Classic FM Album Recommendations
These new CD releases are hot off the press. Browse the selections recommended by the Classic FM music team below.
A 20th century choral masterpiece
French composer Maurice Durufle’s Requiem is one of the most exquisite choral works of the 20th century – and on this new CD, it’s beautifully performed by the Vasari Singers conducted by Jeremy Backhouse. It took many years before Durufle was happy with the work: the first version was completed in 1947, but the composer was such a perfectionist he kept making changes to it – right up until 1961. Like our own Composer in Residence Howard Goodall, Durufle was greatly inspired by Gregorian chant – and alongside the Requiem, this disc also includes his Four Motets on Gregorian Themes.
A young Chinese pianist makes Chopin shine
The pianist Yuja Wang makes her debut recording on the Deutsche Grammophon label – and despite being only 20 years old, she’s already making her mark on the worldwide concert scene. In the last month alone, Wang has performed with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra under Charles Dutoit and Orchestra Mozart with Claudio Abbado – but this new CD is a solo affair. The highlight is a passionate performance of Chopin’s Piano Sonata No.2 – and there’s also music by Liszt, Scriabin and Ligeti.
