A Baker's Dozen of the Best Recordings 2007

A poster at www.classicalmusicguide.com forums challenged us to come up with our 13 best recordings for 2007. Not necessarily newly issued this year, but also recordings that were new to us in 2007. Here is my list of the recordings I found to be the best of 2007.

1) Jon Leifs: "Edda: Part 1 Creation of the World" Iceland Symphony Orchestra, Schola Cantorum Reykjavík, Hermann Baumer conductor BIS 1350

2) Leifs Three String Quartets, Yggdrasil Quartet BIS 691

Leifs' music has been my major discovery this year. "Edda" is simply stunning. The Quartets are powerful and evocative.

3) Grechaninov Passion Week op 58 Kansas City Chorale/Phoenix Bach Choir, Charles Bruffy Conductor Chandos CHSA5044

4) Gordon Chin Double Concerto & Formosa Seasons Lin Cho-Liang, Violin, Felix Fan, Cello, Kansas City Symphony, Stern Naxos 8570221

Two homegrown favorites. The Grechaninov garnered 5 Grammy nominations and the Chin introduces a fine Taiwanese composer in the KCS' first recording in years.

5) Beethoven Triple Concerto & Septet Bronfman, Shaham, Mork, Zinman Zürich Tonhalle Orchestra Arte Nova 640150

On Arte Nova, cheap as all get out and stellar soloists and performances

6) Stravinsky, Works Stravinsky/Craft et al Sony 710311

22 discs of indispensable and in most cases definitive performances at less than $40

7) Roussel Symphony # 3 & Bacchus et Ariane, Deneve, Royal Scottish Orchestra Naxos 8570245

8 ) Myaskovsky Symphony # 15 & 27 Russian Federation Academic SO, Svetlanov Alto ALC 1021

So thrilled this former Olympia series is continuing on Alto records

9) Bach Viola daGamba Sonatas, Daniel Muller-Schott Cello, Angela Hewitt, Piano Orfeo C693071A

Purists may want a harpsichord accompaniment but Hewett is superb on the piano

10) K. A. Hartmann Sinfonia Tragica & Concerto for Viola, Piano and Wind Orchestra Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Marek Janowski Conductor Capriccio 71112

11) Bruckner Symphony # 7 Chicago SO Haitink CSO Resound 90704

The Chicago SO strikes out on its own in house recording venture. This is the second issue after a Mahler 3rd from last year. Great sound and performance. The CSO brass still have it!

12) Beethoven Symphony # 1 & 6 Vanska Minnesota Orch BIS 1716

13) Tveitt Prillar & Sun God Symphony Stavenger SO, Ole Kristian Ruud , Conductor BIS 1017

Much of Geirr Tveitt's music was destroyed in a tragic fire. These powerful and engaging works survived.