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 In the summer of 2007, five esteemed Gramophone critics - Rob Cowan, Jed Distler, Lindsay Kemp, Patrick O’Connor and Peter Quantrill - were given the task of unearthing their favourite treasures, that by the plethora of discs currently on the market, they felt had been unfairly overlooked. It is a momentous task and but I would imagine a hugely enjoyable one. In line with the interesting and slightly different website that we try to be, we thought you'd like to know what they chose. Unfortunately a fair number of their choices are no longer available, but the ones that are you'll find below - I suppose a sort of 'alternative essential collection'. | |
 Scriabin: Orchestral worksAll Union Radio Orchestra / Nikolai GolovanovGolovanov's Scriabin cries, screams, rushes headlong into climaxes then collapses in a molten heap. These are old records, like sonically standard vintage soundtracks, but boy do they deliver. Rob Cowan |  AcantusSacred and folk music from medieval ItalySacred 'songs of the people' from medieval Italy, in performances whose judicious mixture of earthiness and fine control have the power to touch you somewhere deep down. Medieval music at its most haunting and evocative. Lindsay Kemp |
 Vycpálek: The Cantata of the Last Things of ManCzech Philharmonic Orchestra / Karel AncerlKarel Ancerl conducts this sombre dramatisation of death and transfiguration as though it was up there with Brahms and Strauss; and perhaps it should be. Peter Quantrill |  Giordano: FedoraOlivero, del Monaco, Gobbi & Monreale / GardelliThe trio of Magda Olivero, Mario del Monaco and Tito Gobbi, under the baton of Lamberto Gardelli, give the piece for all it's worth, plus a bit more. Patrick O'Connor |
 Schubert: Complete SymphoniesASMF / Sir Neville MarrinerAbbado, Bohm, Davis and Harnoncourt have all recorded well received Schubert cycles but Marriner's is, at times, the best of all. Peter Quantrill |  Bouzignac: Te Deum & MotetsLes Arts Florissants / William ChristieDon't begin to think this is just another French baroque disc . Lindsay Kemp |
 Donizetti: L'elisir d'amoreCarosio, Monti, Gobbi / SantiniEvery decade has provided strong competition, but this set stands up against them all. Patrick O'Connor |  Bach: Goldberg VariationsKarl RichterThe grandeur is inspiring, the sure rhythmic sense and sizeable sonorities a cause for celebration. With Richter the Goldbergs become an important event which won't be rushed. Rob Cowan |
 Bellini: I Capuleti e i MontecchiBaker, Sills & Gedda / PatanèDame Janet Baker is the Romeo to the Juliet of Beverly Sills. Although there are now at least half a dozen other recordings, this retains a very special appeal, catching both great prima donnas towards the autumn of their stage careers but still in magnificent form. Patrick O'Connor |  Poulenc: Les BichesIgor MarkevitchThis was the first complete recording of Poulenc's delicious score, including the seldom heard vocal parts. Markevitch conducted many performances from the Ballets Russes in its great days, and his affection and dedication shines through. Patrick O'Connor |
 Gertrud Grob-PrandelRecitalListen to sprano Gertrud Grob-Prandel make child's play of the murderous Oberon aria and you'll swear that her effortless, powerful, full-bodied and full-ranging dramatic soprano is a voice yielding nothing to her more famous contemporary Birgit Nilsson. Jed Distler |  A Solo - Music for viola da gambaPaolo PandolfoOne of the most charismatic performers in Baroque music today, Pandolfo shows the full range of his sublime musicality in this tour of the solo viol repertoire. Lindsay Kemp |
 Puccini: La BohèmeScotto, Poggi, Meneguzzer & Gobbi / VottoAntonino Votto conducts an irresistable performance. Despite its 45 years, this more than holds its own against starrier versions old and new. Patrick O'Connor |  Schumann: Symphony No. 3 'Rhenish'Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Rafael KubelikA Rhenish that bounds in like an eager child to play. Kubelik's Munich players sing Schumann, always flexibly and with a winning but subtle brand of rubato. Rob Cowan |
 Weill: The Seven Deadly SinsNew York Philharmonic, Kurt MasurA sumptuous reading, with the quartet provided by members of Hudson Shad, and Angelina Réaux finding a touching vulnerability in her depiction of the split-personality heroine. Patrick O'Connor |  Brahms: Complete Solo Piano MusicGerhard OppitzGerhard Oppitz is a penetrating Brahmsian, bracing in the youthful works, quiety confiding in the later ones. Rob Cowan |
 Beethoven: FidelioRysanek, Seefried, Haefliger, Fischer-Dieskau / FricsayFricsay's Fidelio "adds up", with fine singing that creates the impression of animated chamber music. Rob Cowan |  Monteverdi: VespersTaverner Consort, Andrew ParrottOne of Parrott's greatest achievements and still one of the finest Vespers ever despite strong recent competition, this superbly presented version catches an expert British cast of singers and players at a peak in their powers. Lindsay Kemp |
 Bach/Busoni: Toccata, Adagio and Fugue in CArthur Rubinstein (recorded 1934)This grand transcription may forever be associated with Vladimir Horowitz's 1965 historic return, yet his rival Arthur Rubinstein played it better for one of his least discussed and most incandescent recording sessions. Jed Distler |  Bach, J S: Musical OfferingEnsemble SonnerieTop British chamber players come together in a de luxe version of Bach's great monument to canonic ingenuity, culminating in an ensemble version of the final Ricercar as smooth and deep as a fine single malt. Lindsay Kemp |
 Stravinsky: AgonHans RosbaudHans Rosbaud was one of the unsung heroes of mid-20th-century music, who gave thoroughly rehearsed and assimilated performances and premieres of the wildest possible range of music. This (Agon) is his greatest achievement. Peter Quantrill |  Meyerbeer: LiederDietrich Fischer-DieskauThis is one of Fischer-Dieskau's least known yet most riveting recitals; a vocal tour de force from 1974 that found the prolific baritone at the height of his Protean powers. Jed Distler |
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