Zemlinsky: Lyrische Symphonie, Symphonische Gesänge (Decca)

A very valuable disc of Zemlinsky’s sharply contrasting scores [JQ]

Upheaval (OUR Recordings)

Wonderful playing, emotional depth and imagination in this beautiful music [RCh]

Mademoiselle Duval: Les Génies (Château de Versailles Spectacles)

A Baroque opera rarity is one of CVS’s happiest releases of recent years [MP]

Velvet Brown (tuba) – recital (Crystal Records)

A fine compilation of American tuba works, played a virtuoso soloist [PRJ]

Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5, The Voyevoda, Capriccio italien  (BIS)

(Déjà Review) Popular and not so well known pieces, excellently played and stunningly recorded [JPh]

Shostakovich: Symphony No. 4 for two pianos (Chandos)

(Déjà Review) This will be compulsory and compulsive listening for admirers of DSCH [PCW]

Dukas: Orchestral & Piano Works (Warner Classics)

A go-to Dukas box of outstanding performances – but no texts [JW]

Foucquet: Pièces de Clavecin (Brilliant Classics)

A production every lover of the harpsichord should investigate [JV]

Gershwin: Gershwin Rhapsody (Decca)

The concert platform meets Broadway in this thoroughly enjoyable disc of piano music and songs by Gershwin [PT]

Levitzki HMV APR

Mischa Levitzki (piano): Complete HMV Recordings (APR)

This splendid twofer just shouldn’t be missed [SG]

Vaughan Williams: Symphonies Nos 1-9 (RCA)

Over fifty years on, this set is still holding up pretty well, despite a few negligible flaws [RMo]

McKay: Violin Concerto and Sinfonietta No 4 (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) Beautifully crafted and well-orchestrated works [JPh]

Mozart: Don Giovanni (Orfeo)

(Déjà Review) A collector’s item specifically for opera buffs and Furtwängler fanatics which fills a gap in his recording legacy [AR]

stainer cruci DCD34275

Stainer: The Crucifixion (Delphian)

An ideal performance of this famous old work which should win it new friends [SB]

Stanford shamus RO011

Stanford: Shamus O’Brien (Retrospect Opera)

A Stanford opera; uneven and unsatisfactory but beautifully presented [JW]

Bruckner sym3 C8088

Bruckner: Symphony 3 (Capriccio)

Poschner once more subjects Bruckner’s Third Symphony to unreasonable and unaesthetic haste [RMo]

Elcant Carpediem 16337

El cant de la Sibil.la & Draumkvedet (Carpe Diem Records)

A memorable adventure in early music and recording sonics [ZT]

elder symphonies halle

Elgar: Symphonies Nos 1 & 2 (Hallé)

Distinguished recordings which surpass the earlier recordings by these performers [JQ]

HaydnM requiem CDA67510

Michael Haydn: Requiem, Missa in honorem Sanctae Ursulae (Hyperion)

Particularly memorable for their fine recording of Michael Haydn’s astonishing Requiem [RH]

Handel organ AV2055

Handel: The Six Organ Concertos Op. 4 (Avie)

Very imaginative and enthralling interpretations [JV]

Schumann Symphs 1 and 2 de Vriend Challenge CC79258

Schumann: Symphonies Nos 1 & 2 (Challenge Classics)

Mettlesome accounts, sometimes less smooth and sophisticated than Herreweghe’s, but a radiant slow movement of No. 2 [MG]

Dvorak Symphs 3 and 9 Genuin GEN24853

Dvořák: Symphonies Nos 3 & 9 (Genuin)

Well played and well recorded but interpretatively rather plain [NB]

Essential Royal Ballet and Pas de Deux Opus Arte OA1379BD

Essential Royal Ballet; Pas de Deux (Opus Arte)

A fine starter pack for exploring top-notch live ballet on film [RWe]

Rimsky Korsakov Scheherazade Pappano Warner 5054197933691

Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade, Mussorgsky: Night On Bald Mountain (Warner Classics)

A fine Scheherazade, beautifully played but not necessarily superior to classic versions, and two thrilling Mussorgsky novelties which for me constitute the main interest of this issue [RMo]