Glass: Complete Etudes for piano (Delphian)
Glass’s piano etudes have become modern classics and these are fine performances [SB]
Tippett: Piano Sonatas 1-3 (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) I have been completely re-educated as to the substance and content of these pieces. What more can one ask for! [DC]
Ropartz: Symphonies Nos 1 & 4 (Timpani)
(Déjà Review) A grand success and a major addition to the catalogue [RB]
Smetana: Orchestral works (SOMM Recordings)
A valuable archive bicentenary tribute to Bedřich Smetana [JQ]
Mendelssohn: Elijah (LSO Live)
A fine, dramatic, beautifully sung live recording headed by Finley’s noble Elijah [RMo]
Szymon Nehring (piano): Minimalist (IBS Classical)
A richly varied collection of loosely minimalist works [PRJ]
Otmar Suitner (conductor): Live in Leningrad 1963 (Profil)
I cannot make a convincing case for this double set of live recordings conducted by Otmar Suitner [MC]
R Strauss: Tone Poems (Gramola)
A re-release of three great recordings on a different label, whose raison d’être eludes me… [RMo]
Dean: Concertos and Orchestral Works (LPO)
Seven atmospheric pieces by Australian composer Brett Dean, wonderfully played by the London Philharmonic Orchestra [KT]
Rubbra: Violin Concerto, Improvisations (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) Makes me want to seek out more music by this composer and these performers. Should definitely be added to your collection [KS]
Lutosławski: Symphony No 3 & 4 (Sony Classical)
(Déjà Review) If you missed the earlier opportunities to acquaint yourself with these towering statements you should do so now, without delay [JW]
Kenneth MacMillan’s Manon: (Opus Arte)
An outstanding performance marks the 50th birthday of MacMillan’s great ballet [RMay]
Mozart: Fantasy (Naïve)
A disc of happy surprises with playing throughout that evinces warmth and sensitivity [SG]
Kapustin: Orchestral works (Capriccio)
Notated Jazz from the master of the art, Nikolai Kapustin, performed by his leading exponent [JW]
Nesbit: Nativity (Delphian)
Inventive, interesting and accessible music, displaying an original approach to Christmas music [JQ]
Bendix: Symphonies Nos 1 & 3 (Dacapo)
Insights that reveal qualities in the music unimagined in earlier recordings [NB]
Alfred Brendel (piano) Busoni, Bach & Liszt (APR)
Admirers of Brendel will be glad to have these legendary recordings [SB]
Smyth, Beach & Spain-Dunk: String Quartets (Lorelt)
I cannot remember a record I’ve enjoyed more this year or one I felt compelled to listen to time after time [SA]
Telemann: Recorder sonatas & fantasias (Apex)
A worthy testimony to the art of Frans Brüggen [JV]
Monteverdi: L’Orfeo (Château de Versailles)
L’Orfeo with a difference, especially in instrumental colour and dramatic projection [RWe]
News of Great Joy: Christmas from St John’s College, Oxford (Resonus)
An enjoyable, thoughtfully prepared Christmas album [JQ]
Songs from the North of Ireland (Delphian)
Wholesome songs from two Ulsterwomen of lyric, and folkloric, gifts [JW]
Paris est une fête (Fuga Libera)
Paris, Pelléas, Party – a winning trio in this sparkling collection [RCh]
Puccini: Messa di Gloria (BR Klassik)
A good account of some of Puccini’s youthful works which is not necessarily an improvement on Pappano’s rival version [RMo]
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