Britten: Serenade for tenor, horn and strings, Nocturne, Phaedra (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) Overall a superlative disc, with flawless and very characterful performances [EML]
Wagner: Das Liebesverbot (Orfeo)
A colourful Wagnerian romp with two outstanding interpreters among the large cast [MP]
Sofya Melikyan (piano): Présence lointaine (Rubicon)
An attractive homage to influential Catalan pianist Ricardo Viñes [MC]
Papandopulo: The Complete String Quartets (cpo)
Folklore and colour, rhythmic variety and classical forms along with contemporary slants [JW]
Mahler: Symphony No 8 (BIS)
Not a library choice but there’s a lot going for this recording of the Eighth [JQ]
Chopin: Chopin Project (CD Accord)
Intriguing and consistently well performed arrangements for cello quartet [RM]
Clarke, Britten & Bowen: British Music for Viola and Piano (Claves)
An international version of some very British works [SB]
Piotr Anderszewski (piano): Janáček, Szymanowski & Bartók (Warner Classics)
Anderszewski impressively realizes the character of these folk-inspired pieces [LW]
Beethoven: Overtures (Elatus)
(Déjà Review) There’s some great music here, so go and treat yourself [TH]
Brahms: Piano Concertos (Linn)
Trpčeski delivers interesting if flawed performances of these two warhorse concertos [RC]
O L Fernândez: Piano music (Nimbus Records)
Imaginative and evocative music vividly played makes for a fabulous addition to this series [RCh]
Wagner: Das Rheingold (Decca)
A classic Wagner recording in magnificently remastered sound [JQ]
Cavalieri: Lamentations (Pan Classics)
Incisive performances of stylistically groundbreaking and expressive works [JV]
American Counterpoints (Bright Shiny Things)
Committed performances of works by distinguished but underperformed Black composers [JH]
Mozart: Zaide (Orfeo)
A very good cast in a version with more linking dialogue than on other recordings [MP]
Path to the Moon Works for cello & piano (Chandos)
Three sonatas and a raft of transcribed songs offer fruitful material for the Chandos pairing [JW]
Bach: Sonatas for Violin & Harpsichord Vol. 1 (Analekta)
A disc that will have pride of place on my shelf and one that is sure to get repeated listening [KS]
Scenes of Horror: Baroque Arias From the Shadows (Perfect Noise)
Thoroughly disappointing – a voice of no great distinction in a gimmicky programme [RMo]
Leguay: Momenti – Piano Works (Cybele)
Serious, monumental piano music with a distinctive French flavour [DC]
The Monarch’s Music (CRD)
A timely and enjoyable celebration of music for royal occasions [WH]
Howell: Orchestral Works (Signum Classics)
Excellent performances of a raft of previously unheard Dorothy Howell scores though Lamia eclipses them all [JW]
Bedford: In the Voices of the Living (NMC)
Bedford’s music is adventurous, exciting, humane and quite devoid of blandness or the easy option. Terrific performances and sonics [RHa]
Janáček: Káťa Kabanová (Decca)
An incandescent central performance heads an excellent ensemble cast under Mackerras’ renowned leadership [MP]
Aretino: Sabbato Sancto – Lamentationes et Responsoria (Arcana)
The low tessitura and the slow tempi make these settings quite moving [JV]
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