BBC Music Magazine Choices,
BBC Music Magazine - July 2020 Choices
Alina Ibragimova's 'supernaturally fine-tuned' accounts of Shostakovich's Violin Concertos with Vladimir Jurowski and the State Academic Symphony Orchestra of Russia 'Evgeny Svetlanov' on Hyperion is first among equals this month, thanks to the Russian-born violinist’s ‘technical finesse and songful reflection’; you can read Katherine’s interview with her about the physical and emotional challenges of these works and the ‘special experience’ of recording them in Russia here.
The Choral Choice is The Suspended Harp of Babel, a luminous album of psalms and folk hymns by the Estonian composer Cyrillus Kreek (1889-1962) on ECM, which David recently discussed with Vox Clamantis director Jaan-Eik Tulve.
Recording of the Month
Shostakovich: Violin Concertos
Alina Ibragimova (violin), State Academic Symphony Orchestra of Russia 'Evgeny Svetlanov', Vladimir Jurowski
'Ibragimova is the latest to make you think you’ve never heard [the First Concerto] played better, and her intense relationship with Vladimir Jurowski and the current incarnation of Yevgeny Svetlanov’s ‘orchestra with a voice’, making just as compelling a case for the sequel concerto, is supernaturally fine-tuned…Above all it’s the massive cadenza where Ibragimova goes to the limits, not afraid of making ugly and terrifying sounds.'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC, Hi-Res+ FLAC
Orchestral Choice
'In this most celebrated of symphonies the players sound at times as though they might explode with excitement. Where appropriate, they generate a rapier-like thrust that sweeps aside conventional thinking. It’s an exhilarating helter-skelter ride, which finds Currentzis (as if in full meditative flow) focusing on the music’s emotional narrative with electrifying powers of single-minded concentration.'
Available Formats: MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Concerto Choice
Bach - Vivaldi: Double Concertos for Violin & Cello Piccolo
Giuliano Carmignola (violin), Mario Brunello (cello)
'The soloists are not only superb virtuosos but they converse with the rapport of chamber musicians, and are keenly aware of period style…They parry with daring abandon Vivaldi’s barrage of challenges…while to Bach’s Teutonic idiom they bring Italian fire and lyricism These are high-risk performances, both soloists preferring raw expression to mere beauty of sound.'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Chamber Choice
'The ensemble brings an extraordinary range and depth of sound to Beach’s closely-worked score…Ohlsson and the Takács Quartet are vividly alert to the [Elgar]’s sense of story…This is a performance every bit as imaginative and expressive as Elgar’s remarkable score, rich in contrast and daring but never overblown and always precise…This is in every respect an outstanding disc.'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Instrumental Choice
'The Saint-Saens Allegretto (from Op. 59 No. 1) comes over with a light and velvet touch and not a trace of mannerism…Most successful are Musorgsky’s deft arrangements of movements from the F major Quartet, Op. 135: the Vivace feels entirely natural on a piano, and the Lento assai exudes a grave beauty, with occasional hints of the ghost of the original work. Beethoven’s little variations on Mozart’s theme reflect the composer at his most exuberant and inventive.'
Available Formats: SACD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Choral & Song Choice
'A caressing velvety choral reassurance underpins Jaan-Eile Tulve’s tender direction of Psalm 121…Nothing is forced. The singing breathes with a collective, gentle inevitability…The final impression is abiding solace for these distracted times.'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Opera Choice
'McCreesh’s production rises to the occasion: original voicing, unorthodox continuo, project-specific trumpet design and rediscovered string techniques bring out qualities missing from earlier recordings. The choir transforms on command from a lightly teasing ensemble to a thundering chorus…Singers’ additions, which stand out gloriously against a plucked-string-only accompaniment, cause amorous solos to ooze desire…Extremes, as McCreesh shows, belong to the fantastic worlds of The Fairy Queen.'
Available Formats: 2 CDs, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC, Hi-Res+ FLAC
Jazz Choice
'The electric guitarist John Scofield comes full circle with this fine trio release, revising original pieces from veteran bass player Steve Swallow’s repertoire…The trio’s close rapport means they can nail a deeply satisfying session like this in just an afternoon…The musical synergy is thrilling. As Scofield succinctly puts it in the CD liner: ‘When we play it’s like one big guitar, the bass part and my part together.'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Chris O'Reilly - Chief Executive
