Fidelio; Elektra – review
High musical standards salvage ENO's radical new Fidelio, while Royal Opera's Elektra is outstanding, writes Fiona Maddocks
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No 5 ‘Emperor’; Symphony No 5 – review
Fresh from his dazzling Proms debut, Sunwook Kim brings real heft to the mighty Emperor, writes Stephen Pritchard
Beethoven: Quartets Op 18, Vol 1 – review
The Allegri make satisfyingly light work of Beethoven's great early quartets, writes Fiona Maddocks
Beethoven: String Quartets Op 18/3, 18/5 & 135 – review
If the onscreen quartet currently in cinemas has inspired you, try the Hagens, writes Fiona Maddocks
Bournemouth SO/Karabits/Lewis – review
Kirill Karabits and soloist Paul Lewis crowned this concert with a compelling performance of Brahms's First Piano Concerto, writes Andrew Clements
Beethoven: Eroica Variations; Haydn: Variations in F minor; Schumann: Symphonic Studies – review
Emanuel Ax brings a warm heart and enthusiasm to three sets of piano variations, writes Andrew Clements
Mullova/Giacometti – review
On the Kreutzer Sonata the superlative technique and bold new interpretative strokes and insights came together in an irresistible performance, with Mullova's crisp incisiveness driving the whole thing forward, says Martin Kettle
Northern Sinfonia/Fischer – review
Thierry Fischer delivered a briskly impressive account of the Eighth symphony as part of the Northern Sinfonia's Beethoven cycle, writes Alfred Hickling
Power/Crawford-Phillips – review
Both Power and Crawford-Phillips played with profound sensitivity and technical brilliance, writes Rian Evans
Beethoven: Complete Piano Sonatas – review
There are moments to admire in Buchbinder's survey of Beethoven's piano works, but ultimately his performances are too uneven to recommend, writes Andrew Clements
Beethoven: Symphony No 9 – review
Despite its unmistakable electricity and undisputed provenance, this recording of Beethoven's Ninth is undermined by poor sound, writes Andrew Clements
Best classical albums of 2012
A ravishing tour of early 20th-century Brazilian piano music and the finest recording ever of The Book of the Hanging Gardens were among this year's stand-out albums
Beethoven; Piano Concertos; Piano Sonatas – review
Serkin's recordings of Beethoven showcase his honesty and refusal to do anything for effect – at times with uncomfortable results
Beethoven: Piano Trios Vol 2 – review
Beethoven's many moods are captured in this exemplary live recording, writes Fiona Maddocks
Cuarteto Casals; Beethovenfest Bonn 2012 – review
Often overlooked, Schubert's early quartets blaze brightly in the hands of the Cuarteto Casals, writes Fiona Maddocks