WME Top 10 Classical and Early Music Recordings of 2011

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  If you take a look at my classical and early music list for 2011, you'll see that classical music is here to stay and diverse as ever.  I considered including an Indian classical CD on this list then added it to the Best World and Jazz Albums of 2011 list instead.  And yes, I find the music on this list healing.










1.     San Francisco Symphony with Michael Thomas and Emanuel Ax, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, San Francisco Symphony

2.     Stephen Hough and Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Grieg and Liszt Piano Concertos, Hyperion

3.     21st Century Symphony Orchestra, Howard Shore’s Lord of the Ring Symphony, Howe Records

4.    Anonymous 4, Secret Voices, Harmonia Mundi

5.    Trio Mediaeval, A Worcester Lady Mass, ECM

6.     Jerusalem Quartet, Mozart String Quartets, Harmonia Mundi

7.      Elizabeth Watts, JS Bach Cantatas and Arias, Harmonia Mundi

8.     The Byrd Ensemble, Our Lady (Music from the Peterhouse Part Books), independent (Seattle)

9.     Bezvidenhout and Von der Goltz, Mendelssohn Double Concerto for Piano and Violin and Piano Concerto in A minor, Harmonia Mundi

10. Emmanuelle Bertrand, Le Viol Celle Parle, Harmonia Mundi

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