Poulenc piano PCL10217

Poulenc: Piano Music (Piano Classics)

Chiara Cipelli responds vividly to the lyricism, wit and occasional melancholy of these diverse pieces [JF]

Paradigma italy 96922

Paradigma Medioevo: Music from 14th-century Italy (Brilliant Classics)

This can be a good introduction to the 14th century Italian Ars nova [GH]

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Strauss: Josephs Legende (Naxos)

A fine performance, well recorded, but inferior to Sinopoli’s more sensuous account [RMo]

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Lumen Christi – A Sequence of Music for the Easter Vigil (Ad Fontes)

The ecstatic joy at Christ’s resurrection is musically embodied here in a perfect manner [JV]

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A L’Estampida – Medieval Dance Music (Avie)

I can’t imagine any listener being disappointed in this infectious and delightful program [KS]

Wagner rheingold OA0910D

Wagner: Das Rheingold (Opus Arte)

A superb fusion of singing, music and stagecraft [AOz]

Danza Gaya Two Pianos Lyrita SRCD433

Danza Gaya: Music for Two Pianos (Lyrita)

Attractive and entertaining, but unfamiliar music, beautifully performed [NB]

Borgstrom Fiskeren Simax PSC1221

Borgstrøm: Fiskeren (The Fisherman) (Simax Classics)

An interesting rarity, well worth investigating. [GF]

Grieg Violin Sonatas Brilliant 96949

Grieg: Violin Sonatas (Brilliant Classics)

A charming new version of Grieg’s attractive violin sonatas [SB]

Diaries Schumann Poon Pentatone PTC 5187 128

Diaries Schumann (Pentatone)

Fine playing from an engaging young pianist, if not the most memorable Schumann [JH]

Dvorak Symphs 7 8 Inkinen SWR Music SWR19130CD

Dvořák: Symphonies Nos 7 & 8 (SWR Classic)

A potentially attractive coupling, quite well played but too low-key and lightweight. [RMo]

The Score Interviews Film Composers Michael Schelle Silman James Press

The Score – Interviews with Film Composers (Silman-James Press)

(Déjà Review) This is a book that is well overdue. It is an inside look at the working life of the people who compose for films against ruthless deadlines and the dictates of production teams [IL]

Dutilleux Symph 2 Plasson EMI CDC5571432

Dutilleux: Symphony No 2, Métaboles & The Shadows of Time (EMI Classics)

(Déjà Review) The fine cohesive forces and undeniable emotive power of these pieces should surely serve to guarantee them a lasting place in the repertoire … the more one listens, the more there is to discover [CC]

Turina Cpt Piano Trios IBS192022

Turina: Complete Piano Trios (IBS Classical)

Exceptional in every way [DJB]

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Stanford: Shamus O’Brien (Retrospect Opera)

The premiere recording of Stanford’s fourth opera in an excellent performance [JQ]

Wilder piano TROY1294

Wilder: Music for piano (Albany)

Charming pieces, well stated and beautifully played [JF]

Scott: Orchestral Works Volume Three (Toccata Classics)

Appealing lighter music, when it hangs together [SV]

Rieti: Complete Piano Solo & Duo Works • 2 (Grand Piano)

Rieti is one of those composers you wish you had discovered years ago [SA]

schumann brahms naxos

Schumann & Brahms: Chamber Music (Naxos Historical)

(Déjà Review) A real feeling here of spontaneity and depth of expression [TH]

Verdi Nabucco Met Opera Levine DG DVD 0730779

Verdi: Nabucco (Deutsche Grammophon)

(Déjà Review) Worth the price for Guleghina’s Abigaille [RJF]

mahler boult pristine

Mahler: Symphonies 5, 7 & 8 (Pristine Audio)

A specialist issue, but Mahler devotees and admirers of Sir Adrian Boult will find it fascinating [JQ]

donizetti l'esule roma opera rara

Donizetti: L’esule di Roma (Opera Rara)

An opera overlooked for far too long is presented in the best possible light [MC]

cochereau centenary solstice

Pierre Cochereau (organ) The Album of the Centenary (Solstice)

A worthy tribute to a fine musician [SG]

la belle dame em records

La Belle Dame (EM Records)

Largely early and apprentice works from British composers; sift with care [JW]