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William Hedley

Shostakovich: Symphonies Nos 6 & 9 (Signum Classics)

Fine performances of two idiosyncratic, even eccentric, Shostakovich symphonies [WH]

Sibelius VC CHSA5267

Sibelius: Violin Concerto (Chandos)

This is a disc that no lover of Sibelius will want to miss [WH]

Sutton: Violin Concerto & Orchestral works (Chandos)

Enjoyable, buoyant music, superbly performed and recorded [WH]

Bartók: Piano Concerti (Capriccio)

Satisfying performances of two concertos, a few doubts about the third [WH]

Erlanger: La sorcière (B Records)

A tremendous performance of an unexpectedly compelling French rarity [PSt]

Voices of Thunder Coro COR16209

Voices of Thunder: Works for Choir and Organ (Coro)

Organ and choir share equal billing in a varied programme of choral music [WH]

Building Castles Delphian DCD34327

Building Castles – New Music for New Audiences (Delphian)

A varied and thoroughly enjoyable showcase of Scottish musical talent [WH]

Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos 3 & 4 (Fineline)

Excellent performances from the young Nikolai Lugansky [WH]

Dvorak Silvestrov Cello Gromes Sony

Dvořák: Cello Concerto (Sony Classical)

A moving and timely disc, Dvořák’s matchless concerto stands alongside short works by Ukrainian composers [WH]

Christmas bevan SIGCD909

Christmas with The Bevan Family Consort (Signum Classics)

A thoroughly enjoyable seasonal collection [WH]

dodgson celebration

Born by the Thames. Stephen Dodgson: A Centenary Celebration (de la Porte Publishing)

An excellent celebration of the life and music of a composer only now coming into his own [WH]

Dodgson: Mirage – Piano music (Somm Recordings)

Challenging yet rewarding music, fine performance and recording [WH]

Brusa requiem 8574589

Brusa: Requiem, Stabat Mater (Naxos)

Admirers of the composer will want to explore her choral works [WH]

Cantabile: Anthems for Viola (Delphian)

Two fine artists in a fascinating and wide-ranging programme [WH]

Lloyd Requiem Exon Singers Lyrita SRCD420

Lloyd: Requiem and Psalm 130 (Lyrita)

Highly attractive choral music in a conservative idiom, splendidly performed and recorded [WH]

Brindley Sherratt (bass): Fear No More (Delphian)

A splendid operatic bass in a new and satisfying context [WH]

beethoven dean orchid

Beethoven & Dean: Piano Concertos (Orchid Classics)

A refreshing and compelling pairing of two piano concertos [WH]

helene grimaud at elbphilharmonie hamburg

Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 20, Symphony No. 40; Schumann: Piano Concerto (C Major)

A beautifully filmed concert with a surprising programme [WH]

Haydn schopfung 05472775372

Haydn: Die Schöpfung (Deutsche Harmonia Mundi)

Much of its freshness of character comes from the fact that so many young people are involved [WH]

Brahms Choral and Songs IBS132023

Brahms: Orchestral & Vocal Works (IBS Classical)

Fine Brahms choral music from an unexpected source [WH]

The-Monarchs Music Collis Smith CRD 3545 barnardbarnard

The Monarch’s Music (CRD)

A timely and enjoyable celebration of music for royal occasions [WH]

Puccini: Tosca (Unitel Edition)

The staging will divide opinion, but watch, listen, and let the performers convince you [WH]

Müller-Hartmann: Chamber music (Chandos)

An interesting byway of twentieth-century music [WH]

Chilcott: Christmas Oratorio (Delphian)

Immediately attractive music for the festive season [WH]