Gramophone Choices, Gramophone Editor's Choices - December 2020

'The subdued atmosphere of the first few pieces has clear echoes of the ensemble’s Award-winning account of Schütz’s Musikalische Exequien. It is tempered by the same quality of inner luminosity that characterises the earlier recording...in fact I’d say it is finer still...Altogether, this is the standout among the albums I have reviewed in a year where such experiences have seemed more necessary than ever.'

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'Unlike Leonard Bernstein’s famous recording of these same two late Beethoven quartets with the strings of the Vienna Philharmonic – titanic, emotionally acute interpretations indelibly stamped with that conductor’s imprint – the Kremerata Baltica act more as an augmented quartet, retaining a sense of intimacy that’s still very much in the realm of chamber music...Not to be missed.'

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'Brabbins’s Vaughan Williams symphony cycle goes from strength to strength with an outstanding Fifth from strength to strength with this impressively cogent, self-effacing Fifth, a reading notable for its unhurried demeanour, clarity of texture and orchestral playing of conspicuous finesse and lustre…The coupling could hardly be more intriguing...A rather special release, this, and emphatically not to be missed.'

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'To my mind the most impressive piece here is This Midnight Hour (2015), inspired by poems by Baudelaire and Juan Ramón Jiménez, compact, compelling and tautly directed by Oramo. Irrespective of the conductors, it is the BBC Symphony Orchestra who shine throughout, with superbly mastered sound (by Jody Elff). Another winner from Avie.'

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'The reason you should care about this album isn’t because it’s got a great back story but because this is wonderful playing, supremely polished in technical terms and exuding maturity...In short, this is a stunning album – to the extent that this may now be my go-to recording of the Franck.'

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'[The Kurtág pieces] are powerfully direct in expression while displaying the greatest compositional skill and subtlety...As for her Bach, it is a joy. I sometimes wonder if these suites work better on the viola than they do on the cello, so much do they gain in lightness and agility. Certainly in Zimmermann’s hands they are airborne, free to race and play, dance with nimble feet or graceful swings, and sing with clean, sweetly floated line.'

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'There are many reasons why this new release from the Choir of New College Oxford directed by Robert Quinney will not disappoint, and chief among them are four premiere recordings and a consistently radiant sound with confident, purposeful phrasing...it is pleasing to hear Sheppard’s monumental Media vita sounding so rich and full, with a memorable countertenor sound.'

Available Format: CD

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'Among the series of tiny vignettes – airs, duets, dances and choruses – there is plenty to beguile. Using a wide palette of instrumental colours, including a hurdygurdy, Boismortier has a delicate sense of the picturesque...That avid explorer of French operatic rarities, György Vashegyi, directs his Hungarian forces with his usual zest (the pacing of the dialogues seems spot on) and feeling for colour.'

Available Formats: 2 CDs, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC

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'Said is an engaging storyteller, though, her French diction sharply animated, with shiny top notes glinting brilliantly...Martineau paints vivid pictures at the piano, too...The popular songs from Egypt and Lebanon that close this imaginative album feature traditional instruments such as the qanun and are a fascinating insight into Said’s musical background. I’ll be fascinated to see where Said goes next.'

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'There’s a vigour and charm to the choruses and dances that is quite irresistible...All this is superbly performed by Václav Luks and his Czech chorus and orchestra. The principal soloists are, mostly, French or Belgian. As the much put-upon Alphise, Deborah Cachet is particularly forceful in ‘Songe affreux’...This is a first-rate performance, on a par with Gardiner’s terrific recording on Erato.'

Available Formats: 3 CDs, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC

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'Dubois is wonderful in the title-role. His tenor, with its slight flutter and exquisite head notes, makes for an appealing performance as the lovelorn youngster…Langrée coaxes lovely, affectionate playing from the Orchestre des Champs-Élysées, shaping Messager’s melodies with great care. For gentle, escapist charm – and many of us require large doses of that right now – Fortunio would seem to be the perfect remedy.'

Available Format: DVD Video

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Sound format: PCM Stereo / DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1

Picture Format: 16:9

Available Format: Blu-ray

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'Mercury Living Presence achieved impressive levels of internal clarity...Many of these recordings are receiving their first Decca CD release; every disc tops the 80-minute mark and the transfers are beyond reproach. A set to prize, I’d say.'

Available Formats: 4 CDs, MP3, FLAC

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