The ten best recordings of 2021 represent an eclectic mix of new recordings and boxed set reissues. Regarding the former, the emphasis for the most part is on interesting or unusual repertoire–the kind of thing you’ll seldom if ever hear in concert, unfortunately–and regarding the latter, I wanted to stress reissues of recordings by important artists that have long been unavailable. Happily, there was no shortage of either, making this selection a true embarrassment of riches for the adventurous, or even the merely curious, classical music lover. Check out the video and list of winners below, and Keep On Listening! –Dave Hurwitz
Mahler: Das Klagende Lied (Gielen/Orfeo)
Chopin: Nocturnes (Hough/Hyperion)
Arnold: Symphonies and Dances (Penny/Naxos)
Bartók: Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta, Concerto for Orchestra (Mälkki/BIS)
Martinu: Frescoes, Parables, Estampes (Netopil/Supraphon)
Byrd and Bull: Keyboard Works (Armstrong/DG)
Igor Markevitch: Complete Philips (Decca) Recordings (Decca Eloquence)
Eugene Ormandy & The Philadelphia Orchestra: The Columbia Legacy (Mono Recordings/Sony Classical)
Orpheus Chamber Orchestra: Complete Deutsche Grammophon Recordings (DG)
Disc of the Year:
Kapustin: Piano Concerto No. 4, Double Concerto, Chamber Symphony (Dupree/Capriccio)
