The best new classical recordings reviewed in the January 2022 issue of Gramophone, featuring Lise Davidsen & Leif Ove Andsnes, Patricia Kopatchinskaja & Sol Gabetta, Cecilia Bartoli and more…
Registration of the month
Grieg songs
Lise Davidson coax Leif Ove Andsnes pf
Decca
This magazine’s admiration for young soprano Lise Davidsen has already earned her many accolades – and this album, on which Leif Ove Andsnes proves a perfect partner, deserves another.
Read the review in GramophoneReviews database
Messiaen Orchestral works
Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra / Kent Nagano
BR-Klassik
This superb collection of large-scale works by Messiaen, including poems for me and a remarkable The Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christis brilliantly recorded.
Read the review in GramophoneReviews database
Arensky. Shostakovich Trios with piano
Trio Con Brio Copenhagen
Orchid
Two trios by Shostakovich – including his extraordinary Second – and one by Arensky, performed with irresistible conviction by the Trio Con Brio Copenhagen.
Read the review in GramophoneReviews database
bartok String Quartets, Vol. 2
Ragazze Quartet
Channel Classics
The Ragazze Quartet’s incredibly lively Bartók’s playing, full of captivating (superbly captured) physics that always seem to probe the extremes of music in a thoroughly seductive way.
Read the review in GramophoneReviews database
Saint-Saens “Chamber music with winds”
Soloists of the Orchester de Paris
Indesens
A truly delightful contribution to Saint-Saëns’ anniversary events – an investigation of his chamber music for wind instrument, by the musicians of the Orchester de Paris.
Read the review in GramophoneReviews database
‘Ground & Pat’
Patricia Kopatchinskaja vn Sol Gabetta cv
Alpha
Two brilliantly individual soloists bring their personalities to a partnership (and an incredibly diverse repertoire!) and an album that delights from start to finish.
Read the review in GramophoneReviews database
‘Sequel to the Time Traveler’
Inon Barnatan pf
pentatone
A fascinating and stimulating program – ranging from the Baroque to the 21st century – which works wonderfully, thanks of course to the extremely impressive pianism of Inon Barnatan.
Read the review in GramophoneReviews database
Monteverdi “Daylight – Stories of Songs, Dances and Loves”
Concerto Italiano / Rinaldo Alessandrini
naive
A sequel to Concerto Italiano’s 2017 album of nocturnal madrigals recrosses Monteverdi’s life to construct an inspired recital.
Read the review in GramophoneReviews database
‘Unpublished’
Cecile Bartoli me Basel Chamber Orchestra / Muhai Tang
Decca
These ‘unreleased’ pieces by Cecilia Bartoli date back to 2013 – but, full as they are of the famous dramatic presence and jaw-dropping virtuosity of the mezzo, they are well worth the wait!
Read the review in GramophoneReviews database
Handel “Handel’s Unsung Heroes”
soils; La Nuova Musica / David Bates
pentatone
A splendid line-up of Handel soloists – including Iestyn Davies and Lucy Crowe – join the musicians in equally stunning form for another triumph orchestrated by conductor David Bates.
Read the review in GramophoneReviews database
DVD/Blu-Ray
Dvorak Rusalka
soils; Teatro Orchestra Real Madrid / Ivor Bolton
C Major Entertainment
Sleek production and a superb lead by soprano Asmik Grigorian make this a highly recommendable show. Rusalka on DVD.
Read the review in GramophoneReviews database
Reissue/archive
Verdi Requiem Mass
soils; Bavarian Radio Choir and Symphony Orchestra / Riccardo Muti
BR-Klassik
A 1981 live recording of Verdi’s mighty Requiem under Riccardo Muti – his fourth disc now, and a very fine addition – features an impressive list of soloists.
Read the review in GramophoneReviews database
welcome to Gramophone …
We’ve been writing about classical music for our dedicated and knowledgeable readers since 1923, and we’d love for you to join them.
To subscribe to Gramophone is easy, you can choose how you want to enjoy each new issue (our beautifully produced print magazine or the digital edition, or both) and also whether you want to access our full digital archive (dating back to our very first issue in April 1923) and an unparalleled database of reviews, covering 50,000 albums and written by leading experts in their field.
To find the perfect subscription for you, simply visit: gramophone.co.uk/subscribe
