This month’s set of short reviews features Farrenc, forests and French flute

Kalevi Aho Solo works

Sharon Bezaly (flute), Bram van Sambeek (bassoon), Samuli Peltonen (cello), Hiyoli Togawa (viola) et al

BIS BIS-2446

Some of these solo pieces started life as competition works, and it’s easy to see why. They are extremely technically demanding, which may not make for a wholly pleasant listening experience, but the playing is exemplary, particularly of bassoon and flute. (FP) ★★★

Sergio Azevedo Hukvaldy Cycle Ensemble Darcos/nuno Côrte-real Naxos 8.579079

The Portuguese piano quartet commissioned these five pieces from Azevedo, many of which are self-referential, taking inspiration from Janá ek. The writing is colourful, the playing often thoughtful and well shaped. (FP) ★★★

Brahms • R Schumann

Brahms: Seven Fantasies, Op. 116; Two Rhapsodies, Op. 79; R Schumann: Kreisleriana

Elena Fischer-dieskau (piano)

Delphian DCD34255

With a name like Fischer-dieskau, this young pianist has a lot to live up to. But the grandaughter of the famous baritone need not worry, for she holds her own, and then some, in this engaging programme. A rich, resonant and intelligent performance. (MB) ★★★★

Chopin Complete Nocturnes Jan Lisiecki (piano)

DG 486 0761

As he showed in his two previous Chopin releases, the 26-yearold Lisiecki is a player of exceptional poise and refinement. Everything here conveys a sense of ease, the singing line always beautifully brought out in the right hand.

( JP) ★★★★★

Dvo ák

From the Bohemian Forest; Legends

Anna Zassimova (piano),

Christophe Sirodeau (piano)

Melism MLS-CD-027

An enchanting piano four-hands wander through the woods, courtesy of Dvo ák’s evocative scenepainting. The two players seem to relish every shady corner along the music’s winding path. (JP) ★★★★

Farrenc

Music for Violin and Piano Daniele Orlando (violin),

Linda Di Carlo (piano)

Brilliant 95922

The three works here, including a pair of violin sonatas, are wonderfully lively and expressive – as are the performances. It’s the first time I’ve come across Farrenc’s chamber music and it has made me want to hear more. A valuable introduction to an oft-overlooked composer. (MB) ★★★

Pierre Jalbert String Theory Kinetic; Maia Quartet et al

Orchid Classics ORC100177

There’s a thrilling freneticism to Jalbert’s music and it’s a vein which runs through most of these premiere recordings for stringonly ensembles. There are moments of intense introspection, as in Elegy, but it’s the wild and wonderful likes of In Terra which stand out.

(MB) ★★★★

Lachner Symphony No. 6 Evergreen Symphony Orchestra/ Gernot Schmalfuss

CPO 555 210-2

Do give this a try. Dating from 1839, Lachner’s affable Sixth Symphony reminds one a little of Schumann – himself a fan of the work – in one of his more ebullient moods. The earlier Bassoon Concertino has jollity aplenty too. ( JP) ★★★★

Andrew Lloyd Webber Symphonic Suites

The Andrew Lloyd Webber Orchestra/ Simon Lee

Decca 381 9953

The familiar tunes are all there, and they are all well performed and sumptuously recorded. It’s a pleasant listen, but the arrangements occasionally lack pizzazz and imagination – could they have been a little more daring? ( JP) ★★★

Lyadov Choral Works

Academy of Russian Music Chamber Choir/ivan Nikiforchin

Toccata Classics TOCC 0614

We’re well acquainted with Lyadov’s orchestral works, but his choral music remains practically unknown. The works recorded here include religious chants and folksong arrangements. Although the sound could be clearer, the singing is sweet and welltempered. (FP) ★★★

Plakidis Choral Works Latvian Radio Choir SKANI LMIC123

Whether floating ethereally, weaving magically or declaiming boldly, the Latvian composer P teris Plakidis’s varied soundworld is admirably showcased by this superb choir. The title track, M ba (‘Eternity’), is simply mesmerising. ( JP) ★★★★★

Gabriel Prokofiev

Breaking Screens

Gabriel Prokofiev (electronics); Opensoundorchestra

Melodiya MELCD 1002646

These works for orchestra and electronics ‘do not make for easy listening’, the liner notes warn us – a claim I’d dispute. They may be spiky, but the album progresses sumptuously over 16 tracks. It’s visceral, explosive and hypnotic. (FP) ★★★★

Stenhammar Piano Works

Paolo Scafarella (piano)

Piano Classics PCL10225 Stenhammar’s solo piano music has elements of Chopinlike lyricism to it but also reminds me a little of his fellow Scandinavian Grieg, particularly in the dreamy Late Summer Nights. Classy performances that, even in the gutsier Sonata No. 4, tend to avoid fire and brimstone. (JP) ★★★★

Incidental – Music for the Stage Works by Rachel Portman et al Various Artists

Film Trax BFD363

This charity album will appeal to anyone who loves the great works of literature. It’s a musical smorgasbord too, with largely contemporary classical hues, but it’s the performances by the likes of Judi Dench and David Harewood that strike a chord. (MB) ★★★

Lost Times Works by Saint-saëns, Debussy, N Boulanger, Franck Theo Plath (bassoon), Aris Alexander Blettenberg (piano)

Cavi-music AVI 8553037

The bassoon takes centre stage in these works and the result is absolutely captivating. Plath and Blettenberg make magic with Debussy and Franck sonatas; they seem made for the bassoon, even if they were in fact written for the violin. (MB) ★★★★★

Mozart & Flute in Paris

Works by Mozart, Fauré et al Emmanuel Pahud et al

Warner Classics 9029673932

Pahud’s crisply articulated, rigorously controlled playing is the perfect match for these French flute works, some of the most revered in the instrument’s repertoire. The only lesser-known offering is Dreamtime by Philippe Hersant, a stellar example of contemporary writing. (FP) ★★★★

Of Love and War Works by Fauré, N Boulanger, R Strauss, Debussy, Webern and Hindemith

Beatriz Blanco (cello),

Federico Bosco (piano)

Odradek ODRCD418

This is very much an album of contrasts, as Blanco and Bosco explore works written before and during the First World War. Wideeyed optimism gives way to stark reflection, but there’s a deep longing too. Nadia Boulanger’s 3 Pieces is a total delight. (MB) ★★★★

Real Life Works by Louis Cole, Anne Müller et al

Attacca Quartet

Sony Classical G0100045644095

For their first album on Sony, the Attaccas have released something quite different to Orange, their 2019 collaboration with Caroline Shaw. Real Life features arrangements of electronic music tracks in a lively showcase of versatility. The opening track is a riot. (FP) ★★★

A Song in the Wood

Songs by Quilter, Britten, Head and Coates

Duo Daluna

Prospero PROSP0015

Songs of love and loss against a backdrop of an English woodland. It’s an attractive concept and one which is matched by the pristine performance by tenor Remy Burnens and pianist Clémence Hirt. The selection is well considered with some lesser-known gems – like the Coates. (MB) ★★★

Souvenirs

Works by JS Bach, Kodály et al Gautier Capuçon (cello)

Erato 9029669236

To celebrate his

40th birthday, Capuçon presents a three-disc collection of works he has repeatedly turned to throughout his career, with a range of new and old recordings. It’s a charming memento, including some bighitters from the cello repertoire. (FP) ★★★

Reviewers: Michael Beek (MB), Freya

Parr (FP), Jeremy Pound ( JP)