RegularsEditor'schoiceBestnew recordings of the month 4 Musical month Concert highlights to May 5 5 From where I sit Ligeti on documenting his music 27 Singertalk Cura's Otello invites criticism 29 Readers' letters We want more DVDs 32 Collection Best of Szymanowski on disc 36 North American Retrospect Bach after Gould, and Messiaen (follows page 34 in the North Americ"n edition onl}') Ai Take 5 Five singers of the moment 43 Take 5/2 Authenticity - the science ,md spirit 44 Reputations Ferrier, a dignified vocal presence 46 Masterclass Schnittke's Pi ,mo Quintet 48 Replay Youthful Brendel in Liszt and Prokofiev 50 Hindsight Life at Grnmophone 70, 50, 30 years ago 170

Features'''·113ilii . i i i ' Sir Thomas Beecham Brilliance, boos mots and artistry of an aristocrat of the orchestra 8 Interview Carole Cerasi discusses her latest recording 15 Interview Maggini Quartet conquer rare VW 17 Interview Bruno Monsaingeon on his new video 19

News Vaughan Williams's original version of A Lom/on Symphony released; classical sales surge; Handel treasure unearthed 20 Webwatch Music, and more, down the phone line 24

ReviewsOrchestralAuthoritative Berlioz from Sir Colin Davis, Haitink in Vaughan Williams Nos 8 and 9, Sinopoli's Bruckner Fifth and Finzi's Violin Concerto 54 Chamber Spontaneous Bartok from the Zehetmairs 72 Instrumental Pletnev live at Carnegie Hall 78 Vocal McCreesh conducts Bach's Easter Oratorio 86 Opera Wagner from Goodall, Reiner and Leinsdorf 96 DVD & Video Beecham in colour at age 80 106 Book Reviews Tike Wagner's manifesto 110

Audio News Sharp's I-bit technology and the return of vinyl 128 Feedback Your hi-fi questions answered 131 Advice System-building What works with what 132 Tests Musical Fidelity X-A200R 135 Naim Nat 05 tuner 137 Marantz KI series 141 Arcam DiVA 143 Heritage Speakers 146

DataSubscriptions 35 Classifieds 150 New releases 156 Recommended recordings 160 UK label directory 165 Reviews index 168 Advertisers' index 169