Gramophone Choices,
Gramophone Editor's Choices - December 2023
Recording of the Month
'Time and again there were details that tickled the ear with their freshness, revealing as if for the first time the anarchic brilliance of Debussy’s vision.'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC, Hi-Res+ FLAC
Editor's Choices
Mozart: Piano Concertos Nos. 20 & 23
Charles Richard-Hamelin (piano), Les Violons du Roy, Jonathan Cohen
'He shapes and phrases the music with a keen eye (or ear) on its dialogic potential, driving forwards energetically without bullying or indulging in display for its own sake.'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Saint-Saëns: Symphonic Poems, Le Carnaval des Animaux & L'Assassinat du Duc de Guise
Les Siècles, François-Xavier Roth
'As anticipated, Roth and Les Siècles bring sparkle and panache to these colourful scores. The four tone poems are packed with drama.'
Available Formats: 2 CDs, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
'The disc is a welcome offshoot from the ongoing work on Shostakovich’s symphonies by John Storgårds and the BBC Philharmonic, and displays the same high level of stylistic discernment and emotional commitment.'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
'Overall, this feels like a trio recording for the 21st century, full of detail, precision and forthright passion.'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
'It’s an extraordinary account [of the Villa-Lobos], bursting with nuance and personality and easily rivalling Julian Bream’s classic from 1978.'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC, Hi-Res+ FLAC
'Comparisons are odious in this instance. Anyone with more than just a passing interest in Rachmaninov will need to have this excellently recorded disc on their real or virtual shelves.'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Beethoven: Missa Solemnis
Lina Johnson (soprano), Olivia Vermeulen (mezzo-soprano), Martin Platz (tenor), Manuel Walser (bass); Le Concert des Nations, La Capella Nacional de Catalunya, Jordi Savall
'Vibrato and coloration of voices, solo and choral, are especially well matched with each other and with the instrumental resources.'
Available Formats: SACD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
'Josquin is a truly remarkable composer and Cut Circle’s superb energy is quite addictive.'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
John Pickard: Mass in Troubled Times
Chloë Abbott (trumpet), David Goode (organ), BBC Singers, Martyn Brabbins
'This is a marvellous collection, featuring impeccable production values and sound of flawless realism in the best BIS tradition. Not to be missed!'
Available Formats: SACD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
DVD/Blu-ray of the Month
Puccini: Tosca (Blu-ray)
Kristine Opolais (Tosca), Jonathan Tetelman (Cavaradossi), Gábor Bretz (Scarpia), Rafał Pawnuk (Sacristan/Sciarrone); ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien, Arnold Schoenberg Chor, Marc Albrecht, Martin Kušej
'This is not the finest Tosca you will ever hear, nor the most opulent one you’ll ever see … but it’s possibly the one you’ll most remember.'
Available Format: Blu-ray
Chris O'Reilly - Chief Executive
