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 |
SCHUMANN / SAINT-SAENS / GLIERE
Konzertstück for Four Horns and Orchestra Markus Maskuniitty (horn), Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Sakari Oramo (conductor) [ Ondine / CD - released 2/Aug/2019 ] "The playing of Maskuniitty and his three colleagues is simply superb, with exemplary balance between them and the thrilling arpeggio swoops in the last movement" BBC Music Award Finalist - Concerto 2020 |
SAINT-SAENS / FAURE / BERLIOZ / MASSENET etc
Sandrine Piau - Si j'ai aimé Sandrine Piau (soprano) / Le Concert de la Loge, Julien Chauvin [ Alpha Classics / CD - released 24/May/2019 ] Gramophone Awards 2020 WINNER - Recital BBC Music Award Finalist 2020 |
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 |
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 |
HEINRICH BACH / JOHANN CHRISTOPH BACH / JOHANN MICHAEL BACH / JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH
Heinrich, Johann Christoph, Johann Michael, Johann Sebastian Bach: Kantaten Vox Luminis, Lionel Meunier [ Ricercar / CD - released 14/Jun/2019 ] "Throughout this beguiling programme, Vox Luminis inhabit a world from which you'll need to drag yourself away" Gramophone December 2019 Critics' Choice |
CAROLINE SHAW
Caroline Shaw: Orange Attacca Quartet [ Nonesuch / CD - released 20/Apr/2019 ] "The sophistication and dynamic refinement of the Attacca Quartet is reflected in a full, truthful recording." BBC Music Award Finalist 2020 |
CHARLES GOUNOD
Gounod: Faust (complete original opera production from 1859) Véronique Gens, Andrew Foster-Williams; Benjamin Bernheim; Jean-Sébastien Bou /Flemish Radio Choir, Les Talens Lyriques, Christophe Rousset [ Bru Zane / 3 CD/Book - released 23/Aug/2019 ] "It also happens to be a terrific recording on its own terms...Rousset underpins it all with conducting that is fleet and dramatically engaged." Gramophone Awards 2020 Short list - Opera |
PICCININI / MacMILLAN / KAPSBERGER / VISEE / OLIVER / MUHLY
Ars longa: Old and new music for theorbo Elizabeth Kenny (theorbo) [ Linn Records / CD - released 14/Jun/2019 ] Ars longa see theorbo specialist Elizabeth Kenny perform a typically inventive recital of diverse repertoire spanning five centuries. • The theorbo's eccentric appearance and tuning belies its expressive and delicate qualities; its versatility... |
GIACOMO PUCCINI
Puccini: Le Willis (complete original production) Ermonela Jaho, Arsen Soghomonyan, Brian Mulligan / Opera Rara Chorus, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Mark Elder [ Opera Rara / CD - released 25/Sep/2019 ] "The chorus and orchestra are both impressive, while conductor Mark Elder delivers a lively and loving account of the score" BBC Music Award Finalist 2020 |
WITOLD LUTOSLAWSKI
LutosÅ‚awski: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 4; Jeux vénitiens Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Hannu Lintu [ Ondine SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 12/Feb/2019 ] "All are played with searing energy by the Finnish Radio Symphony orchestra under the lucid baton of their chief conductor, Hannu Lintu, in equally successful performances…Captured in brilliant sound" BBC Award Finalist 2020 |
J. S. BACH
Bach To The Future Olivier Latry (organ) [ La Dolce Volta / CD - released 22/Mar/2019 ] For his first CD with La Dolce Volta, Olivier Latry has chosen a programme devoted to the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. This recording, made on the massive Cavaillé-Coll organ of Notre-Dame de Paris, of which he is titular organist, raises a... |