Instrumental nominations

JS Bach Works and transcriptions Vikingur Ólafsson (piano)

Deutsche Grammophon 483 5022 Reviewed Christmas 2018

Vikingur Ólafsson’s beautifully crafted Bach programme is a balm for the ears. His mix of original keyboard works and arrangements by a host of pianist-composers is played with such joy – his articulation is pin-sharp, his dynamic and tonal control constant delights. If ever there was an album to demonstrate Bach’s timelessness, this is it.

SOFTLOUD Works by Oswald, Macmillan, Reich, Wolfe, Lang; 17th-century Scottish lute pieces Sean Shibe (guitar) Delphian DCD 34213 Reviewed November 2018

This concept album showcases guitarist Sean Shibe’s dazzling musicianship, pitting gentler works against dramatic pieces, on acoustic and electric guitar. All are sympathetically transcribed from their original forms – including Julia Wolfe’s LAD, first scored for nine bagpipes, and Steve Reich’s Electric Counterpoint.

Debussy Préludes, Book 2; La mer (transcr. Debussy) Alexander Melnikov (piano), Olga Pashchenko (piano) Harmonia Mundi HMM 902302 Reviewed August 2018

The Debussy centenary year of 2018 has thrown up some memorable souvenirs on disc but few as fine as Alexander Melnikov’s sublimely nuanced account of the complete Préludes Book 2 on an Erard piano of the period. Shimmering and mysterious, its colours captivate, and the duet incarnation of

La mer is nothing short of a revelation.