Gramophone Choices,
Gramophone Editor's Choices - December 2015
A new Erato account of Handel's infrequently recorded 1730 opera (starring Philippe Jaroussky, Karina Gauvin and John Mark Ainsley, with Il Pomo d'Oro) is top of the list this month; Il Pomo d'Oro also feature on Max Emanuel Cencic's Arie Napoletane, which includes arias by Auletta, Leo, Scarlatti and Porpora.
It's a good month for baroque vocal music in general, with two major Bach recordings also making the grade: John Eliot Gardiner's second take on the Mass in B minor on Sopli Deo Gloria and John Butt's imaginative reconstruction of Bach’s first Christmas in Leipzig with the Dunedin Consort on Linn. There's also a nod to the festive season, in the shape of a wonderul colelction of modern English choral music from the Choir of Saint Thomas's Fifth Avenue under the direciton of the late John Scott.
Recording of the Month
Handel: Partenope
Philippe Jaroussky, Karina Gauvin, John Mark Ainsley, Il Pomo d'Oro, Riccardo Minasi
'Brilliant singing and thoughtful characterisation from Gauvin and Jaroussky, and a conductor in Minasi who relishes the score’s dramatic potential, make this a superb release.'
Available Formats: MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Editor's Choices
'A generously filled and superbly performed survey of works by Bartók and Ligeti, not least the three solo instrumental concertos by the latter.'
Available Formats: 2 CDs, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
'Another intriguing and excellently performed project from Butt and his Dunedin Consort: a delightful recreation of what Bach’s first Christmas in Leipzig might well have sounded like.'
Available Formats: MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
'Thirty years since his pioneering first version, Gardiner returns to re-record the mighty Mass in B minor; the impressive result draws on all his great knowledge and experience of Bach’s music.'
Available Formats: 2 CDs, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
'A fine communicator – not to mention a baritone of real warmth – Hvorostovsky offers powerful performances of these settings of Italian poetry.'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC
'A chance to watch Chailly and his musicians explore Mahler’s Symphony No 7 in another fine film from Accentus.'
Available Format: DVD Video
Prokofiev & Tchaikovsky: Piano Concertos
Beatrice Rana, Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, Antonio Pappano
'The concerto debut of a young pianist garnering much praise – and on the strength of this disc, quite right too!'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
'‘An exceptional recital,’ writes our critic; this superb countertenor brings excellent drama and emotion to a thoughtfully programmed survey of Neapolitan Baroque arias.'
Available Formats: MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
'A new release of two of music’s most famous (and recorded) works, but a compelling one, really worth hearing.'
Available Formats: SACD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC, Hi-Res+ FLAC
Dancing Day: Music for Christmas
Saint Thomas Choir of Men & Boys, Fifth Avenue, New York, John Scott
'A moving tribute to the late John Scott’s wonderful leadership of his New York choir: Britten’s and Rutter’s celebrations of traditional carols are all beautifully performed.'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Re-issue of the Month
Chris O'Reilly - Chief Executive
