December 2022

Spirited, mercurial playing, compromised by a poor recording from Warner [RMo]

An all-round excellent effort to document a forgotten opera that likely won’t be returning to the stage anytime soon [MP]

The romantic First Violin Concerto of Jan Kubelík receives a premiere recording [JW]

One of the twentieth century’s greatest violinists, a musical aristocrat with superb polished technique and a phenomenal intellect [SG]

A novel and inventive seasonal treat from Scottish Ballet [RMay]

Interesting interpretational concept, but musically not really satisfying [JV]

A glorious sampler heralding a complete project which promises the best sound yet for this greatest of Wagner recordings [RMo]

A great Romantic symphony and an unusual concerto [LD]

A musical world tour broadens our knowledge of von Suppé’s considerable output [RMay]

A well executed esoteric program, let down by the lack of useful documentation for the casual listener [MP]

Britten’s music for string quartet, a comprehensive collection [SB]

The British Harmonica School in safe Italian hands [JW]

Another triumph for Pristine’s re-masterings of the Boult/Decca cycle [PCG]

An Arctic artistic spectacular, but will you be convinced [DC]

An important release of this major Korean composer’s orchestral masterpieces [GT]

Not a dull moment, thanks to Vivaldi and the engaging performances [JV]

A major achievement which articulates many profound emotions [JQ]

Fine performances of four major 20th century cello sonatas [LW]

Wit and warmth from the Budapest of operetta and salon [JW]

Two very highly accomplished sets, either of which any listener would be happy with, but ultimately my heart belongs to the Chandos box [ST]

Creditable performances of two attractive works, somewhat compromised by the recorded sound [JQ]

A flawlessly played, atmospherically interpreted and beautifully presented collection of Stravinsky’s three major ballets with interesting bonuses [RMo]

Baumont does exactly what these suites need to make for a nice hour of listening, not only at Christmastide [JV]

You will seldom find better, more compelling or beautiful performances than the ones recorded here [MMB]