Gramophone's Orchestra of the Year Award is the only Gramophone Classical Music Award decided by public vote (vote here). The 10 orchestras nominated this year are:

BBC Philharmonic (UK), Berliner Philharmoniker (Germany), Chicago Symphony Orchestra (USA), Le Concert des Nations (Spain), Danish National Symphony Orchestra (Denmark), Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen (Germany), Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra (Finland), London Philharmonic Orchestra (UK), Orchestre de Paris (France), National Symphony Orchestra (USA)

This week, we focus on ...

Le Concert des Nations (Spain)

Rather like Nikolaus Harnoncourt and Frans Brüggen, Jordi Savall stepped up from soloist (he remains a magnificent viol-player) to being an inspired conductor – and with an ever-expanding repertoire. At home in Baroque and Classical music, he’s forging forward into the 19th century with performances of impressive ambition and poise. Of their Schubert Unfinished and Great C major coupling, David Threasher commented how ‘the ensemble remains solid even in the motoric, stamina-sapping string figures that propel the finale of the Ninth,’ resulting is what may now be ‘the ideal choice’. This impressive period ensemble, largely employing musicians from Mediterranean and South American countries, has tremendous personality and a unique spirit.

Schubert Symphonies Nos 8 & 9 Jordi Savall (Alia Vox, 11/22)

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