Recommended Recordings 2021
Those marked with the ROTM symbol were chosen at
the end of each month as the five best.
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
Complete Organ Works - David Goode (organ)
rec. 2015-2016 SIGNUM CLASSICS SIGCD640 [16 CDs: 1060 mins]
[SG]
Bach has been exceptionally well served through this release.
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
The Well-Tempered Clavier -
Piotr Anderszewski (piano)
rec. 2019/20 WARNER CLASSICS 9029511875 [78:08] [MC] Playing of this elevated quality does not come along too often.
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
Well-Tempered Clavier Book 2 -
Borbála Dobozy (harpsichord) rec. 2018 BMC CD 293 [2 CDs: 74:42 + 76:51]
[DC]
Up with the best for Bach’s WTC Book 2 on harpsichord.
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
Cello Suites
- David Watkin (cello) rec. 2013 RESONUS RES10146 [68:19 + 76:42]
[RMo] This recording presents period practice at its best.
Ed BENNETT (b. 1975)
Psychedelia - RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra/David Brophy
rec 2013-20 NMC D257 [78:13] [RHa] Yet more invigorating fare from Ireland; Bennett’s music oscillates seamlessly between the febrile and the subtle.
Linda BUCKLEY (b. 1979)
From Ocean’s Floor - Linda Buckley (electronics)
Crash Ensemble,
ConTempo Quartet rec. 2016-19 NMC D258 [78:17] [RHa]
'Ó Íochtar mara' is the unforgettable standout in a survey of fascinating electroacoustic pieces.
Gayané CHEBOTARYAN (1918-1998) Arno BABADJANIAN (1921-1983)
& Astor PIAZZOLLA (1921-1992) Piano
trios -
Trio de L’Île rec. 2020 DIVINE ART DDA25211 [54:53]
[DJB] Absolutely outstanding – previous favourites are swept aside.
Armand-Louis COUPERIN (1727-1789)
Pičces de clavecin -
Christophe Rousset (harpsichord)
rec. 2017 APARTÉ AP236 [49:41+51:06] [SSi]
A wonderfiul showcase for Armand-Louis Couperin’s music.
Edward
COWIE (b. 1943) Clarinet Concerto No. 2,
Concerto for Orchestra - Alan Hacker (clarinet) Royal Liverpool
Philharmonic Orchestra/Howard Williams rec. 1983/84 MÉTIER
MSV92108 [44:38] [RHa] A welcome return for this majestic coupling – superb performances of Cowie’s unique, topographically inspired music.
Jan Ladislav DUSSEK
(1760-1812) Messe Solemnelle -
Choir of the AAM,
Academy of Ancient Music/Richard Egarr
rec. 2019 AAM RECORDS AAM011 [60:14] [SSi] A superb release which should win Dussek some new converts.
Erich Wolfgang KORNGOLD (1897-1957) Piano Trio,
String Sextet -
Spectrum Arts Berlin rec. 2019 NAXOS 8.574008 [65:20]
[NB] Prodigious music played with passionate intensity.
Bohuslav
MARTINŮ (1890-1959) Violin Concertos Nos 1 &
2 Béla BARTÓK (1881-1945) Sonata
for solo violin - Franz Peter Zimmermann (violin) Bamberg Symphony
Orchestra/Jakub Hrůša rec. 2018-2020 BIS BIS-2457 SACD [74:40]
[RC] Splendid performances throughout.
David MATTHEWS (b. 1943)
Symphony No. 8, Toward Sunrise, Sinfonia, A Vision of the Sea
-
BBC Philharmonic/Jac van Steen
rec. 2017 SIGNUM CLASSICS SIGCD647 [67:47] [JQ]
This splendid disc is a notable addition to David Matthews’ discography.
Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953)
The Fiery Angel - Ewa Vesin, Leigh
Melrose - Rome Opera House Ch & O/Alejo Pérez
rec. 2019 NAXOS Blu-ray NBD0113V [2:12:58]
[RC] Clearly now my first choice.
Rebecca SAUNDERS
(b. 1967) Still, Aether, Alba -Carolin Widmann (violin)
Marco Blaauw (trumpet)
Carl Rosman, Richard Haynes (bass clarinets) SO Bayerischen Rundfunks/Ilan
Volkov, Peter Eövös rec. 2015-2018 BR KLASSIK 900635 [66:50]
[GH]
This may be the future of classical music.
Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS
(1872-1958)
Symphony No. 5, Pilgrim’s
Progress (Scenes) -
BBC Singers Qt, BBC SO & Ch/Martyn Brabbins
rec. 2018-2019 HYPERION CDA68325 [66:59]
[MW] Probably the best recent version of the Symphony, and a lovely first recording.
Cavalieri Imperiali
InAlto/Lambert Colson rec.
2019 RICERCAR RIC419 [65:49]
[JV] Exciting performances of music that cannot fail to captivate an audience.
Isabelle Demers (organ)
The Chicago Recital -
Works by Macmillan, Tchaikovsky, Reger,
Laurin, Mendelssohn & Dupre rec. 2015 ACIS APL41752 [70:49]
[MR] A perfect combination of magnificent organ, brilliant player, fine programme and top-notch recording.
Kathleen Ferrier (contralto)
20th-Century British Treasures rec. 1946-53 SOMM ARIADNE 5010 [79:15]
[SG]
A disc to treasure.
John Ogdon (piano)
The Ludwigsburg Recital Works by J S Bach,
Beethoven and Chopin rec. 1967 MELOCLASSIC MC1056 [79:45]
[SG] Ogdon at the height of his powers.
Verklärte Nacht
Works by Lehar, Schoenberg, Fried & Korngold -
Stuart Skelton (tenor) Christine Rice (mezzo)
BBC SO/Edward Gardner rec. 2020 CHANDOS SACD CHSA5243 [63:36]
[RWe]
Recommended both for the excellent performances and valuable programme.
