“Year-End Wrap Up: Our Favorite Music of 2025”

In this episode, we look back and pick our favorite classical and jazz recordings from 2025.

The Adult Music Podcast is featured in:

Feedspot's 100 Best Jazz Podcasts

Episode 241 Deezer Playlist

Fair use disclaimer: Music sample clips are for commentary and educational purposes. We recommend that listeners listen to the complete recordings, all of which are available on streaming services in the links provided. We also suggest that if you enjoy the music, you consider purchasing the CDs or high-quality downloads to support the artists.

Russ’ Classical Picks

Episode 204: “Anniversaries & Inner Journeys” 3/17/2025

“Hough: Piano Concerto, Sonatina & Partita” (Hyperion)
Sir Stephen Hough, The Hallé, Sir Mark Elder

https://open.spotify.com/album/6aj6j7obrqKiSJJF9GB51l

https://music.apple.com/us/album/hough-piano-concerto-sonatina-partita/1790189101

https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0DSWK94H6

Episode 208: “Elegance & Fire” 4/14/2025

“Prokofiev & Shor” (Alpha)
Behzod Abduraimov, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra / Vasily Petrenko

https://open.spotify.com/album/6yTib2Mj4XZNvPoC7ILgqR

https://music.apple.com/us/album/prokofiev-shor/1792782208

https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0DV5N35H1

Episode 210: “Fluted Grooves” 4/28/2025

“Daugherty: Blue Electra” (Naxos)
Anne Akiko Meyers, Albany Symphony Orchestra / David Alan Miller

https://open.spotify.com/album/7KeVVROhrOyr7hwyAMc2Od

https://music.apple.com/us/album/michael-daugherty-blue-electra-last-dance-at-the-surf/1803167332

https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0DTKSWBX9

Episode 211: “Saxurated Sound” 5/5/2025

“Tales of the Jazz Age” (La Dolce Volta)
Florian Noack

https://open.spotify.com/album/1pgOmjL6jYB69GOA2aMNxP

https://classical.music.apple.com/sg/album/1795617036

https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0DWNBXQ3M

“Ancient Modernity” (Delphian)
Louise McMonagle

https://open.spotify.com/album/4mYIWqAJAYTqU4ayjzJnsI

https://music.apple.com/za/album/ancient-modernity/1799737575

https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0DZ31FWKW

Episode 213: “Sacred Trinity & Swingin’ Trio” 5/18/2025

“Alexander Scriabin: Vers La Flamme” (BIS)
Yevgeny Sudbin

https://open.spotify.com/album/3wYDp7bi9o73xbr9ZzWLrk

https://music.apple.com/us/album/scriabin-vers-la-flamme/1803174467

https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0F1Z3KHWL

Episode 218: “A Quarter for Your Tones” 7/7/2025

“Persia & Baroque - Classical Persian Music and European Baroque” (Christophorus)
Hamburger Ratsmusik / Simone Eckert, Ulrich Wedemeier, Anke Dennert, Neoclassical Ensemble of Tehran / Arash Mohafez

https://open.spotify.com/album/5owCWVmzhFYnjbqZHg4lT0

https://music.apple.com/us/album/persia-baroque-classical-persian-music-and-european/1822952513

https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0F8C7Z8D5

Episode 219: “Border Crossers” 7/14/2025

“Laurent Boutros: Apatride, An Armenian in Paris” (Da Vinci Classics)
Antonino Ielo

https://open.spotify.com/album/7hQ2upqq5JxHfbJ8yDlX5C

https://music.apple.com/us/album/laurent-boutros-apatride-an-armenian-in-paris/1819815810

https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0FCP46QV9

Episode 229: “A Trumpet Junket” 9/29/2025

“Kevin Puts: Concerto for Orchestra, Silent Night Elegy & Virelai” (Delos)
Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra / Stéphane Denève

https://open.spotify.com/album/3s5T4R7QJKHjgfNHmVy6Vz

https://music.apple.com/us/album/kevin-puts-concerto-for-orchestra-silent-night-elegy/1826975431

No Amazon Music

Episode 231: “Bourbon Based” 10/13/2025

“Robert Russell Bennett & Vernon Duke: Violin Concertos” (Chandos)
Chloë Hanslip, Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Andrew Litton

https://open.spotify.com/album/5SQS6UVFNNBMf7Itmo1JEG

https://music.apple.com/us/album/bennett-duke-violin-works/1830974602

https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0FKQ8BJYV

Mike’s Classical Picks

Episode 202: “The Spaces Between” 2/24/2025

“The Age of Extremes: W.F. Bach, G. Benda & C.P.E. Bach” (Arcana)

Francesco Corti, Il Pomo d'Oro

https://open.spotify.com/album/666rWzJgsF6pZo9KyAZ27A

https://music.apple.com/gh/album/the-age-of-extremes-w-f-bach-g-benda-c-p-e-bach/1781631697

https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0DN6QFCXM

Episode 207: “Blues ‘n’ Bones” 4/7/2025

“Dvořák & Price: Piano Quintets” (Hyperion)

Takacs Quartet, Marc-Andre Hamelin

https://open.spotify.com/album/1i8Dx19cZUT4y5TcD9bomJ

https://music.apple.com/us/album/dvořák-price-piano-quintets/1791744025

https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0DTKP5X5F

Episode 209 “Women on the Open Road” 4/21/2025

“Vox Feminae” (Alpha)

Les Kapsber’girls

https://open.spotify.com/album/7CMohdNtQxiB83iEMqntc7

https://music.apple.com/us/album/vox-feminae/1793025660

https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0DV5PTBMJ

Episode 212: “From Bach to Boogaloo” 5/12/2025

“Concertos: Pécou, Lazkano, Nante” (Erato)

Alexandre Tharaud

https://open.spotify.com/album/6bI8HUotFbewV3WMYX0OV0

https://music.apple.com/us/album/pécou-lazkano-nante-piano-concertos/1806217843

https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0F3FG9KJ7

Episode 213: “Sacred Trinity & Swingin’ Trio” 5/18/2025

“Clérambault: Te Deum & Histoire de la Femme Adultère” (Château de Versailles Spectacles)

Lisandro Abadie, Guy Cutting, Samuel Namotte, Gwendoline Blondeel

A Nocte Temporis, Chœur de Chambre de Namur / Reinoud Van Mechelen

https://open.spotify.com/album/3kITS98BQIa4cFBjT1NSnH

https://music.apple.com/us/album/clérambault-te-deum-histoire-de-la-femme-adultère/1799108129

https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0DYNNF76N

Episode 215 “Doorway to the Horizon” 6/7/2025

“Ni Dufay, Ni Binchois - the Works of Johannes Pullois” (Passacaille)

Sollazzo Ensemble

https://open.spotify.com/album/4NMrnD08oj20PzLNDHM0rL

https://music.apple.com/us/album/ni-dufay-ni-binchois-the-works-of-johannes-pullois/1807330875

https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0F44CTHZL

Episode 224: “Moon Tunes” 8/18/2025

“Bach, Telemann & Albinoni: Concerti” (Alpha)

Sophie Gent, Kathleen Kajioka, Ensemble Masques / Olivier Fortin

https://open.spotify.com/album/4Z9606TIlzMs2YA6LXiZnP

https://music.apple.com/us/album/j-s-bach-telemann-albinoni-concerti/1807001257

https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0F8NM4DPF

Episode 227: “Melodic Reflections” 9/9/2025

“Libro primo” (ECM)

Rolf Lislevand

https://open.spotify.com/album/3XPfRhPmgp2sTj5rLPPH2I

https://music.apple.com/us/album/libro-primo/1826581965

https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0FHJ5H7JV

Episode 229: 2A Trumpet Junket” 9/29/2025

“Martinů String Quartets 2-3-5-7” (Supraphon)

Pavel Haas Quartet

https://open.spotify.com/album/5LhBAJvYfW3akK0G35B8wh

https://music.apple.com/us/album/martinů-string-quartets-nos-2-3-5-7/1832782214

https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0FM474BZ7

Episode 234 “Found Objects & Fresh Air” 11/10/2025

“Martinu Violin Concertos 1 & 2, Stravinsky Divertimento” (Supraphon)

Josef Spacek, Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra / Petr Popelka

https://open.spotify.com/album/0SKhKsHvwcPZ4OYMtzGRuK

https://music.apple.com/us/album/martinů-violin-concertos-1-2-stravinsky-divertimento/1846791139

https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0FTGJLNHZ

“Found Objects / Sound Objects” (Hyperion)

Marc-André Hamelin

https://open.spotify.com/album/2dGt6QoBUsh75ShmyWOERe

https://music.apple.com/us/album/found-objects-sound-objects/1828259285

https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0FJHYS4SJ

Mike’s Jazz Picks

Episode 205: “Fragmented Inspirations” 3/24/2025

“South” (Sunnyside)
Randal Despommier

https://open.spotify.com/album/1EcSKXQuNPs7UIzaTkLl0j

https://music.apple.com/us/album/south/1797433088

https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0DTWJSFZJ

Episode 208: “Elegence and Fire” 4/14/2025

“Live at Snug Harbor” (Outside in Music)

Leon Anderson

https://open.spotify.com/album/34XmNuGwm09hMfwDqaiGyf

https://music.apple.com/us/album/live-at-snug-harbor/1792288803

https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0DTWHYQSL

Episode 212: “From Bach to Boogaloo” 5/12/2025

“Steep Steps” (Hobby Horse Records)
Carl Winther, Richard Andersson, Jeff “Tain” Watts

https://open.spotify.com/album/6mSi775nA3yYvU9Njpd7LV

https://music.apple.com/us/album/steep-steps/1796891336

https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0DXFZPK8X

Episode 218: “A Quarter for Your Tones” 7/7/2025

“Nico’s Dream” (SteepleChase)
Tony Miceli

https://open.spotify.com/album/5wUvoUKyZ0mmP87LZT877P

https://music.apple.com/us/album/nicos-dream/1828638176

https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0F4DSQMVV

Episode 229: “A Trumpet Junket” 9/29/2025

“Oblivity” (Origin)
Shawn Purcell

https://open.spotify.com/album/4BdcYHpppD4zNskoxnuP2Z

https://music.apple.com/us/album/oblivity/1831093754

https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0FL4V5HPB

Episode 230: “Concertos & Ciphers” 10/6/2025

“Cipher” (PHP Records)
Charlie Porter

https://open.spotify.com/album/2Nf8PpF9l3pDz6FLn4V18s

https://music.apple.com/us/album/cipher/1807658361

https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0F49QRDH5

Episode 233: “Origin-al Recipe” 11/3/2025

“New Outlook” (Origin)
Affinity Trio, Eric Jacobson

https://open.spotify.com/album/6lhUbkRZQbk93E8rqane5J

https://music.apple.com/us/album/new-outlook/1841929457

https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0FSCP685Q

“In the Groove: Live at the Alluvion” (OA2) trumpet, 10/17/2025
Anthony Stanco

https://open.spotify.com/album/1eTkEAn2waOoKYJTjGkRyi

https://music.apple.com/us/album/in-the-groove-live-at-the-alluvion/1841931160

https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0FSCSVSY6

Episode 235: “Impressions & Connections” 11/17/2025

“Lasting Impression” (Savant/High Note)
Brandon Sanders

https://open.spotify.com/album/1avyPXf8rP4eqgbfGHnnQN

https://music.apple.com/us/album/lasting-impression/1840695827

https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0FRNM61SQ

Episode 240: “Double Trouble” 12/22/2025

“It’s On!” (Nervy Nigel Records)
Nigel Price

https://open.spotify.com/album/0y2Rph1r8YLaqktG90Xxeh

https://music.apple.com/gb/album/its-on/1850003081

https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0FY3P1HB4

Honorable Mention

Episode 228: “Synergy, Vocals, and Vibes” 9/22/2025

“Synergy” (SteepleChase)
Paul Bollenback, Boris Kozlov

https://open.spotify.com/album/59j2rbwlkeEgvAwKTVZz9o

https://music.apple.com/us/album/synergy/1843953911

https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0FL5GF4F1

Russ’ Jazz Picks

Episode 198: “Serene Screen Time” 1/27/2025

“The Snake Charmer” (Origin)
Brad Goode Polytonal Big Band

https://open.spotify.com/album/3FGXtQeRDC6i5LQMDTnyDl

https://music.apple.com/us/album/polytonal-big-band-the-snake-charmer/1781618413

https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0DNZ5HRRD

Episode 202: “The Spaces Between” 2/24/2025

“Table for Three” (SteepleChase)
Alex Norris

https://open.spotify.com/album/2l4TGcCJaluGa98MqC8Ht7

https://music.apple.com/us/album/table-for-three/1806266526

https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0DVBDCBXQ

Episode 206: “Timbre Tantrum” 3/31/2025

“LightSide” (A.MA Records)
Matteo Pastorino

https://open.spotify.com/album/4z1xt1yALoiVkVk4t5vgVi

https://music.apple.com/us/album/lightside-feat-dario-deidda-armando-luongo-domenico-sanna/1798791324

https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0DYN9FLW8

Episode 214: “Building Characters & Light Bassoonery” 5/26/2025

“Building Characters” (Cellar Music)
Charles Chen

https://open.spotify.com/album/5u6CjR2OTU7MjQUU5OOJCZ

https://music.apple.com/us/album/building-characters/1795037951

https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0DWG54DLB

Episode 220: “Trans-phonic” 7/21/2025

“Transverse” (Calligram Records)
Chad McCullough, Gordan Spasovski, Kiril Tufekčievski, Viktor Filipovski

https://open.spotify.com/album/4GsqtJEMpqYfEDF14dxPzu

https://music.apple.com/us/album/transverse/1819687910

https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0FCM5H3K5

Episode 222: “Mountain Viewfinder” 8/4/2025

“Viewfinder” (Attica Records)
Hugh Pascall

https://open.spotify.com/album/7IBrlJsdgj0sY579JDebqT

https://music.apple.com/us/album/viewfinder/1825686850

https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0FH2XKXG5

Episode 224: “Moon Tunes” 8/18/2025

“Many Moons” (Third Coast Sound)
Markus Rutz

https://open.spotify.com/album/4MK0b4KgkFSclrpIqbrF3b

https://music.apple.com/us/album/many-moons/1810126274

https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0F61HBSNF

Episode 225: “Chromatic Dreams” 8/25/2025

“Still We Dream” (Posi-Tone)
Josh Lawrence

https://open.spotify.com/album/3Rybpa0B2Xs4hrB8JBG4yP

https://music.apple.com/us/album/still-we-dream/1821713242

https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0FGZMSQDS

Episode 232: “A French Connection” 10/20/2025

“The Dark Forest” (Steeplechase)
Chris Byars

https://open.spotify.com/album/4kFItljxvnU4JdIln0Wdp4

https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-dark-forest/1844056557

https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0FSG9R8C1

Episode 234: “Found Objects & Fresh Air” 11/10/2025

“A Breath of Fresh Air” (Taylor Christian Records)
Sean Mason

https://open.spotify.com/album/6mS8l8ZNHCu2CWerK3iBt7

https://music.apple.com/us/album/a-breath-of-fresh-air/1836167990

https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0FP2V4FH2