Respighi: Roman Trilogy (Ondine)

An outstanding performance and recording of these orchestral showpieces [EJW]

Britten: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Opus Arte)

A superior reissue of Peter Hall’s other superlative Britten production from Glyndebourne [PCG]

Tchaikovsky: Serenade for Strings (Brilliant Classics)

A pleasing compilation of some of Tchaikovsky’s most beguiling string music featuring two premieres [RMo]

Wilhelm Backhaus (piano) The Complete Acoustic and Selected Electric Recordings (APR)

Backhaus’s earliest recordings reappear, in largely pre-existing restorations, to renewed triumph [JW]

Campra: Messe de Requiem, Rameau: In convertendo, Mondonville: In exitu Israel (Erato)

All three works have been recorded before, but this disc is a good competition [JV]

Bach, MacMillan: Motets & Sacred Songs (Signum Classics)

A very rewarding disc [JQ]

Ravel: Sonatas & Trio (Erato)

(Déjà Review) A winning combination of youth and musical insight; a treat indeed [CC]

Mills R: Concertos for Strings (ABC Classics)

(Déjà Review) Superb performances of these fine, though still too little known, works [HC]

Cavalli: Il Xerse (Dynamic)

A welcome release, but with one important shortcoming [MP]

Smyth: Der Wald (Resonus)

The first recording of Ethel Smyth’s Der Wald is severely underwhelming [JW]

Mahler: Symphony No.2 (Philharmonia Records)

Not the most “dangerous” or consistently inspired interpretation but so much of it exhibits elegance, beauty and restraint [RMo]

Liszt: Années de Pèlerinage (cpo)

A generous collection of Liszt’s piano works, superbly performed, in acceptable sound [RWe]

Infinite Voyage (Alpha Classics)

A fine send off for the Emerson Quartet at the top of their game [DMD]

Shura Cherkassky (piano) Complete Recordings (APR)

Astonishing playing from a giant of the piano world [RCh]

Grieg: Piano Concerto & Peer Gynt (Deutsch Grammophon)

(Déjà Review) This issue is going to be very hard to beat and it brings the bonus of the less familiar music [GPJ]

Doráti: Orchestral Works (BIS)

(Déjà Review) Two harmonically astringent potently imaginative works coupled with a bright and light-on-the-toes serenade [RB]

Liszt vol2 PFCD21011

Liszt: Salon and Stage (Prima Facie)

This wonderful recital shows the amazing breadth of Liszt’s response to the composers who wrote for stages both grand and intimate [RCh]

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Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto (Decca)

More than justifies the hype surrounding this young violinist [DMD]

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Jazz Violin Concertos (Gramola)

A jazzy trio of violin concertos performed by the dashing Benjamin Schmid [JW]

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Puccini: Manon Lescaut (Pristine Audio)

A palpable improvement over the remastering of the original mono recording and a fine performance in itself [RMo]

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Tubin: Kratt (Alpha Classics)

An excellent survey of Polish and Estonian music in virtuoso performances by Estonia’s Festival Orchestra [GT]

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Brescianello: Opus 1 Libro Secondo (Signum Classics)

Brescianello’s chamber music I have heard confirms his qualities. I am looking forward to the next volumes [JV]

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Brahms: Lieder Vol. 6 (cpo)

(Déjà Review) An altogether splendid offering from artists who know and love this music [TB]

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Cozzolani: Messa Paschale (Musica Omnia)

(Déjà Review) Confirms the beauty and emotionality of this unknown composer [KM]