The Experts – The Bach & Silbermann Dynasties (Harmonia Mundi)
The performances are good, but the concept of this disc is not really convincing [JV]
Chiaroscuro (Blue Griffin Records)
A fascinating programme, capable of weaving a magic all of its own [SA]
Busoni: Doktor Faust (Dynamic)
This production does not quite support the opinion that Doktor Faust is one of the great operas [RWe]
Jascha Horenstein (conductor): Horenstein in Venezuela Vol 1 (Pristine Audio)
A specialist but intriguing release showing a great conductor working, as it were, off the beaten track [JQ]
Clara Schumann: Piano Music 1 (Grand Piano)
A decent opening disc for this worthy project but it would not be my first choice [RCh]
Jongen: Piano Music Vol 2 (Pavane)
All who respond to Debussy’s, Ravel’s or Ireland’s piano music will find plenty to enjoy here [HC]
Wolf-Ferrari: Il segreto di Susanna (Oehms Classics)
Wolf-Ferrari’s charming one act opera in an excellent performance which will do very nicely [PT]
Sergio Fiorentino: The Complete SAGA Album Collection (Rhine Classics)
A pleasure to have Fiorentino’s complete Saga Recordings under one roof [SG]
Verdi: Messa da Requiem (CRQ Editions)
La Scala in the Soviet Union perform a memorable Verdi Requiem [PH]
Ligeti/Bartók: String Quartets (BIS)
The Marmen Quartet have the measure of Ligeti and Bartók [LW]
Adam: Giselle (BelAir Classiques)
Not a perfect Giselle – but still good to have [RMay]
Simpson: Chamber Music Vol. 1 (Toccata Classics)
Fascinating products of Simpson’s apprenticeship, and first recordings of two major chamber works [RHa]
Graupner: Partitas for Harpsichord Vol. 5 (Analekta)
(Déjà Review) Gorgeous music, excellently played and recorded, which will surely give great pleasure to all who love the harpsichord music of this era [GPu]
Handel: Water Music & Royal Fireworks Suites (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) A winner from start to finish – Handel’s music is given a splendid rendition
Bellini: Norma (Pristine Audio)
By general consensus, the essential Norma recording, now in a superior transfer [RWe]
Korngold: Symphony in F sharp (Supertrain Records)
Korngold plays his Symphony in a previously unreleased piano version [JW]
Rachmaninov: Orchestral works (High Definition Tape Transfers)
Vital, energised performances of two great pianistic and choral showpieces in spectacular surround sound [RMo]
Shostakovich: Complete symphonies (Capriccio)
One of the leading cycles, in a fine-sounding stereo incarnation [RWe]
Martin Cousin (piano): Fantasies (Convivium Records)
A fascinating recital exploring the scope of the fantasia genre [DHa]
Cavalli Statira (Opus 111)
(Déjà Review) A dramatically vivid performance of the Neapolitan version of Cavalli’s opera [RH]
Chopin: Piano works (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) These performances are among the best on the market [PG]
Bellini: Norma (Pristine Audio)
Five stars for Pristine’s sound rejuvenation but apart from Callas, the performance doesn’t live up to the quality of the transfer [MP]