BBC Music Magazine Choices,
BBC Music Magazine - December 2018 Choices
Pride of place this month goes to Sir Mark Elder’s uncut recording of Rossini’s Semiramide with the period instruments of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Russian coloratura soprano Albina Shagimuratova as the Babylonian queen, and Daniela Barcellona as her estranged son Arsace; you can read our complete review here, and Katherine’s interview with the two leading ladies here.
Recording of the Month
Rossini: Semiramide
Albina Shagimuratova, Daniela Barcellona, Mirco Palazzi, Barry Banks; Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment & Opera Rara Chorus, Sir Mark Elder
'Semiramide has more than its share of grandness, and in the trumpet-crowned procession as the Queen of Babylon prepares to announce her choice of king you can't help but hear a pre-echo of Verdi's Aida, still nearly 50 years in the future. Elder always has an ear for the lightness in such episodes, and they sound hearty but never bombastic. The Opera Rara Chorus sings some tough music thrillingly well.'
Available Formats: 4 CDs, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Orchestral Choice
Berg: Violin Concerto & Mendelssohn: Scottish Symphony (DVD)
Baiba Skride (violin), Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, Andris Nelsons
'As recorded in Leipzig's handsome new(ish) Gewandhaus Hall, the sound is a feast in its own right - a lovely balance of clarity, spaciousness, and glowing warmth.'
Available Format: DVD Video
Berg: Violin Concerto & Mendelssohn: Scottish Symphony (Blu-ray)
Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, Andris Nelsons
Picture Formats: NTSC 16:9, Full HD
Sound Formats: DTS HD Master Audio, PCM Stereo
Available Format: Blu-ray
Concerto Choice
Bartók: Violin Concerto No. 1 & Enescu: Octet
Vilde Frang (violin), Orchestre de Radio France, Mikko Franck
'Frang rises to the works' passionate lyricism and dazzles in partnership with Mikko Franck and the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France.'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Chamber Choice
'Ravel's tantalising stylistic confluence of ancient and modern comes bubbling to the surface in the Tesla Quartet's captivating account of his only String Quartet. An outstanding recording debut.'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Instrumental Choice
'Andsnes is not interested in being different, just in being honest. Yes, there is pain. But only where Chopin writes it. And it is offset by myriad beauties of tone and understanding. A delectable disc.'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Choral & Song Choice
'This is the seventh of nine projected discs in The Tallis Scholars' ongoing endeavour to record the complete Masses of Josquin des Prés. Using just nine singers gives an intimacy to these readings and ensures clear-cut words and sharply delineated vocal lines.'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC, Hi-Res+ FLAC
Opera Choice
Puccini: La Bohème (DVD)
Michael Fabiano, Nicole Car, Mariusz Kwiecien, Simona Mihai; Royal Opera House, Antonio Pappano, Richard Jones
'The Royal Opera glows with warmth. Antonio Pappano is in his element relishing every detail in Puccini's score slipping into the Act 1 duet for Rodolfo and Mimi as if we'd never heard it before.'
Available Format: DVD Video
Puccini: La Bohème (Blu-ray)
Michael Fabiano, Nicole Car, Mariusz Kwiecien, Simona Mihai; Royal Opera House, Antonio Pappano, Richard Jones
Picture format: 16:9 Audio format: 5:1
Available Format: Blu-ray
Jazz Choice
Marcin Wasilewski Trio - Live
Marcin Wasilewski (piano), Slawomir Kurkiewicz (double bass), Michal Miskiewicz (drums)
'There's a galaxy of piano trios in today's jazz universe but few shine as bright as Marcin Wasilewski's. They've finally released a live recording, and it's been worth the wait.'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Chris O'Reilly - Chief Executive
