Alpha Classics

Benjamin Appl (baritone) The Christmas Album (Alpha Classics)

This disc will certainly be my favourite Yuletide companion for years to come [GF]

Mozart Alpha1087

Next Generation Mozart Soloists Vol 10 (Alpha Classics)

A showcase for the superb ‘Next Generation Mozart soloists’, a little flawed by the use of a hackneyed 19th century version of the Sinfonia concertante [MG]

USA Huangci Alpha

Made in USA: Gershwin, Beach & Barber (Alpha Classics)

This fine, well-judged recital explores familiar and less well-known works [JF]

Schmitt: La Tragédie de Salomé, Chant Elégiaque (Alpha Classics)

Schmitt’s complete ballet in opulent orchestral dress, marvellously played [JQ]

Invisibles – French Cello Sonatas (Alpha Classics)

A finely played trio of characterful French cello sonatas [JW]

Destinées (Alpha Classics)

An exploration of music by ten women composers from the age of Louis XIV and Louis XV [PH]

Claire Huangci (piano): Made in USA (Alpha Classics)

Claire Huangci impresses in her American showcase [PH]

mythos alpha

Schubert & Loewe: Songs (Alpha Classics)

A well-structured programme, excellent performance and recording [RWe]

Offenbach: Colorature (Alpha Classics)

A wholehearted recommendation for the unhackneyed programme and the magnificent singing [GF]

mahler symphony alpha

Mahler: Symphony No 9 (Alpha Classics)

Full of surprises, this is a disc that will change the way you hear Mahler 9 [ST]

Schoenberg Faure Pelleas et Melisande Alpha 1058

Schoenberg & Fauré: Pelléas et Mélisande (Alpha Classics)

Two wonderfully contrasting explorations of Maeterlinck’s play [JF]

Messiaen: Song Cycles (Alpha Classics)

Excellent versions of the attractive song cycles [SB]

Haydn Symphonies Antonini v15 Alpha 696

Haydn: Symphonies Nos 50, 62 & 85 “La Reine” (Alpha Classics)

Performances brimming over with vibrancy [SG]

Adèle Charvet (mezzo-soprano) Teatro Sant’Angelo (Alpha Classics)

A nice mixture of arias by Vivaldi and his less well-known colleagues [JV]

Abbeyrd AlphaClassics869

Braunstein: Abbey Road Concerto (Alpha Classics)

The Beatles rub shoulders with Delius and RVW’S The Lark [JW]

Mozart: Mozart, You Drive me Crazy! (Alpha Classics)

Attractive in every respect to lovers of Mozart, or of opera in general [GF]

Vivaldi: Le Quattro Stagione & La Follia (Alpha Classics)

An electrifying rendition of the Four Seasons to set alongside Fabio Biondi’s [DJB]

Véronique Gens (soprano): Paysage (Alpha Classics)

Delightful lost treasures from French musical history [JF]

Philarmonica Le Consort Alpha 1011

Philarmonica (Alpha Classics)

A potentially interesting programme, but it tended to all blend together [DJB]

Charpentier & Desmarest: Te Deum (Alpha Classics)

Even if one does not need another Charpentier’s Te Deum, Desmarest’s setting deserves attention [JV]

Take3 Kopatchinskaja Alpha 772

Take 3 (Alpha Classics)

Uproarious music-making, not to be taken too seriously [LW]

strauss four last songs alpha

Strauss: Four Last Songs (Alpha Classics)

A thoughtful project and, as such, a significant addition to the discography of the Vier letzte Lieder [JQ]

Handel: Theodora (Alpha Classics)

A splendidly cohesive musically-rewarding example of integrated casting and performance [JW]

Piau reflet 1019

Sandrine Piau (soprano) Reflet (Alpha Classics)

An attractive programme of French orchestral songs that will provide much enjoyment, but there are better versions of the well-known songs [PT]