Presto

Poulenc piano M3K44921

Poulenc: Complete Solo Piano Music (Sony Classical)

Delicious music, played with refinement and character by this masterly pianist [GPJ]

beethoven symphonies sony

Beethoven: Symphonies Nos 4 & 7 (Sony Classical)

(Déjà Review) As a coupling of the symphonies, this disc is unbeatable [TP]

Koechlin jungle 902661955

Koechlin: The Jungle Book (RCA)

A most welcome reissue for an essential recording of Koechlin’s complete Jungle Book settings [PCG]

Deja Review Tippett Collection Orchestral Decca 4701962

Tippett: Orchestral works (Decca)

(Déjà Review) Something special – treasurable and pleasurable, all in excellent sound [RB]

mahler symphony 3 sony

Mahler: Symphony 3 (Sony Classical)

In many ways this is an admirable Mahler Third [JQ]

Prokofiev janis 4343332

Prokofiev & Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos (Mercury)

A wonderful, spellbinding disc; legendary recordings of legendary performances of the two concertos [PSe]

Marx naturetrilogy CDDCA1137

Marx: Natur-Trilogie (ASV)

An impressionistic voice soaked in the quintessence of lyrical expression [RB]

holderlin sony presto

Brahms, Strauss, Reger & Rihm: Hölderlin-inspired works (Sony Classical)

A fascinating compilation of Hölderlin-inspired pieces [JQ]

Zemlinsky: Lyrische Symphonie, Symphonische Gesänge (Decca)

A very valuable disc of Zemlinsky’s sharply contrasting scores [JQ]

Schubert: Symphony No 9 (Deutsche Grammophon)

Bernstein in genial mood directing a luscious-sounding Concertgebouworkest [RMo]

Beethoven, Mendelssohn: Violin Concerti (Philips)

(Déjà Review) Will irritate as many as it will thrill [TH]

juilliard quartet great collaborations sony

Juilliard String Quartet: Great Collaborations Vol. 5 (Sony Classical)

An anthology of classic, highly varied recordings spanning over a quarter of a century from major music-makers [RMo]

Mendelssohn ormandy SB2K63251

Mendelssohn: Orchestral Works (Sony Classical)

A pleasant compilation but better recordings of almost every work here may be found elsewhere [RMo]

verdi requiem rca

Verdi: Messa da Requiem (RCA)

A great soprano soloist and a fine choir and orchestra, very well directed, still cannot save this account from mediocrity [RMo]

Dvořák: Symphonies 8 & 9 (Philips)

(Déjà Review) Fischer and his colleagues enter a very competitive field and offer extremely fine versions of both symphonies which must now be counted among the best available [JQ]

villa-lobos choros asv

Villa-Lobos: Chôros 1-7 (ASV)

(Déjà Review) Close your eyes and conjure your own veranda [RB]

Beethoven: Symphony No.3 & Overtures (DG)

A disc of distinguished Beethoven performances [JQ]

Espana Argenta Decca 4663782

Ataúlfo Argenta (conductor) (Decca)

Two LPs’ worth of Argenta’s legendary performances in classic Decca sound [PSe]

Dvořák: Symphony No 9, Serenade for Strings (Sony Classical)

(Déjà Review) Anyone who is more interested in genuine music-making rather than state-of–the-art sound will not be disappointed [TH]

Schuman Symphony 10 Slatkin RCA 09026 612822

Schuman: Symphony 10 (RCA)

A useful survey of Schuman’s works [SB]

grieg peer gynt sony

Grieg: Peer Gynt (Sony Classical)

(Déjà Review) A hugely enjoyable selection, and an ear-opener for those who only know the familiar suites [TH]

VW hymnal 75605512492

A Vaughan Williams Hymnal (Conifer Classics)

A beautifully performed programme of Vaughan Williams’ hymns with exemplary attention to detail [MSt]

Piston Symphony 6 Slatkin RCA 60798

Piston: Symphony 6 (RCA)

Three well-chosen works by this fine American composer [SB]

Copland: Orchestral Works (Sony Classical)

An all-sorts mixture including some very moving recordings from six decades ago [RB]