Classical: New Releases

Elgar Falstaff/Sanguine Fan

English Northern Philharmonia/ Lloyd-Jones (Naxos)

Average as opposed to excellent account of Elgar's symphonic portrait of Shakespeare's portly knight. Lloyd-Jones and the ENP capture the broad sweep of Elgar's score but some details are lost, especially as the recording quality doesn't really register the full orchestral range. Still, the 18-minute Sanguine Fan ballet score is a timely filler. HHH

Janacek Violin Sonata/Capriccio

Ildiko Line/Thomas Hlawatsch/ Wind Ensemble (Naxos)

Useful coupling of two late Janacek masterworks. Line and Hlawatsch provide a nicely shaded and animated Violin Sonata, then it's the turn of the unusually scored Capriccio. Gritty and demanding though the score is, the sound is appealingly Eastern European and the mood aptly festive and pagan. HHHH