ALPHABETICAL LISTING

Emil von Sauer (1862-1942) Piano Works in Four volumes.
Oleg Marshev – Piano
Volume 1 Etudes de Concert
Concert-Etude; Vogelstimmen; Murmure du Vent; Octaven-Etüde; Près du Ruisseau; Frisson de Feuilles; Flammes de Mer; Au Vol; Orage d’Avril; Sylphes glissants; A Cheval; L’Eteuf; La Chasse; Prélude Erotique; Tarantelle Fantastique; Etude en Trilles; Les Sirènes; Volubilité; Vision; A la valse. DANACORD DACD487 [77.21]
Volume 2 Etudes de Concert and other works
Etude chromatique; Le Vertige; Toccata; Les Pins de la Villa Medici; Gebirgsbächlein; Preghiera; Walsdeszauber; Waldandacht; Staccato-Etüde; Dialogo (Impromptu)
Other pieces Les Délices de Vienne; Le Retour; Couplet sans Paroles; Scherzo Valse; Boîte a musique; Echo de Vienne. DANACORD DACD488 [71.36]
Volume 3 Piano Sonata No 1 & other pieces
Propos de Bal; Konzert-Polka; Approche de Printemps; Valse Impromptu; Quand vient l’été; Romance sans paroles; Scherzo Sonata No.1 in D major DANACORD DACD533 [67.34]
Volume 4 Piano Sonata No.2 & other pieces Courante und trio; Gavotte et Musette; Le Luth; Sérénade française; Barcarolle; Scherzo pastoral; Serenata veneziana; empre scherzando. Sonata No.2 in Eb major DANACORD DACD534 [67.11]
Recorded at Mantzlos Garden, Birkerød, Denmark
Vol.1 Jan 1988; Vol. 2 October 1998; Vols. 3&4 September 1999;

This is a treasure store of fine salon music. Yet salon music is not to be despised. It is extremely well written, exceptionally well played and altogether totally enjoyable. The two sonatas are both vital additions to the repertoire. Well done Danacord!

Max Von SCHILLINGS (1868-1933) String Quartet in E minor (1887) String Quintet Op. 32 in E flat major (1917) Wiener String Quartet
with Martin Albrecht Rohde (vla) (Quintet) rec Vienna, 2001? CPO 999 608-2 [73.14] Midprice

These are gorgeous performances finely caught - if only all recordings of unknown chamber music could be so well done. ….see Full review

Franz SCHUBERT (1797 – 1828) Symphonies: No 4 in C minor, D417 ‘Tragic’ [27.57] No 5 in B flat major, D485 [27.05] No 8 in B minor, D759 ‘Unfinished* [23.54] No 9 in C major, D944 ‘Great’** [52.41] Suite: ‘Rosamunde’ D797 [20.12] - Cologne Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Gunther Wand ** NDR Symphony Orchestra conducted by Gunther Wand *** Chicago Symphony Orchestra conducted by Fritz Reiner. Recorded between 1980 & 1991 (Wand) RCA RED SEAL Artistes & Repertoires 74321 846 072 [151.49] [JQ]

This is a very desirable compilation of four authoritative performances of Schubert symphonies.

Franz SCHUBERT (1979-1828) Symphony No. 9 in C, D944, ‘Great’. Igor STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) Le Sacre du Printemps. Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Zubin Mehta. Live performance from the Grosses Festspielhaus, Salzburg on August 21st, 1985. [ADD] ORFEO D'OR C566012B [two discs] [85.53] [CC]

Mehta's Schubert Great C major is generally naturally-paced and decidedly dramatic. Le Sacre is accorded an interesting reading. Good radio recordings.

Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) String Quartet in D minor D810 "Death and the Maiden" Gabrieli Quartet Piano Quintet in A D667 "The Trout" Moura Lympany piano Principals of the London Symphony Orchestra; John Brown violin Alexander Taylor viola Douglas Cummings cello Thomas Martin double bass Recorded Conway Hall, London 1971 (String Quartet) and March 1974 (Piano Quintet) EMI Classics for Pleasure 724357488624 [77.07] [JW]

This very well filled disc, at super-budget price, commands real interest, especially for the Gabrieli’s Quartet performance. ...see Full Review

Leif SEGERSTAM (b.1944) Symphony No. 15 Ecliptic Thoughts (1990) [23.32] Waiting For ...... - Orchestral Diary Sheet No. 30 (1990) [22.12] Tampere PO/Leif Segerstam (Symphony) Avanti! Chamber Orchestra/Leif Segerstam (Waiting For ...) rec YLE 1991/1992 KONTRAPUNKT 32125 [45.50] [RB]

Experience Segerstam's Bergian 'freepulsativity'. Playing duration short but a disc very satisfying in its own right. ...see Full Review

Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH The Tale about a Priest and his Labourer Balda, op 36 (tale by Alexander Pushkin) The Choir and Symphony Orchestra of the St Petersburg Small Opera and Theatre/Valentin Kozhin The Story about a Silly Baby Mouse, op 56 (tale by Samuel Marshak) Symphony Orchestra of the Opera Class of the St Petersburg Conservatoire/Boris Tiles All recorded in the St Petersburg Recording Studio: the dating is unclear. BOHEME MUSIC CDBMR 012192 [60:22] [AAS]

Splendidly performed and recorded, this disc is a must for Shostakovich-lovers....see Full Review

Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Complete String Quartets, Volume 3 String Quartet No. 8, Opus 110, String Quartet No. 9, Opus 117, String Quartet No. 7, Opus 78 Sorrel Quartet Rec 28-30 March 2001, Snape Maltings Concert Hall CHANDOS CHAN9955 [72.22] [TB]

The deeply committed, skilful performances of the Sorrel Quartet serve Shostakovich well, confirming his contribution among the major composers of music for the string quartet medium.

Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957) Tapiola, En Saga, The Swan of Tuonela, Finlandia, The Oceanides Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Andrew Davis Rec February - March 1996, Stockholm Concert Hall APEX 09274 06202 [75.48] [TB]

Sometimes the orchestral balances have a pallid feel but these are overall the thoughtful and sensitive performances of a true Sibelian. ...see Full Review

Roger SMALLEY (b.1943) Symphony and Piano Concerto, Piano Concerto (1985) Roger Smalley (piano)/West Australian SO/Diego Masson rec ABC Basil Kirke Studio, Perth Australia 19 Feb 1987 Symphony (1981) Sydney SO/Patrick Thomas Rec ABC Studio 225, Sydney, Australia, 7-14 Feb 1985 VOX AUSTRALIS VAST 003-2 [57.10] [RB]

The Concerto is an extremely exciting and cogent piece of writing alive with barbed and thunderous life. The Symphony is much more rugged going. Award-winning stuff - especially the Concerto.

Gaspare SPONTINI (1774-1851) Li Puntigli delle Donne (1796) Johanna Hansen (Giannina, soprano), Giampiero Ruggeri (Conte Brontolone), Guido Boesi (Dottore Mangiacarte, baritone), Patrizio Saudelli (Valerio, tenor), Paola Antonucci (Rosimene, soprano), José Medina (Cavaliere del Ciufolo, tenor), Charlotte Zeiher (Lisetta, soprano), Putbus Festival Orchestra/Wilhelm Keitel Recorded 5-6/1998, Marstall zu Putbus, Rügen ARTE NOVA CLASSICS 74321 59198 2 [2 CDs, 67.59, 59.13] [CH]

As ephemera go, this opera is a classy product. It does everything a comic opera is expected to do – but don’t think you’re going to get Mozart or even Rossini. …. For full review

Johann STRAUSS II (1825 – 1899) Die Fledermaus Operetta in three acts Rosalinde Elizabeth Schwarzkopf (soprano) Adele Rita Streich (soprano)
Gabriel von Eisenstein Nicolai Gedda (tenor) Alfred Helmut Krebs (tenor)
Dr. Falke Erich Kunz (baritone) Orlofsky Rudolph Christ (tenor) With Karl Dönch, Erich Majkut, Franz Böheim and Luise Martini Philharmonia Orchestra and Chorus/Herbert von Karajan Recorded 26-30.IV.1955 Kingsway Hall London. Digitally remastered 1999 ADD EMI Classics CMS 567074 [CD1: 41.11 CD2: 68.52] [RM]

A vocal delight. If you do not have it, buy it; and if you do have it then buy it again and give it to a younger person who will not forget your thoughtfulness

Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Der Liebe der Danae. Lauren Flanigan (soprano) Danae; Peter Coleman-Wright (baritone) Jupiter; Hugh Smith (tenor) Midas; William Lewis (tenor) Pollux; Lisa Saffer (soprano) Xanthe; Michael Hendrick (tenor) Merkur; Tamara Mesic (soprano) Semele; Jane Jennings (soprano) Europa; Mary Philips (mezzo) Alkmene; Elisabeth Canis (mezzo) Leda; Rodne Brown, James Archie Worley, William Berges, Richard Crist (singers) Kings; American Symphony Orchestra/Leon Botstein. Recorded live in the Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Centre, New York City on January 16th, 2000. [DDD] TELARC CD-80570 [three discs] [177'23] [CC]

The American Symphony Orchestra plays with a combination of lyricism, playfulness and precision for Leon Botstein. Strauss’s complex score only delivers more and more as time goes on.

Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Der Rosenkavalier Elizabeth Schwarzkopf (Feldmarschallin), Otto Edelmann (Ochs), Christa Ludwig (Octavian), Eberhard Wächter (Faninal), Teresa Stich-Randall (Sophie), Ljuba Welitsch (Marianne), Paul Klein (Valzacchi), Kerstin Meyer (Annina), Nicolai Gedda (Italian tenor), Philharmonia Chorus, Children’s Chorus from Loughton High School and Bancroft’s School, Philharmonia Orchestra/Herbert von Karajan Recorded in Kingsway Hall, London, 10-15, 17-22.12.1956 Producer: Walter Legge EMI CLASSICS CMS 5 67605 2 [3 CDs, 70.08, 59.48, 61.38] [CH]

This set ushered in a new era of personalised interpretations. Karajan finally loses himself in the music in the great Act 3 trio.

Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Seduction: Songs by Richard Strauss Steve Davislim (tenor) State Orchestra of Victoria/Simone Young
Rec. August 1999 Iwaki Auditorium, Melbourne, Australia MELBA 301081 [70.26] [RW]

Davislim sings confidently and with clarity: his tone is appealing and he is sensitive to the dynamics of the material. In some of the songs there are particularly which test the breath control of the singer: whilst others are taxing to the singer’s. Davislim handles the taxing demands of long phrases and registration with ease and grace.

Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Piano Music Piano Sonata in B minor Op. 5 (1881) Five Piano Pieces Op. 3 (1881-82) Stimmungsbilder (Mood Paintings) Op. 9 (1882-84) Oleg Marshev - piano Recorded at Cultural Institute, Milan, September 1996 OlegDANACORD DACOCD 440 [73.53] [JF]

A fascinating insight into early Richard Strauss. Do no hunt the intimations of future masterpieces - just enjoy this eye-catching music. Tuneful, harmonically attractive and formally satisfying. An excellent disc. ….see Full Review

Igor STRAVINSKY (1882 – 1971) Rite of Spring – complete ballet (197) Alexander SCRIABIN (1872 – 1915) The Poem of Ecstasy, Op.54 (1907) Kirov Orchestra/Valery Gergiev recorded in the Festspielhaus, Baden Baden, 24-27 July 1999 - DDD PHILIPS 468 035-2 [55.20] [JP]

The Rite should sound as though there has been a struggle in putting the score in front of the audience. In this performance this struggle is presented as raw power. An absolutely magnificent Rite of Spring – well worth buying and enjoying.

Peter Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Piano Concerto No.1 in B flat minor Op.23 Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Piano Concerto No.2 in C minor Op.18 Alexei Sultanov (piano) London Symphony Orchestra/Maxim Shostakovich Recorded at Snape Maltings Concert Hall, Suffolk in November 1989
TELDEC APEX 0927 408352 2 [68.48] [CF]

The strength of these performances is their freshness and immediacy. One gets the impression that this collaboration was all happy music-making.

Pyotr TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Piano Concerto No. 1 Piano Concerto No. 2 ed. Siloti Chanson Triste Op. 40. No. 2 Benno Moiseiwitsch (piano) No. 1: Philharmonia/George Weldon rec Friends Meeting House, London, 30-31 Aug 1945 No. 2: Liverpool Philharmonic/George Weldon rec Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, 29 Aug 1944 - partly Abbey Rd, 19 Oct 1944 NAXOS Historical 8.110655 [67.52] [RB]

Moiseiwitsch has an unemphatic and grave way with these two concertos quite at odds with today's Barnum and Bailey benchmark.

Georg Philipp TELEMANN (1681-1767) Suite (Ouverture) in A minor for recorder, strings, and basso continuo TWV55:a2 *** Concerto in E minor for recorder, transverse flute, strings and basso continuo * Concerto in G for viola, strings and basso continuo ** Ouverture des Nations ancient et modernes in G, for strings and continuo TWV55:G4 * Frans Brüggen (recorder) Frans Vester (transverse flute) Gustav Leonhardt (harpsichord) Chamber Orchestra of Amsterdam * André Rieu (conductor) * Concerto Amsterdam ** Frans Brüggen (conductor) ** Südwestdeutsches Kammerorchester *** Friedrich Tilegant (conductor) *** Recorded at Bennebroek, Netherlands in December 1967 and May 1968 TELDEC APEX 0927 40843 2 [68.51] [CF]

Ably supported by the various Dutch or German orchestras this is an excellent compilation of music by an under-exposed composer, who, judging by this music, was a lot more significant than perhaps we have thought hitherto.

Georg Philipp TELEMANN (1681-1767) Recorder Concertos Suite in A minor, Recorder Concerto in F major, Recorder Concerto in C major, Sinfonia in F major Peter Holtslag, treble recorder The Parley of Instruments, Peter Holman Rec: December 1989. HYPERION HELIOS CDH55091 [65.43] [KM]

This disc shows that Telemann could, indeed, compose in a variety of idioms, even when using a specific instrument as central. This recording is delightful: the music is wonderful, the performance excellent and the sound exquisite.

Eduard TUBIN (1905-1982) The Complete Piano Music Vardo Rumessen (piano) Rec Sept-Oct 1988, Danderyd Grammar School, Sweden BIS-CD-414/416 [180.10] [RB]

No collection already including the piano music of Shostakovich, Prokofiev, Marek, Stevenson or Sorabji is complete without this set. The music ranges through various gradations from pleasantrie to a hard-eyed and intelligent romanticism. ...see Full Review

Mark-Anthony TURNAGE (b.1960) Music to Hear: Chamber Music Martin Robertson (saxophone); The Nash Ensemble Recorded: Gateway Studios, London, February 2001-10-11 BLACK BOX BBM 1065 [58:30] [HC]

Turnage’s chamber music has a restrained confessional tone far from Turnage’s "public" statements. His chamber music communicates directly through simplicity, subtlety and sincerity. Highly accessible and communicative music.

Louis VARNEY (1844-1908) Les Mousquetaires au Couvent (The Musketeers in the Convent) (1880) Operetta (complete, with dialogue in French) Mady Mesplé (Marie), Michèle Command (Simone), Christiane Chateau (Louise), Michel Trempont (Brissac), Charles Burles (Gontran), Jules Bastin (Bridaine) Choirs of the RTBF and Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie Orchestre Symphonique of RTBF/Edgard Doneux Rec. Brussels, 1979 EMI 574 0822 [CD1 60.25 CD2 60.11] [RW]

Louis Varney is a name forgotten now but in his day he wrote a number of successful opéra comiques, of which Les Mousquetaires au Couvent is the most celebrated. The score is energetic, full of colour and sparklingly bright. With this mid price French issue, brief notes in French and English are included.

Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) CHORAL WORKS
Motets; Lord, Thou hast been our refuge ; Prayer to the Father of Heaven ; O Vos Omnes ; O Clap you hands ; O taste and see ; O how amiable are thy dwellings; Hymn ‘Come down O Love divine’. Mass in G minor Elora Festival Singers directed by Noel Edison with organist Thomas Fitches Recorded February 2000, St. Mary Magdalen's Church Toronto NAXOS 8.554826 [56.11] [GH]

As good and moving, as this Elora Mass is it does not supplant most others. What might attract you to this recording might be the accompanying items which are interesting and not normally found in the context of the Mass. ...see Full Review

Giuseppe VERDI (187 – 1901) Aida - Opera in four acts Aida Montserrat Caballé (soprano) Radamès Placido Domingo (tenor) Amneris Fiorenza Cossotto (mezzo-soprano) Ramfis Nicolai Ghiaurov (bass) Amonasro Piero Cappuccilli (baritone) Il re d’Egitto Luigi Roni (bass) New Philharmonia Orchestra / Riccardo Muti Recorded 2-9 and 11 July 1974 Walthamstow Assembly Halls London Digital Remastering at Abbey Road Studios 2001 ADD EMI Classics CMS 5 6767 2 [CD1: 39.44 CD2: 41.16 CD3: 65.27] [KM]

This is a distinctive recording with Caballé and Cossotto rising to compelling vocal heights.

Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Aida - opera (1871)
Maria Caniglia (Aida), Beniamino Gigli (Radames), Italo Tajo (King), Ebe Stignani (Amneris), Tancredi Pasero (Ramfis) Chorus and Orchestra of the Opera House, Rome/Tulio Serafin Rec. July 1946 ADD NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110156/57 [CD1 78.07 CD2 62.34] [RF]

For those interested in singing, given the low price, this is an issue to hear. see ... Full Review

Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Aida Aida - Christina Gallardo-Domâs (soprano) Radames - Vincenzo La Scola (tenor) Amneris - Olga Borodina (mezzo soprano) Amonasro - Thomas Hampson (baritone) Il Re - Laszló Polgár (bass) Ramfis - Matti Salminen (bass) A Messenger - Kurt Streit (tenor) A Priestess - Dorothea Röschmann (soprano) Arnold Schoenberg Chorus Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Nikolaus Harnoncourt Recorded in the Musikverein, Vienna, January to April 2001 TELDEC 8573-85402- 2 [159.01] [CF]

On balance this is an excellent recording, some occasional vocal reservations amongst some of the men maybe, but all worthwhile for the singing of the two principal women, and for the fine orchestral work throughout. ...see Full Review

Giuseppe VERDI (187-1901) Aroldo Aroldo - Neil Shicoff (tenor)
Mina - Carol Vaness (soprano) Egberto - Anthony Michaels-Moore (baritone) Briano - Roberto Scandiuzzi (bass) Godvino - Julian Gavin (tenor) Enrico - Sergio Spina (tenor) Elena - Marina Comparato (mezzo-soprano) Orchestra and Chorus of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Fabio Luisi (conductor) Recorded in 2001
PHILIPS 462 512- 2 [126.41]

There is glorious music here. Carol Vaness is proving herself to be a Verdian of the highest dramatic colour. Fine singing and playing.

Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901)Otello (sung in English). Charles Craig (tenor) Otello; Rosalind Plowright (soprano) Desdemona; Neil Howlett (baritone) Iago; Bonaventura Bottone (tenor) Cassio; Stuart Kale (tenor) Rodrigo; Shelagh Squires (mezzo) Emilia; Sean Rea (bass) Lodovico; Malcolm Rivers (baritone) Montano; Gordon Taylor (baritone) Herald; Chorus and Orchestra of English National Opera/Mark Elder. Recorded at performances in the London Coliseum, January 6th-28th, 1983. [DDD] CHANDOS OPERA IN ENGLISH CHAN3068 [138.06] [CC]

There is much to celebrate in Mark Elder’s Otello, not least the resplendent Rosalind Plowright. Theatrically, everything gels in the final act, from Elder’s elucidation of Verdi’s extraordinary scoring to Plowright’s rising to Verdi’s operatic challenges. Having heard this set, I would not willingly be without it. ... see Full Review

Giuseppe VERDI (187-1901) Messa da Requiem^a. Gian Carlo MENOTTI (b 1911) The Death of the Bishop of Brindisi^b. Arnold SCHOENBERG (1874-1951) Gurre-Lieder^c – Interlude; Song of the Wood-Dove. ^aBirgit Nilsson (soprano); Lili Chookasian (mezzo); ^aCarlo Bergonzi (tenor); ^aEzio Flagello, ^bGeorge London (basses); ^aBoston Pro Musica; ^bNew England Conservatory Chorus; ^bMembers of the Catholic Memorial and St. Joseph’s High School Glee Clubs; Boston Symphony Orchestra/Erich Leinsdorf. Recorded October ^a5^th-6^th, 1964 and April 5^th, 1965, ^bcOctober 19^th, 1964 [ADD] RCA VICTOR LIVING STEREO 09026 63747-2 [two discs] [70.35] [CC]

Certainly, despite impressive moments, Leinsdorf’s Verdi Requiem could in no circumstances be a top recommendation. Indeed, the Menotti may well provide the impetus for the curious at heart to purchase this set.

Giuseppe VERDI (187-1901) Requiem Mass (1874) Maria Caniglia (soprano) Ebe Stignani (mezzo soprano) Beniamino Gigli (tenor) Ezio Pinza (bass) Chorus and orchestra of the Rome Opera House/Tullio Serafin. Digital transfer of a performance recorded in 1939 at the Royal Opera House, Rome (ADD) NAXOS 8.110159 [72.47] [RBr]

Reiner's treasured 1959 Vienna interpretation shows clearly how much is lost by the rashly fast speeds encouraged by Serafin. Surely Verdi would not have wanted to hear his masterpiece performed under a conductor who seems to have forgotten that it is intended for a cathedral, not an opera house.

Louis VIERNE (1870-1937) Piano Quintet (1918) String Quartet (1894) - Gabriel Tachino (piano) Quatuor Athenaeum Enesco, rec Salle Adyar, Paris, Sept 1999 PIERRE VERANY PV700011 [47.04] [RB]

Well worth having for a tragic Piano Quintet and a polished string quartet; the former is yet another memento mori of the Great War.

Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741) The Four Seasons Op 8. Recorded in Conway Hall, London, November 1972 - Oboe Concerto in A minor RV461 - Oboe Concerto in D minor RV454 - Tomaso ALBINONI (1671-1751) - Oboe Concerto in D Op 7 no 4 - Oboe Concerto In Bb Op 7 no 3. Recorded in Barking Town Hall, April 1971 Kenneth Sillito (Violin) Sidney Sutcliffe (oboe) - Virtuosi of England directed by Arthur Davison EMI CLASSICS FOR PLEASURE 7243 5 74887 2 3 [77.20] [GH]

We played the entire CD over at a dinner party and delightfully apt it was.

Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Götterdämmerung (1869-1874)
Alan Woodrow (Siegfried), Eva Silberbauer (Brunhilde), Herbert Adami (Gunther), Duccio dal Monte (Hagen), Gertrud Ottenthal (Gutrune), Ewa Polak (Waltraute), Andrea Martin (Alberich), Julia Oesch (1^st Norn), Sabine Willeit (2^nd Norn), Eva Maria Tersson (3^rd Norn), Hiroko Kouda (Woglinde), Junko Saito (Wellgunde), Taeka Hino (Flosshilde). Chor and Orchester der Tiroler Festpiele, Singers of the Accademia di Montegral Conducted by Gustav Kühn (Recorded live at the Tiroler Festspiele, Erl, Austria on July 15 & 22 2000) Arte Nova 74321 80775 2 [4 CDs: 238.17] [TD]

Those who are collecting Gustav Kühn’s bargain Ring cycle will be pleased to know this is certainly up to the standard of the Siegfried but, though I enjoyed it well enough, I doubt I will return often to it. ... see Full Review

Richard WAGNER (187-1883) Tannhäuser, opera [Paris version]
Sigismund Pilinszky (ten) (Tannhäuser), Maria Müller (sop) (Elisabeth), Ruth Jost-Arden (sop) (Venus), Ivar Andrésen (bass) (Wolfram) Bayreuth Festival Choir and Orchestra/Karl Elmendorff Rec. Wagner Theatre, Bayreuth; August 1930 NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110094/95 ADD [CD1 74.04 CD2 78.20] [RF]

The orchestral music in particular is superbly caught, being well balanced with the voices; the whole in a forward clear acoustic that in many ways belies its age. Elmendorff, without undue haste, allows the music to unfold with full dramatic impact; long phrases encompassed with elegance and no lack of vitality.

Christoph Ernst Friedrich WEYSE (1774-1842) Christmas Cantata No. 3 (B. S. Ingemann) Jubler, o jubler i salige toner DF 26 (1821) Easter Cantata No. 1 (Thomas Thaarup) Hil dig, hill dig, livets morgenrøde. DF 15 (1836) Bodil Arnesen (sop), Dorthe Elsebet Larsen (sop), Kirsten Dolberg (alto), Peter Grønlund (tenor), Stephen Milling (bass) Tivoli Concert Choir, Tivoli Symphony Orchestra/Michael Schönwandt Rec. The Tivoli Concert Hall, Copenhagen, Denmark, 1997 MARCO POLO 8.224049 [51.42] [RW]

Splendid performances and recording. Appreciation should be handed to Da Capo for bringing about a revival of exciting works of Weyse and recognising the importance of their heritage. ...see Full Review

Graham WHETTAM (b.1927) Concerto Drammatico; Sinfonia contra timore Martin Rummel (vlc); Sinfonia da Camera, Urbana, Illinois/Ian Hobson; Leipzig Radio Symphony Orchestra/Günter Blumhagen (British Orchestral Music Vol 2) REDCLIFFE RECORDINGS RR 017 [60.00]

These pieces are gloomy and harsh. Whettam’s is a striking musical world.

Arthur WILLS (b. 1926) Wondrous Machine! - Organ Works by Arthur WILLS Played by Jeremy Filsell on the organ of Tonbridge School Chapel
*With Arthur Wills, narrator. Recording date 24 October 2000 GUILD GMCD 7225 [77.37] [JQ]

Splendid birthday tribute to Arthur Wills. Recorded sound first rate. This disc will give great pleasure to "organ buffs" and to a wider audience, too, I hope. Recommended. ...see Full Review

Hugh WOOD (born 1932) Symphony Op.21 (1982) Scenes from Comus Op.6 (1962/5)² Geraldine McGreevy (soprano)²; Daniel Norman (tenor)²; BBC Symphony Orchestra; Sir Andrew Davis Recorded: BBC Studio 1, Maida Vale, London, September 1999 NMC D 070 [69:16] [HC]

A superb release coupling two substantial pieces by a most distinguished composer whose music is still all too rarely heard. In my Top Ten list and heartily recommended

 

 

[Part 1 New]  [Part 2 A-B] [Part 3 C-L]
[Part 4 M-R]  [Part 5 S-Y] [Part 6 Misc]    

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