Recording of the month

Monteverdi ‘The Other Vespers’ 

I Fagiolini / Robert Hollingworth 

Decca 

From such an inventive ensemble, we’d have expected something both imaginative and impressive to mark Monteverdi’s 450th anniversary: I Fagiolini do not disappoint!

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Brahms Violin Concerto. Violin Sonata No 1. ‘F-A-E’ Scherzo 

Vadim Gluzman vn Angela Yoffe pf Lucerne SO / James Gaffigan  

BIS 

Whether in concerto or sonata, Vadim Gluzman proves himself a violinist of fine tone, calm control and virtuosity. 

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Handel Water Music 

Göttingen Festival Orchestra / Laurence Cummings 

Accent 

Delightful playing from the Göttingen Festival Orchestra under Laurence Cummings, full of vitality and embodying a truly joyful sense of rapport.

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Leclair Violin Concertos 

Europa Galante / Fabio Biondi vn 

Glossa 

There’s an air of refinement and graceful confidence in these recordings of concertos by French Baroque composer Jean-Marie Leclair that just feels completely appropriate. 

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Alberto Reyes Piano Recital

Alberto Reyes pf 

VAI 

It ‘may be his best yet’, says Jed Distler in praising the latest recording from Uruguayan pianist Alberto Reyes, a musician who evidently should be much better known to us all.

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Fauré ‘The Complete Songs, Vol 2’ 

Soloists; Malcolm Martineau pf 

Signum 

Volume 2 in Malcolm Martineau’s survey of Fauré’s songs pairs some whole cycles with rarities, and follows the first in offering listeners some superb singing.

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Machaut ‘Sovereign Beauty’ 

The Orlando Consort 

Hyperion 

This wonderful disc – the latest in The Orlando Consort’s exploration of Machaut – unites a programme of well-chosen works with performances (and a recording) of great eloquence and clarity. 

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Stanford Choral Works 

The Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge / Stephen Layton 

Hyperion

A celebration of Stanford’s link with Trinity – many of his works were written for the chapel – and of this impressive choir under Stephen Layton’s leadership. 

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Lully Armide 

Les Talens Lyriques / Christophe Rousset 

Aparté 

Leading Lully interpreter Christophe Rousset has assembled an excellent cast for a performance rich in exquisite singing, drama and dancelike momentum.

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‘Visions’

Véronique Gens sop Munich Radio Orchestra / Hervé Niquet 

Alpha 

Admirers of Véronique Gens will know what to expect: namely powerful characterisation, emotional commitment and singing of deeply moving beauty.  

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Andrew Everard, Gramophone Audio Editor, writes: 'This is an almost ridiculously lush-sounding recording, as rich in instrumental tone as it is in the view of the soloist’s voice, but it shines even more spectacularly in the hi-res Qobuz download, the 96kHz/24bit resolution letting it sparkle to thrilling effect. An indulgence? Maybe – but a captivating one in sonic terms as well as in the performances.'

DVD/blu-ray

Verdi Un ballo in maschera 

Sols incl Ricciarelli & Domingo; Royal Opera, Covent Garden / Claudio Abbado 

Opus Arte 

An archive release from Covent Garden, 1975, featuring music-making from such greats as Plácido Domingo and, in the pit, Claudio Abbado.

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Reissue/archive

Rachmaninov ‘The Edison Recordings’ 

Sergey Rachmaninov pf 

Naxos 

A valuable glimpse into the sound world and artistry of one of history’s greatest pianists.

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