bird spirit dreaming davinci

Bird Spirit Dreaming (Da Vinci Classics)

A fascinating and rewarding disc of Australian rarities [PRJ]

graham poemes warner

Susan Graham (mezzo-soprano) Poèmes de L’Amour (Warner Classics)

(Déjà Review) Lovers of fine singing can purchase without hesitation now and enjoy an outstanding recording and performance [RJF]

casa diavolo naive

La Casa del Diavolo (Naïve)

(Déjà Review) For their fiercely propulsive and compellingly vital performances Il Giardino Armonico has few equals [MC]

Danza Gaya – Music for Two Pianos (Lyrita)

Delightful from start to finish [WK]

Grieg: Peer Gynt suites by Edvard Grieg (Vox)

The Utah Symphony and Abravanel in Grieg: understated, but never underwhelming [NC]

475 Jahre Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden (Profil)

Many first-class performances to celebrate the 475th anniversary of the Staatskapelle Dresden [MC]

Mahler: Symphonies Nos 2, 4, 7, 9, Das Lied von der Erde (Warner Classics)

An unmissable bargain [JQ]

Sweelinck: Keyboard Works (Piano Classics)

Most enjoyable [SG]

Véronique Gens (soprano): Paysage (Alpha Classics)

Delightful lost treasures from French musical history [JF]

19th Century Guitar Favourites (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) In decades to come this will remain a testament to superb guitar playing, refined interpretations and good taste [ZT]

Bach: Cello Suites (Hyperion)

(Déjà Review) The best of the best in this most personal of all possible worlds [DC]

Strauss: Piano Quartet & Metamorphosen (B Records)

Good performances but there are preferable versions of the main work [SB]

Sparks of Spirit (Audite)

This brother and sister team are winning in this engaging programme [RCh)

Rachmaninov: Sentimental Moments (Hungaroton)

A very auspicious recording debut [JQ]

Mercadante: Orazi e Curiazi (Opera Rara)

The best of a composer forever doomed to dwell in Verdi’s shadow, performed by a first-rate cast and starring the great Nelly Miricioiu [RMo]

Luxembourg Contemporary Music 3 (Naxos)

Little-known music, well worth hearing; Kontz’s and Dartevelle’s works stand out [HC]

Jones: Chamber Music (Lyrita)

Neo-classical music creates a bittersweet harmonic and melodic sound world [JF]

Brahms: Viola Sonatas (Hyperion)

(Déjà Review) Very fine performances of these late works [MC]

Aho: Contrabassoon & Tuba Concertos (BIS)

(Déjà Review) Merely broaden your horizons or enter an entirely new world, either way – this is something special [DC]

JSBach CantataVol1 Hanssler

J S Bach: The First Cantata Year Vol 1 (Hänssler Classic)

Given the quality of the existing cycles, this is a brave project but a very fine start [DJB]

Donizetti favorite naxos

Donizetti: La favorite (Naxos)

Javier Camarena as Fernand is worth a listen, but the singing on the whole is too compromised for a general recommendation [GF]

Strauss Frau 900219

Strauss: Die schweigsame Frau (BR Klassik)

A lovely supplement to the complete live recording in much better sound [RMo]

Peace magdalen COR16205

Peace I leave with you – Music for the Evening Hour (Coro Magdalen)

A discerningly chosen programme given accomplished performances [JQ]

morini victor pristine

Erica Morini (violin) The Complete Victor Recordings (Pristine Audio)

Youthful Erica Morini’s earliest recordings from New Jersey show her scintillating in morceaux [JW]