Pärt: Kanon Pokajanen (Harmonia Mundi)
Still up there with the best in a very narrow field [DC]
Mahler: Symphony No.10 (Denon)
Another driven performance of Mahler’s Tenth, strong on propulsion but marred by some erratic gear-changes [RMo]
Verdi: Simon Boccanegra (Prima Classic)
A live recording of the 1881 version, with excellent sound, but vocally disappointing [DJa]
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas op.109-111 (Chandos)
A wonderful new version of Beethoven’s last sonatas, and a fitting swan song for Imogen Cooper [SB]
Amram: Chamber Music (Naxos)
Not a man to cosy up to the great and the good [RB]
Mahler: Symphony No.2 (Warner Classics)
(Déjà Review) Acquire this superb new Mahler Second, but hang on to your copy of Rattle’s 1986 recording too [JQ]
Khachaturian: Spartacus, Gayane (Onyx)
(Déjà Review) A recording and a performance that bode well for the BSO/Karabits/Onyx partnership [DM]
Humperdinck: Hänsel und Gretel (Warner Classics)
(Déjà Review) A modern makeover for an old favourite [GD]
Haydn: Missa Brevis & Missa “Harmoniemesse” (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) Exceptionally elegant performances from a first rate band of musicians [KS]
Esther Rayo (soprano): Estrellita (Divine Art)
A very attractive recital of Spanish songs from the first half of the last century [RWe]
Riccio: Vocem iucunditatis – Sacred Music (Dynamic)
An important step towards a more complete portrait of a composer who has left more than just a few canzonas [JV]
Soulima Stravinsky: Rediscovered Recordings (Nimbus)
A fascinating rediscovery from the Nimbus archives – Soulima Stravinsky playing his own and his father’s music [DHa]
Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Piano Quintets (Naxos)
Nostalgia, victory and bardic introspection [RB]
Polish Kaleidoscope 4: Piano Duo (Chopin University Press)
Delightful four hand music from forgotten characters of Poland’s musical past [RCh]
Mahler: Symphony 10 (High Definition Tape Transfers)
A hard-driven performance which takes no prisoners [RMo]
Elgar: From the Archives Vol 2, Cello & Violin Concertos (SOMM)
Presenting Navarra’s known strengths and adding Varga’s now forgotten qualities [JW]
Missa Aedis Christi (Convivium Records)
A worthwhile collection of new choral music [SB]
Italian Perspectives (Pentatone)
An intelligent combination of Respighi-related works, given good performances [DJB]
Frank: Conquest Requiem & Estévez: Cantata Criolla (Naxos)
Music I was surprised not to enjoy more [NB]
Holst: The Planets (piano 4 hands) & Bowen: Piano Suites (Nimbus)
Utterly sympathetic and inspired [JF]
Handel: Serse (Erato)
Arrestingly beautiful, sung with passion and intensity [ST]
D’Agincour: Pièces de Clavecin (Brilliant Classics)
The best possible case for the unjustly neglected D’Agincour [JV]
Mahler: Symphony No. 10 (Sony Classical)
Beautifully played and wholly coherent, this first commercial recording still deserves a place in every Mahlerian’s collection [RMo]
Alexander Ffinch (organ): Expectations (Divine Art)
From macabre midnight to hopeful dawn [JF]
