The critics have spoken and the results are in. Here are Limelight’s top recordings from 2016.

Orchestral Recording of the Year
Chamber Recording of the Year
Instrumental Recording of the Year
Vocal Recording of the Year
Opera Recording of the Year

In 2015, the Limelight Recording of the Year was a blockbuster recital of mainstream repertoire (Chopin and Mozart) by master pianist Grigory Sokolov on major label Deutsche Grammophon. It was a closely contested fight, but there were to be no giant slayers.

This year it was a battle royal with senior artists slugging it out against newcomers and standard repertoire pitched against the weird and frankly wonderful. In the end, only four votes separated the top four discs, but the winner was a testament to a combination of superb artistry, an underrated composer and an independent label that has performed consistently well over many decades.

In a sign of healthy competition, the 25 finalists represent a genuine spread across 17 labels ranging from the majors, through the independents to the positively boutique. The repertoire too was broad, with music...