Gramophone Record of the Year 2015

[CallMePaul]

I was astonished to find out the result of this yesterday. I have only heard excerpts, but it did not strike me as the outstanding orchestral release of the last 12 months (I greatly enjoyed both runners-up, especially the Sibelius cycle which I heard live in Manchester 2 years ago), let alone the leading contender for Record of the Year. For the record (no pun intended), I voted in [I]Gramophone's[I] online poll for [I]Gerontius[I] conducted by Sir Andrew Davis and there were others I would also have put above the winner.

Norman Lebrecht has some pertinent remarks on his website: http://slippedisc.com/2015/09/gramop...h-certificate/, which you may or may not agree with, but I suggest that you read it and the comments below the article.

On a more positive note, it is good to see a far greater Brucknerian, Bernard Haitink, honoured for a lifetime achievement. Bruckner has played a great part in his long and distinguished career.

[richardfinegold]

I was astonished to find out the result of this yesterday. I have only heard excerpts, but it did not strike me as the outstanding orchestral release of the last 12 months (I greatly enjoyed both runners-up, especially the Sibelius cycle which I heard live in Manchester 2 years ago), let alone the leading contender for Record of the Year. For the record (no pun intended), I voted in [I]Gramophone's[I] online poll for [I]Gerontius[I] conducted by Sir Andrew Davis and there were others I would also have put above the winner.

Norman Lebrecht has some pertinent remarks on his website: http://slippedisc.com/2015/09/gramop...h-certificate/, which you may or may not agree with, but I suggest that you read it and the comments below the article.

On a more positive note, it is good to see a far greater Brucknerian, Bernard Haitink, honoured for a lifetime achievement. Bruckner has played a great part in his long and distinguished career.

Damn. I was hoping they would pick my favorite of the year, P.D.Q. Bach's Double Concerto For Sewage Pipe and Bleeding Roadkill, on the Can Belto label.
It seems a lot of hooey over what is a sentimental gesture. I haven't heard the Abbado, and I can't recall ever hearing that combination of Conductor and Composer
but the reviews that I have read in other publications have been mixed. If Abbado was alive and well perhaps the outcome would have been different. How does one decide the "best" disc, anyway?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I haven't heard the Abbado, and I can't recall ever hearing that combination of Conductor and Composer

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00JJ9DYU6

...for anyone who hasn't seen the "Winners":

http://www.gramophone.co.uk/classical-music-news/gramophone-awards-2015-%E2%80%93-the-full-report

[Barbirollians]

Funnily enough many of the reviews I have read have been raves of this performance .

Lebrecht is talking utter bilge as usual .

[jayne lee wilson]

Anyone already bought anything from the shortlist, or earlier?

I had the Norgard 1 & 8 (Da Capo CD and download - the 8th is worth it!), and the Unsuk Chin Concertos on DG, both from the Contemporary List.
Coupla days ago I bought the Budapest FO/Fischer Bruckner 7 from label-of-the-year Channel Classics at 24/96... haven't heard it yet, but a brief soundcheck suggested great things....
At 56'45, even I might get through it in one go. That would make a nice change..

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Anyone already bought anything from the shortlist, or earlier?

The Andrew Davis Gerontius has been recommended a few times on this Forum, and I think Bryn (apologies if this is a mistake) was enthusiastic about the Smetana Quartets played by the Pavel Haas.

I have had my eye on The Spy's Choirbook for some time (read: "dithered").

[EdgeleyRob]

Yes I have the Davis Gerontius.
It's a remarkable recording.

[Nick Armstrong]

http://slippedisc.com/2015/09/gramop...h-certificate/... I suggest that you read it and the comments below the article.

The key point in the comments seems to me to be this:

"even Gramophone’s own original review was lukewarm. In fact, in the opinion of the original reviewer, not only was this not a mega-standout recording, it wasn’t even the best Bruckner 9 released this year (as the reviewer makes clear by referring in far more glowing terms to the recent Haitink/LSO release)"


Here is that original review.

[jayne lee wilson]

The key point in the comments seems to me to be this:

"even Gramophone’s own original review was lukewarm. In fact, in the opinion of the original reviewer, not only was this not a mega-standout recording, it wasn’t even the best Bruckner 9 released this year (as the reviewer makes clear by referring in far more glowing terms to the recent Haitink/LSO release)"


Here is that original review.

I see RC mentions Leipzig Gewandhaus/Blomstedt for the 9th again - this was the cycle from which those marvellous original versions of Bruckner 2 and 3 were drawn, as I mentioned on the Bruckner Recent Recordings thread a few days ago... very special.

Didn't anyone else here buy that DaCapo Norgard 8th? That does seem sad for such an astoundingly beautiful new creation... (if I remind you that it's the Vienna Philharmonic playing it might that be the push you need?)

http://www.eclassical.com/labels/dacapo-sacd/norgard-symphonies-nos-1-8.html

http://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/per-nrgard-symphonies-nos-1-8-wiener-philharmoniker-sakari-oramo/0747313157464?qref=dac_5

[richardfinegold]

Anyone already bought anything from the shortlist, or earlier?

I had the Norgard 1 & 8 (Da Capo CD and download - the 8th is worth it!), and the Unsuk Chin Concertos on DG, both from the Contemporary List.
Coupla days ago I bought the Budapest FO/Fischer Bruckner 7 from label-of-the-year Channel Classics at 24/96... haven't heard it yet, but a brief soundcheck suggested great things....
At 56'45, even I might get through it in one go. That would make a nice change..

I bought the Fischer. It isn't bad, but it isn't particularly memorable as a performance. It is a very nice recording, but I think I detect a little of the mixing room dial turning that plauged the Mahler 5 from the same source; the dynamic levels will occassionally change in a way that seems unrelated to the playing.

[richardfinegold]

The key point in the comments seems to me to be this:

"even Gramophone’s own original review was lukewarm. In fact, in the opinion of the original reviewer, not only was this not a mega-standout recording, it wasn’t even the best Bruckner 9 released this year (as the reviewer makes clear by referring in far more glowing terms to the recent Haitink/LSO release)"


Here is that original review.

Fanfare had a similar review.

[richardfinegold]

Sorry about the sarcasm in #2--I was angry because a free Muti/CSO Grant Park Concert that we had been planning to attend had just been called off due to torrential rains we are having. I'll go sulk in my Ark now...

[mahlerei]

I see RC mentions Leipzig Gewandhaus/Blomstedt for the 9th again - this was the cycle from which those marvellous original versions of Bruckner 2 and 3 were drawn, as I mentioned on the Bruckner Recent Recordings thread a few days ago... very special.

Didn't anyone else here buy that DaCapo Norgard 8th? That does seem sad for such an astoundingly beautiful new creation... (if I remind you that it's the Vienna Philharmonic playing it might that be the push you need?)

http://www.eclassical.com/labels/dacapo-sacd/norgard-symphonies-nos-1-8.html

http://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/per...464?qref=dac_5

Yes, an extraordinary work; that release was one of my MWI Recordings of the Year for 2014.

And while I agree Abbado's BrUckner 9th is a mildly controversial choice for Record of the Year there are many wonderful things in it. I wouldn't want to be without him or Haitink.

[Barbirollians]

Richard Osborne very positive about it in his note accompanying the award .

I have listened to it this evening and it is extraordinarily beautiful IMO. The Adagio in particular .

[BBMmk2]

Yes, an extraordinary work; that release was one of my MWI Recordings of the Year for 2014.

And while I agree Abbado's BrUckner 9th is a mildly controversial choice for Record of the Year there are many wonderful things in it. I wouldn't want to be without him or Haitink.

Two of my favourite conductors of Bruckner