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Stephen Barber

Piazzolla: María de Buenos Aires (Brilliant Classics)

A fine, vigorous performance, but what a shame there are no texts [SB]

Smirov Firsova quartets

Firsova and Smirnov: Love and Loss (OUR Recordings)

Moving works from this husband and wife team [SB]

Hindemith: Der Schwanendreher (Brilliant Classics)

An attractive viola concerto with an unusual coupling [SB]

Bartok sonatas BIS2787

Bartók: Violin Sonatas Szymanowski: Mythes (BIS)

An outstanding version of this imaginative programme [SB]

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Gubaidulina: Orchestral Music (Naxos)

I remain puzzled by Gubaidulina’s work [SB]

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Lerner & Loewe: My fair lady (Chandos)

A quality production which is warmly welcomed [SB]

The best of Martin Jones: Discover Erich Korngold (Nimbus)

A useful selection of Korngold’s piano music [SB]

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Lindberg & Aho: Clarinet Concertos (Signum Classics)

Two modern classics in excellent performances [SB]

Schumann: Davidsbündlertänze, Humoresque (Camerata)

Another fine Schumann recital by this Italian pianist [SB]

peterhouse partbooks naxos

Music from the Peterhouse partbooks (Naxos)

Music from the Peterhouse partbooks [SB]

mozart completewindmusic brilliantclassics

Mozart: Complete Divertimenti and Serenades for Winds (Brilliant Classics)

A comprehensive collection, well played [SB]

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Schumann & Bruckner: Forgotten symphonies (Alia Vox)

Two non-canonical symphonies in carefully prepared performances [SB]

Rautavaara PianoWorks PianoClassics

Rautavaara: Complete Piano Works (Piano Classics)

Rautavaara writes idiomatically and well for the piano [SB]

Price: Concertos (Naxos)

A convenient gathering of all Price’s concertos [SB]

Silvestrov: Violin Concerto, Symphony No.8 (Naxos)

These first recordings are to be welcomed [SB]

Saariaho: Complete Works for Piano and Harpsichord (Ondine)

Odds and ends for Saariaho completists [SB]

chopin piano music decca

Chopin: Piano music (Decca)

A rewarding recital, if you can take to the first Ballade [SB]

Monteverdi MessaperMariaSalute CPO

Monteverdi: Messa per Maria Salute (CPO)

A convincing reconstruction, but no texts [SB]

Henselt: Complete Piano Études (Naxos)

An auspicious debut with these intriguing études [SB]

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Jolivet: Chamber Music (Brilliant Classics)

Some really worthwhile works here [SB]

Schumann: Novelletten & Nachstücke (Piano Classics)

Commendable versions of two of Schumann’s lesser-known piano cycles [SB]

Saariaho: Adriana Mater (Deutsche Grammophon)

A powerful opera in a good performance but with inadequate presentation [SB]

Heavenly Light – Eton Choirbook Reconstructions I (CRD)

These reconstructions of works surviving only in fragments from the Eton choirbook are gorgeous and dazzling [SB]

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Shostakovich: Film Music Edition (Capriccio)

A generous selection of Shostakovich’s copious but uneven production of film music [SB]