Scala Radio presenters pick their top three albums from 2020
Last updated 18th Dec 2020
Charles Nove's Top 3 Albums from 2020
The Pacific Lutheran University Choir of the West from Eriks Esenvalds: There Will Come Soft Rains
Lauren Scott: ‘Beyond the Horizon’
Dreamers Circus: ‘Blue White Gold’
"In all three cases," says Charles, "this is music that takes away whatever troubles the day may be trying to throw up. Lauren Scott, because I adore the sound of a harp, and there’s a lovely brightness and lightness of touch there. Dreamers Circus, likewise, happy and diverting."
Hannah Cox's Top 3 Albums from 2020
Redi Hasa: The Stolen Cello
MJ Cole: Madrugada
Ayoub Sisters: Storm
"Ayoub Sisters - I love their inventiveness, their originality, their total passion for what they do," explains Hannah. "Their music is exciting and I am intrigued to listen to their arrangements of pieces that we may already know, but manage to sound so completely different and engaging. I particularly love Storm as a piece that was written during this difficult year for all musicians. It is moving, poignant but also uplifting."
Jack Pepper's Top 3 Albums from 2020
Apex Singers Hiraeth
Michael Collins, Lyrical Clarinet, Vol 3
The Prince of Egypt, Original Cast Recording
"Apex Singers - Hiraeth - Scala has Culture Bunker listener Anthony Bridge to thank for this discovery," says Jack. "He recommended the Apex Singers to the show, and what a phenomenal group they are! Sensitive, colourful and transparent arrangements from a group of multi-talented young musicians - they represent so much of what Scala is about, and I’m excited to hear what they do next!"
Penny Smith's Top 3 Albums from 2020
Vienna Philharmonic and Jonas Kaufman Summer Concert
"I put the CD on a loop whilst I was painting a picture - and am still listening to it."
Band of Royal Marines Mountbatten Festival
"Because you can’t beat stirring drums and a marching band for getting your jobs done."
Rachel Portman Ask the River
"2020 has had the charisma of a cowpat - we need contemplative music like never before."
Alexis Ffrench's Top 3 Albums from 2020
A Winged Victory for the Sullen – XI ‘Normal People’ soundtrack (Erased Tapes)
Sarah Willis Mozart y Mambo
Khatia Buniatishvili Labyrinth
"My number 1 choice," explains Alexis, "is Labyrinth by Khatia Buniatishvilli - an album wrapped in beautiful beatitude. Sensitive, soothing, sonorous and wonderfully curated and produced. The perfect solo piano album for our times."
Simon Mayo's Top 3 Albums from 2020
Sarah Willis Mozart y Mambo
Insula Orchestra Magic Mozart
Voces8 After Silence
Jamie Crick's Top 3 Albums from 2020
Nicola Benedetti Elgar Violin Concerto
Lang Lang at the Movies
Brendel and Rattle Beethoven
"It wasn’t a new release but featured as a Scala Radio Album of the Weekend when we celebrated Beethoven’s birthday. And what a way to do it with one of the world’s top conductors leading one of the greatest orchestras on the planet with a piano legend Alfred Brendel – one of my favourite albums of all time!"
Mark Forrest's Top 3 Albums from 2020
Lars Vogt Brahms Piano Concerto No2, Handel Variations
Vienna Philharmonic & John Williams John Williams in Vienna
"The Vienna Phil lets its hair down to welcome the world’s most successful film composer for the very first time and the result is pure cinematic gold."
Sarah Willis Mozart y Mambo
"I was at Sage Gateshead for this recording," says Mark about Lars Vogt's recording Brahms with the Royal Northern Sinfonia, "watching Lars leap up and down both playing the piano and conducting Royal Northern Sinfonia. You can hear his energy and passion reflected in the response of the orchestra."
Angellica Bell's Top 3 Albums from 2020
Apex Singers Hiraeth
The Sixteen Handel Choruses
World Choir for Peace Peaceful Choir
Darren Redick's Top 3 Albums from 2020
Frigg Frixx
"Finnish fiddle band Frigg’s self-released album Frixx took me by surprise. I didn’t realise I was a fan of the fiddle! Not in that way, anyway!"
Vitamin String Quartet Performs the Hits of 2020
"Vitamin String Quartet are generally one of my favourite things! Masters of covering other peoples’ music, they prove that a good song is a good song regardless of the treatment put on it."
Not Our First Goat Rodeo
"Not Our First Goat Rodeo had me at ‘Your Coffee Is A Disaster’! I am very impressed by whoever had the vision to mix classical with bluegrass. Who would have thought it would work?! Props to Yo-Yo Ma for wrestling with this particular pig. Sure they all came out dirty, but they were all smiling! As am I!"
Sam Hughes' Top 3 Albums from 2020
George Fenton and Simon Chamberlain The Piano Framed
"It's wonderful to hear those incredible movie scores played in such an intimate way," explains Sam. "George’s body of work is so impressive, I mean he met the actual lady in the van!!! And from a totally selfish perspective, it was incredibly comforting to talk to colleagues of my dad and for both of them to talk about him so warmly."
Melissa Parmenter Messapica
"Sounds like a movie score - the images that go with the album are like an incredibly stylish movie."
Dreamers Circus Blue White Gold
"A little bit of folk, a little bit of classical and a smidgen of rock thrown in. Can’t wait to see them live."