Schubert mayrhofer2 8554739

Schubert: Mayrhofer Lieder Vol 2 (Naxos)

Intimacy in music encapsulated on a small circle of plastic – remarkable and breathtaking [SA]

Schubert Liszt Der Wanderer Songs Piano Classics PCL10271

Schubert/Liszt: Der Wanderer (Piano Classics)

Liszt’s reworkings of Schubert are well worth considering [SB]

Turina Works for Strings Naxos 8.573391

Turina: Works for Strings (Naxos)

An interesting survey of Turina’s music arranged for string orchestra. A little extra glamour in the recording would have made it even more appealing [NB]

Nielsen Symph 3 Flute Concerto Gardner Chandos CHSA5312

Nielsen: Symphony No 3 and Flute Concerto (Chandos)

Good performances but no special interpretative insights [PBW]

Absolutely Morricone v2 Da Vinci C00580

Morricone: Absolutely … Ennio Morricone Vol 2 (Da Vinci Classics)

The original orchestral film scores are matchless, but these are very fine arrangements [TMS]

Poulenc Stabat Mater Opus Arte OA 0817D

Poulenc: Stabat Mater and Litanies à la Vierge Noire (Opus Arte)

(Déjà Review) A moving, compelling document regarding some of this unique composer’s finest music [GPJ]

Respighi Belkis Queen of Sheba Oue Ref Rec RR95CD

Respighi: Belkis, Queen of Sheba Suite and The Pines of Rome (Reference Recordings)

(Déjà Review) The exotic Respighi – contrasts the little known with the very well known. Recommended [AB]

delius hassan chandos

Delius: Hassan (Chandos)

A welcome new recording of a substantial Delius score as originally conceived [NB]

blackford sagrada lyrita

Blackford: La Sagrada Familia (Lyrita)

Two very different, attractive recent works by Richard Blackford in excellent performances [JQ]

donizetti dalinda oehms

Donizetti: Dalinda (Oehms Classics)

Good, honest, open-throated singing in an intriguing and highly enjoyable reconstruction of a formerly lost work – and a star performance by the lead soprano [RMo]

brahms gimpel forgotten records

Brahms: Violin Concerto (Forgotten Records)

Performances  of elegance and charm [SG]

meulemans orchestral phaedra

Meulemans: Orchestral Works (Phaedra)

Well-crafted and superbly scored works in which Meulemans’ orchestral flair and mastery are clearly displayed [HC]

offenbach helene regis

Offenbach: La Belle Hélène (Regis)

Not for nothing has this Offenbach been counted among the five all-time great recordings of French opera [CH]

Rose in Bloom – recital (Orchid Classics)

An imaginative programme, stunningly performed [NB]

Ravel: Chamber Music (First Hand Records)

Good performances of Ravel’s three major chamber works [SB]

Center: Instrumental and Chamber Music Vol. 3 (Toccata Classics)

More music by an almost reclusive, highly original composer, played with understanding and care [GH]

Radu Lupu (piano): Live Vol. 1 (Doremi)

Some welcome additions to the pianist’s discography [SG]

Nielsen: Symphony No. 5, Flute Concerto (Hallé)

(Déjà Review) Brilliant performances of brilliant music, in other words a great buy [NHo]

Martinů: String Quartets No. 4, 5, 7 (Naxos )

(Déjà Review) Czech dances never seem to be far away … rollicking and suspense-laden [GH]

Shostakovich: String Quartets No 9 & 15 (Signum Classics)

Another fine disc from a quartet close to this repertoire [RWe]

Thomas Quasthoff (bass- baritone) Evening Star (Deutsche Grammophon)

A cunningly devised programme ideally showcasing Quasthoff’s vocal versatility and dramatic gifts [RMo]

Piazzolla: Buenos Aires (Naxos)

Well played if just a tad too restrained [NB]

Blackford: Songs of Nadia Anjuman (Nimbus Records)

Moving, expressive poetry set to intense but accessible music and performed with burning conviction [JQ]

Mahler Delos

Mahler: Symphony No 10 (Delos)

(Déjà Review) We will never know what Mahler 10 would have  been like, but I’m sure it would not have sounded like this [TD]