Each year, hundreds of classical albums are released to the public, and each year, every listener develops their own "top picks" list. Looking back, 2005 has been a great year for classical music. Unfortunately, there is no way for me to listen to every album and effectively narrow them down into a list of 10. With that said, I searched the Internet, Billboard, and other music resources to put together what I think is the Best Classical Music Albums of 2005. Enjoy!
1. Tuscany - Andre Rieu (DVD)
Tuscany has remained in the top of the Billboard Classical Music chart for over 63 weeks now. Broadcast on the extremely popular PBS series, this program was recorded live, outdoors in the Piazza de la Republica in the Italian city of Cortona. On this classical music DVD, the classical music selections are extremely well known. You will find the works "Ode to Joy", The Godfather Love Theme, "O Mio Bambino Caro", and last but not least, the William Tell Overture.
2. Sacred Songs - Renee Fleming
Another fantastic album by Renee Fleming, Sacred Songs tops the lists of many online music stores including Amazon.com and Absolutely.net. Released in September, this album quickly made its way to the top. On it you will find many favorite works, including Bach/Gounod's "Ave Maria", Franck's "Panis Angelicus", and Faure's "Pie Jesu". Accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic, Renee proves herself, yet again, to be a classical music diva.3. Cecilia Bartoli - Opera Proibita
This exciting album features arias by Handel, Scarlatti, and Caldara. The theme of Bartoli's newest album is this: songs written in Rome at a time when performing opera and women singing in public was forbidden by the Church. Opera Proibita is a fantastic album performed with exquisite detail and musicality.4. Joshua Bell - Romance of the Violin
Joshua Bell has had an extremely successful year; this album especially, lends to his success. Lovers of the violin will no doubt love this album. Many tracks on Romance of the Violin feature non-traditional reditions of some of the world's favorite works, including Norma's Casta Diva, Song's My Mother Taught Me, The Swan, and Elegie 'O doux printemps d'autrefois' for voice and piano.5. Pacifica Quartet - Medelssohn: The Complete Quartets
Flawless performances, expert musicianship and perfect blend and balance all packaged in a three disk set. What more could you ask for in a classical music album? The highly distinguished Pacifica Quartet is vibrant, sensitive and extremely talented. Mendelssohn's quartets have never sounded so good. Read the full review.6. Renee Fleming - Haunted Heart
This side of Reneé is a side a great number of the public has never heard, although, it's actually where she began her performing career. During her undergraduate studies, performing meant singing at off-campus bars with her jazz trio every weekend for two years. Fleming says of the album, "These songs have haunted my heart over the years..." Haunted Heart, although it may not be classical, rightfully deserves a place on this list. Read the full review.7. Yo Yo Ma - The Essential Yo Yo Ma
Released in Aug. 2005, The Essential Yo Yo Ma climbed to the tops of bestselller's lists including Amazon.com and BN.com. It's evident how large Yo Yo Ma's fan base really is. Yo Yo Ma has continued to enchant audiences and performers alike across the globe with his virtuoso cello playing. He is able to give his cello the voice of an angle. The Essential Yo Yo Ma gives you exactly what it says: his essential music - some of his most praised and highly acclaimed performances.8. Mozart: Violin Sonatas
Hilary Hahn's first Mozart album has received rave reviews not only from fans, but critics as well. Accompanied by Natalie Zhu, together they bring Mozart's sonatas to a new level. Each performer plays each note with clarity and commitment. Since her debut in the classical music world, Hilary Hahn has been nothing but successful.9. Arvo Part - Lamentate
Lametate, released in Aug. 2005, by written by Arvo Part, an Estonia born composer. On Sept. 11, 2005, Part celebrated his 70th birthday. Among Part's success, is his ability to keep a relatively large and loyal fan base. The extreme success of Lamentate pleased both his fans and new listeners.10. Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto (Hybrid SACD)
Another spectacular album by Joshua Bell. Bell delights listeners with Tchaikovsky's Concerto in D Major for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 35, and Méditation in D minor, Op. 42, No. 1. Not only does this album boast fantastic performances by Bell and the Berliner Philharmoniker, it also is a Super Audio CD, meaning that it sounds way better than a regular CD.