Recording of the month

Meyerbeer Robert le diable 

Sols; Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine / Marc Minkowski

Bru Zane 

Initially a musical and theatrical sensation, but now rarely heard – surely something that this brilliantly performed recording, conducted by Marc Minkowski, will do much to address.

Read the review in our Reviews Database

‘Hollywood Soundstage’ 

Sinfonia of London / John Wilson 

Chandos 

A sumptuous sound world from a conductor and his ensemble who, album after album, impress and delight, making us relish the details of scores and the very art of recording afresh. 

Read the review in our Reviews Database

‘Recuerdos’ 

Augustin Hadelich vn WDR Symphony Orchestra / Cristian Măcelaru

Warner Classics 

Augustin Hadelich offers us a programme – Britten and Prokofiev concertos, plus takes on Carmen and Tárrega – that’s beautifully thought-through and gloriously played. 

Read the review in our Reviews Database

Mendelssohn ‘Complete String Quartets, Vol 1’ 

Van Kuijk Quartet 

Alpha 

The Paris-based Van Kuijk Quartet follow their impressive Mozart surveys with an equally compelling start to a Mendelssohn string quartet cycle, one that looks to be well worth following.

Read the review in our Reviews Database

JS Bach Six Solo Violin (Cello) Suites 

Giuliano Carmignola vn 

Arcana 

Such is their beauty, the Bach cello suites have often been borrowed by others to sublime effect; this wonderful set by violinist Giuliano Carmignola reveals all their spirituality.

Read the review in our Reviews Database

Saint-Saëns Piano Transcriptions 

Cyprien Katsaris pf 

Piano21 

A chance to celebrate the music of Saint-Saëns – as well as, as Jeremy Nicholas rightly suggests in his review, the contribution made to musical life by this recording’s pianist, Cyprien Katsaris.

Read the review in our Reviews Database

‘Laus Deo’ 

John Robinson org 

Regent 

A superbly recorded recital marking the 50th anniversary of the organ of Blackburn Cathedral from its Director of Music John Robinson, repertoire and – crucially of course – player both revealing it in all its sonic splendour.

Read the review in our Reviews Database

Lusitano Motets 

The Marian Consort / Rory McCleery 

Linn 

Vicente Lusitano – a rare, and probably the first, example of a mixed-race Renaissance composer – is given hugely impressive and inspiring advocacy here, his music revealed for its variety and beauty. 

Read the review in our Reviews Database

Tippett The Midsummer Marriage 

Sols; London Philharmonic Orchestra / Edward Gardner 

LPO 

Tippett’s opera is brought vividly to life by Edward Gardner, the LPO and a superb cast featuring many young British singers.

Read the review in our Reviews Database

‘Insieme’ 

Jonas Kaufmann ten Ludovic Tézier bar Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia / Sir Antonio Pappano

Sony Classical 

A hugely enjoyable new tenor-baritone double-act album to add to your collection. 

Read the review in our Reviews Database

DVD/blu-ray

Monteverdi Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria 

Sols; English Baroque Soloists / Sir John Eliot Gardiner 

Opus Arte 

The pick from Sir John Eliot Gardiner’s toured trilogy of Monteverdi operas, filmed semi-staged at Venice’s La Fenice. 

Read the review in our Reviews Database

Reissue/archive

Paul Paray ‘The Mercury Masters, Vol 2: 1958-1962’ 

Detroit Symphony Orchestra / Paul Paray 

Eloquence 

Paul Paray’s Detroit performances and Mercury’s gloriously captured sound both shine anew throughout this Eloquence issue – and Volume 1 comes just as recommended!

Read the reviews of all of these albums and many more in the Awards issue of Gramophone. Never miss an issue – subscribe today