Sperger: String Quartets (cpo)
Conventional Classical-era quartets, with some quirky details [SV]
Clarke: Viola Sonata, Violin Sonata (Oehms Classics)
Rebecca Clarke’s string sonatas chart her movement from Brahms to modernism [JW]
Trails of Creativity. Music from Between the Wars (Avie Records)
(Déjà Review) There’s something for everybody in this excellently played between-the-wars anthology of music [JL]
Wagner: Die Walküre (Sterling)
Fine conducting and orchestral playing and an impressive Brünnhilde – but compromised by a poor Siegmund and a weak Wotan [RMo]
Sean Shibe: Profesión (Pentatone)
An exciting album of South American solo guitar music [SW]
Popper: Complete Transcriptions for Violoncello and Piano (Paladino Music)
A valuable addition to the Popper discography and a chance to hear a Hubay rarity [RCh]
Migot: Complete Works for Guitar (Brilliant Classics)
Little known Migot given a chance to breathe again … a Fauré-like lambency and warmth [RB]
Lalo: Orchestral Works (Chandos)
Played with sensitivity balanced by enthusiasm [JF]
Handel: Total Eclipse (Somm Recordings)
Some of Handel’s most beautiful arias in instrumental versions, performed with vitality, sensitivity and rhythmical precision [GF]
Bach JS: The First Cantata Year, Vol. 1 (Hänssler Classic)
This first volume in the projected series of J.S. Bach’s First Cantata Year has got off to a most auspicious start [MC]
Oboe Concertos from Bohemia (Claves)
(Déjà Review) An excellently planned programme [NHo]
Tosti: Sogno (Pentatone)
A lovely recital with several rarely heard Tosti songs [GF]
Sgambati: Piano Concerto (Naxos)
A heroic performance of a remarkable piano concerto [JF]
Lutosławski: Orchestral works (Ondine)
Spectacular in every respect [SG]
Stravinsky, Bartok & Martinů (BIS)
A puzzling release in which clarity trumps nuance and warmth [JW]
French Music for 2 Pianos (Nimbus Records)
A delightful collection of Hahn, Koechlin, and Tailleferre for two pianos [RMas]
Bruckner: 10 Symphonies (Gramola)
Grand, broad, live performances of Bruckner’s symphonies now collected in a box set [RMo]
Szabó: Complete solo piano works (Brilliant Classics)
A scarcely known composer is permitted an eloquent and at times disconcerting calling-card [RB]
Vivaldi: Late Violin Concertos (Sony Classical)
(Déjà Review) Magnificent accounts to cherish [MC]
Finnish Piano Works (Hänssler Classic)
Richly evocative music that rewards repeated listening [RCh]
Hellstenius: Past & Presence (Lawo Classics)
A compelling concerto is the standout from this splendidly performed and recorded monograph [RHa]
Palimpsest: New Works from Old for Saxophone and Choir (Signum Classics)
Provocative and substantial listening fare. No dearth of grace or awe [RB]
Puccini: Manon Lescaut (Pristine Audio)
A so-so “classic” recording [RMas]
Mahler: Symphony No 8 (BIS)
A stunner of a Mahler Eighth, one of the best since Solti’s classic account [RMo]
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