November 2013

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

SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No 4 Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra / Vasily Petrenko Naxos 8 573188

Recording of the Month ‘Perhaps the best of Petrenko’s much-praised Shostakovich cycle and a strong contender for best in catalogue’

EDWARD SECKERSON’S REVIEW IS ON PAGE 42

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BRUCKNER Symphony No 1 Lucerne Festival Orchestra / Claudio Abbado Accentus ACC30274 ‘This live Bruckner First Symphony recorded at the 2012 Lucerne Festival is a mandatory listen for any self-respecting Brucknerhead.’

REVIEW ON PAGE 47

‘GREAT WORKS FOR FLUTE & ORCHESTRA’ Sharon Bezaly l The Hague Residentie Orchestra / Neeme Järvi BIS BIS1679 ‘The gorgeous Concertino of 1902 by Cécile Chaminade offers potential for both effervescence and endearing lyricism.’

REVIEW ON PAGE 57

4 GRAMOPHONE NOVEMBER 2013

BRITTEN String Quartets Takács Quartet Hyperion CDA68004 ‘The pieces suit the assertive tone of the Takács, who are able to maintain a thread of musical argument not only through each individual quartet but through the collection as a whole. ’

REVIEW ON PAGE 61

BEETHOVEN Late Piano Sonatas Igor Levit pf Sony Classical 88883 70387 2 ‘Even when you might find yourself disagreeing with this or that interpretative detail, the sheer conviction of Igor Levit’s playing is mesmerising.’

REVIEW ON PAGE 68

‘GUARDIAN ANGEL’ Solo Violin Works Rachel Podger vn Channel Classics CCSSA35513 ‘Podger’s beautiful playing of the first movement’s written-out decorations and her vital approach throughout the sonata mix virtuosity with an element of grandeur.’

REVIEW ON PAGE 72

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