The Best Classical Music Albums of 2024 (So Far)
Thursday, November 28, 2024
All of these outstanding classical albums were Editor's Choices in Gramophone magazine and are highly recommended. If you are searching for an inspirational new recording, look no further
In every issue of Gramophone, Editor Martin Cullingford chooses 10 new releases as his Editor's Choice selection. Below, you will find all of the albums selected as Editor's Choice in 2024 – so far.
Members of the Gramophone Full Club and Gramophone Digital Club can access our Reviews Database, a digital archive of all of our reviews from 1983 to today, with all of the new issue's reviews available on the day of publication. To find out more about subscribing to Gramophone and the Reviews Database, please visit: magsubscriptions.com
Brahms Cello Sonatas
Alisa Weilerstein vc Inon Barnatan pf (Pentatone)
A wonderful set of Brahms’s cello sonatas, full of individual personality and insight, from Alisa Weilerstein and Inon Barnatan, all played and recorded beautifully.
MacDowell ‘Orchestral Works, Vol 1’
Xiayin Wang pf BBC Philharmonic Orchestra / John Wilson (Chandos)
John Wilson and pianist Xiayin Wang are the finest of advocates for this rarely heard music by the American composer Edward MacDowell.
Ehnes & Armstrong play Brahms & Schumann
James Ehnes va Andrew Armstrong pf (Onyx)
More Brahms this month, played to a similarly high standard: James Ehnes turns to the viola and once more achieves a prefect rapport with pianist Andrew Armstrong on a very stylish album.
Chausson Concert Vierne Piano Quintet
Daishin Kashimoto vn Éric Le Sage pf Schumann Quartet (Sony Classical)
Louis Vierne’s powerful, moving Piano Quintet is paired with Ernest Chausson’s late-Romantic Concert by artists who clearly adore these works’ melodies and textures.
Waley-Cohen Spell Book
Manchester Collective (NMC)
The first release devoted to the music of Freya Waley-Cohen, a name already familiar from her work with many leading artists, offers a fascinating and engaging portrait of an impressive composer.
JS Bach Solo Cello Suites
Jean-Guihen Queyras vc (Harmonia Mundi)
Jean-Guihen Queyras returns to Bach’s Cello Suites, one of the most beloved monuments of Western music, after nearly two decades, bringing to bear years of reflection and experience.
G Jackson The Christmas Story
Choirs of Merton College, Oxford / Benjamin Nicholas (Delphian)
Gabriel Jackson explores Christmas with his distinctive music, which seems to unite both history and modernity; Benjamin Nicholas brings it stunningly to life.
Mozart Requiem
Sols; Pygmalion / Raphaël Pichon (Harmonia Mundi)
Drama is at the heart of Pygmalion’s interpretation of Mozart’s Requiem, one honed by touring the work, while woven throughout are a host of Mozartian rarities that add fascinating context.
Stradella Un angelo del Paradiso
Silvia Frigato sop Ensemble Mare Nostrum / Andrea De Carlo (Arcana)
On this exciting album soprano Silvia Frigato celebrates music written by Alessandro Stradella for the 17th-century castrato Marc’Antonio Orrigoni.
Gluck Iphigénie en Aulide
Sols; Le Concert de la Loge / Julien Chauvin (Alpha)
‘The prime recommendation for what is arguably the most unjustly neglected opera of the 18th century,’ writes Richard Wigmore – what greater encouragement to listen is needed?
Ravel ‘The Complete Works with Piano’
François-Xavier Poizat pf et al
Aparté
2025 is Ravel’s 150th anniversary, and ahead of that François-Xavier Poizat brings us a triumphant set of his complete works involving piano – whether solo, chamber, concertos or vocal works.
Bruckner Symphony No 7
Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra / Vladimir Jurowski
Platoon
A ‘deeply considered and unusually persuasive’ performance of Bruckner’s 7th, writes Christian Hoskins – and Vladimir Jurowski’s first Bruckner in the catalogue.
Elgar. Walton Cello Concertos
Gautier Capuçon vc London Symphony Orchestra / Antonio Pappano
Erato
Richly emotional playing from Gautier Capuçon and beautiful support from the LSO in these two great cello works.
Dvořák ‘Complete Works for Violin and Piano’
Jiří Vodička vn David Mareček pf
Supraphon
Jiří Vodička and David Mareček bring together all Dvořák’s violin and piano works, exploring them with style, and revealing wonderful musicality throughout.
CPE Bach Sechs Sonaten für Clavier mit veränderten Reprisen
Tom Beghin clav
Evil Penguin
A fascinating research project into CPE Bach’s music by Tom Beghin and most importantly a wonderful listening experience, not least for the vibrant sound of the clavichord.
Brahms Piano Sonata No 1 Schubert Wanderer Fantasy
Alexandre Kantorow pf
BIS
Alexandre Kantorow completes his Brahms’s piano sonatas survey, and what a conclusion – drama and delicacy draw equal power and passion from this extraordinary virtuoso.
Listen to Alexandre Kantorow on the Gramophone Classical Music Podcast
‘Voices’
Hanni Liang pf
Delphian
Pianist Hanni Liang’s programme unites Ethel Smyth’s music with four fascinating women composer voices of today, introducing this largely unfamiliar repertoire with absolute conviction and interpretative brilliance.
Listen to Hanni Liang on the Gramophone Classical Music Podcast
Fayrfax Four Antiphons
The Tallis Scholars / Peter Phillips
Gimell
The Tallis Scholars truly excel here in these major works from early 16th-century England by Robert Fayrfax, Peter Phillips drawing out the colours and textures in glorious style.
‘Contemplation’
Huw Montague Rendall bar Opéra Orchestre Normandie Rouen / Ben Glassberg
Erato
This superb debut album from an already admired baritone, Huw Montague Rendall, reveals through composers from Mozart to Britten a great gift for characterisation.
Listen to Huw Montague Rendall on the Gramophone Classical Music Podcast
Rameau Les Boréades
Sols; Orfeo Orchestra / György Vashegyi
Erato
Rameau’s Les Boréades receives a marvellous new recording from György Vashegyi and the Orfeo Orchestra, complete with a line-up of superb soloists led by Sabine Devieilhe and Reinoud Van Mechelen.
Elgar Violin Concerto
Vilde Frang vn Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin / Robin Ticciati (Warner Classics)
Elgar’s magnificent Violin Concerto receives a performance of extraordinary expression from Vilde Frang, supported by orchestral playing of great sensitivity.
Read the review ● Buy or stream on Presto Music
Bruckner Symphony No 4
Anima Eterna Brugge / Pablo Heras‑Casado (Harmonia Mundi)
There’s a vivid and unique immediacy to Pablo Heras-Casado and Anima Eterna’s sound in this splendid period-instrument recording of Bruckner’s Fourth Symphony.
Read the review ● Buy or stream on Presto Music
Shostakovich Symphonies Nos 4‑6
Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra / Klaus Mäkelä (Decca)
Klaus Mäkelä brings his ever-impressive insight to bear on this fascinating segment of Shostakovich’s life and output, with Decca presenting it in outstanding sound.
Read the review ● Buy or stream on Presto Music
Brahms Piano Quartets Nos 2 & 3
Christian Tetzlaff vn Barbara Buntrock va Tanja Tetzlaff vc Lars Vogt pf (Ondine)
This was pianist Lars Vogt’s last recording, a perfect tribute to his artistry and his generosity as a collaborative musician.
Read the review ● Buy or stream on Presto Music
Elias Music for Strings
Various artists (Signum)
A journey through Brian Elias’s music for strings, played with conviction by a line-up of brilliant artists: ‘the finest album of contemporary chamber music I have encountered this year,’ writes an impressed Guy Rickards.
Read the review ● Buy or stream on Presto Music
‘Souvenirs’
Johan Dalene vn Peter Friis Johansson pf (BIS)
This album from last issue’s cover artist, violinist Johan Dalene, is a tribute to iconic soloists of the past, shaped in the spirit of our own era; pianist Peter Friis Johansson is a perfect partner for this stylish project.
Read the review ● Buy or stream on Presto Music
Campra Requiem
Ensemble Correspondances / Sébastien Daucé (Harmonia Mundi)
Sébastien Daucé and Ensemble Correspondances’s performance of Campra’s Requiem, a major work of the French Baroque, beautifully brings out the music’s melodies and sense of direction.
Read the review ● Buy or stream on Presto Music
Futrell Stabat mater
Terjungensemble / Lars‑Erik ter Jung (BIS)
This recent addition (composed in 2021) to the line of musical meditations on the Stabat mater comes from Tyler Futrell, and is a work of immense power, poignancy and distinctiveness.
Read the review ● Buy or stream on Presto Music
Tilson Thomas ‘Grace’
Various artists (Pentatone)
Produced with great care, this set from Pentatone gathers together our new Lifetime Achievement Award winner Michael Tilson Thomas’s work as a composer, a perfect tribute in his 80th year.
Read the review ● Buy or stream on Presto Music
‘Angele Dei’
Latvian Radio Choir / Kaspars Putniņš, Sigvards Kļava (Skani)
A ‘time stamp’ of new Latvian choral music in 2023, as Andrew Mellor puts it, rewardingly rich in its diversity, and beautifully performed throughout by the Latvian Radio Choir.
Read the review ● Buy or stream on Presto Music
Beethoven ‘The Middle Quartets’
Calidore String Quartet
Signum
‘Sophistication, sheer polish … Beethoven-playing of rare vividness’ – just some of the praise Richard Wigmore offers this superb new release from the Calidore Quartet.
Read the review | Buy or stream on Presto Music
Vivaldi ‘Vivaldi x22’
La Serenissima / Adrian Chandler vn
Signum
La Serenissima always bring a thrilling vitality and musicality to everything they record, and this second installment of Vivaldi double concertos is right up there with their very finest releases.
Read the review | Buy or stream on Presto Music
D Matthews ‘Complete String Quartets, Vol 6’
Kreutzer Quartet
Toccata Classics
A further instalment in Toccata’s series celebrating the string quartets and the imaginative musical voice of British composer David Matthews, with superb performances.
Read the review | Buy or stream on Presto Music
Mendelssohn Two Piano Trios
Joshua Bell vn Steven Isserlis vc Jeremy Denk pf
Sony Classical
A starry line-up of soloists indeed, but what matters most is how brilliantly they sparkle as colleagues in a delightful album of Mendelsohn’s chamber music.
Read the review | Buy or stream on Presto Music
Taneyev Violin Sonata. Piano Quintet
Spectrum Concerts Berlin
Naxos
‘A superb performance of Taneyev’s massive and meaty Piano Quintet,’ writes AFC, and one to rival 2005’s Award-winning recording from Mikhail Pletnev and colleagues.
Read the review | Buy or stream on Presto Music
JS Bach Six Solo Cello Suites
Henrik Dam Thomsen vc
OUR Recordings
A truly beautiful journey through this most profound music, Bach’s Solo Cello Suites, performed throughout with palpable care and love and caught in wonderful sound.
Read the review | Buy or stream on Presto Music
Fauré Piano Works
Aline Piboule pf
Harmonia Mundi
An incredible sense of attention to detail, from the exploration of Fauré’s expressive lines to the glorious-sounding instrument, characterise this rewarding release from French pianist Aline Piboule.
Read the review | Buy or stream on Presto Music
Brahms ‘Songbook, Vol 2’
Sarah Connolly mez Hanno Müller-Brachmann bass-bar Malcolm Martineau pf
Linn
Malcolm Martineau’s series continues with Sarah Connolly and Hanno Müller-Brachmann in a well-chosen programme.
Read the review | Buy or stream on Presto Music
Gesualdo ‘Silenzio mio’
Collegium Vocale Gent / Philippe Herreweghe
PHI
Philippe Herreweghe’s accomplished group Collegium Vocale Gent bring warmth, pathos and impeccable ensemble singing to this inventive programme of works by Gesualdo.
Read the review | Buy or stream on Presto Music
Schubert Die schöne Müllerin
Julian Prégardien ten Kristian Bezuidenhout fp
Harmonia Mundi
Fresh and spontaneous interpretations from tenor Julian Prégardien, who is joined by the ever-imaginative Kristian Bezuidenhout on a superb-sounding fortepiano.
Read the review | Buy or stream on Presto Music
‘The Kurt Weill Album’
Berlin Konzerthaus Orchestra / Joana Mallwitz (DG)
This album of works by Kurt Weill, including his two symphonies, showcases performances of enormous, insight and affection – a triumphant DG debut for Joana Mallwitz.
Brahms Four Symphonies
Chamber Orchestra of Europe / Yannick Nézet‑Séguin (DG)
Thoughtful yet spontaneous-sounding interpretations of Brahms’s symphonies from the COE under Yannick Nézet-Séguin, rich in detail throughout.
Bruckner Symphony No 4, ‘Romantic’
Philharmonie Festiva / Gerd Schaller (Profil)
A superb contribution to Bruckner’s bicentenary year from Gerd Schaller, a performance of the composer’s Symphony No 4 that is full of poetry and a powerful sense of journey.
Gipps ‘Piper of Dreams’
Juliana Koch ob Michael McHale pf (Chandos)
Ruth Gipps’s music is wonderfully brought to life here by oboist Juliana Koch and colleagues, in an excellent addition to Chandos’s committment to the 20th-century English composer’s works.
M Berkeley ‘Collaborations’
Various artists (Orchid)
A wonderful showcase of composer Michael Berkeley’s music – and one displaying its rich variety – from a series of superb soloists who all capture its communicative style brilliantly.
‘Harmonies of Devotion’
Contrapunctus / Owen Rees (Signum)
A fascinating historical collection and connection – an Italian Baroque programme of music acquired in 18th-century London, explored with great skill by Contrapunctus.
‘Queen of Hearts’
The Gesualdo Six / Owain Park (Hyperion)
A beautifully crafted programme of works linked to the Virgin Mary and to 16th-century Queens, as well as music from our own day, all performed with The Gesualdo Six’s customary virtuosity and beauty.
Janáček The Excursions of Mr Brouček
Sols; Prague National Theatre Orchestra / Jaroslav Kyzlink (Supraphon)
A fine new recording of this ever-intriguing work now added to the catalogue, Jaroslav Kyzlink conducting with great insight.
Meyerbeer Le prophète
Sols; London Symphony Orchestra / Sir Mark Elder (LSO Live)
Sir Mark Elder conducts a leading cast and the LSO on location at Aix-en-Provence; this excellent revival of Meyerbeer’s opera is now being offered to audiences at home.
‘Aigul’
Aigul Akhmetshina mez Royal Philharmonic Orchestra / Daniele Rustioni (Decca)
Mezzo Aigul Akhmetshina has attracted high acclaim in such a short time, not least in the role of Carmen – and this debut recital album demonstrates exactly why.
‘Cage2’
Bertrand Chamayou prepared pf (Erato)
Mysterious, disorienting, often very beautiful sounds, and a mesmeric sense of rhythm: Bertrand Chamayou has done full justice to John Cage’s prepared-piano vision.
Beethoven Complete Symphonies
Potsdam Chamber Academy / Antonello Manacorda (Sony Classical)
In perhaps the most competitive of all symphonic fields, Antonello Manacorda brings us a Beethoven cycle that’s hugely impressive and highly enjoyable.
Bridge. Frances-Hoad. Walton Cello Concertos
Laura van der Heijden vc BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra / Ryan Wigglesworth (Chandos)
Laura van der Heijden brings lyricism and refinement to three wonderful concertos.
Prokofiev. Sibelius Violin Concertos
Janine Jansen vn Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra / Klaus Mäkelä (Decca)
Prokofiev and Sibelius concertos full of vivid life and exploration, Janine Jansen brilliantly partnered by Klaus Mäkelä.
Loeffler. Debussy ‘Forgotten Sounds’
Graeme Steele Johnson cl et al (Delos)
A fascinating find, lovingly recreated: Charles Martin Loeffler’s Octet was shelved by the composer after its 1897 premiere, but we can now hear it in all its elegance and style.
Schubert String Quartets Nos 8 & 15
Takács Quartet (Hyperion)
The superb Takács Quartet bring their characteristic insight, intelligence and virtuosity to these Schubert quartets, adding another must-hear album to their impressive and Award-winning catalogue.
Debussy Images
Saskia Giorgini pf (Pentatone)
The compelling colour and carefully crafted shaping in this richly rewarding Debussy recital is evident – and draws one in – from the very beginning; Saskia Giorgini excells in moments both of drama and poetry.
Stradella Motets
Concerto Italiano / Rinaldo Alessandrini (Naïve)
Modern premieres of an incredibly prolific composer, Rinaldo Alessandrini has gathered together a team of wonderful players and singers for a celebration of 17th-century musician Alessandro Stradella.
‘Czech Songs’
Magdalena Kožená mez Czech Philharmonic Orchestra / Sir Simon Rattle (Pentatone)
The programme on this powerfully performed recital – Dvořák, Martinů plus lesser-known names – is beautifully sung by Magdalena Kožená.
Massenet Werther
Sols; Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra / György Vashegyi (Bru Zane)
Werther, but in the rarely heard baritone version, given the strongest possible advocacy by Tassis Christoyannis in the lead role and colleagues; another classy Bru Zane set.
Beethoven Violin Sonatas Nos 1, 5 (‘Spring’), 6 & 10
Antje Weithaas vn Dénes Várjon pf (AVI-Music)
The culmination of Antje Weithaas and Dénes Várjon’s Beethoven sonata cycle reflects throughout their rewarding connection both to the music and to each other.
Bronsart. Henselt Piano Concertos
Paul Wee pf Swedish Chamber Orchestra / Michael Collins (BIS)
Could these highly virtuosic but now neglected concertos ask for a better champion than the ever-superb pianist Paul Wee?
‘The Muses Restor’d’
Brecon Baroque / Rachel Podger vn (Channel Classics)
This month’s cover artist Rachel Podger delves into the sound world of English Baroque music, and demonstrates just why she is so admired by audiences and fellow artists alike.
JS Bach Six Keyboard Partitas, BWV825‑830
Martin Helmchen tangent pf (Alpha)
Bach’s Partitas beautifully played by Martin Helmchen on a tangent piano from 1790, its sound and his playing offering us fresh insights to familiar music.
‘The Vienna Recital’
Yuja Wang pf (DG)
Wide-ranging repertoire, but united by the ever-compelling brilliance of this star among her generation of pianists, the remarkable Yuja Wang, captured in concert in 2022.
Ockeghem ‘Complete Songs, Vol 2’
Blue Heron / Scott Metcalfe (Blue Heron)
American ensemble Blue Heron follow up their previous album of Ockeghem songs with another gloriously crafted volume of the 16th-century composer’s works.
Padovano Masses
Cinquecento (Hyperion)
Cinquecento shine once more, following up last autumn’s captivating recording of the music of Ludwig Daser with an exquisitely sung album of two Masses by Italian Renaissance composer Annibale Padovano.
Schütz Da pacem
Ricercar Consort / Philippe Pierlot (Mirare)
In an incredibly rich month for new albums of Early vocal music, the Ricercar Consort, under director Philippe Pierlot, present a thoughtfully compiled portrait of Heinrich Schütz.
‘Wonder Women’
L’Arpeggiata / Christina Pluhar (Erato)
Following the theme of the last few selections, but adding a classic L’Arpeggiata twist, Christina Pluhar and colleagues offer an imaginative celebration of 17th-century music by women composers.
Adams Girls of the Golden West
Sols; Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra / John Adams (Nonesuch)
John Adams’s return to his 2017 opera has shaped it into a powerful piece addressing the mid-19th-century California Gold Rush.
Chopin Études
Yunchan Lim pf (Decca)
This album of Chopin Études from our cover artist, pianist Yunchan Lim, is a compelling triumph – a truly momentous studio debut from an extraordinary talent.
Andres The Blind Banister
Timo Andres pf Metropolis Ensemble / Andrew Cyr (Nonesuch)
Nonesuch here offers us a beautifully recorded introduction to Timo Andres’s pianistic voice – both as the composer and performer.
Bartók The Wooden Prince
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra / Thomas Dausgaard (Onyx)
Conductor Thomas Dausgaard delves into the dark heart of Bartók’s ballet The Wooden Prince – just one part of a rewarding album devoted to the composer’s music.
Mendelssohn Symphonies
Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra / Paavo Järvi (Alpha)
A superb Mendelssohn symphony cycle from conductor Paavo Järvi to set against the finest of recent times – rich in tonal weight but wonderfully light in spirit too.
Chausson Concert Lekeu Violin Sonata
Gabriel Le Magadure vn Frank Braley pf Quatuor Agate (Appassionato)
Another success from the Appassionato label – violinist Gabriel Le Magadure, pianist Frank Braley and their quartet colleagues embody the music’s drama.
‘Treasures’
Trio Lirico (Audite)
Performances of works by Dohnányi, Ysaÿe and Kodály plus the first recording of Peter Eötvös’s 2020 Trio, a fine tribute to the composer who died in March, are a powerful demonstration of this superb trio’s talent.
Rachmaninov Works for Two Pianos
Sergei Babayan, Daniil Trifonov pfs (DG)
Truly stylish virtuosity from Sergei Babayan and Daniil Trifonov – vivid, theatrical and highly musical, from a piano partnership well worth hearing.
Wagner ‘Famous Opera Scenes’
Nikolai Lugansky pf (Harmonia Mundi)
Such is pianist Nikolai Lugansky’s story-telling poetry throughout this album devoted to Wagner transcriptions that we seem to step straight into the sound world of the operas themselves.
Ysaÿe Solo Violin Sonatas
Sergey Khachatryan vn (Naïve)
A stunning set of Ysaÿe’s solo sonatas from violinist Sergey Khachatryan, whose virtuosity and distinctive voice shine throughout this most fiendish of repertoire.
Elgar The Dream of Gerontius
Sols; Gabrieli Consort & Players / Paul McCreesh (Signum)
A deeply moving journey through Elgar’s religious epic, from a conductor whose admiration of this music is evident in every bar, and a superb soloist in Nicky Spence.
Mahler Symphony No 6
Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra / Sir Simon Rattle (BR-Klassik)
Decades spent with this music bear fruit in a powerfully expressive performance; the second Recording of the Month in a row from a truly wonderful conductor.
Bruckner Symphony No 8
Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra / Stanisław Skrowaczewski (Dabringhaus und Grimm)
Following our recent Icons, Skrowaczewski has been the subject of several letters of tribute, which makes this Bruckner 8 from the close of his life all the more timely.
Stravinsky Petrushka Debussy Jeux. Prélude à L’après-midi d’un faune
Orchestre de Paris / Klaus Mäkelä (Decca)
Klaus Mäkelä once again justifies the plaudits so early in his career with a revelatory Petrushka, rich in thrilling characterisation, caught in luxurious sound.
Smetana Má vlast
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra / Semyon Bychkov (Pentatone)
A performance of this Czech masterpiece rooted in a relationship between Semyon Bychkov at his finest and players steeped in the musical and cultural world in which the work was written.
Rachmaninov Orchestral Works
Kirill Gerstein pf Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra / Kirill Petrenko (Berliner Philharmoniker)
Kirill Petrenko’s selection of Rachmaninov works is striking both for the vividness of its detail and for its compelling rhythmic drive.
Beethoven Piano Trio No 7, ‘Archduke’. Symphony No 4
Leonidas Kavakos vn Yo‑Yo Ma vc Emanuel Ax pf (Sony Classical)
Three star soloists clearly enjoying a project as fascinating as it is rewarding: this time it’s Beethoven’s Fourth transcribed.
Beydts Mélodies & Songs
Cyrille Dubois ten Tristan Raës pf (Aparté)
What a wonderful discovery: the major song cycles from a 20th-century composer whose music has lyrical beauty, but is rarely recorded. If anything can change that, this can.
Pergolesi Stabat mater Vivaldi Nisi Dominus
PRJCT Amsterdam / Maarten Engeltjes counterten (Pentatone)
‘A vital and heartfelt recording … from one of the newest and slickest ensembles,’ says Edward Breen of this moving release.
‘Paysage’
Véronique Gens sop Munich Radio Orchestra / Hervé Niquet (Alpha)
A rich feast of late-Romantic French orchestral song from our Artist of the Year, Véronique Gens; her skills of story-telling and of shaping atmosphere are compelling from the start.
Wagner Parsifal
Vienna State Opera / Philippe Jordan (Sony Classical)
Last month’s cover artist Jonas Kaufmann’s insight into Parsifal is born of immense reflection; his fellow soloists and conductor Philippe Jordan are equally superb in their contributions too.
Janáček Katya Kabanova
Sols; London Symphony Orchestra / Sir Simon Rattle
LSO Live
Sir Simon Rattle’s extraordinary feel for Janáček’s music, the LSO’s beautiful playing and wonderful soloists make for a superb second release in this series of his operas.
Britten Violin Concerto. Double Concerto
Baiba Skride vn ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra / Marin Alsop
Orfeo
A fascinating pairing of two Britten works, magnificently performed by Baiba Skride.
Auerbach. Dvořák. Weinberg Piano Trios
Trio Zimbalist
Curtis Studio/Platoon
A new release from the in-house label of the famed Curtis Institute, and a debut from an accomplished new piano trio, brings a hugely impressive exploration of three works in the form.
‘Haydn All‑Stars’
Trio Ernest
Aparté
Another debut from another trio, this time matching four brilliantly played Haydn works with century-spanning pieces inspired by the composer and his music from Brahms and Belgian composer Jacqueline Fontyn.
LeFanu ‘The Path Above the Dunes’
Gemini
Métier
A fascinating, hugely engaging recording of works by Nicola LeFanu spanning almost half a century, from a contemporary ensemble celebrating 50 years of advocacy of modern music.
Hamelin Piano Works
Marc-André Hamelin pf
Hyperion
Marc-André Hamelin continues to astonish, album by album, in music by others – here is a further and hugely revealing insight into the pianist’s own compositional voice, brought to life with his ever-present virtuoso brilliance.
Handel Theodora
Sols; Arcangelo / Jonathan Cohen
Alpha
Jonathan Cohen and his superb Arcangelo ensemble, plus a perfectly picked selection of soloists, offer a performance rich in detail and humanity of this late Handel oratorio, a work now recognised as a masterpiece.
Lassus ‘The Alchemist, Vol 1’
Magnificat / Philip Cave
Linn
The launch of a scholarly survey of Lassus’s Magnificat settings conducted by Philip Cave, here pairing the composer’s music with the Italian madrigals these works drew on, gloriously sung throughout.
Vaughan Williams ‘Retrospect’
London Choral Sinfonia / Michael Waldron
Orchid
A fascinating journey through lesser-known music by Vaughan Williams, rich in discovery, whether vocal or orchestral, all assembled with care and performed with conviction and eloquence.
‘A Gardener’s World’
Alessandro Fisher ten Anna Tilbrook pf
Rubicon
A previous One to Watch, the tenor Alessandro Fisher offers a beautiful recital of floral-themed songs spanning styles and centuries, the pianist Anna Tilbrook a perfect partner.
🎧 Podcast: Alessandro Fisher on 'A Gardener's World'
‘Shadows of my Ancestors’
Behzod Abduraimov pf
Alpha
The drama in Romeo and Juliet is brilliantly articulated, Gaspard is both vivid and beautiful, Saidaminova’s work a fascinating find: all together a superb album from a brilliant pianist.
Beethoven. Schulhoff Piano Concertos
Herbert Schuch pf WDR Symphony Orchestra / Tung‑Chieh Chuang
AVI-Music
Engaging Beethoven from Herbert Schuch, coupled with Schulhoff’s lesser-heard Concerto, both wonderfully performed.
Avi Avital ‘Concertos’
Avi Avital mandolin Il Giardino Armonico / Giovanni Antonini
DG
A joyful journey through concertos by Vivaldi, Hummel, Bach and others courtesy of Avi Avital and his captivating virtuosity as a soloist on the mandolin.
‘Handel for Trumpet’
Jonathan and Tom Freeman-Attwood tpts Anna Szałucka pf
Linn
Jonathan Freeman-Attwood concludes his series of trumpet transcriptions with a rewarding album of Handel reimaginings, including four concertos recast as sonatas.
🎧 Jonathan Freeman-Attwood on the Gramophone Podcast
Mendelssohn Cello Sonatas
Sol Gabetta vc Bertrand Chamayou pf
Sony Classical
Mendelssohn music for cello and piano presented with style and charm by Sol Gabetta and Bertrand Chamayou, accompanied by 20th-century pieces that follow in his footsteps.
‘A Lionel Tertis Celebration’
Timothy Ridout va James Baillieu, Frank Dupree pf
Harmonia Mundi
A lovingly curated tribute to one of the past’s finest viola players, Lionel Tertis, from one of today’s, Timothy Ridout: a generously filled album of glorious music.
🎧 Timothy Ridout on the Gramophone Podcast
‘Le temps retrouvé’
Elena Urioste vn Tom Poster pf
Chandos
Elena Urioste and Tom Poster – founders of the riveting Kaleidoscope Collective – continue their mission of introducing the unfamiliar in unfailingly superb performances.
Bartók. Janáček. Szymanowski Piano Works
Piotr Anderszewski pf
Warner Classics
Piotr Anderszewski brings a level of detail and overall vision to these works, collectively spanning a huge variety of musical colours, that is astonishing and highly compelling.
Schubert Winterreise
Cyrille Dubois ten Anne Le Bozec pf
NoMadMusic
Cyrille Dubois – winner of a Gramophone Award for his remarkable complete survey of Fauré songs – brings the same intimacy, humanity and beauty to Schubert’s tragic cycle.
Bertin Fausto
Sols; Les Talens Lyriques / Christophe Rousset
Bru Zane
Louise Bertin’s 19th‑century take on the famed story of Faust remained largely forgotten until recent revivals: the ever-impressive Christophe Rousset brings his acclaimed conviction to a terrific discovery.
Saint-Saëns Cello Concerto No 1 and sonatas by Franck and Poulenc
Bruno Philippe vc Tanguy de Williencourt pf Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra / Christoph Eschenbach
Harmonia Mundi
Bruno Philippe, one of his generation’s most compelling cellists, returns with familiar musical partners to offer us an album of real intelligence, lyricism and elegance.
CPE Bach Six Hamburg Symphonies
Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century / Alexander Janiczek vn
Glossa
A reminder of how imaginative CPE Bach’s music can be – a spirit that conductor Alexander Janiczek and his musicians pick up and run with!
Beethoven Violin Concerto. ‘Kreutzer’ Sonata
Double Sens / Nemanja Radulović vn
Warner Classics
Nemanja Radulovic´ brings real character to his reading of the Beethoven Violin Concerto and has nothing to fear from a catalogue packed with famed accounts.
Bruckner Symphony No 5
ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra / Markus Poschner
Capriccio
As one of our interviewees in this month’s special Bruckner feature, it’s wonderful to be able to welcome Markus Poschner’s superb new recording of Symphony No 5.
Jarrell Orchestral Works
Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire / Pascal Rophé
BIS
Michael Jarrell’s fascinating sound world is well caught in this wonderfully performed recording, soloists, conductor Pascal Rophé and BIS alike offering excellent advocacy.
Beethoven Violin Sonatas Nos 3, 7 & 8
Antje Weithaas vn Dénes Várjon pf
AVI-Music
Antje Weithaas and Dénes Várjon are back with a second volume of Beethoven sonatas, and it’s one that finds them exploring his music with genuine insight, bringing rich rewards.
‘A Celebration’
Thomas Trotter org
Regent
There’s so much to celebrate here – a well-chosen programme of delights, Birmingham Town Hall’s superb instrument, and most of all a soloist in Thomas Trotter of virtuosic brilliance.
Pepusch Chandos Anthems
The Harmonious Society of Tickle-Fiddle Gentlemen / Robert Rawson
Accent
A contemporary of Handel, who also had links to Cannons, the Duke of Chandos’s estate, is presented with passion and joy.
Weelkes ‘Gentleman Extraordinary’
Resurgam / Mark Duley
Resonus
The 400th anniversary of Thomas Weelkes’s death last year may not have got the same attention as that of Byrd’s, but this album offers a suitably fine tribute to his varied and imaginative music.
‘Operette’
Diana Damrau sop Munich Radio Orchestra / Ernst Theis
Erato
‘I wonder if I’ve already found my record of the year?’ writes Richard Bratby. Bold words indeed for a January review, and what better encouragement to listen to it?
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