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Göran Forsling

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]

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]