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
Orchestral Music & Concertos
Igor Strawinsky: The Firebird, Symphony of Psalms
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Andris Nelsons. Orfeo C 804 101 A
Chamber Music
Beethoven: String Quartets op. 18/6, 130/133
Artemis Quartett. Virgin Classics 69458408 (EMI)
Keyboard Music
Dimitri Schostakowitsch: 24 Preludes & Fugues op. 87
Alexander Melnikov (Piano). 2 CD + DVD, HMC 902019.20 (Harmonia Mundi)
Keyboard Music
Johann Sebastian Bach: Fantasia & Fugue
Opera
Henry Purcell: The Fairy Queen
Lucy Crowe, Carolyn Sampson, Ed Lyon et al., Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Glyndebourne Chorus, William Christie, Jonathan Kent. 2 DVD, Opus Arte OA1031D (Naxos)
Opera
Charles Gounod: La Nonne Sanglante
Marco Vassalli, Genadijus Bergorulko, Yoonki Baek et al., Osnabrücker Symphonieorchester (Hermann Bäumer), Chor und Herren-Extrachor Theater Osnabrück (Peter Sommerer). 2 CD, 2 Booklets, CPO 777388-2
Choral Music
André Jolivet: Épithalame, Madrigal, Missa Uxor Tua
SWR Vokalensemble Stuttgart, Members of Radio-Sinfonieorchester Stuttgart, Marcus Creed. Carus 83.445 (Note 1)
Lieder and Vocal Recital
Franz Schubert: Die Winterreise
Werner Güra (tenor), Christoph Berner (pianoforte). HMC902066 (Harmonia Mundi)
Early Music
Jan Dismas Zelenka: Missa votiva
Joanne Lunn, Daniel Taylor, Johannes Kaleschke, Thomas E. Bauer, Kammerchor Stuttgart, Barockorchester Stuttgart, Frieder Bernius. Carus 82.223 (Note 1)
Contemporary Classical Music
Beat Furrer: String Quartet No. 3
KNM Berlin. KAIROS 0013132KAI (Harmonia Mundi)
Historical Recordings
The Art of Gregor Piatigorsky
Rare 78s, unissued studio recordings, public performances and broadcasts. 6 CD & 1 DVD, WHRA6032 (Note 1)
Crossover Productions
Barbara Sukowa and The X-Patsys
Devouring Time. Winter & Winter 910 164-2 (Edel)
Music Film
The Rolling Stones: 1969-1974
The Mick Taylor Years. DVD, Chrome Dreams 2356452219 (In-Akustik)
Jazz
Jacky Terrasson: Push
Concord CJA 31640-02 (Universal)
Jazz
Steve Lacy: November
Intakt CD 171 (Harmonia Mundi)
Traditional Ethnic Music
Sol Sajn – Yiddish Music Vol. 1-4
Various Artists: Sol Sajn – Yiddish Music in Germany and their influences (1953 – 2009), Vol. 1-4, 12 CD, 3 Booklets, Bear Family Records BCD 16913 to 16
German language Singer/Songwriters
Duo Sonnenschirm: Duolektik
RUM Records LZ20101 (BuschFunk)
Pop
The Rolling Stones
Exile On Main Street De Luxe Ed., 2 CD Polydor 274164-0, 24049-4 (Universal)
Nu & Extreme (until 2014)
Caribou: Swim
Slang 9 550054 (City Slang)
Blues and Blues-related
Grundblues 2.1
Stoppok plus Worthy. Grundsound GS 0026 (Indigo)
R&B, Soul and Hip-Hop
Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings
I Learned The Hard Way. Daptone Records DAP-019 (Groove Attack)
Recordings for Children and Youth
Pit Budde, Josephine Kronfli: Tadias!
Come with me to Africa. Songs, Plays, Dances & Music from Africa. 978-3-86702-109-8 (Ökotopia Verlag)