Winger: Symphony of the Returning Light (Naxos)
Two very fine contemporary works which place a high value on melody and rhythm [DJB]
Dring: Songs of Madeleine Dring (Chandos)
A good showcase for Madeleine Dring’s considerable skill as a song writer [NB]
Dédé: Morgiane, ou, Le sultan d’Ispahan (Delos)
The first opera by a Black American turns out to be revelatory, despite forces unequal to the composer’s imagination [MP]
Mendelssohn: Violin Concertos (Solo Musica)
A fine young artist, but no revelations here [SFV]
Ferrari: 6 Violin Sonatas (Capriccio)
The best possible case for the little-known Ferrari [JV]
Balakirev: Piano Works (Hyperion)
A pianist of exceptional skill and promise [DM]
Bellini: Norma (Decca)
Admirable in many regards [DBe]
Carbon: Astro Cats (Convivium Records)
The playful cover to this album hides a collection that presents a surprising range of emotional undulations [DC]
Bonis & Ravel: Violin Sonatas (Evidence Classics)
A superb coupling comprising acclaimed works by Ravel and others hardly known by Bonis [MC]
Roth: Vocal works (Signum Classics)
Alec Roth composes music of truth and beauty [WH]
Alkan: Complete Piano Duos and Duets (Toccata Classics)
(Déjà Review) Imposing, complex and astounding [Byz]
Bach: Clavier-Übung Part II (Oehms Classics)
(Déjà Review) A splendid mix of the structure of Bach and the exuberance of the French romantic organ [JFL]
Phantasy: Piatti Quartet (Rubicon)
Some dynamic and poetic playing of gems for string quartet and guests [PRJ]
Stravinsky: Muses (Channel Classics)
Camerata Salzburg breathe life into neoclassical Stravinsky [DHa]
Respighi: Maria Egiziaca (Naxos)
A more than respectable recording of Respighi’s pallid, mystic hybrid of opera and oratorio [MP]
Geminiani: Sonatas for violoncello (Challenge Records)
An outstanding disc which all lovers of baroque chamber music should hear [GPu]
Alkan: Organ Music (Signum Records)
A veritable feast of excellent romantic organ music [DC]
Martin: Chamber Music (MDG)
Frank Martin’s most important chamber works on one disc, a must for his admirers [HC]
Garro: Choral Music (Hyperion)
Cupertinos capture our attention in excellent performances of the music of a neglected composer [DHa]
Schumann: Piano Music (Signum Classics)
A mixed bag of Schumann [RMas]
Brahms arr. Joachim: Hungarian Dances (Nimbus)
(Déjà Review) Surprises of this kind can’t come along too often [JW]
Italian Clarinet Suites (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) Interesting music from largely unfamiliar names [GPu]
The 18th Century American Overture (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) A recording that generates a contented smile [JS]
John Williams (guitar): The Beginning of a Legend Volume 1 (IDIS)
(Déjà Review) An important historical recording [ZT]
