Sinfonia of London, John Wilson
Chandos · CHSA5379 · 68 minutes
John Wilson and the Sinfonia of London have quietly become one of the most exciting partnerships in orchestral recording right now, and this Chandos release is a perfect reminder of why. That Gramophone quote about the precision in *The Sorcerer’s Apprentice* — down to a single pizzicato "plop" — says everything about the level of care Wilson brings to every bar. At 68 minutes, it’s a generous programme that rewards close listening.
Awards:
- Presto Recording of the Week — 1st May 2026
“In John Wilson’s account [of The Sorcerer’s Apprentice] the drama is calibrated to a T with virtuosity and precision aplenty, from the first purposely placed pizzicato ‘plop’ to that unearthly…”
— Gramophone Magazine, June 2026
Elizabeth Watts (soprano), BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Rumon Gamba
Chandos · CHSA5381 · 59 minutes
Rumon Gamba and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra have quietly become one of the most exciting partnerships in the business, and their latest Chandos release is exactly the kind of thing that makes you remember why you fell in love with classical music in the first place. Elizabeth Watts brings her warm, luminous soprano to music by overlooked female composers — delightful stuff that deserves way more ears than it’s been getting. At just under an hour, it’s a perfect Sunday morning listen that might genuinely surprise you.
Awards:
- Presto Recording of the Week — 12th June 2026
“Rumon Gamba is a truly amazing conductor and his devotion to bringing to our attention music by overlooked female composers is one of the chief joys… This music is delightful – not earth-shattering,…”
— MusicWeb International, June 2026
Iceland Symphony Orchestra, Eva Ollikainen
Chandos · CHSA5372 · 76 minutes
Eva Ollikainen and the Iceland Symphony Orchestra bring something genuinely special to this Pärt release — a kind of crystalline Nordic clarity that feels almost tailor-made for this music. The Gramophone’s praise rings true, because there’s a vividness here that makes you feel like you’re hearing these symphonic works with new ears. If you’ve ever wondered whether Pärt’s orchestral legacy gets the serious treatment it deserves, this 76-minute journey is a pretty emphatic yes.
Awards:
- Presto Recording of the Week — 17th April 2026
“Ollikainen and the ISO’s vivid and colourful accounts cast fresh light on all four works. A recording that will do much to seal Pärt’s symphonic legacy for years to come.”
— Gramophone Magazine, May 2026
Martin Owen (horn), Manchester Camerata, Gábor Takács-Nagy
Chandos · CHAN20377 · 60 minutes
Martin Owen makes the horn sound like the easiest, most natural instrument in the world here, and if you’ve ever watched someone attempt this repertoire live, you know that’s saying something. The Manchester Camerata under Takács-Nagy give him exactly the kind of warm, attentive support that lets his sweet, rounded tone really breathe and sing. Sixty minutes of this and you’ll wonder why the horn isn’t the center of every conversation about great solo playing.
“Martin Owen’s playing on this new album has all the agility and panache one could ask. He surmounts every technical challenge with ease. Yet what impresses even more is Owen’s sweet, rounded…”
— Gramophone Magazine, June 2026
Arcadia Quartet
Chandos · CHAN20363 · 85 minutes
The Arcadia Quartet brings something genuinely moving to this release — Gramophone’s mention of "power and pain" is exactly the kind of praise that makes you drop everything and hit play. At 85 minutes, there’s real substance here, and a full cycle on record is always cause for celebration among collectors. Trust Chandos to deliver the goods once again.
“I hear both power and pain in the Arcadia Quartet’s excellent playing… Overall, the playing on this album is excellent. I am truly happy that… there is another fill cycle available on record….”
— Gramophone Magazine, July 2026
Kaleidoscope Chamber Collective
Chandos · CHAN20364 · 63 minutes
Kaleidoscope Chamber Collective have a real gift for making unfamiliar repertoire feel like something you’ve been missing your whole life, and this Chandos release is a perfect example of that energy in action. At 63 minutes it’s a generous listen, packed with the kind of high-spirited virtuosity and striking beauty that Gramophone picked up on — and honestly, they’re not wrong. Put this one on when you want chamber music that genuinely surprises you.
“The Kaleidoscope Chamber Collective are renowned for their eagerness when it comes to expanding the repertoire… moments of striking beauty and its high-spirited virtuosity, along with its canny…”
— Gramophone Magazine, June 2026
