Reviews
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
Schumann – Viola (Maxim Rysanov) (Review)
In her review, Jessica Duchen enjoys these expressive Schumann performances by Maxim Rysanov, Julian Bliss and Dasol Kim
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
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
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
What's new?
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
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...
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
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
Pierrot Portraits
Claire Booth and Ensemble 360 deliver a triumphant gallery of ‘Pierrot Portraits’, says Paul Riley in his review
Chamber
C Schumann • R Schumann: Works for Oboe and Piano
Rebecca Franks finds much to enjoy in this eloquent programme of sublime Schumann for oboe and piano from Nicholas Daniel and Julius Drake
Mendelssohn: Piano Trios Nos 1 & 2
Jessica Duchen can’t tear herself away from this glimmering Mendelssohn set from Steven Isserlis, Joshua Bell and Jeremy Denk
Prokofiev • C Schumann • R Schumann • Szymanowski: Chamber Works
In this review, Paul Riley enjoys an otherworldly programme from violinist Natalia Lomeiko and pianist Dinara Klinton, a duo with great chemistry
Choral & Song
Welcome Joy– A Celebration of Women’s Voices
In his review, Ashutosh Khandekar is captivated by the Corvus Consort and harpist Louise Thomson’s shimmering jewel-box of works for women’s voices...
Brett Dean: Rooms of Elsinore
There’s a bit of everything in this superb Hamlet-inspired selection box, says Christopher Dingle in his review
Innocence (Echo Vocal Ensemble)
In his review, Nicholas Kenyon finds the Echo Vocal Ensemble’s alluring debut album to be full of variety and great spirit
Concerto
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
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
Anna Clyne: Shorthand
This evocative retrospective is an all-star survey of the Anna Clyne’s string works and features a host of memorable moments, says Jo Talbot in her review
Instrumental
JS Bach – Wunderkammer
Jan Smaczny finds harpsichordist Bertrand Cuiller’s enaging performance in this affectionate Bach survey intimate, dazzling and full of wonder
Beach: Piano Works (Une prodige empêchée)
Rebecca Franks enjoys the poetry and virtuosity on show in this sparkling portrait of composer Amy Beach, in this review
Desyatnikov • Schubert: Fantaisie in F minor etc
Opera
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
Langgaard: Antikrist
George Hall is impressed by this Berlin production of Langgaard’s complex and apocalyptic masterpiece, Antikrist, in this review
Orchestral
Bruckner: Symphony No. 9 (Tonhalle/Järvi)
Michael Jameson is blown away by this towering performance of Bruckner’s Ninth from Paavo Järvi’s peerless Tonhalle orchestra, captured in a glorious recording
Bruckner: Symphony No. 7; Mason Bates: Resurrexit
Terry Blain enjoys the synergy between Manfred Honeck and the Pittsburgh Symphony in this blinding Bruckner 7
Fauré • Schoenberg: Pelleas und Melisande
In his review, Erik Levi believes Paavo Järvi and the Frankfurt Symphony to be right at home in Schoenberg’s epic Pelleas und Melisande