Favorite Recordings of 2018

As you may know, I don't do "best-of" lists. "Best" suggests that I've sampled everything available, and even though I review a lot of music every year, I have not heard but a fraction of what's out there. So I prefer to do a simple "favorites" list. Here are just a few of the discs (listed alphabetically, to be fair) I heard last year that I enjoyed for their performance and sound. I know I've forgotten some; forgive me.


A QSF Journey
Quartet San Francisco. Reference Recordings.
To read the review, click here:
https://classicalcandor.blogspot.com/2018/12/a-qsf-journey-hdcd-review.html


Anne Akiko Meyers: Fantasia
Music of Rautavaara, Szymanowski, and Ravel. Anne Akiko Meyers, violin; Kristjan Jarvi, Philharmonia Orchestra. Avie Records.
To read the review, click here:
https://classicalcandor.blogspot.com/2018/02/anne-akiko-meyers-fantasia-cd-review.html


Beethoven: Violin Concerto
Also, Romances; Schubert: Rondo. James Ehnes, violin; Andrew Manze, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. Onyx Classics.
To read the review, click here:
https://classicalcandor.blogspot.com/search?q=beethoven+violin+ehnes


Elgar: Violin Concerto
Also, Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1. Rachel Barton Pine, violin; Andrew Litton, BBC Symphony Orchestra. Avie Records.
To read the review, click here:
https://classicalcandor.blogspot.com/2018/02/elgar-violin-concerto-cd-review.html



Fuchs: Piano Concerto "Spiritualist"
Also, Poems of Life; Glacier; Rush. Jeffrey Biegel, piano; JoAnn Falletta, London Symphony Orchestra. Naxos.
To read the review, click here:
https://classicalcandor.blogspot.com/2018/09/fuchs-piano-concerto-spiritualist-cd.html


Gershwin Reimagined
An American in London. Shelly Berg, piano; various featured artists; Jose Serebrier, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Decca.
To read the review, click here:
https://classicalcandor.blogspot.com/2018/11/gershwin-reimagined-cd-review.html


Haydn: Concerti per Esterhazy
Violin Concertos No. 1 in C major and No. 4 in G major; Cello Concerto No. 1 in C major. Amandine Beyer, violin; Marco Ceccato, cello; Gli Incogniti. Harmonia Mundi.
To read the review, click here:
https://classicalcandor.blogspot.com/2018/10/haydn-concerti-per-esterhazy-cd-review.html


Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night's Dream
Anna Lucia Richter, soprano; Barbara Kozelj, alto; Pro Musica women's choir; Ivan Fischer, Budapest Festival Orchestra. Channel Classics.
To read the review, click here:
https://classicalcandor.blogspot.com/2018/07/mendelssohn-midsummer-nights-dream-sacd.html


Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto
Also, Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1. Itzhak Perlman, violin; Andre Previn, London Symphony Orchestra. ARC, remastered.
To read the review, click here:
https://classicalcandor.blogspot.com/2018/01/mendelssohn-violin-concerto-xrcd-review.html


Mendelssohn: Symphonies Nos. 3 & 4
Claudio Abbado, London Symphony Orchestra. HDTT, remastered.
To read the review, click here:
https://classicalcandor.blogspot.com/2018/05/mendelssohn-symphonies-nos-3-4-cd-review.html


Robertson: Symphony No. 1
Also, Suite for Orchestra; Variations for Small Orchestra. Anthony Armore, Janacek Philharmonic Orchestra. Navona Records.
To read the review, click here:
https://classicalcandor.blogspot.com/2018/07/robertson-symphony-no-1-cd-review.html


Songs for Strings
Arranged and conducted by Donald Fraser, English Symphony Orchestra, English Chamber Orchestra. Avie Records.
To read the review, click here:
https://classicalcandor.blogspot.com/2018/10/songs-for-strings-cd-review.html


JJP