Team Choices, Presto Team Choices - October 2024

'A logical evolution for Rachel Podger – from directing concerti from the violin to directing symphonies. These two works, plucked from the middle of Haydn’s symphonic career, show his wit and invention – with moments in No. 43 hinting at the ‘Surprise’ Symphony’s memorable musical sting, as well as a particularly special slow movement where Podger and her musicians make the most of Haydn’s muted-string sound-world and his unusual choice of a reflective A flat major. HC Robbins Landon dubbed these symphonies ‘elegant’ and ‘tragic’ respectively; Podger’s reading of them injects a little more vigour into the former, and an uplifting nobility into the latter. Not to be missed - I’ll definitely be keeping an ear out for further forays like this from Podger.' (David Smith)

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'The LSO's Chief Conductor Antonio Pappano makes the most of his extensive experience in the opera house to bring a compelling sense of purpose and dramatic thrust to this new recording, which positively fizzes and crackles with energy whilst still giving plenty of space to the more contemplative moments of Mendelssohn's great oratorio. Full of incisive choral singing and stylish orchestral playing, it also features a masterful performance of the title role from Gerald Finley, not least in the aria, 'It is enough', accompanied by extraordinarily expressive, mournful cellos.' (James Longstaffe)

Available Formats: 2 SACDs, MP3, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV, Hi-Res+ FLAC/ALAC/WAV

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'For those who love Bruckner’s monumental orchestral edifices, this anniversary year has been a joy; for those who don’t, it’s fair to say it has been something of a trial. From Mari Kodama, though, comes a Bruckner album that genuinely might win over the latter camp – his solo piano works range from serious compositions evoking the mood of his symphonic movements (listen out for that iconic ‘Bruckner rhythm’ in the Fantasie in D minor…) to much more light-hearted pieces that could almost be Schubert in one of his more rustic moods. If you’ve been brought up to think that Bruckner can’t be fleet-footed and jolly, listen to the Waltzes, Polka and Quadrilles on this album! Toe-tapping stuff that wouldn’t have been out of place on Pierre-Laurent Aimard’s recent album of Schubert Ländler, and one of the most pleasant musical surprises I've had for a long time.' (David Smith)

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'In what would turn out to be his final recording, this album from the late Maurizio Pollini (who died earlier this year) gains an extra layer of poignancy from the fact that it involves a collaboration with his son Daniele, a fine pianist in his own right. Father and son initially take turns, with Maurizio's magnificent account of the Piano Sonata in G, D894 followed by a captivating, sensitive performance of the Moments Musicaux from Daniele, before the pair join forces for the F minor Fantasy (featuring a powerful, stormy Largo and an impressively nimble Allegro vivace).' (James Longstaffe)

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'Spell Book sets a magical atmosphere through genuinely creative new music. Tamsin Waley-Cohen's playing in opening track 'Conjure', gives enchanting expression to her sister Freya's writing, and I've found myself unable to break the spell until the end of the final track. The collection of Spell Book Songs combines typically expressive singing from Heloïse Werner with beautifully judged instrumental textures, played with total commitment by the Manchester Collective players. This is a composer to watch.' (Matthew Ash)

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'Even if you're normally sceptical about opera-singers 'crossing over' into jazz standards, please give this stylish, heartwarming album from one of today's leading Otellos a whirl - the 70-year-old American tenor really does have this music in his blood, and is obviously having a blast with classics such as 'Beyond The Sea, 'A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square' and I Left My Heart In San Francisco'. Nothing sounds overblown or unidiomatic, and his classy backing-band is a delight.' (Katherine Cooper)

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'Sometimes it's nice to sit back and relax with something that's easy to listen to, and this new a cappella album from The King's Singers perfectly fits the bill. They cover a lot of musical ground, from characterful arrangements of songs by Queen and Paul Simon, through music theatre and folk songs, to interpretations of Rossini and Rimsky-Korsakov that remind me of the Swingle Singers. Highlights for me include 'Rhythm of Life', 'The Rose' and 'She's Like The Swallow', but the whole thing is fun, engaging, and performed with beautifully balanced and nimble singing.' (Matthew Ash)

Available Formats: 2 CDs, MP3, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV

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'Come for the scholarship, stay for the singing...Using a new critical edition by Roger Parker, this studio recording incorporates many of Bellini's original ideas (including 'Casta diva' in G major rather than the usual F, and an alternative ending to the war-mongering chorus in Act Two) - but Rebeka's multi-faceted, white-hot Norma is reason enough to invest in this new set. If you're after a recording that finds the sweet spot between old-school grandeur and the stripped-back, hyper-historically-informed approach which Bartoli and Antonini gave us a decade ago, this is your answer.' (Katherine Cooper)

Available Formats: 3 CDs, MP3, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV

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