Gustav MAHLER
(1860-1911) Symphony
No.1 in D (1884-8)
Philadelphia Orchestra/Ricardo Muti (Recorded in Memorial Hall, Fairmount
Park, Philadelphia in February 1984)
EMI CLASSICS ENCORE 5 74963 2 [56.25] [TD]
A
performance to stress this symphony as a stunning orchestral showpiece,
with sound recording and playing of the highest order. … see Full
Review
Gustav MAHLER
(1860-1911) Symphony
No.6 in A minor "Tragic" (1903-5) Alban
BERG (1885-1935) Three Pieces for Orchestra op.6
(1914-15) Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
Andante in B minor (D 936A No.2) (1828) (Realised
by Brian Newbould) SWR
Sinfonieorchester Baden-Baden und Freiburg/Michael Gielen (Recorded
in the Festspielhaus, Baden-Baden 7-9 September 1999 (Mahler), the Hans
Rosbaud Studio, Baden-Baden 3-8 March 1993 (Berg), and the Konzerthaus,
Freiburg 5 September 1998 (Schubert).)
HÄNSSLER CLASSIC CD 93.029 [1.55.28] [TD]
A
well-executed and very absorbing Mahler Sixth placed in fascinating
musical context by Schubert and Berg, all well-recorded and played …
see Full Review
Igor MARKEVICH (1912-1983)
Variations,
Fugue et Envoi sur une thème de Haendel (1941) [19.56] Stefan
Le Poète - Impressions d'enfance (1939) [17.08] Bernard
GALAIS Méditation sur la mort d'un peintre - en
hommage à Jacques Courtens [6.12]
Kazuoki Fujii (piano) Philippe Depetris (flute) Bernard Galais (harpe)
rec 1979? PAVANE ADW
7217 [43.24] [RB]
Markevich's
Handel Variations played wth great concentration by Fujii - deeply rewarding;
the Impressions less so. Galais a modestly smiling addition to the Gallic
harp repertoire ... see Full Review.
Ingram MARSHALL (b.1942)
Kingdom Come (1997) The
American Composer’s Orchestra Robin Lustig Dunkel (conductor) Hymnodic
Delays (1997) The Theatre of Voices Paul Hillier (director) Fog
Tropes II (1993) for String Quartet and Tape
Kronos Quartet Recorded at various venues 1996 – 2000
NONESUCH 7559 – 79613 – 2 [47.09] [TH]
A
disc which shows us a composer at his eclectic best, and although his
mode of expression has been fashionable in American contemporary music
for some time, the pieces on this CD show us the most human and accessible
face of this expression. … see Full Review
Nicolai
MEDTNER
(1880-1951) Sonate-Ballade
Op.27 (1913) Sonata Minacciosa 'Sonate Orageuse' Op.
53 No. 2 (1932) Four Skazki Op. 26 (1913?) Sonate-Idylle
Op. 56 (1937) Malcolm Binns
(piano) rec 1976 and 1991 (Op. 56)
PEARL SHE CD 9628 [66.14] [RB]
Amidst
the more familiar sets do not lose sight of this CD. Binns though recorded
up-close is subtle, aristocratic, noble, innocent and poetic. see Full
Review
Nicolai
MEDTNER (1880-1951)
Violin Sonata No 1 Sergey PROKOFIEV (1891-1953)
Sonata for Two violins Anton von WEBERN (1883-1945)
Four pieces for Violin and Piano Alfred SCHNITTKE
(1934-1998) Violin Sonata No 1
Oleg Kagan, violin with Victor Tretyakov, violin (Prokofiev) Sviatoslav
Richter, piano (Medtner) Vassily Lobanov, piano (Webern, Schnittke)
Recorded Pushkin Museum December 1981 (Medtner), December 1984 Prokofiev),
Tchaikovsky Hall February 1989 (Webern, Schnittke)
LIVE CLASSICS LCL 191 [57.54] [JW]
Admirers
of Kagan need not hesitate, whilst devotees of the modern Soviet school
of violin playing will be intrigued by both playing and repertoire;
in fact theres plenty to interest everyone here. see Full
Review
Felix
MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847)
Symphony No 4 Italian - Johannes BRAHMS
(1833-1897) Symphony No 2
National Philharmonic Orchestra - Leopold Stokowski, conductor - Recorded
Abbey Road, London April-June 1977
CALA CACD0531 [73.43] [JW]
A
truly remarkable document of an ever-questing musician whose final recordings
are as noble, as understanding and as true as one could ever wish to
hear. … see Full Review
Felix
and Fanny MENDELSSOHN Felix
MENDELSSOHN, (1809-1847). Piano Trio No. 2 in C minor, Op.
66 Fanny
MENDELSSOHN, (1805-1847). Piano Trio in D minor, Op. 11
The Atlantis Trio: Jaap Schröder (violin), Enid Sutherland (cello),
Penelope Crawford (fortepiano) Recorded March 2001 in the Chapel of
our Lady of Providence Center, Northville, Michigan, USA Bonus Disc:
The MENDELSSOHNs: members of The Atlantis
Trio explore the artist’s place in high society
MUSICA OMNIA M00105 2 CDs [56:48+23:55] [RB]
Brilliantly
played though it is the Graf’s crisp, forward tone tends to dominate
the quieter-sounding strings and leads to an imbalance that occasionally
becomes obtrusive. … see Full
Review
André MESSAGER
(1853-1929) Véronique
- operetta (complete with dialogue)
Mady Mesplé (Hélène), Andrea Guiot, Denise Benoit,
Michel Dens (Florestan), Jean-Christophe Benoit, Michel Dunand, Jacques
Pruvost René Duclos Choir Orchestre de l’Association des Concerts
Lamoureux/Jean-Claude Hartemann Rec. Paris, 1969
EMI 72435 7407328 [CD1 48.46 CD2 47.33] [IL]
A
delightful, sunny entertainment with lots of hummable tunes, at least
four of which are memorable, and two instantly recognisable....see
Full Review
Nikolai MIASKOVSKY (1881-1950)
The Complete Symphonic Works - The First Five
Volumes on OLYMPIA - Volume 1
Symphony No. 1 (1908 rev 1921) [41.50: I 17.16; II 15.16; III 9.12]
Symphony No. 25 (1946 rev 1949) [35.07: I 16.03; II 5.21; III 13.43]
Russian Federation Academic
Symphony Orchestra/Evgeny Svetlanov - rec: 1991-3, Great Hall of the
Moscow Conservatory, Russia. DDD
OLYMPIA OCD 731 [77.49] Volume
2 Symphony No. 2 (1911) [46.57: I 13.52; II 16.21; III 16.41] Symphony
No. 18 (1937) [23.55: I 6.29; II 12.04; III 5.16]
Russian Federation Academic Symphony Orchestra/Evgeny Svetlanov - rec:
1991-3, Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, Russia. DDD
OLYMPIA OCD 732 [71.44] Volume 3 Symphony No. 3 (1914) [46.24:
I 20.48; II 25.36] Symphony No. 13 (1933) [20.30]
Russian Federation Academic Symphony Orchestra/Evgeny Svetlanov - rec:
1965 (3) ADD, 1991-3 (13), Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, Russia.
DDD OLYMPIA OCD 733
[67.50] Volume 4 Symphony No. 4 (1918) [41.06: I 19.04;
II 10.46; III 11.00] Symphony No. 11 (1931) [34.46: I 13.04; II 11.19;
III 10.13] Russian Federation
Academic Symphony Orchestra/Evgeny Svetlanov - rec: 1991-3, Great Hall
of the Moscow Conservatory, Russia. DDD
OLYMPIA OCD 734 [76.46] Volume 5 Symphony No. 5 (1918) [44.05:
I 14.34; II 14.24; III 4.05; 10.52] Symphony No. 12 (1931-2) [32.35:
I 13.16; II 8.52; III 10.24]
Russian Federation Academic Symphony Orchestra/Evgeny Svetlanov - rec:
1991-3, Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, Russia. DDD
OLYMPIA OCD 735 [77.32] [RB]
A
major stride forward in the Miaskovsky revival. Strong and broadly expressed
interpretations mostly in modern digital recordings. Highly recommended.
… see Full Review
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART
(1756-1791) The music for two pianos and piano four
hands
Orit and Dalia Ouziel (pianos)
Rec April 1991, André Defossez, Brussels
PAVANE ADW 7244 [2CDs: 76.10 + 75.16] [TB]
The
best performances, fittingly enough, are of the best music: the later
sonatas. These give great pleasure and are particularly well articulated
… see Full Review
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
Flute Concertos K313 and K314. Andante for Flute and Orchestra K315.
Rondo for Flute and Orchestra K Anh. 184.
Claudi Arimany (flute) Hungarian Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra/Jean-Pierre
Rampal. Rec. Spain August 1996
PROdigital Records PRO 2419 [57.13] [RF]
A
worthy addition to the recorded list of Mozart's works for flute and
orchestra. … see Full Review
Goffredo
PETRASSI
(b.1904) I Concerti per Orchestra - Concerto
No. 1 (1934) - Concerto No. 2 (1951) - Concerto No. 3 Récréation
Concertante (1953) - Concerto No. 4 for string orchestra (1954)
- Concerto No. 5 (1955) - Concerto No. 6 Invenzione concertata for
strings and percussion (1957) - Concerto No. 7 (1964) - Concerto No.
8 (1972) - BBCSO (1, 2, 7, 8); Philharmonia Hungarica (3, 4); Orchestra
Sinfonica di Milano della RAI (5, 6)
All conducted by Zoltán Peskó - Rec BBCSO: Maida Vale,
London, 8-11 June 1977 and St Pancras Town Hall, 1 June 1978; Hungarica:
Marl, Hungary, Dec 1972; RAI: Giuseppe Verdi Hall, Nov/Dec 1979. ADD
all stereo WARNER FONIT
8573 83274-2 [3 CDs 61.49; 67.16; 43.28] [2.52.33] [RB]
While
other ears than mine may discern greater beauties and rewards I am most
confident in recommending to adventurous listeners the Fourth and Fifth
Concertos. ... see Full Review
Astor
PIAZZOLLA (1921-1992)
Adios Nonino* Milonga del angel* Double Concerto
for bandoneon and guitar*+ Oblivion*^ Tres movimientos tanguisticos
portenos Danza criolla Tangazo
Daniel Binelli, bandoneon* Eduardo Isaac, guitar+ Louise Pellerin, oboe^
Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal Charles Dutoit conductor Recorded
Eglise St-Eustache, Montreal 18 May and 18 October 2000
Decca 468 528-2 [75.47]
Piazzolla’s
is an amorphous and limited talent, recycled to breaking point; Vaclav
Trojan, like Piazzolla, a film composer and lover of tunes, lies forgotten
whilst the modish World Music bandoneon just keeps rolling along. …
see Full Review
Gabriel
PIERNÉ (1863-1937)
Cydalise
et le chevre-pied - ballet in three scenes (1915)
College Vocal de la Cathédrale de Metz Orchestre Philharmonique
du Luxembourg David Shallon (conductor) Conservatoire, Luxembourg: 29
May-2 June 2000 TIMPANI
1C1059 [73.39] [PQ]
Playing
rhythmically tight, tempos apt and orchestral sound is so French. Its
first prize at MIDEM well-deserved. You need be no particular fan of
obscure repertoire to enjoy this. ... see Full
Review
RACHMANINOV
Rhapsody
on a Theme of Paganini PROKOFIEV
Piano Concerto
no 3 in C minor Mark
Zeltser (piano) Cologne
Radio Symphony
Orchestra/Rudolf Barshai
- Recorded in the Philharmonie, Cologne in 1999 (or possibly earlier)
LAUREL RECORDS LR-904 [55;15] [AAS]
The
most striking thing about this disc is Zeltser’s wonderfully clean and
crisply articulated piano-playing, and this is the disc’s strongest
recommendation. In addition, Barshai and his forces provide excellent
and sympathetic accompaniments. … … see Full
Review
Alan
RAWSTHORNE (1905
– 1971) Oboe
Quartet (1935)1 Lament for a Sparrow (1962)2 Studies
on a Theme by Bach (1936)1 A Canticle of Man (1952)3
Concerto for Oboe and String Orchestra (1947)4
Camarada (Sylvia Harper, oboe; Jake Pea, violin; David Aspin, viola;
Joseph Spooner, cello)1; David Heathcote (tenor)2;
Stephen Pascoe (baritone)3; David Watkins (harp)2;
Jill Crowther (oboe)4; Alan Cuckston Singers23;
City of Bradford Chamber Orchestra3; English Northern Sinfonia4;
Alan Cuckston Recorded : Pateley Bridge Parish Church, July 2000 (Lament,
Canticle of Man); Leeds University Great Hall, June 2000 (Oboe Concerto);
ASC Recording Macclesfield, May and June 2000 (Oboe Quartet, Studies)
ASC CS CD46 [64:26]
[HC]
This
CD might be worth having for the choral pieces, even if these brave
performances might have been better. It also includes two very fine,
hitherto unrecorded rarities. ...see Full
Review
Steve
REICH (b.1936)
Triple
Quartet (1999) [14.43] Electric Quitar Phase (1967, 2001) [15.11] Music
for Large ensemble (1977) [14.51] Tokyo/Vermont counterpoint (1981,
2000) [9.05] Kronos
Quartet
Dominic Frasca, electric guitar Alarm Will Sound and Ossia, Alan Pierson
Mika Yoshida, MIDI Marimba Rec. various locations, 1998-2001
NONESUCH 7559-79546-2 [53.50] [AT]
A
well-recorded and well-presented album that is not essential Reich,
but has plenty to interest the enthusiast.
Carl
REINECKE (1824-1910)
Music
for Strings. Serenade in G minor for string orchestra; Twelve
Tone Poems for string orchestra; Children’s Symphony, Op. 239
Chamber Orchestra Kremlin/Misha Rachlevsky Recorded in the Great Gall
of Moscow Conservatory, September 2000.
CLAVES CD 50-2107 [67.38] [RDB]
The
Kremlin players enter into the spirit of the thing, but even their indulgent
vibrato and persistent portamento do not succeed in making this disc
more than a charming curiosity....see
Full Review
Terry RILEY (b.1935)
Requiem
for Adam (1998) i. Ascending the Heaven Ladder ii. Cortejo
Funebre en el Monte Diablo iii. Requiem for Adam
Kronos Quartet The Philosopher’s Hand (2000)
Terry Riley (piano) Recorded August 2000 at Skywalker Sound, Nicasio,
California. NONESUCH
7559-79639-2 [47:46] [TH]
This
Requiem is both a heartfelt memorial and a celebration of ‘the pulsations
of a young life’. Deeply engaging. … see Full Review
Frederik
van ROSSUM (born
1939) Twelve
Miniatures Op.10 (1964)a Eglogue et Conte bleu Op.24 (1971)a
Little Style-Studies Op.41 (1983)a Three Short Pieces for
the White Keys Op.31 (1974)a Twelve Miniatures Op.13 (1966)b
Frederik van Rossum
(piano)a; National Orchestra of Belgiumb; André
Vandernootb
RENE GAILLY RG 86009 [70:41] [HC]
One
of the most personal Belgian composers of his generation. An expressionist
composer for whom communication is paramount, no matter how complex
or straightforward his music may be. … see Full
Review
Frederik
van ROSSUM (born
1939) Violin
Concerto No. 1 Op.37 (1979/80) Violin Concerto No.2 Op.45 (1985/90)
Epitaphe Op.25 (1972)
Paul Zazofsky (violin); Orchestre Philharmonique de Liège et
de la Communauté Française; Pierre Bartholomée
Recorded: Conservatoire Royal de Liège, February 1993
CYPRES CYP 5615 [63:22] [HC]
Excellent,
dedicated performances warmly recorded in the superb acoustics of the
concert hall of the Liège Conservatory. … see Full
Review
FREDERIK van ROSSUM (born
1939) -
Réquisitoire Op.28 (1973)a- Eloquences Op.39 (1980)b
- Symphonie Concertante Op.11 (1966/7)c
André De Groote (piano)c; Francis Orval (horn)bc;
National Orchestra of Belgium; Brian Priestmanab; Frederik
Devreesec - Recording information not provided by reviewer
RENE GAILLY RG 86008
[51:55] [HC]
A
fine survey of van Rossum’s varied orchestral output - heartily recommended.
… see Full Review
Frederik
van ROSSUM (born
1939) -
Ballade op.49 (1989) - Twelve Preludes Op.44 (1985/6) - In Memoriam
Glenn Gould Op.43 (1984) - Waves Op.51 (1990) - Black and White Op.40
(1982) Frédéric
Menguy (piano) RENE
GAILLY RG 87129 [66:48] [HC]
Frédéric
Menguy is a gifted player and a dedicated performer of these consistently
fine and attractive pieces by a composer who knows what he wants to
say and how to say it in his most direct, though uncompromising way.
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]