Jón LEIFS (1899-1968) Edda, Part II: The Lives of the Gods - Hanna Dóra Sturludóttir (mezzo) Elmar Gilbertsson (tenor) Kristinn Sigmundsson (bass) Schola Cantorum Reykjavík, Iceland SO/Hermann Bäumer rec. 2018 BIS BIS-2420 SACD [65:10] [RHa] An absolutely thrilling disc. John McLEOD (b. 1934) Piano Music - Murray McLachlan, Rose McLachlan (piano) rec. 2017 MÉTIER MSV77207 [78:46 + 81:01] [PRB] An outstanding set. Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Liederkreis, Kernerlieder - Matthias Goerne (baritone) Leif Ove Andsnes (piano) rec. 2018 HARMONIA MUNDI HMM902353 [53:29] [ST] This has to be one of my discs of the year. Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Piano Sonatas, Preludes - Andrey Gugnin (piano) rec. 2018 HYPERION CDA68267 [79:27] [DC] One of the finest piano discs to come my way this year. Janina Fialkowska (piano) Les Sons et Les Parfums rec. 2019 ATMA CLASSIQUE ACD22766 [55:21] [JF] Inspired playing.

Thomas ARNE (1710-1778)The Judgement of Paris - Mary Bevan (soprano), Ed Lyon (tenor), Brook Street Band/John Andrews rec. 2018 DUTTON EPOCH CDLX7361 SACD [67:50] [RHa] The seventy minutes or so spent listening to Arne’s almost forgotten masque is time well spent; especially in such a likeable, musical account and in Dutton’s superior sound.

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Organ Works Vol. 3 - Masaaki Suzuki (organ) rec. 2018 BIS BIS-2421 [79:07] [MR] Simply peerless.

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Bachiana: Cello Suites - Anne-Isabel Meyer (cello) Murray McLachlan (piano) rec. 2018 GRAND EMPIRICAL GECD0219 [61:20 + 79:42] [PRB] Mainly if you are curious to hear what Schumann allegedly added via his piano accompaniments.

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Goldberg Variations, Suite No. 1 - Arundo Qt rec. 2018 SUPRAPHON SU4261-2 [55:31] [ST] Arrangements for wind quartet that work very well.

BACH Family Cantatas - Vox Luminis/Lionel Meunier (bass) rec. 2018 RICERCAR RIC401 [66:30] [MG] The glories of JSB’s forebears illuminatingly revealed, but also JSB’s greater mastery. 

Samuel BARBER (1910-1981) Vanessa - Emma Bell (soprano) Virginie Verrez (mezzo) Edgaras Montvidas (tenor) Glyndebourne Ch, London PO/Jakub Hrůša rec. 2018 OPUS ARTE OA1289D [140 mins] [WK] A necessity for all fans of the opera.

Béla BARTÓK (1881-1945) Piano Quintet Sandor VERESS (1917-1992) String Trio - Alexander Lonquich (piano), Barnabás Kelemen, Vilde Frang (violins), Katalin Kokas (viola), Nicolas Altstaedt (cello) rec. 2017 ALPHA 458 [61:50] [SSi] A wonderful disc.

Béla BARTÓK (1881-1945) Duke Bluebeard’s Castle - John Relyea (bass) Michelle DeYoung (mezzo) Bergen PO/Edward Gardner rec. 2018 CHANDOS CHSA5237 SACD [58.56] [DBi] This occasionally impressive performance is outclassed musically and technically by several classic recordings.

Mason BATES (b. 1977) Sirens; Mass Transmission - Isabelle Demers (organ), Mason Bates (electronica) Cappella SF/Ragnar Bohlin rec. 2018 DELOS DE3573 [54:24] [RHa] The unstoppable rise of Mason Bates continues apace – a rare case of a composer whose commercial success seems positively correlated to imagination, integrity and ability.

Mason BATES (b. 1977) Children of Adam Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) Dona Nobis Pacem - Richmond SO & Ch/Steven Smith rec. 2017/18 REFERENCE RECORDINGS FRESH! FR-732 [61:17] [JQ] Well-recorded and -performed accounts of two very different Whitman-inspired choral works.

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Sonatas Nos 21, 25, 31 & 32 - Conrad Hansen (piano) rec. 1952-1963 MELOCLASSIC MC1047 [71:21] [SG] Beethoven playing of the highest order.

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Sonatas Nos 22 & 24 Sergei RACHMANINOFF (1873-1943) Piano Sonata No. 2 - Ivo Pogorelich (piano) rec. 2016/18 SONY 19075956602 [54:02] [RWe] Individual, and, in the Rachmaninoff, controversial, interpretations.

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Sonatas Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Italian Concerto, Chromatic Fantasia & Fugue - Denis Matthews (piano) rec. 1952-53 FORGOTTEN RECORDS FR1622-23 [65:37 + 49:52] [JW] Thoughtful, sensitive, unostentatious, devoid of point-making, tonally attractive.

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Symphony No. 3 Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Metamorphosen - Sinfonia Grange au Lac/Esa-Pekka Salonen rec. 2018 ALPHA CLASSICS 544 [75.20] [MC] This album certainly whetted my appetite for future releases from Salonen at La Grange au Lac.

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Symphony No. 3 Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Metamorphosen - Sinfonia Grange au Lac/Esa-Pekka Salonen rec. 2018 ALPHA 544 [75:20] [RMo] Engaging enough in its own right if ultimately short on heroic impact.

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Concerto No. 2, Triple Concerto - Maria João Pires, Lars Vogt (piano) Gordan Nikolitch (violin) Tim Hugh (cello) London SO/Bernard Haitink rec. 2005/13 LSO LIVE SACD LSO0745 [66:52] [JQ] A desirable addition to Bernard Haitink’s recorded legacy.

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) The Creatures of Prometheus - Warren Lee (piano) rec. 2018 NAXOS 8.573974 [67:36] [MZ] A Beethoven rarity in a solid performance though one longs for a bit more drama and a livelier tempo in places.

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770–1827) Symphony No. 9 - Wiener Singverein, Wiener Symphoniker/Philippe Jordan rec. 2017 WIENER SYMPHONIKER WS017 [63:13] [MC] One of the most compelling accounts heard in recent years.

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Violin Sonatas - Jean Fournier (violin) Ginette Doyen (piano) rec. 1952-54 FORGOTTEN RECORDS FR1532-34 [3 CDs: 219:582] [SG] Freshness and energy abound, and the conversational quality elicited by the two performers is striking.

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Egmont - Elisabeth Breuer (soprano) Helsinki Baroque O/Aapo Häkkinen rec. 2018-2019 ONDINE ODE1331-2 [52:26] [RC] A fine performance if one prefers the recitation.

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Complete Piano Sonatas - Igor Levit (piano) rec. 2013-19 SONY 19075843182 [9 CDs: 605 mins] [RWe] Without doubt the Beethoven sonata cycle of the moment, if not one for the ages.

Niels Viggo BENTZON (1919-2000) The Tempered Piano - Per Salo (piano) rec. 2019 DACAPO 8.226077 [78:05] [DC] Bentzon’s brilliant musical will and testament.

Hector BERLIOZ (1803-1869) Fantaisie sur la Tempête de Shakespeare, Symphonie fantastique - Toronto Mendelssohn Ch & SO/Sir Andrew Davis rec. 2018 CHANDOS CHSA5239 SACD [70:08] [WH] A standard work and an interesting coupling in splendid performances.

Johannes BRAHMS (1833-79) Violin Sonatas Clara SCHUMANN (1819-1896) Andante molto - Alina Ibragimova (violin) Cédric Tiberghien (piano) rec. 2018 HYPERION CDA68200 [71:06] [SB] A worthy successor to classic recordings of the Brahms.

Johannes BRAHMS (1833-79) Violin Sonatas Clara SCHUMANN (1819-1896) Andante molto - Alina Ibragimova (violin) Cédric Tiberghien (piano) rec. 2018 HYPERION CDA68200 [71:06] [RMas] Modern, streamlined and elegant Brahms.

Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Complete Songs Vol. 8 - Harriet Burns (soprano) Robin Tritschler (tenor) Graham Johnson (piano) rec. 2018 HYPERION CDJ33128 [63:03] [RWe] A strong addition to an invaluable series.

Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Requiem - Christiane Karg (soprano), Matthias Goerne (baritone), Swedish Radio Choir, Swedish RSO/Daniel Harding rec. 2018 HARMONIA MUNDI HMM902635 [70:32] [ST] Not perfect but definitely worth a listen.

Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Symphonies Nos. 1 & 3 - Bergen PO/Edward Gardner rec. 2018 CHANDOS CHSA5236 SACD [81:25] [IL] Glowing sound and nicely phrased, nuanced readings.

Dora BRIGHT (1862-1951) Piano Concerto No.1, Variations Ruth GIPPS (1921-1999) Piano Concerto, Ambarvalia - Samantha Ward, Murray McLachlan (piano) Royal Liverpool Philharmonic/Charles Peebles rec. 2019 SOMM CELESTE SOMMCD273 [75:22] [NB] A wholly impressive and enjoyable disc – the Gipps concerto is criminally neglected.

Anton BRUCKNER (1824-1896) Symphony No. 9 - Pittsburgh SO/Manfred Honeck rec. 2018 REFERENCE RECORDINGS FR-733 SACD [63:10] [MC] A performance that firmly holds the attention.

Ernest CHAUSSON (1855-1899) Symphony César FRANCK (1822-1890) Psyché - Chicago SO/Frederick Stock, Désiré Defauw rec. 1941-46 FORGOTTEN RECORDS FR1545 [59:39] Performances presented with admirable fidelity.

Frédéric CHOPIN (1810-1849) Impromptus, Waltzes and Mazurkas - Pavel Kolesnikov (piano) rec. 2018 HYPERION CDA68273 [76:40] [SG] Chopin playing does not get much better than this.

Frédéric CHOPIN (1810-1849) Mazurki - Vladimir Feltsman (piano) rec. 2018 NIMBUS NI6386 [78:20 + 70:40] [MG] Consistently fine performances.

Frédéric CHOPIN (1810-1849) Piano works - Philippe Entremont (piano) rec. 1955/59 IDIS 6739 [67:47] [RC] Mainly of interest to Entremont fans.

Fryderyk CHOPIN (1810-1849) Piano Concertos - Hans Richter-Haaser, Nikita Magaloff (piano) rec. 1951/1961 SWR CLASSIC SWR19076CD [68:46] [JW] One for piano collectors and possibly also for Rosbaud’s many adherents.

Fryderyk CHOPIN (1810-1849) Piano Concerto No. 2 Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Piano Concerto No. 2 - Arthur Rubinstein (piano), Stockholm PO/Antal Doráti rec. 1967 ANTAL DORÁTI SOCIETY ADL267 [78:51] [JW] A few minor caveats aside, this has a lot to offer.

Eric COATES (1886–1957) Orchestral Works Vol. 1 - BBC Philharmonic/John Wilson rec. 2019 CHANDOS CHAN20036 [70:39] [BW]  Roll on Volume 2.

Richard DANIELPOUR (b. 1956) String Symphony, Talking to Aphrodite, Kaddish - Sarah Shafer (soprano) Maxim Semyonov (horn) Evgeni Pravilov (violin) Russian String O/Misha Rachlevsky rec. 2017 NAXOS 8.559857 [78:23] [SA] A good place to discover this uniquely distinctive voice.

Ernő DOHNÁNYI (1877-1960) Ruralia Hungarica, Humoresken, Pastorale on a Hungarian Christmas Song - Valentina Tóth (piano) rec. 2018 CHALLENGE RECORDS CC72775 [63:10] [DC] An attractive disc of less frequently heard repertoire.

Georg DRUSCHETZKY (1745 - 1819) Oboe Quartets Leoš JANÁČEK (1854-1928) Dobrú Noc - Grundmann-Quartett rec. 2013/14 CPO 555 171-2 [77:58] [JV] Perfect entertainment.

Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) String Quartet No. 12, Piano Quintet - Joyce Yang (piano) Alexander String Qt rec. 2017/18 FOGHORN CLASSICS FCL2020 [66:22] [DJB] Even if I'm not convinced by the Quartet, the Quintet is stunning, and worth the purchase price on its own.

Sir Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Falstaff George Whitefield CHADWICK (1854-1931) Tam O’Shanter - Timothy West, Samuel West (narrators), BBC Ntl O Wales/Andrew Constantine rec. 2018/19 ORCHID CLASSICS ORC100103 [71:14+35:28] [JF] An extremely effective experiment in performance.

Heino ELLER (1887-1970) Symphonic Poems - Estonian National SO/Olari Elts rec. 2018/2019 ONDINE ODE1335-2 [59:26] [JW] Add this to your Eller collection without delay.

Franco FACCIO (1840-1891) Amleto - Pavel Cernoch (tenor), Prague Philharmonic Ch, Wiener Symphoniker/Paolo Carignani rec. 2016 NAXOS 8.660454 [67:55 + 66:46] [MP] Worth investigating for the curious.

Manuel de FALLA (1876-1946) El sombrero de tres picos, El Amor Brujo - Carmen Romeu (mezzo) Mahler CO/Pablo Heras-Casado rec. 2019 HARMONIA MUNDI HMM902271 [62:27] [RWe] Among the best versions of this coupling.

Gerald FINZI (1901-1956) Short choral works - Alexander Hamilton (organ), Asher Oliver (organ), Trinity College Choir Cambridge/Stephen Layton rec. 2017-2018 HYPERION CDA68222 [74:16] [SB] A superb collection of Finzi’s shorter choral works.

César Auguste FRANCK (1822-1890) Piano Quintet, String Quartet Ernest CHAUSSON (1855-1899) Piano Quartet, String Quartet - Spiegel String Qt Jan Michiels (piano) rec. 2005 MDG 644 2145-2 [74:17 + 77:09] [SSi] A most rewarding and welcome reissue.

Friedrich GERNSHEIM (1839-1916) Piano Quintets Nos 1 & 2 - Edouard Oganessian (piano) Art Vio String Qt  rec. 2009 TOCCATA CLASSICS TOCC0099 [65:00] [PRB] A quite superb disc.

Carlo GESUALDO (1566-1613) Madrigali a cinque voci - Exaudi Vocal Ens/James Weeks rec. 2019 WINTER & WINTER 910 259-2 [60:31] [DC] If you are keen on Gesualdo’s Madrigali then you owe it to yourself to acquire this recording.

François-Joseph GOSSEC (1734-1829) Symphonies Op. 4 - Deutsche Kammerakademie Neuss/Simon Gaudenz rec. 2018 CPO 555 263-2 [61:24] [SB] Early works from the father of the symphony in France.

Charles GOUNOD (1818-1893) St. Cecilia Mass Georges BIZET(1838-1875) Te Deum - Angela Maria Blasi (soprano) Christian Elsner (tenor) Dietrich Henschel (baritone) Munich Motet Ch & SO/Hans Rudolf Zöbeley rec. 1996 HÄNSSLER CLASSIC HC19046 [60:21] [EJW] Beautifully performed.

Edvard GRIEG (1843-1907) Lyric Pieces Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Songs without Words - Denis Kozhukhin (piano) rec. 2018 PENTATONE PTC5186734 SACD [65:37] [RC] Sparkling performances of music that, while generally light and colorful, is not without interpretative challenges.

Georg Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759) Cantatas, Arias - Robert Tear (tenor); Helen Watts (contralto) English Chamber O/Raymond Leppard Academy of St. Martin in the Fields/Neville Marriner rec. 1961/1969 ELOQUENCE 482 4753 [65:57] [JW] A very welcome restoration.

Karl Amadeus HARTMANN (1905-1963) String Quartets Nos 1 & 2 Anton WEBERN (1883-1945) Langsamer Satz - Airis String Qt rec. 2018 CD ACCORD ACD 245-2 [63:09] [JW] Persuasive accounts.

Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Cello Concertos Nos 1 & 2 - Raphaël Pidoux (cello) Jeune O l’Abbaye aux Dames de Saintes rec. 2018 NOMADMUSIC NMM064 [47:07] [DJB] A memento for those involved, but not a serious contender in a crowded field.

Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Symphony No. 101 Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Symphony No. 4 - Bavarian RSO/Otto Klemperer rec. 1956/1957 BR KLASSIK 900717 [70:10] [MW] Insightful performances from a master musician at the height of his considerable powers.

Hans Werner HENZE (1926-2012) The Raft of the Medusa - Camilla Nylund (soprano), Peter Schöne (baritone), Peter Stein (narrator), SWR SO/Peter Eötvös rec. 2017 SWR CLASSIC SWR19082CD [69:27] [DC] A powerful and timely revival of Henze’s legendary ‘documentary oratorio’.

Gustav HOLST (1874-1934) The Planets Sir Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Enigma Variations - Bergen PO/Andrew Litton rec. 2013/17 BIS BIS2068 SACD [82:42] [JQ] An excellent ‘Enigma’ Variations and a terrific account of The Planets, both in magnificent sound.

Gustav HOLST (1874-1934) & Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) Time and Space - Mary Bevan (soprano), Roderick Williams (baritone), Jack Liebeck (violin), William Vann (piano), rec. 2018 ALBION RECORDS ALBCD038 [76:15] [JQ] A welcome disc celebrating the friendship between Vaughan Williams and Holst through excellent performance of unfamiliar pieces.

Airat ICHMOURATOV (b. 1973) Orchestral Works - Belarusian State CO/Evgeny Bushkov rec. 2018 CHANDOS CHAN20141 [60:04] [RHa] A relatively new name with a cosmopolitan background cuts a dash in pieces which are by turn joyful and melancholy.

Pierre JALBERT (b. 1967) & Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Violin Concertos Arvo PÄRT (b. 1935) Fratres Pēteris VASKS (b. 1946) Lonely Angel - Margaret Batjer (violin) Los Angeles CO/Jeffrey Kahane rec. 2018 BIS BIS-2309 SACD [63:41] [RHa] A rather oddly-matched collection, but the new Jalbert concerto is certainly worth hearing.

Erich Wolfgang KORNGOLD (1897-1957) Symphony, Theme & Variations, Straussiana - Sinfonia of London/John Wilson rec. 2019 CHANDOS CHSA5220 SACD [59.17] [DBi] This ranks as the best surround recording of an orchestra I have heard; the excellent performance of a rarity by Korngold adds icing to the cake.

György KURTÁG (b. 1926) Scenes - Viktoriia Vitrenko (soprano) David Grimal (violin) Luigi Gaggero (cimbalom) Niek de Groot (double bass) rec. 2018 AUDITE 97.762 [60:56] The Edge of Silence - Susan Narucki (soprano) Donald Berman (piano) Curtis Macomber (violin) Nicholas Tolle (cimbalom) Kathryn Schulmeister (double bass) rec. 2018 AVIE AV2408 [64:57] [RHa] Adherents of Kurtág will need no persuasion to acquire both; newcomers can rest assured that either issue will provide immense satisfaction.

Josef LABOR (1842-1924) Piano Quintet, Piano Quartet - Nina Karmon (violin), Pauline Sachse (viola), Justus Grimm (cello), Niek de Groot (double bass), Oliver Triendl (piano) rec. 2018 CAPRICCIO C5390 [67:11] [RB] Delicacy and grand momentum.

Guillaume LE DRÉAU (b. 1982) Piano works - Guillaume Le Dréau (piano) rec. 2018 FORGOTTEN RECORDS FR46LD [76:45] [JW] Tightly constructed and communicative.

Michaël LÉVINAS (b 1949) La Passion Selon Marc - Ens Vocal Lausanne, Lausanne Ch O/Marc Kissóczy rec. 2017 BEL-AIR CLASSIQUES Blu-ray BAC552 [86:54] [RHa] A fascinating film which features some exceptional singing and playing in vivid two-channel sound.

Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Paraphrase de concert sur Rigoletto; Transcendental Études - Boris Giltburg (piano) rec. 2018 NAXOS 8.573981 [79:30] [JWe] A super recording from a brilliant pianist.

Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Harmonies poétiques et religieuses - Wojciech Waleczek (piano) rec. 2018 NAXOS 8.573773 [72:38] [RC] An intriguing early version of a famous later cycle, finely performed.

Jean-Baptiste LULLY (1632-1688) Alceste - Judith van Wanroij, Les Talens Lyriques/Christophe Rousset rec. 2017 APARTE MUSIC AP164 [80:00 + 70:59] [ST] This is as probably as close to Alceste as you are going to get - dive in and enjoy it.

Guillaume de MACHAUT (c.1300-1377) The Single Rose - The Orlando Consort rec. 2018 HYPERION CDA68277 [56.48] [GH] A good way to experience Machaut for the first time.

Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony No. 1 - Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks/Mariss Jansons rec. 2007 BR KLASSIK 900179 [54:25] [RMo] A fine performance to vie with the best, showcasing the gorgeous sonorities of one of the world’s finest orchestras.

Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony No.1 - Minnesota O/Osmo Vänskä rec. 2018 BIS BIS2346 SACD [56:45] [MW] A wonderfully insightful, if slightly unusual, interpretation of a great symphony: worth the attention of any serious Mahlerian.

Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony No. 6 - SWR SO/Michael Gielen rec. 1971/2013 SWR MUSIC SWR19080CD [3 CDs: 172:51] [JQ] A fitting tribute to Michael Gielen, a Mahler conductor of genuine stature.

Marin MARAIS (1656-1728) La Gracieuse - Robert Smith, Joshua Cheatham (viola da gamba) Israel Golani (baroque guitar & theorbo) Olivier Fortin (harpsichord) rec. 2019 RESONUS CLASSICS RES10244 [66:13] [SSi] An excellent introduction to the composer’s music.

Wynton MARSALIS (b. 1961) Violin Concerto, Fiddle Dance Suite - Nicola Benedetti (violin) Philadelphia O/Cristian Măcelaru rec. 2017/19 DECCA 485 0013 [67:03] [RHa] Two meaty pieces that will move both heart and feet.

Heinrich MARSCHNER (1795-1861) Hans Heiling - Rebecca Teem (soprano) Heiko Trinsinger (baritone) Aalto-Theater Opera Ch, Essen PO/Frank Beermann rec. 2018 OEHMS CLASSIC OC976 [65:42 + 74:09] [SB] A key but now rare work of early Romantic German opera in a decent performance.

Rolf MARTINSSON (b. 1956) Into Eternity - Lisa Larsson (soprano), Malmö SO/Paul Mägi rec. 2017 BIS BIS-2323 SACD [66:44] [RHa] Sumptuous orchestral playing, the angelic soprano of Lisa Larsson, outstanding BIS production, but music that underwhelmed this critic, alas.

Fanny MENDELSSOHN HENSEL (1805-47) Songs, String Quartet Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-47) Concerto for Violin & Piano - Simon Crawford-Phillips (piano) Musica Vitae/Malin Broman (violin/viola) rec. 2018 DB PRODUCTIONS DBCD191 [69:00] [RWe] Fanny’s works are the main reason to hear this excellent issue.

Felix MENDELSSOHN BARTHOLDY (1809-1847) Cello Sonatas Variations Concertantes Fanny MENDELSSOHN HENSEL (1805-1847) Fantasia; Capriccio - Johannes Moser (cello), Alasdair Beatson (piano) rec. 2018 PENTATONE PTC5186781 SACD [75:54] [RWe] This excellent issue is now probably the first choice for this repertoire.

Albert MOESCHINGER (1897-1985) Violin Sonata No.1 Constantin REGAMEY (1907-1982) String Quartet No.1 & - Hansheinz Schneeberger (violin) Pierre Souvairan (piano) Winterthur Qt rec. c.1954 FORGOTTEN RECORDS FR1619 [41:56] [JW] Thoughtful and imaginative Swiss-led programming.

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) String Quartet No. 16 Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) String Quartet No. 14 - Ondříček Quartet rec. 1940-44 FORGOTTEN RECORDS FR1612 [60:12] [JW] Ardent and richly textured.

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Divertimento, Violin Concerti Nos 3 & 4, Sinfonia Concertante, Duo - Franco Gulli (violin), Bruno Giuranna (viola), Giacinto Caramia (cello), Angelicum O Milan/Alceo Galliera, Franco Gulli rec. 1965 DOREMI DHR8081-82 [70:22+65:28] [JW] Elegance, refinement and stylish affinities.

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Don Giovanni - Carlos Alvarez (baritone), Arena di Verona Orchestra/Stefano Montanari rec. 2015 C MAJOR Blu-ray 751904 [187 mins] [MP] A very engaging production but Mozart’s exquisite musical textures are buried by the vast spaces of the Arena.

Nikolay MYASKOVSKY (1881–1950) Symphonies Nos 1 & 13 - Ural Youth SO/Alexander Rudin rec. 2018 NAXOS 8.573988 [58:26] [RC] A worthwhile purchase, with two very contrasting works.

Ignacy Jan PADEREWSKI (1860-1941) Music of my home - Katarzyna Duda (violin), Hanna Samson (soprano), Jacek Jaskuła (baritone), Robert Morawski/Robert Marat/Cezary Karwowski (piano) rec. 2018 DUX 1560 [68:05] [RCh] A pleasant introduction to a less familiar side of Paderewski’s craft.

Ignacy Jan PADEREWSKI (1860-1941) & Frédéric CHOPIN (1810-1849) Piano Concertos - Claire Huangci (piano), Deutsche Radio Philharmonie/Shiyeon Sung rec. 2018 BERLIN CLASSICS 0301196BC [75:33] [DC] An attractive release in every sense.

Harry PARTCH (1901-1974) Music of Harry Partch Vol. 3 rec. 1942-2018 BRIDGE RECORDS 9525 [75:05] [DC] Educate yourself on the art of an American legend.

Harry PARTCH (1901-1974) Music of Harry Partch Vol. 3 rec. 1942-2018 BRIDGE 9525 [75:05] [SSi] An ideal introduction to an American pioneer.

Hans PFITZNER (1869-1949) Piano Concerto Walter BRAUNFELS (1882-1954) Tag- und Nachtstücke - Markus Becker (piano) Berlin RSO/Constantin Trinks rec. 2018 HYPERION CDA68258 [74.08] [PCG] Another feather in the cap of Hyperion’s ongoing and illuminating series of romantic piano concertos.

Humphrey PROCTER-GREGG (1895-1980) Violin Sonatas Nos 1, 2 & 4 - Andrew Long (violin) Ian Buckle (piano) rec. 2018 TOCCATA CLASSICS TOCC0539 [78:35] [JW] Encapsulates a profound belief in the primacy of melodic beauty.

Gabriel PROKOFIEV (b. 1975) Saxophone Concerto; Bass Drum Concerto - Branford Marsalis (saxophone), Joby Burgess (bass drum), Ural PO/Alexey Bogograd rec. 2018 SIGNUM CLASSICS SIGCD584 [54:29] [RHa] Two fascinating, unconventional confections from another Prokofiev.

Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Alexander Nevsky; Lieutenant Kijé Suite - Utah Symphony/Thierry Fischer rec. 2016 REFERENCE RECORDINGS FRESH! FR-735 SACD [60:06] [JQ] Excellent performances presented in terrific sound.

Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) Madama Butterfly - Joshua Guerrero (tenor), Carlo Bosi (tenor), Elizabeth DeShong (mezzo-soprano), Glyndebourne Chorus, London PO, Omer Meir Wellber rec. 2018 OPUS ARTE OA1167D DVD [143:00] [ECH] A well-directed production, with some merit in its orientalism.

Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) La bohème – Jussi Björling (tenor) Victoria de los Ángeles (soprano) Columbus Boys’ Ch, RCA Victor Ch & O/Sir Thomas Beecham rec. 1956 PRISTINE AUDIO PACO164 [53:43 + 53:31] [RMo] Pristine gives a classic recording new life with this remastering into Ambient Stereo.

Jean-Philippe RAMEAU (1683-1764) Les Indes Galantes - Sandrine Piau (soprano), Les Arts Florissants/William Christie rec. 1991 HARMONIA MUNDI HAX8901367.69 [3 CDs: 195:07] [ST] This recording remains as valuable as ever.

Franz REIZENSTEIN (1911-1968) Piano Concerto No. 2; Serenade; Overture ‘Cyrano de Bergerac’ - Oliver Triendl (piano), Nürnberger Symphoniker/Yaron Traub rec. 2018 CPO 555245-2 [66.37] [GH] An adventurous disc superbly played and recorded.

Ferdinand RIES (1784-1838) Sextet, Trio & Octet - Franz Ensemble rec. 2019 MDG 903 2136-6 SACD [70.10] [CRa] An entertaining disc of little-known music by Beethoven’s friend.

Wolfgang RIHM (b. 1952) Rihm und die Orgel - Wolfgang Rihm (organ) rec. 1970/2018 CYBELE RECORDS 4SACDKiG012 [4 SACDs: 307:02] [DC] Encounter the foundations of one of our great composers.

Richard RIJNVOS (b. 1954) Riflessi - Ives Ensemble rec. 2019 NIMBUS ALLIANCE NI6383 [74:10] [RHa] A splendid disc which will hopefully trigger more interest in this maverick Dutch master outside of his homeland.

Julius RÖNTGEN (1855-1932) Piano Music Vol. 4 - Mark Anderson (piano) rec. 2018 NIMBUS NI5975 [57:38] [JWe] Rare and interesting repertoire.

Gioachino ROSSINI (1792-1868) Il barbiere di Siviglia - Riccardo Stracciari (baritone), Mercedes Capsir (soprano),Ch & O La Scala, Milan, Lorenzo Molajoli rec. 1929 PRISTINE AUDIO PACO161 [64:49 + 60:59] [GF] One of the most legendary opera recordings of the inter-war years, unavailable for far too long.

Giocchino ROSSINI (1792-1868) L’italiana in Algeri - Cecilia Bartoli (mezzo) Ildar Abdrazakov (bass) Edgardo Rocha (tenor) Philharmonia Ch Wien, Ens Matheus/Jean-Christophe Spinosi rec. 2018 UNITEL EDITION Blu-ray 801904 [163:00] [MP] The pleasures of this live occasion far outweigh any minor quibbles regarding the production.

Kaija SAARIAHO (b. 1952) Graal Théâtre, Circle Map, Neiges, Vers toi qui es si loin - Peter Herresthal (violin) Oslo PO/Clément Mao-Takacs rec. 2018 BIS BIS2402 SACD [87:12] [SB] Three beautiful works: two first recordings, and a mystifying piece.

Timothy SALTER (b. 1942) Piano Quintet, Elegy, Clarinet Quintet - Muse Piano Quintet, Usk Ensemble rec. 2012/15 USK ARCHIVE 1235CD [48:17] [RB] Deeply committed playing of music that oscillates, flickers and shimmers.

Alessandro SCARLATTI (1660-1725) Opera omnia per tastiera Vol. VI - Francesco Tasini (harpsichord) rec. 2015 TACTUS TC661916 [77:52] [JV] This disc brings to a close one of the major recording projects of the last decade.

Domenico SCARLATTI (1685-1757) 52 Sonatas - Lucas Debargue (piano) rec. 2018 SONY CLASSICAL 19075944462 [4 CDs: 235:06] [RMas] An intriguing new set of Scarlatti sonatas.

Domenico SCARLATTI (1685-1757) & Muzio CLEMENTI (1752-1832) Sonatas - John McCabe (piano) rec. 1981 DIVINE ART DDA21231 [2 CDs: 57:55+58:30] [JF] A studied balance between flair, rhythmic freedom and a characteristic attention to detail.

Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Schwanengesang Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Vier Ernste Gesänge - Gerald Finley (baritone), Julius Drake (piano) rec. 2018 HYPERION CDA68288 [73:21] [RMo] Elegantly sung and played, but nonetheless vitiated by too many artistic miscalculations from Finley and Drake.

Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Winterreise - Ian Bostridge (tenor) Thomas Adès (piano) rec. 2018 PENTATONE PTC5186764 [72:26] [JQ] Much to ponder and admire in this performance of Winterreise.

Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Symphonies Nos 2 & 4 - Residentie Orkest The Hague/Jan Willem de Vriend rec. 2017 CHALLENGE CLASSICS CC72739 SACD [56:51] [DC] Promising indeed.

Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) String Quartets Nos 12 & 14 - Quatuor Schäffer rec. 1958 FORGOTTEN RECORDS FR662 [52:29] [SG] A rarity, superbly transferred.

Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Piano works - Carlo Grante (piano) rec. 2013 MUSIC & ARTS CD-1292 [71:53] [JWe] Much to enjoy here.

Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Music for Violin Vol. 1 - Ariande Daskalakis (violin) Paolo Giacometti (fortepiano) Kölner Akademie/Michael Alexander Willens rec. 2017/18 BIS BIS2363 SACD [78.40] [DBi] Attractive music well performed and recorded but not the best of Schubert.

Alexander SCRIABIN (1872-1915) Piano Works - Gordon Fergus-Thompson (piano) rec. 1990-2000 ELOQUENCE 482 9034 [5 CDs: 372:59] [SG] A must-have for all Scriabin devotees.

Daniel SELICHIUS (1581-1626) Opus novum - Weser-Renaissance Bremen / Manfred Cordes rec. 2018 CPO 555 223-2 [73:00] [JV] Pretty much ideal performances of music by a composer who fully deserves our attention.

Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975)  Symphony No. 7 - Bavarian RSO/Mariss Jansons rec. 2016 BR KLASSIK 900184 [73:11] [MC] Up there with the finest accounts I know.

Thomas SIMAKU (b. 1958) Solos & Duos for violin & piano - Peter Sheppard Skærved (violin) Chris Orton (recorders) Joseph Houston, Roderick Chadwick (piano) rec. 2016 NAXOS 8.579035 [69:20] [PRB] A composer rich in ideas and novel invention.

Kile SMITH (b. 1956) The Arc in the Sky - The Crossing/Donald Nally rec. 2018 NAVONA RECORDS NV6240 [65:51] [JQ] This fine recording of an imaginative and accessible contemporary choral work is well worth hearing.

Gaspare SPONTINI (1774-1851) Le Metamorfosi di Pasquale - Baurzhan Anderzhanov, Carlo Feola (bass-baritone) Michela Antenucci (soprano) G. Rossini SO/Giuseppe Montesano rec. 2018 DYNAMIC CDS7836.02 [48:43 + 35:49] [MP] Mainly for Spontini completist and music scholars

Sir Charles Villiers STANFORD (1852-1924) Overture in the style of a tragedy; Verdun; A Welcome March; Fairy Day; A Song of Agincourt - Ulster O/Howard Shelley rec. 2018 HYPERION CDA68283 [CD: 65.32] [PCG] A couple of real standouts in this collection of almost unknown Stanford.

Sir Charles Villiers STANFORD (1852-1924) Fairy Day; Overture in the Style of a Tragedy; A Song of Agincourt; Verdun; A Welcome March - Kerry Stamp (soprano), Codetta, Ulster O/Howard Shelley rec. 2018 HYPERION CDA68283 [65:32] [EJW] A truly splendid CD - every piece is well worth an extended listen.

Sir Charles Villiers STANFORD (1852-1924) The Travelling Companion – David Horton (tenor) Julien Van Mellaerts (baritone) Kate Valentine (soprano) New Sussex Opera O & Ch/Toby Purser rec. 2018 SOMM RECORDINGS CÉLESTE SOMMCD274-2 [66.47 + 57.12] [MC] Entertaining and engaging.

Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Don Quixote, Cello Sonata, Zueignung, Ich trage meine Minne - Daniel Müller-Schott (cello) Herbert Schuch (piano) Melbourne SO/Sir Andrew Davis rec. 2017 ORFEO C968191 [70:02] [RMas] A strong performance of Don Quixote paired with an excellent Cello Sonata.

Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Ein Heldenleben Edward GREGSON (b. 1945) Tuba Concerto - Venezuelan PO/Edgar Meinhardt rec. 1986 CLAUDIO ARCHIVE CA5255-2 [68:02] [RMay] Unremarkable and unnecessary Strauss – but Gregson’s accessible concerto may be of interest for its rarity value.

Sergei TANEYEV (1856-1915) Suite de Concert Nikolai RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844-1908) Fantasia on Two Russian Themes - Annelle K. Gregory (violin), Kyev Virtuosi Symphony Orchestra/Dmitry Yablonsky rec. 2018 NAXOS 8.579052 [59:48] [EJW] Hard to go past this first-rate release at a reasonable price.

Francesco Paolo TOSTI (1846–1916) The Song of a Life Vol. 3 - Delphine Da Pontello, Daniela Mazzucato, Giulia De Blasis (soprano) Max René Cosotti, Alessandro Luciano (tenor), Marco Severin (baritone) rec. 2016/17 BRILLIANT CLASSICS 95431 [4 CDs: 268:01] [GF] Everyone who invests in this budget price box will find much to their liking.

Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) Albion’s Journey ALBION RECORDS ALBCD039 [77:51] [JQ] A rewarding compilation which opens windows onto some of the less familiar music by Vaughan Williams.

Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) Serenade to Music, Five Variants of 'Dives and Lazarus', The Lark Ascending, Fantasia on 'Greensleeves', English Folk Song Suite - James Ehnes (violin), Royal Liverpool PO/Andrew Manze rec. 2017/19 ONYX 4212 [69:23] [ST] An ideal one-stop-shop for Vaughan William’s most popular orchestral music.

Glauco VELÁSQUEZ (1884-1914) Violin Sonatas No. 1 & 2 Leopoldo MIGUEZ (1850-1902) Violin Sonata - Emmanuele Baldini (violin), Karin Fernandes (piano) rec. 2014 NAXOS 8.574118 [71:27] [RB] Well worth hearing, especially the Velasquez.

Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741) Complete Concertos and Sinfonias for Strings - L’Archicembalo rec. 2015-18 BRILLIANT CLASSICS 95835 [261:53] [BW]  Unless the sheer prospect of this much Vivaldi in one go is too much, this new set is worth much more than its modest price.

Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741) Arie e cantate per contralto - Delphine Galou (contralto) Accademia Bizantina/Ottavio Dantone rec. 2018 NAÏVE OP30584 [57:47] [SSi] This most entertaining disc has brought me much enjoyment.

Mieczysław WEINBERG (1919-1996) String Quartets Vols 1-3, Piano Trio - Silesian Qt, Weinberg Trio rec. 2016/18 CD ACCORD ACD 239/241/247/250-2 [4 CDs: 264.57] [MC] Releases that unquestionably demonstrate the quality of Weinberg’s music.

Mieczysław WEINBERG (1919-1996) Complete Sonatas for Solo Viola - Viacheslav Dinerchtein (viola) rec. 2015-17 SOLO MUSICA SM310 [40.19 + 53.44] [MC] Thoughtful intelligence, technical expertise and effective tone production.

Mieczysław WEINBERG (1919-1996) Chamber Symphonies Nos 1 & 3 - East-West CO/Rotislav Krimer rec. 2018 NAXOS 8.574063 [58.16] [MW] Very welcome for both the intrinsic quality of the music and outstanding performances.

Jaromír WEINBERGER (1896-1967)  Schwanda the Bagpiper; Bohemian Songs & Dances; Overture, The Beloved Voice - Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie/Karl-Heinz Steffens rec. 2009 CPO 777513-2 [55:18] [RW] Enjoyable music from a rarely heard composer.

Richard WETZ (1875-1935) Symphonies & Violin Concerto - Ulf Wallin (violin) Cracow PO/Roland Bader, Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz/Werner Andreas Albert rec. 1994-2005 CPO 555 298-2 [4 CDs: 233:51] [DC] Re-releases of rarely heard but surprisingly pleasing Romantic repertoire.

Michel YOST (1745-1801) Clarinet Concertos Johann Christian VOGEL (1756-1788) Symphony - Susanne Heilig (clarinet) Kurpfälziches Kammer O/Marek Štilek rec. 2017 CPO 555 191-2 [73.17] [CR] An entertaining disc of clarinet concertos from late 18^th century Paris.

20^th Century Harpsichord Concertos Works by Leigh, Rorem, Kalabis & Nyman - Jory Vinikour (harpsichord) Chicago PO/Scott Speck rec. 2016/18 CEDILLE CDR90000188 [75:42] [JW] A cracking disc.

After the Darkness Works by Krása, Klein, Weiner, Kattenburg & Weinberg - Hague String Trio rec. 2018 COBRA 0065 [61:13] [DC] A fine testament to composers who suffered under oppressive regimes.

Albinoni's Venice Venetian Flute Music - Michael Form (recorder) Dirk Börner (harpsichord, organ) rec. 2018 PAN CLASSICS PC10405 [74:32] [JV] The artists pay special attention to aspects of performance practice that are often overlooked or ignored.

Arena di Verona Opera Collection Vol. 1 Works by Puccini, Gounod & Verdi - Ch & O Arena Verona/Giuliano Carella, Fabio Mastrangelo, Omar Meir Wellber rec. 2010-13 BELAIR CLASSIQUES Blu-ray BAC622 [3 discs: 453 mins] [RJF] This budget-priced collection celebrating the centennial of opera productions in the magnificent Roman Arena in Verona is only “good in parts”.

Belle époque Works by Debussy, Trojahn, Pierné, Brahms & Widor - Annelien Van Wauwe (clarinet) O Ntl de Lille/Alexandre Bloch rec. 2018 PENTATONE PTC5186808 SACD [59:50] [SSi] This is a very welcome disc of music, with Annelien Van Wauwe on fine form throughout.

Erling Blöndal Bengtsson (cello) The Danish Radio Recordings 1958-1998 - Aarhus SO/Norman Del Mar DANACORD DACOCD845 [75:09 + 70:40] [JF] Another splendid selection of varied pieces from Bengtsson’s catalogue.

Lola Bobesco (violin) Works by Bach, Beethoven & Vitali - South-West German Radio O/Hans Müller-Kray rec. 1957/60 MELOCLASSIC MC2036 [71:20] [JW] Another fine addition to the roster of imaginatively programmed discs from this label.

Lola Bobesco (violin) Works by Bach, Beethoven & Vitali - Südfunk-SO Stuttgart/Hans Müller-Kray rec. 1957/60 MELOCLASSIC MC 2036 [71:20] [SG] Certainly worth a return trip.

British Tone Poems Vol. 2 BBC Philharmonic/Rumon Gamba rec. 2019 CHANDOS CHAN10981 [70:16] [JW] This reprises the success of the first volume.

British Tone Poems Vol. 2 BBC Philharmonic/Rumon Gamba rec. 2019 CHANDOS CHAN10981 [70:16] [JQ] This excellent collection of British tone poems is a worthy successor to Vol. 1 in the series.

Cantate Domino Works by Bach, Mozart, Telemann, Buxtehude & Handel - Ens BachWerkVokal/Gordon Safari rec. 2018 MDG 902 2138-6 SACD [65:40] [JV] A fine debut for BachWerkVokal, with the added bonus of some first recordings.

John Cerminaro (horn) A Tribute rec. 1981-2007 CRYSTAL RECORDS CD775 [51:23] [MR] A truly delightful disc.

Christ lag in Todes Banden Bachplus/Bart Naessens rec. 2018 EVIL PENGUIN CLASSICS EPRC0031 [65.19] [GH] Altogether pleasing performances.

Le clavecin mythologique Anne Marie Dragosits (harpsichord) rec. 2016 L'ENCELADE ECL1801 [73:35] [JV] Mostly rather well-known pieces, approached from an original angle and performed on a magnificent historical instrument.

Contemporary Clarinet Concertos Works by Fajot, Hartmann & Lindberg - Jean-Luc Votano (clarinet) Quatuor Daniel, Royal Liège PO/Christian Arming rec. 2018 FUGA LIBERA FUG752 [73:06] [SB] A superb recording of Magnus Lindberg’s fine concerto with fabulous clarinet playing throughout.

Dance Works by Boccherini, Castelnuovo-Tedesco & Kernis - Jason Vieaux (guitar), Escher Quartet rec. 2015 AZICA ACD71328 [57:18] [SSi] A real sense of ensemble and the players’ enjoyment.

Elles Works by Clara Schumann, Boulanger, Hensel, Clarke, Fuchs & Pidgorna - Marina Thibeault (viola) Marie-Ève Scarfone (piano) rec. 2018 ATMA CLASSIQUE ACD22772 [68.09] [CRa] Half a dozen works – lesser-known because they’re by women – beautifully performed and recorded.

Emergence Songs to Emily Dickinson’s texts - Nadine Benjamin (soprano), Nicole Panizza (piano) rec. 2018 STONE RECORDS 5060192780864 [78:50] [SSi] An excellent selection - the songs by Juliana Hall and Ella Jarman-Pinto are a real find.

The Food Of Love Songs, Dances and Fancies for Shakespeare - The Baltimore Consort rec. 2018 SONO LUMINIS DSL92234 [68.04] [GH] A very pleasurable late-evening hour can be spent in the company of these musicians.

Four Works for wind quartet by Bozza, Bridge, Francaix, Bennett, Ibert & Arrieu - ​London Myriad rec. 2014/18 MÉTIER MSV28587 [55:31] [JF] Marvellous music in convincing performances.

Free America! Early Songs of Resistance and Rebellion - Boston Camerata/Anne Azéma (mezzo-soprano) HARMONIA MUNDI HMM902628 [59:45] [RMas] Boston Camerata’s excellent new collection of songs and instrumental works from the era of the American Revolution.

From Belcanto to Jazz  150 years of opera phantasies - Works by Bazzini, Vieuxtemps, Ondricek & Frolov - Volker Reinhold (violin) Ralph Zedler (piano) rec. 2019 MDG SACD 903 2134-6 [79:05] [RCh] From melodrama to jazz high jinks there is lots to enjoy here.

Gateways Works by Chen, Kreisler & Rachmaninov - Maxim Vengerov (violin), Shanghai SO/Long Yu rec. 2018 DG 483 6606 [74:21] [MR] A fine demonstration of China’s oldest symphony orchestra and a presentation of one of China’s most inspired and inspiring composers.

O Gemma Clarissima Music in Praise of St. Catharine - Choirs of St. Catharine’s College, Cambridge/Edward Wickham rec. 2018/19 RESONUS RES10246 [72.02] [GH] A typically high quality college choir, well drilled and clear in diction.

Le Grand Siècle de l'Orgue Liégeois Luc Ponet (organ), Schola Gregoriana Feminea/Jan Peeters rec. 2018 ET'CETERA KTC1638 [66:41] [JV] An interesting recording which documents little known liturgical repertoire from the Liège region.

The Leipzig Circle Vol. 1 Works by Fanny & Felix Mendelssohn and Clara & Robert Schumann - London Bridge Trio rec. 2018 SOMM RECORDINGS SOMMCD0199 [72:17] [CRa] An original and very interesting programme – shame about the sound.

Tibor de Machula (cello) German Radio Broadcast Recordings 1944-1952 - Works by Boccherini, Saint-Saëns, Schumann, & Tchaikovsky rec. 1944-52 MELOCLASSIC MC3014 [77:57] [JW] Splendid restorations enhance this valuable release.

Igor Markevitch (conductor) Vol. 1: Works by Beethoven, Haydn, Rimsky-Korsakov & Nielsen - Lamoureux O, London SO, Royal Danish O rec. 1959-65 DOREMI DHR8077/78 [73:30 + 75:20] [PBW] Very much characteristic of his style - no sentimentality, no lingering, very fine.

Johanna Martzy (violin) Swiss Radio Broadcast Recordings rec. 1947-69 MELOCLASSIC MC2035 [60:56] [JW] Martzy is inevitably a draw for fiddle appreciators.

Mediterranean Soul Piero Vincenti (G clarinet) Marsida Koni (piano) Banda Musicale della Polizia di Stato/Maurizio Billi rec. 2018 AULICUS CLASSICS ALC0021 [77:32] [PRB] Most entertaining and good fun.

William Murdoch (piano) Complete Columbia Solo Electrical Recordings rec. 1925-31 APR 6029 [76:09 + 77:37] [SG] Aural documents of significant historical importance.

Music for Saint Katherine of Alexandria Binchois Consort/Andrew Kirkman rec. 2018 HYPERION CDA68274 [66:17] [SSi] The Binchois Consort prove that there is lots to enjoy in English music before Byrd and Tallis.

Václav Neumann (conductor) Early Recordings - Czech PO, Prague SO, Film SO, Brno PO rec. 1953-68 SUPRAPHON SU4133-2 [6 CDs: 463:10] [SV] A mixed bag – possibly a case for selective downloading.

Offspring Bites 2 Works by To, Harrison, Reyk, Eötvös & Keller - Ens Offspring ENSEMBLE OFFSPRING 0784927459812 [47:27] [DC] Illuminate your imagination with something new.

David Oistrakh (violin) Early Recordings Works by Bach, Beethoven & Saint-Saëns - Moscow State Philharmony SO/ Lev Steinberg rec. 1938 AQUARIUS AQVR385-2 [68:29] [JW] Strictly for Oistrakh completists.

Palace Premières The Countess of Wessex’s String O/Major David B Hammond rec. 2019 MPR CWSO01 [75:49] [JW] A delightful album of British Light Music for strings.

Pax Britannica Organ Music by Victorian & Edwardian Composers - Robert James Stove (organ) rec. 2019 ARS ORGANI AOR002 [58:43] [JF] A decent cross-section of organ music from the late-nineteenth/early twentieth centuries.

Pictures Works by Grieg, Sæverud, Johansen, Koch & Mussorgsky - Pål Eide (piano) rec. 2018 DANACORD DACOCD847 [78:11] [JF] An enjoyable album.

Quattro Violini a Venezia Clematis/Brice Sailly, Stéphanie de Failly rec. 2018 RICERCAR RIC404 [64:35] [SSi] A wonderfully entertaining disc, and a most valuable addition to any collection of baroque Italian music.

Rarities of Piano Music at Schloss vor Husum 2018 DANACORD DACOCD839 [79:45] [RCh] A disc jam-packed with piano discoveries and joyous music-making.

Ossy Renardy (violin) Live performances from New York  - National O Association/Leon Barzin, Radio City SO/Ernő Rapée rec. 1939/41/45 MELOCLASSIC MC2037 [76:23] [JW] Important additions to Renardy’s representation on disc.

Ossy Renardy (violin) Live performances from New York - National O Association/Leon Barzin, Radio City SO/Ernő Rapée rec. 1939/41/45 MELOCLASSIC MC2037 [76:23] [SG] Despite shortcomings, these constitute recorded documents of tremendous historical importance and value.

Pietro Scarpini (piano) Discovered Tapes: From Baroque to Contemporary rec. 1950-1967 RHINE CLASSICS RH-010 [12 CDs: 14 hours] [SG] This sterling achievement resuscitates the memory of a long-forgotten artist.

Rosl Schmid (piano) Sonatas by Mozart & Schumann rec. 1940-51 MELOCLASSIC MC1048 [77:42] [SG] This welcome release adds considerably to our appreciation of this long-forgotten artist.

St Asaph Experience Olivia Hunt (soprano) John Hosking (organ) Xander Croft (violin) Bethan Griffiths (harp) rec. 2018? WILLOWHAYNE WHR058 [78:24] [JF] Something of a mixed bag.

Stravaganza Italian music from 1550-1700 - Sara Águeda (arpa doppia) Javier Núñez (harpsichord) rec. 2017 DUX 1567 [65:08] [JV] A colourful programme of instrumental music, a perfect illustration of some features of a period of experimentation and improvisation.

Styrian Harpsichord Concertos Michael Hell (harpsichord) Neue Hofkapelle Graz/Lucia Froihofer, Michael Hell rec. 2018 CPO 555 269-2 [78:30] [PRB] Another valuable contribution to the catalogue, both erudite and really entertaining.

Supersize Polyphony Works by Hildegard, Striggio & Tallis - Armonico Consort, Christopher Monks Ch of Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge/Geoffrey Webber rec. 2018 SIGNUM CLASSICS SIGCD560 [61:37] [RHa] Undoubtedly sincere music-making, but this reviewer found the sound problematic, as well as the programme.

Ten Great Violinists of the Twentieth Century BIDDULPH LAB 8101 [10 CDs: 748:44] [RMas] An affordable introduction to the great violinists of the 20^th century.

Time & Eternity Patricia Kopatchinskaja (violin) Wieslaw Pipczynski (accordion) Monika, Sarah & Beata Würsten (singers) Camerata Bern rec. 2018 ALPHA 545 [77.00] [MC] An honourable and fascinating album but part of the concept doesn’t entirely work for me.

The Yiddish Cabaret Works by Korngold, Schulhoff & Desyatnikov - Hila Baggio (soprano) Jerusalem Qt rec. 2018 HARMONIA MUNDI HMM902631 [59:54] [RHa] The Korngold is the standout here, although the song cycle is colourfully written and superbly performed.

Zefiro Spira Italian Renaissance frottole & improvisations - Gabriel Jublin (alto), Paul Kieffer (lute) rec. 2016 CLAVES 50-1803 [60:36] [JV] I like the frottolas and the way the artists perform them, but don't care for the improvisations.

Other Reviews

Elgar And The Press: A Life In Newsprint by Richard Westwood-Brookes publ. 2019 Self published [PCG] Much new material here, shedding light not only on the music’s reception history but also on the evolving nature of music journalism over the years.

Orchestra by Avalon Nuovo & David Doran publ. 2019 FLYING EYE BOOKS [MMB] A splendid Christmas present for a young music fan.

Articles and Notices

Jessye Norman - a short appreciation by Ralph Moore

Anthony Hedges - An obituary by Kenneth Shenton

Another Dozen Obscure Favorites by Andrew Hartman

Short Reviews & Second Thoughts: Autumn 2019/1 by Brian Wilson, Dan Morgan, Johan van Veen & Simon Thompson

Listening Studio Report by John Quinn

Piano Trio Discography - Sergei Rachmaninov