Brief notes

Brahms The Piano Concertos; Six Pieces for Piano, Op. 118 Andrea Kauten (piano); Württembergische Philharmonie Ruetlingen/Timo Handschuh Solo Musica SM441 Andrea Kauten’s somewhat liberal tempos work better at those moments when feeling and expression are paramount (the First Concerto’s sublime slow movement; the late, great Six Pieces for Piano), and less well when drive and momentum are key (both concertos’ opening movements occasionally lose impetus). Strong orchestral support, with brass and percussion particularly forward. (SW) ★★★

Julie Cooper Oculus Various; Her Ensemble/Jessica Cottis Signum SIGCD847 Many will love lying back on the sofa and wallowing in the floaty ambience cannily conjured up in the likes of ILLUSION and ASCENSIO, all performed with polish and presented in sumptuous sound. Those sitting upright may find themselves waiting with increasing impatience for something a little less bland. Spoiler alert: one brief flicker in The Renaissance Suite aside, it never comes. (JP) ★★

Justin Dello Joio Oceans Apart etc Garrick Ohlsson (piano); Boston Symphony Orchestra/Alan Gilbert Bridge Bridge9583 Oceans Apart is a 20-minute one-movement piano concerto that pitches its soloist amid great waves of sound from the vast orchestra – sometimes riding them, sometimes battling furiously against them. That solo part, superbly handled by Garrick Ohlsson in this live performance, has occasional touches of, say, Prokofiev to it, while the orchestral imagery is effective, if at times unsettling. (JP) ★★★★

Dvořák Two Serenades Czech Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra Pardubice Brilliant Classics 97030Dvořák’s captivating Serenades are played with warmth and elegance in these straightforward interpretations. The Serenade for Strings is gentle, golden toned and well balanced, while the Serenade for Winds is vibrant and energetic in the outer movements and introspective in the central Andante. Petr Nouzovský is an attractively fluid soloist in ‘Waldesruhe’ for cello and orchestra, too. (CS) ★★★★

Fauré • Crosse • Ravel Cello Sonata No. 1 etc Alexander Baillie (cello), Nigel Yandell (piano) First Hand Records FHR152Tuneful staples by Fauré and Ravel bookend the more challenging Wavesongs by Gordon Crosse, composed for Baillie in 1983 and depicting a troubling psychological journey as a voyage across the ocean. Baillie