Quarterly Critic’s Choice

The best and most interesting new releases of the previous three months are awarded a place on the Quarterly Critic’s Choice. Evaluation criteria are artistic quality, repertoire value, presentation, and sound quality. From 2014 onward, the Long Lists are stored directly with each Quarterly Critic’s Choice.

NEW: Long List 3/2024, published on 5th July 2024

Quarterly Critic’s Choice

Quarterly Critic’s Choices before 2010

2/2008

2/2008

Published: 15.5.2008

DVD and Video Productions

  • Richard Strauss: Ariadne auf Naxos. Michelle Breedt, Michael Volle, Emily Magee, Elena Mosuc, Roberto Saccà, Guy de Mey et al.; Chor and Orchester der Oper Zürich, Christoph by Dohnányi. Claus Guth (Stage Direction); Thomas Grimm (Image direction). TDK DVWW-OPAAN (Naxos)
  • Das Reichsorchester – Die Berliner Philharmoniker und der Nationalsozialismus. A Film by Enrique Sánchez Lansch. Arthaus Music 101 452 (Naxos)
  • Borderline. Kenneth Macpherson (Stage Direction), Courtney Pine (Music). Absolut Medien ISBN 978-3-89848-869-3

Orchestral Music and Concertos

  • Anton Bruckner: Symphony No. 9 D minor. Münchner Philharmoniker, Günter Wand. Edition Günter Hänssler / Profil PH 06 045 (Naxos)
  • Johannes Brahms: Violin Concerto D major op. 77; Joseph Joachim: Violin Concerto No. 2 D minor. Christian Tetzlaff (Violin), Danish National Symphony Orchestra, Thomas Dausgaard. Virgin Classics 502109 2 (EMI)
  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – The Last Concertos. Piano Concerto B flat major KV 595, Clarinet Concerto A major KV 622. Andreas Staier (Piano), Lorenzo Coppola (Clarinet), Freiburger Barockorchester, Gottfried by der Goltz. Harmonia Mundi France HMC 901 980 (Helikon Harmonia Mundi)

Chamber Music

  • Johannes Brahms: Piano Quartets G minor op. 25 and C minor op. 60. Fauré Quartett. Deutsche Grammophon 476 6323 (Universal)

Keyboard Music

  • Johann Sebastian Bach: Die Kunst der Fuge BWV 1080. Pierre-Laurent Aimard (Piano). Deutsche Grammophon 477 7345 (Universal)
  • Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Vol. 4: Sonatas C minor, F major, D major op. 10 Nos. 1–3, Sonata C minor op. 13. Michael Korstick (Piano). Oehms Classics OC 617 (SACD; Helikon Harmonia Mundi)
  • Christ lag in Todesbanden. Works by Scheidemann, Weckmann, Tunder, Buxtehude, Böhm, Bruhns and Bach. Johannes Strobl (Organ). Audite 92.560 (SACD; Edel)
  • Michael Praetorius: Pro Organico. Jean-Charles Ablitzer (Organ). Alpha 114 (Note 1)

Choral Works, Early Music

  • Heavenly Harmonies. Works by Thomas Tallis and William Byrd. Ensemble Stile Antico. Harmonia Mundi HMU 807 463 (SACD; Helikon Harmonia Mundi)
  • Domenico Scarlatti: Te Deum laudamus, Salve Regina, Stabat Mater, Miserere, Sonatas K. 417 and K. 87. Ensemble Vox Luminis. Ricercar RIC 258 (Note 1)

Lieder and Vocal Recital

  • Vesselina Kasarova – Belle Nuit. Jacques Offenbach: Pomme d’Api, La Périchole, La belle Hélène et al. (Excerpts). Vesselina Kasarova, Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Ulf Schirmer. RCA/Sony BMG 8869 723 455 2

Historical Recordings

  • Christa Ludwig – Live Recordings 1955-94. Orfeo C 758 083 D (3 CDs)

Contemporary Classical Music

  • Helmut Lachenmann: String Quartets No. 3 »Grido», No. 2 «Reigen seliger Geister»; Music for String Quartet «Gran Torso«. Arditti String Quartet. Kairos 0012 662 KAI (Helikon Harmonia Mundi)

Film Music

  • Alberto Iglesias: Drachenläufer. The Hollywood Studio Symphony, Ahmad Zahir, Ehsan Aman, Sami Yusuf. Deutsche Grammophon 477 7333 (Universal)

Spoken Word

  • Siegfried Lenz: Das Feuerschiff. Volker Lechtenbrink (Reader). Hoffmann & Campe ISBN 978-3-455-30567-8 (3 CDs)

Pop and Rock

  • Asa: Asa (Asha). Naïve WN 145 137 (Indigo)

Nu and Extreme

  • Ensemble Du Verre: Sanctuary For Animals (11 Collages). Batterie CD 001

German Songs, Folk and Folklore

  • Stoppok: Sensationsstrom. Grundsound GS 0022 (Indigo)
  • Wolfgang Meyerings Malbrook: Qwade Wulf. Westpark Music 87150 (Indigo)

Traditional Ethnic Music

  • Gabi Lunca: Sounds from a Bygone Age Vol. 5. Asphalt Tango CD-ATR 1508 (Indigo)
  • Bajeddoub & Souiri: The Art of Mawwâl, Morocco. Institut du Monde Arabe IMA 321.072 (Helikon Harmonia Mundi)

World Music

  • Mariachi. The Sound of Hysteria & Heartache. Various Artists. Trikont US-0365 (Indigo)

Jazz and Blues

  • Toshiko Akiyoshi and the SWR Big Band: Let Freedom Swing. SWR Music / Hänssler Classic 093.203.000 (2 CDs; Naxos)
  • Alexander by Schlippenbach Globe Unity Orchestra: Globe Unity – 40 Years. Intakt CD 133 (Records)
  • Hank Roberts, Marc Ducret, Jim Black: Green. Winter & Winter 910 141-2 (Edel)
  • B.B. & The Blues Shacks: Unique Taste. CrossCut CCD 11096 (In-Akustik)

Black Music

  • Erykah Badu: New Amerykah Part One (4th World War). Motown 0602 517 621 879 (Universal)

Recordings for Children and Youth

  • Joachim Ringelnatz, Martin Geck, Josef Guggenmos, Gerda Bächli: Professor Jecks Tierlieder-ABC. Traugott Buhre, Wolfgang Völz, Hannes Wader et al. (Reader). Terzio ISBN 978-89835-522-3
  • Hans Krása, Adolf Hoffmeister: Brundibár – Opera for Children. Chorus and Orchestra of the Gymnasium Christianeum Hamburg. Hörcompany ISBN 978-3-939375-34-0

Crossover Productions

  • Andrei Pushkarev: Bach Vibrations. Gramola GRAM 98 794 (Codaex)

(The name of the German distributor appears in brackets if it differs from the label name.)

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