- Kraus: Overtures (cpo)If you don’t know Kraus’s music, give this a try; if you do, enjoy these performances [DJB]
- Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique (BR Klassik)A disappointingly dull reading in mediocre sound [RMo]
- Chopin: Études Op.10 & 25 (Decca)Spectacular in every respect [SG]
- Jos Van Immerseel (harpsichord) Le clavecin à Paris au XVIIIe siècle (Channel Classics)A compelling survey of French harpsichord composing and harpsichord making in the 18th century [JV]
- Mompou: Misteriós (Brilliant Classics)Delicate and intimate music, so interpreted by a master guitarist [ZT]
- Wagner: Lohengrin (RCA)There is much to savour in this 59 year-old set [MP]
- Britten: The Turn of the Screw (Opus Arte)(Déjà Review) James’ story in Britten’s setting emerges magnificently [CC]
- Coates: London Again (Avie)(Déjà Review) Sweet tuneful nostalgic delight – a must for Eric Coates admirers [IL]
- Leontyne Price (soprano) Personal Choice (Alto)One of the most glorious female voices of the 20th century, in a selection from famous recordings [EJW]
- Glojnarić: Pure Bliss (Kairos)Yet more contemporeana that’s been somehow touched by the pop world – fascinating and unclassifiable [RHa]
- Tchaikovsky: None But The Lonely Heart (Naxos)The singing is especially good from some impressive young singers but the staging… [MP]
- Les choses de la vie – Cinema II (Erato)Take your seat in the stalls for scores from le cinéma français [RMay]
- J S Bach: Cantatas (PHI)Incisive performances of three cantatas, among them one of Bach’s most beloved [JV]
- Mozart: Requiem (BR Klassik)A good, though not inspired version, which doesn’t compare to an earlier Jansons performance with the Concertgebouw [PT]
- Brahms: German Folk Songs (Apex)Lovers of this music need both Genz and Schwarzkopf/Fischer-Dieskau [GF]
- Bennett: Sea Change (Collegium Records)A beautifully performed survey of Bennett’s often neglected choral music [CT]
- Donizetti: Maria de Rudenz (Warner Fonit)Coarse at times, but often exciting, as one would expect a bleeding nun to be [MP]
- Busoni: Piano Concerto (SWR Classic)A worthy performance of this massive work but others are better [SB]
- David Ponsford (organ): Corrette & Dandrieu (Nimbus Records)A perfect match of music, organ and performer [JV]
- Mahler: Symphony No 6 (BR Klassik)Sir Simon Rattle and his new orchestra’s Mahler Sixth in top-flight performance and recording [EJW]
- Hellstenius: Public Behaviour (BIS)Two riveting and provocative vocal works which muse upon modes of communication in modern life. Virtuosic and entertaining [RHa]
- Britten: Spring Symphony, Sinfonia da Requiem, Young Person’s Guide (LSO Live)A successful and enjoyable Britten anthology [JQ]
- Martinů: Symphonies Nos 3 & 5 (Naxos)A good introduction to the symphonies [JF]
- Adam: La Filleule des fées – ballet (Marco Polo)(Déjà Review) Uplifting and quite delightful, containing charming melodies [RW]
- A Malcolm Arnold Musical Companion (Malcolm Arnold Society)A companion to hold your hand through the works of an utter professional [RB]
- Henry Merckel (violin) French Chamber Works (Forgotten Records)Classic chamber recordings from the inimitable violinist Henry Merckel and his ensembles [JW]
- Cowie: The Kreutzer Effect (Métier)A stimulating exploration of the Kreutzer Quartet’s talents [JF]
- Bruckner: Symphony 4 (Fontec)Here we go again … best avoided [RMo]
- Shostakovich: String Quartets (Signum Classics)The Carduccis’ Shostakovich: control and catharsis [NC]
- Jacqueline Delman (soprano) More from my archives (Oak Grove)A valuable documentation of Delman’s versatility, musically, repertoire-wise and linguistically [GF]
- Rodrigo: Orchestral Works v4 (Naxos)(Déjà Review) Amongst the most atmospheric and delicious works that I have experienced in some time [KS]
- Mendelssohn: Octet & Sextet (Delos)(Déjà Review) A real winner in terms of repertoire, performance, interpretation, sound quality and sheer enjoyment [MC]
- Wagner: Götterdämmerung (Pristine Audio)The culmination of a great Ring cycle has a place among the best: scintillating singing, playing and conducting [RMo]
- Bertin: Fausto (Bru Zane)The first-ever Faust opera based on Goethe – and from a feminine perspective [PCG]
- Bruckner: From the Archives, Volume 1 (SOMM Ariadne)The auspicious launch of what promises to be a Bruckner series of uncommon interest [JQ]
- Tchaikovsky, Korngold: String Sextets (Hyperion)Two delightful string sextets, expertly played [SB]
- Elisabeth Schumann (soprano): Elisabeth Schumann’s Swan Song (Parnassus)Late recordings, issued in their entirety for the first time, do not show the much loved soprano at her best [PT]
- Kabeláč: Complete Chamber Music (Capriccio)An important set from a composer who had much to say, and said it without any compromise [HC]
- Piston: Symphony No. 4, Capriccio, Three New England Sketches (Naxos)(Déjà Review) A must-buy featuring some truly outstanding 20th century American music [NH]
- Mozart: Arias, Symphony No. 38 (Opus Arte)(Déjà Review) Excellent performances of these great works [PSh]
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