Salsa Nueva (SOMM Recordings)
The best thing to do with a disc such as this is to sit down, relax and enjoy [HC]
Mascagni: Cavalleria rusticana & Leoncavallo: I Pagliacci (Pristine Audio)
Remarkable sonic restoration, almost recreation, and a must for Verismo opera lovers [EJW]
Wagner: Parsifal (Sony Classical)
A decent account of the score let down by vocalism which ranges from mediocre to poor [MBu]
Adriana von Franqué (piano) Filigrane (Genuin)
Floating, atmospheric, finely crafted Parisian music [JF]
Janáček: Danube (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) An inspired rediscovery of three rarities [RBr]
Gormenghast (Sony Classical & BBC Studios)
(Déjà Review) One of the finest scores ever written for television [GSD]
Shostakovich: Symphony 13 (Chandos)
Shostakovich and Pärt, cheek by jowl, on this uneven disc [NC]
Wagner: Siegfried (Pristine Audio)
Another majestic instalment of living theatre – the best so far – in Kna’s 1956 Bayreuth Ring, in superb sound but again afflicted by persistent coughing [RMo]
Delius: Eine Messe des Lebens (LAWO Classics)
Sir Mark Elder and his Bergen forces present Delius’ A Mass of Life in the best possible light [MC]
Chopin: Études (Decca)
These Études aspire to a narrative unlike any other recording ever made – and is often remarkable in doing that [MB]
Kathleen Ferrier (contralto) Songs of the British Isles (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) Craftsmanship that is quite incredible … remarkable control … a masterful, spirited and dynamic touch [EML]
Four Temperaments (Linn)
Another outstanding recording by Phantasm, which presents English consort music in its full glory [JV]
Velvet Brown (tuba) – recital (Crystal Records)
A fine compilation of American tuba works, played a virtuoso soloist [PRJ]
Mademoiselle Duval: Les Génies (Château de Versailles Spectacles)
A Baroque opera rarity is one of CVS’s happiest releases of recent years [MP]
Upheaval (OUR Recordings)
Wonderful playing, emotional depth and imagination in this beautiful music [RCh]
Zemlinsky: Lyrische Symphonie, Symphonische Gesänge (Decca)
A very valuable disc of Zemlinsky’s sharply contrasting scores [JQ]
11 Famous Cathedral Organs – recital (Alto)
Thirteen pieces, eleven cathedral organs, nine organists, one excellent concept [JF]
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 4 for two pianos (Chandos)
(Déjà Review) This will be compulsory and compulsive listening for admirers of DSCH [PCW]
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5, The Voyevoda, Capriccio italien (BIS)
(Déjà Review) Popular and not so well known pieces, excellently played and stunningly recorded [JPh]
Vaughan Williams: Symphonies Nos 1-9 (RCA)
Over fifty years on, this set is still holding up pretty well, despite a few negligible flaws [RMo]
Mischa Levitzki (piano): Complete HMV Recordings (APR)
This splendid twofer just shouldn’t be missed [SG]
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