Jonas Kaufmann (tenor) Doppelgänger (Sony)
A peculiar but wonderful release that showcases Kaufmann’s developing and deepening insights into the art of Lieder [ST]
Purcell: Hail! Bright Cecilia (Château de Versailles)
A misconceived performance of a great Purcell ode [JW]
Christmas in Monteverdi’s Venice (Arcana)
Christmas polyphony in Monteverdi’s Venice [JF]
Gregson: Concertos (Chandos)
A welcome 80th birthday tribute to one of Britain’s finest composers [PRJ]
Matthews: Orchestral Works (SOMM Recordings)
A distinguished and important addition to the discography of David Matthews [JQ]
16th century music for convents (Lucky Music)
Eavesdrop into an unfamiliar corner of religious music making during the Renaissance [DC]
Bowen: Music for organ, viola, violin and harp (Dutton)
Four musicians explore York Bowen’s more recherché compositions in some style [JW]
Mozart: Piano Concertos 21 and 22 (EMI Classics)
(Déjà Review) Thoughtful and transcendent playing. A winner on all counts [KS]
Muffat: Concertos (Channel Classics)
(Déjà Review) An eloquent and passionate plea for Muffat’s splendid music [JV]
Nielsen: Symphonies 4 & 5 (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) Makes me impatient to hear Schønwandt’s readings of Nielsen’s 2 & 3 [DM]
Schubert: Winterreise (Harmonia Mundi)
(Déjà Review) This deserves to be ranked alongside the very best [JQ]
Babadjanian: Complete Works for Piano (Claves)
Deserves a place in any good 20th century piano collection [DC]
Sir Charles Mackerras (conductor): The Complete Warner Classics Edition (Warner Classics)
A solid chunk of Mackerras, spanning half a century of recordings for the Warner group [JW]
Mahler: Symphony No.1 (Pristine Audio)
Considerably better than Walter’s stereo remake, but it’s for specialists only [SV]
Vaughan Williams: Mantegna – Hymnody and Beyond (Albion Records)
This enterprising, scholarly release of Vaughan Williams’s Hymn Tunes and their arrangements should reveal new byways into his œuvre [EJW]
Ibéria: Chabrier, Debussy & Ravel (Onyx)
The distinct perfumes and colours of Spain, orchestrated in France and brought to life in Liverpool [PH]
Dessy: String Quartets and Quintet (Cypres)
First recordings of some of the unique output by this enigmatic and mysterious composer [GH]
Clarke: Complete Songs (Signum Classics)
The twists and turns of Rebecca Clarke’s songs, presented in full for the first time in stylish, perceptive performances [JW]
Brahms: Piano Concerto No 2, Three Intermezzi (Pentatone)
A Brahms concerto full of poetry and quiet confidence [ST]
Pärt: Credo (Alpha Classics)
A 90th birthday tribute that serves as an exemplary introduction to Arvo Pärt [LW]
Monteverdi: Sweet Torment (Chandos Chaconne)
(Déjà Review) A highly accomplished and engaging disc [GF]
Rossini: Il Turco in Italia (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) Has some fine qualities, especially its leading lady [RJF]
Walton: Symphony 1 & Cello Concerto (Chandos)
A generous collection of three fine works played with this orchestra’s usual flair [NB]
Purcell: Dido and Aeneas (Château de Versailles Spectacles)
A new presentation, strong and full of woe, but only partially successful [PH]
