This month’s selection includes psalms, songs and music made at home

Agricola • Homilius Easter Cantatas Kölner Akademie CPO 555 332-2 There is a lot to enjoy in these wonderfully upbeat works by two pupils of JS Bach, whose influence is not hard to discern. They benefit here from energetic, enthusiastic performances . ( JP) ★★★★★

Craig Armstrong • Calum Martin The Edge of the Sea The Scottish Ensemble et al Modern 5053859222 This powerful fusion of traditional Gaelic psalm singing and orchestral forces is meditative and beautiful; it’s a gentle collision which really casts a spell on the listener. (MB) ★★★★

Barber • Rachmaninov Cello Sonatas Jonah Kim (cello), Sean Kennard (piano) Delos DE 3574 Impressive performances of a pair of great sonatas, intimately recorded. The repertoire feels lived-in and the playing sounds beyond the years of these two young musicians. (MB) ★★★★

Beethoven Piano Concertos Elisabeth Sombart (piano); RPO Signum Classics SIGCD637 Sombart returns for the third and final instalment of her Beethoven piano concerto cycle.

The Fifth Concerto is paired with the Triple Concerto in this richly textured performance. (FP) ★★★

Brahms Klavierstücke Op. 76; Rhapsodies, Op. 79, etc Peter Orth (piano) Challenge CC 72850 This selection of mature Brahms piano works is performed with great sensitivity and expression by Peter Orth, who injects every note with just the right amount of colour and emotional power. (MB) ★★★★

Brahms Cello Sonatas Nos 1 & 2 François Salque (cello), Eric Le Sage (piano) B Records LBM 028 This lyrical live recording of Brahms’s Cello Sonatas Nos 1 & 2 grows in confidence and clarity as it progresses. Despite a few bumpy lines, it is a thoughtful, delicate interpretation. (FP) ★★★

Leo Brouwer The Book of Imaginary Beings Newman and Oltman Guitar Duo Musicmasters MM1001 A quartet of mythical beasts are depicted by Brouwer with wit and imagination, and played here with aplomb. At just 28 minutes for the whole disc, though, don’t expect a long adventure. (JP) ★★★

Cimarosa Overtures, Vol. 7 Czech Chamber PO Pardubice/halász Naxos 8.574103 Cimarosa’s overtures (he wrote more than 80 operas) blend a refined classical style with Rossini-esque ebullience. It’s interesting music, but not entirely riveting. (OC) ★★★

Sarah Class Natural High, etc Sinfonia Nord, et al Glorious Technicolour GLORIOCD1 Sarah Class’s cinematic textures and mellifluous melodies ebb and flow throughout this effervescent collection of her works for voice, piano and strings, celebrating the glory of the natural world. (MB) ★★★★

C Guarnieri Choral Works; Seresta São Paulo Symphony Orchestra et al Naxos 8.574197 The São Paulo Symphony makes a strong case for 20th-century Brazilian composer Camargo Guarnieri. Crystal-clear and technically sound soloists are balanced perfectly with a lush orchestral backing. (FP) ★★★★

Paderewski Chamber Works S awomir Tomasik (violin), Robert Morawski (piano) Recart RA0037 The Polish virtuoso pianist and politician was also a decent composer – he knew how to put his violinists through their paces and tug on the old heart-strings. Some lovely discoveries here. (OC) ★★★

Jean Roger-ducasse Piano Works Patrick Hemmerle (piano) Melism MLS CD 013 Time for a Jean Roger-ducasse revival! This wonderful recording gives an insight into the French composer’s richly crafted, Fauré-esque music. The three Barcarolles are miniature masterpieces. (OC) ★★★★

Aero Flute Works by John Bilotta, Mari Kotskyy et al Dieter Flury, Dijana Bistrovic (flute) Navona NV 6296 Dieter Flury – former principal f lute of the Vienna Phil – brings a selection of energetic solo and chamber flute works in this fun recording with jazzy inflections. It could sometimes benefit from a crisper sound. (FP) ★★★

Chinese Dreams Works by Ren Guang, Du Mingxin et al Lydia Maria Bader (piano)Ars Produktion ARS 38566 A fascinating East meets-west album, partly of music by composers working within the restraints of Mao’s Cultural Revolution. It’s very beautiful at times. (JP) ★★★★

Codex Jacobides Works by Dowland, M Praetorius, et al Jan i má (lute etc) Supraphon SU 42782 A disc of solo lute works from c1600 may seem a bit niche, but there’s a variety of moods and styles here, from lonely contemplation to lively dance. (JP) ★★★★

Eclectic Currents Works by Andy Akiho, Daniel Wohl et al Calder Quartet Pentatone PTC 5186 942 From Ted Hearne’s shimmering exploration of memory to Nathan Davis’s stratospheric art-music, the Calders prove themselves versatile musicians in this showcase. (OC) ★★★★

Enchantée Songs by Stephen Sondheim, Michel Legrand, etc Marie Oppert (soprano); Orchestre National de Lille Warner 9029527247 Oppert’s passion for this repertoire is without question in these open-hearted performances; the Lille orchestra adds suitable magic and sparkle. (MB) ★★★

History of the Salon Music by Bragos, Spohr, Schubert etc Vaughan Jones (violin), Marcus Price (piano) First Hand FHR80 A pot-pourri of charming, mostly forgotten violin-andpiano miniatures that proved popular as salon entertainment during the 19th century. There is real depth and craft here, too. (OC) ★★★★

Hope@home Works by Max Richter, Schubert, Weber, etc Daniel Hope (violin), et al DG 483 9482 Daniel Hope’s lockdown album is a time capsule of his chamber concert livestreams. Some pieces were rehearsed, others were read on the spot. Schmaltzy but nonetheless soothing. (FP) ★★★

A Journey for Two Works by Xenakis, Kodály, etc Jonian Ilias Kadesha (violin), Vashti Hunter (cello) Cavi-music AVI 8553982 These 20th-century works for violin and cello are beautifully programmed and transition seamlessly. The playing is intuitive and spirited, despite an overarching melancholic mood. (FP) ★★★★

Liszt to Milhaud

Works for Piano Four Hands Sergio Gallo, Zeynep Ucbasaran (piano) Divine Art DDA 25208

In between the

Liszt and Milhaud, this colourful disc features Dvo ák, Bizet and Gounod. At times, the playing lacks pizzazz, and Milhaud’s rooftop ox is sadly leaden-footed. ( JP) ★★

Napoleonian Guitar Sonatas Works by Lhoyer, Carpentras, etc Pascal Valois (guitar), Jacques-andré Houle (violin) Centaur CRC 3733

The charm of this recital, either for guitar solo or guitar with violin, lies in the music’s simplicity of style. It would be even more charming if the violinist played in tune throughout. ( JP) ★★★

The Organ of the Badia Fiorentina Works by Frescobaldi, Byrd etc Giovanna Riboli (organ) Brilliant 95957 Florence’s Badia Fiorentina meantuned organ is a fine Renaissance instrument, shown off in all its colourful glory by Riboli’s programme of Italian, English, Dutch, German and Spanish music. (OC) ★★★★

Solace Works by JS Bach

Ray Chen (violin) Decca 485 1137

This selection of partita and sonata movements, beautifully recorded in lockdown at home and performed with grace and intelligence, is a fine teaser for what would be a great complete cycle. (MB) ★★★★

Trasparente

Works by JS Bach, Holst et al Virpi Räisänen (mezzo/violin), et al Alba ABCD453

Holst’s Four Songs is the inspiration for this set of violin-vocal works, mostly composed for singing violinist Räisänen. At times challenging, humourous and brilliant, her talent is unquestionable. (MB) ★★★ Reviewers: Michael Beek (MB),

Oliver Condy (OC), Freya Parr (FP), Jeremy Pound (JP)