Yes, sadly, it's that time again! We grow old.
MusicWeb asks us to submit a top 5 (or 6 - grade inflation) by November 28. Here are the contenders I'm thinking about right now:
(http://static1.squarespace.com/static/54429e3be4b08cdfdca8f809/t/5448a060e4b0f44dbfa15e3e/1414045794156/?format=500w)
combo of Hildegard, Mehmet Ali Sanlikol, Golijov, and Beethoven by a brilliant Boston chamber orchestra
plus
(http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2015/Feb/Invocation_V5362.jpg) (http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2015/Aug/Kalliwoda_concertinos_7776922.jpg) (http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2015/Feb/Dvorak_Penderecki_quintet_AP0334.jpg) (http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2015/Aug/Solitaires_BIS2148.jpg) (http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2015/Mar/Chopin_piano_v2_DCD34138.jpg) (http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2015/Feb/Janacek_glagolitic_SU41502.jpg) (http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2015/Aug/Mendelssohn_trios_BIS2109.jpg) (http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2015/June/Mozart_VCs_CD98039.jpg) (http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2015/Jan/Pressler_90th_2564625964.jpg) (http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2015/Feb/Gornostaeva_piano_1012.jpg)
That last is Vera Gornostaeva playing Schumann, Schubert, and Liszt.
and as if that wasn't enough, a dark horse in Lutoslawski's complete piano music:
(http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2015/May/Lutoslawski_piano_0967.jpg)
Sigh. Decisions, decisions.
A wealth of riches!
Isn't Schuch 2014?
I thought the Kalliwoda was good, but was it that good?
Going through my orders at Arkiv, I remember these best.
(http://www.arkivmusic.com/graphics/covers/AMG/covers/full/279/2797183.jpg)
(http://www.arkivmusic.com/graphics/covers/non-muze2/large/1673457.jpg)
(http://www.arkivmusic.com/graphics/covers/non-muze2/large/1653141.jpg)
(http://www.arkivmusic.com/graphics/covers/naxos/large/761203760725.jpg)
(http://www.arkivmusic.com/graphics/covers/non-muze2/large/1735525.jpg)
(http://www.arkivmusic.com/graphics/covers/naxos/large/747313155668.jpg)
(http://www.arkivmusic.com/graphics/covers/non-muze2/large/2107202.jpg)
BTW, to show the possibilities here, of Brian's list the only one I have heard is the Kaliwoda.
Brian, I assume this is a thread focused on new recordings issued in 2015? :)
I guess we're soon going to have our annual favourite purchases of the year as well.... :D
Personally I buy very few "new" recordings...so have little to contribute here...
Q
There's always that gap ... with the cut-off date in November, what to do with November and December releases? If you put them with next year's, someone will complain, otherwise they fall in between ... should labels stop releasing music between from October to February (because no one has any money in January anyway)? Just asking ... these yearly round-ups should be done in spring, but then they're there for people to spend (waste?) money at x-mas ...
Anyway, best album to fall into last year's gap was of course - and entirely off topic - D'Angelo and the Vanguard's "Black Messiah" (no relation to Händel, methinks ;))
Quote from: Jeffrey Smith on November 09, 2015, 07:28:34 PM
BTW, to show the possibilities here, of Brian's list the only one I have heard is the Kaliwoda.
You're a noobie in this context; I have heard none! Guess I don't trust that reviewer.
It's a bit early, and it'll probably take me years to catch up with my 2015 wishlist, but so far:
[asin]B015HNXTTI[/asin]
[asin]B012HPXPOI[/asin]
[asin]B00WCCYCVC[/asin]
[asin]B013FP4CJQ[/asin]
[asin]B00SZ0OO7C[/asin]
[asin]B00R8ILD1W[/asin]
[asin]B00CZ9CN4A[/asin]
[asin]B00QJN34YQ[/asin]
[asin]B00S6WC12E[/asin]
[asin]B00WF5R808[/asin]
[asin]B00TQA5186[/asin]
[asin]B00PO9AG0Q[/asin]
[asin]B00PCCWXPG[/asin]
Is that Fine that fine? :D
I liked the Foss quite a bit.
Quote from: The new erato on November 10, 2015, 02:32:21 AM
Is that Fine that fine? :D
Yes, it's excellent. Plus points for repertoire. The only other recordings are as old as I am.
Quote from: Daverz on November 10, 2015, 02:37:21 AM
The only other recordings are as old as I am.
Wax cylinders? :D
Thanks for the answer BTW. Will seriously have to consider that.
Quote from: Que on November 09, 2015, 10:10:31 PM
Brian, I assume this is a thread focused on new recordings issued in 2015? :)
I guess we're soon going to have our annual favourite purchases of the year as well.... :D
Personally I buy very few "new" recordings...so have little to contribute here...
Q
I usually have little to contribute as well, though this year two items have really stood out nonetheless (though I assume the box is a reissue - still issued this year).
[asin]B00U2U9VZS[/asin]
[asin]B00PTAU04C[/asin]
Just remembered three more!!
(http://ecstatic.textalk.se/shop/17115/art15/h2076/4962076-origpic-20a7aa.jpg) (http://ecstatic.textalk.se/shop/17115/art15/h2482/4952482-origpic-93dc63.jpg) (http://ecstatic.textalk.se/shop/17115/art15/h2020/4942020-origpic-0e74b4.jpg)
Quote from: Que on November 09, 2015, 10:10:31 PM
Brian, I assume this is a thread focused on new recordings issued in 2015? :)
Yes!
Quote from: Artem on November 09, 2015, 07:17:38 PM
Isn't Schuch 2014?
As king ubu said, since we must submit our nominations during November, Nov.-Dec. releases get lumped into the next year. It works differently with other websites, probably (Gramophone always seems really behind). I wish it were like the Oscars where we pick 'em in February, but the idea is also to provide a handy gift guide...
Jeffrey, Daverz, Neal -
Darn, I forgot about the Ibert, Martinon box, Rachel Barton Pine playing viola d'amore, Jadassohn, and Oregon Symphony "American Range." The Irving Fine set is near the top of my wishlist right now! And so is that Haydn.
2015 seems to have been a good year for us listeners.
Quote from: Daverz on November 10, 2015, 02:02:35 AM
It's a bit early, and it'll probably take me years to catch up with my 2015 wishlist, but so far:
[asin]B00CZ9CN4A[/asin]
That's a good one, despite its pointless title (what does the "American range" have to do with this music?)
my list of 2015 releases so far ... most of it will need much more time to sink in, so the ones with ratings might change again, too ... also this is only new releases, with reissues I'm even slower (that is, I buy mostly boxed sets and it takes me ages as I usually go by pieces, i.e. taking out all Brahms symphonies and piling them up with other recordings of the same ... remember I'm still a comparative newbie)
Bertrand Cuiller - Rameau: Pièces pour clavecin * * * * *
Philippe Jaroussky - Green: Mélodies françaises sur des poèmes de Verlaine * * * *1/2
Sophie Karthäuser, Ensemble Correspondances, Sébastien Daucé - Lalande: Leçons de Ténèbres * * * *1/2
Olga Peretyatko, Orchestra del Teatro Comunale di Bologna, Alberto Zedda - Rossini! * * * *
Hilary Hahn - Violin Concertos: Mozart 5, Vieuxtemps 4 * * * *
Nuria Rial/Artemandolino - Sospiri d'amanti * * * *
Amandine Beyer/Leila Schayegh - Caldara: Trio Sonatas * * *1/2
La Compagnia del Madrigale - Luca Marenzio: Quinto Libro di Madrigali a sei voci
Purcell Choir/Orfeo Orchestra/György Vashegyi - Rameau: Les Fêtes de Polymnie
Various Artists - Cipriano De Rore: Ancor Che Col Partire
Isabelle Faust, Jean-Guihen Queyras, Alexander Melnikov, Freiburger Barockorchester, Pablo Heras-Casado - Schumann: Violin Concerto
Alexander Melnikov, Isabelle Faust, Jean-Guihen Queyras, Freiburger Barockorchester, Pablo Heras-Casado - Schumann: Piano Concerto
Igor Levit - Bach: Goldberg Variations/Beethoven: Diabelli Variations/Rzewski: The People United Will Never Be Defeated
Karine Deshayes/Ensemble Contraste - Après un rêve
Kim Kashkashian/Sarah Rothenberg/Steven Schick/Houston Chamber Choir/Robert Simpson - Morton Feldman/Erik Satie/John Cage: Rothko Chapel
Kristian Bezuidenhout - Mozart: Keyboard Sonatas, Vol. 7
Grigory Sokolov - The Salzburg Recital
and the new Pappano "Aida", too ... will need some time to really arrive at
I wholeheartily second the Arensky and Foss recordings and the David Krakauer, Dreams & Prayers, which I haven't heard, but will remedy that forthwith.
I would strike the Pahud recording on acccount of its cover photograph alone.
;).
Quote from: Archaic Torso of Apollo on November 10, 2015, 08:07:03 AM
That's a good one, despite its pointless title (what does the "American range" have to do with this music?)
(http://img.epinions.com/images/opti/cf/61/hmgdLarge_AppliancesAllRangesAmana_Self_Clean_Gas_Oven_ARG7102-resized200.gif)
Maybe?
Quote from: king ubu on November 10, 2015, 08:25:25 AM
Isabelle Faust, Jean-Guihen Queyras, Alexander Melnikov, Freiburger Barockorchester, Pablo Heras-Casado - Schumann: Violin Concerto
Thought of including this, but I don't like the string tone in the coupled Trio. She makes a good case for the Schumann concerto.
Quote
Kim Kashkashian/Sarah Rothenberg/Steven Schick/Houston Chamber Choir/Robert Simpson - Morton Feldman/Erik Satie/John Cage: Rothko Chapel
Would love to hear this one.
Quote from: Daverz on November 10, 2015, 09:47:09 AM
(http://img.epinions.com/images/opti/cf/61/hmgdLarge_AppliancesAllRangesAmana_Self_Clean_Gas_Oven_ARG7102-resized200.gif)
Maybe?
The Jiffy Pop Concerto! At last!
I tend to focus on older recordings, or re-issues; therefore I am far behind the breaking news in my buying, but some recent ones that have caught my attention & that I will probably eventually invest in are:
- Ullén in Sorabji 100 Transcendental Etudes, vol. IV /BIS http://www.bis.se/index.php?op=album&aID=BIS-1853
- Bacevicius Piano Ctos etc. /Naxos http://www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp?item_code=8.573282
- Bacewicz String Quartets vol.1 & 2 / Naxos http://www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp?item_code=8.572806 +
http://www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp?item_code=8.572807
Also, the cd re-issue of John McCabe playing Nielsen´s complete piano works, from the fine old Decca LPs http://www.somm-recordings.com/somm/ifield.php?id=229
Quote from: Daverz on November 10, 2015, 10:07:38 AM
Thought of including this, but I don't like the string tone in the coupled Trio. She makes a good case for the Schumann concerto.
I think so, too, but the concert hasn't fully clicked with me yet ... the list posted is that of all 2015 new releases I've bought so far, not of the best ones ... but as I buy what I want to get, I hope there won't be any big clinkers in it. Also I forgot a few, it seems (the two Cavalli discs by Pluhar and Alarcon, Campra's "Tancrède" by Schneebeli - all three sounded good on first listen). The best ones would be the ones on top of the list ...
Quote from: Daverz on November 10, 2015, 10:07:38 AM
Would love to hear this one.
Just got it a couple of days ago, but hope to play it soon (though I'm awaiting delivery of the monstrous new Dylan box and I'll be busy with other things this weekend, starting with the Dylan concert on Friday night ...)
My Top 5
(http://photos.imageevent.com/sgtrock/feb2015/bruckner4honeckpitts.jpg)
Bruckner Symphony No.4, Honeck conducting the Pittsburgh
(http://photos.imageevent.com/sgtrock/july2010/nielsen13oramo.jpg)
Nielsen Symphony Nos. 1 & 3, Oramo conducting the Royal Stockholm (released in Dec 2014 but I'm including it since these lists always come out early, before the end of the year)
(http://photos.imageevent.com/sgtrock/feb2015/SchumannVCFaust.jpg)
Schumann Violin Concerto and Piano Trio op.110
(http://photos.imageevent.com/sgtrock/feb2015/bachpartitas126.jpg)
Bach Partitas 1, 2 & 6 played by Edna Stern
(http://photos.imageevent.com/sgtrock/feb2015/brian6282931.jpg)
Havergal Brian Symphony Nos. 6, 28, 29, 31, Walker conducting the New Russian State SO
I'm going to have to think about this one... (in Arnold Schwarzenegger voice) I'll be back. 8)
Two
Nielsen sets come to mind: Davis/LSO and Gilbert/NYPO, which Daverz noted. The Davis/LSO set was released earlier individually, but the complete box was released earlier this year.
Quote from: Daverz on November 10, 2015, 02:02:35 AM
[asin]B00WF5R808[/asin]
Nielsen: Symphonies Nos. 1-6 (Sir Colin Davis/LSO)
[asin]B00SKFJETK[/asin]
And Sarge's choice I completely agree with: not only a very fine Bruckner 4th, but one of the finest recent Bruckner recordings I've heard.
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on November 10, 2015, 11:21:56 AM
(http://photos.imageevent.com/sgtrock/feb2015/bruckner4honeckpitts.jpg)
Bruckner Symphony No.4, Honeck conducting the Pittsburgh
--Bruce
If we're including last year, that disk would definitely be on my list of favorites.
Quote from: Brian on November 09, 2015, 06:52:35 PM
(http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2015/Feb/Invocation_V5362.jpg)
From this year I'd go with the following CD:
[asin]B00QJH5U94[/asin]
(http://d250ptlkmugbjz.cloudfront.net/images/covers/75/38/3760195733875_300.jpg) (http://d250ptlkmugbjz.cloudfront.net/images/covers/94/16/0801918341694_300.jpg) (http://d250ptlkmugbjz.cloudfront.net/images/covers/79/01/5400439000179_300.jpg)
Those that come to mind in my case (and that barely made the November issue date mark):
[asin]B013CPTZAA[/asin]
[asin]B01543CMX0[/asin]
And on the reissue front:
[asin]B00UW6AFXO[/asin]
Looking back at my 2015 purchases about 80% were recordings from previous years and 20% were from this year. Perhaps someone will start a 2015 Purchases of the Year. Also, could we just go ahead now and announce that Honeck/Pitts' Bruckner 4th receives the GMG Best Orchestral Recording of the Year?
In any case, here are my tops for 2015 in random order...
[asin]B00SAGBE8S[/asin]
[asin]B00TISVGXA[/asin]
[asin]B00PXA1KV0[/asin]
[asin]B00R4VU7J2[/asin]
Quote from: J.II.9 on November 15, 2015, 12:23:47 AM
(http://d250ptlkmugbjz.cloudfront.net/images/covers/75/38/3760195733875_300.jpg) (http://d250ptlkmugbjz.cloudfront.net/images/covers/94/16/0801918341694_300.jpg) (http://d250ptlkmugbjz.cloudfront.net/images/covers/79/01/5400439000179_300.jpg)
This looks very interesting and goes straight into wish list.
Quote from: Artem on November 15, 2015, 10:09:05 AM
This looks very interesting and goes straight into wish list.
I put a couple of La Reverdie CDs on my list after seeing that post.
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on November 15, 2015, 03:02:21 AMAlso, could we just go ahead now and announce that Honeck/Pitts' Bruckner 4th receives the GMG Best Orchestral Recording of the Year?
Not until you've all heard their new Beethoven!!!!!!
...but yeah, probably. 8)
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on November 15, 2015, 03:02:21 AM
Also, could we just go ahead now and announce that Honeck/Pitts' Bruckner 4th receives the GMG Best Orchestral Recording of the Year?
[asin]B00R4VU7J2[/asin]
I also have it (HDTracks download), but haven't quite made up my mind about it.
:blank:
listening to the conversation
Here is my final list of 6, as submitted to MusicWeb...
(http://static1.squarespace.com/static/54429e3be4b08cdfdca8f809/t/5448a060e4b0f44dbfa15e3e/1414045794156/?format=500w) (http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2015/June/Mozart_VCs_CD98039.jpg) (http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2015/Feb/Gornostaeva_piano_1012.jpg) (http://ecstatic.textalk.se/shop/17115/art15/h2076/4962076-origpic-20a7aa.jpg) (http://ecstatic.textalk.se/shop/17115/art15/h2020/4942020-origpic-0e74b4.jpg)
[asin]B015OPM7G0[/asin]
Fresh from Forbes:
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GS9pLMtbk04/VIB7VKbHqeI/AAAAAAAAHvs/QnxWx_SUGxc/s1600/Forbes_SOUND_ADVICE_laurson_2_600.jpg)
DEC 9, 2015
The 10 Best Classical Recordings Of 2015 (New Releases)
It's fair to say to say that such "Best-Of" lists are inherently daft if one clings too
literally to the idea of "Best." Still, I have been making "Best of the Year" lists for
classical music since 2004, when working at Tower Records gave me a splendid
oversight (occasionally insight) of the new releases and of the re-releases that
hit the classical music market. Since then, I've kept tabs on the market as much
as possible. (The 2014 Forbes list for new recordings can be found here, the one
for re-issues here.)
(The entire list on Amazon for CDs and mp3s (incomplete) can be found here.
The complete-as-possible Spotify playlist here. Links to iTunes (where available)
and the high-fidelity streaming/download platform Qobuz are provided individually.)
Making these lists is a subjective affair, aided only by massive exposure and
hopefully good ears and a discriminating, if personal taste. But then "10 CDs
that, all caveats duly noted, I consider to have been outstanding in 2015"
does not make for a sexy headline. You get the point. The built-in hyperbole
of the phrase is a tool to understand what this is about, not symbolic of
illusions of grandeur on part of the author. Because the market lends itself to
it, I distinguish between new releases and re-releases. This is the Top 10 of
the former, the Top 10 of the re-issues will follow. Let's get right to it:...
(http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=13493.0;attach=44612;image)
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jenslaurson/2015/12/09/the-10-best-classical-recordings-of-2015-new-releases/
(http://www.forbes.com/sites/jenslaurson/2015/12/09/the-10-best-classical-recordings-of-2015-new-releases/)
Just found the following list through the Harmonia Mundi Facebook page. IMHO both Bach recordings from the mentioned label (Britten Sinfonia with the Goldberg and Staeier with the harpsichord concertos) are true contenders for the prize.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/classical-music/best-new-albums/
Fresh from Forbes:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CWCfk8xU4AAaoxA.jpg:large)
DEC 12, 2015
The 10 Best Classical Recordings Of 2015 (Re-Issues)
The first stage of drafting such a list after listening to hundreds of new albums, is straining
to remember which ones were sufficiently excellent to include. The second stage is to justify
to oneself how not to include the many albums that come to mind only after the Top 10 has
been assembled. On the ionarts website I cheat by creating an "Almost List." Here, as I did
last year, I will merely lament ostentatiously that there was no room to include Zhu Xiao-Mei's
Art of the Fugue (Accentus), Mozart Violin Concertos with Christian Tetzlaff (Hänssler), the
Bruckner Fourth Symphony with the Pittsburgh Symphony under Manfred Honeck (Reference
Recordings), Alice Cooper narrating a new mashup of Peter and the Wolf (DG), the Pavel Haas
String Quartet's superb new recording of the Smetana Quartets (Supraphon), Pentatone's
splendid coupling of Richard Strauss Sinfonia domestica with his forgotten choral work "The
Times of the Day" or the snappy "Sinkovsky Plays & Sings Vivaldi" album on naïve. And off
we go to the list of Best Re-Issues of 2015:...
(http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=13493.0;attach=44612;image)
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jenslaurson/2015/12/12/the-10-best-classical-recordings-of-2015-re-releases/
(http://www.forbes.com/sites/jenslaurson/2015/12/12/the-10-best-classical-recordings-of-2015-re-releases/)
Quote from: The new erato on November 10, 2015, 02:32:21 AM
Is that Fine that fine? :D
Quote from: Daverz on November 10, 2015, 02:37:21 AM
Yes, it's excellent. Plus points for repertoire. The only other recordings are as old as I am.
I recall an article in the
Wall Street Journal lamenting the neglect of
Fine, so this fills a large hole in the available recordings.
National Public Radio issued this top 10: a
Heinrich Biber Missa Salsburgensis which has more parts than the
Tallis Spem seems to be an all-around favorite.
http://www.npr.org/sections/deceptivecadence/2015/12/17/459871725/our-10-favorite-classical-albums-of-2015?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=classical&utm_term=music&utm_content=2044 (http://www.npr.org/sections/deceptivecadence/2015/12/17/459871725/our-10-favorite-classical-albums-of-2015?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=classical&utm_term=music&utm_content=2044)
Actually, I don't know how you can possibly propose something unless you've heard all the ones you didn't vote for!