Thomas ADÈS
(b.1971) America:
A Prophecy, Op.19 (1999) The Fayrfax
Carol, (1997) Fool’s Rhymes, Op.5
(1992) January Writ (1999) O Thou,
who didst with pitfall and with gin, Op.3a
(1990) The Love in Winter (1989) Life
Story, Op.8 (1998) Cardiac Arrest
(Foreman/Smyth, arr. Ades) (1995) Les Baricades
mistérieuses (Couperin, transc.
Ades) (1994) Brahms, Op.21 (2001) 
Claron McFadden (soprano), Susan Bickley
(mezzo-soprano); Robin Blaze (countertenor),
Christopher Maltman (baritone); Huw Watkins
(piano) Polyphony/Stephen Layton The Composers
Ensemble City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus
and Orchestra/Thomas Adès Recorded
in Symphony Hall, Birmingham (March, 2002),
Temple Church, London (February, 2003) and
LSO St. Luke’s, London (June and October,
2003)
EMI CLASSICS 7243 5 57610-2 [59’38] [TH]
Absolutely
authoritative performances … a highly recommendable
disc of music by one of the UK’s most exciting
young composers. … see
Full Review
William ALWYN
(1905-1985)
Alwyn conducts Alwyn Derby
Day, Overture (1960) [6’38]. The Magic
Island, Symphonic Prelude (1952) [10’15].
Elizabethan Dances (1957) – Moderato
e ritmico [2’48]; Waltz [2’38];
Poco allegretto e semplice [3’22];
Moderato [3’40]. Sinfonietta for
Strings (1970) [26’24]. Festival March
(1950) [8’20].
London Philharmonic Orchestra/William
Alwyn. No rec. info ADD
LYRITA RECORDED EDITION SRCD229 [64’06]
[CC]
An
infectious and varied compilation of shorter
pieces and suites by the ever-approachable
William Alwyn. The Sinfonietta is a substantial
offering and reveals the depth and variety
of Alwyn’s imagination. … see Full
Review
Juan
de ANCHIETA (1462-1523)
Missa
Sine Nomine; Salve sancta parens; Ave sanctissima
Maria; Virgo est Mater; Salve Regina Josquin
des PRES (1445-1521) Kyrie 1 (organ
elaboration by Fernandez
Palero) Francisco
de PENALOSA (1470-1528) Sancta
Mater istud agas Juan
de URREDA (fl. c.1500) Hymn ‘Pange
Lingua’ elaborated by Cabezon
(1500-1566) ANON;
L’homme arme; Beata Viscera; Benedicta et
venerabilis es; Ave gratia plena; (Plainchants)
Reyna muy esclarecida;
Capilla Peñaflorida and the Ministriles
de Marsias directed by Josep Cabre Recorded
at the Villabuena, Alava, Uriona, Araba, October
2000
NAXOS 8.555772 [67.23] [GH]
I
cannot find anything about the disc that I
do not like and I can only advise you to find
a fiver and enjoy it for yourself. … see Full
Review
Juan
Crisóstomo ARRIAGA
(1806-1826) Overture,
Los esclavos felice Symphony in D Carlos
SEIXAS (1704-1742)
Sinfonia in B Flat João
de Sousa CARVALHO
((1745-1798) Overture L’amore industrioso
António Leal
MOREIRA (1758-1819)
Sinfonia Marcos
PORTUGAL (1762-1830)
Overture: Il Duca di Foix
Algarve Orchestra/Álvaro Cassuto
Rec. University of the Algarve, Faro, Portugal.
16th – 22nd September
2002.
NAXOS 8.557207 [57:36] [LB]
This
disc would enrich any respectable collection
and I certainly look forward to hearing more
from the Algarve Orchestra. … see Full
Review
Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
French Suites (BWV 812 – 817):- Suite
nr 1 in d minor (BWV 812) [11’10] Suite nr
2 in c minor (BWV 813) [09:33] Suite nr 3
in b minor (BWV 814) [11:27] Suite nr 4 in
E flat (BWV 815) [12:17] Suite nr 5 in G (BWV
816) [15:28] Suite nr 6 in E (BWV 817) [12:25]
Bradley Brookshire, harpsichord Recorded in
January 2001 in the Recital Hall, Purchase
College Conservatory of Music, New York USA
DDD
PURCHASE RECORDS PC1575 [72:23][JV]
An
imaginative, bold, even provocative interpretation,
which makes you listen again to music you
thought you knew ... see Full
Review
Rosalyn Tureck plays
Bach: The Great Solo Works - Volume 2
Johann Sebastian BACH
(1685-1750) Well
Tempered Clavier Book I Prelude and Fugue
in C major BWV 846 Prelude and Fugue in C
minor BWV 847 Well Tempered Clavier Book II
Prelude and Fugue in C sharp minor BWV 872
Prelude and Fugue in G major BWV 884 English
Suite No 3 in G minor BWV 808 Sonata in D
minor BWV 964 [Violin Sonata in A minor BWV
1003] Italian Concerto BWV 971
Rosalyn Tureck (piano) Recorded [? 1990]
VAI AUDIO VAIA1051 [71.02][JW]
One
is compelled by the taut logic and elevation
of Tureck’s readings … see Full
Review
Johann
Sebastian BACH
(1685-1750) Goldberg
Variations
Barbara Harbach (harpsichord) Recorded
c.1990
GASPARO GG 1018 [67.06] [JW]
This
thoughtful performance has given me pause
for constructive and serious thought. … see
Full Review
Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
Goldberg Variations (BWV 988)
Lajos Rovatkay, harpsichord (Rainer Schütze,
1976, after Blanchet, 1737) Recorded June
2001. DDD
QUERSTAND VKJK 0314 [78:32]
Another
recording of the Goldberg Variations – not
recommendable due to its rigidity and lack
of variety … see Full
Review
Johann Sebastian
BACH (1685-1750)
Sonata
for violin in G, BWV 1021 [8:28] Sonata for
violin in C minor, BWV 1024 [12:10] Sonata
for violin in E minor, BWV 1023 [11:39] Sonata
for violin in G, BWV 1019a (with alternative
movements) [15:52] Carl
Philipp Emanuel BACH (1714-1788) Sonata
for violin in B-flat, VW 77 [14:01] Sonata
for violin in D, VW 71 [10:53]
Jacqueline Ross, violin David Ponsford, harpsichord
Richard Boothby, viola da gamba Recorded 11-13
November 2002, St. Andrew’s Church, Toddington
DDD
GAUDEAMUS CD GAU 345 [74:05] [KS]
Elegant
and thoughtful performances… devoid of the
often-pretentious affectations and mannerisms
of much period instrument playing. A rich
and warm tone and excellent sense of rhythm
and line. … see Full
Review
Johann Sebastian
BACH (1695-1750)
Disc
1: The Schübler Chorale Preludes, BWV
645-650 Pastorale in F major, BWV 590 Canonic
Variations, BWV 769 * The Four Duets from
Clavier-Übung III, BWV 802-805 * Manualiter
Chorales from Clavier-Übung III * BWV
672-675, 677, 679, 681, 683, 685, 687, 689
Disc 2: Prelude in E flat, BWV 552/a Pedaliter
Chorales from Clavier-Übung III BWV 672-675,
679, 681, 683, 685, 687, 689 Fugue in E flat,
BWV 552/b Chorale Partita, BWV 767 *
Dame Gillian Weir (organ) Recorded at Deer
Park, United Church, Toronto, and St. Luke’s
Episcopal Church, Fort Collins, Colorado *
Organ Master Series, Volume 3
PRIORY PRCD 753 [2CDs: 155:52] [DS]
I
have been hungry for a fine set of newly recorded
Bach performances. With Gillian Weir’s new
recording, my hunger is gone. … security and
enlightenment … see Full
Review
Transfigured
Bach: The Bach Transcriptions of Bartók,
Lipatti and Friedman Toccata
and Fugue in D Minor (BWV 565) - transc. I.
Friedman; Pastorale in F Major for organ (BWV
590) * - transc. D. Lipatti; Bouree from Partita
No 1 in B minor for solo violin (BWV1002)
- transc. I. Friedman; Sheep May Safely Graze
from Cantata (BWV208) - transc. I. Friedman;
Morgenlied from 6 Schubler Chorales (BWV645)
* - transc. I. Friedman ; My Heart Ever Faithful
from Cantata (BWV68) - transc. I. Friedman;
First movement from Brandenburg Concerto No.
3 (BWV1048) - transc. I. Friedman; Siciliano
from Sonata No. 2 in E Flat Major for flute
and Clavier (BWV1031) - transc. I. Friedman;
Gavotte and Rondo from Partita No. 3 for solo
violin (BWV1006) - transc. I. Friedman; Wachet
auf, ruft uns die stimme from 6 Schubler Chorales
(BWV645) - transc. I. Friedman; Nun kommt,
der Heiden Heiland (BWV659a) - transc. I.
Friedman; Sonata No. 6 in G major for Organ
(BWV530) * - transc. B. Bartók
Petronel Malan (piano) recorded in the
Skywalker Sound Studio, Nicasio, California,
U.S.A. January 12 - 15, 2001. DDD
HÄNSSLER CLASSIC CD 98.424 [65’36"]
[JPh]
This
is a disc which will provide a good reminder
of Miss Malan’s undoubted gifts and Hänssler
is to be complimented on taking the risk with
such repertoire with a new up and coming artist.
… see Full
Review
RECORDING OF THE MONTH Samuel
BARBER (1910-1981)
Vanessa.
An opera in three acts (Revised Version) Vanessa:
Ellen Chickering (soprano) Erika: Andrea Matthews
(soprano) The Old Baroness: Marion Dry (contralto)
Anatol: Ray Bauwens (tenor) The Old Doctor:
Richard Conrad (tenor) Nicholas: Philip Lima
(baritone)
Ukrainian National Capella "Dumka"
National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine/Gil
Rose Rec. Concert Studio of Ukrainian Radio,
Kiev, Ukraine, 25 May – 8 June 2002 DDD
NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS 8.669140-41 [2
CDs 55’08" + 65’51"] [JQ]
Rejoice
that such a significant opera has been done
proud by this release. … a very fine achievement.
Urgently recommended. … see Full
Review
Béla
BARTÓK
(1881-1945) CD1
Music for strings, percussion and celesta
[31.55] Divertimento for String Orchestra
[25.15] CD2 The Wooden Prince - suite
[26.28] Two Portraits [13.07] CD3
Violin Concerto No. 1 Op. Posth. [22.26] Violin
Concerto No. 2 [40.01] CD4 Romanian Folk
Dances [7.02] Dance Suite [18.14]
Hungarian Pictures [12.53] Two Pictures
[19.18] Romanian Dance [6.32] CD5 Concerto
for Orchestra (1945) [31.47] The Miraculous
Mandarin suite (1919) [21.32]
Gerhart Hetzel (violin) Hungarian State
Symphony Orchestra/Adam Fischer rec. 12 Sept
1989 - 5 Oct 1992, Haydnsaal, Eisenstadt,
Austria. DDD
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 6488 [57.10+39.25+62.39+64.33+63.41]
[RB]
Balancing
coverage of repertoire, price and quality
there is no better way to get to know the
orchestral Bartók. ... see
Full Review
Arnold BAX (1883-1953)
St
Patrick's Breastplate for chorus and orchestra
(1923) [14:49] Two Nocturnes for soprano
and orchestra (Aufblick; Liebesode)
(1911) [8:18] The Morning Watch for
chorus and orchestra (1935) [16:50] To
the Name above every Name for soprano,
chorus and orchestra (1923) [20:03]
Christine Bunning (soprano) Huddersfield Choral
Society BBC Philharmonic Orchestra/Martyn
Brabbins Rec. Studio 7, New Broadcasting House,
Manchester, 17 April 2003 (Nocturnes); Leeds
Town Hall, 8-9 March 2003 (other works) DDD
World premiere recordings
CHANDOS CHAN 10164 [60:23] [RB]
Originality
and patent conviction … impressively and fervently
performed ... see Full
Review
Ludwig
Van BEETHOVEN
(1770-1827) Symphonies 1-9
includes
Norrington lecture CD on interpretation of
Beethoven Camilla Nylund (sop) Iris Vermillion
(alto) Jonas Kaufmann (ten) Franz-Josef Selig
(bass)
Gachinger Kantorei Stuttgart Stuttgart Radio
Symphony Orchestra/Roger Norrington Rec. Stuttgart,
Germany August/September 2002 DDD
HÄNSSLER CLASSICS 93.089 [6 CDs:
56.57 + 74.53 + 74.15 + 61.28 + 61.36 + 79.50]
[RW]
Norrington's
overall thumbprint is recognised by a focus
on certain underlying elements in the score,
encouraging a pulsing rhythm and taking the
performances at a fast and lively pace. …
see Full
Review
Ludwig van
BEETHOVEN (1770
– 1827) Symphony
No. 1 in C Major, Op.21 (1800) recorded on
October 8th 1988 Symphony No. 2
in D Major, Op.36 (1801) recorded on December
11th 1988 Symphony No. 3 in E Flat,
Op. 55, Eroica (1803) recorded on October
23rd 1983 Symphony No. 4 in B Flat,
Op. 60 (1806) recorded on October 9th
1988 Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op.67 (1807)
recorded on September 20th 1987
Symphony No. 6 in F, Op.68, Pastoral (1808),
recorded December 15th 1986 Symphony
No. 7 in A, Op.92 (1812) recorded on September
20th 1987 Symphony No. 8 in F,
Op.93 (1812) recorded on October 22nd
– 23rd 1983 Symphony No. 9 in D
Minor, Op.125, Choral (1824) recorded October
18th & 19th 1985Leonore
Overture No.3, Op. 72 (1806) recorded December
15th 1986
Carol Vaness (soprano), Janice Taylor, (alto)
Siegfried Jerusalem, (tenor), Robert Lloyd
(bass) Cleveland Chorus and Orchestra/Christoph
von Dohnanyi. Recordings all made in the Masonic
Auditorium, Cleveland, U.S.A. 6 discs, available
as either a set or separately. DDD
TELARC CD 80200 [6CDs: 358.12]
[JPh]
Superbly
efficient and sumptuous sounding in a believable
acoustic but a very cold and dispassionate
take on the Beethoven symphonies. … see
Full Review
Ludwig van
BEETHOVEN (1770
– 1827) Symphony
No. 1 in C Major, Op.21 (1800) Symphony No.
2 in D Major, Op.36 (1801) Symphony No. 3
in E Flat, Op. 55, Eroica (1803) Symphony
No. 4 in B Flat, Op. 60 (1806) Symphony No.
5 in C Minor, Op.67 (1807) Symphony No. 6
in F, Op.68, Pastoral (1808) Symphony
No. 7 in A, Op.92 (1812) Symphony No. 8 in
F, Op.93 (1812) Symphony No. 9 in D Minor,
Op.125, Choral (1824) Coriolan Overture,
Op. 62 (1807)
Eileen Farrell (soprano), Nan Merriman,
(alto) Jan Peerce, (tenor) and Norman Scott
(bass) Robert Shaw Chorale NBC Symphony Orchestra/Arturo
Toscanini. Recordings 21/12/51 {No.1), 7/11/49
and 5/10/51 (No.2), 6/12/53 (No. 3), 3/2/51
(No. 4), 22/3/52 (No. 5), 14/1/52 (No. 6),
9/11 and 10/11/ 51 (No. 7), 10/11/51
(No. 8) and 31/3 and 1/4/52 (No. 9) in Carnegie
Hall, New York. ADD available either
individually or as a set.
RCA RED SEAL 82876-55702-2 [5 discs: 322.50]
[JPh]
Very
highly recommended in its new format, unless
the highest of fi is a strong requirement.
… see Full
Review
Emil
Gilels Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Piano
Concerto No. 1 in C major Op. 15 (1797) Piano
Concerto No. 2 in B flat major Op. 19 (1793
rev. 1794-95) Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor
Op. 37 (? 1800) Piano Concerto No. 4 in G
major Op. 58 (1805-06) Piano Concerto No.
5 in E flat major Op. 73 Emperor (1809)
Piano Sonata No. 7 in D major Op. 10/3 (1797-98)
Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor Op13 Pathétique
(1798) Piano Sonata No. 12 in A flat major
Op. 26 (1800-01) Piano Sonata No. 14 in C
sharp minor Op. 27 No. 2 Moonlight (1801)
Piano Sonata No. 16 in G Op. 31/1 (1802) Piano
Sonata No. 23 in F minor Op. 57 Appassionata
(1804) Piano Sonata No. 25 in G major
Op. 79 (1809) Piano Sonata No. 26 in E flat
major Op. 81a Les Adieux (1809-10)
Piano Sonata No. 27 in E minor Op. 90 (1814)
Piano Sonata No. 29 in B flat major Op. 106
Hammerklavier (1818)
Emil Gilels (piano) State Symphony orchestra
of the USSR/Kurt Masur Live recordings made
between 1961 and 1984
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 92132 [JW]
The
price is absurdly cheap whatever the provenance
and the set provides however imperfectly in
places some semblance of Gilels’s greatness
as a Beethovenian. … see Full
Review
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN
(1770-1827)
Concerto
for Piano and Orchestra No. 5 in E-flat major,
op. 73, "Emperor" [36:50] Concerto
for Piano and Orchestra No. 4 in G major,
op. 58 [33:03]
Wilhelm Kempff, piano Berlin Philharmonic
Orchestra/Peter Raabe (Op. 73) Orchestra of
the German Opera House, Berlin, Paul van Kempen
(Op. 58) No recording locations given. Remastered
recordings from original 78 r.p.m. recordings
from the collection of Dr. Jens-Uwe Völmecke,
Erftadt, Germany. Remastered in 2003 by THS
Studio, Holger Seidler, Dormagen, Germany.
Recording dates: 1935 (Op. 73) and 1941 (Op.
58) ADD
HÄNSSLER CLASSIC (MASTERPIECE SERIES)
CD 94.045 [69:53] [KS]
Fine
performances by a master in his youth, well
worth a listen as an historical document.
This is a good supplemental item for any library.…
see Full Review
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Piano
Trio No. 5 in D major Op. 70/1 Ghost
Wolfgang Amadeus
MOZART (1756-1791) Piano Trio in
G major K564 (1788) Frank
BRIDGE (1879-1941) Piano Trio No.
2 (1928-29) Benjamin Britten (piano) Yehudi
Menuhin (violin) Maurice Gendron (cello) Recorded
at the 16th Aldeburgh Festival,
Aldeburgh Parish Church, 24 June 1963
BBC LEGENDS BBCL 4134-2 [74.24] [JW]
Patchily
played but Britten’s playing of the Bridge
work makes this a valuable artefact. … see
Full
Review
Ludwig van
BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Piano
Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor, Op. 27, No.
2 "Moonlight" [13:38] Piano Sonata
No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 "Pastoral"
[21:15] Piano Sonata No. 16 in G major, Op.
31, No. 1 [24:01]
Artur Schnabel, piano Recorded 10-11 April
1933 (Op. 27), 3 and 17 April 1933 (Op. 28),
and 5-6 November 1935 (Op. 31) in EMI Abbey
Road Studio No. 3, London. Transfers and remastering
by Mark Obert-Thorn ADD
NAXOS 8.110759 [58:54] [KS]
Recommended
highly to lovers of historical recordings,
and students of performance practice alike.
… See Full
Review
Concert
Soloists of Wolf Trap Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN
(1770-1827) Violin
Sonata No. 9 in A major Op. 47 Kreutzer
(1803) Samuel
BARBER (1910-1981) Cello Sonata
(1932) Pyotr Ilyich
TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Piano Trio
(1882)
Oscar Shumsky (violin) Charles Curtis
(cello) Earl Wild (piano) Recorded at Carnegie
Hall November 19th 1979 except
the Barber Sonata, a radio broadcast from
12th September 1979
IVORY CLASSICS 73003 [2 CDs 98.20] [JW]
lightness,
powerful authority and a properly conclusive
sense of triumph. A truly remarkable performance
and I strongly recommend you hear it. … see
Full Review
Ludwig
Van BEETHOVEN
(1770-1827) Missa
Solemnis op.123 (1824) Lori Phillips,
soprano; Robynne Redmon, Mezzo-soprano; James
Taylor, tenor; Jay Baylon, Bass-baritone,
Mary Kathryn van Osdale, violin
Nashville Symphony Orchestra and Chorus/Kenneth
Schermerhorn Recorded at Ingram Hall, Blair
School of Music, Vanderbilt University, Nashville,
April 21st-22nd 2003
NAXOS 8.557060 [77:11] [GPJ]
There
is massive competition in this work but at
super-bargain price, this is a very acceptable
offering. … see Full
Review
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Missa
Solemnis in D, op. 123 [78:58] Zinka
Milanov, soprano; Bruna Castagna, contralto;
Jussi Bjoerling, tenor, Alexander Kipnis,
bass. The Westminster Choir, John Finley Williamson,
director. NBC Symphony Orchestra/Arturo Toscanini
Recorded at a live radio broadcast on 28 December
1940 at Carnegie Hall, New York. Concerto
for Violin and Orchestra in D, op. 61.[38:44]
Jascha Heifetz, violin NBC Symphony Orchestra/Arturo
Toscanini Commercial recording from 11 March
1940 All recordings ADD
GUILD GHCD 2248/9 [2CDs: 121:05] [KS]
Heifetz
finds plenty of drama as well as, ample lyricism
but this recording of the Missa is flawed.
High time we dispelled the myth of infallibility
attached to Toscanini … see Full
Review
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Fidelio
(1805) Leonore – Sena Jurinac Florestan
– Jon Vickers Rocco – Gottlob Frick Don Pizarro
– Hans Hotter Marzelline – Elsie Morrison
Jacquino – John Dobson Don Fernando – Forbes
Robinson
The Covent Garden Chorus, The Covent Garden
Orchestra/Otto Klemperer Recorded 24th
February 1961 at The Royal Opera House, Covent
Garden mono recording. Full price.
TESTAMENT SBT2 1328 [77’52+64’50]
Leonore – Anna Bathy Florestan – Endre Rosler
Rocco – Mihaly Szekely Don Pizarro – Oszkar
Maleczky Marzelline – Maria Matayas Jacquino
– Gyula Angyl Nagy Don Fernando – Istvan Koszo
Orchestra and Chorus of Hungarian State
Opera/Otto Klemperer Recorded 18th
November, 1948 in Budapest. second disc includes
SCHUBERT Symphony
No. 8 and BACH Brandenburg
Concerto No. 5 Mono recording. Medium price.
URANIA URN 22.246 [75’13+59’14] [MB]
The
Testament discs are a thrillingly vivid reproduction
of a great performance; the Urania discs are
invaluable for giving us what was, at the
time, a singular interpretation of this opera.
Both are indispensable … see
Full Review
Vincenzo BELLINI
(1801 – 1835) I
Puritani - Opera seria in three parts.
Elvira…Maria Callas (soprano) Arturo…Giuseppe
Di Stefano (tenor) Riccardo…Rolando Panerai
(baritone) Giorgio…Nicola Rossi-Lemeni (bass)
Bruno…Angelo Mercuriali (tenor) Gualtiero
Valton…Carlo Forti (bass) Enrichetta…Aurora
Cattelani (soprano)
Chorus and Orchestra of Teatro alla Scala,
Milan/Tullio Serafin Recorded in the Basilica
di Santa Eufemia, Milan 24/26/27/29/30/31
March and 1/3 April 1953 ADD
NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110259-60 [69.09+73.19]
[RM]
We
should be in for a treat and within the limitations
of any historical recording that is precisely
what this is. … see Full
Review
Jirí Antonín
BENDA (1722-1795)
Ariadne
auf Naxos (1775) Jitka Molavcová,
Alfred Strevcek (speakers)
Czech Chamber Philharmonic orchestra/Jaroslav
Krcek
Recorded 2000, Prague
ARCO DIVA UP 0066-2 231 [38.39] ** [TH]
Abundant
attractions …a performance full of interesting
and sensitive responses … pacing and phrasing
exemplary. Pity about playing time and documentation
… see Full Review
Hector
BERLIOZ
(1803-1869) La
Damnation de Faust (1854-56)
Marguerite - Mona Laurena (soprano) Méphisto
– Paul Cabanel (baritone) Georges Jouatte
(tenor) Brander, le Récitant – André
Pactat (bass) Grande Messe des Morts
(Requiem) (1837)
Georges Jouatte (tenor) Choeurs Emile Passani
Grand Orchestre de Radio-Paris/Jean Fournet
Includes interview with Fournet conducted
in February 1998 Recorded in Paris 1943-44
MALIBRAN CDRG 107 [3 CDs: 205.24] [JW]
Stands
as a fitting tribute to Fournet’s significant
wartime achievement … see Full
Review
Hector BERLIOZ
(1803-1869) Zaide,
Opus 19 No. 1 (1845) La captive, Opus
12 (1848) La belle voyageuse (1843)
Gustav MAHLER
(1860-1911) Adagietto (Symphony
No. 5)* (1902) Richard
WAGNER (1813-1883) Wesendonck
Lieder (1858) Siegfried Idyll*
(1870)
Yvonne Naef (mezzo soprano) Capella Istropolitana
Pilsen Radio Symphony Orchestra* David Heer
Recorded 26-19 October 2002 (Berlioz, Wagner
Wesendonck Lieder); Studio Radio Pilsen, February
2003 (Mahler, Wagner Siegfried Idyll
CLAVES CD 50-2309 [65.46] [TB]
The
colourful scoring has an edge of expressive
intensity in Henze’s version … see Full
Review
Leonard
BERNSTEIN (1918-1990)Symphony
No. 1 Jeremiah (1942) [25.06]:
Prophecy [7.43]; Profanation [6.29];
Lamentation [10.54] Concerto
for Orchestra Jubilee Games (1986)
[29.58]: I Free-Style Events: Allegro con
brio, giocoso [7.27]; II Mixed Doubles:
Theme [1.26]; Variation 1 [1.01];
Variation 2 [0.26]; Variation 3
[0.39]; Variation 4 [1.17]; Variation
5 [0.33]; Variation 6 [2.18]; Variation
7 [1.15]; Coda [1.45]; III Diaspora
Dances: Vivace [5.37]; IV Benediction:
Moderato, invocando [6.13]
Helen Medlyn, (mezzo-soprano); Nathan
Gunn, (baritone) The New Zealand Symphony
Orchestra/James Judd Rec. 13-15 Aug 2002,
The Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington, New
Zealand. DDD
NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS 8.559100 [55.04]
[PW]
A
welcome new look at Bernstein as a serious
symphonic composer. The orchestra are undoubtedly
a group to watch out for … see
Full Review
Sir Arthur
BLISS (1891-1975)
Concerto
for Piano and Orchestra in B flat major (1939)
[38’49"] Sonata for Piano* (1952) [21’54"]
Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra** (1950)
[12’16"] Peter Donohoe ** Martin Roscoe
(piano)
Royal Scottish National Orchestra/David Lloyd-Jones
Rec. Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 12-13 Sept
2002; *Potton Hall, Suffolk, 17 Jan 2003.
DDD
NAXOS 8.557146 [72’59"]
[JQ]
Limpid
delicacy, innocence, nostalgic introspection,
a fine rhythmic impulse and ultimately a touch
of grandiloquence … see Full
Review
Johannes BRAHMS
(1833-1897)
Piano
Concerto No. 2 in B flat, Op. 83 (1882).
François-Frédéric Guy
(piano); London Philharmonic Orchestra/Paavo
Berglund.Live performance at the Royal Festival
Hall, London, on May 31st, 2003. DDD
NAÏVE V4944 [46’48]
I
do not see the point of this product and I
shall not be returning to it in a hurry. This
is as lacklustre as they come. … see Full
Review
Johannes
BRAHMS
(1833-1897)
Scherzo
in E flat minor Op. 4 (1851) Klavierstücke
Op. 76 (1878) Variations on a Theme by Paganini
Op. 35 (1866) Ballades Op. 10 (1854) No. 1
in D minor No. 2 in D major No. 3 in B minor
Joyce Hatto (piano) Rec. Concert Artist
Studios, Cambridge 1994 and 2002 (Paganini
Variations) The Works for Piano Volume 4
CONCERT ARTIST/FIDELIO RECORDINGS CACD 9030-2
[72.30] [JW]
All
in all this is a distinct achievement, conveyed
with the minimum of ostentation, as indeed
is the whole disc. … see Full
Review
Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897)
Works for Chorus and Orchestra Triumphlied
(Song of Triumph), op 55*, for eight-part
chorus, baritone solo and orchestra (organ
ad libitum) (1878-71) Ave Maria,
op.12, for womens chorus, organ and woodwind
orchestra (1855 orch. 1859) Schicksalslied
(Song of Fate/Song of Destiny), op. 54,
for four-part chorus and orchestra (1868-71)
Nänie (Lament/Threnody), op. 82,
for four-part chorus and orchestra (harp ad
libitum) (1880-81)
Bo Skovhus (baritone)* Danish National
Choir/DR Danish National Symphony Orchestra/Gerd
Albrecht Recorded at the Danish Radio Concert
Hall, Copenhagen 8-9 November 2001 (Schicksalslied;
Nänie) and 25 to 27 November 2003 (Ave
Maria; Triumphlied) DDD
CHANDOS CHAN 10165 [54:28] [MC]
Magnificent
works, magnificently recorded. Should be in
the collection of every classical music lover.
Indispensable! … see Full
Review
Frank BRIDGE
(1879 - 1941) Orchestral
Works Volume 3 Coronation
March (1911) [6.46] Summer (1914) [10.42]
Phantasm, Rhapsody for Piano and Orchestra
(1931) [24.21] There is a Willow Grows
aslant a Brook (1927) [11.18] Vignettes
de danse (1938) [11.20] Sir Roger de
Coverley (A Christmas Dance) (1922) [4.41]
Howard Shelley (piano) BBC National Orchestra
of Wales (Cerddorfa Genedlaethol Gymreig y
BBC)/Richard Hickox CD tracks in stereo. SACD
tracks in 2 channel stereo and in surround
sound. Recorded with the Royal College of
Music Frank Bridge Bequest. Hybrid
SACD playable on CD players and SACD players
CHANDOS
CHSA 5018 [69.55] [PSh]
English
impressionistic music, unjustly neglected,
beautifully performed and recorded … see Full
Review
Dave
BRUBECK (b.
1920) Chromatic
Fantasy Sonata [29:05] Five Pieces from ‘Two-Part
Adventures’ [5:50] Tritonis [13:04] The Salmon
Strikes [3:06] Rising Sun [3:44]
John Salmon, PianoRecorded at the School
of Music, University of North Carolina at
Greensboro, USA on 22 September and 13-14
October, 2002 DDD
NAXOS 8.559212 [54:48] [PG]
Performances
of highest caliber. truly excellent. The music
is a joy. The performance is exquisite. Very
highly recommended. … see Full
Review
Anton BRUCKNER
(1824-1896)
Symphony
No 9 in D minor, (1891-1896) Movts. 1-3 ed.
Leopold Nowak Movt. 4 performing version by
Nicola Samale, Giuseppe Mazzuca, John A. Phillips
and Benjamin-Gunnar Cohrs (1991, rev. 1996)
New Philharmonic Orchestra of Westphalia/Johannes
Wildner Recorded in the Schillertheater, Gelsenkirken,
Germany 20-21 April, 12 May 1998. DDD
NAXOS 8.555933-34 [2CDs: 82’43"]
[JQ]
An
interesting curiosity but no more than that
… I’m more than happy to stick with three
majestic movements that are indisputably as
Bruckner intended them to be … see Full
Review
Anton BRUCKNER
(1824 - 1896) Masses
CD
1 Mass No.1 in D minor CD 2 Te Deum
in C major, Psalm 150, Mass
No. 2 in E minor, CD 3 Mass No. 3 in
F minor,
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 92002 [3CDs: 50.38+76.44+62.03]
[MC]
Brilliant
Classics offer superb value in this well presented
triple Bruckner box-set. The performances
are very fine and at super-bargain price there
is every reason to explore these dramatic
and rewarding choral works. Recommended without
reservation. … see Full
Review
Fritz BRUN
(1878-1959) Symphony
No. 3 in D minor
Moscow Symphony Orchestra/Adriano Recorded
at Mosfilm Studios Moscow in August 2003
STERLING CDS-1059-2 [60:55] [IL]
Adriano
makes an eloquent and passionate case for
this rather solemn epic symphony. Adventurous,
persevering listeners will discover riches.
… see Full Review
Gavin BRYARS
(b.1943)/Juan
MUŇOZ (1952-2001) A Man in
a Room, Gambling (1992)
Juan Muñoz (speaking voice) Yukio
Fujishima (additional speaking voice) The
Balanescu quartet Recorded February and March
1992
GB RECORDS BCGBCD04 [51.33] [JW]
What
is fascinating are the little narrative incidents
that lend this project its strange power.
… 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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