April 2023

prokofiev cleveland

Prokofiev: Symphony No.5 (The Cleveland Orchestra Recordings)

The Cleveland Orchestra stakes a claim to be currently the best in the world [DMD]

Mendelssohn, Dvořák: Piano Trios (Warner Classics)

(Déjà Review) Much beautiful playing here, polished and musical [PJL]

Rachmaninov: Piano Concerti (Hyperion)

(Déjà Review) Revelatory and refreshing [KS]

Dowland: [Complete] Lachrimae (Alpha Classics)

A fine survey of the Lachrimae with rather more verve and better balance than other options [RMo]

Jacob Lateiner (piano) The Lost Art Vol. 2 (Parnassus)

A pianist deserving of wider currency [SG]

Bach & Pärt: Works for Violin & Orchestra (Pentatone)

Spry, lively performances in bold sound [DM]

Saint-Saëns: Violin Sonatas (BIS)

Very attractive music beautifully played and caught in ideally sympathetic sound [NB]

Tourout: Portrait of an Imperial Cantor (Passacaille)

Outstanding performances of music by an unjustly neglected master [JV]

Winterberg: Chamber Music Vol. 2 (Toccata Classics)

Complex, sometimes evanescent but sombre quartets from a Czech Jew [JW]

Les Chemins d’Amour (CD Accord)

(Déjà Review) It would be difficult to imagine a better duo partnership for this music [CH]

Chopin: Piano Concertos (BIS)

(Déjà Review) These fine chamber renderings of the Chopin concertos make them sound as if that is how they were meant to be [JL]

McElroy tongues SOMMCD0665

McElroy: Tongues of Fire (SOMM)

Extends the tradition of Britten with an added edge of unflinching American-ness [DC]

Milstein concertos WS121408

Nathan Milstein (violin) Concertos (Urania)

Tried and tested staples from Milstein’s discography [JW]

Lovesick scotting SIGCD736

Lovesick (Signum Classics)

A beautiful recital of mostly rare 17th Century songs on an immortal subject [GH]

Schubert lieder DACOCD961

Schubert: Lieder (Danacord)

Splendidly captures the mood of these songs, with all their varied emotions [JF]

Amate stelle GCD923536

Amate Stelle (Glossa)

Baroque opera enthusiasts should snap up this disc [GF]

podger tutta channel

Rachel Podger (violin): Tutta sola (Channel Classics)

Quite exceptional performances of rarely heard pre-Bach Baroque solo violin works [PB]

Britten bridge 855720

Britten: Orchestral works (Naxos)

Another spectacular and poetic Britten collection ex-Collins courtesy of Naxos [EM]

Beethoven elise MIR9972

Beethoven: Lettre à Elise (Mirare)

One of the most charming piano recitals that I have come across in years [KS]

Rachmaninov Vespers-King's Delphian DCD34296

Rachmaninov: Vespers (Delphian Records)

A fresh, well-drilled young choir has bitten off more than it can chew here [RMo]

Francaix Chamber Music Brilliant 96341

Françaix: Chamber Music (Brilliant Classics)

Refreshing Frenchness in a blast from the past [DC]

Shostakovich Symph 10 KSanderling ICAC5171

Shostakovich: Symphony 10 (ICA Classics)

An important musical document of a great live performance of Shostakovich’s Tenth by a legendary German conductor [GT]

schumann symphonies bis

Schumann: Symphonies (BIS)

A comprehensive survey stunningly played and beautifully recorded [NB]

Porpora L'Angelica Sardelli Dynamic CDS7936

Porpora: L’Angelica (Dynamic)

This world premiere recording is an appetising taster for more Porpora [GF]