ALPHABETICAL LISTING

Alexander Tselyakov (piano) - 20^th Century Piano Album Srul Irving GLICK (1934-2002) Sonata for Piano (1996) [With Good Spirit, 5:59; Slow, Melancholy, 4:28; Fast, Aggressive, 7:04] Gary KULESHA (b. 1954) Fantastic Landscapes [Landscape No. 1, 2:44; Landscape No. 3, 4:35] T. Patrick CARRABRÉ (b. 1958) Scherzo No. 2, The Elemental Wind [4:34] Sophie-Carmen ECKHARDT-GRAMATTÉ (1899-1974) Caprice No. 6 [4:36] Francis POTT (b. 1957) Toccata [6:35] Olivier MESSIAEN (1980-1992) Vingt regards sur l’Enfant Jésus: XI – Première communion de la Vierge [6:49] Rodion K. SCHEDRIN (b. 1932) Poem [3:35], Humoresque [2:34], À la Albèniz [3:32], Sonata No. 1, in C [Allegro da sonata, 5:23; Variazioni polifonici, 3:54; Rondo – Toccata, 4:32] Srul Irving GLICK (1934-2002) (Encore) Song [1:55] Alexander Tselyakov (piano) Lorne Watson Recital Hall, Brandon University, 1 May 2004 DDD * GOLOMB RECORDS GLDC 5701-4 [73’23"] [BH]

Most people will find something here they would like to hear again. ... there is just something about a live recital that carries its own magnetism. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Claudio Arrau (piano). Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Sonata No. 13 in E flat, Op. 27 No. 1 (1801) [16’59]. Robert SCHUMANN (1810-56) Fantasy in C, Op. 17 (1838) [33’06]. Arnold SCHOENBERG (1874-1951) Drei Klavierstücke, Op. 11 (1909) [13’43]. Claudio Arrau (piano). Rec. BBC Studios, London, October 16^th, 1960 (Beethoven, Schumann); March 13^th, 1959 (Schoenberg) ADD mono BBC LEGENDS/IMG ARTISTS BBCL4162-2 [64'08] [CC]

A magnificent disc that reveals ... sovereign majesty. This demands to be heard, both as an indispensable addition to Arrau’s discography and as a testament to Arrau at his very greatest. ... see Full Review

Ballades for Saxophone and Orchestra Henri TOMASI (1901 - 1971) Ballade for alto saxophone and orchestra (1938) [15.31] Frank MARTIN (1890 - 1974) Ballade for Saxophone and Orchestra (1938) [14.45] Maurice RAVEL (1875 - 1937) (arr. Hoérée) Pièce en forme de habanera for saxophone and chamber orchestra (1907) [3.04] Astor PIAZOLLA (1921 -1992) Tango Suite (arr. Kerkezos) (1959 - 1987) [22.00] Dimitris DRAGATAKIS (1914 - 2001) Ballade for saxophone and strings (2000) [2.56] Pedro ITURRALDE (b.1929) orchestrated by J. Iturralde Czárdás for saxophone and orchestra (1949) [7.35] Theodore Kerkezos, Saxophone London Philharmonic Orchestra/Roberto Mineczuk Recorded 9 November 2003, Illegible Notes in English, Deutsch, Français. Photos of artists. NAXOS 8.557454 [66.13] [PSh]

A nice collection of colourful classical and semi-classical music for virtuoso saxophone ... see Full Review

Baroque Reflections Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV565, transcribed by Ferrucio Busoni (1866-1924) Concerto in D minor, WV974, after an Oboe Concerto by Alessandro Marcello (1669-1747) Prelude in B minor, BWV855, transcribed by Alexander Siloti (1863-1945) Jesu, joy of man’s desiring from Cantata No 147, transcribed by Myra Hess (1890-1965) Christoph Willibald GLUCK (1714-87) Mélodie (from Orfeo ed Euridice) arranged by Giovanni Sgambati (1841-1914) Franz LISZT (1811-86) Transcription of the Sarabande and Chaconne from Almira, by George Frederick Handel (1685-1759) Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Suite from the Partita in E major for solo violin, BWV1006, by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) Variations on a theme of Corelli, Op 42 Alessio Bax (piano) recorded at the Maltings, Snape, Suffolk, May 2004 WARNER CLASSICS 2564 61695-2 [69'16"] [PL]

A distinguished and refreshingly ‘different’ recital. ... see Full Review

British Cinema and Theatre Orchestras G. GROITZCH The Juggler
Commodore Grand Orchestra Conducted By Joseph Muscant Ernest BUCALOSSI
Grasshoppers’ Dance Paramount Theatre Orchestra Conducted By Arthur Anton Featuring Al Bollington, Organ Jerome KERN "Show Boat" – Selection: Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man; Why Do I Love You; Ol’ Man River Coventry New Hippodrome Orchestra Conducted By William Pethers Felix ARNDT Nola Regal Cinema Orchestra Conducted By Emanuel Starkey BARNES Doll Medley: Dainty Doll, Lonesome Little Doll Phil BOUTELJE Rag Doll Nacio Herb BROWN Little Dutch Doll (Ravel), Doll Dance, Wedding Of The Painted Doll John S. ZAMECNIK China Doll Parade) Paramount Theatre Orchestra Conducted By Arthur Anton Featuring Al Bollington, Organ Percy FLETCHER Bal Masque – Valse Caprice (from Two Parisian Sketches) Plaza Theatre Orchestra Conducted By Frank Tours Noel COWARD "Conversation Piece" – Selection: Brighton Parade; Danser, Danser; I’ll Follow My Secret Heart; There’s Always Something Fishy About The French; Regency Rakes; Nevermore; Dear Little Soldiers; English Lesson; Lady Julia’s Theme; Melanie’s Aria (Finale Act II); I’ll Follow My Secret Heart His Majesty’s Theatre Orchestra Conducted By Reginald Burston Lewis GENSLER Speakeasy Troxy Broadcasting Orchestra Conducted By Joseph Muscant John BELTON Ye Merry Blacksmiths Granada Walthamstow Orchestra Conducted By Charles Manning Jerome KERN "The Cat And The Fiddle" – Selection: ntr’acte; She Didn’t Day "Yes"; Dance; Try To Forget Palace Theatre Orchestra Conducted By Hyam Greenbaum Albert W. KETÈLBEY Bells Across The Meadow London Palladium Orchestra Conducted By Richard Crean John S. ZAMECNIK Babylonian Nights Gaumont State Orchestra Conducted By Alfred Van Dam Brian HOOKER/ Rudolf FRIML "The Vagabond King" – Selection : Only A Rose; Huguette Valse; Song Of The Vagabonds Coventry New Hippodrome Orchestra Conducted By William Pethers Percy FLETCHER Fifinette – Intermezzo Gavotte (Three Light Pieces Suite) Prince Of Wales Playhouse Orchestra Conducted By Frank Westfield Vivian ELLIS (composed by, except ‘It’s d’Lovely’ ‡ by Cole PORTER) "The Fleet’s Lit Up" – Selection: They’ve A Way Of Doing It In The Navy, Guess It Must Be The Spring, Little Miss Go-As-You-Please, How Do You Do Mr. Right?, It’s d’Lovely ‡, Change Of Address, I’m A Dictator, Hide And Seek, The Fleet’s Lit Up Geraldo And His London Hippodrome Orchestra Cecile CHAMINADE Scarf Dance Plaza Theatre Orchestra Conducted By Frank Tours Gabriel SEBEK In The Sudan Gaumont State Orchestra Conducted By Alfred Van Dam – Milton AGER/Jack YELLEN King Of Jazz" – Selection: Ragamuffin Romeo (Harry de Costa/Mabel Wayne), It Happened In Monterey (Billy Rose/Mabel Wayne), I Like To Do Things For You, Happy Feet, A Bench In The Park, Song Of The Dawn (all by Regal Cinema Orchestra Conducted By Emanuel Starkey With Quentin Maclean, Organ Recorded 1927-39 GUILD LIGHT MUSIC GLCD 5108 [78.17] [JW]

An enjoyable, nostalgic by-way, this; well transferred with David Ades’ uncommonly helpful notes once more to the fore. ... see Full Review

Christmas at the Court of Dresden Josef SEGER (1716-1782) Prelude for organ in c minor; plainchant: Domine labia mea aperies [01:51] anon/Johann Georg SCHÜRER (c1720 - 1786) Invitatorium Christus natus est & Psalm 94 [11:58] Hymnus Jesu redemptor omnium [00:57] Johann David HEINICHEN (1683-1729) Pastorale per la Notte di Natale in A (S 242) [03:49] Te Deum [14:27] Giovanni Alberti RISTORI (1692-1753) Messa per il Santissimo Natale and Motetto pastorale (O admirabile commercium) [44:35] Christine Wolff, soprano; Britta Schwarz, contralto; Martin Petzold, tenor Körnischer Sing-Verein Dresden, Dresdner Instrumental-Concert/Peter Kopp Recorded, January, February 2004, Lukaskirche, Dresden, Germany. DDD CARUS 83.169 [77:39] [JV]

A most interesting recording which puts the sacred music written at the court in Dresden in its proper liturgical context ... see Full Review

THE COMPLETE CARUSO see review for details Recorded 1902-1920
RCA RED SEAL /BMG CLASSICS 82876-60396-2 [12 CDs: 71.58 + 70.07 + 69.08 + 69.00 + 72.44 + 71.12 + 71.44,71.55 + 72.26,72.37 + 67.08 + 73.10] [RH]

A compact and economically priced repackaging of RCA’s complete Caruso transfers; possibly for enthusiasts only ... see Full Review

An Elizabethan Songbook see review for details The Boston Camerata Recorded Memorial Hall, Methuen, Massachusetts, USA, 22 May 1997 Notes in English, Français, and Deutsch. Song texts in English and Français. WARNER ELATUS 2564 60332-2 [63.26] [PSh]

A fine recital of Elizabethan vocal and instrumental consort music but nothing to write home about. ... see Full Review

En Priere Gabriel FAURÉ (1845 – 1924) Ave Maria Op.67 No.2 (1895) Ave Maria Op.93 (1877) En Prière Jean LANGLAIS (1907 – 1991) Missa in Simplicitate (1953) Melody (1956) Cinq Motets (1932/42) Jehan ALAIN (1911 – 1940) O Quam Suavis Est Ave Maria (1937) Maurice DURUFLE (1902 – 1986) Fugue sur le thème du Carillon des heures (1960)^a Pie Jesu (1947) In Paradisum (1947) André CAPLET (1878 – 1925) Sanctus and Benedictus (1919) The Girl Choristers of All Saints’ Church, Northampton; Richard Pinel (organ); Edward Whiting (director and organ^a) Recorded: Exeter College, Oxford, April 2004 LAMMAS LAMM 170D [54:06] [HC]

Beautifully poised readings, well recorded; one of the finest from this label ... see Full Review

English Choral Music Choir of St. John’s College Cambridge/Christopher Robinson CD1 Charles Villiers STANFORD (1852-1924) Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in G Op 81 (soloist: Oliver Lepage-Dean); Justorum Animae Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Ave Verum Corpus Op 2 no 1; Give unto the Lord Op 74; Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) The Call (soloist: Oliver Lepage-Dean) Herbert HOWELLS (1892-1983) Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis ‘St. Paul’s’; Paean for Organ (soloist: Iain Farrington); Take him earth for cherishing. Peter HURFORD (b.1930) Litany of the Holy Spirit Gerald FINZI (1901-1986) Welcome sweet and sacred feast Op 27 no 3; God is gone up Op 27 no 2; Edmund RUBBRA (1901-1986) Magnificat in A flat; Tenebrae Motets –Third Nocturne Op 72 Rec. Stanford recorded July 2002; Elgar, July 2003; Vaughan Williams and Hurford, February 2002; Howells March 1999; Rubbra, March 2000; Finzi, March 2001 CD2 William WALTON (1902-1982) Set me as a seal; Coronation Te Deum; Gloria from Missa Brevis; Benjamin BRITTEN (1913-1976) Jubilate Deo; Hymn to St. Cecilia; Hymn to the Virgin; ennox BERKELEY (1903-1989) Crux Fidelis Op 43 no. 2; Look up Sweet babe Op 43 no 2; The Lord is my Shepherd Op 91 no 1; Kenneth LEIGHTON ((1929-1988) Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis - Collegium Magdalen Oxonienses; An Easter Sequence. John TAVENER (b.1944) The Lamb; The Lord’s Prayer; Song for Athene Recorded in the Chapel of St. John’s College Cambridge Rec. Walton, recorded July 2001; Britten, July 1999; Berkeley, March 2003; Leighton, July 2002; Tavener, July 2000. All recorded in the Chapel of St. John’s College Cambridge. DDD NAXOS 8.557557-8 [72.22 + 77.29] [GH]

At Naxos’s bargain price this set should be snapped up and relished. ... see Full Review

Eternity. The Timeless Music of Australia’s Composers Ross EDWARDS (b.1943) Dawn Mantras Lyn WILLIAMS (b.1963) Ferry Me Across The Water Peter SCULTHORPE (b.1929) Small Town Graeme KOEHNE (b.1956) Way Out West (excerpt)
Percy GRAINGER (1882-1961) Dreamery Nigel WESTLAKE (b.1958)/David HIRSCHFELDER (b.1959) In Questa Stanza (inside this room) Gordon KERRY (b.1961)
Dream Raffaele MARCELLINO (b.1964) Hymn I from Heart of Fire Alan JOHN (b.1958) Aftermath from The Bank Richard MEALE (b.1932) Prelude; Lake Geneva from Scenes from Mer de Glace Elena KATS-CHERNIN (b.1957) Russian Rag Sean O’BOYLE (b.1963) Molly Richard CHARLTON (b.1955) A Sky for Dreaming from Capricorn Skies Miriam HYDE (b.1913) Andante Tranquillo from Piano Concerto No.2 in C sharp minor Malcolm WILLIAMSON (1931-2003) Lane Cove from Sydney Diaries Margaret SUTHERLAND (1897-1984) Jesu, meine Freude from Two Chorale Preludes Lyle CHAN (b.1967) Forever No.1 from Solo Piano Alfred HILL (1870-1960) Adagio from String Quartet No 10 in E major John CARMICHAEL (b.1930) Quiet Evening from A Little Night Music Peggy GALNVILLE-HICKS (1912-1990) Gymnopéie III from Three Gymnopédies Carl VINE (b.1954) Movement II from Piano Concerto ABC CLASSICS 476 160-7 [78.08] [JW]

If your heart’s in the right place I think you’ll come across some new avenues to explore. But Darmstadt hardliners need not apply. ... see Full Review

Kathleen Ferrier – An Ordinary Diva Christoph Willibald von GLUCK (1714-1787) Orfeo ed Euridice; What is Life to me without thee? LSO/Malcolm Sargent Che puro ciel Glyndebourne Festival Chorus Southern Philharmonic Orchestra/Fritz Stiedry George Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759) Rodelinda; Art Thou Troubled? (Arranged HAYM) Judas Maccabaeus; Father of Heaven Messiah; O Thou that tellest good tidings to Zion LPO/Adrian Boult LSO/Malcolm Sargent Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) St. Matthew Passion; Erbame Dich (Have Mercy, Lord, On Me) David McCallum (violin) National Symphony Orchestra/Malcolm Sargent Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) An die Musik D547 Der Musensohn D764 Phyllis Spurr (piano) Du bist die Ruh’ D776 Bruno Walter (piano) Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Botschaft Phyllis Spurr (piano) TRADITIONAL Come you not from Newcastle arranged Benjamin BRITTEN Frederick Stone (piano) The Keel Row arranged William Gillies WHITTAKER Ma Bonny Lad arranged William Gillies WHITTAKER Blow the wind southerly arranged William Gillies WHITTAKER Down by the Sally Gardens arranged HUGHES Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) 3 Rückert-Lieder: Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen; Ich atmet’ einen linden Duft; Um Mitternacht Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Bruno Walter Talk by Ferrier; What the Edinburgh Festival has meant to me (1949) Recorded 1946-52 DVD DOCUMENTARY by Suzanne Phillips (director) Valerie Croft (producer) David M Jackson (executive producer); Kathleen Ferrier, An Ordinary Diva. DVD also contains Ferrier picture gallery, Decca Discography, original Decca record covers and recording cards. DECCA 475 6291 DX2 [CD: 77.14; DVD: 58.38][JW]

Unquenchable spirit despite unremitting pain – a beauty dimmed and made gaunt through suffering. ... see Full Review

Kathleen Ferrier: What is Life? Chrisoph Willibald GLUCK  (1714-1787) What is Life? (Orfeo ed Euridice) [4’25”] London Symphony Orchestra/Sir Malcolm Sargent Recorded 27 February 1946 George Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759) Art Thou Troubled? (Rodelinda) [4’40”] London Symphony Orchestra/Sir Malcolm Sargent Recorded 27 February 1946 Spring is Coming (Ottone, Re di Germania) arr. Arthur Somervell [3’53”] Gerald Moore (piano) Recorded 20 April 1945 Come to Me, Soothing Sleep (Ottone, Re di Germania) arr. Arthur Somervell [4’19”] Gerald Moore (piano) Recorded 20 April 1945 O Thou that Tellest Good Tidings to Zion (Messiah) [5’36”] London Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Adrian Boult Recorded 8 October 1952 Henry PURCELL (1659-1695) Sound the Trumpet (Birthday Ode for Queen Mary II: Come, Ye Sons of Art Away) [2’00”] Isobel Baillie (soprano); Gerald Moore (piano) Recorded 21 September 1945 Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) I Would that My Love [2’45”] Isobel Baillie (soprano); Gerald Moore (piano) Recorded 21 September 1945 O Rest in the Lord (Elijah) [3’38”] Boyd Neel Orchestra/Boyd Neel Recorded 2 September 1946 Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Have Mercy, Lord, on Me (St. Matthew Passion) [7’16”] Jacques Orchestra/Reginald Jacques Recorded 30 June 1947 Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) An Die Musik, D547 [3’04”] Der Musensohn, D764 [2’13”] Phyllis Spurr (piano) Recorded 14 February 1949 Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Two Songs for Alto, Viola and Piano, Op. 91 1. Gestille Sehnsucht [5’11”] 2. Geistliches Wiegenlied [5’06”] Max Gilbert (viola); Phyllis Spurr (piano) Recorded 14 February 1949 Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Rückert Lieder 1. Ich atmet’ einen linden Duft [2’44”] 2. Um Mitternacht [6’22”] Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Bruno Walter Recorded in Vienna 20 May 1952 Roger QUILTER (1877-1953) Drink to Me Only with Thine Eyes [3’00”] Phyllis Spurr (piano) Recorded 10 December 1951 Trad. English arr. William Gillies WHITTAKER The Keel Row [1’42”] Phyllis Spurr (piano) Recorded 14 February 1949 Trad. Irish arr. Herbert HUGHES Down By The Sally Gardens [3’08”] Phyllis Spurr (piano) Recorded 11 February 1949 Trad. English arr. Benjamin BRITTEN O Waly, Waly [3’34”] Phyllis Spurr (piano) Recorded 10 December 1951 Trad. English arr. Herbert HUGHES I Have a Bonnet Trimm’d with Blue [1’10”] Phyllis Spurr (piano) Recorded 10 December 1951 Trad. English arr. William Gillies WHITTAKER Blow the Wind Southerly [2’22”] Unaccompanied All recordings made in London, except where otherwise indicated. ADD ASV LIVING ERA CD AJA 5536 [79’45”][JQ]

In summary this disc offers eighty minutes of great enjoyment and is warmly recommended. ... see Full Review

Flames: Swedish Woodwind Quintets Rolf MARTINSSON (b. 1956) Coloured Flames (2003-2004) [11:40] Gunnar de FRUMERIE (1908-1987) Suite for Woodwind Quintet (1973) [18:53] Daniel BÖRTZ (b. 1943) Winter Pieces 2 (1982, 2004) [11:37] Hilding ROSENBERG (1892-1985) Quintetto (1959) [22:59] Amadé Quintet: Susanne Hörberg, flute; Bengt Rosengren, oboe; Niklas Andersson, clarinet; Hans Larsson, horn; Henrik Blixt, bassoon. Rec. Swedish Radio, Stockholm, S3, 13 May, 5, 7, 8 Oct 2004. DDD DAPHNE 1019 [65:46][RB]

This pleasing contemporary woodwind collection drawn from the riches of Sweden’s production during the last half century. ... see Full Review

Juan Diego Florez: Great Tenor Arias Christoph Willibald von GLUCK 1714–1787) J’ai perdu mon Euridice (Orphée et Euridice) Domenico CIMAROSA (1749–1801) Pria che spunti in ciel l’aura (Il matrimonio segreto) Gioacchino ROSSINI (1792–1868) Languirm per una bella (L’Italiana in Algeri); la speranza piu soave gia quest’alma lusingava (Semiramide) Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797–1848) Feste? Pompe? Omaggi? Onori? (La figlia del reggimento); Anch’io provai le tenere smanie d’un puro amore (Lucrezia Borgia) Jacques François HALÉVY (1799–1862) Loin de son amie vivre sans plaisirs (La Juive) Giuseppe VERDI (1813–1901) Deh! Lasciate a un’alma amante (Un giorno di regno); La donna e mobile (Rigoletto) Giacomo PUCCINI (1858–1924) Firenze e come un albero fiorito (Gianni Schicchi) Juan Diego Florez (tenor) Orchestra Sinfonica e Coro di Milano Giuseppe Verdi/Carlo Rizzi Recorded Auditorium di Milano, Milan, Italy, 24-30 March 2003DECCA 475 6187 [58.25] [RH]

Another stunning recital from the Peruvian tenor leggiero, this time widening his net a little to include 18^th and later 19^th century music. ... see Full Review

Les flûtes d’Angleterre — The delightful companion ANONYMOUS Johney Cock thy Beavor [2.31] Slow Scotch Tune [1.05] Greensleeves to a Ground [3.58] Pauls Steeple [3.15] Tollets Ground [3.19] Slow Ayre, Jig and Bore [2.55] John BASTON (fl. 1708-1739) Concerto no. 5 in D [5.01] Gottfried KELLER (? - 1704) A Ground [1.58] William BABELL (? - 1723) Concerto no. 2 in D [7.44] Andrea PARCHAM (?) So1o [5.51] William CROFT (1678-1727) Sonata in G [2.33] Mr. HILLS (?) Division by Mr. Hills [1.53] Giuseppe SAMMARTINI (1693-1750) Concerto a più Istromenti e la flauta [11.44] Robert CARR (?) Division upon an Italian Ground [2.53] Robert WOODCOCK (1690-1728) Concerto no. 3 in D [6.08] Frédéric de Roos, flûtes à bec, and conducting "La Pastorella"
Recorded at the church in Our, Ardennes, Belgium, September 2001 Notes in Français, English, Nederlands, Deutsch. RICERCAR RIC 220 [63.00] [PSh]

Delightful is the word, maybe the best recorder disk ever made, a pure delight for lovers of classical and popular music ... see Full Review

Mirella Freni Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) Gianni Schicchi, O mio babbino caro; Lauretta mio (with Franco Bonisolli, ten) Manon Lescaut, Il quelle trine morbide; Tu, tu amore (with Franco Bonisolli, ten) La Boheme, Si, mi chiamano Mimi; O soave fanciulla (with Franco Bonisolli, ten) Madama Butterfly, Un bel di vedremo; Viene la serra (abbreviated love duet. With Franco Bonisolli, ten)) Turandot, Signore, ascolta; Tu che di gel sei cinta Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) La Traviata, É strano!…. Sempra libera; Teneste la promessa …Addio del passato Otello, Gia nella notte densa (with Franco Bonisolli, ten) Mirella Freni (soprano)
Philharmonic Staatsorchestra, Hamburg/Leone Magiera Orchestra of the Staatskapelle Berlin/Lamberto Gardelli (La Traviata) Recorded January 1977, Hamburg and February 1973, Berlin (La Traviata) ARTS MUSIC - ARTS ARCHIVES 43008-2 [67.30] [RJF]

Recommended as thoroughly enjoyable and a memento of a great singer at her peak. ... see Full Review

Gala from St Petersburg Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Festive Overture, Op. 96^f (1954) [6’07]. Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) Introduction and Rondo capriccioso, Op. 28^cg (1863) [11’03]. Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937)Concerto for Piano Left-Hand and Orchestra^dg (1930) [21’07]. Peter TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Eugene Onegin (1879) – Polonaise^g [5’05]. Pique Dame (1890) – Vy tak pechalny … Ya vas lyublyu^bf [7’02]. Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797-1848) Lucia di Lammermoor (1835) – Regnava del silenzio^af [9’15]. Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) La Bohème (1896) – Quando men vo^af [4’25]. Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Don Carlo (1867) – O Carlo, ascolta^bf [5’08]. Ottorino RESPIGHI (1879-1936) Adagio con variazioni, Op. 133^ef (1903-10) [12’45]. Max BRUCH (1838-1920) Kol Nidrei, Op. 47^ef (1881) [12’11]. Ruggero LEONCAVALLO (1857-1919) Pagliacci (1892) – Nedda! … Silvio! A quest’ora^abf [12’44]. Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Fanfare^f [1’13]. ^aAnna Netrebko (soprano); ^bDmitri Hvorostovsky (baritone); ^cViktor Tretyakov (violin); ^dElisso Virsaladze (piano); ^eMischa Maisky (cello); St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra/^fYuri Temirkanov, ^gNikolai Alekseev. Rec. live at St Petersburg Grand Hall on June 1^st, 2003. TDK/EUROARTS DV-COGSP [112’00] [CC]

This must surely have been a concert to remember. The atmosphere does not quite transfer across onto DVD, but do see it if you can, if only for the Respighi (Maisky) and anything Netrebko contributes to. ... see Full Review

Maria Galvany (1878-1949) Giacomo ROSSINI (1792-1868) Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Una voce poco fa Vincenzo BELLINI (1801-1835) La Sonnambula: Son geloso del zeffiro errante with Aristodemo Giorgini I Puritani: Qui la voce sua soave La Sonnambula: Prendi, l´anel ti dono with Fernando De Lucia La Sonnambula: Oh ciel, che tento with Andres Perello de Segurola La Sonnambula: Ah, Non giunge uman pensiero Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797-1848) L’Elisir d’Amore: Chiedli all´aurora lusinghieri with Aristodemo Giorgini Don Pasquale: Tornani a dir che m’ami with Aristodemo Giorgini Lucia di Lammermoor: Splendon le sacre face Linda di Chamounix: O luce di quest’anima Charles GOUNOD (1818-1893) Mireille: Oh d’amor messaggera Romeo und Julia (Romeo et Juliette): Nella calma Ambroise THOMAS (1811-1896) Hamlet: Ed ora a voi cantero una canzon Luigi ARDITI (1822-1903) L´ Incantatrice Heinrich PROCH Variazioni Ruperto Chapi y LORENTE    Hijas de Zebedeo: Carcelleras Giacomo MEYERBEER (1791-1864) Dinorah: Ombra leggiera Leo DÉLIBES (1835-1891)
Lakmé: Dov´é l´India bruna Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) La Traviata: Sempre ligera degg’io with Remo Andreini DUFAU Maggio-Valzer Maria Galvany Unidentified orchestras and accompanists as above Recorded 1906-08 PREISER 89578 [75.10] [JW]

Her great distinctiveness is in her balletic, incendiary and incessantly deployed machine gun staccato. It crops up everywhere. ... see Full Review

The Gigli Edition - Volume 7: London, New York and Milan Recordings (1931-32) Beniamino Gigli (tenor) Orchestra conducted by John Barbirolli, Eugene Goossens, Nathaniel Shilkret and Carlo Sabajno Recorded in Kingsway Hall, London. RCA Victor Studio No 2, New York and the Conservatorio, Milan Restoration Engineer Mark Obert-Thorn NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110268 [72.44] [RJF]

Much singing of the quality that made the singer world famous in the concert hall, the opera house and on record. ... see Full Review

The Gigli Edition - Volume 7: London, New York and Milan Recordings (1931-32) Francesco Paolo TOSTI (1846-1916) Goodbye. (Sung in English); Addio Jules MASSENET (1842-1912) Manon, Instant charmant ... En ferment les yeux (Sung in Italian) Sir Arthur SULLIVAN (1842-1900) The Lost Chord. (Sung in English) Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) La Bohème, Che gelida manina Georges Charles GOUNOD (1818-1893) Faust, Quel trouble inconnu... Salut, demeure (Sung in Italian) Georges BIZET (1838-1875) Les Pecheurs de perles, Je crois entendre encore (Sung in Italian) SIMONS Marta Issac ALBÉNIZ (1860-1909) Quisiera olvidar tus ojos SANDOVAL Eres tu DE CRESCENZO Triste maggio Nikolai RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844-1908) Sadko, Chanson Hindoue (sung in French) Pietro MASCAGNI (1863-1945) Cavalleria rusticana, Tu qui, santuzza?, No, no Turiddu, (with Dusolina Giannini, sop) Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Ständchen Louis NIEDERMEYER (1802-1861) (attributed) Pieta, Signore Gioachino ROSSINI (1792-1868) Stabat Mater, Cujus animan Ernesto DE CURTIS (1875-1937) I’m’arricordi ‘e te (Lucia, Luci) (Sung in Neapolitan dialect) ‘A canzona ‘e Napule (Sung in Neapolitan dialect) Beniamino Gigli (tenor) Orchestra conducted by John Barbirolli, Eugene Goossens, Nathaniel Shilkret and Carlo Sabajno Recorded in Kingsway Hall, London. RCA Victor Studio No 2, New York and the Conservatorio, Milan Restoration Engineer Mark Obert-Thorn NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110268 [72.44][JW]

Good transfers. Followers of the series will be well satisfied with No. 7. ... see Full Review

Great Conductors at the Metropolitan Opera Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Lohengrin - Act I Lohengrin – Torsten Ralf (tenor) Elsa – Helen Traubel (soprano) Telramund – Herbert Janssen (baritone) Ortrud – Kerstin Thorborg (mezzo soprano) The King – Norman Cordon (bass) Herald – Hugh Thompson (baritone) Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera/Fritz Busch Recorded 26 November 1945 Tristan und Isolde - Act II Tristan – Lauritz Melchior (tenor) Isolde - Helen Traubel (soprano) Brangäne - Kerstin Thorborg (mezzo soprano) King Marke - Norman Cordon (bass) Kurvenal - Herbert Janssen (baritone) Melot – Emery Darcy (tenor) Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera/Thomas Beecham Recorded 11 December 1943 Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (1868) - Act II Hans Sachs - Herbert Janssen (baritone) Eva – Eleanor Steber (soprano) Walther – Charles Kullman (tenor) Magdelane - Kerstin Thorborg (mezzo soprano) Pogner – Emanuel List (bass) Beckmesser – Gerhard Pechner (bass) David – John Garris (tenor) Nightwatchman – Louis D’Angelo (bass) Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera/George Szell Recorded 10 February 1945
Wesendonck Lieder Kirsten Flagstad Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Thomas Beecham
Recorded 21 December 1952 GUILD GHCD 2300/2 [3 CDs: 77.23 + 77.24 + 68.43] [JW]

A conductor-led purchase and not everything is an easy listen but Janssen will live with me for a long time. ... see Full Review

The Great Piano Concertos Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor Op. 23 St. Petersburg Academic Symphony Orchestra/Valery Gergiev Recorded 30 March 1987 Fryderyk CHOPIN (1810-1849) Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor Op. 11 Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor Op. 21 Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra, Dmitri Kitaenko [Recorded ?27 March 1984] Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Concerto No 3 in C minor Op 37 (? 1800) Piano Concerto No 5 in E flat major Op 73 Emperor (1809) Emil Gilels (piano) State Symphony orchestra of the USSR/Kurt Masur Recorded 1976 Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) Piano Concerto Rudolf Firkušny (piano) Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra/Walter Susskind Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Piano concerto No.2 in C minor Op.18 Klára Würtz (piano) National Symphony Orchestra of the Ukraine/Vladimir Sirenko Recorded 2003 Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor Op.30 Nikolai Lugansky (piano) State Academy Symphony Orchestra of Russia/Ivan Shpiller Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) Piano Concerto in G major Hélène Grimaud (piano) Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Jésus Lopez-Cobos Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Piano Concerto in A minor Op.54 Klára Würtz (piano) Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie/Arie van Beek Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Piano Concerto No.1 in E flat major Piano Concerto No.2 in A major Totentanz Nelson Freire (piano) Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra Michel Plasson Recorded Lukaskirche, Dresden 1994 BRILLIANT CLASSICS 92293 [6 CD set 64.39 +70.38 + 63.05 +72.39 + 63.36 +52.47] [JW]

A mixed bag - some outstanding; some commonplace ... see Full Review

The Great Violinists. Volume XXI Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Partita No.3 in E major – Prelude BWV1006 Pablo de SARASATE (1844-1908) Caprice Jota Tarantelle Miramar-Zortico Caprice Basque Zigeunerweisen Habanera Zapateado Fryderyk CHOPIN (1810-1849) Nocturne in E flat Op.9 No.2 arranged SARASATE Pablo de Sarasate (violin) Unnamed accompanist (piano) Niccolo PAGANINI (1782-1840) Moto perpetuo Franz DRDLA (1869-1944) Serenade Maria Theresa von PARADIES Sonata No.6 in A major – Toccata Pablo de SARASATE (1844-1908) Jota Aragonesa Henryk WIENIAWSKI (1835-1880) Legende Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Violin Concerto in E minor Op.64 – finale Louis-Claude DAQUIN (1694-1772) Pièces de clavecin – Le Coucou arranged MANÉN, Louis Joseph Ferdinand HÉROLD (1791-1833) Le Pré aux Clercs – Entr’acte and Aria* Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Il Re Pastore – L’amerò, sarò costante* Juan Manén (violin) Unnamed band and conductor Hedwig Francillo-Kaufmann (soprano)* Recorded Sarasate Paris, 1904, Manén Berlin, c.1912-15 SYMPOSIUM 1328 [67.20] [JW]

Sarasate: lightning fast Bach, slow sporadically applied vibrato, fabulous pizzicatos, pellucid but lyrically reduced playing ... Manén: very old-fashioned, vibrato slow, unwarmed and on/off, the salon-slides gauche ... see Full Review

Gruss aus Baden-Baden! Miloslaw KOENNEMANN (1826-1890) Der Fremersberg (1853) Jacques OFFENBACH (1819-1880) Overture: La Princesse de Trébizonde (1869) Konradin KREUTZER (1780-1849) Overture: Das Nachtlager von Granada (1834) Jean-Baptiste ARBAN (1825-1889) Fantasie und Variationen über den ‘Karneval in Venedig’ * Johann STRAUSS II (1825-1889) Ballsträusschen (1878) Lob der Frauen (1866/7) Charles GOUNOD (1818-1893) La Colombe (Entr’acte aus der Oper) (1860) *Matthias Höfs (trumpet) Baden-Badener Philharmonie/Werner Stiefel Recorded in Weinbrennersaal des Kurhauses, Baden-Baden in June 1994, April 1995 and April 2003 STERLING CDS-1062-2 [55:50] [IL]

Nothing serious, nothing profound; this is a fun collection that sparkles - sheer delight. ... see Full Review

Rarities of Piano Music at Schloss vor Husum 2003 Francis Poulenc (1899-1963) Les Soirées de Nazelles (1930-1936) [23:06] Jonathan Plowright, piano Pierre de Bréville (1861-1949) Portraits de maîtres (unknown) [11:15] Florent Schmitt (1870-1958) Valse-Nocturne No 1 (unknown) [5:11] Marie-Catherine Girod - piano Carlos Guastavino (1912-2001) Bailecito (1940) [2:37] Heitor Villa-Lobos (1887-1959) Dansa do Indio Branco (Ciclo Brasileiro No 4) (1936-37) [4:16] Arturo Sudbrack Jamardo - piano Wilhelm Stenhammar (1871-1927) Poco allegretto (Sensommernätter, op 33 no 5) (1914) [2:36] Alexander Scriabin (1872-1915) Quatre Préludes, op. 22 (1897) [3:27] Kaikhosru S. Sorabji (1892-1988)) Etude transcendante No. 13 (c.1944) [3:28] Fredrik Ullén - piano Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1856) Romanza in fa (1844) [1:31] Julian Scriabin (1908-1919) Prélude, op 2 (1918) [3:22] 2 Préludes, op 3 (1918) [1:20] Prélude (1919) [1:46] Andrea Bacchetti, piano Michail Glinka (1804-1857) Brilliant Variations (on a Donizetti theme "Anna Bolena") (1831) [9:50] Elena Kuschnerova, piano Recorded 16-23 August 2003 at Schloss vor Husum, Germany. DANACORD DACOCD 619 [74:53] [JF]

Another great CD from Danacord in this long running Husum series. An Aladdin’s cave for all lovers of romantic and post-romantic piano music. ... see Full Review

Italian Baroque Concertos Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741) Concerto for flute, strings and continuo "La Tempesta di mare" Op. 10 no. 1 Concerto for flute, strings and continuo "La Notte" Op. 10 no. 2 Francesco DURANTE (1684-1755) Keyboard Concerto No. 5 in A major; No. 4 in B flat Giovanni Battista PERGOLESI (1710-1736) Violin Concerto in B flat major Domenico SCARLATTI (1685-1757) Sinfonia in A major Leonardo LEO (1694-1744) Concerto for Cello and Orchestra in D Minor. Eberhard Zummuch, recorder Andrea Keller, violin Gerald Hambitzer, harpsichord Werner Matzke, cello Concerto Köln/Werner Erhardt Rec. Kempen Kultureforum, December 1988 (Vivaldi); January 1992 (Durante, Pergolesi, Scarlatti, Leo); May 1990 (Durante in A) CAPRICCIO SACD 71018 [63.34] [GH]

Glad to have made the acquaintance of this disc. The music is at least very interesting and at best terrific. ... see Full Review

Guitar Recital - Jérémy Jouve (guitar) Joaquín RODRIGO (1901 – 1999): Sonata Giocosa; Joaquín TURINA (1882 – 1949): Sonata; Francesco da MILANO (1497 – 1543): Ricercare I; XVI; XXXVIII; LVII; Benjamin BRITTEN (1913 – 1976): Nocturnal, op 70; Julián ARCAS (1832 – 1882): Fantasy on Themes from "La Traviata". Jérémy Jouve (guitar) Rec. 6–8 May 2004, St John Chrysostom Church, Newmarket, Ontario, Canada NAXOS 8.557597 [59:02] [GF]

Not everyday fare even for seasoned collectors, so if the programme is attractive, give it a try. The execution is beyond reproach. ... see Full Review

Kartuli Musika – Music from Georgia Sulchan NASSIDSE (1927 – 1996) Chamber Symphony No.3 (1969) [17:49] Igor LOBODA (b. 1956) Concert Ballade^a [29:39] Sulchan ZINZADSE (1925 – 1991) Miniatures [16:52] Corinne Chapelle (violin)^a; Alexander Suleiman (cello)^a; The Georgian Chamber Orchestra-Ingolstadt/Markus Poschner Recorded: Asam Kirche Maria de Victoria, Ingolstadt, October 2002 GUILD GMCD 7279 [65:02] [HC]

A very interesting release with much fine unfamiliar stuff, played with affection and commitment. Safely recommended on the strength of Nassidse and Zinzadse ... see Full Review

Gidon Kremer in the Soviet Union - Volume 1 Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Variations on Trockne Blüme - arranged Gidon KREMER Sonata in A, Erlkönig - arranged Heinrich Wilhelm ERNST (1814-1865) Francesco GEMINIANI (1687-1762) Sonata in B flat for solo violin Gidon Kremer (violin) Oleg Maisenberg (piano) Recorded in Moscow, 1973 AULOS MUSIC AMC2-036 [54.41] [JW]

Something chilly and removed about Kremer’s playing ... see Full Review

Gidon Kremer in the Soviet Union - Volume 2 Pietro LOCATELLI (1695-1764) Sonata in F minor Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Seven German Dances Fritz KREISLER (1875-1962) Rondino on a theme of Beethoven Kleiner Wiener Marsch Zdenek FIBICH (1850-1900) Poème Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Hungarian Dance No.5 Grigoras DINICU (1889-1949) Hora Staccato Nicolo PAGANINI (1782-1840) Cantabile Op.17 Caprice Op.1 No.4 Caprice Op.1 No.14 arranged SCHUMANN, Franz LISZT (1811-1886) La Lugubre Gondole Henryk WIENIAWSKI (1835-1880) Etude-Caprice Henri VIEUXTEMPS (1820-1881) Desepoir Lubos FIŠER (1935-1999) Amoroso Modest MUSSORGSKY (1839-1881) Gopak Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Mélodie Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Prelude Op.34 No.17 arranged SIGANOV, CHANDOSCHKIN Aria Rodion SCHEDRIN (b.1932) Imitating Albeniz Gidon Kremer (violin) Hermann Braun (piano) Oleg Maisenberg (piano) Recorded 1970 and 1975 AULOS MUSIC AMC2-035 [69.09] [JW]

Kremer has many admirers and they will welcome the chance to track him to his discographic lair and encounter his youthful self. ... see Full Review

Eric Kunz (1909-1995) Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Le Nozze di Figaro: Cinque, dieci, venti with Irmgard Seefried Le Nozze di Figaro: Se vuo ballare, signor contino,Non piu andrai, Tutto e disposto, Questa piccola offerta with Blanche Thebom Don Giovanni: Madamina! Il catalogo e questo Die Zauberflöte: Der Vogelfänger bin ich, Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen, Papagena! Papagena! with Elisabeth Rutgers Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg: Ein Werbelied! with Paul Schöffler Johann STRAUSS Der lustige Krieg: Nur für Natur, Eine Nacht in Venedig: Treu sein, das liegt mir nicht, Komm in die Gondel, Ach, wie so herrlich zu schaun Der Zigeunerbaron: Ja, das Schreiben und das Lesen Carl ZELLER Der Vogelhändler: Wie mein Ahnl zwanzig Jahr EYSLER Die Schützenliesl: Mutter, lieb s Mutter! FELLNER-SCHNEIDER Nußdorfer-Sternderl KRAKAUER Du guater Himmelvater PICK Fiakerlied Eric Kunz (baritone) Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Herbert von Karajan, Otto Ackermann, Karl Böhm and Rudolf Moralt
Glyndebourne Festival Orchestra/Fritz Busch Vienna Volksoper Orchestra/Anton Paulik and Faltl-Kemmeter-Schrammeln Recorded 1944-51 PREISER 90550 [79.30] [JW]

Such variety of timbre, shading, expression and nuance in Kunz’s singing that it could have lasted all evening and I would still have wanted more. ... see Full Review

Love and Honour Charles Hubert PARRY (1848-1918) I was Glad (1902, rev. 1911) A Garland for the Queen (1953) Arthur BLISS (1891-1975) Aubade Arnold BAX (1883-1953) What is it like to be young and fair Michael TIPPETT (1905-1998) Dance, Clarion Air Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) Silence and Music Lennox BERKELEY (1903-1989) Spring at this hour John IRELAND (1879-1962) The Hills Herbert HOWELLS (1892-1983) Inheritance Gerald FINZI (1901-1956) White-flowering days Alan RAWSTHORNE (1905-1971) Canzonet  Edmund RUBBRA (1901-1986) Salutation Tarik O’REGAN (b.1978) Tu Claustra Stirpe Regia (2003) Cantate Domino (2002) Patrick GOWERS (b.1936) Viri Galilai (1988) William WALTON (1902-1983) The Twelve (1956) The Choir of Queens' College Cambridge James Southall (Organ) Samuel Hayes (Director) Recorded in the Chapel of Queens’ College, Cambridge – 22-25 June 2003 GUILD GMCD 7287 [71.13] [JW]

Youthful performances offering a different perspective on this repertoire. ... 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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