PUCCINI: ORCHESTAL MUSIC, Sinfonia of London, John Wilson/Chandos SACD

Is there a more surprising and satisfying series of recordings being made at present than those by John Wilson and the Sinfonia of London for the enterprising Chandos label? The repertoire has ranged far and wide – a particular winner was Wilson’s take on Respighi’s brilliantly orchestrated Roman Trilogy, complete on one disc and sounding more breathtaking than practically any previous recording. There have been unorthodox choices of repertoirs, which is very much the case with this new collection of orchestral music by Puccini. Some pieces were written directly for the orchestra while others are drawn from the operas, but whatever the source, this is absolute catnip for lovers of the composer and for those seeking unusual repertoire. Recording values and performance are both non-pareil.

WEILL THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS, soloists, Swedish Chamber Orchestra, HK Gruber/BIS SACD

Kurt Weill’s remarkable vocal piece is one of the most effective syntheses of classical and popular music with its haunting mixture of the concert hall and cabaret. Over the years, it has received many winning performances, displaying a wider range of styles than would be possible in most vocal pieces. This is one of the most heartfelt and attractive in the current catalogue.

VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: RISE, HEART, Robert Williams, Sacconi Quartet, William Vann Albion records

There are few singers more in tune with English song than the baritone Roderick Williams, and in particular the matchless compositions of Ralph Vaughan Williams (anyone fortunate enough to have caught his performances in the RVW Opera The Pilgrim’s Progress will have no quarrel with this assessment). This is a particularly tempting selection showcasing the brilliance of the music and the subtleties of interpretation. Five Mystical Songs is performed here in a version for baritone, piano and string quartet, and while most would prefer the richer-sounding orchestral version, there is no doubt that some subtle nuances of the music are explored in this version.

ELGAR THE KINGDOM, Soloists, London Mozart Players, Crouch End Festival chorus, David Temple/Signum

Aficionados of English music will have a special place in their affection for Elgar’s imperishable oratorio The Dream of Gerontius, but attention should be paid to another of the composer’s choral masterpieces, The Kingdom, which has perhaps languished in the shadow its better-known companion for too long. This recording by the London Mozart Players and soloists under David Temple does considerable justice to the music. A special mention must be made for the contribution of the Crouch End Festival chorus, who demonstrate a commitment to the music which is quite formidable.

TCHAIKOVSKY: SYMPHONY NUMBER SIX, MUSSORGSKY: PRELUDE TO KHOVANSCHINA, London Symphony Orchestra, Gianandrea Noseda/LSO LIVE

It has become something of a truism that the London Symphony Orchestra under Gianandrea Noseda are on something of a roll at present, issuing forth a series of performances both in concert and (more relative to this column) on disc freighted with consummate musicality and passion for the music. This latest take on Tchaikovsky’s magnificent Sixth Symphony is well up to par in terms of this golden period, and bristles with an assurance that is unarguable. The Sixth has been fortunate over the years in receiving a succession of highly persuasive performances, but this one is really something special. And Noseda’s achievement illuminates an impeccable performance by the London Symphony Orchestra with the brass section particular reminding us why it has such a gold-plated reputation.

RACHMANINOV: PIANO WORKS, Boris Giltburg, Naxos

This is a program that avoids the overfamiliar (Boris Giltburg and his producer have chosen the Morceaux de Fantasie and the Morceaux de Salon, among other works), and in the crowded field of Rachmaninov piano recitals, this is particularly recommendable. The Morceaux de Fantasie was composed when Rachmaninov was only 19 years old and might initially he perceived as a tyro work, but within a few bars there is no mistaking the composer, even though the influence of Tchaikovsky is apparent throughout the disc. With the sure touch of Boris Giltburg evident on display, this is an essential purchase for lovers of Russian piano music.

STRAUSS: ELEKTRA, soloists, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra Edward Gardner/Chandos SACD

STRAUSS: INTERMEZZO, soloists, Orchestra of the Deutsche Oper, Berlin, Donald Runnicles/Naxos BLU-RAY

These two sets are an attractive duo of entries in the canon of recorded Richard Strauss operas, delivered with some élan, both the fiercely dramatic Elektra with its origins in Greek tragedy and the charming conversational later opera Intermezzo. If neither quite displaces existing recorded takes on these works, they are both competitive. Elektra is granted a recording that has a truly stunning impact – but then we expect no less from the Chandos label. The Deutsche Oper Intermezzo production is notably avant garde, with eccentric staging.

KLETZKI: FOUR STRING QUARTETS, Bacewicz String Quartet

Music lovers of a certain age will be familiar with the reliable conductor Paul Kletzki, but few will be aware of his compositional activities. Michał Bryła recently recorded four string quartets by Kletzki, performed by the Bacewicz String Quartet. Among the four pieces are two world premieres and first performances. Kletzki had hidden a box containing his manuscripts, which were recently discovered. It is from this source that the material for the premiere release of a two-disc album of his works has been takes. This is the world premiere of the entire cycle, but Nos. 3 and 4 have never been performed in public, let alone recorded. as Kletzki, fearing persecution, hid some of his manuscripts, which have recently been discovered.

SYMBIOSIS – TRIBUTE TO BILL EVANS, The Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Thomas Clausen Trio, and Jean Thorel/Pentatone

Aficionados of the best in classically influenced jazz piano playing rate the late Bill Evans as the absolute master of the craft, and this disc is in the nature of a tribute and reinvention. The Pentatone album honours the jazz legend through Palle Mikkelborg’s reimagined Bill Evans Suite, Thomas Clausen’s heartfelt For Pi, and Claus Ogerman’s fully reconstructed Symbiosis.

NEWS FROM NAXOS
The DISC OF THE MONTH on NAXOS highlights Gioachino Rossini’s first and rarely performed opera, Elisabetta Regina D’Inghilterra. Antonino Fogliani conducts the Kraków Philharmonic Chorus and Orchestra together with an outstanding line-up of soloists including soprano Serena Farnocchia in the lead role. The NAXOS AUDIOVISUAL label embraces Christof Loy’s interpretation of a well-known Pytor Ill’yich Tchaikovsky song, None but the Lonely Heart. With the support of Members of the Frankfurter Opern-und Museumorchester, the five leading singers cast in this production expertly drive Loy’s new vision. The three works featured on the new BIS release are the Karelia Suite, Rakastava and Lemminkäinen. The Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra is led by Susanna Mälkki, an expert interpreter of the Finnish composer’s oeuvre. The Christopher Wheeldon Collection on OPUS ARTE celebrates three award-winning contemporary productions for The Royal Ballet, with each featuring designs by Bob Crowley and music by Joby Talbot – the established stellar creative team alongside Christopher Wheeldon.