An astonishing account of The Rite of Spring lies at the heart of Stravinsky Music for two pianos four hands; the clinical savagery conjured by Leif Ove Andsnes and Marc-André Hamelin, no less, in the composer's own transmogrification of his seminal work makes for an absolutely extraordinary Record of the Month for February. There's also plenty of bite in three Bach Magnificats: father Johann Sebastian's setting is of course a pillar of the repertoire, but those by his sons Carl Philipp Emanuel and Johann Christian are scarcely less worthy of attention, especially given such energized performances as these from Jonathan Cohen and Arcangelo.

Debussy Songs – 4 is the final instalment in Hyperion's critically acclaimed series. Malcolm Martineau both accompanies and curates this most exquisite of envois, as he has throughout; here, the lion's share is taken by Lucy Crowe's lustrous soprano, with contributions from Christopher Maltman and Jennifer France. Completing a trio of distinguished vocal releases this month, David Hill and the Yale Schola Cantorum follow up the success of their recent Fauré release, demonstrating their versatility by proving themselves equally at home in Palestrina Missa Confitebor tibi Domine & other works.

For Signum Classics the Royal Northern Sinfonia has recorded Dreamsongs & other concertos by Aaron Jay Kernis; these major additions to the repertoire are conducted by Rebecca Miller. Great Cathedral Anthems is a sequence of choir-stall favourites through the ages: David Newsholme directs The Girls and Men of Canterbury Cathedral Choir. Pianist James Rhodes has recorded Fire On All Sides, a personal expression of the cathartic power of music with works by Bach, Beethoven, Chopin and Rachmaninov. Midnight at St Etienne du Mont offers celebrated organist Joseph Nolan the opportunity to follow the fingers and feet of Maurice Duruflé in a programme including an important new tribute by David Briggs.

A new release on LSO Live brings us Haydn's Imaginary Orchestral Journey: an at-times riotous sequence of the composer's most outlandish effusions, the brainchild of conductor Sir Simon Rattle, and a welcomed playground for the expert instrumentalists of the London Symphony Orchestra.

The King's Men return to the King's Cambridge label this month with a freshly eclectic programme of their trademark 'covers': Love from King's effortlessly transports the listener from Scarborough Fair into the œuvre of Messrs Jackson and Bublé …

Oliver Davis' Liberty, his fourth dance-infused album for Signum, finds the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor Paul Bateman unleashing the earworms in the company of violinist Kerenza Peacock and soprano Grace Davidson. Tenebrae and Nigel Short have enlisted the BBC Symphony Orchestra to record an ambitious—and rewarding—programme of Symphonic Psalms & Prayers by Bernstein, Stravinsky, Schoenberg & Zemlinsky.