Classical CD Review Archive - Classical - August 2002 part 2 A-B: Classical MusicWeb (UK)

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Adolphe ADAM (1803-1856) La Filleule des Fées (1849) Queensland Symphony Orchestra/Andrew Mogrelia Recorded in 1996 at the ABC Studio, Brisbane, Australia. MARCO POLO 8.223734/5 [2CDs: 67.52+58.41] [WH]
Themes not always of enough interest or character to make us altogether happy to hear them again � see Full Review
Charles-Valentin ALKAN (1813-1888) Concerto for Solo Piano Op 39 Mily BALAKIREV (1837-1910) Islamey Mark Latimer, piano Recorded Royal Northern College of Music November 1999 (Alkan) and Malvern December 1994 (Balakirev) APR 5600 [56�15] [JW]
Given the competition, performance and sound quality should be commensurately high; regrettably they aren�t. � see Full Review
ALKAN (Charles Valentin Morhange) (1813-1888) Grand Duo Concertant for violin and piano Op. 21 (1840) [20.42] Sonate de Concert for cello and piano Op. 47 (1856) [31.28] Piano Trio Op. 30 (1839) [21.12] Dong-Suk Kang (violin) Yvan Chiffoleau (cello) Olivier Gardon (piano) rec. Mar/April 1992, Salle Adyar, Paris TIMPANI 1C1013 [74.08] [RB]
Provocatively fluent performances of little known chamber works by one of the Grainger-like misfits of the nineteenth century. ... see Full Review
RECORDING OF THE MONTH Malcolm ARNOLD (born 1921) Guitar Concerto Op.67 (1959)^aEnglish Dances Op.27 & Op.33 (1950/1951)^bSymphony for Brass Instruments Op.123 (1978)^cQuintet for Brass Op.73 (1961)^d Eduardo Fernández (guitar)^a; English Chamber Orchestra^a; Barry Wordsworth^a; London Philharmonic Orchestra^b; Sir Adrian Boult^b; Philip Jones Brass Ensemble^cd; Howard Snell^c; Elgar Howarth^dRecorded: 1954 (English Dances); 1970 (Brass Quintet); 1979 (Symphony for Brass) and 1990 (Guitar Concerto) DECCA 468 803-2 [75:03] [HC]
A miracle of economy, clarity and efficiency. Arnold at his best � see Full Review
Johann Sebastian BACH (1690-1765) Guitar Transcriptions - Partita in A minor, BWV 1013 (Originally for solo flute) Allemande, Corrente, Sarabande, Bourrée anglaise, Prelude in E Major, BWV 854, Prelude in C (A) Major, BWV 939, Adagiosissimo, BWV 992 (Capriccio sopra la lontananza de il fratro dilettissimo) Harpsichord Concerto, BWV974 (after the Oboe Concerto by Alessandro Marcello), Allegro, Adagio, Presto; Sonata in G (A) minor, BWV 1001 (Originally for solo violin), Adagio, Fugue (Allegro), Siciliana, Presto Enno Voorhorst (guitar) Rec. Hervormde Kerk, Rensoude, Netherlands NAXOS 8.555369 [53:36] [AD]
Convincingly stylish playing � an interesting and enjoyable disc. � see Full Review

Carl Philipp Emanuel BACH (1714-1788) Pièces de caractère Marcia Hadjimarkos, pianoforte and clavichord Rec: February 2001, Gemeentemuseum, den Haag, Netherlands. ZIG-ZAG TERRITOIRES ZZT 020301 [67.03]
Hadjimarkos covers a wide range of emotions. Her selection of works is exemplary and shows a true understanding of the music of this fine composer � see Full Review
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Cello Suites 1, 2, 3 No. 1 in G major BWV 1007 No. 2 in G major BWV 1008 No. 3 in G major BWV 1009 Jiri Barta, cello
Rec: November 1995, Castle Kozel. SUPRAPHON SU 3242-1 131 [56.53]
Cello Suites 4, 5, 6 No. 4 in G major BWV 1010 No. 5 in G major BWV 1011 No. 6 in G major BWV 1012 Jiri Barta, cello Rec: July - August 1996, Castle Kozel. SUPRAPHON SU 3242-2 131 [74.27] [KM]

Disc 1 While not the best recording of these works, it is a herald of a long and interesting career by a young cellist. Disc 2 Less convincing than the disc containing the first three cello suites, this is nevertheless a good recording. � see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Music for Oboe and Harpsichord Sonata in G minor, BWV1030b (after 1750) [17�34"] Sonata in E flat, BWV1031 (c.1731) [10�53"] �Organ� trio sonata in C, BWV529 (c.1729) [13�55"] Sonata in G minor, BWV1020 (?1730-40) [12�16"] Sonata in C, BWV1033 for unaccompanied oboe (after 1750) [9�28"] Prelude and Fugue in C minor, BWV871, from the Well-Tempered Klavier, Book II, for Harpsichord (1738-42) [6�32"] Gail Hennessy (baroque oboe) and Nicholas Parle (harpsichord) Recorded at St. Andrew�s Church, Toddington, Gloucestershire on 13-16 December 2000 SIGNUM SIGCD034 [68�39"] [JPo]
A disc to appeal more to oboists than generalists, and one not for continuous listening. � see Full Review
You can sample, download tracks or purchase this disc
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Complete Flute Sonatas Lisa Beznosiuk, flute Richard Tunnicliffe, cello Paul Nicholson, harpsichord Rec: September 2000, January 2001, Walcot Hall, Shorpshire, England. HYPERION CDA 67264/5 [121.42] [KM]
With fine performances, excellent musicians, and sound to match, this disc is an superb overview of Bach�s chamber music for flute. � see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Cantatas Volume 2Bach-Collegium Stuttgart, Figuralchor der Gedächtniskirche Stuttgart, Helmut Rilling HAENSSLER 92.592 [approx 20 hours]
Rilling�s personal vision makes this one of the monuments in the discography of Bach cantatas. � see Full Review
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Life and Works Written and narrated by Jeremy Siepmann With John Shrapnel as Bach Other parts read by Trevor Nichols, Ruth Sillers and David Timson Recorded 2002, London NAXOS 8.558051-54 [4CDs: 254.00] [TB]
Intelligent balancing of words and music; Siepmann's style is just right, neither patronising nor wordy. Excellent value � see Full Review
Sir John BARBIROLLI (1899-1970) (arr) An Elizabethan Suite Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) Symphony no. 8 in d Nikolai RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844-1908) Capriccio Espagnol, op. 34 Emmanuel CHABRIER (1841-1894) España Hallé Orchestra/Sir John Barbirolli Recorded live 11.4.1961, Teatro Kursaal, Lugano, Switzerland AURA AUR 181-2 [60�48"] [CH]
If this were the only record he had of Barbirolli, it would be enough to prove that he was one of the greats. � see Full Review
Bela BARTÓK (1881-1945) Piano Concerto No.2 (1930-31) Piano Concerto No.3 (1945) Piano Concerto No.1 (1926) Yefim Bronfman (piano) Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra/Esa-Pekka Salonen Recorded c. 1995 SONY ESSENTIAL CLASSICS SBK 89732 [75.40] [TH]
Marvellously subtle and polished � delightfully witty � see Full Review
Béla BARTÓK (1881-1945) String Quartets 1-6 Juilliard Quartet - Recorded 1950 PEARL GEMS 0147 [2 CDs 155�40][JW]
This first cycle will remain of prime importance in the discography of the Bartók Quartets. � see Full Review
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Symphony No. 5 in C Minor op. 67 - Symphony No. 6 in F Major Pastoral op. 68 Berlin Philharmonic/Claudio Abbado - Recorded Berlin, May 2000 DG 471 489-2 [74:16] [JL]
Abbado is at his best in the Sixth and a significant addition to an overcrowded field. � see Full Review
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Symphony No. 6 in F, Opus 68 The Nicolaus Esterházy Sinfonia/Béla Drahos, conductor - Jeremy Siepmann, writer and narrator - Naxos "Classics Explained" Series DDD, Copyrighted in 2002. NAXOS 8.55034-35 [c.122�34"][KS]
Once again the "little label that could" have done it. A fine product at a great price, for what more could one ask? � see Full Review
BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Symphony No.1 in C major Op.21 (1800), Symphony No.2 in D major Op.36 (1801), Symphony No.3 in E flat major Op.55 "Eroica" (1804), Symphony No.4 in B flat major Op.60 (1806), Symphony No.5 in C minor Op.67 (1808), Symphony No.6 in F major Op. 68 "Pastoral"(1808), Symphony No.7 in A major Op. 92 (1812), Symphony No.8 in F major Op.93 (1812), Symphony No.9 in D minor Op.125 "Choral" (1824), Staatskapelle Dresden, Rundfunkchor Leipzig, Herbert Blomstedt, conductor - Recorded 1975-1980, Lukaskirche, Dresden. (Licensed from Edel Classics) BRILLIANT CLASSICS 99927/1-5 [5CDs: 76.52+72.25+78.55+69.06+72.18] [NH]
A masterly and visionary cycle offered at a ridiculously low price�.See Full review
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Symphony no. 3 in E flat, op. 55 "Eroica" - Leonore Overtures 1, op. 138 & 2, op. 72b Philharmonia Orchestra/Otto Klemperer - Rec. 3^rd & 4^th October and 17^th December 1955 (Symphony), 17^th, 18^th & 24^th November 1954 (Overtures), Kingsway Hall, London EMI CLASSICS CDM 5 67740 2 [71�19"] [CH]
One of the essential Beethoven recordings. � see Full Review
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Sonata in E flat, Opus 27 No. 1 Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Sonata in B minor Frédéric CHOPIN (1810-1849) Ballade No. 4 in F minor, Opus 52 Nocturne in B major, Opus 62 No. 1 Scherzo No. 1 in B minor, Opus 20 Claudio Arrau (piano) Recorded 17 Sept 1971, (Swiss-Italian Radio) Chiesa del Colegio Papio, Ascona AURA AUR 182-2 [77.53] [TB]
An altogether pleasing issue which does justice to the work of a great artist � see Full Review

Jiri Antonin BENDA (1722-1795) Viola Concerto in F Major Benda�s Klagen adapted for cello by Christian Benda + Frantisek BENDA (1709-1786) Violin Concerto in E Flat Major Josef Suk, viola Ariane Pfister, violin Christian Benda, cello + Suk Chamber Orchestra Prague Chamber Orchestra + Christian BendaRecorded Lichtensteinpalast, Prague January 1999 except Benda�s Klagen, recorded at the Chapel of Brethren, Prague November 1994 NAXOS 8.553994 [53�24] [JW]
Affectingly and sensitively done. � see Full Review
Hector BERLIOZ (1803-1869) Symphonie Fantastique, op. 14 (1830) Les Francs-juges overture Chicago Symphony Orchestra/Sir Georg Solti Date and location of recording not specified, first issued 1972/1974. DECCA ELOQUENCE (AUSTRALIA) 460 504-2 [65.12] [WH]
Little passion or yearning, still less wistfulness or regret where we might hope to hear it. � see Full Review
Hector BERLIOZ (1803-1869) Requiem (Grande Messe des morts) Kenneth Riegel, tenor The Cleveland Orchestra and Chorus/ Lorin Maazel Recorded 1979 Chant pour Choeur Hazel Holt, soprano Sarah Walker, mezzo-soprano Gillian Hull, contralto Ryland Davies, tenor Heinrich Schütz Choir and Chorale/Roger Norrington Recorded 1969 Grande Symphonie funèbre et triomphale Jeffrey Budin, trombone Montréal Symphony Orchestra and Choir/Charles Dutoit Recorded 1986 DECCA ELOQUENCE 467 479-2 [134:29] [JL]
Maazel, in spite of moments glittering, beautiful and exciting, shows little understanding. Grandeur, majestic sweep and ethereal quality all missing. Symphonie funèbre under Dutoit fares a great deal better. � see Full Review
Adolphe BIARENT (1871-1916) Piano Quintet, Cello Sonata Marc Drobinsky, cello Diane Andersen, piano Danel Quartet Recorded Sint Truiden, Academiezaal January 2001 (Piano Quintet) and Studio Dada, Brussels September 2001 (Sonata) CYPRES CYP4611[73�15] [JW]
The fires lit by this music are thick and dense but glow red hot at their core. ...see Full Review
Harrison BIRTWISTLE (born 1934) Tragoedia (1965)^a Five Distances (1993)^a Three Settings of Celan (1989/1996)^a Secret Theatre (1984)^a Endless Parade (1987)^b Panic 1995)^c Earth Dances (1986)^d Christine Whittlesey (soprano in Three Settings); Ensemble InterContemporain^a; Pierre Boulez^a; Håkan Hardenberger (trumpet)^b; BBC Philharmonic Orchestra^b; Elgar Howarth^b; John Harle (saxophone)^c; Paul Clarvis (drum kit)^c; BBC Symphony Orchestra^c; Sir Andrew Davis^c; Cleveland Orchestra^d; Christoph von Dohnányi^d Recorded: Manchester 1990; Paris 1993; Cleveland, Ohio, 1995 and London 1995 DECCA British Music Collection 468 804-2 [76:07 + 74:43] [HC]
A generous introduction to a distinctive, though exacting but often rewarding sound world. � see Full Review
Sir Arthur BLISS (1891-1975) Chamber music, volume 1 String Quartet No. 1 in B flat major Conversations for flute, oboe, violin, viola & cello String Quartet in A minor Maggini Quartet Nicholas Daniel (oboe and cor anglais), Michael Cox (flute and alto flute) Recorded 19-21 Dec 2000, Potton Hall, Suffolk NAXOS 8.557108 [64.01] [TB]
The music is well written and excellently played and recorded. Bliss is always worth exploring. � see Full Review
Georg BÖHM (1661-1733) Geistliche Lieder (Sacred Songs) and Organ Works Trostesvollen Gnaden, Bringet meinen Herrn zu Ruh, Folget Jesu nach zum Graben, Was bringet Jesus aus dem Grabe?, Oft denk� ich, wie ich durch die Welt dem Jammerlaut vollende, Mein Freund is mein, entflieht ihr Sorgen, Die Welt ist recht ein Totengrab. Partita Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend, Praeludium and Fugue in d minor, Chorale Von Himmel hoch da komm ich her, Chorale Vater unser in Himmelreich, Praeludium, Fugue and Postludium in g minor, Chorale, Christ lag in Todesbanden, Partita Ach wie nichtig, ach wie flüchtig. Vocal works: Monique Zanetti, soprano; Jean-Charles Ablitzer, organ; Marianne Muller, viole de gambe. Recorded in the Church of Saint-Pierre, Porrentruy, Jura, Switzerland, 7-8 February, 1993. Organ Works, Recorded on the historic Arp Schnitger organ of the Sankt Ludgeri Church, Norden, 11-12 November, 1992 DDD. HARMONIC RECORDS H/CD 9244 [71�] [KS]
I found myself repeating tracks for the sheer pleasure of the sound. � see Full Review
You can sample, download tracks or purchase this disc
Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Symphony no. 2 in D, op. 73 (1) - Symphony no. 4 in e, op. 98 (2) Concertgebouw Orchestra, Amsterdam/Willem Mengelberg - Recorded 8.4.1940 (1), 30.11.1938 (2), location not indicated (The Concertgebouw?) TELDEC The Telefunken Legacy 0927 42662 2 [77� 01"] [CH]
These performances definitely add to our knowledge of the music .… see Full Review
Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Serenade No.1 in D major, Op. 11 (1859) - Serenade No.2 for Small Orchestra in A major, Op. 16 (1859) London Symphony Orchestra/Michael Tilson Thomas - Recorded c.1985 SONY ESSENTIAL CLASSICS SBK89899 [78.24] [TH]
Richly satisfying readings, recorded in splendid digital sound � see Full Review
Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Fantasien, op. 116: nos. 4, 5, 6 (not 2, 4, 5 as advertised) Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Kinderszenen, op. 15 Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Sonata no. 7 in B flat, op. 83 Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750), transcribed by Alexander SILOTI (1863-1945) Prelude in B minor (from the Prelude in E minor, Book I) Alexander Mogilevsky (pianoforte) Recorded 2.2002 in the Auditorium of Swiss-Italian Radio, Lugano EMI CLASSICS CDM 5 67934 2 [57�42"] [CH]
I just can�t find a good word to say for this, except for the booklet notes � see Full Review
Anton BRUCKNER (1824-1896) Symphony no.3 - "Third Version of 1888/9: 1890 - Edition by Franz Schalk" Bavarian State Orchestra/Hans Knappertsbusch - Recorded in the Kongresssaal des Deutschen Museums, Munich, 11 October 1954 ORFEO C 576 021 B [51�49"] [PQ]
Anyone who loves Bruckner�s music or Knappertsbusch�s conducting should steer clear of this travesty. � see Full Review
Anton BRUCKNER (1824-1896) Symphony no.3 "Third Version of 1888/9: 1890 Edition by Franz Schalk" Bavarian State Orchestra/Hans Knappertsbusch Recorded in the Kongresssaal des Deutschen Museums, Munich, 11 October 1954 ORFEO C 576 021 B [51�49"] [PQ]
Anyone who loves Bruckner�s music or Knappertsbusch�s conducting should steer clear of this travesty. � see Full Review
Anton BRUCKNER (1824-1896) Symphony No 8 Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra Rudolf Kempe Recorded Tonhalle Zurich Studio November 1971 SOMM CD 016-2 [2 CDs 82�02] [JW]
A performance that was a little too agnostic for this reviewer � see Full Review
Anton BRUCKNER (1824-1896) Symphony no. 9 in d Orchestra Sinfonica dell�Emilia Romagna "Arturo Toscanini"/Vladimir Delman Recorded live April 1994, location not given AURA AUR 425-2 [59�41"] [CH]
This disc remembers a conductor with a potential for cult status, but there are problems. � see Full Review
Geoffrey BURGON (born 1941) Requiem (1976) Nunc Dimittis (1979)^a Jennifer Smith (soprano); Ann Murray (mezzo-soprano); Anthony Rolfe-Johnson (tenor); London Symphony Chorus; Wooburn Singers; City of London Sinfonia; Richard Hickox;
Thomas Hopkinson (treble)^a; John Wallace (trumpet)^a; Stephen Cleobury^a Recorded: Kingsway Hall, London, October 1981 (Requiem) and King�s College Chapel, Cambridge, July 1996 (Nunc Dimittis) DECCA 470 380-2 [54:03] [HC]
Hickox�s much acclaimed reading of the Requiem � see Full Review
Benjamin BURROWS (1891-1966) Violin Sonata (1927) Viola Sonata (1934) Songs: How should I your true love know (D.G. Rossetti); Queen Djenira; Three Cherry Trees; Mistress Fell (de la Mare); Cam' ye by; One and Twenty; Somebody; The Dusty Miller (Burns) Pieces for solo piano: Leicester Tunes No. 1; Rumba; Autumn; Arabesque; Tango Kenneth Page (violin/viola) James Walker (piano) songs: Catherine Martin (sop); Brian Blyth Daubney (piano) rec. Benjamin Burrows Centenary Concert, Fraser Noble Concert Hall, Leicester University, 23 Oct 1991. AAD available to BMS Members only BMS ENVIRONS ENV CD018R [63.16] [RB]
A rewarding disc available only to members of the British Music Society. Two subtle and melodically strong sonatas and masterful songs at a distance from the folksongschool. ... see Full Review
Dietrich BUXTEHUDE (1637-1707) Seven Sonatas opus 1 - Sonata No I in F major BuxWV252;1. Vivace � Lento [1'49] 2. Allegro [2'52] 3. Andante [2'24] 4. Presto [1'51] - Sonata No II in G major BuxWV253 - 5. Lento � Vivace [3'30] 6. Allegro [1'20] 7. Arioso [2'11] - Sonata No III in A minor BuxWV254 - 8. Adagio [2'01] 9. Allegro [1'59] 10. Lento � Vivace [4'39] 11. Presto [2'10] - Sonata No IV in B flat major BuxWV255 - 12. Vivace [5'06] 13. Lento � Allegro [3'26] - Sonata No V in C major BuxWV256 - 14. Vivace [1'45] 15. Solo [2'01] 16. Allegro [4'44] - Sonata No VI in D minor BuxWV257 - 17. Grave � Allegro [2'05] 18. Con discretione [2'46] 19. Vivace [1'30] 20. Poco presto [2'09] - Sonata No VII in E minor BuxWV258 - 21. Allegro [2'21] 22. Presto [0'53] 23. Vivace [1'30] 24. Poco presto [2'30] Convivium Elizabeth Wallfisch, violin - Richard Tunnicliffe, viola da gamba (incorrectly credited with playing cello on the disc) - Paul Nicholson, harpsichord - Rec: October 2000. HYPERION CDA67236 [60.32] [KM]
Music that is joyous and interesting � musicians playing music, not performing it. � see Full Review

[Detailed listing (last two days)]
[Part 1 New] [Part 2 A-B] [Part 3 C-L]
[Part 4 M-R] [Part 5 S-Y] [Part 6 Misc] [Part 7 Misc]
Revolving notes from clipart.com

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