Arnold
SCHÖNBERG (1874-1951)
Verklärte
Nacht, Op.4 (1899/1943) [26:23]
Richard STRAUSS
(1864-1949)
Metamorphosen for 23 solo strings (1945)
[26:05] 
Streicherakademie Bozen/Accademia d’Archi
Bolzano/ Frieder Bernius Rec. Grand Hotel,
Toblach, Italy (Gustav-Mahler-Saal), July
1999/July 2001. DDD
CARUS 83.198 [52:39] [AN]
An
exciting recording. Powerful climaxes and
wonderful palette of dynamics anchored in
a rich and wholesome sonority. … see Full
Review
Franz SCHUBERT
(1792
- 1828) Goethe Lieder, Vol 2.
Ruth Ziesak (soprano) Christian Elsner
(tenor) Ulrich Eisenlohr (piano) Recorded
at Radiosudio, Zurich, 15th, 16th
July 2002, 31st October, 1st
November 2002 Deutsche Schubert-Lied-Edition
13 - Goethe Lieder, Vol 2.
NAXOS 8.554666 [69.16] [RH]
An
attractively programmed recital, but Ruth
Ziesak is perhaps a little disappointing …
see Full Review
Robert
SCHUMANN (1810-1856)
Piano
Quintet in E flat major, Op. 44 (1842) * Piano
Quartet in E flat major, Op. 47 (1842)
Antonio De Secondi, 2nd Violin
* Michelangelo Piano Quartet Recorded in Florence,
Italy, August – September 2000
CHANDOS/CHACONNE CHAN 0698 [57:52] [DS]
My
best recommendation is to acquire the Amon
Ra disc … listen to idiomatic performances
of two exceptional works. Burnett and company
will take you into Schumann’s parlor … see
Full
Review
Harold
SHAPERO
(b 1920) Serenade
in D for String Quintet (1945 for String Orchestra,
arr. Quintet, 1999) String Quartet (1941)
String Trio (1937)
Lydian String Quartet in the Quartet Lydian
String Quartet with Edwin Barker double bass)
in the Quintet Daniel Stepner (violin), Mary
Ruth Ray (viola) and Rhonda Rider of the Lydian
String Quartet in the Trio Recorded Slosberg
Auditorium, Brandeis University, Waltham,
Massachusetts between 2000 and 2002
NEW WORLD RECORDS 80569-2 [67.58] [JW]
The
performances are spirited, colourful and rhythmically
acute … technically splendid … early works
by an unfairly neglected composer of unquestionable
status. … see Full Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975)
Piano
Concerto No. 1 in C minor Op. 35 (1933) [22.14]
Piano Concerto No. 2 in F major Op. 102 (1957)
[19.16] Rodion SHCHEDRIN
(b.1932) Piano Concerto No. 2 (1966) [21.26]
Marc-André Hamelin (piano) BBC Scottish
Symphony Orchestra/Andrew Litton Rec. Caird
Hall, Dundee, 31 Mar - 1 Apr 2003. DDD
HYPERION CDA67425 [63.13] [RB]
An
outright recommendation for this CD. Record
of Year standing. Bitter and remorseless Shchedrin
and the populist Shostakovich … see Full
Review
Dimitri
SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975)
Symphony
No. 8 in C minor, Op. 65 (1943) [60’26].
Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra of Moscow Radio/Vladimir
Fedoseyev. Rec. Live recording, venue unspecified,
from 1999. [DDD]
RELIEF CR991056 [60’20]. [CC]
Worth
having as a supplement to the Eighths already
extant in one’s collection, possibly. … see
Full
Review
Padre Antonio
SOLER
(1729-1783) Keyboard Sonatas
Elena Riu, piano Recorded in the Wathen
Hall, St. Paul’s School, London on 29-30 March
2002 DDD
ENSAYO ENY-CD 9818 [66:38] [KS]
A
nice alternative to harpsichord performances
of this music … Lovely music splendidly played.
Recommended. … see Full
Review
Kaikhosru
Shapurji SORABJI (1892-1988)
Michael Habermann plays Sorabji: The Legendary
Works for Piano Volume
One: Early Works [55:34] Two Piano Pieces:
In the Hothouse (1918) [6:05], Toccata
(1920) [3:33] Fantaisie Espagnole (1919)
[15':13] Valse Fantaisie: Hommage à
Johann Strauss (1925) [15:22] Pastiche:
Hindu Merchant's Song (Rimsky-Korsakov)
(1922) [4:05] Pastiche: Habanera from
Bizet's Carmen (1922) [4:38] Pastiche:
Chopin's Valse, Op. 64, No. 1 (1922)
[4:13] Michael HABERMANN
(b.1950): A la manière
de Sorabji: "Au clair de la lune" (August
1972) [1:50] Volume Two: Nocturnes [71:00]
Le jardin parfumé - Poem for
Piano (1923) [19:05] Nocturne: Djâmî
(1928) [22:12] Gulistan (The Rose Garden)
- Nocturne for Piano (1940) [29:32] Volume
Three: Assertive Works [71:16] Introito
and Preludio-Corale from Opus
Clavicembalisticum (1929-1930) [13:15]
Prelude, Interlude and Fugue (1920-22)
[3:13, 5:44, 6:03] Fragment for Harold
Rutland (1926, rev. 1937) [2:47] Fantasiettina
sul nome illustre dell'egregio porta Christopher
Grieve ossia Hugh M'Diarmid (Tiny Little Fantasy
on the Illustrious Name of the Distinguished
Poet Christopher Grieve, i.e. Hugh M'Diarmid)
(1961) [2:37] "Quære reliqua
hujus materiei inter secretiora" ("Seek the
rest of this matter among the things that
are more secret") [1940] [16:49] St.
Bertrand de Comminges: "He was laughing in
the tower" (1941) [20:20]
Michael Habermann (piano)
Recordings made 1980-1995 (ADD/DDD)
BRITISH MUSIC SOCIETY BMS427-429CD [55.34+71.00+71.16]
[RB]
Anyone
with even a passing interest in the sultry,
enigmatic and sensual music of Sorabji needs
to have this set. … a most thoroughly engrossing
anthology... see
Full Review [RB]
Habermann’s
staunch advocacy of this most fascinating
yet elusive of composers, as in the case of
the BIS disc, is of interest not only to pianomaniacs
but also to the general music lover [CC]...
see
Full Review
Charles Villiers
STANFORD (1852-1924)
Anthems and Services
Morning Service in C, op. 115 : Te deum [8:08]
Benedictus [5:17] Three Latin Motets: Justorum
Anime [3:21] Coelos ascendit hodie [2:05]
Beati quorum via [3:33] Evening Service in
C, op 115 : Magnificat [5:09] Nunc dimittis
[3:23] Communion Service in C, op. 115: Kyrie
[1:53] Credo [5:08] Sanctus [1:36] Benedictus
[1:47] Agnus dei [2:33] Gloria [3:19] Prelude
in g minor for organ [3:21] Evening Service
in G, op.81: Magnificat [4:44] Nunc dimittis
[4:21] Postlude in d minor for organ [4:44]
For lo, I raise up, op. 145 [7:24]
Choir of St. John’s College, Cambridge,
Christopher Robinson, conductor Christopher
Whitton, organ Recorded 12-13 July 2002 in
St. John’s College Chapel, Cambridge DDD
NAXOS 8.55794 [71:09] [KS]
A
clarity and purity of tone that is a delight
to hear, never shrill or over-produced. …
see Full Review
Johann
STRAUSS Senior
(1804-1849)Johann Strauss
1 Edition: Vol. III Es
ist nur ein Wien! (Walzer), op.22, Josephstädter-Tänze,
op.23, Hietzinger Reunion (Walzer), op.24,
Frohsinn im Gebirge (Walzer), op.26, Hirten-Galoppe,
op.28, Wettrennen-Galoppe, op.29ª, Wilhelm
Tell-Galoppe, op.29b, Sperls-Feswalzer, op.30,
Des Verfassers beste Laune, op.31, Einzugs-Galopp,
op.35, 3 Ungarische Galoppe oder Frischka,
op.36, Sperl-Galopp, op.42, Contredanses,
Oeuvre 44
Slovak Sinfonietta Žilina/Ernst Märzendorfer
Recorded 21st-26th June 2002 at the Fatra
Concert Hall, Žilina
MARCO POLO 8.225253 [54:14] [CH]
Summary:
This series began modestly but Vol. 3 is made
essential both by Strauss I’s burgeoning lyricism
and by the expert conducting of Märzendorfer....
see Full Review
Richard STRAUSS
(1864-1949) Arabella
- opera in three acts (1932) Ashley
Putnam … Arabella; John Bröcheler … Mandryka;
Gianna Rolandi … Zdenka; Regina Sarfaty …
Adelaide; Artur Korn … Count Waldner; Keith
Lewis … Matteo; Gwendolyn Bradley … Die Fiakermilli
;London Philharmonic Orchestra/Bernard Haitink
Recorded at the 1984 Glyndebourne Festival
Opera Season 
NVC
ARTS/WARNER MUSIC 0630-16912-2 [154mins]
[IL]
A
most satisfying production with Putnam well
cast in the title role supported by a fine
Zdenka in Gianna Rolandi. … see Full
Review
Mieczyslaw SURZYNSKI
(1866-1924) Organ
Concerto Op. 35 Improvisation for Organ Op.
36 Improvisation on the Polish sacred song
O Holy God Op. 38 Organ Sonata in D
minor Op. 34
Jerzy Dziubinski (organ) Polish Radio Symphony
Orchestra/Jacek Rogala rec. Hillebrand Organ,
Lutheran Holy Trinity Church, Warsaw, Sept
1999, March 2001. DDD
DUX 0360 [54.27] [RB]
Kurzynski
proves himself a Gallic-inclined songsmith
for the organ ... see Full
Review
Warsaw Philharmonic Archive David Oistrakh
Karol
SZYMANOWSKI (1882-1937)
Violin
Concerto No. 1 Op. 35 (1916) Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897) Violin Concerto
in D major Op. 77 (1878)
David Oistrakh (violin) Warsaw Philharmonic
Orchestra Karol Stryja (Szymanowski) recorded
live November 1961 Witold Rowicki (Brahms)
recorded live October 1969
CD ACCORD ACD 118-2 [61.22] [JW]
Big
tone and colossal vibrancy … exceptional ability
to think in narrative terms … see
Full Review
Pawel SZYMANSKI
(b.1954) Partita
III (1985-86) [16.16] Lux aeterna (1984)
[9.28] Partita IV (1986) [14.34] Two
Studies for Piano (1993) [13.39] Miserere
(1993) [16.34]
Szabolcs Esztenyi (piano) (Two Studies)
Elzbieta Chojnacka (harpsichord) (Partita
III) Bornus Consort (Miserere)
Camerata Silesia (Lux aeterna) Polish
Radio National Symphony Orchestra (Partita
III; IV) cond. Marek Pijarowski
(Partita III) cond. Antoni Wit (Partita
IV) rec. Katowice, Feb 1992 (Partita
III); Feb 1992 (Partita IV); June
1992 (Two Studies); May 1994 (Lux
aeterna); June 1993 (Miserere)
world premiere recordings
CD ACCORD ACD 038-2 [71.03] [RB]
Extraordinary
... don't miss Partita III and Lux Aeterna.
Much more to be heard from Szymanski. ...
see Full Review
Giuseppe TARTINI
(1692-1770) Five Violin
Concertos Concerto
for violin and strings in D major, D.15 Concerto
for violin and strings in G major, D.78 Concerto
for violin and strings in B flat major, D.123
Concerto for violin and strings in G major,
D.80 Concerto for violin and strings in A
minor, D.115
Gordan Nikolitch (violin) Orchestre d’Auvergne/Arie
van Beek rec. Eglise de Saint-Saturnin, Puy-de-Dome,
France, 1996. DDD Previously released material
REGIS RECORDS RRC 1157 [76:09] [MC]
Attractive
and polished … extremely acceptable. … frankly
jaw-droppingly inexpensive … see Full
Review
Boris TCHAIKOVSKY
(1925-1996)
Chamber
Symphony (1967) [20.11] Signs of the
Zodiac - cantata for soprano, harpsichord
and strings (1974) [23.55] Four Preludes
for chamber orchestra (1984) [12.23] Clarinet
Concerto (1957) [12.29]
Margarita Miroshnikova (sop) Grigory Korchmar
(harpsichord) Adil Feodorov (clarinet) St
Petersburg Chamber Orchestra/Edward Serov
rec. Capella Concert Hall, St Petersburg,
1985 (Symphony, Preludes, Concerto); 1978
(Zodiac) DDD
NORTHERN FLOWERS NF/PMA 9918 [68.59]
[RB]
Merits
the attention of serious collectors. Do not
miss the Clarinet Concerto. Both the song
cycle and the Sinfonietta immediately proclaim
an original and rewarding voice. ... see Full
Review
Boris TCHAIKOVSKY (1925-1996)
Symphonietta
for string orchestra (1953) [20.56] Theme
and Eight Variations (1984) [17.21] Mikhail
KOLLONTAI (b.1952) Viola Concerto
(1980) [35.05]
Yuri Bashmet (viola) (Kollontai) Tchaikovsky
Symphony Orchestra of Moscow Radio/Vladimir
Fedoseyev rec. 1983 (Kollontai), 1986 (Tchaikovsky),
Feb 1978 (Boris Tchaikovsky) ADD Recordings
from Russian State Foundation of Radio
and Television
RELIEF CR991064[72.36] [RB]
Will
satisfy the curiosity of those wanting to
chart the progress of Soviet orchestral music.
Both the Kollontai and the Boris Tchaikovsky
Sinfonietta make an immediate and attractive
impression. ... see Full
Review
Pyotr Ilyich
TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1896)
1.
Symphony No 5 in E minor, Op. 64 (1888) [44’31"]
2. Duet from Romeo and Juliet [11’42"]
The Queen of Spades (excerpts) 3. Arioso
of the Countess [6’19"] 4. Herman’s scene
[5’51"] 5. Final Scene [3’05"]
Marina Meshcheriakova (soprano) (2) Irina
Christyakova (mezzo-soprano) (3) Vitaly Tarashchenko
(tenor) (2,4 & 5) Tchaikovsky Symphony
Orchestra of Moscow Radio/Vladimir Fedoseyev
Live recordings: (1): 4 October 1998; (2):
December 1998; (3-5): 24 May 1999 in the Great
Hall of Moscow Conservatoire RELIEF
CR 991051 [71’37"] [JQ]
Plenty
of Russian soul here as well as a graceful
lilt. … see Full
Review
Georg Philipp
TELEMANN (1681-1767)
Quartet
No. 7 in D major Quartet No. 8 in A minor
Quartet No. 3 in A major Quartet in E minor
Hortus Musicus: Andres Mustonen (violin
and artistic director); Neeme Punder (flute);
Peeter Klaas (viola da gamba); Tarmo Toom
(cello); Imbi Tarum (harpsichord) Recorded
at Linnahall Studio, Tallinn, Estonia in 1992
DDD
WARNER APEX 2564 60636-2 [52:20] [MC]
Telemann
lovers are being offered a real bargain here.
I have no hesitation in recommending this
release especially at super budget price.
… see Full
Review
Loris TJEKNAVORIAN (b.1937)
Symphony
No. 1 Op. 20 Requiem for the Massacred
(1975) [27.31] Symphony No. 2 Op. 28 Credo
(1980) [22.06]
Armenian Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra/composer
(1) Helsinki Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra/composer
(2) rec. Athens, 1988 (1); Helsinki, 1980
(2)
LORIS TJEKNAVORIAN RECORDS no number
[49.37] [RB]
Two
powerfully tragic 20th century symphonies
- facets of a reaction to the same genocide
... see Full
Review
Armenian
String Music
- From Classic to Modern Alexander
HAROUTUNIAN (b.1920)
Sinfonietta for Strings (1966) Loris
TJEKNAVORIAN (b.1937) Serenade
Lake Van Suite (1960?) Edvard
MIRZOYAN (b.1921) arr. Loris
TJEKNAVORIAN String Quartet -
Theme and Variations (1947) Loris
TJEKNAVORIAN (b.1937) Erebouni
Sinfonietta for twelve solo strings (1968)
Armenian String Virtuosi/Loris Tjeknavorian
Rec. 2002. DDD
LORIS TJEKNAVORIAN RECORDS LTR 2002 [68.54]
[RB]
For
connoisseurs of string music a disc to set
beside Barbirolli’s Introduction and Allegro
and Marriner’s Corelli Fantasia … see
Full Review
Henri
TOMASI (1901-1971)
Four Concertos Violin
Concerto Périple d'Ulysse (1963)
[22.44] Flute Concerto Printemps (1966)
[20.56] Guitar Concerto À la mémoire
d'un poète assassiné, F.G. Lorca
(1969) [24.54] Ballade écossaise
for harp, string orchestra and wind trio
(1966) [11.02] Devy Erlih (violin) Orchestre
National de France/Georges Tzipine rec. 7
Jan 1964, Maison de la Radio, Paris (violin
concerto) Marielle Nordmann (harp) Orchestre
de Chambre des solistes de Marseille/Reynald
Giovanetti rec. 23 Feb 1985, Salle des Saltimbanques
(La Timone), Marseille (Ballade)
Jean-Pierre Rampal (flute) Orchestre de
Chambre de l'ORTF/André Girard rec.
10 Mar 1966, Maison de la Radio, Paris (Flute
Concerto) Alexandre Lagoya (guitar) Orchestre
Symphonique de Radio Zagreb/Jean Périsson
rec. 7 Apr 1969, Zagreb (Guitar Concerto)
LYRINX LYR 227 [80.00] [RB]
I
would want as many people as possible to hear
this music ... from the finest imaginative
cloth ... see Full
Review
Peteris
VASKS (b.1946)
Cello
Concerto (1993-94) [31.51] String Symphony
- Voices (Balsis) (1991) [28.46]
David Geringas (cello) Riga Philharmonic Orchestra/Jonas
Aleksa rec. Riga Recording Studio, Riga, Latvia,
8-12 Dec 1995 DDD
CONIFER CLASSICS 75605 51271 2 [61.48]
[RB]
Music
that sings and calls amid an icily unwelcoming
world. ... see Full
Review
Peteris VASKS
(b.1946)
Cantabile
for string orchestra (1979) [8.19] Cor
Anglais Concerto (1989) [20.01] Message
for string orchestra, percussion and two
pianos (1982) [14.57] Musica Dolorosa for
string orchestra (1983) [12.38] Lauda (1986)
[20.27]
Riga Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Krišs
Rusmanis rec. Riga, Latvia, 24-27 May 1994.
DDD
CONIFER CLASSICS CDCF 236 - 75605 51236 2
[76.43] [RB]
Dark
hued, unusually tense. ... whispering violin
lines … strangely exultant ... see Full
Review
Peteris
VASKS (b.1946)
String
Quartets; No. 1 (revised version) (1977-1997)
[15.33]; No. 2 Summer Tunes; No.3 (1995)
[25.02];
Miami String Quartet rec. Purchase College,
NY City, 211-23 May 1998. DDD
CONIFER CLASSICS 75605 51334 2 [66.25]
[RB]
A
sometimes astringent world view that seems
almost religious - the religion of open spaces,
solitude and nature ... see Full
Review
Peteris VASKS
(b.1946) String
Quartet No. 4 (1999) [32. 10]
Kronos Quartet. rec. DDD
WARNER NONESUCH 7559-79695-2 [32.10] [RB]
In
a world fraught with tragedy this meditation
and its healingly consolatory songs are not
to be missed … benison and transcendence.
… see Full Review
Peteris VASKS
(b.1946) Landscape
with Birds (1980) [8.22] Fantasia -
Landscape of a burnt-out earth (1992)
[17.03] Episodi e canto perpetuo - Hommage
a O. Messiaen (1985) [26.45] Music
for a Deceased Friend (1981) [10.17] Book
(1978) [13.48]
Dita Krenberga (flute) Landscape Inara
Zandmane (piano) Fantasia Latvian Philharmonic
Trio Episodi e canto perpetuo Riga
Wind Quintet Music for a Deceased Friend
Kristine Blaumane (cello) Book rec.
Riga Recording Studio, Riga, Latvia, 8-12
Dec 1995. DDD
CONIFER CLASSICS 75605 51272 2 [76.40]
[RB]
Angry
impacts and an introspective reflection that
does not comfort. ... see Full
Review
Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS
(1872-1958) Fantasia
on a Theme by Thomas Tallis (1910)* Norfolk
Rhapsody no.1 (1906)** The Lark Ascending
(1914)† In the Fen Country (1909,
rev.1935)†† On Wenlock Edge (1909,
orch. version f.p. 1924)‡
Sarah Chang (violin), Ian Bostridge (tenor)
London Philharmonic/Bernard Haitink Recorded
in No.1 Studio, Abbey Rd., London, *8-9th
October 1986, **†17-18th December
1994, and ††‡The Colosseum, Watford, 13-14
December 1997.
EMI CLASSICS 7243 5 85151 2 1
[77:10] [GPJ]
Fine
though much of the rest of the disc is, On
Wenlock Edge, delivered by one of the world’s
finest lyric tenors, are undoubtedly worth
the price all on their own. … see Full
Review
Giuseppe
VERDI
(1813-1901) Aida
(1871).
Renata Tebaldi (soprano) Aida; Mario del Monaco
(tenor) Radamès; Ebe Stignani (mezzo)
Amneris; Aldo Protti (baritone) Amonasro;
Fernando Corena (bass) King; Dario Caselli
(bass) Ramfis; Piero de Palma (tenor) Messenger;
Chorus and Orchestra of the Accademia di Santa
Cecilia, Rome/Alberto Erede. Rec. Rome in
August 1952. ADD
NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110129/30 [144’33:
67’52 + 76’41] [CC]
An
important reissue. Now that it has been made
available at super-budget price, there really
is no excuse for not buying it. … see
Full Review
Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901)
An
Introduction to...Il Trovatore
Background: Italy's history in the
19th century, Verdi's popularity, The operas,
Rigoletto, La traviata Il Trovatore, Genesis
of Il Trovatore, Principal characters and
the story so far, The gypsy woman, Leonora's
entrance aria, The role of Inez, Count di
Luna and his place as Manrico's rival Act
II: the gypsies' encampment; Azucena's 'Stride
la vampa!' Azucena continues her story , Who
is Manrico? At the convent, Act II finale
Act III: Di Luna's soldiers, Manrico: 'Ah!
S! ben mio'; 'Di quella pira' Act IV: Leonora's
'D'amor sull' ali rosee' , Leonora and Di
Luna , Azucena and Manrico share a prison
cell, Conclusion
Narrative written by Thomson Smillie and spoken
by David Timson Musical extracts taken from
complete Naxos recording (8.660023-24) conducted
by Pier Giorgio Morandi Superbuget Price
NAXOS EDUCATIONAL 8.558079 [79.18]
If
my previous reviews have converted the reader
to this series, do not let my minor criticisms
deter from the purchase of this issue. This
disc will greatly help anybody new to the
work. It is one of Verdi’s most tuneful operas
from that glorious middle period. … see Full
Review
Heitor VILLA-LOBOS
(1887-1959)
Suite
Floral (1917-1918) [7:47] Ciclo Brasileiro
(1936) [21:34] Brinquedo de Roda (1912) [11:41]
Danças Características Africanas
(1915) [11:32] Tristorosa (1910) [4:51] Chόros
No. 1 “Tνpico" (1920) [4:59] Chόros
No. 2 (ca 1920) [2:45] Chόros No. 5 “Alma
Brasileira”(1925) 
Sonia Rubinsky, piano Recorded in Grace
Church on the Hill, Toronto, Canada, 19-23
September 2000 DDD Piano Music, Volume 3
NAXOS 8.555286 [70:05] [KS]
Without
fail, this disc meets one of the crucial demands
of a series: it makes one want to go immediately
to seek out the other volumes. … see Full
Review
Antonio VIVALDI
(1678-1741)
Complete Bassoon Concertos Volume 1
Concerto in C major for bassoon, strings and
basso continuo, RV 476, Concerto in F major
for bassoon, strings and basso continuo, RV
487, Concerto in C major for bassoon, strings
and basso continuo, RV 471, Concerto in A
minor for bassoon, strings and basso continuo,
RV 498, Concerto in C minor for bassoon, strings
and basso continuo, RV 480, Concerto in B
flat major for bassoon, strings and basso
continuo, RV 503, Concerto in G major for
bassoon, strings and basso continuo, RV 493
Tamas Benkocs (Bassoon) Nicolaus Esterhazy
Sinfonia/Bela Drahos Recorded at the Phoenix
Studio, Budapest, Hungary, 3-7 March 2002.
DDD
NAXOS 8.555937 [61:32] [MC]
Wins
convincingly on virtuosity, style and character
and augurs well for the later volumes … see
Full Review
Wladimir VOGEL (1896
– 1984) Vier
Etüden für Orchester (1930/2) Tripartita
(1934) Preludio – Interludio lirico – Postludio
(1954)
Sinfonieorchester Basel/Israel Yinon Recorded:
Casino Basel Musiksaal, October 2001
REALSOUND RS 051-0037 [79:52] [HC]
Committed
playing, hard-to-resist conviction, excellent
recording … musically satisfying … see Full
Review
John Ward (ca.
1589 - 1638) Upon a Bank
with Roses / Consort Music
Rose Consort of Viols Recorded in April
1998 at Forde Abbey DDD
CPO 999 928-2 [71:38] [PB]
Strange
and beautiful seventeenth century music, exquisitely
played by this excellent ensemble ... see
Full Review
Matthias WECKMANN
(1616?-1674)
‘Sacred Works’ Zion
spricht: Der Herr hat mich verlassen [09:18]
Wenn der Herr die Gefangenen zu Zion erlösen
wird [10:16] Gegrüßet seist du,
Holdselige [05:56] Herr, wenn ich nur dich
habe [06:00] Wie liegt die Stadt so wüste
[14:51] Der Tod ist verschlungen in den Sieg
[03:54] Freue dich des Weibes deiner Jugend
[02:27] Weine nicht, es hat überwunden
der Löwe [13:25]
Himlische Cantorey: Veronika Winter,
Hedwig Voss (soprano), Henning Voss (alto),
Jan Kobow, Henning Kaiser (tenor), Ralf Grobe
(bass), Elisabeth Schwanda, Katrin Krauß
(recorder), Ulla Bundies, Anette Sichelschmidt,
Fiona Stevens (violin), Hille Perl, Friederike
Heumann, Frauke Hess (viola da gamba), Irmelin
Heiseke (viola da gamba, violone), Michael
Freimuth (theorbo), Jörg Jacobi, Alexander
Weimann (organ) Recorded in June 2002 in the
Rolf-Liebermann-Studio, Hamburg, Germany DDD
CPO 999 944-2 [67:36] [JV]
Sacred
music of one of Germany’s most theatrical
composers of the 17th century in a slightly
disappointing performance ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Mieczyslaw
WEINBERG
(Moise VAINBERG)
(1919-1996) Symphony
No. 5 Op. 76 (1962) [45.32] Sinfonietta No.
1 Op. 41 (1948) [22.08]
National Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra,
Katowice/Gabriel Chmura rec. Grzegorz Fitelberg
Concert Hall, Katowice, Poland, 3-7 March
2003. DDD
CHANDOS CHAN 10128 [67.51] [RB]
A
classic entry. Don't miss it if you have a
taste for tragic symphonic statements. ...
see Full
Review
Charles WILLIAMS
(1893-1978) Light
Music for Films, Radio, TV: Devil’s
Galop (Dick Barton, Special Agent);
Jealous Lover (The Apartment)*;
The Dream of Olwen (While I Live)*;
High Adventure (Friday Night is Music
Night); Model Railway; Young
Ballerina (The Potter’s Wheel);
The Bells of St Clements; Cutty Sark;
Nursery Clock; The Night Has Eyes;
Starlings; The Voice of London;
The Music Lesson*; Girls in Grey (TV
Newsreel); The Humming Top;
Destruction By Fire; The Old Clockmaker
(Jennings at School); Little
Tyrolean; Throughout the Years;
Blue Devils; Rhythm on the Rails;
Sally Tries the Ballet; Cross Country;
London Fair
* Roderick Elms (piano) BBC Concert
Orchestra/Barry Wordsworth
WHITE LINE - BBC RADIO 3 - SANCTUARY CLASSICS
CD WHL 2151 [75:01] [IL]
One
of the best albums of light music I have heard
for years. A nostalgic wallow - wonderful,
memorable tunes. First class performances
and sound. … see Full
Review
Alexander
ZEMLINSKY
(1871-1942) Die
Seejungfrau - fantasy for orchestra
(1902-03) Symphony in D minor (1892-93)
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra/Antony Beaumont
Recorded in the Dvořák Hall of the Rudolfinum,
Prague in March 2003
CHANDOS CHAN 10138 [70:35] [IL]
The
second Chandos recording of the richly romantic
Die Seejungfrau … although powerful enough,
I prefer the original 1997 recording, the
more relaxed, more poetic, yet exciting view
of Dausgaard … see Full
Review
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