BBC Music Magazine Choices,
BBC Music Magazine - October 2024 Choices
Recording of the Month
'It's undoubtedly one of the best recordings of the symphony in the digital era...It’s a glowing testament to the high levels of synergy and mutual comprehension that Manfred Honeck and the Pittsburgh Symphony have achieved in his 16 years as music director, particularly in Bruckner.'
Available Formats: SACD, MP3, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV
Orchestral Choice
'What makes this performance especially persuasive is Järvi’s ability to control the constantly fluctuating tempo changes in Schoenberg’s score without losing sight of the music’s structural cohesion.'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV
Concerto Choice
Antonín Kraft & Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach: Cello Concertos
Jean-Guihen Queyras (cello), Ensemble Resonanz, Riccardo Minasi
'The partnership proves to be exceptional, Minasi eliciting both honed and dynamically varied timbre from the ensemble...Queyras is equally compelling, adopting a beautifully sculpted melodic line adorned with light elegant bowing that feathers the phrase.'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV
Opera & Stage Choice
Rued Langgaard: Antikrist (Blu-ray)
Thomas Lehman (Lucifer), Jonas Grundner-Culemann (The Voice of God), Irene Roberts (The Air of Mystery), Valeriia Savinskaia (The Echo of The Air of Mystery), Clemens Bieber (The Mouth Speaking Great Words), Maire Therese Carmack (Despondency), Flurina Stucki (The Great Whore), AJ Glueckert (The Scarlet Beast), Andrew Dickinson (The Lie), Joel Allison (Hate); Deutsche Oper Berlin, Stephan Zilias
'Visually, the result is outstanding, an almost non-stop use of choreography practically turning the piece into an opera-ballet. Stephan Zilias conducts a memorable performance.'
Available Format: Blu-ray
Choral & Song Choice
'Here is a deeply satisfying, centuries-spanning, thought-provoking debut album by the fine choral ensemble Echo...The highlight of the album is Howard Skempton’s luminous Yeats setting ‘He wishes for the cloths of heaven’, which is exquisitely done.'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV, Hi-Res+ FLAC/ALAC/WAV
Chamber Choice
'In part it all coexists so beautifully because of the chemistry between Lomeiko and Klinton. Not only do they think and breathe as one, their respective sounds coalesce with heart-stopping unanimity...Musical story telling at its irresistible best.'
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV
Instrumental Choice
'[Fichet's[ beautifully performed, warmly recorded album helps reveal the worth of [Beach's] music. The opening Valse Caprice, premiered by Beach when she was 22, sparkles in Fichet ’s hands, drawing the listener into a programme full of poetry and virtuosity.'
Available Formats: MP3, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV
Screen Choice
'From the first notes of Lack of Love through to the powerful themes from The Last Emperor and Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence there’s the feeling of a man letting every thought and emotion out into the piano keys, knowing it’s the last time he’ll probably do it.'
Available Formats: MP3, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV
Chris O'Reilly - Chief Executive
