Brilliant Classics

Two examples of Alfano’s interesting chamber music, well-played by the DaVinci Ensemble [GPu]

Sonatas of high quality, brilliantly played [JV]

A fascinating collection of tremendous little-known Dutch works [PRJ]

Inspirited performances of works by a little known Rome-based Englishman [CRo]

Duruflé’s organ legacy richly surveyed [JF]

A fine, vigorous performance, but what a shame there are no texts [SB]

Compact, youthful interpretations of Rebecca Clarke’s works for strings with piano [JW]

An attractive viola concerto with an unusual coupling [SB]

An interesting pairing, somewhat let down by edgy sound engineering and excessive lingering in the Ravel [RMo]

A splendid disc, the music beautifully and perceptively played and heard in the delightful and appropriate acoustic of the Kulturscheune Michaelstein [GPu]

Interpretatively cohesive and consistent but rather driven and unvaried [RMo]

Two rare Italian violin sonatas from the 1890s make for contrasting listening [JW]

A comprehensive collection, well played [SB]

Seriously impressive Shostakovich from Quartetto Noûs [AG]

Disappointing performances of some enjoyable 17th century Italian vocal music [CRo]

Agreeable performance of Barsanti’s sonatas written in England interspersed with his arrangements of Scottish songs [CR]

Some really worthwhile works here [SB]

An admirable new version of Messiaen’s much-recorded work [SB]

A well-played, superb sounding set [PH]

An entertaining disc of music from around the start of the decline of the French harpsichord tradition [GPu]

Top quality soloists promote the cello in compact Dutch concerto works [JW]

Should be acquired by anyone with an affection for the string quartet genre [DC]

Rübsam brings a fresh and intoxicating musicality to these captivating scores [SG]

Fine performances of neglected flute sonatas [JV]