Look out for our in-depth interview with Andsnes tomorrow, in which he discusses his friendship with Chamayou, the intimacy of sharing a keyboard and pedals, and why Schubert was drawn to four-hand music throughout his short life...
Editor's Choices include 'insightful interpretations' of concertos by William Sterndale Bennett from Simon Callaghan, the Royal Northern Sinfonia and Martin Yates on Lyrita, an 'outstanding album' of Op. 1 compositions from Van Cliburn Silver Medallist Anna Geniushene on Fuga Libera, and a 'dazzling' debut from American violinist and composer Tim Fain on Delos.
Recording of the Month
Editor's Choices
Schubert: Four Hands
Bertrand Chamayou (piano), Leif Ove Andsnes (piano)
'[They] consistently transcend matters of ensemble synchronicity and textural balances, going directly to the music's heart and soul...An instant classic.'
Available formats: CD, Download & Streaming (up to 192 kHz, 24 bit)
The French in Spain
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, JoAnn Falletta
'During JoAnn Falletta's tenure the orchestra has become among America's finest, as will be fairly obvious if you sample any of the four masterpieces that are gathered together on this excellent programme.'
Available formats: CD, Download & Streaming (up to 96 kHz, 24 bit)
Schubert: Symphonies Vol. 1: No. 7 & No. 4
Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen, Paavo Järvi
'For crispness of ensemble and precision of detail the Bremeners modern instruments played with period awareness are a match for all comers.'
Available formats: CD, Download & Streaming (up to 96 kHz, 24 bit)
William Sterndale Bennett: Piano Concertos Nos. 4 & 6
Simon Callaghan (piano), with Hiroaki Takenouchi (piano), Royal Northern Sinfonia, Martin Yates
'Besides the novel repertoire...the quality of sound and balance are exceptional, as are the insightful interpretations from soloists, conductor and the Royal Northern Sinfonia, who are in fine fettle.'
Available formats: CD, Download & Streaming (up to 96 kHz, 24 bit)
The Korngold Collection
Pacifica Quartet, with Orion Weiss (piano), Eric Kim (cello), Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt (viola)
'Korngold's discursive argument never loses its sense of direction and the sound is as limpid as the invention permits, sweet in exactly the right way.'
Available format: Download & Streaming (up to 96 kHz, 24 bit)
Opus 1
Anna Geniushene (piano)
'What riches we already have here. Geniushene's Chopin is impeccably crisp and articulate improvisatory, yet at the same time tasteful and disciplined...This is an outstanding album that left me wanting more.'
Available formats: CD, Download & Streaming (up to 96 kHz, 24 bit)
Unraveling
Tim Fain (violin)
'Dazzling technique and crystal-clear articulation are seamlessly allied to innate musical and interpretative understanding...An unrivalled 'Unraveling' from one of the most talented violinists of his generation.'
Available formats: CD, Download & Streaming (up to 48 kHz, 24 bit)
Növények: Adès - Haydn - Ligeti
Katalin Karolyi (mezzo), Joseph Havlat (piano), Graham Mitchell (double bass), Ruisi Quartet
'Növények is a masterpiece...The Ruisi Quartet and friends make the most of Adès's textural magic, and although the Haydn quartet may seem an odd bedfellow, it actually works startlingly well.'
Available format: Download & Streaming (up to 192 kHz, 24 bit)
Rebecca Clarke: The Complete Songs
Kitty Whately (mezzo), Nicholas Phan (tenor), Anna Tilbrook (piano) et al
'The music-making throughout displays riveting eloquence and burning conviction, with Kitty Whately and Nicholas Phan in particular operating at the very top of their game...One of the year's best, without a shadow of a doubt.'
Available formats: CD, Download & Streaming (up to 96 kHz, 24 bit)
The Lambeth Anonymous
Iken Scholars, Matthew Dunn
'The London-based Iken Scholars are confident and assured, with a soft centre at the core and clear-toned and pretty fearless trebles...they've done us a fine service by bringing some neglected music back to life.'
Available formats: 2 CDs, Download & Streaming (up to 192 kHz, 24 bit)
DVD/Blu-ray of the Month
Gilbert & Sullivan: The Gondoliers (Blu-ray)
William Morgan (Marco), Mark Nathan (Giuseppe), Ellie Laugharne (Gianetta), Sioned Gwen Davies (Tessa), Yvonne Howard (Duchess), Richard Suart (Duke), Ben McAteer (Don Alhambra), Catriona Hewitson (Casilda), Dan Shelvey (Luiz); Scottish Opera, Derek Clark, Stuart Maunder
'Bolder G&S stagings are available (live, if not on record), but this Gondoliers is fresh, affectionate and intensely musical proof that these masterly comic operas can still hit their mark, even without reinvention.'
Available format: Blu-ray
Reissue/Archive Issue of the Month
Mozart Jubilee Edition
Various artists
'This is surely among the most tempting collections of its kind on the current market. I'd snap it up while you're able.'
Available format: 14 CDs
