Schumann: Symphonies Nos 1 & 2 (Challenge Classics)
Mettlesome accounts, sometimes less smooth and sophisticated than Herreweghe’s, but a radiant slow movement of No. 2 [MG]
Handel: Deborah (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) Tread carefully, and be warned: if you give this modestly-priced issue a miss, you’ll be depriving yourself of some truly wonderful music, expertly executed [PJL]
Rózsa: String Quartets Nos 1 & 2 (ASV)
(Déjà Review) A real winner and warmly recommended with the secret hope that ASV will next turn to the String Trio and Piano Quintet [HC]
Cikada Live – Huddersfield / Donaueschingen (LAWO Classics)
Klaus Lang’s stately Parthenon is the must-hear item here [RHa]
Philarmonica (Alpha Classics)
A potentially interesting programme, but it tended to all blend together [DJB]
Sylvie Spycket (harpsichord) (Forgotten Records)
A short-lived harpsichordist heard in a bracingly robust recital [JW]
Wagner: Die Walküre (Pristine Audio)
Pristine’s stereo remastering reveals its glories yet more vividly – but unfortunately also highlights the constant hacking of the audience and Windgassen’s coordination problems. [RMo]
Cassadó & Mompou: Complete Solo Guitar Works (Naxos)
Having all the compositions for guitar by these two Catalan composers makes this a desirable disc [GPu]
Blyton: Choral Works (Upbeat Records)
(Déjà Review) This music, simply delightful as it is, could well change your life [GH]
Lehár: Die lustige Witwe (Naxos Historical)
(Déjà Review) Good sound, excellent playing and glorious singing [GF]
In Relations – song recital (Hänssler Classic)
A young soprano evidently to look out for, in a lovely debut recital [PT]
Ponchielli: La gioconda (Pristine Audio)
A great Callas recording is tidied up a bit, and her co-singers are brought into better focus [RMo]
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas No. 21, 23 (Deutsche Grammophon)
A glimpse into Serkin’s final thoughts in works always central to his repertoire [SG]
Sibelius: Early Stereo Recordings (First Hand Records)
Surprises and little-known Sibelian nuggets [JW]
Wagner: Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (Naxos)
A strong musical performance hampered by the directors’ silly concept and by technical issues with the sound [ST]
Arnold: Overtures (Chandos)
(Déjà Review) Hugely entertaining music conducted with incisiveness and flair [JQ]
Chopin: Nocturnes (Hyperion)
(Déjà Review) A Chopin player of decided viewpoints [JW]
Suk, Herbert & Dvořák: Inspiration (Sony Classical)
Beautifully played, intense Slavic serenades [SFV]
Stravinsky: Petrouchka & Debussy: Jeux, Poème Dansé (Decca)
A fine follow-up to Klaus Mäkelä’s previous Stravinsky disc [JQ]
Bruckner: Symphony No 3 (Myrios Classics)
An outstanding performance of Bruckner’s Third from François-Xavier Roth and his Cologne players [MC]
Beethoven: Complete Symphonies (National Symphony Orchestra)
A mercilessly rushed series of performances which almost invariably sacrifices grandeur in favour of mere propulsion [RMo]
CPE Bach: Sonatas for Keyboard & Violin (Channel Classics)
Enjoyable performances compromised by the use of an anachronistic fortepiano [JV]
Scharwenka: Complete Chamber Music (Hyperion)
(Déjà Review) Highly attractive romantic music caught in the web of ley lines between Schumann and early Fauré [RB]
Brahms: Violin Concerto, Clarinet Quintet (Music & Arts)
(Déjà Review) Lyrical intensity, seamless affection [JW]
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