BBC Music Magazine Choices,
BBC Music Magazine - January 2024 Choices
Released on Ondine in November to mark what would have been the Polish composer's ninetieth birthday, the programme includes the Missa brevis, 'O gloriosa virginum', 'De profundis', 'In pulverem mortis', 'Izhe Xeruvimy', 'Veni Creator' and the 1981 setting of the Agnus Dei.
Recording of the Month
'These utterly fearless unaccompanied singers bring precision to the most complex textures while retaining a palpable grasp of the music ’s emotional heart, imbuing it with an engaging sense of wonder.'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Orchestral Choice
Lutosławski: Concerto for Orchestra, Partita for Violin and Orchestra & Novelette
Christian Tetzlaff (violin), Jouko Laivuori, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Nicholas Collon
'This compelling release from conductor Nicholas Collon and the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra makes clear the evolutionary exuberance of Lutosławski’s creative development.'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Concerto Choice
'It is a splendid showcase, not just for the performers, but for the music: it has such a pleasing, expansive warmth and sense of relish. Apart from anything else, it sounds as if the performers are having the time of their lives.'
Available Formats: 2 CDs, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Opera Choice
Delibes: Lakmé
Sabine Devieilhe (Lakmé), Frederic Antoun (Gérald), Stephane Degout (Frédéric), Ambroisine Bré (Mallika); Pygmalion, Raphaël Pichon, Laurent Pelly
'Laurent Pelly transforms Delibes's opera into an exploration of colonialism and cultural appropriation...Raphaël Pichon, conducting Pygmalion on original instruments, relishes Delibes’s lush orchestration.'
Available Format: Blu-ray
Choral & Song Choice
'Dain and Armstrong bringing a terrific sense of light and shade to an expertly curated collection of French and Polish songs...This is altogether a remarkable release: beautiful, intelligent and utterly heartfelt.'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC, Hi-Res+ FLAC
Chamber Choice
Schumann: Piano Quartet & Piano Quintet
Isabelle Faust (violin), Anne-Katharina Schreiber (violin, Antoine Tamestit (viola), Jean-Guihen Queyras (cello), Alexander Melnikov (piano)
'Hearing these pieces played with such consummate artistry is a genuine pleasure. The translucent quality of the 1851 Pleyel piano Alexander Melnikov uses may take a bit of getting used to, but the lightness of its tone enables the string parts to come through with exceptional clarity.'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC, Hi-Res+ FLAC
Instrumental Choice
'Perianes lets several of the numbers start with a slow burn, and he gives plenty of space in which the ornamentation can flower...He’s quoted as saying he felt nervous about invading the territory of his great compatriot Alicia de Larrocha, but this recording shows he needn’t have worried.'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC, Hi-Res+ FLAC
Jazz Choice
Hot House: The Complete Jazz At Massey Hall Recordings
Charlie Parker (saxophone), Dizzy Gillespie (trumpet), Bud Powell (piano), Max Roach (drums), Charles Mingus (upright bass)
'With a one-off line -up of four be-bop founders and a bass player soon to become one of the greatest composer/band-leaders in jazz history this release, presenting every performance from a legendary concert, (including those by the Powell, Mingus and Roach trio) had to be the lead Choice this month.'
Available Formats: MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Chris O'Reilly - Chief Executive
