Decker: Ørnen 1897 (Antarctica Records)
An unusual and attractive work inspired by an obscure and ill-fated Swedish attempt on the North Pole [RHa]
Hélène Grimaud (piano) Mozart & Schumann (C major)
A very fine orchestra and pianist in a concert of some distinction [RWe]
Thomas Demenga (cello) Bach, Hosokawa & Yun (ECM)
The contemporary pieces featured here would have been unthinkable without Bach’s innovative thinking [HC]
Bach: Cello Suites (Artway Records and Claves)
Two fine new accounts of Bach’s cello suites but the Artway issue is clearly preferable [RMo]
Dusman: Flashpoint (Neuma Records)
A varied selection of instrumental, chamber and ensemble works from a quietly accomplished if little-known figure [RHa]
Shostakovich: Symphony No 8 (ICA Classics)
A concert that marks the beginning of a great conductor/orchestra relationship hampered by poor sound [NB]
Luzzaschi: Il Concerto Segreto (Ricercar)
An impressive revival of the art of the Concerto delle donne [JV]
Franck: Piano Works (Hänssler Classic)
Fabulous playing shows off Franck’s early virtuosity while impressing in the familiar late works [RCh]
Wigmore Soloists: Chamber Works (BIS)
Committed and inspiring performances of important chamber works [JF]
In Memoriam Lars Vogt: Brahms, Viotti & Dvořák (Ondine)
The Tetzlaffs’ tribute to the late Lars Vogt leaves a mixed impression [LW]
Bentzon: Symphonies 5 & 7 (Dacapo)
(Déjà Review) These symphonies are examples of Bentzon’s metamorphic style in which the voices of Bartok, Simpson and Shostakovich nudge and jostle [RB]
Cieślak: Niepodległa (Acte Préalable)
Despite adventurous music for the chorus, Cieślak’s earnest oratorio is confrontational and somewhat gloomy [RHa]
Dreams, Desires, Desolation (Divine Art)
A substantial exploration of English song [JF]
Mozart: Requiem (Acis)
Mostly of interest to Marylanders, but contains a gutsy performance of Mozart’s Requiem in a new performing edition [ST]
Yunchan Lim (Deutsche Grammophon)
Half a disc of Yunchan Lim’s Beethoven, live in Guangju, expands our understanding of the latest Cliburn winner [JH]
Thomas Jensen (conductor) Legacy Vol. 20 (Danacord)
Holmboe’s Seventh Symphony heads a varied and packed historic Danacord twofer [JW]
Toscanini: The 1948 Brahms Cycle Vol. 1 (Pristine Audio)
Toscanini at his best in these great live concert recordings from 1948, lovingly remastered [GPJ]
Schoenberg: Verklärte Nacht (DUX)
Intermittently good, but inconsistent and not outstanding [RMo]
Braga Santos: Symphony 2 (Marco Polo)
(Déjà Review) A natural next step for anyone who loves Vaughan Williams, Rózsa or Moeran [RB]
Reger: Requiem; Mahler: Orchestral songs (Capriccio)
A movingly immersive experience [MP]
Bartók: Concertos (Alpha Classics)
This performance has completely revised my view of the Viola Concerto [DMD]
Debussy: Études (Hyperion)
Performances with technical agility and remarkable interpretative skills [JF]
Energico (DUX)
Accordion meets chamber orchestra in colourful, zestful performances [JW]
Bonis: Entre Soir et Matin (CAvi-music)
The considerable talent of Mel Bonis showcased in a well-planned and well-executed survey [NB]
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