Raff: Samson (Schweizer Fonogramm)
An operatic discovery which delivers a musical and dramatic feast despite some deeply flawed vocal performances [MP]
Rameau: The Sound of Light (Sony Classical)
Put aside preconceptions of “authenticity” and enjoy this for what it is – a celebration of some of Rameau’s most appealing music [RMo]
Fritz Kreisler (violin/piano) American Portrait (Rhine Classics)
Of limited interest to Kreisler collectors [SG]
Crumb: Complete Crumb Edition Vol 21 (Bridge Records)
An important document of Crumb’s artistic journey in spectacular sound [MBu]
Kolisch Quartet: Mozart, Schubert & Schumann (Biddulph)
Fine transfers of the Kolisch Quartet’s 1930s discography [JW]
Thomazeau/Baudimant: Errer (Claves)
Smoothly arranged, expertly performed, yet utterly saccharine, stumbling awkwardly into New Age territory [RHa]
Hoffmann: Chamber Music (cpo)
Be surprised by the restraint and elegance of Hoffmann’s chamber music [DS]
Mozart: Fantasias & Sonatas (Apex)
Absolutely first-rate Mozart keyboard playing [PSh]
Venezuela! Music from the Americas I (Onyx)
A great CD, with a range demonstrating the worldwide appeal of classical music [KT]
Waley-Cohen: Spell Book (NMC)
Double, double toil and trouble – a witches’ brew from Freya Waley-Cohen [PHa]
Farrenc: Complete Piano Works, Vol 3 (Grand Piano)
Maria Stratigou is winning once more in this third volume of Farrenc’s complete piano music [RCh]
The King’s Singers: Close Harmony (Signum Classics)
I recommend this issue with all possible enthusiasm [GF]
Howells & Wood: String Quartets (SOMM Recordings)
Splendid performances of an early version of a Howells quartet and a jaunty, attractive work by Charles Wood [JW]
Dvořák: Symphonies Nos 7-9 (Pentatone)
An attractive package [JQ]
Holmboe: Symphonies Nos 4 and 5 (BIS)
(Déjà Review) Densely coiled and symphonically argued with the highest of skill … charts a grim and determined course [JW]
Skempton: Piano works (Sony Classical)
A lovely disc of an under-rated British composer’s music, superbly played and recorded [NH]
Gipps: Piper of Dreams (Chandos)
Wonderful playing in an essential addition to the Gipps discography [WK]
Mia Yrmana Fremosa: Medieval woman’s songs of love and pain (Fineline)
An unusual collection of early medieval songs from the female perspective, performed by a versatile trio of women [GH]
Edwin Fischer (piano) The 1949 and 1951 Salzburg Concerts (Maestro Editions)
The humane art of Edwin Fischer, heard live at the Salzburg Festival [JW]
Made in USA: Gershwin, Beach & Barber (Alpha Classics)
This fine, well-judged recital explores familiar and less well-known works [JF]
Brahms & Franck: Symphonies (Pristine Audio)
One relative novelty, plus a valuable addition to Leinsdorf’s discography [SV]
Simon: 4 Symphonic Works (National Symphony Orchestra)
A stimulating and enjoyable album [JQ]
Englund: Piano Concertos Nos 1 & 2 (Ondine)
Another indispensable addition to the Englund discography from Ondine [RB]
Handel: Arias for mezzo soprano (Apex)
This music springs to life as Handel’s operatic music rarely does [CH]
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