mc

Michael Cookson

Glinka: Grand Sextet, Dvořák: Piano Quintet (Hänssler Classic)

This recording of chamber works by Glinka and Dvořák is in many ways ideal [MC]

Ravel: Complete Piano Works (MDG)

(Déjà Review) Bavouzet’s playing is restricted to a most narrow range: wonderful to superb [MC]

beethoven piano concertos deutsche grammophon

Beethoven: Piano Concertos (Deutsche Grammphon)

(Déjà Review) Lang Lang’s sparkling playing and considerable insights make for joyous listening [MC]

Boccherini: Cello Sonatas (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) A fine release of rare and interesting repertoire that will appeal to lovers of the cello [MC]

Otmar Suitner (conductor): Live in Leningrad 1963 (Profil)

I cannot make a convincing case for this double set of live recordings conducted by Otmar Suitner [MC]

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Schulhoff: Chamber works Vol 2 (Supraphon)

Repeated listening to these Schulhoff scores offers revelatory rewards [MC]

Mussorgsky: Symphonic Transcriptions (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) Whatever superlatives you hear about this disc I urge you to believe them [MC]

Aleksandra Kurzak (soprano): Falcon (Aparté)

Aleksandra Kurzak is in striking form with an album of arias sung by legendary French soprano Cornélie Falcon [MC]

Cookson Puccini Messa di Gloria Repusic BR Klassik ed RM

Puccini: Messa di Gloria, Preludio sinfonica (BR Klassik)

Ivan Repušić’s impressive conducting helps create a distinct sense of occasion [MC]

Bruckner Mass No 3 Jansons BR Klassik

Bruckner: Mass No 3 in F minor (BR Klassik)

A captivating live performance of the Bruckner F minor Mass [MC]

Bruckner: Mass No 2 & Motets (BR Klassik)

First class performances that are a match for any rival recordings [MC]

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Ries: Septet & Octet (cpo)

(Déjà Review) These colourful chamber works deserve to be better known [MC]

yoncheva courtesan sy11

Sonya Yoncheva (soprano) The Courtesan (SY11 Productions)

A captivating album of arias on a courtesan theme [MC]

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Un messe imaginaire (NoMadMusic)

Chœur Spirito give compelling performances of these works [MC]

meyerbeer prophete lso live

Meyerbeer: Le prophète (LSO Live)

It is pleasing to see Meyerbeer operas receiving attention and this live recording is first-class [MC]

vivaldi oboe signum

Vivaldi: Chamber Music for Oboe (Signum Classics)

This a release to savour and the leading candidate for both my baroque and chamber record of the year [MC]

Ysaye VC PC Graffin Avie 2650

Ysaÿe: Rêves – Violin Concerto & Poème concertant (Avie)

With these Ysaÿe recordings, one senses that Philippe Graffin has embarked on a labour of love [MC]

Beethoven: String Quartets, Op 18 Nos 1 and 4 (Naïve)

(Déjà Review) Quatuor Mosaïques are an astonishing ensemble who deserve the utmost praise for these magnificent performances [MC]

Meyerbeer africaine 866055860

Meyerbeer: L’Africaine (Naxos)

This praiseworthy live recording of L’Africaine will undoubtedly assist Meyerbeer’s rehabilitation [MC]

Mozart: Mezzo Mozart (Aparté)

Marina Viotti makes this an album of great Mozart arias hard to resist. [MC]

Handel sonatas DCD34304

Handel: Complete Violin Sonatas (Delphian)

An accomplished partnership presents Handel’s violin sonatas most attractively [MC]

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Brahms: String Quartets, Piano Quintet (Deutsche Grammophon)

Any release from the Emersons is worthy of attention and this set is no exception [MC]

casa diavolo naive

La Casa del Diavolo (Naïve)

(Déjà Review) For their fiercely propulsive and compellingly vital performances Il Giardino Armonico has few equals [MC]

475 Jahre Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden (Profil)

Many first-class performances to celebrate the 475th anniversary of the Staatskapelle Dresden [MC]