Enjoy new music with our classical music chart for this week. Our weekly selections are based on sales numbers and simply what albums we love and think you NEED to hear.
For the complete top 20, tune into Classical Chartz with the New Classical FM’s Mark Wigmore every Saturday from 3-5 p.m.
There’s no change at the no. 1 and 2 positions on the Classical Chartz this week: Ludovico Einaudi with The Summer Portraits, followed by the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack to the biopic Maria, on the life of celebrated soprano Maria Callas.
Gustavo Gimeno and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra continue on an upward trajectory, landing at No. 3 from No. 5 last week with their recent release of Stravinsky’s Pulcinella.
Also of note is Andrea Bocelli, whose Duets (30th Anniversary) has spent months on the Chartz. This week, it takes a couple of steps down from No. 3 to linger at No 5.
The Nash Ensemble is celebrating their 60th anniversary with Debussy, a release that comes in as the only newcomer to the Classical Chartz Top Ten this week. The Nash Ensemble was founded by Artistic Director Amelia Freedman and Rodney Slatford in 1964, while both were students at the Royal Academy of Music in London. They have premiered more than 300 works, including 193 commissions, in their history.
The recording focuses on Debussy, including the composer’s String Quartet, and an arrangement for 12 players of the Prélude à l’Après-midi d’un Faune. Also on the release are Debussy’s three sonatas, the first half of what he’d planned to incorporate six. The Sonata for flute, viola and harp is performed by Philippa Davies (flute), Lawrence Power (viola), and Lucy Wakeford (harp). The Cello Sonata in D minor L144 is performed by Adrian Brendel (cello), and Simon Crawford-Phillips (piano). Debussy’s Violin Sonata in G minor L148 is performed by Stephanie Gonley (violin), and Alasdair Beatson (piano).
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