The Editor’s Choice (8)

Time for the ed to make a judgement! From October’s reviews of recordings, it’s good news indeed that Chandos is looking at the complete orchestral music of Richard Rodney Bennett, a timely reappraisal of one of the most versatile composers and musicians, as Robert Matthew-Walker details in his review. There’s also Debussy’s Pelléas et Mélisande from the LSO and Simon Rattle, an ambitious choice for its Live label, copiously annotated and including a Blu-ray option (presenting the whole opera uninterrupted) – and surely indicative of the aspiration and achievement that will distinguish the LSO’s Rattle years.

However, in pole position, and with a Rattle connection given he was next in line, it’s Warner Classics’ Louis Frémaux CBSO collection. The 1970s were a renaissance time for the Birmingham Orchestra and was immortalised by numerous LPs for EMI that are now handsomely re-mastered to preserve some outstanding music-making. What if … the CBSO and Frémaux hadn’t parted company acrimoniously? Certainly a Britten War Requiem for EMI (which Rattle inherited) and a concert Beethoven Symphony Cycle … and where might Simon have landed instead?

• Frémaux
• Debussy
• RRB