Benim Müziğim

As the awards find their rightful owners and the year slowly comes to an end, the Gramophone Awards winners were announced first towards the end of 2023. I had selected some of the names who won awards for Dark Blue Notes and written brief reviews specifically for Turkish readers. Let’s start with that.

The full name of the awards is The Gramophone Classical Music Awards, organized by the British classical music magazine Gramophone annually since 1977. These awards, considered a reference in the classical music world, recognize outstanding works. It’s quite easy to get a quick overview of the classical music trends and recordings of the year with the outcomes of the Gramophone Awards. Therefore, I wanted to share with you some works from the winners of the 2023 awards that I believe you should listen to.

Ébène Quartet & Antoine Tamestit – ​​Mozart: String Quintets – No 3, K515; No 4, K516

Ébène Quartet, a team that has gained prominence in recent years, has been making a name for itself with concerts alongside established and well-known ensembles like the Belcea Quartet. In addition to all this, Ébène Quartet also contributes to exquisite project albums. The team, with the addition of another successful figure, Antoine Tamestit, released an album in March 2023 performing Mozart’s string quintets. The album, a result of their collaboration, made waves throughout the year.

Cyrille Dubois & Tristan Raës – Fauré: Complete Songs

Dubois’s voice gives life to the unique, melodic, and chiffon-like style of chansons that sway in the wind. Raës, with highly sophisticated piano accompaniment, elevates Fauré’s compositions to the fluidity they deserve. Raës’s piano, at times, elegantly steps back, giving Dubois room to shine. The result is a top-notch song album that brings together a wide collection of the composer’s song repertoire. If you want to explore a skillfully interpreted extensive song collection and feel you haven’t given chansons enough attention alongside lieds, this is an excellent starting point.

Timothy Ridout & BBC Symphony Orchestra, Martyn Brabbins – Elgar: ‘Viola Concerto’ Bloch: Suite For Viola and Orchestra

Elgar’s op. 85 Cello Concerto was transcribed for the viola by Lionel Tertis in 1929, but very few musicians have worked on and recorded it for the viola. Ridout’s decision to undertake this work alone makes the performance significant and deserving of praise. Ridout’s viola interpretation is both powerful and dark, leaving a lasting impact. Even when the orchestral section arrives, you find yourself eagerly awaiting Ridout’s return to the forefront. In my opinion, what makes a concerto performance effective is precisely this.

Krystian Zimerman – Szymanowski: Piano Works

Szymanowski, for some reason, is a composer not frequently played or listened to in Turkey, despite being one of Poland’s successful and influential composers. Krystian Zimerman, a pianist who shares his homeland with Szymanowski, is a special musician who has carried his name to the world’s most prestigious stages over the years. What makes this recording special is Zimerman’s unique interpretation of Szymanowski. It’s even possible to feel the influence of Scriabin in certain distinctive touches.

Sivan Magen & Finnish RSO, Nicholas Collon – Wennäkoski: Sigla. Flounce. Sedecim

Lotta Wennäkoski, a prominent composer in contemporary Finnish music, is known for her orchestral, chamber music, and choral works. In her works, you experience a wealth of colors and layers, accompanied by new tones. The album contains works inspired by various sources, including the 5-minute “bite-sized” overture “Flounce” premiered in 2017, the three-part “Sedecim,” reminiscent of a dizzying tower filled with winding stairs, and the intriguing harp concerto “Sigla,” where Sivan Magen blends seamlessly with the harp. The album, bringing together works that turn into a great experience both individually and as a whole, made its mark in the contemporary category at the Gramophone Awards this year.