“Paris – La Nuit” by Henri Royet, c.1885
My January choices come as a trio, beginning with Paavo Järvi’s impressive conducting of Bruckner Seven, a very recommendable version in what is a crowded market, http://www.colinscolumn.com/paavo-jarvi-tonhalle-orchester-zurich-record-bruckners-seventh-symphony-for-alpha-classics/; similarly Maria Milstein’s characterful accounts of Prokofiev’s two Violin Concertos prove to be a strong contender in another competitive field, http://www.colinscolumn.com/maria-milstein-records-prokofievs-two-violin-concertos-with-phion-orchestra-otto-tausk-for-channel-classics/. Then there is Les Nuits de Paris, a wonderful collection of insouciant and invigorating nineteenth-century dance numbers played with flair and devotion by the marvellous musicians of Les Siècles and Monsieur Roth, which I have relished again and again, http://www.colinscolumn.com/les-siecles-francois-xavier-roth-record-les-nuits-de-paris-dance-music-from-folies-bergere-to-opera-for-bru-zane/. Each selection is an enchanting encore, Waldteufel’s Skaters’ Waltz and Thomas’s Raymond Overture receive exceptional renditions.