Gustav MAHLER (1860 - 1911) Kindertotenlieder (1904): Nun will die Sonn [5.46]; Nun seh ich wohl [4.59] - Wenn Dein Mütterlein [4.25]; Oft denk’ich [3.05]; In diesem Wetter [6.12] Richard WAGNER (1813 - 1883) Wesendonck-Lieder (1857): der Engel [3.22]; Stehe Still! [4.04]; Im Treibhaus [6.15] - Schmerzen [2.35]; Traüme [5.07] Hugo WOLF (1860 - 1903) In der frühe [2.25] - Denk’es, o Seele [2.24] - Wo find’ich Trost [5.26] Waltraud Meier, mezzo soprano - Ana Bela Chaves, viola (in Im Treibhaus) - l’Orchestre de Paris/ Daniel Barenboim - Recorded at Salle Pleyel, Paris, France, October 1988 - Notes in English, Français, Deutsch, including texts and translations of all songs ELATUS (WARNER CLASSICS) 2564-60439-2 [56.04] [PS]

Song masterpieces performed with magnificent drama by major Wagnerians of our time .… see Full Review

Manuel MARTINEZ-SOBRAL (1879-1946) Piano Music: Cinco piezas caracteristicas y una romanza (1920); Sonata para dos pianos- Acuarelas chapinas - 1922 version for two pianos; Cuatro series de valsas autobiograficos (1910-39) Suzanne Husson with Michel Bourdouche (piano) Guatemala Volume 5 Recorded January 2002 at Potton Hall, Westleton, Suffolk MARCO POLO 8.225188 [69.26] [GH]

The most appropriate response to this music is to sit back and let the tunes flow over you. … see Full Review

Bohuslav MARTINŮ (1890-1959) Suite Concertante for violin and orchestra H276 (1939, 2nd version 1945) [22.42] - Violin Concerto No. 1 H232 bis (1932-33) [24.59] Bohuslav MatouVsek (violin) - Czech Philharmonic Orchestra/Christopher Hogwood - rec. 12, 15, 19-20 May 2001, Rudolfinum Studio, Prague. DDD SUPRAPHON 3653-2 031 [47.45] [RB]

Two busily neo-classical works - if not stunted certainly emotionally stilted. Well performed and recorded. ... see Full Review

Bohuslav MARTINŮ (1890-1959) The Greek Passion - opera in four acts after the novel 'Christ Recrucified' by Nikos Kazantzakis in a translation by Jonathan Griffin (1955-58) - English libretto by the composer - Manolios - John Mitchison (ten) - Katerina - Helen Field (sop) - Grigoris the Priest - John Tomlinson (bass) - Kostandis - Philip Joll (ten) - Fotis the Priest - Geoffrey Moses (bass) - Yannakos - Arthur Davies (ten) - Lenio - Rita Cullis (sop) - Nikolios - Catherine Savory (sop) - Panait - Jeffrey Lawton (ten) - Michelis - John Harris (ten) - Old man - David Gwynne (bass) - Andonis - Jeffrey Lawton (ten) - Despinio - Jana Jonášová (sop) - Patriarcheas - David Gwynne (bass) - Old woman - Catherine Savory (sop) - Ladas (spoken role) - Michael Geliot - Czech Philharmonic Chorus/Josef Veselka - Kühn Children's Chorus/Jíří Chvála - Brno State Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Charles Mackerras - rec. Brno, 1981, DDD SUPRAPHON 10 3611-2 632 [2CDs: 53.09+61.46] [RB]

Martinů’s closest approach to grand opera with tragic and spiritual dimension. One of his strongest works .... see Full Review

Bohuslav MARTINŮ (1890-1959) Cello Sonata No. 1 H277 (1939) [20.38] - Cello Sonata No. 2 H286 (1941) [21.31] - Cello Sonata No. 3 H340 (1952) [20.20] -
Cello Concerto No. 2 H304 (1945) [38.04] - Variations on a Theme of Rossini for cello and piano H290 (1942) [8.41] - Variations on a Slovak Folksong for cello and piano H378 (1959) [10.15] Saša Večtomov (cello) - Josef Páleníček (piano) - Prague Symphony Orchestra/Zdeněk Košler - rec. Dvořák Hall, Rudolfinum, June 1966 (concerto); Domovina Studio, Prague, Apr-June 1968 ADD - Tribute to Saša Večtomov SUPRAPHON SU 3586 112 [2CDs: 62.49+57.18] [RB]

A treat for Martinů lovers who want to hear how the two champions of his music developed a performing style. ... see Full Review

Bohuslav MARTINŮ (1890-1959) CD 1 Elegy for violin and piano H3 (1909) [11.05] - Concerto for violin and piano H13 (1910) [26.42] - Sonata in C major for violin and piano H120 (1919) [32.14] - Sonata in D minor for violin and piano H152 (1926) [16.55] - Impromptu H166 [5.28] - Violin Sonata No. 1 (1929) [17.05] - Five Short Pieces for violin and piano (1929) [11.04] Bohuslav Matoušek (violin) - Petr Adamec (piano) - rec. Martinů Hall, Lichtenstein Palace, Prague, July 1996 - Apr 1998. DDD - Sponsored by the Bohuslav Martinů Foundation, Prague and Basle - Works for violin and piano 2 - First Complete Edition - SUPRAPHON SU 3410-2 132 [2CDs: 70.20+50.57] CD 2 Bohuslav MARTINŮ (1890-1959) Arietta for violin and piano H188A (1930) [1.50] - Violin Sonata No. 2 H208 (1931) [12.19] - Seven Arabesques - Rhythmic Etudes for violin and piano H201A (1931) [14.33] - Sonata in G major for violin and piano H262 (1937) [8.33] - Intermezzo - Four pieces for violin and piano H261 (1937) [10.52] - Rhythmic Etudes for violin and piano H202 (1931) [13.37] - Five Madrigal Stanzas for violin and piano H297 (1943) [10.37] - Violin Sonata No. 3 H303 (1944) [27.33] - Czech Rhapsody for violin and piano H307 (1947) [10.06] - Bohuslav Matoušek (violin) - Petr Adamec (piano) - rec. Martinů Hall, Lichtenstein Palace, Prague, July 1996 - Apr 1998. DDD - Sponsored by the Bohuslav Martinů Foundation, Prague and Basle - Works for violin and piano 2 - First Complete Edition SUPRAPHON SU 3412-2 132 [2CDs: 48.49+62.00] [RB]

Essential acquisitions for Martinů students and for fans … some surprises in store here ... see Full Review

William MASON (1829-1908) Piano Music - Silver Spring, Op. 6 -Capriccio Fantastico, Op. 50- Rêverie Poétique, Op. 24 - Improvisation, Op. 51 - Valse-Caprice, Op. 17 - Deux Humoresques de Bal, Op. 23 - Polka-Caprice - Mazurka-Caprice - La Sabotière: Danse aux Sabots, Op. 33 - Lullaby, Op. 10 - Badinage, Op. 27 * Caprice Grotesque, Op. 22 - Ballade et Barcarolle - Trois Préludes - Con spirito - Agitato - Vivace - Amourette, Op. 48 - Valse de Bravoure, Op Kenneth Boulton, piano - JoAnne Barry, piano * Recorded at Sonic Temple, Roslindale, Massachusetts, February/May 2001 and January 2002 NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS 8.559142 [78:59] [DS]

Might be the perfect antidote to a stressful day; you can even grab a partner and dance till dawn. … see Full Review

Peter MAXWELL DAVIES (b. 1934) Symphony No. 1 (1973-4) Points and Dances from 'Taverner' (Act 1 Dances; Act 2 Points and Dances) Philharmonia Orchestra Simon Rattle, conductor - The Fires of London - Peter Maxwell Davies -
Recorded at Kingsway Hall, London, August 1978 * and St. John's, Islington, December 1971 DECCA 473 721-2 [71.31] [NH]

A welcome return for the first instalment in a great British symphonic cycle … see Full Review

Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809 - 1847) String Symphony #2 in D (18950) [10.25] - String Symphony #3 in e (1850) [8.19] - String Symphony #5 in Bb (1850) [10.27] - String Symphony #11 in f (1850) [35.29] - String Symphony #13 in c "Sinfoniesatz" (posth.) [7.19] - Concerto Köln Notes in English, Deutsch, and Français - Recorded at Studio Deutschland Radio, Cologne, Germany, March 1996 - Originally issued in 1996 on Teldec Das Alte Werk 0630 13138-2 as "Vol. 3" of the complete string symphonies WARNER CLASSICS ELATUS 2564-60440-2 [72.30] [PS]

Insightful, enjoyable performances of these early Mendelssohn masterpieces which are essential works in any collection … see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Divertimenti: K.136 (125a) in D (1772); K.137 (125b) in Bb (1772); K.138 in F (1772); K.251 in D (1776) The Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra/Ton Koopman - Recorded at Bartholomeuskerk Beek, Nijmegen, Netherlands, May 1989 WARNER APEX 2564 60153 [72:11] [GPJ]

 This is an ideal issue for these hot summer nights; Eine Kleine Mozart to keep you cool with highly efficient musical air-conditioning. … see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756 - 1791) Symphonies ("complete"): Symphony No. 1 in Eb, K16 (1762) - Symphony No. 4 in D, K19 (1764) - Symphony in F, K19a (1764) - Symphony No. 5 in Bb, K22 (1765) - Symphony No. 6 in F, K43 (1767) - Symphony [No.7] in D, K45 (1768) (mis-identified as "#45") - Symphony No. 8 in D, K48 (1768) - Symphony No. 9 in C, K73 (1771) - Symphony No. 10 in G, K74 (1770) - Symphony No. 12 in G, K110 (1770) - Symphony in D, K111a "Ascanio in Alba" (1771) - Symphony No. 13 in F, K112 (1771) - Symphony No. 14 in A, K114 (1772) - Symphony No. 15 in G, K124 (1772) - Symphony No. 16 in C, K128 (1772) - Symphony No. 17 in G, K129 (1772) - Symphony No.18 in F K.130 (1772) - Symphony No. 19 in Eb (1772) - Symphony No. 20 in D, K133 (1772) - Symphony No. 21 in A, K134 (1772) - Symphony No. 22 in C, K162 (1773) - Symphony No. 23 in D, K181 (1773) - Symphony No. 24 in Bb K182 (1773) - Symphony No. 25 in g, K183 (1773) - Symphony No. 26 in Eb K.184 (1773) - Symphony in D K 196 "Finta Giardiniera" (1774) - Symphony No. 27 in G, K199 (1773) - Symphony No. 28 in C, K202 (1774) - Symphony No. 29 in A K.201 (1774) - Symphony No. 31 in D K.297 "Paris" (1778) - Symphony No. 32 in G K.318 (1779) - Symphony No. 33 in Bb, K319 (1779) - Symphony No. 34 in C K.338 (1780) - Symphony No. 35 in D K.385 "Haffner" (1782) - Symphony No. 36 in C K.425 "Linz" (1783) - Symphony No. 38 in D K.504 "Prague" (1786) - Symphony No. 39 in Eb K.543 (1788) - Symphony No. 40 in g K.550 First version without clarinets (1788) - Symphony No. 40 in g K.550 Second version with clarinets (1788) - Symphony No. 41 in C Major K.551 "Jupiter"(1788) Mozart Akademie Amsterdam/Jaap ter Linden - Recorded at Maria Minor, Utrecht, Netherlands, 5 2002 (K111a, K.130 - K.551) - and at Doopsgezinde Kerk, Haarlem, Netherlands, 2001. (K.16 - K110, K112 - K.202) - 24 pages of notes in English. Photos of performers BRILLIANT CLASSICS 92110/01-11 [11CDs: 733.41] [PS]

Superb set of these magnificent works, a must-have for serious Mozart collectors, but will everyone enjoy them?… see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-91) Piano Concertos – No. 19 in F, K459 (1784) [29’41]; No. 12 in A, K414 (1782-4) - [25’40]. Rondo in A minor, K511 (1787) [9’12] Maria João Pires (piano) - Lausanne Chamber Orchestra/Armin Jordan (Concertos) - Rec. Radio Lausanne, Switzerland, in December 1976 (Concertos) and at Théâtre San Carlos, Lisbon, Portugal, July 1973 (Rondo). ADD WARNER APEX 2564 60161-2 [65’08] [CC]

The orchestra is pedestrian through and through … Pires however is unfailingly musical. It must be said that, given the super-budget price tag of this issue, it is almost worth the purchase for the solo piano A minor Rondo … see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Le Nozze di Figaro K 429 Figaro: Ezio Pinza (baritone) - Count Almaviva: Mariano Stabile (baritone) - Countess Almaviva: Aulikki Rautawaara (soprano) - Susanna: Esther Réthy (soprano) - Cherubino: Jarmila Novotná (mezzo-soprano) - Don Basilio: William Wernigk (tenor) - Bartolo: Virgilio Lazzari (bass) - Marcellina: Angelica Cravcenco (Soprano) - Antonio: Viktor Madin (baritone) - Barbarina: Dora Komraek (soprano) - Don Curzio: Giuseppe Nessi (tenor) - Vienna State Opera Chorus - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Bruno Walter - Live performance recorded in the Festspielhaus, Salzburg, 19 August 1937 ANDANTE 3981 [3 CDs 42’32" + 44’05" + 69’34"] [JQ]

This is an historic issue of the utmost importance and I cannot recommend it highly enough. … see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) oncert Arias for Soprano Mia speranza adorata!, K416 (1783) Voi avete un cor fedele, K217 (1775) No, che son sei capace, K419 (1783) Ma che vi fece, o stelle, K368 (1781) Misera, dove son!, K369 (1781) A questo seno deh vieni, K374 (1781) Vorrei spiegarvi, oh Dio!, K418 (1783) Ah se in ciel, benigne stele, K538 (1788) Edita Gruberová (soprano) Chamber Orchestra of Europe/Nikolaus Harnoncourt Rec. 27 and 19 June 1991, Sofiensaal, Vienna ELATUS 2564 60338-2 [66.09] [TB]

Mozart valued these arias, and so should we, since they entirely match the quality of those he composed within his own operas. … see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Quintet K.452 in Eb major for piano, oboe, clarinet, horn and bassoon (1784) Ludwig Van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Quintet op.26 in Eb major for piano, oboe, clarinet, horn and bassoon (1796) Daniel Barenboim, piano, Hansjörg Schellenberger, oboe, Larry Combs, clarinet, Dale Clevenger, horn, Daniele Damiano, bassoon. Recorded Orchestra Hall, Chicago, October 1993 ELATUS 2564-60445-2 [48:51] [GPJ]

A highly enjoyable issue, though not one to displace the Perahia or Kuerti … see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Don Giovanni. Opera giocoso in 2 Acts Don Giovanni, Ezio Pinza (bass) - Leporello, Salvatore Baccaloni (bass) - Don Ottavio, James Melton (ten) - Masetto, Mack Harrell (bar) - Donna Anna, Zinka Milanov (sop) - Donna Elvira, Jarmilla Novotna (sop) - Zerlina, Bidú Sayão (sop) - Commendatore; Norman Cordon (bass) - Orchestra and Chorus of the Metropolitan Opera. New York/Paul Breisach - Recorded live broadcast performance of 3^rd April 1943, with interpolations - ‘Immortal Performance Series’ GUILD GHCD 2236/7 [2 CDs: 77.04+79.41] [RJF]

Only really for those who want a record of Pinza and Baccaloni in their renowned vocal interplay and also to hear how the great spinto Zinka Milanov tackled Mozart … see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-91) Le Nozze di Figaro (1786) Countess Almaviva – Janice Watson (soprano) - Count Almaviva – Ludovic Tezier (baritone) - Susanna – Elzbieta Szmytka (soprano) - Cherubino – Francesca Provvisionato (mezzo-soprano) - Figaro – Giovanni Furlanetto (bass-baritone) - Marcellina – Tiziana Tramonti (soprano) - Doctor Bartolo – Marcello Lippi (bass) - Don Basilio – Sergio Bertocchi (tenor) - Barbarina – Rebecca Hofmann (soprano) - Chorus and Orchestra of the Lyon Opera/Paolo Olmi - Directed for the stage by Jean-Pierre Vincent - Directed for television by Mate Rabinowski - Recorded at the Opera House, Lyon circa 1995 ARTHAUS MUSIK 100 410 [Total time: 3 hours 9 minutes][TH]

the playing and singing have the sort of vitality that Nagano made a speciality of in opera. … see Full Review

Carlos NUÑEZ Un Galicien en Bretagne Carlos Nuñez and his band with:- Alan Stivell, Celtic harp, voice ą Jordi Savall, viola de gamba * Dan Ar Braz, electric guitar ˛ Gilles Servat, voice ł Bleunwenn, voice ş Eimear Quinn, voice Ş Les Kanerion Pleuigner (Morbihan), male voice choir ⁴ Recorded in Galicia, Brittany, Catalonia and Ireland, dates not given). SONY/SAINT GEORGE 5110222 [46.16] [NH]

Here, Carlos Nuñez has produced an album of rare perfection, you also ought to hear the companion Nuit Celtique if at all possible … see Full Review

Carl ORFF (1895 - 1982) Trionfi: Carmina Burana (1937) (55.39) Efride Trötschel, soprano; Paul Kuen, tenor; Hans Braun, baritone - Catulli Carmina (1943) (36.00) - Annelies Kupper, soprano; Richard Holm, tenor - Trionfo di Aphrodite (1953) (40.38) - Annelies Kupper, Elisabeth Lindermeier, Elisabeth Wiese-Lange, sopranos; Richard Holm, Ratko Delorko, tenors; Kurt Böhme, bass - Eugen Jochum conducting the - Chorus and Orchestra of the Bavarian Radio. Josef Kugler, chorus master - Booklet in Deutsch, English, Français with photographs of Orff and Jochum DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 474 131-2 [2CDs: 132.17] [PS]

The best ever Carmina Burana? In 1953 mono sound? You’ve got to be kidding — but, no, I’m deadly serious … see Full Review

Carl ORFF (1895 - 1982) Carmina Burana (chamber version) (1937) [61.17] Allmänna Sången (Uppsala University Choir) Children’s Choir from the Uppsala Choir School Lena Nordin, soprano; Hans Dornbusch, tenor; Peter Mattei, baritone Roland Pöntinen and Love Derwinger, pianos. "Kroumata" percussion group Ceclia Rydinger Alin, conductor Notes in English, Deutsch, & Français. No texts. Bios and photos of the artists. Recorded at Uppsala University Hall, Sweden, 11 June 1995 BIS - CD - 300734 [61.17] [PSh]

Carmina Burana without orchestra but with great sound and boundless enthusiasm… see Full Review

Arvo PÄRT (b. 1935) Passio Domini Nostri Jesu Christi secundum Joannem (1982) Jesus: Robert Macdonald (bass) - Pilate: Mark Anderson (tenor) - Tonus Pelegrinus directed by Antony Pitts - Recorded in the Abbey Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, Dorchester-on-Thames, United Kingdom, 15-18 May and 28 June 2001 NAXOS 8.555860 [61’50"] [JQ]

Drama aplenty under the surface of the music … see Full Review

Moses PERGAMENT (1893-1977) Violin Sonata in B minor (1918-20) [30.25] - String Quartet No. 1 (1918-22) [37.20] Nils-Erik Sparf (violin) - Bengt Forsberg (piano) - Lysell Quartet - rec. Studio 2, Radiohuset, 15-16 Nov 2000 (sonata); 17-19 Aug 2000. DDD - Musica Sveciae Modern Classics No. 11 PHONO SUECIA PSCD 711 [67.45] [RB]

Two rare, surprising and impressive examples of sunset Delian romanticism into expressionistic complexity. An absolute must if your interests accommodate Delius and Zemlinsky ... see Full Review

Giovanni Battista PERGOLESI (1710-1737) Livietta e Tracollo – Intermezzo in 2 Acts Elda Ribetta (Livietta), Dino Mantovani (Tracollo), Complesso Strumentale del Teatrino di Villa Olmo/Ennio Gerelli - Recorded 25th May 1956, Teatrino di Villa Olmo, Como, Italy Domenico CIMAROSA (1749-1801) Il Maestro di Cappella – Intermezzo giocoso - Giuseppe Taddei (Il Maestro di Cappella), Orchestra Sinfonica di Torino della RAI/Mario Fighera - Recorded 21st December 1954, Turin WARNER FONIT – Cetra Opera Collection 5046631412 [57:15] [CH]

A classic performance of the Cimarosa by Taddei and there is much to enjoy in the Pergolesi too. … see Full Review

Wilhelm PETERSON-BERGER (1867-1942) Dedikation! Vid kejsar Cadigans hov (1903) Prinsessan Epinée (1903) Romans för violin och orkester (1915) Jämtland (1900) Lawn Tennis (1896) I skymningen (1896) Dedikation (cello solo) (1895) På gräset under lindarna (1923) Till rosorna (1896) Berceuse (cello solo) (1891) Menuett (1917) Om många år (1914) Andante ur Violinsonat nr 2 (1889) Danslek (1903) På fjället i regn (1893) Till Eros (1935) Karl-Ove Mannberg (violin) Ola Karlsson (cello) Östersunds Serenadensemble/Lennart Hedwall rec. studio 3, Swedish Radio, Stockholm PROPRIUS PRCD 9127 [63.21] [RB]

Nothing to hector or perturb ... music that can be overheard, a pleasing backdrop to a mellow Scandinavian night ... see Full Review

Serge PROKOFIEV (1891 - 1953) Alexander Nevsky, Cantata Op.78 (1937) [35.05] - Incidental music to Hamlet, Op.77: Ghost of Hamlet’s father - Ivan the Terrible Suite from the film score, Op.116: Dance of the Oprichniks - Pushkiniana (suite compiled and edited 1962 G. Rozhdesvensky) [19.38]:- Hermann; Liza; Ball; from Queen of Spades - Menuet; Polka; Mazurka; from Eugen Onegin - Sambor’s Castle; from Boris Godunov - Irina Gelahova, mezzo soprano - Stanislavksky Chorus; O. Kusnetzof, chorus director - Russian State Symphony Orchestra, Dmitri Yablonsky, conductor - Recorded Studio #5 State Broadcasting House, Moscow, Russia, 5 June 2002 - Notes in English and Deutsch. No photographs - Parallel English translation of (transliterated) Russian text - Dolby Digital 5.1 AC-3 and DTS surround sound - Plays only on DVD and DVD-Audio players. Does not play on CD players NAXOS 5.110015 [63.19] DVD-AUDIO [PS]

Some familiar and some rare Prokofiev beautifully performed and spectacularly recorded—one of the handful of must-have Prokofiev disks … see Full Review

Serge PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Dancer’s Dream: The Great Ballets of Rudolf Nureyev: Romeo and Juliet (1935) - Film/video documentary production (1999) directed by François Roussillon Colour, except for historical images and footage - The Paris National Opera ballet Company (1995) - French National Opera Orchestra conducted by Vello Pähn - Narrated by Elisabeth Maurin, Juliet - Manuel Legris, Romeo; Kader Belarbi, Tybalt; Lionel Delanoë, Mercutio - Subtitles: English, German, Spanish, Italian - Notes in English, Deutsch and Français. No photographs -
PCM 2.0 Stereo. PAL 16:9 Disk Format: DVD 9 All Regions TDK MEDIACTIVE DV-BLDDRAJ 008452 DVD [89.00] [PS]

A fascinating behind-the-scenes look at a legendary ballet production. For ballet fans who want to learn how it’s done.. … see Full Review

Sergey PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Piano Sonatas: Volume 3: Sonata No. 5 in C major Op.38 (1924); Sonata No. 6 in A - minor Op.82 (1940); Sonata No.9 in C major Op.103 (1951) Bernd Glemser (piano) - Rec. Lugano Concert Hall, Switzerland, March 1999. DDD NAXOS 8.555030 [70.07] [GH]

I was captivated with Glemser’s playing … he emphasises the lyrical and romantic side more than the percussive and rhythmic. … see Full Review

Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) Le Villi (1884) A opera in two acts to a libretto by Ferdinando Fontana Anna - Mélanie Diener (soprano) - Roberto - Aquiles Machado (tenor) - Guglielmo - Ludovic Tézier (baritone) - Reciter - Sylvie David - Choeur de Radio France - Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France/Marco Guidarini - Rec. live in concert at the Salle Olivier Messiaen 28 March 2002 NAÏVE V 4958 [67.40] [CF]

Not just for anoraks, this is a marvellous introduction to Puccini. … see Full Review

Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) Edgar (1884-89/ rev.1889-92) Opera in three acts, libretto by Ferdinando Fontana - Edgar – Carl Tanner (tenor) - Fidelia – Julia Varady (soprano) - Tigrana – Mary Ann McCormick (mezzo) - Frank – Dalibor Jenis (baritone) - Gualtiero – Carlo Cigni (bass) - Chorus of Radio France - French National Orchestra/Yoel Levi - Rec. concert, Salle Olivier Messiaen, Radio France, Paris, 7 December 2002DDD NAÏVE CLASSICS V 4957 [2CDs: 54’32+41’29] [TH]

Surely not the unmitigated disaster the composer (and others) would have us believe. … see Full Review

Henry PURCELL (1659-1695) O Solitude If music be the food of love - The fatal hour comes on apace - What a sad fate is mine - While Thirsis, wrapp’d in downy sleep - I attempt from love's sickness - Ask me to love no more - Beneath a dark and melancholy grove - If pray'rs and tears - Incassum Lesbia - In Cloris all soft charms agree - A thousand sev’ral ways I tried to hide - Bacchus is a pow’r divine - Yours Thirsis’ fate ye hills and groves deplore - An evening Hymn (Now, now that the sun hath veil'd his light) Gerard Lesne, alto - Il Seminario Musicale - Bruno Cocset, basse de violon - Blandine Rannou, harpsichord and positive organ - Pascal Monteilhet, theorbo - Rec. October 2002, Chapelle de l'école Sainte Geneviève, Versailles, France NAÏVE E8882 [59.08] [KME]

An excellent recording, with near-perfect singing and excellent instrumental accompaniment. … see Full Review

Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) The Bells - poem for orchestra, chorus and soloists (1913) [41.35] - Spring - cantata for baritone, chorus and orchestra (1902) [17.53] - Vocalise (orch. V. Klin) (1915) [8.53] Sergei Yakovenko (bar) - Alexei Maslennikov (ten) - Galina Pisarenko (sop) - Yurlov Russian Choir/Yuri Ukhov (Bells); Stanislav Gusev (Spring) - USSR Symphony Orchestra/Evgeni Svetlanov - rec. 1979 (Bells), 1984 (Spring), 1973 (Vocalise) ADD/DDD REGIS RRC 1144 [68.20] [RB]

The music-making on this disc runs with that peculiarly Russian vein of virile fantasy. ... see Full Review

Ture RANGSTRÖM (1884-1947) The Witches (Häxorna) (1938) [19.30] - Divertimento Elegiaco (1918) [15.59] - Partita in B minor for violin and orchestra (1933) [13.50] - Symphonic Poem - Song of the Sea (Havet Sjunger) (1913) [15.37] Karin Ingebäck (sop) - Bernt Lysell (violin) - Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra/Hannu Koivula, Leif Segerstam, Niklas Willén - rec. 1974-2001, Stockholm, ADD (Divertimento Elegiaco)/DDD - Musica Sveciae Modern Classics No. 12 PHONO SUECIA PSCD 712 [64.56] [RB]

A voluptuary’s tone poem, a magus’s song cycle, a patrician suite and a neo-classical partita - such variety! ... see Full Review

Max REGER (1873-1916) Chorale Fantasias: Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott, Op. 27 - Freu dich sehr, o meine Seele, Op. 30 - Wie schön leucht’t uns der Morgenstern, Op. 40/1 - Straf mich nicht in deinem Zorn, Op. 40/2 - Alle Menschen müssen sterben, Op. 52/1 - Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, Op. 52/2 - Hallelujah! Gott zu loben, Op. 52/3 Wouter van den Broek, organ - Rec. Grote Kerk, Breda, Netherlands, 1989 and Stevenskerk, Nijmegen, Netherlands, 1990 BRILLIANT CLASSICS 92081 [2CDs: 62.27+51.41] [WH]

Playing that seems very accomplished and convincing though in this music there’s no escaping a certain dour quality, a relentlessness … see Full Review

Nikolai RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844-1908) Dubinushka [4.44] - Suite from The Golden Cockerel (compiled Glazunov and Steinberg): Tsar Dodon at his Palace; Tsar Dodon on the March; Tsar Dodon at Queen Shemakha's palace - Dodon's wedding and unhappy end. (1907) [30.01] - Suite from Snow Maiden: Bird's Dance; Tsar Berendei's Procession; Dance (1881) [8.27] - Two Pieces from Pan Voyevoda: Nocturne; Polonaise (1903) [10.48] - Two Pieces from Maid of Pskov: In the woods; Tsar's Hunt and Storm (1871) [7.58] - Russian Easter Festival Overture (1888) [14.18] USSR Symphony Orchestra - Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra - conductor Evgeni Svetlanov - rec. 1971, 1985, ADD/DDD REGIS RRC 1145 [76.54] [RB]

If you are in the market for a selection of the theatre music this is an unbeatable anthology stiffened by the Overture. ... see Full Review

Ned ROREM (b.1923) Symphony #1 (1950) [22.11] - Symphony #2 (1956) [22.20] - Symphony #3 (1958) [19.02] Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra/José Serebrier - Recorded at The Lighthouse, Poole, Dorset, UK, 9 January 2003 - Notes in English and Deutsch NAXOS 8.559149 [69.22] [PS]

Three remarkable and previously unrecorded American Symphonies from a composer more noted for his vocal music … see Full Review

Hilding ROSENBERG (1892-1985) Prelude to The Last Judgement Op. 48 (1929) [7.59] - Orpheus in Town Op. 75 (1938) [60.10] Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra/Petter Sundkvist (prelude) - Stockholm Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/B. Tommy Andersson - rec. Berwaldhallen, Stockholm, 18 Aug 1998 (prelude); Stockholm Concert Hall, 17 May 1995. DDD - Musica Sveciae Modern Classics No. 2 PHONO SUECIA PSCD 702 [62.31] [RB]

The music is a strange amalgam of the poignant, the frivolous, the jazzy and the emotive. ... see Full Review

 
Detailed listing (last two days)]
[Part 1 New]  [Part 2 A-B] [Part 3 C-L]
[Part 4 M-R]  [Part 5 S-Z]
[Part 6 Misc A-L]  [Part 7 Misc M-Z]

---

Return to Front page