MusicWeb International

I cannot remember a record I’ve enjoyed more this year or one I felt compelled to listen to time after time [SA]

A worthy testimony to the art of Frans Brüggen [JV]

A moving and timely disc, Dvořák’s matchless concerto stands alongside short works by Ukrainian composers [WH]

A good account of some of Puccini’s youthful works which is not necessarily an improvement on Pappano’s rival version [RMo]

Paris, Pelléas, Party – a winning trio in this sparkling collection [RCh]

Wholesome songs from two Ulsterwomen of lyric, and folkloric, gifts [JW]

An enjoyable, thoughtfully prepared Christmas album [JQ]

L’Orfeo with a difference, especially in instrumental colour and dramatic projection [RWe]

(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]

(Déjà Review) Thrilling, evocative performances captured in the best Chandos sound. Especially important for presenting the full score of Scott of the Antarctic [IL]

A near-hit and a miss; a good Bowen Concerto and an ordinary Walton [JW]

Two intriguing scores which bookend the composer’s compositional life [SG]

A model of creative programming and performance [JV]

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]

This is one of the finest Prokofiev piano discs issued in recent times [RCu]

A desirable collection that captures the Cherkassky magic [SG]

Repeated listening to these Schulhoff scores offers revelatory rewards [MC]

Freire enthusiasts should love the performances, sound deficiencies or not [DS]

A great programme of solo guitar music by English composers, played with a special sensitivity and depth [KT]

Pichon’s inventive programming and superb musicianship make this recording stand out in a crowded field [SSc]

A super disc [JQ]

Colourful extended harp fare from Finland, a slightly underwhelming follow-up to Hynninen’s marvellous Otilia album [RHa]

A brand-new score for a creepy classic silent movie that really pulls out all the stops [PH]

An all-Hungarian disc of real pleasures – Doráti’s approachable Concerto and Seiber’s orchestral music in splendid performances [JW]