Gramophone Choices,
Gramophone Editor's Choices - August 2014
August's two big winners are Sergei Prokofiev and the violin - the Recording of the Month features Alina Ibragimova and Steven Osborne in his two striking (and radically contrasting) Violin Sonatas, which we recently reviewed in our own newsletter. Elsewhere, Norwegian violinist Guro Kleven Hagen's début recording pairs his Second Violin Concerto with Bruch's perennially popular No. 1 in G minor.
Further four-stringed highlights include Arabella Steinbacher's disc of Mozart (Violin Concerti Nos. 3-5), and Paul and Huw Watkins' third volume of British works for cello and piano, which features sonatas by Moeran, Rawsthorne and Rubbra.
Legendary British pianist John Ogdon (recently the subject of a new biography by Charles Beauclerk) is the focus of the Re-issue of the Month - his six-disc Complete RCA Collection features favourites such as Beethoven's Hammerklavier and Rachmaninov's two Piano Sonatas as well as less well-known works by Alkan, Nielsen, Peter Mennin and Richard Yardumian. And if you're a fan of Rachmaninov's piano works then there are further delights in store, as Xiayin Wang's performances of those same two sonatas (plus three Preludes from Op. 23) are also among this month's selections.
Here's the list in full, with a snippet of the review for each title. To read the full reviews as well as loads of other interesting features and articles every month, be sure to check out Gramophone Subscriptions Packages.
Recording of the Month
'Two of today’s most impressive soloists unite in pieces both introspective and lyrical, and – particularly the First Sonata – deeply emotional. Musical collaboration at its most intense and thoughtful.'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Editor's Choices
'A delight to be acquainted with the name and performance of a very impressive young musician, her interpretations entirely confident and full of character.'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
'Performances that exude sheer joy, from a soloist who sounds completely at ease in these works.'
Available Formats: SACD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
'The premiere recording of Nørgård’s latest symphony is a rewarding listen, the Vienna Philharmonic bringing their perfection to his fascinating and attractive sound world.'
Available Formats: SACD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
'Chandos’s young pianist Xiayin Wang excels again, affirming not only her phenomenal skill but also her clear affinity with Rachmaninov’s music.'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
'Excellent, spirited singing from both choir and soloists throughout – another superb release from this Edinburgh-based label with an impressive recent ‘hit’ rate.'
Available Formats: 2 CDs, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
'The absolute control and pinpoint perfection required by pieces such as these is masterfully achieved: the result is incredibly, movingly, beautiful'
Available Formats: MP3, FLAC
'An attractive programme of 20th-century American music, moments of choral weight and exposed fragility alike approached with great individuality.'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC
'Another superb chamber partnership (this time from two brothers), instinctively collaborative in passages of both poignancy and urgency.'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
'Bursting with an energetic, dramatic drive and great characterisation from the soloists. An all-round excellent Handel release.'
Available Formats: MP3, FLAC
DVD/Blu-ray of the Month
'The two main protagonists brilliantly capture all the opera’s drama and passion; DiDonato is magnificent and moving.'
Available Format: 2 DVD Videos
Re-issue of the Month
Chris O'Reilly - Chief Executive
