The McCormack Edition.
Vol. 1. 1910 Acoustic Recordings
Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797-1868)
Lucia
di Lammermoor, Fra poco a me ricovero.
Tu che a Dio spiegasti 1'ali L'elisir
d'Amore, Una furtiva lagrima La
Fille du Régiment, Per viver
vicino a Maria Michael
BALFE (1808-1870) Killarney Georges
BIZET (1838-1870) Carmen,
Il fior che avevi a me dato Charlotte
BARNARD (1830-1869) Come back to
Erin Giacomo PUCCINI
(1858-1924) La Boheme, Che
gelida manina. O, Mimi, tu piu non torni (with
Mario Sammarco, baritone) Anne,
LADY JOHN SCOTT Annie Laurie Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901) La Traviata,
Lunge da lei... De' miei, bollenti
spiriti Georges
Charles GOUNOD (1818-1893) Faust,
Salve dimora, casta e pura MARSHALL
I Hear You Calling Me. When Shadows Gather
Léo DELIBES
(1836-1891) Lakme,
Immense vienteso ... Ah, vien al boscaglia
English Traditional
Drink to Me Only with Thine Eyes
Irish Traditional.
The Minstrel Boy The Snowy Breasted Pearl.
(arr. Robinson) My Lagan Love. (arr. Sir Hamilton
Harty) Molly Bawn (arr. MacMurrough) Has Sorrow
Thy Young Days Shaded? 
John McCormack (tenor) All tracks with
the Victor Orchestra Restoration Engineer:
Ward Marston
NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110328 [75.58] [RJF]
For
those who do not know the voice, I strongly
recommend the modest outlay and enjoy what
many have long known and can now glory in
anew. ... see Full
Review
Voices of our time:
Sylvia McNair Henri
DUPARC (1848-1933) Phidylé
(1882) [4’57]. Gabriel
FAURÉ (1845-1924) Au
bord de l’eau (1875) [2’12]. Olivier
MESSIAEN (1908-1992)Mélodies
(1930) - No. 1, Pourquoi? ([2’02].
Erik SATIE
(1866-1935) Gymnopédie No. 2
(1888) [2’34]. Maurice
RAVEL (1875-1937) Vocalise-étude
en forme de habanera (1907) [3’04]. Claude
DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Ariettes
oubliées (publ. 1903) - No. 4,
Chevaux de bois (1885) [3’11]. Manuel
de FALLA (1876-1946) Siete canciones
populares españolas (1914-15) [12’21].
John CORIGLIANO
(b. 1938) Mr Tambourine Man: Six
Poems of Bob Dylan (2000) [30’22]. Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-91) Esultate,
Jubilate, K165/K158a (1773) - Alleluia
[4’24].
Sylvia McNair (soprano); Roger Vignoles (piano).
Rec. Théâtre Musical de Paris-Châtelet
on 24 May 2000. 
TDK
MEDIACTIVE VOICES OF OUR TIME DV-VTSMN-EUR
[81’00] [CC]
Sylvia
McNair’s contribution is simply superb. Thoroughly
recommended. ... see Full
Review
Zinka Milanov (1906-1989)
Vincenzo BELLINI
(1801-1835) Norma:
Casta diva Norma: Mira, o Norma with Margaret
Harshaw Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901) Il Trovatore:
Tacea la notte placida with Margaret Roggero
Il Trovatore: D’Amour sull’ali rosee Il Trovatore:
Miserere with Jan Peerce La Forza del
Delstino: Son giunta! ... Madre, pietosa Vergine
La Forza del Destino: La Vergine degli angeli
La Forza Del Destino: Pace, pace, mio Dio!
Aida: Ritorna vincitor! Aida: Ritorna vincitor!
Aida: Qui Radames vera... O patria mia Amilcare
PONCHIELLI (1834-1886) La Gioconda:
Suicidio! Pietro
MASCAGNI (1863-1945) Cavalleria
rusticana: Voi lo sapete, o Mamma
Zinka Milanov (soprano) with RCA Victor Orchestra/Frieder
Weissmann; Renato Cellini Recorded 1945-53
PREISER 89593 [71.59] [JW]
Catches
Milanov in her prime between 1945 and 1953
... see Full Review
Guitar recital: Anabel
Montesinos Dionysio
AGUADO (1784-1849) Introduction
and Rondo, Op. 2 No. 3 Napoleon
COSTE (1805-1883) Serenade and
Scherzo, Op. 23 Julian
ARCAS (1832-1882) Andante Giulio
REGONDI (1823-1872) Introduction
and Caprice, Op. 23 Johann
Kaspar MERTZ (1806-1856) Hungarian
Fantasy Francisco
TARREGA (1852-1909) Capricho Arabe,
Preludes II, IX, X Miguel
LLOBET (1878-1938) Scherzo-Vals,
Variations on a theme by Sor
Anabel Montesinos (guitar) Rec. 2004 Laureate
Series - Guitar Recital
NAXOS 8.557294 [62.15] [ZT]
Anabel
Montesinos is a gifted guitarist, a fine musician,
possessing qualities, which set her apart
in a very crowded field. ... see Full
Review
Michael
Murray Plays the Great Organ at the Cathedral
of St. John the Divine John
DUNSTABLE (1370-1453) Agincourt
Hymn (attrib.) [1:50] Antonio
SOLER (1729-1783) The Emperor’s
Fanfare for keyboard in D major (arr. E. Power
Biggs) [3:22] Benedetto
MARCELLO (1686-1739) Psalm 19 "The
Heaven’s Declare the Glory of God" [2:44]
Henry PURCELL
(1659-1695) Trumpet Tune for harpsichord
in C major ("Cibell") ZT678 [3:30]
Charles-Marie WIDOR
(1844-1937) Organ Symphony No. 6 in G
minor op. 42 no. 2: V "Finale – Vivace"
(1878) [8:38] Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Prelude
and Fugue in E minor BWV 533 "Cathedral"
[6:26] Louis VIERNE
(1870-1937) 24 Pièces en style
libre for organ op. 31 (1913): Meditation
[3:53] and Prelude [3:07] César
FRANCK (1822-1890)
Chorale for organ No. 2 in B minor M39 (1890)
[13:37] Marcel DUPRE
(1886-1971)
Cortège et litanie for organ Op. 19
No. 2 (1921) [6:45] Seven Pieces for organ
Op. 27 No. 7 "Final" (1933) [5:00]
Rec. Aeolian-Skinner organ, Cathedral of St.
John the Divine, New York City, 27-28 July
1987. DDD TELARC
CD-80169 [59:55] [GS]
A
breathless, fun loving spirit ... see Full
Review
Music for
Oboe and Strings Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-91)
Oboe Quartet in F major, K370 Bernhard
Henrik CRUSELL (1775-1838) Divertimento
in C major, Op 9 Johann
Christian BACH (1735-82) Oboe Quartet
in B flat major, B60 Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-91) Oboe Quintet
in C minor, K406 (K388)
Max Artved (oboe), Elise Båtnes (violin),
Tue Lautrup (violin, viola), Dimitri Golovanov
(viola), Lars Holm Johansen (cello) recorded
at the Danish Radio Concert Hall, Copenhagen,
11-14 January 2002
NAXOS 8.557361 [56'52"]
Top-drawer
oboe-playing, deserving of the most lavish
praise! Unsurprisingly the sound is outstanding.
Go buy yet another Naxos! ... see Full
Review
Giulio
Neri (1909-1958) Giacomo
ROSSINI (1792 - 1868) Der
Barbier von Sevilla (Il Barbiere di Siviglia):
La calunnia Guiseppe
VERDI (1813-1901) Rigoletto: Quel
vecchio maledivami (Der alte Mann verfluchte
mich) with Giuseppe Taddei Simone Boccanegra:
A te l´estremo addio (Leb wohl auf ewig, Palast
der Väter) Don Carlos (Don Carlo): Son
io dianzi al re with Nicola Rossi Lemeni
Aida: Mortal, diletto ai Numi with Mario
Filippeschi Aida: Vieni d´Iside al tempio
with Giulietta Simionato Amilcare
PONCHIELLI (1834-1886) La Gioconda:
Si, morir ella de´ La Gioconda: Bella così,
Madonna with Fedora Barbieri Giacomo
PUCCINI (1858-1924) La Bohème:
Vecchia zimarra (Höre, du alter Mantel)
Arrigo BOITO
(1842-1918)
Mefistofele: Ave, Signor degli angeli Mefistofele:
Olà, chi urla? With Gianni Poggi
Mefistofele: Son lo spirito che nega (Ich,
der Geist, der stets verneinet) With Gianni
Poggi Mefistofele: Se tu mi doni unora
di riposo With Gianni Poggi Mefistofele:
La notte del Sabba With Gianni Poggi
Mefistofele: Ecco il mondo With Gianni
Poggi
Giulio Neri (bass) with Orchestra Sinfonica
di Torino della Radio Italiana/Arturo Basile,
Angelo Questa and Antonio Votto Orchestra
Sinfonica di Roma della Radio Italiana/Fernando
Previtali, Vittorio Gui Orchestra and Chorus
of the Opera di Milano/Franco Capuana Recorded
1951-53
PREISER 89580 [78.26] [JW]
Makes
a good case for his place in the hierarchy
of mid-century Italian basses. ... see Full
Review
Nettle and Markham
in France Darius
MILHAUD (1892-1974) Scaramouche,
Op.165b Gabriel FAURÉ
(1845-1924) Berceuse (from "Dolly
Suite") Erik
SATIE (1866-1925) Gymnopédie
No.1 Cécile
CHAMINADE (1857-1944) Le Matin
Jacques IBERT
(1890-1962) Le petit âne blanc (from
"Histoires) Georges
BIZET (1818-1875) Marche: Trompette
et Tambour (from "Jeux d’enfants")
Berceuse: La Poupée (from "Jeux
d’enfants") Impromptu: La Toupie from
("Jeux d’enfants") Galop: Le Bal
(from "Jeux d’enfants") Francis
POULENC (1899-1963) Elégie
L’Embarquement pour Cythère Claude
DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Prélude
(from "L’Enfant Prodigue") Cortège
et Air de danse (from "L’Enfant Prodigue")
Reynaldo HAHN
(1875-1947) Pour bercer un convalescent
No.2 Maurice RAVEL
(1875-1937) Laideronnette, Impératrice
des Pagodes (from "Ma Mère l’Oye")
Désiré-Emile
INGHELBRECHT (1880-1965) Sur le
pont d’Avignon (from "La Nursery",
vol.3) Camille SAINT-SAËNS
(1835-1921) Fossiles (from "Carnaval
des Animaux") Le Cygne (from "Carnaval
des Animaux") Franck
BARCELLINI (b.1920) Souvenirs de
"Mon Oncle" Jean
FRANÇAIX (1912-1997) Baiao
Erik SATIE
(1866-1925) Grande Ritournelle Cancan
‘Grand Mondain’ Joseph
CANTELOUBE (1879-1957) L’Aïo
de Rotso (from "chants d’Auvergne")
Bailèro (from "chants d’Auvergne")
Malorous qu’o uno fenno (from "chants
d’Auvergne") Obal, din lou Limouzi (from
"chants d’Auvergne")
David Nettle and Richard Markham (pianos)
rec. 7-9 June 1993, St. George’s, Brandon
Hill, Bristol, England. DDD
NEMA NEMACD300 [75'23] [RNB]
Another
winner from this splendid team! ... see Full
Review
The
'Borderless' RECORDING OF THE MONTH
Nostalgica
Juan
MARTÍN (b. 1943): Rumba
Nostálgica; Astor
PIAZZOLLA 1921 – 1992): Romance
del Diablo; Roland
DYENS (b. 1955): Tango en Skai;
Béla BARTÓK
(1881 – 1945): Romanian Folk Dances; Bill
WHELAN (b. 1950): Riverdance (from
Riverdance The Show); CELTIC
TRADITIONAL: She Moved Through
the Fair; Bill WHELAN:
American Wake (from Riverdance The Show);
CELTIC TRADITIONAL:
The Salley Gardens; Nigel
WESTLAKE (b. 1958): Six Fish; DEEP
PURPLE: Highway Star.
Saffire – The Australian Guitar Quartet (Antony
Field, Slava Grigoryan, Karin Schaupp, Gareth
Koch). Recorded 4–16 June 2004, Jumpstart
Studios, Brisbane, Australia.
ABC CLASSICS 476 261-1 [54:39] [GF]
Let
me say from the outset that this is a fantastic
disc! ... see Full
Review
FOR
THE CURIOUS Nowhere
left to go: Music for mandolin and guitar
Claude
ENGEL (b. 1948) Minstrels; Sonate;
Danse Bulgare; Thomas
SCHMIDT-KOWALSKI (b. 1949) Variationen
über ein eigenes Thema op 92; Jürgen
MEYER-METZENTHIN (b. 1955) Sphinx;
Chris RUPERT
(b. 1965) Nowhere left to go; Jeffrey
HARRINGTON (b. 1955) Erg; Ivan
SHEKOV (b. 1942) Suite Mediteran
op 77 La Calle de Gibraltar – Provence – The
Castle of Malta – Sicilia
Daniel Ahlert (mandolin), Birgit Schwab
(guitar) Recorded October, 2003 at Forum der
Erich-Göpfert Stadthalle Unna.
ANTES EDITION BM 31.9195 [58:18] [GF]
One
of the most fascinating listening experiences
for a long time! ... see Full
Review
David Oistrakh
plays Devil’s Violin Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Violin
Sonata Op.12 No.1 Rondo-Allegro only* Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Violin Sonatina
D574 – Andantino only* Béla
BARTÓK (1881-1945) Romanian
Folk Dances Sergei
RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Vocalise
(arranged violin and piano) Fritz
KREISLER (1875-1962) La Gitana
Henryk WIENIAWSKI
(1835-1880) Etude Caprice Op.18 No.5 Enrique
GRANADOS (1867-1916) Spanish Dance
Op.37 No.5 Andaluza Robert
SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Widmung –
Myrthen Op.25 Tomaso
VITALI (1663-1745) Chaconne arranged
Charlier Giuseppe
TARTINI (1692-1770) Violin sonata
in G minor Op.1 No.6 Devil’s Trill Christoph
Willibald von GLUCK (1714-1787) Melodie
from Orfeo
David Oistrakh (violin) Sviatoslav Richter
(piano) * Vladimir Yampolsky (piano) Recorded
1947-72
AULOS MUSIC AMC2 048 [62.50] [JW]
Pure
pleasure ... see Full
Review
Adelina Patti Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Le
Nozze di Figaro – Voi che sapete;Don Giovanni
– Batti, batti O bel Masetto Antonio
LOTTI (1667 - 1740) Arminio – Pur
dicesti Stephen FOSTER
(1826-1864) Old folks at home Charles
GOUNOD (1818-1893) Faust – Ah!
Je ris de me voir…O Dieu que de bijoux ARDITTI
Il Bacio Frederick
CROUCH (1808-1896) Kathleen Mavourneen
– two versions Friedrich
von FLOTOW (1812-1883) Martha–
’Tis the last rose of summer arr. Moore –
two versions Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) –
Charles GOUNOD (1818-1893) Ave
Maria with Marianne Eissler (violin) Paolo
TOSTI (1846-1916) La Serenata –
two versions ANONYMOUS
Robin Adair; Comin’ thro’ the rye;
On the banks of Allan Water arranged Horn
Henry BISHOP
(1786-1855) Clari or The Maid of Milan
– Home, sweet home – twp versions Baroness
Willy de ROTHSCHILD Si vous n’avez
rien à me dire Adelina
PATTI On Parting HOOK
Within a mile of Edinboro’ town
Vincenzo BELLINI
(1801-1835) Norma – Casta diva! La Sonnambula
– Ah, non credea mirarti Ambroise
THOMAS (1811-1896) Mignon – Connais-tu
le pays? YRADIER
La Calesera
Adelina Patti (soprano) Landon Ronald (piano)
Alfredo Barili (piano) Recorded 1905-06
SYMPOSIUM CD 1324 [JW]
A
number of these copies have come from illustrious
collectors’ shelves. An important disc. ...
see Full Review
The People’s Mass:
Malcolm
LINDSAY (b. 1959) Kyrie and
Gloria - Days of Thunder Christine
MCCOMBE (b. 1967) The Scottish
Stone Tommy
FOWLER (b. 1948) Credo and
God is John
GORMLEY (b. 1975) In praise
of Saints and Sanctus Anthea
HADDOW (b. 1969) Benedictus,
La Muerta and Black over
Red Epilogue Rebecca
ROWE (b. 1970) Prayer and
Agnus dei
The Dunedin Consort/Ben Parry Recorded at
Crichton Collegiate Church, Pathhead, Scotland,
April 2003
DELPHIAN DCD 34018 [64:33] [GH]
At
times very challenging music which they bring
off, not just competently, but with a strong
passion and understanding. ... see Full
Review
Ivan PETROV (b.1920)
Giuseppe VERDI
(1813-1901) I
Lombardi alla prima crociata: E anchor silenzio;
Nabucco: Tu sul labbro dei veggenti - Zaccaria´s
Invocation Pyotr
Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Mazeppa:
The three Treasures - Kochubey´s Aria Nicolai
RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844-1908) The
Legend of the Invisible City of Kitezh and
Maiden Fevronia: Oh vain illusion of glory
Amilcare PONCHIELLI
(1834-1886) La Gioconda: Si,moror ella
de! - The Alvise´s Aria (Sung in Russian)
Léo DELIBES
(1836-1891) Lakmé: Lakmé!
ton doux regard - Nilankantha´s Aria (Sung
in Russian) DARGOMIJSKY
Rusalka: You young girls are all
alike - The Miller’s Aria Charles
GOUNOD (1818-1893) Faust: Le veau
d´or - Mephistopheles´ Serenade; Faust: Vous
qui faites l’endormi - Mephistopheles´ Serenade
Alexander BORODIN
(1833-1887) Prince Igor: Are you
well, Prince? - Khan Konchak´s Aria Sergei
RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Aleko:The
moon is high in the sky - Aleko´s Aria; Francesca
da Rimini: There is no means to fight jealousy´s
blazing flames - Lanceotto´s Monologue SEROV
Power of Evil: Merry Shrovetide
- Yeryomka´s Song Mikhail
GLINKA (1804-1857) Ruslan and Ludmilla:
O say, ye fields! - Ruslan´s Aria
Ivan Petrov (bass) with Orchestra of
the Bolshoi Theatre/Kiril Kondrashin, Mark
Ermler, Boris Khaikin, Michail Shukov, Vassili
Nebolsin, Vladimir Fedoseyev USSR Radio Orchestra/Samuel
Samosud, Nicolai Golovanov and Vassili Nebolsin
Undated [c.1948-53?]
PREISER 89588 [74.45] [JW]
Effulgent,
romantic, imprecise, draining and irresistible.
... see Full Review
The Playful Pachyderm
- Classic miniatures for
bassoon and orchestra Johann
Wilhelm GANGLBERGER (1876-1938) Mein
Teddybär – polka [5:06] Sir
Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Romance
op.62 [5:29] Jean
Baptiste SENAILLÉ (c.1688-1730)
Allegro Spiritoso – arranged and orchestrated
by Laurence Perkins [2:55] Traditional
Swedish folk melody ‘Gånglåt
fra Äppelbo’ - arranged and orchestrated
by Laurence Perkins [3:30] ‘Mist-covered Mountains’
- arranged and orchestrated by Laurence Perkins,
with Catriona McKay, clairsach Gabriel
FAURÉ (1845-1924) Pièce
- arranged and orchestrated by Laurence Perkins
[3:28] Gilbert VINTER
(1909-1969) The Playful Pachyderm – orchestrated
by Laurence Perkins [6:33] Ralph
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) Four
Studies in English Folk-Song – orchestrated
by Robert Stanton [5:10] Traditional
Northumbrian folk melody Bonny
at Morn - arranged and orchestrated by Laurence
Perkins [4:03] Fred
GODFREY (1837-1882) Lucy Long –
edited by Laurence Perkins [4:03] Charles-François
GOUNOD (1818-1893) Funeral March
of a Marionette - arranged and orchestrated
by Laurence Perkins [4:40] Julius
FUČIK (1872-1916) Der Alte
Brummbär - arranged and orchestrated
by Laurence Perkins [4:37] Maurice
RAVEL (1875-1937) Pièce
en forme de habañera – orchestrated
by Arthur Hoërée [3:11] James
Ord HUME (1864-1932) The Carnival
- arranged and orchestrated by Laurence Perkins
[5:42] J. Quentyn
ASHLYN (fl. 1900) The Bassoon -
arranged and orchestrated by Laurence Perkins,
with Richard Suart, baritone [3:28]
Laurence Perkins (bassoon) New London
Symphony Orchestra/Ronald Corp
Recorded in St. Jude-on-the-hill, Hampstead
Garden Suburb, London, 3-4 July 2003
HYPERION CDA67453 [68:43] [GPJ]
I
admire Perkins’ playing very much; it is expressive
and highly polished. A most entertaining and
engaging collection. ... see Full
Review
Lucia Popp – Operatic Arias
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Die
Zauberflöte – Ach, ich fühl’s (Pamina
– Act II) Le Nozze di Figaro – E Susanna non
vien…Dove sono (Contessa - Act III) Carl
Maria von WEBER (1786-1826) Die
Freischütz – Wie nahte mir der Schlummer
(Agatha – Act II) Hermann
GOETZ (1840-1876) Der Widerspenstigen
Zähmung – Die Kraft versagt (Katharina
- Act IV) Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901) Rigoletto – Caro
nome (Gilda – Act II) Giacomo
PUCCINI (1858-1924) Gianni Schicchi
– O mio babbino caro (Lauretta) Jules
MASSENET (1842-1912) Manon – Allons!
(Manon – Act II) Gustave
CHARPENTIER (1860-1956) Louise
– Depuis le jour (Louise – Act III) Bedrich
SMETANA (1824-1884) The Bartered
Bride – Oh! Jàky zal! (Maria – Act
III) Rusalka – O Silver Moon (Mesícku
nanebi hlubokém) (Act II)
Lucia Popp (soprano) Münchner Rundfunkorchester/Kurt
Eichhorn Recorded in Munich, 1982
ARTS 47517-2 [55.22] [JW]
Very
much a tribute to Popp ... most assuredly
for her many admirers and they will find all
her many virtues here, undimmed and untainted
by time. ... see Full Review
Maud Powell (1867-1920)
The Complete 1904-1917 Recordings - Volume
4 Luigi BOCCHERINI (1743-1805)
Quintet
in E major – Tempo di Menuetto arranged Powell
Christoph Willibald
von GLUCK (1714-1787) Orphée
ed Eurydice – mélodie arranged Powell
[2 versions] Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Divertimento
in D major; Minuet Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Ave Maria
Felix MENDELSSOHN
(1809-1847) Violin Concerto in E minor
Op 64; Finale Jules
MASSENET (1842-1912) Thais – Meditation
Henri VIEUXTEMPS
(1820-1881) Bouquet americain –
St Patrick’s Day Henryk
WIENIAWSKI (1835-1880) Violin Concerto
No.2 in D minor – Romance Capriccio Valse
Francois SCHUBERT
The Bee Fryderyk
CHOPIN (1810-1849) Minute Waltz
arranged Powell Emile
SAURET (1852-1920) Farfalla (Will-o’-the-wisp)
Rene de BOISDEFFRE
(1834-1906) Au bord d’un ruisseau Op 52
(At the brook) NERUDA
(1843-1915) Slavonic Cradle Song
Op 11 [2 versions] Franz
DRDLA (1868-1944) Souvenir [2 versions]
BOROWSKI Adoration
[previously unpublished] Pablo
de SARASATE (1844-1908) Zigeunerweisen
Maud Powell (violin) George Falkenstein and
Arthur Loesser (pianos) Francis Lapitino (harp)
Howard Rattay (violin) Fruncillo (viola) Rosario
Bourdon (cello) Other unknown accompanists
Recorded 1904-1916
NAXOS 8.110993 [65.29] [JW]
A
major undertaking - Powell’s complete, issued
output now available in four budget priced
CDs ... see Full Review
Vadim
Repin Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY
(1840-1893) Violin
Concerto Op.35 Jean SIBELIUS
(1865-1957) Violin
Concerto Op.47 (1903) London Symphony Orchestra/Emmanuel Krivine Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART
(1756-1791) Violin
Concerto No.2 in D major K211 Violin Concerto
No.3 in G major K216 Violin Concerto No.5
in A major K219 Wiener Kammerorchester/Yehudi
Menuhin Sergei PROKOFIEV
(1891-1953) Violin
Sonata No.1 Op.80 (1946) Violin Sonata No.2
Op.94bis (1943) Five
Melodies Op.35bis (1920 transcribed violin
and piano) Boris
Berezovsky (piano) Sonata for Two Violins
in C major Op.56 (1932) Anton Barachovsky
(violin I) Claude DEBUSSY
(1862-1918) Violin
Sonata in G minor (1917) Boris Berezovsky
(piano) Maurice RAVEL
(1875-1937) Violin
Sonata (1917) – Blues only Boris Berezovsky (piano) Franz SCHUBERT
(1797-1828) Grand
Duo in A major D574 (1817) Ralf Gothoni (piano)
Grigoras DINICU
(1889-1949) arranged Roby LAKATOS (b.1965)
Hora di Mars
Roby Lakatos Ensemble Vadim Repin (violin)
with accompanists as noted Recorded 1994-99
WARNER
CLASSICS 2564 61756-2
[4 CDs: 76.22 + 75.37 + 62.33 + 57.00][JW]
I
can certainly recommend this conspectus. Maturity
and sensitivity in equal measure. ... see
Full Review
Tilman
Riemenschneider (c.1460-1531) - The Music of His Time ANONYMOUS
Mein Herz in Freuden sich erquicket; Basse Danse ‘La Magdalena’;
Tourdion; Basse Danse ‘La gatta’; Zenner, greiner, wie gefelt dir das?;
Groß Sehnen ich im Herzen trag; Ich tät mir auserwählen;
Der gestreifft Dantz – Gassenhaur; Se hyn mein hercz; Ich spring an
diesem ringe; Wir zogen in das Feld; Es solt ein man kein mole farn;
Der wallt hat sich entlaubet; Ich sachs eins mals; Elselein; Der Vöglein
Art; Katzenpfote; Alle furf; Canto dei lanzi allegri; Es wolt ein Jäger
jagen; Alma redemptoris mater Jean MOUTON
(before 1459-1522) Jamais Heinrich FINCK
(1444/5-1527) Greiner, zanner Paul HOFHAIMER
(1459-1537) Greyner, zanner, eifrer Johann
WALTER (1496-1570) Aus tiefer Not Thomas
STOLTZER (c. 1480-1526) Ich klag den Tag; Entlaubet ist der
Walde Heinrich ISAAC (c. 1450-1517)
Innsbruc, ich muß dich lassen Erasmus
LAPICIDA (c. 1440-1547) Tanderlanken Jacob
OBRECHT (c. 1457/8 – 1505) Rompeltier (Rumfeltiere, Rumfeldare);
Missa Caput: Kyrie Johannes OCKEGHEM
(c. 1410-1497) Alma redemptoris mater; Venit ad Petrum
Il Curioso: Melanie Bogisch – recorder, flute, crumhorn, bombarde, rauschpfeife;
Johanna Klinger – recorder, flute, crumhorn, bombarde, percussion; Nadine
Merzbacher – recorder, crumhorn, shawm, percussion; Bernhard Böhm
– recorder, flute, crumhorn, rauschpfeife, shawm; Martin Hummel - baritone;
Bernhard Böhm, Director Hedos Ensemble: Harmut Hein – baritone;
Bernhard Böhm – recorder, transverse flutes, bagpipe, rauschpfeife;
Jürgen Hübscher – renaissance lutes, vihuela, percussion (spoons);
Michael Spengler – viola da gamba. Rec. Hedos Ensemble recorded by CPO;
Oxford Camerata/Jeremy Summerly from Naxos 8.554297; Il Curioso, Studio
Franken, Germany. September 2002. DDD
NAXOS 8.558145 [74:54] [GH]
As
fine an introduction to the world of German
Renaissance music as I know. Everyone associated
with its creation should be warmly applauded.
... see Full
Review
Romantic Music
for Cello Felix
MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Song
without Words, Op. 109 (1845?) [4.29] Antonín
DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) Rondo,
Op. 94 (1891) [7:40] Gabriel
FAURÉ (1845-1924) Elégie,
Op. 24 (1880) [6:59] Sicilienne, Op.
78 (1893) [3:36] Fryderyk
CHOPIN (1810-1849) Introduction
and Polonaise Brillante in C, Op. 3 (1829/30)
[9:03] Robert SCHUMANN
(1810-1856) Phantasiestücke,
Op. 73 (1849) [11:42] Camille
SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) Le
carnaval des animaux: The Swan (1886)
[2:42] David POPPER
(1843-1913) Hungarian Rhapsody,
Op. 68 [8:13]
Benjamin Shapira (cello) Shulamith Shapira
(piano) rec. The Classical Studio, August
2003
IRC 202 USA [54.50] [SV]
A
bare-bones presentation does this unhackneyed
program a disservice ... see Full
Review
Silent
Noon Roger
QUILTER (1877-1953) Three Shakespeare
Songs: Come away, Death [2.46] O Mistress
mine [1.35] Blow,blow, thou Winter
Wind [2.29] Ivor
GURNEY (1890-1937) Sleep [3.13]
Frederick KEEL
(1871-1954) Three Salt-water Ballads:
I. Port of many Ships [2.16] II. Trade
Winds [2.13] III. Mother Carey
[1.41] Dilys ELWYN-EDWARDS
(*1918) The Cloths of Heaven [2.32]
Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS
(1872-1958) Silent Noon [3.35]
Linden Lea [2.21] Roger
QUILTER Now sleeps the Crimson
Petal [2.15] Weep you no more [2.28]
Go, lovely Rose [2.51] Arthur
SOMERVELL (1863-1937) A Shropshire
Lad: I. Loveliest of Trees the Cherry now
[1.56] II. When I was one-and-twenty
[1.16] III. There pass the careless
People [1.37] IV. In Summertime on
Bredon [3.24] V. The Street sounds
to the Soldiers’ tread [2.12] VI. On
the idle hill of Summer [2.37] VII.
White in the moon the long road lies [3.03]
VIII. Think no more, Lad; laugh, be jolly
[1.49] IX. Into my Heart an Air that
kills [1.54] X. The Lads in their hundreds
[2.42] Michael
HEAD (1900-1976) Money, O! [2.14]
The Lord’s Prayer [2.15] Benjamin
BRITTEN (1913-1976) Folksong
Arrangements: The Sally Gardens [2.15]
Oliver Cromwell [0.46] The foggy,
foggy Dew [2.32] Peter
WARLOCK (1894-1930) Captain
Stratton’s Fancy [1.57] Charles
Hubert Hastings PARRY (1848-1918) Love
is a Bable [1.43] Thomas
Frederick DUNHILL (1877-1946) The
Cloths of Heaven [2.13] Carel
DROFNATZKI (Charles
Villiers STANFORD, 1852-1924) The
Aquiline Snub [2.05] The Compleat Virtuoso
[1.23]
Bryn Terfel (bass-baritone), Malcolm Martineau
(piano) Recorded at the Henry Wood Hall, London
in July 2003 and July 2004. DDD
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 00289 474 2192 [74.23]
[MC]
It
is a privilege to hear such a glorious voice
in this wonderful repertoire. I look forward
to another volume in the future. A quite superb
release. ... see Full
Review
Paul Schöffler
(1897-1977) Richard
WAGNER (1813-1883) Die
Walküre: Leb´ wohl, du kühnes, herrliches
Kind Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg:
Gut´n Abend, Meister with Maria Reining+
Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg: Wahn,
Wahn, überall Wahn Die Meistersinger
von Nürnberg: Was duftet doch der Flieder+
Johannes BRAHMS
(1833-1897) Lieder op. 43: Nr. 2 Die Mainacht*
Lieder op. 32: Nr. 9 Wie bist du, meine Königin*
Lieder op. 86: Nr. 2 Feldeinsamkeit* Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Die
Zauberflöte: O Isis und Osiris Die Zauberflöte:
In diesen heil´gen Hallen Le nozze di Figaro:
Se vuol ballare# Don Giovanni: Deh vieni alla
finestra# Robert
SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Liederkreis
op. 39: Nr. 5 Mondnacht* Guiseppe
VERDI (1813-1901) Othello (Otello):
Credo in un Dio crudele Othello (Otello):
Era la notte
Paul Schöffler (bass baritone) with
The National Symphony Orchestra/Clemens Krauss
#; Karl Rankl LSO, LPO/Karl Rankl Tonhalle-Orchester
Zurich/Hans Knappertsbusch+ Ernest Lush (piano)
* Recorded 1946-49
PREISER 89590 [74.23] [JW]
Attention
to specifics of enunciation laudable ... the
voice intrinsically splendid ... see Full
Review
RECOMMENDED
Song
of the Birds -
English Music for Cello and Orchestra Herbert
MURRILL (1909-1952) Cello
Concerto No. 2 The Song of the Birds
(1951) [15:41] George
DYSON (1883-1964) Prelude, Fantasy
and Chaconne for cello and orchestra (1936)
[23:27] Edmund RUBBRA
(1901-1986) Soliloquy for cello
and orchestra (1943-44) [13:48] Haydn
WOOD (1882-1959) Philharmonic
Variations for cello and orchestra (1939)
[16:36]
Raphael Wallfisch (cello) BBC Concert
Orchestra/Vernon Handley Rec. BBC Studio 1,
Maida Vale, London, 19-20 May 2003. DDD
SANCTUARY CLASSICS WHITE LINE CD WHL 2153
[67:34] [JW]
Listen
to this alongside Cello Classics’ British
Cellists’ disc and you’ll get a strong picture
of healthy cellistic life in composition and
execution. ... see Full
Review
Gladys Swarthout
(1904-1969) Charles
GOUNOD (1818-1893) Margarethe
(Faust): Faites-lui mes aveux Roméo
et Juliette: Que fais-tu Ambroise
THOMAS (1811-1896)
Mignon: Connais-tu le pays? Mignon: Je connais
un pauvre enfant Pyotr
Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Pique
Dame: Paulines Romanze Georges
BIZET (1838-1875) Carmen: L' amour
est un oiseau rebelle Carmen: Pres des ramparts
with Ramon Vinay Carmen: Les tringles
des sistres tintaient with Thelma Votipka
and Lucielle Browning Carmen: Melons,
Coupons...En vain pour eviter with Thelma
Votipka and Lucielle Browning Carmen:
C'est toi...C'est moi with Ramon Vinay
Jacques OFFENBACH
(1819-1880) La Périchole: Je t'adore
Jules MASSENET
(1842-1912) Werther: Qui m'aurait Camille
SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) Samson
und Dalila; Printemps qui commence Samson
und Dalila: Amour, viens aider ma faiblesse
Samson und Dalila: Mon coeur s'ouvre a ta
vois Joseph CANTELOUBE
(1897-1957) Chants d'Auvergne: Nr. 2 Baïlèro
Gladys Swarthout (mezzo soprano) with
RCA Victor Orchestra/Wilfred Pelletier (first
four items) RCA Victor Orchestra/Alexander
Smallens, Erich Leinsdorf and Jean Paul Morel
(remainder) Recorded 1942-1951
PREISER 89561 [75.57] [JW]
The
selection has been well made and the copies used are in good, clear
condition. ... see Full Review
Take
Wing Daniel DORFF (b.1956)
Sonatine de Giverny * Allen KRANTZ (b.1951) Song
of Spring with little Variations and Fantasies (2002)+
Willard S. ELLIOT (1926-2000)
Fantasy (1952)* David LOEB (b.1939) Preludes
for solo piccolo Vol.4 (2000) Michael DAUGHERTY (b.1954)
The High and the Mighty (2000)* Vincent PERSICHETTI (1915-1987)
Parable for Solo Piccolo Op.125 Stephen MAGER (b.1956) The
Saltarello (The Falcon) – from Illuminations (2002)#
Howard J BUSS (b.1951) Night
Flight*^
Lois Bliss Herbine (piccolo) with Charles Abramovic (piano) * Allison
Herz (clarinet)^ Sophie Bruno (harp)#
Allen Krantz (guitar)+ Recorded at Lang
Concert Hall, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore,
PA, 2000-2002
CRYSTAL RECORDS CD 713 [59.11][JW]
Performances
are fluent and attractive and the recorded sound is good ... see Full
Review
Blanche
Thebom Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Don
Carloa (1867) - Nei giardin del ballo Saracin [3’30];
O don fatale [4’43]. Amilcare PONCHIELLI
(1834-86) La Gioconda (1876) - Voce di donnab
[4’51]. Richard WAGNER (1813-83)
Tristan und Isolde (1865) - Einsam wachendc
[3’54]. Das Rheingold (1869) - Weiche, Wotan, weiched
[4’37]. Die Walküre (1870) - So ist es denn aus mit
den ewigen Götternc [5’22]. Götterdämmerung
(1876) - Höre mit Sinne [9’07]. Camille
SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) Samson et Dalilaf
(1877) - Printemps qui commence [4’55]; Mon coeur s’ouvre
à ta voix [5’00]. Gustav MAHLER
(1860-1911) Lieder eines fahrenden Geselleng (1885)
[15’17]. Hugo WOLF (1860-1903) Auf
einer Wanderung (1878)h [3’10]. Eichendorff Lieder
(1880-88) - Verschwiegene Liebeh [2’20]. Verschling
der Abgrundh [1’23]. Um Mitternacht [3’35]. Möricke
Lieder (1888) - Schlafendes Jesukindh [3’24];
Elfenliedh [1’46]. Spanisches Liederbuch (1891)
- Auf den grünen Balkonh [2’19].
Blanche Thebom (mezzo);afLondon Symphony Orchestra/Warwick
Braithwaite; bcdeRCA Victor Orchestra/Frieder Weissmann;
gorchestra/Sir Adrian Boult; From HMV aDB21494,
fDB21263, gDB9576, RCA Victor b11-9795,
c11-8928, d11-9795, e11-9296, Rec.
afg1950, bcde1945, h1948. mono
PREISER LEBENDIGE VERGANGENHEIT
89559 [79’13] [CC]
Well
worth acquiring, then. As I said, they just
don’t make ‘em like this any more. ... see
Full Review
Lawrence Tibbett
(1896-1960) Giacomo
ROSSINI (1792 - 1868) Il
Barbiere di Siviglia: Largo al factotum Guiseppe
VERDI (1813-1901) Un ballo in maschera:
Eri tu che macchiavi Simone Boccanegra: Dinne...alcun
là non vedesti? Simone Boccanegra:
Plebe! Patrizii! Popolo Othello (Otello):
Inaffia l´ugola! trinca, tracana Othello (Otello):
Vanne...Credo in un Dio crudel Othello (Otello):
E qual certezza sognate...Era la notte Othello
(Otello): Oh, mostruosa colpa!...Si, pel ciel
Richard WAGNER
(1813-1883) Tannhäuser: Wie Todesahnung
Dämm’rung Charles
GOUNOD (1818-1893) Margarethe (Faust):
Avant de quitter ces lieux Georges
BIZET (1838 - 1875) Carmen: Votre
toast je peux vous le render Ruggero
LEONCAVALLO (1858-1919) I Pagliacci:
Si può? Giacomo
PUCCINI (1858-1924) Tosca: Tre
sbirri, una carrozza Deems
TAYLOR The King’s Henchman: Oh,
Caesar, great wert thou!
The King’s Henchman: Nay, Maccus, lay him
down Louis GRUENBERG
(1884-1964) Emperor Jones: Standin` in
the need of prayer Howard
HANSON (1896-1981) Merry Mount;
Oh ‘tis an Earth Defiled
Lawrence Tibbett (baritone) Orchestra/Nathaniel
Shilkret and Rosario Bourdon Metropolitan
Opera House Orchestra/Giulio Setti and Wilfred
Pelletier Recorded 1926-39
PREISER 89576 [77.32] [JW]
The
singing is powerful, sensitive and illuminated
by lightening application of senza vibrato
... see Full
Review
Jennie Tourel
(1900-1973) Jacques
OFFENBACH (1819-1880) Les contes
d’Hoffmann: Belle nuit, oh nuit d’Amour; La
Périchole: Ah, quel diner je viens
de faire; La Périchole: Je t’adore;
La Périchole: Ah, que les hommes sont
bêtes; La vie parisienne ;La Périchole:
O mon cher amant, je te jure Georges
BIZET (1838-1875) Carmen: Les tringles
des sistres tintaient; Carmen: En vain pour
eviter; Carmen: Pres des ramparts; Carmen:
L’amour est un oiseau rebelle Vincenzo
BELLINI (1801-1835) Norma: Sgombro
e la sacra selva
Gioacchino ROSSINI (1792 – 1868) La
Cenerentola: Nacqui all´affanno; L’Italiana
in Algeri: Cruda sorte; Semiramide: Bel raggio
lusinghier; Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Una voce
poco fa
Jennie Tourel (soprano) Orchestra of the Metropolitan
Opera Association/Pietro Cimara and Fausto
Cleva Columbia Symphony Orchestra/Maurice
Abravanel and Jean Morel Recorded 1946-52
PREISER 89589 [78.22] [JW]
A
floated lightness of production and a wonderfully
equalized scale. Not incendiary but then Tourel
wasn’t that kind of inflammatory artist. ...
see Full Review
The Universe
of Sound – Classic Spectacular see
review for details 
CAPRICCIO
SACD 71 023 [62.37] [JW]
As
a promotional tool it does very nicely and
in SACD format as well ... see Full
Review
Variations – Felicja Blumenthal (piano)
Carl
CZERNY (1791-1857) Variations
on a theme by (F.J.) Haydn for piano and orchestra
Op 73* [27:12] Vienna Chamber Orchestra/Helmut
Froschauer Recorded: Vienna. 1968 (Tracks
1-9) Carl Philipp
STAMITZ (1745-1801) Piano Concerto
in F major* [21:33] Württemberg Chamber
Orchestra, Heilbronn/Jörg Faerber Recorded:
Württemberg (Tracks 10-12) Georg
Joseph VOGLER (1749-1814) Variations
on the L’air de "Marlborough s'en va-t-en
guerre" for piano and orchestra,
(1791)* [22:16]
Prague New Chamber Orchestra/Alberto Zedda
Recorded: Teatro Angelicum, Milan. 1963 (Tracks
13-25) * World Premier Recordings AAD
BRANA RECORDS BR0024 [71:02] [GS]
Two
out of three is not bad and the playing is
truly remarkable. Definitely recommended for
fans of the genre. ... see Full
Review
Vienna Boys’
Choir - Sacred Choral Music HANDEL
From Messiah, Hallelujah MOZART
Ave
verum Corpus MOZART
From "Coronation" Mass, Gloria
SCHUBERT
Ave
Maria HAYDN
from The Creation, Die Himmel erzählen
die Ehre Gottes Johann
Ritter VON HERBECK
Pueri
concinite HANDEL
From Messiah, For Unto Us a Child is
Born BACH
From Cantata BWV 21, Sei nun wieder
zufrieden MOZART,
from Requiem, Dies irae; Lacrimosa
BRUCKNER
Ave
Maria HAYDN
from The Creation, Von deiner Güt,
o Herr und Gott MOZART
from Requiem, Benedictus HUMPERDINCK
Abendsegen
HANDEL
from Messiah, Worthy is the Lamb that
was slain – Amen
Academy of London, Stuttgart Philharmonic
Orchestra and others/Peter Marschik; Helmuth
Froschauer Recorded at various locations between
1993 and 1995 SACD
CAPRICCIO 71 020 [60.02] [WH]
In
the event, regretful though it be, these were
the only two pieces on the disc which gave
this reviewer any pleasure. ... see Full
Review
The
Art of the Vienna Horn Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Horn
Sonata in F major, Op 17 Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Auf dem
Strom, D943, Op posth 119 Robert
SCHUMANN (1810-56) Adagio and Allegro
in A flat major, Op 70 Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-97) Trio in E flat
major, for piano, violin and horn, Op 40
Wolfgang Tomboeck (horn), Madoka Inui
(piano), Genia Kühmeier (soprano - Schubert
only), Johannes Tomboeck (violin - Brahms
only) recorded at Studio 3 of the ORF Funkhaus
Vienna, 10-14 November and 4/10 December 2003
NAXOS 8.557471 [60'48"] [PL]
Horn
playing simply doesn’t get better than this!
... see Full Review
Guitar Recital
Joaquín
TURINA (1882 – 1949): Sevillana
(Fantasia); Hommage à Tarrega; Federico
MORENO TORROBA (1891 – 1982): Sonata
– Fantasia; Two movements from Castillos
de España; Suite castellana; Joaquín
RODRIGO (1901 – 1999):
En los trigales; Invocación y danza
(Homenaje a Manuel de Falla); Manuel
DE FALLA (1876 – 1946): Homenaje
Le tombeau de Claude Debussy; Roberto
GERHARD (1896 – 1970): Fantasia:
Interlude in Cantares; Andrés
SEGOVIA (1893 – 1987): 5 Anecdotas;
Francisco TÁRREGA
(1852 – 1909): Maria – Gavota
Pablo Sáinz Villegas (guitar). Rec.
3-5 May 2004, Holy Martyrs of Japan Church,
Bradford, Ontario, Canada.. DDD
NAXOS 8.557596 [75:36] [GF]
An
interesting, unhackneyed programme and, as
I have implied, a superlative young artist
... see Full Review
A Survey of European
Zonophone Recordings 1901-1903
SYMPOSIUM 1281 [79.11] [JW]
Some
names still burn with lustre whilst others
have dimmed almost to oblivion. ... see Full
Review
BOOK
REVIEWS
Malcolm
Arnold - Rogue Genius: The
Life and Music of Britain’s most misunderstood
composer by
Anthony Meredith and Paul Harris 529 pages
Published by Thames/Elkin, ISBN 0 903413
54 X Price £30.
For
anyone wanting to get to know and understand
Britain's greatest living composer, up close
and in intimate detail, this illuminating
book now takes pride of place: it is absolutely
essential reading. ... see Full
Review
British Music: The
Journal of the British Music Society Volume
26 2004Editor: Roger Carpenter Celebratory
Music of the Masters of the Queen’s (King’s)
Musick in the Twentieth Century; Alastair
Mitchell Frederic Austin - "a most
versatile musician"; Martin Lee-Browne
Edwin Rose (1898-1958): the diffident ‘genius’;
Alan Gibbs "Waking up England":
W Denis Browne and The Comic Spirit; Philip
Lancaster "What the Minstrel told
us" -Ronald Stevenson, Bax and the North;
Cohn Scott-Sutherland Published by the
British Music
Society [JL]
I
enjoyed reading this Journal and am resolved
to ensure I catch up with it annually from
now on. I liked the balance between detailed
musical discussion and entertaining biography.
... see Full Review
GERALD FINZI:
A Bio-Bibliography by
John C. Dressler Greenwood Press 1997 xiii,
200pp £55.50 Hardback ISBN 0 313 28693 0.[RB]
Finzians
who may have joined the ‘select’ since 1997
should be reminded of this book and should
order it now. It remains uniquely valuable....
see Full Review
Alan
RAWSTHORNE - A Bio-Bibliography By John
C. Dressler Music
Bio-Bibliographies No. 97 (ISSN: 0742-6968)
Praeger Publishers. Westport, Conn. 2004.
382 pages LC 2004053431. ISBN 0-313-30589-7
$99.95
An
essential purchase for Rawsthorne enthusiasts,
for those wanting total documentation of the
first golden age of the British film industry
and other outright enthusiasts of the genre
and era ... 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