December 2009
Janine Jansen
Rebecca Franks meets the Dutch violinist who has become one of the most popular players of her generation
Michael Tilson Thomas
David Mermelstein talks to the conductor as he completes his Mahler cycle on disc
Musicians on film
How photographers have captured the great artists
Destination Oslo
Jeremy Pound ventures to the Norwegian capital to see its spectacular new opera house
On Sale Date:
27/10/2009
Issue Number:
212 
On the Cover Disc
Prokofiev: Violin Concerto No. 2; Violin Sonata No. 2
We delve into the BBC archives this month for the first ever recording of Prokofiev's Second Violin Concerto, played by Robert Soetens, the violinist who also gave the work's world premiere. It is coupled here with the same composer's Violin Sonata No. 2, recorded earlier this year at the Wigmore Hall by sensational young Canadian violinist James Ehnes.
This issue's BBC Music choices
RECORDING OF THE MONTH
Mahler Symphony No. 8 San Francisco Symphony/Michael Tilson Thomas 'One of the most consistently satisfying and stimulating Mahler Eighths'
CHAMBER
Handel Trio Sonatas, Op. 2 & Op. 5 Academy of Ancient Music/Richard Egarr 'Subtle, nuanced playing of imaginative Handel Trio Sonatas'
CHORAL & SONG
Fauré Mélodies Yann Beuron (tenor), Billy Eidi (piano) 'Tenor Yann Beuron sings Fauré mélodies with exceptional skill'
DVD
Schumann
Zwölf Gedichte, Op. 35; 20 Lieder und Gésange aus dem Lyrischen Intermezzo
'A compelling case for rare Schumann by Thomas Hampson'
INSTRUMENTAL
Schubert Moments musicaux, D780; Impromptus, D899; Allegretto in C minor, D915 David Fray (piano) 'No Schubert-lover should miss this piano recital by David Fray'
ORCHESTRAL
Beethoven Violin Concerto in D, Op. 61 Patricia Kopatchinskaja (violin); Orchestre des Champs-Elysées/Philippe Herreweghe 'A startlingly effective version of Beethoven's Violin Concerto'
OPERA
The Verdi tenor Marcelo Alvarez (tenor); Verdi Milan Choir & SO/Daniel Oren 'Marcelo Alvarez offers open-hearted, open-throated singing'
Advertisement feature
Classical Music Competition Guide
The most exciting classical music competitions.
Advertisement feature
We present forthcoming seasons from a variety of companies
Advertisement feature
For beginner, amateur or professional musicians.
Advertisement feature
A wide range of classical music festivals to suit all tastes.
Latest blogs
This month's BBC Music choices
RECORDING OF THE MONTH
Beethoven: String Trios, Op. 9 Nos 1-3
Trio Zimmermann
'The playing is dazzling, combining warmth and clarity'
CHAMBER
The Father, the Son and the Godfather: Trio Sonatas by JS Bach, CPE Bach, Telemann
'Compelling soloists with virtuosity and insight to burn'
CHORAL & SONG
Stimme der Sehnsucht: Songs by Mahler, Strauss, Pfitzner
Christianne Stotijn
'Stotijn takes the imaginative high ground from the start'
DVD
Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria
Marina Comparato, Lucia Cirill, Annamaria dell'Oste etc; Accademia Bizantina/ Ottavio Dantone
'Realised with vibrant, breathtaking musicianship'
INSTRUMENTAL
Mozart: Keyboard Music
Kristian Bezuidenhout
'Bezuidenhout brings out all the drama and intensity'
JAZZ
Michel Portal: Baïlador
Michel Portal, Ambrose Akinmusire, Bojan Z, Lionel Loueke, Scott Colley, Jack DeJohnette
'Portal confirms himself as one of the most impressive bass clarinet and soprano sax players'
ORCHESTRAL
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 15
Royal Concertgebouw/ Bernard Haitink
'The Concertgebouw delivers sensationally taut playing'
OPERA
Wagner: Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg
Albert Dohmen, Georg Zeppenfeld etc; Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra & Choir/ Marek Janowski
'This Meistersinger is imbued with incessant vitality and energy'