Five discs by Rayfield Allied artists have been recognised in this year's Gramophone Recordings of the Year 2020, in a special digital magazine celebrating recordings that were named Editor's Choice in the 13 issues of Gramophone Magazine produced this year.
The Leonore Piano Trio’s February 2020 disc is the latest in their exploration of hidden gems of the piano trio repertoire for Hyperion, making a strong case for Henry Charles Litolff’s piano trios as fine examples of the genre from the nineteenth century. Editor's Choice in March 2020 issue, Gramophone writes on the disc "If you ever need persuading to explore the lesser-known byways of the chamber repertoire, let this album do so: engaging music, played with striking advocacy from the outset, and beautifully recorded".
Also Editor's Choice in June 2020 is Paul McCreesh's disc with the Gabrieli Consort & Players: Purcell The Fairy Queen, featuring soprano Mhairi Lawson. Gramophone has enthusiastically praised McCreesh, saying he "often offers thrillingly performed projects, and doesn't disappoint here". This outstanding production was picked out as BBC Music Magazine's 'Opera Choice' in July 2020, and Presto Classical's 'Recording of the Week' in April this year.
Editor's Choice for September 2020 was 'Handel Arias' with the Philharmonia Baroque and contralto Avery Amereau, conducted by Nicholas McGegan. McGegan is praised for his sympathetic direction on this disc of solo arias: "Galatea’s ‘Benché tuoni’ from the early serenata Aci, Galatea e Polifemo gets this chronologically arranged recital off to a rollicking start. Egged on by Nicholas McGegan’s ever-responsive band".
David Hill released 'From the Ground Up', the first commercial solo organ recording showcasing the magnificent Hill organ of Peterborough Cathedral, on Regent Records in September 2020. It was Editor's Choice in November 2020: "A glorious exploration of the passacaglia across the eras from David Hill, gloriously performed and recorded on the resplendent-sounding organ of Peterborough Cathedral".
Read more at the Gramophone Magazine website here.
