Martinů: String Quartets (Supraphon)
A bristling, incisive look at four Martinů string quartets [JW]
Liszt: Le Concert c’est Moi (Gramola)
Heroic, demonic, passion and lyricism; Liszt’s whirlwind of imaginative ideas given full rein by Titova [RCh]
Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius (LPO)
A splendid live recording of Gerontius [JQ]
a Riveder Le Stelle: Swedish Choral Music (BIS)
A wide-ranging collection of modern Swedish choral music superbly sung and recorded [WH]
Gyrowetz: Sinfonia Concertante (CPO)
Now obscure, but once widely celebrated, Gyrowetz is a composer worth hearing [RWe]
Moeran: Orchestral Music (SOMM Ariadne)
Another treasure trove of archive broadcast performances crowned by a definitive version of the Violin Concerto from Albert Sammons [NB]
Shostakovich & Saariaho: String Quartets (Rubicon)
Compelling Shostakovich and Saariaho from the Dudok Quartet [DHa]
Beethoven: Theatre Music (cpo)
Colourful, Powerful Performances of Beethoven’s Music for the Theatre [DF]
English music for flute and piano (Da Vinci Classics)
Victorian voices revived: charm, wit and wistful song [JF]
Vaughan Williams: Mantegna (Albion Records)
A skilfully planned and beautifully executed programme reaps unexpected rewards [NB]
Blake: Orchestral Music (Sony Classics)
(Déjà Review) Once heard, you’ll not want to be without this marvellous music [BBr]
Bach: Stokowski Transcriptions (Naxos Historical)
(Déjà Review) An essential purchase for all Stokowski fans [IL]
Robert Bennett & Duke: Violin Concerti (Chandos)
Not just Samuel Barber – the American Violin Concerto, School of 1941-1943, revived with élan [JW]
Brahms: String Quintets (Onyx)
(Déjà Review) Bold excursions into some of Brahms’ most striking music [JFL]
Bloch: Schelomo; Strauss: Don Quixote (Pristine Audio)
(Déjà Review) A deserved classic [JW]
Rolle: Sinfonias, Harpsichord Concerti (cpo)
Delightful mid-18th century rarities [DC]
Andrea Lam (piano): Piano Diary (ABC Classics)
A dramatic mix of favourites and rarities as Lam explores the joys, sorrows and challenges of her life at the piano [RCh]
Offenbach: Les Contes d’Hoffmann (Unitel Editions)
A challenging production, but very rewarding if you give it a go, and the singing is sensational [ST]
Tchaikovsky: Symphonies No.5-6 (London Philharmonic Orchestra)
Karina Canellakis and the LPO deliver thrilling live Tchaikovsky [DHa]
Leopold Stokowski (conductor): Great Recordings, Vol 2 (ICA Classics)
A second tranche of Stokowski from ICA contains the known and issued and some novelties [JW]
Beethoven: Complete Piano Sonatas (Decca)
(Déjà Review) Still one of the best at any price [DC]
Gassmann: Opera Overtures (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) A feel-good CD that will put a smile on one’s face [MMB]
Bosmans: Cello Concertos 1 & 2, Poème (cpo)
Some wonderful writing in these concertos that have lain unheard for nearly a century [RCh]
Brahms: Complete Works for Viola, Vol 1 (Challenge Classics)
Brahms and the viola: a new series explores the connection [PH]
