The best new classical albums: Editor's Choice, November issue 2020
Friday, November 6, 2020
Featuring outstanding new albums from the Seattle Symphony Orchestra and Thomas Dausgaard, Steven Isserlis, Alexandre Kantorow, The Tallis Scholars, Christiane Karg and more
Recording of the month
Nielsen Symphonies Nos 1 & 2, ‘The Four Temperaments’
Seattle Symphony Orchestra / Thomas Dausgaard
Seattle Symphony Media
Two brilliant traversals of Nielsen’s early symphonies, featuring some truly thrilling and perceptive playing from the Seattle Symphony Orchestra under conductor Thomas Dausgaard.
Sibelius Symphonies Nos 1 & 3
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra / Owain Arwel Hughes
Rubicon
Sibelius’s beguiling sound world is brought out with full force and beauty by Owain Arwel Hughes and the RPO on this splendid album from the Rubicon label.
Tavener No Longer Mourn For Me
Steven Isserlis vc Philharmonia Orchestra / Omer Meir Wellber
Hyperion
A deeply personal project from Steven Isserlis of music by his great friend Sir John Tavener – learn more about the moving story behind it in this month’s feature.
‘London Circa 1720’
La Rêveuse
Harmonia Mundi
Elegant music-making throughout from these wonderfully collaborative musicians, sprightly and serene by turns, which vividly evokes a musical and historical period in time.
Bartók. Brahms. Liszt Piano Works
Alexandre Kantorow pf
BIS
Pianist Alexandre Kantorow continues his extraordinary progress with a further remarkable example of his virtuosity and artistry, showing both skill and sensitivity throughout this captivating programme.
‘From the Ground up’
David Hill org
Regent
A glorious exploration of the Passacaglia across the eras from David Hill, gloriously performed (and recorded) on the resplendent-sounding organ of Peterborough Cathedral.
Josquin Masses
The Tallis Scholars / Peter Phillips
Gimell
Journey’s end: and what a journey. From the Gramophone Award-winning opening album back in 1986, The Tallis Scholars’ survey of Josquin’s Masses finishes with an appropriately superb addition to the series.
Mahler ‘Erinnerung’
Christiane Karg sop Malcolm Martineau pf
Harmonia Mundi
An album of very beautiful Mahler-singing from soprano Christiane Karg, joined throughout by stylish piano playing from Malcolm Martineau (and, intriguingly, the composer himself …)
‘Sturm und Drang, Vol 2’
The Mozartists / Ian Page
Signum
Ian Page and The Mozartists once again shine in Volume Two of their study of music associated with Sturm und Drang – thoughtful programming and excellent performances.
Arnold The Dancing Master
Sols; BBC Concert Orchestra / John Andrews
Resonus
A fascinating and unexpected slice of 20th-century British music-making – Malcolm Arnold’s one-act comic opera performed with sparkling freshness.
DVD/blu-ray
Henze Der Prinz von Homburg
Sols; Stuttgart Opera / Cornelius Meister
Naxos
Henze’s 1960 take on Heinrich von Kleist’s early 19th-century play Der Prinz von Homburg is here given a thought-provoking and strong staging and performance.
Reissue/archive
Magda Tagliaferro ‘The Complete 78rpm Solo and Concerto Recordings & Selected Chamber Recordings’
APR
The complete 78rpm solo and concerto recordings of Brazilian-born pianist Magda Tagliaferro, excellently transferred and presented by the APR label.
