Its the end of 2010, and The Straits Times gets me to name the three best classical albums of the year, and here they are:
BEETHOVEN Cello Sonatas
LI-WEI QIN, Cello
ALBERT TIU, Piano
Decca 889 9119 (2CDs)
Beethoven’s five cello sonatas, highly original works and without precedent, receive performances of vigour and brio from Chinese-Australian cellist Li-Wei Qin and Filipino pianist Albert Tiu. Qin’s tone is voluminous and breathtaking, while Tiu’s exacting role is pursued with great immediacy and clarity. Retailing at 2 CDs for the price of one, this album has the added distinction of being Made in Singapore.
LI-WEI QIN, Cello
ALBERT TIU, Piano
Decca 889 9119 (2CDs)
Beethoven’s five cello sonatas, highly original works and without precedent, receive performances of vigour and brio from Chinese-Australian cellist Li-Wei Qin and Filipino pianist Albert Tiu. Qin’s tone is voluminous and breathtaking, while Tiu’s exacting role is pursued with great immediacy and clarity. Retailing at 2 CDs for the price of one, this album has the added distinction of being Made in Singapore.
TRANSFORMATION
YUJA WANG, Piano
Deutsche Grammophon 477 8795
The 23-year-old Chinese phenom’s second recording tops her celebrated début effort, simply because her technique in ferociously demanding works such as Stravinsky’s Three Movements From Petrushka, Brahms’ Paganini Variations and Ravel’s La Valse is always in service of the music. She makes everything sound ever so simple, so be prepared to be blown away.
YUJA WANG, Piano
Deutsche Grammophon 477 8795
The 23-year-old Chinese phenom’s second recording tops her celebrated début effort, simply because her technique in ferociously demanding works such as Stravinsky’s Three Movements From Petrushka, Brahms’ Paganini Variations and Ravel’s La Valse is always in service of the music. She makes everything sound ever so simple, so be prepared to be blown away.
BACH & BEYOND
Bach Collegium Japan
MASAAKI SUZUKI
BIS 9036/39 (15 CDs)
This is the ultimate stocking filler for the festive season, a selection of Bach’s choral and instrumental music performed by one of the finest early music ensembles on the planet. Besides Bach, one will also be enchanted by music from Handel, Vivaldi, Monteverdi, Buxtehude, Schütz and Ahle. The familiar and obscure get equal billing, and full documentation with texts and translations make this ever so pleasurable. Simply not to be missed.
Bach Collegium Japan
MASAAKI SUZUKI
BIS 9036/39 (15 CDs)
This is the ultimate stocking filler for the festive season, a selection of Bach’s choral and instrumental music performed by one of the finest early music ensembles on the planet. Besides Bach, one will also be enchanted by music from Handel, Vivaldi, Monteverdi, Buxtehude, Schütz and Ahle. The familiar and obscure get equal billing, and full documentation with texts and translations make this ever so pleasurable. Simply not to be missed.
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