For Rhapsody subscribers: along with the Top 10 Classical Discoveries of 2015, here’s a repertory-focused list of picks for the Top 10 Classical Releases of 2015.

Epic orchestral panoramas, intimate meditations from the keyboard, exquisite singing: all of these and more are captured on this year-end overview of classical music releases across the centuries — including music being written today by the noted young American composer Andrew Norman.

Along with a thrilling account by star conductor Andris Nelsons of Shostakovich’s Tenth Symphony, a 20th-century masterpiece, the list includes the Miró Quartet’s transcendent performance of chamber music by Schubert, reclusive pianist Grigory Sokolov communing with Chopin, the gorgeous vocalism of soprano Diana Damrau, and a seldom-heard opera by a Baroque polymath.

Christoph Eschenbach conducts Olivier Messiaen’s massive orchestral homage to the natural beauty of the American landscape. Another gem released in 2015 is the early-music ensemble Alamire’s collection of music favored by Anne Boleyn, the doomed Tudor queen. Another Russian piano great, Daniil Trifonov, brings his astonishing touch to Rachmaninoff. And French pianist Alexandre Tharaud explores the inexhaustible riches of J.S. Bach.

Filed under: music news

Filed under: music news

Gus Denhard

A recent report in Foreign Policy described the dire ongoing effects of West Africa’s Ebola crisis on the survivors. More than 16,000 children have been left without food or shelter.

As they did last year, Seattle’s Early Music Guild is presenting a benefit concert this Saturday, December 12, at 3 pm. Titled After Ebola: Bringing Hope to Life, this family-friendly benefit performance will feature the Trio Guadalevín: Abel Rocha (harp, guitars, vocals), Antonio Gomez (percussion), and EMG Executive Director August Denhard (lutes and guitar).

The benefit will raise money for Liberian Transcontinental Christian Ministries of Kent’s program to provide housing, food, clothing, and education for children who have been orphaned as a result of the recent Ebola crisis.

Trio Guadalevín takes its name from the ancient river and gorge that divides the city of Rhonda in Andalusia. Denhard says the aim of the concert, in addition to benefiting these efforts, is to bring people together with a program “reminding us of cultural connections we share as we face the challenges before us.”

Tickets — available here — are $10 for adults (18 and older) and $5 for children and seniors over 65, plus a service fee. The benefit will take place on Sat., December 12, at 3 pm at the Carco Theatre, 1717 Southeast Maple Valley Highway, Renton, WA.

Filed under: music news

On December 8 Carnegie Hall will host a ceremony honoring the following winners of the 2016 Artist of the Year categories determined by Musical America (to which I’m a contributing writer):

–Yannick Nézet-Séguin as overall Artist of the Year

–Tod Machover as Composer of the Year

–Jennifer Koh as Instrumentalist of the Year

–Mark Padmore as Vocalist of the Year

–Boston Modern Orchestra Project as Ensemble of the Year.

Congratulations to all!

Filed under: music news