beethoven dean orchid

Beethoven & Dean: Piano Concertos (Orchid Classics)

A refreshing and compelling pairing of two piano concertos [WH]

Sorabji toccata PCL10304

Sorabji: Toccata Terza (Piano Classics)

A performance of enormous clarity and subtlety [PRJ]

Reicha quintet 96596

Reicha & Neukomm: Quintets (Brilliant Classics)

Appealing, occasionally quirky Classical quintets [SV]

Mahler sym4 AV2069

Mahler: Symphony No. 4 (Avie)

More than a curio, this Fourth has an appeal and an impact all of its own [CC]

Martinů: Double Concerto (Apex)

Some sound issues, but on a purely artistic level these are pretty compelling performances [TH]

Shostakovich Symph 8 Haitink BR Klassik 900214

Shostakovich: Symphony No 8 (BR Klassik)

An embarrassing discographical postscript to a distinguished career [NC]

Schmidt Isserstedt Orchestral Anthology Forgotten 2181

Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt (conductor): Orchestral Anthology Vol 1 (Forgotten Records)

Schmidt-Isserstedt on light duties, pre-war, in an overture sequence [JW]

De Visee Theorbo Solos BIS SACD 2562

de Visée: Theorbo Solos (BIS)

Music by Louis XIV’s favourite lutenist, played with distinction on a wonderfully resonant, warm instrument [GH]

United-Pacific-Quintet-Fuga-Libera-FUG827

Pacific Quintet: United (Fuga Libera)

The playing on this outstanding issue is nothing short of spectacularly good [GPJ]

Roussel Violin Sonatas-Naxos 8574577

Roussel: Violin Sonatas and String Trio (Naxos)

Very stylishly played accounts of Roussel’s impressive chamber works [NB]

Dvorak Slavonic Dances Harnoncourt Teldec 8573810382

Dvorák: Slavonic Dances (Teldec)

(Déjà Review) Performance and recording superb. Recommended, but Sejna’s Supraphon issue is the genuine article [JP]

Deja Review Rawsthorne Film Music Chandos CHAN9749

Rawsthorne: The Film Music (Chandos)

(Déjà Review) Highly recommended to film music fans and admirers of English 20th Century music, particularly of Alan Rawsthorne [PC] [GSD]

pohle sonatas ricercar

Pohle: Complete Sonatas & Ballet Music (Ricercar)

Very fine performances of little-known music from mid-17th century Germany [DJB]

viebig proscrits forgotten records

Ernst Viebig (conductor) 1933: Les chefs proscrits (Forgotten Records)

A lesser light in German conducting flourishes in light overtures and waltzes in Weimar Berlin [JW]

Handel sonatas DCD34304

Handel: Complete Violin Sonatas (Delphian)

An accomplished partnership presents Handel’s violin sonatas most attractively [MC]

Gatti Praeconium solitudinis NovAntiqua

Enrico Gatti (violin) Praeconium solitudinis (NovAntiqua)

The performances are superb, but the concept may not appeal to everyone [JV]

chopin fou pristine

Chopin: Piano Works (Pristine Audio)

Fou’s artistry and expressiveness shows no dimunition in these late, live recordings excellently remastered by Pristine [MG]

english piano quartets meridian

English Piano Quartets (Meridian)

(Déjà Review) A classic and generous collection of rare English chamber music [RB]

liszt via crucis hortus

Liszt: Via Crucis (Hortus)

(Déjà Review) Highly dynamic and powerful performances, extremely well-recorded in stunning sound [PSh]

Henselt, Bronsart: Piano Concerti (BIS)

Unequivocally first-rate, brilliant in every respect – for the lover of 19th-century piano concertos [EJW]

Bach: Trio Sonatas (Brilliant Classics)

Good performances on a splendid historical instrument [JV]

Bruckner: Symphony No. 1 (Capriccio)

This brisk, nervy account pales in comparison with Schaller’s steadier, grander recording [RMo]

Louis Glass: Piano Works Volume 2 (Danacord)

Many pleasing moments for the engaged listener [JF]

Stravinsky: Symphony of Psalms, Mass, Babel (Hänssler Classic)

Performances meticulously prepared but somewhat lacking in urgency and acoustic beauty [GPJ]