Copland, Creston, Kay & Piston: Concertos & Orchestral Suites (Naxos)
Mid-20th century Americanism in works of universal appeal [JF]
Bella Adamova (contralto) There is home (Supraphon)
A superb recital of art songs, all of which perfectly suit her crystal-clear voice [SA]
Schubert: The Piano Sonatas (DG)
(Déjà Review) If a one-pianist complete set is required at reasonable price Kempff proves a generally reliable guide [CC]
Delius: A Mass of Life (LAWO Classics)
The mighty Mass of Life is revealed as a genuine masterpiece in this blazing performance [NB]
Beethoven: Symphonies 1-9 (Dynamic)
A long awaited cycle that is ultimately disappointing [LD]
Mozart: Piano Concertos Vol. 8 (Chandos)
Bavouzet and Takács-Nagy are an ideal partnership in demonstrating the zest, eloquence and operatic underpinning of Mozart’s piano concertos [MG]
For Clara: Robert Schumann & Brahms (Deutsche Grammophon)
A thoughtfully conceived and excellently executed programme [JQ]
Distler: Die Weihnachtsgeschichte (OUR Recordings)
In the great German tradition of sung Biblical narrative, but reinterpreted for the early 20th century [ST]
Berg: Symphonies Nos 4 & 5 (cpo)
Two wildly contrasting symphonies from the Swedish military veterinarian [JW]
Rossini: La donna del lago (C Major)
A musically outstanding but unusual production of Rossini’s splendid opera [RWe]
Prokofiev & Khachaturian (RCA Victor)
(Déjà Review) A classic recording restored in its best sound [TD]
Vaughan Williams: Job – A Masque for Dancing (Onyx)
A highly persuasive account of Job [JQ]
Kagami – Mirror: viola da gamba pieces (Ramée)
Very personal choice of viola da gamba pieces, performed with much sensitivity [JV]
Henze: Royal Winter Music (NovAntiqua)
Three hours of enlightenment and entertainment [ZT]
H2O (ANCLEF)
Three Orchestral Masterpieces effectively rendered in piano 4-hands versions by their composers [NB]
Wagner: Siegfried (BR Klassik)
Simon Rattle’s traversal of the Ring finally reaches Siegfried, with highly recommendable results [PCG]
Aichinger: Virginalia 1607 – Motets (Tactus)
Discover complete Marian motets by a respected but largely forgotten late-Renaissance German master [GH]
Rebecca & Louise – Chamber Works (Alba)
Two fine chamber works given passionately committed performances by this outstanding Finnish ensemble [GPJ]
Berlioz: Les nuits d’été and other songs (Virgin Classics)
(Déjà Review) Véronique Gens joins the exalted ranks of Crespin and Baker for top placing in Les nuits dété, and comes top of the list for modern recordings. A truly beautiful record [CC]
Coleridge-Taylor: Partsongs (Delphian)
An enjoyable collection of partsongs [JQ]
Humperdinck: Königskinder (Naxos)
Impressive and likely to remain unchallenged for a very long time [MP]
Dependent Rising (Cedille)
Magnetically communicative music given electric performances [DMD]
Krzyżanowski: Piano Works Vol. 4 (Acte Préalable)
Best yet in the exploratory series of Krzyżanowski’s piano music [RCh]
Santillán: Symphonies (Da Vinci Classics)
Oscillates between dissonant folk-inflected modernism and schmaltz; neither approach works [RHa]
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