Our collection of 25 further reviews takes in poems, folksongs and new works

Antheil Piano Works Judy Pang (piano) Toccata TOCC 0447 Forget Antheil’s ‘bad boy of music’ tag. Played here with character and verve, his late piano works are full of wit, often surprisingly touching and very rarely dull. (JP) ★★★★

Beethoven Piano Works Pavel Kolesnikov (piano) Hyperion CDA68237 Unexpected tempos, but the atmosphere is unmistakable. Kolesnikov finds nocturnal quietude in the Moonlight Sonata, and his lucid, thoughtful approach pays off elsewhere too. (RF) ★★★★★

Bloch Works for Piano and Orchestra Jenny Lin (piano), et al SWR Music SWR19420CD Bloch’s style is farreaching, from the laconic Concerto Grosso No. 1 to the Prokofievian fizz of the Concerto symphonique. Lin's performances are precise and engaging. (OC) ★★★★

Chopin • Schumann • Grieg Works for Cello and Piano Inbal Segev (cello), Juho Pohjonen (piano) Avie AV2389 Pohjonen’s pianism is an equal partner to Segev’s verve in this bejewelled selection. This natural recording has a distinctly live quality. (MB) ★★★★

Hindemith Das Marienleben Juliane Banse (soprano), Martin Helmchen (piano) Alpha Classics Alpha 398 This song cycle traces the story of Mary from birth to death. Juliane Banse, despite a slight edge to her voice, gets to grips with every word of Rilke’s poetry. (RF) ★★★★

Ketil Hvoslef Chamber Works Gary Peterson (trumpet), et al Lawo LWC 1156 A dynamic and energetic selection of chamber works, part of a larger project to showcase the works of this Norwegian composer. Rhythmic, exciting and delivered with precision. (FP) ★★★★

Mendelssohn Symphony No. 2 NDR Radio Philharmonic/ Andrew Manze Pentatone PTC 5186 639 Mendelssohn’s Symphony-cantata, the Hymn of Praise, is given a zesty and joyful performance. Manze encourages transparent textures and clean lines. (RF) ★★★★

Schumann Fantasiestucke; Novelletten Martin Ivanov (piano) Gramola 99177 I enjoyed Ivanov’s depth of tone and technical mastery, but sometimes wanted a little more consistency of phrasing. That said, this is an accomplished performance. (OC) ★★★★

Spohr Sonatas for Harp and Violin Masumi Nagasawa (harp), Cecilia Bernardini (violin) BIS BIS 2302 Given the two instruments involved, the overall mood here is largely one of serenity. There is, though, plenty of sparkle, joyfully explored by the excellent Nagasawa and Bernardini. (JP) ★★★★

Stravinsky The Soldier’s Tale LSO Chamber Ensemble, Malcolm Sinclair (narrator) LSO Live LSO5074 A vivid live recording of the perennial classic, let down a little by the narration. Though not without nuance, it’s borderline hollered in places. (MB) ★★★

18th-century Neapolitan Flute Sonatas Works by Stulichi, Calandro, et al Renata Cataldi (flute) et al Dynamic CDS7819 Many composers favoured the flute in 18th-century Naples. The sonatas here aren’t masterpieces, but they’re delightful and played with subtlety and grace. (OC) ★★★

And So It Goes Songs of Folk and Lore The Elora Singers/noel Edison, et al Naxos 8.573861 An imaginative programme that links Canada, the US and the UK. Though one or two of the arrangements verge on the twee, the singing is generally very polished. ( JP) ★★★★

Bantock Rediscovered Piano works by Sir Granville Bantock Maria Marchant (piano) Somm Recordings SOMMCD 0183 A delightful selection of pieces, previously unrecorded. The light frippery on display is balanced by more calculated offerings like Memories of Sapphire. (MB) ★★★★

Beethoven’s Celtic Voice Folksong arrangements Lorna Anderson (soprano), et al Gramola 99174 We often think Beethoven only cared about art, but money mattered. His saleable folksong accompaniments are performed with considerable charm. (RF) ★★★

Boethius Songs of Consolation Sequentia Glossa GCD 922518 The fifth-century Roman philosopher's reflections on life were set to simple music by medieval musicians. Sequentia brings the melodies to life with beautiful counterpoint. (OC) ★★★★

The Celtic Lute Lute Works Ronn Mcfarlane (lute) Sono Luminus DSL-92225 A beguiling recording by the US lutenist which beautifully balances traditional Scottish and Irish tunes with works by Turlough O’carolan (MB) ★★★

French Moments Piano trios by Roussel, Debussy and Fauré Neave Trio Chandos CHAN 10996 Roussel’s rarely heard Piano Trio is by no means overshadowed by the more familiar Debussy and Fauré. The performances balance passion with sensitivity and grace. (JP) ★★★★

Mortality Mansions Songs of Love and Loss after 60 Michael Slattery (tenor), et al Delos DE3548 Poetry by a former US Poet Laureate is translated into a song cycle in a moving tribute to old age. Great articulation and a recitative like style. (FP) ★★★

Musica Nova Harmonie des Nations 1500-1700 Hesperion Xxi/jordi Savall Alia Vox AVSA9926 Jordi Savall’s imaginative programmes keep coming – this one is a lovely collection of music from across Europe. The performances are utterly fresh and full of energy. (OC) ★★★★★

Alexander Panfilov: Piano Recital Works by Seco de Arpe, et al Alexander Panfilov (piano) Naxos 8.573846 Manuel Seco de Arpe’s engaging Anamorfosis is the highlight of this recital disc showcasing the young winner of the 2016 Jaén Prize International Piano Competition. ( JP) ★★★

Drew Petersen Piano works by Ives, Carter, et al Drew Petersen (piano) Steinway & Sons 30095 A really stunning, full-bodied sound makes this disc shine. Petersen showcases American piano works with superb technique and measured voicing. A very palatable selection. (FP) ★★★★

Unexplored Works by Cassado, Tchaikovsky, Rudnytsky, et al Nada Radulovich (cello), Cullan Bryant (piano) Navona Records NV6171 A selection of debut recordings and new cello transcriptions. The programme is varied but crying out for more careful, considered phrasing. (FP) ★★

Venice 1629 Works by Castello, Monteverdi, Marini, Schutz, et al The Gonzaga Band Resonus Classics RES10218 A crisp and vivid evocation of the milieu of Venice, 1629. That was the year Heinrich Schütz went to Venice and encountered the music of Monteverdi and his acolytes. The playing is faultlessly stylish. (RF) ★★★★

With Harmony of Soul and Song Songs by Hubert Parry Jeremy Huw Williams (baritone), et al EM Records EMR CD053 Williams breathes rich life into this selection of light and romantic songs that overshadow a world premiere recording of the drearier Three Odes of Anacreon. (MB) ★★★

Works for Accordion Works by Toshio Hosokawa, Uros Rojko, Georg Friedrich Haas, et al Runaway Trio Orlando Records OR0035 The accordion as you’ve not heard it before. Six works by contemporary and modern composers, showcasing the instrument’s unusual techniques and timbres. (FP) ★★★★ Reviewers: Michael Beek (MB), Oliver Condy (OC), Rebecca Franks (RF), Freya Parr (FP), Jeremy Pound ( JP)