John CAGE (1912
– 1992) Cheap
Imitation (1969) Souvenir (1984) Dream (1948)
Teodoro Anzellotti (accordion) Recorded: WDR, Funkhaus Köln,
December 2000 (Cheap Imitation) and September 1992 (Dream);
Hans-Rosbaud-Studio, Baden-Baden, December 1993 (Souvenir)
WINTER & WINTER 910 080-2 [62:57] [HC]
Cage’s
fans will need no further recommendation and
will be delighted to hear these unusual, but
quite successful transcriptions. … see Full
Review
Joseph CANTELOUBE
(1879-1957) Chants d’Auvergne
Frederica von Stade (mezzo soprano) Royal
Philharmonic Orchestra/Antonio de Almeida
Recorded Abbey Road, London 1982 and 1985
SONY CLASSICAL SBK63063 [73.11] [JW]
For
those who prefer their Canteloube rather tougher,
edgier and less verdant than the norm. … see
Full Review
Carolling:
A Celebration for Walter
CARROLL and Ida
CARROLL
Walter CARROLL Piano
Sonata in C minor and songs Magnificat and
Nunc Dimittis Jubilate Dorothy
PILLING Songs: Colours; Three Jolly
Gentlemen; February; Jenny Kiss'd Me (soprano)
Songs: Nod; The Splendour Falls; Silver point;
Weathers (baritone) Vignettes for piano: Idyll;
Mirages; Promenade. Recorder and Piano:
Terence GREAVES
Melancholy Piper Michael
Zev GORDON
Dolce John
McLEOD Rainbow
Michael BALL
Carolling
Jonathan Scott (piano); Alison Wells
(soprano); Christopher Underwood (baritone);
John Turner (recorder); Keith Swallow (piano)
Jeremy Suter (organ) Cockermouth Harmonic
Society/Michael Hancock Rec. 2003?
FORSYTH FS004 [65.00] [CSS]
Illuminates
a frequently overlooked corner … see Full
Review
Fryderyk
CHOPIN
(1809-1847) The
Waltzes – Complete Works for Piano: Volume 7
Joyce Hatto (piano) Recorded Concert Artist Studios January and
March 1997 CONCERT ARTIST/FIDELIO
RECORDINGS CACD 9042-2 [69.54] [JW]
Lyrical
and affecting … shines undimmably … upholds the fine standard set by
this series. … see Full Review
Frederick
CHOPIN (1810-1849)
The
Complete Works for Piano Vol. 1 The Études
Joyce Hatto, piano Rec. March 1992, April 1997, Concert Artist
Studios, Royston, Hertfordshire, England
CONCERT ARTIST CACD 9035-2 [65.57] [PW]
Regrettably
not easy to recommend. … see Full Review
Henri
CHRISTINÉ (1867-1941)
Dédé
(1921) - Musical (abridged, with dialogue in French) Maurice Chevalier
(bar) Robert; Marina Hotine (sop) Denise; Raymond Girerd (ten) André/Dédé;
Andrée Grandjean (sop) Odette; Marcel Carpentier (bar) Leroydet.
Orchestra conducted
by Jacques-Henri Rys Rec. Universal (Decca) Studios, Antony, France.
1953 Mono 2 CDs for the price of one
DISCOVERY/ACCORD OPERETTE SERIES 461 961-2 [85:31] [RW]
Flows
breezily along, very clearly recorded, in fact outstandingly so for
1953. The mono mastering does not hinder one's enjoyment. … see Full
Review
RECORDING OF THE MONTH Frederic CLIFFE
(1857-1931) Symphony
No. 1 in C minor Op. 1 (1889) [43.25] Orchestral Picture: Cloud and
Sunshine (1890) [14.26]
Malmö Opera Orchestra/Christopher Fifield rec. 6-8 May 2003,
St. Johannes Church, Malmö, Sweden. DDD
STERLING CDS-1055-2 [57.54] [RB]
Two
virile and confident works in the Mendelssohn-Schumann
tradition given splendidly engaged, life-imbued
performances and audio to match. ... see Full
Review
Gloria
COATES (b.1943)
String
Quartet No. 2 (1972) String Quartet No. 3
(1975) String Quartet No. 4 (1976-77) String
Quartet No. 7 ‘Angels’ (2000) String Quartet
No. 8 ( 2001-02)
Kreutzer Quartet Michael Finnissy (Conductor
on String Quartet No. 7) Philip Adams (Organ
on String Quartet No. 7) Recorded at the Church
of St. John’s, Loughton, Essex on 18 September
2000 (Quartets 2, 3, 4) and the Church of
St. Mary de Haura, New Shoreham, West Sussex
on 30 June 2003 (Quartets 7, 8). DDD
NAXOS 8.559152 [64.37] [MC]
I
have been left with a plethora of complex
feelings by this extremely challenging music.
Will I be returning to these works? I doubt
it somehow! … see Full
Review
RECORDING OF THE MONTH Aaron
COPLAND (1900-1990)
Music
for piano: Passacaglia (1921/22)
[7’12]. Piano Variations (1930) [11’18].
Piano Sonata (1939-41) [24’43]. Piano
Fantasy (1955-57) [33’20].
Raymond Clarke (piano) Rec. King’s Hall, University
of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, September 1st,
2001. DDD
DIVINE ART 25016 [76’52] [CC]
My
recording of the month, without a shadow of
a doubt. For anyone who has yet to experience
the wonders of Copland’s music for piano,
here is the place to start. … see Full
Review
François COUPERIN (1668-1733)
L’Apothéose
de Corelli (1724) - L’Apothéose de Lully (1725) -
La Sultane (1695) - La Steinerque (1692)
London Baroque Ensemble/Charles Medlam - Rec. January 2001, St Martin’s,
East Woodhay, Hampshire
BIS CD 1275 [65.40] [TB]
The
ebb and flow of the music is effortlessly inspired, endlessly imaginative
… see Full Review
The Pupils of Beethoven Carl
CZERNY (1791-1857) Piano Concerto in
A minor, Op. 214a [30’57].Ferdinand
RIES (1784-1838)Piano Concerto in C sharp minor, Op. 55b
[28’25]. Felicja
Blumental (piano); aVienna Chamber Orchestra/Helmut Froschauer;
bSalzburg Chamber Orchestra/Theodore Guschlbauer.Rec. aVienna
in 1968, bKlessheim Palace, Salzburg in 1968. ADD
BRANA RECORDS BR0005 [59’25] [CC]
Thanks
to Brana for allowing us to enjoy the artistry of Felicja Blumental
and explore a couple of the byways of the piano concerto repertoire.
… see Full Review
Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918)
Images,
six pieces for solo piano (1905-07) Etudes, twelve pieces for
solo piano (1915) Recorded at La Salle de Musique, La Chaux-de-Fonds,
France, 7-14 July 2002. DDD
Pierre-Laurent Aimard (piano)
WARNER CLASSICS 8573 83940-2 [75:06] [MC]
Pass
on this and opt for the Thibaudet … see Full
Review
Michel-Richard De LALANDE (1657-1736)
De
Profundis; Regina Coeli; Ensemble Vocal et Instrumental
de Lausanne/Michel Corboz Recorded in 1970 no further details given
Sacris Solemnis Soloists unnamed Chorale Stephane Caillat
Orchestre de Chambre/Jean-François
Paillard Recorded in 1980 no further details given
ERATO 2564 60240-2 [73.26] [GH]
I
am convinced that De Lalande is a fine composer but for me this is not
the recording to choose. … see Full
Review
Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797-1868)
An
Introduction to ... L’Elisir d’Amore Background Introduction,
The 'bel canto' era, Rossini and Bellini, Donizetti The Scottish connection,
Johann Simon Mayr, Donizetti's first successes L'elisir d'amore Background
to L'elisir d'amore, The opening: Adina and Nemorino, Sergeant Belcore,
Dr Dulcamara, Act I finale, Act II opening: Adina and Belcore’s engagement,
Nemorino's enlistment and Adina's discovery, 'Una furtiva lagrima' A
happy ending Narrative
written by Thomson Smillie and spoken by David Timson Musical extracts
taken from complete Naxos recording (8.660045-46) conducted by Pier
Giorgio Morandi Bargain Price
NAXOS EDUCATIONAL 8.558120 [77.59] [RF]
Erudite,
informative and entertaining for the opera enthusiast or first timer.
… see Full Review
Troy DONOCKLEY The
Pursuit of Illusion Conscious, The Pursuit of
Illusion, Little Window, Floating World, A Bridge, Fragment, The Colour
of the Door (Parts 1 and 2)
Troy Donockley, voice, guitar, mandola, whistles, Uillean pipes, keyboards
Joanne Hogg, voice York Cantores Choir The Emperor String Quartet Neil
Drinkwater, piano Chris Redgate, oboe Terl Bryant, percussion Duncan
Rayson, organ Nick Beggs, Chapman stick Peter Knight, violins Andy Duncan,
darabuka, Tibetan drum, voice Recorded at The Chapel Studios, Lincolnshire
and Waterworld, East Yorkshire. York Cantores recorded at The National
Centre for Early Music, York.
LANTERN LNTNCD1 [54.47] [NH]
Living
proof that, in the right hands, crossover
need not mean blandout. A brilliant fusion
of classical, folk, rock etc. by a musician
of no mean talent…….see Full
Review
Roger DUMAS
(1897-1951)
Ignace
operetta (1935) complete, with dialogue
in French
Fernandel (bar) Ignace Boitaclou; Robert
Piquet (ten) Serge de Montroc; Eliane Varon
(sop) Annette; Eliane Thibault (sop) Monique;
Line May (sop) Loulette Orchestra and choir
directed by André Grassi Rec. Universal
(Decca) Studios, Antony, France 1967 2 CDs
for the price of one
DISCOVERY/ACCORD OPERETTE SERIES 472 877-2
[102:10] [RW]
Not
really an operetta; more a series of revue
numbers linked by dialogue. Strong rhythm,
music of the easy going, easy listening variety
… see Full Review
Henri DUTILLEUX
(b.1916) Symphony
No. 2 (1959) Métaboles * (1965) Arthur
HONEGGER (1892-1956) Symphony No. 4 (1947)
Orchestre des Concerts Lamoureux * Orchestre National de l’ORTF
conducted by Charles Münch Recorded in Paris in 1967
WARNER ERATO 2564 60575-2 [72:20] [IL]
Fine
committed performances of very approachable modern music. The Dutilleux
especially is very colourful, kaleidoscopic and quite addictive. … see
Full Review
Antonin DVOŘÁK (1844-1908)
Violin Concerto in A minor (1879) [29.32] Mazurek, op. 49 for
violin and orchestra (1879) [6.00] Pablo de
SARASATE (1841-1904) Zigeunerweisen, op. 20 for violin
and orchestra (1878) [7.46] Carmen Fantasy, op. 25 for violin
and orchestra (1879) [11.37]
Akiko Suwanai (violin) Budapest Festival Orchestra/Iván Fischer
Recorded at the Italian Institute, Budapest, December, 1999
PHILIPS 289 464 531-2 [55.27] [EH]
Acute
awareness and ability to dominate and accompany. Brilliant technical
control and dynamic range … see Full Review
Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841-1904)
Cello Concerto in B minor, op.104Symphony no. 9 in E minor, op.95 –
"From the New World"
Ludwig Hoelscher (violoncello), Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Hamburg/Joseph
Keilberth (concerto), Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie/Edouard Lindenberg
(symphony)Recorded in 1958 and 1969, locations not given
APEX 0927 49919-2 [79:17] [CH]
A
version of the cello concerto which was well worth resurrecting, but
the symphony is compromised by scrappy playing. … see Full
Review
Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841-1904)
String Quartet in F, Op. 96, American (1893) [25’44].Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-97) String Quartet in C minor, Op. 51 No. 1
(1865-73) [31’04] Škampa
String Quartet (Pavel Fischer, Jana Lukášova, violins; Radim
Sedmidunský, viola; Jonáš Krejčí, cello)Rec Domovina Studio,
Prague, on April 30th and June 28th-29th,
1998. DDD SUPRAPHON
SU3380-2 [56’54] [CC]
The
Škampa Quartet is quite an ensemble … Unhesitatingly
recommended. … see
Full Review
Sir Edward
ELGAR (1857-1934)
National
Anthem (arr. Elgar) Coronation
Ode Dame Felicity Lott (soprano),
Alfreda Hodgson (contralto), Richard Morton
(tenor); Stephen Roberts (bass) Cambridge
University Musical Society Choir of Kings
College Cambridge Band of the Royal Military
School of Music, Kneller Hall/Sir Philip Ledger
rec. Chapel of Kings College, Cambridge, February
1977 The Spirit of England, O
Hearken Thou (offertory) Dame Felicity
Lott (soprano) London Symphony Chorus and
Northern Sinfonia/Richard Hickox Rec. No.
1 Studio, Abbey Road, London, October 1987
National Anthem (arr. Elgar) Hubert
PARRY (1848-1918) I Was Glad
Cambridge University Musical Society Choir
of Kings College Cambridge Band of the Royal
Military School of Music, Kneller Hall/Sir
Philip Ledger Rec. Chapel of Kings College,
Cambridge, February 1977
EMI CLASSICS 5 85148 2 [74:21] [IL]
Grand
ceremonial music that touches heart and spirit.
… see Full
Review
Sir
Edward ELGAR
(1857-1934) An Elgar
Choral Collection CD1
[70.40] and CD2 [57.13]: Meditation
(The Light of Life), Op.29*
(1896) The Apostles, Op.49 (1903)
Sheila Armstrong (soprano), Helen Watts (contralto),
Robert Tear (tenor), Benjamin Luxon (bass),
Clifford Grant (bass), John Carol Case (bass)
Choir of Downe House School, London Philharmonic
Choir London Philharmonic Orchestra*/Sir Adrian
Boult Rec. October-December 1973 and 2 July
1974, Kingsway Hall, London (Apostles), February
1974, No. 1 Studio, Abbey Road, London (Meditation)
CD3 [57.38] and CD4 [72.19]: The Kingdom,
Op.51 (1906) Margaret Price (soprano), Yvonne
Minton (contralto), Alexander Young (tenor),
John Shirley-Quirk (bass) London Philharmonic
Choir and Orchestra/Sir Adrian Boult Coronation
Ode, Op.44 (1902, revised 1911) Felicity
Lott (soprano), Alfreda Hodgson (contralto,
Richard Morton (tenor) Stephen Roberts (bass)
Cambridge University Musical Society Choir
of King’s College, Cambridge New Philharmonia/Philip
Ledger Rec 16-22 December 1968, Kingsway Hall,
London (Kingdom), 7-8 February 1977, Chapel
of King’s College, Cambridge CD5 [38.49] and
CD6 [59.26]: The Dream of Gerontius,
Op.38 (1900) Richard Lewis (tenor), Janet
Baker (mezzo soprano), Kim Borg (bass) Hallé
Choir, Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus, Ambrosian
Singers Hallé Orchestra/Sir John Barbirolli
Rec 27-30 December, Free Trade Hall, Manchester
CD7 [59.01]: The Banner of St George,
Op.33 (1897) Great is the Lord,
Op.67 (1913) Te Deum and Benedictus,
Op.34 (1897) London Symphony Chorus Northern
Sinfonia of England/Richard Hickox Rec 9-11
February 1986, Watford Town Hall CD8 [75.30]
and CD9 [74.30]: Caractacus,
Op.35 (1898) Imperial March,
Op.32* (1897) Coronation March,
Op.65* (1911) Enigma Variations,
Op.36* (1899) Peter Glossop (baritone), Sheila
Armstrong (soprano), Robert Tear (tenor),
Bryan Rayner Cook (baritone), Malcolm King
(bass) Richard Stuart (bass) Liverpool Philharmonic
Choir Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir
Charles Groves Rec 1971 (Imperial March, Coronation
March), 1977 (Caractacus, Enigma Variations)
CD10 [64.05]:The Light of Life,
Op.29 (1896) Margaret Marshall (soprano),
Helen Watts (contralto), Robin Leggate (tenor),
John Shirley-Quirk (bass) Liverpool Philharmonic
Choir Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir
Charles Groves Rec 17-18 July 1980, Philharmonic
Hall, Liverpool CD11 [62.15]:The Music
Makers, Op.69* (1912) Sea Pictures,
Op.37 (1899) Felicity Palmer (contralto) London
Symphony Chorus* London Symphony Orchestra/Richard
Hickox CD12 [51.13]: The Spirit of England,
Op.80* (1917) Give unto the Lord,
Op.74 (1914) O Hearken Thou,
Op.64 (1911) The Snow, Op.26
No. 1 (1894) Land of Hope and Glory
(arr. Fagge, 1914) Felicity Palmer
(contralto) London Symphony Chorus Northern
Sinfonia of England/Richard Hickox Rec 11-12
May 1986, Watford Town Hall Rec 17-18 October
1977, No. 1 Studio, Abbey Road, London CD13
[76.10]: Ave Verum Corpus, Op.2
No. 1 (1887) Ave Maria, Op.2
No. 2 (1887) Ave maris stella,
Op.2 No. 3 (1887) Vesper Voluntaries,
Op.14 (1890) Angelus, Op.56
No. 1 (1909) Give unto the Lord,
Op.74 (1914) O Hearken Thou,
Op.64 (1911) Te Deum and Benedictus,
Op.34 (1897) Organ Sonata, Op.28*
(1895) Choir of Worcester Cathedral Harry
Bramma (organ) Christopher Robinson Herbert
Sumsion (organ)* Rec 6-8 March 1969, Worcester
Cathedral, 4-6 January 1965, Gloucester Cathedral
(Organ Sonata)
EMI CLASSICS 5 75794 2 [13CDs] [TB]
To
have these wonderful recordings collected
‘under one roof’, so to speak, is clearly
something to treasure. For these discs will
grace any library shelf, provided of course
that there are not too many of them already
there. … see Full
Review
Bechara EL-KHOURY (b.1957)
Orchestral Works CD1
Symphonic Works [76.35] Danse pour orchestra
Op. 9 "Danse des Aigles"
(1980); Image Symphonique Op. 26 "Les
dieux de la Terre" (1982); Suite
Symphonique Op. 29 (1982) "Les Nuit
et le Fou"; Requiem for Orchestra
Op. 18 (1980); Poème Symphonique No.
1 Op. 14 (1980); Poème Symphonique
No. 2 "Le Regard du Christ"
Op. 2 (1979) Orchestre Colonne/Pierre Dervaux
Recorded in the church of Notre-Dame, Paris,
September 1983 CD2 Concertos [65.57]
Meditation poètique for violin
and piano Op. 41 (1986); Concerto for piano
and orchestra Op. 36 (1984); ‘Poème’
for piano and orchestra No. 1 Op. 11(1980);
Poème for piano and orchestra
No. 2 Op. 22 (1981); Serenade for string orchestra
No. 1 ‘Feuilles d’Automne’ Op. 10 (1980);
Serenade for string orchestra No. 2 Op. 20
(1981)
Orchestre Colonne/Pierre Dervaux Abdel Rahman
El Bacha and David Lively (pianos); Gérard
Poulet (violin) Recorded live at the Salle
Pleyel, Paris, February and March 1986
FORLANE ARC 361 216762 [76.35+65.57] [GH]
Early
pieces showing considerable competence. Sometimes
inspired often sounding extremely mature.
Masterly use of the orchestra - this fascinating
composer … see Full
Review
Einar ENGLUND
(1916-1999)
Piano
Concerto No. 1 (1955) [21.43] Piano Concerto No. 2 (1974) [23.48] Epinikia
(1947) [7.37] Matti
Raekallio (piano) Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra/Eri Klas Rec. Tampere
Hall, Finland, April 2002
ONDINE ODE 1015-2 [53.28] [RB]
Ondine
remain on-song with another indispensable
addition to the Englund discography. … see
Full Review
Giles FARNABY (c1563-1640)
"Farnaby’s Dreame" For
two Virginals */*** [01:14] Muscadin * [01:16]
Fantasia * (M.B., No. 5) [05:06] Meridian
Alman * [01:42] Mal Sims * [01:28] Alman *
(M.B., No. 22) [01:02] Rosseter’s Galliard
* [02:16] Wooddy-Cock * [06:09] A maske *
(M.B., No. 33) [01:49] Pawles Wharfe * [02:08]
The Old Spagnioletta * [00:56] Fantasia *
(M.B., No. 12) [03:52] His Humour * [01:28]
A Maske * (M.B., No. 31) [02:11] The King’s
Hunt * [02:06] Fantasia * (M.B., No. 7) [03:46]
A Gigge * [01:17] Gallarda * [01:34] Tell
mee Daphne * [01:54] Spagnioletta * [02:00]
Fantasia * (M.B., No. 10) [03:42] A Maske
** (M.B., No. 32) [01:07] Alman (Johnson,
set by Farnaby) ** (M.B., No. 23) [00:43]
Fantasia ** (M.B., No. 6) [03:31] Pavana (Johnson,
set by Farnaby) ** [05:45] Why aske you **
[01:59] Giles Farnaby’s Dreame ** [00:57]
Quodling’s Delight ** [02:52] Lachrymae Pavan
(Dowland, set by Farnaby) ** [08:01] A Toy
** [01:11] (M.B. refers to the series Musica
Brittannica, in which a number of Farnaby’s
compositions have been published)
Pierre Hantaï, harpsichord (Italian
harpsichord by F.A, 1677 *; Flemish harpsichord
by Ruckers, Antwerp 1624 **); Elisabeth Joyé,
spinet (French, 17th century ***) Recorded
in February and March 1990 in the Museum of
Chartres (*) and the Unterlinden Museum at
Colmar (**), France DDD
ACCORD 476 057-2 [76:27] [JV]
Farnaby
may be a rather obscure composer of the Elizabethan
era, his music is imaginative and often virtuosic
– well worth hearing … see Full
Review
Gabriel FAURÉ (1845
– 1924) Piano
Trio in D minor Op.120 (1923) Claude DEBUSSY
(1862 – 1918) Piano Trio in G major (1880) Joseph
JONGEN (1883 – 1953) Deux Pièces en trio Op.95 (1931)
Trio Grumiaux (Philippe
Koch, violin; Luc Dewez, cello; Luc Devos, piano) - Recorded: Studio
Toots, Brussels, November 2002
KLARA MMP 036 [62:40]
[HC]
Beautifully
poised performances by the members of the Trio Grumiaux. I thoroughly
enjoyed this attractive release from first to last. Well worth having.
… see Full Review
Friedrich Ernst FESCA (1789-1826)
Symphony
No. 2, op. 10 in D (ca. 1809) [25:26] Symphony No. 3, op. 13 in D (1816)
[28:25] Cantemire Overture [7:13]
NDR Radiophilharmonie/Frank Beermann Recorded 25-28 September and 6-9
November 2001 in Hanover DDD
CPO 999 869-2 [61:04] [KS]
Fesca’s
voice is certainly original, and his thematic material and structural
devices are at once captivating. … see Full Review
Michael FINNISSY (b.1946)
This Church
Richard Jackson, baritone, Jane Money, mezzo-soprano Choir of Saint
Mary de Haura Church The Saint Mary Handbell Ringers IXION/composer
Rec. Church of St. Mary de Haura, Shoreham, Sussex, February 2003
METIER MSV CD92069 [65.30] [GH]
A
fascinating piece which highlights an unusual facet of one of the most
original and prolific composers of our time. … see Full
Review
Gerald FINZI
(1901-1956) Song Cycles Farewell to Arms (mid 1920s and
1944) A Young Man’s Exhortation Op.14 (1926-29) Till Earth
Outwears Op.19a (1927-56) Oh Fair To See (1929-56)
Richard Brunner (tenor) Laurene Lisovich (piano) Recorded Rutgers
University Camden NJ (1998?)
GASPARO GSCD 335 [72.50] [JW]
For
those who appreciate a little more pepper and less honey in their Finzi
… see Full Review
Eduard FRANCK (1817-1893)
Violin
Concerto in E minor Op. 30 (1855) [34.08] Symphony in A major Op. 47
(1860?) [36.42]
Christiane Edinger (violin), Saarbrücken Radio Symphony Orchestra/Hans-Peter
Frank rec. 13-14 Oct 1997, Studio 1, Saarländischer Rundfunk, Saarbrücken
co-production with Saarländischer Rundfunk premiere recordings
AUDITE 20.025 [71.54]
[RB]
A
curtain call for Audite for bringing this meritorious and highly attractive
music out into the light of common day ... see Full
Review
Eduard
FRANCK (1817-1893)
Violin
Concerto in D major Op. 57 (1860) [27.42] Symphony in B flat major Op.
52 (1856) [32.09] Christiane
Edinger (violin) Saarbrücken Radio Symphony Orchestra/Hans-Peter
Frank rec. 24-28 Jan 2000, Studio 1, Saarländischer Rundfunk, Saarbrücken
co-production with Saarländischer Rundfunk premiere recordings
AUDITE 20.034 [60.04]
[RB]
Hans-Peter
Frank makes hay with the many invitations to joyous exuberance that
Franck has left throughout these scores. ... see Full
Review
Eduard FRANCK
(1817-1893) String
Quartet in C minor Op. 55 (1855?) [34.06] String Quartet in E flat
major Op. 54 (1847) [35.23]
Edinger Quartet (Christiane Edinger (violin 1), Alexander Kortschmar
(violin 2), Igor Budinstein (viola), Katharina Maechler (cello)) rec.
7-9 Mar 2000, Sendesaal des Funkhauses Köln co-production with
Deutschland Radio premiere recordings
AUDITE 20.032[69.29] [RB]
Two
highly attractive quartets with alluring qualities of Olympian calm
and fiery restlessness ... see Full Review
Eduard FRANCK
(1817-1893) String
Quartet in F minor Op. 49 (1855) [31.43] Piano Quintet in D major Op.
45 (1853) [35.02]
James Tocco (piano) Edinger Quartet Christiane Edinger (violin 1), Alexander
Kortschmar (violin 2), Igor Budinstein (viola), Katharina Maechler (cello))
rec. 9-11 Feb 2000, Sendesaal des Funkhauses Köln co-production
with Deutschland Radio premiere recordings
AUDITE 20.033 [67.41] [RB]
Civilised
chamber music partaking of Schumann and Mendelssohn. ... see
Full Review
Robert FUCHS (1847-1927)
The Piano Quartets Piano
Quartet No. 1 in G minor Op. 15 (1876) [33.09] Piano Quartet No. 2 in
B minor Op. 75 (1904) [34.52]
Oliver Triendl (piano) Adorján Trio rec. 22-23 June 2000,
10-11 July 2000, Stadthalle Kirchheim, Teck. DDD
THOROFON CTH2454 [68.01] [RB]
I
recommend this disc very strongly to those with a passion for vintage
romantically yearning classical era music. ... see
Full Review
Armstrong
GIBBS (1889-1960)
Songs
Geraldine McGreevy (sop) Stephen Varcoe (bar) Roger Vignoles (piano)
Rec. 14-16 Mar. 2002 DDD
HYPERION CDA67337 [79.19] [LF]
All
lovers of English song will want this on their shelves … both singers
have excellent diction and pretty well every word is heard. … see Full
Review
Don GILLIS (1912-1978)
Music Inspired by the American Southwest Symphony
‘X’ (‘The Big D’) [13.30] Shindig [22.32] Encore
Concerto [17.52] Symphony 5˝ [14.36]
Alan Feinberg (piano) Albany Symphony Orchestra/David Alan Miller Rec.
2001. DDD ALBANY TROY
391 [67.58] [RB]
Unbuttoned
music which not only sends up the various
targets but does so with affection and an
ambiguous wink. … see Full
Review
Umberto GIORDANO
(1867 – 1948) Andrea
Chenier (1896) Maddalena di Coigny
– Maria Caniglia (soprano) Andrea Chenier
– Beniamino Gigli (tenor) Garlo Gerard – Gino
Bechi (baritone) Countess di Coigny – Giulietta
Simonato (mezzo-soprano) Madelon – Vittoria
Palombini Bersi – Maria Huder Roucher – Italo
Tajo Fouquier –Tinville – Giuseppe Taddei
Mathieu – Leoni Paci Fleville - Giuseppe Taddei
The Abbe – Adelio Zagonara L’Incredibile -
Adelio Zagonara Majordomo – Gino Conti Dumas
– Gino Conti Schmidt – Gino Conti
Orchestra and Chorus of La Scala Opera
House, Milan/Olivero de Fabritiis Recorded
Milan November 1941 by La voce del padrone
Umberto GIORDANO
(1867 – 1948) Andrea Chenier
(excerpts) Giacomo Lauri Volpi (tenor) Recorded
1941 Antonio Cortis
Recorded 1930 Cesare Formichi (baritone) Recorded
1927 Claudia Muzio (soprano) Recorded 1935
Francesco Merli (tenor) Recorded 1928 Aureliano
Pertile (tenor) Recorded 1930
NAXOS 8.110275-76 [2CDs: 53.41+74.53]
[RH]
A
fine, dramatic performance with a superlative
cast. … see Full
Review
Alexander Konstantinovich GLAZUNOV
(1865-1936)
Triumphal March, Op. 40 (1892) [9’46]. Serenades - No. 1 in
A, Op. 7 (1883) [4’02]; No. 2 in F, Op. 11 (1884) [3’48]. Overtures
on Greek Themes (1881-84) – No. 1 in G minor, Op. 3 [14’46];
No. 2 in D, Op. 6 [18’48].
Moscow Symphony Orchestra/Vladimir Ziva.Rec. Mosfilm Studios, Moscow,
Russia, in February 2000. DDDOrchestral Works: Volume 17.
NAXOS 8.555048 [70’33] [CC]
Dips
in creative inspiration apart, this is a very enjoyable disc. … see
Full Review
Christoph Willibald GLUCK (1714-1787)
Iphigénie
en Tauride. Tragic opera in four Acts Iphigénie, Carol
Vaness (sop); Thoas, Giorgio Surian (bass); Oreste, Thomas Allen (bar)
Pylade; Gösta Windbergh (ten); Priestess, Anna Zoroberto (sop);
Diane, Sylvie Brunet (sop) Chorus and orchestra of ‘Teatro alla Scala’
Milan/Riccardo Muti Recorded during live performances in La Scala, March
1992 SONY CLASSICAL SM2K90463 [2CDs: 69.24+47.10] [RF]
Muti
is hard driven and furious at times … better than the nondescript placidity
that is the downside of some later, supposedly more scholarly, interpretations.
… see Full Review
Claude GOUDIMELL
(1514 – 1572) Six
Psaumes: Or sus tous humaine; Que Dieu se montre seulement; Laisse
moi desormais; Mon Coeur rempli; O Seigneur; Du fons de ma pensee Messe
Le bien que j’ay Jan Pieterszoon SWEELINCK
(1562–1621) Ricercar en la Choral – Variations ‘Allein Gottin der Hoh
sei Ehr’ Choral – Variations ‘Ons is gheboren een Kindekijn’ Toccata
en la Xavier Darasse
(organ) Ensemble Vocal et Instrumental de Lausanne Michel Corboz (conductor)
Recorded 1975 ERATO
2564 60574-2 [72.49] [RH]
A
useful re-issue of a disc mainly devoted to
Goudimel, a composer under represented in
today’s catalogue. But the performances are
showing their age … see Full
Review
Nicholas Zumbro plays de Falla and Granados
Enrique
GRANADOS (1867-1916)
Goyescas
Book I El Pelele, Crepusculo, Los requiebros,
Coloquio en la reja, El fandango de candil,
Quejas ó la maja y el ruiseñor,
Intermezzo Goyescas Book II El amor
y la muerte; Balada, Epilogo; Serenata del
espectro Manuel de
FALLA (1876-1946) El Amor Brujo,
Pantomine, Scene-Chanson du feu-follet,
Nicholas Zumbro (piano) Recorded at St
Silas Church, London (1994?)
CONCERT ARTIST/FIDELIO RECORDINGS CACD 9004
[72.24] [JW]
Zumbro
shows fine affinities with Spanish music –
its colour and rhythm … see Full
Review
Edvard GRIEG (1843-1907)
Lyric
Pieces: Bell-ringing, op.54/4, Cradle Song, op.38/1, Butterfly,
op.43/1, Elegie, op.47/7, Melody, op.47[not 4 as given on the CD cover]/3,
Secrecy, op.57/4, National Song, op.12/8, Home-Sickness, op.57/6, Brooklet,
op.62/4, Valse-Impromptu, op,47/1, Grandmother’s Minuet, op.68/2, Vanished
Days, op.57/1, March of the Dwarfs, op.54/3, Summer’s Eve, op.71/2,
Elegie, op.38/6, Scherzo, op.54/5, Lonely Wanderer, op.43/2, Puck, op.71/3,
Nocturne, op.54/4 Mikhail
Pletnev (piano)No details of location or date, but recording copyrighted
1994. CDK MUSIC CDKM
1003 [67:44] [CH]
Keep
clear of this one. … see Full Review
Bára GRIMSDÓTTIR
(b.1960) Virgo Gloriosa My
soul is beset with woes [4.42] Ad beatam virginem [21.17] Mary, maiden
glorious [6.56] Mary, the Lord God’s lily [4.54] I will praise her and
laud [3.36] In memoriam piissimae matronae [19.32]
Hljómeyki Chamber Choir/Bernard Wilkinson Recorded at Skálholt
Church, Iceland January 2001
Smekkleysa Records SMK 23 [50.31] [CF]
Grimsdóttir
is an imaginatively skilled craftsman; hauntingly beautiful in its mix
of modern and ancient harmonies and rhythms. I cannot recommend this
disc too highly … see Full Review
Jesús GURIDI (1886-1961)
Ten
Basque Melodies (1941) [22.40] So the Boys Sing (1915) [13.34]
An Adventure of Don Quixote (1916) [11.07] In a Phoenician
Vessel (1927) [14.28] The Early Cock is Crowing (1942) [3.38]
Isabel Álvarez
(sop) Chorus of the Conservatory of Bilbao Choral Society Bilbao Symphony
Orchestra/Juan José Mena rec. Euskalduna Concert Hall, Bilbao,
26-30 June 2000. DDD Spanish Classics series
NAXOS 8.557110 [65.25] [RB]
A
reasonably well filled and finely executed disc better than decently
representative of the many attractions of Guridi's music ... see Full
Review
Ernesto HALFFTER (1905-1989) Canciones: Dos canciones (1927), L'hiver de l'enfance (1928-1934), Señora (1938), Seis Canciones Portuguesas (1940-1941), Canción de Dorotea (1947), Canto Inca (1944), Pregón (1974), Seguidilla Caselera (1945), Canciones del niño de Cristal (1931-34), Cancao do Berço (1940-41),
Elena Gragera (mezzo-soprano), Antón Cardó (piano),
Recorded 18-19 September 2001 at L'Estudi Albert Moraleda COLUMNA MÚSICA ICM0086 [56:00]
Elena
Gragera is a pleasure to hear, but only a
few of the songs are of more than specialised
interest … see Full
Review
Ivar
HALLSTRÖM (1826-1901)
Duke Magnus and the Mermaid
(Hertig Magnus) Romantic Operetta in 3
Acts (1867) With book by Frans Hedberg (1828-1908)
Critical Edition: Anders Wiklund Duke Magnus,
Lars Johansson (bar);Sten Åkeson,
constable, Johan Rydh, (bar); Brynolf, his
son, Mattias Ermedahl, (ten); Peder, an old
fisherman, Staffan Alveteg, (bass); Ingrid,
his wife, Eva Marklund, (m.sop); Anna, their
daughter, Ingela Bohlin, (sop); Lisa, a fisherman's
daughter, Emelie Sigelius, (sop);
Ulf, cook to the Duke, Jonas Olofsson, (ten);
A monk, Marco Stella, (bar); A fisherman,
Robin Svanvik, (bar)
Vadstena Academy Choir Norrköping
Symphony Orchestra/Niklas Willén Rec.
Louis De Geer Concert Hall, Norrköping,
Sweden. August 2000
MARCO POLO 8.225214-15 [44.22+69.00] [RF]
Were Hallström
to have operated in Paris he would have a
significant following and many more recordings.
I recommend this set to all lovers of operetta
and romantic opera. … see Full
Review
George Frederic
HANDEL (1685-1759)
Ballet music Alcina (HWV 34) [25:47] Terpsichore
(HWV 8b) [11:10] Il Pastor fido (HWV 8c) [10:22]
English Baroque Soloists/John Eliot Gardiner
Recorded in March 1984 at St Luke’s Church,
London DDD
WARNER ELATUS 2564-60335-2 [47:21] [JV]
A recording of ballet
music by Handel which isn’t often performed
– almost 20 years old, it still sounds quite
good, despite some shortcomings … see Full
Review
George
Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759)
Water
Music Giuseppe TORELLI
(1658-1709) Trumpet Concerto in D * Antonio
VIVALDI (1678-1741) 2-Trumpet Concerto
in C, RV 537 *° HANDEL
2-Trumpet Concerto in D, HWV 335a
*° Roger Delmotte (trumpet)*, Arthur Haneuse
(trumpet)°
Vienna State Opera Orchestra/Hermann Scherchen
Recorded November 1960 in the Mozartsaal,
Konzerthaus, Vienna
WESTMINSTER: The Legacy 471 276-2 [73:26]
[CH]
This
performance sounded very odd in 1960 but now
its time has come and it can be recommended
if you want modern instruments and a challenging,
anti-romantic approach. … see Full
Review
George
Frideric HANDEL
(1685 – 1759) Music
for the Royal Fireworks (a) Oboe Concerto
No. 3 in G minor (a) Harp Concerto in B flat
major (b) Arrival of the Queen of Sheba (c)
Concerto Grosso Opus 6 No. 8 in C minor (d)
Scottish Chamber Orchestra (a) Sir Alexander
Gibson (conductor) (a) Robin Miller oboe (a)
Janáček Philharmony (b) Hartmut Haenchen
(conductor) (b) Maria Garfova (harp) (b) Orchestra
of St. John’s Smith Square (c)
John Lubbock (conductor) (c) Lodz Chamber
Orchestra (d) Zdislav Szostak (conductor)
(d)
(a) Licensed from ASV
BRILLIANT 99777-28 [62.58]
George Frideric HANDEL
(1685 – 1759) Water Music (1717) Suite
No. 1 (Suite in F major, HWV 348) Suite No.
2 (Suite in G major, HWV 350) Trumpet Suite
No. 3 (Suite in D major, HWV 349)
Consort of London/Robert Haydon Clark
Recorded 1989 (Originally issued on Collins
Classics)
BRILLIANT 99777-29 [61.37] [RH]
A
rather mixed pair of performances of Handel’s
perennial favourites, the best being the Water
Music which has appeared before at super-budget
price. … see Full
Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH George
Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759)
Arias for mezzo soprano Rinaldo:
Or la tromba, Cara sposa, Venti, turbini,
Cor ingrato, Lascia ch’io pianga, Serse: Frondi
tenere – Ombra mai fu; Partenope: Furibondo
spira il vento; Agrippina: Bel piacere; Orlando:
Fammi combattere
Marilyn Horne (mezzo soprano), I solisti
Veneti/Claudio Scimone Recorded at the Villa
Simes, Piazzola, Italy, April 1982
APEX 2564 60519-2 [43:59] [CH]
This
music springs to life as Handel’s operatic
music rarely does. Don’t miss this enthralling
testament to one of the great voices of the
late 20th Century. … see Full
Review
George
Frederic HANDEL (1685-1759)
Suites
de Pieces pour le Clavecin (1720) CD 1
Suite No. 1 in A (HWV 426) [12:56] Suite No.
6 in f sharp minor (HWV 431) [09:41] Suite
No. 5 in A (HWV 430) [13:46] Suite No. 7 in
g minor (HWV 432) [23:04]
CD 2 Suite No. 2 in F (HWV 427) [09:18] Suite
No. 8 in f minor (HWV 433) [14:35] Suite No.
4 in e (HWV 429) [14:46] Suite No. 3 in d
minor (HWV 428) [25:53]
Ludger Rémy, harpsichord (Bruce
Kennedy, 2000, after Michael Mietke, Berlin,
c1700)
Recorded in December 2001, February 2002,
Studio, Radio Bremen, Germany. DDD
CPO 999 940-2 [59:49+64:55] [JvV]
The
most dramatic and most exciting recording
of Handel’s Suites of 1720 I have ever heard
– strongly recommended … see Full
Review
George
Frideric HANDEL
(1685 - 1759) Concerti
Grossi Op. 3 Concentus Musicus Wien/Nikolaus
Harnoncourt Rec. Casino Zögernitz, Vienna,
December 1979, May 1980, January 1981
WARNER ELATUS 2564060328-2 [71.15] [RH]
A
welcome return to Harnoncourt’s groundbreaking
recording; not to everyone’s taste but a serious
attempt to re-examine these fascinating works.
… see Full
Review
George
Frideric HANDEL (1685
- 1759) – Coronation Anthems Zadok the
Priest, My Heart is Inditing, Let Thy Hand
be Strengthened, The King Shall Rejoice, Organ
Concerto Opus 7 No.1 in B flat major
Rien Voskuilen (organ) Holland Boys Choir
Dutch Baroque Orchestra/Sir David Willcocks
Recorded 1996
BRILLIANT 99777-24 [58.23] [RH]
A
rather disappointing recording in a rather
crowded market. … see Full
Review
George
Frideric HANDEL
(1685 - 1759) Organ
Concertos
Ivan Sokol (organ)Slovak Chamber Orchestra/Bohdan
Warchal
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 99777-32/34 [3CDs:
76.24+55.16+58.44] [RH]
Enviably
complete though this set is, the performances
themselves are rather disappointing. … see
Full
Review
George
Frideric HANDEL
(1685 - 1759) Acis
and Galatea Galatea – Julianne Baird (soprano)
Acis – Frederick Urrey (tenor) Damon – David
Price (tenor) Polyphemus – Kevin Deas (bass)
Ama Deus Ensemble/Valentin Radu Recorded
1996
Brilliant Handel Edition Volumes 17/18
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 99777-17/18 [40.07+50.09]
A
delightful Julianne Baird does not quite manage to rescue this rather
mixed recording. … see Full Review
George Frideric HANDEL
(1685 - 1759) - Faramondo Faramondo
– D’Anna Fortunato (mezzo-soprano) Clotilde – Julianne Baird (soprano)
Gernando – Drew Minter (counter-tenor) Rosimonda – Jennifer Lane (mezzo-soprano)
Adolfo – Mary Ellen Callahan (soprano) Gustavo – Peter Castaldi (bass)
Childrico – Lorie Gratis (mezzo-soprano) Teobaldo – Mark Singer (bass)
Brewer Chamber
Orchestra/Rudolph Palmer Recorded 1996, licensed from Vox Classics
BRILLIANT 99777-21/23 [3CDs: 63.48+49.29+56.57] [RH]
A
re-issue of the only current recording of ‘Faramondo’. Not perfect,
but it enables us to start to appreciate this under-rated work. … see
Full Review
George Frideric HANDEL
(1685 - 1759) Imeneo - opera
in three acts Imeneo – John Ostendorf (bass-baritone) Rosmene – Julianne
Baird (soprano) Tirinto – D’Anna Fortunato (mezzo-soprano) Clomiri –
Beverly Hoch (soprano) Argenio – Jan Opalach (bass)
Brewer Chamber Orchestra and Chorus/Rudolph Palmer Recorded 1986: Licensed
from Vox Classics Brilliant Handel Edition, Volumes 19 and 20
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 99777-19/20 [57.48+54.51] [RH]
Until
we have a modern recording, this re-issue
of Handel’s penultimate opera makes an enjoyable
substitute despite the faulty edition. … see
Full Review
George Frideric
HANDEL
(1685 - 1759) The German
Arias
Arleen Auger (soprano) Peter Mirring (violin)
Werner Tast (flute) Burkhardt Glaetzner (oboe)
Matthias Pfaender (cello) Dieter Zahn (violone)
Gunter Klier (bassoon) Walter Hein Bernstein
(cembalo) Recorded 1980
BRILLIANT 99777-27 [52.45] [RH]
A
fine, if rather short, disc of Handel’s nine
miniature masterpieces in beautifully responsive
performances. … see Full
Review
Josef HAYDN (1732-1809)
Symphony
No 50 in C major; Symphony No 51 in Bb major; Symphony No 52 in C minor
Swedish Chamber
Orchestra/Bela Drahos Recorded in the concert hall, Orebro, Sweden,
August 2000 Haydn Symphonies series: Volume 27
NAXOS 8.555324 [63.33] [GH]
Good
modern instrument performances of three of
the ‘sturm and drang’ symphonies … see Full
Review
Joseph HAYDN
(1732-1809) Life and Works
of Joseph HAYDN
Written and narrated by Jeremy Siepmann With
David Timson as Haydn Interactive booklet
notes on the four CDs 28 musical examples
from all genres of Haydn’s music from the
Naxos catalogue Project compiled in 2003
NAXOS 8.558091-94 [4CDs: 4:40:06] [IL]
Absorbing,
illuminating with a light and humorous treatment,
this compilation will appeal to students and
all Haydn lovers and as an invaluable lecturing
tool. … see
Full Review
E.T.A.
HOFFMANN
(1776-1822) Chamber
Music Grand Piano Trio in E major (1809) 6 Italian Duets for Soprano,
Tenor and Piano (1812) Harp Quintet in C minor (1805-1807)
Beethoven Trio Ravensburg (Trio) Dorothee Mields, Soprano (Duets) Jan
Kobow, Tenor (Duets) Wolfgang Brunner, Piano (Duets) Isabelle Moretti,
Harp (Quintet) Parisii-Quartett (Quintet) Recorded at SWR, Hans-Rosbaud-Studio,
Baden-Baden, November 1997 (Trio), November 2001 (Duets), February 1995
(Quintet) CPO 999309
[55:06] [DS]
Be
surprised by the restraint and elegance of
Hoffmann’s chamber music … see Full
Review
Franz Anton HOFFMEISTER
(1754-1812)
String
Quartet in F major, Op. 14 No.1 String Quartet
in B flat major, Op. 14 No.2 String Quartet
in D minor, Op. 14 No.3
Aviv Quartet: Sergey Ostrovsky (first violin);
Evgenia Epshtein (second violin); Shuli Waterman
(viola); Iris Jortner (cello) Rec. Phoenix
Studio, Budapest, Hungary from 11-24 November,
2001 DDD
NAXOS 8.555952 [59:23] [CC]
An
interesting excursion into one of the byways
of the string quartet repertoire. The recording
is entirely acceptable. A joy from first to
last. … see Full
Review
York
HÖLLER (born 1944)
Piano Works: Five Piecesa
(1964) [9’31]. Diaphonie for Two Pianos
(1965) [10’48]. Piano Sonatas – No. 1,
‘Sonate informelle’a (1968)
[12’37]; No. 2, ‘Hommage à Franz
Liszt’b (1986) [17’09]. Partita
for Two Pianos ‘Hommage à Bernd
Alois Zimmermann’ (1996) [16’15].
aKristi Becker, bPi-hsiaen
Chen (pianos). WDR recordings from Köln
Funkhaus, Wallraffplatz, Klaus-von-Bismarck-Saal,
on December 5th-6th
and 12th-13th, 2000.
DDD
CPO 999 954-2 [66’49] [CC]
This is eminently
rewarding music. This disc should be investigated
without delay. … see Full
Review
BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Gustav
HOLST
(1974-1934) Four
Songs for voice and violin op. 35 (1917)
[7.21] Six Songs op. 16 (1904) [13.02]
Vedic Hymns op. 24 (1908) [24.26] Twelve
Humbert Wolfe settings op. 48 (1929) [25.39]
Margrete's Cradle Song Op. 4 No. 2
(1896) [2.38] The Heart Worships (1907)
[3.14]
Susan Gritton (sop) Philip Langridge (ten)
Christopher Maltman (bar) Louisa Fuller (violin)
Steuart Bedford (piano) rec. 5-7 May 1998,
St Silas Church, St Silas Place, Chalk Farm,
London first issued in 1997 on Collins Classics
English Song Series - volume 6
NAXOS 8.557117 [76.21] [RB]
If
you are at all interested in Holst or English
song this is as attractive a buy as you are
ever going to get. Don't delay ... buy today.
... see Full Review
Gustav HOLST
(1874-1934) Beni
Mora (1909-10) London Symphony Orchestra/Gustav
Holst recorded February 1924 Frank
BRIDGE (1879-1941) The Sea (1910-11)
London Symphony Orchestra/Frank Bridge recorded
July 1923 Arthur
BLISS (1891-1975) Conversations
(1920) The Symphony Orchestra/Arthur Bliss
recorded February 1923 Ralph
VAUGHAN-WILLIAMS (1872-1958) Overture
- The Wasps (1909) The Aeolian Orchestra/Ralph
Vaughan Williams recorded 1922 Hamilton
HARTY (1879-1941) With the Wild
Geese (1910) Hallé Orchestra/Hamilton
Harty recorded March 1926 Ethel
SMYTH (1858-1944) The Wreckers
- Overture (1906)
The British Symphony Orchestra/Ethel Smyth
recorded May 1930
SYMPOSIUM 1202 [75.05] [JW]
These
are documents of lasting value … see Full
Review
Arthur HONEGGER
(1892-1955) Symphony
No. 1 (1931) [21.40] Symphony No. 2 (1942)
[24.52] Symphony No. 3 Liturgique (1946)
[30.27] Symphony No. 4 Deliciae Basilienses
(1947) [28.22] Symphony No. 5 Di tre
re (1948) [24.38] Pacific 231 (1924)
[6.43]
Orchestre du Capitole de Toulouse/Michel
Plasson Rec. 1977-1979, Halle-aux-Grains,
Toulouse. ADD
EMI CLASSICS GEMINI 7243 5 85516 2 1 [64.14+63.14]
[RB]
Compact presentation.
Good performances and great recording quality.
I am not convinced that an even more searing
effect could not have been achieved. … see
Full Review
Richard
HONOROFF Symphony No.1 Shoah
(1994) Testament (1994)
Symphony No.2 From Ashes Reborn (1995)a
Moscow Chamber Chorusa; Moscow
Radio Symphony Orchestra; Alexander Mikhailov
Recorded: Mosfilm Studios, Moscow, September
1994 (Symphony No.1, Testament) and
November 1995 (Symphony No.2)
CENTAUR CRC 2333 [57:31] [HC]
Clearly,
no great masterpieces here but undoubtedly sincere, honest statements
that deserve respect. … see Full Review
John
IRELAND (1879-1962)
Violin
Sonata No. 1 in D minor (1909) [29.29] Violin
Sonata No. 2 in A minor (1917) [28.30] Bagatelle
for violin and piano (1890s) []
Michael Davis (violin) Nelson Harper
(piano) rec. Weigel Hall, Columbus, Ohio,
Aug 1993. DDD
VIENNA MODERN MASTERS VMM 2009 [61.18]
[RB]
Red
blooded performances of the two sonatas recorded
up close and personal. ... see Full
Review
Charles
IVES
(1874-1954) The String
Quartets String Quartet No. 1, From
the Salvation Army (c. 1898-1902) String
Quartet No. 2 (c. 1911-13) Hymn * (c. 1904)
Hallowe’en ** (c. 1907, possibly revised 1911)
Lydian String Quartet: Daniel Stepner, violin;
Judith Eissenberg, violin; Mary Ruth Ray,
viola; Rhonda Rider, cello Edwin Barker, string
bass * Sally Pinkas, piano** Lee
Hyla, bass drum ** Rec. September
17-18, 1988 at Slosberg Auditorium, Brandeis
University.
CENTAUR CRC 2069 [52.06] [SM]
The Lydian String Quartet offers excellent
readings of Ives’ two strikingly different
string quartets … see Full
Review
Charles IVES
(1874-1954) The
Celestial Country (1898-99) Silence
Unaccompanied a set of works that
includes: "Adagio Sostenuto" (c.
1912); "Evening" (1921); "Afterglow"
(1919); "The Collection" (1920);
"Duty/Vita/Duty" (c. 1913); "Carol"
(1894); "Sunrise" (1926); "Hymn"
(c. 1904/1921); "Mists" (1910)
Martha Hart, mezzo-soprano Dan Dressen, tenor
Michael Jorgensen, baritone John Ferguson,
organ Mark S. Johnson, piano Cynthia Stokes,
alto flute String Quartet: Charles Gray, violin;
Lucinda Marvin, violin; Annalee Wolf, viola;
David Carter, cello The St. Olaf Choir and
Chamber Ensemble/Anton Armstrong Recorded
April 16-19, 2002 at Wooddale Church, Minneapolis,
Minnesota
LINN CKD 203 [60.38] [SM]
A serviceable account
of Ives’ early sacred cantata "The Celestial
Country," coupled with a selection of
songs and other short works … see Full
Review
Jeffrey
JACOB (b.1948)
At the Still Pointa Symphony
No.2 (1996)b De Profundis (1996)c
Piano Concerto No.1 (1991)d
Jeffrey Jacob (piano)d; Moscow
Symphony Orchestraa; Orquesta de
Baja Californiab; Chamber Orchestra
of the Rhinec; St. Petersburg Academic
Philharmonicd; Joel Spiegelmana,
Eduardo Garcia Barriosb, Heiner
Frostc, Alexander Titovd
Recorded: Moscow Radio Studios, January 1994
(At the Still Point); Centro Cultural
Tijuana, Mexico, June 1996 (Symphony No.2);
Stadthalle, Rees, Germany, May 1996 and St.
Petersburg Radio Studios, April 1993 (Piano
Concerto No.1)
CENTAUR CRC 2346 [64:05] [HC]
Fairly
straightforward, honest music making by all
counts. The recordings, presumably of live
performances, are all quite satisfying. Well
worth investigating. … see Full
Review
Leoš
JANÁČEK (1854-1928) Violin
Sonata (1914-21) [16’03] Sergei
PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Violin Sonata
No.1 in F minor, Op.80 (1946) [27’05]
Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH
(1906-1975) 19 Preludes, from Op.34,
transcribed for violin by Dmitri Tsiganov
[23’19]
Kai Gleusteen (violin) Catherine Ordronneau
(piano) Recorded at Crear Studios, Scotland,
2-4 September 2002. DDD
AVIE AV 0023 [67’00] [TH][JW]
Works
well on its own terms as an enjoyable recital
[TH]
This is an attractively programmed disc but
it’s been badly recorded. [JW]… see Full
Review
Kerstin JEPPSSON (b.1948)
Impossibile
(1977)a Embrio (1990)b
String Quartet No.2 (1999/2000)c
Kvinnosånger (1973)d De mörka
änglarna: Tre motetter (1980/88)e
Ingrid Tobiasson (mezzo-soprano)a;
Katarina Dalayman (soprano)b; Lena
Hoel (soprano)d; Bengt Forsberg
(piano)d, Talekvartettenc;
Gustaf Sjökvist’s Chamber Choire;
Kam-marensembleNa; Swedish Radio
Symphony Orchestrab; Joakim Unandera,
Mats Rondinb, Gustaf Sjökviste
Recorded: Berwald Hall, Stockholm, December
2002 (Embrio); Studio 2, Radiohuset,
Stockholm, May 2001 (String Quartet No.2),
June 2002 (Impossibile) and September
2001 (Kvinnosånger) and Stockholm
Cathedral, January 2003 (Tre motetter)
PHONO SUECIA PSCD 141 [79:58] [HC]
All
the performances are very fine and well recorded,
and serve the music well. I now look forward
to hearing more of Jeppsson’s music soon.
… see Full Review
Mauricio KAGEL (b.1931)
Rrrrrrr...
(1981/2)a Metapièce [Mimetics] (1961)b
A deux mains (1995)b Episoden, Figuren (1993)a
MM51 (1970)b Passé composé (1992/3)b
Teodoro Anzellotti
(accordion)a; Luk Vaes (piano)b Recorded: Hans-Rosbaud-Studio,
Baden-Baden, January 1997a and March 1997b
WINTER & WINTER 910 035-2 [67:43] [HC]
This
beautifully produced disc provides for some
interesting insight into Kagel’s protean music
making. … see Full
Review
Vítěslava
KAPRÁLOVÁ
(1915-1940) Songs Two
Songs Op. 4 (1932) Op. 4 [5.02] Sparks
from ashes Op. 5 (1932-33) [12.20] January
for voice, piano, flute, two violins and cello
(1933) [4.25] Apple from the Lap Op.
10 (1934-36) [8.53] Forever Op. 12
(1936-37) [7.43] Waving Farewell Op.
14 (1937) [6.07] Carol (1937) [0.50]
Christmas Carol (1939) [1.13] Seconds
Op. 18 (1936-39) [13.16] Sung into the
distance Op. 22 (1939) [6.48] Letter
(1940) [2.28]
Dana Burešová (sop) Timothy Cheek
(piano) Magda Časlavová (flute) Petr
Zdvihal (violin) Jan Valta (violin) David
Havelík (cello) rec. 13-20 July 2003,
Domovina Studio, Prague. DDD
SUPRAPHON SU3752-2 231 [70.13] [RB]
If
you have a taste for the French school of
chanson represented by Duparc, Poulenc and
Fauré this needs to be on your Christmas
list. Mesmeric, dreamy and expressive ...
see Full Review
Charles KOECHLIN
(1867-1950) La
Course de printemps - poème symphonique
Op. 95 (1925-27) [33.40] Le buisson ardent
poème symphonique after an episode
from 'Jean-Christophe' by Romain Rolland Op.
201 (Part I); Op. 171 (Part II) (1945, 1938)
[12.44; 25.54]
Radio-Sinfonieorchester Stuttgart des
SWR/Heinz Holliger Christine Simonin (ondes
martenot)
rec. Live concert recordings. Liederhalle,
Stuttgart, Beethovensaal 23-25 Feb 2000 (Printemps);
Stadthalle Sindelfingen, Konzertsaal (Buisson),
19-23 Feb 2001. DDD Faszinationmusik series
HÄNSSLER CLASSIC CD 93.045 [72.30]
[MC]
Koechlin’s
growing number of admirers will relish this
stellar release and this seems a perfect recording
for those wishing to explore the unique orchestral
sound-world of this wonderful composer for
the first time. … see Full
Review
Charles KOECHLIN
(1867-1950)
Danses Pour Ginger Rogers Danse
lente from the five Danses pour Ginger
for piano Op.163 (1937) Eight pieces selected
from Les Heures Persanes for piano Op.65
(1913-19) La prière de l’homme from
Album de Lilian Vol. 2, for piano Op.149
(1935) Quatre nouvelles sonatines for
piano Op.87 (1923-24)
Boaz Sharon (piano) Recorded in May 21,
1983 at Sprague Hall, New Haven, Connecticut,
USA
ARCOBALENO AAOC 94382 [53:06] [MC]
Koechlin
admirers will relish this sterling release
from Arcobaleno and I couldn’t think of a
more perfect recording for those wishing to
explore the sound-world of this wonderful
composer for the first time. … see Full
Review
Herman
D. KOPPEL
(1908-1998) Symphony
No. 1 Op. 5 (1929-30) [27.56] Symphony No.
2 Op. 37 (1943) [40.43]
Aalborg Symphony Orchestra/Moshe Atzmon
rec. 11-13 June, 6 Oct 2001, Symphony Hall.
Aalborg, Danmarks Radio Orchestral Works vol.
2
DACAPO 8.224205 [68.51]
Two
symphonies withdrawn by Koppel; one with strong
obeisance to Nielsen; the other striking and
individual if with a flawed finale. ... see
Full Review
Herman D. KOPPEL
(1908-1998)
Sextet
for Piano and Wind Quintet Op. 36 (1942) [17.27]
Niels Viggo BENTZON
(1919-2000) Wind Quintet No. 5
Op. 116 (1958) [16.36] Sextet for Piano and
Wind Quintet Op. 278 (1971) [18.39]
Nikolaj Bentzon (piano) Wind Quintet of
the Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra
rec. 20-24 Nov 2000 DR Concert Hall
DACAPO 8.224208 [52.42] [RB]
The
Koppel is the easy winner but the two Bentzon
pieces will reward persistence. ... see Full
Review
Erich Wolfgang
KORNGOLD (1897-1957)
Music
from the 1938 film score, The Adventures
of Robin Hood
Moscow Symphony Orchestra William Stromberg,
conductor Score restorations by John Morgan
Recorded at Mosfilm Studio, Moscow, Russia
in February 2003 DDD
MARCO POLO 8.225268 [78:27] [KS]
The
composer captures the essence of the Robin
Hood stories in music worthy of the Technicolor
screen. … see Full
Review
Erich Wolfgang KORNGOLD
(1897-1957) The Piano Music Disc One:
Sonata No. 1 in D minor (1908/9) Don Quixote (1909)
– six character pieces after Cervantes Der Schneemann
(1909) (The Snowman – Pantomime in six scenes) Disc Two: Sonata
No. 2 Op. 2 (1910) Mächenbilder Op. 3 (1910)
– Seven fairy tale pictures for piano Vier kleine fröhliche
Waltzer (1911) – Four Waltzes for piano Vier kleine Karikaturen
für Kinder Op. 19 (1926) – Four little caricatures for
children Was der Wald erzählt (1909) What the woods
tell me Disc Three:Zwischenspiel Intermezzo (Akt III)
(1927) aus der Oper Das Wunder der Heliane
Piano Trio in D major Op. 1 (1910) (for piano four hands)* Potpourri
aus der Oper Der Ring des Polykrates (1913) Aus
der Musik zu Viel Lärmen un Nachts Op.11 (1918) - Much
Ado About Nothing "Schach Brugge!" - Burleske Nachtszene am
Minnewasser - Die Tote Stadt, Geschichten von Strauss
Op. 21 (1927) Disc Four: Sonata No. 3 in C major Op.
25 (1931) Der Schneemann The Snowman - Four easy pieces
Schauspiel - Overture Op. 4 (1911) (arr F. Rebay) for
piano four hands.* Grosse Fantasie – Die Tote Stadt
Op. 12 (1920) (arr. F. Rebay)
Martin Jones (piano) with Richard McMahon (piano)*
Recorded at Wyastone Leys, Monmouth, UK, November 2000, May, August
2001. DDD NIMBUS 4-CDs
NI 5705/8 [5 hrs] [IL]
An
essential survey and I feel sure that they
will derive much pleasure dipping into these
four CDs. … See Full
Review
Joseph Martin KRAUS
(1756-1792)
"Complete Piano Music" Rondo
in F (VB 191) [09:00] Sonata in E flat (VB
195) [19:52] Scherzo con variazioni (VB 193)
[11:59] Larghetto (VB 194) [00:42] Sonata
in E (VB 196) [32:07] Swedish Dance (VB 192)
[03:47] Zwei neue kuriose Minuetten (VB 190)
[01:51] Jacques Després, piano (Steinway)
Recorded in October 2000 in Convocation
Hall, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
DDD
NAXOS 8.555771 [79:19] [JV]
This
first recording of the keyboard music by Kraus
is a missed opportunity because of a bad choice
of instrument … see Full
Review
Ernst KŘENEK
(1900-1991) Twelve-tone
Miniatures Twelve Short Piano Pieces written
in the Twelve-Tone Technique Op 83 (1938)
Eight Piano Pieces Op 110 (1946) Twenty Miniatures
Op 139 (1954)
Robert Blumenthal (piano) Recorded at
Allgood Productions, Atlanta, GA, undated
(1997?)
GASPARO GG-1016 [47.07] [JW]
With
playing this understanding and adroit and
with music that fuses technique, education
and poetry with such distilled beauty one
can only hope that this music will continue
to educate and inspire. … see Full
Review
Rudolf KUBÍN
(1909-1973) String
Quartet No 1 (1926) Humoresque for violin,
viola, cello and clarinet, Concertino for
double bass and octet
Kubín Quartet Valter Vítek
(clarinet) Květoslav Borovička (double
bass) Akademia Quintet Recordings licensed
by Czech Radio Ostrava, no dates
ARCO DIVA UP 0051-2 131 [39.34] [JW]
manages
to preserve an essentially youthful confidence,
strong, sonorous and powerful and to contrast
it with more expressive moments, especially
in the opening movement... see Full
Review
Lars-Erik LARSSON
(1908-1986) God
in Disguise (Förklädd Gud)
Op. 24 (1940) [29.12] A Winter's Tale (En
vintersaga) - four vignettes to Shakespeare's
play Op. 18 (1937) [9.53] Little Serenade
(Liten serenad) Op. 12 (1934) [10.34]
Pastoral Suite (Pastoralsvit)
Op. 19 (1938) [13.30] Sven Wollter (narrator)
Jeanette Kohn (sop) Thomas Lander (bar)
Jönköping Chamber Choir Jönköping
Sinfonietta/Christopher Warren-Green rec.
Dec 2001, Feb 2002, Jönköpings konserthuset,
Sweden. DDD
INTIM MUSIK IMCD 082 [63.00] [RB]
Confident
feel-good music not afflicted with blandness
or facile emotion. ... see Full
Review
Orlandus LASSUS
(1532-1594)
Lagrime di San Pietro (1594)
Capella Ducale Venetia: Dir.: Livio Picotti
Recorded in November 2000 at the Chiesa San
Giorgio, Ciostabissara/Vicenza, Italy DDD
CPO 999 862-2 [56:53] [JvV]
Lassus’
swan song – his most personal and intimate
composition – in an unsatisfying performance
... see Full
Review
Franz LEHÁR
(1870
- 1948) Die
lustige Witwe Overture (1940) Altenwiener
Liebeswalzer (1911) Der Gottergatte
Overture (1903) Wilde Rosen
(Boston Waltz) (1921) Clo-Clo
Overture (1924) Grutzner-Walzer (1895)
Adria Walzer (1895)
Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra/Michail JurowskiRec.
Jesus-Christus-Kirche, Berlin 18-19 May 2000,
12-13 April 2002. DDD co-production between
CPO and Deutschland Radio Berlin.
CPO 999 891-2 [51.09] [JPh]
I
enjoyed this disc very much and can recommend
it without qualification. I have no qualms
whatsoever about the interpretations, the
playing or the recording. … see Full
Review
Franz
LEHÁR (1870-1948) Paganini
(1925) Romantic operetta (complete, with abridged
dialogue in French)
Robert Massard (ten) Paganini; Roméo
Carles (bar) Pimpinelli; Colette Riedinger
(sop) Anna-Elisa; Geori Boue (sop)
Bella Henri Merckel (violin) Orchestre and
choirs under the direction of Pierre Dervaux
Rec. Universal (Decca) France Studios, Antony,
France 1955 Mono 2 CDs for the price of one
DISCOVERY/ACCORD OPERETTE SERIES 472 868-2
[82:51] [RW]
Sparkle
and atmosphere … catchy rhythms and tender
moments. … see Full
Review
Franz LEHÁR
(1870-1948)
Rose de Noël (1958)
- Musical based on Lehár's material
Nicole Broissin (sop) Vilma; André
Dassary (ten) Count Michel; Rosine Bredy (sop)
Totsi; Henri Chanaron (ten) Lieutenant Sandor;
Henry Bedex (bar) Popelka Choir and Orchestra
under the direction of Felix Nuvolone Rec.
Universal (Decca) Studios, Antony, France
1959
Mono - 2 CDs for the price of one
DISCOVERY/ACCORD OPERETTE SERIES 472 871-2
[90.22] [RW]
Includes
are some fine numbers … more Kalman than Lehár
… see Full Review
Franz LISZT
(1811-1886)
Aprés
une Lecture de Dante (from "Années
de Pèlerinage" II: Italie), Vallée
d’Obermann (from "Années de Pèlerinage"
I: Suisse), Sonata in B minor
Zeynep Ucbasaran (piano) Recorded May
27-28 2003, Abravanel Hall, Music Academy
of the West, Santa Barbara, California
EROICA JDT3135 [65:29] [CH]
Summary:
Anyone who picks up this disc will be left
in no doubt that Liszt was a composer of lofty
aims and noble inspiration, a fact which some
still question...see Full
Review
Franz
LISZT (1811-1886)
The Liszt Album Consolation No. 3 from
Six Consolations, S172 (1850) Valse-Impromptu,
S213 (1850-52) "Auf Flügeln des
Gesanges" from Seven Mendelssohn Lieder,
S547 trans. Liszt (1840) Die Forelle (The
Trout), S564 after Franz Schubert trans. Liszt
(second version – 1846) Schwanengesang, S560,
No. 7 (Serenade) after Franz Schubert trans.
Liszt (1838-39)
"Auf dem Wasser zu singen" from
12 Lieder, S558 after Franz Schubert trans.
Liszt (1837-38) Transcendental Etude No. 3,
"Paysage" (1851) Transcendental
Etude No. 9, "Ricordanza" (1851)
Transcendental Etude No. 12, "Chasse-neige"
(1851) Sonata in B minor, S178 (1853)
Stephanie McCallum, piano Recorded Eugene
Goossens Hall, ltimo, Sydney, February/July
2002
ABC CLASSICS 472763 [78:42] [DS]
Although
generally enjoyable, these performances do
not stand out in a highly crowded field of
alternative recordings … see Full
Review
Franz
LISZT (1811-86)
Orpheus,
S98 (1854) [11’03]. Richard
WAGNER (1813-83) Der Ring des
Nibelungen (fragments): Die Walküre
(1870) – Ride of the Valkyries [3’58];
Siegfried (1876) – Forest Murmurs
[9’35]; Götterdämmerung (1876)
– Funeral March [7’33]. Richard
STRAUSS (1864-1949) Horn Concerto
No. 1 in E flat, Op. 11 (1883) [14’53]. Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Symphony No.
2 in B flat, D125 (1815) [24’37].
Victor Galkin (horn) Tchaikovsky Symphony
Orchestra of Moscow Radio/Vladimir Fedoseyev.
Rec. 1974 (Liszt), 1978 (Wagner), 1983 (Strauss),
Schubert (1991).
RELIEF CR991048 [71’40] [CC]
A
fascinating disc from every angle. Even if
none of the performances are definitive in
themselves, the whole is greater than the
sum of the parts. … see Full
Review
Albert LORTZING (1801-1851) Der
Wildschütz. Excerpts Count Eberbach,
Gottfried Hornik (bar); Countess, Doris Soffel
(cont); Baron Kronthal, Peter Schreier (ten);
Baronin Friemann, Edith Mathis (sop); Baculus,
Hans Sotin, (bass); Nanette, Gertrud Von Ottenthal
(m. Sop); Gretchen, Georgine Resick (sop)
Chorus of Berlin Radio and the Orchestra of
the Staatskapelle Berlin/Bernhard Klee Recorded
Christuskirche Studio, Berlin, 1980-1982 Bargain
Price
BERLIN CLASSICS ETERNA COLLECTION 003267BC
[59.15] [RF]
Vivacity aplenty
… recording quality first rate with voices
and orchestra well balanced in an open airy
acoustic. … the voices blend and carry the
plot along under Klee’s idiomatic and vibrant
phrasing and tempi … see
Full Review
Jean
Baptiste LULLY (1632
– 1687) Isis, L’opera de musiciens
(extracts): Prologue; Duo des nyumphes;
Choeur des trembleurs; Act 5, scene 1: Rondeau
‘Plainte de lo’; Act 3, scenes 3-5; Act 3,
scene 6 Armide, Lopera des Dames (extracts):
Ouverture; Act 2, scene 2: Duo d’Armide et
Hidraot; Act 2, scene 3: Le Sommeil de Renaud;
Act 3, scene 5: Monologue d’Armide; Act 5,
scene 2: Passacaille Michel-Richard
DELALANDE (1657 – 1726) Premier
Caprice ou Caprice de Villers Cotterets
Chorale Caillard Orchestre Jean-Francois Paillard/Jean
Francois-Paillard
Recorded 1972, 1985
ERATO 2564 60578-2 [71.47][RH]
A
slightly disappointing disc, mainly for those
who are interested in how styles have changed
in the performance of 17th century
French music. … see
Full Review
BARGAIN OF THE MONTH
Witold LUTOSŁAWSKI
(1913-1994) Orchestral
Works Vol.8 Dance
Preludes for Clarinet and Orchestra (1955)
Double Concerto for Oboe, Harp and Chamber
Orchestra (1980) Grave, Metamorphoses for
Cello and String Orchestra (1981) Chain
1 for 14 Performers (1983) Two Children’s
Songs for Voice and Chamber Orchestra
(1948) Six Children’s Songs for Voice
and Instruments (1947)
Zbigniew Kaleta (clarinet), Arkadiusz
Krupa (oboe), Nicolas Tulliez (harp) Rafal
Kwiatkowski (cello), Urszula Kryger (soprano)
Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra/Antoni
Wit Rec. Grzegorz Fitelberg Concert Hall,
Katowice, Jan and April 2001
NAXOS 8.555763 [57’34] [TH] [CC]
This is an excellent
disc, and the performances are inspired and
dedicated.[TH]
This is a very, very rewarding disc. Repeated
playing has not only reinforced but has actually
strengthened my admiration for this composer
[CC].
… see Full Review
Witold LUTOSŁAWSKI
(1913-1994) Symphony
No. 3 (1972-83) Symphony No. 4 (1993) Les
Espaces du sommeil (1975) *
John Shirley-Quirk (baritone) * Los Angeles
Philharmonic Orchestra/Esa-Pekka Salonen Recorded
Los Angeles 1993 (Symphony No. 4) and 1985
remainder
SONY CLASSICAL SBK90480 [67.50] [JW]
If
you missed the earlier opportunities to acquaint
yourself with these towering statements you
should do so now, without delay. … see Full
Review