Finnish piano works Hanssler HC23048

Finnish Piano Works (Hänssler Classic)

Richly evocative music that rewards repeated listening [RCh]

Hellstenius Past and Presence LAWO LWC1229

Hellstenius: Past & Presence (Lawo Classics)

A compelling concerto is the standout from this splendidly performed and recorded monograph [RHa]

Palimpsest Saxophone and Choir Signum SIGCD766

Palimpsest: New Works from Old for Saxophone and Choir (Signum Classics)

Provocative and substantial listening fare. No dearth of grace or awe [RB]

Puccini Manon Lescaut Tebaldi Pristine PACO201

Puccini: Manon Lescaut (Pristine Audio)

A so-so “classic” recording [RMas]

mahler symphony bis

Mahler: Symphony No 8 (BIS)

A stunner of a Mahler Eighth, one of the best since Solti’s classic account [RMo]

Coste Guitar Works v6 Naxos 8.574321

Coste: Guitar Works Vol 6 (Naxos)

Another winner from Naxos [ZT]

Marchand Suites oh trio Aparte AP301

Marchand: Suites (Aparté)

The performers deserve praise for bringing this unknown composer to our attention [JV]

Deja Review Beethoven Piano Sonatas Pires DG 4534572

Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos 13, 14 & 30 (Deutsche Grammophon)

(Déjà Review) This is a truly awe-inspiring offering from Pires which acts as a reminder of what a truly unique and inspiring musician she is [CC]

mers appassionato

Mer(s) (Appassionato)

Well-played performances hampered by a claustrophobic recording [NB]

eliasberg schumann maestro

Karl Eliasberg (conductor): Schumann & Berlioz (Maestro Editions)

New light on a largely forgotten conductor – and in better sound than previously thought [RMay]

cherubini medea pristine

Cherubini: Medea (Pristine Audio)

Pristine’s revitalising of the sound here goes a long way towards countering any criticism of Callas’ sole studio recording of Medea [RMo]

amrwd ty cerdd

amrwd (Tŷ Cerdd)

Delightful traditional numbers, performed with skill and imagination by these two fine Welsh musicians [GPJ]

phases musica solis

Phases (Musica Solis)

Impeccably performed easy-listening entertainment in the best sense of those words, but the playing time could have been more generous [GF]

luminos metier

Luminos (Métier)

Interesting exploration of less well-known clarinet and piano repertoire [JF]

kirchner piano blue griffin

T Kirchner: Piano Music (Blue Griffin)

A valiant investment in Kirchner’s civilised music … very much of the Germanic romantic 19th century [RB]

telemann flute warner

Telemann: Flute Concertos (Warner Classics)

(Déjà Review) An absolute winner – a delightful sense of collegial give and take [KS]

Hungarian Dances and the Hungarian Tradition (Naxos)

A delight – puts a smile on your face and a sense of joy and beauty in your heart [MMB]

Mozart: Requiem (ICA Classics)

A Mozart Requiem which need not detain us … [RMo]

Anders Paulsson (soprano saxophone): Solitary Poems for Soprano Saxophone (BIS)

Beautiful, approachable contemporary music showcases the craft of a wonderful saxophonist [MB]

A Romberg: Das Lied von der Glocke (Hänssler Classic)

A most joyously agreeable introduction to Romberg and his inspirations [RB]

The Gesualdo Six (ensemble): Morning Star (Hyperion)

A notable musical celebration of the Feast of the Epiphany [JQ]

Raff, Schreck, Jadassohn: Wind Serenades (cpo)

A delightful hour spent in the company of these three works [DJB]

Alexander Chance (alto): Drop not, mine eyes (Linn Records)

Chance is a foremost representative of his generation in the falsetto range [JV]

Suk: Chamber Works Volume 3 (Supraphon)

(Déjà Review) One of the most enjoyable discs I have heard for a long while [CF]