Rossini: Otello (Opera Rara)
(Déjà Review) A natural aural ambience tells in its favour as does the liveliness and vibrancy of the chorus [RJF]
Gernsheim: Concertos (cpo)
Fascinating, unduly neglected repertoire, very well performed and recorded [JWe]
Rudolph Ganz (conductor): Complete St. Louis Symphony Recordings (Pristine Audio)
Rudolph Ganz pilots the Spirit of St Louis and plays the piano in solos [JW]
Sumera: Symphonies 1 & 6 (Ondine)
A fine Estonian orchestra begins a survey of the symphonies of one of Estonia’s native sons [PH]
Jörg Demus (piano): The Dresden Concerts 1962-1972 (Meloclassics)
A multi-faceted pianist in repertoire close to his heart [RCh]
Brian: Complete Choral Songs Vol. 1 (Toccata Classics)
A lovingly presented collection – the unknown or underappreciated aspects of Havergal Brian’s work [NB]
Mendelssohn & Bruch: Violin Concerti (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) For Menuhin aficionados these long-unavailable recordings will be self-recommending [CH]
Howells: Choral Music (Hyperion)
(Déjà Review) An outstanding survey of part of Howells’ enormous contribution to the music of the English church [JQ]
Musica Warmiensis Vol 4 (Dux)
Fine performances of little-known music from 18th century Poland [JV]
Klaus Tennstedt (conductor): Live Vol 5 (Doremi)
Wonderful performances by a great conductor [PSt]
Karel Ančerl (conductor): Live Recordings – Concertos (Supraphon)
Concertos from Prague in a 7-CD box of Ančerl-directed broadcasts [JW]
Anna Lapwood (organ): Firedove (Sony)
Anna Lapwood’s new organ journey is inspiring – sit back and enjoy the ride [PH]
Bruckner: Symphony No 9 (Hallé)
Bruckner 9 with the finale well played by the Hallé but facing fierce competition [MC]
Haydn: Die Jahreszeiten (The Seasons) (Apex)
(Déjà Review) A very fine live recording which is up there with the best [GF]
Alwyn: Piano Concerto No 1 & 2 (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) Peter Donohoe positively laps up the considerable challenges thrown at him [TH]
Postcards from Ukraine Vol 1 – Violin Miniatures (Toccata Classics)
Folklore predominates in a zesty Ukrainian selection, most sensitively performed [JW]
Timothy Ridout (viola) Works for solo viola (Harmonia Mundi)
A young virtuoso of the viola goes solo [PH]
Prokofiev: War and Peace (BSO Recordings)
Excellent performances, but the Regietheater production, with cuts and changes, might undermine its artistic worth for many [RC]
Stojowski: Piano Music Vol 2 (Acte Préalable)
A very enjoyable continuation of the series, a reawakening of Stojowski’s piano music in highly capable hands [RCh]
Haydn: String Quartets, op. 33 Nos 4-6 (BIS)
In its 20th year, the Chiaroscuro Quartet continues to set the standard for authentic-instrument quartets [DJB]
Improvisata: Sinfonie con titoli (Erato)
Authoritative, intelligent and entirely successful performances [JW]
Wagner: Götterdämmerung (Testament)
Keilberth ends Götterdammerung splendidly but that’s not enough – the world does not sound as though it is collapsing [DH]
Minimalist (IBS Classical)
A recital of mostly forgettable works of minimalism for piano [DHa]
Binchois: Loyal Souvenir (Ricercar)
Binchois’s sacred and secular output side by side in colourful, sensitive readings [GH]
