Classical CD Review Archive - Classical - Oct 2002 part 3 C-L: Classical MusicWeb (UK)

2023 Approaching 60,000 reviews and more.. and still writing ...	Search MusicWeb Here

Founder: Len Mullenger Editor in Chief:John Quinn

ALPHABETICAL LISTING

The Complete CHOPIN Mazurkas transcribed for guitar Disc One [57:33] Four Mazurkas, Op.6 - Five Mazurkas, Op.7 - Four Mazurkas, Op.17 - Four Mazurkas, Op.24 - Disc Two [69:50] Four Mazurkas, Op.30 - Four Mazurkas, Op.33 - Four Mazurkas, Op.41 - Three Mazurkas, Op.50 - Three Mazurkas, Op.56 - Disc Three [54:48] Three Mazurkas, Op.59 - Three Mazurkas, Op.63 - Four Mazurkas, Op.67 - Four Mazurkas, Op.68 - Mazurka W/o Opus, (á son ami Emile Gaillard) - Mazurka W/o Opus, ("Notre Temps") Stephen Aron � Guitar MELBAY MB98411CD [AD]
Best left as the composer intended. � see Full Review

Frederic CHOPIN (1810-1849) � Piano Works, Volume 1. Ballade op.23 no.1 in G minor (1831) Ballade op.38in no.2 in F major (1936) Ballade op.47 no.3 in Ab major (1841) Ballade op.52 no.4 in F minor (1842) Fantaisie op.49 in F minor (1841) Fantaisie-Impromptu op.66 in C# minor (1835) Etude op.10 no.12 in C minor (1832) Etude op.25 no.1 in Ab major (1832) Prelude op.28 no.24 in D minor (1836) Nocturne op.48 no.1 in C minor (1841) Felipe Browne, piano Recorded St.Bartholomew�s Church, Brighton, September 2001 CLAUDIO CR5149-2 [61:21] [GPJ]
It looks as if Claudio records have initiated a welcome and most worthwhile addition to the rapidly growing Chopin discography � see Full Review
Aaron COPLAND (1900-1990) Fanfare for the Common Man (1942) Rodeo - Three Dance Episodes (1942) An Outdoor Overture (1938) The Red Pony: suite for orchestra (1948) Lincoln Portrait (1942) Adlai Stevenson (Lincoln) Philadelphia Orchestra/Eugene Ormandy Lincoln; Fanfare) Cleveland Pops/Louis Lane (Rodeo; Outdoor) St Louis SO/Andre Previn (Pony) rec Philadelphia, 13 Nov 1963 (Fanfare); 15 Nov 1962 (Lincoln); Cleveland, 21-22 Aug 1958 (Rodeo); 14 July 1961 (Outdoor); St Louis, 25 Mar 1963 (Pony) SONY ESSENTIAL CLASSICS SMK62401 [64.23] Superbudget [RB]

A couple of weaker moments (both coincidentally Philadelphian) do not unduly disturb the recommendation for this gentle Copland entrée. ... see Full Review
RECORDING OF THE MONTH Chiara Margarita COZZOLANI (1602 - c. 1677) Messa Paschale, Magnificat Ruth Escher and Catherine Webster, soprano Margaret Bragle and Suzanne Elder Wallace, alto Jennifer Ellis and Andrea Fullington, soprano Linda Liebschutz and Deborah Rentz-Moore, alto Hugh Davies, celebrant John Dornenburg, violone David Tayler, theorbo Hanneke van Proosdij, organ Warren Stewart, conductor Rec: April 1995, April 1998, March-May 1999, August 2000, June 2001, various locations. MUSICA OMNIA MO0209 [69.38] [KM]

Confirms the beauty and emotionality of this unknown composer � see Full Review

Alain CRAENS (born 1957) November Music (1999)^a Koen DEJONGHE (born 1957) Jace, an Uncalled Answer (1998)^b Wim HENDERICKX (born 1962) Dawn (1992)^c Jan DE MAEYER (born 1949) Vijf Voor Acht Op.9 (1983)^d Luc VAN HOVE (born 1957) Triptiek Op.29 (1993)^e Jan HADERMANN (born 1952) Strijkkwartet (1973) Marc VERHAEGEN (born 1943) Convergences (1999)^f Willem KERSTERS (1929 � 1998) Pianokwartet Op.53 (1970)^g Gaby Van Riet (flute)^a; Sophie Hallynck (harp)^a; Noëlle Schepens (mezzo-soprano)^c; Joris Van den Hauwe (oboe)^e; Tom Hermans (piano)^g; Symfonieorkest Conservatorium Antwerpen; Robert Groslot (conductor)^abde, Michael Scheck (conductor)^c, Francis Pollet (conductor)^f Recorded: deSingel, Blauwe Zaal, Antwerp, December 1999, April 2000 and July 2000 KVC 2000.001 [63:50 + 58:05] [HC]

Played with all heart and with communicative zest as well as much technical assurance � see Full Review

Jean CRAS (1879 � 1932) Danze (1917) Paysages (1917) Poèmes Intimes (1902/11) Alain Jacquon (piano) Recorded: Théâtre de Poissy, October 1995 TIMPANI 1C1033 [68:12] [HC]

Folk-like simplicity redolent of folk song � a beautifully atmospheric seascape � see Full Review
Emils DARZINS (1875-1910) Emils Darzins 120:- To Homeland Dear, In Distant Reveries, Broken Pines, Forever Blue, Moonbeams shooting softly, Olden Times, The Song of the Mermaids, Come with me, Mignon, The Children of Zion, If I were to go to Bethehem, Tell me the hour the moment, Close your eyes and smile, My Happiness, A Spanish Romance, Leaving You, Resignation, You are blushing, But Once, You pick roses yet, As if stealthily, The Melancholy Waltz. Rec: No details. issued 1995. Tracks sound as if they date from 1960s to 1980s. Probably ADD. RIGA RECORDING STUDIO RS 008 [60.30] [RB]

A surprising anthology of laid-back Baltic romance - elusively sad; subtly joyous.. ... see Full Review

Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) String Quartet - Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) String Quartet - Gabriel FAURÉ (1845-1924) Piano Trio Op 120 Tokyo Quartet - The Roth Trio (Fauré) - Recorded 1977 (Debussy, Ravel) 1961 (Fauré) SONY SBK62413 [71�12] [JW]

Existing allegiances not breached by any of these performances � see Full Review
RECORDING OF THE MONTH Antal DORÁTI (1906-1988) Sette Pezzi per orchestra (1961) [29.10] Night Music for flute and small orchestra (1968) [22.36] American Serenade for string orchestra (c.1941) [13.09] Sharon Bezaly (flute) Aalborg SO/Moshe Atzmon rec: Dec 1999, May 2000, Aalborghallen, Aalborg, Sweden BIS BIS-CD-1099 [66.12] [RB]
Two harmonically astringent potently imaginative works coupled with a bright and light-on-the-toes serenade. ... see Full Review
Ernesto DRANGOSCH (1882-1925) Piano Music and Songs The Drangosch Group, Argentine Composers Collection, Volume 1 Silvina Martino (sop); Federico Oro Vojacek (piano) rec May 2001, Jan 2002 DDD World Premiere Recordings CAMU 0004 [53.30] [RB]

Lieder in the lyric Germanic tradition, light dance solos and two works, Amemos and the Fantasia ... signs of a much more potent imagination at work ... see Full Review
Marcel DUPRÉ (1886-1971) La France au Calvaire Op.49 (1952/3) [64�24"] - Jean LANGLAIS (1907-1991) Festival Alleluia (1971) [6�53"] - Jehan ALAIN (1911-1940)
O Salutaris [2�00"] - Olivier MESSIAEN (1908-1992) O sacrum convivium (1937) [4�13"] - Helen Neeves (Soprano) - Catherine Denley (Alto) - Matthew Beale (Tenor) - Colin Campbell (Baritone) Vasari Singers/Jeremy Backhouse - Jeremy Filsell (Organ) - Recorded in Douai Abbey, Upper Woolhampton, Nr. Reading on 22-24 February 2002 GUILD GMCD 7239 [78�25"] [JP]

A disc for specialists or those liking the unusual in repertoire � see Full Review

Louis DUREY (1888-1979) Songs François Le Roux (bar) Graham Johnson (piano) rec 11-13 Nov 2000, Champs Hill, West Sussex, DDD HYPERION CDA67257 [78.58] [RB]

A world of insouciance, innocent contentment, elysian pagan sunlight, playful delight and nostalgia. ... see Full Review

Anton�n DVOR�K (1841-1904) String Quintet in G major, op.77 - Intermezzo (Nocturne) from B.19 - Drobnosti (Miniatures) op.75a - Andante appassionato in F major, B. 40a Vlach Quartet Prague with Jakub Waldemann, double bass - Recorded in the Martinek Studio, Prague, 22^nd-23^rd January, 2000 (G major Quintet) and 25^th - October 2000 (remaining tracks) NAXOS 8.555378 [57:35] [GPJ]

Very fine music, superb playing stunningly recorded � another fantastic bargain from Naxos. How do they do it? � see Full Review

Anton�n DVOR�K (1841-1904) String Quintets Volume 2 - String Quintet in G major, Op. 77 (1875) - Intermezzo (Nocturno), from B.19 (1870) - Drobnosti (Miniatures), Op. 75a (1887) - Andante appassionato in F major, B. 40a (1873) Vlach Quartet Prague (with Jakub Waldmann, double bass). - Recorded in Martinek Studio, Prague, Czech Republic, 22^nd - 23^rd January (Quintet) and 25^th October 2000. NAXOS 8.555378 [57.35] [NH]

Another excellent addition to Naxos's growing collection of Dvoř�k's wonderful chamber music � See Full Review
Anton�n DVOR�K (1841-1904) Violin Concerto (1883) - Cello Concerto (1894) - Isaac Stern (violin) - Leonard Rose (cello) Philadelphia Orchestra/Eugene Ormandy - rec Philadelphia ADD, no dates given but mid-1950s to 1960s SONY ESSENTIAL CLASSICS SBK46337 [71.31] [RB]

Stern not ideal though a pleasure in some aspects. Rose is well up to form and the Cello Concerto is in all aspects the buying point with this disc. ... see Full Review
Anton�n DVOR�K (1841-1904) Overture Carnival, op.92 - Symphony no.9 in E minor, op.95, "From the New World" Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra/André Previn - Recorded Royce Hall, UCLA, Los Angeles, California, April 30^th, 1990 TELARC CD-80238 [50:33] [GPJ]

A disappointing issue despite much fine playing and the undoubtedly attractive coupling. � see Full Review
BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Anton�n DVOŘ�K (1841-1904) Rusalka, op. 114 Milada �ubrtov� (Rusalka, soprano), Ivo ��dek (Prince, tenor), Eduard Haken (Watersprite, bass), Maie Ovčač�kov� (Je�ibaba, contralto), Alena M�kov� (Foreign Princess, mezzo-soprano), Jiř� Joran (Gamekeeper, baritone), Ivana Mixov� (Turnspit, soprano), Prague National Theatre Chorus and Orchestra/Zdeněk Chalabala Recorded from 15.11 to 2.12.1961 at the Domovina Studio, Prague SUPRAPHON SU 0013-2 612 [2 CDs: 76�54"+71�57"] [CH]
A wonderful bargain. This is a recording which instilled in me a love of the opera which has so far not died; it will surely do the same for many new listeners. � see Full Review
Petr EBEN (b. 1929) Job for Organ Tomá� Thon (organ) Moshe Yegar (narrator) Recorded at the Church of Ascension of the Virgin Mary, Opava 26/27 May 1995 DDD SUPRAPHON SU 0181-2 931 [57:59] [CT]
A vivid and dramatic depiction of the Old Testament story of Job brought to life by the masterful organ writing of Petr Eben. � see Full Review
Petr EBEN (b.1929) Songs Six Love Songs (1951) The Most Secret Songs (1952) Loveless Songs (1963) Six Songs to Verses by Rainer Maria Rilke (1961) Songs from Tĕ�ín Country (1952) Dagmar Pecková (mezzo-soprano) Ivan Kusnjer (baritone) Petr Eben (piano) Jan Pěru�ka (viola) Recorded at the Domovina Studio, Prague June 27, November 3-4 1996 (The Most Secret Songs and Songs from Tě��n Country) April 15-17 1999 (Six Love Songs and Loveless Songs) June 16-17 1999 (Six Songs to Verses by Rainer Maria Rilke) DDD SUPRAPHON SU 3011-2 231 [75:09] [CT]
A fascinating and thoughtful collection of five song cycles by an elder statesman amongst Czech composers. � see Full Review
Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Symphony No. 1 in A flat major, Op. 55 (1908) - Symphony No. 2 in E flat major, Op. 63 (1911) - Symphony 3 in C minor (Sketches elaborated by Anthony Payne) London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sir Colin Davis - Recorded live at the Barbican Centre, London, UK, September � December 2001 LSO LIVE LSO 0017 [54.48] (No. 1) LSO LIVE LSO 0018 [57.38] (No. 2) LSO LIVE LSO 0019 [57.33] (No. 3) [WH]

An erroneous impression of the composer�s music � newcomers should avoid. � see Full Review
August ENNA (1860-1939) The Little Match Girl (1897) - The Shepherdess and the Chimney-Sweep (1900) - Henriette Bonde-Hansen, soprano - Gitta-Maria Sjöberg, soprano - Fritz Helmuth, narrator - Sokkelund Sangkor - Danish Radio Girls� Choir Danish Radio Sinfonietta/Roman Zeilinger - Recorded November 1998, January 2000 CPO CPO999 595-2 [64:18] [GPJ]

Hard to feel much enthusiasm for this issue, I�m afraid � see Full Review

Manuel de FALLA (1876-1946) El Amor Brujo (1915, 1925) [25.05] - Noches en los Jardines de España (1916) [24.54] - Homenaje 'Le Tombeau de Claude Debussy' (1920) [3.25] - Psyché (1925) [5.44] - Harpsichord Concerto (1926) [12.58] - La Vida Breve - Interludio y Danza (1905) [7.07] - Siete Canciones Populares Españolas (1914-15) [14.13] - Quatro piezas españolas (1908) [15.48] - El sombrero de tres picos (1919) [37.48] - Nati Mistral (mezzo) - New Philharmonia Orchestra/Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos (El Amor) - John Constable (harpsichord) - London Sinfonietta/David Atherton - Eduardo Fernández (guitar) (Homenaje) - Jennifer Smith (sop) - London Sinfonietta/Simon Rattle (Psyché) - Alicia de Larrocha (piano) - London Philharmonic Orchestra/Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos (Noches) - L'Orchestre de la Suisse Romande/Ernest Anserment (Vida) - Marilyn Horne (sop)/Martin Katz (piano) (Canciones) - Alicia de Larrocha (piano) (Piezas) - Colette Boky (sop) Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal/Charles Dutoit (Sombrero) - rec 1967 (El Amor Brujo); 1980 (Harpsichord; Psyché); 1984 (Noches); 1962 (Vida); 1973 (Canciones); 1974 (Piezas); 1983 (Sombrero) ADD for all except Homenaje, Noches and Sombrero which are DDD. DECCA Double Decca 466 128-2 [2CDs: 72.18+75.17] [RB]

All the most famous de Falla works are here in this two-for-the-price-of-one collection of reissues. ... see Full Review
Ernest FANELLI (1860-1917) Symphonic Pictures: �The Romance of the Mummy� (1883/86) [49:44]:- I. Thebes - 1. In front of the Tahoser palace * - 2. On the Nile - 3. Triumphant return of the Pharaoh - II. Festivities at the Pharaoh�s Palace - 1. In a room at the palace - Naked jugglers - 2. Grotesque dance of the Egyptian jesters - 3. Triumphant hymns - Orgy - Louis-Albert BOURGAULT-DUCOUDRAY (1840-1910) Cambodian Rhapsody: Khnenh Preavossa �The Feast of Water� (1882) [17:09] - 1. Introduction - The tale - 2. The Feast of Water - Lydia Drahosova, (Mezzo-Soprano) * Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra/Adriano - Recorded at the Slovak Radio Concert Hall, Bratislava, in May 2000 and January 2001. DDD MARCO POLO 8.225234 [69:09] [MC]
Well worth buying for the fascinating Fanelli work alone � see Full Review
Kaiser FERDINAND III (1608-1657) Hymnus de Navitate �Jesu Redemptor omnium� - Hymnus �Deus Tuorum� à 4 - Hymnus �Humanae Salutis� à 8 - Johann Heinrich SCHMELZER (1620/23-1679) Lamento sopra la morte Ferdinandi III - Kaiser JOSEPHUS I (1678-1711) Cantata �Regina coeli� - Kaiser LEOPOLD I (1640-1705) Sonata piena - Psalmus �Laudate Pueri� - Sacred Works - Wiener Akademie Orchestra Martin Haselböck conductor - Recorded October 16-19, 1997 in the �Holburgkapelle�, Hofburg, Vienna CPO 999 681-2 [50`35] [AR]
A well-played and charming disc. � see Full Review

César FRANCK (1822-1890) Prelude, Chorale and Fugue (M.21) (1884) - Prelude, Fugue and Variations Op 18 (1860-62) transcribed Harold Bauer - Pastorale Op 19 (1860-62) transcribed Harold Bauer - Sonata for Violin and Piano (M.8) (1886) transcribed by Alfred Cortot Alexander Paley, piano - Recorded Fisher Hall, Santa Rosa, California July 1994 MARCO POLO 8.225044 [73.23] [JW]
A very cautious welcome for this disc � see Full Review
César FRANCK (1822-1890) The Organ Works - CD 1 - 1.Choral No.1 in E major, 2. Prélude, Fugue et Variation, 3. Fantaisie in C, 4. Cantabile, 5. Piéce Héroique, 6. Choral No.2 in B minor, 7. Fantaisie in A. [79�38] - CD 2 - 1.Grande Pièce symphonique, 2. Choral No.3 in A minor, 3. Pastorale, 4. Prière, 5. Finale in B flat. [73�40] Jennifer Bate, Organist - Organ of the Cathedral of St. Pierre de Beauvais - Recorded:1981 Re-mastered from 3 CDs: 2002 REGIS RRC2054 [152�78] [CA]
A very good rendition of Franck�s music, with a freshness undimmed by the passage of two decades. � see Full Review
Benjamin FRANKEL (1906-1973) Symphony No. 1 (1958) [25.33] - Symphony No. 2 (1962) [35.36] - Symphony No. 3 (1964) [17.24] - Symphony No. 4 (1966) [25.02] - Symphony No. 5 (1967) [18.03] - Symphony No. 6 (1969) [28.21] - Symphony No. 7 (1970) [28.03] - Symphony No. 8 (1971) [24.14] - Overture: May Day (1948) [9.26] - Mephistopheles Serenade and Dance (1952) [6.09] - A Shakespeare Overture (1956) - Overture to a Ceremony (1971) - The composer introducing his symphonies 2 and 3 Queensland SO/Werner Andreas Albert - rec ABC Studio 420, Ferry Road, Brisbane, Australia, May 1993, Apr 1994, Oct 1994, Sept 1995, April 1999 CPO 999 661-2 [4CDs: 53.24+59.18+60.03+70.27=243.12] [GSD]
Full of colour, tension, suspense and imagination � see Full Review
Girolamo FRESCOBALDI (1583-1643) Keyboard music - CD 1 [67:15] Fantasie Book 1 (circa. 1608) Prima Sopra un soggietto Seconda Sopra un soggietto solo Terza Sopra un soggietto solo Quarta Sopra doi soggietti * Quinta Sopra doi soggietti * Sesta Sopra doi soggietti Settima Sopra tre soggietti Ottava Sopra tre soggietti Nona Sopra tre soggietti * Decima Sopra quattro soggietti Undecima Sopra quattro soggietti Duodecima Sopra quattro soggietti - CD 2 [64:45] Ricercari [46:19] (circa. 1615 rev. circa. 1618-1642) Ricercar Primo Ricercar Secondo * Ricercar Terzo Ricercar Quarto Obligo mi, re, fa, mi Ricercar Quinto Ricercar Sesto Obligo fa, fa, sol, la, fa Ricercar Settimo Obligo sol, mi, fa, la, sol Ricercar Ottavo Obligo di non uscir mai di grado * Ricercar Nono Obligo di quattro soggetti Ricercar Decimo Obligo la, fa, la, re * Canzoni Francesi [18:26] (circa. 1615 rev. circa. 1618-1642) Canzone I Canzone II Canzone III * Canzone IV Canzone V * Sergio Vartolo, Harpsichord and Organ * Harpsichord - performed on copy by B. Formentelli of the Italian harpsichord preserved at Ca' Rezzonico in Venice. Organ * - the organ of the Chiesa dello Spirito Santo, Pistoia, by Hermans, 1664, restored by Riccardo Lorenzini between 1990 and 1995. Recorded June 2000 in Verona, Italy except * - Chiesa dello Spirito Santo, Pistoia, Italy. DDD - Super budget price NAXOS EARLY MUSIC 8.553547-48 [2:12:00] [MC]

A powerful advocate of these works �displays the necessary expressive poetry and drama contained in the music. � see Full Review
John GAY (1685-1732) Benjamin BRITTEN (1913-1976) The Beggar�s Opera, Philip Langridge � Macheath, Anne Collins � Mrs Peachum, Robert Lloyd � Peachum, Ann Murray � Mrs Peachum, John Rawnsley � Lockit, Yvonne Kenny � Lucy Lockit, Nuala Willis � Mrs Trapes, Christopher Gillett � Filch, Declan Mulholland � Beggar, Orchestra and Chorus Steuart Bedford - Recorded Snape Concert Hall 1992 DECCA BRITISH MUSIC COLLECTION 473 088-2 [2 CDs 108�25] [JW]

A recording entirely worthy of the undertaking and, a decade on, still wholly recommendable. � see Full Review
Alexander GLAZUNOV (1865-1936) Piano No. 1 in F minor, Opus 92 (1911) Piano Concerto No. 2, Opus 100 (1916) Alexander GOEDICKE (1877-1957) Conzertstück in D major, Opus 11 (1900) Stephen Coombes (piano) BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra/Martyn Brabbins Rec 11-12 January 1996 The Romantic Piano Concerto - 13 HYPERION CDA66877 [65.38] [TB]
A splendid sweep, gloriously lyrical � see Full Review
Percy GRAINGER (1882-1961) - Gems for piano - Danish Folksong Suite : The power of love - The nightingale and the two sisters - Jutish melody - One more day, my John - Knight and shepherd�s daughter - Near Woodstock town - Country gardens - The Sussex mummer�s Christmas carol - To a Nordic princess - Love at first sight - Children�s march - Bridal lullaby - Handel in the Strand - Colonial song - Nell - Paraphrase on Tchaikovsky�s Flower Waltz - Now, oh how I needs must part Penelope Thwaites (piano) - Recorded at Rosslyn Hill Chapel, Hampstead, London NW3 on 6/7 February 1992 REGIS RRC 1107 [69. 21] [CF]
A highly satisfying mix of familiar fare with less commonly heard music by this fascinatingly original composer and strangely complex man. � see Full Review
Edvard GRIEG (1843-1907) Piano Concerto in A Minor Op 16 (1868) Frederic CHOPIN (1810-1849) Piano Concerto No 2 in F Minor Op 21 (1830) Sergio Fiorentino, piano The London Concert Orchestra Arthur Dennington Recorded Hornsey Town Hall and Greenwich Borough Hall, London February and March 1955 CONCERT ARTIST CACD 9199-2 [62.34] [JW]
Fiorentino admirers simply won�t hesitate to acquire these precious and rare examples � see Full Review
Edvard GRIEG (1843-1907) Piano Concerto in A minor op.16 (1869) - Two Nordic Melodies, op.63 (1895) - Peer Gynt (1876) Suite no.1, op. 46 ( Morning; Åse�s Death; Anitra�s Dance; In the hall of the Mountain King) - Peer Gynt (1876) Suite no.2 , op. 55 (The Abduction of the Bride; Arabian Dance; Peer Gynt�s Homecoming; Solveig�s Song) Lilya Zilberstein, piano - Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra (Göteborgs Symfoniker)/Neeme Järvi - Recorded Göteborg Konzerthuset March 1993 (tracks 1-3), May 1987 (tracks 6-8, 10, 12) June 1992 (tracks 4-5), December 1992 (9,11,13) DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON DG Masters 445 604-2 [74:19] [GPJ]

This issue is going to be very hard to beat and it brings the bonus of the less familiar music � see Full Review
Gérard GRISEY (1946 � 1998) Les Espaces Acoustiques (1974 � 1985) Gérard Caussé (viola in Prologue); Ensemble Court-Circuit; Pierre-André Valade (Périodes, Partiels); Frankfurter Museumorchester; Sylvain Cambreling (Modulations, Transitoires and Epilogue) Recorded: Radio France, Maison de la Radio, December 1997 and May 1998 (Prologue, Périodes, Partiels); (live) Strasbourg, September 1996 (Modulations, Transitoires, Epilogue) ACCORD 206532 [48:45 + 38:34] [HC]
Vivid aural � strongly communicates by its sheer elemental strength. � see Full Review
Ferde GROFÉ (1892-1972) Death Valley Suite (1957) [16.39] - Hudson River Suite (1955) [18.38] - Hollywood Suite (1938) [20.56] Bournemouth SO/William T Stromberg - re 28-29 Feb 2000, Wessex Hall, Poole Arts Centre, Dorset, UK NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS 8.559017 [56.14] [RB]
Lacks nothing in glee and zest ... see Full Review

Camargo GUARNIERI (1907-1993) Symphony No. 2 Uirapuru (1945) [29.27] Symphony No. 3 (1952) [32.57] Abertura Concertante (1942, rev before 1951) [11.45] Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paolo/John Neschling rec Feb 2001, Sala São Paulo, Brazil BIS BIS-CD-1220 [75.13] [RB]
Likely to appeal strongly to those who are already captivated by Villa-Lobos and by the Latino Copland ... see Full Review.
Georg Friedrich HAENDEL (1685-1759) The Choice of Hercules - Pleasure: Susan Gritton, soprano - Virtue: Alice Coote, mezzo-soprano - Hercules: Robin Blaze, counter-tenor - An Attendant on Pleasure: Charles Daniels, tenor - Maurice Greene - Hearken Unto Me, Ye Holy Children - Robin Blaze, counter-tenor - Charles Daniels, tenor - Peter Harvey, bass - The Choir of the King's Consort The King's Consort/Robert King - Rec: March 2001, St-Jude-on-the-Hill, Hampstead Garden Suburb, London. HYPERION CDA67298 [65.32] [KM]

Handel�s disappointment at the cancellation of �Alceste� pushed him to do his absolute best with this music. � see Full Review

Georg Friedrich HAENDEL (1685-1759) Samson (1741) Samson - Thomas Randle (tenor) Israelite man, Philistine man - Mark Padmore (tenor) Dalila - Lynda Russell (soprano) Israelite woman, Philistine woman, Virgin - Lynne Dawson Micah - Catherine Wyn-Rogers (alto) Messenger - Matthew Vine (tenor) Manoa - Michael George (bass) Harapha - Jonathan best (bass) The Sixteen The Symphony of Harmony and Invention/Harry Christophers Rec: 1996 CORO 16008 [205.05] 3CDs Midprice [KM]
A wealth of excellent, memorable arias, and choral movements; this work is one of Handel�s finest. � see Full Review
Georg Friedrich HAENDEL (1685-1759) Oratorio Arias - Belshazzar (1745) - Destructive War (2:25) - Oh sacred oracles of Truth (4:58) - Semele (1744) - Despair no more shall wound me (4:50) - Your tuneful voice (5:44) - Theodora (1750) - The raptured soul (8:12) - Deeds of kindness (7:14) - Kind Heaven (5:39) - Sweet rose and lily (2:48) - Saul (1739) - Brave Jonathan (3:03) - O Lord, whose mercies numberless (3:54) - Jephtha (1752) - Up the dreadful steep ascending (3:50) - Dull delay (3:17) - Messiah (1741) - He was despised (10:47) - David Daniels, counter-tenor Ensemble Orchestral de Paris, John Nelson direction - Rec: September 2000, Eglise Notre-Dame du Liban, Paris. VIRGIN 7243 5 45497 2 4 [67.23] [KM]

The rhythm and feeling of this disc switch often from fast, virtuoso arias to slower, more intense pieces. � see Full Review
Roy HARRIS (1898-1979) Symphony No 7 - Epilogue to Profiles in Courage � J.F.K. - Symphony No 9 - National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine Theodore Kuchar - Recorded Grand Concert Studio, Kiev, Ukraine June 1999 NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS 8.559050 [57�49] [JW]

Superb performances: not the subtlest of recordings but frankly who cares � see Full Review
Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Violin Concerto in C major (c.1768) Violin Concerto in G major (c.1768) Piano Concerto in D major (1767, rev. 1782) Concerto for violin and piano in F major (1766)* Bella Davidovich (piano) Václav Hudecek (violin)* Prague Chamber Orchestra/Dimitri Sitkovetsky (violin & conductor) Rec 14-17 September 1996, Korunn� and Domovina Studios, Prague SUPRAPHON SU3265-2 031 [73.26] [TB]
Completely natural, even spontaneous, sound is ample but not unduly reverberant, and details can always be heard, allowing Haydn's imaginative part-writing to make its mark. � see Full Review

Adolf von HENSELT (1814-1849) Piano Concerto in F minor Opus16 Variations de Concert Opus 11 Charles-Valentin ALKAN (1812-1888) Concerto da Camera in C sharp minor Op 10 No 2 Concerto da Camera in A minor Op 10 No 1 Marc-André Hamelin, piano BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra/Martyn Brabbins Recorded in Govan Town Hall, Glasgow. December 1993 HYPERION CDA66717 [69.56] [AB]
Pleasant and tuneful � see Full Review
Leopold HOFMANN (1738-1793) Concertos for oboe and oboe and harpsichord - Oboe concerto in C major (Badley C2) [16:25] - Concerto for oboe and harpsichord in F major (Badley F1) [21:24] - Concerto for oboe and harpsichord in C major (Badley C1) [23:01] - Oboe concerto in G major (Badley G1) [13:03] Stefan Schilli, Oboe - Jeno Jando, Harpsichord - Nicholaus Esterhazy Sinfonia/Bela Drahos - Recorded at the Phoenix Studio, from 14^th-17^th June 1999 DDD NAXOS 8.553979 [73:53] [MC]
Engaging and exceptionally well crafted � see Full Review
Vagn HOLMBOE (1909-1996) Symphony No1 for Chamber Orchestra Op 4 (1935) - Symphony No 3 Sinfonia rustica Op 25 (1941) - Symphony No 10 Op 105 (1970-71) Aarhus Symphony orchestra/Owain Arwel Hughes - Recorded at Musikhuset Aarhus, January 1993 (Nos 3 and 10) and June 1993 (No 1) BIS-CD 605 [70.30] [JW]
Superbly cogent works performed with stunning intelligence, tonal blend, sectional discipline and conductorly flair. � see Full Review
Vagn HOLMBOE (1909-2000) Choral Works:- Sange mod vårdybet Op. 85 (1964-65) [12.21] - Two Border Ballads Op. 101 (1972) [8.32] - Two Sarvig Psalms Op. 154 (1983) [7.27] - Four Lagerkvist Songs Op. 34 (1943) [11.04] - From Liber Canticorum I Op. 54 (1952) [7.09] - From Liber Canticorum II Op. 54c (1952-53) [5.42] - Frise - Cantata Profana Op. 103b (1970) [8.35] Sokkelund Sangkor/Morten Schuldt-Jensen - rec. Jægersborg Kirke, Copenhagen, 17-22 Sept 1991. DDD DACAPO DCCD 9204 [61.47] [RB]

Accessible, smoothly produced and poetic choral music; affecting without striving for effect. ... see Full Review
Vagn HOLMBOE (1909-96) Requiem for Nietzsche (1964) - Helge Rønning (tenor) - Johan Reuter (baritone) - Danish National Choir Danish National SO/Michael Schønwandt - rec 29-31 Aug 2001, DR Concert Hall DDD DACAPO 8.224207 [51.44] [JP]
Done extremely successfully � see Full Review
John IRELAND (1879-1962) Piano Concerto (1930) Legend for piano and orchestra (1933) Mai-Dun, symphonic rhapsody(1921) Eric Parkin, piano London Philharmonic Orchestra/Bryden Thomson Recorded All Saints� Church, Tooting, London, December 1985 CHANDOS CHAN 8461 [52:51] [GPJ]
An unbeatable introduction to Ireland�s music for anyone wishing to take the plunge � see Full Review
Mieczyslaw KARLOWICZ (1876-1909) Three Symphonic Poems - Eternal Songs (1906) [26.57] - Stanislaw and Anna Oswieczim (1907) [22.18] - Lithuanian Rhapsody (1906) [17.13] BBC Philharmonic Orchestra/Yan Pascal Tortelier - rec. 13-14 Dec 2001, Studio 7, New Broadcasting House, Manchester
CHANDOS CHAN 9986 [66.41] [RB]
Three poetic late-romantic tone poems beautifully shaped by Tortelier and superbly played by the BBC Phil ... see Full Review
Charles KOECHLIN (1867-1950) Le Printemps (1890s) La Nuit (1890s) La Lune (1890s) L'Été (1890s) Le Vin (1890s) Chanson d'Amour (1890s) Pleine Eau (1892) Déclin d'amour (1894) La prière du mort (1896) Nox (1899-1900) L'Astre rouge (1899) Les Rêves Morts (1899) Villanelle Op. 21 No. 1 (1900-1901) Villanelle Op. 21 No. 2 (1900-1901) Novembre (1901) Accompagnement (1902-1907) Le Repas préparé (1906) Soir païen (1908-1909) Si tu le veux (1894) Michèle Command (sop) - Christophe Durrant (piano) - rec Aug 1996, DDD - Mélodiste Française series MAGUELONE MAG 111.113 [74.06] [RB]
A lovely disc. Do acquire this if you count yourself a sincere explorer of the mélodie ... see Full Review
RECORDING OF THE MONTH Erich Wolfgang KORNGOLD (1897-1957) Lieder Dietrich Henschel (baritone) with Helmut Deutsch (piano) Recorded November 2001, Teldec Studio, Berlin HARMONIA MUNDI HMC 901780 [75:45] [IL]
Sensitively colouring according to mood and atmosphere � striking beauty � see Full Review
Theodor KULLAK (1818-1882) Piano Concerto in C minor Op. 55 Alexander DREYSCHOCK (1818-1869) Piano Concerto in D minor Op.137 Piers Lane (piano) BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra/Niklas WillénRecorded in City Hall, Glasgow on 3, 4 March 1999 The Romantic Piano Concerto: Volume 21 HYPERION CDA67086 [59.26] [CF]
If you�re feeling low, just put on the Kullak concerto and you�ll be smiling in no time. � see Full Review
Rued LANGGAARD (1893-1952) String Quartets - CD1: String Quartet No. 2 (1918 rev 1931) - String Quartet No. 6 in one movement on a Swedish folk tune (1918-19) - String Quartet No. 3 (1924) - CD2: String Quartet No. 5 (1925 rev 1936-38) - String Quartet No. 4 Summer Days (1918 rev 1931) - Variations Mig hjerteligt nu længes (1914, Introduction, 1931) The Kontra Quartet - rec 1984, Copenhagen, Denmark, DDD DACAPO DCCD 9302a/b [2CDs: 51.39+57.28] [RB]

Langgaard predominantly in the persona of the defiant classicist but shattering the peace in the second and third quartets ... see Full Review
Henri LAZAROF - Music for Strings - Serenade for String Sextet (1985) - Lyric Suite for solo violin (1983) - String Quartet (1980) - Octet for Strings "La Laurenziana" (1987) - Chamber Music/L.A. Festival Yukiko Kamei-Artistic Director and Solo Violin - Recording dates and venue not given. DDD/ADD LAUREL RECORD LR-843CD [64:31] [CT]

Strongly argued works, performed with commitment and demonstrating Lazarof�s clear knowledge of his instruments and performers. � see Full Review
Paul LE FLEM (1881 � 1984) Deux Interludes de La Magicienne de la Mer (1947) - Fantiasie pour piano et orchestre (1911) - Symphony No.1 in A major (1906/8) Marie-Catherine Girod (piano); Orchestre de Bretagne; Claude Schnitzler - Recorded: (live) Radio France, Rennes, October 1993 TIMPANI 1C1021 [69:08] [HC]
An impressive evocation of Brittany � see Full Review
Franz LEHÁR (1870-1948) Le Pays du Sourire (The Land of Smiles) (1929) Romantic operetta (in French) M. de Pondeau, H. Hayashil, J. Guy, P. Gueirard Conducted by Paul Bonneau Recorded 1992 JENI PRODUCTIONS M10 220042 [40.02] [RW]
This budget release will serve as a good introduction to anyone sampling Lehár for the first time. � see Full Review
Douglas LILBURN (1915-2001) Symphonies 1-3 (1949, 1951, 1960) - New Zealand Symphony Orchestra James Judd - Recorded Michael Flower Centre, Wellington 29-31 May 2001 NAXOS 8.555862 [77�16] [JW]

Torrents of almost ecstatic simplicity and lyricism � see Full Review

Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Douze Études d�exécution transcendente S139 Sergio Fiorentino, piano - Recorded Conway Hall, London 14 February 1955 and Civic Hall, Guildford 16 February 1966 CONCERT ARTIST CACD 9201-2 [63�04] [JW]

No doubting Fiorentino�s command of sonority, keyboard and text � see Full Review
Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Six Grandes Etudes de Paganini, S141, Franz Schubert�s Marsche für das Pianoforte übertragen, S426 Marc-André Hamelin (pianoforte) Recorded 23^rd-24^th February 2002, Henry Wood Hall, London HYPERION CDA67370 [57� 51"] [CH]
Effortless virtuosity in the Paganini, but go to the Schubert for the real music on the disc. � see Full Review
David LOEB (born 1939) Yearning For Autumn Chamber Music from Japan:- Ganya for sho and viola da gamba; Between The Sea And Sky for three guitars; Ancient Legends for Violin and piano; Fantasias For The Japanese Consort for viol consort; Seiya for voice and qin; Yoru Ga Mau for flutes, koto and guitar - No recording details given VIENNA MODERN MASTERS VMM 2035 [63.48] [GH]
Many fascinating things about this CD and many frustrating ones � see Full Review
Frederick LOEWE (1901-1988) With librettist Alan Jay LERNER (1918-1986) Orchestral Selections from: My Fair Lady (1956); Camelot (1960); Gigi (1958); Brigadoon (1947); Paint your Wagon (1951) Richard Hayman and his Orchestra - Rec. November 1989 and May 1990 DDD NAXOS 8.555015 [63.53] [RW]
Attractive series of orchestral selections � 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

Error processing SSI file

Return to Front page