From the Last Week

Music from the age of Boccaccio, performed colourfully, with sensitivity and imagination [GH]

Committed, full-throated bel canto singing – but it must be measured against formidable competition [RMo]

Brilliant performances of unusual, even quirky, repertoire [NB]

The cultured elegance of violinist Jelly d’Arányi in recordings from the 1920s and 30s [JW]

Rübsam brings a fresh and intoxicating musicality to these captivating scores [SG]

A newly released live recording reminds us of the legacy of a great Mahlerian [DHa]

(Déjà Review) Aristocratic playing and transfers that sound extremely well [JW]

(Déjà Review) The players are clearly at home with these sonatas providing high expression combined with superb technique [MC]

An interesting take on this contrapuntal masterpiece – but the sound engineering is peculiar [RMo]

Virtuosic performances of Haydn full of wit, zest and the exuberance of life [PH]

The Varslavia Ensemble showcases the voice as an instrument for a magical experience [SA]

Concertmaster-soloist Arthur Catterall in historically valuable late acoustic recordings [JW]

Very interesting and worthwhile music in excellent performances [JQ]

A glimpse back into a Golden Age of singing [PH]

(Déjà Review) Resplendently carried off [RB]

(Déjà Review) Not just recommended but absolutely essential to any civilised person [SH]

A valiant effort all-around but the cast is largely disappointing in vocal accomplishment [MP]

Admirers of Gurney’s music and of English song in general should hasten to acquire this important release [JQ]

Bach’s last work goes well on a viol consort [SB]

An outstanding account of Tchaikovsky’s superb, if neglected, Third Quartet [RWe]

Danish Radio’s role in the Langgaard rediscovery is made explicit in this significant release [JW]

An impressive collection with Il Pomo d’Oro giving first class performances [MC]

(Déjà Review) Wilful but utterly stimulating [GF]

(Déjà Review) Sequels rarely live up to the promise of the original, but here is an exception [CC]

A headless Shostakovich symphony makes for a dispiriting experience [DHa]

Two German contemporaries and their very different approaches to the piano concerto [JW]

Another well-constructed and well-played recital in Mallinson and Weisner’s series [WK]

Nice music, good flutist, so-so strings [SV]

An entertaining conspectus of contemporary guitar music from the French capital, all well played and recorded [GPu]

These two works are ideal companions and Hirose is fervent in her brilliant playing of them [RCh]

An interesting and highly individual performance worth hearing. [SA]

I enjoyed practically everything that this disc offered with the Dufay being the star [GH]

A late satiric opera by Antheil, splendidly realised, devoid of Bad Boy but not devoid of spice and wit [JW]

This budget priced album is a great introduction to the dances by many of the better-known British composers [KT]

This fine disc whets the appetite for further volumes on the centenary of Fauré’s death [LW]

This issue must now be the top recommendation for this classic historic performance [GF]

Boult’s stature as the leading Elgarian reaffirmed in spoken word and musical deed [NB]

The perfect introduction to a composer who not only writes beautiful music but also tugs on the heartstrings [SA]

(Déjà Review) Now we know what a minimalist symphony can be [HC]

(Déjà Review) No lover of song should be without this one [KS]

Lovely singing and playing, with a special role for the lyra viol [JV]