- Chopin: Études (Decca)These Études aspire to a narrative unlike any other recording ever made – and is often remarkable in doing that [MB]
- The Tempestuous Harpsichord (Tremula Records)A storm in a teacup [PRJ]
- Delius: Eine Messe des Lebens (LAWO Classics)Sir Mark Elder and his Bergen forces present Delius’ A Mass of Life in the best possible light [MC]
- Mozart’s RequiemA survey by Ralph Moore
- Wagner: Siegfried (Pristine Audio)Another majestic instalment of living theatre – the best so far – in Kna’s 1956 Bayreuth Ring, in superb sound [RMo]
- Shostakovich: Symphony 13 (Chandos)Shostakovich and Pärt, cheek by jowl, on this uneven disc [NC]
- Four Temperaments (Linn)Another outstanding recording by Phantasm, which presents English consort music in its full glory [JV]
- Kathleen Ferrier (contralto) Songs of the British Isles (Naxos)(Déjà Review) Craftsmanship that is quite incredible … remarkable control … a masterful, spirited and dynamic touch [EML]
- 11 Famous Cathedral Organs – recital (Alto)Thirteen pieces, eleven cathedral organs, nine organists, one excellent concept [JF]
- Zemlinsky: Lyrische Symphonie, Symphonische Gesänge (Decca)A very valuable disc of Zemlinsky’s sharply contrasting scores [JQ]
- Upheaval (OUR Recordings)Wonderful playing, emotional depth and imagination in this beautiful music [RCh]
- Mademoiselle Duval: Les Génies (Château de Versailles Spectacles)A Baroque opera rarity is one of CVS’s happiest releases of recent years [MP]
- Velvet Brown (tuba) – recital (Crystal Records)A fine compilation of American tuba works, played a virtuoso soloist [PRJ]
- Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5, The Voyevoda, Capriccio italien (BIS)(Déjà Review) Popular and not so well known pieces, excellently played and stunningly recorded [JPh]
- Shostakovich: Symphony No. 4 for two pianos (Chandos)(Déjà Review) This will be compulsory and compulsive listening for admirers of DSCH [PCW]
- Dukas: Orchestral & Piano Works (Warner Classics)A go-to Dukas box of outstanding performances – but no texts [JW]
- Foucquet: Pièces de Clavecin (Brilliant Classics)A production every lover of the harpsichord should investigate [JV]
- Gershwin: Gershwin Rhapsody (Decca)The concert platform meets Broadway in this thoroughly enjoyable disc of piano music and songs by Gershwin [PT]
- Mischa Levitzki (piano): Complete HMV Recordings (APR)This splendid twofer just shouldn’t be missed [SG]
- Vaughan Williams: Symphonies Nos 1-9 (RCA)Over fifty years on, this set is still holding up pretty well, despite a few negligible flaws [RMo]
- McKay: Violin Concerto and Sinfonietta No 4 (Naxos)(Déjà Review) Beautifully crafted and well-orchestrated works [JPh]
- Mozart: Don Giovanni (Orfeo)(Déjà Review) A collector’s item specifically for opera buffs and Furtwängler fanatics which fills a gap in his recording legacy [AR]
- Stainer: The Crucifixion (Delphian)An ideal performance of this famous old work which should win it new friends [SB]
- Stanford: Shamus O’Brien (Retrospect Opera)A Stanford opera; uneven and unsatisfactory but beautifully presented [JW]
- Bruckner: Symphony 3 (Capriccio)Poschner once more subjects Bruckner’s Third Symphony to unreasonable and unaesthetic haste [RMo]
- El cant de la Sibil.la & Draumkvedet (Carpe Diem Records)A memorable adventure in early music and recording sonics [ZT]
- Elgar: Symphonies Nos 1 & 2 (Hallé)Distinguished recordings which surpass the earlier recordings by these performers [JQ]
- Michael Haydn: Requiem, Missa in honorem Sanctae Ursulae (Hyperion)Particularly memorable for their fine recording of Michael Haydn’s astonishing Requiem [RH]
- Handel: The Six Organ Concertos Op. 4 (Avie)Very imaginative and enthralling interpretations [JV]
- Schumann: Symphonies Nos 1 & 2 (Challenge Classics)Mettlesome accounts, sometimes less smooth and sophisticated than Herreweghe’s, but a radiant slow movement of No. 2 [MG]
- Dvořák: Symphonies Nos 3 & 9 (Genuin)Well played and well recorded but interpretatively rather plain [NB]
- Essential Royal Ballet; Pas de Deux (Opus Arte)A fine starter pack for exploring top-notch live ballet on film [RWe]
- Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade, Mussorgsky: Night On Bald Mountain (Warner Classics)A fine Scheherazade, beautifully played but not necessarily superior to classic versions, and two thrilling Mussorgsky novelties which for me constitute the main interest of this issue [RMo]
- Forgotten Czech Piano Concertos (Supraphon)Attractive though not world-beating recordings of little-remembered Czech Piano Concertos [JW]
- Rózsa: String Quartets Nos 1 & 2 (ASV)(Déjà Review) A real winner and warmly recommended with the secret hope that ASV will next turn to the String Trio and Piano Quintet [HC]
- Handel: Deborah (Naxos)(Déjà Review) Tread carefully, and be warned: if you give this modestly-priced issue a miss, you’ll be depriving yourself of some truly wonderful music, expertly executed [PJL]
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