Thomas
ADÈS (born
1971) Living Toys, Op. 9a. Arcadiana,
Op. 12b. Sonata da caccia, Op. 11c. The Origin
of the Harp, Op. 13d. Gefriolsae me, Op. 3be.
cMichael Niesseman (baroque oboe); cAndrew Clark (horn);
bEndellion String Quartet; eChoir of King’s College,
Cambridge/Stephen Cleobury; dinstrumental ensemble/ Thomas
Adès (piano/charpsichord); aLondon Sinfonietta/Marcus
Stenz. Recorded aAll Saints’ Church, Petersham in May 1995,
bcAbbey Road Studios in May 1997, dAll Hallows
Church, Gospel Oak, London in January 1997, eKing’s College
Chapel in January 1997. [DDD]
EMI CDZ5 72271-2 [64.21] [CC]
Adès’
music repays repeated listening, and performances like this give one
the perfect opportunity to give this music the consideration it is due.
Malcolm
ARNOLD Symphonies:
7 (Op.113), 8 (Op. 124), 9
(Op. 128) Concerto for Oboe and Strings (Op. 39)
Jennifer Galloway (oboe), BBC Philharmonic O/Rumon Gamba recorded Studio
7, NBH Manchester, Jan. 2001
CHANDOS CHAN 9967(2) [116.04] [PS]
Apart
from the Seventh's first movement which is too fast for its own good,
these powerful and penetrating performances, convincingly captured,
make a fitting conclusion to the Chandos cycle and a fascinating complement
to the Naxos (get both!). A touching performance of the Oboe Concerto
provides a tasty icing on the cake.
Malcolm ARNOLD -
Two Clarinet Concertos/Scherzetto Benjamin
BRITTEN - Concerto movement Elisabeth
MACONCHY - Two Concertinos
Thea King (clarinet) English Chamber Orchestra/Barry Wordsworth Recorded
1992 HYPERION CDH55060
[64.35] [CF]
This
fine recording, with superlative support from the English Chamber Orchestra
under Barry Wordsworth, is as much a tribute to the Thurstons as to
the composers whose music is played.
Johann
Sebastian BACH(1685-1750)
The
Testament of Bach Musikalisches Opfer
Le Concert des Nations Jordi Savall Die Kunst der Fuge
Hespérion XX/Jordi Savall Rec 19 & 20 November 1999, 10 &
11 April 2000, Chateau de Cardona (Musical Offering) Rec March 1986,
St Jean-Baptiste … Roquemaure (Art of Fugue)
ALIA VOX AV9819 [3 CDs: 71.57,45.28, 46.57] [TB]
Lurking
doubts about the instrumentation of The Art of Fugue make this an alternative
performance rather than an essential one. Available separately as below
Johann
Sebastian BACH(1685-1750)
The Art of Fugue BWV 1080
Hesperion XX, Jordi Savall Rec: March 1986, Collegiale St. Jean-Baptiste,
Roquemaure, France.
ALIA VOX AV9818 A+B [92.25] [KM]
Buy
this without hesitation if you want to discover the richness of this
magnificent work, in a haunting, unique arrangement. This is, indeed,
one of the best versions available, and will likely remain so for a
very long time. Also available in a set as above.
Johann
Sebastian BACH
(1685-1750) The Art of Fugue BWV 1080
Lynn Ziegler, organ. Rec: May 1994, Brambaugh Organ, Recital Hall, Iowa
State University. CALCANTE
CD 011 [84.57] [KM]
This
recording is more for organists that lovers of this profound work, one
of Bach's last, and one of his most complex. Lacking in emotion, yet
partly compensating for this in technical aspects, this is a good recording
featuring an attractive organ.
Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
Masterworks for Clavichord
Toccata in G major BWV 916, Capriccio sopra la lontananza
de il fratro dilettissimo B-flat major BWV 992, Prelude, Fugue &
Allegro in E-flat major for Lautenwerk BWV 998, Suite in E minor for
Lautenwerk BWV 996 , Fantasia & Fugue in A minor BWV 904, Prelude
& Fughetta in E minor BWV 900, Prelude & Fugue in B minor on
a theme by T. Albinoni BWV 923 & BWV 951, Prelude & Fughetta
in G major BWV 902
Derek Adlam, clavichord. Rec.: January 2001, The Priory Church of Our
Lady and St. Cuthbert, Worksop, Nottinghamshirep
GUILD GMCD 7232 [77.28] [KM]
A
definite must for Bach-lovers, and something to discover for those who
have never heard the clavichord. I hope Adlam records more on this fine
instrument.
Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
Violin Concertos Concerto for Violin, Strings and Basso continuo
in A minor, BWV 1041 Concerto for Two Violins, Strings and Basso
continuo in D minor, BWV 1043 Concerto for Violin, Strings and
Basso continuo in E major, BWV 1042 Concerto for Three Violins,
Strings and Basso continuo in D minor, BWV 1064r
Tafelmusik, Jeanne Lamon Rec: February 1995, Glenn Gould Studio, Toronto,
Canada. SONY S2K 66265
[62.00] [KM]
This
is a very good recording of Bach's violin concertos. While there are
some weak points, this is a recording worth listening to.
Johann
Sebastian BACH
(1685-1750) Sonatas and Partias for Violin BWV 1001
- 1006
Benedict Cruft, violin Rec: September - October 1998, Binham Priory,
North Norfolk, England.
TONONI TON-001 [156.47] [KM]
While
Cruft plays with emotion, some of the dance movements just sound too
rigid for my taste. This is a fine recording, but not among the very
best.
Johann
Sebastian BACH
(1685-1750) The Six Partitas
Kenneth Weiss, harpsichord Rec: June 1999, Eglise Evangélique
Allemande, Paris. SATIRINO
SR 011 [137.20] [KM]
To
sum up, this is a mixed bag. Weiss is excellent in the faster movements
and uncomfortable in the slower movements. But it is not enough to only
play parts of the partitas well.
Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
Sonatas for Violin and Harpsichord plus Beyond
the Notes - Bach as Cappellmeister: Cöthen 1717-1722 [27.39]
Emlyn Ngai, baroque violin, Peter Watchorn, harpsichord Rec: December
2000, March 2001. MUSICA
OMNIA MO 0112 [103.30 + 27.39] [KM]
This
is one of the best recordings available of Bach's Sonatas for Violin
and Harpsichord. The performances by both musicians are excellent, the
balance between them a revelation, and the addition of the Beyond the
Notes disc makes this not only a highly-enjoyable listening experience,
but an enlightening one as well. This is an essential disc for any Bach
lover.
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
The
Art of the Fugue
Peter Elyakim Taussig, piano Rec: April 2001, Master Sound Astoria Studios,
New York. CRYSTAL MUSIC
MS 102 [73.25] [KM]
Peter
Taussig has recorded a unique, personal interpretation of the Art of
Fugue, and, no matter how the recording was made, it stands on its own
as a fine work.
Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
Organ Works Fantasia and Fugue in G minor BWV 542, Fantasia in
G major BWV 572, Chorale Prelude BWV 663, Prelude and Fugue in E minor
BWV 533, Chorale Prelude BWV 653, Partita BWV 768
Hans Helmut Tillmanns, Weimbs organ of St. Nikolaus Church in Kall,
Germany. Rec: My 2001 St. Nikolaus Church, Kall, Germany.
DANACORD DACOCD 557 [58.16] [RB]
A
very good recording of a selection of Bach's organ works. Sei grüßet,
Jesu gütig is the culmination of the disc. The organ's sound is
not exceptional, Tillmanns plays works that fit well with the organ's
character and with his own style. This is an organ disc for those who
do not like loud, thunderous organ recordings.
BACH-BUSONI:
Piano
transcriptions
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) arr.
Ferruccio BUSONI (1866-1924)
Prelude and Fugue in D, BWV 532, Chorale-Preludes: Komm, Gott Schöpfer!
BWV 631, Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme BWV 645, Nun komm, der Heiden
Heiland BWV 659, Nun freut euch, lieben Christen g'mein BWV 734, Ich
ruf' zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ BWV 639, Herr Gott, nun schleuss' den
Himmel auf BWV 617, Durch Adams Fall ist ganz verderbt BWV 637 &
705, In dir ist Freude BWV 615, Jesus Christus, unser Heiland BWV 665,
Prelude and Fugue in E flat BWV 552
Ákos Hernádi (pianoforte) Recorded 17-19.2.1999, Hand
Rosbaud Studio, Baden-Baden
ANTES Edition BM-CD 31.9137 [57.19] [CH]
There
is something rather heartwarming about Hernádi's patent enjoyment
of everything he does and I'd like to hear him in some real Bach
Bela
BARTÓK
(1881-1945) Concerto for Orchestra (1943) Four
Orchestral Pieces, Op. 12 (1921) Hungarian Peasant Songs, Op. 100 (1933)
Concerto for Orchestra - Original Ending
London Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted by Leon Botstein Walthamstow
Town Hall, London, February 21 - 23, 2000
TELARC CD-80564 [76:22] [SF]
Botstein's
admirable self-control prevents him from fully exploiting the myriad
of brilliant effects … It is as if the thought of having to compete
with some of the greatest conductors in the world made Botstein more
than usually cautious when conducting this work
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61 [39.08]
Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Violin
Concerto in D major, Op. 77 * [36.11]
Nathan Milstein (violin)
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra conducted by William Steinberg Recorded
in the Syria Mosque, Pittsburgh in January 1955 and * November 1953
& April 1954. EMI
Great Recordings of the Century CDM 5 67583 2 [75.33] [JQ]
These
accounts by Milstein and Steinberg surely rank among the very best.
Forget the over-hyped adolescent violin "virtuosi": this is
the real thing. Strongly recommended.
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Symphony
No. 5; Symphony No. 7
Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra of New York/ Arturo Toscanini Recorded
April 1933 (5th Symphony) and April 1936 (7th
Symphony) NAXOS Historical
- Great Conductors 8.110840 [c67.43] [JL]
Recordings
of two masterpieces that in their magnificence transcend time, fashion
and 1930s recording quality.
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Symphony No. 7 in A major, Opus 92 Egmont:
Incidental Music, Opus 84*
Henriette Bonde-Hansen (soprano)* Swedish Chamber Orchestra/Thomas Dausgaard
Rec 10-21 January 2000, Örebro Concert Hall
SIMAX Classics PSC 11822 [69.46] [TB]
Interpretations
that are nothing if not compelling. Dausgaard's blazing performance
of the Overture sets the pulse racing. An imaginative coupling, performed
with drive and a real insight into the fundamental nature of both works.
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN
(1770-1827) Bagatelles and Dances, Volume 3: Rondo
a Capriccio in C, major, Op. 129 (Rage over a Lost Penny); Andante in
F major (Andante favori), WoO 57; Two German Dances - Hess 67 - Allegro
and Da Capo the 'Deutscher'; Rondo in C major, Op. 51, No. 1; Rondo
in G major. Op. 51, No. 2; Rondo in A major, WoO 44; Twelve Minuets,
WoO 7. Jeno Jandó (piano)
Recorded Budapest, January 1996
NAXOS 8.553799 [55.46] [AB]
Overall
the music on this disc falls rather into the description of 'odds and
ends' which with most composers would not be particularly interesting.
However Beethoven wrote very little which is not fascinating.
Joao
Domingo BOMTEMPO (1775-1842)
Piano
Sonatas Volume 2 Sonata No 11 op 20, Sonata No 6 op 15 No 1, Sonata
No 7 op 15 No 2
Nella Maissa piano Recorded Studio Jorsom, May and July 1989
STRAUSS PORTUGALSOM SP4319 [62.26] [JW]
Maissa
plays with real fluency and élan even though the constricted
acoustic doesn’t flatter her, tonally. She graces everything she plays
with understanding and skill and brings distinction to this disc.
Johannes
BRAHMS Violin
Concerto
Vasco Barbosa violin E.N.R Symphony Orchestra
Fritz Rieger conductor Recorded live Cinema Tivoli Lisbon 20 November
1965 STRAUSS
SP4351 [37.36] [JW]
At
38 minutes this is hardly a first choice recommendation although at
close to bargain price. For admirers of Barbosa it’s a good souvenir
of this fine musician in central repertoire.
BRAHMS
Johannes (1833-1897)
Clarinet Quintet in B minor, op. 115 (1891) String
Quartet no. 3 in B flat major, op. 67 (?1875)
Boris Rener (clarinet), Quatuor Ludwig Recorded at Alençon Auditorium
13-15.2.1999
NAXOS 8.554601 [71.32] [CH]
This
is not one of those Naxos discs that would go to the top of the list
even at full price but it’s a fair bargain
BRAHMS
Hungarian
Dances; Waltzes Marie-Josephe Jude & Jean-Francois
Heisser (piano duet) (recd. Jan 2001, Marseilles) Naïve
V 4892 [67 mins] [PGW]
"-
- piano four hands often works very well when the two pianists are of
different sexes" says Jean-Francois Heisser, and "it takes hard
work to be natural", responds his young partner Marie-Josephe Jude.
- - These are the original versions, music to enjoy, well recorded and
presented.
Luis
de DE FREITAS BRANCO (1890-1955)
Symphony No. 1 (1924) [30.50] Antero
De Quental - symphonic poem (1908) [12.47]
Budapest PO/Andras Korodi Rec Budapest, 21-24 July 1984
PORTUGALSOM STRAUSS CD 870004/PS [43.57] [RB]
Not
the most polished of performances and not the place to start your pilgrimage
through the symphonies of de Freitas Branco.
Luis
de DE FREITAS BRANCO(1890-1955)
Symphony No. 2 (1926) [43.27] * Alentejo Suite No. 1 (1919)
[24.53] Budapest PO/Gyula Nemeth * Hungarian State SO/Gyula Nemeth Rec
Hungaroton Studios, Budapest, 15-19 Feb 1983 *; 18-25 April 1979 ADD
PORTUGALSOM STRAUSS CD SP 4073 [68.55] [RB]
The
music is well worth hearing - a meaty symphony influenced by Brahms,
Dukas, Chausson and an eventful douche of impressionistic colour.
Luis
de DE FREITAS BRANCO(1890-1955)
Symphony No. 3 (1944) [40.43] *
Artificial Paradises - symphonic poem (1910) [11.51]*
Solemnia Verba - symphonic poem (1951) [15.16] *
Budapest PO/Gyula Nemeth Hungarian State Orchestra/Gyula Nemeth Rec
Budapest, 26-30 April 1982 (symphony) Rec Budapest, 18-25 April 1979
PORTUGALSOM STRAUSS
SP 4165 [55.00?] [RB]
Unpretentious
but always intriguing fare from Strauss and Freitas Branco.
Luis
de DE FREITAS BRANCO(1890-1955)
Symphony No. 4 (1952) [35.47] *
Budapest PO/Janos Sandor Rec Hungaroton Studios, Budapest, 2-5 April
1987 DDD PORTUGALSOM
STRAUSS CD 870018/PS [35.47] [RB]
Sandor
takes no prisoners - according the full measure of lyricism but varying
it with acrid violence straight out of Shostakovich.
Luis
de DE FREITAS BRANCO(1890-1955)
Violin Concerto (1916) *Tentacoes de S Frei Gil (1911)
** Vasco Barbosa (violin)
* RDP SO/Silva Pereira * rec Lisbon 17-20 June 1980 ADD ** rec Lisbon
9-10 December 1980 ADD
PORTUGALSOM STRAUSS SP4042 [49:58] [RB]
Silva
Pereira and the RDP SO are firing on all cylinders exactly as with
Pereira's intoxicating version of the Braga Santos Fourth Symphony.
Luis
de DE FREITAS BRANCO (1890-1955)
Vathek (1913) [27.07] Suite Alentejana no.
2 (1927) [17.22]
Budapest PO/Andras Korodi * rec Budapest 2-10 May 1985 AAD
PORTUGALSOM STRAUSS SP 4130 [43:07] [RB]
Fine
examples of exotica - fragrantly impressionistic and not lacking in
colour.
Frank
BRIDGE
(1879-1941) Orchestral Works, Volume 1 Enter
Spring, Isabella, Two Poems for Orchestra, Mid of the Night
(premiere recording) BBC
National Orchestra of Wales/Richard Hickox Rec 26-27 November 2000,
Brangwyn Hall Swansea CHANDOS
CHAN 9950 (75.48)
With
excellent sound, and repertoire which includes a real masterpiece and
other music of much interest, this CD makes a compelling beginning to
Chandos's new cycle of the orchestral works of this splendid British
composer.
BRIDGE
Frank
(1879-1941) Sonata for Cello and Piano (1913-17),
Meditation (?1912), Spring Song (?1912), Serenade (1903), Berceuse (1901),
Scherzo (1902), Elégie (1904), Cradle Song (1910), Mélodie
(1910) BRITTEN Benjamin (1913-1976)
Sonata in C for Cello and Piano, op. 65 (1960-1) Øystein
Birkeland (violoncello), Vebjørn Anvik (pianoforte) Recorded
in Lommedalen Church, 4-7.4.2000
SIMAX PSC 1160 [70.16] [CH]
The
Bridge Sonata is one of those select British works which belong to the
international repertoire without hesitation or apology.. Birkeland is
a cellist who should be heard
Anton
BRUCKNER (1824-1896)
Symphony
No. 5 Symphony No. 9
North German Radio Symphony Orchestra/Günter Wand Rec (No. 5),
1989 Hamburg, No. 9 June 1988 Lubeck Cathedral
RCA RED SEAL 74321 845902 [2CDs: 74.01 & 65.07] [TB]
Compelling
and overwhelming music-making.
[Part 1
New] [Part 2 A-B] [Part
3 C-L]
[Part 4 M-R] [Part
5 S-Y] [Part 6 Misc]