Our collection of 25 further reviews feature big stars and musical stargazers

Beethoven Mass in C minor etc Radio Symphony Orchestra and Choir/ Mariss Jansons et al BR Klassik 900170 Thrilling playing and solid singing from a reliable crack team – the superb recorded sound brings Beethoven’s liturgical work to almost operatic life. (OC) ★★★★★

Blackford Seven Hokusai Miniatures etc

Solem Quartet et al Nimbus NI 6379 Whether writing for quartet or children’s choir, Blackford’s take on oriental themes is often engaging. A shame that some of the playing is a little ragged. (JP) ★★★

Cardoso Requiem etc Cupertinos/luis Toscano

Hyperion CDA68252

Dubbed ‘the national team of Portuguese polyphony’, Cupertinos’ debut disc showcases their fellow countryman Manuel Cardoso (1566-1650). Beautifully sung by unaccompanied voices, this programme of devotional music is built around the contemplative Requiem. (RF) ★★★★

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Hoppstock Willcocks

Guitar Works

Tilman Hoppstock (guitar) et al Christophorus CHR 77431

Although the audible breathing is a little off-putting on this disc, as a collection of miniatures, sketches and studies for guitar it is really rather lovely. Very atmospheric, with clean technique. (FP) ★★★

Jolivet Flute Works Hélène Boulègue (flute) et al Naxos 8.573885

A valuable foray into a 20th-century French composer who championed the flute. The start of a promising and valuable journey, this. The Sonata is especially haunting. (OC) ★★★★ Maier Piano Trio in E f lat etc Bengt Forsberg (piano) et al db Productions DBCD188

There’s gorgeous playing in this final disc in a trilogy exploring the music of Amanda Maier, which surveys a Brahmsian vein of Romanticism. The recorded sound is sometimes congested. (RF) ★★★

Mendelssohn Chamber Works Guadalupe López Íñiguez (cello) et al Alba ABCD 434

Mendelssohn’s cello works call for spirited playing, which is what we get here. The Erard piano sparkles; the cello playing, despite a few intonation and technical issues, is bold and confident. (OC) ★★★

Nepomuceno

Symphony in G minor

Minas Gerais Philharmonic Orchestra/ Fabio Mechetti Naxos 8.574067 Nepomuceno, who lived at the turn of the 20th century, revels in his South American heritage in the Brazilian Suite, while his Symphony has a Mendelssohn-like feel. Uplifting stuff. (JP) ★★★★

Thomas Wilson

Symphonies Nos 3 & 4 RSNO/RORY Macdonald Linn CKD 616 This was a fascinating discovery. Wilson – a 20th-century Scottish composer – has clearly been overlooked. ★is writing is colourful, dynamic and cinematic, and it is delivered with real panache here. (FP) ★★★★

Wolf-ferrari Piano Works Costantino Catena (piano)

Brilliant Classics 95868

Wolf-ferrari, better known for his operas, is comparatively restrained in his piano writing. If some of it sounds like a workaday version of Chopin, it does also have a certain lyrical charm. (JP) ★★★ Woyrsch Symphonies Nos 4 & 5 NDR Radiophilharmonie/thomas Dorsch CPO 555 0632

A contemporary of Richard Strauss, Woyrsch’s orchestral soundworld is similar to the great German’s, though, on the evidence of these two works, not remotely as memorable. (JP) ★★★

Xenakis Pleiades

Decibells Genuin GEN 19633

With percussionists on speciallydesigned metal instruments moving in and out of sync, this is an abrasive listen at times. The movement with drums is much more meditative. (FP) ★★★★

The Ascension

Works by Duruflé, Liszt et al Aleksandr Nisse (organ)

Selby Abbey Organ Masters SAOM004 Nisse is a talented player – his Messiaen registrations are thrilling, his Duruflé snappy, his energy palpable. The Langlais-esque Six Pièces by Danielle Salvignol-nisse, are enchanting. (OC) ★★★★

Ascent Works by Assad et al Matthew Lipman (viola) et al

Cedille CDR 90000 184

A rediscovered Shostakovich impromptu and a resplendent new work by Clarice Assad, in memory of Lipman’s mother, are just two of the treats on this flight of fantasy. (MB) ★★★★

Citizen Works by Grant Still et al Bruce Levingston (piano)

Sono Luminus DSL-92228

An intriguing and valuable concept lies behind this disc: what does it mean to be a citizen and a human? Sadly, the music doesn’t live up to the grand vision – and despite interesting premieres and sensitive pianism nothing makes a profound impact. (RF) ★★★ Concertos on Marimba

Works by Vivaldi, Séjourné et al Fumito Nunoya (marimba) et al

Oehms Classics OC 1891

This gloriously played disc explores the marimba in various guises, from nimble Baroque stick-work in a transcription of Vivaldi to Nobunaga’s atmospheric concerto. (JP) ★★★★★

A Different Forest

Piano works by Hauschka Hauschka Sony Classical 19075842422 There’s sunlight and shadow in these introspective and occasionally affecting solo piano pieces. Definitely one for postclassical lovers. (MB) ★★★★

Double Trouble

Works for piano four hands

David Huang & Bengt Forsberg (piano) db Productions DBCD189

★uang and Forsberg invite us into their salon for piano duet frolics – 17 premiere recordings of works by composers including Röntgen and Chaminade are played with a sense of fun. (OC) ★★★★

Enchanted Isle

Works by Barber, Tavener et al Voces8 Decca 483 4670

As a concept, this collection of songs inspired by rugged British landscapes is intriguing. The delivery is powerful, but borders on twee at moments and is a little wearing. (FP) ★★

Et la lune descend

Piano works by Debussy

Olga Stezhko (piano)

Palermo Classica 193428133419

Olga Stezhko plays Debussy with clarity and warmth, the dry recorded sound allowing every nimbly-articulated note to come through. Some more atmosphere would be nice at times. (RF) ★★★★

Hope Works by Robert Buckley, Cindy Mctee et al

North Texas Wind Symphony et al GIA CD 1055

A dramatic selection of works for wind orchestra by living composers, albeit a little directionless. The levels needed adjusting at some points – the trumpet was lost in the concerto. (FP) ★★★

Nocturne Piano works by Vangelis Vangelis (piano) Decca 7702214

With a layer of synths doubling the piano, and a lot of reverb, this is unmistakably Vangelis. New works outweigh the old here, but the old ones remain the best. (MB) ★★★

So Many Stars Works by Alwyn, Frances-hoad et al

Fenella Humphreys (violin),

Nicola Eimer (piano)

Stone Records 5060192780826

I’ve enjoyed this seletion of violin sonatinas more and more with each listen. A winning duo performance by ★umphreys and Eimer and a fine recording to boot. (MB) ★★★★

Sweeter than Roses

Songs by Henry Purcell

Anna Dennis (soprano) et al

Resonus Classics RES10235

Anna Dennis sings Purcell with chaste beauty, dignified and cool as marble. The disc offers a rewarding programme of songs, interwoven with two instrumental suites, but as a whole was hard to warm to. (RF) ★★★

Titanic Double Bass

Works by Schubert, Eccles et al David Daly (double bass) et al

David Daly Music DDM 001

A noble pursuit that showcases the range of the mighty double bass well; that said, it’s a breath of fresh air when the piano appears in the Schubert. (MB) ★★

Reviewers: Michael Beek (MB),

Oliver Condy (OC), Rebecca Franks (RF),

Freya Parr (FP), Jeremy Pound ( JP)