Smirnov & Firsova: Chamber Works (Our Recordings)
Atmospheric, accessible music by two contemporary Russian composers [KT]
Richter: Symphonies (Chandos)
(Déjà Review) A greatly enjoyable disc with three first recordings [DBl]
Telemann: Cantatas, Vol 1 (cpo)
(Déjà Review) An outstanding collection of high Baroque cantatas sung with conviction, gentle authority and perception [MS]
Jewish Vienna (Onyx)
A beautiful programme, exquisitely performed, with Chen Reiss in top form [GF]
Suk, Martinů & Fišer: Violin & Piano (Supraphon)
A fine disc of Czech violin works performed by a youthful duo [JW]
Mahler: Symphony 8 (High Definition Tape Transfers)
An epoch-making historic performance has never sounded so good [NB]
Adès, Marsey & Leith: Orchestral Works (Hallé)
An imaginative programme of premiere recordings [LW]
Falla: Piano Music – Vol 2 (Naxos)
Listen, stop the player, sip a glass of Rioja and move on to the next number! [JF]
Strauss: Ein Heldenleben & Metamorphosen (Decca)
If you like your Richard Strauss vigorous and in full technicolour sound, then you will want to hear this performance [TP]
Mitra Kotte (piano) Herstory (Genuin)
One of the most enjoyable recitals I have heard this year, let alone one featuring just female composers [RCh]
Shor: Composer’s Notebook 4 (Naxos)
For the most part Alexey Shor’s music lacks individuality [GPu]
Arvo Pärt: …Lente (Berlin Classics)
Meltingly affecting, make sure you have a fresh spiritual mop and bucket to hand for this recording [DC]
Crossing Borders (Signum Classics)
A nice mixture of familiar and little-known pieces in top-class performances [JV]
Grechaninov: Passion Week (Chandos)
(Déjà Review) A recording of spectacular range and refinement and singing of the highest calibre [DM]
Shostakovich: Piano Quintet & Trio (Erato)
(Déjà Review) Top-notch Shostakovich [DC]
Bruckner: Symphony 8 (Pristine Audio)
A classic performance in improved sound [MBu]
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas (Deutsche Grammophon)
Richter in his prime in Beethoven from the archives of Deutsche Grammophon [PH]
Cilea: Gloria (Naxos)
An unjustly neglected opera by the composer of Adriana Lecouvreur and L’Arlesiana [WK]
Tchaikovsky: Symphony 6 & Khachaturian: Violin Concerto (Gramola)
Worth your while for one piece — not the one you’d expect [SV]
Bach: Fugues arranged for String Quartet (Deutsche Grammophon)
(Déjà Review) Gorgeous playing, wonderful music, but more of a supplement than a Bach staple [DC]
L Anderson: Orchestral Music Vol. 3 (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) Leroy Anderson hits in uninhibited performances full of joie de vivre [IL]
Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique; Ravel: La valse (Decca)
Mäkelä disappoints in French music [LD]
Bacewicz: Orchestral Works Vol. 2 (Chandos)
Volume 2 reaffirms all the qualities of its predecessor [NB]
Gassmann: Gli Uccellatori (Dynamic)
A pleasant diversion which does not engage one’s deeper emotions [MP]
