- Mendelssohn: Symphony No 2 ‘Lobgesang’ (BIS)Smaller forces from Suzuki, but all the drive, passion and enthusiasm you could hope for [SGa]
- Britten: Phaedra, A Charm of Lullabies, Lachrymae (Chandos)(Déjà Review) A wonderful collection which succeeds because of the excellence of the performances [MG]
- Ernesto Halffter: Piano Music (Nimbus)(Déjà Review) For all fans of attractive, passionate Spanish music this is an ideal disc with which to impress friends [Byz]
- Vasks: 80th Anniversary Edition (Ondine)Some key Vasks works reappear in excellent versions [SB]
- Andrea Bacchetti (piano): Live at Fazioli Concert Hall (Artemisia)A substantial and well-crafted recital. [DC]
- Schubert: Lieder (Avie)An interesting compilation of Schubert Lieder, competently performed, but lacking expressive variety [DJa]
- Debussy: Piano Music Vol 5 (BIS)The final disc of a wonderful cycle [CH]
- Beethoven: Fidelio (Profil)Defying its sixty-six years the sound quality of Keilberth’s Fidelio is certainly remarkable for its age [MC]
- La Traversière – Airs et Songes. Works for transverse flute (Harmonia Mundi)An impressive recording debut [JV]
- Bruckner: Symphony 8 (Hänssler Profil)Schaller concludes his BRUCKNER2024 project with a magnificent, driven performance [RMo]
- Draeseke: Piano Works (Naxos)A must for the fans of romantic piano [RCh]
- Greenbaum: Music for winds & piano (Salisbury Records)An excellent introduction to the chamber music of Stuart Greenbaum [PRJ]
- Heise: Complete String Quartets (Dacapo)Ticks all of the boxes [DC]
- Wagner: Tristan und Isolde (C Major)A fine achievement which is decidedly more than the sum of its parts [MP]
- Martinů: Symphonies (Deutsche Grammophon)A Martinů symphony cycle for the ages [DJB]
- Farrenc: Nonet & Brahms: Serenade No. 1 (Centaur)(Déjà Review) Buy it for the curiosity of the “Brahms Nonet”; stay for the warmth and wit of Louise Farrenc [BR]
- Beethoven: Diabelli Variations (Harmonia Mundi)(Déjà Review) Further enhances Paul Lewis’s reputation as a leading Beethoven interpreter [JQ]
- Schumann: Violin Concerto (Pentatone)Midori makes a compelling case for Schumann’s neglected violin concerto [MC]
- Bach: Keyboard Works (Hyperion)(Déjà Review) A truly valuable and life enhancing collection [DC]
- Beethoven: Violin Sonatas 3 and 9 (Signum Classics)(Déjà Review) This stunning Onyx release can compete with the very best [MC]
- de Wert: Nono Libro de Madrigali 1588 (Glossa)An impressive display of the art of Giaches de Wert [JV]
- Godowsky & Stravinsky: Piano Music (Rubicon Classics)An ambitious debut: both virtuosity and thoughtfulness in a fascinating Javanese-inspired suite. [ACG]
- The Leipzig Collegium Musicum Volume 1: Music Before Bach (Pentatone)An interesting start to a potentially valuable series [DJB]
- John Shirley-Quirk (baritone) English Song Anthology (Heritage)John Shirley-Quirk’s definitive English recital [JF]
- Rangström: Kronbruden (Sterling)A fine first recording of Rangström’s most important opera [WK]
- Myaskovsky: Symphonies No.24-25 (Northern Flowers)Myaskovsky’s symphonic brace that prioritises expansive tempi [JW]
- Beethoven: Fidelio (Decca)(Déjà Review) This Fidelio will surely be one of the most important releases of 2011 [JQ]
- Stevens: Orchestral Music Vol. 3 (Toccata Classics)A very welcome triptych of releases [PRJ]
- Dale & Bowen: Piano Works (Hyperion)(Déjà Review) Add this to your British piano collection without reservation [JW]
- Noskowski: Piano Music 5 (Acte Préalable)An engaging addition to the survey of Noskowski’s piano output [RCh]
- Peter Donohoe (piano): The Chopin I Love (Somm Recordings)Delivers all of the pianism and musical depth for which one could ask [DC]
- Beethoven: Piano Sonatas No 8, 17 & 23 (Warner Classics)(Déjà Review) Outstanding performances of three favourite minor-key Beethoven sonatas [WH]
- Britten: Les Illuminations and other Works (Alpha Classics)A very good Britten concert [SB]
- Elgar: Piano Quintet & String Quartet (Hyperion)(Déjà Review) Striking performances of these late masterpieces [JF]
- Shostakovich: Symphonies No 6 & 9 (Challenge Classics)Two of Shostakovich’s most subversive symphonies, brilliantly played and sharply characterised [NB]
- Bruckner: Symphonies No 4 & 7 (Warner Classics)Monumental, spiritual performances [DF]
- Czerny: Sonatas for Solo Piano Vol 3 (Nimbus)A superb addition to Martin Jones’s marvellous one-man attempt to record everything unjustly neglected [Byz]
- Janitsch: Symphonies & Concertos (cpo)Janitsch’s work is ripe for discovery and revival, assisted by excellent recordings such as this [DC]
- From Dennis Brain’s Library Vol 2 Plus! (MPR)Rare and well-chosen pieces from Dennis Brain’s library and some bonuses, all beautifully played [SJG
- Lopatnikoff & Juon: Piano Trios (Naxos)The Lopatnikoff is quite a discovery [DJB]
- Bartók: Piano Concertos 1-3 (Elatus)Peerless performances, alert, alive, astounding [DM]
Reviews of Classical Music Recordings
