Elisabeth Schwarzkopf (soprano) Perfect Prima Donna (Warner Classics)
A very special collection of lieder, opera and operetta from one of the great post-war sopranos [DBe]
Echoes of Paris: Violin sonatas (Avie)
A highly recommendable programme [WH]
Thomas: Sol (Nimbus)
A composer with a distinctive and beguiling voice [SB]
Melcer: Songs & Piano Transcriptions (Acte Préalable)
A competent if not dazzling addition to Acte Préalable’s growing catalogue of Melcer’s works [RCh]
Joplin: King of Ragtime (Danacord)
Refined classical interpretations of ragtime’s king [JF]
Chronos, Kairos et Aiôn (Mnémosyne)
Far out along the modernistic promontory [RB]
Chambonnières: Overseas (Alpha Classics)
Louise Acebo is the ideal interpreter of Chambonnières’ music [JV]
Stéphane Degout (baritone): Mélodies (Naïve)
(Déjà Review) A very appealing recital [GF]
Overtures in Hi-Fi (Eloquence)
(Déjà Review) Joyous music-making … just too tempting to resist [DM]
Fribbins: Cello Concerto (First Hand Records)
Folk Songs is a treasure in the resilient tradition of English tonal music [RB]
Janáček, Martinů & Suk: Orchestral Works (Chandos)
Sheer pleasure from this varied programme of early twentieth-century Czech orchestral works [WH]
Kuula: Complete Solo Songs Volume Two (Toccata Classics)
This disc is completely worthy of its predecessor [WK]
Mahler: Symphonies 1-9 (Pentatone)
A very significant Mahler cycle [JQ]
La Rue: Missa Iste confessor domini (Coviello Classics)
Interesting recording, but the performance practice is debatable [JV]
Shostakovich 8 & Bruckner 8 (Le Palais des Dégustateurs)
A startlingly good Bruckner 8 [RB]
Ruby Hughes (soprano): Amidst the Shades (BIS)
A beautiful voice and an individual approach to a captivating programme [WH]
Kosma: Choral music (Hortus)
An intriguing recording [WK]
Wagner: Orchestral music from Der Ring (Sony Classical)
Extraordinarily vibrant orchestral extracts from Wagner’s greatest works by an orchestra and conductor at their peak {RMo]
Symbiosis – Tribute to Bill Evans (Pentatone)
An ambitious and rewarding tribute to a jazz legend. [DHa]
Organ music from Scandinavia (Chandos)
(Déjà Review) Superlative performance, interesting and inspired programming [DC]
Showtime – 25 years of BBC Concert Orchestra (Dutton)
You might well find this mix irresistible whether as a guilty pleasure or a delight without any guilt at all [RB]
Ubi Caritas. Italian Laude in the Early Renaissance (Ricercar)
Little-explored repertoire in colourful and beautiful interpretations [GH]
Fate and The Excursions of Mr Brouček (Moravské Zemské Muzeum)
The second of four memorable volumes surveys Janáček two problem operas with profuse documentation and historiographic clarity [JW]
Gál: Music for Voices, Volume Three (Toccata Classics)
A fine continuation of Gál’s Music for Voices cycle [WK]
