana Lecouvreur melodically, but a feast for admirers of Italian opera [EJW]
Lilburn: Symphonies Nos 1-3 (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) A compulsory purchase for anyone who has not yet encountered these under-exposed masterpieces [NHo]
Weigl: Symphony No 5 (BIS)
(Déjà Review) Music in Brucknerian manner; a symphony that includes a mighty adagio to treasure [RB]
The detailed orchestration has a French brilliance to it [GPJ]
Tippett: A Child of Our Time (Chandos)
An impressive achievement which serves as a fine memorial to a distinguished British conductor [JQ]
MOR (2L)
Every aspect of motherhood given its own sacred musical space [DC]
Gods, Ghosts and Monsters (Divine Art)
If you are going to rejig these songs, it needs to be for some purpose [JW]
Deszczyński: Piano Works (Acte Préalable)
Elegant early 19th century Polish piano works from a forgotten composer [RCh]
Bellini: Norma (Pristine Audio)
A classic ensemble recording further enhanced by Pristine’s remastering into gloriously full and detailed, if slightly over-reverberant, sound [RMo]
Schulhoff: Hot Music (BIS)
(Déjà Review) Many pleasures in these near-ideal performances [CC]
Villa Lobos: Bachianas Brasileiras No 4 (Bridge)
(Déjà Review) Colourful, saturated, brittle, heavily rhythmic, laced with ostinato and swooning strings [JW]
Coates: Orchestral Works Volume 4 (Chandos)
The leading contemporary champion of Eric Coates continues to impress [JW]
Brindley Sherratt (bass): Fear No More (Delphian)
A splendid operatic bass in a new and satisfying context [WH]
Highways and Byways, Rarities for Recorder (Divine Art)
Rare and attractive British music for recorder [GH]
Belle époque – clarinet & orchestra recital (Pentatone)
Exceptionally fine playing and recording compromised by unbalanced programme and poor documentation [NB]
Zemlinsky: Eine florentinische Tragödie (BR Klassik)
A good version but there are better [SB]
Ginastera: Orchestral music (Bridge)
(Déjà Review) Saturated in swaying delicacy: lyricism with a capital L, voluptuous and unmistakable [JW]
Handel: Coronation Anthems (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) Perfectly elegant and passionate renditions, with excellent pacing and a blended, lovely choral sound [KS]
Wagner: The Complete Experience and its Meaning to Us (De la Porte Publishing)
Now a truly complete guide to Wagner’s operas, in a fine new edition [RWe]
Magnificat 4 (Signum Classics)
A distinguished final recording by Andrew Nethsingha with the St John’s College Choir [JQ]
Lumas Winds: British Wind Quintets (Champs Hill Records)
Five entertaining works and one more serious [SB]
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