Our collection of 25 further reviews finds surprising combos and new classics
JS Bach Cantatas for Luther Montreal Baroque/eric Milnes, et al ATMA Classique ACD2 2407
A quartet of soloists make up the entirety of the chorus in these surprisingly fullbodied performances of joyful, often winsome cantatas written to celebrate the Lutheran Reformation. (OC) ★★★★
Jeff Beal House of Cards Symphony, etc
Norrköping Symphony Orchestra/jeff Beal, et al BIS BIS-2299
Beal’s symphonic take on his popular TV tunes is a thriller, but the delightful shorter works featuring flautist Sharon Bezaly ultimately steal the show. (MB) ★★★★
Beethoven Piano Trios
Van Baerle Trio
Challenge Classics CC72778
Despite the lively playing of the Van Baerle Trio, this trio transcription – reputedly by the composer himself and his student Ferdinand Ries – clips the wings of his Second Symphony. (RF) ★★★
Braga Santos Piano Concerto, etc Goran Filipec (piano), et al
Naxos 8.573903
The Symphonic Overtures remind one of Vaughan Williams with splashes of Stravinsky; the Piano Concerto, from 30 years later, is spiky and spicy. All good stuff. (JP) ★★★★
Braunfels Quintet for String Orchestra; Sinfonia Concertante Munich Radio Orchestra/ulf Schirmer, et al BR Klassik 777 579-2
Forget the impenetrable booklet note. Just dive into the dense but gorgeous lateromantic sound world of Walter Braunfels, in these heartfelt performances. (RF) ★★★★ Luca Lombardi Flute Works Roberto Fabbriciani (flute)
Kairos 0015033KAI
Contemporary works for a selection of flutes, heavily packed with extended technique and unusual sound manipulation. Listening to it became a little tiresome after a while. (FP) ★★★
Paderewski Piano Works Kevin Kenner (piano)
National Institute Frederyk Chopin NIFCCD 057
Paderewski was a better pianist than composer, but these Chopin-esque pieces are worth hearing, if only to get a fuller picture of the legend. Kenner is a fine advocate. Echoey sound. (OC) ★★★
Prokofiev • Nielsen Concertos Liya Petrova (violin), et al
Orchid Classics ORC 100086 Co-winner of the 2016 Carl Nielsen competition, Liya Petrova turns in a stylish performance of the concerto that brought her success. (JP) ★★★★
Schubert: Schwanengesang; Brahms: Acht Zigeunerlieder
Tim Thorpe (french horn), Christopher Williams (piano) Naxos 8.573815 There’s no real need for these song arrangements in which the horn replaces the human voice, but they’re not bad. Eloquent playing, but sadly some wayward tuning. (RF) ★★★
Schumann • Franck
Berlin Chamber Duo
Hanssler Classic HC18027
Máté Szücs is impressive in these transcriptions, his fortes rich, his pianissimos whispering and seductive. There’s a vocal quality, too, which is why the lieder arrangements also work well. (OC) ★★★★
Sonatas Shostakovich • Schubert String Quartets
Aris Quartet Genuin GEN 18617 Death haunts these two quartet masterpieces, both written by composers facing their own mortality. They are brilliantly played by this young German quartet. (RF) ★★★★
American Concertos Works by Bernstein, Korngold, Rózsa Baiba Skride (violin), et al
Orfeo C 932 182 A
Bad cover design aside, Skride sizzles in this gathering of 20th-century US works. Beyond the Bernstein, Rózsa’s red-hot concerto adds fuel to the fire. (MB) ★★★★
American Symphonies Works by Piston, S Jones, S Albert
London Symphony Orchestra/lance Friedel BIS BIS 2118
The big-country spirit of Copland looms large in these three US symphonies, but also hints of Shostakovich and even Respighi. Worth a try. (JP) ★★★★
Ecoutez Piano works by Debussy, Cage and Takemitsu
Sheila Arnold (piano) Avi 8553257 Sheila Arnold’s effective programme juxtaposes three subtle and varied sound worlds, Takemitsu somehow uniting perfumed Debussy and preparedpiano Cage. (RF) ★★★
Embrace of Fire
Organ works by Naji Hakim Simon Leach (organ)
Metier msv 28583
★akim’s music combines Poulenc mischief with Messiaen mysticism – his organ works traversing the full range of what the instrument can offer. Leach gets some remarkable sounds from his William ★ill. (OC) ★★★ Fragments Works by Ibert, Debussy, Lulos awski, et al
The Juniper Project Divine Art dda 25179 A very palatable set of duets for flute and harp. The tone and control of the flute is particularly commendable, and the repertoire is well considered. (FP) ★★★★
Ingmar Bergman – Music from the Films Works by Chopin, D Scarlatti, Schumann, et al
Roland Pöntinen (piano) BIS BIS-2377 Pöntinen is the star of this celebration of the late director’s love of music and musicians, shared on film often. A suitably atmospheric selection. (MB) ★★★
Lost Saxophone Concertos
Works by Gunaropulos, Pals, et al Olli-pekka Tuomisalo (saxophone), et al Naxos 8.579038
Phyllis Tate’s sprightly B flat major Concerto is the pick of the five works here. Tuomisalo is a characterful soloist, but his ensemble occasionally sounds a little threadbare. (JP) ★★★
Noringen Works by Maria Theresia Paradis, JS Bach, et al Vegard Landaas (saxophone); Anders Eidsten Dahl (organ) Lawo LWC1159 Saxophone and organ: a combination we’re not used to seeing perform Norwegian folk tunes and Baroque. Surprisingly beautiful and rich in tone. (FP) ★★★★
Octets Works by Stravinsky, Peter Eotvos, Alessio Elia, et al
I Solisti Della Scala/andrea Vitello Warner Classics 5419700581
Stravinsky’s Octet for Wind Instruments is the centrepiece of this disc, but the contemporary works surrounding it are not to be underestimated. Controlled performances with superb voicing throughout. (FP) ★★★★
Poetical Humors Works by Dowland, Gibbons, Tidrow, et al Les inattendus
Harmonia Mundi HMM 902610 Baroque music for accordion and viola da gamba, creating a superb balance and sound together. The 2016 work by Thierry Tidrow jars with the traditional pieces, though. (FP) ★★★★
Resurrection
Works by Lutos awski, Kate Whitley and Bryce Dessner
12 Ensemble Sancho Panza SPANPR001 Lutos aski’s murkily intense Musique Funèbre, and Dessner’s modern take on it, are the stand-outs on this thrilling debut album from the exciting young string ensemble. (MB) ★★★★
Rimsky & Co Originals Music for wind band by Russian composers Marine Band of the Royal Netherlands Navy, et al Challenge Classics CCS 40818 Astonishing clarity of sound and texture thanks both to a crack ensemble and the superb recording. Brilliant, effervescent discoveries. (OC) ★★★★★
Scenarios
Piano Works by Richard Harvey John Lenehan (piano)
Altus ALU0013
An undemanding but entirely wholesome set of piano miniatures. The perfect soundtrack to a lazy, rainy Sunday afternoon with a cuppa and good book, maybe. (MB) ★★★
A Toast to Melba
Arias by Gounod, Verdi, Massenet, et al
Lorina Gore (soprano), et al
ABC Classics ABC 481 6297 Nineteenth-century French opera forms the core of this tribute to the great Australian soprano. It’s charming stuff, though rarely hugely thrilling. Full marks for the splendid title, mind. (JP) ★★★ Reviewers: Michael Beek (MB), Oliver Condy (OC), Rebecca Franks (RF), Freya Parr (FP), Jeremy Pound ( JP)