Beauty Veil’d: Works by Howell & contemporaries (EM Records)
An excellently compiled and performed selection of previously unrecorded British chamber works [JW]
Beethoven: Theatre Music (cpo)
Vibrant performances of Beethoven’s theatrical compositions [DHa]
Verdi: This is my Verdi (Dynamic)
A pleasing Verdi program, but the singer herself falls short [SV]
Nielsen: Symphony 5 & Clarinet Concerto (Chandos)
Gardner’s Nielsen series continues with mixed results [LW]
Porpora: Cantatas for soprano (Hyperion)
Vivid, engaged performances appealing to all who love Italian baroque cantatas [GPu]
Rossini: Overtures (Classics for Pleasure)
An attractive proposition indeed [TP]
Bartók: Violin Sonatas Szymanowski: Mythes (BIS)
An outstanding version of this imaginative programme [SB]
Danielle de Niese: The Mozart Album (Decca)
(Déjà Review) In spite of some reservations there is a lot to admire here [GF]
Ravel & Poulenc: Daphnis et Chloé & Gloria (CSO Resound)
(Déjà Review) Marvelous playing, glowing sound, inspired coupling [BR]
N Gade: Selected Piano Works (Ars Produktion)
A very fine recital of Gade’s rather neglected piano music [RCh]
Daisy Kennedy (violin): The Complete Recordings (Biddulph)
The characterful Australian Daisy Kennedy’s entire discography is restored [JW]
O Holy Night: Christmas Carols From St John’s (Signum Classics)
A lovely Christmas disc with lots to enjoy [ST]
Ravel: Orchestral Works (Naïve)
A valuable Ravel survey elegantly played, topped by a stunning Daphnis [NB]
Lerner & Loewe: My Fair Lady (Chandos)
Fine singing, but the orchestral accompaniment is revelatory [DJB]
Hermann, Frid & Székely: String Trios (Cobra)
Three young Hungarian musketeers excel in youthful works [JW]
Gubaidulina: Orchestral Music (Naxos)
I remain puzzled by Gubaidulina’s work [SB]
Music for solo salterio (Note One)
A brilliant demonstration of a salterio of 1725 [JV]
Papandopulo: Hrvatska Misa (Croatian Mass) (BR Klassik)
An interesting religious work from Croatia allows one to delve into rarely recorded territory [EJW]
Puccini: La bohème (Decca)
(Déjà Review) One of the greatest opera recordings of all time! [GF]
Malipiero: Symphonies 3 and 4 (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) A huge journey of adventure – a very good place to start [GH]
R Fuchs: Cello Sonatas (Da Vinci Classics)
Not entirely convincing readings which occasionally tire the ears [DJB]
Bax: The Blessed Damozel (EM Records)
A valuable anthology of songs including première recordings, undermined by too resonant sound [PCG]
Rachmaninov: Trios élégiaques (Naxos)
A good choice for these works [WK]
Rossini: Adina (C Major)
A sprightly, colourful rendition of a little-known opera, essential for all Rossini fans [CRo]
