“Superbly played rumination on meeting of musical minds.” ****

“… this live recording from 2014 sees the Munich Radio Symphony Orchestra under Stefan Blunier give a solid reading, with emphasis given to its obvious Schumann and Wagner-inspired orchestral writing. As Lenore, soprano Michaela Kaune is sometimes threadbare of tone but dramatically convincing, balancing timidity and singlemindedness, while Thomas Mohr copes admirably with the technical demands of Otto, showing off an attractive timbre. And in the thankless role of his fiancée Bertha, Magdalena Hinterdobler shows lovely vocal control and fine, affecting understanding of text.” ***½

“… Gál’s colourful score paints a magical, psychological world, which Andreas Hotz renders vividly with the Osnabrück Symphony Orchestra. Lina Liu sings Lianora with a steely soprano, but her aria Was ist gewesen? (What has happened?) – over anxious, dreamlike glittering in the orchestra – sees it soften. Gritt Gnauck brings an authoritative mezzo to the ‘stony Abbess’, while baritone Rhys Jenkins is an intense Tancred and Ralph Ertel brings a heroic tenor to The Nameless Singer. Soprano Susann Vent-Wunderlich is lady-in-waiting Hämone and bass-baritone Oliver Weidinger is the Chancellor. There are great moments: Ertel’s ‘song of the night’, against lute-like strings, is a highlight, as is the Prelude to Act II. Well worth a listen for anyone interested in a lost treasure of 20th-century opera.” ****

“Wilson reveals the other side of a British film composer… The performances and recording are superb …” ***

“…there is some memorable music to be found with some marvellous moments anticipating the composer’s mature style. This latest installment in Chandos’ survey of Spanish music makes a fine addition to the work’s discography. I admired Mena’s previous release of Falla’s masterworks so his refined ear and idiomatic flair pays dividends here, aided and abetted by superb recorded sound – the haunting opening with offstage men’s chorus ideally balanced and the anvils for once sound convincing. The polished wind and brass of the BBC Philharmonic does justice to Falla’s marvellous orchestral effects … The imported chorus and Latin cast sound suitably authentic …”  ****

“… This fourth release brings concertos Nos 20 and 21, the latter freshened by fingering quirks and cadenzas devised by the maverick Friedrich Gulda… you can’t fault him [Bavouzet] for crystal clarity, ensemble spirit and the springing of pleasant surprises.”

Album of the Week

“… The interplay between the pianist and the woodwind soloists is especially rewarding in these compelling performances.”

“… enthralling performances … as fresh and immediate as they were live… The Dorics (with violinist Hélène Clément playing Britten’s viola) captures every mood, from steely to poetic to tragic, the structure of each work ever clear. Essential listening.”

“… Gardner’s well-drilled, expressive forces have the ever-imposing music’s measure. Todenes gives a beautiful account of the Sanctus… “

"... Stephen Cleobury looks towards the sunset of his long reign at King's with a disc that. frolicsome Monteverdi and celebratory Scheidt aside, consists largely of songful serenity." ****

"... stylistically varied and very enjoyable." ****

"Davies's vocal, Fretwork's cut and thrust and Nyman's singular vision are seemingly perfect bedfellows. This is beautifully melancholic and, by turns, delightfully spare." *****

"Reich played by Reich experts... there's a real depth to every clap, hot and note. The live recording lifts the drama - you feel right on the edge of every beat." ****

"Leighton's Mass is scintillating ... Fort brings out some expressive singing ..." ***

"Their [Belceas Quartet] performances are gutsy, rustic, raw, relentless, pushing tempos and rubatos to extremes. It's thrillingly strange." *****

"... This is simply wonderful stuff." *****