Gramophone Choices,
Gramophone Editor's Choices - February 2022
Jordi Savall's accounts of Beethoven's symphonies Nos. 6-9 with Le Concert des Nations takes the laurels this month, with Mark Pullinger observing 'a freshness and energy that are thoroughly invigorating' and noting the 'genuine elation' of the choral singing in the finale of No. 9. (The project had almost stalled at the finishing-line earlier in 2021 when Savall and several choir-members contracted COVID-19, but was eventually rescheduled towards the end of the year).
The first five symphonies from the same forces were released in 2020, and described as 'highly enjoyable' by the Sunday Times.
Recording of the Month
Beethoven Révolution Vol. II - Symphonies 6 to 9
Sara Gouzy (soprano), Salome Fischer (alto), Mingjie Lei (tenor), Manuel Walser (baritone), Le Concert des Nations, La Capella Nacional de Catalunya, Jordi Savall
'This is a very special release...Savall’s may well have just become my favourite period-instrument Beethoven cycle of them all.'
Available Formats: 3 SACDs, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Editor's Choices
'The Schoenberg...might be the best performance of all. I can’t recall a more hushed, breathless, furtive opening...All of a programme, then, brilliantly executed. What will this chameleon of an ensemble bring us next? Their name was well chosen.'
Available Format: CD
'Even if you already have Collins’s first-rate Chandos disc, this beautifully recorded BIS CD is a worthy investment, not least for the exceptionally successful arrangement of the A major Violin Sonata.'
Available Formats: SACD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Light in Darkness: Mieczyslaw Weinberg
Linus Roth (violin), Janusz Wawrowski (violin), José Gallardo (piano), Danjulo Ishizaka (cello)
'Roth’s notes are perceptive without becoming wantonly enthusiastic. He deserves credit from Weinberg devotees and newcomers alike for such formidable and unstinting advocacy.'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
'Throughout the programme, Hamelin’s delight and relish are highly infectious...In short, I cannot think of a better introduction to CPE Bach on the modern piano than these two joyous discs.'
Available Formats: 2 CDs, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
'You can think of this impressive release as a two-disc illustration of its title or simply as a pair of satisfying, carefully programmed Liszt recitals...I cannot recommend it too highly.'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
'Imaginatively planned, brilliantly executed, this is a disc guaranteed to give pleasure to any lover of the Italian Baroque with a sense of adventure.'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
'The performances are impeccably realised, each player a virtuoso in his or her own right, with impeccable intonation and sense of ensemble. Delphian’s sound is first-rate.'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Rameau: Achante et Céphise
Cyrille Dubois (Achante), Sabine Devieilhe (Céphise), David Witczak (Le Génie Oroès), Judith Van Wanroij (Zirphile), Les Chantres du Centre de musique baroque de Versailles, Les Ambassadeurs La Grande Écurie, Alexis Kossenko
'Kossenko’s superb players take in their stride every ingenious surprise and intricate detail that Rameau throws at them. The special qualities of this outstanding recording extend to perfect casting of the four principal roles.'
Available Formats: 2 CDs, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
'A wonderfully made programme that turns both its musicological mining and its high-powered performances to sheer pleasure.'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC
DVD/Blu-ray of the Month
Mozart: Die Zauberflöte (DVD)
Mauro Peter (Tamino), Siobhan Stagg (Pamina), Roderick Williams (Papageno), Sabine Devieilhe (Queen of the Night), Mika Kares (Sarastro), Peter Bronder (Monostatos), Darren Jeffery (Speaker of the Temple), Christina Gansch (Papagena); Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Julia Jones
'This spirited performance, with good video direction by Jonathan Haswell, will give a great deal of pleasure.'
Available Format: DVD Video
Reissue/Archive Issue of the Month
'Most orchestral tracks are with the Czech Philharmonic, and Lambert has written very informed and readable booklet notes. I’d recommend settling down to listen ‘blind’, so that each rarity can make its full impact. A terrific set.'
Available Formats: 3 CDs, MP3, FLAC
Chris O'Reilly - Chief Executive
