May 2023
Gluck: Alceste (Pristine Audio)
A fine transfer of Flagstad’s farewell to the Metropolitan in a performance of great dignity [RMo]
Holst: Choral Works (SOMM Recordings)
A mixed bag, but indispensable to the Holst completist [SB]
Lalo & Casals: Cello Concertos (Sony Classical)
My high expectations were exceeded by Jan Vogler’s compelling performances [MC]
Beethoven: Piano Trios (Sony Classical)
A terrific Ghost Trio, less impressive E flat major Trio [PBW]
Puts: The City (Naxos)
Three substantial and very fine orchestral works; the Marimba Concerto is a joy [DJB]
Vaughan Williams: A London Symphony (Chandos)
(Déjà Review) If you have any interest in the music of Vaughan Williams this is an almost mandatory purchase [SF][PC]
Petersen: Symphony No. 3 (Profil)
A valuable and welcome addition to the Petersen discography [SG]
Gomes: Opera Overtures and Preludes (Naxos)
Enjoyably tuneful music, a delight in these attractive accounts [RMay]
Magnificat 3 (Signum Classics)
Outstanding performances of a varied and satisfying programme in superb sound [WH]
Haydn: String Quartets op. 33 No. 1-3 (BIS)
A very valid interpretation emphasizing Haydn’s wit and invention [LP]
Miaskovsky: Cello Concerto, Cello Sonatas (cpo)
A welcome release centred on the cello works of Nikolai Miaskowsky and his teachers [GT]
Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 2 (Fuga Libera)
A performance suffused with the Russian spirit, technically and sonically proficient, aesthetically satisfying [RMo]
Pisendel: Violin Concerti (Berlin Classics)
A resounding success [DJB]
Korngold: Sinfonietta, Violin Concerto (Dorian)
(Déjà Review) A classic of recorded sound [RB]
JS Bach: The Art of Fugue (Ramee)
A suggestion that the art of counterpoint is infinite [DC]
Holst: The Planets (BR Klassik)
A solid, “safe” account, hobbled by a dull, listless opening movement [RMo]
Liszt: Death and Transfiguration (Prima Facie)
thoroughly enjoyed this set – clearly a lot of thought went into programming these pieces [JWe]
Porpora: Carlo il Calvo (Parnassus Arts)
A neglected baroque opera providing a surfeit of beauty, best enjoyed over a couple of days [NF]
Slavic Rhapsody (Brilliant Classics)
This programme of Czech music for strings gives much pleasure [LW]
Verdi: Falstaff (C Major)
A classic staging and superlative cast return to the catalogue, newly minted on Blu-ray [MP]
Vivaldi: Nulla pax in mundo (Gramola)
The performances are neat and stylish, but the expressive and theatrical features of Vivaldi’s music are underexposed [JV]
Chopin: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 (Deutsche Grammophon)
(Déjà Review) Truly inspired performances of masterful music [PJL]
The Wild Sound of the 20s – 1923 (BR Klassik)
A good example of 1920s music in outstanding performances, let down by lack of texts [LW]
Reforming Hymns (Dacapo)
Interesting and important disc from a musical, historical and social angle [JV]
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