Beethoven & Dean: Piano Concertos (Orchid Classics)
A refreshing and compelling pairing of two piano concertos [WH]
Sorabji: Toccata Terza (Piano Classics)
A performance of enormous clarity and subtlety [PRJ]
Reicha & Neukomm: Quintets (Brilliant Classics)
Appealing, occasionally quirky Classical quintets [SV]
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: Symphony No 8 (BR Klassik)
An embarrassing discographical postscript to a distinguished career [NC]
Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt (conductor): Orchestral Anthology Vol 1 (Forgotten Records)
Schmidt-Isserstedt on light duties, pre-war, in an overture sequence [JW]
de Visée: Theorbo Solos (BIS)
Music by Louis XIV’s favourite lutenist, played with distinction on a wonderfully resonant, warm instrument [GH]
Pacific Quintet: United (Fuga Libera)
The playing on this outstanding issue is nothing short of spectacularly good [GPJ]
Roussel: Violin Sonatas and String Trio (Naxos)
Very stylishly played accounts of Roussel’s impressive chamber works [NB]
Dvorák: Slavonic Dances (Teldec)
(Déjà Review) Performance and recording superb. Recommended, but Sejna’s Supraphon issue is the genuine article [JP]
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: Complete Sonatas & Ballet Music (Ricercar)
Very fine performances of little-known music from mid-17th century Germany [DJB]
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: Complete Violin Sonatas (Delphian)
An accomplished partnership presents Handel’s violin sonatas most attractively [MC]
Enrico Gatti (violin) Praeconium solitudinis (NovAntiqua)
The performances are superb, but the concept may not appeal to everyone [JV]
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)
(Déjà Review) A classic and generous collection of rare English chamber music [RB]
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]