The Year's Best Records

The following choice of 1955's best is made on the basis of unusually interesting qualities in music or performance:

Bach: The Brandenburg Concertos (Vanguard, 3 LPs). Marked by brilliant projection of musical subleties and sheer virtuosity.

Bartok: Sonata No. 2 for Violin and Piano (Mercury). A compelling but rarely heard work by a modern master.

The Birth of a Performance (Columbia). A detailed rehearsal scene, with fatherly Conductor Bruno Walter explaining Mozart's "Linz" Symphony.

Chavez: Toccata for Percussion (M-G-M). A startlingly faithful recording.

Dallapiccola: Tartiniana (Columbia). A charming view of Tartini's 18th century violin compositions as seen through Dallapiccola's 20th century eyes.

Debussy: Sonata for Flute, Viola and Harp (Decca). One of Debussy's last compositions in a topnotch performance.

Haydn:Trumpet Concerto (Vanguard). Haydn's normally high spirits soar, even higher with Trumpeter George Eskdale.

Mozart: Don Giovanni (Epic). One of the world's great operas performed with ardor and urgency.

Verdi: Aida (Angel). The old pulse bumper, with Soprano Maria Callas leading a fine cast.

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