Hyperion Records

November 2011 sees a feast of new albums from Hyperion, and with top billing as Record of the Month Stephen Hough gives sparkling performances of the Grieg & Liszt Piano Concertos, Andrew Litton conducting the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra. Less famous are Charles-Marie Widor's contributions to this genre, but Markus Becker and Thierry Fischer demonstrate in The Romantic Piano Concerto – 55 the thrills on offer, the BBC National Orchestra of Wales clearly relishing the opportunity to shine both here and in Vaughan Williams & McEwen Viola Concertos, Lawrence Power the authoritative soloist, and Martyn Brabbins now wielding the baton.

The hugely talented tenor Simon Bode makes his Hyperion debut, joining Graham Johnson in the third volume of our Complete Brahms Songs series. And Martin Baker leads the immaculate Westminster Cathedral Choir in a further addition to their on-going Victoria Masses cycle.

A pair of new recordings from the Takács Quartet presents six Haydn String Quartets, the Opp 71 and 74 of the composer's dazzling maturity receiving surely definitive performances. The striking 1940s cover of the eponymous Boosey & Hawkes publication adorns Jonathan Plowright's expanded Homage to Paderewski, a fascinating journey which introduces eight new composers to the Hyperion piano catalogue.

Re-issues for the month find The King's Consort in ebullient mood with two Purcell Odes, and Piers Lane completing our mini anniversary celebration with enchanting Grainger Piano Transcriptions.