United Kingdom Mahler, Janáček, Haydn: Angelika Kirchschlager (mezzo-soprano), Jacques Imbrailo (baritone), Hallé Orchestra / Sir Mark Elder (conductor). Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, 13.4.2013. (MC)
Michael Cookson
Britten’s War Requiem Reconciles Past Differences
Germany Benjamin Britten, War Requiem, Op. 66: Emily Magee (soprano), Mark Padmore (tenor), Christian Gerhaher (baritone), Tölz Boys’ Choir, Max Hanft (organ), Bavarian Radio Choir, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Mariss Jansons (conductor), Philharmonie, Gasteig, Munich, 14.3.2013 (MC)
Glorious Playing from an Elite String Quartet
Germany Mozart, Janáček and Haydn: Emerson Quartet [Philip Setzer (violin), Eugene Drucker (violin), Lawrence Dutton (viola) & David Finckel (cello)], Hercules Hall, Munich, 12.3.2013
Thrilling Performance from Yutaka Sado and BBC Phil
United Kingdom Britten, Korngold, Dvořák: Ruth Palmer (violin), BBC Philharmonic Orchestra / Yutaka Sado (conductor), Westmorland Hall, Kendal, Cumbria, 2.3.2013. (MC)
The Tetzlaff Quartet: Sustained Excellence
United Kingdom Haydn, Berg, and Beethoven: Tetzlaff Quartet. Wigmore Hall, London, 2.3.2013 (MB)
From Tell to Firebird – Music with Family Appeal
United Kingdom Verdi, Prokofiev, Stravinsky: James Ehnes (violin), BBC Philharmonic Orchestra/Gianandrea Noseda (conductor), Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, 22.2.2013 (MC)
Vital and Exuberant Playing from the Hallé
United Kingdom Tchaikovsky, Barber, Delius, Shostakovich: Valeriy Sokolov (violin), Hallé Orchestra / Andrew Gourlay (conductor). Westmorland Hall, Kendal, Cumbria, 16.2.2013. (MC)
Valentine Classics from Gomez and the RLPO
United Kingdom Tchaikovsky, Bruch, Prokofiev, Martucci, Ravel: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, José Luis Gomez (conductor), Hyeyoon Park (violin). Guild Hall, Preston, Lancashire, 17.2.2013. (MC)