June 2013

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

BERLIOZ Les nuits d’été. La mort de Cléopâtre Karen Cargill mez Scottish Chamber Orchestra / Robin Ticciati Linn Records CKD421

Recording of the Month ‘One of the striking facets of Ticciati’s conducting and the SCO’s playing is the clarity and detail that spring from the score’

READ GEOFFREY NORRIS’S REVIEW ON PAGE 54

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BRUCH. DVOŘÁK Violin Concertos Julia Fischer vn Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra / David Zinman Decca 478 3544DH ‘A spirited, buoyant performance of the Dvo∑ák Concerto that for much of the work’s duration wears an irresistible smile.’

REVIEW ON PAGE 56

4 GRAMOPHONE JUNE 2013

SHOSTAKOVICH Cello Works Emmanuelle Bertrand vc Pascal Amoyel pf BBC NOW / Pascal Rophé Harmonia Mundi HMC90 2142 ‘This is 100-per-cent emotionally truthful playing and I certainly wouldn’t say that about 100 per cent of recordings of the work.’

REVIEW ON PAGE 65

FRANCK. R STRAUSS Violin and Piano Works Augustin Dumay vn Louis Lortie pf Onyx ONYX4096 ‘The full, realistic sound of the recording, notably of Lortie’s bass register, allows the virtuoso character of much of the music to make its full impact.’

REVIEW ON PAGE 71

BACH. LISZT. SCHUBERT Piano Works Simon Trpčeski pf Wigmore Hall Live WHLIVE0058 ‘You know you are in safe hands, able to sit back and relax – except in the finale of the Wanderer Fantasy, when he has you on the edge of your seat.’

REVIEW ON PAGE 80

BERLIOZ Grande Messe des morts Barry Banks ten London Philharmonic Choir; LSC; LSO / Sir Colin Davis LSO Live LSO0729 ‘The St Paul’s acoustic is something to be reckoned with and it is striking to observe how careful Davis is to allow for the famous echo.’

REVIEW ON PAGE 82

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