Reviews
Review: Scarlatti: A Man of Genius (Francesco Corti)
In his review, Nicholas Anderson enjoys the bravura of the Italian harpsichordist Francesco Corti’s survey of these evocative solo works by Domenico Scarlatti
Review: Block: Chamber Works (ARC Ensemble)
In his review, Erik Levi enjoys discovering the life and music of exiled Austrian composer Frederick Block in this superb ARC Ensemble album
Review: The Salvage Men (Eric Ericson Chamber Choir)
The Eric Ericson Chamber Choir shine in this outstanding selection of modern works for choir by US composers, says Kate Wakeling in her review
Review: Serpentes Ignei in Deserto (Hasse)
The who’s who of voices in this first recording of Hasse’s operatic Serpentes Ignei in Deserto
make it a hit, says Berta Joncus in her review
Review: Liszt: Piano Concertos Nos 1 & 2 etc (Yoav Levanon)
The young Israeli-French pianist Yoav Levanon goes all in with this sparkling and dramatic display of Liszt, says Rebecca Franks in her review
What's new?
Review: An Atlas of Deep Time (John Luther Adams)
In her review, Rebecca Franks is awed by John Luther Adams’s immersive new work with Earth’s timeline at its heart
Review: Brahms • Schubert: Piano Works (Alexandre Kantorow)
The outstanding French pianist Alexandre Kantorow makes light work of Brahms and Schubert in this exhilarating show, says Jessica Duchen in her review
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
Chamber
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...
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
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
Choral & Song
Pierrot Portraits
Claire Booth and Ensemble 360 deliver a triumphant gallery of ‘Pierrot Portraits’, says Paul Riley in his review
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
Concerto
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
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
Instrumental
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
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
Opera
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
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
Orchestral
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
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