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: Spring Symphony, Sinfonia da Requiem (LSO Live)
Three superb Britten readings, including possibly the finest Spring Symphony on disc [GPJ]
Beethoven: Symphony No 3 (Channel Classics)
Fischer balances the suavely light and the resiliently heroic [MG]
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]
Javier Laso (piano) New Worlds (Eudora)
Four masterpieces from four distinct strands of twentieth-century music [JF]
Swain: Chamber Works (Dutton)
Convincing premiere recordings of some of Freda Swain’s chamber music [JW]
Bird Spirit Dreaming (Da Vinci Classics)
A fascinating and rewarding disc of Australian rarities [PRJ]
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]
La Casa del Diavolo (Naïve)
(Déjà Review) For their fiercely propulsive and compellingly vital performances Il Giardino Armonico has few equals [MC]
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]
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)
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]