Recording of the Month

Bach. Rzewski. Beethoven Piano Variations

Igor Levit pf 

(Sony Classical)

Igor Levit is clearly one of his generation’s most remarkable pianists. In these three works – all sets of variations – he reveals a virtuosity and reflective maturity that compel attention.
Read the review / Buy from Qobuz

Casella ‘Orchestral Works, Vol 4’

Gillian Keith sop BBC Philharmonic / Gianandrea Noseda

(Chandos)

A further instalment in Noseda’s commited advocacy of Casella, one which is surely achieving his aim of making people hear this music with open ears and minds.
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Ravel Piano Concertos

Yuja Wang pf Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra / Lionel Bringuier

(DG)

A young virtuoso star, and one who keeps more than justifying her status, with an engagingly played disc of French music.
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Audio Editor Andrew Everard writes: 'Well, it’s certainly thrilling: from the beginning of this set, Yuja Wang goes at the Ravel concertos with gusto bordering on all-out attack, and the 96kHz/24-bit download makes it easier to follow every note, and more fully appreciate the performance. It’s certainly a colourful recording, and the high-resolution sound makes the darker passages more atmospheric, while delivering those exciting dynamics with even more power. Similarly the change of venue between the recordings is more apparent in 24/96, switching as it does from the openness of the Zurich Tonhalle to the more intimate Berlin studio used for the Fauré Ballade providing the filling in the ‘sandwich’ – a great demonstration of what ‘hi-res’ recording can bring.'

Stravinsky The Rite of Spring

MusicAeterna / Teodor Currentzis

(Sony Classical)

A really thrilling, driven and brilliantly played Rite of Spring. It’s all you get for your money – but that doesn’t of course diminish its impact one bit.
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‘Métamorphoses’

Works by Brahms, Haydn and Ligeti

Dudok Quartet 

(Resonus)

Into an era rich in really fine young quartets comes an impressive debut from Amsterdam-based Dudok Quartet, with a programme as thoughtfully conceived as it is played. 
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Chopin Preludes, Op 28, etc

Dong Hyek Lim pf 

(Warner Classics)

Young South Korean pianist Dong Hyek Lim here offers a considered and engagingly played Chopin recital, with a really beautiful set of the Preludes at its heart. 
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‘Twelfth Night Recital’ 

Ivan Moravec pf 

(Supraphon)

Playing of warmth and personality from a recital given 28 years ago and due to be released for Moravec’s 85th birthday. Following his recent death, it now stands as a wonderful tribute. Read the review / Buy from Qobuz

‘Le Concert Royal de la Nuit’

Ensemble Correspondances / Sébastien Daucé

(Harmonia Mundi)

A captivating programme, one rooted in historical research and context, but most importantly in performances full of rhythm, elegance and life. Read the review / Buy from Qobuz

‘Poetry in Music’

The Sixteen / Harry Christophers 

(Coro)

The Sixteen so consistently perform at the highest level that it’s easy to take them for granted; this exploration of English settings of poetry is very beautiful indeed. Read the review / Buy from Qobuz

Mozart Il re pastore 

Sols; The Orchestra of Classical Opera / Ian Page 

(Signum)

A superb set of soloists head up a quite delightful performance of Mozart’s early opera, under the inspired baton of Ian Page. Read the review / Buy from Qobuz

DVD/blu-ray

‘Satiesfictions’

A film by Anne-Kathrin Peitz and Youlian Tabakov

(Accentus)

A fascinating portrait, every bit as quirky and surprising as its composer subject. Read the review

Reissue/archive

Martland Various works

The Steve Martland Band / Steve Martland; The Smith Quartet  

(NMC)

A memorial to this modern maverick, who died in 2013 aged 58. Read the review