July 2012

Informed by our unrivalled panel of critics, we choose the month’s must-hear recordings hoice

‘LOVE AND LONGING’ Dvořák Biblical Songs, Op 99 (orch Zemánek) Mahler Rückert-Lieder Ravel Shéhérazade Magdalena Kožená sop Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra / Simon Rattle DG 479 0065GH

Recording of the Month ‘Kožená encapsulates and conveys the spectrum of moods with a wealth of understanding and apt vocal inflection’

FOR THE REVIEW BY GEOFFREY NORRIS, TURN TO PAGE 46

Hear every Gramophone Choice recording, including Recording of the Month, through the online Gramophone Player at gramophone.co.uk

ELGAR Cello Concerto, etc Paul Watkins vc BBC Philharmonic / Andrew Davis Chandos CHAN10709 ‘Watkins’s golden-toned and technically flawless contribution strikes a judicious balance between classical poise and unexaggerated depth of feeling.’

REVIEW ON PAGE 50

4 GRAMOPHONE JULY 2012

FOULDS. SAINSBURY Cello Concertos Raphael Wall isch vc Bournemouth SO; RSNO / Martin Yates Dutton Epoch CDLX7284 ‘At the heart of the Salisbury is a beautiful quasi-Elgarian slow movement. Strange how some pieces as vivid and beguiling as this can slip through the net.’

REVIEW ON PAGE 51

GÁL. SCHUMANN Symphonies Orchestra of the Swan / Kenneth Woods Avie AV2231 ‘The Orchestra of the Swan provide a quietly compelling account, relishing the many solos, duos and textural intricacies that Gál wrings from his orchestra.’

REVIEW ON PAGE 51

‘WALZER REVOLUTION’ Waltzes by Mozart, J Strauss I and Lanner Concentus Musicus Wien / Nikolaus Harnoncourt Sony Classical 88697 91411 2 ‘The collection succeeds not just in pioneering period performances but also through imaginative programming.’

REVIEW ON PAGE 58

BEETHOVEN Bagatelles Steven Osborne pf Hyperion CDA67879 ‘At the other end of Op 33 is No 7, ostensibly restrained for Presto but with a cumulative thrust of its own, pedal markings scrupulously observed for ear-catching washes of pianissimo sound.’

REVIEW ON PAGE 68

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