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Classical Editor: Rob Barnett Founder Len Mullenger: Len@musicweb-international.com
PART 2 |
[Part 1 New]
[Part 2 A-B] [Part
3 C-L] [Part 4 M-R] [Part 5 S-Y] [Part 6 Misc] |
Search the entire MusicWeb site Any review; Any Article |
Malcolm ARNOLD (b. 1921) Symphony No. 7 (1973) Symphony No. 8 (1978)
National SO of Ireland/Andrew Penny rec 21-22 Feb 2000, National Concert Hall, Dublin, Ireland (in presence of composer)
Approach this "approachable" music with caution - Arnold's Seventh Symphony merits an "18" certificate with additional warnings for the faint-hearted! Rounding off their highly recommendable complete set of the Arnold symphonies, Andrew Penny and the NSO of Ireland may well have saved the best until last. Electrifying music given highly charged performances - buy it, and be damned! [PS]
Penny and the Irish orchestra in lucid and imaginative performances charting the brilliance and the darkness of the Irish chapter of Arnold's Dark Night of the Soul. [RB]
Daniel-François Esprit AUBER (1782-1871) The Crown of Diamonds (Les Diamants de la Couronne) - Comic Opera in 3 Acts (1841)
A live and energetic theatre performance of a great rarity. The orchestra do justice to the pace of the score. All soloists are strong and confident in their rôles.
Carl Philipp Emanuel BACH (1714-1788)The Complete Keyboard Concertos - Volume 10 [69.05] Concerto in G major H. 419 [24.28] Sonatina in F major H. 452 [22.12] Concerto in B flat major H. 447 [21.57]
An attractive recording of three very different works for keyboard and orchestra, featuring a tangent piano. While the relative volume of the keyboard is a problem, the music is delightful and well-performed.
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH (1685 - 1750) Goldberg Variations, BWV 988 [77.40]
This is a unique, personal recording of the Goldberg Variations. While much of what sets it apart is Joseph Payne's personal choice of ornamentation and even improvisation, it deserves the highest recommendation for those interested in hearing a different vision of the work.
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Sonatas for Viola da Gamba and Harpsichord, Preludes and Fugues from the Well-Tempered Clavier Book I Sonata in G major, BWV 1027 [13.24] Prelude and Fugue in G major, BWV 860 [4.19] Sonata in D major, BWV 1028 [14.28] Prelude and Fugue in D major, BWV 850 [3.55] Sonata in G minor, BWV 1029 [15.03] Prelude and Fugue in G minor, BWV 861 [4.03]
This is perhaps the best recording available of Bach's Sonatas for Viola da Gamba and Harpsichord. Beautiful performances by both musicians, instruments that sound fresh and alive, and an excellent recording make this an essential disc for any Bach lover.
Johann Sebastian BACH Organ Masterworks.
Another winner from Guild. Right from the opening piece, the famous Wachet auf, I knew I was in for a treat.
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Organ Masterpieces
Ton Koopman, organ Rec: not specified (late 1980s)
This recording features a selection of some of Bach's best organ works, played on some of the best sounding organs available. An excellent set, well worth buying for the music, the performance, or the sound of the organs; or perhaps all three.
J. S. BACH Piano Transcriptions various pianists
NAXOS 8.110658, recorded 1925-47, [67.15] [AB]
A well produced and interesting disc with very good presentations of rare historical recordings. It can be recommended not only to a specialist audience but to the wider general music lover.
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) French Suites Fifteen Inventions Six Little Preludes
A brilliant recording of some of Bach's most appreciated keyboard works. If the remarkable sound of the recording is not reason enough to buy this set, the delicate and flexible phrasing and subtle ornamentation should be.
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) French Suites Henry PURCELL (1659-1695] New Irish Tune [1.03] Rigadoon in C major [0.53] Sefauchi's Farewell [2.33] Minuet in D minor [1.25] Ground in C minor [2.37] Air in D minor [1.21] William CROFT (1678-1727) Ground [2.28]
An excellent performance, and a very good recording of a unique historical document. Beyond its interest as a historical recording, and the use of the clavichord, this is one of the finest recordings of Bach's French Suites available.
BACH Magnificat in D Major (a) Cantata Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen BWV 51 (b)
This is a first class release and well worth listening to, but Oh Dear, the playing time - come on Universal, who are you trying to kid
BACH (1685-1750) Cantatas 83-86
Another excellent recording of Bach's cantatas by Helmuth Rilling. This disc contains four very nice cantatas, with fine soloists and very good performances by all those involved.
BACH (1685-1750) Mass in B Minor, BWV 232 [106.24]
This is a fine recording, with a beautifully sounding choir, and excellent orchestra. While some of the arias and duets are slightly lacking in quality - the soloists are not all in top form - this budget recording is excellent value.
BACH (1685-1750) Cello Suites
An excellent, very personal recording of some of Bach's greatest instrumental music. Definitely one of the best versions of these pieces.
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) The Six Partitas
An excellent recording of Bach's partitas, which, while perhaps not as masterful as those by Parmentier and Pinnock, deserves a place in the pantheon of the best available versions of these works.
Arnold BAX (1883-1953) London Pageant (1937) Concertante for cor anglais, clarinet, horn and orchestra (1948-9) Suite from Tamara (1911) Cathaleen-ní-Hoolihan (1903)
Gillian Callow (cor anglais); John Bradbury (clarinet); Jonathan Goodall (French horn) BBC Philharmonic Orchestra/Martyn Brabbins rec Studio 7, BBC, Manchester, 17 May 23 June 2000 DDD
Gradually all Bax's music, (with the exception of the bulk of his songs) is finding its way onto CD and it was with some personal delight that I seized on this exciting disc.
Arnold BAX (1883-1953) Violin Concerto (1937-38) Symphony No. 3 (1928-29)
The Dutton is a de rigueur addition for all Baxians and an antidote to the sleepy sloppy school of Baxian interpretation.
Arnold BAX (1883-1953) Twenty one songs
A fine disc, that must surely be followed by another song recital exploring other facets of Bax's many-faceted personality
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN Coriolan Overture · Piano Concerto No. 1 · Symphony No. 7 Murray Perahia (piano) London Symphony Orchestra/Sir Georg Solti ARTHAUS MUSIK DVD 100 148
(Regions 2 & 5) [94:00][SF]
As long as inexpensively priced products such as this superb release from Arthaus continue to enter the marketplace, the future of classical music on the twelve centimetre silver disc must remain buoyant.
Ludwig Van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Concerto No. 4 Piano Concerto No. 5 'Emperor'
This economically priced reissue from Regis is very special in its own way and I would not wish to be without it.
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Symphony No. 1 in C major, Opus 21 Symphony No. 2 in D major, Opus 36
The catalogue contains sharper-edged performances of this repertoire but for spontaneous, stylish music making with top class playing this is hard to beat.
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 2 in D, Op. 36 Symphony No. 7 in A, Op. 92
This is an excellent release to buy if you are unable to get your hands on the earlier Sony release which I feel represents Beethoven's intentions better.
Ludwig von BEETHOVEN (1770 - 1827) Serenade, op.8 Alessandro ROLLA (1757 - 1847) Trio concertant Nr.6 G-Dur Ernst von DOHNÁNYI (1877 - 1960) Serenade op.10
It is testament to Antes' adventurousness that two commercially non-mainstream works were included, but the risk pays off. Sloppy presentation belies an imaginative disc performed with great clarity and poise.
Arthur BENJAMIN (1893-1960) Five Negro Spirituals for cello and piano (1929) Violin Sonatina (1925) Pastoral Fantasy (1923) Viola Sonata (1942)Three Violin Pieces (1921-5) A Tune and Variations for Little People (1939)
An affectionate and stunningly recorded collection of music by this adopted Brit. A composer with allegiances and valued achievements in the lighter field and in music with a sturdy emotional punch.
Luciano BERIO Duets for two violins Edison DENISOV Sonata for two violins
The Denisov sonata is the work that interests me. A musician's musician rather than a music lover's musician.
Hector BERLIOZ (1803 - 1869) Le Corsaire Overture (Royal Albert Hall, London, March 1951) King Lear Overture (Royal Festival Hall, London, December 1954) Harold in Italy (Usher Hall, Edinburgh, August 1956) Trojan March (Colston Hall, Bristol, July 1951)
Frederick Riddle, Viola (Harold) Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and BBC Symphony Orchestra (King Lear) Conducted by Sir Thomas Beecham
Very fine performances by Beecham at his best but let down by the recording quality and audience noise.
Hector BERLIOZ (1803-1869) Les Troyens (1856-8)
This recording, from live performances at the Barbican last December, is the finest opera CD I have heard this year. An outstanding bargain, this is an unmissable set.
Harrison Birtwistle Refrains and Choruses
This release should really put the Galliard Ensemble on the contemporary music international map.
Easley BLACKWOOD (born 1933) Symphony No.5 op.34 (1990) Symphony No. l Op.3 (1955) (a)
Blackwood's music may be less polished and less personal than, say, Mennin's but his First Symphony is certainly one of the finest American symphonies I have heard so far.
Luigi BOCCHERINI (1743-1804) Five Sonatas for Violoncello
An excellent recording of some very intimate and highly melodic music. Boccherini's cello sonatas deserved to be discovered by all those who enjoy post-baroque music.
BOISMORTIER (1689-1755) Sonatas for Two Flutes without Bass
This is a beautiful recording, quite surprising, of some unexpectedly compelling music. Highly recommended, for anyone interested in discovering a little-known facet of French baroque music.
Joseph-Ermend BONNAL (1880-1944) String Quartet No. 1 (1919) [33.31] String Quartet No. 2 (1938) [21.08]
I urge you strongly to seek out Bonnal's sheerly magical impressionistic music.
Classics Explained: BRAHMS Piano Concerto No 2 in B Flat, Op. 83 An introduction to the work written and presented by Jeremy Siepmann.
An excellent way for relative newcomers to the concerto to learn what makes it "tick". It is also very useful for others to refresh and expand their understanding of a familiar piece.
Johannes BRAHMS (1833-97) Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor, Op. 25 (orch. Schoenberg).
Vier ernste Gesänge, Op. 121 (arr. Leinsdorf)a. Chorale Preludes, Op. 122 - No. 8, Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen; No. 7, O Gott, Du frommer Gott (both arr. Leinsdorf).This is a thought-provoking and enjoyable disc notable for an involving account of the Brahms/Schoenberg.
Luis de FREITAS BRANCO (1890 - 1955) Quartetto de Cordas (1911) Sonata para Violoncello e Piano (1913)
These fairly early pieces reflect the enriching experience of Freitas Branco's early maturity.Very rewarding indeed.
Luis de FREITAS BRANCO (1890 - 1955) Sonata No.1 para violino e piano (1907) Sonata No.2 para violino e piano (1928)
Tibor Varga and Roberto Szidon play with evident relish and seem to enjoy the warm lyricism of the music enormously. These 1986 recordings, made in Switzerland, still sound very well.
Eduard Brendler (1800 - 1831) 'Ryno' - The Knight Errant (Music completed by Prince Oscar). Libretto by Bernhard von Beskow
This is a fine recording of a long lost opera. It should be of abiding interest to all lovers of early romantic opera in the style of Weber. It is a competent work that deserves wider recognition. A good buy for opera fans.
Benjamin BRITTEN (1913 - 1976) Serenade for Tenor, Horn & Strings Op.31 (1943) Sally in our alley (arr. Britten) The bonny Earl O'Moray (arr. Britten) The last rose of Summer (Moore, arr. Britten) Avenging and bright (Moore, arr. Britten) William WALTON (1902 - 1983) Façade: An Entertainment
The present release is most welcome and well worth having for Façade, even if the 1944 performance of Britten's Serenade is rather of documentary interest.
Benjamin BRITTEN (1913 - 1976) The Rarities Canticle II : Abraham and Isaac Op.51 (1952) Gemini Variations Op.72 (1965) A Birthday Hansel Op.92 (1975) Cantata Academica Op.62 (1959) Russian Funeral (1936) Cantata Misericordium Op.69 (1963) Children's Crusade Op.82 (1969) The Poet's Echo Op.76 (1965) Six Hölderlin Fragments Op.61 (1958) Two Insect Pieces (1935)
Much to admire and relish here, most of all a superb performance of Abraham and Isaac. This set might be worth having for this alone.
Anton BRUCKNER (1824-1896) Symphony No.8 in C minor (Ed. Haas)
The last of Barbirolli's summer wine and a rich vintage.
Ferruccio BUSONI (1866-1924) The Six Sonatinas, Indianisches Tagebuch, Toccata
Pontinen proves to be a subtle, sensitive and perceptive guide through this intriguing music. He's well recorded too.
Dietrich BUXTEHUDE (1637-1707) Harpsichord Music Vol. 1
Excellently performed, perfectly recorded, and played on a delightful instrument, I could not recommend this with more enthusiasm.
Dietrich BUXTEHUDE (1637-1707) Harpsichord Music Vol. II
One cannot help but be amazed at the variety of music Buxtehude wrote for the harpsichord, from moving suites to complex and fulfilling variations.
Dietrich BUXTEHUDE (1637-1707) Harpsichord Music Vol. III
This recording is perhaps the most essential of the three disc Marco Polo series. The Aria: "La Capricciosa" is undoubtedly Buxtehude's masterpiece, and probably a model for Bach's Goldberg Variations. Another excellent recording that all lovers of harpsichord music should own.
Dietrich BUXTEHUDE (1637-1707) Organ Music Vol. I
In any case, this is a good performance of a selection of Buxtehude's organ works. Presumably, this will become a complete set in the near future. While Olivier Vernet probably gives a more convincing performance, this budget disc is worth listening to for those curious about Buxtehude's organ music.
DIETRICH BUXTEHUDE (1637-1707) Vocal Music Vol. II Das neugeborne Kindelein [7.14] Der Herr ist mit mir [8.10] Alles, was ihr tut [12.33] Förwarh, er trug unsere Krankheit [14.20] Appendix Magnificat anima mea [8.40]
This is a beautiful recording of some of Buxtehude's most interesting vocal works. This composer deserves to be much better known; these works are remarkable in their emotion and feeling.
[Part 1 New] [Part 2 A-B] [Part 3 C-L]
[Part 4 M-R] [Part 5 S-Y] [Part 6 Misc]
Classical Editor: Rob Barnett, Reviewers: Rob Barnett, Ian Lace, Len Mullenger, and: Richard Adams, Colin Anderson, Arthur Baker, Grace Barber, Terry Barfoot, Peter Bates, Marc Bridle, Arthur Butterworth, Frank Cadenhead, Colin Clarke, Paul Conway, Jim Cooke, Gary Dalkin, Andy Daly, Tony Duggan, Harry Downey, Christopher Fifield, Lewis Foreman, Simon Foster, John France, Julian Hellaby, Christopher Howell, Simon Jenner, Stephen Lloyd, Kirk McElhearn, Gwyn Parry-Jones, John Phillips, John Quinn, Ailís Ní Ríain, Humphrey Smith, Philip Scowcroft, Adrian Smith, Colin Scott-Sutherland, Andrew Seivewright, Paul Serotsky, Christopher Thomas, Richard Walker, Richard Whitehouse, Jonathan Woolf, Peter Grahame Woolf, David Wright. A complete list of contributors can be seen here
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