André CAPLET (1878-1925)
Mélodies - Le Vieux Coffret - Viens! Une Flute Invisible
- La Croix Douloureuse - Détresse - Ecoute - Trois Fables
de La Fontaine - Cinq Ballades Françaises
Lionel Peintre (bar) - Alain Jacquon (piano) - Etienne Plasman (flute)
- rec Luxembourg, Villa Louvigny 18-20 Sept 2000
TIMPANI 1C1058 [62.32] [RB]
A
significant songster at ease on the limb established by Debussy and
nurtured by Poulenc. ... see Full Review
Cornelius
CARDEW (1936-1981) The
Great Learning: Paragraph 2 (Jan 1969) [21.45]; Paragraph
7 (Apr 1969) [20.30] - David BEDFORD
(b.1937) Two poems for chorus on words by Kenneth Patchen
(1966) [4.21+8.30] The
Scratch Orchestra/Cornelius Cardew (Cardew) - Chor des Norddeutschen
Rundfunks Hamburg/Helmut Franz (Bedford) - Rec 1969-1970
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 471 572-2 [51.77] [RB]
Two
doyens of the 1960s British avant-garde ... see Full
Review
Frederic CHOPIN
(1810-1849)
Piano
Concerto No 1 in E minor Op 11 (1830) - Piano Concerto No 2 in F minor
Op 21 (1829) Joyce Hatto
(piano) - The Philharmonia Orchestra of Warsaw/René Köhler
- Recorded in Watford Town Hall October 1994
CONCERT ARTIST/FIDELIO CACD 9082-2 [72.19] [JW]
Poetic
and enjoyable, full of fluency, deftness, musical understanding. … see
Full Review
Frédéric CHOPIN
(1810-1849) Nocturnes
in C sharp minor, E minor (Op.72/1) andC minor (Op.48/1) Ballades in
G minor (Op.23) & F (Op.38) Waltz in A minor, Op.34/2 Prelude in
E minor, Op.28/4 Andante spianato and Grande Polonaise, Op.22 * # Mazurka
in A minor, Op.17/4 ** Wojciech KILAR (born
1932) Moving to the Ghetto Oct.31, 1940 # Music
from and inspired by the Film The Pianist
Janusz Olejniczak (piano) Wladislaw Szpilman (piano) ** Hanna Wolczedska
(clarinet) # Warsaw Philharmonic National Orchestra of Poland/Tadeusz
Strugala * # Recorded 1948, 1991, 1994, 2001, 2002
SONY SK 87739 [58’30"] [CA]
A
CD for the hunter of film souvenirs. … see Full
Review
Francesco CILEA (1866-1950)
Adriana
Lecouvreur (1902) Carla Gavazzi (Adriana Lecouvreur, soprano), Giacinto
Prandelli (Maurizio, tenor), Miti Truccato Pace (La Principessa di Bouillon,
mezzo-soprano), Saturno Meletti (Michonnet, baritone), Plinio Clabassi
(Il Principe di Bouillon, bass), Aldo Bertocci (L’Abate di Chazeuil),
Pasquale Lombardo (Quinault), Tommaso Soley (Poisson), Loretta di Lelio
(Mad.lla Jouvenot), Jone Farolfi (Mad.lla Dangeville)
Orchestra Lirica e Coro di Milano della RAI/Alfredo Simonetto Recorded
July 1951, Milan CETRA
OPERA COLLECTION - WARNER FONIT 8573 87480-2 [2 CDs: 66:34+58:49]
[CH]
A
practically faultless cast under a masterly conductor and a recording
that is remarkably good for its age amount to a version with some claims
to be first choice. … see Full Review
Viola
Sonatas Rebecca CLARKE (1886-1979)
Viola
Sonata (1919) Henri VIEUXTEMPS (1820-1881)
Viola Sonata in B flat Op 36 (1863) Georges
ENESCU (1881-1955) Konzertstück (1906)
Barbara Westphal (viola) Jeffrey Swann (piano) Recorded 2001
BRIDGE 9109 [56.21] [JW]
This
is a useful recital that dispenses with the chronological running order
… see Full Review
Samuel COLERIDGE-TAYLOR (1875-1912)
Scenes
from 'The Song of Hiawatha' by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow - a trilogy
of secular cantatas (1900) [119.15]: 1. Hiawatha's Wedding Feast
[35.50] 2. The Death of Minnehaha [36.01] 3. Hiawatha's
Departure [48.26] Symphonic Variations on an African Air (1899)
[20.15] Helen
Field (sop) Arthur Davies (ten) Bryn Terfel (bar) Chorus of Welsh National
Opera Orchestra of Welsh National Opera/Kenneth Alwyn (Hiawatha) Royal
Liverpool PO/Grant Llewellyn (Variations) rec. Brangwyn Hall, Swansea,
Jan 1990 (Hiawatha); Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, Sept 1991 (Variations).
DDD DECCA The British
Music Collection 473 431-2 [71.15+68.41] [RB]
A
smoothly skilled choral conformity in Hiawatha paired with a true mastery
of orchestral resource in the Variations ... see Full
Review
Frederick Shepherd CONVERSE
(1871-1940)The
Mystic Trumpeter (1904) [20:30]Flivver Ten Million: A Joyous
Epic Inspired by the Familiar Legend "The Ten Millionth Ford is Now
Serving Its Owner." (1927) [12:08]Endymion's Narrative (1901)
[20:33] Buffalo
PO/JoAnn Falletta Rec. 19-21 Feb 2001, Kleinhans Music Hall, Buffalo,
New York, USA. DDD
NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS 8.559116 [53.13] [RB]
Snap
up this substantial and indulgent sample of Tchaikovskian-Gallic late-romantic
Americana. ... see Full Review
Aaron
COPLAND (1900-1990) Three
Latin American Sketches: Estribillo (1971) Paisaje Mexicano,
Danza de Jalisco (1959); Quiet City (1940) - Concerto for
Clarinet and Orchestra (1947) - Appalachian Spring (Original chamber
version) (1944) - Paula Engerer, english horn, Scott Moore, trumpet,
Laura Arden, clarinet
The Nashville Chamber Orchestra/Paul Gambill - Recorded at Austin Peay
State University, Clarkesville, TN, 27th March and 12-13th
November 2001 DDD NAXOS
8.559069 [62:47] [KS]
Recorded
sound is near perfect with a warm reverberant acoustic and an excellent
balance between the instruments and between soloists and the orchestra
... see Full Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH John CORIGLIANO
(b. 1938) Symphony No. 1 (1989)
Stephen Hough (piano) John Sharp (cello) Chicago Symphony Orchestra/Daniel
Barenboim Recorded at Orchestra Hall, Chicago, 15-17 March 1990
WARNER CLASSICS ELATUS 0927-49011-2 DDD [40:41] [CT]
A
powerful reading of a disturbing yet hugely rewarding work. Strongly
recommended … see Full Review
Frederick DELIUS
(1862-1934) A
Village Romeo and Juliet (1901) [104.42] - Fabian Smith (bar)
- Manzes (ten) - Sali; Vera Terry (sop) - Vreli; Gordon Clinton (bar)
- The Dark Fiddler; Donald Munro (bar) - First Peasant, Merry-go-Round
Man, Bargeman; Scott Joynt (bar) - Second Peasant, Bargeman; Sylvia
Patriss (sop) - Woman 1, Wheel of Fortune Woman; Gwladys Garside (mz)
- Women 2 and 3, Cheap Jewellery Woman, The Wild Girl; Marion Davies
(sop) - Gingerbread Woman, Slim Girl ; Lloyd Strauss-Smith (ten) - Showman,
Poor Horn Player, Bargeman; Philip Hattey (bass-bar) - Hunch-Backed
bass-fiddler; Herbert Dawson (organ); Norman Del Mar (repetiteur) -
BBC Theatre Chorus/RPO/Beecham - Songs of Sunset (1932) [29.14]
- Olga Haley (sop); Roy Henderson (bar) - London Select Choir
LPO/Beecham - rec: Maida Vale Studios, BBC Third Programme, 23 Apr 1948
(Village Romeo and Juliet); from rehearsal takes, Leeds Town
Hall, Leeds Festival, 4 Oct 1934 (Songs of Sunset) mono ADD
SOMM RECORDINGS SOMM-BEECHAM 12-2 [CD1: 70.22+ CD2: 72.15]
[RB]
A
self-recommending historic recording in which the passion of a radio
studio performance compares very well with Beecham's commercial effort
for EMI ... see Full Review
Frederick DELIUS
(1862-1934)
The EMI Beecham orchestral recordings 1927-1938 on Naxos Historical
- Three Volumes -
AAD - Three CDs at special price in a single card slip-case. Each available
separately. Full listings at foot of review
NAXOS 8.503148 [61.11+62.42+66.12] [RB]
Though
some may quibble about the sound this inexpensive trio is a rewarding
casement opened onto a performing tradition portrayed as the 'one true
way' ... see Full Review
Frederick
DELIUS (1862-1934)
Florida
Suite (1899) [34.49] - Over the Hills and Far Away (1898)
[12.54] - Songs of Sunset (1928) [31.03] - Maureen Forrester
(alto) - John Cameron (ten) - Beecham Choral Society
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Thomas Beecham - rec. No. 1 Studio, Abbey
Road, 10, 19, 21-22 Nov, 4 Dec 1956, 1-2 Apr 1957. ADD Stereo
EMI CLASSICS 5 75788 2 [77.37] [RB]
Classic
Beecham-Delius in stereo. ... see Full
Review
Frederick DELIUS (1862-1934)
The Beecham Collection - The Delius Volumes (8 and 10) A
Mass of Life - Prelude to Part II, No. 3 [4.30] An Arabesk [11.16]
Songs of Sunset [22.36+2.20] Songs (1): Whither; The
Violet; I-Brasil; Klein Venevil [9.09] Songs (2):
Le Ciel est par-dessus le toit; The Violet; Irmelin
Rose; Twilight Fancies; Cradle Song; Nightingale.
[16.39] Roy Henderson
(bar), London Select Choir (Arabesk) Olga Haley (sop), Roy Henderson
(bar), London Select Choir (Sunset, all except last song) Nancy
Evans (sop), Redvers Llewellyn (bar), BBC Chorus (Sunset,
last song) Dora Labette (songs (1) (2)) London Philharmonic Orchestra
(Mass; Arabesk; Sunset; Songs (1)); Royal Philharmonic
Orchestra (Sunset - They Are Not Long); Beecham (piano), (Songs
(2)). Sir Thomas Beecham (conductor) rec 11 Feb 1938, Studio No. 1,
Abbey Rd, London (Mass, Songs (1)); 3 Oct 1934, Leeds Festival
(Arabesk); 4 Oct 1934, Leeds Festival (Sunset - all except
last song); 10 July, 24 June, 1929, Large Studio, Petty France (Songs
(2)). mono ADD SOMM-BEECHAM
8 [73.40]
Brigg Fair [14.43] On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring
[6.28] The Walk to the Paradise Garden [7.22] Sea Drift
[22.33] North Country Sketches: Autumn; Winter
Landscape [6.48+3.52] A Song Before Sunrise [4.51] A Dance
Rhapsody No. [7.23]
Symphony Orchestra (Brigg); Orch of Royal Phil Soc (Cuckoo,
Paradise); Dennis Noble (bar), Manchester Beecham Opera Chorus,
London SO (Sea Drift); London Philharmonic Orchestra (Sketches,
Sunrise, Rhapsody). Sir Thomas Beecham (conductor) 11
Dec 1928, 10 July 1929, Portman Rooms, London (Brigg); 19 Dec
1927, Fyvie Hall, London (Cuckoo); 19-20 Dec 1927, Fyvie Hall,
London (Walk); 11 Nov 1928, Portman Rooms, London (Sea Drift
*); HMV no dates, locations (Sketches, Sunrise *); 16
Oct 1945, EMI Studio 1, Abbey Rd, London (Rhapsody *). * previously
unissued rec mono ADD
SOMM-BEECHAM 10 [74.45]
Beecham's
authoritative sense of plastic flow triumphs in these delicate blooms
... see Full Review
David DIAMOND
(b.1915) The String Quartets - Volume 2: String
Quartet No. 2 (1943-44) [19.49] - String Quartet No. 9 (1965-68) [16.13]
- String Quartet No. 10 (1966) [17.38]
Potomac String Quartet - rec. St Luke's Church, McLean, Virginia, USA,
Oct 2001, Mar 2001 DDD
ALBANY RECORDS TROY 540 [53.55] [RB]
Scorchingly
committed performances and recording of these monuments of twentieth
century music-making ... well up to exalted standards ... see Full
Review
Concertos for Guitar Duo
Carlo DOMENICONI (b. 1947) Concerto
Meditteraneo, Op. 67 (1993) ą Harald GENZMER
(b. 1909) Concerto in G (1989)˛
Dale Kavanagh, Thomas Kirchhoff (Amadeus Guitar Duo), guitars Philharmonisches
Staatsorchester Halleą Marc Piollet, conductorą Amati Ensemble München˛
Residenzquintett München˛ Attila Balogh, conductor˛ Recorded June
1994ą and May 1996˛ (venues not stated).
HÄNSSLER CLASSIC 98.347 [57.10] [NH]
A
must buy for the Domeniconi and you will also be pleasantly surprised
by Genzmer … See Full Review.
Paul DUKAS (1865-1935)
Piano Sonata in E flat minor (1900) [33.40] - Variations, Interlude
et Finale (1902) [24.02] - Prélude Elégiaque (1908)
[4.26] - La Plainte au Loin du faune (1920) [4.41] -
Jean Hubeau (piano) - rec Salle Adyar, Paris, Nov 1987
WARNER APEX 0927 48996-2 [70.23] [RB]
Robust
and of great tensile strength. ... subtle and imaginative. A fascinating
disc. ... see Full Review
Antonín
DVORÁK (1843-1904)
Eight
Slavonic Dances Op.46 (1878) - Eight Slavonic Dances Op.72
(1886) Czech Philharmonic
Orchestra/Václav Neumann - Recorded circa 1972 (no venue details
given) ADD Super-budget
WARNER APEX 0927-48999-2 [75’29] [TH]
Adrenalin
where required, grace and elegance … see Full
Review
Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841-1904)
Piano
Trio No. 1 in B flat major, Op.21 Piano Trio No. 2 in G minor, Op.26
Guarneri Trio Prague
Recorded at the Domovina Studio, Prague, 18-19 December, 1996
SUPRAPHON 11 1462-2 131 [60.00] [TH]
The
players respond with a buoyancy and lilt that is infectious. … see Full
Review
Antonín DVOŘÁK
(1841-1904) Stabat
Mater, op. 58 Eva
Jenisová (soprano), Hana Štolfová-Bandová (contralto). Vladimir Doležal
(tenor). Jiří Sulženko (bass) Czech Philharmonic Chorus of Brno
Brno State Philharmonic Orchestra/Leoš Svárovský Rec.
Live, 23.3.1996, Stadion Studio, Brno
SUPRAPHON SU 3181-2232 [2 CDs: 45’47"+39’14"] [CH]
A
heartfelt performance which you will not regret buying. … see Full
Review
Antonín DVORÁK (1841-1904)
The
Spectre's Bride, B135/Op. 69 (1884).
Eva Urbanová (soprano) The Giral; Ludovít Ludha (tenor)
The Spectre; Ivan Kusnjer (bass-baritone) The Narrator; Prague Philharmonic
Choir; Prague Symphony Orchestra/Jiři Běhlolávek [DDD] Live
performance from the Dvorák Hall of the Rudolfinum, Prague, on November
29th, 1995. Text and translation included.
SUPRAPHON SU3091-2 [78'26] [CC]
A
rare opportunity to hear one of the lesser known treasures in a live
performance. Not uniformly inspired but a committed performance … truly
involving … see Full Review
Edward
ELGAR (1865-1934)
-
Symphony No. 1 (1908) [48.43] - Symphony No. 2 (1911) [51.35] - Introduction
and Allegro (1905) [14.16] - Serenade (1892) [12.04] - Cello
Concerto (1908) [29.16] - Violin Concerto (1911) [49.38] - Enigma
Variations (1905) [27.49] - Cockaigne (1892) [14.14] - In
the South (1904) [20.03] - Pomp and Circumstance Marches Nos.
1-5 (1901-30) [27.14] - Imperial March (1897) [4.47b] - Sospiri
(1909) [4.51] - Elegy (1909) [4.28] - The Wand of Youth Suites
1 and 2 (1908) [19.43] - The Starlight Express (1916) [28.32]
- Dream Children (1902) [7.28] - Falstaff - Symphonic
Study (1913) [32.53] - The Dream of Gerontius (1900) [90.28]
- Sea Pictures (1889) [19.25] - LPO/Solti (symphonies, Violin
Concerto, In the South, Pomp and Circumstance); English
Chamber Orchestra/Britten (Intro and Allegro); Academy of St
Martin in the Fields/Neville Marriner (Serenade; Sospiri;
Elegy) - Julian Lloyd Webber (cello) RPO/Yehudi Menuhin (Cello
Concerto) - Kyung Wha Chung (violin) LPO/Solti (Violin Concerto) - Chicago
SO/Solti (Enigma) - Peter Pears (ten) - Gerontius; Yvonne Minton
(sop) - Angel; John Shirley-Quirk (bar) - Priest/Angel of Agony, London
Symphony Chorus, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, LSO/Britten (Gerontius)
- Della Jones (mezzo), RPO/Charles Mackerras (Sea Pictures) -
Welsh National Opera Orchestra/Mackerras (Dream Children, Starlight
Express, Wand of Youth) - Grenadier Guards Band/Lt Col Rodney
Bashford (Imperial March) - recordings made:- July 1985, Watford
Town Hall (Cello Concerto); Feb 1977, Kingsway Hall (Violin Concerto)
- May 1974 Medinah Temple, Chicago (Enigma) - Feb 1976, Kingsway
Hall (Cockaigne) - April 1968 (Serenade; Sospiri;
Elegy), Dec 1968 Maltings Snape (Intro) - Feb 1972 (1),
Feb 1975 (2), Kingsway Hall - Oct 1989, St Eustache, Montreal (Falstaff)
- July 1971, The Maltings, Snape (Gerontius) - March 1993, Walthamstow
Assembly Hall (Sea Pictures) - Dec 1979, Kingsway Hall (In
the South) - March 1977, Kingsway Hall (Pomp and Circumstance
Marches) - Dec 1990, Brangwyn Hall, Swansea (Wand of Youth,
Starlight Express, Dream Children) - ADD; DDD (Cello Concerto,
Falstaff, Sea Pictures, Wand of Youth, Starlight
Express, Dream Children)
DECCA The British Music Collection 473 249-2 [8 CDs: 61.07+66.00+58.19+63.57+69.22+75.31+63.31+74.28]
[RB]
Solti
shakes the rafters still ... see Full
Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Edward ELGAR (1857-1934)
The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38 (1900) [93’45"] *
William WALTON (1902-1983) Belshazzar’s
Feast (1931) [35’15"] § *
Gerontius: Anthony Rolfe Johnson (tenor) The Angel: Catherine Wyn-Rogers
(mezzo-soprano) The Priest, The Angel of the Agony: Michael George (bass)
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir Huddersfield Choral Society Stephen
Disley (organ) Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra/Vernon Handley
§ Michael Rippon (baritone) Hallé Choir and Orchestra/James Loughran
Rec: Elgar: Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, 16, 17, 19 January 1993; Walton:
Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, September 1973
EMI CLASSICS FOR PLEASURE 7243 5 75764 2 0 [72’22"+56’45"]
[JQ]
A
decent performance of Belshazzar; an excellent one of Gerontius. A very
good bargain and I confidently recommend it. … see Full
Review
Edward ELGAR
(1857-1934) Overture:
Cockaigne, Opus 40 (1901) Overture: Froissart, opus 19
(1890) In the South, Opus 50 (1904) Handel Overture in D minor
(1923) Scottish
National Orchestra/Alexander Gibson Recorded 9-10 Sept 1982, Henry Wood
Hall, Glasgow CHANDOS
CHAN 6652 [54.19] [TB]
A
real sweep of passionate intensity … see Full
Review
BARGAIN OF THE MONTH - Gerald
FINZI (1901-1856) Lo, the
full, Final Sacrifice and other choral works - 1)
God is gone up, Op.27, No.2 (1951) - 2) Magnificat, Op. 36 (1952) -
3) My lovely one, Op.27 No.1 (1947) - 4) Welcome sweet and sacred feast,
Op.27, No.3 (1953) - 5) Thou didst delight mine eyes, Op.32 (1951) -
6) Let us now praise famous men, Op.35 (1952) - Seven Unaccompanied
Partsongs, Op.17 (1934-1937) (set to poems by Robert Bridges) - 7) I
praise the tender flower - 8) I have loved the flowers that fade - 9)
My spirit sang all day - 10) Clear and gentle stream - 11) Nightingales
- 12) Haste on, my joys! - 13) Wherefore tonight so full of care - 14)
Lo, the Full, Final Sacrifice, Op.26 (1946) - Choir of St. John’s College,
Cambridge Christopher
Robinson (Director) - Christopher Whitton (organ) - Aaron Burchell (alto
soloist in the ‘Magnificat’) - Gareth Jones (bass soloist in the ‘Lo,
the Full Final Sacrifice’) - Recorded 17-19 March 2001 in St. John’s
College, Cambridge, England. DDD - Naxos English Choral Music Series
NAXOS 8.555792
[61:43] [MC]
Magical
music for a cold winter’s evening … it really doesn’t get much better
than this. … see Full Review
Karsten
FUNDAL (b.1966)
Chamber
Music - Zoom (1997) - The Wings of a Butterfly for clarinet, violin,
viola and accordion (1996-97) - Traces for clarinet, violin, cello and
piano (1995) - The Ways of Lightness and Falling for clarinet, piano
and cello (1991) - Two Simple Movements for flute, violin, cello and
piano (1995-96) - Ritornello al contrario for percussion and sinfonietta
(1997) - Thomas Sandberg (percussion)
Athelas Sinfonietta Copenhagen/Giordano Bellincampi - Recorded at the
Radio House Concert Hall, Copenhagen between August 1999 and May 2000
DACAPO 8.224164
[55.28] [JW]
Fundal:
a relatively combustible protagonist, colour and drive, spectral sonorities
… see Full Review
Robert
FUCHS (1847-1927)
Complete Violin Sonatas Vol. 1
Violin Sonata No. 1 in F sharp minor Op. 20 (1877) [26.38] Violin Sonata
No. 4 in E major Op. 77 (1905) [19.59] Violin Sonata No. 5 in A major
Op. 95 (1912) [24.26]
Ursula Maria Berg (violin) Oliver Treindl (piano) rec NDR Landesfunkhaus
Hannover, Kleiner Sendesaal, 27-28 July, 7-8 Oct 2002. DDD
THOROFON CTH2511 [71.11] [RB]
Brahmsian
lyricism ... see Full Review
George GERSHWIN
(1898-1937)
Dayful
of Song [12.23] - Cuban Overture (1932) [10.35] - Promenade
[2.50] - Rhapsody in Blue (1924) [16.58] - Lullaby (1919)
[8.56] - An American in Paris (1928) [18.27]
Dallas Symphony Orchestra/Andrew Litton (conductor/piano) - Rec McDermott
Hall, Meyerson Center, Dallas, Texas, October 1996
DELOS DE 3216 [70.09] [CF]
A
thoroughly enjoyable disc - a pity the best of it (and Dayful of Song
really is top stuff) is over so quickly … see Full
Review
Nicolas
GOMBERT (c1495
– c1560) Magnificats 5 - 8
The Tallis Scholars directed by Peter Phillips. recorded during 2002
in the Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Salle, Norfolk. DDD
GIMELL CDGIM 038 [58.23]
[JP]
Highly
developed melodic invention … multiple strands of texture, dissonances
and harmonic clashes. … see Full
Review
Alessandro GRANDI (1586-1630)
and Masters of the Italian Baroque
Motets by GRANDI: Osculeture
Me; Venite Filii; O intemerata a 2; Deus Misereatur Nostri; Ceacilia;
O Dulce Nomen Jesu; Salvum me fac Domine a 2; Bone Jesu; Veni Sancte
Spiritus; O Quam Speciosa; Instrumental works by: GRANDI
Sonata terza; Carlo MILANUZZI
(d.1647) Canzona 5; Giuseppe
SCARANI
Sonata Primo and Sonata Terza.
Musica Antiqua Praha directed by Pavel Kilkar Recorded Czech Brethren
Chapel, Prague, December 1993
SUPRAPHON SU 3017-2
931 [48.07] [GH]
A
series of very fine renderings of rare but important repertoire well
worth getting to know. … see Full Review
George Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759)
Dixit Dominus, Zadok the Priest Dixit
Dominus (Psalm 109) Coronation Anthem No.1 ‘Zadok the Priest’
Felicity Palmer, Margaret Marshall soprano Charles Brett, John Angelo
Messana, counter-tenor Richard Morton, Alistair Thompson, tenor David
Wilson-Johnson, bass Nicholas Kraemer, harpsichord Malcolm Hicks, organ
Monteverdi Choir and Orchestra /Sir John Elliot Gardiner Recorded in
October 1976 and January 1977 at Henry Wood Hall, London, England DDD
APEX 0927 48683 2
[42:03] [PB]
Another
superb performance from Gardiner and the Monteverdi Choir and Orchestra,
re-released at super budget price…see Full
Review
Franz Joseph HAYDN
(1732 - 1809) A
selection of Scots Songs (1795) 1 The Ploughman 2 The Bonny Brucket
Lassie 3 Logie of Buchan 4 My Heart's in the Highlands 5 Sleepie Bodie
6 O Can Ye Sew Cushions 7 The White Cockade The Mermaid's Song (VI Original
Canzonettas, I: 1794) A Pastorial Song (VI Original Canzonettas, I:
1794) A Sailor's (VI Original Canzonettas, II: 1795) Gabriel's Recitative
and Aria (The Creation, Ed. Clementi 1801) Cantata: Arianna a Naxos
(English Edition 1791)
Catherine Bott (Soprano) Melvyn Tan (Fortepiano) Alison Bury (Violin)
Lisa Beznosiuk (Flute) Anthony Pleeth (Violoncello)
Frances Kelly (arp) Recorded 1985 (Originally issued by Meridian in
1986) MERIDIAN CDE
84495 [71.23] [RH]
A
charming recital, highlighting some of Hadyn’s lesser known arrangements,
an imaginative picture of the London years … see Full
Review
Joseph HOLBROOKE (1878-1958)
String
Quartet No. 1 Fantasie in D minor Op. 17b Departure, Absence, Return
(1905) [15.15] String Quartet No. 2 Impressions (Belgium 1915;
Russia-1915) Op. 59a (1915) [12.42] Song of the Bottle (from
Folk Song Suite No. 2 Op. 72, No. 2) (1917) [4.02] Eileen Shona for
clarinet and string quartet (1905) [3.58] The Last Rose of Summer
and Mavourneen Deelish for string quartet from Folk Song
Suite No. 1) (1916) [3.59+1.21] Clarinet Quintet Op. 27 (1910) [24.58]
The Rasumovsky
Quartet Richards Hosford Clarinet rec. 26-28 Mar 2002, Great Hall, Bancroft's
School, Woodford, Essex. DDD
DUTTON EPOCH CDLX 7124 [67.17] [RB]
Pleasingly
unnerving moments, his handling of folksong is astoundingly fresh and
impressionistic ... see Full Review
Gustav
HOLST (1874-1934)
Toccata
(1924), Chrissemas Day in the Morning, op. 46/1 (1926), O! I hae seen
the roses blaw, op. 46/2 (1927), The Shoemakker, op. 46/3 (1927), Nocturne
(1930), Jig (1932), The Planets, op. 32 (arr. Holst, Lasker and Day).
YORK 2 (Fiona and
John York) (pianoforte) 27th March 2000 (Planets) at Potton
Hall, Suffolk, England, 10th May 2000 at St. Georges, Brandon
Hill, Bristol, England (solo pieces)
BLACK BOX BBM1041 [61’ 19"] [CH]
The
Planets are interesting and instructive rather than uniformly convincing.
The disc also contains all the music Holst wrote for solo piano. ...see
Full Review
Jacques IBERT (1890-1962)
Persée
et Andromède - or Le Plus Heureux des Trois - an opera in
two acts by Nino adapted from Moralités Légendaires
by Jules Laforgue (1921) [40.34] La Ballade de la Géole
de Reading (1920) [25.36] Sarabande pour Dulcinée ()
[4.02] Annick
Massis (sop) - Andromède Philippe Rouillon (bass-bar) - Cathos
Yann Beuron (ten) - Persée Melanie Moussay (mz) - Thétis
Marie Basson, Karen Perret, Armela Fortuna, Jing Li, Melanie Moussay,
Sophie Ottenwelter (Les Néréides) Orchestre Philharmonique
de Strasbourg/Jan Latham-Koenig rec. 8-9 Oct 2001 (Ballade, Sarabande);
19-20 June 2002 (Persée) DDD
AVIE AV0008 [70.31] [RB]
Major
discoveries from a French romantic-melodist ... see Full
Review
Ludvig IRGENS-JENSEN
(1894-1969) ‘Japanischer
Frühling’* (1919/1957) [25’38"] - Passacaglia (1926-7)
[20’02"] - Pastorale religioso (1939) [5’58"] - Canto
d’omaggio (1950) [12’17"] - *Ragnhild Heiland Sørensen
(soprano) Bergen Philharmonic
Orchestra conducted by Eivind Aadland - Recorded 1- 4 April 2001 in
the Grieghallen, Bergen
SIMAX CLASSICS PSC 1164 [63’57"] [JQ]
This
is a most interesting collection of unfamiliar, well-crafted music which
will give pleasure to collectors with an enquiring ear … see Full
Review
Charles
IVES (1874-1954)
Symphony
No. 1 (1898) Symphony No. 2 (1902) Symphony No. 3 The Camp Meeting
(1907) Symphony No. 4 (1916) A Symphony: New England Holidays
(1912) The Unanswered Question (revised version) The Unanswered
Question (original version) Central Park in the Dark Hymns
(as quoted in Fourth Symphony): Sweet by and by; Beulah Land
(organ solo); Ye Christian Heralds; Jesus, Lover of my
Soul; Nearer, My God, to Thee () []
Chicago SO (1, 4, New England, Question, Park)
Concertgebouw Orchestra (2, 3) conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas Mary
Sauer (piano) (4) Richard Webster (organ) (hymns) Adolph Herseth (trumpet)
(Question) members of Chicago Symphony Chorus/Margaret Hillis
(hymns) rec: no recording dates or locations given
SONY ESSENTIAL CLASSICS SB3K87746 [3CDs: 77.09+60.59+63.04]
[RB]
A
self-selecting first choice without a shadow of doubt. ... see Full
Review
Charles
IVES (1874-1954)
Violin
Sonata No 1 (1902-08) Violin Sonata No 2 (1902-09) Violin Sonata No
3 (1905-14) Violin Sonata No 4 (1906-15)
Gregory Fulkerson (violin) Robert Shannon (piano) Recorded at the American
Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters, May-June 1989
BRIDGE BCD 9024 [2 CDs: 79.52] [JW]
A
clarifying and cleansing beauty that seems to beatify all the struggle
that has preceded it … see Full Review
Leoš
JANÁCEK (1854
- 1928) Jenufa
(Brno Version - 1908); Jenufa - Karita Mattila; Kostelnicka Buryjovka
- Anja Silja; Starenka Buryjovka - Eva Randova; Laca Klemen - Jorma
Silvasti; Steva Buryja - Jerry Hadley; Starek (Foreman) - Jonathan Veira;
Rychtar (The Mayor) - Jeremy White; Rychtarka (The Mayor’s Wife) - Carole
Wilson; Karolka - Leah-Marian Jones; Pastuchyna (Herdswoman) - Elizabeth
Sikora; Barena (Servant Girl) - Rebecca Nash; Jano - Gail Pearson; Tetka
- Jennifer Higgins; Hlas - Jonathan Fisher; Zena - Eryl Royle
Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden/Bernard
Haitink - Recorded live at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, 10-18
October 2001 ERATO
2927-45330 [69.19+58.39] [RH]
A
fine record of a great series of performances, particularly memorable
for Karita Mattila in the title role and the playing of the Royal Opera
House Orchestra … see Full Review
Joseph
JONGEN
(1873 – 1953) Cello
Sonata Op.39 (1912) - Aria Op.68 No.1 (1921) - Moto perpetuo Op.68 No.2
(1921) - Dans la douceur des pins Op.51 No.1 (1916) - Caprice-impromptu
Op.51 No.2 (1916) - Habanera Op.86 (1928) - Feuille d’album (1892) -
Valse Op.35 (1909) - Karel Steylaerts (cello)
Piet Kuijken (piano) - Recorded: Academiezaal, Sint Truiden, July 2002
PHAEDRA 92030 [73:38]
[HC]
Committed
and assured readings serve Jongen’s richly melodic music well … see
Full Review
Dmitri
KABALEVSKY (1904-1987)
Cello
Concerto No. 1 in G minor Op. 49 (1949) [18.49] - Cello Concerto No.
2 in C minor Op. 77 (1964) [30.59] - Improvisato for violin and
piano Op. 21 No. 1 (1934) [4.16] - Rondo for violin and piano
Op. 69 (1961) [6.57] - Marina Tarasova (cello)
Symphony Orchestra of Russia/Veronika Dudarova - Natalia Likhopoi (violin)
- Ludmilla Kuritskaya (piano) - rec. July 1993, Moscow Radio Studio
5 REGIS RRC 1116
[61.31] [RB]
Impressive
for Tarasova's sense of flow and colour as well as for the mercurial
fantasy and power of Likhopoi. ... see Full
Review
Abraham Van den KERCKHOVEN (1618-1701)
Organ
works François
Houtart, Organist Organ by: Westenfelder, 1995, Luxembourg Cathedral,
Luxembourg Recorded: September 1995
PAVANE RECORDS ADW 7381 [70’57] [ChA]
An
uninteresting recording that does not show Van de Kerckhoven’s music
in the best light…see Full Review
Albert KETÈLBEY (1875-1959)
In
a Monastery Garden; Characteristic Reflection (1915) Chal Romano – A
Gypsy Overture (1924) The Phantom Melody 91912) By the Blue Hawaiian
waters – Tone Picture (1927) Three Fanciful Sketches (1928) In a Chinese
Temple Garden – Oriental Fantasy (1923) Will You Forgive? (1923) In
the Moonlight – Poetic Intermezzo (1919) The Clock and the Dresden Figures
(1930) Sanctuary of the Heart (1924)
Peter Dawson (bass baritone), Albert Sandler (violin), Len Fellis
(Hawaiian guitar), Arthur Jordan (tenor), Albert Ketèlbey (piano)
and an unknown contralto soloist with various bands and orchestras conducted
by Albert Ketèlbey, Ray Noble and Richard Crean. Recorded 1924-32
NAXOS 8.110174
[59.02] [JW]
Heartily
recommended to Ketèlbey’s once more growing band of admirers.
… see Full Review
Wojciech KILAR (b.1932)
Film
Music Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992) König der letzen Tage
(1993) Death and the Maiden (1994) The Beads of One Rosary
(1980) Pearl in the Crown (1972)
Cracow Philharmonic Chorus Polish National Radio SO/Antoni Wit Recorded
in Grzegorz Fitelberg Concert Hall, Katowice in November 1997
MARCO POLO 8.225153 [63.39] [GH]
Played
with commitment and passion … see Full Review
Uuno KLAMI (1900-1961)
All'Ouverture (1951) [8.33] Sea Pictures (1930-32) [22.28]
Kalevala Suite (1943) [31.51] Cheremissian Fantasy (1931)
[11.28] Violin Concerto (1942) [27.27] Piano Concerto No. 2 (1950) [30.22]
Finnish RSO/Leif
Segerstam, rec 1987 (Overture, Sea, Kalevala) Arto Noras (cello) Helsinki
PO/Jorma Panula (Cheremissian Fantasy) rec. 1973 Ilkka Talvi
(violin) Kouvola City Orchestra/Eero Bister. rec 1983 Juhani Lagerspetz
(piano) Tapiola Sinfonietta/Juhani Lamminmäki, 1990 ADD/DDD Meet
The Composer series
FINLANDIA 4509-99968-2 [63.17+69.40] [RB]
This
is the set by which Sibelians should be introduced to the sympathetic
melodic strengths and imagination of Uuno Klami ... see Full
Review
Paul von KLENAU
(1883-1946) Symphony
No. 7 Die Sturmsymphonie (1941) [32.49] - Klein Idas Blume
(Ballett-Ouverture) (1916) [10.47] - Gespräche mit der Tod
(1916) [14.41] - Jahrmarkt bei London (Bank holiday - Souvenir
of Hampstead Heath) (1923) [17.48] - Susanne Resmark (alto)
Odense SO/Jan Wagner - rec 4-8 Dec 2000, Odense Concert Hall, Dansk
Radio. DDD DACAPO
8.224183 [76.23] [RB]
A
revelation - a restlessly dissonant symphony, an operatic song cycle
and a Francophile-impressionistic sketch ... see Full
Review
KOMZÁK, LANNER, MILLÖCKER, STRAUSS,
SUPPÉ, ZIEHRER Overtures, Marches,
Polkas and Waltzes Franz von SUPPÉ (1819-1895)
Overture:
Ein Morgen, ein Mittag und ein Abend in Wien (1844) Overture:
Boccaccio (1879) Overture: Leicht Kavallerie (1866) Overture:
Dichter und Bauer (1846) Marsch: Fatinitza Karel
KOMZÁK (1850-1905) Walzer: Bad'ner Mad'ln (1890s)
Walzer: An der schönen grunen Narenta (1890s) Fideles
Wien Marsch: Echtes Wiener Blut Marsch: Erzherzog Albrecht
(1877) Carl Michael ZIEHRER (1843-1922)
Overture: Die Landstreicher Marsch: Hoch und Nieder
Polka: Loslassen Walzer: Faschingskinder Schönfeld-Marsch
(1890) Walzer: Weaner Mad'ln Polka: Das liegt bei uns
im Blut Johann STRAUSS II (1825-1899)
Overture: Blindekuh (1878) Overture: Eine Nacht in Venedig
(1883) Josef STRAUSS (1827-1870)
Walzer: Perlen der Liebe (1857) Joseph
LANNER (1801-1843) Walzer: Abendsterne (1841) Walzer:
Jagd-Galoppe Walzer: Die Romantiker (1841) Carl
MILLÖCKER (1842-1899) Walzer: Carletta Traum-Walzer
(1894) Polka: Postscriptum
Wiener Johann-Strauss-Orchestra/Willi Boskovsky rec. May 1971, May
and Oct 1972, Redoutensaal, Hofburg; Simmeringer Hof, Vienna. ADD
EMI CLASSICS DOUBLE FFORTE
5 75676 2 [78.29+77.49] [RB]
The
overture meets the dances of old Vienna in light fantasy ... see
Full Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Erich Wolfgang
KORNGOLD (1897-1957)
Symphony
in F sharp Op.40 (1952) [53.54] Moderato ma energico [15.20] Scherzo
[10.33] Adagio: Lento [16.57] Finale: Allegro [11.04]The Sea Hawk
(1940) [8.06] Oregon
Symphony Orchestra/James DePreist rec Baumann Auditorium, George Fox
University, Newberg, Oregon, November 12 and 13 1997
DELOS DE 3234 [62.00] [CF]
As
good as it gets. … see Full
Review
Joseph Martin KRAUS
(1756-1792) Sinfonia per la Chiesa in D, VB 146 (Riksdagssymfon)
1789 [7:37] - Symphony in F, VB 145 ca. 1787 [21:33] - Symphony in D,
VB 143 ca. 1783 [18:05] - Symphony in E flat, VB 144 ca. 1784 [4:59]
(alternative slow movement, full symphony released on Naxos 8.553734)
- Riksdagsmarsch 1789 [6:29]
Swedish Chamber Orchestra/Petter Sundkvist - Recorded 24-26 May 2000
at the Concert Hall Orebro. DDD, Complete Symphonies, vol. 4
NAXOS 8.555305 [58:44] [KS]
Splendid classical symphonies by composers other
than Mozart or Haydn … served up on little silver platters for the price
of a burger and fries. … see Full Review
Constant
LAMBERT
(1905-1951) The
Rio Grande [14.25] Concerto for Piano and Nine Players [31.00] Horoscope
[27.13] Kathryn
Stott (piano) Della Jones (mezzo) BBC Singers BBC Concert Orchestra/Barry
Wordsworth rec. Walthamstow Assembly Hall, June 1991. DDD
DECCA The British Music Collection 473 424-2 [69.12] [RB]
The
Orchestra have this music in their blood... see Full
Review
Rued LANGGAARD (1893-1952)
Violin
Sonatas Volume 1 - Violin Sonata No 1 Viole BVN94 (1915 rev
1945) - Violin Sonata No 2 Den store Mester kommer BVN167 (1920-21)
Serguei Azizian (violin)
- Anne Øland (piano) - Recorded at Mantzuisgården, October
and December 1999
DACAPO 8.224153 [65.04] [JW]
Performances
are strongly committed and generally assured … adventurous and experimental
work … see Full Review
Motets en espace Roland de
LASSUS (1532-1594)
Aurora lucis rutilat Tomas Luis de VICTORIA
(c1548-1611) Ave Maria Eustache
du CAURROY (1549-1609) Victimae paschali laudes Roland
de LASSUS (1532-1594) Salve regina Francisco
GUERRERO (1528-1599) Duo seraphim Phillipe
de MONTE (1521-1603)
Super flumina babylonis Peter PHILIPS (1561-1628)*
Jubilate deo Giovanni Pier Luigi da PALASTRINA
(c1525-1592)* Stabat mater Alessandro
STRIGGIO (c1540-1592)* Ecce beatem lucem Thomas
TALLIS (1505-1585) Spem in alium Roland
de LASSUS (1532-1594) Aurora lucis rutilat Tomas
Luis de VICTORIA (c1548-1611) Ave Maria Eustache
du CAURROY (1549-1609) Victimae paschali laudes Roland
de LASSUS (1532-1594) Salve regina Francisco
GUERRERO (1528-1599) Duo seraphim Phillipe
de MONTE (1521-1603)
Super flumina babylonis Peter PHILIPS (1561-1628)*
Jubilate deo Giovanni Pier Luigi da PALASTRINA
(c1525-1592)* Stabat mater Alessandro
STRIGGIO (c1540-1592)* Ecce beatem lucem Thomas
TALLIS (1505-1585) Spem in alium
Gary Cooper, organ La Maitrise Nationale de Versailles The Choir
of New College Oxford Directed by Edward Higginbotham and Michel-Marc
Gervais * Recorded L’Abbeye Cistercienne de Valloires March 1991
K617010 [56.35] [JW]
A
most palpable sense of tonal depth and flexibility from this choir.
… see Full Review
György LIGETI
(b.1923) The Ligeti Project Vol.1 Melodien
(1971) [13’04] Chamber Concerto (1969-70) [18’24] Piano Concerto
(1985-88) [23’30] Mysteries of the Macabre (1974-77; 1991) [7’57]
Pierre-Laurent
Aimard (piano); Peter Masseurs (trumpet) Schoenberg Ensemble (Melodien,
Chamber Concerto) Asko Ensemble (Piano Concerto, Mysteries)
Reinbert de Leeuw (conductor) Rec. Stichting Muziekcentrum van de Omroep,
Hilversum, September 2000 DDD
TELDEC CLASSICS 8573-83953 2 [64’05] [TH]
The
whole disc is a success. … see Full Review
György LIGETI
(b.1923) The Ligeti Project Vol.2 Lontano
(1967) [11’35] Atmosphères (1961) [8’51] Apparitions
(1958-59) [12’21] San Francisco Polyphony (1973-74) [12’21] Romanian
Concerto (1951) [12’50]
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/Jonathan Nott Rec. Philharmonie, Berlin,
13-16 December 2001, DDD
TELDEC CLASSICS 8573-88261-2 [54’34] [TH]
Whether
a Ligeti fan or not heartily recommended –worth it for the rare items
and the sonic experience alone! … see Full Review
RECORDING OF THE MONTH György LIGETI
(b.1923) The Ligeti Project Vol.3 Cello
Concerto (1966) [14’22] Clocks and Clouds (1973) [14’23]
Violin Concerto (1992) [27’02] Sippal, dobbal, nádihegedüvel
(2000) [11’24]
Siegfried Palm (cello); Frank Peter Zimmerman (violin); Katalina Karolyi
(mezzo); Cappella Amsterdam; Amadinda Percussion Ensemble; Asko Ensemble;
Schoenberg Ensemble Reinbert de Leeuw (conductor) Rec. Muziekcentrum
Vredenburg, Utrecht, 7-9 April 2001, 12-16 September 2001
TELDEC CLASSICS 8573-87631-2 [67’15] [TH]
A
beguiling combination of clarity and sheer weirdness … see Full
Review
Franz LISZT
(1811-1886) Love
and the Devil Mordecai SHEHORI plays Franz Liszt - Volume One Cantique
d’amour S173 (1845-52) Scherzo and March S177 (1851) Gretchen (from
A Faust Symphony Second Movement) S513 (1851) Gretchen am Spinnrade
(after Schubert) S558 (1837-38) Ständchen von Shakespeare (after
Schubert) S558 (1837-38) Réminiscences de Don Juan (after Mozart)
S418 (1841) Mephisto Waltz No 1 S514 (1856-60)
Mordecai Shehori (piano) Recorded 2002
CEMBAL D’AMOUR CD 116 [73.29] [JW]
When
it comes to Liszt Shehori takes on something of the leonine drive of
pianists of the Golden Age.… see Full Review
Terence Judd (piano). Homage 1 Franz
LISZT (1811-1886) Sonata
in B minor S178 Sposalizio (No 1 from Années de pèlerinage,
deuxième année Italie) S161 La Campanella (No 3 from Etudes
d’exécution transcendente d’après Paganini) S140 Hungarian
Rhapsody No 11 in A minor S244 Frederic CHOPIN
(1810-1849) Nocturne in B major Op 32 No 1 Etude in A minor Op 25
No 11 Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) Noctuelles
(No 1 from Miroirs) Anatol Konstantinovich
LYADOV (1855-1914) A Musical Snuffbox (Valse-Badinage)
Terence Judd (piano) Recorded at the Grand Hall of the Moscow Conservatory
in 1978 (Sonata, La Campanella, Etude), Broadcasting House Concert Hall,
London January 1978 (Nocturne) and New Gallery, London October 1977
(remainder) CHANDOS
CHAN 10004 [64.36] [JW]
Judd:
what a musician he could have become; what a musician he already was.
… see Full Review
George LLOYD (1900-1998)
The
Vigil of Venus (1977-1980) - Carolyn James (sop) - Thomas Booth
(ten) Orchestra and Chorus
of Welsh National Opera/George Lloyd - rec Brangwyn Hall, Swansea, Nov
1990 DDD DECCA The
British Music Collection 473 437-2 [78.02] [RB]
Rises
to full euphoric stretch … much to exult in along the way ... see Full
Review
Alonso LOBO (1555-1617)
Missa
O Rex Gloriae - Missa Simile est Regnum Caelorum - Lamentationes
The Choir of King’s College, London/David Trendell - Rec. St Mary Magdalene,
Paddington, London, 21-23 September 2001
GAUDEAMUS CD GAU311 [75.21] [PW]
Somewhat
less memorable than the music deserves. … see Full
Review
Alexander LOKSHIN (1920-1987)
Songs
of Margaret (1973) [21.31] - Symphony No. 7 for contralto
and chamber orchestra (based on Japanese poems of the Seventh and Thirteenth
Centuries) (1972) [20.07] - Symphony No. 10 for contralto, mixed
chorus and chamber orchestra (to lyrics by Nikolai Zabolotsky) (1975)
[33.24] - Nina Grigorieva (alto) (symphonies) - Ludmila Sokolenko (sop)
(symphonies) - Moscow Chamber Choir
Moscow Chamber Orchestra/Rudolf Barshai - rec 1974, 1976 (10), Melodiya
Studios, Moscow, ADD
LAUREL RECORD LR-901 CD [75.15] [RB]
Powerfully
intense traversals of a fascination with death and bereavement. Typically
Russian ... 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]