Quarterly Critic’s Choice

2/2005

Published: 14. Mai 2005

DVD and Video Productions

• Georg Friedrich Händel: Rodelinda. Dorothea Röschmann, Michael Chance, Felicity Palmer et al., Bayerisches Staatsorchester, Ivor Bolton. Stage Direction: David Alden. Farao Classics D 108 060

• We want the Light. Vladimir Ashkenazy, Daniel Barenboim, Evgeny Kissin, Zubin Mehta, Itzhak Perlman, Pinchas Zukerman et al., Gürzenichorchester Köln, Kinderchor des Kölner Doms, Chor der Oper Köln, Musical Direction: Vladimir Ashkenazy. Stage Direction: Christopher Nupen. (2 DVDs) BBC Opus Arte OA CN 0909 D (Naxos)

• The World Of Nat King Cole. Capitol Records 72435-44471-9-8 (EMI)

Orchestral Music and Concertos

• Joseph Haydn: Symphony E flat major Hob. I:91 and G major Hob I:92 (»Oxford«), Scena di Berenice Hob.XXIVa:10. Bernarda Fink, Freiburger Barockorchester, René Jacobs. harmonia mundi France HMC 901849 (helikon harmonia mundi)

• Franz Liszt: Les Préludes, Totentanz, Von der Wiege bis zum Grabe, Ungarische Rhapsodien 1 & 3, Mazeppa. Rian de Waal, Anima Eterna, Jos van Immerseel. Zig Zag Territoires ZZT 041 102 (Note 1)

• Béla Bartók: Die Piano Concertos. Krystian Zimerman, Leif Ove Andsnes, Hélène Grimaud, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Berliner Philharmoniker, London Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Boulez. Deutsche Grammophon 00289 477 5330 (Universal)

Chamber Music

• Johannes Brahms: Violin Sonatas Nos. 1–3. Szymon Goldberg, Artur Balsam. Historical Recordings 1953. Testament SBT 1357 (Note 1)

• Sergej Rachmaninov: Trio élégiaque op. 9, Dmitrij Schostakowitsch: Piano Trio No. 2 op. 67. Boris Berezovsky, Dmitri Makhtin, Alexander Kniazev. Warner Classics 2564 61937-2

• Giacinto Scelsi: Suono rotondo – Solo Works and Trio Improvisations. Michael Kiedaisch, Stefano Scodanibbio, Mike Svoboda. Wergo WER 6672 2 (Note 1)

Keyboard Music

• Pierre Boulez: The three Piano Sonatas. Paavali Jumppanen. Deutsche Grammophon 00289 477 5328 (Universal)

• Joseph Haydn: The Piano Sonatas. Christine Schornsheim (Harpsichord, Clavichord, Fortepiano). (14 CDs) Capriccio 49 404 (Delta Music)

Opera

• Antonio Vivaldi: Orlando furioso. Marie-Nicole Lemieux, Jennifer Larmore, Veronica Cangemi, Philippe Jaroussky, Ensemble Matheus, Jean-Christophe Spinosi. Naïve OP 30393 (helikon harmonia mundi)

• Rodgers & Hammerstein: Oklahoma! (Original Broadway Cast Recording, 1943-44). Alfred Drake, Joan Roberts, Lee Dixon, Celeste Holm et al. Naxos 8.120 787

• Carl Orff: Carmina Burana. Sally Matthews, Lawrence Brownlee, Christian Gerhaher, Rundfunkchor Berlin, Berliner Philharmoniker, Simon Rattle. EMI Classics 5 57 888 2

Choral Works

• Morales en Toledo – Polifonía inédita del Códice 25 de la Catedral de Toledo. Ensemble Plus Ultra, Michael Noone. Glossa GCD 922 001 (Note 1)

• Darius Milhaud: A Capella Choral Works. Netherlands Chamber Choir, Stephen Layton. Globe GLO 5206 (Note 1)

Early Music

• Carlo Gesualdo: Quinto Libro di Madrigali (1611). La Venexiana, Claudio Cavina. Glossa GCD 920 935 (Note 1)

• Antoine Busnois: Missa O Crux lignum, Motets, Chansons. Orlando Consort. harmonia mundi France HMU 907 333 (helikon harmonia mundi)

Lieder and Vocal Recital

• Rolando Villazón – Jules Massenet / Charles Gounod: Opera Arias. Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, Evelino Pidò. Virgin Classics 5 45 719 2 (EMI)

Contemporary Classical Music

• Alexander Knaifel: Amicta Sole. Mstislav Rostropovitch (Violoncello), Tatiana Melentieva (Soprano), Boy Choir, Glinka Choral College, State Hermitage Orchestra, Arkady Shteinlukht. ECM New Series 1731 or 472 0832 (Universal)

Film Music

• Alexandre Desplat: Birth. London Symphony Orchestra, Alexandre Desplat. Silva SILCD1171 (Edel)

Pop and Rock

• Bright Eyes: Digital Ash in a Digital Urn. Saddle Creek Europe SCE 73 CD bzw. CD 5580-2 (Indigo)

• Arcade Fire: Funeral. Rough Trade RTRADCD 219 (Sanctuary)

Singer/Songwriter and German Songs

• Wenzel: Himmelfahrt. Conträr 5503-2 (Indigo)

Traditional Ethnic Music

• Various Artists: Sahara. Blues of the Desert. (2 CDs) Manteca MANTDCD 232 (Soulfood)

World Music

• L’Orchestra di Piazza Vittorio. Worldmusic Recordings / Ausfahrt AUS 3009-2 (Soulfood)

• Eva Ayllón: The Afro-Peruvian Legend. World Connection WC 43053 (edel contraire)

Jazz and Blues

• Marcin Wasilewski / Slawomir Kurkiewicz / Michal Miskiewicz: Trio. ECM 1891 bzw. 982 0632 (Universal)

• Heinz Sauer / Michael Wollny: Melancholia. ACT 9433-2

• John Hammond: In Your Arms Again. Back Porch 72438-74815-2-7 (MP Media Germany)

Spoken Word

• Bohumil Hrabal: Reise nach Sondervorschrift, Zuglauf überwacht. Ulrich Matthes, Reader. (2 CDs) Audiobuch ISBN 3-89964-110-8 (Eichborn)

Recordings for Children and Youth

• Gerhard Staguhn: Gott und die Götter. Die Geschichte der großen Religionen – Das Christentum. Friedhelm Ptok (Reader). (2 CDs) Igel Records ISBN 3-89353-939-5

• Oscar Wilde: Der glückliche Prinz. Karla Sponar (Reader); Dorothée Hahne (Music). Newsic CD 2004 006 bzw. ISBN 3-9808968-2-X

Crossover Productions

• Bill Frisell: Richter 858. (SACD) Songlines SGL SA 1551-2 (edel contraire)

(The name of the German distributor appears in brackets if it differs from the label name.)