Marie SAMUELSSON
(b.1956)
Lufttrumma
III (1999)a I vargens öga
(1997)b Krom (1994)c
I Am – Are You? (2001)d Flow (2000)e
Ö (2002)f Rotationer (1997,
rev. 2003)g Den natten (1992)h
Norrköping Symphony Orchestraa;
Jörgen Pettersson (alto saxophone)b;
Stockholm Chamber Brassc; Sören
Hermansson (horn)d; KammarensembleNe;
Anna Lindal (violin)f; Helsingborg
Symphony Orchestrag; Ensemble Notush;
Tuomas Ollilaa, Joakim Unandere,
Hannu Lintug, Olof Bormanh
Recorded: Studio 2, Radiohuset, Stockholm,
May 2002 (I vargens öga, Flow, Krom,
Ö, Den natten); Louis de Geer Concert
Hall, Norrköping, May 2002 (Lufttrumma
III); Uppenbarelsekyrkan i Hägersten,
May 2002 (I Am – Are You?) and Helsingborg
Concert Hall, April 2003 (Rotationer)
PHONO SUECIA PSCD 147 [64:58] [HC]
By
turns disarmingly simple or overtly complex
… well served here by performers of high calibre.
I would like to hear more of this composer
in the future.… see Full
Review
Simon
SARGON
(b 1938) Divertimento
for Piano and Chamber Orchestra Kurt
WEILL (1900-1950) Little Threepenny
Music (1928-29) Robert
KURKA (1921-1957) The Good Soldier
Schweik Suite (1956)
David Karp (piano) with The Meadows Symphony
Orchestra/Paul Phillips (Sargon) The Meadows
Wind Ensemble/Jack Delaney (Weill and Kurka)
Recorded in Caruth Auditorium, Southern Methodist
University (2002?)
GASPARO GSCD 357 [61.26] [JW]
Blowsiness
of the Schweik finale well suits this outfit
whose determined tattoos and defiant ending
rounds off a really attractive disc. … see
Full Review
Emil
von Sauer
(1862-1942) Suite
Moderne (1906) Aus lichten Tagen (Date
of composition not known) Drei Konzertetuden
(1910) Galop de Concert in E flat
minor (1911)
Oleg Marshev (piano) Rec. Mantzius Garden,
Birkerod, Denmark, Feb 2003, Steinway Model
D piano. Suite and Galop de Concert (Volume
5 of complete works)
DANACORD DACOCD 595 [61.25]
Extremely
attractive music in late-romantic style. Played with great conviction
and technical perfection by Danacord's exclusive pianist. … see
Full Review
Domenico
SCARLATTI
(1685-1757) Sonatas:
K.90 in D minor; K.87 in A minor; K.9 in D minor; K.30 in F minor; K.159
in C; K.8 in G minor; K.513 in Bb; K.208 in F#; K.58 in C minor; K.96
in C; K.200 in Ab; K.89 in D minor
Copenhagen Saxophone Quartet: Michala Petri, recorder, Kjell-Åke
Andersson, zink, Viggo Mangor, baroque organ continuo No date or location
given CLASSICO CLASSCD
489 [50:12] [GPJ]
An
unusual but extremely rewarding musical experience. … see Full
Review
Josef SCHELB (1894
– 1977) Klaviermusik
Nr.2 (1943) Partita ritmica (1951)a Fünfzehn kleine
Stücke (1954) Vier Klavierstücke (1962)
Sontraud Speidel (piano); Ruben Meliksetian (piano)a Recorded:
Schloss Gottesaue, Karlsruhe, September 2002
ANTES EDITION BM 31.9188 [75:01] [HC]
Time
may now be ripe for a proper re-assessment of such finely crafted music
that clearly deserves respect. Well worth looking for. … see Full
Review
Franz SCHREKER
(1878-1934) Das
Spielwerk und die Prinzessin (The Music Box and the Princess)
(1913) Opera in a prologue and two acts Master Florian – Thomas L. Mayer
(baritone) The Princess – Julia Henning (soprano) Bursch – Hans-Jürgen
Schöpflin (tenor)
Wolf – Matthias Klein (bass-baritone) Graben-Liese – Anne-Carolyn Schlüter
(mezzo) Steward – Hans Georg Ahrens (bass)
Kiel Opera Chorus Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra/Ulrich Windfuhr Recorded
live in the Opera House, Kiel, 25, 29 January 2003 DDD
CPO 999 958-2 [2CDs: 48’22+51’28] [TH]
Recommended
heartily to those fond of exploration, albeit needing something of a
sweet tooth. … see Full Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Franz SCHUBERT (1797
– 1828)
The Symphonies plus An interview with Yehudi Menuhin (In German – translations
in English and French).
Sinfonia Varsovia/Yehudi Menuhin Rec. 20–29 Jan 1997, Studio 1, Polish
Radio, Warsaw. DDD APEX
2564 60530-2 [236.47], excluding talk [33.13] ~£15
Highly
recommended, particularly at the low price. … See Full
Review
Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
String
Quartets: No. 6 in D, D74 (1813) [21’37]; No. 11 in E, D353 (1816) [20’41];
No. 2 in C, D32 (1812) [17’27].
Kodály String Quartet (Attila Falvay, Tomás Szabó,
violins; János Fejérvári, viols; György Éder,
cello).Rec. Phoenix Studio, Budapest, on December 12th-15th,
2001. DDDComplete String Quartets, Volume 5
NAXOS 8.557107 [60’10] [CC]
The
Kodály’s musicality shines through this delightful selection
of three earlier works. … see Full Review
Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
Die
schöne Müllerin, D.795
Christian Gerhaher (baritone), Gerold Huber (piano) Recorded 7-11
February 2003 in Studio 2 of the Bayerischer Rundfunk, Munich
ARTE NOVA 82876 53172 2 [66:01] [CH]
This
can take its place among the finest versions. … see Full
Review
Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
Disc 1 Seventeen
Ländler, D. 366 (1816-1824) - Four Impromptus, D. 899 (1827) -
No.
1 in C minor - No.
2 in E flat major - No.
3 in G flat major - No.
4 in A flat major -
Sonata in A minor, D. 845 (1825) - Moderato
- Andante,
poco mosso - Scherzo
and Trio - Rondo:
Allegro vivace Disc
2 Allegretto
in C minor, D. 900 (1823?) - Diabelli Variation, D. 718 (1821) - Sonata
in C major, D. 840 (1825) - Moderato
- Andante
- Menuetto:
Allegretto - Allegro
- Sonata in D major, D. 850 (1826) - Allegro
vivace - Con moto - Scherzo: Allegro vivace - Rondo: Allegro moderato
(completions by Anthony
Goldstone) - Anthony Goldstone, piano - Recorded at the parish church
of St. John the Baptist, Alkborough, N. Lincs., 2002 - The Piano Masterworks,
Vol. 3 DIVINE ART 2-1204
[2CDs: 148:2]
[DS]
I
heartily recommend that Schubert piano enthusiasts find a spot in their
music libraries for Mr. Goldstone....see Full
Review
Franz SCHUBERT (1797
– 1828) Winterreise:
Gute Nacht (transcribed Godowsky)
Der Lindenbaum (transcribed Liszt)
Winterreise: Der stürmische Morgen – Im Dorfe (transcribed
Liszt) Waltzes (transcribed
Prokofiev) Die schöne Müllerin:
Morgengruss (transcribed Godowsky)
Erlkönig (transcribed Liszt)
Overture in D major (transcribed Busoni)
Leopold GODOWSKY (1870 – 1938) Passacaglia
Anttii Siirala
(piano) Recorded at Potton Hall, Westleton, Suffolk, 4th/5th
October 2001 NAXOS
8.555997 [62.56] [RH]
A
fine debut recital from this young Finnish
pianist, exploring the tricky and rarely performed
field of Schubert transcriptions. … see Full
Review
Franz Peter SCHUBERT
(1797 -1828) "Sonatinas"
(1816) Sonata for Piano and Violin in D, D384,
Op. Posth. 137 #1 [15.18] Sonata for Piano
and Violin in a, D385, Op. Posth. 137 #2 [26.25]
Sonata for Piano and Violin in g, D408, Op.
Posth. 137 #3 [22.52]
David Grimal, violin; Valery Afanassiev, piano
Recorded at Espace de Projection l’IRCAM,
Paris, France, 1 April 2003 Notes in English,
Français, Deutsch. Photos of the artists.
ÆON AECD 0317 [65.60] [PSh]
A
unique, very personal viewpoint on Schubert,
one that not everyone will like ... see Full
Review
Franz SCHUBERT
(1797-1828) An Introduction to SCHUBERT’S
Piano Quintet in A major ‘Trout’ D667 Performed by the Kodály
Quartet with Jenó Jandó (piano) and István Tóth
(double-bass)
Written and narrated by Jeremy Siepmann recorded at Motivation Sound
Studios, London, 2002 Naxos Educational Classics Explained Series 120
page booklet NAXOS
8.558075-76 [2CDs: 2:24:32] [IL]
Siepmann’s
absorbing narration is delivered with the lightest of touches … easy-to-grasp
and vividly graphic explanations of technical terms. The performance
of the Quintet is very good. … see Full
Review
RECORDING OF THE MONTH Ervin (Erwin)
SCHULHOFF (1894-1942)
1-5 Divertimento for String Quartet Op.14 (1914) [21:24] 6-9
String Sextet, for two violins, two violas and two cellos (1920-24)
[21:52] 10-13 Duo for violin and cello (1925) [17:08]
Kocian Quartet (Pavel Hula (first violin) tracks 1-13; Jan Ostrcil (second
violin) tracks 1-9; Zbynek Padourek (viola) tracks 1-9; Vaclav Bernasek
(cello) tracks 1-13; Jan Talich (viola) tracks 6-9; Evzen Rattay (cello)
tracks 6-9) Recorded March – October 1994, Domovina Studio, Prague.
DDD Chamber Works Vol. 2
SUPRAPHON 11 2167-2 131 [61:04] [MC]
Repeated
listening to these Schulhoff scores offers revelatory rewards. In fact
I strongly and confidently feel that we have discovered a major twentieth
century composer here.… see Full Review
Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Kinderszenen, op.15, Album für die Jugend, op.68: Melodie, Soldatenmarsch, Ein Choral, Armes Waisenkind, Jägerliedchen, Volksliedchen, Fröhlicher Landmann, Sizilianisch, Kleine Studie, Kleiner Morgenwanderer, Frühlingsgesang, Erster Verlust, Mai, lieber Mai, Ländliches Lied, Kleine Romanze, Schnitterliedchen, Figurierte Choral, Langsam und mit Ausdruck zu spielen, Silvesterlied, Ernteliedchen, Fremder Mann, Sehr langsam, Sheherazade, Rundgesang, Nicht schnell, hübsch vorzutragen, Erinnerung (4 November 1847), Winterszeit, Mignon Carlo Zecchi (piano) Recorded in Rome, 4 July 1942 (op.15) and Lugano (Swiss-Italian Radio), 1 May 1967 (op.68) AURA AUR 186-2 [68:09] [CH]
A classic "Kinderszenen". Zecchi was a fascinating figure and collectors of pianists on record can hardly ignore him… see Full Review
Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1849)
Kinderscenen
Op.15 (1839); Gesange der Frühe Op.133 (1845); Davidsbundlertänze
Op.6 (1838) Franz
Vorraber (piano) Recorded May and July 2001, Venue not given Piano Music
Volume 7 THOROFON
CTH 2519 [72.15] [GH]
Not
for the faint-hearted. I cannot really recommend
it but I will add, totally unhelpfully, that
it is also fascinating. … see Full
Review
Robert SCHUMANN
(1810-1856)
Carnaval,
Op. 9 Papillons, Op. 2 Kinderszenen,
Op. 15 Arabeske, Op. 18 
Nelson Freire, piano Recorded at Auditorio
Massimo, Lugano, December 2002
DECCA 4739022 [59:57] [DS]
Freire
enthusiasts should love the performances,
sound deficiencies or not. … see Full
Review
Sir Thomas Beecham conducts Schumann Robert
SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Manfred
Op 115 (1852) Singers:- Song of the Spirits – Gertrude Holt,
Claire Duchesneau and Niven Miller Incantation – Niven Miller, Glyndwr
Davies and Ian Billington Actors:- Manfred – Laidman Browne Witch of
the Alps and the Phantom Astarte – Jill Balcon Nemesis and the Spirit
Genius of Manfred – Raf de la Torre A Spirit and Abbot of St Maurice
– Laidman Browne A Young Chamois Hunter and Servant to Manfred – David
Enders BBC Chorus
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Thomas Beecham Recorded 1954-56
SONY CLASSICAL SMK91169 [78.31] [JW]
Wonderful
news that this Manfred is available once more … for all its quirks it
still has the power to move. … see Full
Review
Anton
SCHWEITZER (1735-1787)
Alceste
libretto by Christoph Martin Wieland (1733-1813) Alceste: Ursula Targler;
Parthenia: Syvlia Koke; Admetus: Christian Voigt; Hercules: Christophe
Wendel Erfurt Theatre
Opera Chorus Erfurt Philharmonic Orchestra/Stephen E.Wehr Rec. Erfurt,
May 2001 DDD MARCO POLO
8.225261-62 [61.09+73.04] [GH] [BK]
A
fascinating document of a rather overlooked genre in a little known
category … gives a clearer view of the origins of the Mozart singspiel[GH]
Devotees of opera from this period will not be disappointed by this
landmark performance [BK]… see Full Review
Dimitri SHOSTAKOVICH
(1906-1975) Suite
on Finnish Themes - (1939) – World premiere recording Symphony
for Strings Op. 118a – arr. Rudolf Barshai from String Quartet No. 10
– (1964) Chamber Symphony Op. 110a – arr. Rudolf Barshai from String
Quartet No. 8 - (1960)
Anu Komsi (soprano), Tom Nyman (tenor) Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra/Juha
Kangas. Rec. Oct 2001 at the Kaustisen Folk Art Centre Finland
(Suite), Kaustinen Church, Finland (Symphonies). DDD
BIS CD-301256 [58’20"] [JPh]
Can
hold its own with any of the competitive versions and BIS’s recording
is the model of naturalness. I would be happy to recommend this recording
to anyone. … see Full Review
Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975)
Symphony
No. 7 in C, Op. 60, Leningrad (1941).
WDR Symphony Orchestra, Cologne/Semyon Bychkov. Rec. Kölner
Philharmonie in February 2003. DDD
AVIE AV0020 [72’30] [CC]
The
Bychkov/Cologne partnership is clearly one to watch. … see
Full Review
Dimitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975)
Symphony
No. 10 in E minor, Op. 93 (1953) [51’03]. The Gadfly, Op. 97 (1955)
– The Gadfly [8’02].
Mikhail Shestakov (violin, Gadfly). Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra of
Moscow Radio/Vladimir Fedoseyev Rec. 1998. DDD
RELIEF CR991047 [60’20]. [CC]
Very
highly recommended indeed. The Tenth receives
a rendering whose integrity is never once
in doubt … The coupling is a bit strange.
… see Full
Review
Jean SIBELIUS
(1865-1957)
CD1
[75.40] Spring Song; Lemminkainen Legends;
Romance; The Dryad; Dance Intermezzo; Pan
and Echo. CD2 [78.26] In memoriam; Canzonetta;
Valse romantique; Suite mignonne; Suite champetre;
The Tempest: prelude, Suites 1 and 2; Andante
Festivo
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir
Charles Groves Rec. Liverpool Philharmonic
Hall, 1973-75. ADD
EMI CLASSICS GEMINI 7243 5 85532 2
2 [64.14+63.14]
An
exceptionally well recorded collection showcasing
Groves' Sibelius adventure with the RLPO and
EMI Classics in the early 1970s - good
but not special ... see Full
Review
Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957)
CDl
[75'37] 1 Andante Festivo [4.33] Helsingin Juniorijouset/Csaba
and Geza Szilvay rec. 2002 2. Finlandia, Op. 26 [8.16]
Helsingin kaupunginorkesteri/Okko Kamu rec. 1988 3 Valse triste,
Op. 44/3 [5.15] Norjan radio-orkesteri/Ari Rasilainen rec. 1995.
4 Serenade no 1, Op. 69a [7.11] Jaakko Kuusisto, viulu;
Kuopion kaupunginorkesteri/Atso Almila rec. 1999 5 Mazurka, Op. 81/1
[2.19] Kaija Saarikettu, viulu and Raija Kerppo, piano rec. 1993 6 Romance,
Op. 78/2 [2.51] Kaija Saarikettu, viulu and Raija Kerppo, piano
rec. 1993 7 Berceuse [Kehtolaulu], Op. 4015 [1.55] Kuopion kaupunginorkesteri/Atso
Almila [sov. Curt Goldman] rec. 1999 8 Etude, Op. 76/2 [1.16]
Izumi Tateno, piano rec. 1992 The Flowers, Op. 85: 9 No. 1
Bellis [1.27]; 10 No. 2 Oeillet [2.02]; 11 No.
3 Iris [3.00]; 12 No. 4 Aquileja [1.57]; 13
No. 5 Campanula [2.04]; Marita Viitasalo, piano Rec. 1993
14 Wedding march [1911] [3.55] Kuopion kaupunginorkesteri/Atso
Almila rec.1999 15 The Swan of Tuonela, Op. 22/2 [9.01] Toronton
Sinfoniaorkesteri/Jukka-Pekka Saraste rec. 2000 16 Sydämeni
laulu, Op. 18/6 [2.07] Ylioppilaskunnan Laulajat [YL]/Matti Hyökki
Sanat: Aleksis Kivi; rec. 2003 17 Finlandia-hymn [1940] [2.08]
Ylioppilaskunnan.Laulajat [YL]/Matti Hyökki Sanat: V.A. Koskenniemi;
rec. 2003 18 Symphony No. 2 Op. 43 - IV Finale: Allegro
molto [13.01] Euroopan kamariorkesteri [Chamber Orchestra of Europe]/Paavo
Berglund rec. 1998 CD2 [64'37] 1 Karelia-suite, Op.11. - Alla
marcia Helsingin kaupunginorkesteri/Okko Kamu rec. 1988 2 Symphony
No. 1., Op.39 I Andante ma non troppo - Allegro
energico Radion sinfoniaorkesteri/Jukka-Pekka Saraste rec. 1995
3 Romanssi, Op. 42 [4.34] Keski-Pohjanmaan kamariorkesteri rec.
1996 4 Kurkikohtaus, Op. 44/2 [5.04] Finlandia Sinfonietta/Pekka
Helas rec 1986 5 Rondino, Op. 81/2 [2.06] Arto Noras, cello and
Tapani Valsta, rec. 1977 6 Elegia, Op. 27/1 [3.57] [sov.
Georg Schneeyoigt] Erkki Rautio, cello and Izumi Tateno, rec. 1992 Puu-sarja,
Op. 75: 7 No. 1. Kun pihlaja kukkii [1.54]; 8 No.2
Yksinäinen honka [2.45]; 9 No. 3 Haapa [2.44];
10 No. 4 Koivu [1.44]; 11. No. 5 Kuusi [3.32]
Eero Heinonen, piano Rec. 2000 12 Impromptu [1893] [6.28] Keski-Pohjanmaan
kamariorkesteri/Juha Kangas 1996 13 Musette, Op. 27/2 [2.09]
Tapiola Sinfonietta/Seppo Hovi rec. 1996 14 Symphony No. 1, Op.
39 - IV Finale: Andante - Allegro molto [11.35] Euroopan
kamariorkesteri (Chamber Orchestra of Europe)/Paavo Berglund rec.1998
rec. 1977-2003 Stereo DDD/ADD
WARNER FINLANDIA 0927 49912 2 [75.37+64.37] [RB]
Recommendable
for the cautious soul who has no qualms about
hearing detached parts of symphonies and who
wishes a sampling of the more overtly romantic
Sibelius. A classy collection with performances
to match. … see Full
Review
Jean SIBELIUS
(1865-1957)
Piano Works Five
Characteristic Impressions, Op. 103:
The Village Church; The Fiddler; The Oarsman;
The Storm; In Mournful Mood Kyllikki
(Three Lyric Pieces), Op. 41:
Largamente; Andantino; Commodo Five
Esquisses, Op. 114: Landscape; Winter
Scene; Forest Lake; Song in the Forest; Spring
Vision Piano Sonata, Op. 12: Allegro
moderato; Andantino; Allegro pochettino moderato
Five Pieces (The Flowers), Op. 85:
Bellis; Oeillet; Iris; Aquileja; Campanula
Rondinos, Op. 68: Rondino No.
1; Rondino No. 2; Finlandia, Op.
26/7
Eero Heinonen, piano Recorded 1995-2000
WARNER APEX 2564-60114-2 [78:45] [DS]
An
excellent bargain price representation of
the piano music of Sibelius. … see Full
Review
Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957)
Complete Piano Trios, Volume 1 Trio
in G minor for 2 violins & piano (1883)* Menuetto in D minor (1885)
Menuetto in F major for 2 violins and piano (1883)* Andante – Adagio
– Allegro maestoso (1885) Piano Trio in A minor (1884) Moderato in A
minor (1885) Allegro in C major (1885) Allegro in D major (1886) Andantino
in A major (1886) Piano Trio in A minor (1886)
Jaakko Kuusisto (violin), Satu Vänstä (violin)*, Marko
Ylönen (cello), Folke Gräsbeck Rec 5-7 April 2002, Danderyd
Gramar School, Sweden
BIS CD-1282 [72.18] [TB]
No
hope of uncovering a major and neglected masterpiece here … the best
that can be said of this music is that it is charming and entertaining.
… see Full Review
Bedrich SMETANA (1824-1884)
Má
vlast (My Fatherland) (1872-9) Symphonic poems:-
Vysehrad [Myth] Vltava (The Moldau) [Nature] Sarka
[Myth] From Bohemia's Woods and Fields [Nature] Tábor
[History] Blaník [History]
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Nikolaus Harnoncourt Rec. Musikverein,
Vienna, Austria, November 2001, DDD
RCA RED SEAL/BMG CLASSICS 82876 54331 2 [2CDs: 39.32+43.46] [RW]
An
orthodox, leisurely and light reading brought
to life with sparkling brass and clear melodic
lines. … see Full
Review
RECORDING OF THE MONTH Ethyl
SMYTH (1858-1944)
String
Quartet in E Minor: Allegretto lirico [12:10];
Allegro molto leggiero [5:48]; Andante [12:51];
Allegro energico [10:26] Amy
Marcey BEACH (1867-1944) Quartet
in one movement [14:57]: Grave - Piu animato
- Allegro molto - Grave Susan
SPAIN-DUNK (1880-1962) Phantasy
Quartet in D Minor [13:11]: Allegro con fuoco
- Andante moderato – Allegro con fuoco – Piu
tranquillo Archaeus
Quartet: Anne Hooley: Violin, Bridget Davey:
Violin, Elizabeth Turnbull: Viola, Martin
Thomas: Cello Recording location and dates
not given.
LONTANO RECORDS LORELT LNT 114 [69:23]
[SA]
I
cannot remember a record I’ve enjoyed more
this year or one I felt compelled to listen
to time after time – a fabulous disc! … see
Full Review
Padre Antonio SOLER
(1729-1783)Sonatas
for Harpsichord, Volume 10
Gilbert Rowland (harpsichordist) Rec. Epsom
College Concert Hall, Surrey from 10th
to 12th July, 2002. DDD
NAXOS 8.557137 [73:51] [AN]
A
well-rounded CD overall, encompassing a wide
range of moods, keys and structures. Possibly
not the strongest opening, but don’t let that
put you off. … see Full
Review
Fernando SOR (1778-1839)
"My Careless Eyes – Songs & Guitar Music"
Evelyn Tubb, soprano *; David Parsons, guitar (Louis Panormo, 1843)
Recorded in February 2003 in the Chapel of Ashburham Place, near Battle,
UK DDD ASV GAUDEAMUS
CD GAU 344 [63:31] [JV]
There
is more to Sor than the couple of guitar pieces which he is known for
in our time – but this recording doesn’t make it easier to fully appreciate
his art ... see Full Review
Pablo SOROZÁBAL
(1897-1988) Euskalerria
for chorus and orchestra (1963, instr. 1978) [3.45] Suite Vasca
(1923) [12.49] Maite, Eguzki Eder (1954, instr. 1978) [3.23]
Gernika (1976) [5.13] Dos Apuntes Vascos (1925) [7.08]
Siete Lieder (1929 instr. 1956) [18.30] Variaciones Sinfónicas
(1927) [25.02] Maite Arruabarrena (mezzo)
Bilbao Choral Society Basque National Orchestra/Cristian Mandeal
rec. San Sebastian, 13-15 June, 2-6 Sept 2002. DDD Basque Music Collection
Vol. 6 CLAVES CD 50-2205
[71.33] [RB]
Claves
merit praise for their steadfast commitment, exalted production values
and for perceptive choices. Another fascinating volume in the Basque
series. ... see Full Review
Max STEINER (1888-1971)
All
This And Heaven Too (1940) A Stolen Life (1946) Music
for Bette Davis films, restorations by John Morgan
Moscow Symphony Orchestra and Choir/William Stromberg Rec. Mosfilm
Studios, Moscow, February-March 2002
MARCO POLO 8.225218 [71.08] [JW]
Most
enthusiastically recommended to Steiner admirers. … see Full
Review
Alessandro STRADELLA
(1644 – 1682) San
Giovanni Battista - Oratorio in two parts Erodiade la Figlia
– Catherine Bott (soprano) Erodiade la Madre – Christine Batty (mezzo-soprano)
San Giovanni Battista – Gérard Lesne (alto) Consigliero – Richard
Edgar-Wilson (tenor) Erode – Philippe Huttenlocher (bass)
Les Musiciens du Louvre/Marc Minkowski Recorded 1992 (Erato)
WARNER ELATUS 2564-60444-2 [75.54] [RH]
Welcome
re-issue for a lively and involving recording of Stradella’s oratorio
with a brilliant Catherine Bott in the key role of Salome. … see Full
Review
Johann STRAUSS (1825-1899)
and
Oscar STRAUS (1870-1954) Le Trois
Valses (Drei Walzer) (The Three Waltzes) (1935) Suzy Delair
(sop) Fanny, Yvette, Irene; Jean Desailly (ten) Octave, Phillipe, Gérald;
Robert Pisani (bar) Father Brunner; Robert Piquet (bar) Brunner's Son.
Choir and Orchestra
under the direction of Richard Blareau Rec. Universal (Decca) Studios,
Antony, France 2 CDs for the price of one
DISCOVERY/ACCORD OPERETTE SERIES 461 958-2 [125:23] [RW]
Stirring
music, well played … a warm and lilting style
that blends well with the waltz theme. … see
Full Review
Richard
STRAUSS (1864-1949)
Orchestral works Disc
1: Aus Italien, Opus 16 (1886) Macbeth,
Opus 23 (1888) Disc 2: Ein Heldenleben,
Opus 40 (1899) Tod und Verklärung,
Opus 24 (1889) Disc 3: Don Juan, Opus
20 (1888) Till Eulenspiegel, Opus 28
(1895) Also Sprach Zarathustra, Opus
30 (1896) Disc 4: Eine Alpensinfonie,
opus 64 (1915) Festliches Präludium,
Opus 61 (1913) Disc 5: Metamorphosen
(1944) Vier letzte Lieder (1949) (Melanie
Diener, soprano) Oboe Concerto (1945) (Simon
Fuchs, oboe) Disc 6: Sinfonia Domestica,
Opus 53 (1903) Parergon, Opus 73 (1925)
(Roland Pöntinen, piano) Disc 7: Don
Quixote, Opus 35 (1897) (Thomas Grossenbacher,
cello) Romance in F major (1883) (Thomas
Grossenbacher, cello) Serenade in E
flat major, Opus 7 (1881) Recorded: CD1: January
2000 CD2: January 2001 CD3: January-February
2001 CD4: February 2002 CD5: May 2002 CD6:
May 2002 CD7: January 2000 (Serenade), February
2003 (Don Quixote & Romance) Venue: Tonhalle
Zurich ARTE NOVA 74321 98495-2 [7CDs:
CD1=65.27, CD2=74.28, CD3=65.48, CD4=52.36,
CD5=76.25, CD6=65.29, CD7=59.05] [TB]
Romantic
music, expressively and sensitively performed,
will inevitably brings its rewards … well
worth having. … see
Full Review
Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949)
Eine
Alpensinfonie (An Alpine Symphony) Op. 64 (1915) In pictures:
concept and photographs by Tobias Melle
Tonhalle Orchestra, Zürich/David Zinman Recorded 11-12 February
2002, Tonhalle, Zurich 
RCA
82876 50663 9 [54.00] [KS]
Purchase
recommended for diehards or technophiles who get their jollies from
showing off their home theatre systems. … see Full
Review
Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949)
Capriccio
(1940-41) A conversation piece in one act. Libretto: Clemens
Krauss and Richard Strauss Setting: The château of Countess Madeleine
near Paris during the 1780s The Countess…Kiri Te Kanawa The Count…Håkan
Hagegård Clairon…Tatiana Troyanos La Roche…Victor Braun Flamand…David
Kuebler Olivier…Simon Keenlyside Monsieur Taupe…Michel Sénéchal
Major Domo…Dale Travis Italian soprano…Maria Fortuna Italian tenor…Craig
Estep Young dancers…Shannon Lilly and David Justin Violin: Leonid Igudesman;
Cello: David Budd San
Francisco Opera Orchestra/Donald Runnicles Filmed during the 1993 San
Francisco Opera season
ARTHAUS MUSIK 100 354
[144 mins] [IL]
A
witty, intellectually satisfying production with winsome performances
especially Braun's La Roche. Kiri enchants but a little more expressive
singing would not have gone amiss. … see Full
Review
Richard STRAUSS (1864
- 1949) Don
Quixote Op.35 (1897) Romance in F major for cello and Orchestra,
Op.13 (1883) Serenade in E Flat major for 13 Wind Instruments, Op.7
(1882) Thomas
Grossenbacher (cello), Michel Rouilly (viola) Tonhalle Orchestra, Zurich/David
Zinman. Rec. Tonhalle, Zurich 6 Jan, 2000 (Serenade); 10-11 Feb 2003
(Don Quixote and Romance). DDD
ARTE NOVA 74321 98496-2 [59.05] [JPh]
My
over-riding impression of this performance was of gentleness. … puts
many full price issues to shame. … see Full
Review
Igor STRAVINSKY (1882-1971)
Oedipus
Rex (1927 rev. 1948) [51.47] Symphony of Psalms (1930 rev.
1948) [21.27] Jean Desailly - Le speaker Ivo Židek - Oedipe Vera Soukupová
- Jocaste Karel Berman - Créon Eduard Haken - Tirésias
Zdeněk Kroupa - Le messager Antonín Zlesák - Le berget
Prague Philharmonic Choir/Josef Veselka
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra/Karel Ančerl rec. 1963, 1965,
Prague. ADD Karel Ančerl Gold Edition vol. 14
SUPRAPHON SU 3674-2 211 [73.31] [RB]
Two
fixtures from the 1960s indispensable to an appreciation of Stravinsky’s
grip on the imagination of the musical public ... see Full
Review
Hermann
SUTER
(1870-1926) Symphony
in D minor (1914) First stereo recording and first CD recording Hans
JELMOLI (1877-1936) Three Pieces for Orchestra from
the Lyrical Comedy ‘His Legacy’ World premiere recording
Moscow Symphony Orchestra/Adriano Rec. Mosfilm Studios, Moscow,
August 2002 STERLING
CDS-1052-2 [61:15] [IL]
Suter
is here bombastic melodrama, sometimes teetering on the edge of banality.
Adriano gives it a powerful and enthusiastic reading … The Jelmoli is
charming. … see Full Review
BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Karol SZYMANOWSKI
(1882-1937) Violin
Concerto No. 1 (1916) [25.49] Violin Concerto No. 2 (1932) [22.25] Mandragora
(1926) [25.48] Stabat Mater (1926) [25.55] Litania do Marii
Panny (1933) [9.29] Demeter (1924) [7.53] Kazimierz Pustelak
(ten); Zdzislaw Lapinski (cello) (Mandragora) Jadwiga Gadulanka
(sop); Jadwiga Rappé (alto); Andrzej Hiolski (bar) (Stabat
Mater) Jadwiga Gadulanka (sop) (Litania) Jadwiga Rappé
(alto) (Demeter) Polish Radio National SO/Polish Radio SO Kraków
(only Mandragora)/Jerzy Maksymiuk (concerti); Antoni Wit (all
other Szymanowski) Henryk GÓRECKI (b.1933)
Three Pieces in the Old Style (1963) [9.47] Tadeusz
BAIRD (1928-1981) Colas Breugnon Suite (1953) [14.40]
Polish CO/Jerzy Maksymiuk
rec. Warsaw School of Music, Aug-Sept 1976 (Baird, Gorecki); Polish
RTV Studios, Katowice, Sept 1978, Mar 1981, Mar 1983 ADD/DDD
EMI CLASSICS DOUBLE FFORTE 7243 5 75670 2 2 [72.52+69.32]
[RB]
For
all of my allegiance to the Rowicki set this
generous and extremely inexpensive coupling
is well worth getting. ... see Full
Review
Karol SZYMANOWSKI
(1882-1937) String
Quartet No. 1 in C major Op. 37 (1917) String
Quartet No. 2 Op. 56 (1927)
Camerata Quartet Rec. Concert Hall, Karol
Szymanowski State Music School, Warsaw, April
2000
DUX 0366 [35.34] [JW]
I
admired the Camerata’s playing – if timing
considerations are against them I don’t think
you’ll be disappointed by the performances.
… see Full
Review
Toru TAKEMITSU
(
1930-1996) Chamber Music
And
Then I Knew ’twas Wind, for Flute, Viola
and Harp. Rain Tree, for Three Percussion
Players. Toward the Sea, for Alto Flute
and Guitar. Bryce, for Flute, Two Harps,
Marimba and Percussion. Itinerant,
for Solo Flute. Voice, for Solo Flute.
Air, for solo Flute. Rain Spell,
for Flute, Clarinet, Harp, Piano and Vibraphone.
Toronto New Music Ensemble Robert Aitken (Flute)
Recorded at the Toronto Centre for the Arts,
Toronto, Canada and St. John Chrysostom Church,
Newmarket, Canada, June and August 2002. DDD
NAXOS 8.555859 [71:28] [MC]
Sheer
pleasure for Takemitsu lovers with ideal performances and handsomely
recorded too. … see Full Review
Helen TAYLOR
(1915-1950) The Collected Works Symphony
(1950) [27.54] Sonata for two flutes unaccompanied (1950) [18.14] Piano
Sonata (1945) [13.20] Violin Sonata (1942) [11.13]
LA East Studio Orchestra/Ralph Laycock (symphony) Kelly Clark Parkinson
(violin) Grant Johannesen (piano) Sally Humphreys; Jane Lyman (flutes)
rec. 2000 DDD TANTARA RECORDS
TCD 0900DHT-HS [65.25] [RB]
Long
overdue justice has now been done to the mid-Western music of Helen
Taylor ... see Full Review
Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840
- 1893) Capriccio
Italien, op. 45 (1880) Fantasy Overture: Romeo and Juliet (1869-80)
Dance of the Tumblers, from Incidental Music: "The Snow
Maiden", op. 12 (1873) Marche Slav, op. 31 (1876)
Festival Overture "1812", op. 49 (1880)
National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine/Theodore Kuchar
Recorded at Grand Concert Studio of Nat. Radio Co., Kyiv, Ukraine, 19-22
August 2001
NAXOS 8.555923 [65'51]
Not
recommendable for its recording quality, especially
for headphone listeners - but worth hearing
for some good playing, and sometimes very
insightful conducting. … see Full
Review
Pyotr Il’yich
TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893)
Concert
Fantasy Op. 56 [27.52] Piano Concerto No.
1 Op. 23 [36.04] Piano Concerto No. 2 Op.
44 [46.47] Piano Concerto No. 3 Op. 75 [27.52]
Peter Donohoe (piano) Nigel Kennedy (violin)
(2) Steven Isserlis (cello) (2) Bournemouth
Symphony Orchestra/Rudolf Barshai Rec. 1986-1989,
Wessex Hall, Poole Arts Centre, Dorset ADD
EMI CLASSICS GEMINI 7243 5 85540 2 1 [64.14+63.14]
[RB]
A
bold collection. Treasure for sure in the
case of the Second Concerto but good readings
otherwise. The magnetic factor here is Second.
Not to be missed. … see Full
Review
Peter Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840 – 1893) Swan
Lake suite from the Ballet (1876) The Nutcracker suite from
the Ballet (1892) USSR
Radio Symphony Orchestra: Evgeni Svetlanov. No details supplied ADD
CDK CDKM 1002
[65.29] [JPh]
I
enjoyed this issue immensely and its appearance
is the cause for rejoicing, particularly amongst
those of us who enjoy these classic Russian
recordings. … see Full
Review
Pyotr
Ilych TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1896)
Symphony
No 6 in B minor, Op. 74 (1893) [44’51"]
Overture and Dances of the Hay Maidens from
Voyevoda, Op. 3 (1867-8) [15’30"]
Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra of Moscow
Radio/Vladimir Fedoseyev
Recorded in 1999 DDD
RELIEF CR 991060 [60’45"] [JQ]
I
enjoyed this. It would not be a first choice
but it is well worth investigation as an antidote
to more high-octane readings. … see Full
Review
Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY
(1840 – 1893) Symphony
"Manfred" Opus 58 Symphonic Fantasy "The Tempest"
Tchaikovsky Symphony
Orchestra of Moscow Radio/Vladimir Fedoseyev Recorded Live 1999
RELIEF CR 991061 [70.10] [RH]
An
interesting document, recorded in adequate sound from the 1990s, but
the performances are less than ideal. … see Full
Review
Peter Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840
– 1893) Rococo
Variations for cello and orchestra Op. 33 (1876) Souvenir de
Florence sextet for strings, chamber version (1892)
Mstislav Rostropovich, cello Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra/Gennadi
Rozhdestvensky Borodin String Quartet. No date or location given. ADD
CDK CDKM 1001 [53.19]
[JPh]
Superb
… performances highly recommended.… see Full
Review
Alexander TCHEREPNIN (1899-1977) Symphonic Prayer, Op.93 (1959) Piano Concerto No.2, Op.26 (1923), Piano Concerto No.4 (Fantasie), Op.78 (1947),Magna mater, Op.41 (1926/27) Norika Ogawa (piano) Singapore Symphony Orchestra/Lan Shui Recorded at the Victoria Hall, Singapore, Jan-Feb 2001 (concertos) and August 2001 BIS CD 1247 [63'48] [TH]
A very entertaining disc, worthy of any serious music lover's attention. … see Full Review
Georg Philipp TELEMANN (1681-1767) ‘Recorder sonatas and fantasias’
Frans Brüggen (recorder), Anner Bijlsma (cello), Gustav Leonhardt
(harpsichord) Recorded 1963-1972 ADD
WARNER APEX 2564 60368 2 [74:48] [JvV]
Most
works on this CD are well-known, but this is first and foremost a worthy
testimony to the art of Frans Brüggen ... see Full
Review
Georg Philipp TELEMANN (1681-1767)
‘Trio Sonatas’
Parnassi musici (on period instruments): Margaret MacDuffie, Matthias
Fischer (violin), Stephan Schrader (cello), Sergio Azzolini (bassoon),
Martin Lutz (harpsichord, organ) Recorded January, February 2002 at
the Studio of the Südwestrundfunk Karlsruhe (Germany) DDD
CPO 999 934-2 [68:37]
A
collection of lesser known chamber music by Telemann which demonstrates
once more the composer’s endless creativity … see Full
Review
Georg
Philipp TELEMANN (1681-1767)
Don
Quixote Suite (Burlesque de Quixotte)
[17:48] (Overture, The Awakening of Quixotte,
This Attack on the Windmills, Sighs of Love
for the Princess Dulcinee, Sancho Panza Mocked,
Rosinante’s Galloping, The Galloping of Sancho’s
Donkey, Don Quixotte’s Sleep) Overture in
D minor [23:45]
(Overture, Minuets I and II, Gavotte, Courante,
Air, Loure, Hornpipe, Canarles, Gigue)
Suite in E-flat major "La Lyra"
[17:32] (Overture, Minuets I and II, La Vielle,
Sicilienne avec Cadenze, Rondeau, Bourées
I and II, Gigue)
Northern Chamber Orchestra/Nicholas Ward
Recorded at Victoria Hall, Bolton, UK, 22-23
July 1996. DDD
NAXOS 8.554019 [57:08] [KS][CC]
Pure
delight, this. Buy it.[KS]
Thoroughly enjoyable fare. This is a most
approachable coupling. [CC] see Full
Review
Georg Philipp TELEMANN (1681-1767)
24 theils ernsthafte, theils scherzende Oden (1741) (TWV 25:86-109)
Klaus Mertens, baritone; Ludger Rémy, harpsichord [Bruce
Kennedy, 2000, after Michael Mietke, Berlin, c1700] Recorded in October
2001 at the Studio of DeutschlandRadio, Cologne, Germany DDD
CPO 999 816-2 [69:08] [JvV]
Secular
songs by Telemann – unknown repertoire, very well interpreted by two
top-class artists from the German baroque scene ... see Full
Review
Leifur THÓRARINSSON
(1934-1998)
The Eternal Quest In
Cyprus: Concerto for Chamber Orchestra (1993)[12.02] Rent
for string orchestra (1976) [9.46] Spring in my heart: Chamber
concerto for 12 instruments (1993) [18.41] A Dream of the ‘House’
for harp and strings (1972) [6.24] Angelus Domini for mezzo-soprano
and chamber orchestra (1975) [13.14] Styr - Notturno capriccioso:
Concerto for piano and chamber orchestra (1988) [12.14] Gudrún
Edda Gunnarsdóttir (mezzo-soprano) Anna Gudný Gudmundsdóttir
(piano) Reykjavik
Chamber Orchestra/Bernard Wilkinson Recorded at Vidistadakirkja, Iceland,
January, February, September 2001
SMEKKLEYSA RECORDS SMK 27 [73.01]
Elements
not only from Schoenberg but also Stravinsky and jazz. … music well
worth the effort of getting to know. … see Full
Review
Will TODD (b.1970)
The
Blackened Man (2000) - an opera - two extracts libretto by Ben
Dunwell Isabella - Moira Harris Jobling/Boak - Mark le Broq Minister
Hepburn - Philip Bell Armstrong/Clarke - Graeme Danby Judge Parke/Murray
- Roddy Williams Chorus: Bibbi Heel (sop); Debra Skeen (sop); Valerie
Reid (mezzo) Hallé
Orchestra/Christopher Austin rec. Studio 7, Manchester and Copthorne
Studios, 2001 DDD
TYALGUM PRESS BMCD1 01 5 [11.10] [RB]
If
you are at all drawn to modern opera in its lyrical tradition then you
must hear this ... see Full Review
Will TODD (b.1970)
Saint
Cuthbert - oratorio (1995) words by Ben Dunwell Patricia Rozario
(sop) - Angel John Hudson (ten) - Cuthbert Graeme Danby (bass) - Man
Durham Singers; Hallé Choir;
Northern Sinfonia Chorus Hallé Orchestra cond. Christopher Austin rec.
2-4 June 2001, Studio 7, BBC Manchester DDD
THE NORTHUMBRIAN ANTHOLOGY MWM CDSP56 [79.02] [RB]
The
consummation of homecoming ... a bright sunburst of resounding hosannas.
... see Full Review
Antonín TUČAPSKÝ (b.1928)
Violin
Concerto (1993) [27.03] Viola Concerto (1996) [29.16]
Víteszlav Kuzník (violin) Pavel Peřina (viola) Janacek Philharmonic
Orchestra/Petr Vronský (violin concerto) Prague Symphony Orchestra/Elli
Jaffe (viola concerto) Recorded Smetana Hall, Prague, 28 March 1999
(Violin); 28 Jan 2000 live (Viola)
SOMM RECORDING SOMMCD 221 [56.34] [JW]
Vitality,
sensitivity and accomplishment … an exciting, engaging and life-affirming
coupling of two splendid concertos. … see Full
Review
Percy TURNBULL (1902-1976) Piano Music: Character Sketches; Miniatures; Pasticcio on a Theme of Mozart; Sonatina; Dances; Fantasy Suite; Preludes; Three Winter Pieces Peter Jacobs, piano Rec. 1993 SOMM SOMMCD 015 CD [69:35] [JW]
Jacobs has just the right weight for Turnbull's pictorial and disarming miniatures. Brings out the delicacy, shade and puckish wit. A delightful disc. … see Full Review
Giuseppe VERDI
(1813-1901)
Aida.
Opera in 4 Acts Aida, Renata Tebaldi
(sop); Radames, Mario del Monaco (ten); Amneris,
Ebe Stignani (m.sop); Amonasro, Aldo Protti
(bar); Il Re, Fernando Corena (bass); Ramfis,
Dario Caselli (bass); Messenger, Piero de
Palma (ten)
Chorus and Orchestra of the Academia di
Santa Cecilia, Rome/Alberto Erede Rec. Academia
di Santa Cecilia, August 1952 ADD Bargain
Price
NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110129-30 [2CDs: 67.52+76.41]
[RF]
It
is Tebaldi that makes this a must for lovers
of great singing. Her voice is distinctly
lighter and fresher than in 1959. It encompasses
the many demands of the part with ease, fluency
and good depth of characterization. … see
Full Review
Giuseppe VERDI
(1813-1901)
Don
Carlos. Opera in Five Acts (sung in
Italian) (1886 Modena and 1867 Paris versions)
Philip (King of Spain), Jaakko Ryhänen
(bass); Don Carlos (Infante of Spain), Lars
Cleveman (ten); Rodrigo (Marquis of Posa),
Peter Mattei (bar); The Grand Inquisitor,
Bengt Rundgren (bass); Elisabeth de Valois
(Philip's Queen), Hillevi Martinpelto (sop);
Princess Eboli (Elisabeth's lady-in-waiting),
Ingrid Tobiasson (m.sop); Tebaldo (Elisabeth's
page), Iwa Sörenson, (sop); The Count
of Lerma (A Royal Herald), Klas Hedlund (ten);
An Old Monk, Martti Wallén (bass);
A Voice from Heaven, Hilda Leidland (sop)
Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Swedish
Opera, Stockholm/Alberto Hold-Garrido Recorded
at the Royal Swedish Opera, Stockholm on 18th
December 1999 and 22nd and 27th
January 2000 Bargain Price
NAXOS OPERA CLASSICS 8.660096-98 [3CDs:
78.51+70.18+45.40] [RF]
Other
than Mattei’s singing, I regrettably find
little to recommend in this issue, particularly
now the price is matched by better sung versions
elsewhere. … see Full
Review
BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Giuseppe
VERDI (1813
- 1901) La
Traviata – Opera in 3 Acts Libretto
– Francesco Maria Piave, Violetta Valery -
Tiziana Fabbricini, Flora Bervoix - Nicoletta
Curiel, Annina - Antonella Trevisan, Alfredo
Germont - Roberto Alagna, Giorgio Germont
- Paolo Coni, Gastone, Visconte de Letorières
- Enrico Cossutta, Barone Douphol - Orazio
Mori, Marchese d’Obigny - Enzo Capuano, Dottor
Grenvil - Francesco Musini, Giuseppe -
Ernesto Gavazzi, Domestico di Flora - Ernesto
Panariello, Commissionario - Silvestro Sammaritano,
Orchestra and Chorus of La Scala, Milan/Riccardo
Muti Rec. La Scala, Milan: March 29,
31, April 2, 7, 1992.
SONY CLASSICAL SM2K 90457 [2 CDs: 61’49+74’29]
[LB]
This
recording has the potential to transform the
indifferent listener into a passionate devotee
of Italian Opera. … see Full
Review
Giuseppe
VERDI
(1813-1901)
An Introduction to Il trovatore
Written by Thomson Smillie and narrated by
David Timson With musical excerpts from the
Naxos production of Il trovatore –
Naxos 8.660023-24
With Daniela Longhi as Leonora, Irina Tschistiakova
as Azucena, Maurizio Frusoni as Manrico and
Roberto Servile as the Count di Luna Budapest
Festival Chorus and Hungarian State Opera
Orchestra/Will Humburg
NAXOS 8.558079 [79:18] [IL]
Recommended
to those eager to know more about Il trovatore. An ideal sampler for
Naxos’s splendid 1996 recording. … see Full
Review
Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901)
Jerusalem,
Opera in four Acts (1847) Libretto by Alphonse Royer and Gustave Vaez
Chorus of the
Teatro Carlo Felice/Ciro Visco Orchestra of the Teatro Carlo Felice/Michel
Plasson Recorded at the Teatro Carlo Felice, Genova, November 2000 Dolby
Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1, PCM Stereo. Region Code All, PAL, Aspect Ratio
4:3 TDK
DV-OPJER [2 DVDs: 166.00] [DB]
Looks
and sounds very good … singers generally more than capable … Michel
Plasson drives things along at a lively pace. There’s not likely to
be another Jerusalem along any time soon. … see Full
Review
Louis VIERNE (1870-1937)
Carillon
de Westminster, from Pièces de Fantasie, Op. 54 [6:16]§
Andantino from Pièces de Fantasie, Op. 51 [3:40]
§ Impromptu from Pièces de Fantasie, Op. 54 [2:56]
Final de la Symphonie No. 3, Op. 28 [6:00] Charles
TOURNEMIRE (1870-1939) Choral-Improvisation sur le "Victimae
paschali laudes" [9:29] Fantasie-Improvisation sur l’Ave
Maris Stella [10:05] Cantilène [4:12] §Petite Rhapsodie
[4:43] § Maurice DURUFLÉ
(1802-1986) Prelude, Adagio et Choral Varié sur le "Veni
Creator" [21:21] §
Maurice Duruflé (§) and Marie-Madeleine Duruflé-Chevalier,
organ Rec. Grand Organs of: Cathédral de Soissons; St. Etienne-du-Mont,
France, 1963 ADD ERATO
256460593-2 [67:46]
Played
with supreme authority and command, they are
overwhelming to listen to, nothing short of
one thrill per measure of music. … see Full
Review
Antonio VIVALDI
(1678-1741) Kyrie
RV 587 Gloria in D major RV 589 Credo RV 591
Magnificat RV 610 Karla Urb and Vilve Hepner
(sopranos) Anna Zander (alto)
Mati Turi (tenor)
Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir Tallinn
Chamber Orchestra/Tōnu Kaljuste Recorded
Tallinn Methodist Church October 2002
CARUS 83.403 [58.56] [JW]
A
disjunction between the rhythmic attention
of the band and the overly legato phrasing
of the choir … see
Full Review
Antonio VIVALDI (1675
-1741) Opera Overtures: Dorilla
in Tempe [5.43] Farnace [1.25] Giustino [7.48] Ottone
in Villa [5.12] L’Incoronazione di Dario [6.00] Griselda
[6.22] La verità in cimento [6.38] Armida al campo
d’Egitto [5.08] Bajazet (Tamerlano) [7.40] L’Olimpiade
[7.16] Arsilda Regina di Ponto (Orlando furioso) [5.29]
I solisti Veneti/Claudio Scimone Rec. Piazzola sul Brenta in the
Villa Simes Contarini, Venice, Italy, July 1978. ADD Notes in English,
Français, and Deutsch. No photos. Previously released on Erato.
WARNER APEX 2564 60537-2
[65.39] [PSh]
A
real treasure, some NEW and EXCELLENT Vivaldi. ... see
Full Review
Richard WAGNER (1813–1883)
Der Fliegende Holländer. Excerpts
Holländer, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (bar); Daland, Gottlob Frick
(bass); Erik, Rudolf Schock (ten); Steersman, Fritz Wunderlich (ten);
Senta, Marianne Schech (sop).
Chorus and Orchestra of the Staatsoper Berlin/Franz Konwitschny
Recorded Grunewaldkirche Berlin. 1960 Bargain Price
BERLIN CLASSICS ETERNA COLLECTION 003264BC [78.16] [RF]
A
very welcome reissue of a vividly recorded and well sung version of
Wagner’s most popular and accessible opera. … see Full
Review
Richard WAGNER (1813-1883)
Scenes from Lohengrin and Siegfried Lohengrin,
Act 3, Scenes 1 and 2 (1850) [33’33] - Siegfried, Act 1, Scene
3 (1876) [25’48] John
Horton Murray (tenor, Lohengrin, Siegfried); Margaret Jane Wray (soprano,
Elsa); Adam Klein (tenor, Mime); Bolshoi Opera Chorus (Lohengrin); Russian
State Symphony Orchestra/John McGlinn - Rec. Studio No. 5, Moscow Film
Studios, on May 28th-June 1st, 2001. [DDD]
NAXOS 8.555788 [59’17] [CC]
A
mixed bag with impressive moments unfortunately not adding up to any
sort of impressive totality … may be advisable to look elsewhere. …
see Full Review
Richard WAGNER (1813-1883)
Die
Meistersinger von Nürnberg (1868) Friedrich Schorr (bass-baritone)
Hans Sachs; Elisabeth Rethberg (soprano) Eva; Rene Maison (tenor) Walther;
Eduard Habich (bass) Beckmesser; Karin Branzell (contralto) Magdalene;
Emanuel List (bass) Pogner; Hans Clemens (tenor) David; Arnold Gabor
(bass) Night Watchman; Julius Huehn (baritone) Kothner; Chorus and Orchestra
of the Metropolitan Opera House, New York/Artur Bodanzky. ‘Schorr as
Hans Sach’s: Was duftet der Fliedera; Wahn! Wahn!b;
Abendlich Glühendc; Sieh, Evchen!d; Aha!
Streicht die lenee; Selig wie die Sonne meines glückes
lachtf.
aLondon Symphony Orchestra/Albert Coates; bBerlin
Symphony Orchestra/Leo Blech; cfLauritz Melchior (tenor);
cefLondon Symphony Orchestra/cRobert Heger, eAlbert
Coates, fSir John Barbirolli; dElisabeth Rethberg
(soprano); dorchestra; fElisabeth Schumann (soprano);
fBen Williams (); fGladys Parr (). Rec. Metropolitan
Opera House, New York on February 22nd, 1936 (complete Meistersinger);
aMay 1930, b1925, cMay 1931, dDecember
1925, eMay 1930, fMay 1929.
GUILD IMMORTAL PERFORMANCES GHCD2244/7 [4CDs: 263’00: 71’04 + 50’15
+69’41 + 72’00 ] [JW]
No
doubting whom the star is here. The booklet cover declares this is ‘FRIEDRICH
SCHORR in Richard Wagner’s …’. … see Full
Review
Richard WAGNER (1813
– 1883). Das
Rheingold. Excerpts Loge, Helmut Melchert (ten); Wotan, Ferdinand
Frantz (bar); Fricka, Johanna Blatter (cont); Alberich, Benno Kusche
(bar); Erda, Rut Siewart (m. sop); Donner, Josef Metternich (bass)
Orchestra of the Staatskapelle Berlin/Rudolf Kempe Recorded Grunewaldkirche,
Berlin. 1959 BERLIN
CLASSICS ETERNA COLLECTION 0032622BC [47.29] [RF]
This
is the least successful of the recent issues in this series from Berlin
Classics. Only Wagner addicts, or Kempe enthusiasts, will find much
enjoyment or interest. … see Full
Review
Richard WAGNER
(1813-1883) Die
Walküre (1850) Acts I and II Sieglinde – Lotte Lehmann (soprano)
Brünnhilde – Marta Fuchs (soprano) Brünnhilde – Ella Flesch
(soprano) Act II Scene 5 only Fricka – Margarete Klose (mezzo soprano)
Siegmund – Lauritz Melchior (tenor) Wotan – Hans Hotter (baritone) Wotan
– Alfred Jerger Act II Scene 5 only Hunding – Emanuel List
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Bruno Walter, recorded Vienna 1935
– the whole of Act I and parts of Act II Berlin State Opera Orchestra/Bruno
Seidler-Winkler, recorded September 1938 – parts of Act II
NAXOS 8.110250/51 [2CDs: 144.03] [JW]
Excellent
engineering, low level surface noise and fine
quality Victor pressings … almost uninterrupted
pleasure. And what a performance! … see Full
Review
Siegfried WAGNER
(1869 – 1930) Die
Heilige Linde op. 15 (1927) Arbogast,
king of a German tribe – John Wegner (baritone)
Hildegard, his wife – Dagmar Schellenberger
(soprano) Sigrun, his sister – Ksenija Lukic
(soprano) Gundelind, his cousin – Mechthild
Georg (mezzo-soprano) Fritigern, a king’s
son from a neighbouring tribe – Thorsten Scharnke
(tenor) Ekhart, a count – Adam Kruzel (baritone)
Philo, a minion of the Roman emperor - Volker
Horn (tenor) Caius, his messenger - Hein Heibuchel
(tenor) Autonoe - Katalin Ilalmai (mezzo-soprano)
Antenor – Roman Trekel (baritone) A soldier
– Soon-Dong Kwon (bass) Knight – Josef Otten
(bass)
WDR Rundfunkchor Köln WDR Sinfonieorchester
Köln/Werner Andreas Albert Recorded October
8-19, 2001, Philharmonie Köln
CPO 999 844-2 [3CDs: 50.01 + 50.53 + 48.13]
[RH]
The
first recording of the 14th opera
by the son of the more famous Richard; this
story of sparring Saxons and Romans is well
performed but opera itself rarely grips. …
see Full Review
John WARD (ca.1589-1638)
Upon
a Bank with Roses - Consort Music
The Rose Consort of Viols John Bryan, Alison Crum, Sarah Groser,
Ray Marks, Susanna Pell, Peter Wendland, viols. John Bryan, organ Rec:
Ford Abbey, April 7-10 1998. DDD
CPO 999 928-2 [71:38] [KS]
A
fine recording of a little known English composer.
… see Full Review
Kurt WEILL
(1900-1950) Aufstieg
und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny (The
Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny) (1930)
Opera in 3 Acts. Text by Bertolt Brecht
Jenny, Lotte Lenya (mezzo); Jimmy, Heinz
Sauerbaum (ten); Mrs. Begbick, Gisela Litz
(mezzo); Fatty, Peter Markwort (ten); Trinity
Moses, Horst Günther (bar); Joe, Sigmund
Roth (bass) Orchestra and Choir of North German
Radio/Wilhelm Brückner-Rüggerberg
Recorded in Hamburg, Germany. 1956
SONY CLASSICAL SM2K 91184 [2CDs: 61.42+74.18]
[RF]
This
issue has an authenticity that makes it essential
listening for those interested in the genre.
… see Full Review
Charles-Marie WIDOR
(1844 - 1937) Organ
Symphony No.3 in E Minor, Op.13/3 (excerpts) Prelude, Adagio and Finale
(1872 rev. 1872, 1887, 1901, 1927) Organ Symphony No.4 in F minor, Op.13/4
(1876)Organ Symphony No.9 in C minor, Op.70 The Gothic (1895)
Marie-Claire Alain (organ)The organ of the Eglise St. Germain, St. Germain-en-Laye,
Nov 1977. ADD
WARNER ELATUS 2564 60341-2 [71’50"] [JPh]
Excellent
analogue recordings … Erato reflect the immense power of this organ
with consummate skill. … see Full Review
Margaret Lucy WILKINS
(b.1939) Musica
Angelorum (1991) [11.03] - Sofia Soloists Chamber Ensemble/Plamen
Djurov - Struwwelpeter (1973): Struwwelpeter; Cruel
Frederick; Harriet and the matches; Augustus; The
Inky Boys; Flying Robert [15.35] - Burnt Sienna: Etude
for string trio (1974) [10.49] - FIREBIRD String Trio (Mieko Kanno
(violin); Bridget Carey (viola); Zoe Martlew (cello) - 366" for
solo trombone (1986) [6.38] - Barrie Webb (trombone) - Symphony (1989):
Exposition; Juxtaposition; Opposition [22.20]
Timįsoară Symphony Orchestra/Barrie Webb - rec. Sofia, 16
June 1999 (Musica); Sala Liceuluide Muzică 'Ion Vidu', Timįsoară,
Romania, 10 Oct 1999 (Symphony); St Paul's Hall, Huddersfield University,
20, 22 June 2002. DDD
VIENNA MODERN MASTERS VMM 3055 [67.10] [RB]
Wilkins proves to be a provocative composer. ... see Full
Review
Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872
– 1958) A
Sea Symphony Symphony No. 1 – based upon texts by Walt Whitman.Joan
Rodgers (soprano), Christopher Maltman, (baritone)
Bournemouth Symphony Chorus and Orchestra/Paul Daniel Rec. 8–10
February 2002, Poole Arts Centre. DDD
NAXOS 8.557059 [63.54] [JPh]
If
you are looking for a brand new recording of this fascinating symphony,
this Naxos release will fill the bill admirably, provided the soloists’
vibrato does not trouble you … see Full Review
Tomás Luis DE VICTORIA (1548-1611)
Motets
Victoria Voices and Viols:
Andrew Hope (tenor and direction), Rebecca Hickey, Anna Stéphany
(soprano), Samir Savant, Simon Lillystone (alto), JJ Barnes, Tony Purves
(tenor), Chris Hunter, James Robinson (bass), Sarah Roberts (treble
viol), Frances Eustace (treble, tenor and bass viol), Barbara Wyatt
(tenor viol), Ilana Cravitz, Richard Partridge (bass viol), Emma Hope
(double harp), Taro Takeuchi (theorbo) Recorded in November 2001 at
All Saints Church, Tudeley, England DDD
ASV GAUDEAMUS CD GAU 338 [66:08] [JvV]
De
Victoria’s motets are characterised by "passion, drama, intensity
and radiance" – qualities which are absent in this recording ...
see Full Review
John
R WILLIAMSON (b.1940s)
Music
for Piano - volume 2 Song of Nature (1993) [4.20] Twelve Palindromic
Studies - set 5 (2000) [26.46] Piano Sonata No. 4 - The Palindromic
(1998) [20.49] Seven Interval Studies (2001) [18.21] Lament
for Sarah (1998) [2.41]
Murray McLachlan (except last item which is played by composer) rec.
17 Dec 2002, 19 Jan 2003, Whiteley Hall, Chetham's School of Music,
Manchester. DDD DUNELM
DRD0176 [74.06] [RB] [HC]
For
those with a taste for lyrical British piano music - a tradition that
evidently yet has plenty of breath[RB]
If you respond to piano music of Debussy, Ravel or
John Ireland, you cannot but respond to Williamson’s idiomatic, often
impressionistic, expressive music. [HC]
... see Full Review
Maurice YVAIN (1891-1965)
La-Haut
operetta (1923) (complete, with abridged dialogue in French)
Maurice Chevalier (ten) Evariste; Marina Hotine (sop) Emma; Roméo
Carles (bar) Frisotin; André Balbon (sop) Saint-Pierre Rec. Universal
France (Decca) Studios, Antony, France 1953 Mono 2 CD set for the price
of one DISCOVERY/ACCORD
OPERETTE SERIES 461 967-2 [2CDs: 84:51] [RW]
This
1953 recording was lucky to catch the younger Maurice Chevalier … elegant
and engaging. … see Full Review
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