Norman Lebrecht

Norman Lebrecht is a British commentator on music and cultural affairs, a novelist, and the author of the classical music blog Slipped Disc. He was a columnist for The Daily Telegraph from 1994 to 2002, and assistant editor of the London Evening Standard from 2002 to 2009. He tweets at @NLebrecht

Stravinsky, Petrushka; Debussy, Jeux and Prelude (Decca)

This Beethoven gift set is not for Christmas. It is for life

Giving marks to people playing Chopin is no different from deciding on medals in gymnastics

Bezhod Abduraimov: Shadows of my ancestors (Alpha-Classics)

Tchaikovsky: 5th symphony etc (ICA Classics)

Farewell not just to a conductor but to a generous man

Poulenc and others: Chamber music (Calliope/DG)

There are expectations going back to 1948 that musicians turn up to provide relief