Gramophone Magazine

Gramophone enriches your classical music experience and connects you with great recordings. Packed with features across all classical music genres, our globally acclaimed writers will inform and entertain you with independent and intelligent editorial and more than 150 reviews in every issue. Our reputation is founded on our acclaimed critical analyses of the latest CD releases, in-depth features and interviews with classical stars, and our comprehensive coverage of recorded and live music. Please Note: This price excludes VAT which will be added when you checkout.

Recording’s importance and uniqueness • Founded in 1923 by Sir Compton Mackenzie and Christopher Stone as ‘an organ of candid opinion for the numerous possessors of gramophones’

THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTORS

Gramophone Magazine

SHEKUKANNEH-MASON

Editor’s Choice • Martin Cullingford’s pick of the finest recordings from this month’s reviews

FOR THE RECORD

ONE TO WATCH

Online • The magazine is just the beginning. Visit gramophone.co.uk for …

Challenge Classics • In the latest guide to a classical record label, Tim Parry investigates the catalogue of a Dutch label that is proud of its artist relationships

IN THE NEW EDITION OF OPERA NOW • Editor Hattie Butterworth introduces the Summer issue of Gramophone’s sister title

Wigmore winners – plus new season

FOR Hrůša’s first Royal Opera season unveiled

Suite for Orchestra, Op 19 • In our latest introduction to the history on record of a rarely performed work, Richard Bratby considers a glorious early 20th-century orchestral gem

A prolific recording artist looks back • With a milestone birthday on the horizon, James Jolly meets the pianist Michel Béroff to find out how this French musician forged a major reputation with a broad repertoire

Remembering tenor Alexander Young

NOTES & LETTERS • St Jude’s Church, Dulwich Road, London SE24 0PB or gramophone@markallengroup.com; if emailing, please supply your address

NEXT MONTH JUNE 2025

INSPIRATIONS past and present • Sheku Kanneh-Mason’s new album marks a return to Shostakovich, with his Second Cello Concerto alongside other works connected with Rostropovich. He chats with Andrew Farach-Colton

Dream Dream • As the Takács Quartet marks 50 glorious years, Lindsay Kemp hears from its players about the group’s extraordinary transformation, about expanding the repertoire in an inclusive way and about what it takes to be a superior quartettist

Playing Kurtág’s Games • Pierre-Laurent Aimard has recorded the largest selection yet from György Kurtág’s Játékok, and in the presence of the composer, who recently turned 99. Peter Quantrill attended the sessions in Budapest to discuss the project with the pianist

UK FESTIVALS • Kick off your worldwide festival-going adventures this year by perusing our guide – you’re bound to spot something that piques your interest

EUROPE FESTIVALS

NORTH AMERICA & BEYOND

RECORDING OF THE MONTH • Wagner’s Nordic opera comes home, writes David Patrick Stearns, of a Flying Dutchman from Oslo with a sensational cast led by Lise Davidsen and Gerald Finley

Orchestral

Richard Strauss’s Salome • Edward Gardner enthuses to Hugo Shirley over the wealth of detail in this devastating one-acter

Chamber

Vladimir Sofronitsky • Tim Parry reflects on the life and pianism of one of the greatest of all Soviet pianists, whose stature is at last recognised beyond his own country

Instrumental

Valentin Silvestrov • Peter Quantrill reflects on the path taken so far by this Ukrainian master whose music is known for its serenity and transcendence

SILVESTROV ON RECORD • Landmarks and turning-points in six...