The Times 2012 year in review: Arts

In 2012, the Times' art critics reviewed more than 1,000 concerts, shows, films, books, and performances. And that's not counting the hours of television watched and albums listened to. It is a considerable undertaking, especially as the reviews often have to be composed in 90 minutes and condensed into 500 words.

Here is a collection of some of the things that those critics — including Rachel Campbell-Johnston, Debra Craine, Will Hodgkinson, Richard Morrison, Kate Muir, Libby Purves, Andrew Billen and Erica Wagner - really loved in the past year.

You will find some the sharpest writing in journalism, with opinions delivered crisply and praised lavished only after careful consideration.

So if you want to know what The Times thought about Skyfall, Springsteen, Hilary Mantel's Booker-winner, Lucien Freud at the National Portrait Gallery, A Doll's House at the Young Vic or Parade's End (plus many, many others) then this is the place to find out.

This is the first Times Kindle single looking back on 2012 - look out for the other titles to follow.