Best Classical Music Albums of 2018 (Top 5)
This has been a great year for classical music and I've found it really hard to select only 5 releases. Many of my favourite...
Rachmaninov Piano Concertos 2 and 3, Buniatishvili / Jarvi
These are heartfelt, brilliant performances of the two warhorses. The playing here is not lightweight but rather brooding, revealing the dark colours of Rachmaninov's music. Both orchestra and pianist perform the concertos impeccably.
Currentzis and the BBC Music Magazine Opera Award 2017
The BBC Music Magazine award for Best Opera recording has been a justifiable victory for Currentzis and his forces for their recording of Don...
Beethoven, Complete Symphonies, Nelsons / Vienna Philharmonic
Music review - Beethoven, Complete Symphonies, Andris Nelsons, Wiener Philharmoniker, Deutsche GrammophonThe High Arts Review Rating: ★ ★ ★ ☆...
Codebreaker (James McCarthy) & Ode to a Nightingale (Will Todd)
This is a major new addition. Codebreaker is a 55-minute piece for choir, orchestra and soprano, composed by British composer James McCarthy and premiered...
Schubert Sonata & Impromptus, Khatia Buniatishvili
Review: Khatia Buniatishvili, Schubert Sonata D960 & Impromptus D899 / Sony ClassicalIf you like the art of piano interpretation this album is for you. As...
Beethoven, Complete Piano Concertos, Lisiecki / Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
There were times that I found the changes of tempo distracting, as in the Second Concerto which needed more energy and less thinking...
Brabbins, Ferneyhough, La Terre est un Homme
OK, this is as complex as it gets: Ferneyhough's La Terre est un Homme. It seems like a nightmare trying to imagine the rehearsals...
Beethoven, Symphony 9, Haitink / Bavarian RSO
Music review - Beethoven, Symphony 9, Bernard Haitink / Chor & Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks / Sally Matthews, soprano / Gerhild Romberger, alto /...
Beethoven & Sibelius Violin Concertos, Tetzlaff, Ticciati
Don't get me wrong, Tetzlaff is magnificent here, but the whole release is let down at places by Ticciati's understated orchestral contribution.
