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Göran Forsling

Schubert: Lieder with Orchestra (BR Klassik)

For those interested in the idea of Schubert’s songs with orchestral accompaniment [GF]

Puccini: Tosca (Pentatone)

An indifferent Scarpia, so this is not a premier choice, but great singing by Melody Moore and Ștefan Pop [GF]

Folksongs PTC518707

Folk Songs (Pentatone)

A life-enhancing experience of which I wish every music lover could be a part [GF]

Tormis: Reminiscentiae (ECM)

A must for Tormis admirers; give him a try if you have not yet come under his spell [GF]

Schubert mullerin HMM902720

Schubert: Die schöne Müllerin (Harmonia Mundi)

A marvellous reading of Die schöne Müllerin that should please every lover of this indestructible masterwork [GF]

Estrellita (Orchid Classics)

The album works equally well for close listening and as agreeable background music late at night [GF]

Jonathan Tetelman (tenor) The Great Puccini (DG)

A star Is born! Let’s hope he will resist overexposure [GF]

Purcell: Dido and Aeneas (Pentatone)

A colourful and dramatic performance of “The only perfect English opera” – with a modern twist [GF]

Siurina beloved DE3602

Ekaterina Siurina (soprano) Where Is My Beloved? (Delos)

Ekaterina Siurina’s voice is in mint condition, with perfectly controlled vibrato and a glowing delivery [GF]

bolcom cabaret rattle

Bolcom: The Complete Cabaret Songs (Rattle)

Fascinating music from the borderland between classical modernism and popular idioms [GF]

Jouissons Cyrille Dubois Aparte AP319

Cyrille Dubois (countertenor) (Aparté)

Eminent solo singing and fine music making with many first recordings [GF]

Johnson: De Organizer, The Dreamy Kid (Naxos)

An interesting pair of early operas with roots in the African-American musical tradition [GF]

Schumann invitation HMM902509

An Invitation at the Schumanns’ (Harmonia Mundi)

A delightful easy-listening programme with a couple of more substantial morsels [GF]

Champagne Lumbye and his Idols Dacapo 8.224750

Champagne! The Sound of Lumbye and His Idols (Dacapo)

An entertaining, historically interesting tribute to Lumbye and his contemporaries, played with precision and admirable elan [GF]

The Last Epiphany (Challenge Classics)

Thought-provoking juxtaposition of light and shade, of joy and horror, so valuable in the world of today [GF]

Gluck echo CVS095

Gluck: Écho et Narcisse (Chateau de Versailles)

This recording is superb in every respect; nobody is likely to be disappointed by either the singing or the music [GF]

mon amant saint jean alpha

Mon amant de Saint-Jean (Alpha Classics)

A fascinating out-of-the-ordinary trip of nostalgia [GF]

Laura Strickling (soprano): 40@40 (Bright Shiny Things)

An attractive collection of newly written songs – and volume two is to follow [GF]

Rachmaninov Tchaikovsky Romances Pentatone PTC5186866

Rachmaninov & Tchaikovsky: Romances (Pentatone)

A valuable addition to the discography of the songs of Rachmaninov and Tchaikovsky with sensitive and deeply considered performances [GF]

Mozart: Arias for Aloysia Weber (Glossa)

An attractive collection no lover of Mozart will regret acquiring [GF]

Tebaldi remembering PTC5187070

Remembering Tebaldi (Pentatone)

A lovely recital presenting Melody Moore as a worthy inhabitant of the pantheon of the present generation of sopranos [GF]

Weill Propheten Capriccio C5500

Weill: Propheten (Capriccio)

An interesting world premiere and a masterly reading of the Whitman songs [GF]

Guitar Divas – Heike Matthiesen (guitar) (Ars Production)

Guitar enthusiasts should invest in these beautiful melodies without delay [GF]

Chaminade: Saisons d‘amour (MDG)

A deeply emotional song cycle performed with insight and gloriously sung [GF]