Editor's Choice: July 2024 | The best new classical recordings

Friday, June 14, 2024

Introducing outstanding new albums from Bertrand Chamayou, Laura van der Heijden, Janine Jansen, Takács Quartet, Magdalena Kožená and more

In every issue of Gramophone, Editor Martin Cullingford chooses 12 albums (10 new releases, plus one DVD/blu-ray and one archive recommendation) as his Editor's Choice. Below, you will find the albums selected as Editor's Choice in the July 2024 issue, beginning with the Recording of the Month. 

Members of the Gramophone Full Club and Gramophone Digital Club can access our Reviews Database, a digital archive of all of our reviews from 1983 to today, with all of the new issue's reviews available on the day of publication. To find out more about subscribing to Gramophone and the Reviews Database, please visit: magsubscriptions.com

Recording of the month

Cage2

‘Cage2’

Bertrand Chamayou prepared pf (Erato)

Mysterious, disorienting, often very beautiful sounds, and a mesmeric sense of rhythm: Bertrand Chamayou has done full justice to John Cage’s prepared-piano vision.

Read the Gramophone review


Beethoven Complete Symphonies

Beethoven Complete Symphonies

Potsdam Chamber Academy / Antonello Manacorda (Sony Classical)

In perhaps the most competitive of all symphonic fields, Antonello Manacorda brings us a Beethoven cycle that’s hugely impressive and highly enjoyable.

Read the Gramophone review


Bridge. Frances-Hoad. Walton Cello Concertos

Bridge. Frances-Hoad. Walton Cello Concertos

Laura van der Heijden vc BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra / Ryan Wigglesworth (Chandos)

Laura van der Heijden brings lyricism and refinement to three wonderful concertos. 

Read the Gramophone review


Prokofiev. Sibelius Violin Concertos

Prokofiev. Sibelius Violin Concertos

Janine Jansen vn Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra / Klaus Mäkelä (Decca)

Prokofiev and Sibelius concertos full of vivid life and exploration, Janine Jansen brilliantly partnered by Klaus Mäkelä.

Read the Gramophone review


Loeffler. Debussy ‘Forgotten Sounds’

Loeffler. Debussy ‘Forgotten Sounds’

Graeme Steele Johnson cl et al (Delos)

A fascinating find, lovingly recreated: Charles Martin Loeffler’s Octet was shelved by the composer after its 1897 premiere, but we can now hear it in all its elegance and style. 

Read the Gramophone review


Schubert String Quartets Nos 8 & 15

Schubert String Quartets Nos 8 & 15

Takács Quartet (Hyperion)

The superb Takács Quartet bring their characteristic insight, intelligence and virtuosity to these Schubert quartets, adding another must-hear album to their impressive and Award-winning catalogue. 

Read the Gramophone review


Debussy Images

Debussy Images

Saskia Giorgini pf (Pentatone)

The compelling colour and carefully crafted shaping in this richly rewarding Debussy recital is evident – and draws one in – from the very beginning; Saskia Giorgini excells in moments both of drama and poetry.

Read the Gramophone review


Stradella Motets

Stradella Motets

Concerto Italiano / Rinaldo Alessandrini (Naïve)

Modern premieres of an incredibly prolific composer, Rinaldo Alessandrini has gathered together a team of wonderful players and singers for a celebration of 17th-century musician Alessandro Stradella.

Read the Gramophone review


‘Czech Songs’

‘Czech Songs’

Magdalena Kožená mez Czech Philharmonic Orchestra / Sir Simon Rattle (Pentatone)

The programme on this powerfully performed recital – Dvořák, Martinů plus lesser-known names – is beautifully sung by Magdalena Kožená.

Read the Gramophone review


Massenet Werther

Massenet Werther

Sols; Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra / György Vashegyi (Bru Zane)

Werther, but in the rarely heard baritone version, given the strongest possible advocacy by Tassis Christoyannis in the lead role and colleagues; another classy Bru Zane set.

Read the Gramophone review


DVD/blu-ray

Nielsen Maskarade

Nielsen Maskarade

Sols; Frankfurt Opera and Museum Orchestra / Titus Engel (Naxos)

‘A joyous, resonant and highly accomplished performance,’ writes Andrew Mellor of this Frankfurt production.

Read the Gramophone review


Reissue/archive

‘The Art of the Producer’

‘The Art of the Producer’

John Culshaw (Decca)

Producer John Culshaw set standards that resonate today on every collector’s shelves and in the work of his successors of our own era. Decca’s celebratory set explores his work, collaborations and legacy.


Never miss an issue of Gramophone – subscribe today

Gramophone Print

  • Print Edition

From £6.67 / month

Subscribe

Gramophone Digital Club

  • Digital Edition
  • Digital Archive
  • Reviews Database
  • Full website access

From £8.75 / month

Subscribe

                              

If you are a library, university or other organisation that would be interested in an institutional subscription to Gramophone please click here for further information.