ICMA Nominations 2025

November 18, 2024

ICMA Nominees 2025

Recordings from Naxos and its affiliated labels were among the recently announced nominations for the 2025 International Classical Music Awards (ICMA). The Naxos Music Group received a total of 37 nominations across 9 of the sixteen categories. Naxos received 20 nominations, with others going to Capriccio [3], Dynamic [4], Ondine [5], Opus Arte [3], Orfeo [1] and SWR Classic [1].

The judges, drawn from their respective specialist publications across a wide spread of countries, made a total of 374 audio and video nominations from 117 labels based around the world.

Nominations for all Naxos and affiliated labels in the respective categories are listed below, together with links to further details about each album.

ASSORTED PROGRAMME
DIETRICH, A.: Symphony in D Minor • Violin Concerto • Overture in C Major
Naxos 8.574507
Sahatçi • Solistes Européens • Luxembourg • C. König

‘Albanian-born violinist Klaidi Sahatçi … is a first-class soloist in the violin concerto … he uncovers the work’s many felicities to apparently effortlessly achieved yet quite wonderful effect.’
MusicWeb International


PIAZZOLLA, A.: Arrangements for Violin & String Orchestra (Buenos Aires)
Naxos 8.574308
Cotik • Martingale Ensemble • Selden

‘Cotik, as usual, is in his element here on a CD of just over an hour of gorgeous playing of captivating music.’
The WholeNote


LUTOSŁAWSKI, W.: Concerto for Orchestra • Partita • Novelette
Ondine ODE1444-2
C. Tetzlaff • Finnish Radio Symphony • Collon

‘A recording to cherish.’
American Record Guide

CHAMBER MUSIC
KABELÁČ, M.: Chamber Music (Complete)
Capriccio C5522
J. Weber • Mayer • K. Wagner • Dohr • Schoch • Janoušková • Vogler • Kolinsky

‘[A] revelatory, well recorded, wonderfully performed 3CD set … an important, endlessly fascinating album.’
American Record Guide


ROUSSEL, A.: Violin Sonatas Nos. 1–2 • String Trio
Naxos 8.574577
D. Bowlin • K. Docter • Kouzov • Tony Cho

‘[This disc] not only fills notable gaps in the current recorded repertoire, but also gives us the best recording yet of two significant 20th-century violin sonatas.’
Fanfare


BRAHMS, J.: Piano Quartets Nos. 2–3
Ondine ODE1448-2D
C. and T. Tetzlaff • Buntrock • Vogt

‘This profoundly powerful recording is a fitting memorial to Vogt and a remarkable chamber music artefact.’
AllMusic.com

CHORAL
Choral Concert: Erato Choir – PIZZETTI, I. • MARGUTTI, C. • DONATI, L.
Dynamic CDS8017
Erato Choir • Ribechi

‘Dario Ribechi and his Erato Choir succeed in a remarkable way in combining the quasi-natural state of Gregorian chant music with the complexity of polyphonic choral writing (up to twelve voices) in a wonderfully natural way.’
Pizzicato


PENDERECKI, K.: Sacred Choral Works
Ondine ODE1435-2
Latvian Radio Choir • Kļava

‘These utterly fearless unaccompanied singers bring precision to the most complex textures while retaining a palpable grasp of the music’s emotional heart, imbuing it with an engaging sense of wonder.’
BBC Music Magazine

CONCERTOS
MIGNONE, F.: Guitar Concerto • Violin Concerto • Clarinet Concertino
Naxos 8.574573
Buosi • Silvério • Baldini • Zanon • São Paulo Symphony • Guerrero

‘[T]his is a fabulous album you must buy! Where else can you discover a first-rate, accessible 20th-century composer, excellent music, excellent performers, and excellent recordings all in one?’
American Record Guide

CONTEMPORARY
BROUWER, M.: Orchestral Music – Art of Sailing at Dawn (The) • Rhapsody • Symphony No. 1 • Pluto (Rhapsodies)
Naxos 8.559933
ORF Vienna Radio Symphony • Alsop

‘A distinctly individual composer, a many-faceted and thrilling disc.’
MusicWeb International


DANIELPOUR, R.: Songs in Three Languages – Songs of Love and Loss • Canti della natura • Songs of My Father
Naxos 8.559946
Plitmann • Iranshahr Orchestra • Pāranj

‘Ms Plitmann sings with beauty and sensitivity. Danielpour clearly knows how to show off her voice in his writing. He couldn’t have asked for better performances.’
American Record Guide


ADAMS, John: City Noir • Fearful Symmetries • Lola Montez Does the Spider Dance
Naxos 8.559935
ORF Vienna Radio Symphony • Alsop

‘In every respect, this disc is a must for all fans of John Adams and Marin Alsop. The performances and recording are terrific.’
MusicWeb International


TARKIAINEN, O.: Midnight Sun Variations • Songs of the Ice • Milky Ways • The Ring of Fire and Love
Ondine ODE1432-2
N. Daniel • Finnish Radio Symphony • Collon

‘These are universally stunning, imaginative works … Superlative performances and sound all around.’
American Record Guide


LINDBERG, M.: Viola Concerto • Absence • Serenades
Ondine ODE1436-2
L. Power • Finnish Radio Symphony • Collon

‘[T]he concerto is as joyful as it is transparent. The sound quality is excellent.’
Ritmo


GUBAIDULINA, S.: Triple Concerto for Violin, Cello and Bayan • Rejoice!
Orfeo C230121
Skride • Krijgh • E. Moser • North German Radio Philharmonic • Manze

‘Those who want the Triple Concerto cannot go wrong with this Orfeo album, Andrew Manze securing a fearless response from the NDR Radiophilharmonie.’
Gramophone

OPERA
MEYERBEER, G.: Africaine (L’) (Vasco da Gama) [Opera]
Naxos 8.660558–60
Spyres • Mahnke • MacKinnon • Mulligan • Kanabas • Frankfurt Opera Chorus and Orchestra • Manacorda

‘[T]he performance is wonderful and the cast is up to Meyerbeer’s punishing vocal demands … [MacKinnon’s] soprano is clear and flexible … Manacorda conducts with a great sense of structure, but also highlighting the delicacy of much of Meyerbeer’s scoring.’
Opera Now


DELLAIRA, M.: Leopard (The) [Opera]
Naxos 8.669052–53
K. Josephson • Redmon • F. Ragsdale • Frost Opera Theater Chorus • Frost Symphony • Gerard Schwarz

‘I encourage anybody interested in the current state of opera to get to know The Leopard.’
American Record Guide

VIDEO OPERA
BUSONI, F.: Doktor Faust [Opera] (Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, 2023) (NTSC)
Dynamic DYN-37998
Henschel • Fiorentino Maggio Musicale Chorus and Orchestra • Meister • Livermore

‘Overall, a magnificent and dazzling performance, a rare work to see, and an unflinching portrait of Faust.’
Scherzo


CILEA, F.: Gloria (1932 version) [Opera] (Teatro Lirico di Cagliari, 2023) (NTSC)
Dynamic DYN-38004
Chikviladze • Bartoli • Vassallo • Ventre • Cagliari Teatro Lirico Chorus and Orchestra • Cilluffo • Albanese

‘It’s hard … to imagine a more persuasive Gloria than Anastasia Bartoli – a commanding, ardent stage presence with a rich Rioja of a voice.’
Gramophone


DONIZETTI, G.: Chiara e Serafina, o Il pirata [Opera] (Fondazione Teatro Donizetti, 2022) (Blu-ray, HD)
Dynamic DYN-57987
Spagnoli • Fan Zhou • Doveri • Orchestra Gli Originali • Coro dell’Accademia Teatro alla Scala • Quatrini • Falaschi

‘Once again, we have a DVD to thank for a splendid revival of a forgotten work, in this case some wonderful early Donizetti.’
Gramophone


CIMAROSA, D.: Italiana in Londra (L’) [Opera] (Frankfurt Opera, 2021) (NTSC)
Naxos 2.110739
Vallone • Tognocchi • Lebow • Samoilov • Bintner • Frankfurt Opera and Museum Orchestra • Hussain • Schlather

‘[A] great show, with excellent singing, a fine orchestra in the pit, and lively staging, all of which are sure to entertain.’
Fanfare


NIELSEN, C.: Maskarade [Opera] (Sung in German) (Frankfurt Opera, 2021) (NTSC)
Naxos 2.110762
Porter • Buczkowska • Bullock • Reiter • Holender • Frankfurt Opera Chorus • Frankfurt Opera and Museum Orchestra • Engel • Kratzer

‘[A] joyous, resonant and highly accomplished performance from Frankfurt Opera of a treacherously difficult and chameleonic work, one that gets to the heart of its agenda … Vivid and absolutely text-led performances all around.’
Gramophone


LANGGAARD, R.: Antikrist [Opera] (Sung in German) (Deutsche Oper Berlin, 2023) (NTSC)
Naxos 2.110764
Berlin Deutsche Opera Chorus and Orchestra • Zilias • Mondtag

‘Visually, the result is outstanding, an almost non-stop use of choreography practically turning the piece into an opera-ballet. Stephan Zilias conducts a memorable performance.’
BBC Music Magazine


TCHAIKOVSKY, P.I.: Enchantress (The) [Opera] (Frankfurt Opera, 2022) (NTSC)
Naxos 2.110768–69
Grigorian • MacNeil • Mahnke • Mikhailov • Jost • Švēde • Frankfurt Opera Chorus • Frankfurt Opera and Museum Orchestra • Uryupin • Barkhatov

‘Discover one of Tchaikovsky’s least-known, least-performed mature operas in a fine production from Frankfurt Opera.’
Gramophone


DVOŘÁK, A.: Rusalka [Opera] (Royal Opera House, 2023) (NTSC)
Opus Arte OA1384D
Grigorian • Philip • Isaev • Bell • Connolly • Royal Opera Chorus • Royal Opera House Orchestra • Bychkov • Ann Yee

‘Musically … much here is wonderful. Grigorian’s dramatic commitment is never in doubt.’
Gramophone


VERDI, G.: Aida [Opera] (Royal Opera House, 2022) (NTSC)
Opus Arte OA1383D
Stikhina • Meli • Rehlis • Tézier • Royal Opera Chorus • Royal Opera House Orchestra • Pappano • Carsen

‘The Royal Opera House chorus and orchestra are superb under Antonio Pappano’s propulsive, lyrical leadership.’
American Record Guide

PREMIERE RECORDINGS
HERZ, M.: Piano Concerto • Cello Concerto • 4 Short Orchestral Pieces • Orchestra Suite
Capriccio C5510
O. Triendl • Gutzeit • Berlin Radio Symphony • Silber

‘The performances here by Oliver Triendl in the early Piano Concerto, Op. 4, and Konstanze von Gutzeit in the Cello Concerto are splendid.’
AllMusic.com


LABOR, J.: Konzertstücke I–III for Piano Left-Hand and Orchestra (Wittgenstein Concertos)
Capriccio C5521
Triendl • Rheinland-Pfalz State Philharmonic • Tzigane

‘Oliver Triendl emerges triumphant against the full forces of the Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz under Eugene Tzigane, aided by Capriccio’s sympathetic engineering in the studio.’
Pianist


WOLFF, E.J.: Songs (Complete), Vol. 1
Naxos 8.574451
S. Gaul • D. Johannsen • K. Simon

‘Most of these songs call for quiet and subdued singing, and Johannsen is superb at that.’
American Record Guide


BACEVIČIUS, V.: Orchestral Works, Vol. 2 – Piano Concertos Nos. 1 and 2 • Symphony No. 3
Naxos 8.574414
Alekna • Lithuanian National Symphony • Lyndon-Gee

‘[T]he pianism of Gabrielius Alekna and the accompaniment of the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra are well-suited for this Naxos CD, which is essential for anyone looking to explore the rich oeuvre of this fascinating figure in 20th-century music.’
Ritmo


WOLFF, E.J.: Songs (Complete), Vol. 2
Naxos 8.574557
Aldrian • K. Simon

‘Ida Aldrian is one of those singers who can dramatise content and at the same time deepen it intellectually. …Her flexible, warm and agile voice has a wide dynamic range and many colours.’
Pizzicato

SOLO INSTRUMENTAL
SCHUMANN, R.: Kreisleriana • MUSSORGSKY, M.P.: Pictures at an Exhibition
SWR Classic SWR19137CD
Robert Neumann

‘With energy, ardour, panache, a touch of madness, and poetic breaches, Robert Neumann, a ‘new talent’ supported by SWR, delivers a version of Schumann’s Kreisleriana that is as profound as it is electrifying.’
Diapason

SYMPHONIC MUSIC
FRANCK, C.: Symphony in D Minor • CHAUSSON, E.: Symphony in B-Flat Major
Naxos 8.574536
Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin • Tingaud

‘Time to bring César Franck in from the cold, and this outstanding Naxos release is a good way to begin.’
The Mail on Sunday


HAYDN, J.: Late Symphonies, Vol. 3 – Nos. 99–101
Naxos 8.574518
Danish Chamber Orchestra • A. Fischer

‘Fischer constantly challenges preconceptions … his empathy for Haydn shines out in every bar.’
Gramophone


HAYDN, J.: Late Symphonies, Vol. 4 – Nos. 102–104
Naxos 8.574519
Danish Chamber Orchestra • A. Fischer

‘[Fischer’s] many admirers will be in seventh heaven, and even those more agnostic will revel in the drive and vivacity he unfailingly imparts to whatever he performs.’
Gramophone


LORENZO FERNÁNDEZ, O.: Symphonies Nos. 1 and 2, ‘O Caçador de Esmeraldas’ • Reisado do pastoreio
Naxos 8.574412
Minas Gerais Philharmonic • Mechetti

‘A fine and generous survey makes this a genuine discovery.’
MusicWeb International

VIDEO PERFORMANCE & DOCUMENTARIES
HEROLD, F.: Fille mal gardee (La) (Royal Opera House, 2005) (NTSC)
Opus Arte OA0992D
Nuñez • Acosta • Tuckett • Royal Opera House Orchestra • Twiner • Ashton

‘All of the dancing is on an extraordinarily high level. Marianela Nuñez, as Lise, is a constant joy to watch.’
Fanfare