Is there such a thing as a 2020 record of the year?
mainIn a year unlike any other, records returned to the foreground of our lives as broadcasters floundered in the dark. Mostly old records, offering reassurance amid crisis.
Of the new ones, I listened to a lot of new work by living and recent composers
Scanning over 50 Lebrecht Albums of the Week, I believe the following releases stand the test of time in two senses – that they were oddly apt for this extraordinary year and that they can match the very best that the past can offer in flair and invention.
Here’s ten of the best.
3 Christopher Rouse‘s 5th symphony
7 Lutoslawski symphonies
8 Vaughan Williams Pastoral Symphony
9 Daniil Trifonov’s Silver Age
10 Berio’s Coro
Almost a vintage year, in fact.
Hyperion should understand that State Academic Symphony Orchestra of Russia Evgeny Svetlanov is NOT a marketable name (re. the Shostakovich violin concertos). “Russian State Symphony Orchestra,” as it toured and recorded under Svetlanov himself in the last years, is fine.
The REAL record of the year: the number of deaths from The Virus.
I hope with all my heart that this year’s record will never be broken.
Happy New Year, everyone – and stay safe.
History will reveal the truth about coding of COVID deaths; it is not nearly as high as you have been duped into believing.
“Bone”.
Yeah, OK.
Stop spreading lies.
OK
John Williams in Vienna of course – vintage!
Who is the lady in the picture?
Executive producer Ute Fesquet.
and the one on the right?
Christian Badzura, Director new repertoire (understand easy listening for people with Down Syndrome) at Deutsche Grammophon.
Record of the year:
Beethoven: Works for Piano Four Hands.
Peter Hill & Benjamin Frith.
Label: Delphian.
My choice: RLPO/Petrenko Rossini-Respighi La Boutique fantasque – sparkling account in wonderful sound [Onyx label]
Is this some sort of joke? A few pieces played at mezzo piano by someone from a trendy country does not a great album make.
I didn’t realize Russia was a trendy country and that Trifonov played at a mezzo piano level…