CDs C LA SIC AL

ANTONIO PAPPANO: CARNIVAL OF THE ANIMALS

Saint-Saëns’s Carnival

Of The Animals sounds wonderful here. I mean, who can beat both Martha Argerich and Antonio Pappano tickling the ivories, and the use of the original chamber music version rather than the full orchestral one? A feast of wonderful melodies and great fun, too.

BENNY ANDERSSON: PIANO

This was the unexpected treat of 2017. I’m a big ABBA fan but this has only one hit, Thank You

For The Music. The rest explores the less well-known parts of Andersson’s genius. He’s modest about his classical training but all this music is dressed up in really nice, cod-romantic, classical piano style.

HERBERT BLOMSTEDT BEETHOVEN: THE COMPLETE SYMPHONIES

One of the finest classical musicians of our age, Blomstedt hit 90 this year. His spell at the Leipzig Gewandhaus was so successful they kept him on as Conductor Laureate and in recent years he has recorded all the Beethoven symphonies in excellent sound, with the orchestra giving their all for a revered boss. Still at his best, this is a real winner.

DANIEL BARENBOIM: THE DREAM OF GERONTIUS

Barenboim hit 75 this year and returned to his old love, Elgar. It’s such a joy to hear The Dream Of

Gerontius taken seriously by the Berlin Staatskapelle and its excellent chorus.

Gerontius found fame in Germany initially. It’s good to have that German link so convincingly re-established.