AMERICAN MASTERS
2 - Walter
PISTON (1894-1976) Incredible Flutist - suite (1938)
- Marc BLITZSTEIN (1905-1964) Symphony
- The Airborne (1946) - Edward Burlingame
HILL (1872-1960) Prelude for Orchestra (1953) Orson Welles
(narrator), Andrea Velis (ten), David Watson (bar), Choral Art Society
(Blitzstein) New York PO (Piston, Blitzstein); Columbia SO (Hill)
cond. Leonard Bernstein, rec Manhattan Center, NYC, 2 Dec 1963 (Piston),
Philharmonic Hall, Lincoln Center, NYC 18 Oct 1966, (Blitzstein), Columbia
30th St Studio, NYC 1 Apr 1953 (Hill)
SONY CLASSICAL Bernstein Century series SMK 61849 [78.09] [RB]
In
a world where new issues and reissues tumble out in such multiple profusion
it is too easy to overlook discs of this quality.A
varied collection but extremely attractive and not lacking in personality.
JANET
BAKER Ernest
CHAUSSON Poème de l’amour et de la mer Op.19 Hector
BERLIOZ Les nuits d’été Op.7 Arnold
SCHOENBERG Song of the Wood Dove (from Gurrelieder)
Janet Baker (mezzo soprano) Svetlanov/LSO; Giulini/LPO; Del Mar/LSO
Recorded live at the Royal Festival Hall 1963/75
BBC LEGENDS SERIES BBCL 4077-2 [75.15] [CF]
A
welcome further addition from the archival treasure trove being plundered
by the Beeb. Buy while stocks last.
The
Radiant Voice of Barbara Bonney
recorded in various locations from
1988 to 2001. All previously released except 12 on either
Decca, DGG, L’Oiseau Lyre and Philips.
DECCA 468 818-2 [75.52] - DDD
I
have played this disc a number of times, and such is the variety of
repertoire, it can be listened to in one sitting without the least fatigue.
This collection is a gem.
British
Fantasies American Dreams
Charles T GRIFFES 1884-1920 Poem
arr George Barrere Walter PISTON 1894-1976
Flute Sonata Hamilton HARTY 1879-1941
In Ireland Ian WILSON b 1964 Spilliaert’s
Beach Peter FRIBBINS b 1969 Porphyria’s
Lover Robert BEASER b 1954 Minimal
Waltz Lukas FOSS b 1922 Three American
Pieces: Early Song; Dedication; Composer’s Holiday Cyril
SCOTT 1879-1970 Lotus land arr Arthur Ephross Nancy
Ruffer flute Helen Crayford piano Recorded Vestry Studios London February
2001 GUILD GMCD 7230
[69.19] [JW]
The
recital acts as an arc, beginning with Griffes’ piquant and ravishing
fantasy and ending with his older British contemporary Cyril Scott’s
Lotus land, ever luscious and disarming. [JW]
This
welcome, well-planned, much varied and beautifully played collection
is heartily recommended. [HC]
José
CARRERAS Around the World
Vienna Symphony Orchestra/
John Cameron (2,4,5,8,9,7,16,18), Paul Bateman (1,3,6,15,17), Christian
Kolonovits (7,10,11,12,14)
WARNER CLASSICS 8573-85798-2 [c.63 mins] [JL]
Over
an hour of sentimental romantic slush expertly delivered by one of the
world’s great voices aimed at a sub Classic FM market.
JI-YEON
CHOI - ORGAN RECITAL J
S BACH (1685-1750) Prelude and Fugue in C Major BWV 547,
Sonata No 4 in E Minor BWV 528 William
ALBRIGHT (1944-1998)
12 Etudes for small organ; Organbook III, Vol 2 Jig for the feet (Totentanz)
Nocturne Un poc’ allegro Johannes BRAHMS
(1833-1897)
Fugue in A flat minor WoO 8 Jean LANGLAIS
(1907-1991)
Fete Libby LARSEN (b
1950) Aspects of Glory; III Tambourines Dan
LOCKLAIR (b1949)
Ayre for the Dance Marcel DUPRE
(1886-1971)
Variations sur un Noel op 20
Ji-yeon Choi organ Recorded at the Chapel of Resurrection, Valparaiso
University, Indiana, USA 19-20 August 2000
NAXOS 8.555367 [63.04] [JW]
A
wide-ranging programme then and generally good performances. Others
may well disagree but I found the organ sound distinctly off-putting.
... see Full Review
The Coronation of George
II
- CD1 CHILD
O
Lord, grant the king a long life HANDEL
A
Grand instrumental Procession PURCELL
I
was glad when they said unto me HANDEL
Let
thy hand by strengthened TALLIS
O
God, the Father of Heaven FARMER
Come
Holy Ghost HANDEL
Zadok
the Priest CD2 BLOW
Behold,
O God our Defender HANDEL
The
King shall rejoice GIBBONS
Te
Deum BLOW God
spake sometime in visions HANDEL
My
heart is inditing HANDEL
March
The King’s Consort/ The Choir of the King’s
Consort/Robert King
HYPERION CDA67286 [100:47] [JL]
A
wonderful recording of superlative music in performances that surely
cannot be bettered, packaged in a setting close to that in which it
should be performed.
DELIUS
Song of Summer. A
film by Ken Russell. Written
by Ken Russell and Eric Fenby and based on the book Delius as I knew
him by Eric Fenby. Produced and directed by Ken Russell. Starring Max
Adrian as Frederick Delius, Maureen Pryor as Jelka Delius, and Christopher
Gable as Eric Fenby. Black and white. 72 minutes. British Film Institute.
DVD version: BFIVD518
£19.99 (with director's biography and commentary). Video version:
VHS BFIV101 £12.99.
No-one
interested in Delius should be without a copy of Song of Summer. It
has not dated at all and it repays repeated viewing and remains a fine
tribute to Eric Fenby's sacrifice and self-less devotion.
Marina
Domashenko - Francesco
CILEA (1866-1950) Adriana Lecouvreur: Acerba voluttà
- Camille SAINT-SAENS (1835-1921)
Samson et Dalila: Mon coeur s’ouvre à to voix, Amour! Viens
aider ma faiblesse, Printemps qui commence - Modest
MUSSORGSKY (1839-1881) Khovanschina: Marfa’s fortune-telling
scene - Nicolai RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844-1908)
The Tsar’s Bride: Lyubasha’s Arioso, The Snow Maiden: Lel’s
Third Song - Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953)
Alexander Nevsky: Field of the Dead - Amilcare
PONCHIELLI (1834-1886) La Gioconda: Stella del marinar!
- Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Il
Trovatore: Stride la vampa - Georges
BIZET (1838-1875) Carmen: L’amour est un oiseau rebelle
(Habanera), Près des ramparts de Seville (Seguidilla), Carreau!
Pique! (Card Scene) - Gioachino ROSSINI
(1792-1868) L’Italiana in Algeri: Cruda sorte! Amor tiranno!
- Johann STRAUSS II (1825-1899)
Die Fledermaus: Ich lade gern mir Gäste ein!
Marina Domashenko (mezzo-soprano),
Philharmonia of Russia/Constantine Orbelian. Recorded 31 March, 4, 8,
9, 11, 12 April 2001, Great Hall, Moscow Conservatoire
DELOS DE 3285 [57.45] [CH]
Domashenko
has all the requisites to become a major presence in our theatres over
the next couple of decades.
ENGLISH STRING MINIATURES
Vol. 3
Carlo MARTELLI (b.1935) Persiflage
Gerald FINZI (1901-1956) Prelude
(1925); Romance (1923) Gustav HOLST
(1874-1934) Brook Green Suite (1933)
William BLEZARD (b. 1921) Duetto
(1951) Michael HURD (b.1928) Sinfonia
Concertante (1972?) Haydn WOOD
(1882-1959) An 18th Century Scherzo (1948) Bruce
MONTGOMERY (1921-1978) Concertino for String Orchestra
(1950) Robert Gibbs
(violin) (Hurd) Royal Ballet Sinfonia/David Lloyd-Jones rec 19-20 Mar
2000, St Paul's, New Southgate, London
NAXOS 8.555069 [60.30] [TB]{RB]
This
interesting compilation CD will give much enjoyment. For me the highlight
of the programme is the Sinfonia Concertante by Michael Hurd. There
are three movements, and a beautifully lyrical movement at the centre.
[TB}
I
rather wish Naxos had gone the whole hog and given us more Martelli,
Blezard, Montgomery and Hurd. These are the works which make this a
thoroughly recommendable anthology. Roll on volumes 4 and 5. [RB]
ENGLISH MUSIC FOR
VIOLA Benjamin
BRITTEN (1913-1976)
Elegy for solo viola Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS
(1872-1958) Romance Rebecca CLARKE
(1886-1979) Lullaby no. 1, Morpheus, Sonata Percy
GRAINGER (1882-1961) The Sussex Mummers’ Christmas Carol,
Arrival Platform Humlet (for solo viola) Arnold
BAX (1883-1953) Legend Frank BRIDGE
(1879-1941) Pensiero, Allegro appassionato
Paul Coletti (viola), Leslie Howard (pianoforte) Recorded 21-23.9.1993,
location not given HYPERION
HELIOS CDH55085 [66.51] [CH]
Thanks
to Lionel Tertis’s inspiration, Great Britain probably produced a larger
20th Century viola repertoire than any other country. Rebecca
Clarke was a composer to be reckoned with. … for full
review
‘I Will Breathe a Mountain’ Samuel
BARBER (1910-81): The Daisies, Op. 2 No.1; A Nun takes the
Veil, Op. 13 No.1; Bessie Bobtail, Op.2 No.3; The Secrets of the Old,
Op. 13 No. 2; Sure on this Shining Night, Op. 13, No.3; I hear an Army,
Op 10, No3; Dover beach, Op. 3* William BOLCOM
(b.1938) Song Cycle: ‘I Will Breathe a Mountain’ Leonard
BERNSTEIN (1918-90): My House (from Peter Pan); So
Pretty; Greeting; Take Care of This House (from 1600 Pennsylvania
Avenue); Rabbit at Top Speed; Sonnet: What Lips my Lips have Kissed;
Nachspiel; Dream with Me.
Marilyn Horne (mezzo soprano); Martin Katz (piano); *The Tokyo String
Quartet Recorded: 13 & 16 December 1993 at Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium,
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (Barber & Bolcom); 20 February
1994 at Manhattan Center, New York (Dover Beach); 15 November 1996 at
Clinton Recording Studios, New York (Bernstein)
RCA Red Seal 09026 68771-2 [68.04] [JQ]
A
most stimulating disc, containing some first class performances. Warmly
recommended. ...see Full Review
O
MIO BABBINO CARO Famous Soprano Arias from
Italian Opera
PUCCINI Gianni Schicchi – o mio babbino
caro Miriam Gauci / BTR Philharmonic Orchestra/ Alexander Rahbari
BELLINI I
Puritani – Qui la voce sua soave Luba Orgonasova / Czecho-Slovak
Radio Symphony Orchestra / Will Humburg
PUCCINI La
Bohème – Sì, mi chiamano Mimi Luba Orgonasova
/ Czecho-Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra / Will Humburg
PUCCINI La
Bohème – quando m’en vo’ Luba Orgonasova / Czecho-Slovak
Radio Symphony Orchestra / Will Humburg
CATALANI La
Wally – Ebben? N’andrò lontana Miriam Gauci / BTR Philharmonic
Orchestra/ Alexander Rahbari
PUCCINI Madama
Butterfly – Un bel dì, vendremo Miriam
Gauci / Czecho-Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra / Alexander Rahbari
VERDI Rigoletto
– Caro nome Alida Ferrarini / Czecho-Slovak RadioSymphony Orchestra
/ Alexander Rahbari
GIORDANO Andrea
Chénier - La Mamma morta Lila Larinová / Slovak
RSO / Johannes Wildner
PUCCINI Tosca
– Vissi d’arte, vissi d’amore Nelly Miricioiu / Czecho–Slovak
Radio Symphony Orchestra / Alexander Rahbari
VERDI La
Traviata – Ah fors’ è lui Monika Kraus / Czecho – Slovak
Radio Symphony Orchestra / Alexander Rahbari
VERDI La
Traviata – sempre libera Monika Kraus / Czecho – Slovak Radio
Symphony Orchestra / Alexander Rahbari
PUCCINI La
Rondine – Ch’il bel sogno di Doretta Luba Orgonasova / Czecho-Slovak
Radio Symphony Orchestra / Will Humburg
ROSSINI Il
barbiere di Siviglia – Una voce poco fa Ewa Podles / Hungarian
State Opera Orchestra – Pier Morandi
PUCCINI Manon
Lescaut – In quelle trine morbide Miriam Gauci La Bohème
/ BTR Philharmonic Orchestra/ Alexander Rahbari
PUCCINI Turandot
– Signore, ascolta Luba Orgonasova / Czecho-Slovak Radio Symphony
Orchestra / Will Humburg
VERDI Il
Trovatore – D’amor sull’ali rosee vanne Daniela Longhi / Hungarian
State Opera/ Will Humburg
VERDI La
forza del destino –Pace, pace / Miriam Gauci / Czecho-Slovak
Radio Symphony Orchestra / Alexander Rahbari
MASCAGNI Cavalleria
rusticana – Vol lo sapete, o mamma Stefka Evstatieva /
Czecho-Slovak
Radio Symphony Orchestra / Alexander Rahbari (rec 1990-1999)
NAXOS 8.555796 [75:18]
[JL]
An
excellent value compilation of good performances that allows listeners
to hear some fine soprano singing from artists who may be unfamiliar
to them. ...see Full Review
FEEL
THE SPIRIT:
Songs and Spirituals
John RUTTER
Feel the Spirit, seven spirituals
George SHEARING Songs and sonnets from
Shakespeare
John RUTTER The heavenly aeroplane
John RUTTER (arr) Lord of the Dance
John RUTTER Birthday madrigals
Hoagy CARMICHAEL arr John
RUTTER Skylark
Margaret Marshall (mezzo)
Wayne Marshall (piano)The Cambridge Singers, BBC Concert Orchestra John
Rutter.Cambridge, 2000? (DDD)
COLLEGIUM RECORDS COLCD 128 [74.55] [DW]
An
interesting disc and an important one to show that the singing of spirituals
and Gospel music can be far more enjoyable when sung properly than in
some ramshackle gospel choir clapping, clicking their figures and being
repetitive.
THE
FLOWERING OF GENIUS Francisco
GUERRERO (1528-1599) 1. Ave Virgo sanctissima 4.39 Thomas
TALLIS
(1505-1585) 2. Suscipe quaeso 9.43 Tomas Luis
de VICTORIA (1548-1611) 3. O vos omnes 5.00
4. Vere languores 4.47 5. O Domine Iesu Christe 3.34 Thomas
TALLIS
6. Angus Dei from mass "Puer natus" 8.49 Tomas
Luis de VICTORIA (1548-1611) 7. Super flumina Babylonis 4.56
8. Vadam et circuibo 8.48 9. Laudate Dominum omnes gentes 3.05 John
SHEPPARD (1500-1558) 10. Verbum caro 6.50 Philippe
de MONTE (1521-1558) 11. Super flumina Babylonis William
BYRD (1543-1623) 12. Quomodo cantabimus 6.07
The Sixteen, Harry Christophers Rec: September 1989, 1996, September
1997, January 1998. CORO
COR 16001 [73.53]
This
fine recording is refreshing and delightful, and will please any lover
of Renaissance vocal music. ...
see Full Review
Lesley
GARRETT
Travelling Light
Featuring Sir George Martin, Michel Legrand, The Clare Singers, Denyce
Graves, Michael Ball, Bryn Terfel and Evelyn Glennie Orchestra conducted
by Philip Ellis Recorded at Air Studios and Whitfield Street Studios,
London, 2000-2001 EMI
CDC 5 57251 2 [62:11] [SF]
This
is one of those albums that seems to improve on every hearing. If you’re
still not sure then give a copy to your mum or auntie or brother. But
I suspect you will end up regretting not buying one for yourself.
HOMMAGE
A WERNER HAAS
CD1, Live Concert from Berne, November 4th, 1969: Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Sonata No. 30 in E, Op.l09.
Frédéric CHOPIN (1810-49)
Nocturne in F sharp, Op. 15 No. 2. Etudes, Op. 25 – No. 6 in G sharp
minor; No. 9 in G flat; No. 1 in A flat. Scherzo in B flat minor, Op.
31. Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) Sonatine.
Claude DEBUSSY Estampes. Franz
LISZT (1811-86) Etude de Concert No. 2, 'Gnomenreigen'.
CD2: Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
Italian Concerto. Ludwig van BEETHOVEN
Piano Sonata in G, Op. 14 No. 2. Robert
SCHUMANN (1810-56) Fantasiestücke, Op. 12.
CD3: Ludwig van BEETHOVEN Piano Sonatas
– C, Op. 2 No. 3; F, Op. 10 No. 2; D minor, Op. 31 No. 2; E flat, Op.31
No. 3.
CD4: Robert SCHUMANN Kinderszenen,
Op. 15. Carnaval, Op. 9. Symphonic Studies, Op. 7.
CD5: CHOPIN Scherzos – B flat minor,
Op. 31; C sharp minor, Op. 39 B minor, Op. 20. Three Nocturnes, Op.
9. Ballade in A flat, Op. 47.
CD6: Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Piano
Sonatas – No. 2 in D minor, Op. 14; No. 4 in C minor, Op. 29. Alexander
SCRIABIN (1872-1915) Six Preludes, Op. 7. Etude in B flat
minor, Op. 8. Etude in C sharp minor, Op. 42. Dimitri
KABALEVSKY (1904-87) Piano Sonata No. 3, Op. 46. Igor
STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) Piano Sonata (1924).
Werner Haas (piano).
DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM
Archive MDG642 1086-2 [ADD] [six discs] [389'49] Recorded 1963-74.
[CC]
Werner
Haas' career was tragically cut short by a motor accident on October
11th, 1976 when his car collided with a truck near Nancy, France. It
robbed us of a pianist whose stature has never, at least in the UK,
been fully appreciated. The record-buying public is indeed lucky to
have companies like Dabringhaus and Grimm to mine the archives in this
fashion.
SUMI
JO: The Christmas Album 1.
Trad: I wonder as I wander 2. Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750): ‘Ich steh’ an deiner Krippen
hier’ (from Christmas Oratorio BWV 248 3. Alessandro
SCARLATTI (1660-1725): Cantata pastorale per la nascita di
Nostro Signore 4. Johann CRUGER
(1598-1662): Frohlich soll mein Herze springen 5. Adolphe
Charles ADAM (1803-1856): O Holy Night 6. Christoph
BERNHARD (1628-1682): Furchtet euch nicht! 7. Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-91): Andante Grazioso from Symphony
No 19 in E flat, K72 8. Franz Xaver GRUBER
(1787-1863): Stille Nacht (2 versions) 9. Michael
PRAETORIUS (1571-1621): Es ist ein Ros entsprungen 10. Antonio
VIVALDI (1678-1741): Violin Concerto in E major, ‘Il riposo’
RV270 11. Samuel SCHEIDT (1587-1654):
O Jesulein suss 12. Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART:
Exsultate, jubilate, K165
Sumi Jo (soprano) Cappella Coloniensis des WDR conducted by Michael
SchneiderRecorded in Studio Stofbergerstrasse, Cologne, 4 – 9 October,
2000 ERATO
8573-85819-2 [74.42] [JQ]
The
programme is much more enterprising than many of the Christmas collections
in the catalogue. Well worth investigating.
CHRISTA
LUDWIG sings Lieder and Operatic Arias Lieder*
Robert SCHUMANN (1810-56): Stille
Tranen, Op 35 No 10; Der Nussbaum, Op. 25 No 3; Marzveilchen, Op. 40
No 1; Aus den Hebraischen Gesangen; Der Himmel hat Eine Trane Geweint;
Die Stille; Mondnacht. Gustav MAHLER
(1860-1911): Rheinlegendchen; Das Iridische Leben; Ich bin der Welt
Abhanden Gekommen; Um Mitternacht. Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897): Dein Blaues Augen; An Eine Aolsharfe;
Immer Leiser wird Mein Schlummer; Madchenlied; Der Schmied; Standchen;
Vergebliches Standchen Richard STRAUSS
(1846-1949): Gefunden, Op. 56, No 1; Begegnung; Du Meines Herzens
Kronelein; Nacht; Ruhe, Meine Seele; Morgen! Operatic excerpts**
Richard STRAUSS: ‘Was wills
due Framer Munch’ – from Elektra (with Walter Berry, bass baritone);
‘Eon Schooners War’ – from Arians auf Naxos (with Ursula Schumacher
& Annabelle Bernard, sopranos); ‘Bark, Mein Mann’ – from Die
Frau Ohne Schatten (with Walter Berry) Christoph
Willibald GLUCK (1714-87): ‘Leb Wohl! Lass dein Herz Treu
Bewahren – from Iphegenie in Aulis Gioachino
ROSSINI (1792-1868): ‘Frag Ich Mein eklomm’ness Herz’ – from
IlBarbiere di Siviglia Richard WAGNER
(1813-83): ‘Starke Scheite Schichtet mit Dort – from Gotterdammerung
(with Sieglinde Wagner, alto)
Christa Ludwig (mezzo soprano) *Charles Spencer (piano)
** Orchester des Deutschen Oper, Berlin, conducted by Heinrich Hollreiser
Recorded in *1993 and **1964
RCA RED SEAL ARTISTES ET RÉPERTOIRES 74321 845 972 [140.42]
2CDs Midprice [JQ]
A
useful retrospective of music by some of the composers with which she
was particularly associated. The operatic disc does not give such a
true perspective on her career as does the lieder collection. The lieder
make for very rewarding listening. ...see Full
Review
MODERN
MASTERS Nikolai
LOPATNIKOFF (1903-76) Concertino
for Orchestra (1944) Luigi DALLAPICCOLA
(1904-75) Tartiniana for violin and orchestra (1952) Harold
SHAPERO (b.1920) Symphony for Classical Orchestra (1947)
Columbia SO/Leonard Bernstein
rec Columbia 30th St Studio, NYC 31 Mar - 1 Apr 1953
SONY CLASSICAL Bernstein Century series SMK 60725 [74.08] Midprice
[RB]
Three
works from the neo-classical vein of American concert music. Each draws
marrow and flood from Bernstein's utterly committed approach. ... see
Full Review
Moiseiwitsch
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano
Concerto No. 5 in E flat, Op. 73, ‘Emperor’a. Sergei
RACHMANINOV (1873-1943)
Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18b.
Benno Moiseiwitsch (piano) BBC Symphony Orchestra/Sir Malcolm Sargent.
Recorded at the aRoyal Festival Hall on March 6th, 1963 Beethoven)
and at the bRoyal Albert Hall on August 6th, 1956 (Rachmaninov).ADD
BBC LEGENDS/IMG ARTISTS
BBCL4074-2 [68.15] [CC]
This
is a memorable coupling which acts as a reminder of Moiseiwitsch’s greatness.
If only there were pianists like this today.
MUSIC OF TUDOR AND JACOBEAN ENGLAND
Various CD 1 [51.17] Various CD 2 [41.31] Beyond the Notes -
The Virginalists: An English Phenomenon,
Howard Schott, Peter Watchorn, harpsichord Rec: June 15, 1996 Southern
Vermont College, Bennington, VT.CD 3 [23.55]
MUSICA OMNIA MO 0112 [92.48 + 27.39] [KM]
Those
interested in this period will not be disappointed, and those unfamiliar
with it will find this a perfect introduction.
THE
NORDIC CELLO - Music for Solo Cello Hilding
ROSENBERG (1892-1985)
Intermezzo
(1974) Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957)
Theme and Variations (c. 1887) Arne
NORDHEIM (b.1931) Clamavi (1980) Atli
Heimir SVEINSSON (b.1938) Dal regno del silenzio (1989)
Niels Viggo BENTZON (1919-2000) Variations
on The Volga Boatmen Op.354 (1974)
Erling Blöndahl Bengtsson (cello) rec 23, 26 March 2001, Sorgenfri
Church, Denmark DANACORD DACOCD
554 [57.01] [RB]
Any
new recording from Bengtsson is likely to be an event. Danacord must
take pride in having Bengtsson on their roster of artists although I
must stress that this is a disc where the emphasis is on the music rather
than on artist adulation.
OBOE
ON THE ROAD Miguel
del AGUILA
(b 1957) Sommergesang (1988) Robert
SIBBING (b 1929) Ballad, Blues & Rag David
GOMPPER (b 1954) Anon (1984) Walter
PISTON (1894-1976) Suite (1931) Michael
ANGELL (b 1964) Noon Song (1985) Arnold
ROSNER (b 1945) Oboe Sonata (1972)
Mark Weiger (oboe); Robert Conway (piano) rec July 1998, Cornell College,
Mt Vernon, Iowa DDD CENTAUR
CRC 2451 [58.31] [RB]
A
nicely balanced recital made compelling by the Aguila and the Rosner.
Anne Sofie von Otter Giacomo
MEYERBEER
(1791-1864)
Mélodies: Ludwig van BEETHOVEN
(1770-1827) Lieder: Louis SPOHR (1884-1859)
Lieder (with violin and piano accompaniment):
Anne Sofie von Otter (mezzo soprano) Melvyn Tan (fortepiano) Christina
Högmann (soprano), Kristina Hammerström (mezzo soprano), Eric
Hoedrich (clarinet), Nils-Erik Sparf (violin) Rec February 1999, Swedish
Radio, Stockholm ARCHIV
469 074-2 [70.39] [TB]
This
is most satisfying recital by major artists in repertoire which expands
our understanding of the composers. Full texts and translations are
included.
Opus Ensemble plays Contemporary Portuguese Music
Antonio Victorino D’ALMEIDA (b 1940)
Rock ‘n’ Roll Op 108 Alejandro Erlich OLIVA
(b 1948)
Oito Estampas Portuguesas Clotilde ROSA
(b 1930)
Contornos Eurico CARRAPATOSA
(b 1962)
Sete Epigramas a Francisco de Lacerda Laurent
FILIPE (b
1962) In Memoriam Sergio AZEVEDO
(b 1968)
Flow My Tears by John Dowland instrumentation by Azevedo Sergio
AZEVEDO (b
1968) Ricordo Opus
Ensemble Ana Bela Chaves viola Olga Prats piano Alejandro Erlich Oliva
Double Bass Recorded September and October 2000, Estudio Jorsom
STRAUSS SP 4350 [57.58] [JW]
The
performances are superb, the sound good and the music is always quiveringly
alive. ... see Full Review
MAUD POWELL (1867-1920). THE
COMPLETE RECORDINGS 1904-1917. VOLUME 2
Maud Powell violin with variously: Arthur Loesser piano, Waldemar
Liachowsky piano, George Falkenstein piano, Francis J Lapitino harp,
Orchestra conducted by Josef A Pasternack, Recorded between 1904-1917
NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110962
[76.04] [JW]
Powell's
was a turn of the century style of playing with a vibrato of medium
speed, a trill that was fast but not of electric velocity, a sturdy
technique, tonally often inclined to dryness, but of buoyant musicality
and vivid incisiveness.
Prières
Sans Paroles
French Music for Trumpet and Organ
Marius CONSTANT (b.1925) Alleluias
Henri TOMASI (1901-1971) Semaine
Sainte à Cuzco André
JOLIVET (1905-1974) Arioso barocco (1968) Henri
SAUGUET (1901-1989) Non morietur in æternum
Pierre JANSEN (b.1930) Processional
Erik SATIE (1866-1925) La Statue
retrouvée (1923) Jean-Michel
DAMASE (b.1928) Trois Prières sans paroles (1993)
Naji HAKIM (b.1955) Sonata for Trumpet
and Organ (1994)
Håkan Hardenberger (trumpet) Simon Preston (organ) Recorded
Aarhus Cathedral, Denmark May 2000
BIS BIS-SACD- 1109 DSD SACD [67:30] [CT]
An
interesting, if slightly uneven, collection of French music for trumpet
and organ played with great artistry by Hardenberger and Preston.
JONATHAN
RICHARDS Latin American Guitar Gems SAIN
SCD2298 [56:56]
[AD]
All
told this is a pleasant collection, played in an unpretentious, but
nicely stylish manner.
TANGO
FOR FOUR NO.2
Jaakko Kuusisto (violin) Mika Väyrynen (accordion) Kalle Elkomaa
(piano, keyboards) Jaan Wessman (bass, matchbox) Recorded in Helsinki
in July 2001 FINLANDIA
8573-87781-2 [50.02] [CF]
If
this is what is called cross-over music then the signalman should not
change the points, but rather let this train of tangos go straight ahead
into a tunnel. ...see
Full Review
ARTURO
TOSCANINI conducts OPERA OVERTURES GLUCK
Orpheus ed Euridice - Dance of the Blessed Spirits. VERDI
La Traviata Prelude to Act 1 and Prelude to Act 3.ROSSINI
Overture The Barber of Seville; Overture The Italian
girl in Algiers (rec 1936) and Overture ‘Semiramide (rec
1936) Philharmonic Symphony
Orchestra of New York
Recorded in 1929 and 1936
NAXOS 8.110842 [67.55] [GH]
Toscanini
knew Verdi and the sensitivity with which he approaches this music is
truly wonderful. This is how Verdi heard the music and expected it to
be. ...see Full Review
Victorian and Edwardian Favourites Edward
ELGAR (1857-1934) arr Sir George
MARTIN Imperial March Felix MENDELSSOHN
(1809-1847)
Sonata No 6 in D MORANDI
(?)
arr W T BEST Bell Rondo Hubert
PARRY (1848-1918)
Fantasia and Fugue in G Alfred HOLLINS
(1865-1942)
A Trumpet Minuet T J MORGAN
(1885-1950)
Fantasia on Twrgwyn Percy WHITLOCK
(1903-1946)
Folk Tune and Scherzo from Five Short Pieces Edwin
LEMARE (1865-1934)
Andantino in D Flat Franz von SUPPE
(1819-1895)
transcribed EDWIN EVANS Overture;
Poet and Peasant Huw Tregelles
Williams, organ
Recorded Morriston Tabernacle Treforys No recording dates given
SAIN SCD 2260 [67.29] [JW]
In
this thoroughly engaging disc Huw Tregelles Williams revisits some popular
classics and manages to add a couple of surprises.
BOOK REVIEWS
Beecham Stories New
Expanded edition of the best selling classic -
Anecdotes, sayings and impressions of Sir Thomas Beecham
compiled by Harold Atkins and Archie Newman with a Foreword by Yehudi
Menuhin
Robson Books hardback 90 pages £10:95 ISBN 1-86105-393-2
Always guaranteed to raise a smile.
Frank
Bridge – radical and conservative
By Anthony Payne
Thames Publishing. Paperback.
106 pages $12:50 ISBN 0 905210 25 5 [IL]
This
is an erudite appreciation of the music of a too long neglected and
overshadowed British composer. ... see Full
Review
GOLDBERG
MAGAZINE
A
quarterly magazine of early music
120 pages.
60 FF, £6.50, $12.50, 1,250 PTA. http://www.goldberg-magazine.com
Lovers
of early and baroque music would certainly do well to check out this
magazine, to learn more about the music they listen to, and to have
an attractively produced magazine to read every three months.
THE
PENGUIN GUIDE TO COMPACT DISCS: The Guide
To Excellence In Recorded Music 2002
Edition Edited by Ivan
March Reviews by: Ivan March; Edward Greenfield; Robert Layton 1566pp
ISBN 0-14-051-497£20.00
Published Nov 22nd [RB]
An
ideal Christmas present for the dedicated classical CD collector or
someone you might like to become a dedicated collector. Beginners in
this field could hardly have a better companion.
THE
NEW PENGUIN OPERA GUIDE
Edited by Amanda Holden
Publ. Penguin Music, 2001 ISBN 0 140 29312 4 ISBN US 0 140 51475 9 1142pp
£30.00 [RB]
This
book now joins the elite ranks of opera books. On the same shelf you
will find Kobbé and the Operatic Grove. As a single volume opera
encyclopedia it is peerless. At £30.00 this will be money exceptionally
well spent.
The
Walled-In Garden – The songs of Roger Quilter
By Trevor Hold. 64
pages; Paperback. Thames Publishing 1978 and 1996. £7:50 ISBN
0 905210 99 9 [IL]
A
much-needed and balanced assessment of Roger Quilter’s art. ...see Full
Review
William
Walton: A Bio-Bibliography
by Carolyn J Smith. Bio-Bibliographies in Music
Number 18. 247pp. $68.50. ISBN 0-37-25391-9. I988. Greenwood Press,
Westport, Connecticut 06881.
Despite
its age this is still a very useful addition to the Walton bookshelf.
[Part 1
New] [Part 2 A-B] [Part
3 C-L]
[Part 4 M-R] [Part
5 S-Y] [Part 6 Misc]