July highlights from EMI and Virgin Classics

S P O T L I G H T

Mozart Piano Concertos

Evgeny Kissin Evgeny Kissin continues his fruitful relationship with EMI Classics with this new recording of two of Mozart’s most famous piano concertos: Nos. 20 in D minor and 27 in B-flat Major. This electrifying recording, with Kissin conducting the orchestra Kremerata Baltica from the keyboard, is one that his legion of admirers is certain to embrace. His phenomenal keyboard technique and impeccable artistry continue to astound and amaze audiences and critics alike. Catch Kissin performing live at London’s Royal Festival Hall on 6 October 2010.

‘Evgeny Kissin has an ironclad technique and is the master of the fiery grand gesture.’ The New York Times

A L S O N E W T H I S M O N T H

Alan Curtis

With this release of Berenice, Alan Curtis adds his seventh recording of a complete Handel opera to the Virgin Classics catalogue, Recorded here with Il Complesso

Ariodante

Barocco. Watch this space for Ariodante also conducted by Curtis, due for release in 2011.

Karl Jenkins

Gloria

Brand new choral work Gloria, paired with Te Deum featuring the National Youth Chorus of Great Britain and the London Symphony

Orchestra. Soloist Hayley Westenra features on the track ‘I’ll make music’.

Nigel Kennedy

Nigel Kennedy

This re-packaging brings Kennedy’s famous recording of the Bach Violin Concertos and the Concerto for Oboe with the Berliner Philharmoniker up to date, ready to be discovered by a new generation of fans.

Virgo

Virgo

Five new releases from the Virgo series offering masterpieces by Berlioz, Humperdinck, Schubert and Mozart. Artists include Sir Roger Norrington,

Sir Charles Mackerras, Heinrich Schiff, Karl Anton Rickenbacher and Lambert Orkis.

20th Century Classics

20th Century Classics

The fifth release in the popular 20th Century Classics series of 2CD sets, featuring composers Gustav Holst, Ralph Vaughan

Williams, Aram Khachaturia, György Ligeti and Franz Schreker.

Essential

Five new Essential releases, presenting 2CD sets of the best-loved and most popular works by the great composers,

performed by the world’s leading artists at a great price.

Visit us online for new release information, catalogue search, music and video, podcasts, concert listings, artist features and more! www.emiclassics.co.uk www.youtube.com/emiclassics www.facebook.com/emivirginclassics www.twitter.com/emiclassics Contents – August 2010

‘Hear Richter turn Schubert’s Allegro into a manic Presto and find yourself caught up in a tornado-like swirl of events’ Newly issued archive performances of Schubert piano music by Sviatoslav Richter, reviewed by Bryce Morrison on page 74

Letters A plea for Butterworth; a technological clanger; the soundproof music writer

8

editor’s choice Domingo with Lang Lang, Gergiev records Rachmaninov – the finest discs of the month

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S o u n d b i t e S

a r t s

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i c m u s

/ L E b r E c h t m a E d E r i E

s u z

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i m a g E s

/ g E t t y a u E r b a c h i c h

E r

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p h o t o g r a p h y

For the record Carmen in 3D; Jurowski and Nézet-Séguin both commit to the London Philharmonic

14

a conversation with… …conductor Thomas Dausgaard

19

diary

Cellist Natalie Clein explores Kodály’s mindset

22

richard eyre How pop can lead to a love of classical music

23

phiLip kennicott The “Nimrod” problem – liking it too much

24

recordings on triaL Arnold Whittall and Philip Clark place Philip

Glass’s Music in Twelve Parts in the dock

26

biography oF an instrument The fascinating story of the world’s largest operational organ, the Wanamaker

28

one to watch The fast-rising Italian soprano (and Riccardo

Muti favourite) Maria Luigia Borsi

31

www.gramophone.co.uk

F e A t u R e S

saLute to abbado Claudio Abbado is one of the world’s most revered conductors. Interviews are rare, thus some of his most eminent colleagues

– including Maurizio Pollini, Jonas Kaufmann and Barbara Bonney – have joined

Gramophone in posing questions to the maestro at his home in Bologna

32

the record coLLector John Steane on one of the finest collections he has ever seen and its remarkable owner

40

writers in music Emily Dickinson has inspired many composers because, says Philip Clark, she wrote like one

42

the coLLection Peter Dickinson searches for an ideal recording of Copland’s Third Symphony

44

Abbado takes a bow for Gramophone

32

e n C o R e musicaL journeys Students and experienced stars perform together in Bergen; alternative London music festivals; cello music in historic houses

97

pick oF the musicaL month Richard Bonynge conducts La sonnambula in Sydney; classical music goes to the circus in Helsinki

101

audio and visuaL All the latest from the High End Show in Munich; an elusive pair of loudspeakers

104

Which recording of Copland’s Third Symphony receives the highest recommendation? 44

GRAMOPHONE august 2010