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]
Dvořák: Cello Concerto (Sony Classical)
A moving and timely disc, Dvořák’s matchless concerto stands alongside short works by Ukrainian composers [WH]
Vaughan Williams: Film Music, Vol 1 (Chandos)
(Déjà Review) Thrilling, evocative performances captured in the best Chandos sound. Especially important for presenting the full score of Scott of the Antarctic [IL]
Berg, Janáček & Hartmann: Violin Concertos (Apex)
(Déjà Review) One of the stronger Warner Apex CDs. By all means buy it to play straight through and enjoy the stimulation of the juxtaposition of the music of these three composers [CC]
Reimagining the Classics: Part 1
by David Barker
Shura Cherkassky (piano) The Ambassador Auditorium Recitals 1981-9 (First Hand Records)
A desirable collection that captures the Cherkassky magic [SG]
Prokofiev: Piano Concertos Nos 2 & 3 (Orchid Classics)
This is one of the finest Prokofiev piano discs issued in recent times [RCu]
Next Generation Mozart Soloists Vol 10 (Alpha Classics)
A showcase for the superb ‘Next Generation Mozart soloists’, a little flawed by the use of a hackneyed 19th century version of the Sinfonia concertante [MG]
The Madrigal Reimagined (Resonus Classics)
A model of creative programming and performance [JV]
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