Recording of the month

Brahms Violin Sonatas 

Christian Tetzlaff vn Lars Vogt pf 

(Ondine) 

Two acclaimed soloists unite, with a wonderful rapport, for a brilliant disc of Brahms – no, not just this month’s cover story but the equally compelling Christian Tetzlaff and Lars Vogt.

Read the review in the Reviews Database

Sibelius Symphonies Nos 3, 6 & 7 

Minnesota Orchestra / Osmo Vänskä 

(BIS)

Few conductors have such an distinguished history of bringing such consistent insight and instinctiveness to Sibelius as Vänska – a fine addition to his, and Sibelius’s, discography.

Read the review in the Reviews Database

Telemann Concertos 

Florilegium 

(Channel Classics) 

A delightful and spirited celebration, both of Telemann’s music for flute and recorder, and of period ensemble Florilegium’s 25th anniversary: many well-deserved congratulations on both counts!

Read the review in the Reviews Database

Schoenberg String Quartets 

Asasello Quartet 

(Genuin) 

Following on from the Diotima Quartet’s set of two months ago, the Asasello Quartet’s Schoenberg survey is equally penetrating, perceptive and fascinating – and worth acquiring.

Read the review in the Reviews Database | Download from Qobuz

Liszt Transcendental Etudes 

Kirill Gerstein pf 

(Myrios) 

Stamina, virtuosity and musicality are really to the fore in this extraordinary journey through Liszt’s Transcendental Etudes from former Gilmore Artist Award recipient Kirill Gerstein.

Read the review in the Reviews Database

Reger Four Solo Violin Sonatas, Op 42 

Ulf Wallin vn 

(CPO) 

Swedish violinist Ulf Wallin oozes a total sense of command throughout this set of wonderful solo music, in both the forceful and fragile moments of pieces that pose considerable technical demands.

Read the review in the Reviews Database | Download from Qobuz

Blow Symphony Anthems 

Choir of New College, Oxford / Robert Quinney 

(Novum) 

It’s wonderful to hear New College choir – for 38 years led by Edward Higginbottom – in equally excellent form on this first disc under Robert Quinney in a programme of Blow.

Read the review in the Reviews Database

Brahms Vier ernste Gesänge 

Matthias Goerne bar Christoph Eschenbach pf 

(Harmonia Mundi) 

An ever-individual singer joined by an ever-engaging conductor/pianist make for a thought-provoking – and often extremely beautiful – Brahms recital.

Read the review in the Reviews Database | Download from Qobuz

Bruckner Mass No 3, etc 

Philharmonie Festiva / Gerd Schaller 

(Profil)

Gerd Schaller follows his cycle of Bruckner symphonies with an excellent performance of the composer’s Mass No 3, superb soloists and recording quality adding to the appeal.

Read the review in the Reviews Database

Rachmaninov Vespers 

St Thomas Choir of Men and Boys / John Scott 

(Resonus) 

Rachmaninov’s Vespers, here recorded with an all-male choir with boy trebles, in a magnificent performance under the late John Scott.

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DVD/blu-ray

Wagner Tristan und Isolde 

Sols incl Gould & Herlitzius; Bayreuth Festival Orchestra / Christian Thielemann 

(DG) 

A significant and contemporary take on Wagner’s opera, directed at Bayreuth by his great-granddaughter Katharina Wagner. 

Read the review in the Reviews Database

Reissue/archive

José Iturbi: Solo Piano Recordings 

(APR) 

As Patrick Rucker says of this release: ‘A fascinating, often surprising set that rewards repeated listening.’ 

Read the review in the Reviews Database