Dynasties 902738

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

Chiaroscuro (Blue Griffin Records)

A fascinating programme, capable of weaving a magic all of its own [SA]

Busoni faust Dynamic57998

Busoni: Doktor Faust (Dynamic)

This production does not quite support the opinion that Doktor Faust is one of the great operas [RWe]

Horenstein vol1 PASC711

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]

SchumannC piano1 GP930

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 piano2 ADW74779

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]

Liszt organ MDG90613526

Liszt: Organ (MDG)

Astonishing music on an astonishing instrument [CB]

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]

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Sergio Fiorentino: The Complete SAGA Album Collection (Rhine Classics)

A pleasure to have Fiorentino’s complete Saga Recordings under one roof [SG]

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Verdi: Messa da Requiem (CRQ Editions)

La Scala in the Soviet Union perform a memorable Verdi Requiem [PH]

Ligeti MarmenQuartet BIS

Ligeti/Bartók: String Quartets (BIS)

The Marmen Quartet have the measure of Ligeti and Bartók [LW]

adam giselle belair

Adam: Giselle (BelAir Classiques)

Not a perfect Giselle – but still good to have [RMay]

Simpson ChamberMusic Toccata Classics

Simpson: Chamber Music Vol. 1 (Toccata Classics)

Fascinating products of Simpson’s apprenticeship, and first recordings of two major chamber works [RHa]

Graupner Partitas Analekta

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 WaterMusic Naxos

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

Bellini: Norma (Pristine Audio)

By general consensus, the essential Norma recording, now in a superior transfer [RWe]

korngold symphony in fsharp supertrain records

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]

bach chamber works for oboe

Bach: Chamber music for oboe (Accent)

A delight from start to finish [JV]

shostakovich symphonies capriccio

Shostakovich: Complete symphonies (Capriccio)

One of the leading cycles, in a fine-sounding stereo incarnation [RWe]

cousin fantasias for piano

Martin Cousin (piano): Fantasies (Convivium Records)

A fascinating recital exploring the scope of the fantasia genre [DHa]

cavalli statira opus111

Cavalli Statira (Opus 111)

(Déjà Review) A dramatically vivid performance of the Neapolitan version of Cavalli’s opera [RH]

chopin piano favourites vol 2 naxos

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]