Critics Choice

Strauss, R.: Four Last Songs, etc.

Thielemann, Fleming, Münchner Philharmoniker

"Fleming's voice has gained in distinctiveness and diction, to splendidly dramatic effect, often with a real float at the top." (BBC Music Magazine)

"With her creamy soprano tone, her ability to float a high phrase, and her sustained sense of legato , it's as if Renée Fleming was born to shine in music of Richard Strauss. And so it proves." (Classic FM Magazine)

"The sound is stupendous, Fleming's voice complemented by the Munich Orchestra, with Thieleman bringing out every detail in Strauss's nostalgic orchestration." (Gramophone)

Tchaikovsky: Manfred Symphony; The Voyevoda

Petrenko, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

NAXOS CD OF THE MONTH

"Petrenko seems to have everything going for him: dynamism, taste, confident command and clarity of communication ....What an exciting conductor he is to watch, and, even more so, to hear in action." (The Daily Telegraph)

"The playing has the glow and swagger of an orchestra with supreme confidence in itself and its young Russian conductor." (Sunday Telegraph)

DEBUSSY, C.: Piano Music (Complete), Vol. 4 (Bavouzet) - Images / Etudes

Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, Ralph Couzens, Claude Debussy, Rachel Smith

"For anyone looking for the must-have Debussy collection, Bavouzet is surely the leading contender." (Gramophone)

"Bavouzet's recording contains many beauties: a clear shining tone, elegantly limped turns of phrases and all the virtuoso glitter you could wish for." (Classic FM Magazine)

Debussy, Fauré, Ravel: String Quartets

Quatuor Ébène, A Claude Debussy, Gabriel Faure, Maurice Ravel

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"Interpreters of rare understanding and communicative flair." (The Strad)

"It's hard to imagine performances with more flair, sophistication, eloquence and empathy for the musical language." (Classic FM Magazine)

"Beautifully crafted performances by this young quartet." (Sunday Telegraph)

"There's a fluidity to the Ebene's playing of both works that suits the music character, a mood of wistfulness too that the Ravel especially benefits from." (Gramophone)

"A virtuosic, highly intelligent performance." (Independent on Sunday)

STRAUSS, R.: Salome (Sung in English) [Opera]

Mackerras, Elliott, Burgess, New Philharmonia Orchestra

Vivaldi Cello Concertos

Chang, Warren-Green

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"She plays with such conviction that you feel she too could have been the inspiration for great composers. Chang combines raw emotion with a structural grip that, in its way, is even more remarkable in one so young." (Gramophone)

"Han-Na has an enviable power to move her audiences…sheÂ’s a natural performer whose musicianship is intense, profound and astonishingly mature." (The Strad)

Vivaldi: Concertos for two Violins

Marcon, Carmignola, Mullova, Venice Baroque Orchestra

"I have little but admiration for this sparkling playing with slow movements, in particular those belonging to RV 516 and RV 509 yielding an air of pure enchantment." (BBC Music Magazine)

"A perfect partnership in glorious works that show the poetic side of Vivaldi." (Gramophone)