 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
 |
 |
 |
|
||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|||
 |
 |
|
|||||||
 |
|
||||||||
 |
|
||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Classical Editor: Rob Barnett Founder Len Mullenger: Len@musicweb-international.com
PART 3 |
[Part 1 New]
[Part 2 A-B] [Part
3 C-L] [Part 4 M-R] [Part 5 S-Y] [Part 6 Misc] |
|
Current
Reviews New entries are indicated by
a rotating symbol.
|
||||||||||||||||||
PART 3 |
[Part 1 New]
[Part 2 A-B] [Part
3 C-L] [Part 4 M-R] [Part 5 S-Y] [Part 6 Misc] |
Marc-Antoine CHARPENTIER Trois histoires sacreés: Dialogus inter angelum et pastores, Mors Saulis et Jonathae, 'Cum essent congregata ad praelium', Sacrificium Abrahae
Il Seminario Musicale/Gérard Lesne
- - - miniature oratorios, or spiritual operas, mature works by a theatrical composer at the peak of his powers - splendid singing and playing captured in just the right ambience at Versailles
CHAUSSON (1855-1899) Concert Op.21 (1891) Pièce en Ut majeur Op.39 (1897)
Both pieces receive highly idiomatic readings by a handful of artists who are much in sympathy with the music.
THE COMPLETE SONGS OF ERNEST CHAUSSON
Overall unlikely to be bettered, but let us remember that some great Chausson performances have come out in ones and twos.
CHOPIN 51 Mazurkas, opp.6, 7, 17, 24, 30, 33, 41, 50, 56, 59, 63, 67, 68, "A son ami Emile Gaillard" in a, "Notre temps" in a (rec. 1938-1939, London, Abbey Road) 3 Mazurkas, opp.33/2, 56/3, 63/1 (not no.3 as stated in the booklet) (rec. 1932, 1930, 1932, London) 2 Valses, opp.34/1, 64/2 (rec. 1928, 1930, London, Small Queen's Hall)
This first encounter with the complete Mazurkas is an important moment in the history of the gramophone and in the development of 20th Century musical taste generally
CHOPIN 6 Polonaises, opp.26, 40, 44, 53; Polonaise-Fantaisie, op.61; Andante spianato and Grande Polonaise Brillante, op.22
Naxos have obtained a generally pleasing, if limited, sound and the ear soon tunes in and concentrates on the enthralling playing.
'Music of PETER CROSSLEY-HOLLAND' Songs and Pianoforte solos
This CD, with its attractively illustrated notes, provides but a tantalising glimpse into the creative world of a composer whose works include a Symphony, several symphonic poems, a violin Sonata, several choral works and songs.
Aaron COPLAND Piano Concerto (1926) Gian Carlo MENOTTI Piano Concerto (1945)
Likely to be 'up your street' if you enjoy the Malcolm Arnold Concerto for Phyllis and Cyril or the Britten Piano Concerto.
DELIUS A Mass of Life
A dithyramb (in mono) to life here and now both in its reflective soliloquising and in its turbulent upland glories.
DELIUS Over the Hills and Far Away, Sea Drift, Paris - Song of a Great City
If you want to capture the Delius Beecham alchemy in sound better than the Naxos 1930s recordings this is where to go. Distilled enchantment
Antonín DVORAK (1841-1904) Serenade in E, B52. Hugo WOLF (1860-1903) Italian Serenade. Béla BARTÓK (1881-1945) Divertimento, Sz113.
Despite the enjoyable account of the Bartók and the intelligent programming, it is difficult to justify the full-price cost for this disc.
Antonin DVORÁK (1841-1904) String Quintet in A minor, Opus 1 String Quintet in E flat major, Opus 97
This disc will give much pleasure to any lover of chamber music
ELGAR Nursery suite, Dream Children, In Moonlight, Romance for Bassoon, Sospiri, Serenade for strings, Elegy
Performances of these string works are polished, though the emotion seems rather understated.
ELGAR Cockaigne Overture, Serenade for Strings, Enigma Variations
A warm welcome to these recordings on their return to the catalogue, their first appearance on CD.
Beecham's new wine in Elgar's old bottles. A potent brew.ELGAR Organ Sonata, Vesper Voluntaries, 'Organ Sonata No. 2' arr. Ivor Atkins from the Severn Suite, 'Nimrod' from the Enigma Variations (transcribed by Hugh Davies)*Imperial March (transcribed by Simon Lindley)+
Elgar wrote little music for the organ. The music on this CD is very well worth the attention of Elgarians
Robert FUCHS (1847-1927) Complete String Quartets, Volume 2: C, Op. 71; A, Op. 106.
This release came as a happy and unexpected surprise. The young quartet's fierce commitment brings with it the bonus of youth and the excitement of fresh discovery.
GERSHWIN Gershwin plays Gershwin (original recordings 1919-1931)
A valuable piece of musical history and a real bargain at Naxos budget price.
Alberto GINASTERA (1916-1983) Piano Concerto No. 1, Opus 28 Piano Concerto No. 2, Opus 39
The Naxos sound better than acceptable; performances might be described in the same way. All credit to the musicians for the standards they have achieved, in music which will repay closer attention.
GLAZUNOV Orchestral Works Fantasy The Sea op 28 Oriental Rhapsody op 29 Ballade op 78 Cortège Solennel op 91
The music gripped my attention only spasmodically.
GUBAIDULINA String Quartets 1 - 3; String Trio
Gubaidulina's four string quartets constitute an important line in her oeuvre - - performances and recording exemplary, a fine pendant to treasure after a memorable live experience at South Bank
Masterworks for organ and orchestra Alexandre GUILMANT (1837-1911), Léon BOELLMANN (1862-97), François-Joseph FÉTIS (1784-71)
This disc of lesser known French and Belgium composers is very appealing and highly recommended.
Jésus GURIDI (1886-1961) Diez Melodías Vascas (1941) [19.53] Amaya: Plenilunio-Espatadantza (1920) [11.35] Homenaje a Walt Disney - fantasy for piano and orchestra (1956) [22.00]
EMI are to be thanked for keeping this exceptionally vivid disc in the catalogue. Well worth your attention and we can surely hope for the world premiere recording of Guridi's Sinfonia Pirenaica.
HANDEL Aminta and Fillide, cantata for two voices, strings and continuo. HWV83.
For Handel devotees this is a CD to have. For lovers of impeccable singing it is well worth having as well.
HANDEL Arias from Rinaldo and Orlando
Podles' expressive and dramatic powers signal a distinctive and individual talent; whatever else one may feel listening to this disc one will never be bored.
HAYDN AND HIS ENGLISH FRIENDS
This is an issue of great historical interest and no little musical interest.
HEIFETZ plays ELGAR and WALTON ELGAR Violin Concerto WALTON Violin Concerto
An issue to be treasured. We are, perhaps, too inclined to regard the Menuhin/Elgar version as the ultimate touchstone.
Joseph HOLBROOKE (1878-1958) Chamber Works: Clarinet Quintet (19) [24.43] Piano Quartet (19) [26.14] Traditional Melodies of England, Scotland and Ireland (19) [22.59]
This CD, one of a mouth-watering series from BML, comprises reissues well transferred from two different LPs originally issued in the 1970s.
LAKELAND PICTURES Piano Music of Herbert HOWELLS and Armstrong GIBBS.
I recommend this release without reservation. The playing not only has the accomplishment we expect from Mr. Cuckston, but it shows the genuine affection these pieces demand and deserve.
Miriam HYDE (b.1913) Piano Concerto No. 1 (1933) Piano Concerto No. 2 (1935) Village Fair (1943) *
The memorable invention and well worth getting. A notch or two superior to the run of the romantic mill.
Heino JÜRISALU (1930-1991) Three Estonian Dances (1956) Three Serenades for Chamber Orchestra (1961) Quintet (1956) Flute Concerto (1969) Forest Concerto for horn and orchestra (??) Symphony No. 2 (1975)
Antes are rapidly providing us with a primer of fine Estonian music. Do try to get hold of this disc.
Edvin KALLSTENIUS (1881-1967) Dalarapsodi (1931) Sångoffer for baritone and orchestra (1944) Symphony no. 2 (1935)
Music for contemplation and concentration. (2nd Symphony)
Giya KANCHELI (b. 1933) Magnum Ignotum, Simi
Kancheli's best music is sad, dramatic, and intermittently terrifying.
Rued LANGGAARD (1893-1952) The Complete Symphonies Volumes 1-7
A great complex of works. A huge cycle of symphonies. Some of these pieces are truly great, some exhibit pure genius, some are unlistenable, some are just plain banal. Yet somehow I feel that this man has to be accommodated into the Pantheon of Western composers. These CDs make a very brave and largely consummated attempt at beginning to secure this recognition.
Jón LEIFS (1899-1968) Guðrúnarkvida (1940) Nótt (1964) Helga kviða Hundingsbana (1964) Grógaldr (1965)
A unique disc of Leifs premieres shocking in their profundity and stark eloquence.
Jón LEIFS (1899-1968) Visions and Images Geysir (1961) Landsýn - Overture (1955) Three Images (1961) Hekla (1961)
A most rewarding disc that has been all but neglected everywhere.
Jón LEIFS (1899-1968)/Hjálmar H RAGNARSSON Tears of Stone - music from the film LEIFS: Iceland Cantata; Elegy; Galdra Loftur Overture; Funeral March LEIFS: (folk): Icelandic Dance; Funeral March; Andante; Preludio Organo RAGNARSSON: Lif's Theme I and II; Variations I, II and III; Lovers' Duet; After the Concert; In the ballroom; Annie Listens to the Radio
The Leifs assortment includes some complete works which will echo in the memory. Otherwise a memento of a film that many of us will not have seen.
Christian Lindberg and friends play Christian Lindberg Christian LINDBERG Fafner Fanfare for Four Frogs (1998) Mandrake in the Corner (1998-2000) Doctor Decker-the Dentist (1999) Catmania (1998-1999) Kinky Creatures (1998) Salute to a Sausage Society (1999) Under the Pillow (1998-1999) Kokakoka (1998-1999) Arabenne (1996-1997) An Awfully Ugly Tune (1998) Fredrik HÖGBERG The Ballad of Kit Bones (1998)
Tapiola Sinfonietta conducted by Jean- Jacques Kantorow (Arabenne)The novelty items are fine in small doses although overall it is the two more substantial works that make the disc worthwhile.
LUMBYE (1810-1874) Complete Orchestral Works, Volume 4:
A disc which is well worth considering; anyone who enjoys the music of the Strauss family (and who doesn't?) will enjoy this
[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, Colin Clarke, Paul Conway, 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
Return to Front page