Inside: Geoffrey Norris visits the grand opening of Mariinsky II in St Petersburg and assesses its impact on Gergiev and his musicians; Jeremy Nicholas flies the flag forCharles-Valentin Alkan in the pianist-composer’s bicentenary year; and Fabrice Fitch surveys the best available recordings of the Eton Choirbook. Don’t miss interviews with Osmo Vänska on Sibelius’s Fourth Symphony and Gianandrea Noseda on Casella’s Third Symphony.

Also, the great Alfred Brendel writes for us about his astonishing recording career and recalls his personal highlights. Plus, where should listeners begin in exploring his legacy?

Plus, as always, the month’s new classical music releases are reviewed by our expert critics – including our Recording of the Month, the second volume of Beethoven’s Complete String Quartets from the Belcea Quartet, released on Zig-Zag Territoires. 

For more about the new issue, visit this month’s Gramophone magazine.