ICMA 2022 nominations

November 16, 2021

Recordings from Naxos and its affiliated labels were among the recently announced nominations for the 2022 International Classical Music Awards (ICMA). The Naxos Music Group received a total of 41 nominations across 13 of the fifteen categories. Naxos received 19 nominations, with others going to BelAir Classiques [2], Capriccio [5], Grand Piano [1], OehmsClassics [5], Ondine [3], Opus Arte [1], Orfeo [4] and SWR Classic [1].

The judges, drawn from more than 20 specialist publications and broadcasters across sixteen countries, made a total of 377 audio and video nominations from 129 labels.

Nominations for all labels in the respective categories are listed below, together with links to further details about each album.

The finalists will be announced on December 19, and the ICMA winners will be published on 20 January 2022. The Award Ceremony and Gala concert will take place at the Philharmonie in Luxembourg on 21 April 2022, in a ceremony featuring the Luxembourg Philharmonic conducted by one of the award winners.

BAROQUE INSTRUMENTAL

BACH, J.S.: Golberg Variations (arr. for 10-string guitar duet)
Naxos 8.551455-56

‘Kleger and Ivanov play beautifully, enchanting the listener with every single note.’
– Pizzicato

BAROQUE VOCAL

Passacaglia della Vita
Naxos 8.551439

‘A highly attractive collection of late renaissance and baroque vocal and instrumental music.’
– MusicWeb International

VOCAL

Opera Arias (Baritone) – MOZART • WAGNER • VERDI • LEONCAVALLO • GIORDANO
Orfeo C210221

‘Gagnidze is an experienced singer … who understands each character and contrasts them with flexible vocal colours.’
– Pizzicato

CHORAL

MOZART, W.A.: Mass No. 16, ‘Coronation Mass’ • Missa longa
Naxos 8.574270

‘Dramatic performances from the West German Radio Chorus and the celebrated Cologne Chamber Orchestra’
– Yorkshire Post

KOSTER, L. : Der Geiger von Echternach (The Echternach Fiddler)
OehmsClassics OC1721

‘The very intimacy of Singer Pur’s interpretation underscores the composer’s compassion.’
– Pizzicato

OPERA

MONIUSZKO, S.: Halka [Opera]
Naxos 8.660485-86

‘… [a] colourful, driven performance.’
– Gramophone

SCHULHOFF, E.: Flammen (Flames) [Opera]
Capriccio C5382

‘The performance is exhilarating and the recording sumptuous.’
– Classical Music Daily

MASCAGNI, P.: Iris
OehmsClassics OC991

‘An extraordinary soundworld of heightened refinement and sophistication’
– Opera

SCHREKER, F.: Der ferne Klang
OehmsClassics OC980

‘This is now a clear first choice for anyone wanting to listen to this fascinating opera.’
– Gramophone

STRAUSS, R.: Ariadne auf Naxos
Orfeo C996202

‘This is as ravishing an Ariadne as I’ve ever heard.’
– Opera News

VERDI, G.: Un ballo in maschera
Orfeo C210062

‘Vienna’s top trio of Verdians makes this Ballo one for keeps.’
– Limelight

SOLO INSTRUMENTAL

BEETHOVEN, L. van: Complete Piano Sonatas
Naxos 8.509005

‘Giltburg’s spectrum of expression is immense.’
– Fono Forum

ReVIOLAtion – DRUZHININ • VIEUXTEMPS • WEINBERG • BACEWICZ
Naxos 8.551432

‘Lovers of Soviet music should obtain this without hesitation, as should viola players and lovers of the viola generally.’
– Fanfare

BRILLON DE JOUY, A.-L. B d’H.: The Piano Sonatas Rediscovered
Grand Piano GP872-73

‘Performed with such committed interpretation.’
– Bertrand Ferrier

JANÁČEK, L.: On the Overgrown Path • In the Mists • Sonata 1.X.1905
Ondine ODE1382-2

‘Vogt has this music’s measure and offers many revelations.’
– Pianist

CHAMBER MUSIC

History of the Russian Piano Trio, Vol. 3 – RIMSKY-KORSAKOV • CUI • BORODIN
Naxos 8.574114

‘Charm, finesse and lightness prevail in a dreamlike atmosphere.’
– Crescendo

PENDERECKI, K.: Complete Music for String Quartet and String Trio
Naxos 8.574288

‘A triumphant Penderecki set from the Tippets.’
– BBC Music Magazine

FRID, G.: Phädra • Piano Quintet
Capriccio C5389

‘This exacting music is performed wonderfully, rest assured.’
– American Record Guide

STANFORD, C.V.: Piano Quintet • Fantasies
Capriccio C5381

‘These are nicely judged interpretations.’
– Gramophone

RATHAUS, K. • TIESSEN, H. • ARMA, P.: Sonatas for Violin and Piano
OehmsClassics OC491

‘The performance is impeccable.’
– Gramophone

BEETHOVEN, L. van: Violin Sonatas Nos. 6-8, Op. 30
Ondine ODE1392-2

‘… a most astonishing interpretation.’
– Pizzicato

CONCERTOS

Four Visions of France – SAINT-SAËNS • FAURÉ • HONEGGER • LALO
Orfeo C988211

‘Cellist Daniel Müller-Schott is in superb form.’
– The WholeNote

SYMPHONIC

SCRIABIN, A.: Symphony No. 2 • Le Poème de l’extase
OehmsClassics OC474

‘Detailed, soul-enriching performances.’
– BBC Music Magazine

HAYDN, J.: The ‘London’ Symphonies, Nos. 93-104
SWR Classic SWR19527CD

‘The performances, which were recorded live, are wonderfully vivid.’
– The Sunday Times, London

CONTEMPORARY

Luxembourg Contemporary Music, Vol. 1 – BOUMANS • PÜTZ • SANAVIA • WILTGEN • ZELIANKO
Naxos 8.579059

‘Very fine works in excellent performances, all well worth exploring.’
– PUBLICATION

LINDBERG, M.: Aura • Marea • Related Rocks
Ondine ODE1384-2

‘It is impressive. These are great musicians and thoroughly up to the task.’
– American Record Guide

ASSORTED PROGRAMME

CATOIRE, G.: Piano Concerto • Piano Quintet • Piano Quartet
Capriccio C5403

‘… this is a quality production.’
– MusicWeb International

KAPUSTIN, N.: Piano Concerto No. 4 • Double Concerto • Chamber Symphony
Capriccio C5437

‘The recording is anchored by a feisty, jubilant rendition of Kapustin’s Piano Concerto No. 4, played by Frank Dupree’
– The New York Times

PREMIERE RECORDINGS

FRANCK, C.: Hulda (original version) [Opera]
Naxos 8.660480-82

‘Naxos and Fabrice Bollon deserve a huge round of applause for making it available in such a persuasive performance.’
– ClassicsToday.com

HINDEMITH, P.: Mathis der Maler [Opera]
Naxos 2.110691-92

‘It’s superbly conducted by Bertrand de Billy, making the most of the opera’s visionary moments’
– The Guardian

SAMARAS, S.: Mademoiselle de Belle-Isle [Opera]
Naxos 8.660508-09

‘I hope this issue will win Samaras and his music a legion of admirers. Performances are excellent.’
– Classical Music Daily

STRAUSS, J.: Waldmeister [Operetta]
Naxos 8.660489-90

‘… Dario Salvi, whose attentive, refined, alternately restrained and fiery conducting marvellously serves the composer’s intentions and does justice to his beautiful music.’
– Operetta Research Center

VIDEO PERFORMANCE

CAVALLI, F.: Ercole amante [Opera]
Naxos 2.110679-80

‘A remarkable production of the Opéra Comique… a simply unforgettable show’
– Scherzo

GOUNOD, C.-F.: Mireille [Opera]
Naxos 2.110683-84 2.110683-84

‘In the title role, Inva Mula is outstanding in her acting and singing.’
– Pizzicato

LEONCAVALLO, R.: Pagliacci • MASCAGNI, P.: Cavalleria rusticana [Operas]
Naxos 2.110670

‘The most dramatically powerful, completely convincing performance of either opera I’ve seen in a very long time.’
– MusicWeb International

LULLY, J.-B.: Atys [Opera]
Naxos 2.110694-95

‘Christie let his audience members enter a place they had previously been able to perceive dimly, if at all. He invited them, once more, into a room with a beauty that was unforgettable.’
– The New York Times

PROKOFIEV, S.: The Fiery Angel [Opera]
Naxos 2.110663

‘Naxos deserves a gold star for preserving such a memorable night at the opera.’
– Limelight

ROSSINI, G.: L’equivoco stravagante [Opera]
Naxos 2.110696

‘The chamber orchestra, Virtuosi Brunensis, is excellent … in its response to one of today’s leading opera conductors, José Miguel Pérez-Sierra.’
– David’s Review Corner

DE KEERSMAEKER, A.T.: The Six Brandenburg Concertos (after J.S. Bach) [Ballet]
BelAir Classiques BAC197

‘Sublime!’
– Stretto

RIMSKY-KORSAKOV, N.A.: The Snow Maiden [Opera]
BelAir Classiques BAC486

‘Conductor Mikhail Tatarnikov is sensitive to the score’s brilliant colours and vividly imagined textures, drawing on the fine playing of the Paris Opera Orchestra’
– BBC Music Magazine

PEPUSCH, J.C.: The Beggar’s Opera [Opera]
Opus Arte OA1328D

‘Christie and his players provide sterling support, sometimes with a sense of improvisation and always with a rhythmic impulse that proves infectious.’
– MusicWeb International