Ondine

A level of lushness, wistfulness, and emotional intensity places these works among Saariaho’s best [ACG]

(Déjà Review) Without orchestra, the Sibelius symphonies fail [BR]

(Déjà Review) All in all, a magnificent success [DC]

Admirably controlled and impressively recorded Planets, and a Finnish treat [ST]

Lean and lovely Sibelius, consistent and convincing throughout [RMo]

Some key Vasks works reappear in excellent versions [SB]

A major work by a prominent Lithuanian composer [HC]

An intense, evocative journey through the city of Vilnius – a must-hear for lovers of contemporary music [ACG]

A splendid new recording of Respighi’s early Sinfonia [EJW]

First recording of the original version sung in Estonian, meant to capture the composer’s intentions in this liturgical work [EJW]

Disillusion, bleakness, sombre and occasionally irate flamboyance [RB]

Good but hardly essential accounts of music for which we already have so many great recordings [RMo]

A thrusting, brilliant Elgar Concerto, informed by early recordings, and a great Adès [JW]

Odds and ends for Saariaho completists [SB]

(Déjà Review) This is a glorious disc that will delight lovers of Scandinavian song as well as Sibelians everywhere [RB]

Early music buffs will probably run miles to avoid such a disc, but they will be missing a treat [DC]

A fine Estonian orchestra begins a survey of the symphonies of one of Estonia’s native sons [PH]

A lovely Mendelssohn programme from one of the finest of choirs [WH]

Clear, cool, lucid performances, short on passion but interpretatively consistent and coherent [RMo]

Knotty and serious scores receive powerful performances, beautifully recorded [NB]

High quality performances of well-known and less familiar Sibelius. [DHa]

Much to admire but this is not a performance to challenge the leading recommendations [JQ]

Beautifully imaginative, strongly expressive music in immaculately prepared performances [HC]

A wonderful programme of orchestral brilliance [PRJ]