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Classical Editor: Rob Barnett Founder Len Mullenger: Len@musicweb-international.com
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PART 3 |
[Part 1 New]
[Part 2 A-B] [Part
3 C-L] [Part 4 M-R] [Part 5 S-Y] [Part 6 Misc] |
Baldassar Castiglione Il Libro del Cortegiano (Book of the Courtier)
Doulce Mémoire
Denis Raisin Dadre with Marie-Claude Vallin (soprano) & Lucien Kandel (tenor).A pleasing compilation of early 16C. instrumental & vocal music, taking as its literary source Castiglione's The Book of the Courtier of 1528. Stylishly realised by Doulce Mémoire; music to relax with and enjoy.
Aaron COPLAND Lincoln Portrait, Quiet City, Outdoor Overture, Our Town suite Morton GOULD Latin American Symphonette
Short value overall made the shorter by the lacklustre Gould.
COUPERIN; FORQUERAY; RAMEAU; DANDRIEU; DUPHLY Pièces de Clavecin
A very pleasing introduction to the genre, as well recorded as played
Nancy DALBERG (1881-1949) Capriccio for Orchestra (c1918) Scherzo for String Orchestra Op.6 (1914) String Quartet No.2 in G minor Op.14 (c1922) Selection of Songs Fantasy Piece for Violin & Piano (1921) Scherzo & Capriccio:
A big discovery. The string quartet is a masterpiece. This CD should be in the possession of not only all enthusiasts of Scandinavian music but of everyone who likes well written music that moves the spirit and entertains the mind
Bernard van DIEREN COLLECTION Bernard van DIEREN (1884-1936)
This is THE collection of the music of the fabled composer Bernard Van Dieren. If you have any interest in the outer reaches of British music during the Twentieth Century this needs to be in your collection.
New Russian Chamber and Electronic Music
Georgy DMITRIEV In the Spirit of Hermann Hesse (for saxophone quartet) Warsaw Fantasy (for violin and piano) Diptych (for quartet of reed instruments) Nicolo (for violin and piano) Adagio for UPIC (electronic composition)Altogether, Dmitriev is an unusual composer and he is here very well served by performers and recording alike.
Andrew DOWNES Centenary Firedances. Symphony Orchestra of the Birmingham onservatoire/Jonathan Del Mar The Marshes of Glynn
No one who loves orchestral showpieces would want to be without the Centenary Firedances
Thomas DUNHILL Violin Sonata No. 2 (1917) Charles Villiers STANFORD Violin Sonata No. 1 (1880) Granville BANTOCK Violin Sonata No. 3 (1940)
A generous and rewarding collection made outstanding by the Dunhill sonata.
Marcel DUPRÉ (1886-1971) Works for Organ Vol. 12 Suite Bretonne Op 21 [15.51] Trois Esquisses Op 41 [12.25] In Memoriam Op 61 [28.26] Suite Op 39 [14.59]
One of the most cogent, and satisfying of the Naxos Dupré cycle. Don't hesitate.
DVORAK (1841-1904) Violin Concerto in A minor, Op. 53. Mazurek, Op. 49. Pablo de SARASATE (1844-1908) Zigeunerweisen, Op. 20. Carmen Fantasy, Op. 25.
This is a remarkable record. I have little hesitation in placing the performance of the Dvorák as a first choice.
DVORÁK (1841-1904) Symphony No. 1 in C minor "The Bells of Zlonice", The Wood Dove Op. 110, "Carnival" Overture Op. 92
A genuinely worthwhile mid-price issue, which represents good value for money for the performance of The Wood Dove alone.
ELGAR String Quartet o Piano Quintet
Not to be preferred to the Hyperion CD with the same pianist and members of the Nash Ensemble.
ENGLISH CELLO SONATAS John FOULDS, Ernest WALKER, York BOWEN.
All three works are superbly crafted and evince the great virtue of English music throughout the ages, a passionate, singing lyricism, something entirely appropriate to an instrument like the cello.
Ivan FEDELE Piano concerto; Epos and Chiari
- - - a truly original voice of today and a composer of sensibility, with consummate skill to convey his musical thinking in sound, however it may defy description in words by the liner notes writer - - -
Nicolas FLAGELLO (1928-1994) Declamation for violin and piano (1967) Nocturne for violin and piano (1969) Prelude, Ostinato and Fugue for piano (1960) Piano Sonata (1962) Violin Sonata (1963) Suite for harp and string trio (1965)
With the exception of the suite a superheated slice Americana romantica turning towards the dark.
César FRANCK (1822-1890) The Great Organ Works Vol. 1 & 2
Great value, and not many Franck cycles about
Peter Racine FRICKER Violin Sonata No. 1 Op. 12 (1951) Violin Sonata No. 2 Op. 94 (1986-87) Alan RAWSTHORNE Violin Sonata (1958) Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS Violin Sonata in A minor
This very fine release offers the first modern recordings of Fricker's long neglected music.
THE BEST OF GERSHWIN Cuban Overture Slow movement from Piano Concerto (with Kathryn Selby) Selection from Porgy and Bess Three Preludes for Piano (Leon Bates) Selection from Girl Crazy, They can't take that away from me, Rhapsody in Blue
Various orchestras conducted by Richard Hayman
No doubt there exist more persuasive accounts of each individual item (and certainly of Rhapsody in Blue), but the quality of this selection is generally first-class.
Vittorio GIANNINI (1903-1966) Concerto Grosso for string quartet and string orchestra (1946) Prelude and Fugue (1955) Nicolas FLAGELLO (1928-1994) Andante Languido (1959) Serenata per Orchestra (1968) Morton GOULD Harvest (1945)
A glorious collection of music; mostly for strings. Not to be missed. More Giannini please - symphonies next!
Philip GLASS Violin Concerto (1987) Prelude and Dance from Akhnaten (1984) Company (1983)
A must-buy for Glass enthusiasts. For the rest of us it is an excellent low-cost introduction to one of this composer's masterpieces.
GLUCK Iphigénie en Tauride
This is an excellent performance and there is a huge amount of beautiful music to enjoy on these discs.
Górecki (b.1933) Beatus Vir Op.38 (1979) Symphony No. 2 'Copernican' Op.31 (1972)
A fine CD. For all those people who bought the 3rd Symphony this is an opportunity to explore what is perhaps an even greater work: the Second.
GOSSEC (1734-1829) Grands Messe des Morts, Symphonie a 17 parties
Recommended to all classical period devotees, all French lovers, all fans of Cherubini and Berlioz. One of their masters stands revealed.
GRANADOS (1867-1916) Piano Music Volume 4: Apparitions: Romantic Waltzes; In the Cuban Style (before 1898); Stories of Youth; 'Honey from Alcarria': Jota (1894); Poetic Waltzes (c. 1893-94); Aragonese Rhapsody (1901); Scenes of Childhood - Miniatures; Apparition
Essential supplement to the major Granados
HANDEL Messiah - Oratorio in three parts, complete
A classic performance well worth considering because of the glories of the singing from the soloists and chorus. The orchestra is a large one but plays well, but is let down by a less than ideal interpretation.
HANSON Symphony No. 1 in E Minor, Op. 21, The Nordic, (1922), "Merry Mount" Suite, (1938), Symphonic Poem - Pan and the Priest, Op. 26 (1925/6), Rhythmic Variations on Two Ancient Hymns
At Schermerhorn's slightly slower tempo, the symphony takes on a craggy atmosphere, and given the title, this may not be a bad thing.
Lou HARRISON (b.1917) Concerto for violin percussion orchestra (1940, 1959) [20.29] Concerto for organ with percussion orchestra (1973) [23.19]
Short measure but a pairing of ineluctable logic. The age of the recordings does not show.
Josef HAYDN Symphonies Nos. 94, 101 & 102
Hickox's interpretations are refreshingly free of artificial mannerisms; the playing is direct, bright and robust.
HAYDN (1732-1809) Piano Sonatas Vol. 10, nos. 1-10.
The other great Haydn piano cycle
HENZE (b.1926) Sechs Gesänge Aus Dem Arabischen (Six Songs from the Arabian), Three Auden Songs
A hugely rewarding disc that positively cries out for repeated listening. The music is outstanding, as are the performances.
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]
Some of the most beautiful inspirations in Western art music. Works of great melodic resource and with drama in evidence in the quartet.
Vagn HOLMBOE (1909-1966) String Quartet no. 16, opus 146 String Quartet no. 18, 'Giornata', opus 153 Svaerm, opus 190b Quartetto Sereno. Opus 197 (edited Per Norgård)
String Quartets no. 17. 'Mattinata', opus 152 String Quartet no. 19, 'Serata', opus 156 String Quartet no. 20, 'Notturno', opus 160The Kontras are specialists in the field, and their dedication is felt at every stage. Holmboe's music communicates directly, carefully and logically argued, always concerned with more than mere entertainment.
HOLST: Suite, The Planets*; WALTON: March, Crown Imperial**; VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis***.
An essential purchase for Boult admirers. The recordings capture him in his prime performing music for which he had an especial affinity.
HOWELLS (1892-1983) In Gloucestershire (String Quartet No.3) (1919/1920) George DYSON (1883-1964) Three Rhapsodies for string quartet (1905-1912)
Two wonderful chamber works. A must for all enthusiasts of British Music. Buy now if you missed the original recording. It will not be available forever!
CHAMBER MUSIC OF HOWELLS (1892-1983) AND BRIDGE (1879-1941) Frank BRIDGE Phantasy for Piano Quartet (1911) [12.33] Herbert HOWELLS Piano Quartet (1916) [27.42] Herbert HOWELLS Clarinet Sonata (1946) [21.51] Frank BRIDGE Phantasie for Piano Trio (1903) [16.27]
The Holywells are outstandingly successful in the Bridge Piano Quartet less so in the Howells quartet. The artists are in step with the spirit of this music. Decent liner notes and excellent design.
IVES (1874 - 1954) Symphony No. 2, Robert Browning Overture
Worthy rather than outstanding performances. The orchestral playing is tidy and stylish enough. Recording lacks any sense of perspective, and has a boxy, unreal sound - disappointing by Naxos' usually high standards
Leos JANÁCEK (1854-1928) Sárka
Performance excellent, recording highly satisfactory, leading roles taken with utmost conviction, magnificent playing from the Czech Philharmonic under Mackerras. An issue which adds considerably to our understanding of one of the great opera composers.
KORNGOLD Sinfonietta (1912) Violin Concerto (1945)
A classic of recorded sound.
Fritz KREISLER Viennese Rhapsody: Albéniz/Kreisler - Tango, Op165 No. 2; Dvorak/Kreisler - Slavonic Dances: B78: No 2 in E minor; B145: No 2 in E minor; Falla/Kreisler - La vida breve - Danse espagnole; Granados/Kreisler Andaluza, Op 37 No 5; Kreisler - Caprice Viennois, Op 2. Tambourin chinois, Op 3. Berceuse romantique, Op 9. Viennese Rhapsodic Fantasietta. Zigeuner-capriccio. La gitana. Polichinelle. Aucassin and Nicolette. Liebesleid. Liebesfreud. Slavonic Fantasie. Scott/Kreisler Lotus Land, Op47 No 1 Wieniawski/Kreisler Etude-Caprice Op l8 No 4.
Recorded 2000Beautifully played and well recorded recital of Kreisler arrangements and compositions. Gave great enjoyment. A worthy alternative to the composer's own versions.
Lowell LIEBERMANN Symphony No. 2, Op.67 Concerto for Flute and Orchestra
For anyone who has yet to hear Lowell Liebermann's music this disc would make an excellent starting point. A tour de force and highly recommended. [MB] I fear that this is a disc that you will have to pass your own verdict upon. For me the symphony was, and remains, a damp squib.[DW]
LISZT Cantata for the Inauguration of the Beethoven Statue, 1845 Ludwig van BEETHOVEN Choral Fantasia
The world premiere recording of the Liszt work which was to be his first for large-scale vocal and instrumental forces. A must for Liszt completists.
[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, Christopher Thomas, Richard Whitehouse, Jonathan Woolf, Peter Grahame Woolf, David Wright. A complete list of contributors can be seen here
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