Albums for the end of 2025

Some months back I finally made the switch and subscribed to a music streaming service. For most of my adult life, I preferred physical CDs. For a few years I plunged headlong into MP3s, but I eventually drifted back to discs once I realized how poor the metadata was for most classical releases.

Living in the Chicago area now, I have not been able to find a record store that approximates the inventory of Silver Platters in Seattle. I plugged along for a while by placing web orders through Amazon and elsewhere, but what I missed most was the act of discovery. Browsing shelves, taking chances, and pursuing recommendations were all part of how I built my collection.

It was the staff at Silver Platters who suggested I look into Apple Classical as a replacement. The app is not perfect, but it does scratch an itch. It has allowed me to stumble onto albums I would not otherwise come across. In some cases, it has even pointed me back toward my physical collection.

Here are a few albums that stood out for me this year:

Mao Fujita, 6 Preludes (EP)
A thoughtful and finely balanced recital. Fujita’s playing is lucid without being precious.

Alexandre Tharaud and Friends, Four Hands
A generous and often playful set of piano duets. 

Mahler: Symphony No. 4 – Willem Mengelberg, Concertgebouw Orchestra
Remastered for the RCO’s 2025 Mahler cycle, this is one of my favorite recordings of the symphony, now in significantly improved sound. Mengelberg’s approach will not be to everyone’s taste, but its individuality remains compelling.

Anna Clyne, Abstractions – Marin Alsop, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
A strong showcase for Clyne’s orchestral voice.

Still and Bonds: Symphonies and Variations – Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Philadelphia Orchestra
An important release that treats this repertoire with seriousness and care. The Philadelphia Orchestra’s sound suits the music well.

Beethoven for Three, Vol. 4 – Yo-Yo Ma, Leonidas Kavakos, Emanuel Ax
This ongoing series of piano trio arrangements of Beethoven symphonies remains a guilty pleasure. It is not a substitute for the originals, but it offers a surprisingly intimate perspective on familiar music.

Liszt: Via Crucis – Leif Ove Andsnes
Spare, restrained, and deeply considered.

Thomas Adès: Orchestral Suites – London Philharmonic Orchestra
A sharp and confident account of Adès’s orchestral writing focusing on suites from his stage works.