Shostakovich: Chamber Symphonies (BIS)

(Déjà Review) This is a challenging and absorbing listening experience [PJL]

Tcherepnin: Three generations of Chamber Works (Capriccio)

Nikolai’s quartet and Alexander’s piano quintet are the stand-out works here [SB]

Schubert: Winterreise (Genuin)

An imaginative and thoroughly rewarding re-working of Schbert’s Winterreise for voice, chorus and two accordions [PT]

Ponchielli: La Gioconda (Decca)

Perhaps not the finest La Gioconda recording but a deeply satisfying one nonetheless [MP]

Felix & Fanny Mendelssohn: Choral Works (Chandos)

A full-blooded account of Mendelssohn’s weird pagan ballad, although his sister’s works will reward the curious listener in equal measure [RH]

Les Hautbois à la Chambre du Roi (Ricercar)

A fascinating picture of music at the time of Louis XIV [JV]

Jarrell: Orchestral Works (BIS)

Gripping, inventive, often beautiful music in superb performance and recording [HC]

Briggs: Hail, gladdening Light (Hyperion)

A memorable disc [JQ]

A Scarlatti: The Cecilian Vespers (Avie)

(Déjà Review) The most exciting high baroque choral vocal music you will hear anywhere [PSh]

Rossini lago 764404

Rossini: La donna del lago (C Major)

Rossini standards held high in a new production of The Lady of the Lake [PCG]

Purcell fairy HAF890130809

Purcell: The Fairy Queen (Harmonia Mundi)

This 35-year-old recording is still a worthy competitor in a crowded field and the sound comes up as fresh as new paint [GF]

Lekeu piano PCL10289

Lekeu: Complete Piano Works (Piano Classics)

Jacopo Salvatori has truly dedicated himself to this music [WK]

Strauss helena 4786502

Strauss: Die Ägyptische Helena (Decca)

Not ideal in every respect, this recording is a fine achievement nonetheless [MP]

Goldberg sonatas ADX11203

Goldberg & WF Bach: Trio sonatas (Audax)

Brilliant performances of Goldberg’s trio sonatas and a little-known piece by WF Bach [JV]

Nature broman ABCD473 1

Recharged by Nature – Contemporary Nordic Works (Alba)

Two magnificent, distinctively folk-tinged concertos are vividly brought to life [RHa]

ad tenebras artway

Ad Tenebras (Artway Records)

New repertoire from 16th and 17th Century Portuguese liturgical music, beautifully performed [RMo]

Reich trains MO782167

Reich: Different trains, Triple Quartet, The Four Sections (Naïve)

A must-have for any serious music lover [KS]

Prokoviev Cinderella Royal Ballet Opus Arte OA1378D

Prokofiev: Cinderella (Opus Arte)

Frederick Ashton’s pioneering ballet returns to Covent Garden in a brand new production [RMay]

Shostakovich Symph 10 KSanderling ICA ICAC 5171

Shostakovich: Symphony No 10 (ICA Classics)

The Shostakovich symphony receives a performance worthy of its stature [JQ]

Puccini Symphonic Suites Rizzi Signum SIGCD778

Puccini: Symphonic Suites (Signum Classics)

Newly edited Puccini operatic suites receive glowing performances [PCG]

Nocturnes 19th C Russia Brilliant 96966

Nocturnes from 19th century Russia, Volume 1 (Brilliant Classics)

A lovely collection that explores a rich seam of often neglected music and finds some real rarities [RCh]

Enlighten Israeli Trios Meridian CDE84669

Enlighten: Israeli Piano Trios (Meridian)

Beautifully performed piano trios by composers from Central Europe who settled in Israel [GH]

A Year at Newcastle Regent REGCD582

A Year at Newcastle (Regent)

An absorbing exploration of 20th-century church music, and a few recent compositions [JF]

Verdi Macbeth Schippers Decca 4834118

Verdi: Macbeth (Decca)

A recording of power and presence, but with some really disfiguring cuts to the music [MP]