ALPHABETICAL LISTING

Gustav MAHLER (1860 - 1911) Symphony #4 in G (1900) [53.32] Juliane Banse (soprano) William Preucil (violin solo). Cleveland Orchestra/Pierre Boulez. Recorded in the Masonic Auditorium, Cleveland, Ohio, USA, April 1998 Notes in English, Deutsch, and Français. CD tracks 2.0 stereo. SACD tracks 2.0 stereo and 5.1 surround sound. Hybrid SACD also playable on CD players. DG 474 991-2 [53.32] [PSh]

A superb Mahler Fourth, one of the very best both sound and performance ... see Full Review

Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony No. 4: (Bedachtig [16.39]; In gemachlicher Bewegung [9.41]; Ruhevoll [22.02]; Sehr behaglich [9.15]) Judith Blegen (soprano) Chicago Symphony Orchestra/James Levine ADD RCA RED SEAL 8287659413 2 [57.51] [EM]

For those who like their Mahler crisp, slightly bleak, and austere. ... see Full Review

Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony No.5 (1902) Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/Claudio Abbado SACD Hybrid Stereo/Multi-channel (reviewed in multichannel but see below) a PCM 24/44.1 5.1 channel recording recorded May 1993 in the Phiharmonie, Berlin and remastered for multichannel at Emil Berliner Studios 2004. Playable on all CD and SACD players. DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 477 071 2 [44.48 + 24.44] [DB]

Very beautiful, stunningly well played, absolutely full of Mahlerian pathos and angst but I do not think one should bother too much with this remastered SACD ... see Full Review

Gustav MAHLER (1860 - 1911) Symphony #8 in Eb, "Symphony of a Thousand" (1910) [75.36] Nancy Williams, Marlena Kleinman, altos; Stanley Kolk, tenor; David Clatworthy, baritone. Malcolm Smith, bass. Alexander Schreiner, organ University of Utah Choruses, Newell B. Weight and John M. Nielson, directors. Children’s choir coordinator, Vernon Lee Master Janine Crader, Lynn Owen, Blanche Christensen, sopranos; Utah Symphony Orchestra/Maurice Abravanel Recorded Salt Lake City, Utah, USA [December 1963 in the Mormon Tabernacle?] [AAD] Stereo 2.0 196/24 DVD-Audio. 96/24 DVD 2.0 stereo. Notes in English. Photos of soloists. No printed track list, on screen only. DVD-Audio. Also playable on all DVD players. CLASSIC HDAD 2001 [75.36] [PSh]

One of the greatest and most complex pieces of music ever written and not a perfect recording to be had. ... see Full Review

Peter MAXWELL DAVIES (b. 1934) Works from the 1960s and 1970s CD 1: O magnum mysterium, Seven In Nomine, Second Fantasia on John Taverner's ‘In Nomine’. The Choir and Orchestra of Cirencester Grammar School, London Sinfonietta, New Philharmonia. Conductors: Peter Maxwell Davies, David Atherton, Sir Charles Groves. recorded Cirencester, March 1962, Walthamstow, January 1972, London July 1979. CD 2: Antichrist, Missa super "L'homme armé", From Stone to Thorn, Lullaby for Ilian Rainbow, Hymn to St. Magnus Vanessa Redgrave (speaker), Mary Thomas (soprano) Timothy Walker (guitar), The Fires of London, conductor: Peter Maxwell Davies recorded London, November 1971, January 1972, and June 1975. ADD DECCA 475 6166 [76'38" + 78'06"] [AO]

This is a very fine reissue which highlights key stages in the composers development and will perhaps be complemented by further reissues of important material. ... see Full Review

Nikolai MIASKOVSKY (1881-1950) Symphony No. 24 (1943) [35.08] Symphony No. 25 (1946) [30.58] Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra/Dmitry Yablonsky Rec. 18, 22-23 Oct 2000, Radio House, Moscow, DDD NAXOS 8.555376 [66.07] [DW]

Really fine music, flawless in content and presentation with as great an appeal as those by Tchaikovsky ... see Full Review

Robin MILFORD (1903-1959) Fishing by Moonlight for piano and strings (1949/1958 orch. version) Miniature Concerto in G for string Orchestra (1933) Elegiac Meditation for viola and string orchestra (1946-47?) Two Orchestral Interludes (1930): (a) Mr John Peel Passes By (b) Mr Ben Jonson’s Pleasure for flute, strings and piano; Go, little Brook – Suite for flute, soprano and strings (1930) Elegy for James Scott, Duke of Monmouth and Buccleuch for strings (1939) Interlude for flute and strings (1944, orch. 1951?) Festival Suite for strings (1950) Clare Finnimore (viola); Carys Lane (soprano); Julian Sperry (flute), Julian Milford (piano) Guildhall Strings/Robert Salter (violin) Rec. Big School, Christ’s Hospital, Horsham, West Sussex, 26-28 May 2003 HYPERION CDA67444 [69:48] [IL]

Glowing performances of charming, undemanding music by a minor British composer who deserves to be much better known ... see Full Review

Franz MITTLER (1893-1970) Lieder nach Karl Kraus, Wilhelm Busch, Rainer Maria Rilke, Johann Nepomuk Nestroy Couplrt des Gondremark, Der Tag, Vergelts Gott, An eine fa;te, Das Kind, Alle Vöglein sin schon da.. Trio in G-Dur, Op.3¹, Eine gute Seele, Der eifersüchtige Schmetterling, Heimliche Liebe, Ach, ich fühle es, Die Mühle, Volksweise, Charakterstücke für Klavier². Da bleibet man zeitlebens bei einer Partei, Da ließ sich viel sagen, Na, da hab' ich schon g'nur. Wolfgang Holzmair, (baritone) Russell Ryan (piano) recorded ORF Radio/Kulturhaus, Vienna February 2002. ¹ and ² private recording Diana Mittler DDD PREISER PR90567 [70'47"] [AO]

The world of Berlin cabaret is extremely well known, but what of the situation in Vienna? ... see Full Review

Lionel MONCKTON (1861-1923) La Cingalee (1904), The Arcadians (1909), Quaker Girl (1910) Pirjo Levandi (sop), Jeanne Servchenco (sop), Mariliina von Uexküll (sop), Julie Lill (cont), Oliver Kuusik (ten), Annika Tonuri (mezzo sop), Mart Sander (bar) Chorus and Bel Etage orchestra/Mart Sander Recorded at the State Philharmonic Society's Concert Hall, Tallinn, Estonia; Spring 2002 and Autumn 2003 DIVINE ART 2-4110 [69:08] [JW]

Worthy ambassadors for this music ... I recommend popping in to the Theatre Bel-Etage. You might even find Mort Sander there, twirling his cane. ... see Full Review

Norbert MORET (1921 – 1998) Concerto pour trompette (1996/7)^a Suite à l’image du temps (1979)^b Concerto pour cor (1995)^c Jeffrey Segal (trumpet)^a; Bruno Schneider (horn)^c; Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne; Okko Kamu^a, Jesus Lopez-Cobos^bc Recorded: Radio Suisse Romande, March 2001 (Trumpet Concerto), October 1998 and February 1999 (Suite), and October 1998 (Horn Concerto) CASCAVELLE RSR 6169 [65:21] [HC]

An excellent introduction to Moret’s superbly crafted, imaginative and personal music ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Thomas MORLEY (1557/8-1602)
Ayres and Madrigals: Arise, awake [2:18]; Besides a fountain [2:04]; No, no, no, no, Nigella [3:00]; Singing alone [2:51]; With my love [2:10]; Mistress mine [2:33]; Stay heart, run not so fast [2:39]; Fire and lightening [1:10]; Phillis, I fain would die now [4:21]; Hard by a crystal fountain [3:37]; In every place [2:23]; O gried, ev’n on the bud [1:55]; Absence, hear thou my protestation [6:07]; Deep lamenting [3:21]; Sleep, slumb’ring eyes [6:05]; Hark, Alleluia [2:06] Emma Kirkby, Poppy Holden, Jacqueline Fox, Evelyn Tubb, sopranos Cathy Cass, Mary Nichols, altos Joseph Cornwell, Andrew King, Philip Salmon, tenors John Milne, Francis Steele, Richard Wistreich, basses The Consort of Musicke, Anthony Rooley, lute and director Recorded in St. Barnabas’ Church, London, June 1982 DDD DECCA 476 1971 [49:19] [KS]

Color, grace, wonderful sensitivity to poetry. Rhythmic precision and clarity above reproach. Such refreshing music .. a gift indeed for these performances to be again available. ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Symphony No. 25 in G minor, K183 (1773) Symphony No. 29 in A major, K201 (1774) Symphony No. 33 in B flat major, K319 Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra/Ton Koopman Rec November 1988 (No. 25), August 1987 (Nos. 29; 33), Waalse Kerk, Amsterdam WARNER APEX 2564 61430 2 [74.56] [TB]

Perfect artistic sense. All very nicely played and very tastefully shaped, but not everything comes off as well as it might. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Quintet in E flat major for Piano and Winds, K. 452 (1784) Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Quintet in E flat major for Piano and Winds, Op. 16 (1796) Ralf Gothoni, piano Wind Quintet of the Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra: (Anna Dina Schick, flute; Max Artved, oboe; Soren Elbo, clarinet; Henning Due Hansen, horn; Jens Tofte-Hansen, bassoon) Recorded December 2001 CLASSICO CLASSCD 453 [48:43] [DS]

Youthful exuberance and gruff demeanour ... one of the best recordings ... will be in the running for one of my MusicWeb Discs of the Year 2004.... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Flute Concerto No. 1, K313 [26.16] Flute Concerto No, 2, K314 [20.53] Concerto for Flute and Harp, K 299 [29.37] Sir James Galway (flute), Marisa Robles (harp) Academy of St Martin in the Fields/Sir Neville Marriner (conductor) BMG-RCA CLASSIC LIBRARY 82876 59409 2 [77.01] [EM]

A perfectly good and valid recording of these works. The sheer beauty of playing is a tribute to all involved but these works have so much more than prettiness to offer ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Le nozze di Figaro Italo Tajo (bar) Figaro; Alda Noni (soprano) Susanna; Sesto Bruscantini - Count Almaviva; Gabriella Gatti (soprano) Countess; Jolanda Gardina - Cherubino; Mitì Truccato Pace - Marcellina; Fernando Corena - Bartolo; Angelo Mercuriali - Don Basilio; Manfredi Ponz de Leon - Don Curzio; Graziella Sciutti - Barbarina; Cristiano Dalamangas - Antonio Chorus and Orchestra of RAI, Rome/Fernando Previtali. Notes and text included. Rec. Rome, 1951. WARNER FONIT 5050467-1046-2-4 [72'25 + 75'43] [CC]

A mixed reception then, but a recommendation nonetheless. The spirit of Mozart shines through as does Previtali’s love of the score. Fans of Corena, Tajo, Bruscantini and Sciutti will want it anyway ... see Full Review

Modest MUSSORGSKY (1839-1881) Khovanshchina: Prelude orchestrated by Nikolai Andreevich RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844-1908) [5:25] Songs and Dances of Death orchestrated by Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) [23:10] Pictures at an Exhibition orchestrated by Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) [34:52] Sergi Leiferkus, baritone
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Yuri Temirkanov Recording details not disclosed DDD BMG CLASSICS 82876 59423 2 [63:34] [PG]

A primer for Mussorgsky’s work ... a wonderful addition to the collections of fans of Russian music ... see Full Review

Modest MUSSORGSKY (1839-1881) Khovanshchina (1880) - Opera in Five Acts Libretto by Modest Mussorgsky after Vladimir Staasov Prince Ivan Khonvansky, Nicolai Ghiaurov (bass); Prince Andrey Khovansky, Vladimir Atlantov (ten); Prince Vassily Golitsyn, Yuri Maruzin (ten); Shaklovity, Anatoly Kocherga (bar); Dosifey, Paata Burchuladze (bass); Marfa, Ludmila Semtschuk (mez); Susanna, Brigitte Poschner-Klebel (sop); A Scrivener, Heinz Zednik (ten); Emma, Joanna Borowska (sop). The Vienna State Opera Chorus, The Slovak Philharmonic Chorus, The Wiener Sängerknaben Orchestra of the Vienna State Opera, Austrian Federal Theatre Orchestra/Claudio Abbado Recorded 1989, Vienna State Opera ARTHAUS DVD 100 310 [188:00] [JL]

Keenly priced DVD release of the much admired 1989 Vienna production. Strengths all round. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Poul ROVSING OLSEN (1922-1982) Belisa – An Opera in Four Scenes Text by Federico Garcia Lorca - Sung in Danish.Belisa: Eir Inderhaug (sop) Don Perlimplin: Sten Byriel (bass) Marcolfa: Marianne Rørholm (mezzo) The Mother: Anne Margrethe Dahl (sop) Household Spirit 1: Lise-Lotte Nielsen (sop) Household Spirit 2: Elisabeth Halling (sop) Vocal Group Ars Nova, Odense Symphony Orchestra / Tamás Vetö Bo Lundbye Jaeger, electronics.DDD. Recorded at Odense Concert Hall May 1^st -3^rd, May 6^th -7^th and June 10^th and in the Danish Radio Concert Hall on October 29^th 2002. Recorded in cooperation with the Danish Broadcasting Corporation. DACAPO 8.226013 [72:00] [BK]

Anyone interested in unusual opera or Scandinavian music should rush out to buy this disc. It’s a Disc of the Month for me … ... see Full Review

Georges ONSLOW (1784-1853) String Quintet, Op. 34 (1829) [34:19] String Quintet, Op. 35 (1829) [30:13] Quintett Momento Musicale rec. Rathaussaal Markleeberg, 12-15 August 2002 MUSIKPRODUCTION DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM MDG 603 1253-2 [64:41] [SV]

This music and these performances are well worth getting to know, and the clear, vivid, subtly ambient recorded sound makes it a pleasure to do so. ... see Full Review

Carl ORFF (1895-1982) Carmina Burana (1937) [63:05] Evelyn Mandac, soprano Stanley Kolk, tenor Sherrill Milnes, baritone New England Conservatory Chorus/Lorna Cooke de Varon Children’s Chorus of the New England Conservatory/Katherine Edmonds Pusztai Boston Symphony Orchestra/Seiji Ozawa Recording date and location undisclosed ADD BMG CLASSICS 82876 59417 2 [63:05] [PG]

Outstanding ... see Full Review

Johann Georg PISENDEL (1687-1755) Violin Sonatas Sonata for violin and bc in D [10:04] Sonata for violin solo in a minor [12:44] Sonata for violin and bc in e minor [11:22] Sonata for violin and bc in c minor [12:12] Sonata for violin and bc in g minor [14:37] Anton Steck, violin; Christian Rieger, harpsichord (period instruments) Recorded in April 2003 at the Studio of the Deutschlandfunk, Cologne, Germany. DDD CPO 999 982-2 [61:11] [JV]

Sonatas by one of the greatest violinists of Bach’s time – fascinating music in a brilliant performance ... see Full Review.

Francis POULENC (1899-1963) Concerto pour deux pianos et orchestra, en ré mineur* (1932) [19:13] Concerto pour piano et orchestre (1949) [19:47] Aubade, concerto chorégraphique pour piano et dix-huit instruments (1930) [21:18] Frank Braley*, Eric Le Sage (pianos) Orchestre Philharmonique de Liège/Stéphane Denève rec. Salle Philharmonique, Liège, 17-20 December 2003 BMG RCA RED SEAL 82876 603082 [60:01] [SV]

Despite the orchestral and sonic flaws, as a convenient package of Poulenc's concertante piano works, this disc is recommendable. ... see Full Review

Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Violin Concerto No. 1 in D major Op. 19 (1918) [21.58] Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957) Four Humoresques for violin and string orchestra Op. 89 (Nos. 3-6) (1917-18) [14.45] Violin Concerto in D minor Op. 47 (1905) [32.35] Ilya Gringolts (violin) Göteborgs SO/Neeme Järvi rec. Göteborg Konserthuset, June 2003 (Sibelius); Jan 2004 (Prokofiev) DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 474 814-2 [69.18] [RB]

Good imaginative versions of these works in resplendent sound. ... see Full Review

Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Ivan the Terrible Op. 116 (1945) (concert oratorio version arranged by Abram Stasevich, 1962) Verses by Vladimir Lugovsky - text by Sergei Eisenstein with new English narration adapted by Edward Kemp. Irina Tchistyakova (mezzo) James Rutherford (bass-bar) Simon Russell Beale (narrator) BBC Symphony Chorus
BBC National Chorus of Wales BBC SO/Leonard Slatkin rec. Live Proms, Royal Albert Hall, 18 July 2003. BBC WARNER CLASSICS 2564 61549-2 [69:42] [RB]

Imaginative and largely unhackneyed anthology ... as well as a memento of a memorable concert.... see Full Review

Serge PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Cinderella: Suite from the Ballet Op.87 (1944) transcribed for 2 pianos by Mikhail Pletnev Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) Ma Mère l’Oye: 5 pieces for children for piano 4 hands Martha Argerich and Mikhail Pletnev, pianos SACD Hybrid Stereo/Multi-channel (reviewed in multichannel) a PCM 24/96 5.1 channel recording, recorded August 2003 in the Théâtre de Vevey, Switzerland. Playable on all CD and SACD players. DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 00289 474 8682 [49. 40] [DB]

Argerich and Pletnev are phenomenally well matched. They play Prokofiev and Ravel together as if they’ve been doing it for a lifetime. Timbre beautifully caught. ... see Full Review

Henry PURCELL Ayres for the Theatre Suite: Abdelazer Overture: Timon of Athens Curtain Tune: Timon of Athens Suite: The Gordion Knot Untied Suite: Bonduca
Chacony in G minor Suite: The Virtuous Wife The Parley of Instruments/Peter Holman HYPERION HELIOS CDH 55010 [58 24]. [DW]

A charming disc first issued in 1987 with a super clear sound and at a budget price. ... see Full Review

Joachim RAFF (1822-1882) Symphony No. 7 in B flat major In the Alps (1875) Jubilee Overture (1864) Philharmonia Hungarica/Werner Andreas Albert recorded at Westdeutsche Rundfunk, Cologne and at Recklinghausen Festpielhaus, October 28-November 2, 1991 and October 19-23, 1992 CPO 999 289-2 [65:38] [IL]

An Alpine symphony that clings to the lower slopes. For this listener, this CD is an uninspired experience in every sense. ... see Full Review

Joachim RAFF (1822-1882) Symphony No. 8 Op. 205 Frühlingsklänge (1876) [43:07] Symphony No. 9 Op. 208 Im Sommer (1878) [41:11] Symphony No. 10 Op. 213 Zur Herbstzeit (1879) [33:29] Symphony No. 11 Der Winter Op. 214 (1879) [34:12] Philharmonia Hungarica/Werner Andreas Albert rec. Recklinghausen Festspielhaus, WDR, Koln, 19-23 Oct 1992 (8); 6-10 Dec 1993 (9); 28 Feb - 4 Mar 1994 (11); Köln, Stolberger Strasse, 27-30 Oct 1993 (10). DDD CPO 999 536-2 [76:35 + 75:23] [RB]

Four big ambitious picture symphonies that warrant our attention for their lucid charm, their skill and their exciting romance. ... see Full Review

Jean-Philippe RAMEAU (1683-1764) Les Boréades Barbara Bonney Paul Agnew Laurent Naouri Toby Spence Stéphane Deguot Nicolas Revenq Anna-Maria Panzarelly Jael Azzaretti Les Arts Florissants/William Christie Rec: Palais Garnier, Paris; date not given Sound format: Dolby stereo and 5.1 surround Subtitle languages: GB, D, F, ES Picture format: 16:9 anamorphic Picture standard: PAL Region code: 0 OPUS ARTE OA0899D [218 mins] [KM]

Musically magnificent, this performance is marred by morose staging. See full review. ... see Full Review

Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) Daphnis et Chloe (1912-13) Suites 1 and 2 Rapsodie espagnole (1907) La valse (1920) Bolero (1928) Wiener Philharmoniker/Lorin Maazel. Rec. Grosser Saal des Wiener Musikverein, Vienna, 7, 10-11 June 1996 BMG-RCA RED SEAL 82876 60868 2 [75:13] [IL]

Confident recommendations of colourful, sensual renditions of these favourite Ravel works. ... see Full Review

Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) Daphnis et Chloë: Suite No. 2 [1913] Pavane pour une infante défunte [1910] La Valse [1919-20] Ma mère l'Oye: Cinq pièces enfantines [1911] Boléro [1928] Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra/Paavo Järvi Recorded in Music Hall, Cincinnati, Ohio, 9-10 February and 21 September, 2003. TELARC CD-80601 [63:00] [RNB]

These are wonderful performances to which I will be returning frequently. ... see Full Review

Max REGER (1873-1916) Es Sungen Drei Engel: Sacred Choral works Vol. 2 Sieben geistliche, Volkslieder, for chorus SATB Drei Choralbearbeitungen fur Weihnachten, Neujahr, Epiphanias, for chorus SSA, Op. 79g Zwolf deutsche geistiche Gesänge, for 5-8 part chorus NDR Chor Hamburg/Hans-Christoph Rademann Recorded at the NDR Rolf-Liebermann Studio, Hamburg, June 2003 CARUS CD 83.155 [67:08] [MC]

Considerable rewards to be found in these rarely heard scores. A satisfying release of attractive works well performed and decently recorded! ... see Full Review

Joseph Gabriel RHEINBERGER (1839-1901) Mass in A major, ‘Missa in Nativitate Domini’ for three-part chorus and organ, op.126 (1881) Mass in F, for four-part chorus and organ, op.190 (1898) Kleiner und leichter Messgesang, op. 62 (‘Missa puerorum’ edition of 1903) Missa Brevis in F major, ‘Missa in honorem Sanctissimae Trinitatis’ for unaccompanied chorus op.117 (1880) The Choirs of Blackburn Cathedral/Richard Tanner
Greg Morris (organ) Recorded in Blackburn Cathedral, England, 9-15 February 2001 LAMMAS RECORDS LAMM 156D [69:40] [MC]

Worthy of inclusion in any serious collection of choral music. A rewarding disc! ... see Full Review

Nikolai RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844-1908) The Tale of the Invisible City of Kitezh and the Maiden Fevronia Opera in four acts to a libretto by Vladimir Belsky Prince Yuri Vsevolodovich - Ivan Petrov Prince Vsevolod, his son - Vladimir Ivanovsky Fevronia - Natalya Rozhdestvenskaya Grishka Kuterma - Dmitry Tarkhov Fyodor Poyarok - Ilya Bogdanov The Lad - Lidya Melnikova Favourites - Veniamin Shevtsov; Sergei Koltypin Gusli Player - Boris Dobrin Bear Keeper - Tikhon Tchernjakov Mendicant Songleader - Mikhail Skazin Bedyay, Tartar hero - Leonid Ktitorov Burunday, Tartar hero - Gennady Troitsky Sirin, Bird of Paradise - Maria Zvezdina Alkonost, Bird of Paradise - Nina Kulagina Chorus of Bolshoi Theatre Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra/Vassili Nebolsin rec. Moscow 1956, mono ADD GREAT HALL MVT CD 063-065 [66:25 + 63:09 + 57:02] [RB]

Especially treasurable for fine sturdy singing by Petrov; Rozhdestvenskaya and Tarkhov and also let’s not forget the outstanding orchestral contribution from the Bolshoi and Nebolsin ... see Full Review

Gioacchino ROSSINI (1792-1868) Il barbiere di Siviglia – Highlights Overture, Ecco ridente in cielo, Largo al factotum, Se il mio nome saper voi bramate, All’idea di quel metallo, Una voce poco fa, La calunnia è un venticello, Dunque io son, A un dottor della mia sorte, Contro un cor, Quando mi sei vicina, Il vecchiotto cerca moglie, Temporale, Ah, qual colpo inaspettato! Cessa di più resister, Di si felice innesto Håkan Hagegård (Figaro), Jennifer Larmore (Rosina), Raúl Giménez (Almaviva), Samuel Ramey (Basilio), Alessandro Corbelli (Bartolo), Barbara Frittoli (Berta) Lausanne Chamber Orchestra/Jesús López-Cobos Recorded August 1992, Salle del Castillo, Vevey, Switzerland WARNER CLASSICS APEX 2564 61502-2 [75:38] [CH]

More for fans of Larmore (who is magnificent) than for those wanting a selection from this ever-popular opera. ... see Full Review

Gioacchino ROSSINI (1792-1868) Il Signor Bruschino (Comic Opera in One Act) (1813) Alessandro Codeluppi (Florville), Maurizio Leoni (Gaudenzio), Elena Rossi (Sofia), Dario Giorgelè (Signor Bruschino), Antonio Marani (Filiberto), Clara Giangaspero (Marianna), Massimiliano Barbolini (Bruschino figlio), Vito Martino (Commissario) I Virtuosi Italiani/Claudio Desideri Recorded 4th May 2002 at the Auditorium Pandurera, Cento (Ferrara). NAXOS 8.660128 [79:43] [CH]

Sparkling Rossini, sparkling conducting, but the singing is not so good. ... see Full Review

Gioacchino ROSSINI (1792-1868) Piano Works Vol. 4 "Péchés de Vieillesse - Quelques Riens pour Album" Stefan Irmer, piano. Technician, Manfred Bürki
Recorded at Fürstliche Reitbahn, Bad Arolsen, Germany, 10 September 2003
Notes in English, Français, Deutsch. Photos of artist, engraving of composer. MDG 618 1260-2 [78.30] [PSh]

A long overdue debut for some of the most entertaining and important music ever written ... ... see Full Review

Edmund RUBBRA (1901-1986) Symphony No. 4 (1941) Symphony No. 10 Sinfonia da Camera (1974) Symphony No. 11 (1979) premiere recording BBC National Orchestra of Wales/Richard Hickox CHANDOS CHAN 9401 [58.22] [released November 1995] [DW]

Ethereal colours ... controlled excitement ... splendid playing from the orchestra. It could not be better. Richard Hickox is as reliable as ever and the sound is gorgeous ... see Full Review

 

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

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