Critics Choice June 2025

This month brings you another bumper crop of great reviews from the leading music magazines, quality dailies and online review sites. There’s no doubt about it: Naxos releases and distributes some of the best music and audiovisual albums!

Highly Reviewed Albums of the Month
Boris Giltburg
Quarterly Critic’s Choice | Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik (German Record Critics’ Award)

‘Giltburg remains true to himself and his high standards in the best way possible.’
Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik (German Record Critics’ Award)


Janowitz • Verrett • Corelli • Wächter • Ghiaurov • Vienna State Opera Chorus and Orchestra • Stein
Choice | Opera Now

‘[Horst Stein]’s conducting on this live recording is very good indeed, with both vigour and pathos… Franco Corelli is on top form in the title role… Eberhard Wächter’s excellent Rodrigo, who has the right blend of nobility and aggression… the cast is sumptuous.’
Opera Now

Audio Releases
Naxos Releases
P. Jacobs • Nashville Symphony • Guerrero

‘Paul Jacobs…commands an enviable and precise virtuosity… Nashville Symphony… delivers a very notable performance.’
Ritmo ★★★★★


Linz Bruckner Orchestra • ORF Vienna Radio Symphony • M. Poschner

‘This is a feast for Brucknerians who are interested in detail… a very useful tool to understand Bruckner…’
Musical Opinion ★★★★★


A.A. Meyers • Albany Symphony • D.A. Miller

‘…Both moving and uplifting, and aptly showcases Daugherty’s imaginative approach to musical storytelling.’
BBC Music Magazine ★★★★

‘An irresistible reading… [Anne Akiko Meyers] injects a particularly Bluegrass earthiness into the Parisian high jinks, and there’s a touching rawness… The Albany Symphony under David Alan Miller provides brightly coloured, energetic support.’
The Strad


Goiás Philharmonic • N. Thomson

‘The Goias Philharmonic Orchestra delivers excellent performances under the direction of Neil Thomson, which are also very well captured in terms of sound.’
Pizzicato ★★★★


Orchestra New England • Orquesta Sinfónica de Navarra • J. Sinclair

‘With infallible command of the language and transparency in the conducting, the New England Orchestra under James Sinclair delivers the necessary swing and meaning that this music requires.’
Ritmo ★★★★★


Christopher Williams

‘…this is a brilliant recording of some rarely heard Liszt all played splendidly by Christopher Williams. I have to say that I’d not heard any of his other recordings but now I feel the need to go out and buy them.’
MusicWeb International


Goldstein • Fine Arts Quartet • L. Burns

‘Goldstein demonstrates from the outset that he is a highly competent pianist… Meanwhile, the veteran quartet showcases a compact sound, highly nuanced and energetic when required, exciting at times, and particularly strong in the slow movements.’
Ritmo ★★★★★


Kansas Virtuosi

‘…A highly musical and sensitive performance of these delightful world premiere recordings.’
Pizzicato ★★★★★


Eichhorn • Gropius Quartett • Eschenbach

‘Friedemann Eichhorn unfolds the solo sonata with its deeply mournful content and also makes the most of the wide-ranging interpretative possibilities, thus showing its life-affirming side.’
Pizzicato ★★★★★

‘…An engaging listen… Friedemann Eichhorn holds nothing back and persuasively shapes the keening lines… the musical images are always striking and sharply drawn, much in the mould of Say’s own pianism.’
The Strad


Dominic Cheli

‘[Dominic Cheli] achieves a sweet and expressive sound, approaching Schubert’s sensitivity.’
Ritmo ★★★★★


Independent Label Releases (in alphabetical order)
Švedaite-Waller • Benedikt • Sedlevicius • Kaunas State Choir • Lithuanian National Symphony • Pitrenas
Quarterly Critic’s Choice | Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik (German Record Critics’ Award)

‘Italianità at its finest!’
Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik (German Record Critics’ Award)


Bavarian Radio Symphony • Haitink

‘There is no doubt that this is one of the most important interpretations of Shostakovich’s Fifteenth by a non-Russian conductor.’
Pizzicato ★★★★★

‘The result, thanks to playing with incredible sensitivity and dynamic range, is a performance of the quietest intensity, and all the more devastating for that.’
The New York Times


Boriso-Glebsky • Krijgh • Rheinland-Pfalz State Philharmonic • Bühl

‘…Utterly compelling… a real discovery.’
The Strad


Sumuel • ChiArts Choir • Illinois Philharmonic • Kirov

‘This is a fine release, impeccably presented and superbly performed.’
Fanfare


Byström • Dalayman • Siegel • Reuter • Tødenes • Bergen Philharmonic • E. Gardner
Recording of the Month | Gramophone

‘A passionate, powerful account of Strauss’s great opera…with sumptuous orchestral playing and a dramatically astute cast.’
Gramophone


Divinerinnen
Quarterly Critic’s Choice | Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik (German Record Critics’ Award)

‘…Indescribably enjoyable.’
Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik (German Record Critics’ Award)


Various Artists

‘…This is an obligatory buy, especially for the overlooked Stanchinsky, and in all performed by pianists who believe in this music and offered brilliantly engineered recordings.’
Musical Opinion ★★★★★


Genova and Dimitrov Piano Duo

‘The care, sensitivity and above all the inspiration with which the two pianists play is remarkable.’
Pizzicato ★★★★★


Latvian Radio Choir • Kļava
Excepcional | Scherzo
Recommended | MusicWeb International

‘There is no doubt, this is another gem in the catalogue of the excellent Latvian choir.’
Scherzo

‘I believe that these performances must have made the composer most happy. This release is warmly and unreservedly recommended.’
MusicWeb International


Emmalisa Hallander

‘A delectable mix of past and present, Out of Reach is the perfect listen for those wanting to revisit golden sounds of the past, whilst also exploring the delightful talents of a fresh voice of jazz today.’
Presto Music


Kahts • Carestini Ensemble Wien

‘Phrasing and ornamentation are consistently engaging, making this a rewarding program.’
American Record Guide


Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra • Prêtre

‘…The Brahms featured on the second CD is exemplary: the Four Hungarian Dances (nos. 1, 3, 4, and 5) are delightful, and there’s a thrilling First Symphony that is truly breathtaking.’
Ritmo ★★★★★

Audiovisual Releases
Naxos Releases
Naxos 2.110774
Also available on Blu-ray Video
(NBD0182V)
Berlin Deutsche Opera Chorus and Orchestra • Runnicles • Kratzer

‘This is a fascinating production… The cast, all excellent actors… [Sara Jakubiak]’s soprano soars magnificently over the orchestra. She is well matched by Russel Braun’s Mandryka… The supporting cast is exemplary.’
Opera Now ★★★★


Independent Releases (in alphabetical order)
C Major 767708
Also available on Blu-ray Video
(767804)
Yoncheva • Grigolo • Burdenko • Arena of Verona Choir and Orchestra • Ciampa • de Ana

‘In all respects, [Yoncheva] is a sensation in this role: truly one of the great Toscas of our time, and the DVD surely deserves a place in the Puccini fan’s collection on that count alone…’
BBC Music Magazine ★★★★★


Dynamic DYN-37971
Also available on Blu-ray Video
(DYN-57971)
Lombard • Harsányi • De Donato • Fiorentino Maggio Musicale Chorus and Orchestra • Sardelli • Lazar

‘Conductor Federico Maria Sardelli invites us to revel in this irresistible score, full of compelling syncopations and caressing lyricism.’
American Record Guide


Opus Arte OA1389D
Also available on Blu-ray Video
(OABD7326D)
Naghdi • Ball • Royal Ballet • Royal Opera House Orchestra • Georgiev
Recommended | MusicWeb International

‘Ms Naghdi’s performance combines the highest quality dancing with the ability to act her roles in a fully committed manner.’
MusicWeb International



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