From the Last Week

A valuable disc of music by a composer writing at the height of the Stalinist terrors [NB]

Attractive and accessible works [SB]

A truly great lyric coloratura soprano of the early 20th century, showcased in first-rate transfers [RMo]

A welcome addition to the discography of Messiaen’s masterpiece, but the competition is fierce [PH]

Cécile Chaminade’s 1901 recordings revisited, and a raft of shellac performances of her works by other pianists [JW]

All the music is expertly crafted, highly attractive and, in the best sense of the word, entertaining [JQ]

(Déjà Review) A delightful collection, with some lesser-known material [RW]

(Déjà Review) Tremendous, life-affirming Mozart playing, marking Pollini’s welcome return to this territory [CC]

This may appeal to those interested in the byways of Germanic composition in the early 20th century [EJW]

Masterly direction in live performances of two disparate symphonies, in which orchestral tone is not always the most opulent, but the spirit is invariably right [RMo]

An excellent disc [WK]

A reissued BBC broadcast, two rehearsal segments in improved sound and a never-before-released BBC interview [JW]

A really approachable edition of A Musical Offering [JF]

The Hallé under Sir Mark Elder demonstrates its special affinity for performing Elgar [MC]

(Déjà Review) To put it simply, this is the finest recording of music for guitars that I have ever heard [KS]

(Déjà Review) The Cluytens-Prêtre team is formidable and allied to the lesser known, but still ardent, Dervaux you have as incisive a trio of conductors as you could wish at this price range [JW]

De Grigny’s early death deprived future generations of a great deal his genius had to offer [SG]

Two classic accounts of Mussorgsky’s pictures in both the original version and Ravel’s orchestration [SB]

A considered, measured and ultimately satisfying account of the Symphonie fantastique from a legendary orchestra [PH]

Carroll’s poetic playing comes to the fore in the slower pieces [DJB]

Further discoveries in the British cello lineage [JW]

Wholly satisfying performances in beautifully remastered sound featuring a somewhat neglected conductor [RMo]

Another highly attractive addition to my already impressive collection of present-day mezzos [GF]

Sensational, often exhilarating, music, given sensational, sensitive and radiant performances [EML]

An unusual disc of modern chamber music, but highly approachable [GF]

An absolute feast of piano recordings that greatly expands our knowledge of a pianist who has been very undeservedly forgotten [RCh]

Two highly successful remasterings of a great, highly individual and even idiosyncratic recording – but Pristine take the palm [RMo]

A fascinating snap-shot of an artist’s personality [SG]

An extravagant, gothic horror funfest from beginning to end [MP]

A stylish, first-class Weill compilation [JQ]

(Déjà Review) Brings to fruition a marvellous eight year project in one well presented box. Playing is excellent. A chance to reappraise the work of an underrated composer [JL]

(Déjà Review) A comprehensive survey of the chamber music, superbly played [HC]

by David Barker

An extraordinary recording debut: a self-accompanied recording of Winterreise which proves to be much more than just a gimmick [PT]

Not a forgotten masterwork but an early comedy worth rescuing from almost total oblivion for 200 years [GF]

The admirable cellist Christine Walevska traced over 50 years of performances and recordings [JW]

The trio is certainly worthy of your time and attention, the sonata less so [RHa]

by Alan George

by Alan George

by Alan George

Well played but very closely and reverberantly recorded, and somewhat anonymous, while the absence of repeats makes it sound truncated [RMo]