Gramophone Choices,
Gramophone Editor's Choices - April 2022
An eloquent, imaginative St. Matthew Passion from Pygmalion and Raphaël Pichon takes the laurels in next month's issue, with Jonathan Freeman-Attwood describing it as 'a recording that markedly enriches the Passion’s famously illustrious discography through its quest for endless possibilities.'
Editor's Choices include Jessye Norman in Strauss from the BBC archives, an 'uber-auspicious' recording debut from Finnish conductor Klaus Mäkelä in Sibelius, and Martin James Bartlett's irresistible accounts of Rachmaninov's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini and Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue - you can read David's in-depth interview with the young British pianist about his love of 'the coming-together of the jazz and classical genres' (and much more!) here.
Recording of the Month
JS Bach: Matthäus-Passion
Julian Prégardien (Evangelist), Stéphane Degout (Christus), Sabine Devieilhe & Hana Blažiková (sopranos), Lucile Richardot (mezzo), Tim Mead (countertenor), Reinoud Van Mechelen & Emiliano Gonzalez Toro (tenors), Christian Immler (bass-baritone); Pygmalion, Raphaël Pichon
'With its glowing inner vitality and penetrating observations, this is a Passion that makes a very definite statement about what this work can communicate in our times.'
Available Formats: 3 CDs, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Editor's Choices
'The sounds Abrahamsen craves, white and translucent across a large range of actual expression, hugely complex on the page but delectably simple to the ear, are exceptionally realised and recorded here.'
Available Formats: SACD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC, Hi-Res+ FLAC
'This showcases an outstanding keyboard talent at the top of his game in repertoire that he clearly has an affinity and fondness for...He plays [Rhapsody in Blue] with a smile on his face and that somehow finds its way into his fingers.'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC, Hi-Res+ FLAC
Nielsen & Sibelius: Violin Concertos
Johan Dalene (violin), Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, John Storgårds
'For my money, there’s no finer coupling of these highly contrasting yet much-associated concertos on record. I suspect the individual performances could well prove superlative for many listeners, too.'
Available Formats: SACD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Vivaldi & Bach: 12 Concertos, Op. 3 ‘L’estro armonico’
Rinaldo Alessandrini (violin), Concerto Italiano
'This double-disc offering is so good that it feels like the only set a person would ever need. The ensemble sound itself from Concerto Italiano is warm, nimble and buoyant.'
Available Formats: 2 CDs, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
'Mäkelä’s cycle is all of a piece, accomplished, insightful and full of the beauty and intrigue that make these works so perennially exciting. An uber-auspicious debut.'
Available Formats: MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
'Minutely attentive to Mendelssohn’s detailed dynamic and phrase markings, they yield to none in polish and precision. True to form, they characterise with gusto.'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
'With a total time of just over 86 minutes the physical disc is exceptionally well filled. Its bountifulness is matched by its high quality and excellent execution.'
Available Formats: SACD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
'Grigorian is utterly compelling throughout. Even on disc, without the visuals, you can hear how Grigorian lives and breathes each song...Pianist Lukas Geniušas is an equal partner dramatically,'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
'I enjoyed her singing virtually without reservation...These days all-Handel recitals are ten-a-penny. Very few, though, are as compelling, musically and dramatically, as this.'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
DVD/Blu-ray of the Month
Offenbach: Les Contes d'Hoffmann (DVD)
Benjamin Bernheim (Hoffmann), Olga Peretyatko (Antonia/Giulietta/Olympia/Stella), Luca Pisaroni (Lindorf/Coppélius/Dr Miracle/Dapertutto), Angela Brower (Muse/Nicklausse); Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Hamburg, Chor der Hamburgischen Staatsoper, Kent Nagano, Daniele Finzi Pasca
'Nagano sweeps it all along with sensuality and verve; the Hamburg orchestra is on colourful form and for a staging that is (essentially) a piece of glorious escapism, it leaves you with a surprising amount to ponder.'
Available Format: DVD Video
Reissue/Archive Issue of the Month
Jessye Norman sings Strauss: Five Songs & Salome
Jessye Norman (soprano), London Philharmonic Orchestra, Klaus Tennstedt
'It’s the songs and, especially, the Salome that make this recording an essential listen, and a compelling reminder of a great singer at her dramatic best.'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC
Chris O'Reilly - Chief Executive
