Sol Gabetta|Lise Cristiani
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Although the cover chosen by my Core suggests a stand alone purchase, I actually obtained this as part of the larger Kleiber on DG box set. Have yet to listen carefully to it, but I really like what I’m hearing so far.
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A disc that is making quite a few ‘best of 2025’ lists - including mine (in a really strong year for classical recordings). It moves from instrumental and vocal Dowland to Purcell, (almost) ending with a superb rendition of Dido’s lament.
Cheers
EJ
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Not a 2025 recording, but still worth mentioning I think:
Wonderful music by Caroline Shaw, excellent performance by Attacca Quartet.
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The opening tune Entr’acte is just excellent! 
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Cheryl Studer’s 1992 Christmas(sy) recording was recorded when she was at the height of her fame. Ion Marin, sometimes underappreciated for his conducting of operas, went full-on with the syrup here, and it detracts from the album’s lasting appeal. Highlight is a memorable rendition of Gounod’s Repentir. An oddity for the singer’s fans I guess (which includes me).
Cheers
EJ
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I wondered if anyone has been watching the new Sky Atlantic drama ‘Amadeus’. I have watched the first three episodes and while it is entertaining, it is not particularly impressive. The newly commissioned soundtrack for the series changes Mozart’s music. It is interesting to note that Neville Marrinner agreed to undertake the soundtrack recording for Milos Forman’s 1984 movie on the understanding that not a single note of Mozart’s original scores was changed. I recently watched a documentary on the making of the 1984 movie in which Milos Forman stated that the real star of the film was the music. It seems that Sky Atlantic overlooked this. I just wondered what the opinion of fellow Naim Forum members was on this new drama.
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I’ve been thinking the same, so your post is timely!
I watched “Andrea Chenier” over the past two days. I was unfamiliar with it. I found the music improved as it went on. Last week was “L’Elisir d’Amore” with which I was also unfamiliar. Didn’t do much for me.
On the other hand, I’ve really enjoyed the ballets I’ve watched - “Concerto” set to Shostakovich’s first piano concerto and “Symphonic Etudes” set to the Franck work. Both are abstract ballet’s, which I prefer to story ballets overall.
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Having a classical day to change up from Jazz and Metal.
Started with Sibelius and now a dash of Karajan
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Christmas present. Analogue Productions Vinyl. Pretty spectacular experience. The recording is even older than I am …
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Very nice I have it as a hi-res download.
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Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber’s Rosary Sonatas are performed here with great passion by Hélène Schmitt.
For me, this is the most refined and beautiful interpretation of these works.
Rachel Podger’s interpretation is also fine.
If you’re not familiar with Biber’s Rosary Sonatas, I’d suggest starting with Hélène Schmitt’s recording, track no. 2.
Incidentally, it’s well worth taking a look at the Wikipedia page on the Rosary Sonatas. The manuscript nearly failed to reach us. A discovery we might easily never have had, and one that would have been a real loss to the repertoire.
Cheers,
Thomas
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I have Holloway, but I must admit I have not listened to any other recordings.
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I’ve just listened to John Holloway’s interpretation of the Sonata No. 1, “The Annunciation”.
It’s both beautiful and quite different from Hélène Schmitt’s interpretation, which I’m confident you’d enjoy just as much. 
EDIT :
I must humbly admit that I also tend to stick to the same recordings of the works I listen to, like most people, I suppose.
Every now and then, though, I make a conscious effort to explore other interpretations, and more often than not I’m pleasantly surprised.
It’s also a wonderful way of experiencing the same work from different perspectives.
One of the joys of streaming. If it’s on Qobuz I can listen and decide if I need to own it or merely Favo[u]rite it.
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