The Daily Swarm

Amid a strong array of contenders, Andreas Scholl’s disc “Crystal Tears,” a darkly entrancing program of music from Elizabethan and Jacobean England, is my candidate for CD of the year. Scholl, a German countertenor with a pure yet full voice, goes uncannily deep into the songs of John Dowland and his contemporaries; the lutenist Julian Behr and the viol consort Concerto di viole provide immaculate, hypnotic accompaniment.

“Crystal Tears”: songs of Dowland, Robert Johnson, Byrd, and others; Andreas Scholl, countertenor, Julian Behr, lute and Concerto di viole (Harmonia Mundi).

Schumann, “Dichterliebe” and other Heine Lieder; Gerald Finley, baritone, and Julius Drake, piano (Hyperion).

“Heavenly Harmonies”: music of Tallis and Byrd; Stile Antico (Harmonia Mundi).

Morton Feldman, “The Viola in My Life” (I-IV); Marek Konstantynowicz, viola, with Christian Eggen conducting the Cikada Ensemble and the Norwegian Radio Orchestra (ECM).

“Gods, Kings, and Demons”; René Pape, bass, with Sebastian Weigle conducting the Staatskapelle Dresden (Deutsche Grammophon).

Jonathan Harvey, “Body Mandala,” “Tranquil Abiding,” “Timepieces,” “White As Jasmine,” “…Towards a Pure Land”; Ilan Volkov and Stefan Solyom conducting the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra (NMC).

“Hommage à Messiaen”; Pierre-Laurent Aimard, piano (Deutsche Grammophon).

John Adams, “Doctor Atomic”; Gerald Finley, baritone, with Lawrence Renes conducting the Netherlands Opera (Opus Arte DVD).

Chopin, Preludes, and pieces by Mompou; Alexandre Tharaud, piano (Harmonia Mundi).

Brahms and Schumann Lieder; Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, mezzo-soprano, and Julius Drake, piano (Wigmore Hall Live).