Superbudget £5.99 or less 
Budget £6-7.99 
Medium £8-10.99 
Full
price £11+ 
Download
Antonio
CALDARA (c.1671
- 1736) Caldara in Vienna - Forgotten castrato arias 
Philippe Jaroussky (alto) Concerto Köln/Emmanuelle Haïm rec.
2010
VIRGIN CLASSICS 6488102 [68:08]
[JV]
A
bouquet of fine arias from a great yet underestimated composer.
Joseph
CANTELOUBE (1879-1957) Poème see Rare
French works for violin and orchestra
Jean-Baptiste
CARDON (1760-1803) The School of Harp in France Vol. 2 Concerto,
Trios, Sonatas for harp
Rachel Talitman (harp) Tigran Maytesian, Erwin Liénart (violins) Igal
Braslavsky (viola) Karolina Mariarz (cello)
HARP & CO. CD-5050-23 [77:30]
[Byz]
A
very good production generously crammed with excellent music beautifully
played.
Pau
CASALS
(1876-1973) Sant
Marti del Canigo see TOLDRA
Gaspar
CASSADÓ (1897-1966) Piano Trio see
Estilo Español
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Frederic CHOPIN
(1810-1849) Piano music
Leon McCawley (piano) rec. 2010
SOMM SOMMCD 0103 [70.27]
[RBe]
An
outstanding recital.
Frédéric
CHOPIN (1810-1849) Piano Concerto 1, Fantasia on Polish
Airs, Krakowiak
Eldar Nebolsin (piano) Warsaw PO/Antoni Wit rec. 2009
NAXOS NBD0011 
[RC]
Nebolsin
is the real thing, a genuine virtuoso who can interpret Chopin with
imagination and style.
Fryderyk
CHOPIN (1810-1849) The Complete Works Volume 3: Musical
Genius Variations on Là ci darem la mano, Fantasia on
Polish National Airs, Rondo, Krakowiak, Grand rondeau de concert, Andante
Spianato and Grande polonaise brillante
Sinfonia Varsovia/Ian Hobson (piano, conductor) Claude Hobson (piano)
rec. 2009
ZEPHYR Z134-09 [71:47]
[JW]
Those
wanting a collection of these piano and orchestral works will find Hobson,
soloist and conductor, a learned and buoyant guide.
Frédéric
François CHOPIN (1810-1849) Complete Piano Works
rec. 1949-2008
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 94089 [15 CDs: c.16:00:00]
[RB]
This
set has been magpied together. That’s true but the results do no disservice
to Chopin or to your ears; quite the contrary. There is much here that
you will feel the need to return to and the price is very attractive.
Giacomo
CONTI (1754-1805) Violin Concerto see KRUMPHOLTZ
Julius
CONUS (1869-1942) Violin Concerto see
TCHAIKOVSKY
Arcangelo
CORELLI (1653-1713) Complete Edition
Musica Amphion/Pieter-Jan Belder rec. 2004
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 94112 [10 CDs: 584:09]
[MS]
Advantages
of this re-issue from Brilliant definitely outweigh the disadvantages;
but both there are.
Claude
DEBUSSY (1862-1918) La Boîte à joujoux Francis
POULENC (1899-1963) L’Histoire de Babar
Ken Beachler (narrator) Sergei Kvitko (piano) rec. 2010
BLUE GRIFFIN BGR219 [52:27]
[JS]
If
your main interest is the Poulenc this might well be a very good choice.
Claude
DEBUSSY (1862
- 1918) Complete Orchestral Music Vol.5 La boîte
à joujoux, Six épigraphes antiques
Lyon Ntl O/Jun Märkl rec. 2009/10
NAXOS 8.572568 [73:04]
[NB]
Lacking
the last degree of fantasy that can transform this already wonderful
music into something extraordinary.
Frederick
DELIUS (1862-1934) Over the Hills and Far Away, Brigg
Fair, Florida Suite, On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring, Summer
Night on the River, Songs of Sunset, Dance Rhapsody 1, Violin Concerto,
The Song of the High Hills, Paa Vidderne, A Village Romeo and Juliet,
Sea Drift see Beecham
Frederick DELIUS (1862 -1934)
North Country Sketches see BRAHMS
Josquin
DES PRÉZ (1450/55-1521) Missa Pange Lingua
Kammerchor Josquin des Préz/Ludwig Böhme, rec. 2010
CARUS 83.345 [62:07]
[GD]
Just
too pleasant by half.
Gaetano
DONIZETTI (1797-1848) Maria Stuarda
Sonia Ganassi, Fiorenza Cedolins, José Bros, Mirco Palazzi, Marco Caria,
Pervin Shakar, Orchestra of the Teatro La Fenice/Fabrizo Maria Carminato
rec. 2009
UNITEL/C MAJOR 704304
[140:00] [RJF]
Some
good singing in this bel canto gem; pity about the pathetic set
and non-production.
Paul
DUKAS (1865-1935) Orchestral Music Fanfare to
La Péri, La Péri – Poème Dansé, Symphony, The Sorcerer's Apprentice
Radio PO, Netherlands/Jean Fournet rec. 1992?
REGIS RRC1344 [74:21]
[RB]
Wonderfully
characterful and exalted by an imagination unremittingly engaged.
Marcel
DUPRÉ (1886-1971)
Organ works
Jeremy Filsell (organ)
REGIS RRC1321 [73:51]
[DM]
When
the performance and sound are so variable, even the super-budget price
shouldn’t tempt you. Terribly disappointing.
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Antonín
DVOŘÁK (1841–1904) String Quartets
12 & 13
Pavel Haas Qt rec. 2010
SUPRAPHON SU40382 [63:08]
[BR]
Just
right to these ears.
Antonín
DVORÁK (1841-1904) Sextet, String Quintets, String Quartet
12, Bagatelles
Vienna Octet, Janácek Qt, Vienna Philharmonic Qnt rec. 1963-75
DECCA ELOQUENCE 480 2375 [66:48 + 76:29]
[BR]
No
reason for the Dvorák lover to pass this one up!
Antonín
DVOŘÁK (1841–1904) Symphonies 7 &
8 Baltimore
SO/Marin Alsop rec. 2008-9
NAXOS NBD0010 [74:15]
[DBi]
Well
played but rather undramatic performances in very fine sound.
Antonín
DVOŘÁK (1841-1904)
Stabat Mater, Serenade for strings
Prague PCh, Czech PO/Václav Smetáček, English CO/Rafael
Kubelík rec. 1961-9
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 94081 [65:05 + 66:02]
[RB]
A
nice set but not compelling.
Paul
EDWARDS (b.
1955) God be in my head and other choral works
Chapel Choir of Selwyn College, Cambridge/Sarah MacDonald rec. 2010
REGENT
REGCD339 [69:07] [JQ]
A
collection of expertly crafted and very effective English church music
in excellent performances.
Werner
EGK (1901-1983) The Temptation of St. Anthony see
MARTIN
Edward
ELGAR (1857-1934) Concert Allegro see GURNEY
August
ENNA (1859-1939) Fairy Tales, Hans Christian Andersen
Overture, Symphony 2
Hannover NDR Radio Philharmonic/Michael Hofstetter rec. 2004/5
CPO 777 035-2 [78:18]
[RB]
CPO
breaks new ground again with sometimes folksy music woven with the manner
of Tchaikovsky.
Venice
in Mexico - Concertos by Giacomo
FACCO (1676–1753) &
Antonio VIVALDI (1678–1741)
Manuel Zogbi (violin) Miguel Lawrence (sopranino recorder) Daniel Armas
(psaltery) Mexican Baroque O/Miguel Lawrence rec. 2009/10
DIVINE ART DDA25091 [60:43]
[JV]
Performances
which take us back to the 1960s.
Gabriel
FAURÉ (1845-1924) Violin Concerto see Rare
French works for violin and orchestra
Gabriel
FAURE (1845-1924) String
Quartet in E minor see
JANACEK
Samuil
FEINBERG (1890-1962) Songs
Rita Ahonen (mezzo) Sami Luttinen (bass) Christophe Sirodeau (piano)
rec. 1999-2003
ALTARUS AIR-CD-9038 [76:32]
[RB]
Unhurried
mesmerising songs from Russia’s expressionist tradition.
Jean
FRANÇAIX (1912-1997) L'Horloge de Flore see
STRAUSS
Cesar
FRANCK (1822-1890) Symphony, Psyché
O de Paris/Daniel Barenboim rec. 1976
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 94079 [63:15]
[RB]
Barenboim
doggedly lays bare the romantically charged substance of Franck’s two
works. Plenty of bark and bite.
César
FRANCK
(1822-1890)
Trois Pièces, Pièce Héroïque, Prélude, Fugue & Variation, Choral
1 Lionel
Avot (organ) rec. 2010
HORTUS 083 [59:09] [Byz]
Avot's
abilities are beyond doubt and Franck's genius irrefutable however primarily
for those keen to hear this freshly restored instrument.
Arturo
FUENTES
(b.1975) Chamber
Music
Ensemble Intégrales rec. 2009
NEOS 10906 
[Byz]
For
people who admire this entirely intellectual approach to composition.
Everyone else might as well take the dog for a walk.
Walther
GEISER (1897-1993) Symphony see BLOCH
Edward
GERMAN (1862-1936) Gypsy Suite see
Beecham
Giorgio
Federico GHEDINI (1892-1965) Complete Piano Music vol.
2 Massimo
Bianchi (piano) rec. 2010
NAXOS 8.572330 [65:07]
[Byz]
A
long-overdue insight into an underrated and enigmatic composer.
Umberto
GIORDANO (1867-1948) Fedora
Angela Gheorghiu (soprano) Plácido Domingo (tenor) Ch & O of the
Monnaie/Alberto Varanesi rec. 2008
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 477 8367 [62.24 + 34.00]
[RJF]
Domingo
adds this Loris to his studio recorded audio legacy whilst his stage
performance caught on DVD was made in his prime.
Reinhold
GLIÈRE (1875-1956) The Red Poppy ballet suite see
IPPOLITOV-IVANOV
Percy
GRAINGER (1882-1961) The Complete Piano Music
Martin
Jones (piano)
rec. 1989/1991.
NIMBUS NI 1767 [5 CDs: 71:35 + 58:56 + 68:26 + 77:19 + 78:13]
[JW]
What
a splendid undertaking.
Edward
GREGSON (b. 1945) Music for Chamber Orchestra, Trombone
Concerto, Goddess, Stepping Out, A Song for Chris
Peter Moore (trombone) Guy Johnston (cello) BBC CO/Bramwell Tovey rec.
2010
CHANDOS CHAN10627 [70:30]
[HC]
A
worthy successor to the earlier volumes. Splendid works in excellent
performances and superb recording.
Ernest
GUIRAUD (1837-1892) Caprice see Rare
French works for violin and orchestra
Ivor
GURNEY (1890-1937) Preludes for Piano; Nocturnes Edward
ELGAR (1857-1934) Concert Allegro Herbert
HOWELLS (1892-1983) Three Pieces
Alan Gravill, Jeremy Filsell (piano) rec. 1990/94
DAL SEGNO DSPRCD059 [76:55]
[JF]
Gravill
and Filsell play these works with commitment and sensitivity. A great
addition to the catalogues.
Jeremy
HALADYNA The Mayan Cycle
Areon Flutes Ens, Jeremy Haladyna, Lisa-Maree Amos, Michele Forrest,
Sergio Ortiz, UCSB Young Artists String Qt
INNOVA 754 [68:00]
[RB]
Potently
atmospheric stuff.
Rodolfo
HALFFTER (1900-1987) Chamber Music Vol. 1
Soloists of the Orquesta de la Comunidad de Madrid rec. 2006
NAXOS 8.572418 [Byz]
Music
that is essentially frugal and light in texture
Johan
HAMMERTH (b.1953) Piano Preludes
Stefan Lindgren (pno)
NOSAG CD194 [79:25]
[RB]
This
is music that weaves a hypnotic spell – deeply romantic – losing the
self in contemplation.
Georg
Frideric HANDEL (1685
- 1739) Oreste
Cornelia Lanz (mezzo) Nastasja Docalu (soprano) Instrumental Ens/Tobias
Horn rec. 2010
ANIMATO ACD6123 [79.12 + 78.01]
[RH]
A
strong cast in a creditable performance of what is actually rather a
good Handel opera.
Barbara
HARBACH (b.1946) Chamber Music III
Uni. of Missouri-St Louis Chamber Soloists rec. 2008
MSR CLASSICS MS 1257 [65:07]
[Byz]
Jam-packed
with music which is both attractive and extremely accessible - melodic,
tonal, structured, intelligent, varied.
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Hans-Leo HASSLER
(1564-1612) Sacred and secular music
Currende/Erik Van Nevel, rec. 1999-2000
ET'CETERA KTC1409 [75:14 + 67:11]
[JV]
This
production underlines Hassler's importance and the variety and quality
of his output.
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Joseph HAYDN
(1732-1809)
Missa Sanctae Caeciliae
Lucia Popp (soprano) Doris Soffel (contralto) Horst Laubenthal (tenor)
Kurt Moll (bass) Bavarian RSO & Ch/Rafael Kubelik rec. 1982
ARTHAUS MUSIK 101533 
[73:00]
[DBi]
A
great performance of great music in a beautiful German abbey.
Franz
Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809)
The Seven Last Words of Our Saviour on the Cross
Lisa Milne (soprano) Christopher Maltman (baritone) London PO &
Ch/Vladimir Jurowski rec. 2009
LPO LPO0051 [JS]
Its
undoubted qualities are insufficient to do justice to the music
Franz
Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Complete Keyboard Sonatas
Bart van Oort, Ursula Dütschler, Stanley Hoogland, Yoshiko Kojima, Riko
Fukuda (piano) rec. 2000
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 94090 [10 CDs: 10.41:00]
[KM]
A
contender in the “complete” Haydn keyboard sonatas market.
Franz
Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) The heart of invention
Piano Trios 22, 24, 25 & 26
Trio Goya rec. 2008
CHANDOS CHACONNE CHAN 0771 [64:33]
[MG]
Discerning
accounts presented sympathetically.
Michael
HAYDN (1737–1806) & Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756–1791) Duos for Violin and Viola
Maya
Magub (violin) Judith Busbridge (viola)
CRD 3527/8 [59:29 + 37:50]
[Byz]
A
collector's item, without doubt.
Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Symphony
101 see Toscanini
Victor
HELY-HUTCHINSON (1901-1947) The Song of Soldiers see
English Songs
Hans
Werner HENZE (b.1929) Symphonies 1-6
Berlin PO, London SO/composer rec. 1965/72
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 9194 [75:28 + 73:14]
[RB]
Classics
recordings of the symphonies of a provocatively imaginative romantic
as well attuned to writing in the finest close-up as in great sweeping
tragic paragraphs.
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Bernard HERRMANN
(1911-1975) Film Classics
National PO, London PO/Bernard Herrmann rec. 1970-5
DECCA ELOQUENCE 480 3784 [72:04 + 68:11]
[RB]
Do
not miss this rich sampling of Herrmann’s extraordinarily imaginative
and enjoyable film music.
Paul
HINDEMITH (1895-1963) Sonata for Harp see
20th
Century Harp Classics
Alun
HODDINOTT (1929-2008)
The
Ten Piano Sonatas
Martin Jones (piano) rec. 1992
NIMBUS NI5747/8 [63:00 + 64:58]
[RB]
Expressionistic
dreams, Taliessin’s spells and Lisztian coruscation.
RECORDING OF THE MONTH
Heinz HOLLIGER (b. 1939)
Partita see SCHUMANN
Gustav
HOLST (1874-1934) Beni Mora, Japanese Suite, The
Planets
Manchester Chamber Choir, BBC Philharmonic/Sir Andrew Davis rec. 2010
CHANDOS
CHSA5086
[78:24] [BW][DM]
Much
better versions of The Planets are available, some at budget
price, like Davis’s own earlier recording.
Arthur
HONEGGER
(1892-1955) Complete
Violin Sonatas
Laurence Kayaleh (violin) Paul Stewart (piano) rec. 2008
NAXOS 8.572192 [73:02]
[JW]
A
fine guide with performances as subtle as they are perceptive.
Herbert
HOWELLS (1892-1983) Three Pieces see GURNEY
Herbert
HOWELLS (1892-1983)
King David see English
Songs
Engelbert
HUMPERDINCK (1854 – 1921) Hänsel und Gretel
Gisela Litz (mezzo) Rita Streich (soprano) Res Fischer, Münchner Philharmoniker/Fritz
Lehmann rec. 1953
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 94207 [57:23 + 41:10]
[RMo]
A
dull re-issue.
Michael
HURD (1928-2006) Pop Cantatas
New London Children’s Ch & O/Ronald Corp rec. 2009
NAXOS 8.572505 [JS]
Welcome
reminder of a genre that introduced a generation of children to the
pleasures of singing
Mikhail
IPPOLITOV-IVANOV (1859-1935) Caucasian Sketches Reinhold
GLIÈRE (1875-1956) The Red Poppy ballet suite
London PO/Anatole Fistoulari rec. 1956/7
DECCA ELOQUENCE 480 2428 [54:16]
[RB]
A
1950s keepsake of Fistoulari in his element.
Leoš
JANÁCEK (1854-1928) String Quartets 1 & 2 Antonín
DVORÁK (1841-1904)
Cypresses
The Lindsays rec.1991
REGIS RRC1361 [74:54]
[JW]
A
concentrated level of commitment and intensity.
Leoš
JANÁČEK (1854-1928)
String Quartet No. 1, The Kreutzer Sonata (1924) [18:27] String
Quartet No. 2, Intimate Letters (1928) [24:58] Gabriel
FAURE (1845-1924) String
Quartet in E minor, Op. 121 (1924) [29:10]
Medici String Quartet rec. Nimbus Records, Wyastone Leys, Monmouth,
November 1987 (Intimate Letters) and January 1988
NIMBUS NI5379 [72:35] 
[WH]
A
late Fauré masterpiece and Janáček’s two overwhelming quartets
in magnificent performances.
Leoš
JANÁČEK (1854-1928)
String Quartet 1 see SMETANA
Robert
JOHNSON (c.1583-1633) Dances for lute
Nigel
North (lute) rec. 2008
NAXOS 8.572178 [60:17]
[JW]
You
will greatly enjoy North’s well recorded and textually and digitally
elevated performances. He brings things, as ever, vividly to life.
Manolis
KALOMIRIS (1883-1962)
Rhapsodies 1 & 2, In St. Luke’s Monastery, Lyrics,
Minas the Rebel, The Death of the Valiant Woman
Julia Souglakou (soprano) (Lyrics); Eva Kotamanidou (In St. Luke’s
Monastery) Russian State Capella; Karlovy Vary SO/Byron Fidetzis rec.
1992/5
NAXOS 8.572451 [76.38]
[GH]
A
fascinating door opened onto Greek nationalist music.
Mieczyslaw
KARŁOWICZ (1876-1909) Serenade, Violin Concerto
Ilya
Kaler (violin) Warsaw PO/Antoni Wit rec. 2008
NAXOS 8.572274 [51:37]
[JW]
Good
but nowhere near outstanding performances.
Aaron
Jay KERNIS (b.1960) Goblin Market, Invisible
Mosaic II
Mary King (narration) The New Professionals/ Rebecca Miller rec. 2008
SIGNUM CLASSICS SIGCD186 [66:42]
[Byz]
Intoxicating,
outrageous, unforgettable: one of the great musical works of art for
theatre of the 20th century.
Aram
KHACHATURIAN
(1903-1978) Cello Concerto, Concerto-Rhapsody
Marina
Tarasova (cello) Russia SO/Veronika Dudarova rec. 1994
ALTO ALC1130 [63:22]
[RB]
Soviet
style romance dazzlingly lit by searchlights with tungsten filaments.
Joonas
KOKKONEN (1921 – 1996) Wind Quintet see
Arctic Hysteria
Erich
Wolfgang KORNGOLD (1897-1957) Violin Concerto see
TCHAIKOVSKY
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH
Conradin KREUTZER (1780-1849) Grand Septet
Jean-Baptiste
KRUMPHOLTZ (1747-1790) Harp Concerto Giacomo
CONTI (1754-1805) Violin Concerto Johann
Rudolf ZUMSTEEG (1760-1802) Cello Concerto
Joanna Supranowicz (harp) Robert Nasciszewski (violin) Tomasz Strahl
(cello) Rzeszów CO/Grzegorz Oliwa
DUX 0785 [71:23]
[Byz]
Variously
likeable and mellifluous and appealing.
György
KURTÁG
(b.1946)
and Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
Play With Infinity: Extracts from Játékok (1979) and
Átiratok (Transcriptions, 1973)
Jean Sébastien Dureau and Vincent Planés (piano duet) rec. 15-18 July
2010, church of Saint Germain de Talloires (Haute Savoie). DDD
HORTUS 082 [50.10]
[GH]
Nothing
should put you off if you fancy delving into the unique world of Kurtag’s
extraordinary imagination.
Edouard
LALO
(1823-1892) Symphonie espagnole see Heifetz
RECORD
OF THE MONTH Rued LANGGAARD
(1893-1952) Music of the Spheres
Danish Ntl Ch, Vocal Ensemble & SO/Thomas Dausgaard rec. 2009-10
DACAPO
6.220535 [71:53]
[DM]
A
real cracker. Absolutely not to be missed.
Anatoly
LIADOV (1855-1914) Complete Orchestral Works
Krasnoyarsk SO/Ivan Shpiller rec. 2001
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 94077 [76:53]
[RB]
Vividly
recorded and dedicated performances.
Franz
LISZT (1811-1886) Album d’un voyageur: Impressions
et Poésies
Ashley Wass (pno) rec. 2009
NAXOS 8.570768 [78:39]
[BR]
A
fascinating Liszt recital, not just for curiosity-seekers.
Franz
LISZT (1811-1886) Années de Pèlerinage II, Mosonyi's
Grabgeleit, La lugubre gondola 2, Trauervorspiel und Trauermarsch
Michael Korstick (piano) rec. 2009
CPO 777 585-2 [79:56]
[RC]
All
in all, this is an excellent release.
Franz
LISZT (1811 – 1886) The Complete Songs – Vol. 1
Matthew Polenzani (ten.) Julius Drake (piano) rec. 2010
HYPERION CDA67782 [69:49]
[GF]
I
can hardly wait for the next instalment.
RECORDING OF THE MONTH
Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Liebestraum 3, Mephisto 1,
Hungarian Rhapsody 2 see RACHMANINOV
Franz
LISZT (1811-1886) Totentanz see
Reiner
Rarities
Franz
LISZT (1811-1886) Piano Sonata, Mephisto Waltz 1 see
BRAHMS
David
LUMSDAINE (b.1931) White Dawn
Songs and soundscapes
John Turner (recorders) Gemini/Martyn Brabbins rec. 1984-2004
METIER MSV 28519 [60:29 + 59:21]
[Byz]
More
than a full CD's worth of music that any lover of contemporary music
should be familiar with.
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 
