Latest News: Classical
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Obituary,
Yuri Temirkanov (1938-2023) 3rd November 2023
The Russian conductor, known for his interpretations of orchestral repertoire by his compatriots as well as for his flair for Verdi's music, has died aged 84.
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New Release Round-up,
New Release Round-Up - 3rd November 2023 3rd November 2023
Debussy from Steven Osborne, Bach from Frank Peter Zimmermann, Mozart from Maxim Emelyanychev & Il Pomo d'Oro, and the world premiere recording of Bob Chilcott's Christmas Oratorio.
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Presto Chart,
The Presto Chart - October 2023 1st November 2023
Our 25 best-selling titles across all formats for September, with Víkingur Ólafsson's 'serious, sincere and authentic' account of Bach's Goldberg Variations leading by a country mile (and racing to the top of the overall 2023 chart to date...).
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Presto Editor's Choices,
Presto Editor's Choices - October 2023 1st November 2023
A terrific debut recital centring on female experiences from British-Australian soprano Samantha Crawford with pianist Lana Bode, forgotten Baroque gems from Philippe Jaroussky at the very top of his game, and a rich and strange new chamber-work from Thomas Adès.
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Box Set Selections,
Boxed Set Selections - October 2023 31st October 2023
This month's heavyweights include Jessye Norman's complete studio recitals on Philips, Deutsche Grammophon & Decca, Victoria de los Ángeles's collected Warner recordings, and Bruckner cycles from Christian Thielemann in Vienna & Andris Nelsons in Leipzig.
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Coming Soon,
Delius's A Mass of Life from Sir Mark Elder and other forthcoming highlights 30th October 2023
Delius's Nietzsche-inspired Mass gets luxury treatment from Bergen, with other stand-outs for late 2023 and early 2024 including Carolyn Sampson's 100th recording, Bach's The Art of Fugue from Christophe Rousset, and a tribute to Lionel Tertis from Timothy Ridout.
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Presto Music Classical Podcast,
Episode 43: Sound the trombone! Onyx Brass at 30 with Amos Miller 28th October 2023
As "the classiest brass ensemble in Britain" turns 30, Onyx Brass's trombonist Amos Miller looks back over three decades of brass quintet music-making, with an eye on exploring contemporary repertoire. We discuss the group's latest album, 'The sun is free to flow with the sea', and some of the works featured on it, as well as touching on questions of diversity in classical music.
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Recording of the Week,
Verismo from Domingo Hindoyan and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra 27th October 2023
The orchestra and their Chief Conductor perform a selection of orchestral highlights from verismo operas, from familiar favourites to rarer gems.
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New Release Round-up,
New Release Round-Up - 27th October 2023 27th October 2023
Forgotten Baroque arias from Philippe Jaroussky, a second helping of Brescianello from La Serenissima, Debussy, Ravel and Attahir from Quatuor Arod, and a powerful collaboration between composer Ayanna Witter-Johnson and the LSO Percussion Ensemble.
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Interview,
Johan Dalene on Stained Glass 26th October 2023
The Gramophone Award-winning young violinist discusses his new album with Christian Ihle Hadland, featuring music by Bacewicz, Ravel, Prokofiev, Pärt and Lili Boulanger.
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BBC Music Magazine Choices,
BBC Music Magazine - November 2023 Choices 25th October 2023
Chris introduces next month's selection, headed by a 'dynamic and vivid' postscript to Fabio Luisi's Gramophone Award-winning cycle of the Nielsen symphonies with the Danish National Symphony Orchestra on Deutsche Grammophon...
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Interview,
Kaleidoscope Chamber Collective - Transfigured 24th October 2023
The chamber ensemble's Artistic Director Tom Poster talks about their new album of works from the Second Viennese School - with a selection of songs from the cruelly truncated career of Alma Mahler in pride of place.
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Favourites,
The Academy of Ancient Music at 50 23rd October 2023
As the Academy of Ancient Music celebrates its 50th anniversary season, Music Director Laurence Cummings looks back at some of his favourite recordings from the orchestra’s discography.
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Recording of the Week,
Isabelle Faust - Solo 20th October 2023
The German violinist is at her intelligent, expressive best in a programme of works for unaccompanied violin by Matteis père et fils, Pisendel, Guillemain, Vilsmayr and Biber.
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New Release Round-up,
New Release Round-Up - 20th October 2023 20th October 2023
A reimagined Goldberg Variations from Rachel Podger & Brecon Baroque, the conclusion of Andris Nelsons's Shostakovich cycle from Boston, a second triptych of African-American Voices from the Royal Scottish National Orchestra & Kellen Gray, and Porpora's Polifemo from Armonia Atenea & George Petrou.
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Video Interview,
Cyrille Dubois on Fauré and treasures of the French Baroque 19th October 2023
Following his victory at the Gramophone Awards earlier this month, the French tenor discusses his winning recording of Fauré's complete songs with Tristan Raës - and shares some insights into Jouissons de nos beaux ans!, released in September on Aparté.
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Interview,
Zubin Kanga - the 'cyborg pianist' 18th October 2023
The pianist, composer and technologist talks about his new album on NMC that uses cutting-edge equipment to push the boundaries of what the instrument (and its player) can do.
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Awards,
International Opera Awards 2023 - The Shortlisted Recordings 17th October 2023
Javier Camarena, Cyrille Dubois and Lisette Oropesa are among the artists in the running for the solo recital category, whilst rarities by Mercadante, Dessau and Franck go head-to-head in the complete recording stakes...
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Interview,
Delyana Lazarova on the music of Dobrinka Tabakova 16th October 2023
The conductor talks about her new album of orchestral works by her compatriot, performed by the Hallé, and explains a little of the experience of working under Mark Elder as Assistant Conductor.
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Recording of the Week,
Folk Songs from Magdalena Kožená 13th October 2023
The Czech mezzo teams up with her husband Simon Rattle and the Czech Philharmonic for superbly characterful performances of folk-inspired song-cycles by Bartók, Berio, Ravel and Montsalvatge.
