ECM
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Arvo Pärt - Alina
RecommendedVladimir Spivakov (violin), Sergei Berzodny (piano), Alexander Malter (piano), Dietmar Schwalke (cello)
Vladimir Spivakov, particularly, is breathtaking in his two performances of Spiegel im Spiegel, his control of tone and carefully considered use of vibrato adding greatly to the poignancy of... —
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Presto Recording of the Week, 14th February 2008
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Jarrett moves straight to the top of the list of interpreters on the instrument. —
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Gramophone Magazine, September 2023, Archive Issue of the Month
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if you want the living definition of virtuoso pedalling, listen to Andras Schiff in the 'Aria' movement of Schumann's F sharp minor Sonata...It's the most impressive realisation of Schumann's... —
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Building a Library, May 2016, Also Recommended
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Goebbels: Landscape with Distant Relatives
RecommendedDavid Bennent (speaker) & Georg Nigl (baritone)
German Chamber Choir & Ensemble Modern, Franck Ollu
That music is a stylistic patchwork… with reference to Bollywood film scores and country and western punctuated by snatches of jazzy improvisation… and medieval pastiche. It shouldn't work... —
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BBC Music Magazine Awards, 2009, Premiere Recording of the Year
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Dobrinka Tabakova: String Paths
Maxim Rysanov (viola, conductor), Kristina Blaumane, Torleif Thedéen, Boris Andrianov (cello), Roman Mints, Janine Jansen, Julia- Maria Kretz (violin), Amihai Grosz (viola), Raimondas Sviackevicius (accordion), Donatas Bagurskas, Stacey Watton (double bass) & Vaiva Eidukaityte-Storastiene (harpsichord)
Lithuanian...
Tabakova writes for her chosen instruments with disarming naturalness and enthusiasm...Contemporary music, in short, that's amazingly easy on the ear. —
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Zwiegespräche: Holliger & Kurtág
Heinz Holliger (oboe/cor anglais/piano), Marie-Lise Schüpbach (cor anglais/oboe), Ernesto Molinari (bass clarinet/ contrabass clarinet), Sarah Wegener (soprano), Philippe Jaccottet (speaker)
A lot of concentration is required to take in this programme of spartan, potent oboe works by Holliger and Kurtág. But there are real musical rewards, and it’s beautifully produced. —
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Gramophone Magazine, September 2019, Editor's Choice
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International Classical Music Awards, 2019, Nominee - Contemporary Music
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The Guardian Classical Albums of the Year, 2019
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Opus Klassik Awards, 2020, Nominee - Instrumentalist (Holliger)
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Gramophone Awards, 2020, Shortlisted - Contemporary
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Beethoven: Cello Sonatas Nos. 1-5 and variations
RecommendedAndrás Schiff (piano) & Miklós Perényi (cello)
Awards:
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Building a Library, December 2008, First Choice
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Gramophone Magazine, December 2004, Editor's Choice
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Building A Library, December 2021, Also Recommended
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Paul Hindemith / Alfred Schnittke
RecommendedAnna Gourari (piano), Orchestra Dell Svizzera Italiana / Markus Poschner
She extracts a dizzying range of colours from Hindemith’s ingeniously constructed score...The string section of the Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana under Markus Poschner responds incisively... —
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BBC Music Magazine, September 2024, Concerto Choice
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Presto Recordings of the Year, Finalists 2024
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International Classical Music Awards, 2025, Nominated - Assorted Programs
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Zehetmair is among the most characterful of living violinists, a forceful personality whose ego is employed at the service of whatever music he happens to be playing…It's not exactly a comfortable... —
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The New York Times, Recordings of the Year 2019
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Opus Klassik Awards, 2020, Winner - Solo Instrumental Recital (Violin)
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Heinz Holliger: Lunea
Christian Gerhaher (Lenau), Juliane Banse (Sophie), Ivan Ludlow (Anton Schurz), Sarah Maria Sun (Marie/Karoline), Annette Schönmüller (Therese)
Philharmonia Zurich, Basler Madrigalisten, Heinz Holliger
Gerhaher is astonishing in the virtuoso principal role...traversing the gamut of language and expression from song to speech. Yet this is an ensemble piece, in which past and present lovers... —
Awards:
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BBC Music Magazine, July 2022, Opera Choice
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International Classical Music Awards, 2023, Winner - Contemporary Music
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Opus Klassik Awards, 2023, Nominated - Composer of the Year
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Opus Klassik Awards, 2023, Winner - World Premiere Recording
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