Friday, February 26, 2010

Grammy Award winners for classical music 2009

Best Classical Album:  Weill: Rise And Fall Of The City Of Mahagonny; James Conlon, conductor; Anthony Dean Griffey, Patti LuPone & Audra McDonald; Fred Vogler, producer (Donnie Ray Albert, John Easterlin, Steven Humes, Mel Ulrich & Robert Wörle; Los Angeles Opera Chorus; Los Angeles Opera Orchestra); [EuroArts];  label not @ Spotify

Best Orchestral Performance:  Shostakovich: Symphony No. 4; Bernard Haitink, conductor (Chicago Symphony Orchestra); [CSO Resound]; Spotify link not found

Best Opera Recording: Weill: Rise And Fall Of The City Of Mahagonny; James Conlon, conductor; Anthony Dean Griffey, Patti LuPone & Audra McDonald; Fred Vogler, producer (Donnie Ray Albert, John Easterlin, Steven Humes, Mel Ulrich & Robert Wörle; Los Angeles Opera Orchestra; Los Angeles Opera Chorus); [EuroArts];  label not @ Spotify

Best Choral Performance:  Symphony Of Psalms; Sir Simon Rattle, conductor; Simon Halsey, chorus master (Berliner Philharmoniker; Rundfunkchor Berlin); Track from: Stravinsky: Symphonies; [EMI Classics]; Spotify link

Best Instrumental Soloist(s) Performance (With Orchestra):  Schoenberg/Sibelius: Violin Concertos; Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor; Hilary Hahn (Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra); [Deutsche Grammophon]; Spotify link

Best Instrumental Soloist Performance (Without Orchestra):  Piano Music Of Salonen, Stucky, And Lutoslawski; Gloria Cheng; [Telarc]; Spotify link not found

Best Chamber Music Performance:  Carter, Elliott: String Quartets Nos. 1 And 5; Pacifica Quartet; [Naxos]; Spotify link not found

Best Small Ensemble Performance:  Spotless Rose: Hymns To The Virgin Mary; Charles Bruffy, conductor; Phoenix Chorale; [Chandos]; Spotify link not found

Best Classical Vocal Performance:  Corigliano: Mr. Tambourine Man: Seven Poems Of Bob Dylan; Hila Plitmann (JoAnn Falletta; Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra); [Naxos]; Spotify link

Best Classical Contemporary Composition:  Mr. Tambourine Man: Seven Poems Of Bob Dylan; John Corigliano (JoAnn Falletta); Track from: Corigliano: Mr. Tambourine Man: Seven Poems Of Bob Dylan
[Naxos]; Spotify link

Best Classical Crossover Album: Simple Gifts; The King's Singers; [Signum Records]; Spotify link

NB. Let me know if you can find the missing CDs (i.e., “Spotify link not found”).


Wednesday, February 24, 2010

BBC Music Magazine awards 2009

Disc of the year: Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos. 28 & 29; Mitsuko Uchida; Philips: E4758662; Spotify link

Orchestral: Shostakovich: Piano Concerto No. 1 etc; Martha Argerich, Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana, Alexander Verdernikov; EMI: 5045042; Spotify link
Finalists:
Saint-Saëns: Violin Concerto No. 3, etc; Jean-Jacques Kantorow (violin), Heini Kärkkäinen (piano), Tapiola Sinfonietta, Kees Bakels; BIS: BISCD1470; Spotify link
Schumann: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 4; Swedish Chamber Orchestra, Thomas Dausgaard; BIS: BISSACD1519; Spotify link

Opera:  Handel: Il Trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno; Natalie Dessay, Ann Hallenberg, Sonia Prina & Pavol Breslik, Le Concert d’Astrée, Emmanuelle Haïm; Virgin: 3634282; Spotify link
Finalists:
Bellini: La Sonnambula; Jaël Azzaretti, Natalie Dessay, Francesco Meli, Carlo Colombara & Sara Mingardo, l’Opéra de Lyon, Evelino Pidò; Virgin: 3951382; Spotify link
Janacek: Katya Kabanova; Welsh National Opera, Carlo Rizzi; Chandos: CHAN31452; Spotify link

Choral: Bach Cantatas; Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir, Ton Koopman; Challenge Classics: CC72222; Spotify link not found
Finalists:
The Road to Paradise; Gabrieli Consort, Paul McCreesh; DG: 4776605; Spotify link
Bolivian Baroque, Volume 2; Arakaendar Bolivia Choir, Florilegium; Channel: CCSSA24806; label not @ Spotify

Vocal: As Steals the Morn - Handel arias; Mark Padmore, The English Concert, Andrew Manze; Harmonia Mundi: HMU907422; Spotify link
Finalists:
Terezín / Theresienstadt; Anne-Sofie von Otter (mezzo-soprano), Bengt Forsberg (piano), Christian Gerhaher (baritone) & Gerold Huber (piano); DG: 4776546; Spotify link not found
Richard Strauss - The Complete Songs, Volume 2; Anne Schwanenwilms, Roger Vignoles; Hyperion: CDA67588; label not @ Spotify

Chamber: Shostakovitch: String Quartets Nos. 6, 8 & 11; Jerusalem Quartet; Harmonia Mundi: HMC901953; Spotify link not found
Finalists:
Coleridge-Taylor: Piano Quintet, Ballade & Clarinet Quintet; The Nash Ensemble; Hyperion: CDA67590; label not @ Spotify
Marin Marais: Suitte d'un Goût Etranger; Jordi Savall, Philippe Pierlot, Pierre Hantaï, Rolf Lislevand, Xavier Díaz-Latorre, Andrew Lawrence-King, Pedro Estevan; Alia Vox: AVSA9851; Spotify link

Instrumental: Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos. 28 & 29; Mitsuko Uchida; Philips: E4758662; Spotify link
Finalists:
Bach: Cello Suites; Steven Isserlis; Hyperion: CDA67541/2 label not @ Spotify
Rachmaninov: Etudes tableaux; Rustem Hayroudinoff; Chandos: CHAN10391; Spotify link not found

Award for Technical Excellence in Recording: Stockhausen: Stimmung; Theatre of Voices, Paul Hillier; Harmonia Mundi: HMU807408; Spotify link
Finalists:
Bach: Cello Suites; Steven Isserlis; Hyperion: CDA67541/2; label not @ Spotify
Rachmaninov: Etudes tableaux; Rustem Hayroudinoff; Chandos: CHAN10391; Spotify link not found

Newcomer of the Year: David Fray; Piano works by Bach & Boulez; Virgin: 3857872; Spotify link

Premiere Recording of the Year: Kagel: All Things Change; Netherlands Chamber Choir, Schönberg Ensemble Amsterdam, Reinbert de Leeuw; Winter and Winter: 9101262


NB. Let me know if you can find the missing CDs (i.e., “Spotify link not found”).


Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Specialist Classical Chart: week ending February 20 2010

1. Forever Vienna; André Rieu; Decca 5323879; Spotify link not found

2. Elgar - Violin Concerto; Nikolaj Znaider, Dresden Staatskapelle / Davis; RCA Red Seal 88697 60588-2; Spotify link

3. Prokofiev - Romeo and Juliet; London Symphony Orchestra / Valery Gergiev; LSO Live LSO0682; Spotify link

4. Schubert - Die schöne Müllerin; Jonas Kaufmann, Helmut Deutsch; Decca 478 1528; Spotify link not found

5. Mahler - Lieder; Christian Gerhaher, Gerold Huber; RCA Red Seal 88697 56773-2; Spotify link

6. Prokofiev - String Quartets Nos 1 & 2; Pavel Haas Quartet; Supraphon SU 3957-2; Spotify link not found

7. Ceremony and Devotion: Music for the Tudors; The Sixteen / Harry Christophers; Coro COR16077; Spotify link not found

8. Alma Mater - Music from the Vatican; Pope Benedict XVI; Geffen 476 3664; Spotify link

9. The Farewell Concerts; Alfred Brendel, Vienna Philharmonic / Charles Mackerras; Decca 478 2116; Spotify link

10. Rachmaninov - Symphonic Dances. The Isle of the Dead; Royal Liverpool Philharmonic / Vasily Petrenko; Avie AV2188; Spotify link not found

11. Vaughan Williams - Sacred Choral Music; Clare College Choir / Timothy Brown; Naxos 8 572465; Spotify link not found

12. Goodall - Enchanted Voices; Enchanted Voices; Classic FM CFMD7; Spotify link not found

13. New Year's Day Concert 2010; Vienna Philharmonic / Georges Prêtre; Decca 478 2113; Spotify link

14. Sheppard - Media vita; Stile Antico; Harmonia Mundi HMU80 7509; Spotify link not found

15. Whitbourn - Luminosity; Gillett, Andrade, Commotio / Matthew Berry; Naxos 8 572103; Spotify link not found

16. Sullivan - Ivanhoe; Soloists, BBC NOW / David Lloyd-Jones; Chandos CHAN105783; Spotify link not found

17. Glass. Nyman. Tavener; Amy Dickson, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra / Mikel Toms; RCA Red Seal 88697 37679-2; Spotify link

18. Ombre de mon amant; Anne Sofie von Otter, Les Arts Florissants / Christie; Archiv CD 477 8610; Spotify link

19. Strauss, R - Eine Alpensinfonie; London Symphony Orchestra / Bernard Haitink; LSO Live LSO0689; Spotify link not found

20. Bach - Violin and Voice; Hilary Hahn, Christine Schäfer, Matthias Goerne; DG 477 8092; Spotify link


NB. Let me know if you can find the missing CDs (i.e., “Spotify link not found”).

Grammy Award winners for classical music 2010

Best Classical Album:  Mahler: Symphony No. 8; Adagio From Symphony No. 10; Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor; Ragnar Bohlin, Kevin Fox & Susan McMane, choir directors; Andreas Neubronner, producer; Peter Laenger, engineer/mixer; Andreas Neubronner, mastering engineer (Laura Claycomb, Anthony Dean Griffey, Katarina Karnéus, Quinn Kelsey, James Morris, Yvonne Naef, Elza van den Heever & Erin Wall; San Francisco Symphony; Pacific Boychoir, San Francisco Girls Chorus & San Francisco Symphony Chorus); [SFS Media]; label not @ Spotify

Best Orchestral Performance: Ravel: Daphnis Et Chloé; James Levine, conductor (Boston Symphony Orchestra; Tanglewood Festival Chorus); [BSO Classics]; label not @ Spotify

Best Opera Recording: Britten: Billy Budd; Daniel Harding, conductor; Ian Bostridge, Neal Davies, Nathan Gunn, Jonathan Lemalu, Matthew Rose & Gidon Saks; John Fraser, producer (London Symphony Orchestra; Gentlemen Of The London Symphony Chorus); [Virgin Classics]; Spotify link

Best Choral Performance: Mahler: Symphony No. 8; Adagio From Symphony No. 10; Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor; Ragnar Bohlin, Kevin Fox & Susan McMane, choir directors; (Laura Claycomb, Anthony Dean Griffey, Elza van den Heever, Katarina Karnéus, Quinn Kelsey, James Morris, Yvonne Naef & Erin Wall; San Francisco Symphony; Pacific Boychoir, San Francisco Symphony Chorus & San Francisco Girls Chorus); [SFS Media]; label not @ Spotify

Best Instrumental Soloist(s) Performance (With Orchestra): Prokofiev: Piano Concertos Nos. 2 & 3; Vladimir Ashkenazy, conductor; Evgeny Kissin (Philharmonia Orchestra); [EMI Classics]; Spotify link

Best Instrumental Soloist Performance (Without Orchestra): Journey To The New World; Sharon Isbin (Joan Baez & Mark O'Connor); [Sony Classical]; Spotify link

Best Chamber Music Performance: Intimate Letters; Emerson String Quartet; [Deutsche Grammophon]; Spotify link

Best Small Ensemble Performance: Lang, David: The Little Match Girl Passion; Paul Hillier, conductor; Ars Nova Copenhagen & Theatre Of Voices; [Harmonia Mundi]; Spotify link not found

Best Classical Vocal Performance: Verismo Arias; Renée Fleming (Marco Armiliato; Jonas Kaufmann; Orchestra Sinfonica Di Milano Giuseppi Verdi; Coro Sinfonica Di Milano Giuseppi Verdi); [Decca]; Spotify link not found

Best Classical Contemporary Composition: Higdon, Jennifer: Percussion Concerto; Jennifer Higdon (Marin Alsop); Track from: Alsop Conducts MacMillan, Ad; [London Philharmonic Orchestra]; Spotify link

Best Classical Crossover Album: Yo-Yo Ma & Friends: Songs Of Joy And Peace; Yo-Yo Ma; (Odair Assad, Sergio Assad, Chris Botti, Dave Brubeck, Matt Brubeck, John Clayton, Paquito d'Rivera, Renée Fleming, Diana Krall, Alison Krauss, Natalie McMaster, Edgar Meyer, Cristina Pato, Joshua Redman, Jake Shimabukuro, Silk Road Ensemble, James Taylor, Chris Thile, Wu Tong, Alon Yavnai & Amelia Zirin-Brown); [Sony Classical]; Spotify link

NB. Let me know if you can find the missing CDs (i.e., “Spotify link not found”).


Monday, February 22, 2010

BBC Music Magazine Award Candidates 2010

Orchestral
  • Mahler: Symphony No. 4; Budapest Festival Orchestra, Iván Fischer; Channel: CCSSA26109; label not @ Spotify
  • Bartók: Orchestral Music; Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra, Zoltán Kocsis; Hungaroton: HSACD32506; Spotify link not found
  • Beethoven: Violin Concerto & Romances; Patricia Kopatchinskaja, Orchestre des Champs-Elysées, Philippe Herreweghe; Naive: V5174; Spotify link

Opera
  • Wagner: Lohengrin; WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln, WDR Rundfunkchor Köln, NDR Chor & Prager Kammerchor, Semyon Bychkov; Profil Medien: PH09004; label not @ Spotify
  • Martinu: Music from the opera Juliette; Magdalena Kozená, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Charles Mackerras; Supraphon: SU39942; Spotify link
  • Shostakovich: The Nose; Mariinsky Soloists, Orchestra & Chorus, Valery Gergiev; Mariinsky: MAR0501; label not @ Spotify

Choral
  • Stravinsky: Canticum Sacrum, Agon, & Requiem Canticles; SWR Vocal Ensemble Stuttgart, SWR SO Baden-Baden und Freiburg, Michael Gielen; Hänssler: HAEN93226; label not @ Spotify
  • Verdi: Requiem; Anja Harteros, Sonia Ganassim Rolando Villazon & Rene Pape, Orchestra e Coro dell’Accademia di Santa Cecilia, Antonio Pappano; EMI: 6989362; Spotify link
  • Telemann: Brockes-Passion; RIAS Chamber Choir, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, René Jacobs; Harmonia Mundi: HMC902013/14; Spotify link not found

Instrumental
  • Abel: The Drexel Manuscript; Paolo Pandolfo (viola da gamba); Glossa: GCD920410; label not @ Spotify
  • Beethoven: Piano Sonatas; Murray Perahia (piano); Sony: 88697326462; Spotify link
  • Beethoven: Diabelli Variations & Bach: Partita; Stephen Kovacevich (piano); Onyx: ONYX4035; Spotify link

Vocal
  • Liszt Abroad; Rebecca Evans (soprano), Andrew Kennedy (tenor), Matthew Rose (baritone) & Iain Burnside (piano); Signum: SIGCD155; Spotify link
  • Jonas Kaufmann sings Mozart, Schubert, Beethoven & Wagner; Jonas Kaufmann (tenor), Mahler Chamber Orchestra & Arnold Schoenberg Choir, Claudio Abbado; Decca: 4781463; Spotify link
  • Tchaikovsky: Romances; Christianne Stotijn (mezzo-soprano) & Julius Drake (piano); Onyx: ONYX4034; Spotify link not found

Chamber
  • Schubert: Trout Quintet and other Chamber Music; Martin Helmchen (piano), Christian Tetzlaff (violin), Antoine Tamestit (viola), Marie-Elisabeth Hecker (cello) & Aloïs Posch (double bass), Aldo Baerten (flute); Pentatone: PTC5186334; label not @ Spotify
  • Szymanowski: The Complete Music for Violin & Piano; Alina Ibragimova (violin) & Cédric Tiberghien (piano);  Hyperion: CDA67703; label not @ Spotify
  • Haydn: String Quartets; Jerusalem Quartet; Harmonia Mundi: HMX2962030; Spotify link not found

NB. Let me know if you can find the missing CDs (i.e., “Spotify link not found”).


Sunday, February 21, 2010

Gramophone Awards 2008

Baroque Instrumental: Bach, J S: Brandenburg Concertos Nos. 1-6 BWV1046-1051 (complete); European Brandenburg Ensemble, Trevor Pinnock; Avie: AV2119;  Spotify link

Baroque Vocal: Monteverdi; L'Orfeo; La Venexiana, Claudio Cavina; Glossa: GES920913; label not @ Spotify

Chamber: Brahms: Piano Quintet in F minor, Op. 34, etc.Leif Ove Andsnes, Artemis Quartet; Virgin: 3951432; Spotify link

Choral: Haydn; The Creation; Gabrieli Players & Chetham's Chamber Choir, Paul McCreesh; DG Archiv: 4777361; Spotify link

Concerto: Elgar: Violin Concerto in B minor, Op. 61, etc. James Ehnes (violin), Philharmonia Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis; Onyx: ONYX4025; Spotify link not found

Contemporary: Jonathan Harvey; Timepieces; Anu Komsi (soprano), BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Ilan Volkov & Stefan Solyom; NMC: NMCD141; Spotify link

Early Music: Ludford; Missa Benedicta; Choir of New College, Oxford, Edward Higginbottom (direction); K617: K617206; label not @ Spotify

Historic Archive: Vaughan Williams: Symphony No. 5 in D major, etc. London Philharmonic Orchestra, Vaughan Williams; Somm: SOMM071; label not @ Spotify

Historic Reissue: Kim Borg sings Sibelius Songs; Kim Borg (bass); DG: 4776612; Spotify link

Opera: Janacek; The Excursions of Mr Broucek; Haan, Roman Janál, Martina Bauerová, Ales Briscein, BBC Singers & BBC Symphony Orchestra, Jirí Belohlávek; DG: 4777387; Spotify link

Orchestral: Miaskovsky; Complete Symphonies & Orchestral Works; USSR State Symphony & Orchestra, Evgeny Svetlanov; Warner Classics: 2564696898; Spotify link

Recital: Maria; Cecilia Bartoli & Maxim Vengerov (violin); Decca: E4759078; Spotify link

Solo Vocal: Barber; Songs; Gerald Finley (baritone) & Julius Drake (piano), The Aronowitz Ensemble; Hyperion: CDA67528; label not @ Spotify

Editor's Choice: Mr Abel’s Fine Airs; Susanne Heinrich (viola da gamba); Hyperion: CDA67628; label not @ Spotify

NB. Let me know if you can find the missing CDs (i.e., “Spotify link not found”).

Gramophone Awards 2009

Recording of the Year and Chamber: Quatuor Ebene Debussy. Fauré. Ravel String Quartets; Quatuor Ebène; Virgin 519045-2; Spotify link

Baroque instrumental: Purcell - The Complete Fantazias; Fretwork; Harmonia Mundi F HMU90 7502; Spotify link

Solo vocal: Schumann - Dichterliebe and other Heine Settings; Gerald Finley (bar), Julius Drake (pf); Hyperion CDA67676; label not @ Spotify

Baroque Vocal: Anthems Handel - Coronation Anthems, etc; The Sixteen / Harry Christophers; Coro F COR16066; Spotify link

Choral: Elgar -The Dream of Gerontius; Soloists incl Paul Groves (ten), Bryn Terfel (bass-bar); Choirs; Hallé Orchestra / Sir Mark Elder; Hallé CDHLD7520; Spotify link not found

Concerto: Britten - Piano Concerto; Steven Osborne (pf); BBC Scottish SO / Ilan Volkov; Hyperion CDA67625; label not @ Spotify

Contemporary: The NMC Songbook; Various artists; NMC NMCD150; Spotify link

Early Music: ‘Song of Songs’; Stile Antico; Harmonia Mundi HMU80 7489; Spotify link not found

Historic reissue: ‘Composers in Person’; Various artists; EMI (22 discs) 217575-2; Spotify link

Instrumental: Debussy; Complete Works for Piano, Vol 4; Jean-Efflam Bavouzet; Chandos CHAN10497; Spotify link not found

Opera: Puccini Madama Butterfly; Soloists incl Angela Gheorghiu (sop); Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia / Antonio Pappano; EMI 264187-2; Spotify link

Orchestral: Tchaikovsky - Manfred Symphony; Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra / Vasily Petrenko; Naxos 8 570568; Spotify link not found

Recital: Martinu - Julietta Fragments; Magdalena Kozená (mez); Czech Philharmonic Orchestra / Sir Charles Mackerras; Supraphon SU3994-2; Spotify link

Editor’s Choice: Beethoven Diabelli Variations; Stephen Kovacevich; Spotify link


NB. Let me know if you can find the missing CDs (i.e., “Spotify link not found”).

Specialist Classical Chart: week ending February 13 2010

1. Forever Vienna; André Rieu; Decca 5323879; Spotify link not found

2. Whitbourn - Luminosity; Gillett, Andrade, Commotio / Matthew Berry; Naxos 8 572103; Spotify link not found

3. Schubert - Die schöne Müllerin; Jonas Kaufmann, Helmut Deutsch; Decca 478 1528; Spotify link not found

4. Elgar - Violin Concerto; Nikolaj Znaider, Dresden Staatskapelle / Davis; RCA Red Seal 88697 60588-2; Spotify link

5. Ceremony and Devotion: Music for the Tudors; The Sixteen / Harry Christophers; Coro COR16077; Spotify link not found

6. Prokofiev - Romeo and Juliet; London Symphony Orchestra / Valery Gergiev; LSO Live LSO0682; Spotify link

7. Prokofiev - String Quartets Nos 1 & 2; Pavel Haas Quartet; Supraphon SU 3957-2; Spotify link not found

8. New Year's Day Concert 2010; Vienna Philharmonic / Georges Prêtre; Decca 478 2113; Spotify link

9. The Farewell Concerts; Alfred Brendel, Vienna Philharmonic / Charles Mackerras; Decca 478 2116; Spotify link

10. Sullivan - Ivanhoe; Soloists, BBC NOW / David Lloyd-Jones; Chandos CHAN105783; Spotify link not found

11. Vaughan Williams - Sacred Choral Music; Clare College Choir / Timothy Brown; Naxos 8 572465; Spotify link not found

12. Ombre de mon amant; Anne Sofie von Otter, Les Arts Florissants / Christie; Archiv CD 477 8610; Spotify link

13. Glass. Nyman. Tavener; Amy Dickson, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra / Mikel Toms; RCA Red Seal 88697 37679-2; Spotify link

14. Goodall - Enchanted Voices; Enchanted Voices; Classic FM CFMD7; Spotify link not found

15. Bach - Violin and Voice; Hilary Hahn, Christine Schäfer, Matthias Goerne; DG 477 8092; Spotify link

16. Taverner - Sacred Choral Music; St Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh / Ferguson; Delphian Records DCD34023; Spotify link not found

17. Alma Mater - Music from the Vatican; Pope Benedict XVI; Geffen 476 3664; Spotify link

18. Mahler - Lieder; Christian Gerhaher, Gerold Huber; RCA Red Seal 88697 56773-2; Spotify link

19. Sheppard - Media vita; Stile Antico; Harmonia Mundi HMU80 7509; Spotify link not found

20. The Best of Gilbert & Sullivan; Gala Ensemble; Sony 88697 42191-2; Spotify link not found

NB. Let me know if you can find the missing CDs (i.e., “Spotify link not found”).

Specialist Classical Chart: week ending February 6 2010

1. Forever Vienna; André Rieu; Decca 5323879; Spotify link not found

2. Schubert - Die schöne Müllerin; Jonas Kaufmann, Helmut Deutsch; Decca 478 1528; Spotify link not found

3. Elgar - Violin Concerto; Nikolaj Znaider, Dresden Staatskapelle / Davis; RCA Red Seal 88697 60588-2; Spotify link

4. New Year's Day Concert 2010; Vienna Philharmonic / Georges Prêtre; Decca 478 2113; Spotify link

5. Sullivan - Ivanhoe; Soloists, BBC NOW / David Lloyd-Jones; Chandos CHAN105783; Spotify link not found

6. The Farewell Concerts; Alfred Brendel, Vienna Philharmonic / Charles Mackerras; Decca 478 2116; Spotify link

7. Vaughan Williams - Sacred Choral Music; Clare College Choir / Timothy Brown; Naxos 8 572465; Spotify link not found

8. Mahler - Lieder; Christian Gerhaher, Gerold Huber; RCA Red Seal 88697 56773-2; Spotify link

9. Prokofiev - Romeo and Juliet; London Symphony Orchestra / Valery Gergiev; LSO Live LSO0682; Spotify link

10. Ceremony and Devotion: Music for the Tudors; The Sixteen / Harry Christophers; Coro COR16077; Spotify link not found

11. Whitbourn - Luminosity; Gillett, Andrade, Commotio / Matthew Berry; Naxos 8 572103; Spotify link not found

12. Prokofiev - String Quartets Nos 1 & 2; Pavel Haas Quartet; Supraphon SU 3957-2; Spotify link not found

13. Fantasie; Nicola Benedetti; DG 476 3399GH; Spotify link not found

14. Alma Mater - Music from the Vatican; Pope Benedict XVI; Geffen 476 3664; Spotify link

15. Byrd - Infelix Ego; The Cardinall’s Musick / Andrew Carwood; Hyperion CDA67779; label not @ Spotify

16. The Best of Gilbert & Sullivan; Gala Ensemble; Sony 88697 42191-2; Spotify link not found

17. Strauss, R - Eine Alpensinfonie; London Symphony Orchestra / Bernard Haitink; LSO Live LSO0689; Spotify link not found

18. Rachmaninov - Piano Concerto No 3. Rhapsody; Denis Matsuev, Mariinsky Orchestra / Valery Gergiev; Mariinsky MAR0505; label not @ Spotify

19. Goodall - Enchanted Voices; Enchanted Voices; Classic FM CFMD7; Spotify link not found

20. Rachmaninov - Symphonic Dances. The Isle of the Dead; Royal Liverpool Philharmonic / Vasily Petrenko; Avie AV2188; label not @ Spotify

NB. Let me know if you can find the missing CDs (i.e., “Spotify link not found”).

Specialist Classical Chart: week ending January 30 2010

1. Forever Vienna; André Rieu; Decca 5323879; Spotify link not found

2. New Year's Day Concert 2010; Vienna Philharmonic / Georges Prêtre; Decca 478 2113; Spotify link

3. Prokofiev - Romeo and Juliet; London Symphony Orchestra / Valery Gergiev; LSO Live LSO0682; Spotify link

4. The Farewell Concerts; Alfred Brendel, Vienna Philharmonic / Charles Mackerras; Decca 478 2116; Spotify link

5. Alma Mater - Music from the Vatican; Pope Benedict XVI; Geffen 476 3664; Spotify link

6. Goodall - Enchanted Voices; Enchanted Voices; Classic FM CFMD7; Spotify link not found

7. Taverner - Sacred Choral Music; St Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh / Ferguson; Delphian Records DCD34023; Spotify link not found

8. Mahler - Symphony No 9; Berlin Philharmonic / Bernstein; DG 477 8620; Spotify link

9. Prokofiev. Sibelius - Violin Concertos; Vilde Frang, WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln / Sondergard; EMI 5099968441326; Spotify link

10. Fantasie; Nicola Benedetti; DG 476 3399GH; Spotify link not found

11. Chopin - Cello Music; Andreas Brantelid; EMI Classics 5099968774226; Spotify link

12. The Best of Gilbert & Sullivan; Gala Ensemble; Sony 88697 42191-2; Spotify link not found

13. Sheppard - Media vita; Stile Antico; Harmonia Mundi HMU80 7509; Spotify link not found

14. Bach - Violin and Voice; Hilary Hahn, Christine Schäfer, Matthias Goerne; DG 477 8092; Spotify link

15. Fauré - Requiem; The Sixteen / Harry Christophers; Coro COR16057; Spotify link

16. Harris - Symphonies Nos 5 & 6; Bournemouth SO / Marin Alsop; Naxos 8 559609; Spotify link not found

17. Goodall - Eternal Light – a Requiem; Howard Goodall; EMI Classics 2150472; Spotify link

18. Bach - Brandenburg Concertos; Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra / Riccardo Chailly; Decca 4782191; Spotify link

19. Vaughan Williams - Piano Concerto; Ashley Wass, RLPO / James Judd; Naxos 8 572304; Spotify link not found

20. Schubert - Winterreise; Mark Padmore, Paul Lewis; Harmonia Mundi HMU90 7484; Spotify link

NB. Let me know if you can find the missing CDs (i.e., “Spotify link not found”).

Specialist Classical Chart: week ending January 23 2010

 1. Forever Vienna; André Rieu; Decca 5323879; Spotify link not found

2. New Year's Day Concert 2010; Vienna Philharmonic / Georges Prêtre; Decca 478 2113; Spotify link

3. The Farewell Concerts; Alfred Brendel, Vienna Philharmonic / Charles Mackerras; Decca 478 2116; Spotify link

4. Prokofiev - Romeo and Juliet; London Symphony Orchestra / Valery Gergiev; LSO Live LSO0682; Spotify link

5. Alma Mater - Music from the Vatican; Pope Benedict XVI; Geffen 476 3664; Spotify link

6. The Manchester Carols; Manchester Carollers, Northern CO / Richard Tanner; Naxos 8 572469; Spotify link not found

7. Goodall - Enchanted Voices; Enchanted Voices; Classic FM CFMD7; Spotify link not found

8. Sheppard - Media vita; Stile Antico; Harmonia Mundi HMU80 7509; Spotify link not found

9. Jenkins - Stella Natalis; Kate Royal, Alison Balsom, Alice Halstead, Tenebrae; EMI 6886482; Spotify link

10. Fauré - Requiem; The Sixteen / Harry Christophers; Coro COR16057; Spotify link

11. Bach - Violin and Voice; Hilary Hahn, Christine Schäfer, Matthias Goerne; DG 477 8092; Spotify link

12. Prokofiev. Sibelius - Violin Concertos; Vilde Frang, WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln / Sondergard; EMI 5099968441326; Spotify link

13. Bach - Brandenburg Concertos; Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra / Riccardo Chailly; Decca 4782191; Spotify link

14. Sacrificium; Cecilia Bartoli, Il Giardino Armonico / Giovanni Antonini; Decca 478 1521; Spotify link

15. Vaughan Williams - Piano Concerto; Ashley Wass, RLPO / James Judd; Naxos 8 572304; Spotify link not found

16. Fantasie; Nicola Benedetti; DG 476 3399GH; Spotify link not found

17. The Best of Gilbert & Sullivan; Gala Ensemble; Sony 88697 42191-2; Spotify link not found

18. Ombre de mon amant; Anne Sofie von Otter, Les Arts Florissants / Christie; Archiv CD 477 8610; Spotify link

19. Shostakovich - Symphonies Nos 5 and 9; Royal Liverpool Philharmonic / Petrenko; Naxos 8.572167; Spotify link not found

20. Harris - Symphonies Nos 5 & 6; Bournemouth SO / Marin Alsop; Naxos 8 559609; Spotify link not found

NB. Let me know if you can find the missing CDs (i.e., “Spotify link not found”).

Specialist Classical Chart: week ending January 16 2010

1. Forever Vienna; André Rieu; Decca 5323879; Spotify link not found

2. In Terra Pax - A Christmas Anthology; Julia Doyle; Bournemouth SO / Hilary Davan Wetton; Naxos 8 572102; Spotify link not found

3. The Farewell Concerts; Alfred Brendel, Vienna Philharmonic / Charles Mackerras; Decca 478 2116; Spotify link

4. The Manchester Carols; Manchester Carollers, Northern CO / Richard Tanner; Naxos 8 572469; Spotify link not found

5. Alma Mater - Music from the Vatican; Pope Benedict XVI; Geffen 476 3664; Spotify link

6. New Year's Day Concert 2010; Vienna Philharmonic / Georges Prêtre; Decca 478 2113; Spotify link

7. Bach - Violin and Voice; Hilary Hahn, Christine Schäfer, Matthias Goerne; DG 477 8092; Spotify link

8. Prokofiev - Romeo and Juliet; London Symphony Orchestra / Valery Gergiev; LSO Live LSO0682; Spotify link

9. Goodall - Enchanted Voices; Enchanted Voices; Classic FM CFMD7; Spotify link not found

10. Sheppard - Media vita; Stile Antico; Harmonia Mundi HMU80 7509; Spotify link not found

11. Sacrificium; Cecilia Bartoli, Il Giardino Armonico / Giovanni Antonini; Decca 478 1521; Spotify link

12. Fantasie; Nicola Benedetti; DG 476 3399GH; Spotify link not found

13. Harris - Symphonies Nos 5 & 6; Bournemouth SO / Marin Alsop; Naxos 8 559609; Spotify link not found

14. Mozart - Requiem; London Symphony Orchestra / Colin Davis; LSO Live LSO0127; Spotify link not found

15. Handel - Olinto pastore - Italian Cantatas Vol 6; Roberta Invernizzi, La Risonanza / Fabio Bonizzoni; Glossa GCD921526; label not @ Spotify

16. Concerto Italiano; Giuliano Carmignola, Venice Baroque Orchestra / Marcon; Archiv 4776606; Spotify link

17. Vaughan Williams - Piano Concerto; Ashley Wass, RLPO / James Judd; Naxos 8 572304; Spotify link not found

18. Rossini - ‘Colbran, the Muse’; Joyce DiDonato / Edoardo Müller; Virgin Classics 694579-0; Spotify link

19. Jenkins - Stella Natalis; Kate Royal, Alison Balsom, Alice Halstead, Tenebrae; EMI 6886482; Spotify link

20. The Best of Gilbert & Sullivan; Gala Ensemble; Sony 88697 42191-2; Spotify link not found

NB. Let me know if you can find the missing CDs (i.e., “Spotify link not found”).

Specialist Classical Chart: week ending January 9 2010

 1. Forever Vienna; André Rieu; Decca 5323879; Spotify link not found

2. Alma Mater - Music from the Vatican; Pope Benedict XVI; Geffen 476 3664; Spotify link

3. The Farewell Concerts; Alfred Brendel, Vienna Philharmonic / Charles Mackerras; Decca 478 2116; Spotify link

4. Goodall - Enchanted Voices; Enchanted Voices; Classic FM CFMD7; Spotify link not found

5. Goodall - Enchanted Carols; Enchanted Voices; Classic FM CFMD11; Spotify link not found

6. Fantasie; Nicola Benedetti; DG 476 3399GH; Spotify link not found

7. Sacrificium; Cecilia Bartoli, Il Giardino Armonico / Giovanni Antonini; Decca 478 1521; Spotify link

8. Harris - Symphonies Nos 5 & 6; Bournemouth SO / Marin Alsop; Naxos 8 559609; Spotify link not found

9. Vaughan Williams - Piano Concerto; Ashley Wass, RLPO / James Judd; Naxos 8 572304; Spotify link not found

10. Jenkins - Stella Natalis; Kate Royal, Alison Balsom, Alice Halstead, Tenebrae; EMI 6886482; Spotify link

11. Schubert - Winterreise; Mark Padmore, Paul Lewis; Harmonia Mundi HMU90 7484; Spotify link

12. Fiesta; Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra / Gustavo Dudamel; DG 477 7457GH; Spotify link not found

13. Brahms - Symphonies; Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra / Simon Rattle; EMI 267254-2; Spotify link

14. Shostakovich - Symphonies Nos 5 and 9; Royal Liverpool Philharmonic / Petrenko; Naxos 8.572167; Spotify link not found

15. MacMillan - The Sacrifice; Milne, Tynan, Welsh National Opera / Negus; Chandos CHAN10572; Spotify link not found

16. The Manchester Carols; Manchester Carollers, Northern CO / Richard Tanner; Naxos 8 572469; Spotify link not found

17. Martinu - Piano Concertos Nos 3 & 5; Giorgio Koukl, Bohuslav Martinu PO / Fagen; Naxos 8 572206; Spotify link not found

18. Elgar - Crown of India; BBC Philharmonic Orchestra / Andrew Davis; Chandos CHAN10570(2); Spotify link not found

19. Bach - Partitas Nos 1, 5 and 6; Murray Perahia; Sony 88697443612; Spotify link

20. Bach - Sonatas and Partitas; Alina Ibragimova; Hyperion CDA67691/2; label not @ Spotify

NB. Let me know if you can find the missing CDs (i.e., “Spotify link not found”).

Specialist Classical Chart: week ending January 2 2010

 1. Forever Vienna; André Rieu; Decca 5323879; Spotify link not found

2. Alma Mater - Music from the Vatican; Pope Benedict XVI; Geffen 476 3664; Spotify link

3. Goodall - Enchanted Carols; Enchanted Voices; Classic FM CFMD11; Spotify link not found

4. Goodall - Enchanted Voices; Enchanted Voices; Classic FM CFMD7; Spotify link not found

5. The Farewell Concerts; Alfred Brendel, Vienna Philharmonic / Charles Mackerras; Decca 478 2116; Spotify link

6. Sacrificium; Cecilia Bartoli, Il Giardino Armonico / Giovanni Antonini; Decca 478 1521; Spotify link

7. Fantasie; Nicola Benedetti; DG 476 3399GH; Spotify link not found

8. Vaughan Williams - Piano Concerto; Ashley Wass, RLPO / James Judd; Naxos 8 572304; Spotify link not found

9. Jenkins - Stella Natalis; Kate Royal, Alison Balsom, Alice Halstead, Tenebrae; EMI 6886482; Spotify link

10. Brahms - Symphonies; Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra / Simon Rattle; EMI 267254-2; Spotify link

11. Verdi - Requiem Mass; Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia / Antonio Pappano; EMI 698936-2; Spotify link

12. Shostakovich - Symphonies Nos 5 and 9; Royal Liverpool Philharmonic / Petrenko; Naxos 8.572167; Spotify link not found

13. Elgar - Crown of India; BBC Philharmonic Orchestra / Andrew Davis; Chandos CHAN10570(2); Spotify link not found

14. Fiesta; Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra / Gustavo Dudamel; DG 477 7457GH; Spotify link not found

15. Schubert - Winterreise; Mark Padmore, Paul Lewis; Harmonia Mundi HMU90 7484; Spotify link

16. Bach - Partitas Nos 1, 5 and 6; Murray Perahia; Sony 88697443612; Spotify link

17. Rossini - ‘Colbran, the Muse’; Joyce DiDonato / Edoardo Müller; Virgin Classics 694579-0; Spotify link

18. Handel - Between Heaven & Earth; Sandrine Piau, Accademia Bizantina / Stefano Montanari; Naive OP30484; Spotify link

19. Mascagni - L’Amico Fritz; Roberto Alagna, Angela Gheorghiu / Alberto Veronesi; DG 477 8358; Spotify link

20. Mozart. Schubert. Beethoven. Wagner - Arias; Jonas Kaufmann, Mahler CO / Claudio Abbado; Decca 478 1463; Spotify link

NB. Let me know if you can find the missing CDs (i.e., “Spotify link not found”).

Specialist Classical Chart: week ending December 19 2009

 1. Alma Mater - Music from the Vatican; Pope Benedict XVI; Geffen 476 3664; Spotify link

2. Goodall - Enchanted Carols; Enchanted Voices; Classic FM CFMD11; Spotify link not found

3. Goodall - Enchanted Voices; Enchanted Voices; Classic FM CFMD7; Spotify link not found

4. Jenkins - Stella Natalis; Kate Royal, Alison Balsom, Alice Halstead, Tenebrae; EMI 6886482; Spotify link

5. The Farewell Concerts; Alfred Brendel, Vienna Philharmonic / Charles Mackerras; Decca 478 2116; Spotify link

6. Sacrificium; Cecilia Bartoli, Il Giardino Armonico / Giovanni Antonini; Decca 478 1521; Spotify link

7. In Terra Pax - A Christmas Anthology; Julia Doyle; Bournemouth SO / Hilary Davan Wetton; Naxos 8 572102; Spotify link not found

8. Fantasie; Nicola Benedetti; DG 476 3399GH; Spotify link not found

9. Shostakovich - Symphonies Nos 5 and 9; Royal Liverpool Philharmonic / Petrenko; Naxos 8.572167; Spotify link not found

10. A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols; Choir of King's College, Cambridge / Cleobury; EMI 686082-2; Spotify link

11. Rutter - A Christmas Festival; Cambridge Singers, Royal Philharmonic / Rutter; Collegium COLCD133; label not @ Spotify

12. Handel - Messiah; Soloists, King's College Choir, AAM / Stephen Cleobury; EMI 268156-2; Spotify link

13. Schubert - String Quintet. String Quartets - Nos 14 and 15; Belcea Quartet, Valentin Erben; EMI 967025-2; Spotify link

14. Brahms - Symphonies; Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra / Simon Rattle; EMI 267254-2; Spotify link

15. Handel - Messiah; Polyphony, Britten Sinfonia / Stephen Layton; Hyperion CDA67800; label not @ Spotify

16. Schubert - Winterreise; Mark Padmore, Paul Lewis; Harmonia Mundi HMU90 7484; Spotify link

17. Verismo; Renée Fleming, Milan SO / Marco Armiliato; Decca 478 1533DH; Spotify link not found

18. Verdi - Requiem Mass; Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia / Antonio Pappano; EMI 698936-2; Spotify link

19. Bach - Brandenburg Concertos; English Baroque Soloists / John Eliot Gardiner; Soli Deo Gloria SDG 707; Spotify link

20. Vaughan Williams - Piano Concerto; Ashley Wass, RLPO / James Judd; Naxos 8 572304; Spotify link not found

NB. Let me know if you can find the missing CDs (i.e., “Spotify link not found”).

Specialist Classical Chart: week ending December 12 2009

 1. Alma Mater - Music from the Vatican; Pope Benedict XVI; Geffen 476 3664; Spotify link

2. Goodall - Enchanted Carols; Enchanted Voices; Classic FM CFMD11; Spotify link not found

3. Goodall - Enchanted Voices; Enchanted Voices; Classic FM CFMD7; Spotify link not found

4. Jenkins - Stella Natalis; Kate Royal, Alison Balsom, Alice Halstead, Tenebrae; EMI 6886482; Spotify link

5. In Terra Pax - A Christmas Anthology; Julia Doyle; Bournemouth SO / Hilary Davan Wetton; Naxos 8 572102; Spotify link not found

6. Fantasie; Nicola Benedetti; DG 476 3399GH; Spotify link not found

7. The Farewell Concerts; Alfred Brendel, Vienna Philharmonic / Charles Mackerras; Decca 478 2116; Spotify link

8. Sacrificium; Cecilia Bartoli, Il Giardino Armonico / Giovanni Antonini; Decca 478 1521; Spotify link

9. A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols; Choir of King's College, Cambridge / Cleobury; EMI 686082-2; Spotify link

10. Handel - Messiah; Polyphony, Britten Sinfonia / Stephen Layton; Hyperion CDA67800; label not @ Spotify

11. Verdi - Requiem Mass; Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia / Antonio Pappano; EMI 698936-2; Spotify link

12. Brahms - Symphonies; Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra / Simon Rattle; EMI 267254-2; Spotify link

13. Verismo; Renée Fleming, Milan SO / Marco Armiliato; Decca 478 1533DH; Spotify link not found

14. Schubert - Winterreise; Mark Padmore, Paul Lewis; Harmonia Mundi HMU90 7484; Spotify link

15. Rutter - A Christmas Festival; Cambridge Singers, Royal Philharmonic / Rutter; Collegium COLCD133; label not @ Spotify

16. Mozart. Schubert. Beethoven. Wagner - Arias; Jonas Kaufmann, Mahler CO / Claudio Abbado; Decca 478 1463; Spotify link

17. Handel - Messiah; Soloists, King's College Choir, AAM / Stephen Cleobury; EMI 268156-2; Spotify link

18. Shostakovich - Symphonies Nos 5 and 9; Royal Liverpool Philharmonic / Petrenko; Naxos 8.572167; Spotify link not found

19. Vaughan Williams - Piano Concerto; Ashley Wass, RLPO / James Judd; Naxos 8 572304; Spotify link not found

20. Haydn. Hummel - Trumpet Concertos; Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie / Alison Balsom; EMI 216213-0; Spotify link

NB. Let me know if you can find the missing CDs (i.e., “Spotify link not found”).

Specialist Classical Chart: week ending December 5 2009

1. Alma Mater - Music from the Vatican; Pope Benedict XVI; Geffen 476 3664; Spotify link

2. Goodall - Enchanted Carols; Enchanted Voices; Classic FM CFMD11; Spotify link not found

3. Jenkins - Stella Natalis; Kate Royal, Alison Balsom, Alice Halstead, Tenebrae; EMI 6886482; Spotify link

4. Goodall - Enchanted Voices; Enchanted Voices; Classic FM CFMD7; Spotify link not found

5. The Farewell Concerts; Alfred Brendel, Vienna Philharmonic / Charles Mackerras; Decca 478 2116; Spotify link

6. Sacrificium; Cecilia Bartoli, Il Giardino Armonico / Giovanni Antonini; Decca 478 1521; Spotify link

7. Fantasie; Nicola Benedetti; DG 476 3399GH; Spotify link not found

8. In Terra Pax - A Christmas Anthology; Julia Doyle; Bournemouth SO / Hilary Davan Wetton; Naxos 8 572102; Spotify link not found

9. JC Bach - La Dolce Fiamma; Philippe Jaroussky; Virgin Classics 694564-0; Spotify link

10. Vaughan Williams - Piano Concerto; Ashley Wass, RLPO / James Judd; Naxos 8 572304; Spotify link not found

11. Verismo; Renée Fleming, Milan SO / Marco Armiliato; Decca 478 1533DH; Spotify link not found

12. Lehár - Love was a Dream; Alfie Boe, Scottish Opera Orchestra / Rosewell; Linn CKD346; label not @ Spotify

13. Rutter - A Christmas Festival; Cambridge Singers, Royal Philharmonic / Rutter; Collegium COLCD133; label not @ Spotify

14. Brahms - Symphonies; Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra / Simon Rattle; EMI 267254-2; Spotify link

15. Shostakovich - Symphonies Nos 5 and 9; Royal Liverpool Philharmonic / Petrenko; Naxos 8.572167; Spotify link not found

16. Mozart. Schubert. Beethoven. Wagner - Arias; Jonas Kaufmann, Mahler CO / Claudio Abbado; Decca 478 1463; Spotify link

17. Rossini - ‘Colbran, the Muse’; Joyce DiDonato / Edoardo Müller; Virgin Classics 694579-0; Spotify link

18. Schubert - Winterreise; Mark Padmore, Paul Lewis; Harmonia Mundi HMU90 7484; Spotify link

19. Haydn. Hummel - Trumpet Concertos; Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie / Alison Balsom; EMI 216213-0; Spotify link

20. Bach - Brandenburg Concertos; English Baroque Soloists / John Eliot Gardiner; Soli Deo Gloria SDG 707; Spotify link

NB. Let me know if you can find the missing CDs (i.e., “Spotify link not found”).