Wagner: Siegfried (Pristine Audio)
Another majestic instalment of living theatre – the best so far – in Kna’s 1956 Bayreuth Ring, in superb sound but again afflicted by persistent coughing [RMo]
Delius: Eine Messe des Lebens (LAWO Classics)
Sir Mark Elder and his Bergen forces present Delius’ A Mass of Life in the best possible light [MC]
The Tempestuous Harpsichord (Tremula Records)
A storm in a teacup [PRJ]
Chopin: Études (Decca)
These Études aspire to a narrative unlike any other recording ever made – and is often remarkable in doing that [MB]
Kathleen Ferrier (contralto) Songs of the British Isles (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) Craftsmanship that is quite incredible … remarkable control … a masterful, spirited and dynamic touch [EML]
Four Temperaments (Linn)
Another outstanding recording by Phantasm, which presents English consort music in its full glory [JV]
Velvet Brown (tuba) – recital (Crystal Records)
A fine compilation of American tuba works, played a virtuoso soloist [PRJ]
Mademoiselle Duval: Les Génies (Château de Versailles Spectacles)
A Baroque opera rarity is one of CVS’s happiest releases of recent years [MP]
Upheaval (OUR Recordings)
Wonderful playing, emotional depth and imagination in this beautiful music [RCh]
Zemlinsky: Lyrische Symphonie, Symphonische Gesänge (Decca)
A very valuable disc of Zemlinsky’s sharply contrasting scores [JQ]
11 Famous Cathedral Organs – recital (Alto)
Thirteen pieces, eleven cathedral organs, nine organists, one excellent concept [JF]
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 4 for two pianos (Chandos)
(Déjà Review) This will be compulsory and compulsive listening for admirers of DSCH [PCW]
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5, The Voyevoda, Capriccio italien (BIS)
(Déjà Review) Popular and not so well known pieces, excellently played and stunningly recorded [JPh]
Vaughan Williams: Symphonies Nos 1-9 (RCA)
Over fifty years on, this set is still holding up pretty well, despite a few negligible flaws [RMo]
Mischa Levitzki (piano): Complete HMV Recordings (APR)
This splendid twofer just shouldn’t be missed [SG]
Gershwin: Gershwin Rhapsody (Decca)
The concert platform meets Broadway in this thoroughly enjoyable disc of piano music and songs by Gershwin [PT]
Foucquet: Pièces de Clavecin (Brilliant Classics)
A production every lover of the harpsichord should investigate [JV]
Dukas: Orchestral & Piano Works (Warner Classics)
A go-to Dukas box of outstanding performances – but no texts [JW]
Mozart: Don Giovanni (Orfeo)
(Déjà Review) A collector’s item specifically for opera buffs and Furtwängler fanatics which fills a gap in his recording legacy [AR]
McKay: Violin Concerto and Sinfonietta No 4 (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) Beautifully crafted and well-orchestrated works [JPh]
Elgar: Symphonies Nos 1 & 2 (Hallé)
Distinguished recordings which surpass the earlier recordings by these performers [JQ]
El cant de la Sibil.la & Draumkvedet (Carpe Diem Records)
A memorable adventure in early music and recording sonics [ZT]
Bruckner: Symphony 3 (Capriccio)
Poschner once more subjects Bruckner’s Third Symphony to unreasonable and unaesthetic haste [RMo]
Stanford: Shamus O’Brien (Retrospect Opera)
A Stanford opera; uneven and unsatisfactory but beautifully presented [JW]
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