Howell: Orchestral Works (Signum Classics)
Excellent performances of a raft of previously unheard Dorothy Howell scores though Lamia eclipses them all [JW]
Bedford: In the Voices of the Living (NMC)
Bedford’s music is adventurous, exciting, humane and quite devoid of blandness or the easy option. Terrific performances and sonics [RHa]
Janáček: Káťa Kabanová (Decca)
An incandescent central performance heads an excellent ensemble cast under Mackerras’ renowned leadership [MP]
Aretino: Sabbato Sancto – Lamentationes et Responsoria (Arcana)
The low tessitura and the slow tempi make these settings quite moving [JV]
Hahn: Violin Concerto & Piano Concerto (Maguelone)
(Déjà Review) A truly enchanting album calculated to chase away the winter blues [IL]
Shostakovich & Arensky: Piano trios (DUX)
Performances that underplay the essential character of each work [DJB]
Puccini: I Canti – Orchestral Songs (BR Klassik)
The youthful Puccini’s complete songs, robustly sung – and an even more pleasing trio of early orchestral pieces [RMo]
Ponchielli: La Gioconda (Pristine Audio)
No one who loves this opera can afford to be without this recording for Callas’ unique insight into the title role [GF]
Pickard: Mass in Troubled Times (BIS)
A lesser-known facet of Pickard’s output, with a viscerally thrilling performance of the Mass [HC]
Mozart: Piano Concertos Nos 20 & 23 (Analekta)
Illuminating, especially the clarified swing between minor and major perspectives in Concerto No 20 [MG]
From the Airwaves (MPR)
Lighter fare for clarinet and piano from a fine duo [JW]
Rossini: L’italiana in Algeri (Decca)
A pleasing but hardly essential recording of Rossini’s opera, noteworthy for being the first recorded in stereo [MP]
Biber: Harmonia artificiosa (Archiv Produktion)
(Déjà Review) It will be very difficult to find a performance which more convincingly explores these brilliant compositions [JV]
Dvořák: Complete Works for Violin & Orchestra (Hänssler Classic)
Violinist Mikhail Pochekin performs these Dvořák works with compelling verve [MC]
Bach: Brandenburg Concertos (Danacord)
A near-complete 1930s Brandenburg Concerto cycle from Berlin and interesting additions [JW]
Britten: Albert Herring (Decca)
A touchstone recording which is hard to beat for its general excellence and superbly detailed sound [MP]
P Glass: Solo (Orange Mountain Music)
An invaluable insight into a master at work and play [PRJ]
Noè Rodrigo Gisbert (percussion) Paraules (IBS Classical)
A rich variety of musical language bought to life by an admirably virtuosic and intelligent musician [MBu]
Sibelius: Symphony No 4 (Alpha Classics)
A performance to convert the Sibelian reluctant to appreciate the bleak Fourth’s special qualities, in a death-laden programme complete with two superb companion pieces [RMo]
Mahler: Symphonies Nos 5, 7 & 8 (Pristine Audio)
Revelatory Boult in Mahler from the archives [LD]
Mischa Maisky (cello) & Martha Argerich (piano) In Concert (Deutsche Grammophon)
(Déjà Review) A magnificent triumph for all concerned [CC]
Zayt Gezunterheyt – The Folk Soul of the Eastern Clarinet (Antarctica Records)
A simply outstanding meeting of stunning musicians and glorious music [PJ]
Rózsa: Overture to a Symphony Concert, Hungarian Serenade, Tripartita (Capriccio)
If you like this programme, you will like these performances [EJW]
Smetana: Má Vlast (Pentatone)
A very enjoyable account of Má Vlast, superbly played [JQ]
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