Recording of the month

‘BariTenor’

Michael Spyres baritenor Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra / Marko Letonja

Erato 

A stunning album from Michael Spyres, a richly and impressively varied programme showcasing not just a voice of exceptional range but of colour and vivid characterisation too. 

Read the review in Gramophone's Reviews Database

R Strauss Eine Alpensinfonie 

Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra / Vladimir Jurowski 

Pentatone 

Another beautifully crafted Alpine Symphony from Vladimir Jurowski, this time not with the LPO but the highly responsive Berlin Radio Symphony.

Read the review in Gramophone's Reviews Database

Mozart String Quartets Nos 15, 17 & 18

Casals Quartet 

Harmonia Mundi 

There’s something so immediate about the superb Casals Quartet’s playing in these three Mozart works, an engaging edge-of-seat urgency which makes for a compelling listening experience. 

Read the review in Gramophone's Reviews Database

‘12 Stradivari’ 

Janine Jansen vn Antonio Pappano pf 

Decca 

In the poetic playing of Janine Jansen – and her star soloist Antonio Pappano – this already fascinating project to record 12 of the finest Stradivarius violins becomes a superb musical one too.

Read the review in Gramophone's Reviews Database

‘Ciaccona’ 

Ilya Gringolts vn 

BIS 

It takes both superb instinct and skill to gather such varied works, to draw out and convey the thematic links, and to shape it all into an entirely absorbing recital: Ilya Gringolts manages all this brilliantly. 

Read the review in Gramophone's Reviews Database

Grime. Ives. Mahler ‘Songs for New Life and Love’ 

Ruby Hughes sop Joseph Middleton pf 

BIS 

This is a deeply moving recital exploring parenthood – with an incredibly poignant new cycle by Helen Grime at its core – from Ruby Hughes and Joseph Middleton. 

Read the review in Gramophone's Reviews Database

Regnart Missa Christ ist erstanden 

Cinquecento 

Hyperion 

Cinquecento’s return to the music of 16th-century composer Jacob Regnart finds the ensemble – regular visitors to the Editor’s Choice page – on impeccable form. Another triumphant album. 

Read the review in Gramophone's Reviews Database

‘Anima æterna’ 

Jakub Józef Orliński counterten Il Pomo d’Oro / Francesco Corti

Erato 

We were excited enough about countertenor Jakub Józef Orliński’s new album to put him on last month’s cover, and it doesn’t disappoint: a truly striking release.

Read the review in Gramophone's Reviews Database

Fux Dafne in lauro 

Sols; Zefiro / Alfredo Bernardini 

Arcana 

A recording – of Fux’s Dafne in lauro – which beautifully captures all the spirit of the live performances it was taken from, led by the sure rhythmic command and dramatic vision of Alfredo Bernardini.

Read the review in Gramophone's Reviews Database

‘Amazone’ 

Lea Desandre mez Jupiter / Thomas Dunford

Erato 

Erato’s excellent recent signing, the mezzo Lea Desandre – along with some stupendous colleagues (not least brilliant lutenist Thomas Dunford) – serves up a superb album of Baroque arias.

Read the review in Gramophone's Reviews Database

DVD/blu-ray

Korngold Die tote Stadt 

Sols; Bavarian State Opera / Kirill Petrenko 

BSO Recordings 

‘A glorious achievement’ is how Richard Bratby describes this updated staging of Korngold’s Die tote Stadt, a production of great depth and emotional intelligence. 

Read the review in Gramophone's Reviews Database

Reissue/archive

Beethoven The Complete Piano Trios 

Suk Trio 

Supraphon 

This month’s Archive recommendation is an elegant journey by the acclaimed Suk Trio through Beethoven’s complete works for piano trio, reissued by Supraphon. 

Read the reviews of all of these albums and many more in the 2021 Awards issue of Gramophone. Never miss an issue – subscribe today