Reviews by Charlotte Gardner 
Septem verba a Christo (Sophie Karthaüser, Christophe Dumaux, Julien Behr, Konstantin Wolff, Academie für Alte Musik Berlin/Rene Jacobs)Giovanni Battista Pergolesi
In its own way, the Seven Words of Christ is just as sublime as the Stabat Mater.
Pictures, Sarcasms & Visions (feat. piano: Steven Osborne)Modest Mussorgsky / Sergei Prokofiev
This sensitive, dynamic recording is a joy, and may even constitute a revelation.
Artaserse (Philippe Jaroussky; Max Emanuel Cencic; Coro della Radiotelevisione svizzera; Concerto Koln; conductor: Diego Fasolis)Leonardo Vinci
Vinci’s final opera possesses extraordinary energy and some beautiful moments.
Harpsichord Concertos (Retrospect Ensemble; harpsichord/director: Matthew Halls) Johann Sebastian Bach
A fresh-feeling recording of ear-popping brilliance.
Voice in the Wilderness, Schelomo, From Jewish Life; Kol Nidrei (cello: Natalie Clein; BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra; conductor: Ilan Volkov)Ernest Bloch and Max Bruch
A lovely piece of programming, tenderly performed.
Veni, Veni, Emmanuel - MacMillan Series Vol 1 (Netherlands Radio Chamber Philharmonic; Colin Currie; Gordan Nikolic) James MacMillan
A tour-de-force world premiere is the star attraction of this great release.
Paris & Vienna (piano: Gottlieb Wallisch)Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
The pianist presents much to appreciate, not least the simple grace of his expression.
Requiem (Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge; conductor: Stephen Layton)Herbert Howells
A glorious celebration of Howells' sacred output.
A Song of Farewell: Music of Mourning & ConsolationPaul McCreesh / Gabrielli Consort
Contrasting yet complementary, this is guaranteed to draw you into reflection.
This Is the Day: Music on Royal OccasionsJohn Rutter and the Cambridge Singers
Sacred choral easy listening of the highest standard.
Piano Concertos 1 & 2 (Danny Driver; BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra; conductor: Rory MacDonald)Erik Chisholm
Striking and brilliantly performed music that mixes its influences beautifully.
String Quartet, Piano Trio, Deux Danses, ReverieClaude Debussy
A confident, vital, lyrical reading of the Quartet, plus delightful extras.
Works for Solo Piano: Volume 1 (piano: Barry Douglas)Johannes Brahms
A triumph of Brahmsian thought, with playing that gets right to the heart of the composer.
Kindertotenlieder / Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen (contralto: Sara Mingardo; cello and conductor: Luigi Piovano; Musici Aurei)Gustav Mahler
One of the most expertly compiled and emotively performed programmes around.
Breakfast at Tiffany's - 50th Anniversary EditionHenry Mancini
If you don't yet own this Oscar-winning soundtrack, this is the version to go for.
Poèmes Renée Fleming
After a diversion into rock territories, this finds Fleming back where she belongs.
Songs: The AirmenMartin Shaw
This revisiting of Shaw’s songs has produced some ear-pricking results.
The Christmas AlbumLibera
What’s a wide-ranging programme on paper is delivered with single-flavour monotony.
Requiem; Cantique de Jean Racine (conductor: Paavo Järvi; Choeur de l'Orchestre de Paris; Orchestre de Paris)Gabriel Fauré
A beautifully warm, full sound which colours both timbre and interpretation.
Acallam na Senórach / An Irish Colloquy (National Chamber Choir of Ireland; guitar: Stewart French; Paul Hillier)Tarik O'Regan
Demonstrates O'Regan's natural feel for the voice, and his strong rhythms.
Ocean's Kingdom (conductor: John Wilson; The London Classical Orchestra)Paul McCartney
McCartney is out of his depth on this four-movement piece for the New York City Ballet.
In the BeginningChoir of Merton College, Oxford
A stunning recording debut, and a choir to keep an eye and ear on.
Seeing Is Believing (conductor: Nicholas Collon; violin: Thomas Gould; Aurora Orchestra)Nico Muhly
Capable of beguiling listeners of all ages, experts and newcomers alike.
MotetsAnton Bruckner
A disc to be revisited and savoured again and again.
St John PassionJohann Sebastian Bach
A little slice of musical heaven.
Bullets & Lullabies James Rhodes
An overwhelmingly accessible package that screams mass market youth appeal.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1Alexandre Desplat
Menacing, comforting, magic-tinged, powerful and fragile all in one.
Three Baroque TenorsIan Bostridge
His smooth, supple voice is well able to deal with the multiple styles.
The NutcrackerPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Rattle has taken his 20th century expertise and brilliantly applied it to Tchaikovsky.
Symphony 4 (John Eliot Gardiner)Johannes Brahms
A reassessment of how Brahms' fourth and final symphony should be understood.
The Armed Man: A Mass for PeaceKarl Jenkins
This expertly performed recorded version gives a good flavour of its live power.
Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin Johann Sebastian Bach
Silvery, bright and pure, Khachatryan delivers a deeply expressive interpretation.
FictionQuatuor Ébène
A triumph of originality and verve.
The Piano Concertos Béla Bartok
Bavouzet's energy and lightness make the most of the jubilant, rhythmic writing.
Symphony No.4 / Fragments from Kanon PokajanenArvo Pärt
Each movement has its own character, motifs binding constituents into a wonderful whole.
Cello Symphony / Cello Suite No.1Benjamin Britten
Bursting with contemplative beauty, instinctive phrasing, full-toned radiance.
Concerti Grossi Opus 6Georg Frederic Händel
The Avisons achieve what every composer hopes for, to move the listener's spirit.
Gloria / Te Deum (London Symphony Orchestra; National Youth Choir of Great Britain; soprano: Hayley Westenra)Karl Jenkins
Faultless musicians flesh out Jenkins’ new choral work superbly well.
Cantiones Sacrae 1612 (Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge/Richard Marlow)Peter Phillips
This feels like choral perfection… Fabulous stuff.
Passion & Division (feat. viola: Susanne Heinrich)Tobias Hume
Heinrich delivers a masterful performance, breathing life into aged material.
TenorRolando Villazon
Villazon is a great singer and performer, but Tenor does not capture him at his best.
Missa S. Emidio (feat. cond.: Claudio Abbado, orch.: Orchestra Mozart)Giovanni Battista Pergolesi
Feels like musical perfection. Just go listen, and enjoy.
Chopin: Cello Music Frédéric Chopin
Imbued with a youthful enthusiasm underpinned by interpretational maturity.
Before Life and AfterBenjamin Britten
A satisfying recital on every level.
Organ Concertos Op.7 Georg Friedrich Händel
An intensely enjoyable listening experience.
Messa da RequiemGiuseppe Verdi
Without a doubt, this will prove to be a seminal recording.
Complete Works for Piano, Volume 5 (feat. pianist: Jean-Efflam Bavouzet)Claude Debussy
A musical adventure, and Bavouzet has more than achieved what he set out to do.
SacrificiumCecilia Bartoli
Confirmation that Bartoli remains one of today’s greatest artists.
Bach Brandenburg ConcertosEnglish Baroque Soloists, Kati Debretzeni (violin) / John Eliot Gardiner
Stands up on its own, quite simply as a smashing performance.
Piazzolla and Beyond (London Concertante)Various Artists
A riveting, dramatic, and even sexy listen.
