BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Bohuslav MARTINŮ
(1890-1959) Music for solo piano (CD1) Les
Ritournelles (1932) Fantaisie et Toccata (1954) Sonata No.
1 (1954) Julietta (1939) Etudes et Polkas (1945) Piano
Concertos (CD2) Piano Concerto No. 2 (1934) Piano Concerto No. 3
(1948) Piano Concerto No. 4 (1956) Rudolf Firkušný (1912-1994)
(piano) Czech
Philharmonic Orchestra/Libor Pešek Rec. 1988 (solo piano), 1993 (concertos)
RCA RED SEAL ARTISTES
ET REPERTOIRES 74321 886 822 [2CDs: 58.37+68.47] [RB]
Anyone
with any interest in Martinů should snap up this outstanding bargain.
Radiant performances of music nurtured in sunlight, dewy with nostalgic
nationalism. ... see Full Review
Joseph
MARX (1882-1964)
Natur-Trilogie
(1922-5):- 1. Ein Symphonische Nachtmusik (1922); 2. Idylle
- Concertino über die pastorale Quart (1925); 3. Eine Frühlingsmusik
(1925) Bochum SO/Steven
Sloane - rec. Maximilianpark, Hamm, Germany, 11-15 June 2002. DDD -
Complete Orchestral Music: Volume 1
ASV CD DCA 1137 [64.19] [CSS]
Fabulous
recording. There is little enough beauty in the world today - why complain
of a surfeit of it in one man … see Full
Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Pietro MASCAGNI (1863-1945)
Il
Piccolo Marat - Opera in 3 Acts (1921) Nicola Rossi-Lemeni (The
President of the Committee – "The Ogre"), Virginia Zeani (Mariella),
Giuseppe Gismondo (Prince Fleury – "Il piccolo Marat"), Afro
Poli ("The Carpenter"), Anna Lia Bazzani (Princess Fleury
– "la madre"), Giulio Fioravanti (The Soldier), Alfonso Marchica
("The Spy"), Giulio Montano (The Thief"), Bruno Cioni
("The Tiger"), Piero Francia (The Captain of the "Marats"),
Armando Benzi (The Carrier of Orders)
Chorus of the Teatro Comunale di Bologna, Orchestra Sinfonica di Sanremo/Ottavio
Ziino Recorded live (mono) 20th January 1962, Teatro del Casinò
di Sanremo WARNER
FONIT "CETRA OPERA COLLECTION" 50466-3246-2-7 [2 CDs:
60:52+70:22] [CH]
A
neglected and powerful opera in a very fine performance, acceptably
recorded. Also a welcome reminder of the art of Virginia Zeani. … see
Full Review
Jules MASSENET
(1842-1912)
Manon (an
opera in five acts) (1882-84)
Manon Lescaut - Germaine Féraldy (soprano) - Le Comte Des
Grieux - Louis Guénot (bass-baritone) - Le Chevalier Des Grieux
- Josef Rogatchewsky (tenor) - Lescaut - Georges Villier (baritone)
- Pousette - Andrée Vavon (soprano) - Javotte - Jeanne Rambert/Mme
Ravery (side 31) (soprano) - Rosette - Andrée Bernadet/Marguerite
Julliot (sides 29, 32) (soprano) - Rosette - Marinette Fenoyer (side
33) (soprano) - Guillot - Emile de Creus (tenor) - De Brétigny
- Jean Vieuille/André Gaudin (sides 17, 20, 21) (baritone) -
L’Hôtelier - Paul Payan - Chorus and Orchestra of the Opéra-Comique,
Paris/Elie Cohen - Recorded on 36 sides by French Columbia, December
1928-March 1929
NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110203-04 [2CDs: 76.08+65.25] [JW]
The
French tradition caught still in its heyday … a Manon in some ways still
unmatched. … See Full Review
David MATTHEWS
(b.1943) Cantiga (1988) [23’42]
- September Music (1979/81) [10’00] - Introit (1981) [6’08]
- Symphony No.4 (1989/90) [27’19]
Jill Gomez (soprano) - Bournemouth Sinfonietta/John Carewe - East of
England Orchestra/Malcolm Nabarro (Symphony) - Recorded in the
Great Hall, Nottingham University, Sept. 1993 (Symphony) - Winter
Gardens, Bournemouth, Nov. 16-18, 1991 (rest)
NMC ANCORA NMCD084 [67’09] [TH]
‘modernist’
features in check … great harmonic, textural and, particularly, melodic
content being uppermost in the composer’s mind … see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH John Blackwood MCEWEN
(1868-1948) String Quartets Volume 2 String
Quartet No. 3 (1901) String Quartet No. 6 Biscay (1913) String
Quartet No. 13 (1928)
Chilingirian Quartet Recorded Snape Maltings Concert Hall, 9-11
November 2001 CHANDOS
CHAN 10084 [58.30] [JW]
...the
Chilingirians really do bring life and joyous affirmation to this......
a most enthusiastic welcome...see Full Review
Felix MENDELSSOHN
(1809-1847) Symphony No.1 in C minor,
Op.11 (1824) - Symphony No.5 in D major, Op.107 ‘Reformation’
(1830) Leipzig Gewandhaus
Orchestra/Kurt Masur - Recorded in the Leipzig Gewandhaus, September
1989 WARNER APEX 2564
60370 2 [55’03] [TH]
These
later recordings have a great deal to commend them and can be very confidently
recommended. … see Full
Review
Felix
MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847)
String
Symphonies (1821-1823) - No. 8 in D Major [26:27] - No. 9 in C minor
[30:18] - No. 10 in b minor [9:30] - Concerto Köln
Recorded in Cologne in July 1994. DDD
WARNER - ELATUS - 2564-60124-2 [66:13] [KS]
Seems
as though I have been on a bit of a negative roll of late, but this
disc does not impress me and I cannot recommend … see Full
Review
Felix
MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847)
Motets and Psalms Warum
toben die Heiden, Opus 78 No. 1 (1844) - Mein Gott, warum hast du mich
verlassen, Opus 78 No. 3 - Herr nun lässest di deinen Diener, Opus
69 No. 1 (1847) - Ehre sei Gott in der Höhe - Mitten wir im Leben
sind, Opus 23 No. 3 (1830) - Sechs Sprüche, Opus 79 (1846) - Hymne:
'Hör mein Bitten, Herr' (1844)
Rebecca Evans (soprano) - Greta de Reyghere (soprano) - La Chapelle
Royale, Collegium Vocale Ghent - Johan Huys (organ) - Philippe Herreweghe
- Rec May 1984, l'Église des Carmes, Gand
HARMONIA MUNDI HMA 1951142 [51.36] [TB]
The
Scottish and Italian Symphonies are splendid pieces but relatively speaking
over-played and over-recorded; he did better elsewhere: in chamber music
and in vocal works such as these. … see Full
Review
Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847)
String Symphonies Symphony
No. 12 in G minor Symphony No.1 in C major Symphony No.7 in D minor
Symphony No.4 in C minor Symphony No.6 in E flat major
Concerto Köln Recorded at Studio Deutschland Radio, Cologne, Germany.
November 1995 ELATUS
2564-60353-2. [67.46] [RBr]
Together
with the vivacity and technical accomplishment of the fugal passages
it all adds up to a most attractive disc … see
Full Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH - Felix MENDELSSOHN
(1809-1847) Symphony
No.2 in B flat major, Op.52 Hymn of Praise (1840)
Barbara Bonney, Edith Wiens (sopranos), Peter Schreier (tenor) - Michael
Schoenheit (organ) - Leipzig Radio Choir - Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra/Kurt
Masur - Recorded in the Gewandhaus, Leipzig, September 1988 DDD
WARNER APEX 2564 60156 2 [58’32]
[TH]
Competition
is strong, but this is a highly desirable version of a rewarding piece.
… see Full Review
Olivier MESSIAEN
(1908-1992)
Turangalîla
(1946-48) Paul Crossley
(piano) - Tristan Murail (ondes martenot) - Philharmonia Orchestra/Esa-Pekka
Salonen - rec. 1986, London. DDD
SONY ESSENTIAL CLASSICS SBK89900 [77.41] [RB]
Salonen
rather out-Boulezs Boulez. With that remark you will know now whether
or not this is for you. Personally I prefer the Previn ... see Full
Review
Jean
Joseph de MONDONVILLE
(1711-1772) Grand
Motets, Venite Exultemus – Psalm 94 (1740) Dominus Regnavit –
Psalm 92 (1734) Michelle CORRETTE
(1709-1795) Laudate Dominum – Psalm 148 (1768) Collete Alliot-Lugaz
(soprano), Danielle Borst (soprano) Michael Goldthorpe (tenor), Jean
Buclet (tenor), Philippe Hutenlocher (bass)
Ensemble Vocal de Lyon Jean-François Paillard Chamber Orchestra/Jean-François
Paillard
Recorded at the Hospice Contesse, Lille, France, December 1979 (Mondonville)
and July 1976 (Corrette) ADD
WARNER APEX 2564 60155 2 [71’10] [TH]
If
you fancy dipping your toe into the glories of French Baroque choral
music, this is a good place to start. … see Full
Review
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
Violin
Concerto No. 3 in G major, K216 (1775) * Bassoon Concerto in B flat
major, K191 (1774) ** Jan Václav Hugo
VORISEK (1791-1825) Symphony in D minor, Op. 24 (1820-21)
- David Oistrakh, violin * Karel Bidlo, bassoon **
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra/Karel Ančerl -
Rec. Rudolfinum Studio, Prague, December 1950, April 1954 *, February
1952 ** Karel Ančerl (1908-1973)- Ančerl Gold Edition
SUPRAPHON SU 3678-2 001 [71:27] [DS]
Over
70 minutes of great music-making from volume 18 of the Ančerl Gold
Series … see Full Review
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART
An Introduction to … The Marriage of Figaro
Written by Thomson Smillie; Narrated by David
Timson - Rec Motivation Sound Studios, London. No date given. [DDD]
NAXOS OPERA EXPLAINED 8.558078 [79’34]
[CC]
Fulfils
its remit perfectly. Something of interest for everybody, even those
who may think they know the opera, its genesis and its context inside
out. … see Full Review
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART
L’oeuvre Pour Clarinette De Basset (Works For Basset-Clarinet) (1756-1791)
Clarinet
Quintet in A K581 - Clarinet Concerto in A K622
Jean-Claude Veilhan, basset-clarinet - Stadler Quartet - La Grande Ecurie
et le Chambre du Roy/Jean-Claude Malgoire - Recorded Paris 1989 (concerto)
and 1992 (quintet) K617030
K617 RECORDS [58:02] [GPJ]
Performances
worth hearing, if only for the unusual experience of the instrument
for which this music was originally intended. … see Full
Review
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756
- 1791) Symphony
No. 38 Prague in D Major K504 (1786) - Jan
Vaclav VORISEK (1791 - 1825) Symphony in D Major Op.
24 (1821) Prague Philharmonia,
conducted by Jiři Bĕlohlávek - Rec. Domovina Studio, Prague,
17–18 October 2002 and 10–11 March 2003. DDD
SUPRAPHON SU 3713-2 [60’31] [JP]
Good
performances and beautiful playing. A very enjoyable disc. … see Full
Review
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART
(1756 - 1791) Toscanini
Broadcast Legacy: The Complete Concert 3 November 1946 Magic Flute Overture,
K620:1 (1791) [6.46] Divertimento in Bb for 2 Horns and String
Quartet, K287 (1777) [30.10] Symphony #35 in D, ‘Haffner’ K (1782) [16.52]
NBC Symphony Orchestra/Arturo
Toscanini Notes in English. Special feature: Rehearsals for the Magic
Flute Overture and Symphony 35 (88.22) exclusive recordings
from the Immortal Performance Recorded Music Society
Guild GHCD 2232/33 2CD [147.08] [AAD]
So-so
sound, good ... well, OK performances of great music, with some petty
ranting thrown in. For Toscanini lovers and historians only … see
Full Review
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
Mass
in C minor, K427 (1783) Requiem, K626 (1791)
Soloists in Mass: Edith Wiens, Dame Felicity Lott (sopranos I and
II), Laurence Dale (tenor), Robert Lloyd (bass) Soloists in Requiem:
Dame Felicity Lott (soprano), Della Jones (mezzo-soprano), Keith Lewis
(tenor), Willard White (bass) London Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra/Franz
Welser-Möst Recorded in Walthamstow Assembly Hall, 4-6 February
1987, and St.Augustine’s, Kilburn, 10-12 April 1989.
EMI CLASSICS FOR PLEASURE 7243 5 75770 2 1 [2CDs: 56:25+49:45] [GPJ]
As
I say, not to everyone’s taste; you’ll either fall for these whole-hearted,
large-scale performances, or you’ll hate them; I fell! … see Full
Review
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
The
Abduction from the Seraglio, a German Singspiel in 3 Acts (1782)
- New staging by the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino -
Bassa Selim: Markus John - Konstanze: Eva Mei - Blonde: Patrizia Ciofi
- Belmonte: Rainer Trost - Pedrillo: Mehrzad Montazeri - Osmin: Kurt
Rydl
Orchestra and Chorus of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino/Zubin Mehta -
Chorus Master: Jose Luis Basso - Costumes Designer: Catherine Voeffray
- Lighting: Jacques Battocletti - Stage Director: Massimo Teoldi - Scene:
Elke Gramss - Set Designer: Christoph Wagenknecht - Recorded at the
Teatro della Pergola, Florence, May 2002 - PCM Stereo, Dolby Digital
5.1, DTS 5.1. Aspect Ratio 16:9. Region Code 0. PAL. Subtitles in English,
German, French, Spanish, Italian
TDK DVD DV-OPEADS [136 mins] [DB]
A
lively, traditional production of Mozart’s lovely singspiel. Well filmed
and excellently sung and played. No need to hesitate. … see Full
Review
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756
- 1791) Don
Giovanni, K 527 (1787): highlights [76.38] Bo Skovhus,
Don Giovanni; Janusz Monarcha, Commendatore; Adrianne
Pieczonka, Donna Anna; Torsten Kerl, Don Ottavio; Regina
Schörg, Donna Elvira; Boaz Daniel, Masetto; Ilkiko
Raimondi, Zerlina
David Aronson, harpsichord; György Eder, cello Hungarian Radio
Chorus Nicolas Hesterházy Sinfonia/ Michael Halász Recorded
at the Phoenix Studio, Budapest, Hungary, 30 November 2000. DTS 5.1
Surround, and AC3 Dolby Digital 5.1 (44kHz, 24 bit) One side only. Plot
summary and performer biographies in English and Deutsch. No text. AC3
track playable on DVD video players. Not playable on CD players. Also
available as a complete recording on NAXOS 8.660080-82, CD only.
NAXOS
5.110011 DVD Audio [76.38] [PSh]
A
fine tour through this very great opera, beautifully sung and recorded,
but with little overall dramatic sense … see Full
Review
Ib
NØRHOLM (b.1931)
Hearing
Andersen - Symphonic Fantasy (1987) [27.18] - The Shadow -
Suite (1974) [12.51] - Symphony No. 5 The Elements (1980) [29.01]
Danish Radio Symphony
Orchestra/Michael Schønwandt (Andersen), Tamás
Vetö (Shadow), Jan Latham-Koenig (Symphony) - rec. Danish
Radio, 1987, 1974, 1984. DDD, ADD
KONTRAPUNKT 32005 [69.29] [RB]
Nørholm
in uncompromising dodecaphonic robes for the symphony but more approachable
in the two imaginative suites. ... see Full
Review
Ib
NORHØLM
(b.1931) Violin
Concerto (1975) - Cello Concerto (1989)
Kishiko Suzumi (violin) - Erling Blöndahl Bengtsson (cello) - Aalborg
Symphony Orchestra/Tamás Vetö - rec. 1991 DDD
KONTRAPUNKT 32099 [61.06] [RB]
Two
challenging concertos by Ib Nørholm. Their humanity never falters.
Superb performances by Suzumi and Bengtsson ... see Full
Review
Hiroshi OHGURI (1918-1982)
Violin
Concerto (1963) - Fantasia on Osaka Folk Songs (1955 rev. 1970) - Legend
for Orchestra – after the tale of Ama-no-Iwayado (1977) - Rhapsody on
Osaka Nursery Rhymes (1979)
Kazuhiro Takagi (Violin) - Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra/Tatsuya Shimono
- Rec. Osaka Philharmonic Hall, Japan, August 2000
NAXOS 8.555321 [67.42] [GH]
To
sum up: these are excellent performances, vividly recorded. This is
music which through a distinctive voice and some originality links past
and present. … see Full Review
Nicolò PAGANINI (1782-1840)
Caprices
for solo violin (24) Op 1 (c1819?) [28.10]
Michael Rabin, violin Recorded Capitol Records Studios, New York, New
York, USA, 8 September 1958 Notes in Deutsch, English, Français.
Performer photo and biography. 8 pages illustrated listing of the GROC
series. Great Recordings of the Century series
EMI CLASSICS 7243 5 67986 2 5 [72.07] [PSh]
Startling
virtuosity, but to any result? A must for violin students and historians
of music ... See Full Review
Ercole
PASQUINI (late
16th – early 17th c.) Works for harpsichord and organ -
I(ntrad)e (S 1) [03:22] - C(anzone) (S 10) [01:16] - Primo Tono (S 19)
[02:49] - Corrente (S 28a) [00:39] - Corrente (S 28b) [00:41] - Pass’e
mezzo (S 23b) [03:24] - (Toccata) (S 2) [02:39] - Canzona (S 18a) [02:12]
- Gagliarda (S 29) [01:02] - Tocchata (S 4) [01:49] - ? (S 26) [02:30]
- Canzon (S 14) [02:43] - Ru(ggier)i (S 22) [04:59] - Corrente (S 27)
[00:48] - B(allo?) (S 30) [01:06] - Tocchata (S 5) [02:52] - Canzon
(S 15) [02:46] - Anchor che col partire (S 21) [06:10] - Canzona francese
(S 16) [02:10] - Romanescha (S 25) [01:26] - Romanesche (S 24) [10:30]
- Toc(cata) (S 3) [02:15]* - Durrezza (S 8) [03:35]* - ? (S 20) [00:50]*
- C(anzon)e (S 9) [01:31]* - Durrezze e ligature (S 7) [04:29]* - (Canzona)
(S 12) [01:20]* - Toccata (S 6) [01:58]* - Fuga (S 11) [01:35]* - Canzona
francese (S 13) [03:00]*
James Johnstone, harpsichord, organ (*) - Recorded in May 2001 at the
Musée des Beaux-Arts in Chartres and June 2001 at St Jude’s Church,
Hampstead (*) DDD ASV
GAUDEAMUS CD GAU 336 [77:37] [JvV]
An
entire disc devoted to an unjustly neglected Italian composer from around
1600 – strongly recommended. … see Full
Review
Fra
Armando PIERUCCI
(b.1935)
De Profundis (a) Variations on a Theme of 4th Mode of Alleluia
(b) Variations on a Theme of Cantata ‘Via Crucis’ (b)
Chamber Choir Aidija (a) Gintare Skeryte (mezzo-soprano) (a) Vilnius
String Quartet (a) (Audrone Vainiunaite, Arturas Silale, Girdutis Jakaitis,
Augustinas Vasiliauskas) Giedrius Gelgotas (flute) (a)
Gintautas Jocius (double bass) (a) Romualdas Grazinis (conductor) (a)
Fra Armando Pierucci (organ) (b) Recorded: August/September 2001, Vilnius
(a); December 1997, St. Saviour’s Monastery, Jerusalem (b)
PILGRIM’S STAR 27004 [56.26] [RH]
A
interesting new cantata setting a cycle of poems by Regina Derieva,
though perhaps Pierucci’s music is too respectful of the poetry for
its own good… see Full Review
Serge PROKOFIEV
(1891-1953) Alexander
Nevsky, Op. 78a (1939) [36’58]. Pushkiniana (compiled
and edited Gennadi Rozhdestvensky, 1962) [20’03]: Queen of Spades
(1916) – Hermann [5’30]; Liza [2’42]; Ball
(Polonaise) [2’54]; Eugene Onegin (1936): The
Larin’s Ball – Menuet [1’38]; Polka [1’37];
Mazurka [1’31]. Boris Godunov (1936) – Polonaise
[4’11]. Music to Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Op. 77 (1937/8) – Ghost
of Hamlet’s father [6’19]. Ivan the
Terrible, Op. 116 (1942-6) – Dance of the
Oprichniks [2’15].
aIrina Gelahova (mezzo); aStanislavsky Chorus; Russian
State Symphony Orchestra/Dmitry Yablonsky Rec. Studio No. 5, Moscow
State Broadcasting House on May 28th-June 5th,
2002 DDD NAXOS 8.555710
[65’34] [CC]
If
you are looking for your first Nevsky, this is not for you. However,
Prokofiev completists will welcome the fillers … see Full
Review
Serge PROKOFIEV (1891
- 1953) On
the Dnieper, Op. 51 (1931) (40.37) - Songs of Our Days, Op.
76 (1937) (25.45) Victoria
Smolnikova, mezzo-soprano; Igor Tarasov, baritone - Russian State Symphonic
Orchestra and Capella/Valeri Polyansky - Notes in English, French, and
German. Parallel translations of Russian song texts - Rec. Grand Hall
of the Conservatory, Moscow, Russia, August 2002
CHANDOS CHAN 10044 [66.32] [PS]
Rare
Prokofiev beautifully performed and recorded. Mostly for Prokofiev specialists
and students of Russian language. … see Full
Review
Serge
PROKOFIEV (1891
- 1953) Zdravitsa,
Op 85 (1939) - Autumnal, Op 8 (1934) - Hamlet, Op 77 (1938)
- Flourish Mighty Land, Op 114 (1947) - Egyptian Nights,
Op 61 (1938) Russian State
Symphonic Orchestra and Capella/Valeri Polyansky - Notes in English,
French, and German - Recorded Grand Hall of the Conservatory, Moscow,
Russia, August 2002
CHANDOS CHAN 10056 [73.18] [PS]
A
beautiful sounding selection of rare Prokofiev showing unfamiliar aspects
of his genius … see Full Review
Giacomo PUCCINI
(1858 -1924) Turandot (1920-6)
- Lyric Drama in Three Acts - The last scene completed in this production
by Luciano Berio. In conventional productions by Alfano - Turandot…Gabriele
Schnaut - Altoum…Robert Tear - Timur… Paata Burchuladze - Calaf… Johan
Botha - Liù…Christina Gallardo-Domas - Ping…Boaz Daniel - Pang…Vincente
Ombuena - Pong… Steve Davislim - A Mandarin…Robert Bork
Vienna State Opera Chorus and Tőlz Boys Choir: Chorus Master: Rupert
A. Huber - Vienna Philharmonic/Valery Gergiev - Stage Music: Mozarteum
Orchestra - A co-production of the Mariisnki Theatre, St. Petersburg
and the Festpielhaus, Baden-Baden. Recorded at the Grosses Festpielhaus,
Salzburg, August 2002
TDK DVD Video - DV-OPTURSF [Opera: 125 mins; Special Features: 16
mins] [IL]
Disappointing
performances from the two principals in an eccentric modern production…
only partially successful … beautiful playing by the Vienna Philharmonic
… see Full Review
Giacomo
PUCCINI
(1858-1924) La
Bohème (1894-95) - Opera in Four Acts Rodolpho - David
Hobson Mimi - Cheryl Barker Marcello - Roger Lemke Musetta
- Christine Douglas Colline - Gary Rowley Schaunard -
David Lemke Benoit - Graeme Ewer Parpignol - Jin Tea
Kim Opera Australia
Chorus prepared by Richard Gill Opera Australia Ballet and Orchestra/Julian
Smith Recorded in the Sydney Opera House Originally produced for Television
by Australian Broadcasting Corporation Opera Australia 1993 Photography
ã Don Mcmurdo / Kiren Chang Production Director Baz Luhrmann DVD
Aspect Ratio 4:3 ARTHAUS
MUSIK 100954 [113 minutes] [DD]
Simply
one of the most enjoyable I have heard … truly thrilling at times. …
if you are seeking a first class version of this work your search is
over … see Full Review
BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Giacomo PUCCINI
(1858-1924) La
Bohème (1894-95) - Opera in Four Acts Libretto by Giuseppe
Giacosa and Luigi Illica Mimi…….Renata Tebaldi (soprano) Rodolfo….Giacinto
Prandelli (tenor) Musetta….Hilde Gueden (soprano) Marcello .Giovanni
Inghilleri (baritone) Schaunard.Fernando Corena (baritone) Colline…
Raphaël Arie (bass) Parpignol Piero de Palma (tenor) Benoit/Alcindoro.
Melchiorre Luise
Sergeant….Ildebrando Santafé
Chorus and Orchestra of the Accademia di Santa Cecilia, Rome/Alberto
Erede recorded in Rome, July 1951 Highlights of La Bohème
Mimi .Licia Albanese (soprano) Rodolfo…Giuseppe di Stefano (tenor)
Musetta…Patrice Munsel (soprano) Marcello… Leonard Warren (baritone)
Schaunard…George Cehanovsky (baritone) CollineNicola Moscona (bass)
RCA Victor Orchestra/Renato Celllini and Victor Trucco Rec. 31st
March 1949 - 24th March 1951, Manhattan Center, New York
City NAXOS HISTORICAL
8.110252-53 [2 CDs: 143:08] [IL]
Truly
golden voices in glorious productions of La Bohème … see Full
Review
RECORDING OF THE MONTH Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924)
Tosca:
Opera in 3 acts: libretto by Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica: Floria
Tosca - Angela Gheorghiu,
Mario Cavaradossi - Roberto Alagna, Baron Scarpia - Ruggero Raimondi,
Cesare Angelotti - Maurizio Muraro, Sacristan - Enrico Fissore, Spoletta
- David Cangelosi, Sciarrone - Sorin Coliban, Il carceriere - Gwynne
Howell, Un pastore - James Savage-Hanford
Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden/Terry Edwards Tiffin
Boys’ Choir/Simon Toyne Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden/Antonio
Pappano A film by Benoît Jacquot, premiered at the Venice Film
Festival 2001 English Subtitles Extras: interviews with Angela Gheorgiu,
Benoît Jacquot and Antonio Pappano Picture Format: PAL Regional
Codes 2 and 4; 16:9 Anamorphic; Sound Formats: PCM Stereo; DTS5.1 Notes:
synopsis of libretto, soloist biographies and a good short essay on
the opera by Roger Parker, Professor of Music, Cambridge University.
Reviewed in both Stereo and in DTS5.1, see below.
BBC OPUS ARTE DVD OA 0883 D
[Film 120 minutes, extras 21 minutes] [DB]
Despite
some odd directorial decisions this is so well sung, so well played,
so well directed, so well acted, so well conducted, and looks so sumptuous
that it has to be seen, and seen repeatedly. … see Full
Review
Roger QUILTER
(1877-1953) Songs
Anthony Rolfe Johnson (tenor) a
Lisa Milne (soprano) b Graham Johnson (piano) The Duke Quartet:
c Louisa Fuller d; Rick Koster (violins); John
Metcalf (viola); Ivan McCready d (cello) ecorded 29-30 September
and 1 October 1977 at All Saint’s Church, East Finchley, London. DDD
First issued on Collins Classics in 1998 The English Song Series Vol.5
NAXOS 8.557116 [72:19]
[MC]
Intimate
cultivated songs in most accomplished, spontaneous and expressive performances
with a real sense of intense communication. … see
Full Review
Sergei
RACHMANINOV (1873-1943)
Etudes-tableaux
(1911-16): Op. 39 – No. 1 in C minor [3’12] - No. 2 in A minor [7’08]
- Op. 33 – No. 2 in C minor [2’25] - No. 6 in E flat minor [1’46] -
No. 9 in C sharp minor [3’00] Maurice RAVEL
(1875-1937) Sonatine (1903-5) [11’16]. Miroirs (1904-5) [28’28]
Lise de la Salle (piano) - Rec. Studio Tibor Varga, Sion, Switzerland,
in September 2002. DDD
NAÏVE V4936 [57’12] [CC]
‘Une
barque sur l’Océan’ … details and overview meet in a vision of
loveliness. This is a superb disc that should be heard without delay.
… see Full Review
Jean-Philippe
RAMEAU
(1683-1764) Pièces
de clavecin en concerts (1741) - Concert No. 1 in C minor - Concert
No. 2 in G major - Concert No. 3 in A major - Concert No. 4 in B flat
major - Concert No. 5 in D minor
London Baroque: Ingrid Seifert, violin; Charles Medlam, bass viol; Terence
Charlston, harpsichord - Rec: October - June 2002, St. Martin’s, East
Woodhay, Hampshire, England
BISCD1385 [67.00]
[KME]
This
is a very good recording of some fine works, but it pales slightly in
its lack of inspiration … see Full
Review
Maurice
RAVEL
(1875-1937) Piano Music Volume 2 Valses
nobles et sentimentales [14’56] - Le Tombeau de Couperin
[26’30] - La Valse [11’53] - A la manière de Borodine
[1’46] - A la manière de Chabrier [1’33] - Menuet antique
[7’41] - Sérénade grotesque [3’48]
Valerie Tryon (piano) - Rec. St.George’s, Brandon Hill, Bristol, Sept.
2000, May 2001, May 2002, DDD
APR 5594 [68’57] [TH]
A
cultured, refined feel … very nicely characterised, with charm, polish
and wit in equal measure. … see Full
Review
Nikolay
RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844-1908)
Snow
Maiden - opera in 4 acts with prologue - Snow Maiden, Valentina
Sokolik (sop) - Spring Fairy and Lel, Irina Arkhipova (m. sop) - Tsar
Brendel, Anton Grigoriev (ten) - Mizguir, Anatoly Moksayakov (bar) -
Kupava, Lidya Sakharenko (sop) - King Frost, Alexander Vedernikov (bass)
- Bermiata, Vladimir Matorin (bass) - Maslenitsa, Ivan Budrin (bass)
Grand Choir of the USSR
Radio and TV - Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra of Moscow Radio/Vladimir
Fedoseyev - Recorded 1975. No venue given - Silver Edition
RELIEF CR 991049 [3CDs: 60.50+61.38+65.05] [RJF]
Luxuriate
in the composer’s genius for painting orchestral pictures … see Full
Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH - Nicolai RIMSKY-KORSAKOV
(1844-1908)
-
Russian Easter Festival Overture Op. 36 (1888) [15.00] - Antar
- Third Version - Symphonic Suite Op. 9 (1868, 1876, 1903) [33.23]
Philharmonia/Yevgeny Svetlanov
- rec. 15-16 Dec 1999. DDD
HYPERION HELIOS CDH55137 [48.48] [RB]
Svetlanov
in resounding and resplendent form with the best Russian sounding orchestra
outside Russia. ... see Full Review
Nikolay RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844-1908)
May
Night - opera in three acts - Levko, Konstantin Lissovsky (ten);
Hanna, Liudmilla Sapyeghina (sop); the Sister-in-law, Anna Matiushina
(m.sop); The Governor, Aleksej Krivchenko (bass); Kalanik, Ivan Budrin
(bar); Distiller, Yury Yelnikov (ten) - Grand Choir of the USSR Radio
and TV Tchaikovsky Symphony
Orchestra of Moscow Radio/Vladimir Fedoseyev - No recording dates or
venues given but believed to be 1983 Silver Edition
RELIEF CR 991044 [2CDs: 60.35+67.16] [RJF]
Some
splendid singing. We are fortunate that the performance and recording
allow the listener to enjoy its atmosphere and compositional pleasures
to the full. … see Full Review
Nicolai
RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844-1908)
Scheherazade,
Op.35, Symphonic Suite after The Thousand and One Nights (1888)
* Alexander BORODIN (1833-1887)
orch. Alexander Glazunov (1865-1936) and
Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov Polovtsian
Dances (from Prince Igor, Act II) †
Steven Staryk (vn.) (*) Beecham Choral Society (Chorus Master: Denis
Vaughan) (†) Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Thomas Beecham
Rec. at Kingsway Hall. London 17-19 & 28/3/1957 (*), No. 1 Studio,
Abbey Road, London 10/11/1956 (†) Great Recordings of the Century
series EMI CLASSSICS
CDM 5 66983 2 [58'07] [PSe]
A
"Great Recording of the Century" that is a good enough, but
not a great recording - but tweak your treble control, and you will
enjoy some great performances. … see Full
Review
Joaquín
RODRIGO (1901-1999)
Concierto
para una fiesta (1982) [29.03] - Concierto Madrigal (1966)
[32.34] Ricardo Gallén,
Joaquín Clerch – guitars - Asturias Symphony Orchestra conducted
by Maximiano Valdés - rec 2-4 October 2001, Auditorio Principe
Felipe, Oviedo, Asturias DDD - Complete Orchestral Works Vol. 5
NAXOS 8.555842 [61.38] [PW]
A
knack for finding just the right early music to resonate with his more
romantic treatments … see Full Review
Joaquín
RODRIGO (1901-1999)
Concierto
para una fiesta (1982) [29.03] - Concierto Madrigal (1966)
[32.34] Ricardo Gallén,
Joaquín Clerch – guitars - Asturias Symphony Orchestra conducted
by Maximiano Valdés - rec 2-4 October 2001, Auditorio Principe
Felipe, Oviedo, Asturias DDD - Complete Orchestral Works Vol. 5
NAXOS 8.555842 [61.38] [PW]
A
knack for finding just the right early music to resonate with his more
romantic treatments … see Full Review
Joaquin
RODRIGO (1901-1999) The Rodrigo Edition Concierto
Serenata for harp and orchestra (1952) [22.47] Concierto Pastoral
for flute and orchestra (1978) [25.06] Concierto Heroico for
piano and orchestra (1939) [30.28] Concierto Madrigal for two
guitars and orchestra (1967) [33.40] Concierto de Estio for violin
and orchestra (1943) [20.32] Concierto de Aranjuez for guitar
and orchestra (1939) [21.08] Concierto Andaluz for four guitars
and orchestra (1967) [26.01] Concierto en Modo Galante for cello
and orchestra (1949) [25.42] Fantasia para un Gentilhombre for
guitar and orchestra (1954) [20.15] Per la flor del lliri blau (El
lirio azul) (1934) [20.00] Musica para un jardín (1957)
[11.16] A la busca del Más allá (1976) [13.53]
Zarabanda lejana y villancico (1926, 1928, 1930) [9.22] Cinco
piezas infantiles (1924) [12.31] Soleriana (1953) [9.34]
Nancy Allen (harp) Lisa Hansen (flute) Jorge Federico Osorio (piano)
Agustin Léon Ara (violin) Robert Cohen (cello) Alfonso Moreno
(guitar) (Madrigal; Aranjuez; Andaluz; Fantasia)
Minerva Gáribay (guitar) (Andaluz) Cecilia López
(guitar) (Andaluz) Jesús Ruiz (guitar) (Andaluz)
Deborah Mariotti (guitar) (Madrigal)
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Enrique Bátiz London Symphony
Orchestra/Enrique Bátiz Orquesta Sinf'onica del Estado de Mexico/Enrique
Bátiz rec. Feb 1980, Sala Nezahualcoyotl, Mexico City; Aug 1981,
Watford Town Hall; December 1984, Watford Town Hall; Jan 1985, St Barnabas
Church, Woodside Park, London DDD
EMI CLASSICS CZS 7 67435 2 [4CDs: 79.01+75.48+72.24+77.21]
[RB]
EMI
Classics Rodrigo Edition packed with delights and surprises. ... see
Full Review
Joseph-Guy ROPARTZ (1864-1955)
La
Chasse du Prince Arthur (1912) [12.38] Quatre Odelettes for
soprano and orchestra (Henri de Régnier) (1913) [16.23] La
Cloche des Morts (1887) [7.24] Quatre Poèmes for baritone
and orchestra (Heinrich Heine) (1899) [15.04] Soir Sur Les Chaumes
(1913) [14.34]
Cécile Perrin (sop) Vincent Le Texier (bar) Orchestre Philharmonique
du Luxembourg/Emmanuel Krivine rec. Conservatoire Luxembourg, Oct 2002,
DDD Timpani 1C1073
[61.01] [RB]
Satisfyingly
closes Ropartz loopholes in convinced and convincing style. I hanker
now for Symphonies 4 and 5 and can only hope that Timpani will not let
us down. ... see Full Review
Ned ROREM
(b.1923) Symphony
No. 1 (1950) [22.11] Symphony No. 2 (1956) [22.20] Symphony No. 3 (1958)
[24.19] Bournemouth
Symphony Orchestra/José Serebrier rec. The Lighthouse, Poole,
8-9 Jan 2003 NAXOS
AMERICAN CLASSICS 8.559149 [69.22] [RB]
Nostalgia,
joyously athletic and a certain tenderness of expression without dissonance
... always rife with the flavour of originality. ... see
Full Review
Gioachino
ROSSINI
(1792–1868) The
Thieving Magpie - Melodrama in two acts - (1817)
Fabrizio Vingradito, a rich farmer…Jeremy White (bass) - Lucia, his
wife…Susan Bickley (mezzo-soprano) - Giannetto, their son, a soldier…Barry
Banks (tenor) - Ninetta, a servant in their house…Majella Cullagh (soprano)
- Fernando Villabella, Ninetta’s father, a soldier…Russell Smythe (baritone)
- Gottardo, the village mayor…Christopher Purves (baritone) - Pippo,
a young peasant in Fabrizio’s service…Nerys Jones (mezzo-soprano) -
Isaaco, a pedlar…John Graham-Hall (tenor) - With Stuart Kale, Toby Stafford-Allen,
Nicholas Garrett, Darren Jeffery, Philip Tebb, Daniel Slater and Prunella
Scales - Geoffrey Mitchell Choir - Philharmonia Orchestra/David Parry
- Recorded at Blackheath Halls, London: 21-23, 27-28 September 2002.
DDD CHANDOS OPERA
IN ENGLISH CHAN 3097 (2) [2CDs: 79.58+71.04] [RMK]
A
seriously good recording. Do not hesitate. … see Full
Review
Nino
ROTA
(1911-1979) Suite
from the Ballet La Strada (1966): Nozze in campagna
– È arrivato Zampanò; I tre suonatori e il ‘Matto’ sul
filo; Il Circo (II numero di Zampanò) – I giocolieri – Il violino
del ‘Matto’; La rabbia di Zampanò; Zampanò uccide il ‘Matto’
– Gelsomina impazzisce di dolore; L’ultima spettacolo sulla neve – ‘Addio
Gelsomina’ - Intermezzo; Solitudine e pianto di Zampanò (with
Salvatore Grecco (violin) and Salvatore Piazza (trumpet)) - Sinfonia
sopra una canzone d’amore (Symphony on a love song) (1947) -
Two waltzes from Il Gattopardo (The Leopard) (1962)
Orchestra Sinfonica del Teatro Massimo di PalermoMarzio Conti - recorded
at the Teatro Massimo, Palermo, Italy; 19-21 July 2002
CHANDOS CHAN 10090 [64:04] [IL]
A
wonderful album of Nino Rota’s music straddling the worlds of the concert
hall, the ballet stage and the silver screen. … 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]