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]
Mendelssohn: Sacred Choral Works (Ondine)
A lovely Mendelssohn programme from one of the finest of choirs [WH]
Schubert: Piano Music (Hyperion)
All round excellence from one of our greatest pianists [PH]
Holst: The Planets (Sony Classics)
Bernstein at his most wilful and brilliant [LD]
Box of Delights: Light English Music (Lyrita)
Banish humdrum days with this delightful collection [JW]
Vivaldi: Heroes – Opera Arias (Erato)
A very impressive recital of some of Vivaldi’s finest opera arias [JV]
Liechtenauer: Masses (cpo)
A well-deserved monument to a forgotten composer [JV]
Sondheim: Chamber Music Arrangements (Bridge)
An interesting release that concentrates on Sondheim’s music rather than his lyrics [PT]
