recommended classical cds

[ Virgin Classics / 7 CD Box Set ]

Release Date: Monday, 7 November, 2011

"This is 21st Century Beethoven: contrasts and disjunctions vividly emphasised; supremely faithful to the outrageous demands Beethoven makes; precise in ensemble, accentuation and intonation; the resonances of early music brought to the fore in the strange slow movements of the late quartets; in sum totally convincing new interpretations of what these masterpieces...

[ Deutsche Grammophon Portrait of an Artist / 2 CD ]

Release Date: Tuesday, 1 November, 2011

A portrait of Sweden's superb mezzo soprano.

Anne Sofie von Otter is 'in her element' everywhere! This unique 2-CD set (twofer) surveys her boundless artistry in opera and song - ranging from Dowland, Monteverdi, Purcell to Mahler, Weill and Costello. It includes previously unreleased material from her 'hugely important... completely unforgettable' (Guardian)...

[ Warner Classics / 2 CD ]

Release Date: Friday, 25 November, 2011

Praised for the remarkable agility, precision and warmth of her voice, and for her outstanding musicianship, Sumi Jo has established herself as one of her generations' most sought-after sopranos. She has been consistently greeted with exceptional accolades, by public and press alike, for her performances in the most important opera houses and concert halls throughout...

[ Ondine / CD ]

Release Date: Thursday, 20 October, 2011

Gramophone Magazine: Editor's Choice - December 2011

"This is a superbly produced recording from the Ondine label, which has been championing Saariaho's music for some time now. Justly celebrated as one of the leading composers of our time, this varied and deeply fascinating programme is as good a place as any to become acquainted with her remarkable universe...

[ EMI Classics / 3 CD ]

Release Date: Monday, 12 December, 2011

This three-CD set contains a collection of 50 operatic choruses performed by some of the world's leading ensembles.

CD 1 covers French opera and begins with several familiar choruses from Gounod's 'Faust', followed by items from operas by Offenbach ('Les Contes d'Hoffmann') and Massenet ('Hérodiade'). The centrepiece of the disc is undoubtedly the three popular...

[ Deutsche Grammophon / CD ]

Release Date: Monday, 31 October, 2011

This album marks two 'firsts' for Hélène Grimaud - her first live DG recording and her first ever Mozart concerto recording - the Piano Concertos Nos. 19 in F, and 23 in A. Hélène Grimaud considers the concerto in A major "probably the most sublime concerto Mozart ever wrote", with a slow movement that is "an extremely deep and painful expression of longing,...