December again. For some years, I’ve posted recommendations for recent BluRay/DVD releases, CDs and books that might be of use for anyone wondering what Christmas gifts to buy. (I find choosing presents very difficult, so am myself always open to ideas from friends.) So here we go once more. I hope some of the suggestions might be helpful, even if you’re simply treating yourself. Some of the films and music releases are not exactly mainstream, but should be fairly ‘accessible’ for anyone interested in the arts. (NB: this is not my best-of-2024 list, which will appear after Christmas, though there may of course be overlap.)
BluRay/DVD
Michael Haneke: The Curzon Collection (Curzon)
I wrote about this here.
Kiarostami at Kanoon: Shorts and Features (Criterion Eclipse)
I wrote about this here.
Bonjour Tristesse (Indicator)
Jean Seberg, Deborah Kerr and David Niven excel in Otto Preminger’s cool, clinical, subtle and finally deeply affecting account of Françoise Sagan’s bestseller. (I provided an introduction, but rest assured I get no royalties from sales – it just happens to be one of the director’s greatest films.)
The House of Mirth (BFI, pictured top)
Terence Davies’ magnificent version of Edith Wharton’s novel boasts one of Gillian Anderson’s finest performances – even though the actress herself seemed not to realise its worth at the time of the film’s original release. A gem that is quite the equal of Scorsese’s The Age of Innocence (even though that film is, for me, up there in the MS top five).
István Szabó: Mephisto / Colonel Redl / Hanussen (Second Run)
Welcome release for the three movies the Hungarian director made in the 80s with Klaus Maria Brandauer, writer Péter Dobal and cinematographer Lajos Koltai. Notable for Brandauer’s superb lead performances and striking visuals, the films are also terribly timely in their exploration of political and social turmoil, especially the rise of Fascism.
Classical music
Allan Clayton, Jamie Barton, James Platt, London Philharmonic Orchestra & Choir, Hallé Choir, cond. Edward Gardner: Elgar – The Dream of Gerontius (LPO)
If you liked the music in the film The Choral, you should definitely hear how it should be played and sung; this account from the 2022 proms, under the baton of the dependably excellent Ed Gardner, has marvellous performances from the orchestra, the chorus and all three soloists, though Clayton is (to no one’s surprise) particularly outstanding as Gerontius.
Jean-Efflam Bavouzet: Ravel – Complete Works for Solo Piano (Chandos)
Ravel’s music for piano is frequently dazzling – and technically difficult to play, unless you’re a virtuoso like Bavouzet, who also brings great colour and sensitivity. Also released this last year, a complete survey, likewise widely acclaimed, by Seong-Jon Cho.
Contemporary music
Pierre-Laurent Aimard: Kurtág – Játékok (Pentagon)
Another superb French pianist, this time taking on a section of the great Hungarian composer’s ongoing series of miniatures, which range from playful to mournful but are never less than compelling.
Vox Clamatis: Arvo Pärt – And I Heard a Voice (ECM)
Various artists: Dobrinka Tabakova – Sun Triptych (ECM)
I wrote about the two albums above here.
Jazz, folk, etc
François Couturier, Dominique Pifarély: Preludes and Songs (ECM)
I wrote about this here.
Arve Henriksen, Trygve Seim, Anders Jormin, Markku Ounaskari: Arcanum (ECM)
I wrote about this here.
Vilhelm Bromander and the Unfolding Orchestra: Jorden vi ärvde (Thanatosis)
Erland Apneseth et al: Song over støv (Hubro)
Anouar Brahem et al: After the Last Sky (ECM)
I wrote about the three albums above here.
Boz Scaggs: Detour (Concord)
Now in his eighties, a musician I’ve greatly admired since his days with the Steve Miller Band has put together another album consisting primarily of standards from the Great American Songbook, though his own I’ll Be Long Gone (from his first album as leader, made in 1969) is in no way a lowering of standards. But beautiful…
And finally, three novels that appeared in paperback this year…
Jonathan Coe: The Proof of My Innocence
Alan Hollinghurst: Our Evenings
Daniel Kelhlmann: The Director
notes and observations by Geoff Andrew 