Recommended
Ymaginacions – Mass upon John Dunstable’s square (Paraty)
A Lady Mass by a leading early Tudor composer in an exciting, unique performance [GH]
Wagner: Die Walküre (Decca)
The last instalment of the Decca ‘Ring’ enhanced by remastering in magnificent sound [JQ]
Rachmaninoff: Symphony 2 & Piano Concerto 2 (Berliner Philharmoniker)
This is in every way a distinguished Rachmaninoff album [JQ]
Mahler: Symphony 3 (High Definition Tape Transfers)
A classic performance in a never-before-heard revelatory recording [NB]
Handel: Messiah (Erato)
Period-instrument Messiah, not to be missed [DF]
Cage: Music for Three, Music for One (CAvi-Music)
Cage’s ‘thing’ advocated by three superb musicians, in sympathetic sonics [RHa]
Wagner: Das Rheingold (Decca)
A classic Wagner recording in magnificently remastered sound [JQ]
Cavalieri: Lamentations (Pan Classics)
Incisive performances of stylistically groundbreaking and expressive works [JV]
Bedford: In the Voices of the Living (NMC)
Bedford’s music is adventurous, exciting, humane and quite devoid of blandness or the easy option. Terrific performances and sonics [RHa]
Sibelius: Symphony No 4 (Alpha Classics)
A performance to convert the Sibelian reluctant to appreciate the bleak Fourth’s special qualities, in a death-laden programme complete with two superb companion pieces [RMo]
Zayt Gezunterheyt – The Folk Soul of the Eastern Clarinet (Antarctica Records)
A simply outstanding meeting of stunning musicians and glorious music [PJ]
Briggs: Hail, gladdening Light (Hyperion)
A memorable disc [JQ]
Recharged by Nature – Contemporary Nordic Works (Alba)
Two magnificent, distinctively folk-tinged concertos are vividly brought to life [RHa]
Igor Levit (piano): Fantasia (Sony Classical)
Another outstanding recital from Levit, with a superb version of the big Busoni work [SB]
Ludford: Mass (Paraty)
A new perspective on the performance of the music of the English renaissance [JV]
Donizetti: La fille du régiment (Decca)
Sign me up for this regiment: this recording is as good as it gets [MP]
Messiaen: La Nativité du Seigneur (Aeolus)
A glowing and atmospheric account in spectacular SACD sound [SG]
Bach: Goldberg Variations (Alba)
A poetic, refined, beautifully played account from a remarkable young Finnish pianist [RMo]
Mahler: Symphony No 8 (BIS)
Vänskä’s performance of Symphony of a Thousand; a rave review [EJW]
Verdi: I Lombardi alla prima crociata (BR Klassik)
An exciting, red-blooded performance, captured live in the clearest sound of any available version [MP]
de Monte: Madrigali spirituali (Passacaille)
Superb performances – the best possible case for Philippus de Monte [JV]
Bach: Goldberg Variations (Deutsche Grammophon)
Freshness, new life, vitality and a wealth of new insights are bought to this oft-recorded work [SG]
Mozart: Piano concertos (Academy of Ancient Music)
A total delight [ST]
The Great Organ of Aarhus Cathedral (Danacord)
Superb performances, great sound quality, brilliant documentation and rewarding programming [JF]
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Featured Naxos review |
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