Superbudget £5.99 or less 
Budget £6-7.99 
Medium £8-10.99 
Full price £11+
Download
Camille
SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) Violin Sonata 1 see
FAURÉ
Antonio
SALIERI (1750-1825)
Requiem Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Meerestille und Glückliche Fahrt Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Intende Voci 
Gulbenkian Ch & O/Lawrence Foster rec. live, 2009
PENTATONE PTC5186359 
[56:22] 
[JS]
The
performances and recording are admirable.
Hans
SCHAEUBLE (1906-1988) Die Rose & der Schatten
see BURKHARD
Johann
Herman SCHEIN
(1586-1630) Opella
Nova – Fontana D’Israel
Ensemble Sagittarius/Michel Laplénie rec. 2009
HORTUS 075 [66.05]
[GH]
Particularly
sensitive to the words and dynamics are varied very movingly
Franz
SCHMIDT (1874-1939) Symphony 3, Chaconne
Malmö SO/Vassily Sinaisky rec. 2008/9
NAXOS 8.572119 [78:38] 
[BBr]
A
solid and basic performance
Alfred
SCHNITTKE
(1934-1998) Discoveries
Six Preludes, Dialogue, Yellow Sound, Magdalina, Variations
rec.
2000-9
TOCCATA TOCC0091 [68:18]
[MS]
Five
different works from throughout Schnittke's career performed with vigour
and insight by committed musicians.
Othmar
SCHOECK (1886-1957)
Notturno
Christian Gerhaher (baritone) Rosamunde Qt rec. 2007
ECM NEW SERIES 2061 (476 6995) [42:50]
[RB][NB]
A
most sensitive and moving traversal of Notturno which transcends the
stingy playing time.
Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
Impromptus 1-4, Moments musical 1-6, Piano Sonata 18
Tzimon Barto (piano)
CAPRICCIO 5028 [60:05 + 79:44] [BR]
Little
to no respect for Schubert’s music. Avoid.
Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
Piano trios, Adagio e Rondo Concertante, Notturno, Sonata
Atlantis Trio rec. 1994/5
MUSICA OMNIA MO0310 [64:28 + 63:22] 
[KM]
A
wonderful recording of Schubert’s great chamber music works.
Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Symphony 5 see MOZART
Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Intende
Voci see SALIERI
William
SCHUMAN (1910-1992) The Symphonies and selected orchestral
works
Seattle Symphony/Gerard Schwarz rec. 1990-2008
NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS 8.505228 [5 CDs: 317:52]
[RB]
Intense
and luminous playing from Schwarz and the Seattle Orchestra in symphonies
of uncompromisingly fierce intensity, raging violence, sable-dark melancholy
and nervy kinetic euphoria.
Robert
SCHUMANN (1810-1856)
Piano Concerto Frédéric CHOPIN
(1810-1849)
Piano Concerto 2
Louis Lortie (piano) Philharmonia O/Neeme Järvi rec. 1991
CHANDOS CHAN10603X [62:27]
[GD]
Rarely
has either concerto sounded as convincing or as passionate as here.
Robert
SCHUMANN
(1810-1856) Violin Sonatas 1-3
Alberto Bologni (violin); Giuseppe Bruno (piano) rec. 2010
SHEVA COLLECTION SHEVA 028 [70:12]
[GD]
Schumann
is many things to many people, but to Bologni he is primarily a melodist.
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Robert SCHUMANN
(1810-1856) Orchestral Music
Franz Peter Zimmermann, Truls Mřrk, Kristian Zacharias, Staatskapelle
Dresden/Wolfgang Sawallisch, Philharmonia O/Riccardo Muti, Cologne RSO/Vonk
rec. 1972-93
EMI CLASSICS 6090372 [4 CDs: 77:14 + 78:54 + 75:39 + 73:53]
[RB]
It's
no wonder the components of this set have won so many laurels.
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Robert SCHUMANN
(1810-1856) Complete Songs
Christine Schäfer, Dorothea Röschmann, Felicity Lott, Kate Royal (soprano)
Ann Murray (mezzo) Ian Bostridge, Mark Padmore (tenor) Simon Keenlyside,
Christopher Maltman (baritone) Graham Johnson (piano) rec. 1995-2007
HYPERION
CDS44441/50 [10 CDs: 734.44]
[KM]
A
monumental set of Schumann lieder: a must-have box set.
Robert
SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Chamber Music
Christian Zacharias, Cherubini Qt, Martha Argerich, Mischa Maisky rec.
1989-96
EMI CLASSICS 6090112 [5 CDs: 335:44]
[GD]
A
mixed bag of a reissue.
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Robert SCHUMANN
(1810-1856) Lieder and Scenes from Goethe’s
Faust
EMI CLASSICS 6090222 [6 CDs: 7:17:00]
[ST]
This
set can be warmly recommended to anyone wanting to explore this utterly
essential corner of Schumann’s output.
Robert
SCHUMANN (1810–1856) Manfred Overture, Alpenkuhreigen
& Zwischenaktmusik see BEETHOVEN
Cyril
SCOTT (1879-1970) Violin Sonatas 1 & 3, Sonata
Melodica
Clare Howick (violin) Sophia Rahman (piano) rec. 2008
NAXOS 8.572290 [74:27]
[JF]
Important
and rewarding pieces.
Cyril
SCOTT (1879-1970) Oboe Concerto see
GIBBS
Mátyás
SEIBER (1905-1960)
String Quartets 1-3
Edinburgh Qt rec. 2009
DELPHIAN DCD34082 [60:17]
[JW]
Seiber’s
quartets are in the best of hands in this enlightening disc.
Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975)
Piano Quintet Ernest BLOCH (1880-1959)
String Quartet 1
Vivian Rivkin (piano) Stuyvesant Quartet rec. 1939/41
HISTORIC RECORDINGS HRCD00014 [76:35]
[JW]
Fine
string tone and first class rapport, full of character and often moving.
Dimitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975)
Violin Concerto 1 see GLAZUNOV
Fernando
SOR (1778-1839) Early Works for Guitar
William
Carter rec. 2009
LINN CKD343 [61:41]
[JW]
Enchanting,
gorgeously coloured, deeply musical and wholly convincing.
Tim
SOUSTER (1943-1994)
Equalisation, Sonata
Equale Brass Qnt; Tim Souster, Nash Ens/Lionel Friend rec. 1982
NIMBUS NI5317 [46:40]
[MS]
Two
typical and persuasive examples of Tim Souster's work
Richard
STRAUSS (1864-1949) Metamorphosen, Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme
Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) Piano
Concerto
Hélène Grimaud (piano) CO Europe/Vladimir Jurowski rec.
2009
IDÉALEAUDIENCE 3078738 
[90.19]
[WH]
A
beautiful film of a superb concert.
Igor
STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) Le Sacre du Printemps see
RACHMANINOFF
Josef
SUK (1874-1935) Sokol March, Serenade see
DVOŘÁK
Giuseppe
TARTINI (1692-1770) Violin Concertos
Salvatore Accardo (violin), I Musici rec. 1973
PENTATONE CLASSICS PTC 5186 137
[60:25] [J-PJ]
Accardo’s
playing is faultless, and he is ably accompanied by the legendary I
Musici.
Wilhelm
TAUBERT (1811-1891) Piano Concertos 1 & 2 Jakob
ROSENHAIN (1813-1894) Piano Concerto
Howard Shelley (piano/conductor)/Tasmanian SO rec. 2009
HYPERION CDA 67765 [71:36]
[DM]
A
must-buy for inquisitive listeners and pianophiles alike.
Pyotr
Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893)
Symphony 5, Suite 3 - Theme and Variations
New SO, London SO/Landon Ronald rec. 1928/9
HISTORIC RECORDINGS HRCD0005 [66:49]
[JW]
An
estimable enterprise, intelligently compiled and well transferred. Represents
an important restorative act.
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY
(1840-1893)
Manfred Symphony
Gürzenich O Köln/Dmitri Kitaienko rec. 2009
OEHMS CLASSICS OC665
[61:25]
[DM]
A
Manfred to die for.
Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Symphony
4 see DVOŘÁK
Michael
TIPPETT
(1905 – 1998) Choral
Music
Christ Church Cathedral Ch/Stephen Darlington rec. 1990
NIMBUS NI 5266 [50.56]
[RH]
An
interesting side-slant on this music
Donald
Francis TOVEY (1875-1940)
Aria and Variations, String Quartet
Tippett Qt rec. 2009
GUILD GMCD 7346 [67:11]
[JF]
Two
masterworks played with sympathy, understanding and relish.
Peteris
VASKS (b.1946) The Seasons
Vestard Shimkus (piano) rec. 2009
WERGO WER67342 [59:54]
[HC]
The
first complete performance of Vasks’ cycle Gadalaiki in superb
readings and recording.
Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901) Aïda
Kevin Short, Iano Tamar, Tatiana Serjan, Bregenz Festival Ch, Vienna
SO/Carlo Rizzi rec. 2009
UNITEL CLASSICA/C MAJOR 702404 [131:00] 
[BW]
Spectacle
rules at the expense of the music.
Tomás
Luis de VICTORIA
(c.1548-1611) Motet,
Missa Dum complerentur, Missa Simile est regnum coelorumitem
Christ Church Cathedral Ch, Oxford/Stephen Darlington rec. 1993
NIMBUS NI5434 [59:02]
[MS]
An
above average account of two of Victoria's parody masses is sung with
style and conviction by accomplished specialists, Oxford's Christ Church
Cathedral Choir with Stephen Darlington.
Antonio
VIVALDI (1678-1741) Armida al campo d'Egitto
Raffaella Milanesi; Romina Basso; Concerto Italiano/Rinaldo Alessandrini
rec. 2009
NAÏVE OP 30492 [3 CDs: 2:49:22] 
[MS]
A
gently compelling piece, expertly and idiomatically performed, and recorded
for the first time here.
Antonio
VIVALDI (1678-1741) Concertos for recorder, violin, bassoon
& strings
Adrian Chandler (violin); Pamela Thorby (recorder); Peter Whelan (bassoon)
La Serenissima/Adrian Chandler rec. 2010
AVIE AV 2201 [68:59]
[J-PJ]
A
rather uninspiring programme
Richard
WAGNER (1813-1883) Lohengrin
Fritz Uhl, Victoria de Los Angeles, Christa Ludwig, Ch & O Estable
del Teatro Colón/Lovro von Matacic rec. 1964
COLUMNA MÚSICA 1CM0229 [3 CDs: 62:19 + 76:45 + 60:11]
[GD]
They
don't make them like they used to.
Richard
WAGNER (1813-1883) Wesendonck Lieder, Preludes &
Overtures
Measha Brueggergosman, Cleveland O/Franz Welser-Möst rec. 2010
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 477 8773 [72:16]
[ST]
The
Wesendonck Lieder are beautifully played and distinctively sung.
William
Vincent WALLACE (1812-1865)
Lurline
Victorian Opera Ch & O/Richard Bonynge rec. 2009
NAXOS 8.660293-94 [74:58 + 75:25]
[JW]
Craftsmanship
is evident throughout this opera which gathers pace – dramatically and
musically – as it goes along. Reveals Weber-like traits and evocations.
William
WALTON
(1902-1983)
Violin Concerto, Symphony 1
Kurt Nikkanen (violin) New Haven SO/William Boughton rec. 2009
NIMBUS NI 6119 [79:28]
[MG]
Well
worth hearing for their thoughtful approach … see Full Review
William
WALTON (1902-1983) Violin Concerto see ELGAR
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH John WARD
(1571-1638)
First Book of Madrigals
The Consort of Musick/Anthony Rooley rec. 1980
DECCA ELOQUENCE 480 1816 [46.02 + 49.38]
[GH]
To
hear such expressive singing and to encounter Kirkby and Tubb in their
prime and freshness is unbeatable.
Carl
Maria von WEBER (1786–1826) Overtures: Euryanthe, Abu
Hassan see
BEETHOVEN
Kurt
WEILL (1900-1950) Die Sieben Todsünden Alban
BERG (1885-1935) Lulu-Suite
Angelina Réaux (soprano) New York PO/Kurt Masur rec. 1993
WARNER APEX 2564 681625 [67:43]
[JS]
If
only Apex had presented this disc adequately this would have been a
really recommendable bargain.
Mieczysław
WEINBERG (1919-1996) Symphonies 1 & 7
Gothenburg SO/Thord Svedlund rec. 2008
CHANDOS CHSA5078
[68.55]
[PBW]
For
the little Weinberg which is presently available one has largely to
thank Chandos and hope that they persist.
Egon
WELLESZ (1885-1974)
Choral
Music
Clive Driskill-Smith (organ) Christ Church Cathedral Ch, Oxford/Stephen
Darlington rec. 2006
NIMBUS NI5852 [56:21]
[JQ][GH]
A
CD that is something of an ear-opener and well worth the attention of
any choral collector with an enquiring ear. [JQ] Wonderful to hear these
works in such very committed performances. [GH]
Samuel
WESLEY (1766-1837)
Short pieces for organ
Christopher Howell (organ) rec. 2009/10
SHEVA COLLECTION 030 [78:04]
[JS]
When
discs of this music are so rare it is good when one of this quality
appears.
Martin
WESLEY-SMITH (b. 1945) Merry-Go-Round & other
chamber music
Australia Ensemble; Timothy Constable (percussion) rec. 2002/5
TALL POPPIES TP200 [71:18]
[OL]
The
colorful, inventive, bright world of one of Australia’s leading
composers
Christoph
Ernst Friedrich WEYSE
(1774-1842) Perspectives
–The Key Masterpieces
Danish Ntl CO/Giordano Bellincampi; Tivoli Concert Ch & SO/Michael
Schřnwandt rec. 1986-2006
DACAPO PERSPECTIVES 8.226105-06 [76:58 + 69:38]
[RB]
A well
informed and chosen Weyse introduction – classical and early romantic
era charms and delights.
Friedrich
WITT (1770-1836) Symphonies, Flute Concerto
Patrick Gallois (flute) Sinfonia Finlandia Jyväskylä/Patrick
Gallois rec. 2008
NAXOS 8.572089 [69:37]
[J-PJ]
The
Naxos tradition of bringing the obscure to light has paid off in this
recording.
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Hugo WOLF
(1860 – 1903) The Anniversary Edition
Various artists rec. 1955-2005
EMI CLASSICS 6886082 [8 CDs: 571:22]
[GF]
For
most readers this can very well be the only Wolf discs they will ever
need.
Christopher
WRIGHT (b.1954) Oboe Concerto see
GIBBS
Click
for alphabetical listings by composer:
[Part
1 New] [Part
2 A-B] [Part 3 C-L]
[Part 4 M-R] [Part
5 S-Z]
[Part 6 Misc A-L] [Part
7 Misc M-Z]
[last 5 days] [Recommended
recordings]
EXPLORE
MUSICWEB INTERNATIONAL 
