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Göran Forsling

Gill Love Illuminates Regent REGCD574

Gill: Love Illuminates (Regent)

Restraint is the key-word here. Joanna Gill’s mottos: love, peace, reconciliation are whispered, not shouted. Smile governs over tears. Light over darkness [GF]

Na’ama Goldman (mezzo-soprano): Legata (Solo Musica)

A fascinating new voice in a programme tied to her cultural heritage but with universal appeal [GF]

Handel: Total Eclipse (Somm Recordings)

Some of Handel’s most beautiful arias in instrumental versions, performed with vitality, sensitivity and rhythmical precision [GF]

Tosti sogno PTC5187184

Tosti: Sogno (Pentatone)

A lovely recital with several rarely heard Tosti songs [GF]

phases musica solis

Phases (Musica Solis)

Impeccably performed easy-listening entertainment in the best sense of those words, but the playing time could have been more generous [GF]

donizetti lucia lammermoor pristine audio

Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor (Pristine Audio)

Callas’ stereo remake is a more mature and inward reading of the role – now in even fresher sound [GF]

Sean Shibe (guitar) – Profesión (Pentatone)

Lovers of guitar music should invest in this disc [GF]

genuin schubert winterreise

Schubert: Winterreise (Genuin)

Seasoned collectors will derive much pleasure from this unusual arrangement [GF]

Folkjul – A Swedish Folk Christmas (BIS)

(Déjà Review) A refreshing Christmas disc, off the beaten track [GF]

Il castrato del granduca – Arias for Gaetano Berenstadt (Glossa)

A highly interesting collection of rare baroque arias [GF]

Julens ljus (The Light of Christmas) (Proprius)

(Déjà Review) I suspect that many listeners will make attractive ‘finds’ among these 24 songs and the execution of them leaves little extra to be desired [GF]

Schubert mullerin RCD1086

Schubert: Die schöne Müllerin (Rubicon)

A fresh and stimulating alternative reading of Schubert’s masterwork that I urge readers to give a try [GF]

Verdi I Lombardi Munich RSO BR Klassik 900351

Verdi: I Lombardi alla Prima Crociata (BR Klassik)

The choral singing is first class, but the soloists are disappointing; the two old Gardelli recordings are better [GF]

Verismo preludes Onyx4242

Verismo – Preludi e Intermezzi (Onyx)

A disk for all lovers of melodious music with substance; a happy mix, superbly played [GF]

cherubini medea pristine

Cherubini: Medea (Pristine Audio)

This recording is an established classic, and should be in every decent opera collection, especially in this newest incarnation [GF]

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]