Organist and conductor Anna Lapwood was named Personality of the Year in recognition of her mission to 'bring classical music to waves of new audiences with her prolific and hugely engaging social media presence', whilst the Newcomer of the Year Award went to American pianist George Xiaoyuan Fu for his 'breathtaking' recital centring on Ravel's Miroirs (released on Platoon in November 2022).
And don't miss our special offer featuring all the winners of this year's awards!
Recording of the Year and Orchestral
Vaughan Williams, Howells, Delius & Elgar: Music for Strings
Sinfonia of London, John Wilson
'The Sinfonia of London’s string playing bristles with vitality and definition.'
Available formats: SACD, Download & Streaming (up to 96 kHz, 24 bit)
Concerto
Nielsen: The Concertos
Bomsori (violin), Ulla Miilmann (flute), Johnny Teyssier (clarinet) Danish National Symphony Orchestra, Fabio Luisi
'These characterful works were brought to vivid life by their respective soloists, in fine dialogue with Luisi and the Danish National Symphony.'
Available format: Download & Streaming (up to 96 kHz, 24 bit)
Opera
Rodgers & Hammerstein: Oklahoma!
Nathaniel Hackmann (Curly), Sierra Boggess (Laurey), Rodney Earl Clarke (Jud Fry), Jamie Parker (Will Parker), Louise Dearman (Ado Annie), Sandra Marvin (Aunt Eller), Nadim Naaman (Ali Hakim), Leo Roberts (Andrew Carnes); Sinfonia of London, Oklahoma! Ensemble, John Wilson
'As ever, John Wilson brings great passion to this project, assembling not only his go-to band of top-notch orchestral players, but a cast totally perfect in their roles.'
Available formats: 2 SACDs, Download & Streaming (up to 96 kHz, 24 bit)
Choral & Song
Monteverdi: Vespro della beata Vergine
Pygmalion, Raphaël Pichon
'Eschewing some of the liturgical elements, this recording was called ‘an attractive addition’ in our original review, its bright and lyrical tone offering a refreshing view of the great work.'
Available formats: 2 CDs, Download & Streaming (up to 96 kHz, 24 bit)
Vocal
Beyond
Jakub Józef Orliński (countertenor), Il Pomo d'Oro
'Orliński carries off the programme with great élan: his bell-like voice is warm, focused and as limber as his famous break-dancing.'
Available formats: CD, Download & Streaming (up to 96 kHz, 24 bit)
Chamber
Beethoven: The Late Quartets
Calidore String Quartet
'The Calidore players penetrate right to the heart of the music, giving warm and intensely lyrical accounts.'
Available formats: 3 CDs, Download & Streaming (up to 96 kHz, 24 bit)
Instrumental
Profesión
Sean Shibe (guitar)
'This is a gleaming and brilliant album that doesn’t fail to awaken the senses to the exhilarating world of unadulterated acoustic sound.'
Available formats: CD, Download & Streaming (up to 192 kHz, 24 bit)
Premiere
Maconchy, Lutyens & Wallen: Works for Piano and Orchestra
Martin Jones (piano), Rebeca Omordia (piano), BBC Concert Orchestra, John Andrews
'All the pieces are premieres on disc – and they are discoveries you’ll want to hear many times again.'
Available formats: CD, Download & Streaming (up to 192 kHz, 24 bit)
Newcomer
Mirrors
George Xiaoyuan Fu (piano)
'His intelligent approach to the music is fuelled by deep emotion and understanding of the wide variety of repertoire. That and Fu’s entrancing lightness of touch made for a memorable debut.'
Available format: Download & Streaming (up to 96 kHz, 24 bit)
