The best new classical albums – January 2018
Gramophone
Tuesday, January 2, 2018
Editor Martin Cullingford’s pick of the finest recordings from this month’s reviews
Recording of the month
Tchaikovsky Symphony No 6, ‘Pathétique’
MusicAeterna / Teodor Currentzis
Sony Classical
In this extraordinary, vivid Pathétique, Teodor Currentzis not only offers an incredibly powerful performance of the work, but also a remarkable showcase of the very art of recording.
Read the review | Download from Qobuz
Beethoven Symphonies Nos 1 & 3
Vienna Symphony Orchestra / Philippe Jordan
Wiener Symphoniker
An impressive statement of intent from Philippe Jordan as he begins a Beethoven cycle with his Vienna Symphony, on its own label.
Read the review | Download from Qobuz
Elgar Falstaff. Songs
Roderick Williams bar BBC Philharmonic Orchestra / Sir Andrew Davis
Chandos
A Falstaff full of personality and perceptiveness, Roderick Williams eloquent in orchestral songs … just the highlights from a wonderful Elgar anthology from Sir Andrew Davis.
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Haydn. Kraus ‘Symphonies, Vol 5’
Basel Chamber Orchestra / Giovanni Antonini
Alpha
Giovanni Antonini’s Gramophone Award for his previous Haydn volume set the bar high – and it’s met here, on a worthy addition to his compelling exploration of the composer.
Read the review | Download from Qobuz
Mahler Symphony No 4
Düsseldorf Symphony Orchestra / Adam Fischer
AVI-Music
Following his praised recording of the Seventh, Adam Fischer offers us an exploratory Fourth, Mahler’s ideas deeply thought through. This could become a superb cycle.
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Saint-Saëns Works for Cello and Orchestra
Gabriel Schwabe vc Malmö Symphony Orchestra / Marc Soustrot
Naxos
Gabriel Schwabe brings a delightful tone to these concertos: as critic Jeremy Nicholas makes clear, a bargain at Naxos prices, but a brilliant buy regardless.
Andrew Everard, Gramophone's Audio Editor, writes: 'This is a wonderfully focused recording, with a beautiful rendition of the tone and textures of the solo instrument, and a natural balance between cello and orchestra without "spotlighting". The sound is made all the more vibrant and three-dimensional by the added information of the 96kHz/24bit high-resolution download.’
Read the review | Download from Qobuz
Kancheli. Schnittke ‘Light Over Darkness’
Erato Alakiozidou pf Lutosławski Quartet
Odradek
An excellent disc from the innovative Odradek label, musicianship and sound-quality of very high standard making for a grippingly intense chamber experience.
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‘A Lute by Sixtus Rauwolf’
Jakob Lindberg lute
BIS
A beautiful Baroque programme, specially compiled to showcase Jakob Lindberg’s rather unique instrument – possibly the oldest lute in playing condition.
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‘Dolce Duello’
Cecilia Bartoli mez Sol Gabetta vc Cappella Gabetta / Andrés Gabetta
Decca
Cecilia Bartoli once again delivers a fascinating project, this time in the company of the equally engaging and exploratory musicianship of cellist Sol Gabetta.
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R Strauss Salome
Sols; Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra / Andrés Orozco-Estrada
Pentatone
‘A deeply musical account of the score’, writes critic Hugo Shirley of this dramatic telling of Strauss’s opera; Emily Magee is a ‘compellingly real’ Salome, and all in excellent sound.
Read the review | Download from Qobuz
DVD/blu-ray
JS Bach St Matthew Passion
Sols; Gächinger Cantorey / Hans-Christoph Rademann
Accentus
An imaginative, inspiring and choreographed approach to Bach’s St Matthew Passion, movingly performed by players, soloists and 100 children from schools around Stuttgart.
Reissue/archive
‘The Maryla Jonas Story’
Maryla Jonas pf
Sony Classical
As Bryce Morrison puts it: ‘a blazingly original talent, heard here in brilliantly remastered sound’.
All of these albums are reviewed in the January 2018 issue of Gramophone, which is out now. To explore our latest subscription offers, please visit: gramophone.co.uk/subscribe