BBC Music Magazine Choices,
BBC Music Magazine - July 2024 Choices
(In case you missed it, Paul McCreesh spoke to James in May about the differences that period instruments bring to the music, the extensive work he carries out in rehearsal with singers, and the importance of the Gabrieli Roar scheme in involving young people in classical music).
Albums mentioned in despatches include an 'unquestionably important' addition to the Enescu discography from Cristian Măcelaru and the Orchestre National de France on Deutsche Grammophon, an 'energetic and expressive' account of Beethoven's Triple Concerto from Benjamin Grosvenor, Nicola Benedetti & Sheku Kanneh-Mason on Decca, and an 'accessible and vivid' recital of Schoenberg songs from soprano Claire Booth and pianist Christopher Glynn on Orchid Classics.
Recording of the Month
Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius
Nicky Spence (Gerontius), Anna Stéphany (The Angel), Andrew Foster-Williams (The Priest/Angel of the Agony), Gabrieli, Polish National Youth Choir, Paul McCreesh
'This is unquestionably a great recording of Gerontius, one that every Elgarian should have, and ranks high among the many important projects Gabrieli has so far undertaken in its four decades of existence.'
Available Formats: 2 CDs, MP3, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV
Orchestral Choice
Enescu: Symphonies Nos. 1-3 & Romanian Rhapsodies 1 & 2
Orchestre National de France, Cristian Măcelaru
'It's quite a journey, as the languorous finale of the Third Symphony demonstrates (its huge forces include organ and chorus), and Mӑcelaru captures the visionary aspects of the score in an unquestionably important addition to the composer’s discography.'
Available Formats: 3 CDs, MP3, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV
Concerto Choice
Beethoven: Triple Concerto
Nicola Benedetti (violin), Sheku Kanneh-Mason (cello), Benjamin Grosvenor (piano), Gerald Finley (baritone), Philharmonia Orchestra, Santtu-Matias Rouvali
'There are surely no more charismatic young performers in this country today than violinist Nicola Benedetti, cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason and pianist Benjamin Grosvenor, and together they make a stellar team, bursting with energy and expressive precision.'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV
Opera Choice
John Adams: Girls of the Golden West
Julia Bullock (Dame Shirley), Ryan McKinny (Clarence), Davone Tines (Ned Peters), Hye Jung Lee (Ah Sing), Daniela Mack (Josef Segovia), Paul Appleby (Joe Cannon), Elliot Madore (Ramón); Los Angeles Philharmonic, Los Angeles Master Chorale, John Adams
'The influence of Ives can be heard in the shifting layers; once a funeral march, now a Fourth of July celebration. As Dame Shirley, Julia Bullocks is on scintillating form, particularly as she acts out the part of Lady MacBeth in Act II.'
Available Formats: 2 CDs, MP3, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV
Choral & Song Choice
'Adopting this approach [curation around Schoenberg's paintings] enables Booth and Glynn to maximise the variety of musical expression explored in each of the themes with performances that respond vividly to all the twists and turns in Schoenberg’s complex and ever-changing musical armoury.'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV
Chamber Choice
'The ensemble is a coterie of some of the finest early musicians on the scene today – friends who evidently relish the art of musical conversation, the guiding ethos of the English consort tradition.'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV, Hi-Res+ FLAC/ALAC/WAV
Instrumental Choice
'One of Tharaud’s aims is to reveal repertoire which has been largely lost, and in this respect he is resoundingly successful...Everything here has charm, and radiates what should always be the mainspring for chamber music: sheer joy in making it.'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV
Jazz Choice
'Always elegant, never effete, Frisell is on great form and is well-served by the arrangements and by the performances of his trio and the orchestras. The album is an utter delight...'
Available Formats: 2 CDs, MP3, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV
Chris O'Reilly - Chief Executive
