anthems hyperion

Anthems Vol. 1 (Hyperion)

A superb album [JQ]

Gluck echo CVS095

Gluck: Écho et Narcisse (Chateau de Versailles)

This recording is superb in every respect; nobody is likely to be disappointed by either the singing or the music [GF]

Overtures Finland CHSA5336

Overtures from Finland (Chandos)

Well-devised programme lacking the last degree of performance finesse [NB]

Zurich affair NBD0170V

The Zurich Affair – Wagner’s One and Only Love (Naxos)

A worthwhile effort is sadly – but seriously – flawed [RMay]

rautavaara martinu concertos bis

Rautavaara & Martinů: Piano Concertos (BIS)

This attractive coupling should win new friends for these works [SB]

Bliss qtets 8557108

Bliss: String Quartets (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) Another fine collection to the Maggini’s growing catalogue of English chamber music [NHo]

Bruckner sym3 09026639332

Bruckner: Symphony No. 3 (RCA)

(Déjà Review) Distinction and commitment, sonorous and urgently compelling [TB]

Liapunov Piano Sonata Delucchi Da Vinci C00712

Liapunov: Piano works (Da Vinci Classics)

This romantic and virtuoso repertoire has been neglected for too long [RCh]

Derek Scott orchestral music v3 Toccata TOCC0700

Scott: Orchestral Works Vol. 3 (Toccata Classics)

Derek Scott encountered in a third disc of his music; tone poems, fantasies and darker music [JW]

Widor Organ Syms 3 4 Labric Solstice SOCD405

Widor: Organ Symphonies 3 & 4 (Solstice)

Performances to cherish [SG]

van der Pals String Quartets v1 cpo 5552822

van der Pals: String Quartets Vol 1 (cpo)

A late-romantic cat’s-cradle of tenderness caught in a viscous tonal velour [RB]

Vivaldi Four Seasons Fabio Biondi Erato 6025032

Vivaldi: The Four Seasons (Erato)

(Déjà Review) An amazingly dramatic, rock and roll rendition of the Four Seasons [KM]

Wolf Italian Serenade Hanssler CD93024

Wolf: String Quartets (Hänssler Classic)

(Déjà Review) The Fine Arts Quartet enters into Wolf’s tormented world with total empathy [CH]

mahler lieder signum

Mahler: Lieder (Signum Classics)

An exceptionally fine Mahler recital [JQ]

mon amant saint jean alpha

Mon amant de Saint-Jean (Alpha Classics)

A fascinating out-of-the-ordinary trip of nostalgia [GF]

medtner in england somm

Medtner in England (SOMM Recordings)

An appealing programme for Medtner collectors and newcomers alike [DC]

Gudmundsson gospel of mary dacapo

Guðmundsson: The Gospel of Mary

A slow-moving meditative work based on an unorthodox gospel

bach organ cpo

Bach: Organ Works Vol. 12 (cpo)

(Déjà Review) Weinberger succeeds in conveying the personalities of these pieces [TB]

bortkiewicz symphonies hyperion

Bortkiewicz: Symphonies (Hyperion)

(Déjà Review) Exultant, yearning, gloomy, sincere, passionate, nostalgic Slavonic music [RB]

Rachmaninov: Piano Concerti (Deutsche Grammophon)

A fine contribution to the Rachmaninoff 150 celebrations [JQ]

Grosz: Achtung, Aufnahme!! (Channel Classics)

Werner Herbers’s swansong with his Ebony Band: more previously unrecorded Weimar delights [JW]

Hummel: Concertos & Septet (Alto)

Hummel’s music doesn’t aim for profundity, but its elegance, grace and intelligence are well-served in this reissue [GPu]

Bruckner: Symphony No. 6, Te Deum (Testament)

An alpha performance of the Te Deum, but an omega one of the symphony [LD]

Voríšek: Symphony, Mass (Cedille)

(Déjà Review) An album to savour [IL]