Gramophone Choices,
Gramophone Editor's Choices - March 2024
Recordings mentioned in despatches include 'some of the most astonishing piano-playing you will ever hear' from Marc-André Hamelin (performing his own compositions on Hyperion), a Theodora 'rich in detail and humanity' from Arcangelo, Jonathan Cohen and a cast headed by Louise Alder, and a horticultural recital from tenor Alessandro Fisher and pianist Anna Tilbrook on Rubicon.
Recording of the Month
Janáček: Katya Kabanova
Amanda Majeski (Katya), Katarina Dalayman (Kabanicha), Simon O'Neill (Boris), Andrew Staples (Tichon), Magdalena Kozená (Varvara), Ladislav Elgr (Kudrjas); London Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, Sir Simon Rattle
'The LSO are on tremendous form throughout, and what follows [the Prelude] is an unflinching journey into both beauty and darkness, as sensuousness repeatedly collides with incipient violence.'
Available Formats: 2 SACDs, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC, Hi-Res+ FLAC
Editor's Choices
Britten: Violin Concerto & Double Concerto
Baiba Skride (violin), Ivan Vukčević (viola), ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra, Marin Alsop
'Skride is on top of everything the score throws at her and the synergy of the Latvian soloist with an American conductor in Vienna works wonders...An indispensable new Britten album.'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
'The Haydn readings are period-aware, with a fantastic freshness, energy and range of colour...A strong debut, and I hope to see more from these three on Aparté in the future.'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
'Gemini’s playing is admirable individually and collectively throughout, abetted by sound of unsparing focus, with detailed notes by the composer and Ian Mitchell.'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
'Here is piano-playing of such an exalted standard I seriously wonder if anything comparable exists on record. I wait impatiently for a Hamelin piano concerto.'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC, Hi-Res+ FLAC
Handel: Theodora
Louise Alder (Theodora), Tim Mead (Didymus), Anna Stéphany (Irene), Stuart Jackson (Septimius), Adam Plachetka (Valens); Arcangelo, Jonathan Cohen
'The balance of Cohen’s vigorously confident singers and players allows him to make his ensemble a major character in the story...The soloists also play their parts, led by Louise Alder as the death-welcoming Theodora.'
Available Formats: 3 CDs, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
'These are all very experienced musicians with marvellous voices and a deep understanding of the repertory; and Philip Cave guides them with a thoroughly experienced and musically thoughtful hand.'
Available Formats: 2 CDs, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Vaughan Williams: Retrospect
London Choral Sinfonia, Michael Waldron, Jack Liebeck (violin), Andrew Staples (tenor, Thomas Carroll (cello)
'I’m happy to report that Michael Waldron secures splendidly articulate and idiomatic results from his assembled forces...First-rate sound and presentation. Don’t miss this one!'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC, Hi-Res+ FLAC
'I’d suggest that not since Martin Isepp accompanied Janet Baker on that bargain Saga long-player from many moons ago has a British singer made a more auspicious recital debut on record.'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
DVD/Blu-ray of the Month
Cimarosa: L'Italiana in Londra
Angela Vallone (Livia), Bianca Tognocchi (Madame Brillante), Theo Lebow (Sumers), Iurii Samoilov (Milord Arespingh), Gordon Bintner (Don Polidoro); Frankfurter Opern-Und Museumsorchester, Leo Hussain
'Working as a close-knit team, the young cast are personable and camera-friendly, and create something individual from their stereotyped characters. All are nimble movers and use their words vividly.'
Available Format: Blu-ray
Chris O'Reilly - Chief Executive
