Taylor: Orchestral Music Vol. 2 (Toccata Classics)
A fine survey of Matthew Taylor’s recent orchestral output [HC]
Kverndokk: A Desperate Light, Orchestral Works (LAWO Classics)
Imaginative sources of inspiration enable Kverndokk to compose engaging and accessible narrative music for this CD [KT]
Ernest Ansermet (conductor): Fauré Requiem, Orchestral Suites (Pristine Audio)
Historical recordings in excellent remastered sound that belies its considerable age [GF]
The Berliner Philharmoniker and Seiji Ozawa (Berliner Philharmoniker Recordings)
A great orchestra pays its tribute to a much loved conductor [PH]
Building Castles – New Music for New Audiences (Delphian)
A varied and thoroughly enjoyable showcase of Scottish musical talent [WH]
Kaleidoscope – Contemporary Piano Music by Female Composers from Around the World (Grand Piano)
A varied collection of piano pieces by contemporary female composers, performed with passion and brilliance [GH]
Volans: String Quartets Nos 1, 2 & 6 (Black Box)
(Déjà Review) The instrumental combinations and sonorities make for compelling listening [TB]
Xenakis: Works for Large Orchestra, Vol 3 (Timpani)
(Déjà Review) The constants that characterise him are the hallmark of a great composer. One can also hear the torment, the contradictory side of the creative impulse [TH]
Sartorius & Stadlmayr: Sacred Works (Musikmuseum)
Music from Innsbruck around 1600 performed by an excellent group of singers and players [JV]
Enna: Violin Concerto & Symphony (Dacapo)
Well-crafted and attractive music written in a conservative manner, beautifully played [NB]
YULE (2L)
Not a ‘sing-along’ album, but richly suffused with the spirit of Yule [DC]
Vivaldi: Violin Sonata (Snakewood)
The discovery of this piece is as exciting as the piece itself and the way it is performed [JV]
So Fragile, So Blue (National Symphony Orchestra)
From Canadian waterways to a sub-orbital space flight, nature’s fragility is explored by the irrepressible William Shatner [JW]
Bruckner: Symphony 8 (Pristine Audio)
A wild, driven performance which oozes personality and conviction, now cleaned up to an unprecedentedly high standard [RMo]
Baines & Moeran: Piano Music (Lyrita)
(Déjà Review) Essential listening for all enthusiasts of British piano music [JF]
Beethoven: Piano Concertos (Deutsche Grammphon)
(Déjà Review) Lang Lang’s sparkling playing and considerable insights make for joyous listening [MC]
Haydn, Ligeti & Hensel: String quartets (Solo Musica)
A fabulous debut recording, not to be missed [PBW]
David Oistrakh (violin): The Warner Remastered Edition (Warner Classics)
A massive celebratory David Oistrakh box features strikingly good remasterings of his HMV legacy and a vast array of live and broadcast material [JW]
Mozart: Piano Concerti Nos 1-4 (Chandos)
Performances to encourage an investigation of Mozart’s rarely played apprenticeship to the piano concerto trade [MG]
Mahler: Symphony No 8 (Sony Classical)
A fine live account which despite a few quibbles sustains interest throughout its taut execution [RMo]
Lauter! (Solaire)
A welcome addition to the Smyth discography [DC]
Unplayed Stories … in 40 Fingers (Hyperion)
Dazzling playing in these highly appealing rarities [RCh]
Boccherini: Cello Sonatas (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) A fine release of rare and interesting repertoire that will appeal to lovers of the cello [MC]
All is Bright (Avie)
(Déjà Review) A seasonal gift for a musical friend but you may be tempted to keep it instead as a treat for yourself [JQ]
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