Vocal nominations

Mirages Works by Messager, Debussy, Delibes, Delage, Stravinsky, Thomas, Berlioz, Massenet and Koechlin

Sabine Devieilhe (soprano); Les Siècles/ François-xavier Roth et al Erato 9029576772 Reviewed January 2018

This jewel of a recording transports us to the exotic east as imagined by 19th-century French composers. Sabine Devieilhe proves an exquisite, effortless guide to well-known and rare repertoire, hand-in-glove with Les Siècles and François-xavier Roth.

Schumann • Mahler Schumann: Liederkreis, Op. 39; Lieder und Gesänge aus Wilhelm Meister; Mahler: Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen Florian Boesch (baritone), Malcolm Martineau (piano) Linn CKD 511 Reviewed January 2018

Schumann and Mahler prove a fine lyric pairing in this compelling recital. Beautifully at one, Boesch and Martineau reveal an intimate inner world of emotion in subtle layers. From rapturous ‘Mondnacht’ to anguish in ‘Die zwei blaue Augen’, the journey is one of exquisite artistry.

Enfers Works by Rameau, Rebel and Gluck Stéphane Degout (bass-baritone); Pygmalion/raphaël Pichon Harmonia Mundi HMM 902288 Reviewed June 2018

A brilliantly conceived project sees Rameau’s Requiem interspersed with extracts from works by Gluck and Rebel, each recast to create a vivid musical story that takes the listener on a hair-raising journey into the underworld. The performances by Degout and Pygmalion are scintillating.