In the October issue of Gramophone, on sale from October 5, we celebrate the release of the ‘Bach 333’ box-set with a feature by Nicholas Kenyon which traces the fascinating history of Bach on record.

We also interview Argentinian pianist Ingrid Fliter about her new recording of Chopin’s Nocturnes, and pay a visit to Vienna where the Vienna Philharmonic and Sakari Oramo have recorded symphonies by Danish composer Rued Langgaard.

Elsewhere, Vladimir Jurowski takes us through the original 1877 version of Swan Lake in The Musician and the Score, we’re reminded why violinist Ida Haendel is a true ‘Icon’, and English composer Peter Dickinson is our Contemporary Composer.

Plus, don’t miss our expert critics’ opinions of the newest classical releases: which will be named Editor’s Choice, and which overall recording will be crowned Recording of the Month?

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Contents

Features

Bach on record

Ahead of the release of ‘Bach 333’, Nicholas Kenyon traces the history of Bach recording, from early pioneers to the period-instrument revolution, encompassing the most important Bach performers of the past 120 years

Ingrid Fliter on Chopin

To coincide with her recording of Chopin’s Nocturnes, issued by Linn this month, the Argentinian pianist talks to Jeremy Nicholas about what this music means to her 

Langgaard in Vienna

The Vienna Philharmonic and Sakari Oramo have moved on from their Gramophone Award-winning disc of symphonies by Per Nørgård to Rued Langgaard; Andrew Mellor investigates

Musician and the Score

Vladimir Jurowski talks to Sarah Kirkup about the challenges of facing up to years of accumulated tradition in Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake

Icons

Rob Cowan on Polish-British violinist Ida Haendel, a pupil of Enescu who turns 90 later this year

Contemporary Composers

Arnold Whittall surveys the eclectic music of English composer Peter Dickinson

What Next?

Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra is this month’s starting point for a range of listening journeys

My Music

British writer Sarah Perry on the importance of music and the consoling power of Bach

Reviews

Orchestral

Paul Watkins plays Finzi; Chi-chi Nwanoku’s Chineke! Orchestra in Rachmaninov and Sibelius;  exceptional Saint-Saëns from Bertrand Chamayou

Chamber

Boccherini cello sonatas; the Dante Quartet explore Stanford; a violin recital from Jiyoon Lee

Instrumental

Kim Kashkashian’s Bach; late Beethoven from Alexandre Tharaud; Hélène Grimaud’s latest

Vocal

Carolyn Sampson sings Handel; more Machaut from the Orlando Consort; Joyce DiDonato live

Opera

Bo Holten’s Gesualdo Shadows; a Mayr and Donizetti coupling; Birgit Nilsson’s live recordings

Reissues

DG’s epic ‘Bach 333’ box; RCA’s Emanuel Ax collection; a round-up of recent LP reissues

Replay

A Rachmaninov discovery; Nikolayeva’s Bach

Classics Reconsidered

Two critics take a fresh look at Heifetz’s 1955 recording of Brahms’s Violin Concerto

Books

John Deathridge’s new translation of Wagner’s Ring; a compelling study of composers’ deaths

Collection

David Vickers immerses himself in recordings of Handel’s pastoral masque Acis and Galatea, and makes a top recommendation

To find out more about our latest subscription offers, please visit: gramophone.co.uk/subscribe