Stravinsky: Petrouchka & Debussy: Jeux, Poème Dansé (Decca)

A fine follow-up to Klaus Mäkelä’s previous Stravinsky disc [JQ]

Bruckner: Symphony No 3 (Myrios Classics)

An outstanding performance of Bruckner’s Third from François-Xavier Roth and his Cologne players [MC]

Beethoven: Complete Symphonies (National Symphony Orchestra)

A mercilessly rushed series of performances which almost invariably sacrifices grandeur in favour of mere propulsion [RMo]

CPE Bach: Sonatas for Keyboard & Violin (Channel Classics)

Enjoyable performances compromised by the use of an anachronistic fortepiano [JV]

Scharwenka: Complete Chamber Music (Hyperion)

(Déjà Review) Highly attractive romantic music caught in the web of ley lines between Schumann and early Fauré [RB]

Brahms: Violin Concerto, Clarinet Quintet (Music & Arts)

(Déjà Review) Lyrical intensity, seamless affection [JW]

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A Room of Her Own (Chandos)

A handful of unfailingly accomplished, virtually unknown trios, in handsome performances and ideal sound [RHa]

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Kaleidoscope (Ars Produktion)

Some dazzling playing and wonderful rarities to be found in this engaging recital [RCh]

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Strauss: Metamorphosen, Piano Quartet (B Records)

An accomplished, early Strauss chamber work of mild interest and a tender, carefully wrought, but slightly too cautious Metamorphosen [RMo]

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R Strauss: Intermezzo (Warner Classics)

The only studio recording of Strauss’s biographical opera is a complete winner on all front [MP]

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La Caramba (Winter & Winter)

A fascinating disc, both for the enjoyable music it contains and for the cultural history which underlies it [GPu]

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Full Fathom Five (Danacord)

Altogether a pleasurable experience [RB]

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Fauré: Complete Songs Vol. 2 (Hyperion)

(Déjà Review) This disc has given me enormous pleasure and will continue to do so [JQ]

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Janáček: Káťa Kabanová (LSO Live)

A good cast and excellent sound are featured on Rattle’s challenge to the Mackerras hegemony [MP]

Sibelius Tone Poems Malkki Helsinki BIS 2638 SACD

Sibelius: Lemminkäinen Legends, Rakastava & Karelia Suite (BIS)

Fine performances, presented in exemplary sound [JQ]

Goossens Cincinnati Symphony v3 Pristine PASC712

Eugene Goossens (conductor) – Cincinnati Symphony, Vol 3 (Pristine Audio)

Goossens’ final Cincinnati recordings complete a worthwhile 3-CD series [JW]

Legende von Lerber Harp Claves CD503048

Légende – Solo harp works (Claves)

A consistently engaging anthology of ‘romantic’ music for solo harp, all perceptively played [GPu]

Schumann Wind Instruments B Records L'Estran LBM058

Schumann: Chamber works with wind instruments (B Records)

Minor Schumann, but very pleasant listening [SB]

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Bax: String Quartets Nos 1 & 2 (Naxos)

(Déjà Review) You must hear this! One of 2001’s top ten classical discs. Roll on the Naxos/Maggini Third Quartet – a work of symphonic impact and scale [RB]

Popes and Antipopes Metronome METCD1008

Popes and Antipopes (Metronome)

(Déjà Review) There were times listening to this deeply impressive recording when I wondered whether the Orlando Consort were not, after all, the greatest ensemble of its kind anywhere. It’s that kind of disc [JW]

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Vaughan Williams – A Birthday Garland (SOMM Recordings)

A fine representative collection; no more rustic accents, please [JW]

tennstedt biography

Klaus Tennstedt: Possessed by Music

Like Klaus Tennstedt himself, Georg Wübbolt’s biography is flawed, but fascinating [NC]

wagner rheingold pristine

Wagner: Das Rheingold (Pristine Audio)

A great performance revitalised in extraordinarily vivid sound – another Pristine remastering triumph [RMo]

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Tartini: Violin Sonatas (Signum Classics)

Chandler fully explores the lyrical qualities of Tartini’s sonatas [JV]