Reviews
Review: Mozart Piano Sonatas (Ran Jia)
In his review, Michael Jameson believes Ran Jia’s insightful take on this set of Mozart sonatas are an undeniable triumph and set a modern benchmark
Review: Bartók & Ligeti String Quartets (Marmen Quartet)
In her review, Jessica Duchen is bowled over by the intensity, energy and expert view of these challenging works by Ligeti and Bartók, deftly handled by the Marmen Quartet
Review: Beethoven's Missa Solemnis (Le Cercle de l’Harmonie)
In his review, Michael Jameson is thrilled by Jérémie Rhorer’s visionary interpretation of Beethoven’s great mass, the Missa Solemnis
Review: Massenet's Hérodiade (Deutsche Oper Berlin)
This luscious live recording from Berlin breathes great life into Massenet’s overlooked gem, Hérodiade, says Christopher Cook in his review
Review: Handel & Tailleferre Harp Concertos (Berlin Phil)
Harpist Marie-Pierre Langlamet’s delicate virtuosity glows in this short and sweet release of an enchanting pairing of Handel and Tailleferre, says Michael Church in his review
What's new?
Review: Gipps's Symphony No. 1 etc (BBC Philharmonic)
In his review, Geoff Brown is won over by persuasive performances and a splendid discovery in this striking selection box of rarities by Ruth Gipps
Review: Vivaldi's The Four Seasons (Théotime Langlois de Swarte)
In her review, Kate Bolton-Porciatti is kept on the edge of her seat by Théotime Langlois de Swarte’s compelling new recording of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons
Review: Scarlatti: A Man of Genius (Francesco Corti)
In his review, Nicholas Anderson enjoys the bravura of the Italian harpsichordist Francesco Corti’s survey of these evocative solo works by Domenico Scarlatti
Review: Block: Chamber Works (ARC Ensemble)
In his review, Erik Levi enjoys discovering the life and music of exiled Austrian composer Frederick Block in this superb ARC Ensemble album
Review: The Salvage Men (Eric Ericson Chamber Choir)
The Eric Ericson Chamber Choir shine in this outstanding selection of modern works for choir by US composers, says Kate Wakeling in her review
Chamber
Schumann – Viola (Maxim Rysanov) (Review)
In her review, Jessica Duchen enjoys these expressive Schumann performances by Maxim Rysanov, Julian Bliss and Dasol Kim
Re:Build (Slide Action) (Review)
In her review, Anne Templer falls head over heels for a thrilling rollercoaster of new works from brilliant trombone quartet, Slide Action...
Souvenirs (Johan Dalene and Peter Friis Johansson)
In his review, Michael Jameson gives a big thumbs up to this dazzling recital from the exceptional young Scandinavian violinist Johan Dalene
Choral & Song
Review: Serpentes Ignei in Deserto (Hasse)
The who’s who of voices in this first recording of Hasse’s operatic Serpentes Ignei in Deserto
make it a hit, says Berta Joncus in her review
Žibuoklė Martinaitytė: Aletheia etc (Review)
Composer Žibuoklė Martinaitytė’s is a distinctive voice, says Christopher Dingle in his review of this potent and powerful set of new works
Review: Mozart Requiem (Pygmalion)
‘The Requiem is thrillingly served in all its theatrical grandeur..' so says Sarah Urwin Jones in her review of Mozart's masterpiece
Concerto
Review: Liszt: Piano Concertos Nos 1 & 2 etc (Yoav Levanon)
The young Israeli-French pianist Yoav Levanon goes all in with this sparkling and dramatic display of Liszt, says Rebecca Franks in her review
Sibelius: Violin Concerto etc (James Ehnes) (Review)
James Ehnes turns in a typically stellar performance with the Bergen Philharmonic, says Malcolm Hayes in his review
Elgar: Violin Concerto (Vilde Frang)
The Norwegian violinist’s take on Elgar’s epic concerto, is virtuosic, entirely unshowy and up there with the very best says Terry Blain in his review
Instrumental
Review: Brahms • Schubert: Piano Works (Alexandre Kantorow)
The outstanding French pianist Alexandre Kantorow makes light work of Brahms and Schubert in this exhilarating show, says Jessica Duchen in her review
Yuletide Treats (Duo Pleyel) (Review)
In his review, Michael Church gets a warm glow from Duo Pleyel’s festive selection of four-hand piano arrangements
Folk & Ba-Rock Cello (Giovanni Sollima)
In her review, Jo Talbot is wowed by Giovanni Sollima’s technique and virtuosity in this ear-opening showcase of the cello’s thrilling sonic possibilities
Opera
Rihm: Jakob Lenz (Review)
Small numbers make a big impact in this recording of the late Wolfgang Rihm’s Jakob Lenz, says George Hall in his review
Contemplation (Huw Montague Rendall)
Rising star baritone Huw Montague Rendall impresses in this glorious debut recital, says George Hall in his review
George Benjamin: Picture a day like this
Less is more in George Benjamin’s captivating opera Picture a day like this, says Christopher Cook in his review
Orchestral
Review: An Atlas of Deep Time (John Luther Adams)
In her review, Rebecca Franks is awed by John Luther Adams’s immersive new work with Earth’s timeline at its heart
Donnacha Dennehy: Land of Winter (Review)
In her review, Steph Power is captivated by Donnacha Dennehy’s poetic portrait of Ireland’s unforgiving seasonal shifts
Adrian Sutton: Violin Concerto & Orchestral Works
In his review, Martin Cotton enjoys the vigour and showmanship on display in this colourful selection of imaginative new works by composer Adrian Sutton