The new issue of Gramophone – on sale now – explores the world's leading choirs. We invited an international panel of critics to choose the leading vocal ensembles, based on recordings over the past few years. The top 20 are named – and you can read articles by critics, interviews with conductors, composers and alumni, and our listening recommendations.

Also in the issue:

Pianist Simone Dinnerstein talks to Jeremy Nicholas about her unusual career path and unexpected success.

Columnist Richard Eyre on how Claudio Abbado swept away his Bruckner-phobia.

Gramophone's Editorial team look back on a year of music-making and pick their highlights.

Beach Boy Brian Wilson reveals the music that inspired him in My Music.

Tributes to mezzo Shirley Verrett and composer Henryk Górecki.

Philip Clark investigates the music of Bruno Maderna, who would have been 90 this year.

Schubert's final piano sonata is the subject of this month's Collection.

Plus the best releases of the month revealed and reviewed in the Editor's Choice – including Rossini from Antonio Pappano, Schumann from Piotr Anderszewski and Shostakovich from Vasily Petrenko. And don't forget, you can sample all these recordings, plus many more, on the Gramophone Player (click the link to the right).

Gramophone January 2011: on sale now at newsagents - or click here to subscribe