Handel: Ariodante (Erato)
(Déjà Review) Performed with stylish affection [JW]
Respighi: Quartetto Dorico, Piano Quintet, Doppio Quartet (Brilliant Classics)
A good sampling of Respighi’s chamber music, but don’t expect Roman fireworks [DJB]
Jorge Bolet – The Ambassador Auditorium Recitals (First Hand Records)
Bolet heard in a rare surviving example of live recitals – occasionally fallible but far more energising than in the studio [JW]
Sibelius: Symphonies 1-7 (Ondine)
Lean and lovely Sibelius, consistent and convincing throughout [RMo]
Mozart: Complete Works For Clarinet Vol. 2 (Alpha Classics)
Volume 2 of Baldeyrou’s Mozart survey is every bit as successful as volume 1 [ST]
Papandopulo: Symphony No. 2 (cpo)
Well worth investigation if you enjoy colourful late-Romantic orchestral scores [EJW]
B Tchaikovsky: Orchestral Music (Northern Flowers)
Boris Tchaikovsky presents a softer, accessible face [RB]
Beethoven: Symphony 5 & Strauss: Ein Heldenleben (BR Klassik)
First releases of the second of only two appearances by Ozawa with the BRSO in satisfying, if unremarkable, performances [RMo]
Milestones (Signum Records)
A very nice thing to have around, or to give as a gift to more musically conservative friends [DC]
Malin Byström (soprano): German Opera Scenes and Arias (BIS)
Byström is an estimable artist but voices are a very personal thing – hers is not for me [ST]
Handel: Mezzo-Soprano Opera Arias (Erato)
(Déjà Review) Magnificent singing [JW]
Dvořák: Piano Quartets (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) Beautiful playing … at Naxos prices an absolute steal [SV]
Holbrooke: Violin Sonatas, Horn Trio (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) Sympathy, sensitivity, skill and enthusiasm in music that will gratify and surprise [JF][RB]
Brahms: Clarinet Trio, Clarinet Sonatas (Nimbus Records)
(Déjà Review) The performances and recording are top-notch [LW]
Velvet with Orchestra (Crystal Records)
Beautiful playing by one of the world’s finest tuba soloists [PRJ]
Dvořák: Symphony 9 (Reference Recording)
A vivid, thrilling account of a warhorse symphony as the main course, enough to reinvigorate any jaded palate – followed by a piquant dessert [RMo]
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.3 (SOMM Recordings)
Known and unknown repertoire in Beecham’s ultra-communicative live performances [JW]
Galuppi: The Hidden Galuppi (Da Vinci Classics)
First instalment of an important project covering Galuppi’s manuscript sonatas [JV]
Britten: Phaedra, A Charm of Lullabies, Lachrymae (Chandos)
(Déjà Review) A wonderful collection which succeeds because of the excellence of the performances [MG]
Schubert: Lieder (Avie)
An interesting compilation of Schubert Lieder, competently performed, but lacking expressive variety [DJa]
Ernesto Halffter: Piano Music (Nimbus)
(Déjà Review) For all fans of attractive, passionate Spanish music this is an ideal disc with which to impress friends [Byz]
Andrea Bacchetti (piano): Live at Fazioli Concert Hall (Artemisia)
A substantial and well-crafted recital. [DC]
Mendelssohn: Symphony No 2 ‘Lobgesang’ (BIS)
Smaller forces from Suzuki, but all the drive, passion and enthusiasm you could hope for [SGa]
Vasks: 80th Anniversary Edition (Ondine)
Some key Vasks works reappear in excellent versions [SB]
