Schubert's 'Wanderer Fantasy' and Schumann's 'Fantasie' are two highly remarkable works: while musically embodying the romantic spirit of the age in their unconventional structures and lyrically imaginative styles, they also act as self-portraits to their creators through the evocation of their creative process. In these new orchestrations by Joseph James, the familiar beauty of the works is rekindled in exciting and fresh interpretations performed by the illustrious English Chamber Orchestra alongside concertante solos from members of the Schubert Ensemble.

The Prayer Cycle is a surprisingly spiritual and moving album masterminded by composer Jonathan Elias, featuring an all-star cast culled from the pop, rock, and world music arenas (including Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Alanis Morissette, Perry Farrell, Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, Ofra Haza, Salif Keita, and more). The album is structured as a nine-movement suite, with each movement dedicated to a different spiritual quality. Elias' material elicits passionate, committed performances from the assembled artists, making it a deeply felt statement on bridging cross-cultural differences.

These three piano concertos are constructed from sonatas by J C Bach. Mozart's poetic lightness of touch he later developed to a very high standard as yet to materialize. Yet they are delightful pieces without the emotion and drama of concertos to come. The disc also features Johann Samuel Schrother's piano concerto in C major, Op. 3 no. 3 a contempary of Mozart. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart wrote the concerto's cadenzas.

This disc makes for a satisfying programme. I agree with its title, too, for although reference books often call Honegger Swiss he was born in Le Havre, became a pupil of d'Indy in Paris, was one of Les Six and died in the French capital. His Cello Concerto is a small work both in style and content, pastorally Gallic in feeling and with a bouncy second section and finale to its single-movement form. This is unfamiliar repertory, well written for the cello, that earns its place in the catalogue.

Radu Lupu and Murray Perahia should have recorded all of Mozart's piano music for four hands, which includes several neglected masterpieces. This disc reflects their ideal partnership, two artists of great sensitivity collaborating in performances that feature constant interplay of parts, alertness to each other's work, and superb playing as individuals. The Concerto for Two Pianos ripples along without a care in the world, just as it should, and the English Chamber Orchestra doesn't seem to care that nobody is conducting it. The pieces without orchestra are a bit less significant (as is the Concerto for Three Pianos), but the playing is so beautiful you won't care.

The performance here of Samson is definitive. It is lively, colourful and highly dramatic. There is no comparison with the tedious performance by the Sixteen on Coro. The performance of the Messiah with limited modern instrumental forces of the English Chamber Orchestra and Chorus with very good soloists doesn't sacrifice grandeur nor does it go to the other extreme of over-blown pomp. It is a very good performamce on modern instruments under the direction of the Baroque music specialist conductor Raymond Leppard.

These recordings of Mozart's concertos for flute and orchestra, and the concerto for flute and harp, were made exactly a decade apart. In the flute concertos (No. 1 in G and No. 2 in D) the accomplished soloist is Karlheinz Zöller, who performs with the English Chamber Orchestra conducted by Bernhard Klee in these 1972 accounts. These are spirited, shapely performances, attractively balanced and nuanced, with rapturous, eloquent readings of both slow movements.

Will Todd is one of the UK's most popular and performed modern choral composers. His output includes works for choir, stage works, and orchestral works, and his music has been featured on BBC Radio 2, 3 and 4 and Classic FM, and performed all over the UK, Europe and the USA. On this disc, Nigel Short conducts superlative performances of his works by his BBC Music Magazine Award-winning choir Tenebrae and the English Chamber Orchestra. This compilation of his works includes the premiere recording of a new commission 'The Call of Wisdom', which on June 5th 2012 will be presented on the occasion of a Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral for the Diamond Jubilee of HM Queen Elizabeth II.

The performance of Radamisto is notable for an array of vocal talent headed by Janet Baker. Every name is familiar and admired. The ECO was a vibrant presence in the Handel operatic and oratorio market at this time and Norrington at the helm ensures that period practices are helpfully integrated into the fabric of a modern instrument performance – recitatives for instance, once the bane of some 1960s and 70s performances, move fluidly and intelligently, highly responsive to textual meaning and dramatic implications. Note Act I’s Reina, infausto avviso when Tigrane and Polissena’s recitative embodies fine pacing, telling rubato, and appropriately coloured accompaniment. Some cuts though were clearly necessary to accommodate the length of the production.

The first pleasant surprise here is the brightness and clarity of the radio broadcast sound; indeed, it is a bit too bright and harsh but better that than muddiness. There is evidently an audience who applaud at the end but otherwise there is no extraneous noise throughout. Secondly, there is the spring and bounce of the English Chamber Orchestra, alertly directed by Baroque specialist Sir Anthony Lewis. Thirdly we hear a first rate cast of splendid voices headed by Janet Baker, an array of voices unequalled in any of the other nine extant recordings.

This is the most complete of the Handel overture discs available. Includes many of the most important overtures from Handel operas. 9 Opera overtures are included- Lotario, Admeto,Alcina, Orlando, Poro, Partenope, Ottone, Aridante, Il Pastor Fido, and the oratorio Esther. Unfortunately however this recording does not include one of Handel's best overtures, that of Faramondo. This is an modern instrument performance by Leppard, a conductor very familar with HIP practices. The performances are exhuberant and vital. This compilation is far superior to the Pinnock performances on Archiv where only 3 opera overtures are performed (on authentic historical instruments) (Agrippina, Teseo, Il pastor Fido) + 2 oratorio overtures (Samson, Saul) and 1 theatrical drama overture (Alceste). A must recording for any Handel collection.

This DVD of the recently issued Britten/Pears mini series recorded by the BBC for television way back in the 1960's and the 70's is for all intents and purposes another resounding success. All four priceless documents were thought lost, but this Idomeneo seems to have had a charmed life more than others. Indeed, three days before the Aldeburgh première, the hall was left in cinders and it is something of a miracle that the television production could actually go ahead.

This is a wonderful performance, certainly without the digital fidelity, given the record date (1969), but for the same reason, with the warmth that many miss in the digital coldness. But the greater excellence of this version lies in the marvelous and powerful female voices: Helen Watts (Dame of the British Empire), the African-Amerincan Reri Grist (Bohm choice for Mozart and Strauss), and above all the huge canadian contralto Maureen Forrester. Simply marvelous, for those that love real music.