Brahms
Brahms: Complete Clarinet Works (Sono Luminus)
For a few quiet moments of autumnal reflection, coupled with fine, resonant and sensitive playing, look no further [SGa]
Brahms & Contemporaries: Piano Quartets, Vol 3 (Chandos)
The next volume in the Kaleidoscope’s Brahms series proves again that he is mightier than his contemporaries [ST]
Victor Schiøler (piano) The Great Danish Pianist Vol 8
An apt final volume saluting the admirable pianist Victor Schiøler [JW]
Jorge Bolet – The Ambassador Auditorium Recitals (First Hand Records)
Bolet heard in a rare surviving example of live recitals – occasionally fallible but far more energising than in the studio [JW]
Brahms: Clarinet Trio, Clarinet Sonatas (Nimbus Records)
(Déjà Review) The performances and recording are top-notch [LW]
Farrenc: Nonet & Brahms: Serenade No. 1 (Centaur)
(Déjà Review) Buy it for the curiosity of the “Brahms Nonet”; stay for the warmth and wit of Louise Farrenc [BR]
Jack Brymer (clarinet): Clarinet Recitals (Nimbus)
A memorable pair of recitals by a master clarinettist with a fine duo partner [SB]
Chopin sans Chopin (First Hand Records)
A glorious, widely varied recital of Chopin-influenced piano music [RCh]
By the River. Works for piano solo (Centaur)
A varied and stimulating programme, in which not everything may be to everybody’s taste [GF]
Schubert & Brahms: Symphonies (Profil)
(Déjà Review) An exceptionally satisfying disc [JQ]
Leopold Stokowski (conductor) Chicago Debut Concerts (Pristine Audio)
A little slice of Stokowskian debut history in these two discs [JW]
Jack Brymer (clarinet) (Nimbus)
A valuable twofer reissues a Jack Brymer recording from 1973 and presents a previously unissued one from nearly twenty years later [JW]
Beethoven & Brahms: Orchestral Music
Old-fashioned, perhaps, but big, bold and sometimes surprisingly effective accounts [RMay]
Darkness (Challenge Classics)
An interesting if sombre compilation of German songs; the singing may not rival the very best [DJa]
Brahms: Symphony No.2 (IMP Classics)
A beautifully played Brahms Second, full of light, shade and delicacy [RMo]
Brahms: Symphonies 3 & 4 (Pristine Audio)
Across the passage of time these recordings retain their pleasures and satisfactions [RB]
Brahms: Symphonies No.3-4 (Pristine Audio)
Romantic, free-flowing accounts somewhat compromised by indifferent sound and playing [RMo]
Brahms: Symphonies 2 & 3 (BR Klassik)
(Déjà Review) Strong performances marked by rich tone and just-right choices of tempo and demeanour [KS]
Brahms arr. Joachim: Hungarian Dances (Nimbus)
(Déjà Review) Surprises of this kind can’t come along too often [JW]
Herbert von Karajan Live in Berlin, 1970–1979 (Berliner Philharmoniker)
An important survey of one of the great partnerships of the 20th century at its peak [DHa]
Herbert von Karajan Live in Berlin, 1970–1979 (Berliner Philharmoniker)
A fascinating, marvellously presented anthology [JQ]
Brahms: Late Piano Works (Warner Classics)
I had not expected to be so impressed by this recital [SB]
Nathan Milstein (violin) The American Columbia Solo Recordings – Vol 2 (Pristine Audio)
The young Nathan Milstein: a consummate professional at work [RMa]
Fauré: Requiem (Château de Versailles Spectacles)
Unfortunately, rather underwhelming all round… [RMo]
