From the Last Week

The first two great operas from Janáček’s final decade explored with generosity and detail [JW]

Interesting and musically compelling survey of French music from around 1700 [JV]

Refreshing and enjoyable piano quintets in an accessible idiom [SB]

Some superb performances directed by a conductor of the highest calibre, performing live and at the peak of his abilities [RMay]

Notable additions to the catalogue of British orchestral works [JQ]

Full-lipped and high-tensile writing [RB]

A well worked programme; not to be overlooked in the welter of releases and re-releases that continue to saturate the market [JW]

(Déjà Review) This fine disc has worn very well [JW]

Two recent, uncompromising piano quintets [RB]

Exemplary performances of sacred Latin works, some reconstructed, by a composer who is still a rather mysterious figure in Renaissance music  [GH]

A somewhat enigmatic release that raises more questions than it answers [PRJ]

A well-planned, enjoyable selection of American string quartets [LW]

A live Beecham Scheherazade that generates the heat and drive sometimes missing from his commercial recording [JW]

(Déjà Review) An excellent insight into the human relationships and stories behind some of the great symphonic and vocal music on record [DBe]

A marvellous rendition of Schubert’s final sonata [ST]

A Planets that just about justifies itself thanks to Pappano’s colourful theatricality [ST]

(Déjà Review) No enthusiast for Les Troyens should be without this set [JS]

Old-fashioned, perhaps, but big, bold and sometimes surprisingly effective accounts [RMay]

(Déjà Review) An important disc of remarkable contemporary music [LW]

Sit back and enjoy a plenipotentiary’s sound-picture [RB]

Fascinating concerto survivors from Henry Holst’s British days [JW]

Fresh as a daisy: beguiling playing and a big sound [RB]

(Déjà Review) Another insightful, informative album of early Beethoven from Naxos [BR]

A good primer to start exploring Sir James MacMillan’s music [ST]

An interesting if sombre compilation of German songs; the singing may not rival the very best [DJa]

Continued reclamation of Charles Wood’s string quartets in generous performances [JW]

A fine performance in excellent sound for the provenance, well enhanced, but with attendant flaws and failings [RMo]

(Déjà Review) Lively and energetic performances of music by Neapolitan composers [JV]

(Déjà Review) An excellent performance, intense and thrilling, elegant and thought-provoking [OL]

Northern climes … taiga and tundra … laconic … not dazzle and drama [RB]

Dariescu is in fine form in this excellently curated collection of pieces that have real meaning for her [RCh]

Garro’s cause has been very well served here [JQ]

The greatest chamber work of World War Two in a persuasive performance [RWe]

Déjà Review: A winner on all counts [RB]

Imaginative programming presents two Clarinet novelties and an established classic [JW]

Refined classical interpretations of ragtime’s king [JF]

A highly recommendable programme [WH]

A composer with a distinctive and beguiling voice [SB]

A competent if not dazzling addition to Acte Préalable’s growing catalogue of Melcer’s works [RCh]

A very special collection of lieder, opera and operetta from one of the great post-war sopranos [DBe]

Louise Acebo is the ideal interpreter of Chambonnières’ music [JV]