April 2023

Bach: St. Matthew Passion (Orchid)

(Déjà Review) A very successful and involving performance that conveys the essence of Bach’s masterpiece very well [JQ]

JCF Bach: Die Auferweckung des Lazarus (Genuin)

Sympathetic and moving recording of an oratorio by JS Bach’s least-known musical son [CRo]

Boismortier: Trios, Quartets & Concerto (Christophorus)

This music is intended for entertainment, and that is what we get here [JV]

ciaccona glossa

Ciaconna! (Glossa)

Everything here – music, performances, sound and notes – is exceptional [DJB]

Carl Seemann (piano) The Orfeo Recordings (Orfeo)

A 40th anniversary salute to a rather overlooked German pianist [JW]

Skalkottas Concertos BIS

Skalkottas: Concertos (BIS)

Fine performances of rare concertos continue BIS’s mammoth Skalkottas series [GH]

Ronald Stevenson: Piano Music Vol. 6 (Toccata Classics)

Volume 6 of a remarkable cycle [JF]

Chopin: Young Chopin (Pavane)

(Déjà Review) Trzeciak highlights the inherent sense of longing and the spirit of Polish dance to good effect [CC]

de Sabata: Orchestral Works (Hyperion)

(Déjà Review) For all unashamed romantics — this recording is absolutely fabulous [IL]

Zador celebration 8574262

Zador: Celebration Music (Naxos)

The Zádor rehabilitation continues with a valuable and enjoyable seventh disc [NB]

Bach Sterbens GEN22800

Die Kunst des Sterbens (Genuin)

This disc’s concept makes it a valuable addition to the Bach discography [JV]

Wagner ring 57964

Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen [Dynamic)

A spectacular staging of a visually impressive and finely performed Ring from Bulgaria [GT]

Dances flute CHAN20265

Shadow Dances (Chandos)

A coterie of British composers and the flute [JW]

McDowall requiem SIGCD749

McDowall: Da Vinci Requiem (Signum Classics)

Excellent first recordings of two important works by Cecilia McDowall [JQ]

Haydn Stabat PTC5186953

Haydn: Stabat Mater (Pentatone)

An excellent recording of a Stabat Mater with a special twist: the enlarged wind orchestration from 1803 [GF]

Puccini basile 8573874792

Puccini: Tosca (Warner Fonit)

(Déjà Review) There are plenty of reasons for having this as well as the Callas/De Sabata [CH]

Bartok chailly 4588412

Bartok: Concerto for Orchestra (Decca)

(Déjà Review) Superb modern versions of these works [JP]

Lane Orchestral Works Sutherland Naxos 8.555880

Lane: Sleighbell Serenade (Naxos)

Craftsmanship, orchestral finesse and an obvious love of light music [JF]

Wang project 4864478

Yuja Wang (piano) The American Project (Deutsche Grammophon)

Wang is a force of nature in a concerto where Gershwin meets Rachmaninov [DMD]

Schubert Mass No 5 Bernius Hanssler HC22041

Schubert: Mass (Hänssler Classic)

Bernius does not disappoint in one of Schubert’s most memorable, songful masterpieces [LW]

Portraits of a Mind VW Albion ALBCD057

Portraits of a Mind (Albion Records)

Tenor Alessandro Fisher shines in a superb recital of beautiful music old and new [NB]

Nicht Wiedersehen Groissbock Gramola 99280

Nicht Wiedersehen! (Gramola)

The Mahler songs are the apex of this issue, but there are also some rarities that are well worth a listen [GF]

Jones Piano Music Lyrita SRCD410

Jones: Piano Music (Lyrita)

Martin Jones proves a strong advocate for this intriguing repertoire [PBW]

John Williams The Beginning of a Legend IDIS 6600

John Williams (guitar) The Beginning of a Legend (IDIS)

(Déjà Review) An important historical recording [ZT]