Beethoven

Classic concerti in vintage stereo from Rudolf Firkušný [PH]

(Déjà Review) Classic accounts of Beethoven that demand to be heard [CC]

by Alan George

Fiorentino’s complete Saga recordings of 1958-60 heard in excellent remasterings [JW]

Hamelin at his finest in these two wildly different sonatas [RCh]

These live recordings make a very welcome addition to the Cziffra discography [SG]

Wholly satisfying performances in beautifully remastered sound featuring a somewhat neglected conductor [RMo]

An absolute feast of piano recordings that greatly expands our knowledge of a pianist who has been very undeservedly forgotten [RCh]

The admirable cellist Christine Walevska traced over 50 years of performances and recordings [JW]

Clean, crisp, immediate interpretations, very well restored and remastered [RMo]

Not necessarily so great an improvement over previous issues but wonderfully grand and energised [RMo]

Performances where the stars align [SG]

Hamelin hits the heights with epic and fiery readings, gripping in every respect [SG]

Ulrich Roman Murtfeld is totally in command of, and enthused by, the music [MG]

Excellent restorations of Ormandy’s ‘World’s Greatest Music’ recordings of the late-30s [JW]

An unpublished live Beethoven Concerto spearheads this Michael Rabin release [JW]

by David Barker

Not the most obviously representative Tennstedt performances, but nevertheless strong and committed [PBW]

A set to treasure [SG]

A boundary-challenging set [DC]

(Déjà Review) This disc enjoys the privilege of being one of the worst I have heard for many a moon [CC]

A great orchestra pays its tribute to a much loved conductor [PH]

(Déjà Review) Lang Lang’s sparkling playing and considerable insights make for joyous listening [MC]

A massive celebratory David Oistrakh box features strikingly good remasterings of his HMV legacy and a vast array of live and broadcast material [JW]