sb

Stephen Barber

Schumann Wind Instruments B Records L'Estran LBM058

Schumann: Chamber works with wind instruments (B Records)

Minor Schumann, but very pleasant listening [SB]

Britten: Violin Concerto (Orfeo)

An eloquent performance of the main work with an interesting early work to complement it [SB]

Part Tractus ECM 28004859166

Pärt: Tractus (ECM)

These new arrangements for string orchestra of existing works are of more specialist than general appeal [SB]

Franck: Les Béatitudes (Fuga Libera)

A fine performance of this ambitious but uneven work, but note the skimpy documentation [SB]

Grieg Violin Sonatas Brilliant 96949

Grieg: Violin Sonatas (Brilliant Classics)

A charming new version of Grieg’s attractive violin sonatas [SB]

Stravinsky Violin Concerto Ehnes Chandos SACD CHSA5340

Stravinsky: Violin Concerto, Apollon Musagète (Chandos)

Superb recordings of all the works here [SB]

Busoni Doktor Faust Meister Dynamic 37998 DVD

Busoni: Doktor Faust (Dynamic)

Good singing and lighting do not outweigh poor orchestral playing and perverse staging [SB]

lukaszewski symphonies DUX1844

Łukaszewski: Symphonies Nos 1 & 2 (Dux)

Two impressive choral symphonies by this important Polish composer [SB]

Clarke, Britten & Bowen: British Music for Viola and Piano (Claves)

An international version of some very British works [SB]

Tcherepnin: Three generations of Chamber Works (Capriccio)

Nikolai’s quartet and Alexander’s piano quintet are the stand-out works here [SB]

levit fantasia sony

Igor Levit (piano): Fantasia (Sony Classical)

Another outstanding recital from Levit, with a superb version of the big Busoni work [SB]

Henze Raft of Medusa Capriccio C5482

Henze: The Raft of the Medusa (Capriccio)

An impressive account of this once notorious work [SB]

Montgeroult: Piano Sonatas (Brilliant Classics)

Remarkable piano sonatas but check whether you are happy with the fortepiano [SB]

Mustonen Symphs 2 3 Turku PO Ondine ODE14222

Mustonen: Symphonies Nos 2 & 3 (Ondine)

Two attractive works by this gifted Finnish composer [SB]

paraules ibs classical

Noè Rodrigo Gisbert (percussion) Paraules (IBS Classical)

This recital of solo percussion works will appeal to the adventurous [SB]

Mozart and the Organ LAWO LWC1257

Mozart and the Organ (Lawo Classics)

Most of the epistle sonatas and the three late organ works on one convenient disc [SB]

hindemith ludus tonalis dux

Hindemith: Ludus Tonalis (DUX)

An admirable new account of Hindemith’s piano masterpiece [SB]

Schubert Orch Songs Appl BRKlassik 900346

Schubert: Lieder with Orchestra (BR Klassik)

Rewarding orchestral versions of Schubert songs, most sensitively performed [SB]

higdon concertos naxos

Higdon: Concertos (Naxos)

Two attractive examples of this prominent American composer’s work [SB]

br klassik hindemith cardillac

Hindemith: Cardillac (BR Klassik)

An excellent recording of a gripping but not loveable work [SB]

Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé (Chandos)

A wonderfully refined and also exciting new version [SB]

Brahms Hungarian Dances Naxos 8.574424-25

Brahms: Hungarian Dances (Naxos)

A brilliant idea, well executed [SB]

Beethoven: Symphonies Nos 1-9 (Dynamic)

Some good things here, but as a whole this is not competitive [SB]

Korngold: Music for Violin, Cello & Piano (Et’cetera)

Good performances of Korngold’s earliest chamber works [SB]