SAMUEL BARBER
Barber: Vanessa (Complete opera recorded in 2019) BLU-RAY Glyndebourne Opera / Emma Bell, Virginie Verrez, Edgaras Montvidas, Rosalind Plowright / Jakub Hrůša (cond) [ Opus Arte Blu-ray / Blu-ray Disc - released 5/Jun/2019 ] BBC Music Award WINNER 2020 - DVD/Blu-ray |
MARTINU / JANACEK / KABELAC
Dvorák & Martinu: Piano Concertos Ivo Kahanek (piano) / Bamberger Symphoniker, Jakub Hrusa [ Supraphon / CD - released 11/Oct/2019 ] "ogether with Hrůša he ensures that the music lives up to its title, Incantations: there is certainly a feeling of spells being cast here" BBC Music Award WINNER 2020 - Concerto |
GABRIEL JACKSON
Jackson: The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ Guy Cutting, Emma Tring, Francesca Millar, Isabelle Blain, Samuel Costello / Choir of Merton College, Oxford, Benjamin Nicholas [ Delphian / CD - released 1/Dec/2019 ] "This outstanding recording of Gabriel Jackson's retelling of the Passion story bursts with energy... Jackson's engaging score is richly colourful and his instrumental writing proves a particular highlight" BBC Music Award WINNER 2020 - Choral |
LEOS JANACEK
Janácek: The diary of one who disappeared & other works Nicky Spence (tenor), Julius Drake (piano) [ Hyperion / CD - released 28/Jun/2019 ] "Not only does Spence's voice offer a rare mix of steely strength and velvety tenderness but his bright, vibrant timbre communicates a touching, wide-eyed sense of ardent longing, tinged with melancholy." Gramophone Awards 2020 WINNER - Solo Vocal |
ERICH WOLFGANG KORNGOLD
Korngold: Symphony in F Sharp / Straussiana / Theme & Variations Sinfonia of London, John Wilson (conductor) [ Chandos SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 30/Aug/2019 ] "The playing of the Sinfonia of London is astonishingly brilliant, with Hollywood-dream glories in the string tone" BBC Music Magazine Awards 2020 WINNER - Orchestral |
HENRY PURCELL
Purcell: King Arthur Gabrieli Consort and Players, Paul McCreesh [ Signum / 2 CD - released 6/Dec/2019 ] "the chief delight of this recording is its consort aesthetic...the artists exert themselves to work as a collective...another jewel in McCreesh's crown." BBC Music Award WINNER 2020 - Recording of the Year |
DMITRI SHOSTAKOVICH
Shostakovich: Preludes & Piano Sonatas Andrey Gugnin (piano) [ Hyperion / CD - released 27/Sep/2019 ] "Gugnin rivets us in orchestral-sounding climaxes…and the metaphysical twilight zones in between…Gugnin finds surprising poetry in the music" BBC Music Award WINNER 2020 - Instrumental |
BELA BARTOK / SANDOR VERESS
Veress: String Trio / Bartók: Piano Quintet Vilde Frang (violin), Barnabás Kelemen (violin), Lawrence Power (viola), Nicolas Altstaedt (cello), Alexander Lonquich (piano) [ Alpha Classics / CD - released 13/Sep/2019 ] "But what makes this CD unmissable is the Veress Trio, a masterpiece and a performance to match. I've already pencilled it in as a contender for next year's Gramophone Awards." WINNER - Chamber Gramophone Awards 2020 |