Gramophone Magazine

Gramophone’s May 2024 cover features the South Korean pianist Yunchan Lim, who became an overnight sensation when he became the youngest winner of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 2022. We also pay tribute to Maurizio Pollini, one of the finest pianists of the past half century. Elsewhere in the issue we talk to Paul McCreesh, who has recorded Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius for Signum, and our annual Festival Guide brings you in-depth information about the best concerts and events this summer. In this month’s Icons, we explore the art and legacy of the great American pianist Leon Fleisher, while Classics Reconsidered discusses the 1974 Decca recording of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly with Karajan conducting an all-star cast including Mirella Freni and Luciano Pavarotti. In the May issue’s Collection, Richard Wigmore introduces the recorded history of Haydn’s exuberant and infectious Symphony No 101 (‘Clock’), and recommends the best versions. Our Contemporary Composers feature explores the colourful and varied music of the Catalan composer Benet Casablancas and suggests some listening, while in Musician & the Score Michael Collins talks about recording Mozart’s joyous Haffner Symphony, No 35. Plus, in My Music, we talk to three-time Grammy Award-winning jazz singer Cécile McLorin Salvant. Finally, as always, our expert critics review the latest album releases, with the best being named Editor’s Choices.