Gramophone Awards 2012
Sat, Aug 18 2012, 9:45PM
Are we really supposed to believe that all three of the best recodings in the Instrumental category were made by British pianists (Benjamin Grosvenor, Stephen Hough and Paul Lewis)? Another outing for Team GB?
Yes, Arbutus, another one. This time, we may call it simply..."team G"!
Anyway, the team G explained that they chose among the CDs they review this year and only among those who got the most positive reviews. In other words, subjectivity and relativity of the highest order! (The Paul Lewis' Schubert received so many dubious reviews outside UK. I found it too an average performance of such monumental works). One has to consider how many superb fortepiano, harpsichord or guitar recordings we had in the period examined by G.
I checked also my favourite "Chamber" section. As usual, two well established international labels' good products (DG, EMI) and one from a quite good British one (Chandos). Nothing from Praga, the most eminent chamber music label slowly regognised everywhere. I guess it will take some more time in UK, simply to discover it.
Anyway, let it go. Whatever has to do with performances is about pure subjectivity. We don't have to argue too much about it. Take it or leave it.
Parla