CARL NIELSEN
Nielsen: The Symphonies Danish National Symphony Orchestra, Fabio Luisi [ Deutsche Grammophon / 3 CD - released 12/May/2023 ] "These are quite marvellous - and in the case of the Fourth Symphony, incendiary - performances" Gramophone Award Finalist 2023 - Orchestral (Symphonies 4 & 5) |
KAROL SZYMANOWSKI
Szymanowski: Piano Works Krystian Zimerman (piano) [ Deutsche Grammophon / CD - released 14/Oct/2022 ] "Zimerman has all the quick-wittedness and nimbleness called for, not to mention power and agility." Gramophone Award WINNER 2023 - Piano |
W. A. MOZART
Mozart: String Quintets K.515 & 516 Quatuor Ébène, with Antoine Tamestit (viola) [ Erato / CD - released 17/Mar/2023 ] "While it's always dangerous to nominate an outright 'winner' in this inexhaustible music, the Ébène are second to none in colour and vitality, and unrivalled in their lyrical tenderness. For me they become a new benchmark." Gramophone Award Finalist |
MONSIGNY / EDELMANN / J.C. BACH / GLUCK
Rivales Sandrine Piau (soprano) / Véronique Gens (soprano), Le Concert de la Loge, Julien Chauvin [ Alpha Classics / CD - released 8/Apr/2022 ] 'Le Concert de la Loge provides support that is virile and tender, as appropriate. And the two singers are magnificent.' Gramophone Award WINNER 2023 - Voice & Ensemble |
GABRIEL FAURE
Fauré: The Complete Songs Cyrille Dubois (tenor), Tristan Raes (piano) [ Aparte / 3 CD - released 20/May/2022 ] "He is a stylish, cultured performer and is as fine an advocate for Fauré's mélodies as any of the best. Recommended for those who love indulging in French song at its finest." Gramophone Award WINNER 2023 - Song |
LUDWIG DASER
Daser: Polyphonic Masses Huelgas-Ensemble (early music ensemble) Paul Van Nevel [ Deutche Harmonia Mundi / CD - released 6/Oct/2023 ] "this larger ensemble creates a rich, wellbalanced sound which at times I found attractively wistful...I'm already looking forward to the next volume." Gramophone Award WINNER 2023 - Early Music |
JOHN CAGE
Cage: Choral Works Latvian Radio Choir, Sigvards Klava (conductor) [ Ondine / CD - released 19/Aug/2022 ] "one is unsurprised by the unconventionality but taken aback by the richness and variety of the final musical result. It must be said as well that the singers sound as though they are enjoying themselves enormously." Gramophone Award WINNER 2023 |
BELA BARTOK / GYORGY- LIGETI / SANDOR VERESS / PETER EOTVOS
Bartók/Ligeti/Veress/Eötvös - Solos Nurit Stark (violin/viola) [ BIS SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 3/Jun/2022 ] "quite a journey, one that's profoundly representative of the Hungarian musical psyche in the 20th century and which is served by a musician whose talents certainly qualify her for the job of performing it." Gramophone Award WINNER 2023 |
SIR MICHAEL TIPPETT
Tippett: Midsummer Marriage (complete opera) Robert Murray, Rachel Nicholls, Ashley Riches, Toby Spence / London Philharmonic Orchestra & Choir, Edward Gardner [ LPO / 3 CD Box Set - released 23/Sep/2022 ] "Gardner's is more than warmly recommended as both reminder of and entrée to Tippett's achievement." Gramophone Awards 2023 WINNER - Opera |
LOTTA WENNÄKOSKI
Wennäkoski: Sigla / Sedecim / Flounce Sivan Magen (harp) / Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Nicholas Collon [ Ondine / CD - released 10/Feb/2023 ] "This is music that knows exactly where it is going and is happy to bring its audience along with it." Gramophone Award WINNER 2023 - Contemporary |
EDWARD ELGAR / ERNEST BLOCH
Elgar (arr. Tertis) - Viola Concerto / Bloch: Suite for Viola and Orchestra Timothy Ridout (viola) / BBC Symphony Orchestra, Martyn Brabbins [ Harmonia Mundi / CD - released 13/Jan/2023 ] "Ridout is a strong, personable player whose deft handling of the Scherzo and heartfelt playing of the Adagio make the concerto's central episodes exceptionally memorable." Gramophone Award WINNER 2023 - Concerto |