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

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PART 2
A to B
[Detailed listing (last two days)]
[Part 1 New]  [Part 2 A-B] [Part 3 C-L]
[Part 4 M-R]  [Part 5 S-Z]
[Part 6 Misc A-L] 
[Part 7 Misc M-Z]   



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ALPHABETICAL LISTING

Murray ADASKIN (1906-2002) Five CDs from The Adaskin Collection Volume 1: String Quartets, Volume 2: Solo instrumental works, Volume 3: Chamber Music, Volume 4: Solo instrumental works, Volume 5: Chamber Music

A craftsman of the highest order, he had something to say and communicated it with care, humanity and sensitivity … see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) - Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I BWV 846-869 Roslyn Tureck, piano - Rec: September and October 1975, April 1976, BBC Concert Hall Studios, London BBC MUSIC BBCL 4109 2 [131.21] [KM]

One of the finest piano recordings of the first book of WTC available. What a pleasure! … see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Toccatas vol. 1 (1704) - Toccata in D major BWV 912 - Toccata in F sharp minor BWV 910 - Toccata in D minor BWV 913 - Toccata in C minor BWV 911 Glenn Gould, piano - Rec: October, November 1976, May 1979, Eaton’s Auditorium, Toronto, Canada. SONY SMK87764 [54.05] [KM]

Gould, who claimed he did not like the toccatas, gives here a unique performance … see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Partita and Sonatas - Partita in E major BWV 1006 - Sonata in G minor BWV 1013 (original for flute in A minor) - Sonata in A minor BWV 1003 Anner Bylsma, violoncello piccolo - Rec: no recording info (originally released in 1989) DHM 05472 77843 2 [62.06] [KM]

At its budget price, this is a valuable addition to any Bach discography, in spite of its imperfections. … see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685 - 1750) Goldberg Variations, BWV 988 Ketil Haugsand, harpsichord - Rec: March 2001, Evangelische Kirche, Honrath, Germany SIMAX PSC 1192 [70.54] [KM]

One of the most personal and original harpsichord recordings of the Goldbergs to be released in years … see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Goldberg Variations BWV 988 (1742) Craig SHEPPARD (pianoforte), also includes Partita no. 5 BWV 829 Recorded live, Philharmonie, Berlin, 25th April 1999 (Goldbergs) Meany Theatre, University of Washington, Seattle, 26th November 1996 (Partita) AT 00-00341 [tt: 64’ 15"; Goldbergs: 43’ 03"]
plus
Glenn GOULD (pianoforte)
Two performances, both recorded at Columbia 30th Street Studio, New York City
1: 10th, 14th-16th June 1955
2: 22nd-25th April, 15th, 19th, 29th May 1981
Plus interview of Gould on the Goldbergs by Tim Page, rec. 22nd August 1982, Toronto,
and studio out-takes from the 1955 recording
SONY CLASSICAL LEGACY SM3K 87703 [3 CDs: 38’ 26", 51’ 14", 63’ 27"]
plus
Murray PERAHIA (pianoforte)
Recorded at Musica-Théâtre, La Salle de Musique, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland
9th-14th July 2000
SONY CLASSICAL SK 89243 [73’ 29"]
plus
Wilhelm Kempff (pianoforte)
Recorded in Beethovensaal, Hanover, July 1969
DG GALLERIA 439 978-2 [63’ 05"] [CH]

All these performances have imperishable insights; if you were to get all five and compare them closely, far from suffering a surfeit you’re quite likely to want to go out and get five more. … see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) The Art of the Fugue - Contrapunctus I - IX - Glenn Gould, piano - Contrapunctus I - Contrapunctus II - Contrapunctus IV - Contrapunctus IX - Contrapunctus XII - Contrapunctus XIV - Prelude and Fugue in B-flat major BVW 898 Glenn Gould, piano - Rec: January-February 1962, All Saints’ Anglican Church, Toronto and Chapel of the Theological College, New York; spring 1981, CBC studios; November 1967, CBC studios; May 1980, Eaton’s Auditorium, Toronto, Canada SONY SMK87759 [69.39] [KM]

An intensity that it is almost unforgettable … see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Lubomir Brabec Plays Bach Prelude, Fugue and Allegro in D major BWV 998 Suite in E minor BWV 996 Prelude in D minor BWV 999 Fugue in A minor BWV 1000 Chaconne in D major BWN 1004 Lubomir Brabec, Guitar. Rec: June, September 1997, Kozel Castle, Czech Republic. SUPRAPHON SU 3501-2 131 [48.43] [KM]

Little or no feeling is conveyed … see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) St John Passion BWV 245 - Easter Oratorio BWV 249 - Ascension Oratorio BWV 11 - Mass in B minor BWV 232 - Emma Kirkby, soprano - Evelyn Tubb, soprano - Emily Van Evera, soprano - Margaret Cable, alto -Panito Iconomou, alto - Caroline Trevor, alto - Rogers Covey-Crump, tenor - Charles Daniels, tenor - Wilfried Jochens, tenor - Stephen Charlesworth, bass - Peter Kooy, bass - David Thomas, bass - Solisten des Tölzer Knabenchors Taverner Consort and Players/Andrew Parrott - CDs 1, 2: St John Passion - CD 3: Easter and Ascension Oratorios - CDs 4, 5: Mass in B minor - Rec: 1985, 1990, 1991, 1994. No locations specified. VIRGIN CLASSICS 5620682 [approx. 280 min.] [KM]

A must-have set for anyone curious to hear Bach in a different light … see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) French Suites - Suite I in D minor - Suite II in C minor - Suite III in B minor - Suite IV in E flat major - Suite V in G major - Suite VI in E major Glenn Gould, piano - Rec: February, March, May 1971, November, December 1972, February 1973, Eaton’s Auditorium, Toronto, Canada SONY SMK87764 [60.34] [KM]

One of the landmarks in the discography of the French Suites. … see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) The Early Overtures - Overture BWV 119a - Overture in C major, BWV 1066 - Overture in B flat major, BWV 1067a - Overture BWV 97a - Overture in D major, BWV 1068a - Overture in D major, BWV 1069a Nova Stravaganza/Siegbert Rampe - Rec: September 2001, Köthen Castle MDG 341 1131-2 [101.40] [KM]

The treatment this music truly deserves, placed in the right perspective and played with great affection. … see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Partitas BWV 828-830 - Partita No. 4 In D Major, BWV 828 - Partita No. 5 In G Major, BWV 829 - Partita No. 6 In E Minor, BWV 830 - Praeambulum In C Major, BWV 924 - Praeambulum In F Major, BWV 927 - Prealudium In D Minor, BWV 926 - Praeludium In D Major, BWV 925 - Praeludium In F Major, BWV 928 - Praeambulum In G Minor, BWV 930 Glenn Gould, piano - Rec: July, August 1957, November, December 1962, March, April 1963, 30th Street Studio, New York City; January, February 1980, Eaton’s Auditorium, Toronto, Canada SONY SMK87768 [60.34] [KM]

One of the essential Gould recordings of Bach … see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) (arranged Feruccio BUSONI) Chorale Prelude: Nun komm der heiden Heiland Domenico SCARLATTI (1685-1757) Sonata in D minor, Sonata in E major, Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Sonata in D minor, Opus 31 No. 2 'Tempest'(1802) Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Variations on a Theme of Corelli, Opus 42 (1931) Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) 10 Pieces from Romeo and Juliet, Opus 75: (1937)No. 4 Juliet the Maiden No. 6: Montagues and Capulets No. 8: Mercutio
No. 10: Romeo & Juliet before Parting Sergei Dukachev (piano) Recorded 16 February 2002, Shrewsbury School DUNELM GBCHU02 [68.01] [TB]

In most respects of both performances and recording, this is a most enjoyable recital.… see Full Review

Leonardo BALADA (born 1933) Hangman, Hangman! (1982) - The Town of Greed (1997) - James Longmire (tenor), Johnny; Natalya Kraevsky (soprano), Sweetheart; Elizabeth Sederburg (contralto), the Mother; Robert Fire (bass), the Father; Patrick Jacobs (baritone), the Sheriff; Stephen Neely (bass), Hangman; Pittsburgh Camerata; Carnegie Mellon Contemporary Ensemble; Coleman Pearce - Recorded: Kresge Recital Hall, Carnegie Mellon University, Pennsylvania, April 2001 NAXOS 8.557090 [76:59] [HC]

The performances are vividly sung and played, and everyone concerned seems to enjoy his- or herself enormously. … see Full Review


Samuel BARBER (1910-1981)
Piano Concerto (1960) Die Natali (1960) Medea's Meditation and Dance of Vengeance (1955) Commando March (1943) Stephen Prutsman (piano) Royal Scottish National Orchestra/Marin Alsop Rec 10th-11th March 2002, Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow (Piano Concerto, Medea), 18th March 2000, Henry Wood Hall, Glasgow (Die Natali), 12th May 2000, Henry Wood Hall (March) NAXOS 8.559133 [60.35] [TB]

Naxos American Classics series goes from strength to strength. … see Full Review

Violin concertos in transcriptions for the flute Samuel BARBER (1910-1981) Flute Concerto (1940) Allegro; Andante; Presto in moto perpetuo Aram KHACHATURIAN (1903-1978) Flute Concerto (1940) Allegro con fermezza; Andante sostenuto; Allegro vivace Jennifer Stinton (flute) Philharmonia Orchestra/Steuart Bedford Recorded in Abbey Road, Studio 1, November 1991 REGIS RRC1100 [58.11] [CF]

Stinton goes fearlessly for the technical hurdles … add this highly interesting alternative to the concertos in their original form … see Full Review

Bela BARTÓK (1881-1945) Contrasts for violin, clarinet and piano, Sz111 (1938) ¹ Dance Suite (1925) ² Rumanian Folk Dances (1915) ² Allegro Barbaro (1911) ² String Quartet No.6 in D, Sz114 (1939)³ Susanne Stanzeleit, violin¹ - Gusztáv Fenyö, piano¹ - Michael Collins, clarinet¹ - Peter Frankl, piano² - The Lindsay Quartet³ - Recorded in Christ's Hospital, Horsham October 23rd and 24th 1995¹, Henry Wood Hall June 6th - 8th 1992² and June 1989³. ASV PLATINUM PLT8502 [72.29] [NH]

One of the most worthwhile discs in ASV's new Platinum series, celebrating a great composer with some excellent performances … See Full Review


Lambert de BEAULIEU / Baltasar de BEAUJOYEULX:
Le Balet Comique de la Royne Caroline Pelon - soprano (Thetys) Pascal Bertin - countertenor (Mercure) Ryland Angel - countertenor (Jupiter) Antonio Abete - bass (Glaucus) Students of the Centre de Musique Ancienne de Genève and the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Lyon Ensemble Elyma/Directed by Gabriel Garrido Recordings made in an undisclosed location in 1997 K617 MÉMOIRE MUSICAL DE LA LORRAINE K617080 [60’24"] [PW]

A well worthwhile disc of completely unfamiliar, but admirable music … see Full Review

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Symphony no. 5 in c, op. 67 Symphony no. 7 in A, op. 92 Philharmonia Orchestra/Otto Klemperer Recorded 6th and 7th October and 17th December 1955 (no. 5), 4th-6th October 1955 (no. 7), Kingsway Hall, London EMI GREAT RECORDINGS OF THE CENTURY CDM 5 67851 2 [73’ 52"] [CH]

The stuff of legends, but what are legends made of? Read on … see Full Review


Ludwig Van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
The Nine Symphonies Joan Rodgers (soprano), Della Jones (alto), Peter Bronder (tenor), Bryn Terfel (bass), Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Charles Mackerras Recorded in the Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, 9-10 Sept. 1994 (CD1), 25th, 26th and 28th Nov. 1997 (CD2), 26th-27th Nov. 1994 (CD3), 25th-26th June 1992 (CD4), 3rd-5th Jan. 1991 (CD5) EMI CLASSICS FOR PLEASURE 7243 5 75751 2 6 [5CDs: 69:42+57:01+70:33+67:50+61:00] [GPJ]

Left me, once again, in awe of the achievement represented by these stupendous works. Mackerras more successful in the ‘lighter’ symphonies pieces … see Full Review

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN Missa Solemnis Op.123 Amanda Halgrimson (soprano) Cornelia Kallish (contralto) John Aler (tenor) Alastair Miles (bass) NDR Chorus, SWR Vokalensemble, SWR Radio Symphony Orchestra of Stuttgart/Sir Roger Norrington.
Rec DDD HÄNSSLER CLASSIC 93.006 [72.58] [DFW]

So rare, so spiritual, so profoundly moving. … see Full Review
You can sample, purchase or download this disc

Alban BERG (1885-1935) Violin Concerto (1935). Leoš JANÁCEK (1854-1928) Violin Concerto (1927/8, completed Faltus/Stedru) - Karl Amadeus HARTMANN (1905-63) Concerto funebre (1939, rev. 1959). Thomas Zehetmair (violin) Philharmonia Orchestra/Heinz Holliger (Berg/Janácek); Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie (Hartmann) - Rec Snape Maltings Concert Hall, Suffolk, in July 1991 (Berg/Janácek); Saal der Deutschen Bank, Frankfurt, in March 1990 (Hartmann) DDD WARNER APEX 0927-40812-2 [59'30] [CC]

One of the stronger Warner Apex CDs. By all means buy it to play straight through and enjoy the stimulation of the juxtaposition of the music of these three composers. … see Full Review

Carey BLYTON (1934-2002) Lyrics From The Chinese and other songs - Lyrics from the Chinese Op.16 (1953/4 and 1957/8); Lachrymae – In Memoriam John Dowland Op.23 (1956/60); Dirge for St. Patrick’s Night Op.110 (2000); Lyrics from the East Op.109 (2000); Two Pensive Songs Op.10 (1951); The Poetry of Dress Op.25(1956); The Flea Op.100 (1992); Indigo Blues Op.103 (1992) - Ian Partridge (tenor) - Jennifer Partridge (piano) Britten Sinfonia/Nicholas Cleobury - Recorded at the The Snape Maltings Concert Hall in 1999 and 2000 UPBEAT URCD 179 [53.10] [GH]

That typical English wistful melancholy which one might associate with Finzi … see Full Review

Luigi BOCCHERINI (1743-1791) String Quintet in F minor, Opus 11 No. 4 (1771) - String Quintet in A major, Opus 11 No. 5 (1771) - String Quintet in D major, Opus 11 No. 6 (1771) The Smithsonian Chamber Players - Rec 23-26 March 1988, Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C. DEUTSCHE HARMONIA MUNDI 05472 77851 2 [66.50] [TB]

Imaginative responses to the challenge of each new piece … see Full Review

Georg BOHM (1661-1733) "Works for Organ"- Chorale Partitas. Prelude, Fugue and Postlude in G Minor. Christiaan Teeuwsen (organ) - Reil Organ - Bovenkerk, Kampen, The Nederlands. Recorded 25th - 27th May 2001.at The Bovenkerk, Kampen, The Nederlands. NAXOS 8.555857 [78.44] [SM]

Very well played, are recorded in a beautiful clean, clear acoustic. … see Full Review

Rutland BOUGHTON (1878-1960) Flute Concerto in D major (1937) - Concerto for String Orchestra (1937) - Three Folk Dances (1911) - Aylesbury Games (1952) - Emily Beynon (flute) New London Orchestra/Ronald Corp - rec 22-23 March 2000 DDD - recorded in association with The Rutland Boughton Music Trust HYPERION CDA67185 [73.03][RB]

A gentle folksy collection in which the two Concertos stand out ... see Full Review

Johannes BRAHMS (1833 – 1897) Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op, 68 (1876) - Symphony No. 2 in D, Op, 73 (1877) - Symphony No. 3 in F, Op, 90 (1883) - Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op, 98 (1885) - Variations on a Theme of Haydn, Op. 56a (1873) - Tragic Overture, Op. 81 (1881) - Alto Rhapsody, Op. 53 (1869) - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Karl Böhm. - recorded in Vienna, Musikvereinssaal, May 1975 (Op. 68, 73 and 98) June 1975 (Op. 90), Musikverein, Grosser Saal June 1976 (Op. 53) and February 1977 (Op. 56a) DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON Collectors Edition 471 443-2 [4CDs: 220’29"] [JP]

Subject to a few minor niggles Böhm’s long experience with Brahms makes this set most welcome; inexpensive too. … see Full Review

Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) 2 Clarinet Sonatas, op. 120 (1894) - Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Der Hirt auf dem Felsen (1828)* Anna-Maija Korsimaa (clarinet), Soile Isokoski (soprano)*, Marita Viitasalo (pianoforte) - Recorded January and April 1993, Järvenpää Hall, Finland WARNER APEX 0927 48305 2 [59’ 42"] [CH]

A beautiful performance of the Schubert and at least one of the Brahms sonatas gets a performance to match any. … see Full Review

Frank BRIDGE (1879-1941) Orchestral Works: Volume 2. Dance Rhapsody (1908) [19.20] - Five Entr'actes from Emile Cammaerts's play The Two Hunchbacks (1910) [12.08] - Dance Poem (1913) [14.01] - Norse Legend (1905/1938) [4.50] - The Sea - suite (1908) [22.10] BBC National Orchestra of Wales/Richard Hickox - rec Brangwyn Hall, Swansea, 19-20 Sept 2001 DDD CHANDOS CHAN 10012 [72.37] [RB]

Bridge the light musician and the magician of the orchestra ... see Full Review

Anton BRUCKNER (1824 – 1896). Symphony No. 1 in C Minor ‘Linz’ (version 1865/66) Gewandhausorchester Leipzig/Vaclav Neumann. Recording at Heilandskirche, Leipzig, 13th/14th December 1965. VEB Deutsche Schallplatten, Berlin ADD BERLIN CLASSICS 0094662BC [51.21] [SM]

An important document of Bruckner’s early compositional skills. Played with great affection … see Full Review

Elisabetta BRUSA (b. 1954) Orchestral Works: Florestan, Messidor, La Triade, Nittemero Symphony, Fanfare National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine/Fabio Mastrangelo Recorded June 2001, in Kiev DDD NAXOS 21ST CENTURY CLASSICS 8.555266 [75:37] [KS}

Some truly fascinating music here … see Full Review

Elisabetta BRUSA (born 1954) Firelights (1992/3) - Adagio (1996) - Wedding Song (1997) - Requiescat (1994) - Suite Grotesque (1986) - Favole (1982/3) National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine/Fabio Mastrangelo - Recorded: Grand Studio, National Radio Company of Ukraine, June 2001 NAXOS 8.55267 [75:44] [HC]

Honest and sincere music making that repays repeated hearings, especially in fine performances and recording such as these. … see Full Review

Geoffrey BURGON (b 1941) The Forsyte Saga - Music from the Television Series - Bryn Terfel, baritone - Sissel, soprano - Ian Brown, piano Unidentified Orchestra led by Janice Graham - Geoffrey Burgon - Recorded 2002 ABC CLASSICS 472 275-2 [56.55] [JW]

Romantic vernacular, musical pastiche or lightly spectral brooding. … see Full Review

Gavin BRYARS (b. 1943) String Quartet No. 1 Between the National and the Bristol (1985) String Quartet No. 2 (1990) String Quartet No. 3 (1998) The Lyric Quartet Rec: May 2001, St. Silas, Kentish Town, London. BLACK BOX BBM 1079 [63.03] [KM]

A fine example of how contemporary classical music can be listenable and highly accessible … 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-Z]
[Part 6 Misc A-L] 
[Part 7 Misc M-Z]

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