hc

Hubert Culot

Butler rounds D120

Butler: American Rounds (NMC)

One of the loveliest discs I have heard recently [HC]

Wallin: Stride, Whirld, Spirit, Five Seasons (Ondine)

A well-played and recorded survey of idiosyncratic yet often beautiful music [HC]

gilded veins linn

Our Gilded Veins (Linn)

Nicely varied, with much to enjoy [HC]

Schwantner: Orchestral works (Hyperion)

(Déjà Review) Superb, immaculate and committed playing by all concerned, making the best of this strongly communicative music [HC]

Deja Review Norgard Symphony 6 Chandos CHAN 9904

Nørgård: Symphony No 6 and Terrains Vagues (Chandos)

(Déjà Review) Committed and recommendable performances of these far from easy works, with wholehearted support from an orchestra in top form [HC]

Deja Review Danielpour American Requiem Reference Recordings RR97CD

Danielpour: An American Requiem (Reference Recordings)

A deeply-felt, well-crafted, moving and powerfully expressive work in a superbly committed reading; deserves wider recognition [HC]

Lopes-Graça: Canções portuguesas (Naxos)

A pleasant mix of arrangements and original compositions – a lovely disc [HC]

Ohana: Orchestral Works (Timpani)

(Déjà Review) Refined and viscerally communicative music – the best possible introduction to Ohana’s idiosyncratic sound world [HC]

Mills snuggle 4810220

Mills: Snugglepot and Cuddlepie (ABC Classics)

(Déjà Review) A lovely ballet score that should appeal to anyone responding to Prokofiev’s ballet scores [HC]

Pickard Symphs 2 6-BIS 2721 SACD

Pickard: Symphonies Nos 2 & 6, Verlaine Songs (BIS)

A first-rate addition to Pickard’s discography, not to be missed [HC]

20C flute centaur

20th Century Works for Flute and Orchestra (Centaur)

(Déjà Review) A delightful anthology … tunefulness and brevity [HC]

Auric: Beauty and the Beast (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) A most desirable release recommended to film buffs and anyone with interest in 20th Century French music [HC]

meulemans orchestral phaedra

Meulemans: Orchestral Works (Phaedra)

Well-crafted and superbly scored works in which Meulemans’ orchestral flair and mastery are clearly displayed [HC]

Luxembourg Contemporary Music 3 (Naxos)

Little-known music, well worth hearing; Kontz’s and Dartevelle’s works stand out [HC]

kabelac chamber capriccio

Kabeláč: Complete Chamber Music (Capriccio)

An important set from a composer who had much to say, and said it without any compromise [HC]

Tarkiainen: Midnight Sun Variations (Ondine)

A fine survey of Tarkiainen’s recent work, and a great introduction to her attractive sound world [HC]

Bainton & Clifford: Orchestral Music Vol. 2 (Chandos)

(Déjà Review) Committed readings of unjustly neglected works from the forgotten byways of the British Musical Renaissance [HC]

clarke viola naxos

Clarke: Works for Viola and Piano (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) A  splendid release in every respect [HC]

Salsa riu SOMMCD237

Salsa Nueva (SOMM Recordings)

The best thing to do with a disc such as this is to sit down, relax and enjoy [HC]

Rozsa String Quartets Flesch ASV CDDCA1105

Rózsa: String Quartets Nos 1 & 2 (ASV)

(Déjà Review) A real winner and warmly recommended with the secret hope that ASV will next turn to the String Trio and Piano Quintet [HC]

Lindberg Cello Concerto Sony SK89810

Lindberg: Cello Concerto (Sony Classical)

(Déjà Review) These dedicated performances by artists enjoying a long association with Lindberg’s music cannot be bettered, and are superbly recorded [HC]

Canat de Chizy: Chamber music (Aeon)

(Déjà Review) Robust, joyfully dancing music-making of great energy and very often great beauty [HC]

Wennakoski Zeng Avanti Alba ABCD529

Wennäkoski: Zeng (Alba)

A fine survey of Wennäkoski’s chamber music in good performances and recording [HC]

magnard faure quartets aeon

Magnard & Fauré: String Quartets (Aeon)

(Déjà Review) Substantial works in immaculate performances [HC]