Albums of the Year – 2022 Nominations

2022 brought hundreds of new DSD albums from over 85 labels to NativeDSD. Senior Reviewer Bill Dodd and Technical Advisor Brian Moura chose two or more nominees in each of 11 categories.

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• Soloist with Orchestra · Jazz Ensemble · Electronic Music · Jazz Piano · Vocals (Lied / Opera) · Chamber Music · World Music · Vocals (Non-Classical) · Orchestral · Jazz Fusion · Solo Instrumental

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Soloist with Orchestra

A recent review of this album by Adrian Quanjer (here) sums it up with “It’s all about passion and poetry”, and I agree. Anna Fedorova plays with surgical accuracy, but with great passion. No, there are no special effects or moments of forced showmanship. She captures Rachmaninoff’s moody presence, but also his magic. Anna Fedorova writes in the liner notes, “For me, it represents the change of the era, a farewell to the past and a dive into a quite terrifying future”. And the Sinfonieorcheter St. Gallen conducted by Modestas Pitrenas provides perfect backing.
– Bill Dodd

What a lovely album this is! Sonoko Miriam Welde with some incredibly beautiful late Romantic pieces for violin and orchestra. Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto No, 1 in G Minor is from the 1860’s, Ralph Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending was first performed in 1921, and from the later 1930’s Samuel Barber’s Violin Concerto all make this album glow with achingly beautiful music. Welde is accompanied by the Oslo Philharmonic.
– Bill Dodd

An exciting and sparkling Ravel Piano Concerto in G Major is the primary reason I’m nominating this release. Swiss Pianist Francesco Piemontesi takes no prisoners in his playing, and the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande conducted by Jonathan Nott is with him all the way. The rarely heard Schoenberg Piano Concerto and Messiaen’s oddball Oiseaux Exotiques fill out the album of music composed by European composers with an American connection. – Bill Dodd

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Jazz Ensemble

It’s always a highly anticipated event when Just Listen releases an album with Angelo Verploegen. When Night Falls is his fourth album on Just Listen. Here he is joined by Ed Verhoeff on Guitar and Eric van der Westen on Bass as they play 11 standards all of which offer the trio’s “Ode to the Night.” The album makes for a warm and enveloping evening of DSD listening. Very nice.
– Brian Moura

Michael Moore and Paul Berner won an Album of the Year award last year for their Stereo DSD album Amulet. This year they returned to NativeDSD with The Gift – a second One Microphone Recording that was made at the same session that gave us Amulet. Playing a set with 10 well known standards, Moore and Berner masterfully blend their instruments in a way that brings a certain musical magic to each track. This is Jazz music at its finest.
– Brian Moura

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Electronic Music

Last year, Audio Define brought us the DSD debut album from an electronic rock band named Empty Triangles. The band’s first album was well received and this year they are back with Empty Triangles 2.0. Audio Define calls this new release “a retro-inspired collection of electro-pop recorded to Analog Tape using a collection of historic gear from the 80s and 90s to achieve that signature sound, whilst maintaining a modern production and vibe!” The tracks feature synth-based rock that is very much in the same groove as their debut album. Electronic Music fans will enjoy this one.
– Brian Moura

The New Poetry Of The Fallen Testament is Live to Pure DSD 256 Stereo recording made at SuperSize Recording in Hungary. The Lawn Dogs is a European rock and electronic music band that offers special thanks to Bolcso Bar & Restaurant for providing great food and beer during the recording session. This album offers a lively mix of both rock and electronic music with Hunnia’s fine Pure DSD 256 recording. Definitely an album for fans of this genre to consider.
– Brian Moura

Audio Define ended the year with another electronic music release: Into The Stratosphere by Sunsetron. As with their albums from Empty Triangles, this is an Exclusive NativeDSD Edition created in the Analog Domain and transferred to DSD by producers Stacey Havana and Cask J. Thomson. They note that “Into the Stratosphere premiered in May 2022, receiving widespread acclaim by listeners appreciating the dreamy electronic compositions, hypnotic vocals, and trance-like production.” The album includes both the vocal and instrumental versions of each song. It’s an interesting approach. For me, the instrumental versions win out.
– Brian Moura

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Jazz Piano

Pianist Gabor Csordas brought us 4 Pure DSD 256 Stereo albums this year. When it comes to our Album of the Year nominations, the one I selected was Chasing A Dream. It features quite a range of styles from the mellow Jazz of the title song to the lovely Tokyo Ballad to a Jazzy disco themed song titled Fresh. The range and variety of styles and musical influences here are quite a treat. Csordas is a Jazz player with style and one to watch.
– Brian Moura

Pianist Jan Gunnar Hoff released his fourth solo album titled Home at NativeDSD this year. It arrived in a multitude of formats including Stereo and 5.1 Channel Surround Sound plus 7.1.4 Immersive Sound in Auro3D, Dolby Atmos and Discrete Immersive Sound. The album is described as “both as an homage to and as a statement of belonging to northern Norway, with its naked landscape and its Arctic location.” Most of the songs are composed by Hoff with his unique interpretations of such classics as Moon River, Summertime and What Might Have Been. Home offers a thoughtful, moving, and beautiful set of solo piano performances. It is a musical treat worth a place in your music library.
– Brian Moura

In 2013 Daniel Barenboim commissioned Chris Maene to build a perfect parallel-strung concert grand piano. On the album Time For Ballads: The Maene Sessions, pianist Rob van Bavel is accompanied by Frans van Geest on Double Bass and Marcel Serierse on Drums as they play 13 ballads including Body and Soul, In A Sentimental Mood, The Shadow Of Your Smile and several original compositions. Van Bavel felt this the perfect piano to use in his tribute to ballads would be the Chris Maene Straight Strung Concert Grand Piano a beautiful little wooden church called ‘De Terp’ in Oudorp. One can debate whether it’s the piano, the Jazz Ensemble, the church or all of the above that contributes to the fine music and sonics on this album. To my ears it’s a winner all around.
– Brian Moura

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Vocals (Lied / Opera)

Michael Wilmering is that rarity among concert baritones– He is truly an “actor” in the very best sense. He is immersed in what he is singing, and he makes us understand and feel it as few others can do. And Daan Boertien is his perfect partner on the piano. The pandemic gave them lots of time to study Schubert’s famous song cycle and they present it intimately and beautifully. TRPTK’s recording captures the two things that are the most difficult test of audio quality: The piano, and the male voice.
– Bill Dodd

I admit to being a big fan of Sibelius, but I am new to these songs. They were originally written for voice and piano, but each has been orchestrated by Sibelius himself or others. One of my favorite Mezzos, Marianne Beate Kielland, is backed by The Norwegian Radio Orchestra conducted by Petr Popelka and the result is completely successful.
– Bill Dodd

I know you’re probably confused. French Bel Canto Arias by Rossini and Donizetti? But it’s pretty much accurate. I can recommend reading the liner notes for background. What’s important is that Lisette Oropesa soars to great heights, and wrings great beauty out of these various arias. She is accompanied by The Dresdner Philharmonie and The Staatsopernchor Dresden conducted by Corrado Rovaris. I think I’ll be listening to this lovely set quite a bit.
– Bill Dodd

Verdi’s 1853 Opera was quite different for its time. No towering characters from the past, but almost a precursor to Opera Verismo still decades ahead in time. Like most of the great operas there are recorded versions that will top peoples’ lists for a long time. But this superb recording and performance stands with the best, and offers modern sound. Again we have Lisette Oropesa along with a really solid cast, accompanied by The Dresdner Philharmonie and The Staatsopernchor Dresden. The conductor is Daniel Oren. This could easily be my only La Traviata.
– Bill Dodd

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Chamber Music

I love this album! Antonino Reggio is a bit of a mystery. He was a priest, a monsignor, a musician, and a composer. He was born in Sicily in 1725, but no one seems to be absolutely sure about the year of his death. And no one seems to be sure about when these Sonatas were written, but they are delightful as played by Konstantin Shenikov, lute; and Kit Samara, baroque harp. The combination of harp and lute really works for this music! HR Recordings says this is Volume 1 with 12 of the 24, and that Volume 2 will be coming in a few months. I can hardly wait!
– Bill Dodd

Reviewer Rushton Paul, Positive Feedback, sums up his reaction to this album: “This is not treadle-pumping Bach. This is joyous Bach – full of life, full of invention, ever flowing with ideas.“ I agree! Just as with Rachel Podger’s amazing Vivaldi albums, there is love and total commitment in the playing of Mercero and Sebastian. Even people who aren’t drawn to Bach could easily be won over by this album! And the recording quality is superb!
– Bill Dodd

Rachel Podger’s first album of music by Beethoven is a winner. She and pianist Christopher Glynn survey Beethoven’s First, Fifth, and Tenth Sonatas for violin and Piano, and the result shows dramatically the journey from early to late Beethoven, Classical to Romantic! The playing from this pair is everything you’d expect from world-class musicians, and the sound is everything you’d expect from Channel Classics.
– Bill Dodd

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World Music

The Rembrandt Trio returns to NativeDSD with their latest Just Listen album A Wind Invisible. The trio, which includes pianist and composer Rembrandt Frerichs, bass player Tony Overwater and Vinsent Planjer on percussion is known for their selection of unique musical themes and styles. Here we have an album of complex melodies that brings the listener World Music with influences from Jazz, Classical and Oriental Music. The album features the fine recording skills of Jared Sacks and is beautifully presented. It’s a musical journey you will enjoy and look forward to embarking on.
– Brian Moura

David Yengibarian released a pair of World Music albums this year on Hunnia. My favorite is Influences. Here he is joined by the David Yengibarian Trio with guest musicians Eva Alekszandrovna and Vasilis Klapakis. This Pure DSD 256 Stereo album is a high energy and lively World Music album that highlights the trio’s musical influences which include Armenian, European and American Jazz, Improvised Music, Tango, and Tango Nuevo of Astor Piazzolla. It’s World Music delivered in state of the art Pure DSD 256 sound with an energy that will entertain and delight any listener.
– Brian Moura

Producer and Recording Engineer Bob Attiyeh at Yarlung is known for bringing new musical artists in a wide variety of genres and styles to NativeDSD. This year was no exception. With Sangam, we discover the music of Paul Livingstone (sitar) and Peter Jacobson (cello). Subtitled Confluence: Music From Inside The Heart Of Raga, the album brings us World Music which is a blending (or confluence if you will) of Hindustani music with Western improvisations. Fresh, unique, and recorded in Pure DSD 256 sonics. An interesting and enjoyable musical change of pace.
– Brian Moura

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Vocals (Non-Classical)

Bobby Troup was a multi-talented actor, singer, songwriter, arranger, and Jazz pianist. He was also the husband and musical accompanist for singer Julie London. The title track of his album Route 66 features his best-known single along with 23 additional songs – many written by Troup. Troup has an engaging singing style that is mellow and cited by some as a fine example of the male “crooner”. Route 66 features a transfer of a Monophonic Analog Tape from the Jazzology Records catalog to DSD by 2xHD. It makes a fine addition to your DSD catalog.
– Brian Moura

One of the year’s best-selling albums at NativeDSD this year, Ray! rocketed up our Top Selling DSD Best Sellers chart in days and dominated the best sellers list for weeks and weeks. The album stars the popular and talented Carmen Gomes and her ensemble. Gomes uses the album to put her distinctive vocals and style on favorites including The Sun Is Gonna Shine Again, Georgia On My Mind, Willow Weep For Me and Makin’ Whoopee. Recorded in Stereo DXD and mastered to Analog Tape, this album is one you will savor again and again.
– Brian Moura

Day Three Take One (Double Album, Pure DSD)

David Elias & the Casual Tees
SSP20070420, Sketti Sandwich Productions

Singer and songwriter David Elias gained fame for his mellow songs and performances at the San Gregorio General Store, a historic general store and bar on the California coast. On Day Three Take One, Elias returns to the general store for a live recording, direct to Stereo Pure DSD engineered by an all-star team that includes Gus Skinas and Dr. Andrew Demery from the Sony & Philips DSD development team. The album features over 2 hours and 20 minutes of music and adventures. In addition to the songs on the album, you will enjoy banter between Elias, the band (“the Casual Tees”) and the session engineers – along with the occasional food and bar order from the band as the evening proceeds. The music and sound quality is excellent, and the mood is relaxed and fun. A true DSD highlight in 2022.
– Brian Moura

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Orchestral

This is a towering Bruckner Nine from Iván Fischer and the Budapest Festival Orchestra. Bruckner’s “unfinished” symphony lacks nothing, which is not a surprise since their Bruckner Seven was a multiple-award winner. The recording is excellent.
– Bill Dodd

Simon Rattle and the London Symphony Orchestra shine in this fine rendering of Bruckner’s Fourth Symphony, including an entire album’s worth of music that “didn’t make the cut” to the final version. I think Rattle’s Bruckner 4 is excellent in its “final” form, but the extras make for interesting listening and conjecture.
– Bill Dodd

This release of the Brahms Symphonies from Bernard Haitink and the London Symphony Orchestra together in one set is far more than just a nice way to save money, it’s a wonderful cycle from a conductor whose powers and insights have never been more obvious. There are many fine Brahms symphony recordings available, but each of these can stand with the very best! Exciting, meaningful, and very well recorded.
– Bill Dodd

These are absolutely delightful Beethoven First and Third Symphonies from Gianandrea Noseda and the National Symphony Orchestra! Fleet of foot, powerful, but … charming as well. These performances are assured, refreshing, and easy to recommend. I look forward to the rest of the cycle! I was also quite impressed with how well recorded this is.
– Bill Dodd

Maurice Maeterlinck’s play, Pelléas Et Mélisande was an inspiration for many composers: Faure, Sibelius, Schoenberg, and Debussy’s only Opera. This album features two of those: A symphonic poem by Schoenberg, and a suite adapted from Debussy’s Opera by Conductor Jonathan Nott. I was expecting the two works to differ dramatically, but they truly work together. Diaphanous, shimmering, even mystical feelings wrap around you as you listen, aided by Pentatone’s fine recording.
– Bill Dodd

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Jazz Fusion

An album that was several years in the making, Signs Of The Coast features composer and guitarist Eugenijus Jonavicius leading a Jazz quartet. Jonavicius is in demand as a session musician as well as a teacher of guitar masterclasses. His session chops are very apparent on the album, which led it to be the best selling title from Analog Planet this year.
– Brian Moura

Krisztian Csapo, also known as “Kriz”, is a trombone player and session musician in Europe. The Journey Home is a Stereo Pure DSD 256 album that features 16 top musicians playing Jazz Fusion and Big Band Jazz. The performances are stellar, and this album really cooks. Easily one of the best DSD releases of the year.
– Brian Moura

AnalogFather is a new label at NativeDSD that focuses on bringing Analog Recordings from Lithuanian musicians to DSD. Sus Signal is the debut album by Reinless. The band, fronted by Jazz trombone player, arranger, and composer Jievaras Jasinskis brings us an album of fine Jazz Fusion, Jazz, Funk, and Soul Music. While Reinless also released a second Jazz Fusion in DSD titled 434 later in the year, Sus Signal gets my nod for one of the year’s best albums.
– Brian Moura

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Solo Instrumental

The Complete Beethoven Sonatas – All 11 Volumes [DSD Bundle]

Peter Takács
Peter Takács Music

While all 11 of Peter Takács’ albums of the complete set of Piano Sonatas are available individually, the complete (money saving) bundle is a wonderful way to go. Takács is not an overly flamboyant pianist. He lets Beethoven speak for himself, yet I found absolutely nothing missing in these performances. The usual “greatest hits” sonatas are as fine as one could wish, but what really impressed me is how much I thoroughly enjoyed all of the lesser known ones. I kept thinking that each was like a totally new discovery, and each was something I would never want to be without. The DSD Soundmirror recording is top-notch.
– Bill Dodd

Romanian Pianist, Matei Varga, who lives in the USA, says that the dark period of the pandemic caused him to explore new music and different composers at home. The result is music largely by Cuban composer, Ernesto Lecuona. (A side note: Some of you may recall the very popular song, “The Breeze and I” adapted from Lecuona’s Andalucia.) Varga separates selections by Lecuona with works by a number of unexpected composers including Beethoven, Chopin, Gershwin, and others. You could call it salon music. The program is varied, and always delightful. Well recorded, excellent musicianship, and it’s clear that Matei Varga loves this music.
– Bill Dodd

Fantasia: Dialog For One! Pauline Oostenrijk, playing both Piano and Oboe (but not at the same time), is delightful with a selection of Telemann’s Fantasias for Piano (or harpsichord), and his Fantasias for Oboe (or Flute). Piano and Oboe Fantasias are alternated in the program to create the “dialog.” All of Telemann’s many “Fantasias” for various instruments are short, basically unstructured, and delightful. The final track is a “Postludium” Oostenrijk has created from themes from various Telemann Fantasias. The bottom line is fine musicianship and thoughtful programming of these pieces from a master composer.
– Bill Dodd

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The NativeDSD Team would like to thank Bill Dodd and Brian Moura for having spent an eternity listening to all of the albums released in 2022, and for selecting the albums they believe you should not miss.

View All Nominated Albums in the Store · See the 2022 winners