Reissues Reviewed

Antheil Sonatas for Violin and Piano Nos 1-4

Avi 8553239 (2017) 78:49 mins

Suitably physical performances by Alessandro Fagiuoli and Alessia Toffani as they hammer and scratch through disconcerting sonatas by the musical futurist Antheil. Heard singly, they’re fascinating; in bulk, exhausting. ★★★

Dodgson Piano Trios & Bagatelles

Claudio CC5257-2 (2002) 63:50 mins

Quick-witted, pungent, fanciful: just the intriguing music a distant relative of Lewis Carroll with a love of Janácˇek might have written. Persuasive performances from the Bernard Roberts Piano Trio. ★★★

Poulenc Chamber music

Indésens INDE114 (2009) 105:09 mins (2 discs) Insouciance, melancholy and French charm bubble out of the ten sonatas, trios and whatnots superbly played by Orchestre de Paris musicians and pianist Claire Désert. A vivid recording, too. ★★★★

Rachmaninov Cello Sonata; Prokofiev Cello Sonata; Popper Dance of the Elves

Alto ALC 1373 (1950-61) 76:07 mins

The heartfelt glow of Mstislav Rostropovich’s cello is the dominant virtue in these passionate performances with Sviatostav Richter or Lev Oborin as pianists. Recording quality varies, but not the music’s. ★★★★