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Presto Editor's Choices - November 2019
1st Dec 2019
Arresting debut albums from tenor Benjamin Bernheim, violinist Diana Tishchenko and mezzo Adèle Charvet, plus fleet-footed Schubert from Maxim Emelyanychev in his first recording with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.
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Mariss Jansons (1943 - 2019)
1st Dec 2019
The Latvian conductor, who held posts with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, has died aged 76 following a long struggle with a heart condition.
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Tchaikovsky: Pique Dame
Misha Didyk (Herman), Tatiana Serjan (Lisa), Larissa Diadkova (Countess), Alexey Shishlyaev (Tomskij and Plutus), Alexey Markov (Yeletzki) Kinderchor der Bayerischen Staatsoper & Chor and Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Mariss Jansons
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2019 Christmas Selections
29th Nov 2019
David picks out three of this year's Christmas releases, featuring Septura (with guest appearance from Derek Jacobi), Stile Antico, and the late Stephen Cleobury in his valedictory service at the helm of Carols from King's.
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New Release Round-Up - 29th November 2019
29th Nov 2019
Beethoven from René Jacobs, Bach from Angela Hewitt, Ravel from Javier Perianes and Josep Pons, and Bruckner from the Berliner Philharmoniker archives.
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Beethoven: Leonore
Marlis Petersen (Leonore), Maximilian Schmitt (Florestan), Dimitry Ivashchenko (Rocco), Johannes Weisser (Pizarro), Robin Johannsen (Marzelline), Johannes Chum (Jaqino), Tareq Nazmi (Don Fernando), Florian Feth, Julian Popken (Two Prisoners) Freiburger Barockorchester, René Jacobs
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Kit Downes - Dreamlife of Debris
29th Nov 2019
Finding inspiration in W.G. Sebald's novel The Rings of Saturn, Kit Downes's second album for ECM demonstrates his unique approach to the church organ with a brilliantly atmospheric suite of pieces.
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Recordings of the Year 2019 - Special Category Nominees
28th Nov 2019
In advance of the final verdicts next Friday, we reveal the shortlists for our six special awards - including Conductor of the Year, Debut Solo Album, and two separate categories of world premiere recordings.
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Palmarès des Diapason d'or 2019
27th Nov 2019
Chris introduces the winners of this year's Awards, revealed at a ceremony last night in Paris.
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Jazzwise Albums of the Year 2019
27th Nov 2019
Jazzwise reveal their favourite new albums of 2019 with a selection reflecting just how exciting the current jazz scene is, with newer artists vying with the old guard.
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BBC Music Magazine - Christmas 2019 Choices
26th Nov 2019
Chris introduces this month's selection, including Dvořák and Martinů concertos from Czech pianist Ivo Kahánek, Dohnányi from Marc-André Hamelin and the Takács Quartet, and late Schubert from Francesco Piemontesi.
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Jonathan Sells on Christmas in Leipzig
25th Nov 2019
Jonathan Sells, artistic director of the British early music ensemble Solomon's Knot, talks to David about their début recording, featuring three consecutive musical directors at the Leipzig Thomaskirche - Johann Schelle, Johann Kuhnau and, of course, Johann Sebastian Bach.
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New Music Book Publications - 25th November 2019
25th Nov 2019
A collection of letters between Leonard Bernstein and two of his Japanese fans; the history of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra; a look at how censorship affected the composition of Berg's opera, Lulu; and the impact of technology on the development of new sounds and instruments.
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Gifts for... Chamber and Instrumental Music enthusiasts
24th Nov 2019
Our top picks for fans of chamber music - including selected recordings, box sets, books and sheet music.
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News from the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain
24th Nov 2019
NYO announced their 2020 orchestra earlier this week; find out more about their winter tour and the excellent work they do supporting the next generation of classical musicians.
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Sir Stephen Cleobury (1948-2019)
23rd Nov 2019
The English organist and conductor, who was Director of Music at King’s College Cambridge for almost four decades, has died aged 70.
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La damnation de Faust from John Nelson
22nd Nov 2019
Starring Michael Spyres and Joyce DiDonato, this live recording of Berlioz's légende dramatique from Strasbourg is a worthy successor to the American conductor's hugely acclaimed Les Troyens from 2017.
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New Release Round-Up - 22nd November 2019
22nd Nov 2019
Russian showpieces from Vasily Petrenko and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Luigi Rossi from Christina Pluhar and L'Arpeggiata, and Christmas in Leipzig from early music collective Solomon’s Knot in their debut recording.
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Luigi Rossi: La Lyra d’Orfeo & Arpa Davidica
Christina Pluhar (theorbo, harp), Véronique Gens (soprano), Jakub Józef Orliński (countertenor), Philippe Jaroussky (countertenor), Céline Scheen (soprano), Valer Barna-Sabadus (countertenor), Giuseppina Bridelli (mezzo-soprano), L'Arpeggiata
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Jazz New Release Round-Up - 22nd November, 2019
22nd Nov 2019
R&B blowers, avant-tunesmiths, Jazz Messengers, multi-instrumentalists and ambient noodlers all get attention in this week's round-up.
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Recordings of the Year 2019 - Our Top 100
21st Nov 2019
The first meeting of the Presto Awards committee is over, and it's time to reveal the 100 recordings which have most impressed our editorial team this year...
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Ornette Coleman
21st Nov 2019
Ornette Coleman's reputation as the man who broke jazz often gets in the way of some of the most celebratory music of any age, which continues to communicate 60 years on.
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Grammy Nominations 2020
20th Nov 2019
The shortlist for next year's Awards was revealed earlier today - read on for full details of the recordings which will be battling it out in the nine classical categories.
