March 2023
Shostakovich: 24 Preludes & Fugues (Naxos)
A delicacy and deftness of touch in the playing, allied with a natural sense of line and phrasing which can be both compelling and moving [CT]
Dvořák: Serenades (Warner Classics)
A heart-warming disc of the Dvořák serenades, played and recorded beautifully [JP]
Shostakovich: Symphony 10 (Fuga Libera)
A fine, live performance of Shostakovich’s Tenth Symphony by a top-class Russian orchestra [GT]
van Helmont: Leçons de Ténèbres (Ricercar)
Van Helmont’s Leçons fully deserve to be recorded, and Scherzi Musicali has done a great job of performing them [JV]
Schubert: Piano Trios (Ondine)
Ideal performances of great works – and a fitting memorial to Lars Vogt [RMo]
Bonds: Choral Works (Avie Records)
Music of Protest and Pride fervently performed [NB]
Holst: Choral Works (SOMM Recordings)
An excellent and very welcome disc of Holst’s choral music [JQ]
Copland: Symphonies (RCA)
A welcome return to the catalogue of this valuable version of Copland’s early symphonies [SB]
Strauss R: Vier letzte Lieder (Decca)
For every Richard Strauss fan this CD is an absolute must [IL]
Howells: Orchestral Works (Chandos)
Rare works in very fine performances, and a superb warm recording [HC]
From the Archive: The Charles Hooey Collection
A major collection of articles on performers of the pre- & post-WW2 eras.
Neander: Psalter und Harffe (Cantate)
This disc opens a window to a part of 17th century religious and musical culture that is little-known [JV]
Beethoven: The Late Quartets (Signum Classics)
Quartet playing of exceptional beauty, homogeneity and musicality [RMo]
Rathaus: Chamber Works (Dux)
Rathaus began as modernist in Weimar Germany and ended as a late romantic in the USA – this disc covers the whole range [SB]
Joseph Szigeti (violin) European Columbia Recordings Vol. 3 (Pristine Audio)
Concertos and duos from Szigeti’s peak [JW]
Puccini’s Turandot
An analysis and survey of audio and DVD recordings by Lee Denham
La Valse (Hänssler Classic)
These wind orchestra arrangements could hardly be better played [MC]
The Golden Shore (Matador Publishing)
A warm welcome is due this exemplary book which has been so well realised [RB]
Karłowicz: Symphonic Poems Vol. 1 (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) For lovers of inflated Late-Romanticism, this is treasure trove [IL]
Jenkins: Concertos (Warner Classics)
(Déjà Review) Nothing deep or profound, just well crafted and very enjoyable [BBr]
Byrd: The Golden Renaissance (Decca)
A beautifully sung medley of Byrd’s music interspersing the Mass with “sacred songs” [RMo]
Beethoven: Piano Concerti 3 & 4 (Naxos)
Virtuosic pianism somewhat undermined by reticent accompaniment and an unnatural recorded balance [RMo]
Joseph Szigeti (violin): The Mercury Masters (Eloquence)
Szigeti’s final, catastrophic sessions for Mercury [JW]
Rubbra: The Jade Mountain (Chandos)
The first opportunity to find on one disc Rubbra’s complete songs from a period of over fifty years [GH]
 |
 |
 |
Featured Naxos review |
 |
 |
 |
 |
