Music

Classical music as a doorway to beauty and worship — a personal listening log.

Preamble — Gerald Cai

Growing up, I was introduced to classical music through my older sister's daily piano practice as she worked her way up to Grade 8 with the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. In high school, my mother's turntable would occasionally fill the house with her favourite classical pieces. After that, music took a back seat for some twenty years; sidelined by studies, work, and overseas service. When we finally returned to Singapore, my love for music was rekindled, and it has remained a deep passion ever since.

Note: Entries are organised by sleeve title, singer(s) and choir(s), orchestra(s), conductor (alphabetised), and label. All documented through personal listening, with no preference shown toward any recording. Awards and recommendations, where applicable, are also cited. Updates on new pieces heard will be notated on the current posting. Unheard titles are not included.

Frédéric Chopin: Mazurkas, Nocturnes, Preludes, Polonaises, Rondo, Scherzi, Variations, and Waltzes

30 June 2026

Instrumental

Background

Chopin composed nearly all his music for the solo piano, revolutionising the instrument's capability.
Mazurkas: drawn from Polish folk music; he wrote 50 mazurkas.
Nocturnes: Dreamy, tranquil and song-like.
Preludes: Modelled after Bach's Well-tempered Clavier; he wrote 24 Preludes.
Polonaises: Stylised Polish Court dances.
Scherzos: Serious, dramatic, and intensely virtuosic works.
Rondo: Pieces built on a recurring theme.
Variations: Compositions that take a single theme and modify it through various pianistic techniques.
Waltzes: Elegant pieces for both the ballroom and salon.

Recommended Recordings

Debussy, Chopin, Mussorgsky

Behzod Abduraimov

Alpha

🏆 Gramophone Awards (2021): Shortlisted Piano
🏆 Gramophone Magazine (2021): Editor's Choice
🏆 Presto Recording of the Week (2021)
🏆 Radio 3 Record Review (2021): Record of the Week
🏆 International Classical Music Magazine (2022): Nominated Solo Instrument
🏆 Gramophone Magazine (2026): Critics' Choice 2021

Chopin Complete Edition

Claudio Arrau (Variations) · Vladimir Ashkenazy (Mazurkas, Variations, Waltzes) · Rafal Blechacz (Preludes) · Maria Joao Pires (Nocturne) · Maurizio Pollini (Polonaise, Scherzos) · Anatol Ugorski (Polonaise) · Lilya Zilberstein (Rondeau)

Deutsche Grammophon

🏆 Presto Recording of the Week (2010)
🏆 Radio 3 Building a Library (2010): First Choice

Chopin, Liszt, Ravel

Benjamin Grosvenor

DECCA

🏆 BBC Music Magazine (2011): Instrumental Choice
🏆 Gramophone Magazine (2011): Editor's Choice
🏆 Presto Recording of the Week (2011)
🏆 BBC Music Magazine Awards (2012): Instrumental Finalist
🏆 Gramophone Awards (2012): Winner Instrumental

Four Ballades & Four Scherzos

Stephen Hough

Hyperion

🏆 Gramophone Magazine (2004): Disc of the Month
🏆 Radio 3 Building a Library (2020): Recommended

Nocturnes

Stephen Hough

Hyperion

🏆 Sunday Times: 10 Best Classical Albums of 2021

The Complete Waltzes

Stephen Hough

Hyperion

🏆 BBC Music Magazine (2011): Instrumental Choice
🏆 Gramophone Awards (2012): Finalist Instrumental

Impromptus, Waltzes & Mazurkas

Pavel Kolesnikov

Hyperion

🏆 International Classical Music Magazine (2019): Nominee Solo Music

Mazurkas

Pavel Kolesnikov

Hyperion

🏆 Diapason d'Or de l'Annee (2016): Winner Piano
🏆 Gramophone Magazine (2016): Editor's Choice
🏆 Gramophone Awards (2017): Shortlisted Instrumental

24 Preludes Op. 28, Brahms, Schumann

Eric Lu

Warner Classics

🏆 BBC Music Magazine (2020): Instrumental Choice

4 Ballades, Waltzes, Nocturne, Mazurkas, Etudes

Murray Perahia

SONY

🏆 Gramophone Awards (1995): Winner Instrumental
🏆 Penguin Guide (1995): Rosette
🏆 Gramophone Magazine (2026): 100 Greatest Recordings

Concertos, Sonatas, Ballads, Mazurkas, Etudes, Preludes, Impromptus and More

Murray Perahia

SONY

🏆 Gramophone Awards (1995): Winner Instrumental
🏆 Grammy Awards (2002): Best Classical Instrumental Solo Recording
🏆 Gramophone Awards (2003): Winner Instrumental
🏆 Gramophone Magazine (2014): Re-Issue of the Month

Chopin chez Pleyel

Alain Planes

Harmonia Mundi

🏆 BBC Music Magazine (2011): Instrumental Finalist

Chopin & Scriabin: Preludes

Mikhail Pletnev

Deutsche Grammophon

🏆 Opus Klassik Awards (2026): Winner Innovative Listening Experience

Chopin Late Works

Maurizio Pollini

Deutsche Grammophon

🏆 ECHO Klassik Awards (2017): Winner

Polonaises

Maurizio Pollini

Deutsche Grammophon

Etudes Op. 25 & 4 Scherzi

Beatrice Rana

Warner Classics

🏆 Diapason d'Or (2021): Nouveaute
🏆 Diapason d'Or de l'Annee (2021): Piano
🏆 Presto Recordings of the Year (2021): Finalist
🏆 Gramophone Awards (2022): Shortlisted Piano
🏆 International Classical Music Awards (2022): Nominated Solo Instrument
🏆 Opus Klassik (2022): Instrumentalist of the Year
🏆 Gramophone Magazine (2026): Critics' Choice 2021

Nocturnes

Arthur Rubinstein

SONY

🏆 Presto Greatest Recordings of the 1960s

Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 3 in F major, Op. 90

30 June 2026

Orchestral

Background

Written in the summer of 1883 at Wiesbaden, Germany.
Premiered on 2 December 1883 by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, under the direction of Hans Richter.
The shortest of Brahms's four symphonies; a typical performance lasts between 35 to 40 minutes.

Recommended Recordings

Symphonies 3 & 4

Gewandhausorchester Leipzig

Cond. Herbert Blomstedt · Pentatone

🏆 International Classical Music Awards (2023): Nominated Symphonic Music

The Symphonies

Gewandhausorchester

Cond. Riccardo Chailly · DECCA

🏆 Gramophone Magazine (2013): Disc of the Month
🏆 BBC Music Magazine Awards (2014): Orchestral Finalist
🏆 Gramophone Awards (2014): Recording of the Year
🏆 Radio 3 (2018): Recommended

Symphony 3

Orchestre Revolutionnaire et Romantique

Cond. Sir John Eliot Gardiner · SDG

Complete Symphonies

Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra

Cond. Sir John Eliot Gardiner · Deutsche Grammophon

The Symphonies

Chamber Orchestra of Europe

Cond. Yannick Nezet-Seguin · Deutsche Grammophon

🏆 Gramophone Magazine (2024): Editor's Choice
🏆 International Classical Music Awards (2025): Nominated Symphonic Music

The Symphonies

Berliner Philharmoniker

Cond. Simon Rattle · Warner Classics

🏆 Presto Recording of the Week (2009)

The Symphonies

Scottish Chamber Orchestra

Cond. Robin Ticciati · LINN

🏆 BBC Music Magazine (2018): Recording of the Month
🏆 Radio 3 Record Review (2018): Recording of the Week

Ludwig van Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61

27 June 2026

Concerto

Background

Written in 1806. Its first performance by Franz Clement was unsuccessful.
Revived by 12-year-old Joseph Joachim with the London Philharmonic Society conducted by Felix Mendelssohn in 1844; well after Beethoven's death.
Joachim claimed it to be the greatest German violin concerto.

Recommended Recordings

Maria Duenas, Beethoven and Beyond

Maria Duenas (violin)

Wiener Symphoniker

Cond. Manfred Honeck · Deutsche Grammophon

🏆 Gramophone Magazine (2023): Critics' Choice
🏆 Presto Recording of the Week (2023)
🏆 International Classical Music Awards (2024): Nominated Concerto
🏆 Opus Klassik Awards (2024): Winner Young Talent of the Year

Violin Concerto

Veronika Eberle (violin)

London Symphony Orchestra

Cond. Sir Simon Rattle · LSO

Violin Concertos (Berg, Beethoven)

Isabelle Faust (violin)

Orchestra Mozart

Cond. Claudio Abbado · Harmonia Mundi

🏆 BBC Music Magazine (2012): Disc of the Month
🏆 Gramophone Magazine (2012): Disc of the Month
🏆 Gramophone Awards (2012): Winner Concerto
🏆 Radio 3 Building a Library (2015): First Choice

Violin Concertos (Beethoven, Stravinsky)

Vilde Frang (violin)

The Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen

Cond. Pekka Kuusisto · Warner Classics

🏆 BBC Music Magazine (2022): Concerto Choice
🏆 International Classical Music Magazine (2023): Winner Concerto

Violin Concerto

Itzhak Perlman (violin)

Philharmonia Orchestra

Cond. Carlo Maria Giulini · Warner Classics

🏆 Gramophone Awards (1981): Winner Concerto

Violin Concertos (Beethoven, Sibelius)

Christian Tetzlaff (violin)

Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin

Cond. Robin Ticciati · Ondine

🏆 Gramophone Magazine (2019): Recording of the Month
🏆 Gramophone Awards (2020): Shortlisted Concerto

Violin Concertos (Beethoven, Berg & Bartok)

Frank Peter Zimmermann (violin)

Berliner Philharmoniker

Cond. Daniel Harding · Deutsche Grammophon

🏆 Gramophone Magazine (2012): Editor's Choice
🏆 Gramophone Awards (2022): Winner Concerto

Johann Sebastian Bach: St Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), BWV 244

27 June 2026

Vocal

Background

Written in 1727 for solo voices, double choir and double orchestra, with libretto in German by Picander. First performed in the St Thomas Church.
Sets the 26th and 27th chapters of the Gospel of Matthew in the Luther Bible, interspersed with chorales and arias.
Original Latin title: Passio Domini nostri J.C. secundum Evangelistam Matthaeum (The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the Evangelist Matthew).
One of two Passion settings by Bach that have survived in their entirety; the first being St John Passion.

Recommended Recordings

St Matthew Passion

Dunedin Consort & Players

Cond. John Butt · Linn

🏆 BBC Music Magazine (2008): Choral & Song Choice
🏆 Radio 3 Building a Library (2012): First Choice

St Matthew Passion

English Baroque Soloists, Monteverdi Choir, Trinity Boys Choir

Cond. Sir John Eliot Gardiner · SDG

🏆 Gramophone Magazine (2017): Disc of the Month
🏆 Gramophone Awards (2017): Finalist Baroque Vocal
🏆 Presto Recording of the Week (2017)

St Matthew Passion

Concentus Musicus Wien, Arnold Schoenberg Choir

Cond. Nikolaus Harnoncourt · Warner Classics

🏆 Grammy Awards (2001): Best Choral Performance
🏆 Gramophone Magazine: 100 Greatest Recordings
🏆 Gramophone Awards (2001): Winner Baroque Vocal

Matthäus-Passion

RIAS Kammerchor, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin

Cond. René Jacobs · Harmonia Mundi

St Matthew Passion

Philharmonia Orchestra and Chorus

Cond. Otto Klemperer · Warner Classics

🏆 Grammy Awards (1962): Best Choral Performance

Matthäus-Passion

Pygmalion

Cond. Raphaël Pichon · Harmonia Mundi

🏆 Gramophone Magazine (2022): Recording of the Month
🏆 Gramophone Awards (2022): Recording of the Year & Choral Award
🏆 Presto Recordings of the Year (2022): Winner

St Matthew Passion

Bach Collegium Japan

Cond. Masaaki Suzuki · BIS

🏆 Gramophone Magazine (2020): Recording of the Month
🏆 Gramophone Awards (2020): Winner Choral

Ludwig van Beethoven: String Quartets

23 June 2026

Chamber

Background

Composed between 1798 and 1826, a total of 16 String Quartets; considered the pinnacle of chamber music.
Early Quartets (Op. 18, Nos. 1–6): composed between 1798 and 1800. Dedicated to Prince Lobkowitz.
Middle Quartets (Op. 59, Nos 1–3; Op. 74, Op. 95): composed between 1806 and 1814. The Razumovsky Quartets were commissioned by Count Razumovsky.
Late Quartets (Opp. 127, 130–132, 135, and the Grosse Fuge Op. 133): composed between 1824 and 1826.

Recommended Recordings

The Complete String Quartets

Alban Berg Quartett

Warner Classics

🏆 Gramophone Awards (1985): Winner Chamber
🏆 Radio 3 Building a Library (2011): First Choice

The Early/Middle/Late Quartets

Calidore String Quartet

Signum Classics

🏆 BBC Music Magazine Awards (2024): Winner Chamber
🏆 Gramophone Magazine (2024): Recording of the Month

Around the World, The Complete String Quartets

Quatuor Ebène

ERATO

🏆 Gramophone Magazine (2019): Critics' Choice
🏆 Opus Klassik (2021): Winner Chamber Music

The String Quartets

Emerson String Quartet

Deutsche Grammophon

🏆 Grammy Awards (1997): Best Chamber Music Recording

Complete String Quartets

Takacs Quartet

DECCA

🏆 Grammy Awards (2002): Best Chamber Music Recording

Hildegard von Bingen: Ordo Virtutum

23 June 2026

Vocal

Background

Ordo Virtutum (Order of Virtues) is an allegorical morality play composed in 1151, during the construction and relocation of von Bingen's Abbey at Rupertsberg.
Probably performed by the convent nuns at the dedication of the St. Rupertsberg church in 1152.
In five Parts, about the struggle for a human soul between the Virtues and the Devil.
The only medieval musical drama to survive with an attribution for both text and music.

Recommended Recordings

Ordo Virtutum

Ars Choralis Coeln

Cond. Maria Jonas · Raum Klang

Ordo Virtutum

Symphonia

Cond. Antony Pitts · The Song Company

Ordo Virtutum

Seraphic Fire

Cond. Patrick Dupré Quigley · Seraphic Fire Media

Ordo Virtutum

Ensemble Belcanto

Cond. Dietburg Spohr · ECM New Series

Dmitri Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Op. 47

20 June 2026

Orchestral

Background

Composed between April and July 1937.
First performed on 21 November 1937 in Leningrad by the Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra under Yevgeny Mravinsky.
Well-received by Soviet official critics, after Shostakovich was severely attacked previously for his opera Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District.

Recommended Recordings

Symphonies

WDR Sinfonieorchester

Cond. Rudolf Barshai · Brilliant Classics

🏆 Radio 3 Building a Library (2008): Budget Choice

Symphony No. 5, Op. 47

The New York Philharmonic

Cond. Leonard Bernstein · Sony

Symphony No. 5, Adagio (Barber)

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra

Cond. Manfred Honeck · Reference Recordings

🏆 Grammy Awards (2017): Best Engineered Album, Classical
🏆 Grammy Awards (2017): Best Orchestral Performance

Symphonies 4, 5 & 6

Oslo Philharmonic

Cond. Klaus Mäkelä · DECCA

🏆 Gramophone Magazine (2024)
🏆 Presto Recordings of the Year (2024): Finalist

Under Stalin's Shadow: Symphonies Nos. 5, 8, 9

Boston Symphony Orchestra

Cond. Andris Nelsons · Deutsche Grammophon

🏆 Grammy Awards (2016): Best Orchestral Performance
🏆 Gramophone Magazine (2016): Editor's Choice
🏆 ECHO Klassik Awards (2017): Winner

Symphonies Nos. 5 & 9

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

Cond. Vasily Petrenko · NAXOS

🏆 Gramophone Magazine (2009): Editor's Choice

Sergei Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18

20 June 2026

Concerto

Background

Composed between June 1900 and April 1901, after his breakdown.
Premiered on 9 November 1901 at the Moscow Philharmonic Society, with himself at the piano and Alexander Siloti as conductor.
Dedicated to Nikolai Dahl, Rachmaninov's neurologist, who provided supportive therapy towards his recovery from depression.

Recommended Recordings

Piano Concertos 1 & 2

Leif Ove Andsnes (piano)

Berliner Philharmoniker

Cond. Antonio Pappano · Warner Classics

🏆 Gramophone Magazine (2005): Editor's Choice
🏆 Gramophone Awards (2006): Winner Concerto
🏆 Radio 3 Building a Library (2018): Recommended

Concerto No. 2, Etudes-Tableaux

Vladimir Ashkenazy (piano)

Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra

Cond. Kyril Kondrashin · DECCA

🏆 Radio 3 Building a Library (2004): First Choice
🏆 Radio 3 Building a Library (2026): Top Choice

Piano Concerto No. 2, Etudes-tableaux, Op. 33

Boris Giltburg (piano)

Royal Scottish National Orchestra

Cond. Carlos Miguel Prieto · NAXOS

🏆 Gramophone Magazine (2017): Editor's Choice
🏆 Opus Klassik Awards (2018): Winner Solo Recording Piano

The Piano Concertos, Paganini Rhapsody

Stephen Hough (piano)

Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Cond. Andrew Litton · Hyperion

🏆 Gramophone Magazine Awards (2004): Editor's Choice
🏆 Radio 3 Building a Library (2021): Recommended

Destination Rachmaninov, Departure — Piano Concertos 2 & 4

Daniil Trifonov (piano)

The Philadelphia Orchestra

Cond. Yannick Nezet-Seguin · Deutsche Grammophon

🏆 BBC Music Magazine Awards (2019): Winner Concerto
🏆 Diapason d'Or de l'Annee (2019): Winner Piano

Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2

Krystian Zimerman (piano)

Boston Symphony Orchestra

Cond. Seiji Ozawa · Deutsche Grammophon

🏆 Gramophone Magazine (2004): Disc of the Month

More entries are being added as the listening and documentation continues.