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Music for the Movies: A weekend residential course Friday to Sunday February 1^st – 3^rd 2002

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NEW and RECENT ARTICLES

THE RISE AND FALL OF POPULAR MUSIC by Donald Clarke
          Complete book now on-line

COME ALONG NORMAN – YOU CAN DO BETTER THAN THIS!
          Adrian Smith rebuffs Norman Lebrecht's assertion that Walton killed his own talent.

LUDWIG THUILLE by Eric Schissel

GERALD FINZI a major new site by John France

FARTEIN VALEN By David C F Wright

LUIGI NONO by David C F Wright

VILÉM TAUSKÝ C.B.E. F.G.S.M. (b. 1910) + List of compositions

PATRICK HADLEY by John France

WILL THE AUDIENCE MIND STANDING UP? ........ Arthur Butterworth

EXCLUSIVE Interview with Adriano by Rob Barnett

BEETHOVEN by Davis C F Wright

HAYDN by David C F Wright

Richard Wetz (1875-1935) as Composer By Eric Schissel

Peter Racine Fricker: Personal Thoughts and Memories by David Wright

DIATRIBES AND DIGRESSIONS New Formats and the Real World by David Dyer

The MusicWeb Listening Studio

On-Line help sites: How do I do this, Where do I find this. Some free, some not

Did you know you could help sponsor a new recording for as little as £10 - a symphony for £25? Read on  such as this one  now reviewed here: GRAHAM WHETTAM  Sinfonia Intrepida   BBCSO/Sir Charles Mackerras.   Redcliffe Recordings RR016 (44' 11'') [PC]

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LATEST CD REVIEWS (last two days)

This is the weekend when MusicWeb officially becomes part of the ClassicAll network with a launch at Midem in Cannes. I was to have been there but am held terrestrial in the UK by a deep vein thrombosis cause by too many hours sitting at this keyboard! Depending when you have visited this page you may have already been directed, courtesy of Queen of the Night, via our new portal page. Our partner site within the ClassicAll network is www.ludwigvanWeb.com

Whilst MusicWeb and much of LudwigvanWeb will remain free, the ClassicAll network will also offer you a great-value subscription service. You will be offered a package of a dozen CDs a year plus downloading facilities at a special rate for MusicWeb visitors. The offer will become available through the portal site and combines the best features of a high quality classical music magazine and all the convenience of your local record shop with the many real advantages of the Internet.

Through this service MusicWeb will no longer have to bombard you with advertisements as we did all last year but it does depend upon our subscription package being attractive enough that visitors will actually desire to take out a subscription. Once the details of the package become available please e-mail any comments and I will pass them on to those at ClassicAll.

Len Mullenger

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We completed 230 full-length CD reviews for February. Find them in composer alphabetical order here

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[Part 2 A-B] [Part 3 C-L] [Part 4 M-R]  [Part 5 S-Y] [Part 6 Misc]

 

BOOK REVIEWS

ARNOLD BAX IDEALA: The Love Letters and Poems of Arnold BAX
edited by Colin Scott-Sutherland Fand Music Press The Barony, 16 Sandringham Road, Petersfield GU32 2AA. Tel/Fax: 01730 267341. ww.fandmusic.com published September 2001 ISBN 0-9535125-3-3 320pp hardback [SL]

Jeffrey Richards: Imperialism and music. Britain 1876-1953 Manchester University Press 2001ISBN H/B 0719045061 £55 Amazon UK £49.99ISBN P/B 0719061431 £19.99 Amazon UK £17.99 [JW]

When Richards treats less complex issues he does so with tact but at the Imperial heart of his book, at its centre, he has wielded a machete and cut off his own arm. ... see Full Review

DONALD FRANCIS TOVEY: The Classics of Music - Talks, Essays, and Other Writings Previously Uncollected edited by Michael Tilmouth and editing completed by David Kimbell and Roger Savage. Oxford University Press Price: £60.00 (Hardback) ISBN0-19-816214-6. Published 2001, 864 pages, numerous music examples, 10 halftones, 1 table, 234mm x 156mm. [PS]

At 864 pages long and with a price tag of £60 this book is certainly not for the occasional reader. But for all those who know and love Tovey’s writing this is a long awaited and very welcome addition. … see Full Reviews

SCORE REVIEWS

RECORDINGS OF THE MONTH

GREGORIAN CHANT Abbé Damien Poisblaud Recordings made in The Abbey of Thoronet (date of recording unspecified) PAVANE ADW 7239 [64.53] [PW]

This reviewer would never have expected to find himself in a position of saying that one of the most remarkable recordings heard in years was a disc of one man singing unaccompanied chant for over an hour. But, so it is. … see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Piano Sonatas in F, K.332, in B flat, K. 333, in C minor, K.457, Adagio in B minor, K.540 Alfred Brendel (pianoforte) Recorded 7-8.7.2000, Snape Maltings Concert Hall (K.457), 21-25.1.2000, Glyndebourne Opera House (others) PHILIPS 468 048-2 [74.36] [CH]

Much here will surely be listened to by future generations as a locus classicus both of how to perform these sonatas and of Brendel’s own playing. … see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART LE NOZZE DI FIGARO Figaro - Ezio Pinza (bass-baritone) Susanna - Bidú Sayão (soprano) Cherubino - Jarmila Novotna (mezzo soprano) Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera, New York Paul Breisach (conductor) Recorded live in April 1943 PLUS STANDARD HOUR CONCERT Recorded live on 28 September 1951 GUILD HISTORICAL 2203/5 [196’ 12"] [CF]

Wonderful performance of Figaro taken live from the Met during the Second World War, the cast as good as anyone could surely wish for. An initial release with some mouth-watering offerings to come from Guild. ...see Full Review

Richard WAGNER Siegfried Sung in German First performance August 1876, Bayreuth, Germany Siegfried -Lauritz Melchior (tenor) Wotan - Friedrich Schorr (bass-baritone) Brünnhilde - Kirsten Flagstad (soprano) Mime - Karl Laufkoetter (tenor) Eduard - Habisch Alberich (bass-baritone) Erda - Kerstin Thorborg (contralto) Fafner - Emanuel List (bass) Woodbird - Stella Andreyeva (soprano) Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera, New York Adolf Bodanzky (conductor) Recorded live on 30 January 1937 GUILD HISTORICAL 2207/9 [210.01]

John Steane once wrote, ‘to learn how Wagner could be sung, the public in general had to wait for the great days of Melchior, Schorr and Flagstad’. Well, here is the chance to experience such an occasion - seize it. … see Full Review

ARIAS FOR SOPRANO, TRUMPET AND ORGAN Pater Damian STACHOWICZ (1658-1699) Veni, veni Consolator Alessandro MELANI (1639-1703) All’armi, pensieri Alessandro SCARLATTI (1660-1725) Vaga Cintia adorata (from "Endimione e Cintia") 7 Arias: Si suoni la tromba, In terra la guerra, Con voce festiva, Rompe sprezza, Si riscaldi il Tebro, Mio tesoro per te moro, Farò la vendetta Henry PURCELL (1658-1695) Sound the trumpet, Sound Fame thy brazen trumpet (from "Dioclesian") DROVANDINI (1673-1708) De torrente Marie-Noëlle de Callataÿ (soprano), Alain Roelant (trumpet), Jan van Landeghem (organ) Rec. Aug. 1990, St. Joseph’s Church, Saint-Niklaas PAVANE ADW 7223 [48.03] [CH]

If you are looking for a soprano, trumpet and organ disc to add to your collection, I don’t think you could do better than this. … see Full Review

BERJ ZAMKOCHIAN Organ Recital. REUBKE Sonata on the 94th Psalm MENDELSSOHNSonata no. 1 in F minor REGER Weihnachten Berj Zamkochian (organ)(ADD) CONSORTIUM ZC 040794 [DW]

A super disc .... very exciting! And that’s an understatement! ... see Full Review

 

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH

Olivier MESSIAEN (1908-1992) Turangalila Symphony Toronto Symphony Orchestra/Seiji Ozawa, Yvonne Loriod, piano Recorded in 1967 Albert ROUSSEL (1869-1937) Symphony No. 3 Symphony No. 4 Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio-France/Marek Janowski Recorded in 1994 Bacchus et Ariane, Suite no.2 Boston Symphony/Charles Munch Recorded in 1952 RCA RED SEAL 74321 846012 LC 00316 2 CD set; CD1 [77:24] CD2 [61:56] bargain price [GPJ]

RCA knock you out of your seat with sheer pizzazz. No denying the brilliance of the sound in Turangalila. Janowski's French Radio Philharmonic give outstanding performances - energetic, stylish and intense. ... see Full Review

A SHROPSHIRE LAD The complete Shropshire Lad in poem and song-settings Samuel BARBER (1910-81): With rue my heart is laden Lennox BERKELEY (1903-89): I liked you better. He would not stay. George BUTTERWORTH (1885-1916): Bredon Hill. When the lad for longing sighs. On the idle hill of summer; A Shropshire Lad complete Mervyn HORDER (b 1910): White in the moon. John IRELAND (1879-1962): Hawthorn time. The hearts desire. The lent lily. Goal and wicket. The vain desire. The encounter. Epilogue. E. J. MOERAN (1894-1950): Far in a western brookland. O fair enough are sky and plain. C. W. ORR (1893-1976): When I watch the living meet. Hughley steeple. Into my heart. O see how thick the goldcup flowers. The Isle of Portland. This time of year. Anthony Rolfe Johnson (tenor); Graham Johnson (piano); Alan Bates (reader). Rec 1980s HYPERION DYAD CDD22044 2CD [123.39] Bargain price [JQ]

A most distinguished and enterprising release which is recommended without reservation to all lovers of English song. see Full Review

Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957) Complete Symphonies and Selected Miscellaneous Works Conducted by Paavo BERGLUND Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestras (HPO), Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO), choirs and soloists as listed Rec. Dec. 1970 (5), Jan. 1972 (2, 4), May 1978 (3), Guildhall, Southampton, no date given for (1) EMI 5 74485 2 (8 CDs, timings as above) Superbudget [CH]

One of the greatest symphonic cycles, plus many shorter pieces, under a conductor who shows a deep understanding and profound identification with it. In the end I felt I was listening, not to Berglund, but to Sibelius. see Full Review

SPANISH GUITAR RECITAL Isaac ALBÉNIZ (1860-1909) allorca, Opus 202 Suite Española Opus 47 Cordoba, Opus 323 No. 4 Enrique GRANADOS (1867-1916) Dedicatoria La Maja de Goya Nadza Española No. 4 Valses Poèticos Danza Española No. 5 Joaquin MALAIS (1872-1912) Serenata Emilio PUJOL (1886-1980) Tango Espannol Guajira Julian Bream (guitar) Rec 1982-3, Wardour Chapel, Wiltshire BMG 74321 68016 2 [74.58] [TB]

One of the finest guitar recitals of recent times. … see Full Review

Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) Toward the Unknown Region (1), Dona nobis pacem (2), Fantasia (quasi variazione) on the Old 104^th Psalm Tune (3), Magnificat (4), Partita (5), Concerto Grosso (6), Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis (7), Romance in D flat (8), The Lark Ascending (9) Sheila Armstrong (soprano) (2), Helen Watts (contralto) (4), John Carol Case (baritone) (2), Peter Katin (pianoforte) (3), Jean Pougnet (9), Christopher Hyde-Smith (flute) (4), Larry Adler (harmonica) (8), Ambrosian Singers (4), London Philharmonic Choir (1, 2), BBC Symphony Orchestra (8), London Philharmonic Orchestra (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 9), Orchestra Nova of London (4), Philharmonia Orchestra (7)/Sir Adrian Boult (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 9), Meredith Davies (4), Sir Malcolm Sargent (7, 8)Recording dates: 20 Oct. 1952 (8), 21 Oct. 1952 (9), 5 June 1959 (7), 12 Feb. 1970 (3), 16 June 1970 (4), 16-18 April 1973 (1, 2), 10 & 15 Oct. 1975 (5, 6)Locations: Kingsway Hall, London (1, 2), No. 1 Studio Abbey Road, London (3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9), St. Augustine’s, Kilburn (7) EMI CLASSICS CZS 5 74782 2 [2 CDs: 76.16 + 72.34] Superbudget

"Dona nobis pacem" is essential and alone worth the price of the set. But there is much else, too. … see Full Review

Richard WAGNER (187-1883) Tristan und Isolde (1865) Kirsten Flagstad (Isolde), Lauritz Melchior (Tristan), Sabine Kalter (Brangane), Herbert Janssen (Kurwenal), Emmanuel List (King Marke), Frank Sale (Melot), Roy Devereux (Sailor), Octave Dua (Shepherd), Leslie Horseman (Steersman). Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden London Philharmonic Orchestra/Fritz Reiner Recorded at Covent Garden during performances on 18^th May and 2^nd June 1936. Archivist and restoration producer Ward Marston NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110068-70 [3 CDs 209.29] [TD]

A remarkable document of recorded history and a performance of rare and compelling power that, in spite of historic sound, is one of the greatest recordings of this opera ever made. … see Full Review

VIRTUOSO VIOLIN Fritz KREISLER (1883-1951) Praeludium and Allegro "in the style of Pugnani" Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) arr. Joseph JOACHIM Hungarian Dance no. 1 Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) The Gadfly: Romance Riccardo DRIGO (1846-1930) arr. Leopold AUER Valse Bluette Zdenek FIBICH (1850-1900) arr. Jan KUBELIK Moods, Impressions and Reminiscences, op. 41: Poème Manuel de FALLA (1876-1946) arr. KREISLER La Vida Breve: Danse espagnole Henryk WIENIAWSKI (1835-1880) arr. August WILHELMJ Légende, op. 17 Pablo de SARASATE (1844-1908) Introduction and Tarantella, op. 43 Johannes BRAHMS arr. JOACHIM Hungarian Dance no. 5 Ernest BLOCH (1880-1959) Baal Shem: Nigun Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) arr Jascha. HEIFETZ Beau Soir KREISLER Caprice viennois, op. 2 Nicolai RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844-1908) arr. Heifetz The Tale of Tsar Saltan: The Flight of the Bumble Bee Frederick DELIUS (1862-1934) arr. Lionel TERTIS Hassan: Serenade Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) arr. WILHELMJ Ave Maria, D. 839 William KROLL (1901-1980) Banjo and Fiddle Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) Tzigane Rapsodie de concert Tasmin Little (violin), Piers Lane (pianoforte) Recorded at St. Michaels, Highgate, 30-31 July 1991 EMI CLASSICS FOR PLEASURE 574 9492 [71.34] Superbudget [CH]

This is a disc that can be confidently bought by anyone looking for the best kind of easy-listening for violin and piano. see Full Review

 

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[Part 1 New]  [Part 2 A-B] [Part 3 C-L]
[Part 4 M-R]  [Part 5 S-Y] [Part 6 Misc]          

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