Sir Thomas Beecham (conductor) Schubert, Wagner & Delius (SOMM)
The realisation of this current disc is everything the conductor’s admirers could wish for [JW]
Canteloube: Songs of the Auvergne (Vanguard Classics)
One of the last century’s greatest recordings [RB]
Bizet: Carmen (Château de Versailles Spectacles)
Two decent principal singers adrift in a sea of poor voices – a dispiriting issue [RMo]
Rheinberger: Early Piano Works (ARS Produktion)
Attractive early romantic miniatures that supplement Hanselmann’s complete Rheinberger piano edition [RCh]
Glazunov: Complete String Quartets, Vol. 1 (Naxos)
A fine way to investigate this little-known corner of Glazunov’s output; the Third is a real discovery [DJB]
Ginastera: String Quartet No. 1 & Piano Quintet op. 29 (cpo)
Ginastera’s impressive chamber music and well-played Ravel [SB]
Brahms: Symphonies 2 & 3 (BR Klassik)
(Déjà Review) Strong performances marked by rich tone and just-right choices of tempo and demeanour [KS]
Biber: Vesperae longiores ac breviores (Carus)
(Déjà Review) An excellent Biber collection supplemented by contemporaries … as well performed as it was well-conceived [MS]
Herrmann: Hangover Square & Citizen Kane (Chandos)
(Déjà Review) A most rewarding and desirable issue [BBr][RB]
Hasse: Cantatas Vol 1 (Brilliant Classics)
(Déjà Review) Outstanding performances of some heretofore lost gems for voices lovingly coupled with instrumental works that are sure to please [KS]
Franck: Symphony in D minor (HDTT)
Treat yourself to an old favourite in a ripe, vibrant new transfer [PH]
Gildemann: Chamber Music (Kairos)
Eerily atmospheric and meticulously designed, Ms Gildemann’s distinctive pieces uncannily evoke their titles [RHa]
Strauss: Elektra (Chandos)
Wonderful orchestral playing but variable singing [SB]
Schoenberg: Orchestral Music (Berliner Philharmoniker Recordings)
An outstanding Schoenberg set from the Berlin Philharmonic and Kirill Petrenko [MBe]
Beethoven: Symphonies 4 & 5 (ICA Classics)
(Déjà Review) Anyone with an interest in Munch and his magnificent Boston band will find this DVD fascinating [TP]
Bach Family: Chamber music for two flutes (Nimbus Records)
(Déjà Review) Fine playing all round by a well matched and collegial ensemble [KS]
Dvořák: Slavonic Dances (Chandos)
A rather charmless, heavy-handed take on Dvořák’s famous two sets of dances [RMo]
Schubert: Irrlichter (BIS)
A beautiful performance of a number of Schubert’s most atmospheric Lieder – some old favourites and some less-known gems [DJa]
Coccia: Sacred Music from Eighteenth-Century Rome (Toccata Clasics)
Coccia’s music may not be everyone’s cup of tea but is excellently performed [JV]
Martin: Chamber Music (MDG)
Some of Frank Martin’s most important chamber works [SB]
Mendelssohn: Violin Concertos (Solo Musica)
A fine young artist, but no revelations here [SFV]
Dédé: Morgiane, ou, Le sultan d’Ispahan (Delos)
The first opera by a Black American turns out to be revelatory, despite forces unequal to the composer’s imagination [MP]
Dring: Songs of Madeleine Dring (Chandos)
A good showcase for Madeleine Dring’s considerable skill as a song writer [NB]
Winger: Symphony of the Returning Light (Naxos)
Two very fine contemporary works which place a high value on melody and rhythm [DJB]
