Simon Rattle and the Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks take the laurels in the latest issue, with a live recording of Mahler's 'Resurrection' Symphony 'that will be hard to better'. Captured in concert at the orchestra's home earlier this year, the performance left reviewer Edward Seckerson marvelling at Rattle's ability to '[make] music you thought you knew suddenly feel unstable and unpredictable' and hailing mezzo Beth Taylor as 'truly Janet Baker's rightful successor'.
Editor's Choices include characterful Falla from Domingo Hindoyan in Liverpool on Onyx, 'first-class' Mozart from Kristian Bezuidenhout in Freiburg on Harmonia Mundi, and a 'consistently wonderful' recital of dark fairytales in song from Sandrine Piau and David Kadouch on Alpha.
Recording of the Month
Mahler: Symphony No. 2 'Auferstehungssinfonie'
Louise Alder (soprano), Beth Taylor (mezzo), Symphonieorchester und Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Sir Simon Rattle
'A very special performance where every insightful nuance feels like it has been long considered over time. It feels so personal. The autumn of Rattle's brilliant career continues unabated.'
Available formats: CD, Download & Streaming (up to 96 kHz, 24 bit)
Editor's Choices
Strauss & Bartók: Violin Concertos
Alena Baeva (violin), Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen, Paavo Järvi
'Throughout, her flawless technique is placed at the service of a deeply intuitive musical intelligence and her collaborators sound consistently engaged.'
Available formats: CD, Download & Streaming (up to 96 kHz, 24 bit)
Manuel de Falla: El Sombrero de Tres Picos, El Amor Brujo and other works
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Domingo Hindoyan
'Although The Three-Cornered Hat and Love, the Magician are represented by scenes and dances and a suite, the performances lack nothing in characterisation - it's as if the choreographer was the prime mover, with Hindoyan's players on stage.'
Available formats: CD, Download & Streaming (up to 96 kHz, 24 bit)
Mozart: Piano Concertos K. 175, 449 & 466
Kristian Bezuidenhout (fortepiano), Freiburger Barockorchester
'If you're intrigued by the development of the concerto principle, or you simply cannot get enough Mozart, or nothing thrills you more than first-class music-making, this one is for you.'
Available formats: CD, Download & Streaming (up to 96 kHz, 24 bit)
Beethoven: Piano Trios Opus 70
Rautio Piano Trio
'If you want the distinctive lightness and transparency of period instruments, and performances that prioritise conversational intimacy over combative drama, you could hardly do better than the ever-imaginative Rautio.'
Available formats: CD, Download & Streaming (up to 192 kHz, 24 bit)
The Beethoven Connection, Vol. 2
Jean-Efflam Bavouzet (piano)
'Such a good idea, this. So much to explore - and with such a good pianist...I'd buy the recording for the Hummel sonata alone.'
Available formats: CD, Download & Streaming (up to 96 kHz, 24 bit)
Mémoire
Alexandre Tharaud (piano)
'All in all, Mémoire is an unpretentious, companiable aural hug that could easily slip under the radar. I hope it doesn't.'
Available formats: CD, Download & Streaming (up to 96 kHz, 24 bit)
Menschheit - Orchestral Works by Erwin Schulhoff
Barbara Kozelj (mezzo), Residentie Orkest the Hague, Jun Märkl
'All of the performances are excellent. While previous recordings of the song-cycles by Doris Soffel for Orfeo and Randi Stene for Simax have their merits, this new version by Barbara Kozelj is the one to have, superbly accompanied by Jun Märkl.'
Available formats: CD, Download & Streaming (up to 96 kHz, 24 bit)
Contes
Sandrine Piau (soprano), David Kadouch (piano), Ophélie Gaillard (cello)
'Everything is immaculately done and deeply felt, words always tell, subtle shifts in dynamics speak volumes, and the sheer poetry of singing and playing are consistently wonderful.'
Available formats: CD, Download & Streaming (up to 96 kHz, 24 bit)
Pocket Universe
EXAUDI, James Weeks
'It is safe to say that the group, founded in 2002 by James Weeks and Juliet Fraser and led since then by Weeks, is not only one of Europe's leading vocal consorts but one of its outstanding new music ensembles in any format.'
Available formats: CD, Download & Streaming (up to 44.1 kHz, 16 bit)
Video Choice
Donizetti: Maria Stuarda
Lisette Oropesa (Maria), Aigul Akhmetshina (Elisabetta), Ismael Jordi (Leicester), Roberto Tagliavini (Talbot), Andrzej Filończyk (Cecil), Elissa Pfaender (Anna), Coro Y Orquesta Titulares del Teatro Real, David McVicar, José Miguel Pérez-Sierra
'Both women give wonderful performances...Both are compelling actresses, finely delineating the parabola at the opera's centre. The rest of the cast is extremely fine.'
Available format: BLU-RAY
Reissue/Archive Issue of the Month
Ataúlfo Argenta & Enrique Jordá: The Decca Masters
Ataúlfo Argenta, Enrique Jordá
'Many of the performances are superb and as to the music, if you love operetta you'll love zarzuela. But this 'Decca Masters' set is a superb treat to be getting on with.'
Available format: 20 CDs
