recent classical listens and recommendations


Christian Thielemann's traversal of the four Schumann symphonies with the Dresden Staatskapelle is the first recording of these pieces that, to me, makes sense of the pieces as symphonies.  Other versions have always sounded more or less disjointed--but here they hang together and make sense musically.  The soundstage depth/layering is a bit limited, but interpretationally these are top notch.

Benjamin Grosvenor is a young British pianist of whom I expect more great things.  I say more because his Chopin (Sonatas 2&3) and Liszt recital discs are really tremendous.  Great sound and really sensitive interpretation.  All around excellent and not to be missed.  

 

twoleftears

Thanks! I just gave Benjamin Grosvenor a quick listen. Chopin is great. Need to give his Liszt interpretation some more time. 

For Liszt you should also try Lise de la Salle, a bit of a sleeper in terms of commercial promotion but a favorite of mine.

Here's a great recording of Tchaikovsky's Manfred Symphony: splendid sound AND splendid performance: Vasily Petrenko with Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.  Don't pass it by just because it's on Naxos!