Stravinsky: The Nightingale (Sony Classical)
Stravinsky’s own recording is a flawed yet pleasurable account of this little opera [MP]
Schubert: Symphony No 9 (Deutsche Grammophon)
Bernstein in genial mood directing a luscious-sounding Concertgebouworkest [RMo]
Franck: Les Béatitudes (Fuga Libera)
A fine performance of this ambitious but uneven work, but note the skimpy documentation [SB]
Beethoven: Symphony No 5 & 7 (Elatus)
(Déjà Review) The real Leningrad Phil of the Soviet era, superbly drilled and directed [JP]
Barchet: Chamber Works (Hänssler Classic)
(Déjà Review) Full marks to Hänssler for giving enduring life to this most attractive and expert craftsman [JW]
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 (Sony Classical)
An extraordinarily daring and vital realisation of a masterwork by a “maverick” conductor who dares to challenge convention – and triumphs [RMo]
New Year’s Concert – Teatro La Fenice 2023 (C Major)
A pleasing concert that will almost certainly cheer you up [MMB]
Sir Bryn Terfel (bass-baritone) Sea Songs (Deutsche Grammophon)
A disc to be enjoyed by all but the most curmudgeonly [PT]
Mozart: Piano Concertos – Vol. 9 (Chandos)
Bavouzet and Takács-Nagy are unsurpassed in sensitively conveying Mozart’s varieties of mood, but K415’s finale is diminished by a plethora of eingangs and a rescoring [MG]
Bach: Die Kunst der Fuge (Hyperion)
A superb, lyrical performance of this great music [PSh]
Sir Arnold Bax: Symphony No. 6 (Naxos)
A thrilling, evocative reading of Bax’s finest symphonic accomplishment [IL]
Scott: Piano Sonata No 1 (Lyrita)
Cyril Scott’s 1930s revision of his Piano Sonata, Op.66 heard in a strange disc [JW]
Sibelius: Symphonies Nos 1-7 & Tapiola (Decca)
Another way to skin the Sibelian cat – and enjoy sound of unparalleled depth and clarity [RMo]
J Strauss II: Der Zigeunerbaron (EMI Classics)
Johann Strauss’ Hungarian operetta truly sparkles in a performance that commands the field in spite of its age [MP]
Bach: Organ Works, Vol 3 (Farao Classics)
A fitting ending to a magnificent project [SG]
Salzedo: String Quartets Nos 2 & 7 (Dutton)
(Déjà Review) A quartet cycle that must rank as a major achievement in the genre. Performances of great integrity [CT]
Rota: Film Music (EMI Classics)
(Déjà Review) The seven-movement ballet suite for La strada is the most significant item here and is worth the price of this CD alone [IL]
Vaughan Williams’ Serenade to Music (Albion Records)
An interesting concept executed with imagination and insight [NB]
Youri Egorov (piano) 1977 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition (DeHaan Records)
A welcome addition to the Egorov discography [SG]
Thomas Jensen (conductor) Legacy Vol. 21 (Danacord)
New music, unfamiliar music and Light Music form this focused twofer [JW]
Chesnokov: Sacred Choral Music (Naxos)
Fine performances from Cambridge of wonderful choral music by Pavel Chesnokov [JQ]
Casella: La Giara (La Bottega Discantica)
(Déjà Review) La Giara is a superbly bubbling brew that demands to be heard – engaging performances too [JW]
Chopin: Piano Sonata 3 (Warner Classics)
Arrau’s Chopin enjoys something of classic status, and here are two perfect examples of why this is so [CC]
Neville Marriner (conductor): The Complete Warner Classics Recordings (Warner Classics)
An 80-CD centenary salute to Marriner, with (or without) his ASMF [JW]
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