This month’s selection includes psalms, solo cello and a little bit of festive fare

Arnold Chamber Works

Peter Fisher (violin), Margaret Fingerhut (piano)

SOMM Recordings SOMMCD 0640

A delightful showcase of Malcolm Arnold’s many faces, from nimble, childlike joy to intense darkness. The arrangements, many recorded here for the first time, offer plenty to chew on and enjoy for both performer and listener. Fisher and Fingerhut play with poise and much warmth. (MB) ★★★★

Enescu Works for cello and piano Rudolf Leopold (cello),

Raluca Stirbat (piano)

Paladino Music PMR0104

Spanning nearly 40 years, Enescu’s cello and piano works range in mood from edgy and darkly despondent to deeply romantic. The two instruments are accorded equal importance, which is well brought out in these recordings. (JP) ★★★★

Gavin Higgins

Ekstasis; Ruins of Detroit etc Piatti Quartet; Fidelio Trio Nimbus NI 6421

The different works on this album are testament to Higgins’s imaginative, widereaching approach to composition. Within each piece, there’s a darkness and murkiness. It’s an arresting programme, handled with dexterity and panache by these chamber musicians. (FP) ★★★★

Kapustin Piano Concerto No. 4 etc Wurttembergisches Kammerorchester Heilbronn/frank Dupree (piano) et al Capriccio C5437

Sitting across the gap between classical and jazz, Kapustin’s Concerto for Piano and Violin is largely bluesy in feel, while the Fourth Piano Concerto almost has a touch of rock about it. In both instances, the soloists here meet the technical challenges superbly. (JP) ★★★★

Ligeti Etudes pour piano

Cathy Krier (piano)

Cavi-music AV725444

Titles such as ‘Disorder’ and ‘The Devil’s Staircase’ tell you that these works are more than just exercises, fiendish though they may be. Krier tackles them impressively, though could occasionally be a little punchier, perhaps. ( JP) ★★★

Martin Orchestral Works

Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra/ Tomá Netopil

Supraphon SU42952

Martin ’s orchestral soundworld is distinctly his own, without ever being samey. The vividly painted Les Fresques de Piero della Francesca is the best known work here, though The Parables, mysterious and dramatic in turns, is also well worth getting to know via these excellent performances.

( JP) ★★★★★

Lliam Patterson

Say it to the Still World

Sean Shibe (guitar); Choir of King’s College, London

Delphian DCD34246

This set of works for choir and electric guitar calms and hypnotises. The guitar is at the forefront of the mix, creating ethereal textures which seem to shimmer. The text is felt viscerally, exploring grief, loss and the power of song. (FP) ★★★★

Wolf-ferrari

Overtures and intermezzos Oviedo Filarmonia/friedrich Haider Naxos 8.573582

From The Jewels of the Madonna to Il campiello, Wolf-ferrari was up there with his Italian contemporaries Puccini and Mascagni when it came to writing music that simply basks in the glow of the Mediterranean sun. There’s plenty of warmth in the playing here too. ( JP) ★★★★

Alexander Gadjiev – Live

Works by Haydn, Chopin et al Alexander Gadjiev (piano)

Eloquence ELQ4856488

As you’d expect from a Sydney

Piano Competition winner, Gadjiev’s technique is reliably steadfast in this debut – whether it’s in Messiaen, Chopin or Haydn. He brings an exciting range of colours to the piano throughout. (FP) ★★★★

All the World Tonight Rejoices Works by Judith Weir et al

Truro Cathedral Choir

Regent REGCD560

It’s easy to forget that Truro is the home of the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, but this recording pays homage to that rich history, with 11 works commissioned for these services. The choristers shine in this soothing programme.

(FP) ★★★★

American Originals

Works by Florence Price et al Reginald L Mobley (countertenor) et al Acis Productions APL20445

We are, thankfully, at last becoming aware of the rich seam of composers of colour who have been sidelined by history. The songs by Price are highlights, with the likes of ‘Tobacco’ wonderfully cheeky. Others feel a little too influenced by Western European music to really stand out. (MB) ★★★

American Sonatas for Violin and Piano Works by Ives, Copland and John Corigliano

Adam Bruderek (violin),

Anna Prabucka-firlej (piano)

DUX DUX1744

This Polish duo makes a confident show of three nonetoo-often performed American works. The pieces make good companions, too, particularly the Copland and Corigliano, both of which charm with jaunty gaits and colourful melodic swagger. (MB) ★★★

Cello Unlimited Works by Hans Zimmer, Howard Shore et al

Kian Soltani (cello)

Deutsche Grammophon 486 0518

I love this. Soltani multi-tracks the sounds of his cello (bowed, plucked, drummed) to recreate passages from recent cinema epics. It could have been cheesy, but the result is rather brilliant and sticks close to the spirit of the originals. (MB) ★★★★★

A Ceremony of Psalms

Works by Finzi, Paul Drayton, Owain Park et al

St Mary’s Singers; Abbey Brass et al

FS Records FSR191

There are a couple of premieres here: a trumpet and organ triptych celebrating the Cornish landscape and a choral work conceived as a companion to John Rutter’s Gloria. There’s a lot of drama, but a touch more clarity would add the bite it needs. (FP) ★★

Christmas Bells

Works by JS Bach, Guilmant et al Matthew Owens (organ)

Resonus RES10293

The magic and sparkle of this selection is low key, with Owens presiding over traditional pieces, plainsong, carols and chorales. It’s beautifully articulate, though, and it creates a soothing atmosphere that totally transports you to a quiet pew in Belfast Cathedral. (MB) ★★★

Christmas Carols with

The King’s Singers

Works by Bob Chilcott et al

The King’s Singers

Signum Classics SIGCD683

You had me at ‘The King’s Singers’. What’s not to love? It’s a typically varied programme which reaches across the decades, performed with pitch-perfect vivacity and no small amount of joy. Very glad tidings. (MB) ★★★★

Christmas Harp

Works by Tchaikovsky et al Xavier de Maistre (harp)

Sony Classical G010004561182M (digital only)

Now and then, this does have the feel prancing through a snow-bedecked, chocolate-box Swiss village. In general, though, it’s a nicely varied recital of festive music from across Europe, with some enchanting arrangements along the way. ( JP) ★★★

Christmas Piano

Works by JS Bach, Holst et al Martin Statdfeld (piano)

Sony Classical G010004591880M (digital only)

Born out of a social media series of musical Advent snapshots shared during the 2020 lockdown, this latest recording pairs arrangements of old favourites and Stadtfeld’s own compositions for solo piano. The highlight is a characterful cycle of short piano pieces. (FP) ★★★

Enargeia

Works by Sarah Kirkland Snider, Hildur Guðnadóttir et al

Emily d’angelo (vocalist)

DG 486 0536

The 26-year-old mezzo makes her debut on DG with a selection of short works by four female composers. There is a shimmering, hypnotic quality to her performances of songs by Gu nadóttir, but the Kirkland Snider is a little schmaltzy in comparison. (FP) ★★★

The Knights Before Christmas Carols and Traditional Songs

The Knights et al

Bright Shiny Things BSTC-0159

A multitude of styles and sounds pervade this sparkling seasonal set from New York-based ensemble The Knights. There are guest stars aplenty, too, with wonderful turns from Anthony Roth Costanzo and Wu Man among others. Good cheer and big hearts. (MB) ★★★★

Reviewers: Michael Beek (MB), Freya

Parr (FP), Jeremy Pound ( JP)