Mahler: Symphony No 2 ‘Resurrection’ (BIS)
A beautifully recorded and performed ‘Resurrection’ Symphony, with a limitation in the chorus [EJW]
Edwin Fischer (piano): Mozart Piano Concertos (APR)
APR’s endeavours are of real value and virtue to the pianophile [SG]
Torelli: 12 Concerti da camera (Challenge Classics)
This ensemble could hardly have made a better debut than with this recording of little-known pieces [JV]
Schoenberg & Fauré: Pelléas et Mélisande (Alpha Classics)
Two wonderfully contrasting explorations of Maeterlinck’s play [JF]
Harris: Symphonies Nos 7 & 9 (Naxos)
Serious, but highly listenable music from an under-recorded American giant [NH]
Saint-Saëns: Piano Concertos Nos 1-5 (Hyperion)
A credit to this brave and enterprising label. Go on, treat yourself – you won’t regret it [TH]
Massenet: Werther (Bru Zane)
A version with a baritone title role, much more than a curiosity [RWe]
Bach: Reconstructed (Audite)
Imaginative recreations of possible Brandenburg Concertos [SB]
Charms to Soothe (Azica)
This is a disc for anyone with a taste for beautiful and stimulating music, played with taste and devotion [GF]
Hummel: Music for Flute & Piano Vol. 1 (Da Vinci Classics)
A rewarding conspectus of Hummel’s compositions for flute and piano [GPu]
Stevenson: Songs (Delphian)
(Déjà Review) Depth and thoughtfulness, amplifying, refracting and complementing the poets’ lines in a way that enriches and moves [JW]
R Strauss: Sinfonia Domestica (Arte Nova Classics)
(Déjà Review) Refreshing, highlighting the invention and vivacity [RBr]
Mahler: Symphony No.3 (BIS)
If you have been collecting Vänskä’s cycle, you will want this fine account of the Third [JQ]
Fitkin: Loosening (Signum Classics)
Wonderfully engaging sound world from a master [PRJ]
Verdi: Rigoletto (Warner Classics)
A powerful recording with much to commend it in spite of a few failings among the cast [MP]
Graun: A Gentle Tenor (Accent)
A valuable contribution to our knowledge of vocal music of the early 18th century [GF]
Loeffler: Octet; Debussy: Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune (Delos)
Obligatory for anyone interested in American music at the turn of the twentieth century [WK]
Schubert: Lieder with Orchestra (Deutsche Grammophon)
(Déjà Review) A disc to return to many, many times [CC]
Vasks: Symphony No.2, Violin Concerto (Ondine )
(Déjà Review) Two rewarding lyrical works [RB]
Stravinsky: Symphonies Vol 1 (BIS)
Poised and polished performances show these scores in an unusual light [NB]
The Gesualdo Six – Queen of Hearts (Hyperion)
Magnificent Renaissance motets and songs performed with ease and control [GH]
Jakub Józef Orliński (alto) – Beyond (Erato)
An ideal combination of mostly unfamiliar repertoire and stylistically convincing performances [JV]
Orefice: Piano Works (Dynamic)
Atmospheric and evocative piano music from this little-known Italian [RCh]