REVIEWS: Brahms, Symphony No 4 (Naxos 8.570233) Marin Alsop's series of Brahms' symphonies is rounded off with this masterful rendition. The phrasing is lovingly shaped and the articulation sharp.

Wagner: Symphonic Syntheses by Stokowski (Naxos 8.570293) Wagner exponent Leopold Stokowski's introduces the composer to a wide public with extended orchestral excerpts woven together as richly conceived tone poems.

These performances by Jose Serebrier and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra embody some of Wagner's finest moments.

Verdi: Oberto Conte Di San Bonifacio DVD (Opus Arte OA 0982D) Verdi's first published opera, written in his 20s, shows the instinctive melodic gift and heightened sense of drama which made him a giant. A fine performance with Yves Abel directing the Chorus of Opera de Bilbao and Orquesta Sinfonica del Principado de Asturias.