Critics Choice January 2024

This month brings you another bumper crop of great reviews from the leading music magazines, quality dailies and online review sites. There’s no doubt about it: Naxos releases and distributes some of the best music and audiovisual albums!

Highly Reviewed Albums of the Month
Giltburg • Brussels Philharmonic • Sinaisky
Choc de Classica

‘A deeply Slavic vision that delivers the quintessence of Boris Giltburg’s art.’
Classica


C. and T. Tetzlaff • Vogt
Annual Award | Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik (German Record Critics’ Award)
Critics’ Choice 2023
Finalist | ICMA
Nominee for Recording of the Year | MusicWeb International

‘It is simultaneously a snapshot of three exceptional artists, an ending and a moment of suspended animation.’
Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik (German Record Critics’ Award)

‘…A sublime epitaph.’
Gramophone

Audio Releases
Naxos Releases
Mattix • T. McAllister • Falletta
Joker découverte | Crescendo

‘JoAnn Falletta conducts the [Tender Land] suite very atmospherically, creating a wonderful tableau of typical American music.’
Pizzicato ★★★★★


P.E. Fisher • Albany Symphony • D.A. Miller

‘…David Alan Miller, and the Albany Symphony have this [music] in their bones and give an enthralling, powerhouse performance.’
American Record Guide


Ars Atlántica
Recommended | MusicWeb International

‘[Lidia Vinyes-Curtis] has a lovely voice, and she sings with great subtlety and sensitivity. The character of each song comes out perfectly, and everything sounds completely natural. Manuel Vilas is once again the ideal accompanist on the harp.’
MusicWeb International


Tippett Quartet

‘Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s three quartets show this great-hearted composer at his most intimate. …The Tippett Quartet bring them a wealth of glistening Klimtian detail and real “golden age” sound.’
– #10: The Times best classical albums of the year


Kayaleh • Blaha

‘…[Laurence Kayaleh and Bernadene Blaha] know how to translate these experiences into very appealing interpretations that show the two artists as sensitive players.’
Pizzicato ★★★★★


Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava • Štilec
Want List | Fanfare
Nominee for Recording of the Year | MusicWeb International

‘Naxos’ second volume of Vitĕzslav Novák’s orchestral music is a great introduction to the composer’s music.’
Fanfare

‘Startlingly well recorded with a front-to-back reach and a sweet depth. Delicious woodwind playing and smoothly honeyed strings.’
MusicWeb International


St Albans Cathedral Girls Choir • Lay Clerks of St Albans Cathedral • O. Morrell • Winpenny
Recommended | MusicWeb International

‘This is a worthy and indeed important addition… not only because of the quality of the music, recording and performances but because it places front and centre the work of a composer who all too often was happy to position herself at the service of the project…’
MusicWeb International


Tom Winpenny

‘Tom Winpenny puts the listener at ease and the clear acoustics allow the counterpoint to speak for itself, helped by one of the best examples of German early Romantic organ building by Ph. Furtwängler & Sohn from Elze.’
Choir & Organ ★★★★★


Hong Kong Philharmonic • van Zweden

‘…van Zweden’s take is unmistakable: this is a major masterpiece in miniature form’
BBC Music Magazine ★★★★


H. Fischer • K.D. Nielsen • Bjellsäter • Knudsen • Elsberg • Royal Danish Opera Chorus and Orchestra • Kamu
Nominee for Recording of the Year | MusicWeb International

‘…a consummately satisfying full score account of one of Sibelius’s most bewitching and unusual scores. Enchantment for Christmas and New Year.’
MusicWeb International


Ensemble Leones • Lewon
Critics’ Choice 2023 | Gramophone

‘Ensemble Leones must be my winner of the year with their issue “Unicum”, offering newly discovered songs or newly discovered versions of known songs in the Leuven Chansonnier. They opened up new ground in the way they performed these marvellous songs.’
Gramophone


A. Meneses • São Paulo Symphony • Karabtchevsky

‘This is a terrific disc full of luscious, exotic-sounding music, beautifully played and recorded by the composer’s home town team.’
ClassicsToday.com


Independent Label Releases (in alphabetical order)
Bamberg Symphony • Hruša
Supersonic | Pizzicato

‘…something lasting has been created with this. And the Bambergers play with incredible commitment in this recording.’
Pizzicato


Fischer-Dieskau • M. Price • Seibel • Städtischer Musikverein zu Düsseldorf • Bavarian State Orchestra • Sawallisch
Nominee for Recording of the Year | MusicWeb International

‘A truly shattering account of Mendelssohn’s Elias. …I have never experienced such a powerful representation of Mendelssohn’s best-known oratorio.’
MusicWeb International


O’Neill • Hoare • Volle • Nigl • Selig • Kampe • Bavarian Radio Symphony • Rattle
Editor’s Choice | Limelight

‘An outstandingly detailed Siegfried from Rattle…’
Limelight

‘Baritone Michael Volle is powerful, even majestic, playing Wotan, The Wanderer, and gives the performance of his life as he bares his soul to the goddess Erda.’
The WholeNote


Buszewski • Miyus • Brull • Graz Opera Chorus • Graz Philharmonic • Squeo
Nominee | ICMA
Critic’s Choice | Opera News

‘…polished, exuberant performance.’
Opera News


Jorge Federico Osorio

‘They are all lovely, and Osorio plays them to perfection. …This is a beautiful recording, guaranteed to give much pleasure.’
American Record Guide


Concerto Copenhagen • Mortensen

‘…utterly delightful disc.’
Gramophone

‘…a serious and thorough musical archaeology that is highly entertaining and incredibly charismatic.’
DR – P2 Klassisk


Ekaterina Siurina
Nominee for Recording of the Year | MusicWeb International

‘In a world where really great voices are in short supply, it is a privilege indeed to listen to Ekaterina Siurina…her voice in mint condition, with perfectly controlled vibrato and a glowing delivery.’
MusicWeb International


Schmid • Musica Vitae Chamber Orchestra
Recommended | MusicWeb International

‘…this Schmid disc is a triumph from first to last. The playing of this ensemble is simply phenomenal; easily virtuosic for sure but also wholly idiomatic…’
MusicWeb International


Gottlieb Wallisch
Want List | Fanfare

‘This Grand Piano release provides a generous sampling of [Weinberger’s] piano music… Gottlieb Wallisch plays with great sensitivity and style.’
Fanfare

‘…enjoyable music. …Gottlieb Wallisch…plays with enthusiasm and vivid expression.’
American Record Guide


Trio con Brio Copenhagen

‘You couldn’t ask for a better performance, and thus, between the high quality of the music and the high quality of the playing, you have here one of the most intriguing and brilliant modern piano trios I’ve heard in a long, long time.’
The Art Music Lounge


Sanna Vaarni

‘I love nothing more than inspired performances and intelligent programming. Hopefully these captivating readings of this charming and evocative music will bring it the attention it deserves – by both audiences and performers alike.’
Fanfare


L. Martin • SWR Vocal Ensemble • Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra • Niemeyer • Y. Weinberg
★★★★

‘Any cellist who begins a recording career by tackling a concerto as individual and uniquely challenging as this is worth watching.’
American Record Guide

Audiovisual Releases
Naxos Releases
Naxos 2.110738
Also available on Blu-ray Video
(NBD0154V)
Vasiliev • Muzychenko • Shkoza • Tikhomirov • Popov • Chor der Oper Frankfurt • Frankfurter Opern- und Museumsorchester • Weigle • Loy
Nominee for Recording of the Year | MusicWeb International
Finalist | 2023 International Opera Awards
Discos Recomendados | Ritmo

‘Possibly the happiest release of the past year, Christof Loy’s production managed to balance a reasonable level of faithfulness to the fairy tale with a modern design aesthetic.’
MusicWeb International


Naxos 2.110761
Also available on Blu-ray Video
(NBD0173V)
Johansson • Strid • Laurenz • Deutsche Oper Berlin Chorus and Orchestra • Albrecht • Loy
Critics’ Choice 2023 | Gramophone

‘Not only did 2023 bring an excellent double album of Schreker’s music…but also the first video release of one of his finest operas.’
Gramophone


Naxos 2.110757
Also available on Blu-ray Video
(NBD0169V)
Dasch • Oliemans • Kronthaler • Reinhardt • Poort • Melles • Atsma • Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra • Metropole Orchestra • Dutch String Collective • Letonja
Critics’ Choice | Record Geijutsu
Nominee for Recording of the Year | MusicWeb International

‘While something of a niche production, this proves to be an enjoyable feature film that’s characterised by an innovative approach to the way in which music is incorporated into drama. ’
MusicWeb International


Independent Releases (in alphabetical order)
Dynamic DYN-37983
Also available on Blu-ray Video
(DYN-57983)
Vistoli • Protsenko • Petrone • Lippo • Hoxha • Barocca Modo Antiquo Orchestra • Sardelli • Muscato
Critics’ Choice 2023 | Gramophone

‘Leo Muscato keeps things moving along nicely with his quirky direction of the recitatives. Countertenor Carlo Vistoli leads a fine cast.’
Gramophone


Graham-Hall • Johnson • Opie • Palmer • Rigby • Glyndebourne Chorus • London Philharmonic Orchestra Soloists • Haitink • Hall
Recommended | MusicWeb International

‘…simply one of the greatest operatic videos of all time.’
MusicWeb International

‘Hall’s direction brings out each character…everyone gets their moment in the sun. Bernard Haitink’s conducting allows the music to breathe and casts not just radiance over proceedings but also presents Britten’s musical quotations with frankness rather than parody.’
Opera Now ★★★★★


UNITEL Edition 809108
Also available on Blu-ray Video
(809204)
Winters • Herlitzius • Philip • Hulett • Konzertvereinigung Wiener Staatsopernchor • Wiener Philharmoniker • Hrůša • Kosky
Critics’ Choice 2023 | Gramophone
Quarterly Critic’s Choice | Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik (German Record Critics’ Award)

‘Corinne Winters gives the performance of a lifetime in Barrie Kosky’s riveting if idiosyncratic Salzburg production…Matching her unsparing commitment, Jakub Hrůša’s ferociously intense conducting sweeps you away. Stunning.’
Gramophone

‘Haunting and depressing.’
Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik (German Record Critics’ Award)

AudioBooks
Bill Homewood

‘…Homewood’s deep, melodious voice and flawless French accent offer a fresh perspective on the tale of the mysterious ghost that is haunting the Paris Opera House.’
AudioFile



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