Latest News: Classical
-
Presto Chart,
The Presto Chart - May 2020 2nd June 2020Our 25 best-selling titles across all formats for May, with Grigory Sokolov's Beethoven, Brahms and Mozart on Deutsche Grammophon in first place...
-
Presto Editor's Choices,
Presto Editor's Choices - May 2020 1st June 2020Imaginative song-recitals from Natalya Romaniw, Roderick Williams and Ilker Arcayürek, luminous Janáček from Thomas Adès, and old-school orchestral fireworks from Airat Ichmouratov.
-
Obituary,
Mady Mesplé (1931-2020) 31st May 2020The French coloratura soprano, who excelled as Delibes's Lakmé and in operetta, has died aged 89.
-
Recording of the Week,
Shostakovich from Alina Ibragimova 29th May 2020The Russian-born violinist brings searing intensity and muscular tone to the two concertos, backed to the hilt by Vladimir Jurowski and the State Academic Symphony Orchestra of Russia 'Evgeny Svetlanov'.
-
New Release Round-up,
New Release Round-Up - 29th May 2020 29th May 2020Today’s new releases include Massenet's Thaïs from Sir Andrew Davis and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, opera arias from Aleksandra Kurzak, and music from the court of Versailles from Jean Rondeau and Thomas Dunford.
-
New Release Round-up,
Digital New Release Round-Up - 27th May 2020 28th May 2020New Elgar recordings from Nicola Benedetti and Vasily Petrenko, Beethoven from James Ehnes and Andrew Armstrong, Adès performs Adès with Kirill Gerstein, and a self-isolation project from Ludovico Einaudi.
-
Interview,
Daniel Moult on The English Organ 27th May 2020The organist and presenter talks to David about his monumental new documentary tracing the development of the organ in England - named DVD of the Month in the latest edition of Gramophone.
-
Gramophone Choices,
Gramophone Editor's Choices - June 2020 26th May 2020Chris introduces this month's selection, with pride of place going to Piotr Beczała's 'simply wonderful' album of verismo arias, Vincerò!, released on Pentatone earlier this month.
-
Recording of the Week,
Sean Shibe plays Bach Lute Suites 22nd May 2020The award-winning young Scottish guitarist's third solo album on Delphian sees him turn to the music of JS Bach, with a highly varied triple-bill of suites for solo lute.
-
New Release Round-up,
New Release Round-Up - 22nd May 2020 22nd May 2020Today’s new releases include Vivaldi from Martin Fröst, two concertos by Gabriel Prokofiev, new American choral music from the Choir of Merton College Oxford, and Leclair Trio Sonatas from Ensemble Diderot.
-
Interview,
Alina Ibragimova on Shostakovich 21st May 2020The Russian-British violinist talks to Katherine about her recording of the two concertos with Vladimir Jurowski and the State Academic Symphony Orchestra of Russia 'Evgeny Svetlanov', out on Hyperion next Friday.
-
Box Set Selections,
Boxed Set Selections - May 2020 20th May 2020Anthologies celebrating Zubin Mehta in Los Angeles, Decca at 90, and the Staatskapelle Berlin at the grand old age of 450, plus vintage Beethoven from Zino Francescatti and Robert Casadesus.
-
Interview,
Josephine Knight on Schumann 19th May 2020The British cellist talks to David about her new recording on Dutton, featuring the world premiere recording of Schumann's concerto in its original form and two concertante works by Alfredo Piatti.
-
BBC Music Magazine Choices,
BBC Music Magazine - June 2020 Choices 18th May 2020Chris introduces this month's selection, headed by Víkingur Ólafsson's best-selling Rameau and Debussy recital on Deutsche Grammophon.
-
Recording of the Week,
Vincerò! Piotr Beczała sings Verismo 15th May 2020The Polish tenor is at the top of his considerable game in arias by Puccini, Mascagni, Leoncavallo, Cilea and Giordano.
-
New Release Round-up,
New Release Round-Up - 15th May 2020 15th May 2020Today’s new releases include Sturm und Drang from Ian Page and The Mozartists, a third volume of Panufnik Legacies from François-Xavier Roth and the London Symphony Orchestra, opera arias by Leonardo Vinci from Franco Fagioli, and the complete Beethoven string quartets from Quatuor Ébène.
-
Obituary,
Gabriel Bacquier (1924-2020) 14th May 2020The French baritone, who excelled in his native repertoire and as Scarpia and Iago, has died aged 95.
-
Announcement,
Introducing our new audio samples player 13th May 2020The new music player for our audio samples is now live, and Chris introduces some of its new features.
-
Gramophone Choices,
Gramophone Editor's Choices - May 2020 12th May 2020Chris introduces this month's selection, with the Tippett Quartet taking top honours for their 'breathtaking sense of control' in Henryk Górecki’s String Quartet No. 3 on Naxos.
-
Awards,
BBC Music Magazine Awards 2020: The Winners! 11th May 2020Chris introduces this year's winners, with 'stellar' Purcell from Paul McCreesh and Gabrieli taking the palm for Recording of the Year.