Gramophone Editor’s Choice: January 2022 | The best new classical recordings

Tuesday, January 4, 2022

The best new classical recordings reviewed in the January 2022 issue of Gramophone, featuring Lise Davidsen & Leif Ove Andsnes, Patricia Kopatchinskaja & Sol Gabetta, Cecilia Bartoli and more...

Recording of the month

Grieg Songs 

Lise Davidsen sop Leif Ove Andsnes pf 

Decca 

This magazine’s admiration for the young soprano Lise Davidsen has led to a number of accolades already – and this album, on which Leif Ove Andsnes proves a perfect partner, deserves another.

Read the review in Gramophone's Reviews Database


Messiaen Orchestral Works 

Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra / Kent Nagano 

BR-Klassik 

This superb collection of large-scale works by Messiaen, including Poèmes pour Mi and a remarkable La Transfiguration de Notre Seigneur Jésus‑Christ, is brilliantly recorded. 

Read the review in Gramophone's Reviews Database


Arensky. Shostakovich Piano Trios 

Trio Con Brio Copenhagen 

Orchid 

Two trios from Shostakovich – including his extraorindary Second – and one from Arensky, played with compelling conviction by Trio Con Brio Copenhagen.

Read the review in Gramophone's Reviews Database


Bartók String Quartets, Vol 2 

Ragazze Quartet 

Channel Classics 

Incredibly vivid Bartók-playing from the Ragazze Quartet, full of gripping physicality (superbly captured) which always seems to probe the music’s extremes in a way which feels utterly enticing.  

Read the review in Gramophone's Reviews Database


Saint-Saëns ‘Chamber Music with Winds’ 

Soloists of the Orchestre de Paris 

Indésens 

A truly delightful contribution to Saint-Saëns anniversary events – a survey of his chamber music for wind instrument, from the players of the Orchestre de Paris.

Read the review in Gramophone's Reviews Database


‘Sol & Pat’ 

Patricia Kopatchinskaja vn Sol Gabetta vc 

Alpha 

Two brilliantly individual soloists bring their personalities to a partnership (and to incredibly diverse repertoire!) and an album that delights from beginning to end.

Read the review in Gramophone's Reviews Database


‘Time Traveler’s Suite’ 

Inon Barnatan pf 

Pentatone 

A fascinating and thought-provoking piece of programming – spanning the Baroque to the 21st century – that works wonderfully, thanks of course to Inon Barnatan’s hugely impressive pianism. 

Read the review in Gramophone's Reviews Database


Monteverdi ‘Daylight – Stories of Songs, Dances and Loves’ 

Concerto Italiano / Rinaldo Alessandrini 

Naïve 

A sequel to Concerto Italiano’s 2017 album of nocturnal-themed madrigals again spans Monteverdi’s life to build an inspired recital.

Read the review in Gramophone's Reviews Database


‘Unreleased’ 

Cecilia Bartoli mez Basel Chamber Orchestra / Muhai Tang 

Decca 

These ‘Unreleased’ Cecilia Bartoli tracks date from back in 2013 – but, full as they are of the mezzo’s famed dramatic presence and jaw-dropping virtuosity, they are well worth the wait!

Read the review in Gramophone's Reviews Database


Handel ‘Handel’s Unsung Heroes’ 

Sols; La Nuova Musica / David Bates 

Pentatone 

A splendid line-up of Handel soloists – including Iestyn Davies and Lucy Crowe – joins players on equally stunning form for another triumph masterminded by conductor David Bates. 

Read the review in Gramophone's Reviews Database


DVD/blu-ray

Dvořák Rusalka 

Sols; Orchestra of the Teatro Real, Madrid / Ivor Bolton 

C Major Entertainment 

A stylish production and a superb lead in soprano Asmik Grigorian makes for a highly recommendable Rusalka on DVD. 

Read the review in Gramophone's Reviews Database


Reissue/archive

Verdi Messa da Requiem 

Sols; Bavarian Radio Chorus and Symphony Orchestra / Riccardo Muti 

BR-Klassik 

A live recording from 1981 of Verdi’s mighty Requiem conducted by Riccardo Muti – his fourth on record now, and a very fine addition – boasts an impressive line-up of soloists. 

Read the review in Gramophone's Reviews Database


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