Two centuries after they were written, the 24 Paganini Caprices still test the technical limits of what is possible on the four strings of a single violin. And when that violin is in the hands of Alina Ibragimova, the results are guaranteed to astonish: May's Record of the Month showcases some of the most fabulously assured violin playing imaginable.

Volume 5 of The Complete Mendelssohn Solo Piano Music is the next eagerly awaited instalment of a series in which Howard Shelley systematically explores a largely unfamiliar area of the composer's output. The repertoire here—which contrasts the great Variations sérieuses with a selection of lighter works—is a delight. The name may be unfamiliar, but equally abundant discoveries are in store with the Exotic preludes & Impressions of Pancho Vladigerov. Nadejda Vlaeva is not only a wonderful pianist—the music's demands are daunting—but she also has a rare talent for discovering works as rewarding as these.

An occasional series dedicated to choice selections of our all-time favourite recordings—ones you might possibly have missed? This time: Miserere – A sequence of music for Lent, St Joseph, and the Annunciation from Westminster Cathedral Choir (‘nobody could remain untouched by the profound beauty and timelessness of this music’—International Record Review), Mozart Piano Quartets from Paul Lewis and the Leopold String Trio (‘pure joy from first to last’—BBC Music Magazine), and Rachmaninov's Vespers from the Corydon Singers (BBC ‘Building a Library’ Best Recording). If you don't know them already, a track from each is included on our monthly sampler which is free to download.

Julian Bliss has made a new recording for Signum which features the two wonderful Brahms Clarinet Sonatas. These late works are jewels in the instrument's repertoire and are here sympathetically performed with pianist James Baillieu. Completing the album is Bliss's own instrumental arrangement of the Vier ernste Gesänge, works also from the last years of Brahms's composing life.

The Choral and organ music of Gerre Hancock remains relatively unknown beyond his native USA, more's the pity. His successor-but-two as Director of Music on New York's Fifth Avenue, the English Jeremy Filsell, aims to redress the balance with this fine recital performed by The Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys. Also on Signum is the Lim Fantasy of Companionship, a concert work of themes from Alan the musical here performed by pianist Tedd Joselson, the London Symphony Orchestra and more.

St John's College Choir Cambridge has recorded a second volume in its Magnificat mini-series on Signum. Conductor Andrew Nethsingha builds a programme of favourite, and varied, canticles spanning much of the twentieth century, and includes the first recording of a new set commissioned by the college from Julian Anderson.

On their own LSO Live label, the London Symphony Orchestra presents new recordings of Vaughan Williams Symphonies Nos 4 & 6. As conductor Antonio Pappano notes, these recordings were captured live on dates of particular national tension, something which infused atmosphere and players with almost preternatural determination to excel.