Nights at the Round Table

Anne – Stravinsky's Les Noces has been my staple listening recently (in preparation for singing in a concert on November 22nd) - what an amazing work! Sarah Connolly's new disc of Schumann lieder for Chandos has also caught my attention; I loved her heartfelt Frauenlieben und -leben. And in the early music sphere, I've lapped up the magnificats and motets of Hieronymus Praetorius sung by the Cardinall's Musick on Hyperion, and enjoyed sampling a bargain 10-disc box of Flemish polyphony.

Dawn – There is so much to choose from this month but standing out in the wealth of Vivaldi releases for me is Carmignola and Mullova's disc - an electric collaboration! Tiberghien's new disc of Brahm's Hungarian Dances on Harmonia Mundi has also been an unexpected highlight.

James – I’ve been dipping into Teldec’s Ligeti Project which contains all the orchestral and chamber orchestral works performed by the Berlin Philharmonic and the Asko and Schonberg Ensembles under Reinbert de Leeuw. Surely the authoritative statement of these mercurial works, though this is perhaps not surprising given that the highly exacting composer was himself present throughout the recording.

Ruth – Albion Records have continued their study of lesser-known Vaughan Williams' works. Where Hope is Shining brings together songs for (mostly unaccompanied) mixed chorus. The result is beautiful; the Joyful Company of Singers has done a fabulous job with these pieces. The Capuçon brothers, alongside Causse and Angelich, have just issued a riveting double disc of Brahms Piano Quartets nos 1 - 3. It's well worth a listen.

Wayne –Joyce DiDonato’s dazzling new release for Virgin Classics, Furore, has barely left my CD player since the beginning of October. The disc features some of Handel’s most beautiful and challenging arias, accompanied by Christophe Rousset and Les Talens Lyriques.