John McCABE (b. 1939) Concerto for Wind Quintet (1969) Musica Notturna (1964) Fauvel’s Rondeaux (1966) Postcards for Wind Quintet (1965 rev. 1991) Fibonacci Sequence Rec. 2002. DDD DUTTON CDLX 7125 [67.31] [PC]

Some of John McCabe’s finest chamber works in commanding performances marrying sensitivity with technical virtuosity. … see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony No. 4 (1892-1895) [53.29] - Richard STRAUSS (1864 -1949) Burleske (1885-1886) [20.09] - Lisa della Casa (soprano) - Byron Janis (piano) Chicago Symphony Orchestra/Fritz Reiner - recorded in 1958 RCA RED SEAL 09026 64002 2 [73.38] [CF]

A recording worth its weight in gold for the stylish Reiner and the exemplary playing of the CSO. … see Full Review

Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony No.10 (1910-11) Orchestrated and completed by Clinton A. Carpenter Dallas Symphony Orchestra/Andrew Litton Recorded in McDermott Hall, Dallas, 3-6 June 2001 DELOS DE 3295 [78.45] [TB]

With a top-rate Mahler conductor in charge of a top class orchestra, this recording demands serious attention. … see Full Review

Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Kindertotenlieder (1901) Rückertlieder (1901-2) Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen (1883-5) Janet Baker (mezzo-soprano) New Philharmonia Orchestra (Rückertlieder) Hallé Orchestra Sir John Barbirolli Recorded Watford Town Hall, July 17-18, 1969 (Rückertlieder), Abbey Road Studio 1, London, May 4, 1967 ADD Great Recordings of the Century EMI CLASSICS 5 66981 2 [71’47] [TH]

The songs that come off best are the deeper, more introspective ones … see Full Review

Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Das Lied von der Erde (1907-8) Christa Ludwig (mezzo-soprano) Fritz Wunderlich (tenor) Philharmonia then New Philharmonia Orchestra/Otto Klemperer Recorded in Kingsway Hall, London 19-22 February 1964 No 1 Studio, Abbey Road, London 7-8 November 1964 and 6-9 July 1966 Great Recordings of the Century series EMI CLASSICS 7243 5 66892 2 0 [64’07"] [JQ]

One of the finest accounts of Das Lied von der Erde ever committed to disc. … see Full Review

Manuel MARTÍNEZ-SOBRAL (1879-1946) Cinco piezas características y una romanza (1903-1919) * - Five Characteristic Pieces and a Romance): Mazurka in A flat major; Gavota in D flat major; Mazurka in A minor; Gavota in G major; Minueto in a major; Romanza sin palabras (Romance without words) - Sonata para dos pianos (Acuarelas chapinas) (1903/1922) * ±: La parada (The Promenade); Misa mayor (High Mass); La hora del cocktail (Cocktail Time); En la ventana (By the Window) - Cuatro series de valses autobiográficos (1910-1939) *: (Four Autobiographical Waltzes): Deja que cante al pie de tu ventana (Let me sing by your window); María Teresa; Lejana juventud, edad de ensueño (Distant youth, age of dreams); Otoño (Autumn) Suzanne Husson, piano * - Michel Bourdoncle, piano ± - Recorded at Potton Hall, Westleton, Suffolk, England, January 2002 - Guatemala, Volume 5 MARCO POLO 8.225188 [69:26] [DS]

Given Marco Polo’s premium price this is a poor use of disposable income … see Full Review

Bohuslav MARTINU (1890-1959) Symphony No. 4 H305 (1945) [32.07] -
Tre Ricercari H267 (1938) [14.05] - Piano Concerto No. 4 Incantations H358 (1956) [18.59] - Josef Pálenicek (piano) Brno State Philharmonic Orchestra/Jiri Pinkas (concerto) - Czech Philharmonic Orchestra/MartinuTurnovsky (Symphony; Tre Ricercari) rec. ADD 1967, 1968 WARNER CLASSICS APEX 0927 49822 2 [65.17] [RB]

One of the unmistakable and unmissable highlights of the year. A glorious bargain. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Bohuslav MARTINU (1890-1959) String Quartet No. 1 (1918) - String Quartet No. 2 (1925) - String Quartet No. 3 (1929) - String Quartet No. 4 Concerto da Camera (1937) - String Quartet No. 5 (1938) - String Quartet No. 6 (1946) - String Quartet No. 7 Concerto da Camera (1947) - Madrigals for Violin and Viola (1947) - String Trio No. 2 (1934) - Bedrich SMETANA (1824-1884) String Quartet No. 1 in E minor From My Life (1880) - String Quartet No. 2 in D minor (1882-83) - Leoš JANÁCEK (1854-1928) String Quartet No. 1 Kreutzer Sonata (1923) - String Quartet No. 2 Intimate Letters (1928) Stamitz Quartet - Recorded in Prague 1988 (Janácek), 1990 (Smetana and Martinu) BRILLIANT CLASSICS 6473 [5 CDs 245.48] [JW]

A warm welcome to this disarmingly cheap set. I heartily recommend this comprehensive traversal of the unpredictable, occasionally highly impressive Martinů Quartets. … see Full Review

Sacred Motets by Mendelssohn and Brahms - Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Heilig [1.54] - Zwei geistliche Chore Op.115 (1833) [3.51] - Mitten wir in Leben sind Op.23 No.3 (1830)[7.55] - Aus tiefer Noth Op.23 No.1 (1830) [15.32] - Three Motets Op.39 (1830) [19.20] - Sechs Sprüche Op.79(1846) [11.29] - Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Es ist das Heil Op.29 No.1 (1864) [5.15] - O Heiland reiss die Himmel auf Op.74 No.2 (1863-64) [5.26] - Ach, arme Welt Op.110 No.2 (1889) [2.25] - James Jordan (organ) Gloriae Dei Cantores/Elizabeth Patterson - rec Mechanics Hall, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA in 1996 GLORIAE DEI CANTORES GDCD 107 [75.45] [CF]

For followers of this accomplished vocal group of forty singers, I can recommend this disc as a valuable addition to their ever-growing and evergreen collection. … see Full Review

Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809 - 1847) Six organ sonatas, Op 65 (1845) - Organ Sonata #1 in f [17.24] - Organ Sonata #2 in c [10.56] - Organ Sonata #3 in A [9.47] - Organ Sonata #4 in Bb [13.50] - Organ Sonata #5 in D [9.49] - Organ Sonata #6 in d [16.25] Reg Elson, Viscount Prestige [electronic digital sampler sequencer] Organ - Recorded at Woodsetts House, November 2002 - Notes in English, Deutsch GUILD GMCD 7249 [72.26] [PS]

A good recording of the Mendelssohn Sonatas and a taste of the future: Computer assisted musical instruments. … see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH - Saverio MERCADANTE (1795-1870) Concertos for Clarinet and for Winds and Orchestra: Concerto in B flat major for clarinet and orchestra (1819?) - Concertone No. 1 in F major for flute, clarinet, horn and orchestra * - Concertone No. 2 in F major for flute, two clarinets, horn and orchestra * - Concertone No. 3 in F major for flute, two clarinets, horn and orchestra * - (dates of composition unknown; probably student works) - Concerto in E flat major for clarinet and orchestra.(1814) - Luigi Magistrelli (clarinet); Laura Magistrelli (clarinet) - Elena Cecconi (flute) Alfredo Predetti (horn) Lario Chamber Orchestra/Pieroangelo Gelmini - Recorded at S. Stefano Ticino, Milan in July 2002 CLARINET CLASSICS CC0042 [71:58] [IL]

Cheeky, sunny Italian clarinet and wind concertos, delightfully played with great brio and a keen sense of humour. A real tonic - guaranteed to make you smile. … see Full Review

Darius MILHAUD (1892-1974) Symphony No. 4 Op. 281 (1939) [20.28] Symphony No. 8 Rhodanienne Op. 362 (1957) [23.08] Piano Concerto No. 4 Op. 295 (1949) [19.23] Ballade for piano and orchestra Op. 61 (1920) [7.57] Orchestre Philharmonique de l'ORTF/Darius Milhaud (symphonies) Claude Helffer (piano) (concerto; Ballade) Orchestre National de France/David Robertson (concerto; Ballade) rec. ADD 1968 (symphonies); DDD 1993 (concerto; Ballade) WARNER CLASSICS APEX 0927 49982 2 [77.15] [RB]

Generosity cannot be faulted: full to the brim. A rewarding Milhaud collection. ... see Full Review

Ludwig MINKUS (1826 - 1917) Don Quichotte Ballet - complete - (1869) arr. John Lanchberry (1981) - Aurelie Dupont, Kitri - Manuel Legris, Basile - Jean-Guillaume Bart, Espada - Marie-Agnes Gillot, La Danseuse de rue - Delphine Moussin, La Reine des Dryades - Clairemarie Osta, Cupidon - Melanie Hurel and Veronique Doisneau, Les deux amies - Jean-Marie Didiere, Don Quichotte - Fabien Roques, Sancho - Laurent Queval, Gamache - Alexis Saramite, Lorenzo - Karl Paquette, Le gitan - Fanny Fiat, La demoiselle d’honneur - Corps de Ballet, l’Opera Nationale de Paris L’Orchestre de l’Opéra Nationale de Paris/Ermanno Florio. Director: Nicolas Auboyneau, Choreographer: Brigitte Lefevre, Ballet Master: Patrice Bart and Clothilde Vayer, Sets: Alexandre Beliaev, Costumes: Elena Rivkina and Lighting: Philippe Albaric. recorded at l’Opera Nationale de Paris, Paris, April, 2002, DVD TDK DV-BLDQ [122 minutes] [JP]

An excellent DVD and one which I am sure you will enjoy … see Full Review

Ernest John MOERAN (1894-1950) The Complete Solo Piano Music - Bank Holiday (1925) - The White Mountain (1927) - On A May Morning (1921) - Toccata (1921) - Two Legends (1923): A Folk Story; Rune - Three Piano Pieces (1919): The Lake Island; Autumn Woods; At A Horse Fair - Two Pieces (1933): Prelude; Berceuse - Theme And Variations (1920) - Summer Valley (1925) - Stalham River (1921) - Three Fancies (1922): Windmills; Elegy; Burlesque - Irish Love Song (1926) Una Hunt (piano) - Rec. 2002. DDD ASV CD DCA 1138 [77.04] [RB]

Of poetic and sensitive melancholy you can drink your fill. Wonderful stuff, superbly recorded and strongly recommended. ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756 - 1791) Clarinet Concerto in A major KV 622 - Concerto for Flute, Harp and Orchestra in C major KV 299 Harmen de Boer (cl.), Nieuw Sinfonietta Amsterdam/Lev Markiz - Marc Grauwels (fl.), Giselle Herbert (hp.), Les Violons du Roy/Bernard Labadie - rec. Musiekcentrum Frits Philips, Eindhoven, 1994 - Licensed from AVRO (1-3) CLASSIC COLLECTION 99823 [54'26] [PS]

Don’t let the lack of liner notes put you off buying this disc - these lively and sympathetic performances will please all but the pickiest of nit-pickers. … see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Idomeneo - Opera seria in tre atti, KV 366 - Idomeneo, King of Crete - Nicolai Gedda (tenor); Idamante, his son - Adolf Dallapozza (tenor); Arbace, confidant of the King - Peter Schreier (tenor); Ilia, daughter of King Priam in Troy - Anneliese Rothenberger (soprano); Elettra, daughter of King Agamemnon of Argos - Edda Moser (soprano); High Priest of Neptune - Eberhard Büchner (tenor); Voice of Neptune - Theo Adam (bass); Priest - Günther Lieb; Chor des Leipziger Rundfunks; Staatskapelle Dresden/Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt; Recorded 1972; Thamos, König in Ägypten, KV 345 (336a) (a); Les petits riens, KV 299b (b); Ballet Music from Idomeneo, KV 366 (b); Charlotte Lehman (soprano); Rose Scheible (alto); Oly Pfaff (tenor); Bruce Abel (bass); Württembergisches Kammerchoir und Orchester (a); Slovak Sinfonietta (b); Jörg Faerber (conductor) (a); Taras Krysa (b); (a) Licensed from VOX, USA; (b) Recorded May 2002, Zilina, Slovak Republic; Church Sonatas: Sonata in E flat major, KV 67 - Sonata in B flat major, KV 68 - Sonata in D major KV 69 - Sonata in D major KV 144 - Sonata in F major KV 145 - Sonata in B flat major KV 212 - Sonata in G major KV 241 - Sonata in F major KV 224 - Sonata in A major KV 225 - Sonata in F major KV 244 - Sonata in D major KV 245 - Sonata in G major KV 274 - Sonata in C major KV 328 - Sonata in C major KV 336 - Sonata in C major KV 263 - Sonata in C major KV 278 - Sonata in C major KV 329 - Bohuslav Mtousek (violin) - Collegium Jaroslav Tuma - Licensed from Bayer records - Canons - Adagio, KV 410 - Leck mir den Arsch, KV 233 - Lieber Freistädtler, KV 232 - Kanon KV 508a-1 - O du eselhafter Martin, KV 560b - Bona nox, KV 561 - Kanon KV 508a-2 - Leck mich im Arsch KV 231 - Kanon KV 508a-3 - Kyrie KV 89 - Alleluia KV 553 - Ave Maria KV 554 - Dona nobis pacem KV 109 - Kanon KV 508a-4 - Heiterkeit KV 507 - Hei wenn die Gläser KV 89a - Kanon KV 508a-5 - Essen, trinken KV 234 - Auf das Wohl KV 508 - Kanon KV 508a-6 - Incipe KKV 89a II - Cantate Domino KV 89a II - Confitebor tibi KV 89a II - Tebana bella KV 89a II - Kanon KV 508a-7 - G'rechtelt's enk KV 556 - V'amo di core KV 348 - Lacrimosa KV 555 - Caro bell'idol mio KV 562 - Nascoso e il mio sol KV 557 - Difficile lectu KV 559 - Kanon KV 508b - Seht, Sie ist dahin KV 229 - Selig, selig alle KV 230 - Heil dem Tag KV 347 - Canon for 2 violins, viola and bass KV 191 - Horch, ihr susses Lied KV 562a - Lebet wohl KV 228 - Sinkt die Nacht KV 109d - Chamber Choir of Europe Klarinetten-Trio der Musikschule Achern-Oberkirch (Robert Beck, Lea, Hamm, Joachim Fischer) - Bläsersolisten der Würteembergischen Philharmonic Reutlingen - Streicherolisten der Würteembergischen Philharmonic Reutlingen - Nicol Matt (conductor) - Recorded November 2002, Alte Kirche Fautenbach, Germany BRILLIANT CLASSICS 99738/1-6 [6CDs: 57.5, 58.04, 71.49, 78,25, 75.12, 68.06] [RH]

An interesting performance of Idomeneo which does not quite live up to its promise, coupled with rather a miscellany of other items … see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) London Sketchbook (1764/5) - Minuets and Contredanses - Completions of Mozart’s earliest sketches and fragments by Hans-Udo Kreuels Hans-Udo Kreuels, Piano - With the Vorarlberg Conservatory Ensemble (tracks 28 and 39) - Recorded at Ostereichischer Rundfunk, Voralberg, Dornbirn, Austria, December 2001 NAXOS 8.554769 [74:40] [SA]

A delightful disc nevertheless, that is sympathetically played with obvious affection for both the composer and the works. … see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Piano Concerto No. 11, in F major, K.413, (1782-83) - Piano Concerto No. 14, in E flat major, K.449 (1784) - Piano Concerto No. 15, in B flat major, K.450 (1784) Daniel Barenboim: piano and conductor - Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra - Rec.: K.413 Philharmonie, Berlin, in March 1996; K.449 live, Philharmonie, Berlin, January 1997; K.450, live Philharmonie, Berlin, November 1996 DDD WARNER CLASSICS ELATUS 2564-60116-2 [68:00] [MC]

Good performances but Barenboim is left behind by the exceptionally strong competition that is available in these works. … see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K550 [33’21"] Symphony No. 41 in C major, K551 "Jupiter" [37’18"] Prague Chamber Orchestra/Sir Charles Mackerras Recorded in The Hall of Artists, Prague, 12-14 July 1986 TELARC CD-80139 [71’10"] [RB]

Fine airy, performances, phrases sharply accented, Mozart completely purged of powdered wig lassitude. ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Horn Concertos: 1 in D K.412, 2 in E flat K.417, 3 in E flat K.447, 4 in E flat K.495, Quintet for piano and wind in E flat K.452 Dennis Brain (horn), Philharmonia Orchestra/Herbert von Karajan (concertos), Colin Horsley (piano), Dennis Brain Wind Ensemble – Leonard Brain (oboe), Stephen Waters (clarinet), Cecil James (bassoon), Dennis Brain (horn) (quintet) Recorded 12, 13, 23/11/1953, Kingsway Hall, London (concertos), 19, 23/5/1954, No.1 Studio, Abbey Road, London (quintet) Great Recordings of the Century series EMI CLASSICS CDM 5 66898 2 [77:26] [CH]

Not all myths stand up to investigation but this one does. … see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Requiem in d minor, K. 626 for soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor, bass, chorus and orchestra [50:33] Benjamin BRITTEN (1913-1976) in conversation with Donald Mitchell [26:00] Heather Harper, soprano Alfreda Hodgson, mezzo-soprano Peter Pears, tenor John Shirley-Quirk, bass Aldeburgh Festival Chorus English Chamber Orchestra/Benjamin Britten Recorded 20 June 1971, Aldeburgh Festival Concert Hall (Requiem) Recorded February 1969 (Interview) Great Performers of the 20^th Century series BBC LEGENDS BBCL 4119-2 [76:33] [JS]

It is said that when the angels sing, they sing Mozart: if that is true, then when the angels mourn, they sing the Requiem thus … see Full Review

Paul MÜLLER-ZÜRICH (1898 - 1993) Concerto for Organ and Orchestra, Op. 28 (1938, rev. 1978) [18.16] - Toccata in C, Op. 12 (1925) [8.42] - Willy BURKHARD (1900 - 1955) Sonatina for Organ, Op. 52 (1938) [9.28] - Adolf BRUNNER (1901 - 1992) Pfingstbuch über den Choral "Nun bitten wir den Heiligen Geist" (1937) [20.15] - Hans SCHAEUBLE (1906 - 1988) Preludium, from Op. 15 (1930) [4.21] Jeremy Bines at the Alte Tonhalle Organ, Neumünster, Zürich - Kammerorkester Basel; Christopher Hogwood, conductor - Recorded at the Alte Tonhalle, Neumünster, Zürich, Swizerland, 14 May 2002 - Notes in English and Deutsch with photos of the artists and organ, and specifications GUILD GMCD 7253 [61.30] [PS]

Intriguing, colourful Swiss music from the 1930s, beautifully played and recorded.… see Full Review

Thea MUSGRAVE (b. 1928) Memento Vitae (1969-70) Helios (1994) Night Music (1969) The Seasons (1988) Nicholas Daniel (oboe) Scottish Chamber Orchestra/Nicholas Kraemer BBC Symphony Orchestra/Jac van Steen Recorded at City Hall, Glasgow 13-14 May 1998 (Helios, Night Music, The Seasons) and Studio 1, BBC Maida Vale, London 29 May 1998 (Memento Vitae) DDD NMC Ancora+ NMC D074 [79:34] [CT]

Excellent performances and Thea Musgrave at her most compelling. A highly recommended combination. … see Full Review

Nikolai MYASKOVSKY (1881-1950) Symphony No. 24 (1943) - Symphony No. 25 (1947) Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra/Dmitry Yablonsky - Rec. 18, 22-23 Oct 2000, Radio House, Moscow NAXOS 8.555376 [66.07]

This is vibrant and sensitive playing and does Myaskovsky proud. No complaints at all about the disc? None. … see Full Review

Carl NIELSEN (1865 - 1931) Symphony No. 2 The Four Temperaments Op. 16 (1902) Symphony No. 5 Op. 50 (1922) BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra/Osmo Vänskä.Rec. City Hall, Glasgow 2001-08-02/03 (No.2), and 2000-01-22/23 (No. 5). DDD BIS CD-1289 [71’23"] [JPh]

Not up there with the best, but a very creditable effort, superbly recorded and annotated by BIS … see Full Review

Carl NIELSEN (1865-1931) Songs - Musik tilfem digte, Opus 4 (1891) - Viser og vers, Opus 6 (1891) - Sange, Opus 10 (1894) - Tit er jeg glad (1917) - Saenk kun dit hoved, Opus 21 (1907) - Solen skinner (1916) - Nu lyser lív I lunde (1921) - Undelige aftenlufte! (1915) - Italiensk hyrdearie, Opus 54 (1930) - Duet fra Maskarade (1906) Inger Dam-Jensen (soprano), Morten Ernst Lassen (baritone) - Ulrich Staerk (piano) - Rec. 4-6 Feb 2002, Royal Library, Diamanten DACAPO 8.224218 [57.11] [TB]

Grouping the songs in shorter sequences can be most uplifting - some real gems here … see Full Review

Jaques OFFENBACH (1819-1875) Hoffmans Erzahlungen (Les Contes d’Hoffman) opera in 3 Acts with Prologue and Epilogue. (sung in German) Hoffman, Rudolf Schock (ten); Lindorf/Dapertutto/Coppelius/Dr Miracle, Alexander Welitsch (b.bar); Olympia, Wilma Lipp (sop); Giulietta, Martha Modl (m.sop); Antonia, Elfride Trotschel (sop); Stella, Annelie Jansen (sop); Nicklaus, Maria von Ilosvay (m.sop); Spalazini, Willy Hoffman (ten); Crespel, Otto von Rohr (bass); Hermann, Walther Schonfield (bass); Nathanael, Ernst-August Steinhoff (ten); Andrea/Cochenille, Alexander Welitsch (b.bar) Kolner Rundfunk Chorus and Orchestra/Eugen Szenkár Recorded 28^th September-1st October 1950. North West German Radio Studio, Köln RELIEF CR 1902 [3CDs: 57.23+75.19+45.18] [RF]

Schock: subtleness, sheer élan and feel for a phrase as well as characterisation. His portrayal is convincing and enjoyable … see Full Review

Niccolò PAGANINI (1782-1842) Violin Concerto No. 1 in D major (1817) - Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) Introduction et Rondo capriccioso (1863) - Havanaise - Franz WAXMAN (1906-1967) Carmen Fantasie for violin and orchestra - Maxim Vengerov (violin) Israel Philharmonic Orchestra/Zubin Mehta - rec Tel Aviv, November 1992 ELATUS 2564-60013-2 [63:12] [IL]

Excitement and romance - a highly recommended bargain reissue … see Full Review

Mogens PEDERSON (1585-1623) Madrigali a cinque voci, Libro primo (1608) - Ecco la Primavera [02:23] - Se nel partir [02:31] - Morirò, cor mio [02:57] - T’amo mia vita [03:40] - O che soave baccio [02:52] - Son vivo e non son vivo [03:02] - Care lagrime mie [02:39] - Se del mio lagrimare [02:23] - Come esser può [02:41] - S’io rido et scherzo [02:17] - Nell’ apparir dell’ amorosa Aurora [01:53] - Tutti presero all’hora [02:26] - Tra queste verdi fronde [03:10] - Amor, per tua mercè [02:18] - Donna, mentre i’vi miro [02:39] - Non voglio più servire [02:43] - Dimmi, caro ben mio [02:45] - Io non credea già mai [02:55] - Lascia, semplice, lascia [02:44] - Madonn’, Amor ed io [02:40] - Et ella all’hor spiegò [03:34] - Musica Ficta: Malene Nordtorp, Elisabeth Holmertz (soprano), Rie Koch (mezzosoprano), Helen Rossil (contralto), Christian Hauskov, John Kjoller (tenor), Hans Henrik Raaholt (bass) Director: Bo Holten - Recorded in November 2001 and February 2002 in Torpen Kapel, Humlebaek DDD DACAPO 8.224219 [57:42] [JvW]

An interesting recording which unfortunately fails to deliver the true qualities of the madrigals by the Danish composer Pederson. … see Full Review

Wilhelm PETERSEN (1890-1957) Lieder aus Shakespeares Dramen Op. 46 (c.1949) [21.09] Sechs Gesänge nach texten von Claudius, Hölderlin, George, Lenau, Trakl, Op. 45 (1910?) [15.41] Fünf Lieder aus Des Knaben Wunderhorn (1922) [11.35] Drei Oden von Klopstock Op. 13 (1925) [9.55] Fünf Lieder aus Des Knaben Wunderhorn - erste fassung (1947) [13.42] Hans Christoph Begemann (bar) Matthias Gräff-Schestag (piano) rec. 15-17 May 2001, Festburgkirche Frankfurt am Main. DDD EIGENART 10280 [71.15] [RB]

A valuable addition to the shelves of all lieder and English song enthusiasts - beautifully performed and recorded. ... see Full Review

Music for Two Pianos and Orchestra Francis POULENC (1899-1963) Concerto in D minor (1932) [19.05] Nikolai BEREZOWSKY (1900-1953) Fantasie (1931) [10.53] Paul CRESTON (1906-1985) Concerto Op.50 (1951) [23.44] Joshua Pierce and Dorothy Jonas (duo-pianists) National Symphony Orchestra of Polish Radio and Television David Amos (conductor) recorded in the Concert Hall of Polish Radio, Katowice, Poland in 2001 KLEOS CLASSICS KL 5121 [53.42] [CF]

A highly commendable disc, the playing of the highest calibre despite the caveat of occasional breaches of the speed limit in Poulenc’s classic. … see Full Review

Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Symphony No. 3, Opus 44 (1928) - Symphony No. 4 (revised version), Opus 112 (1947) French National Orchestra/Mstislav Rostropovich - Recorded April (No. 3) and November (No. 4) 1987, Grand Auditorium, Radio France, Paris ELATUS 2564 60020-2 [78.12] [TB]

A curious lack of tension and momentum … though no lack of force or power … passion and commitment are never in doubt. … see Full Review

Johann Joachim QUANTZ (1697-1773) Flute Sonatas: D major QV 1:42; G minor QV 1:116; in G minor QV 2:17: C major QV 1:9 and Trio Sonatas in D major QV 2:15 and in Eb QV 2:17 Baroque transverse flute played by Mary Oleskiewicz Stephanie Vial, baroque cello David Schulenburg, harpsichord and fortepiano Jean-Francois Beaudin, flute 2 Recorded at the Baldwin Auditorium, Duke University, North Carolina, January 1998 NAXOS 8.555064 [60.19] [GH]

There is much on this CD to appreciate. Certainly all flute players should have it and to anyone with an interest in baroque music it will be greatly enjoyed. … see Full Review

Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor Op. 18 (1901) The Nine Études-Tableaux Op. 39 (1916/17) Joyce Hatto (piano) National Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra/René Köhler Recorded St Mark’s, Croydon, March 1998 (Concerto) and the Concert Artist Studios, September 1999 (The Études Tableaux) CONCERT ARTIST/FIDELIO RECORDINGS CACD 9218-2 [70.20] [JW]

Triumphant reconciliation and wholeness … a greater ranger of nuance and understanding. … see Full Review

Alan RAWSTHORNE (1905-1971) Piano Concerto No.1 for Piano and Orchestra (1939;1942) - Piano Concerto No 2 for Piano and Orchestra (1951) - Improvisations on a Theme by Constant Lambert. (1960) - Peter Donohoe, piano Ulster Orchestra/Takuo Yuasa. Recorded in the Ulster Hall, Belfast 20^th -24^th November 2001 NAXOS 8.555959 [56.19] [JF]

A great recording of these two fine British Piano Concertos. Rawsthorne enthusiasts will want this for their collection to complement Tozer's version on Chandos. … see Full Review

Joaquín RODRIGO (1901-1999) Palillos y panderetes (1982); Dos Danzas españolas (1966); Per la flor del Iliri blau (1934); Tres viejos aires de danza (1926); A la busca del mas alla (1976) Lucera Tena (castanets) Castile and Leon Symphony Orchestra/Max Bragado Darman - Rec. Teatro Carrion, Valladolid, 1991; Nov 2000 NAXOS 8.555962 [68.52] [GH]

The two longest works are the most serious and to me at least, present an impressive side of the composer, which I had never suspected. … 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]

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