2005's Top CDs

Compare how this list differs from the Grammy contenders!

In no particular order:

1. Mahler Symphony No. 9; Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly, conductor (Decca).
2. Bach Transcriptions; Alexandre Tharaud, piano (harmonia mundi).
3. Kyle Gann, Long Night; Sarah Cahill, piano(s) (Cold Blue).
4. Boulez, Le Marteau sans Maitre; Ensemble Intercontemporain, Boulez, conductor (DGG). (In print finally.)
5. Rachmaninoff, Piano Concertos 1 & 2; Leif Ove Andsnes, piano, Berlin Phil, Antonio Pappano, conductor (EMI).
6. Thomas Ades, Piano Quintet; Ades, piano, Arditti Quartet (EMI). (Includes the "Trout" Quintet w/ the Belcea Quartet).
7. Mendelssohn, Dvorak Trios; Beaux Arts Trio (Warner Classics).
8. Bach, Sonatas for Violin and Harpsichord, Vol. 1; James Ehnes, violin, Luc Beausejour, harpsichord (Analekta).
9. Pauline Viardot-Garcia, Songs; Isabel Bayrakdarian, soprano, Serouj Kradjian, piano (Analekta).
10. Pierre-Laurent Aimard; Ravel/Carter and Mozart Concertos; Mozart Concertos with Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Aimard, conductor (Warner Classics).

So there are eleven on the list. 10 for the price of 11!