ALPHABETICAL LISTING

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835 – 1921) Symphony No. 3 in C minor Op. 78, (1886) Louis COUPERIN (1626 – 1661) Chaconne in G Minor transcribed by Joseph BONNET Marcel DUPRÉ (1886 – 1970) Carillon Op. 27, No. 4. Eugène GIGOUT (1844 – 1925) Scherzo. César FRANCK (1822 – 1890) Piece Heroique. Charles Marie WIDOR (1844 – 1937) Toccata Symphony No. 5. Johann Sebastian BACH (1685 – 1750 Sinfonia from Cantata No. 29. Louis VIERNE (1870 – 1937) Finale from Symphony No. 1, Op.14. Marcel DUPRÉ (1886 – 1970) Musette. Jacques-Nicolas LEMMENS (1823 – 1881) Fanfare. Michael Murray (organ) Philadelphia Orchestra/Eugene Ormandy. recorded at St. Francis de Sales Church, Philadelphia on February 6^th 1980 (Saint-Saëns) and at Symphony Hall, Boston on September 27^th, 1981. DDD TELARC CD-80634 [75’51"] [JPh]

This disc is superb and I have enjoyed listening to it again and again ... strongly recommended. ... see Full Review

John SANDERS (1933-2003) Festival Te Deum** [7’11"] A Prayer of Cardinal Newman [3’20"] The Firmament** [6’36"] Soliloquy for Organ** [5’07"] The Gloucester Service: Magnificat* [5’07"]; Nunc Dimittis* [3’35"] Dedication* [2’13"] My beloved spake [2’58"] Requiem [23’13"] I will lift up mine eyes* [4’01"] Toccata for organ* [4’02"] A Prayer* [3’21"] The Choir of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge/Geoffrey Webber Organists: Francesca Massey* and Thomas Hewitt Jones** Recorded in Gloucester Cathedral 21-24 March, 2004 DDD British Church Composers Series, Vol. 1 PRIORY PRCD 831 [72’34"] [JQ]

Fine liturgical music to enlighten us in these troubled times. I recommend this CD with the greatest possible enthusiasm. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Joly BRAGA SANTOS (1924-1988) Staccato Brilhante (1988) [2:20] Nocturno for Strings (1944) [6:54] Divertimento No. 1 (1959-61) [21:02] Divertimento No. 2 (1978) [13:28] Cello Concerto (1987) [22:57] Jan Bastiaan Neven (cello) Algarve Orchestra/Alvaro Cassuto rec. Igreja do Carmo, Tavira, Portugal, 19-24 May 2003. DDD MARCO POLO 8.225271 [66.30] [RB]

The earlier melodic-nationalism jostles elbows with the later tougher dissonance - not that Braga Santos ever loses touch with the long line. ... see Full Review

Domenico SCARLATTI (1685-1757) Sonatas - Volume 5: K188-229 Pieter-Jan Belder (harpsichord) CD 1 Sonatas K188-K202 - Rec. Church of St. Maria Minor, Utrecht, December 2002 CD 2 Sonatas K203-K216 - Rec. at same venue, January 2003 CD 3 Sonatas K217-K229 - Rec. Doopagezinde, April 2003 BRILLIANT CLASSICS 92201 [65.08 + 76.17 + 59.31] [GH]

I can do nothing but recommend this set. It will appeal strongly to anyone who has a strong interest in Scarlatti. There is much here to enjoy. ... see Full Review

Othmar SCHOECK (1886-1957) Concerto quasi una fantasia in B flat for violin and orchestra, Op. 21^a (1911/12) [33’12]; Horn Concerto, Op. 55^b (1951) [15’59] ^aStefi Geyer (violin); Tonhalle Orchester Zürich/Volkmar Andreae; ^bDennis Brain (horn); Collegium Musicum Zürich/Paul Sacher. Rec. ^aFebruary 6^th, 1947, ^blive, Zurich Tonhalle on May 4^th, 1956. ADD JECKLIN EDITION JD715-2 [49’29] [CC]

Fascinating listening, then. Do give it a try, there is much to hold the attention here. See Full Review

Franz SCHUBERT (1797 - 1828) Symphony No.9 in G major D.944 The Great. Carl Maria von WEBER (1786 - 1826) Der Freischutz Overture. Benjamin BRITTEN (1913 - 1976) The Building of the House Overture, Op.79.London Philharmonic Orchestra (Schubert) New Philharmonia Orchestra, (Weber) New Philharmonia Chorus and Orchestra (Britten), conducted by Carlo Maria Giulini.recorded at the Royal Festival Hall, London 14^th May 1975 (Schubert) 13^th December 1970 (Weber), and 16^th January 1968 (Britten). Plus a short interview of Giulini by Alan Haydock. (ADD – mono - Weber and Britten, stereo - Schubert) BBC LEGENDS BBCL 4140-2 [73.13] [JPh]

Recommended to those who have neither of the commercial recordings of the Schubert or to those who are Giulini completists. ... see Full Review

Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Piano sonata in A minor, D845, 3 Klavierstűcke, D946 Andreas Staier (piano) rec. 1988/89, Waalse Kerk, Amsterdam, (sonata); 1990, Oud-Katholieke Kerk “Marion Minor”, Utrecht, Netherlands (Klavierstűcke); DDD WARNER ELATUS 2564 61301-2 [60'50] [RNB]

Even if you have these works in your collection ten times over, add this CD for fresh insights and true Schubertian understanding. ... see Full Review

Franz SCHUBERT (1797–1828) The Unauthorised Piano Duos Quintet in A major for piano and strings D. 667 arranged for piano duet by Joseph CZERNÝ (1785–1831) [33:36] Study for two pianos on Schubert’s Impromptu in E flat major, D. 899, no. 2 by Ede POLDINI (1869–1957) [4:29] Overture to the drama "Rosamunde", D. 644 arranged for piano duet by Josef HÜTTENBRENNER (1796 – 1882) [10:44] Polonaise in B flat major (from the D. 618a sketches) realized by Anthony GOLDSTONE (b. 1944) [4:23] Waltzes arranged for two pianos by Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891 – 1953) [10:08] Adagio from String Quintet in C major, D. 956 arranged for piano duet by Hugo ULRICH (1827 – 1872) [13:44] Anthony Goldstone, piano Caroline Clemmow, piano Rec. St. John the Baptist Church, Alkborough, N. Lincs THE DIVINE ART RECORD COMPANY 25026 [77:36] [CM]

This is a fascinating disk. You won’t find such a collection anywhere else. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Deutsche Schubert-Lied-Edition 17 - Austrian Contemporaries Vol. 2 Der Unglückliche D.713, Widerspruch D.865, Glaube, Hoffnung und Liebe D.955, Frohsinn D.520, Die abgeblühte Linde D.514, Der Flug der Zeit D.515, Das Heimweh D.851, Die Allmacht D.852, Labetrank der Liebe D.302, An die Geliebte, D.303, Vergebliche Liebe D.177, Die Sterne D.716, Die erste Liebe D.182, Lob des Tokayers D.248, Der Zufriedene D.320, Der Sänger am Felsen D.482, Lied D.483, Skolie D.306, Die Befreier Europas in Paris D.104, Abschied D.829, Die Fröhlichkeit D.262 Detlef Roth (baritone), Ulrich Eisenlohr (piano) Recorded in Radiostudio 1, Zurich, 24th-28th May 2003 NAXOS 8.557172 [65:00] [CH]

Some rare Schubert in very fine performances. ... see Full Review

Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Lieder: An Schwager Kronos; Hoffnung, Auf der Donau; Der Strom; Der Wanderer; Der Götter Greichenlands; Freiwillges Versinken; Der Zwerg; Wehmut; Totengräbers Heimwehe; Auf der Bruck; Des Sängers Habe; Am Fenster; Fischerweise; Der Zügenglöcklein; Der Kreuzzug; Des Fischers Liebesglück; Die Sterne; Der Einsame; Im Abendrot; Abschied (from Schwanengesang) Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (baritone); Harmüt Holl (piano) recorded Theatre-Oper, Nuremburg, May 1992 DDD WARNER APEX 2564 61431-2 [77'11"] [AO]

You would be better off saving for a classic recording of the singer in his prime. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Winterreise D911 Gute Nacht, Die Wetterfahne, Gefror'ne Tränen, Erstarrung, Der Lindenbaum, Wasserflut, Auf dem Flusse, Rückblick, Irrlicht, Rast, Frühlingstraum, Einsamkeit, Die Post, Der greise Kopf, Die Krähe, Letzte Hoffnung, Im Dorfe, Der stürmische Morgen, Tauschung, Der Wegwiser, Mut, Die Nebensonnen, Der Leiermann. Ian Bostridge, (tenor) Leif Ove Andsnes (piano) recorded Potton Hall, Suffolk, May 2004. DDD EMI CLASSICS 5 57790 2 [70:47] [AO]

Deeply thought through and absorbed with creative imagination ... faithful to the music's form and structure ... highlights the emotional and psychological aspects with unusual insight. A performance Bostridge and Andsnes can be proud of ... enhances our understanding of this amazing cycle ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Life and Works Written and narrated by Jeremy Siepmann recorded Oxfordshire, no date DDD NAXOS 8.558135-38 [63'33" + 67'58" + 73'33" + 65'53" = 270’] [AO]

It’s a book that talks, sings, plays music and runs like a website. ... see Full Review

Heinrich SCHÜTZ (1585-1672) German Requiem Musicalische Exequien (SWV 279 – 281) [29:02] Die sieben Worte Jesu Christi am Kreuz (SWV 478) [17:18] Die mit Tränen säen (SWV 378) [03:41] So fahr ich hin zu Jesu Christ (SWV 379) [02:50] Veronika Winter, Bettina Pahn, soprano; Henning Voss, alto; Jan Kobow, Henning Kaiser, tenor; Ralf Grobe, Ulrich Maier, bass Alsfelder Vokalensemble; Himlische Cantorey; Baroque Orchestra I Febiarmonici; Beata Röllecke, organ Dir: Wolfgang Helbich Recorded in October 2001 at the St Petri Cathedral, Bremen, Germany DDD NAXOS 8.555705 [52:51] [JV]

Even though the choir is a little too massive this is a fine recording of one of Schütz’s masterpieces ... see Full Review

Kurt SCHWERTSIK (b.1935) Irdische Klänge (Earthly Sounds) - Symphony in Two Movements Op. 37 (1980) [17.38] Irdischen Klänge 2 Teil (Earthly Sounds - Part 2) - Five Nature Pieces Op. 45 (1984) [15.22] Das ende der Irdischen Klänge (The End of Earthly Sounds) - with heavy tread Op. 60 (1991) [5.36] Inmitten der Irdischen Klänge (In the midst of Earthly Sounds) - Uluru Op. 64 (1992) [17.55] Baumgesänge (Tree Songs) Op. 65 (1992) [21.07] Adelaide Symphony Orchestra/David Porcelijn rec. 28-31 March, 27-28 July 1995, Adelaide Town Hall, South Australia. DDD ABC CLASSICS 476 227-3 [79.28] [RB]

A sprinkling from the cruet of 'modernism' across a palette that takes in Stravinsky, Sibelius, Schuman, Mahler, Ruggles, Copland, Arnold and Herrmann. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Kondrashin conducts the Fifteen Symphonies No. 1 in F minor (1925) No. 2 in B, To October (1927) No. 3 in E flat, The First of May (1929) No. 4 in C minor (1935) No. 5 in D minor (1937) No. 6 in B minor (1939) No. 7 in C, Leningrad (1941) No. 8 in C minor (1943) No. 9 in E flat (1945) No. 10 in E minor (1953) No. 11 in G minor, The Year 1905 (1957) No. 12 in D minor The Year 1917 (1961) No. 13 in B flat minor, Babi Yar (1962) No. 14 (1969) No. 15 in A (1971) Artur Eisen, bass (13); Evgenia Tselovalnik (sop) (14); Evgeny Nesterenko, (bass) (14) Choirs of the Russian Republic/Alexander Yourlov (2, 3, 13) Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra/Kirill Kondrashin Rec. Moscow 19 July 1972 (1); 29 Nov 1972 (2); 12 Nov 1972 (3); 1962 (4); 27 Mar 1968 (5); 15 Sept 1967 (6); 7 Mar 1975 (7); 4 Nov 1967 (8); 20 Mar 1965 (9); 24 Sept 1973 (10); 9 July 1973 (11); 13 Dec 1972 (12); 23 Aug 1974 (13); 24 Nov 1974 (14); 27 May 1975 (15). ADD AULOS CLASSICS AMC2 - 043 - 1-10 [10CDs: 68:59 + 65:28 + 68:16 + 60:02 + 75:34 + 71:10 + 56:36 + 64:46 + 53:54 + 54:06] [RB]

Kondrashin and Aulos set the gold standard. Exemplary recordings presented in raging colours and with a compulsive tragic power. .... see Full Review

Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906 – 1975) Symphony No. 1 in F Minor, Op. 10 (1924) Symphony No. 6 in B Minor, Op. 54 (1939)Hallé Orchestra/Stanislaw Skrowaczewski. recorded in Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, November 1^st, 1996 (No. 1) and November 7^th, 1997 (No. 6). DDD. HALLE CD HLL 7506 [61’05"] [JPh]

One can be assured of a very moving experience ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906 - 1975) Symphony #5 in d, Op 47 (1937) [47.57] Symphony #9 in Eb, Op 70 (1945) [25.44] Kirov Orchestra/Valery Gergiev Rec. Martti Talvela Hall, Helsinki, Finland, 30 June 2002 (5); Mariinsky Theater, St. Petersburg, Russia, 18 May 2002 (9) Note in English, Français, Deutsch. Photo of the composer and of the conductor. CD tracks in 5.1 AC-3 sound. Super Audio tracks in 2.0 stereo and 5.1 surround. Hybrid Super-Audio CD SACD playable on cd players. PHILIPS 470 651-2 [73.53] [PSh]

A supremely great performance and recording of an often performed work. Alone worth the price of an SACD player ... see Full Review

Padre Antonio SOLER (1729-1783) Six Organ Quintets: No. 1 [22'52]; No. 2 [22'31]; No. 3 [23'27]; No. 4 [26'03]; No. 5 [30'02]; No. 6 [33'18] Paul Parsons, organ Rasumovsky String Quartet Rec. Bothamsall Parish Church, 30 Sept - 5 Oct 2003. DDD GUILD GMCD 7280/1 [78'57 + 79'41] [GPJ]

A nice idea then, but not a wholly satisfactory result ... see Full Review

John Philip SOUSA (1854-1932) Music for Wind Band Vol. 5 The Minnesota March (1927) The Thunderer (1889) The Charlatan Waltzes (1898) The Pride of the Wolverines (1926) University of Nebraska (1928) The Gallant Seventh (1922) Powhattan’s Daughter (1907) Cubaland - Suite in three parts (1925) George Washington Bicentennial (1930) The Diplomat (1904) The Directorate (1894) Our Flirtation (1880) Sabre and Spurs (1918) The Atlantic City Pageant (1927) Royal Artillery Band/Keith Brion Rec. Blackheath Concert Halls, January 2002 DDD NAXOS 8.559131 [58:32] [{PW]

The playing is both euphonious and mellow ... collectors of this series should not be disappointed ... see Full Review

Sigmund Theophil STADEN (1607-1655) Seelewig Monika Mauch, soprano (Seelewig, Singkunst) Ute Kreidler, soprano (Sinnigunda) Heidrun Luchterhand, soprano (Herzigilt) Franziska Gottwald, mezzosoprano (Gwissulda, Echo) Sebastian Hübner, tenor (Künsteling, Malkunst) Hans Jörg Mammel, tenor (Ehrelob, Eitelkeit) Armin Gottstein, baritone (Reichimuth) Ulrich Maier, bass (Trügewalt) I Ciarlatani: Manuela Mohr, Lucia Dimmeler (recorder), Isacco Colombo (bombard), Klaus Winkler (shawms), Christoph Hesse, Ulrike Winkler (violin), Michael Spengler (viola da gamba), Ursula Bruckdorfer (dulcian), Werner Engelhard (horn, sackbut), Johannes Vogt (theorbo), Ulrich Wedemeier (chitarrone, guitar), Alexander Weimann (harpsichord, organ, regal) Director: Klaus Winkler Recorded July 2002 at the Studio of SWR, Karlsruhe, Germany DDD CPO 999 905-2 [77:09] [JV]

Seelewig, seemingly the first German opera, in a good but not entirely satisfying performance … see Full Review

Sir Charles Villiers STANFORD (1852-1924) Magnificat op.164, Postlude in G minor op.101/2, For lo! I raise up op.145, Prelude in F op.101/1, O for a closer walk with God op.113a/6, Ye choirs of new Jerusalem op.123 Sir Charles Hubert Hastings PARRY (1848-1918) Songs of Farewell Choir of Christ’s College, Cambridge/David Rowland, with Simon Jacobs (organ) Recorded 12^th-14^th March 2004, Queen’s College Chapel, Cambridge REGENT REGCD204 [67:29] [CH]

The Stanford pieces come off well but the Parry does not compare with Christopher Robinson’s Hyperion recording. ... see Full Review

Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Elektra. Opera in One Act Elektra, Astrid Varnay (sop); Klytämnestra, Elisabeth Höngen (cont); Chrysothemis, Walburga Wegner (sop); Orestes, Paul Schöffler (bar) Der Rosenkavalier Excerpts from Act 1 and Act 3 Marschallin, Astrid Varnay (sop); Octavian, Risë Stevens (mezzo); Sophie, Nadine Conner, (sop) Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera, New York/Fritz Reiner Live broadcasts of 23^rd February 1952 (Elektra). 28^th February 1953 (Der Rosenkavalier) GUILD HISTORICAL GHCD 2285-86 [2CDs: 61.08+75.37] [RJF]

An issue most recommendable for Varnay and Reiner enthusiasts and those who glory in Strauss’ neo-modernist period ... see Full Review

Sir Arthur SULLIVAN (1842-1900) Overtures: di Ballo; HMS Pinafore; The Yeoman of the Guard; Iolanthe; The Mikado; The Pirates of Penzance; Macbeth; The Gondoliers; and Patience Academy of St Martin in the Fields/Sir Neville Marriner
no recording dates - an original compilation date is given as 1992 from the Philips label DECCA - THE BRITISH MUSIC COLLECTION 476 2094 [63:55] [IL]

Engaging performances of an attractive compilation of Sullivan overtures – comic and serious. ... see Full Review

Josef TAL (b. 1910) Symphonies Nos: 4 (1985); 5 (1991); 6 (1991) NDR RadioPhilharmonie/Israel Yinon Rec. Sendesaal Studio 1, Jan/Feb 2003. DDD CPO 999 922-2 [61.45] [GH]

Tal may be bowed but he has not been beaten by the circumstances of the world he has lived through. The music speaks of tragedy and passion. ... see Full Review

Thomas TALLIS (1505-1585) The Tallis Scholars - Celebrating The 500th Anniversary CD1: Spem in Alium (40-part motet); Sancte Deus; Salvator Mundi, salva nos, 1 and 2; Gaude Gloriosa; Miserere nostri; Loquenbantur varis linguis; If ye love me; Hear the voice and prayer; A new commandment; O Lord, give thy holy spirit; Purge me, O Lord; Verily I say unto you; Remember not, O Lord; Tunes from Archbishop Parker’s Psalter; O Lord, in thee is all my trust; Christ rising again; Blessed are those that be undefiled. CD2: Lamentations of Jeremiah I and II; Absterge Domine; O sacrum convivium; In manus tuas; Salve intemerata; Magnificat for 4 voices; Ave, dei patris filia Tallis Scholars/Peter Phillips Recorded: CD1: Merton College Chapel, Oxford; CD2: the church of St. Peter and St.Paul Salle Norfolk. 1980s GIMELL CDGIM 203 [79.36 + 79.38] [GH]

A late 1980s time-warp, of Oxford colleges, dark winter concerts, hard seats and glorious music resounding in the lofty clerestory. Exciting and stimulating. These timely re-issues. ... see Full Review

HISTORICAL RECORDING OF THE MONTH Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Symphony No. 6 in b minor, Op. 74 [43:45] Serenade for Strings in C major, Op. 48 [26:25] Concertgebouw Orchestra/Willem Mengelberg Rec. 22 April 1941, Concertgebouw, Amsterdam (Op. 74); 7 November 1938 (Op. 48) AAD Remastered by Mark Obert-Thorn NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110885 [70:10] [KS]

Amongst the absolute must-haves for anyone who loves romantic music ... see Full Review

Peter Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 74, ‘Pathétique’ (1893). Orchestre National de France/Riccardo Muti. Live performance at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, Paris on April 26^th, 2003. NAÏVE V4970 [49’50] [CC]

Expectations ran high for this release … hard to recommend except perhaps to die-hard Muti fans. The fact there is no coupling just adds insult to injury.... see Full Review

Peter Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840 – 1893) Violin Concerto in D, Op. 35 (1878) Jean SIBELIUS (1865 – 1957) Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47 (1903) Itzhak Perlman, (violin) Boston Symphony Orchestra/Erich Leinsdorf. No recording information given with the disc ADD RCA RED SEAL 82876 59419 2 [63’13"] [JPh]

I can recommend this issue with confidence. ... see Full Review

Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Eugene Onegin Opera in three acts to a libretto by Pushkin and K Shilovsky after Pushkin Eugene Onegin - Panteleimon Nortzov Vladimir Lensky - Sergei Lemeshev Tatyana - Glafira Joukovskaya Olga - Bronislava Zlatogorova Larina - Maria Boutenina Filipievna - Konkordiya Antarova Prince Gremin - Alexander Pirogov Triquet - Ivan Kovalenko Zaretsky - Anatoly Yakhontov Captain - Igor Montchavin Chorus of Bolshoi Theatre Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra/Vassili Nebolsin rec. Moscow 1936, mono. ADD GREAT HALL MVT CD 047-048 [64:57 + 68:39] [RB]

For specialists ... unique insight into 1930s performing and singing styles. Broader appeal is bound to be limited. ... see Full Review

Georg Philipp TELEMANN (1681-1767) Complete Violin Concertos Volume 1 Violin Concerto in C major TWV 51;C2 Violin Concerto in G major TWV 51;G8 Violin Concerto in E minor TWV 51;E3 Violin Concerto in D major TWV 51;D9 Violin Concerto in E major TWV 51;E2 Violin Concerto in F major TWV 51;F2 Violin Concerto in D major TWV 51;D10 L’Orfeo Barockorchester Elizabeth Wallfisch (violin and director) Recorded Sendesaal des SWR Studios Karlsruhe, September 2002 CPO 999 900-2 [59.21] [JW]

Performances characterful and full of finesse. ... see Full Review

Boris TISHCHENKO (b. 1939) Symphony No. 7. Op. 119 (1994) Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra/Dmitri Yablonsky. recorded in concert in the Grand Hall of the Moscow Conservatory on 26^th February 2002. DDD NAXOS 8.557013 [52’42"] [JPh]

This is a marvellous release and should be snapped up by any music lover in search of a satisfying musical journey. ... see Full Review

Veljo TORMIS (b. 1930) Vision of Estonia 1 Double Dedication (1983) Vision of Estonia (1989/91) The Viru Oath (1980) Draught (1993) Story of a Betrayer (1989) The Last Ship (1981) Hamlet’s Songs (1964/5) Litany of Thunder (1974)^a Our Shadows (1969) Herding Calls (1982)^b The Sarcasms of Juhan Liiv (1979)^c A Conscript’s Escape from Toompea Castle Home to Kuusalu (1969) Estonian National Male Choir; Aile Asszonyi (soprano)^b; Margus Vaht (bass drum^a, whip^c); Ants Soots Recorded: Estonia Concert Hall, June and August 2000 ALBA NCD 17 [70:54] [HC]

This is a most desirable release, the more so that it brilliantly demonstrates the variety of Tormis’ skills ... see Full Review

Heitor Villa-Lobos (1887 - 1959) Complete Piano Music Volume 4 Bachianas Brasileiras No. 4 (1930/36) [19.43] Poema Singelo (1942) [6.05] Carnaval das Crianças (1920) [15.24] Francette et Piá (1928) [15.32] A Fiandeira (1921) [2.52] Simples Coletânea (1919) [6.02] Valsa Romantica (1907) [3.44] Sonia Rubinsky, piano, assisted by Tatjana Rankovich, second piano. Recorded at Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 20 October 2003. Notes in English and Deutsch. NAXOS 8.555717 [69.53] [PSh]

An excellent presentation of some delightful and fascinating, but often difficult music ... see Full Review

Klaas de VRIES (b. 1944) A King, Riding (1996) Lisa Saffer (Jinny, coloratura soprano); Rosemary Hardy (Suzan, lyric soprano); Gerrie de Vries (Rhoda, mezzo-soprano); Bruce Rameker (Neville, countertenor); Stuart Kale (Louis, tenor); Harry van der Kamp (Bernard, baritone); Marijke van Kooten (violin); Lucia Swarts (cello); Susanne van Els (viola); Leendert de Jonge (flutes); Walter van Hauwe (recorders); Harry Sparnaay (bass clarinet); André Heuvelman (trumpet); Jean-Marc Sullon (sound realisation and processing); Asko Ensemble and Schönberg Ensemble; Reinbert de Leeuw Rec: Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, February 2001 and Muziekcentrum Vredenburg, Utrecht, February 2001 DONEMUS COMPOSERS’ VOICE SACD CV 134 [45:51 + 57:12] [HC]

De Vries’ music is not particularly difficult .... well worth the effort ... see Full Review

Richard WAGNER (1813 – 1883) The Flying Dutchman Overture (1843) Rienzi Overture (1842) Lohengrin Act III Prelude (1850) The Mastersingers Overture (1862) Siegfried Idyll (1870) Götterdämmerung: Siegfried’s Rhine Journey (1876) Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/Lorin Maazel No recording information given with the disc. DDD RCA RED SEAL 82876 594142 [70’24"] [JPh]

I haven’t enjoyed a recital like this as much since the days of Karajan ... see Full Review

Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Tristan und Isolde - opera in three acts
Tristan, Ludwig Suthaus (ten); Isolde, Kirsten Flagstad (sop); Brangäne, Blanche Thebom (mez); Kurwenal, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (bar); King Marke, Josef Greindl (bass); Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London Philharmonia Orchestra/Wilhelm Furtwängler. Recorded 10^th –21^st June 1952 in Kingsway Hall, London NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110321-24 [4CDs: 67.00+68.03+64.20+56.00] [RJF]

This justifiably famous recording should be investigated by all opera lovers who do not already own a copy. ... see Full Review

Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Tristan und Isolde. Act II. Scenes 1 and 2. Tristan, John Horton Murray (ten); Isolde, Margaret Jane Wray (sop); Brangäne, Nancy Maltsby (mezzo); Götterdämmerung. Act III Scene 3 Brünnhilde, Margaret Jane Wray (sop) Russian State Symphony Orchestra/John McGlinn Recorded in Studio No 5. Moscow Film Studios, 23-30 May 2001 NAXOS 8.555789 [76.39] [RJF]

The flaccidity of the conducting seriously restricts Wray’s Brünnhilde. It is a role that I suspect is not yet within her compass (trs. 20-26). ... see Full Review

William WALTON (1902-1983) The Wise Virgins – complete ballet (1940) after J.S. BACH (1685-1750) arranged by Philip LANE (b.1950) Constant LAMBERT (1905-1951) Horoscope – complete ballet (1938) BBC Concert Orchestra/Barry Wordsworth Recorded Watford Coliseum, March 2003 ASV CD DCA 1168 [64.00]

Composed within two years of each other this brace of British ballet scores make good programming ... and a warm attractive recording. ... see Full Review

Egon WELLESZ (1885-1974) Symphony No. 1 op. 62 (1945-46) [36:10] Symphony No. 8 op. 110 () [23:23] Symphonischer Epilog op. 108 (1969) [11:35] Radio Symphonieorchester Wien/Gottfried Rabl rec. Grosser Sendesaal, Funkhaus ORF, 2003. DDD CPO 999 998-2 [71.10] [RB]

A stern and haunted voice. This music bears the scar tissue of a life riven with dispossession and exile. The CPO Wellesz series is well worth following. ... see Full Review

Arthur WILLS (b.1926) Icons 1 Very broadly [1'20] 2 Lively [1'13] 3 Very Slow [2'36] 4 Turbulent; As at first [2'58]Lullaby for a Royal Prince [4'09] Trio Sonata 1 Allegro [3'17] 2 Adagio alla Siciliana [3'20] 3 Vivace [1'40] Symphony - Bhagavad Gita 1 Andante - Allegro feroce - Mesto - Allegro triomphante [8'25] 2 Adagietto [6'42] 3 Leggermente - Tenebroso - Con fuoco - Leggero [5'44] 4 Molto Adagio [7'16] Homage to Howells [4'22] Diptyque 1 Prologue [6'48] 2 Epilogue [4'28] Robert Crowley, organ Rec. Ely Cathedral 27-28 October 2003 LAMMAS LAMM 168D [64'25] [CB]

A relevant recording; Wills' larger-scale music deserves to be recorded and the decision to ask one of his former students to perform on the organ Wills knows so well is very sensible. ... see Full Review

Hugo WOLF (1860-1903) Italienisches Liederbuch, Part 1, 1890/1 Part 2, 1896: ^aElisabeth Schwarzkopf (soprano); ^bDietrich Fischer-Dieskau (baritone); Gerald Moore (piano). Texts and translations included. Rec. ^aSeptember 13^th, 1965, ^aApril 10^th-17^th, 1966 and ^aSeptember 27^th-October 3^rd, 1967, ^bJanuary 31^st and February 2^nd, 1966. ADD EMI CLASSICS GREAT RECORDINGS OF THE CENTURY 5 62650 2 [78’31] [CC]

The sheer variety of Wolf’s Lieder, the way he can summon up an epic in a minute or less - all this is miraculous. And you will feel it all here. ... 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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