Until 5th November, we're offering discounts of up to 20% on the category finalists - and will be bringing exclusive interviews with one or two of the winners over the next week...
Recording of the Year (and Choral Award)
JS Bach: Mass in B minor
Julie Roset (soprano), Beth Taylor (mezzo-soprano). Lucile Richardot (alto), Emiliano Gonzalez Toro (tenor), Christian Immler (bass), Raphaël Pichon, Pygmalion
'As the starting point, the music is taken entirely on its own terms – essentially Pichon’s personal vision...This B minor Mass is really up there with the very best.'
Available Formats: CD, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, MP3
Chamber
Brahms: Piano Quartets Nos. 2 & 3
Krystian Zimerman (piano), Maria Nowak (violin), Katarzyna Budnik (viola), Yuya Okamoto (cello)
'In short, this is chamber music-making of the highest order.'
Available Formats: CD, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, MP3
Concerto
'Her understanding of Elgar's kaleidoscopic writing is instinctive at all levels...Every lover of Elgar’s masterpiece should try to hear this magnificent addition to the library.'
Available Formats: CD, Hi-Res+ FLAC/ALAC/WAV, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, MP3
Contemporary
George Benjamin: Picture a Day Like This
Marianne Crebassa (Woman), Beate Mordal (Lover 1/Composer), Cameron Shahbazi (Lover 2/Composer's Assistant), John Brancy (Artisan/Collector), Anna Prohaska (Zabelle); Mahler Chamber Orchestra, George Benjamin
'There’s the sense that every phrase has been chiselled, exquisitely crafted and polished... there’s no mistaking the quality of the performances.'
Available Formats: CD, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, MP3
Early Music
'Mostly known only to specialists of Central European music, Nicholas of Radom gets a proper outing here, his unfussy, stylish music beautifully showcased.'
Available Formats: 3 CDs, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, MP3
Instrumental
Paganini: 24 Caprices
María Dueñas (violin), Itamar Golan (piano), Boris Kuschnir (violin); Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Mihhail Gerts
'I’d be hard-pushed to name another modern recording offering anything close to the multicoloured lyrical imagination produced by this 22-year-old.'
Available Formats: 2 CDs, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, MP3
Opera
Wagner: Der fliegende Holländer
Lise Davidsen (Senta), Gerald Finley (The Dutchman), Brindley Sherratt (Daland), Stanislas de Barbeyrac (Erik), Anna Kissjudit (Mary), Eirik Grøtvedt (Steersman); Orchestra and Chorus of Norwegian National Opera, Edward Gardner
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Available Formats: 2 CDs, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, MP3
Orchestral
'Die sieben Todsünden (‘The Seven Deadly Sins’) is brought off with deftness and élan...This Weill collection, polished but never slick, merits the very strongest recommendation.'
Available Formats: CD, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, MP3
Piano
'Kantorow’s playing can be torrential but it’s never reckless...and because of his uncanny ability to balance inner lines, he manages to untangle Brahms’s thickest passages.'
Available Format: SACD (ECOPAK)
Song
Songs For Peter Pears
Robin Tritschler (tenor), Philip Higham (cello), Malcolm Martineau (piano), Sean Shibe (guitar)
'A hearty welcome to this exceptionally stimulating programme...With his mellifluous tone, flawless technical prowess and impeccable diction, the Irish tenor covers himself in glory throughout.'
Available Formats: CD, Hi-Res+ FLAC/ALAC/WAV, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, MP3
Voice & Ensemble
'Montague Rendall’s characterisations are consistently focused and tellingly insightful throughout...It’s a superb recital and a most distinguished debut, and I cannot recommend it too highly.'
Available Formats: CD, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, MP3
Concept Album
'As for the Debussy Études, Fu’s recordings contain some of the most enchantingly characterised interpretations I’ve heard since those of Ju-Ying Song, Florent Boffard, Mitsuko Uchida and Jean-Efflam Bavouzet. Yes, they’re that good!'
Available Formats: Hi-Res+ FLAC/ALAC/WAV, Hi-Res FLAC/ALAC/WAV, FLAC/ALAC/WAV, MP3
Artist of the Year - Sir Simon Rattle
The British conductor becomes the first artist to receive this award twice, having previously won it in 1993 during his hugely successful tenure as Music Director of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Now Chief Conductor of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, his recent triumphs on record include outstanding accounts of Mahler’s Symphony No. 7, Haydn’s The Creation and Mozart’s Idomeneo from Munich, Czech songs and Dvořák’s Slavonic Dances with the Czech Philharmonic (where he is now Principal Guest Conductor), and a superb ongoing cycle of Janáček operas with the London Symphony Orchestra.
Young Artist of the Year - Maria Dueñas
Duenas will be touring Europe and the US with Lalo’s Symphonie espagnole this autumn, rounding off the year with performances of the Mendelssohn concerto in Bamberg.
Lifetime Achievement - Sir Thomas Allen
Look out for our in-depth interview with Sir Thomas tomorrow, in which he reflects on his childhood, career highpoints and favourite recordings…
Label of the Year - Bru Zane
Explore our Bru Zane special offer here.
Read our interview with Bru Zane’s Artistic Director Alexandre Dratwicki, which covers the Bizet anniversary in detail and outlines plans for future recording projects…
Orchestra of the Year - Bergen Philharmonic
This award was chosen from a shortlist by public vote, with the Gramophone committee noting that ‘[The orchestra’s] commitment to the art form of recording, and their brilliance in it across repertoire, really shines.’
