Quarterly Critic’s Choice
The best and most interesting new releases of the previous three months are awarded a place on the Quarterly Critic’s Choice. Evaluation criteria are artistic quality, repertoire value, presentation, and sound quality. From 2014 onward, the Long Lists are stored directly with each Quarterly Critic’s Choice.
NEW: Long List 4/2024, published on 5th October 2024
Quarterly Critic’s Choices before 2010
2/2002
Published: 20. May 2002
Orchestral Music and Concertos
- Dmitri Schostakowitsch: Symphonie No. 6; Die Hinrichtung des Stepan Razin. Russian State Symphony Orchestra, Valeri Polyansky. Chandos CHAN 9813 (Koch)
- Paul Wranitzky: Symphonien opp. 11, 31 and 36. London Mozart Players, Matthias Bamert. Chandos CHAN 9916 (Koch)
- American Classics: Music for Clarinet by Bernstein, Copland, Gershwin, Gould and Shaw. Sharon Kam (Clarinet), London Symphony Orchestra, Gregor Bühl. Teldec 8573 88482 (Warner)
Chamber Music
- Felix Mendelssohn: String Quartets opp. 12 and 13. Alban Berg Quartett. EMI 5 57167 2
- Maurice Ravel: Piano Trio A minor; Three Sonatas. Renaud Capuçon (Violin), Gautier Capuçon (Violoncello), Franck Braley (Piano). Virgin Classics 5 45492 2 (EMI)
Keyboard Music
- Leopold Godowsky: Sonata E minor; Passacaglia. Marc-André Hamelin (Piano). Hyperion CDA 67300 (Koch)
- William Byrd: »John come kiss me now«. Andreas Staier (Harpsichord). Teldec 0927 42205 2 (Warner)
- Libro di fra Gioseffo da Ravenna. Silvia Rambaldi (Harpsichord). Tactus TC 600 004 (Klassik Center)
Opera
- Joseph-Guy Ropartz: Le Pays. Mireille Delunsch, Gilles Ragon, Olivier Lallouette, Orchestre Philharmonique de Luxembourg, Jean-Yves Ossonce. Timpani 2C 2065 (Note 1)
- Gioacchino Rossini: Semiramide. Edita Gruberova, Bernadette Manca di Nissa, Ildebrando d’Arcangelo, Juan Diego Flórez, Julian Konstantinov. RSO Wien, Marcello Panni. Nightingale NC 207013-2 (Koch)
Lieder and Vocal Recital
- Susan Graham sings French Operetta Arias. City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Yves Abel. Erato 0927 42106-2 (Warner)
- Leos Janácek: Tagebuch eines Verschollenen. Ian Bostridge (Tenor), Thomas Adès (Piano). EMI 5 57219 2
- Gioacchino Rossini: Arias. Juan Diego Flórez (Tenor), Giuseppe Verdi Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly. Decca 470 024 2 (Universal)
Choral Works, Early Music
- Gabriel Fauré: Requiem. (+ César Franck: Symphonie D minor). Johannette Zomer, Stephan Genz, La Chapelle Royale, Collegium Vocale Gent, Orchestre des Champs Elysées, Philippe Herreweghe. Harmonia mundi HMC 901771
- Magister Leoninus. Sacred Music from 12th Century Paris, Vol. 2. Red Byrd. Hyperion CDA 67289 (Koch)
- Narcisso speculando – Les madrigaux de Paolo da Firenze. Mala Punica, Pedro Memelsdorff. Harmonia mundi HMC 901732
Contemporary Classical Music
- Morton Feldman: String Quartet No. 2. Ives Ensemble. Hat(now)art 4-144 (Harmonia mundi)
Historical Recordings
- Jorge Bolet – Rediscovered. Liszt Recital. RCA 9026 63748 2 (BMG)
- Gustav Mahler: Symphonie No. 3. Sinfonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Rafael Kubelik. (München 1967). Audite 23.403 (Naxos)
Film Music
- The Film Music of Jerry Goldsmith. London Symphony Orchestra, Jerry Goldsmith. Telarc 80433 (in-akustik)
Spoken Word
- Franz Kafka: Brief an den Vater. Read by Stefan Fleming. Preiser 3-902123-20-6 (Naxos)
Recordings for Children and Youth
- Lisa Tetzner: Die Kinder aus Nr. 67. Patmos 3-491-24057-3
Singer/Songwriter and German Songs
- Grenzgänger: Knüppel aus dem Sack. Conträr Music 0787-2
- Stoppok: w.e.l.l.n.e.s.s. Grundsound 0004 (Indigo 09362)
Traditional Ethnic Music, World Music, Folk and Folklore
- Kerstin Blodig: Valivann. Westpark WP 87088
- D’Gary: Akata Meso. Label Bleu LBLC 2575 HM 83 (Indigo)
- Los de Abajo: Cypertropic Chilango Power. Luaka Bop 811135 2 (Virgin)
Jazz and Blues
- Lynne Arriale Trio: Inspiration. TCB 2210 2 (in-akustik)
- Dee Dee Bridgewater: This Is New. Emarcy 016 884-2 (Universal)
- Tomasz Stanko Quartet: Soul of Things. ECM 1788 (Universal 016 374-2)
- Vienna Art Orchestra: A Centenary Journey. Quinton 0104-2
- Rory Block: I’m Every Woman. Rounder 3174 (in-akustik)
Pop and Rock
- Wagner Pá: Brazuca Matraca. Exil Music 1286-2 (Indigo)
- Lambchop: Is A Woman. City Slang 8 11957 2 (Virgin)