2021 OPUS Klassik Awards – nominees announced
June 12, 2021Recordings from the Naxos label are among the recently announced nominations for the 2021 OPUS Klassik Awards, Germany’s most prestigious awards body for classical music. The fifty-eight Naxos nominations comprised 34 for audio recordings and 24 for audiovisual releases.
Naxos’ affiliated labels also received a significant collection of nominations, spread across the number of cited releases shown in brackets: Bel Air Classiques [1], Capriccio [2], Dynamic [1], Oehms Classics [3], Ondine [3], Opus Arte [1], ORFEO [4], and SWR Classic [1].
A full list of the nominations is shown below. The award winners will be announced at a ceremony to be held at the Konzerthaus Berlin on Sunday 10 October.
ReVIOLAtion – DRUZHININ, F. • WEINBERG, M. • VIEUXTEMPS, H. • BACEWICZ, G.
8.551432
Classics Without Limits
Instrumentalist of the Year – Krzysztof Komendarek-Tymendorf
Young Artist of the Year (Instrumental) – Krzysztof Komendarek-Tymendorf
Instrumental Solo Recording – Krzysztof Komendarek-Tymendorf
‘This disc deserves a warm welcome, both for choice of repertoire and for the classy performances.’
– MusicWeb International
Passacaglia della Vita – MURCIA, S. de • SANCES, G.F. • MERULA, T. • MONTEVERDI, C.
8.551439
Classic Without Limits
Young Artist of the Year (Voice) – Elisabeth von Stritzky
Ensemble of the Year – Cembaless
‘… an entertaining, often enchanting programme that listeners won’t be able get enough of.’
– Pizzicato
Durch Raum und Zeit – POPP, J.-U. • THILE, C. • ROSS, J. • BACH, J.S. • GRANADOS, E.
8.551442
Classics Without Limits
‘This is a lovely recording of two musicians playing at the top of their game.’
– American Record Guide
SAY, F.: Violin Works – Violin Sonatas Nos. 1, 2 • Violin Concerto
8.574085
Chamber Music Recording (20th & 21st Century)
Concerto Recording
Instrumentalist of the Year – Friedemann Eichhorn (violin)
Instrumental Solo Recording – Friedemann Eichhorn (violin)
Orchestra of the Year – Deutsche Radio Philharmonie
Conductor of the Year – Christoph Eschenbach
Composer of the Year – Fazıl Say
‘Christoph Eschenbach and the Deutsche Radio Philharmonie audibly enjoy themselves. Naxos’ sound is excellent, making this fascinating and recommendable in equal measure.’
– Gramophone
KODÁLY, Z.: Sonata for Solo Cello • Duo for Violin and Cello • LIGETI, G.: Sonata for Solo Cello
8.574202
Instrumentalist of the Year – Gabriel Schwabe (cello)
Instrumentalist of the Year – Hellen Weiss (violin)
‘German cellist Gabriel Schwabe is in simply superb form on a new Naxos CD of solo sonatas by Zoltán Kodály and György Ligeti, with the equally fine violinist Hellen Weiss joining him in the Kodály Duo for Violin and Cello.’
– The WholeNote
Per la Notte di Natale – CORELLI, A. • TORELLI, G. • MANFREDINI, F. • LOCATELLI, P.
8.574264
Chamber Music Recording (Up to 18th Century)
Orchestra of the Year – Concerto Copenhagen
Conductor of the Year – Lars Ulrik Mortensen
‘…the interpretation is extraordinary, with a dazzling timbral beauty.’
– Scherzo
MASSENET, J.: Don César de Bazan (1888 version) [Opera]
8.660464–65
World Premiere Recording
Opera Recording (19th Century)
Female Singer of the Year & Young Artist of the Year (Voice) – Elsa Dreisig
Young Artist of the Year (Conductor) – Mathieu Romano
Solo Vocal Performance – Elsa Dreisig
Male Singer of the Year – Laurent Naouri
Orchestra of the Year – Orchestra des Frivolités Parisiennes
Conductor of the Year – Mathieu Romano
‘Elsa Dreisig…has a soprano voice of pure crystal with diamond-like precision in her coloratura passages.’
– MusicWeb international
Instrumentalist of the Year – Iuliana Münch (violin)
Soloist Recording (Instrument) – Iuliana Münch (violin)
‘Iuliana Münch is a perfect partner for André Parfenov. This duo is equally convincing in virtuoso competition as in intimate collaboration. An alert sense of cohesiveness characterises the entire album. All in all, a splendid release!’
– Klassik heute
World Premiere Recording
Male Singer of the Year – Ulf Bästlein
Soloist Recording (Vocal) – Ulf Bästlein
‘Bästlein shows good vocal expression and elucidation of text.’
– American Record Guide
ZEMLINSKY, A.: Der Zwerg [Opera]
2.110657
Audiovisual Production
Opera Recording (20th & 21st Century)
Female Singer of the Year – Elena Tsallagova • Emily Magee
Male Singer of the Year – David Butt Philip
Orchestra of the Year – Orchester der Deutsche Oper Berlin
Conductor of the Year – Donald Runnicles
‘Donald Runnicles delivers a faultless reading of the sumptuous and frequently dazzling score.’
– Limelight
PURCELL, H.: King Arthur [Opera]
2.110658
Audiovisual Production
Opera Recording (Up to 18th Century)
Orchestra of the Year – Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin
Conductor of the Year – René Jacobs
‘This is a production that truly deserves to be preserved, and we are fortunate that it was captured and edited so beautifully by video director Joshua Higgason.’
– American Record Guide
WEINBERGER, J.: Frühlingsstürme [Operetta]
2.110677–78
Audiovisual Production
Opera Recording (20th & 21st Century)
Female Singer of the Year – Alma Sadé
Male Singer of the Year – Tansel Akzeybek
Orchestra of the Year – Orchester der Komische Oper Berlin
Conductor of the Year – Jordan de Souza
‘The terrific orchestra under Canadian conductor Jordan de Souza…balances the frivolous and the poignant with versatility and stylishness.’
– The WholeNote
HENZE, H.W.: Der Prinz von Homburg [Opera]
2.110668
Audiovisual Production
Opera Recording (20th & 21st Century)
Female Singer of the Year – Vera-Lotte Böcker
Male Singer of the Year – Robin Adams • Štefan Margita
Orchestra of the Year – Orchester der Staatsoper Stuttgart
Conductor of the Year – Cornelius Meister
‘A musical performance of great lyrical and dramatic intensity that is superbly managed under the conductor, Cornelius Meister.’
– OperaJournal
WAGNER, R.: Lohengrin [Opera]
BAC175
Audiovisual Production
Opera Recording (19th Century)
Male Singer of the Year – Michael König
Female Singer of the Year – Simone Schneider
Orchestra of the Year – Orchester der Staatsoper Stuttgart
Conductor of the Year – Cornelius Meister
‘The direction of the chorus is superb… And musically it’s all held together brilliantly by Cornelius Meister.’
– Gramophone
KAPUSTIN, N. • SCHNITTKE, A.: Cello Concertos (Transitions)
C5362
Concert Recording
Instrumentalist of the Year – Eckart Runge (cello)
Instrumental Solo Recording – Eckart Runge (cello)
Conductor of the Year – Frank Strobel
‘Breath-taking performances generously supported by the Berlin Radio Symphony on fine form under Frank Strobel.’
– MusicWeb International
ROTT, H.: Complete Orchestral Works, Vol. 1
C5408
Symphonic Recording (18th & 19th Century)
Orchestra of the Year – Gürzenich Orchester Köln
Editorial Achievement of the Year – Johannes Volker Schmidt
‘Christopher Ward and his players deliver polished and enthusiastic performances of Rott’s scores and the recording is satisfyingly detailed and expansive.’
– Gramophone
SPONTINI, G.: Fernand Cortez, ou La conquête du Mexique [Opera]
DYN-37868
Audiovisual Production
Recording of the Year (19th Century)
Male Singer of the Year – Dario Schmunck
Orchestra of the Year – Orchestra dal Maggio Musicale Fiorentino
Conductor of the Year – Jean-Luc Tingaud
‘The Argentine tenor Dario Schmunck gives an impeccable account of the title character.’
– American Record Guide
WEINBERG, M.: Wir gratulieren! (chamber version) [Opera]
OC990
World Premiere Recording
Opera Recording (20th & 21st Century)
Female Singer of the Year – Katia Guedes
Male Singer of the Year – Jeff Martin
Orchestra of the Year – Kammarakademie Potsdam
Conductor of the Year – Vladimir Stoupel
‘The performance here is terrific.’
– Fanfare
MASCAGNI, P.: Iris [Opera]
OC991
Opera Recording (19th Century)
Female Singer of the Year – Karine Babajanyan
Male Singer of the Year – David Ostrek
Solo Vocal Performance (Opera) – Karine Babajanyan
Orchestra of the Year – Orchester der Berliner Operngruppe
Conductor of the Year – Felix Krieger
‘Krieger’s exhilarating conducting draws from both his singers and players some truly sublime performances, full of unbridled enthusiasm.’
– Classical Music Daily
Roots – HOLBORNE, A. • HOLST, G. • BUTTERWORTH, A. • MCGHEE, P. • LENNON, J. • MCCARTNEY, P.
OC473
Classics Without Limits
‘…Played with stupendous virtuosity on a high technical level and also very expressively.’
– Pizzicato
BEETHOVEN, L. van: Symphonies Nos. 1–9
ODE1348-5Q
Symphonic Recording (18th & 19th Century)
Young Artist of the Year (Conductor) – Robert Trevino
Orchestra of the Year – Malmö Symphony Orchestra
Conductor of the Year – Robert Trevino
‘This is a fine debut for Trevino.’
– Fanfare
BRUCKNER, A.: Latin Motets
ODE1362-2
Choral Recording
Ensemble of the Year – Latvian Radio Choir
‘Sigvards Kļava and his Latvian Radio Choir always can be counted upon to perform even the most challenging music flawlessly, and this recording does not disappoint.’
– Fanfare
JANÁČEK, L.: On the Overgrown Path • In the Mists • From the Street • 1 October 1905
ODE1382-2
Instrumentalist of the Year – Lars Vogt (piano)
Instrumental Solo Recording – Lars Vogt (piano)
‘At almost every stage they are both arresting and rewarding.’
– BBC Music Magazine
WAGNER, R.: Die Walküre [Opera]
OA1308D
Audiovisual Production
Opera Recording (19th Century)
Female Singer of the Year – Nine Stemme
Male Singer of the Year – Stuart Skelton
Orchestra of the Year – Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
Conductor of the Year – Antonio Pappano
‘Everything about this feels right—from the dramatic pacing, through the reading’s ideal blend of power and delicacy, and the subtle illumination of text through detailed musical support. Well filmed and with excellent sound.’
– Limelight
ARUTIUNIAN, A. • PESKIN, V.: Trumpet Concertos • DESENCLOS, A.: Incantation, Thrène et Danse
C200091
Concerto Recording
Instrumentalist of the Year – Selina Ott
Young Artist of the Year (Instrumental) – Selina Ott
‘This is a terrific debut recording.’
– Fanfare
BRAHMS, J.: Cello Sonatas Nos. 1 and 2 • Violin Sonata No. 1 (version for cello and piano)
C979201
Chamber Music Recording (19th Century)
Instrumentalist of the Year – Daniel Müller-Schott (cello)
‘To hear cellist Daniel Müller-Schott and pianist Francesco Piemontesi play these challenging sonatas with such captivating musicality and effortless technical poise, captured in alluringly natural sound, is to be reminded of the astonishingly high standards that nowadays we take almost for granted.’
– BBC Music Magazine
STRAUSS, R.: Die Frau ohne Schatten [Opera]
C991203
Opera Recording (20th & 21st Century)
Conductor of the Year – Christian Thielemann
‘My most luscious recorded treat of 2020.’
– MusicWeb International
HANDEL, G.F. • GLUCK, C.W.: Opera Arias for Soprano (Care Pupille)
C998201
Male Singer of the Year – Samuel Mariño
Young Artist of the Year (Vocal) – Samuel Mariño
Solo Vocal Performance (Opera) – Samuel Mariño
Conductor of the Year – Michael Hofstetter
‘When it comes to singing per se Mariño is quite simply the most extravagantly talented male soprano I have yet heard … this is a disc that demands to be heard by anyone for whom Baroque opera has any significance.’
– Opera
Young Artist of the Year (Instrumental) – Robert Neumann
Orchestra of the Year – SWR Symphonieorchester
‘…this recording is proof that the ICMA jury was right when they gave Robert Neumann a Discovery Award. Hopefully, it is only the first of a long series of recordings with which he will be able to make his stamp.’
– Pizzicato