Bohuslav
MARTINU (1890-1959)
Toccata
e Due Canzoni (1946) [25.37] Igor STRAVINSKY
(1882-1971) Concerto in Ré (1946) [12.32] Arthur
HONEGGER (1892-1959) Symphony No. 4 "Deliciae Basilienses"
(1946) [27.07] 
Kammerorchester
Basel/Christopher Hogwood Rec Radio Studio Zurich, Switzerland, 8-9
March 2001 ARTE NOVA
74321-86236-2 [65.43] [AT]
Workmanlike
performances of workmanlike pieces, worth investigating for a buoyant
performance of a delightful Martinu rarity....see Full
Review
Pietro
MASCAGNI (1863-1945)
Symphonic
and Choral Works Cavalleria Rusticana Prelude Intermezzo
L’Amico Fritz Intermezzo Isabeau Intermezzo Silvano
Barcarola Le Maschere Sinfonia Inno a Rosaura (choir)
Furlana (choir) Dansa esotica Gugliemo Ratcliff
Sogno Iris Prelude
Choir and Orchestra of the Teatro Lirico Giuseppe Verdi/Tiziano Severini
Rec. Teatro Lirico Giuseppe Verdi, Trieste, Italy
DYNAMIC CDS 379 [78.17] [RW]
This
disc preserves what must have been a memorable occasion. The serious
collector will welcome the many rare items. ...see Full
Review
Jules
MASSENET
(1842-1912) Hérodiade Wiener
Staaatsoper Live John the Baptist ..Placido Domingo Herod.. Juan Pons
Hérodiade.. Agnes Baltsa Salomé.. Nancy Gustafson Phanuel..Ferruccio
Furlanetto Vitellius.. Hans Helm High Priest.. David Calne Johnson A
Voice..Ruben Broitman
Chorus of the Wiener Staatsoper Orchestra of the Wiener Staatsoper Conducted
by Marcello Viotti Recorded Live by the Austrian Radio (ORF) on 12th
February 1995 RCA Red
Seal/ BMG 2 CDs 74321-79597-2 [137:17] [IL]
A
gripping production of one of Massenet’s best operas full of passion
and melody with Domingo on top form supported by a strong cast. … see
Full Review
Nikolai
MEDTNER (1880-1951)
Piano Concerto No. 1 (1914-18) [37.23] Piano Concerto
No. 2 (1927) [40.18] Piano Concerto No. 3 Ballade (1940-43) [35.46]
Piano Sonata in G minor Op. 22 (1911) [15.38] Sonata Reminiscenza
Op. 38 No. 1 (1919) [11.46] Sonata Tragica Op. 38 No. 5 (1919)
[9.44] Geoffrey Douglas
Madge (piano) Artur Rubinstein PO/Ilya Stupel rec Lodz, October 1991
BIS-CD-1258 [152.44]
2 CDs for price of one [RB]
For
the Medtner-curious it makes first recommendation for convenience and
integrity of artistic values. Madge and his orchestra give the best
approximation of a big concert hall sound all with a scaled up epic
set to the jaw. ... see Full Review
Felix
MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847)
The
Hebrides – Overture, op. 26 (1), Symphony no. 3 in A minor – "Scottish",
op. 56 (1), Symphony no. 4 in A – "Italian", op. 90 (2)
Scottish National Orchestra/Sir Alexander Gibson (1), London Philharmonic
Orchestra/James Lockhart (2) Recorded in City Hall, Glasgow, 4.1975
(1), Barking Town Hall 6-7.1.1975 (2)
EMI CLASSICS FOR PLEASURE 574 9462 [77.15] [CH]
The
two Scottish works are a fine memento of Gibson, with much of the tension
of his best live concerts. The Lockhart "Italian" is less
desirable. …..see Full Review
Felix
MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847)
Piano
Trios Nos 1 and 2 Opp 49 and 66
Gould Piano Trio Recorded Potton Hall, Dunwich, Suffolk April 2000
NAXOS 8.555063 [57.02] [JW]
The
commitment of the Gould Trio springs from admirable roots but comes
at the cost of architectural coherence. I found their rubato slightly
affected. Some extraneous noises can be heard - off-putting on repeated
hearing. .. see Full Review
Claudio
MONTEVERDI (1567-1643)
L’Incoronazione di Poppea (The Coronation of Poppea),
opera Carolyn Watkinson (sop) (Nerone), Judith Nelson (sop) (Drusilla),
Peter Ratinckx (c-ten) (Amore), Henri Ledroit (alto c-ten) (Ottone),
Carmen Balthorp (sop) (Poppea), Andrea Bierbaum (mezz) (Ottavia), Ulrik
Cold (bass) (Seneca)
Il Complesso Barocco/Alan Curtis Rec. Live performance, Theatre La Fenice,
Venice, Italy, September 1980 ADD
WARNER FONIT: MUSIC ANTIQUA 8573 84065-2 [CD1 76.13 CD2 47.20 CD
3 39.06] [RW]
This
is an issue for those with a special and determined interest in this
field. Ordinary opera-goers may wish to investigate studio recordings
of modern orchestral or other authentic realisations …. Full
review
Alexander
MOYZES (1906-1984)
Symphony
No. 7 (1954-55) Symphony No. 8 21.08.1968 (1968)
Slovak Radio SO/Ladislav Slovák rec 2-8 Apr 1990, 2-4 Dec 1994,
Concert Hall, Slovak Radio, Bratislava
MARCO POLO 8.225091 [70.29] [RB]
Not
the place to start your Moyzes Odyssey but a tidy way of showing Moyzes'
migration from pastoral perfection to the acrid tragedy of an uncaring
century. ...see Full Review
Alexander
MOYZES
(1906-1984) Symphony
No. 9 (1970) [37.06] Symphony No. 10 (1978) [32.48]
Slovak Radio SO/Ladislav Slovák rec 26-30 June 1995, 7-11 Feb
1994, Concert Hall, Slovak Radio, Bratislava
MARCO POLO 8.225092 [69.54] [RB]
Moyzes
at last forsakes the innocence and confidence of the nineteenth century
and embraces and expresses the new uncertainties. ... see Full
Review
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART
(1756
- 1791) Piano Sonatas
Mitsuko Uchida Rec: 1983 - 1987, Henry Wood Hall, London.
PHILIPS 468 356-2 5 CDs [328.16] [KM]
This
is a brilliant set, one that every Mozartian should own. ... see Full
Review
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
Piano Sonatas, Volume 2 Sonata in D major, K 284 Sonata in C
major, K 309 Sonata in D major, K311
Roberte Mamou (piano) Rec 1991, Ghent
PAVANE ADW 7247 [67.40] [TB]
A
most welcome addition to the catalogue. She has just the right manner
for this repertoire, spontaneous and natural. ...see Full
Review
Arne
NORDHEIM (b
1931) Complete Violin Music Concerto
for Violin and Orchestra, Duplex for Violin and Cello, Partita fur Paul
Peter Herresthal (violin)
Oystein Sonstad (cello) Mats Claesson (electronics) Stavanger Symphony
Orchestra Eivind Aadland conductor Recorded Stavanger Concert Hall November
2000 (Concerto), Lanna Church, Sweden June 2001 (Duplex) and Lindesmannsalen,
Oslo April 1997 (Partita)
BIS CD 1212 [61.39] [CH]
Nordheim's
rebellion against Norwegian conservatism is as well known as his embracing
of electronic music. With BIS’s usual standards of excellence in matters
of presentation and sound this is a highly recommended disc. …see Full
Listing
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART
(1756
- 1791) Serenades & Divertimenti for
Wind Instruments Mozart Edition vol. 3
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 7CDs 99716 [approx. 6 hours 10 min.] Superbudget
This
is another set which, for its price, is truly a bargain. While not all
of the works are truly interesting, the performances are excellent.
… see Full Listing
Max
d'OLLONE (1875-1959)
Piano
Quartet (1949) String Quartet (1898) Piano Trio (1920)
Patrice d'Ollone (piano) Quatuor Athenaeum Enesco
rec Jan 1999, Salle des fêtes de l'Académie de Paris
PIERRE VERANY PV799061 [69.03] [RBr]
Something
of a revelation – three substantial works by a French composer who has
been largely neglected for more than fifty years. A freshness, intensity
and individuality that deserves a better fate. I impatiently await further
opportunities for becoming acquainted with other works by this fascinating
composer. ...see Full Review
Pavel
PABST
(1854-1807) Opera and Ballet Paraphrases Fantasie
sur l’opéra "Mazeppa" (Tchaikovsky) Paraphrase
de concert sur l’opéra "Eugene Onegin" (Tchaikovsky)
Réminiscences de l’opéra "Le Demon" Grand
Fantasie (Rubinstein) Paraphrase de concert sur le ballet "La
Belle au bois dormant" (Tchaikovsky) Berceuse (Tchaikovsky
Op.16 No.1) Illustrations de l’opéra "La Dame Pique"
(Tchaikovsky) Oleg
Marshev – Piano
Recorded at the Cultural Institute, Milan September 1996
DANACORD DACOCD450 [67.39] [JF]
Excellent
stuff. This CD should help secure a new generation of enthusiasts for
a long derided form of music - the paraphrase or transcription. Brilliantly
played - all good stuff. ... see Full Review
Hans
PFITZNER
(1869-1949) Palestrina
- A musical legend - (excerpts from Act One and Act Three) Libretto
by the composer after historical sources Sung in German Palestrina -
Fritz Wunderlich (tenor) Ighino - Sena Jurinac (soprano) Silla - Christa
Ludwig (contralto)
Vienna State Opera Chorus Vienna State Opera Orchestra Robert Heger
(conductor)Recorded live by Austrian Radio (ORF) on 16 December 1964
RCA RED SEAL 74321 79598 2 [79.35] [CF]
It
is the unforgettable voice and impeccable diction of Fritz Wunderlich
which will sear itself upon your memory. …see Full
Review
Francis
POULENC (1899-1963)
Piano
concerto, Concert champêtre for harpsichord, Organ concerto
Jean-Bernard Pommier
(piano) Maggie Cole (harpsichord) Gillian Weir (organ) City of London
Sinfonia Richard Hickcox (conductor) Recorded at Henry Wood Hall and
Royal Festival Hall, London, February 1988
VIRGIN CLASSICS VM5619792 [69.22] Midprice [CF]
This
is a highly enjoyable trio of works by that tunesmith Poulenc, who can
rarely be serious without breaking out into some sort of parody, pastiche,
or dry French wit, and the sheer variety of the three solo keyboard
instruments makes it trebly enjoyable. ... see Full
Review
André
PREVIN Diversions
(1999) Sallie Chisum remembers Billy the Kid – orchestral version -
(1994) Vocalise – orchestral version – (1995) The Giraffes go to Hamburg
(2000) Three Dickinson Songs (1999)
Barbara Bonney, soprano, Renee Fleming, soprano, Moray Welsh, cello,
with Wiener Philharmoniker (Diversions),and the London Symphony Orchestra
(Sallie Chishum and Vocalise) conducted by André Previn, (conductor
and piano).recorded 5/2000 in Musikverein, Wien (Diversions), 5/2000
in the Academy of Arts & Letters, New York (Giraffes, Songs), 6/2000
in Abbey Road Studios, London (Sallie and Vocalise).
DG 471 028-2 [56.39] [JP]
If
I single out the singers for special mention, this is not to denigrate
the two orchestras who turn in performances as we all would expect,
and DG’s recording and presentation are well up to their normal house
standard. Very highly recommended. ….see Full review
Sergei
Prokofiev
(1891-1953) Piano WorksVolume 1-5
Oleg
Marshev (piano) Recorded: - Concert Hall Lodz; Volume 1 –November 1991;
Volume 2 –May 1992; Volume 3 –May 1994; Volume 4 – April 1995; Siemens
Villa, Berlin June 1995
DANACORD DACOCD 391-395 (all available separately) [JF]
A
fine, comprehensive recording of all the catalogued piano works of Sergei
Prokofiev. Oleg brings "a finished technique, indomitable temperament,
profound insight, and finally, the gift for sincere yet wholesome lyricism."
An excellent buy ...see Full Review
Sergei
RACHMANINOV
(1873-1943) Piano
Concerto No. 1 in F-sharp minor Ernst
von DOHNANYI (1877-1960) Variations
on a Nursery Song Henry
Charles LITOLFF (1818-1891) Scherzo
from the Third Concerto Symphonique
Arthur Ozolins (piano) Toronto Symphony conducted by Mario Bernardi
(recorded in 1986 at Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto)
CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) SMCD 5052 [58:21] [IL]
Sterling
performances of slightly less well-known yet well-loved Late Romantic
works for piano and orchestra.... see Full
Review
Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943)
Piano
Concerto No. 1
Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
Mikhail Pletnev (piano) Philharmonia Orchestra/Libor Pesek Rec Nov 1987,
St Augustine's Church, Kilburn
VIRGIN CLASSICS 7243 5 61976 2 [50.39] [TB]
These
may not be the definitive performances of a lifetime, but they are hugely
enjoyable and there are insights galore. … see Full
Review
Sergei
Rachmaninov (1873-1943)
Piano Works Morceaux de Fantasie Op.3
(1892) Elégie in Eb minor; Prelude in C# minor; Mélodie
in E major; Polichinelle; Sérénade in Bb minor Piano
Sonata No.2 in B flat minor Op.36 (revised version) (1913/1931)
Variations on a theme of Corelli Op.42 (1931)
Oleg Marshev - pianist Recorded at the Concert Hall in Sønderborg,
Denmark April 1999 DANACORD
DACOCD 525 [67.18] [JF]
Oleg
Marshev plays all these pieces with great understanding and superb technical
competency. This is a fine introduction to Rachmaninov's music for solo
piano. The Corelli Variations are stunning. … see
Full Review
Joachim
RAFF
(1822-1882) ymphony
No.1 in D major To the Fatherland (1861)
Rhenish Philharmonic Orchestra/Samuel Friedman Rec. details?
NAXOS 8.555411 [65.00?] [RW]
A
work remarkably unified in structure, thematic material and orchestral
texture played with dynamic enthusiasm. The acoustics are warm and full
with good balance between sections. …see Full Review
Ottorino
RESPIGHI (1879-1936)
Piano
quintet in F minor (1902)
String quartet in D minor (1909) Six pieces for violin and
piano (1901-1905)
The Ambache Recorded at St Michael’s Church, Highgate, London, 14-16
November 2000 CHANDOS
CHAN 9962 [76.42] [CF]
A
surprising revelation: music that is very delightful, tuneful, and imaginative.
The Ambache play it all superbly well. … see
Full Review
Ottorino
RESPIGHI (1879-1936)
Liriche da Camera - Italian Song
Axel Everaert (tenor) and Pascal del Marmol (piano) (Recorded at Théâtre
La Colonne à Miramas (France) 21-23 April 1997)
PAVANE ADW 7375 [60:24] [IL]
A
compilation of beautiful songs sensitively performed and another valuable
addition to the growing and widening Respighi discography. .. see Full
Review
Ned
ROREM (b 1923) Selected Songs
Carole Farley (soprano) Ned Rorem (piano) Recorded Old North Church,
Nantucket, MA, June 2000
NAXOS 8.559084 [57.36] [JW]
Don’t
forego the pleasure of Rorem’s pianism in his own music. My own preference
is strongly for Graham but it would be good to open the windows and
feel the bracing air of Carole Farley once in a while. … see Full
Review
Edmund
RUBBRA STRING
QUARTETS String Quartet No 2 in E flat major Op. 73; (1951) Lyric
Movement for String Quartet and Piano Op. 24; (1929 rev. 1946) Meditations
on a Byzantine Hymn ‘O Quando in Cruce’ for two violas Op. 117a; (1962)
String Quartet No 4 Op. 150 (1977)
Dante Quartet with Michael Dussek piano and Judith Busbridge and Krysia
Osostowicz violas Recorded at Maltings Snape May 2001
DUTTON CDLX 7114 [59.13]
An
excellent disc which, with just a few noted reservations, I can very
much recommend. ...see Full Review
[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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