Cécile CHAMINADE (1857-1944) - Mots d’amour: Ronde d’amour (Love’s Roundelay) - La lune paresseuse (The Idle Moon) - Sombrero - Mignone (My Love) - L’Anneau d’argent (The Silver Ring) - Ma première lettre (My First Letter) -L’amour captif (Love Held captive) - Attente (Au pays de Provence) Waiting (in Provence) - Voisinage (My Neighbour) - Bonne humeur (Cheerfulness) - Alleluia - Malgré nous (Despite Ourselves) - Nice-la-belle (Nice the Beautiful) - Menuet (Minuet) - Te souviens-tu  (Do you remember?) - Auprès de ma mie (Near My beloved) - Viens! Mon bien-aimé!  (Come, My beloved!) - Si j’étais jardinier (If I were a gardener) - Vilanelle - Mots d’amour (Words of Love) - Ecrin (Jewel-case) - Espoir (Hope) - Chanson triste (Melancholy Song) - Je voudrais (I should like…) - L’Été (Summer) - Three pieces for Violin and Piano: Sérénade espagnole  - Rondeau - Capriccio - Three Pieces for Two Pianos: Valse carnavalesque - Pas des cymbales - Danse païenne Anne Sofie von Otter (mezzo-soprano) and Bengt Forsberg (piano) - With Nils-Erik Sparf and Peter Jablonski (piano II) Recorded in Swedish Radio Studios, Stockholm in September 2000 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 471 331-2 [76:09] [IL]

A tonic for the winter months. … see Full Review

Jean CRAS (1879-1932) Piano Quintet (1922) [34.50] - String Quartet (1909) [39.25] Alain Jacquon (piano) - Quatuor Louvigny - rec 5/8 Sept 2001, Conservatoire Luxembourg TIMPANI 1C1066 [74.29] [RB]

A lovely disc to place alongside the other volumes in the Cras Timpani series and with the Hyperion Vierne/Hahn and the Bonnal on Pierre Verany. ... see Full Review

DEBUSSY and RAVEL - Orchestral Works conducted by Jean MARTINON - The Classic EMI Recordings from the Salle Wagram, Paris, 1973 and 1974 - Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) CD1: La Mer (1904) [24.26] Nocturnes (1900) [22.32] - Prélude à l’Après-Midi d’un Faune (1894) [10.29] - Marche écossaise (1891) [6.23] - Berceuse héroïque (1914) [4.47] - Musiques pour le Roi Lear (1904) [4.58] - CD2: Jeux (1912) [18.15] - Images (1905) [32.23] - Printemps (1882) [16.00] (orch Henri BÜSSER) - CD3: Children’s Corner (1908) [18.18] (orch André CAPLET) - Petite Suite (1888) [13.33] (orch Henri BÜSSER) - Danse sacrée et danse profane (1903) [9.15] - La Boîte à joujoux (1913) [31.40] (orch André CAPLET) - CD4: Fantaisie pour piano et orchestra (1890) [23.53] (ed. André JOUVE) La plus que lente (1910) [6.00] Première Rapsodie pour orchestre avec clarinette principale (1903) [8.11] Rapsodie pour orchestre et saxophone solo (1905) [10.02] Khamma (1912) [20.24] (orch Charles KOECHLIN) Danse: Tarantelle styrienne (1905) [5.44] (orch Maurice RAVEL) Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) CD5: Boléro (1928) [14.56] Une Barque sur l’océan (1905) [7.18] Ma Mère l’Oye (1908) [36.44] Alborada del gracioso (1905) [7.53] Rapsodie espagnole (1907) [16.06] CD6: Shéhérazade: Ouverture de féerie (1903) [13.47] La Valse (1920) [12.35] Le Tombeau de Couperin (1917) [17.56] Menuet antique (1909) [6.19] Pavane pour une infante défunte (1899) [6.32] Valses nobles et sentimentales (1911) [16.35] CD7: Daphnis et Chloé (1912) [56.25] - CD8: Concerto for the Left-Hand (1931) [18.26] Piano Concerto in G major (1931) [23.32] Tzigane (1924) [9.53] Aldo Ciccolini (piano) Itzhak Perlman (violin) (Tzigane) Marie-Claire Jamet (harp) (Danse Sacrée et Danse Profane) Guy Dangain (clarinet) Jean-Marie Loneix (saxophone) Jean-Claude Malgloire (cor anglais) (G major piano concerto) Alain Marion (flute) (Faune) Michel Sedrez, Fabienne Boury (piano duet) (Printemps) Jules Goetgheluck (oboe) (Children’s Corner) John Leach (cimbalom) (La plus) Fabienne Boury (piano) (Khamma) Marcel Gallègue (trombone) (Boléro) André Sennedat (bassoon) (Alborada) Michel Garcin-Marrou (horn) (Pavane) Choeurs de l’ORTF - Choeurs du Théâtre National de l’Opéra Orchestre National de l’ORTF/Jean Martinon (Debussy) - Orchestre de Paris/Jean Martinon (Ravel) - Rec Paris 1973-74 DDD EMI CLASSICS CZS 5 75526 2 [8CDs: 73.35+69.39+72.24+74.14+75.36+74.28+56.25+52.04]

Martinon makes a very strong showing indeed. The set makes a gift that will cast its smiling spell for years to come. This is playing soused in intoxicants, bathed in ecstatic abandon. ... see Full Review

Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Préludes, Books 1 and 2, Etudes, Books 1 and 2 Fou Ts’ong (pianoforte) Recorded at Polish Radio, Warsaw, no date MERIDIAN CDE 84483/4-2 [2 CDs: 66’15"+70’56"] Midprice [CH]

Fou Ts’ong now joins the elect. Particularly recommended if you want your Debussy fairly upfront and hedonistic. … see Full Review

Frederick DELIUS (1862-1934) Norwegian Masterworks Eventyr (1915/17) Sleigh Ride (1887 orch 1889) Five Songs from the Norwegian (1888 orch Bo Holten) * Slumber Song, The Nightingale, Summer Eve, Longing, Sunset, The Song of the High Hills (1911/12) Henriette Bonde-Hansen, soprano * John Kjøller, tenor Helle Høyer Hansen, soprano Aarhus University Choir Hummerkoret Aarhus Chamber Choir Aarhus Symphony Orchestra/Bo Holten Recorded Frichsparken, Aarhus, May 2001 DANACORD DACOCD 592 [65.43] [JW]

An equal measure of intelligence, sensitivity and acute stylistic awareness. … see Full Review

Marcel DUPRÉ (1886-1971) La France au Calvaire Op.49 (1952/3) [64’24"] Jean LANGLAIS (1907-1991) Festival Alleluia (1971) [6’53"] Jehan ALAIN (1911-1940) O Salutaris [2’00"] Olivier MESSIAEN (1908-1992) O sacrum convivium (1937) [4’13"] Helen Neeves (Soprano) Catherine Denley (Alto) Matthew Beale (Tenor) Colin Campbell (Baritone) Vasari Singers/Jeremy Backhouse Jeremy Filsell (Organ) Recorded in Douai Abbey, Upper Woolhampton, Nr. Reading on 22-24 February 2002 GUILD GMCD 7239 [78’25"] [RF]

Dramatically overwhelming … an overwhelming experience. … see Full Review

Antonín DVORÁK (1841-1904) The String Quintets, volume 2 - String Quintet in G major, opus 77 (34:05) - Intermezzo (Notturno), from B. 19 (4:16) - Drobmosti (Miniatures), op. 75a (13:02) - Andante appassionato in F major, B. 40a (6:02) Vlach Quartet Prague - Jana Vlachová, violin I, Karel Stadtherr, violin II, Petr Verna, viola, Mikael Ericsson, cello, Jakub Waldmann, double bass (op. 77) - Recorded January-October 2000 in the Martinek Studios, Prague. DDD NAXOS 8.555378 [57:35] [KS]

A worthy addition to any library, particularly for the shorter pieces. … see Full Review

Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) Chamber Works: Volume 16 Sonata for Violin and Piano in F Op.57 (B.106) Romantic pieces for Violin and Piano Op.75 (B.150) Sonatina for Violin and Piano in G Op.100 (B.183) Nocturne for Violin and Piano in B Op.40 (B.48) Ballad for Violin and Piano in D minor Op.15/1 (B.139) Josef Suk (violin) Josef Hála (piano) Recorded at the Martinů Hall of the Lichtenstein Palace, Prague on 22/23 April 1995 SUPRAPHON 11 1466-2131 [69. 39] [CF]

Full-blooded and electrifying. A fine disc, beautifully recorded … see Full Review

Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) Dimitrij (ed. Popišil) Leo Marian Vodička (tenor) Dmitrij Ivanovich; Drahomíra Drobková (soprano) Marfa Ivanovna; Magdaléna Hajóssyóvá (soprano) Marina Mnishkova; Lívia Ághová (soprano) Xenia Borisovna; Peter Míkulaš (bass) Pyotr Fyodorovich Basmanov; Ivan Kusjner (baritone) Shuisky; Ludĕk Vele (bass) Prague Radio Chorus Czech Philharmonic Chorus and Orchestra/Gerd Albrecht Notes, text and translation included Rec Dvořák Hall of the House of Artists, Prague on February 6th-14th, 1989 DDD SUPRAPHON 11 1259-2 [3CDs: 190'03] [CC]

An essential purchase for all lovers of Dvořák’s music. Albrecht's sure and confident direction which makes this set the triumph it is. … 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 (1865-1934) Major Orchestral Works: Two Symphonies, Concertos for Cello and Violin, Enigma Variations, Introduction and Allegro, In the South, marches NAXOS 8.505076 [5CD set: 5 hours 40 mins] [RB]

Richly enjoyable and in many cases outstandingly strong versions all at bargain price ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH - Gabriel FAURÉ (1845-1924) Cello Sonatas 1, op. 109 (1917) and 2, op. 117 (1921), Elégie, op. 24 (1880) - Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Cello Sonata (1915) Paul Tortelier (cello), Jean Hubeau (piano) - Locations and dates not given WARNER CLASSICS Elatus 0927-49012-2 [55’ 04"] [CH]

Indispensable. … see Full Review

Rudolf FRIML (1879-1972) Friml plays Friml Rose Marie, Allah’s Holiday,
The Firefly, Improvisation on Donkey Serenade, Prague Improvisation, Egyptian Dance, L’Amour Coquette, Rhapsodic Improvisation, Zavis’s Songs Op 1 Rudolf Friml, piano
Ivo Zidek, tenor (Zavis’s Songs only) Recorded: Studio Mozarteum, Prague 28 September 1964 SUPRAPHON SU 3267-2 911 [60’51] midprice [JW]

A delightful and charming souvenir of one of the Czech lands’ most successful exports. … see Full Review

Vyacheslav GROKHOVSKY (b.1945) Russian Caprice for piano and orchestra [11.29] The Enchanted Wanderer - symphonic poem [18.32] Hans Andersen's Fairy Tales - suite for piano and orchestra [23.51] Gypsy Rhapsody for violin and orchestra [8.42] Valery Grokhovsky (piano) Vladimir Ivanov (violin) Moscow Radio SO/Vyacheslav Grokhovsky - rec Moscow Radio Recording Studios, 1996 DDD CAMPION CAMEO 2016 [62.41] [NH]

Russian "light-romantic" is alive and well with Grokhovsky. Entertaining, tuneful and listenable. If you need to "lighten up", musically speaking, then look no further…… see Full Review

Pelle GUDMUNDSEN-HOLMGREEN (b.1932) Chamber music Mirror Pieces (1980) Passacaglia (1977) Double (1994) Territorial Song (1995-97) In Terra Pax* (1961) Plateaux pour Deux* ** (1970) LIN ensemble (Jens Schou, clarinet and hihat; John Ehde, cello and chain; Erik Kaltoft, piano and sleigh bells) with guests (Signe Madsen, violin; Frans Hansen, tabla and percussion* **; Mads Bendsen, percussion*; Carsten Seyer-Hansen, conductor) Recorded at the Royal Danish Academy of Music, Århus, 2001. DDD DA CAPO 8.224225 [78.33] [NH]

A valuable addition to our knowledge of contemporary Danish music but don't expect fireworks … see Full Review

Georg Friedrich HAENDEL (1685-1759) - Arcadian Duets - Ahi, nelle sorte umane (HWV 179): Dessay / Gens - No, di voi non vuo fidarmi (HWV 189): Claycomb / Panzarella - Caro autor di mia doglia (HWV 182a): Petibon / Agnew - Quel fior che all'alba ride (HWV 192): Panzarella / Petibon - Conservate, raddoppiate (HWV 185): Asawa / Lascarro - Tanti strali al sen mi scocchi (HWV 197): Mingardo / Claycomb - Va, speme infida (HWV 199): Claycomb / Panzarella - A miravi io son intento (HWV 178): Petibon / Mijanovic - Sono liete, fortunate (HWV 194): Mingardo / Claycomb - Natalie Dessay, soprano - Laura Claycomb, soprano - Véronique Gens, soprano - Patricia Petibon, soprano - Juanita Lascarro, soprano - Anna Maria Panzarella, soprano - Sara Mingardo, alto -Marijana Mijanovic, alto - Brian Asawa, countertenor - Paul Agnew, tenor - Le Concert d'Astrée Director: Emmanuelle Haïm (harpsichord) - Rec: May, July, August 2001, March 2002 VIRGIN VERITAS 5 45524 2 [62.18] [KM]

Vibrato: you can't say you weren't warned … see Full Review

George Frideric Handel (1685 – 1759) Water Music (1717) - Suite in F major, HWV 348 - Suite in G major, HWV 350 - Suite in D major, HWV 349 Orchestra of St. Luke's, Sir Charles Mackerras (Conductor) - Recorded: American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters, New York, March 14-15 1991 Telarc CD-80279 [54.19] [RH]

An interesting new Water Music on modern instruments, but with period inflections. Well worth exploring especially for those who dislike period instruments….see Full Review

Georg Friedrich HANDEL (1685-1759) Belshazzar HWV 61 (1745) Markus Bretscher, tenor Simone Kermes, soprano Christopher Robson, altus Patrick van Goethem, altos Franz-Josef Selig, bass Frank Höndgen, baritone Kölner Kammerchor - Collegium Cartusianum, Peter Neumann Rec: Live recording, February 11, 2001, Trinitatiskirche, Köln, Germany. MDG 332 1079-2 [157.48] [KM]

A bold and energetic approach … see Full Review

Georg Friedrich HANDEL (1685-1759) Rodelinda (1725) Reich, Cäcilie (Soprano) Mayer, Emma (Alto) Hüsch, Gerhard (Baritone) Krauss, Fritz (Baritone) Ducrue, Hans (Bass) Chor des Reichssenders Stuttgart Orchester des Reichssenders Stuttgart Leonhardt, Carl (Conductor) Suite from Alcina (1735) Görlich, Gustav (Conductor) Aria: O wende dich nicht ab from Radamisto (1720) Lehmann, Fritz (Conductor) Two arias from Julius Caesar (1724) Hast du mich ganz berauscht Es blaut die nacht Görlich, Gustav (Conductor) Rec: 1937-1939, remastered from 78 rpm recordings made for German radio. HÄNSSLER CD 93.032 [2CDs: 124 min] [KM]

Interesting, from a historical point of view, and features an attractive soprano singing Rodelinda. … see Full Review

Georg Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759) Italian Cantatas and other works. Mi palpita il cor-Cantata for alto, flute nad continuo, HWV 132c, [12:00] Suite in E major for harpsichord, HWV 430 (1720) [12:57] Irene, idolo mio-cantata for alto and continuo, HWV 120b [11:35] Sonata in D major for flute and continuo HWV 378 [6:23] Lungi da me, pensier tiranno!-Cantata for alto and continuo HWV 125b [11:53] Air from the Water Music, HWV 464 [1:54] Fra pensiere quell pensiero-cantata for alto and continuo, HWV 115 [7:00] Marie-Nicole Lemieux, contralto Luc Beauséjour, harpsichord Marie-Céline Labbé, baroque flute Amanda Keesmaat, baroque cello Recorded at Saint-Augustin-de-Mirabel church, Canada, February 4-6, 2000. DDD, ANALEKTA FL 2 3161 [64:18] [KS]

A rich, warm contralto sound of the Maureen Forrester tradition, a full throated sound, shying away from "early music" affects … see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH - Karl Amadeus HARTMANN (1905 – 1963) Lied (1933) - Joachim GRUNER (born 1933) Trumpet Concerto No.1 (1986) - Trumpet Concerto No.2 (1990) - André JOLIVET (1905 – 1974) Concertino (1948)^a - Trumpet Concerto No.2 (1954) - Ernest BLOCH (1880 – 1959) Proclamation (1955) Jouko Harjanne (trumpet); Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra; Jukka-Pekka Saraste; Tapiola Sinfonietta^a; Juhani Lamminmäki ^a - Recorded: Culture Hall, Helsinki, August 1993 (Hartmann, Gruner No.2), August 1996 (Gruner No.1), August 1997 (Jolivet No.2) and September 1997 (Bloch); and Tapiola Hall, Espoo, January 1990 (Jolivet Concertino) WARNER APEX 0927 43935-2 [72:37] [HC]

Simply stunning, immaculate and seemingly effortless … see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Symphony No. 26 in D minor 'Lamentatione'(1768) Symphony No. 52 in C minor (1774) Symphony No. 53 in D major 'L'Imperiale' (1778) Symphony No. 88 in G major (1787) Symphony No. 89 in F major (1787) Symphony No. 90 in G major (1787) Symphony No. 91 in E flat major (1788) Symphony No. 92 in G major 'Oxford' (1789) La Petite Bande Sigiswald Kuijken Rec 1988-91, Haarlem, The Netherlands Symphony No. 82 in C major 'L'Ours' (1786) Symphony No. 83 in G minor 'La Poule' (1785) Symphony No. 84 in E flat major (1786) Symphony No. 85 in B flat major (1785) Symphony No. 86 in D major (1786) Symphony No. 87 in A major (1785) Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment Sigiswald Kuijken Rec 1989, London VIRGIN CLASSICS 7243 5 62041 2 [5 CDs: 62.26, 78.14,78.32, 71.27, 58.07] Superbudget [TB]

At its attractive price this collection has a clear appeal. … See Full Review

Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Cello Concerto No 1 in C major Hob VIIb: 1 Cello Concerto No 2 in D major Hob VIIb: 2 Concerto for Piano and Strings in D major Hob XVIII: 11 Violin Concerto No 1 in C major Hob VIIa: 1 Violin Concerto No 2 in G major Hob VIIa: 4 Trumpet Concerto in E flat major Hob VIIe: 1 London Trios Nos 1-3 Hob IV: 1-3 Yo-Yo Ma (cello) with English Chamber Orchestra conducted by José Luis Garcia Emanuel Ax (piano) with Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra Cho-Liang Lin (violin) with Minnesota Orchestra conducted by Neville Marriner (Violin Concerto No 1) Isaac Stern (violin) with Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra Wynton Marsalis (trumpet) with English Chamber Orchestra conducted by Raymond Leppard Jean-Pierre Rampal (flute) Isaac Stern (violin) Mstislav Rostropovich (cello) No recording details SONY SM2K89984 [2 CDs 143.50] [JW]

As it stands a recommendation with some serious reservations. … see Full Review

  Josef HAYDN (1732-1809) Complete String Quartets Volume 5 String Quartets Opp. 76 (1794-97), 77 (1798-99) and 103 (1803) Quatuor Festetics on instruments of the period Recorded April 1996, May 1997 and August 1997 at the Budapest Bibliothèque des Techniques ARCANA A 419-1-3 [3CDs: 73.03+72.51+64.45] [GH]

Excellent articulation and attention to detail, very beautiful … captures playing of much pathos. … see Full Review

Tobias HUME (1569 ? - 1645) Poeticall musicke Montserrat Figueras, soprano Paul Hillier, bass Hespèrion XX - Jordi Savall Rec: February, March, May 1983 DEUTSCHE HARMONIA MUNDI 05472 77847 2 [58.19] [KM]

A disappointing recording of some fine music by Tobias Hume … see Full Review

Arshak IKILIKIAN (b. 1948) The Courageous Nazar - Ballet in one act (1981)¹ Piano Concerto (1986)* ¹ Superpulse, for percussion and computer (1999) Success, for violin and computer (1998) Crash, for clarinet, bass clarinet and computer (1999) Nairy Grigorian, piano* Armenian National Radio SO*¹ Gevork Muradian, conductor*¹ Thomas Sandberg, percussion Birgitte Bærentzen Pihl, violinFritz Berthelsen, clarinet, bass clarinet Recorded in Yerevan, Armenia, 1987 (orchestral works); DIEM, Århus, Denmark 2^nd November (Success) and 16^th -17^th Dec 1999 (Superpulse and Crash). DACAPO 8.224181 [70.26] [NH]

An interesting and educational disc, rather than an essential one; Superpulse might well appeal to anyone who has recently bought and enjoyed Torke's Rapture … see Full Review

Leoš JANÁČEK (1854-1928) Orchestral works, volume 2 Taras Bulba, Adagio, Suite, Opus 3, Overture: Jealousy, Cossack Dance, Serbian Kolo, The Fiddler's Child, The Ballad of Blaník Brno State Philharmonic Orchestra/Frantisek Jílek Recorded 25-26 June 1986 (Taras Bulba), 11-16 June 1991 (Adagio, Suite, Dance, Kolo), 7-10 Sept 1992 (Jealousy, Fiddler's Child, Ballad of Blaník), Stadion Studio, Brno SUPRAPHON 11 1521-2 031 [73.10] [CC]

Idiomatic performances and an abundance of fine music … see Full Review

Leos JANÁČEK (1854-1928) Orchestral works, volume 3 Sinfonietta (1926) The Danube: Symphony in 4 Movements (1926) Violin Concerto: The Wandering of a Little Soul (1926) Incidental Music: Schluck und Jau (1926) Brno State Philharmonic Orchestra/Frantisek Jilek Recorded 14-16 April 1986 (Sinfonietta), 22-25 January 1992 (remainder), Stadion Studio, Brno SUPRAPHON 11 1522-2 031 [63.12] [TB]

Worth hearing - all the music dates from 1924 or later, yet only the Sinfonietta is at all well known. … see Full Review

Alexander KNAIFEL (born 1943) In Air Clear and Unseen (1994)^a
Svete Tikhiy (1991)^b Oleg Malov (piano)^a; Keller Quartet^a; Tatiana Melentieva (soprano)^b; Andrei Siegle (sampler)^b Recorded: Radio Studio DRS Zürich, October 2000 (In Air Clear and Unseen) and Film Studio Lenfilm, 1994/5 and St Petersburg Recording Studio, 1997 (Svete Tikhiy) ECM New Series 1763 (461 814-2) [51:42]

Hypnotic, fascinating, gripping or frankly boring depending on one’s frame of mind; but, in no way, indifferent. … see Full Review

Gideon LEWENSOHN (born 1954) Piano Quintet - Postlude for piano (1992, two versions) - Odradek Quartet Alexander Lonquich (piano); Ora Rotem Nelken (piano); Auryn Quartet - Recorded: Radio DRS Zürich, February 2001 and Jerusalem Music Centre, July 1997 (second version of Postlude) ECM New Series 1781 (461 881-2) [76:13] [HC]

A maverick influenced by Kurtag, Lutoslawki, Bartók and transcending the music of his models and creating a very personal sound-world. … see Full Review

Franz LISZT (1811-86) Transcriptions and Paraphrases Réminiscences de Norma (Bellini), S394 (1841)[14'14]. Chants polonais, S480 - No. 2, Frühling [2'31]. Rigoletto (Verdi) Paraphrase, S434 (1859) [6'44]. Frühlingsnacht (Schumann), S568 (1872) [2'45]. A Faust Symphony, S108 - Gretchen (1854-7) (arr. Mocsari) [18'01]. Widmung (Liebeslied: Schumann), S566 (1848) [4'08]. 'Liebestod' from 'Tristan und Isolde' (Wagner), S447 (1867) [6'05]. Karoly Mocsari (piano). Rec Salle Adyar, Paris, on 13th-15th November 1990. [DDD] TIMPANI 1C1004 [55'02] [CC]

In all a fascinating release, not least for the 'Gretchen' arrangement. … see Full Review

Henry LITOLFF (1818-1891) Concerto symphonique No. 2 in B minor Op. 22 (1844) Concerto symphonique No. 4 in D minor, Op. 102 (1851/2) Peter Donohoe (piano) BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra/Andrew Litton. Rec. 19-20 October 1996, Caird Hall, Dundee [DDD] The Romantic Piano Concerto, Volume 14 HYPERION CDA66889 [70.39] [CC]

Worth hearing for the repertoire, certainly, even if the overall impression is that of a 'near miss'. … see Full Review

George Lloyd (1913-1998) The Vigil of Venus - for soloists, chorus and orchestra (1980) Carolyn James, soprano; Thomas Booth, tenor; The Orchestra and Chorus of the Welsh National Opera conducted by George Lloyd. Recorded: Brangwyn Hall, Swansea, November 1990 The British Music Collection DECCA 473-437 [78.02] [JF]

A big choral work from one of Britain's lesser-known great composers. … 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]
Revolving notes from clipart.com

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