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 2/2024, published on 5th April 2024

Quarterly Critic’s Choice

Quarterly Critic’s Choices before 2010

3/2008

3/2008

Published: 15. 8. 2008

DVD and Video Productions

  • Toward The Unknown Region – Malcolm Arnold; A Story of Survival. Tony Palmer (Direction). Tony Palmer Films TPDVD 112 (Naxos)
  • Gaetano Donizetti: La Fille du Régiment. Natalie Dessay, Juan Diego Flórez, Felicity Palmer et al., The Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Bruno Campanella. Laurent Pelly (Stage Direction), Robin Lough (Film Direction). Virgin Classics DVD 50999 519002 98 (EMI)
  • Boris Kovac: Before and After … Apocalypse. Two Music Films from the Land of Pannonia. Boris Kova_ & LaDaABa Orchest: The Last Balkan Tango – An Apocalyptic Dance Party. Boris Kovac (Film Direction). Boris Kovac & La Campanella Orchestra: World after History – A Sentimental Journey. Boris Kovac and Milos Pusic (Film Direction). Piranha DVD-PIR 2231 (Indigo)
  • Frederic Rzewski Plays Rzewski: The People United Will Never Be Defeated. Frederic Rzewski (Piano), Tony Adzinikolov (Film direction). Video Artists International DVD VAI 4440 (Codaex)

Orchestral Music and Concertos

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Symphonies KV 385, 201, 319, 504, 551. Orchestra Mozart, Claudio Abbado. Deutsche Grammophon 477 7598 (2 CDs; Universal)
  • Arnold Schönberg, Jean Sibelius: Violin Concertos. Hilary Hahn (Violin), Sinfonieorchester des Schwedischen Rundfunks, Esa-Pekka Salonen. Deutsche Grammophon 477 7346 (Universal)
  • Dmitrij Schostakowitsch: Cello Concertos No. 1 E flat major op. 107, No. 2 G major op. 126 . Daniel Müller-Schott (Cello), Sinfonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Yakov Kreizberg. Orfeo 659081

Chamber Music

  • Franz Schubert: Quartet movement C minor D703, String Quintet C major D956. Artemis Quartett, Truls Mørk (Cello). Virgin Classics 50999 502113 26 (EMI)

Keyboard Music

  • Marc-André Hamelin in a state of Jazz – Works by Friedrich Gulda, Nikolai Kapustin, Alexis Weissenberg and George Antheil. Marc-André Hamelin (Piano). Hyperion CDA 67656 (Codaex)
  • Wladimir Vogel: The Complete Works for Piano. Kolja Lessing (Piano). Gramola 98821/22 (2 CDs; Codaex)
  • Johann Sebastian Bach: Early Works. Andreas Staier (Harpsichord). Harmonia Mundi HMC 901960 (Helikon Harmonia Mundi)
  • Johann Sebastian Bach: Partitas (Clavier-Übung I BWV 825-830). Pascal Dubreuil (Harpsichord). Ramée 0804 (2 CDs; Codaex)

Choral Works

  • Anton Bruckner: Mess E minor, Motets. SWR Vokalensemble Stuttgart, Mitglieder des Radio-Sinfonieorchesters Stuttgart des SWR, Marcus Creed. Hänssler Classic 93.199 (SACD; Naxos)
  • Hugo Distler: Geistliche Chormusik op. 12, Weihnachtsgeschichte op. 10. Vocalconsort Berlin, Klaus-Martin Bresgott. Edition Chrismon o. No. (2 CDs)

Early Music

  • Philippe de Monte: Missa »Ultimi miei sospiri«, Motets; Philippe Verdelot: Motet »Ultimi miei sospiri«. Vokalensemble Cinquecento. Hyperion CDA 67658 (Codaex)

Lieder and Vocal Recital

  • Juan Diego Flórez – Bel Canto Spectacular. Juan Diego Flórez (Tenor) et al., Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana, Daniel Oren. Decca 478 0315 Universal)

Historical Recordings

  • Jean Sibelius, Aram Khachaturian: Violin Concertos; Pablo de Sarasate: Carmen-Fantasie. Gerhard Taschner (Violin), various Orchestras and Conductors (AD: 1953-56). MDG 642 1508-2 (Codaex)
  • The Art of George Szell Vol. 1. New York Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra, George Szell (AD: 1943-1957). West Hill Radio Archives WHRA 6018 (4 CDs; Note 1)

Contemporary Classical Music

  • Helena Tulve: Lijnen et al. Arianna Savall, NYYD Ensemble, Olari Elts; Stockholm Saxophone Quartet; Silesian String Quartet. ECM New Series 1955 (Universal)

Film Music

  • John Williams: Indiana Jones im Königreich des Kristallschädels. Concord 088807230856 (Universal)

Spoken Word

  • Franz Kafka: Der Prozeß. Peter Matić (Reader). Deutsche Grammophon Literatur 06025 175190 7 (7 CDs; Universal)
  • Wolfgang Koeppen: Nach Russland und anderswohin. Various Reader. cpo 777 235 2 (15 CDs; jpc)

Nu and Extreme

  • Portishead: Third. Island 1764013 (Universal)

Singer/Songwriter and German Songs

  • Franz Josef Degenhardt: Dreizehnbogen. Koch Universal 06025 176705

Traditional Ethnic Music, Folk and Folklore

  • Ensemble Polynushka: Authentische russische Folklore in der Großstadt. Eigenproduktion o. No. (www. polynushka.de)
  • Entre dunes et savanes – Desert Blues 3. Various Artists. Network Medien 495122 (2 CDs; Zweitausendeins)
  • Haugaard & Høirup: Rejsedage/Travelling. GO’ Danish Folk Music GO 0308 (CD and DVD; OSNS)

World Music

  • Tango Crash: Bailá Querida. Galileo MC GMC 028

Jazz and Blues

  • Bill Frisell: History, Mystery. Nonesuch 7559799437 (2 CDs; Warner)
  • Catherine Russell: Sentimental Streak. World Village WV 468075 (Helikon Harmonia Mundi)
  • Olivia Trummer Trio: Westwind. Neuklang NCD 4021

Recordings for Children and Youth

  • Brüder Grimm: Die Bremer Stadtmusikanten. Marko Simsa (Concept and Narrator), Erke Duit (Music). Jumbo 442 082-2

Crossover Productions

  • Elliott Sharp: Konzert in Dachau. Intakt CD 149 (Records)

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

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