Deja Review Schumann Symphs 1-4 Sawallisch EMI 5677682

Schumann: Symphonies Nos 1-4 (Warner Classics)

(Déjà Review) With splendid standards of music making, recording and presentation, this is a benchmark and self-recommending issue [TB]

Britten rattle LSO0830

Britten: Spring Symphony, Sinfonia da Requiem (LSO Live)

Three superb Britten readings, including possibly the finest Spring Symphony on disc [GPJ]

Beethoven sym3 CCSSA46524SACD

Beethoven: Symphony No 3 (Channel Classics)

Fischer balances the suavely light and the resiliently heroic [MG]

mascagni leoncavallo pristine

Mascagni: Cavalleria rusticana & Leoncavallo: I Pagliacci (Pristine Audio)

A pleasure to hear Björling in these excellent Pristine transfers, even if these two roles are not amongst his greatest [PT]

laso new worlds eudora

Javier Laso (piano) New Worlds (Eudora)

Four masterpieces from four distinct strands of twentieth-century music [JF]

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Swain: Chamber Works (Dutton)

Convincing premiere recordings of some of Freda Swain’s chamber music [JW]

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Bird Spirit Dreaming (Da Vinci Classics)

A fascinating and rewarding disc of Australian rarities [PRJ]

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Susan Graham (mezzo-soprano) Poèmes de L’Amour (Warner Classics)

(Déjà Review) Lovers of fine singing can purchase without hesitation now and enjoy an outstanding recording and performance [RJF]

casa diavolo naive

La Casa del Diavolo (Naïve)

(Déjà Review) For their fiercely propulsive and compellingly vital performances Il Giardino Armonico has few equals [MC]

Danza Gaya – Music for Two Pianos (Lyrita)

Delightful from start to finish [WK]

Grieg: Peer Gynt suites by Edvard Grieg (Vox)

The Utah Symphony and Abravanel in Grieg: understated, but never underwhelming [NC]

475 Jahre Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden (Profil)

Many first-class performances to celebrate the 475th anniversary of the Staatskapelle Dresden [MC]

Mahler: Symphonies Nos 2, 4, 7, 9, Das Lied von der Erde (Warner Classics)

An unmissable bargain [JQ]

Sweelinck: Keyboard Works (Piano Classics)

Most enjoyable [SG]

Véronique Gens (soprano): Paysage (Alpha Classics)

Delightful lost treasures from French musical history [JF]

19th Century Guitar Favourites (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) In decades to come this will remain a testament to superb guitar playing, refined interpretations and good taste [ZT]

Bach: Cello Suites (Hyperion)

(Déjà Review) The best of the best in this most personal of all possible worlds [DC]

Strauss: Piano Quartet & Metamorphosen (B Records)

Good performances but there are preferable versions of the main work [SB]

Sparks of Spirit (Audite)

This brother and sister team are winning in this engaging programme [RCh)

Rachmaninov: Sentimental Moments (Hungaroton)

A very auspicious recording debut [JQ]

Mercadante: Orazi e Curiazi (Opera Rara)

The best of a composer forever doomed to dwell in Verdi’s shadow, performed by a first-rate cast and starring the great Nelly Miricioiu [RMo]

Luxembourg Contemporary Music 3 (Naxos)

Little-known music, well worth hearing; Kontz’s and Dartevelle’s works stand out [HC]

Jones: Chamber Music (Lyrita)

Neo-classical music creates a bittersweet harmonic and melodic sound world [JF]

Brahms: Viola Sonatas (Hyperion)

(Déjà Review) Very fine performances of these late works [MC]