January 2023

Norwegian discoveries from Belgrade [JW]

An exciting new talent, and a generous and rewarding disc [SG]

Performed with an obvious reverence and love [SA]

Perfect demonstration of the excitement that the cornett can arouse [JV]

Another volume of Edward Gregson’s brass band music, rewarding and engaging [JF]

Melodious salon pieces with some attractive and impish surprises [RCh]

A superlative cast in a crisply modern, but relatively faithful production of a rarely performed opera [MP]

These live recordings form a tribute to one of the great voices of the past quarter-century [RMo]

A transplanted Russian composer who valued intimate conjunctions and statuesque ritual [JW]

A generous-minded performance somewhat let down by idiosyncratic recording quality [JW]

Playing of elegance and refinement [SG]

Four graceful concertante works of the mid to late 18th century, which may not excite but do entertain [DJB]

Another impressive release by the Donizetti Opera festival, uncut and on original instruments [RWe]

Impressive performances of fascinating medieval music about real and mythological creatures [JV]

The molten tonalist Toscha Seidel triumphs in a selection of his 78s [JW]

Boult’s Deccas handsomely boxed; two Messiahs, Acis and miscellaneous recitals [JW]

The final instalment of Bostridge’s Schubert trilogy is a partnership of equals, voice and piano coming together to create something very special [ST]

The outer movements of Symphony 41 are splendid; elsewhere Klumpp’s Mozart can be a shade relentless [MG]

A fine cellist – expression, technical mastery, character all there – but a shame that this is a collection of excerpts [RB]

Sensational pianism, inspiration, and exuberant pianism in every track [MM]

Vivid and admirable shorter pieces but a Mendelssohn that has a heart of jagged tin [RB]

In this annual release, Gothic Voices will not disappoint, even if other ensembles often cover the same musical territory [GH]

Almost impossible to evaluate, but this has opened my eyes, ears and mind to something quite new [WH]

I have nothing but praise for this splendid disc [SG]