Best Of 2018 — Classical Releases
Malko conducts Stravinsky Yves St-Laurent
The historic 1959 performance by Nicolai Malko of Igor Stravinsky’s works.
Sergio Fiorentino Live in Taiwan Rhine Classics
This restored recital from Taiwan’s Novel Hall captures the Fiorentino at the peak of his form in splendid sound
Rachmaninov plays Rachmaninov Pristine
The four Rachmaninov concertos and Rhapsody could hardly be more “authentic” than those presented by the composer in lustrous remastering.
Backhaus Pre-War Beethoven APR
The Backhaus pre-War Beethoven piano sonatas reveal a fleet, thoughtful interpreter of power and persuasion.
Milstein plays Mendelssohn and Dvorak in Switzerland Audite
Nathan Milstein confirms his repute for absolute mastery in two classic concertos, live from Lucerne.
Tchaikovsky Symphonies 4-5 with Hans Rosbaud SWR
Hans Rosbaud appears before his Baden-Baden orchestra in spirited, vibrant renditions of two Tchaikovsky symphonies.
Janacek: Glagolitic Mass cond. Belohlovek Decca
The music of Leos Janacek makes a sensational impression under the guidance of Jiri Belohlavek.
Horenstein conducts Mihalovic, Bartok, and Stravinsky Pristine
Producer Andrew Rose and Pristine add potent interpretations of mid-20th Century scores by the volcanic conductor Jascha Horenstein.
Koussevitzky conducts Schumann, Sibelius, and Casadesus Pristine
The ever-volatile Serge Koussevitzky electrifies us with his fierce renditions of Sibelius and Schumann.
Fricsay conducts Richard Strauss Audite
The brunt of the Fricsay legacy in Richard Strauss here makes its debut, 1949-1954.
Ferenc Fricsay: The Mozart Broadcasts DGG
Ferenc Fricsay’s post-war Mozart sessions at RIAS return with all their stylistic verve, passion, and immaculate musicianship.
Carlo Zecchi: Complete Cetra Solo Recordings APR
Beethoven: Symphony No. 1; Symphony No. 6 Koussevitzky/BSO Pristine
Martha Argerich and Ruggiero Ricci: 1961 Concerts, Volume 2 Doremi
In this second installment of the Ricci/Argerich Leningrad recitals, they can do no musical wrong.
Suk: Asrael Symphony cond. Karel Ancerl SWR
The neo-Romantic piano music of Josef Suk has an ardent acolyte in Jonathan Plowright.
Nadia Reisenberg plays Haydn Romeo Records
Nadia Reisenberg’s 1950s Haydn programs receive new and astonishingly cleargloss from Romeo Records.
Beethoven Sym 3/ Honeck/Pittsburgh
Great sound and great performances, full of extraordinary insights.
A magnificent achievement, and one that doesn’t come along often.
Rachel Barton Pine presents Disc 2 in what one hopes will be a long and inventive series as she explores music by African American composers.
Hannah Leffler and Cheyenne Cruz have joined forces to create an outstanding group, WoodWired Duo, and the release of their debut album, “In the Loop”—a new musical odyssey!
Nordic Affect: H e (a) r – Icelandic Ensemble, Contemporary Chamber Music – Sono Luminus
Iceland brings us Halla Steinunn Stefánsdóttir and her ensemble Nordic Affect in this rich presentation of soundscapes by contemporary composers.
John Bruce Yeh on clarinet gives wonderful voice to music by Stephenson!
The third time proves the charm for the ever-intrepid Yo-Yo Ma!
THE DOORS OF HEAVEN. Eriks Esenvalds:—. Naxos 8.5790008.
There were so many great releases this year. Here are a few more:
HENRI DUTILLEUX: Metaboles, L’Arbre Des Songes “Tree of Dreams” (Violin Concerto), Symphony No. 2 “Le Double”—Augustin Hadelich, violin—Seattle Symphony/Ludovic Morlot—Seattle Symphony Media SSM1007—73:02.
WILLIAM BOLCOM: Piano Rags – The Graceful Ghost Rag. Glad Rag. Raggin’ Rudi. Fields of Flowers. Epithalamium. Poltergeist. Epitah for Louis Chauvin. Old Adam. The Eternal Feminine. The Serpent’s Kiss. Through Eden’s Gates. Knockout: A Rag. Dream Shadows. Incineratorag. Estela: Rag Latino. The Brooklyn Dodge. Spencer Meyer, piano—STEINWAY & SONS 30041—71:44.
JONATHAN DOVE: In Damascus for Tenor and String Quartet—Piano Quintet—Out of Time for String Quartet—Sacconi Quartet—Mark Padmore, tenor—Charles Owen, piano. Signum Classics SIGCD 487, 73:20.
JONATHAN LESHNOFF: Violin Concerto—String Quartet No. 1 “Pearl German”—Reflections—Charles Wetherbee, violin—Carpe Diem String Quartet—Baltimore Chamber Orchestra/Markland Thakar – Naxos 8.559398, 56:34.
