In past years, AllMusic's classical editors have seen disconcertingly long lists of obituaries, which included the names of many musical legends. A smaller but no less important group of musicians passed away in 2011, among them several prominent stars of opera, respected composers, and virtuoso performers. The most significant artists are commemorated here in our annual Classical Necrology.

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Every year there are a few records that, when you're putting together a list of your special favorites, just miss the cut by a little bit. Maybe a duff track, an ugly cover, a lack of a hit single or a general "almost" feeling....whatever the case may be, it just comes up short somehow. I gathered up five from 2011 that were quite close to reaching my Top 20 to share with you now, not because I think I'm some kind of brilliant dude or anything, I just want you to check these out and maybe hear something you like. That's all any of us here care about, really. Plus, someone asked for it and I'm willing to do anything for our gentle readers.....except listen to metal, of course.

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We've rounded up lists of our favorite 2011 albums by genre and style and by personal choice. Now, we present our selections for the overall favorites of 2011: the best music culled from each genre and style we've covered throughout our month-long retrospective of the year past, winnowed down to the cream of the crop. You'll find country, R&B;, rock & roll, jazz, metal, indie, and all points between on this list of records that represent the best of what 2011 had to offer.

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