ALPHABETICAL LISTING
 

Giovanni Martino CESARE (c1590-1667) Musicali Melodie per voci et instrumenti (1621) La Vittoria [03:37] Beata es Virgo [02:31] Jubilate Deo [03:34] Salve Regina [02:29] La Fenice [03:02] La Bavara [02:46] La Monachina [02:25] Isti sunt duae olivae [02:00] Sancta Maria [02:18] Veni sponsa Christi [02:08] La Ioannina [02:45] La Massimiliana [02:21] La Augustana [02:48] O Domine Jesu Christe [02:16] Cantate Dominum [02:26] Gabriel Angelus [02:00] La Foccarina [03:41] La Hieronyma [01:57] La Giorgina [03:28] O Domine Jesu Christe [02:36] Domine Exaudi [02:23] Laudate pueri [01:55] Assumpta est Maria [02:09] La Gioia [03:03] La Famosa [01:56] La Constanza [03:27] Ecco [02:46] Benedicam Dominum [03:15] Guillemette Laurens, Marie-Claude Vallin (soprano), Jean-Louis Comoretto, Jean-Yves Guerry (alto), John Elwes, Bruno Boterf (tenor), Bernard Fabre-Garrus, Yves Berge (bass)
Les Saqueboutiers de Toulouse: Jean-Pierre Canihac, Philippe Matharel (cornet), Daniel Lassalle Bernard Foutet (trombone), Jan Willem Jansen (harpsichord, organ) with: Jean Tubéry, Marie Garnier-Marzullo (cornet), Stefan Legree, Nicolas Valade (trombone), Brigit Täubl, Gunar Letzbor (violin), Lorenz Duftschmid (viola da gamba, violone), Christine Pluhar (harp), Charles-Edouard Fantin (chitarrone, theorbo) Recorded in January 1996 in the Chapelle des Carmélites, Toulouse, France DDD ACCORD 476 064-2 [76:22] [JV]

An interesting collection of typical early-17th century Italian vocal and instrumental music – but the performance is rather lacklustre ... see Full Review

Henri CHRISTINÉ (1867-1941) Phi-Phi operetta (1918) (complete, with dialogue in French) Max de Rieux (bar) Phi-Phi; Colette Riedinger (sop) Mme Phidias; Mireille (sop); Aspasie; Bernard Alvi (ten) Ardimédon Orchestra conducted by Edouard Bervilly Rec. Universal (France) Studios, Antony, France, 1956 2 CDs for the price of one DISCOVERY/ACCORD OPERETTE SERIES 465 886-2 [99:44] [RW]

Bounces along … a sparkling spectacle … superbly expressive playing … see Full Review

Aaron COPLAND (1900-1990) Fanfare for the Common Man (1942) Philadelphia Orchestra/Eugene Ormandy - recorded 1963 Rodeo: Three Dance Episodes (1942) Cleveland Pops Orchestra/Louis Lane - recorded 1958 An Outdoor Overture (1938) Cleveland Pops Orchestra/Louis Lane - recorded 1961 The Red Pony; Suite for Orchestra (1948) St Louis Symphony Orchestra/André Previn - recorded 1963 A Lincoln Portrait (1942) Adlai Stevenson (narrator) Philadelphia Orchestra/Eugene Ormandy - recorded 1962 SONY CLASSICAL SBK62401 [64.23] [JW]

If over the years you’ve missed any of these attractive readings here’s a fine and inexpensive way of adding them to your doubtless overburdened shelves. … see Full Review

Frederick DELIUS (1862-1934) On the Mountains - Symphonic Poem (1890-92) [15.50] Seven Songs from the Norwegian (1889-90) [19.10] Paa Vidderne - Melodrama (1888) [43.25] Edvard GRIEG (1843-1907) arr. DELIUS Norwegian Bridal Procession (1888) [3.24] Jan Lund (ten) Peter Hall (narrator) Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra/Douglas Bostock rec. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, 3-7 Aug 2000. DDD CLASSICO CLASSCD 364 [79.52] [RB]

A strong, generous, valuable and substantial collection. Has its own compelling logic. Enthusiasts of impressionistic late-romanticism will have to add this disc to their shelves. ... see Full Review

Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797 – 1848) Don Pasquale - dramma buffo in three acts Norina…Eva Mei (soprano) Don Pasquale…Alessandro Corbelli (bass) Ernesto…Antonino Siragusa (tenor) Dottor Malatesta…Roberto de Candia (baritone) Un Notaro…Giorgio Gatti (bass) Chorus of the Teatro Lirico–Cagliari/Paolo Vero Orchestra of the Teatro Lirico–Cagliari/Gérard Korsten Recorded at the Teatro Lirico, Cagliari, February 2002. TDK CDM-OPDP [75.43+42.12] [RM]

A good recording. The DVD format may well overcome the weaker points of this CD version. … see Full Review

Marguerite Long plays Fauré Gabriel FAURÉ (1845-1924) Piano Quartet No. 2 in G minor Op. 45 (?1885-86) Jacques Thibaud (violin), Maurice Vieux (viola) and Pierre Fournier (cello) Ballade Op. 19 (1881) Société des Concerts/Philippe Gaubert Impromptu No. 2 in F minor Op. 31 (1883) Impromptu No. 5 in F sharp minor Op. 102 (1909) Barcarolle No. 6 in E flat Op. 70 (1896) Nocturne No. 4 in E flat Op. 36 (1884) Nocturne No. 6 in D flat Op. 63 (1894) Les Berceux Op. 23 No. 1 Ninon Vallin (soprano) Marguerite Long (piano) with musicians as noted above Recorded Paris, 1930-40 BIDDULPH LHW 035 [70.52] [JW]

An admirable selection of Long’s work and though I find her uneven and problematic she deserves a place on the shelves of anyone devoted to Fauré’s piano music. … see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH George GERSHWIN (1898-1937) Rhapsody in Blue (1924) [15:25] Piano Concerto in F major (1925) [31:50] An American in Paris (1928) [18:00] Gabriel Tacchino, piano Francis Le Manger, banjo Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo/Lawrence Foster Rec. performance date and location unlisted DDD WARNER APEX 2564 60818-2 [65:38] [PG]

May well be superior recordings of each piece but as a whole it would be difficult to best this album. Very highly recommended. … see Full Review

Alberto GINASTERA (1916 – 1983) Obertura para el ‘Fausto’ criollo Op.9 (1943) Pampeana No.3 Op.24 (1954) Dances from Estancia Op.8a (1942) Glosses sobre temes de Pau Casals Op.48 (1977) Berliner Symphoniker/Gabriel Castagna Recorded: Siemens-Villa, Berlin, April 1994 CHANDOS CHAN 10152 [65:46] [HC]

Fine, committed and brightly recorded performances … see Full Review

Alexander GLAZUNOV (1865-1936) Piano Transcriptions Concert Waltz for Orchestra No. 1 Op. 47 (1893) transcribed Felix Blumenfeld The Seasons (1900) transcribed by Alexander Glazunov Per Tengstrand (piano) Recorded Pro Piano Hall, June 2002 PRO PIANO PPR224537 [47.38] [JW]

In Tengstrand we may just have the makings of a real talent. … see Full Review

Alexander GOEHR (b.1934) Orchestral Works CD 1 [41.18] Metamorphosis/Dance; Romanza for cello and orchestra Moray Welsh (cello) Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra/David Atherton Rec. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, June 1981 CD2 [72.13] … a musical offering ( J.S.B.1985); ‘Behold the Sun’ Op. 44a (1981) for coloratura soprano and orchestra; Lyric Pieces Op. 35 (1974); Sinfonia Op. 42 (1980) Jeanine Thomas (soprano) London Sinfonietta/Oliver Knussen Rec. All Saints Church, Petersham, February/March 1990 NMC D095[2CDs: 41.18+72.13] [GH]

If you have an inquiring mind and a willingness to open it out to an underrated composer of our times then you should look out for this set. … see Full Review

Henri GOUBLIER, son (1888-1951) La Cocarde de Mimi Piston (The flag of Mimi Piston) (1915) Operetta (complete, abridged; with dialogue in French) Liliane Berton (sop) Marie-Louise; Peter Gottlieb (ten) Jean; Max de Rieux (ten) La Mazette; Simone Silva (sop) Zoe. Robert Benedetti, director Rec. Universal Music Studios, Antony, France 1963 2 CD set DISCOVERY/ACCORD OPERETTE series 461 964-2 [86:41] [RW]

A cast lyric sinbgers in excellent voice and evidently with good acting skills to boot. … see Full Review

H.K. GRUBER (b.1943) Cello Concerto (1989) [23’10] Zeitfluren (Timescapes) (2001) [23’12] Manhattan Broadcasts (1962-64) [10’00] Robert Cohen (cello) Swedish Chamber Orchestra/H.K.Gruber Recorded in Orebro Concert Hall, Sweden, Feb-March 2002 BIS CD-1341 [57’46] [TH]

Recordings excellent … performances could hardly be bettered. Well worth investigating. … see Full Review

Andreas HAMMERSCHMIDT (1611/12-1675) ‘Sacred Works’ Herr unser Herrscher (1662) [05:35] Anima mea liquefacta est (1649) [03:34] Ein jegliches hat seine Zeit (1662) [04:59] O Domine, quia ego servus tuus sum (1649) [03:23] Herr, ich habe lieb die Stätte deines Hauses (1662) [04:26] Christ lag in Todesbanden (1662) [07:12] Nun danket alle Gott (1662) [04:24] Wenn der Herr die Gefangenen (1649) [04:22] Paratum cor meum (1649) [03:12] Da pacem Domine (1649) [03:37] Nun lob mein Seel den Herren (1662) [04:53] De profundis clamavi (1649) [04:04] Inter brachia Salvatoris mei (1649) [03:47] Herzlich lieb hab ich dich (1662) [05:39] Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ (1662) [04:12] Vom Himmel hoch (1662) [07:45] Weser-Renaissance: Susanne Rydén, Nele Gramß (soprano), Rald Popken (alto), Harry van Berne (tenor), Harry van der Kamp (bass), Veronika Skuplik, Andreas Preuß (violin), Elfriede Stahmer (viola), Barbara Messmer (viola da gamba), Jenny Westman (viola da gamba, violone), William Wroth, Geerten Rooze (trumpet), Cas Gevers, Yuji Fujimoto, Manfred Cordes, Ina Starke (trombone), Thomas Ihlenfeldt (chitarrone), Jörg Jacobi (organ) Dir: Manfred Cordes
Recorded in September and October 2001 in the Bartholomäuskirche, Blankenburg, Germany DDD CPO 999 846-2 [75:06] [JV]

This recording is devoted to a lesser known German composer of the mid-17th century – well worth exploring ... see Full Review

George Frideric HANDEL (1685 – 1759) Complete Chamber Music, Volume 1 – Flute Sonatas Flute Sonata, Opus 1 No. 1a in E minor, Hallenser Sonata No. 1 in A minor, Hallenser Sonata No. 2 in E minor, Hallenser Sonata No. 3 in B minor, Sonata in D major (HWV 378) Flute Sonata, Opus 1 No. 4 in G major, Flute Sonata, Opus 1 No. 9 in B minor, Flute Sonata, Opus 1 No. 1b in E minor L’Ecole d’Orphée Stephen Preston (flute) Susan Sheppard (cello) John Toll (harpsichord) Lucy Carolan (harpsichord) Recorded 1991 BRILLIANT CLASSICS 99777-35 [74.22] George Frideric HANDEL (1685 – 1759) – Complete Chamber Music, Volume 2 –Violin Sonatas, Oboe Sonatas: Violin Sonata in A major, Violin Sonata in G minor, Oboe Sonata in B flat major,
Violin Sonata in D minor, Oboe Sonata in C minor, Violin movement in A minor, Violin Movement in Cm minor, Oboe Sonata in F major, Violin Sonata in D major L’Ecole d’Orphée John Holloway (violin) David Reichenberg (oboe) Susan Sheppard (cello) Lucy Carolan (harpsichord) Recorded 1991 BRILLIANT CLASSICS 99777-36 [57.42] George Frideric HANDEL (1685 – 1759) – Complete Chamber Music, Volume 3 – Trio Sonatas Opus 2 ;John Holloway (violin) Micaela Comberti (violin) Stephen Preston (flute) Philip Pickett (recorder) Susan Sheppard (cello) Robert Woolley (harpsichord) John Toll (harpsichord)
Recorded 1991 BRILLIANT CLASSICS 99777-37 [60.21] George Frideric HANDEL (1685 – 1759) – Complete Chamber Music, Volume 4 – Trio Sonatas Opus 5 John Holloway (violin) Micaela Comberti (violin) Susan Sheppard (cello) John Toll (harpsichord)
Lucy Carolan (harpsichord) Recorded 1991 BRILLIANT CLASSICS 99777-38 [70.18]
George Frideric HANDEL (1685 – 1759) – Complete Chamber Music, Volume 5 – Trio Sonatas for 2 Violins and basso continuo John Holloway (violin) Micaela Comberti (violin) Alison Bury (violin) Susan Sheppard (cello) Lucy Carolan (harpsichord) Robert Woolley (harpsichord) Recorded 1991 BRILLIANT CLASSICS 99777-39 [65.41] George Frideric HANDEL (1685 – 1759) – Complete Chamber Music, Volume 6 – Recorder Sonatas Philip Pickett (recorder) Rachel Beckett (recorder) Susan Sheppard (cello) Lucy Carolan (harpsichord) Recorded 1991 BRILLIANT CLASSICS 99777-40 [66.52] [RH]

A welcome re-issue of a set of discs that are essential listening for anyone interested in Handel’s music. … see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Georg Frideric HANDEL (1685 -1759)
Handel Oxford Water Music Oxford Water Music Suite in F, (HWV 348, arr. T. Theo) (1719) [7.11] Oxford Water Music Suite in g, (HWV 350, arr. T. Theo) (1719) [3.58] Oxford Water Music Suite in D, (HWV 349, arr. T. Theo) (1719) [3.22] Trio Sonata Op. 5, #4 in G, HWV 399 (1739) [13.16] Trio Sonata Op. 2, #3 in Bb, HWV 388 (1730) [10.48] Jean-Marie LECLAIRE "L’Aîné" (1697 - 1764) Première Recréation de Musique Op. 6 in D (1737) [23.46] Arcangelo CORELLI (1653 - 1713) Trio Sonata Op. 2 #12, Ciaconna (1685) [3.36] Trio Sonata Op. 1 #7 in C (1681) [4.50] Francesco Xaviero GEMINIANI (1687 - 1762) Sonata V in a (1714) [6.15] The Brook Street Band: [Pitch: a’ = 415 Hz ] Marianna Szücs, Katalin Kertész, vv; Hanna McLaughlin, oboe, recorder; Tatty Theo, vc; Carolyn Gibley, harpsichord and chamber organ. Recorded at the church in Raveningham, Norfolk, England, 4 April 2002, and at St. Mary-at-Hill, London, England, 24 November 2002
Notes in English, Français, and Deutsch. Photo of the artists. www.Avierecords.com AVIE AV0028 [77.39] [PSh]

One of the finest baroque concert disks in decades. No matter how many recordings of this music you may already have, if you buy one Baroque music disk this year, let it be this one ... see Full Review

George Frideric HANDEL (1685 - 1759) Messiah: Oratorio for soloists, chorus and orchestra HWV 56 Susan Roberts, soprano Liliana Bizineche-Eisinger, mezzo-soprano Algirdas Janutas, tenor Benno Schollum, bass-baritone Sigitas Petrulis, trumpet Kaunas State Choir Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra/Yehudi Menuhin Recorded live at Kloster Eberbach in 1996 by courtesy of the Rheingau Music Festival on the occasion of the 80^th birthday of Lord Menuhin WARNER APEX 2564 60819-2 [2CDs 70.33 + 61.29] [BK]

It is worth having for the orchestral playing, for the singing by the choir and women soloists, and for the splendid playing by trumpeter Sigitas Petrulis … see Full Review

John HAWKINS (b.1949) Voices from the Sea (1985) [20.10] Variations for Piano [11.52] Waiting - Tango for viola and double bass [4.10] Brief Encounters for flute and viola [5.15] Worlds Apart for double bass and piano [9.33] Shadows for viola, double bass and piano [3.20] Disturbed Nights for oboe [6.18] Gestures (1998) for two violas [4.48] Quietus for string trio [4.26] Martyn Hill (ten) Divertimenti/Antony Pay Kathron Sturrock (piano) Paul Silverthorne (viola) Duncan McTier (double bass) Nancy Ruffer (flute) Yuko Inouë (viola) Christopher O'Neal (oboe) Siân Philips (violin) Gemma Rosefield (cello) rec. St. John's Smith Square, London, DDD. Voices from the Sea recorded live in April 1985 MERIDIAN CDE 84496 [70.34] [CT][HC]

John Hawkins’ music is distinguished by its innate sense of sincerity and craftsmanship.[CT]
Sincere, honest and impeccably written … accessible, communicative … likely to appeal to larger audiences. Well worth looking for. [HC]… see Full Review

Franz Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Piano Trios Complete Edition Volume 5 Trio in D, Hob. XV:24 (1794) [12.17] Trio in G, Hob. XV:25 (1794) [14.27] Trio in f#, Hob. XV:26 (1794) [17.41] Trio in eb, Hob. XV:31 (1795) [12.54] Trio in G, Hob. XV:32 (1792) [16.44] Trio 1790: Annette Wehnert, violin; Mercedes Ruiz, violoncello; Harold Hoeren, fortepiano by Derek Adlam, 1978, after Matthäus Heilmann, 1790 Recorded in the Sendesaal des Deutschland Radio Köln, March 16, 2001 Notes in Deutsch, English, and Français. Portrait of the Artists. CPO 999 828-2 [74.44] [PSh]

A superb introduction to the Haydn Piano Trios and a worthy instalment in what may be the best current complete set ... see Full Review

Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) String Quartets Opus 54 (1788): No. 1 in G major; No. 2 in C major; No. 3 in E major Quatuor Ysaÿe Rec 7-9 March 2003, Abbaye de l’Épau AEON AECD 0313 [58.55] [TB]

Performances blessed with wit and vitality … see Full Review

Paul HINDEMITH (1895 - 1963) Organ Concerto No. 2 (1962) [28.39] Recorded November 1969, location not given. Sonata #1 for organ (1937) [17.57] Sonata #2 for organ (1937) [11.47] Sonata #3 for organ (1940) [10.25] Anton Heiller, organ Austrian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Milan Horvat, conductor Elisabeth Ullmann, Flentrop organ. Recorded at the Brucknerhaus, Linz, Austria, 13 July 1979 ADD Notes in English, Français, Deutsch WARNER CLASSICS APEX 2564 60227-2 [69.19] [PSh]

Excellent performances and recordings of early and late Hindemith masterpieces ... see Full Review

Hans HUBER (1852-1921) Piano Concerto No. 1 in C minor (1878) [33.14] Piano Concerto No. 3 in D major (1899) [29.07] Dan Franklin Smith (piano) Stuttgart Philharmoniker/Mikhail Jurowski rec. 21-25 July 2003, Philharmonie, Gustav-Siegle-Haus, Stuttgart, Germany. DDD world premiere recordings STERLING CDS-1056-2 [62.21] [RB]

The magically performed and honestly recorded Third Concerto ... an example of profundity and sincerity in the silver-plated realms of the romantic concerto. ... see Full Review

RECORD OF THE MONTH Leoš JANÁČEK (1854-1928) Glagolitic Mass (1926 rev. 1929) [39.59] Taras Bulba - Rhapsody for Orchestra (1915-18) [22.21] Libuše Domanínská (sop) Věra Soukoupová (alto) Beno Blachut (ten) Eduard Haken (bass) Jaroslav Vodrážka (organ) Prague Philharmonic Choir/Josef Veselka Czech Philharmonic Orchestra/Karel Ančerl rec. 16-20 Apr 1963 (Glagolitic Mass); 22-24 May 1961 (Taras), Dvořák Hall, Rudolfinum, Prague. ADD Karel Ančerl Gold Edition Vol. 7 SUPRAPHON SU3667-2 911 [62.34] [RB]

Resplendent digital remasterings of these classics of the gramophone. Czech fervour meets high quality audio. ... see Full Review

Leos JANÁČEK (1854-1928) Nine Male Choruses Ach vojna, vojna, Coz ta nase briza, Klekanica, Rozlouceni, Ceska legie, Potulny silence, Kantor Halfar, Marycka Magdonova, Sedmdesat tisic, Rikadla (Nursery Rhymes) Moravian Teachers’ Choir/Antonin Tucapsky (May 1969) - Male Choruses Alfred Holecek, piano, Czech Philharmonic Chorus and Orchestra/ Jan Kuhn (January and February 1957) – Rikadla SOMM CD 201 [60’02] [JW]

Splendid … an unalloyed pleasure except for the omission of the texts of four of the songs … see Full Review

Miloslav KABELAC (1908-1979) Mystery of Time - Passacaglia for Large Orchestra Op. 31 (1953-57) [23.39] Hamlet Improvisation for Large Orchestra Op. 46 (1962-63) [14.38] Jan HANUŠ (b.1915) Symphony Concertante for organ, harp, timpani and strings Op. 31 (1953-54) [22.10] Jiri Reinerger (organ) Bedrich Dobrodinsky (harp) Robert Mach (timpani) Czech Philharmonic Orchestra/Karel Ančerl rec. Dvorak Hall, Rudolfinum, Prague, 22-24 June 1960 (Mystery); 25 Apr 1966 (Hamlet); 29 Dec 1957, 20-21 Jan 1958 (Hanus). ADD SUPRAPHON SU 3671-2 011 [60.46] [RB]

Though hardly avant-garde three challenging works from the Czech 1950s and 1960s - an essential perspective ... see Full Review

Mieczysław KARŁOWICZ (1876-1909) The complete symphonic poems CD1 [61.57] Returning Waves (1904) [25.15] Eternal Songs (1907) [25.44] A Sorrowful Tale - Preludes to Eternity (1908) [10.57] CD2 [68.29] Lithuanian Rhapsody (1906) [20.17] Stanislav and Anna Oswieczin (1912) [22.33] Episode during a Masquerade (1908-9) [25.37] Silesian State PO/Jerzi Salwarowski rec Katowice, 8 Dec 1981, 11-13 June 1983. recorded with financial assistance from Ministerswa Kultury i Sztuki DUX 0132-33 [61.57+68.29] [JW]

Powerfully impressive performances of works that need and get a strong and idiomatic conductor to mediate their often baleful curve. One can listen with pleasure and with confidence. … see Full Review

Wojciech KILAR (b.1932) Koscielec (1976) [15.51] Piano Concerto (1997) [25.35] Bogurodzica (1975) [10.38] Exodus (1981) [23.55] Waldemar Malicki (piano) Warsaw Philharmonic National Choir of Poland/Henryk Wojnarowski Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra/Antoni Wit rec. live, Warsaw Philharmonic Concert Hall, 11 Oct 2002. with applause. DDD CD ACCORD ACD 120-2 [78.16] [RB]

An extremely generous collection showcasing Kilar's brilliantly surfaced and accessible music ... see Full Review

Herman D. KOPPEL (1908-1998) Symphony No. 3 Op. 39 (1944-45) [29.12] Symphony No. 4 Op. 42 (1946) [34.49] Aalborg Symphony Orchestra/Moshe Atzmon
rec. 13-15 June, 6 Oct 2001 (3); 22-26 Aug 2000 (4) Symphony Hall, Aalborg, Danmarks Radio Orchestral Works vol. 3 DACAPO 8.226016 [64.21] [RB]

Exceptionally high production, technical and artistic values ... two symphonies exploring Nordic angst and portents ... see Full Review

Rued LANGGAARD (1893-1952) Aubade (Morgenständchen) BVN23 (1907) [6.09] Violin Sonata No. 3 BVN312 (1945-49) [22.00] Short Violin Sonata BVN372 (1949) [3.28] Violin Sonata No. 4 Parce Nobis Jesu! BVN376 (1949) [23.56] Ecrasé l'Infâme BVN385 (1949) [5.47] Andante Religioso BVN407 (1950) [4.46] Serguei Azizian (violin) Anne Øland (piano) rec. Lyngby Parkkapel; Danmarks Radio, Studio 2, Denmark, 6-9 Sept 2001, 22 Sept 2002. DDD in co-operation with Royal Danish Academy of Music. Violin Sonatas - Vol. 2 DACAPO 8.226006 [66.05] [RB]

Anyone who relishes the Delius Violin Concerto and can imagine the style leavened by Schumann, Franck and early Fauré must get this very fine disc. ... see Full Review

Antonio LOTTI (1667 - 1740) Mass in g minor ‘Missa Sapientiae’ [29:31] Johann Sebastian BACH (1685 - 1750) Magnificat in E flat (BWV 243a) [32:06] Balthasar-Neuman-Chor Balthasar-Neumann-Ensemble/Thomas Hengelbrock Recorded in November 2000 (Bach) and October 2002 (Lotti) in the Evangelische Kirche, Gönningen, Germany DDD DEUTSCHE HARMONIA MUNDI 05472 77534 2 [61:40] [JV]

Very expressive performances of two masterpieces ... see Full Review

Witold LUTOSŁAWSKI (1913-1994) Dance Preludes for clarinet and orchestra (1954-9) Double Concerto (1980) Grave: Metamorphoses (1981) Chain I (1983) Two Children’s Songs (1948) Six Children’s Songs (1959) Zbigniew Kaleta (clarinet), Arkadiusz Krupa oboe), Nicolas Talliez (harp), Rafael Kwiatkowski (cello), Urszula Kryger (soprano) Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra/Antoni Wit Rec. Jan-Apr 2001, Fitelberg Concert Hall, Katowice NAXOS 8.555763 [57.34] [TB]

Recorded sound is more than acceptable, while the performances are vital and committed. … see Full Review

Witold LUTOSŁAWSKI (1913-1994) Overture for Strings (1949) [5.20] Funeral Music for string orchestra (1958) [13.34] Jeux Vénitiens (1961) [13.14] Partita for violin and orchestra (1984-88) [16.03] Interludium (1989) [6.54] Krzysztof Jakowicz (violin) Krystyna Borunczinska (piano) Sinfonia Varsovia/Wojiech Michniewski rec. Polish Radio Studio S1, Warsaw, 1991-92. DDD CD ACCORD ACD 029 [55.39] [RB]

Performances that are dedicated and extremely well sustained.... see Full Review

Witold LUTOSŁAWSKI (1913-1994) Piano Concerto (1988) [24.52] Symphony No. 3 (1983) [30.28] Ewa Pobłocka (piano) Polish Radio National Symphony Orchestra/Witold Lutosławski rec. 28-30 Jan 1992, Katowice. DDD CD ACCORD ACD 015 [55.22] [RB]

Two major late works - the completely successful Piano Concerto and the not fully resolved Third Symphony ... see Full Review