Great Violinists:
Yehudi Menuhin Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897) Violin
Sonata No. 1 in G major Op. 78 (1878-79) Violin
Sonata No. 3 in D minor Op. 108 (1886-88)
Robert SCHUMANN
(1810-1856) Violin Sonata No. 2 in D minor
Op. 121 (1851)
Yehudi Menuhin (violin) Hephzibah Menuhin
(piano) Recorded London, Australia and Paris,
1934-40 [but see text below]
NAXOS 8.110771 [74.42] [JW]
Menuhin’s
bewitching, sometimes meaty vibrato is fully
in evidence as are his abundant portamenti
and charismatic phraseology. … see
Full Review
GREAT VIOLINISTS: Milstein
Antonín DVOŘÁK
(1841-1904) Violin Concerto in
A minor, Op. 53a (1880) [29’47].
Wolfgang Amadeus
MOZART (1756-1791) Adagio in E,
K261b (1776) [7’26]. Rondo in C,
K373b (1781) [4’57]. Alexander
GLAZUNOV (1865-1936) Violin Concerto
in A minor, Op. 82c (1904) [18’23].
Nathan Milstein (violin) aMinneapolis
Symphony Orchestra/Antal Doráti; RCA
Victor Symphony Orchestra/bVladimir
Golschmann, cWilliam Steinberg.
From RCA Victor aLM-1147, bLM-1064,
49-0500-02; rec. at aNorthrop Auditorium,
Minneapolis on March 4th, 1951,
Manhattan Center, New York on bMarch
29th, 1950 and cFebruary
19th, 1949. ADD
NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110975 [59’46] [CC]
Very
highly recommended indeed from all angles.
… see Full Review
AND
Great
Violinists Nathan
Milstein (violin)
Antonín DVOŘÁK
(1841-1904) Violin
Concerto in A minor Op. 53 (1880) Minneapolis
Symphony Orchestra/Antal Dorati, recorded
1951 Wolfgang Amadeus
MOZART (1756-1791) Adagio in E
major K261 (1776) Rondo in C major K373 (1781)
RCA Victor Symphony Orchestra/Vladimir Golschmann,
recorded 1950 Alexander
GLAZUNOV (1865-1936) Violin Concerto
in A minor Op 82 (1904)
RCA Victor Symphony Orchestra/William Steinberg,
recorded 1949
NAXOS 8.110975 [59.46] [JW]
Never
as glamorously personalised as Heifetz’s playing
yet marvellously fluent and aristocratic …
see Full Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Great Conductors of the
Twentieth Century: Dimitri
Mitropoulos Gustav
MAHLER (1860-1911): Symphony No
6 in A minor* [74’39"] Hector
BERLIOZ (1803-1869): Roméo
et Juliette. Symphonie Dramatique; Op. 17
- Excerpts ** [46’28"]: Introduction;
Roméo Seul; Scène d’amour; La
reine Mab, ou la fée des songes; Roméo
au tombeau des Capulets Claude
DEBUSSY (1862-1918): La Mer***
[22’36"] Richard
STRAUSS (1864-1949): Salome: Dance
of the Seven Veils**** [8’49"] *WDR Sinfonieorchester
Köln (Kölner Rundfunk-Sinfonie-Orchester)
New York Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted
by Dimitri Mitropoulos Rec. *Klaus-von-Bismark
Saal, WDR, Cologne, 31 August 1959; 30th
Street Studios, New York, **22 October 1952;
***27 November 1950; *****3 November 1956.
ADD
EMI CLASSICS GREAT CONDUCTORS OF THE TWENTIETH
CENTURY 7243 5 75471 2 3 [74’42"+78’18"]
[JQ]
Mahler
6 is the highlight but the whole offers great,
inspirational conducting. Music making that
demands to be heard. Recommended with
the greatest possible enthusiasm. … see Full
Review
Music
from the Ratsschulbibliothek Zwickau Johann
STOLLE (c1566-1614) Si
mihi quae debes (Dialogus nuptialis a 8) [03:22]
Eusebius BOHEMUS
(1592-1631) Wem ein tugendsames
Weib bescheret ist, motet a 8 [02:54] anon
Sehet an, die zwei verliebten Herzen,
motet a 6 [04:31] Johann
Hermann SCHEIN (1586-1630) Beati
omnes, qui timent Dominum, motet a 8 [08:31]
David KÖLER
(before 1532-1565) Eile, Gott,
mich zu erretten, motet a 6 [05:44] Johann
LÖHNER (1645-1705) Zerfliesset
in ein Tränentauen, song for solo voice,
3 violas and bc [06:19] Heinrich
SCHÜTZ (1585-1672) Fürstliche
Gnade zu Wasser und Lande, song for solo voice,
2 treble instruments and bc (SWV 368) [03:42]
Miximilian HEILAND
(16th century) Te Deum a 8 [14:21]
Luca MARENZIO (1553-1599)
Jubilate Deo a 8 [04:03] Philipp
DULICHIUS (1562-1631) Exaltabo
te Deus a 8 [03:31]
Constanze Backes, Birte Kulawik (soprano),
Alexander Schneider, Alan Dornak (alto), Albrecht
Sack, Michael Schaffrath (tenor), Reinhard
Decker, Thomas Pfitzner (bass) Ensemble "Alte
Musik Dresden"
Dir: Norbert Schuster Recorded at 19 May,
2001 in the Katharinenkirche, Zwickau, Germany.
DDD
MBM – VKJK 0315 [57:14] [JV]
An
interesting release with music with mostly
unknown music, well worth hearing and well
performed ... see Full
Review
Musical
Renegades Ralph
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958)
The
Lark Ascending (1914-20) Astor
PIAZZOLLA (1921-1992) Allegro from
Aconcagua (1979) James Crabb (classical accordion)
Tamara Anna Cislowska (piano) Jean
SIBELIUS (1865-1957) Paavali’s
Song from Kuolema (1903) Teddy Tahu Rhodes
(baritone) Edvard
GRIEG (1843-1907) The Mountain
Thrall Op. 32 (1877) Teddy Tahu Rhodes (baritone)
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN
(1770-1827) Overture from The creatures
of Prometheus Op. 43 (1800-01) Joseph
HAYDN (1732-1809) Adagio-Allegro
from Symphony No. 104 in D (1795) Elena
KATS-CHERNIN (b 1957) Torque (2002)
James Crabb (classical accordion) Tamara Anna
Cislowska (piano) György
LIGETI (b 1923) Praeludium; Vivacissimo
luminoso from the Violin Concerto (1990-93)
Franz SCHUBERT
(1797-1828) String Quintet in C major
D956 (1828)
Richard Tognetti and Helena Rathbone (violins)
Caroline Henbest (viola) Emma-Jane Murphy
and Melissa Barnard (cellos) Australian Chamber
Orchestra/Richard Tognetti (violin and artistic
director)/Roland Peelman (conductor) in the
Vaughan Williams and Ligeti with other musicians
noted as above Recorded Sydney February, March
and July 2002
ABC CLASSICS 476 102-6 [2 CDs: 67.48 and
55.23] [JW]
Encapsulates
some of the qualities of the Australian Chamber
Orchestra and its collaborative artists across
a broad spectrum of music. … see Full
Review
The
Naxos Book of Carols
Tonus Peregrinus/Antony Pitts
Recorded at the Church of St. Jude- on-the-Hill,
Hampstead Garden Suburb, London, 28th-29th
July 2003 DDD
NAXOS 8.557330 [78:59] [CT]
Arrangements
of variable quality but finely sung by a young
eight part vocal ensemble. … see Full
Review
Original
Anne
HENSHAW In
the Licorice Fields at Pontefract, Nights
Are Dawninga, Triple Billb
Bob CHILCOTT
(b.1953) Friends, Can You Hear Me? Laugh,
Kookaburra! Eric
BOSWELL Take Me Up The Tyne (arr.
A. Woods and R. Wilding) Pookie
HUDSON Goodnight Sweetheart (arr.
A. Henshaw) John
LENNON/Paul McCARTNEY
I Will (arr. Simmons) Asikha Thali – Zulu
Freedom Song (arr. M. Brewer) All My Trials
– Spiritual (arr. R. Wilding)
Eleanor Spencer (cello)ab;
Laurence Barker (trumpet)a; Anna
Scott (violin)b; Sara Woodhead
(flute)b; Helen Issitt (piano);
Anne Henshaw (director)
ACKWORTH YOUTH CHOIR AYC3CD [47:16] [HC]
A
delightful release to be relished for all
it is worth, enjoyable from first to last,
and a marvellous tribute to these young singers’
commitment and conviction. … see Full
Review
Jane Parker-Smith
at The Goll Organ of St.
Martin Memmigen: Romantic and Virtuoso Works
for Organ Vol. 1 Marcel
LANQUETUIT (1894-1985) Toccata
Joseph BOULNOIS
(1884-1918) Choral in F sharp minor Henri
MULET (1878-1967) Rosace (Esquisses
Byzantines) Joseph
JONGEN (1873-1953) Sonata Eroïca,
Op 94 Percy WHITLOCK
(1903-1946) Fantasie Choral No. 1 Jeanne
DEMESSIEUX (1921-1968) Répons
pour le Temps de Pâques York
BOWEN (1884-1961) Melody in G minor
Wilhelm MIDDELSCHULTE
(1863-1943) Passacaglia in D minor
Jane Parker-Smith (organ)Rec. Goll Organ
of St. Martin Memmingen, 6-8 August 2003.
DDD
AVIE AV0034 [71:35] [PG]
Music
carefully chosen and incredibly well executed
… a joy to listen to … see Full
Review
William Primrose
Georg
Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759) attributed,
actually Henri CASEDESUS
Concerto in B minor Victor Symphony Orchestra/Frieder
Weissmann recorded May 1946 Wilhelm
Friedemann BACH (1710-1784)
attributed, probably Johann
Gottlieb GRAUN Sonata in C minor
Yella Pessl (harpsichord) recorded November
1938 Roy HARRIS
(1898-1979) Soliloquy and Dance (1938)
Johanna Harris (piano) recorded January 1942
Arthur BENJAMIN
(1893-1960) Elegy, Waltz and Toccata (1945)
Jamaican Rhumba (1938) Matty Rag Cookie From
San Domingo (1945) Vladimir Sokoloff (piano)
recorded May 1945
BIDDULPH LAB 146 [64.28] [JW]
Primrose
shows varieties of tonal and bowing responses
in a nobly patrician readings. … see Full
Review
Quintessence Saxophone
Quintet: Best of 10 Years - Live Uli
LETTERMAN (b. 1967) Prelude [5:44]
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN
(1770-1827), Letterman
(b. 1967) The Fifth, first set [5:48]
J.S. BACH
(1685-1750), Letterman
(b. 1967) Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme
[3:55] Chick COREA
(b. 1941), Letterman
(b. 1967) La Fiesta [5:50] J.S.
BACH (1685-1750), Letterman
(b. 1967) Jazzentials [6:57] G.F.
HANDEL (1685-1759), Letterman
(b. 1967) Hallelujah [6:52] Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827), Letterman
(b. 1967) Overture Coriolan J.S.
BACH (1685-1750), Letterman
(b. 1967) Fudge Fugue in G minor J.A.P.
SCHULTZ (1747-1800), Letterman
(b. 1967) Der Mond ist aufgegangen
Uli Lttermann, soprano and alto saxophone
Hartmut Salzlmann, alto saxophone Tom Göstenmeier,
tenor saxophone Andreas Menzal, tenor saxophone
Bernd Stich, baritone saxophone Recorded at
Westdeutscher Rundfunk Köln, Landesstudio
des WDR, Bielefeld, 12 June 2003 DDD
CPO 999 990-2 [9:59] [PG]
My
suggestion is to congratulate Quintessence
on ten years of good music and to look forward
to their next release. … see Full
Review
Raimi
plays Raimi, Schoenfield and Kuss Max
RAIMI Eyn Mol; theme with nine
variations Mark KUSS
Ten American Folksongs Paul
SCHOENFIELD (b.1947) Six British
Folk Songs (1985)
Fred Raimi (cello) Jane Hawkins (piano)
except Mark Kuss (piano) in the Ten American
Folksongs Recorded Baldwin Auditorium, Duke
University, January 2003
GASPARO GSCD 359 [56.07] [JW]
Fine
performances all round enhance this collection
of unusual pieces. Most are slight but they
are certainly not whimsical or lacking in
incidental depth. … 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;
Recorded at Kloster Bronnbach, and Mainfränkisches
Museum, Würzburg, 28-30 September 2002
DDD
NAXOS 8558145 [74:54] [PG]
Innovative
use of polyphony, creating beautiful sounds
that must make angels cry. … see Full
Review
Romantic
Mandolin Moments Astor
PIAZZOLLA (1921-1992) Histoire
du Tango Niccolo
PAGANINI (1782-1840) From Centone
di Sonata: Sonate IV Valdo
PREEMA (b.1969) Sincerely Enrico
MARUCELLI (1877-1907) Capriiccio
Zingaresco
Valtzer Fantastico Raimo
KANGRO (1859-1911) Alla sincerone
Carlo MUNIER
(1859-1911) Concerto Op. 163 Aria Variata
Lepo SUMERA
(1950-2000) For BBB and his friend J.S.
BACH (1685-1750) arr. Zoltan
KODALY (1882-1967) Prelude in C
minor - Kantilene J.
REVAUX, C. FRANCOIS,
G. THIBAUT My
Way
Detlef Tewes (mandolin) Boris-Bjorn Bagger
(guitar)
HÄNSSLER CD98.453 [73.44] [RB]
Lively
mix. Superb Piazzolla suite. Freshly inventive
in the case of the modern pieces but not without
sentimentality ... see Full
Review
Romantic Rarities
for Oboe and Harp Gaetano
DONIZETTI (1797–1848) Andante
Sostenuto for Oboe and Harp Robert
Nicholas Charles BOCHSA (1789–1856)
Nocturne opus 50 no. 3 Henri
BROD (1801–1838) Nocturne
opus 20 no. 2 Antonio
PASCULLI (1842–1924) Omaggio
a Bellini for Cor Anglais and Harp
Lajos Lencses (oboe and Cor Anglais) Rachel
Talitman (harp) Rec. March 1983 DDD
AUDITE 91.402 [33.23] [RH]
A
charming record of rather slight musical material,
admirers of the genre or this combination
of instruments should not hesitate. … see
Full Review
The
Romantic Violin 2CD
compliation
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 92025 [CD1: 44'30,
CD2: 70'09] [PSe]
A
musical bran-tub that shoots at many targets,
and manages to miss them all. … see Full
Review
Artur RUBINSTEIN
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827): Piano
Concerto No.5 in E flat major, Op. 73 "Emperor"*
[37’50] Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897): Rhapsody in
G minor, Op. 79 No. 2 [6’29"]; Intermezzo
in B flat minor, Op. 117 No. 2 [4’31"];
Capriccio in B minor, Op. 76 No. 2 [3’33"]
Franz SCHUBERT
(1797-1828): Impromptu in G flat minor,
D899, No 3 [5’27"]; Impromptu in A flat
major, D899, No 4 [6’32"] Frédéric
CHOPIN (1810-1849): Nocturne in
F sharp major, Op. 15 No. 2 [3’50"];
Étude in C sharp minor, Op. 10 No.
4 [2’01"]; Polonaise in A flat major,
Op. 53 [6’58"]
Artur Rubinstein (piano) *Philharmonia
Orchestra conducted by Eugene Ormandy Recorded
in BBC Studios, Maida Vale, London, 29 November
1958 and *Royal Festival Hall, London, 14
June 1963 ADD
BBC LEGENDS BBCL 4130-2 [78’16"]
[JQ]
Shows
clearly why Rubinstein was held in such high
regard … give us a glimpse of the "Rubinstein
magic" … see Full
Review
Salon Orchestral favourites:
Volume 3 Julius
FUČÍK (1872-1916) Florentiner
Marsch (1907) Benjamin
GODARD (1849-1895) Berceuse from
the opera Jocelyn (1888) Oscar
STRAUSS (1870-1895) Liese,
ganz leise klingt’s durch den Raum
from A Waltz Dream (1907) Franz
von SUPPÉ (1819-1895) Teufelsmarsch
(Devil’s March) Richard
HEUBERGER (1850-1914) In chamber
séparée, Intermezzo from the
operetta The Opera Ball (1898) Sir
Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Salut
d’amour (1888) Chanson de nuit
(1897) Chanson de matin (1899)
Emmerich KÁLMÁN
(1882-1953) Potpourri from
Die Csárdásfürstin
(1915) Anton DVOŘÁK
(1841-1904) Humoresque
(1894) Joseph STRAUSS
(1827-1870) Die Libelle
(The Dragon Fly) Polka Mazurka Karel
KOMZÁK (1850-1905) Storm
Gallop Fritz KREISLER
(1875-1962) Liebeslied Liebesfreud
Jules MASSENET
(1842-1912) Méditation from the
opera Thaïs (1892-3)
Salonorchester Schwanen/George Huber recorded
in the Clara-Wieck-Auditorium, Sandhausen,
15-17 November 2002
NAXOS 8.557048 [63:45] [IL]
An
entrancing hour of salon favourites played
in the unashamed old sentimental style with
élan and enthusiasm. … see Full
Review
Floating
Senses:
Sanctuary: "Refuge"
Canterbury
[5.30]; 2 Refuge [5.57]; Introduction
to Antiphon [1.03]; Antiphon [3.21]; Adoro
Te [3.41]; Lament [4.35]; Passio [8.41];
Vigil [6.28]; Blue in Green (Miles
Davis) [3.16]; Surrender [5.00]; Introduction
[0.47]; When I Fall in Love (Ed Heyman)
[2.57]
Sanctuary: Peter Togni, organ; Christoph
Both, cello; Jeff Reilly, bass clarinet Recorded
at St. Mary’s basilica, Halifax, Nova Scotia,
Canada, June 2003 Notes in Deutsch, English,
Français, Castellano. Colour photos
of Iona Abbey, Scotland
HÄNSSLER CLASSIC CD 98.451 [51.12]
[PSh]
Very
dreamy, very steady mood music for a quiet,
solemn day … see Full
Review
Great Conductors of the 20th Century: Hermann
Scherchen Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770 - 1827) Coriolan
Overture, Op 62: (1807) [8.05] Vienna
State Opera Orchestra (June 1954) Symphony
#8 in F, Op 93 (1812) [23.20] Royal Philharmonic
Orchestra (mono 30 Sept 1954) Igor
STRAVINSKY (1882 - 1971) L’Oiseau
de Feu (1910): Suite (1919) [19.50] Royal
Philharmonic Orchestra (mono September 1954)
Arnold SCHOENBERG
(1874 - 1951) Suite in the Old Style
(G Major) for Strings (1935) [17.43] Berlin
Radio Symphony Orchestra (stereo 1 September
1959) William BYRD
(1543 - 1623) "The Bells"
arranged and orchestrated by Carl
ORFF (1895 - 1982) as "Entrata"
(1940) [8.35] Vienna State Opera Orchestra
(stereo 17 November 1960) Emil
Nikolaus von REZINCEK (1860 - 1945)
Donna Diana: Overture (1894) [5.38]
Vienna State Opera Orchestra (stereo June
1957) Franz Joseph
HAYDN (1732 - 1809) Symphony in
G, Hob 1:100 "Military" (1794)
[23.06] Vienna State Opera Orchestra (stereo
July 1958) Johannes
BRAHMS (1833 - 1897) Symphony #1
in c, Op 68 (1876) [44.14] Vienna State Opera
Orchestra (mono October 1952)
Vienna Recordings made in the Mozart-Sall,
Konzerthaus, Vienna, Austria. (1952-60) British
recordings made in the Walthamstow Town Hall,
London, UK (1954) German radio recording made
in Lankwitz Studio, Berlin, September 1959.
Hermann Scherchen conducting Recordings are
monophonic except the Schoenberg, Byrd/Orff,
Reznicek and Haydn. AAD
EMI CLASSICS IMG ARTISTS 7243 5 75956 2 9
[78.26 + 73.23] [PSh]
Overdue
recognition for a "Great Conductor"...and
a generous and effective sampling of his art
… see Full Review
A Songbook for Isabella:
Music from the Circle of
Isabella d’Este c. 1500 Antoine
BUSNOIS (d.1492) Fortuna desperate
a 4; Johannes OCKEGHEM
(d.1497) Prenez sur moy a 4; Firminus
CARON (c.1480) Helas que pera ad
venire a 3; Alexander
AGRICOLA (d.1506) Si dedero a 3,
a 4; Josquin des
PREZ (d.1525) In te Domine speravi
a 4; Iannis PLICE
(?) A la pesca a 4; Heinrich
ISAAC (d.1517) La Mi a 4; Benedictus;
Absque verbis a 3; Gratis acceptistis a 4;
La Mora a3, a 4; Bartolemeo
TROMBONCINO (c.1500) Or che son
di pregion a 4; ANON.
Or su corere a 4; Facia ognon in fin
che po a 4; (Gagliarda) Peschatore; A la cazza
a 4; Galliardo; Kyrie Eleison a 4; Columba
senza fielle; Pavana regia; Ave Maris stella
a 3; La mi sol la mi gia vol a 4; O triumphale
diamante a 4; Tene alora a 4; Verbum caro
factus est a 3; Ne la digna stella a 2; Recerchar
di Benedictus; (Salterello) Zorzi, Giorgio;
Forte cosa e la speranza a 5.
Musica Antiqua of London/Philip Thorby Clare
Wilkinson (mezzo-soprano)Recorded at the National
Centre for Early Music, York, September 2002
SIGNUM SIGCD039 [75.26] [MC]
75
minutes of late-fifteenth century music …
pleasurable and abundant discoveries await
the adventurous listener … see Full
Review
Songs of Heaven
And Earth Ralph
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872 – 1958) Heart’s
Music (1954) Valiant-for-truth (1940) Three
Choral Hymns (1930)a Brian
BROCKLESS (1926 – 1995) Christ
is now rysen agayne (1958) Now blessed be
Thou, Christ Jesu (1959) Come Holy Spirite
(1976, rev. 1985) There is a garden in her
face (1953) Benjamin
BRITTEN (1913 – 1976) Festival
Te Deum Op.32 (1944)a Five Flower
Songs Op.47 (1950) Jonathan
HARVEY (b.1939) Come, Holy Ghost
(1984) I Love the Lord (1976) Howard
SKEMPTON (b.1947) Two Poems of
Edward Thomas (1996)b
The Choir of Queen’s College, Cambridge; Samuel
Hayes (organ)a; Matthew Steynor
(director), James Weeks (director)b
Recorded: Queen’s College Chapel, Cambridge,
June 2001 and June 2000 (Skempton)
GUILD GMCD 7265 [67:50] [HC]
I
enjoyed the present release enormously which
may be safely recommended both for the unfamiliar
works on offer and for the overall quality
of the singing. … see
Full Review
Sounds
Inspirational. Organ Music for Pentecost
Carl
RÜTTI (b. 1949): Veni Creator
Spiritus [5’43"] Franz
TUNDER (1614-1667): Komm, heiliger
Geist, Herr Gott [6’23"] Dietrich
BUXTEHUDE (c.1637-1707): Komm,
heiliger Geist, Herr Gott, BuxWV 199 [3’45"]
Johann Sebastian
BACH (1685-1750): Fantasia super
Komm, Heiliger Geist, BWV 651 [6’08"]
Olivier MESSIAEN
(1908-1992): Messe de la Pentecôte:
Communion [5’31"]; Sortie [3’33"]
Nicholas de GRIGNY
(1672-1703):
Veni Creator Spiritus: En taille à
5 [2’34"]; Fugue à 5 [2’13"];
Duo [3’18"]; Récit de Cromorne
[3’07"]; Dialogue sur les Grands Jeux
[3’58"] Dietrich
BUXTEHUDE: Nun bitten wir den Heiligen
Geist, BuxWV 209 [2’34"]
Johann Sebastian
BACH: Komm, Gott, Schöpfer,
Heiliger Geist, BWV 667 [2’09"] Maurice
DURUFLÉ (1902-1986): Prélude,
Adagio et Choral Varié sur la thème
du Veni Creator [19’54"]
Greg Morris (organ) Recorded: Blackburn Cathedral
5, 6 and 20 November 2002 DDD
LAMMAS LAMM 159D [70’47"] [JQ]
A
most auspicious debut recital. The recorded
sound is extremely good, capturing the organ
clearly and realistically within a believable
sound picture … see
Full Review
Spanish Night
II: Concertos for Panpipes, Guitars and
Orchestra Gerald
Garcia (b.1949) Lorca
Concerto for 2 guitars and orchestra (2000)
Gheorghe ZAMFIR
(b.1941) Concierto de Barcelona for
panpipes and guitar duo (2002) Joaquin
RODRIGO (1901 - 1999) Fantasia
para un Gentilhombre, Concerto for guitar
and orchestra (1954) Horst-Hans
BÄCKER (b.1959) Rhapsodia
Mallorquina (2002) [15.18]
Amadeus Guitar Duo: Dale Kavanagh and
Thomas Kirchoff, guitars Gheorghe Zamfir,
panpipes; Dale Kavanagh, solo guitar Statsphilharmonie
Arad/Horst-Hans Bäcker Recorded at Kulturpalais,
Arad, Romania, 25 June 2003 Notes in Deutsch
and English. Photos of the artists.
HÄNSSLER CLASSIC CD 98.441 [78.43]
[PSh]
Exceptional
Rodrigo and other Spanish flavoured music
very well performed and recorded ... see Full
Review
The Stuyvesant
String Quartet with Benny
Goodman, clarinet Gian
Francesco MALIPIERO (1882-1973) String
Quartet No. 1 Rispetti e Strambotti
(1920) Claude DEBUSSY
(1862-1918) String Quartet in G minor
Op. 10 (1893) Maurice
RAVEL (1875-1937) String Quartet
in F major (1902-03) Alan
SHULMAN (1915-2002) Rendezvous
for Clarinet and String Quartet (1946) *
Stuyvesant String Quartet - Sylvan Shulman
and Bernard Robbins (violins), Ralph Hersh
(viola) and Alan Shulman (cello) Benny Goodman,
clarinet * Recorded 1950-51 except Rendezvous
for Clarinet and String Quartet which derives
from the WEAF broadcast of the première
on 19 August 1946
BRIDGE 9137 [79.18] [JW]
A
worthy salute to a fine quartet presented
with care and concern. … see Full
Review
Tango Argentino
Astor PIAZZOLLA
(1921-1992)
The Last Woman; Libertango; Farewell Nonino;
Midnight in Buenos Aires; Jacinto Chiclana;
Triumphal; Carlos
GARDEL (1887-1935) The Day You
Love Me; Coming Back. Mariano
MORES (b.1922) Military Tap; Julian
PLAZA (1928-2003) Melancholic;
Nostalgic; Eladia
BLAZQUEZ (b.1927) Kite-flying Dream
(1957); Carlos MOSCARDINI
(b.1959) Milonga of Confusion;
For the tilingos; Saul
COSENTINO (b.1935) La Recoleta
(1995); Pedro LAURENZ
(1902-1972) Milonga of My Loves;
Lito VITALE (b.1961)
Milonga del 71; Anibal
Carmelo TROILO (1914-1975) South
(1948);
Victor Villadangos (guitar) Recorded at
St. John Chrysostom Church, Newmarket, Ontario,
Canada, from 19-21 April 2001. DDD
NAXOS 8.555721[64:57] [MC]
Exceedingly
appealing music exceptionally well played.
Naxos have a sure-fire winner here. … see
Full Review
RECORDING OF THE MONTH Duo
Mandala: Tapestry
Bill
CONNOR Krug: (2002) [8.14] Julian
DAWES Three Pieces for Mandolin
and Harp: (1994): Waltz [2.30]; Phantasy [3.18];
Toccata [1.54] David
SUTTON-ANDERSON Mandalas: (1994-1995)
[17.39] Paul MITCHELL-DAVIDSON
Tapestry: (1994-1995): Dance of Limewood,
Smile of Ash [6.44]; A Joy of Wild Asses [5.20];
Harvest of the Quiet Eye [7.56]; A Full Moon
Rising Red [12.11] Alison
Stephens (mandolin) Lauren Scott (harp) Recorded
at Sennheiser Studio, Liverpool Institute
of Performing Arts, 9-11 September 2002
BL
ACK
BOX BBM 1088 [65.53] [CF]
A
highly attractive disc … masters of their
instruments, playing with imaginative flair
and technical skill. … see Full
Review
Bryn Terfel
Sings Favourites Georges
BIZET (1838-1875) Toreador Song:
‘Votre Toast, je peux vous le rendre’
from ‘Carmen’; Duet ‘Au fond du
Temple Saint’ from ‘The Pearl Fishers’;
Wil HOPCYN
(1700-1741) Bugeilio’s Gwenith Gwyn;
Howard GOODALL
(b.1958) The Lord Is My Shepherd;
Peggy LEE
(1920-2002)/ Sonny
BURKE (1914-1980) Bella Notte;
Antonín DVOŘÁK
(1841-1904) Goin’ Home (theme
from ‘New World Symphony’); Henry
Rowley BISHOP (1786-1855) Home
Sweet Home; Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Ave Maria;
James HORNER
(b.1953) Theme from ‘Titanic’; Robert
LOWRY (1828-1899) At the River;
Peter Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY
(1840-1893) None but the Lonely Heart;
Alma Bazel ANDROZZO
(b.1912) If I Could Help Somebody;
Johannes BRAHMS
(1833-1897) Wiegenlied; William
Henry MONK (1823-1889) Abide
With Me; Hoagy
CARMICHAEL (1899-1981)/ Johnny
MERCER (1909-1976) Lazybones;
American traditional
– Shenandoah; Swing Low, Sweet Chariot;
Irish traditional
– Danny Boy.
Bryn Terfel (bass-baritone) Andrea Bocelli
(tenor); Sissel (soprano) London Voices London
Symphony Orchestra/Barry Wordsworth Recorded
at Air Lyndhurst, Lyndhurst Hall, London,
March 2003 and Phoenix Sound Studio One, Wembley,
May 2003 (Pearl Fishers duet)
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 474 438-2 [73’38]
[TH]
One
for Granny’s birthday present, I think. …
see Full Review
Frederick Thurston
(1901-1953) Zdeněk
FIBICH (1850-1900) Impression
Op. 41 No. 17,Impression Op. 44 No. 3, Quintet
for clarinet, horn, violin, cello and piano
in D Op. 42 (1894) Charles
Villiers STANFORD (1852-1924) Concerto
for Clarinet in A minor Op. 70 (1904) John
IRELAND (1879-1962) Fantasy-Sonata
(1943)
Frederick Thurston (clarinet) with Lisa
Fuchsova (piano) in the Fibich Impressions
recorded February 1948 Dennis Brain (horn)
Marie Wilson (violin) James Whitehead (cello)
Lisa Fuchsova (piano) in the Fibich Quintet
recorded (February 1948) BBC Scottish Orchestra/Stanford
Robinson in the Stanford Concerto recorded
September 1952 John Ireland (piano) in the
Ireland Fantasy-Sonata recorded probably in
1948
SYMPOSIUM 1259 [75.42] [JW]
Charismatic
and full of timbral variety and rhythmic wit
… see Full Review
Arturo Toscanini
– All American Charles
Martin LOEFFLER (1861-1912) Memories
of my Childhood (Life in a Russian Village)
(1923) Paul CRESTON
(1906-1985) Choric Dance No. 2 Op. 17
(1939) Morton GOULD
(1913-1996) A Lincoln Legend (1941) George
GERSHWIN (1898-1937) Rhapsody in
Blue (1924, orch. Grofé 1926 rev. 1942)
Piano Concerto in F (1925) Francisco
MIGNONE (1897-1986) Festa das igrejas
NBC Broadcast commentaries included
Earl Wild (piano) and Benny Goodman (clarinet)
in the Rhapsody in Blue Oscar Levant (piano)
in the Concerto in F Recorded at an NBC concert
on 1 November 1942 except the Mignone and
the Gershwin Concerto in F which were recorded
at an NBC concert on 2 April 1944
GUILD MGHCD 2256/7 [2 CDs: 107.08] [JW]
A
fruitful and splendidly enjoyable double from
Guild … see Full
Review
Trumpet Concertos
Johann
Nepomuk HUMMEL (1778-1837) Trumpet
Concerto in E major s49; Jan
Kritiel NERUDA (1707-1780) Trumpet
Concerto Bedrich
Divis WEBER ( 1766-1842) Variations
in F major Joseph
HAYDN (1732-1809) Trumpet Concerto
in E flat major Hob VII:1
Niklas Eklund (trumpet) Swedish Chamber Orchestra/Roy
Goodman Rec. Orebro Concert Hall, Sweden,
October 1999
NAXOS 8.554806 [57.15] [GH]
A
commended recording of both standard and unusual
repertoire. It is well worth investigating.
… see Full
Review
Miguel Villabella
(1892-1954): Les premiers
disques (Pathé saphir 1925-27) Ambroise
THOMAS Mignon
– Elle ne croyait pas Leo
DELIBES (1836-1891) Lakmé
– Ah! Viens Charles
GOUNOD (1818-1893) Mireille – Anges
du paradis Faust – Salut, demeure chaste et
pure Sérénade – Quand tu chantes
MAILLART Les
dragons de Villars – Ne parle pas, Rose Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901) Rigoletto – Comme
la plume au vent Jules
MASSENET (1842-1912) Werther –
Invocation à la nature Manon – La Rêve
Manon – Ah! Fuyez douce images Grisélidis
– Ouvrez-vous sur mon front Panurge – Chanson
de la Touraine Le Jongleur de Notre-Dame –
Oh! Liberté Sapho – Qu’il est loin,
mon pays André
Charles Prosper MESSAGER (1853-1929)
Fortunio – J’amais la veille maison grise
Jacques OFFENBACH
(1819-1880) Les contes d’Hoffmann – Ah!
Vivre deux Les contes d’Hoffmann – Oh! Dieu,
de quelle ivresse Edouard
LALO (1823-1892) Le Roi d’Ys –
Aubade PALADILHE
Suzanne – Comme un petit oiseaux
Gioachino ROSSINI
(1792-1868) Le Barbier de Seville – Duo
Act 1 D’un metal si précieux with
A. Baugé Le Barbier de Seville
- Sérénade Osman
Perez FRIERE Ay Ay Ay Cancion Andalouza
Ruggiero LEONCAVALLO
(1858-1919) Serenade française
Miguel Villabella (tenor) Unidentified
accompaniments Recorded 1925-27
MALIBRAN MR 537 [78.16] [JW]
This
lyrically elevated and tonally admirable exponent
of a vanished performing style. … see Full
Review
Georgi
VINOGRADOV (tenor) sings Arias, Duets
and Songs
GUILD - THE RUSSIAN LEGACY SERIES -
GMCD 2250-53 [4CDs:77.08+74.11+64.18+73.33]
Vinogradov’s
voice exhibits soft singing from a honeyed
chest register, evenly through into an ethereal
head tone. … see Full
Review
Waldbuhne in Berlin
1998 Latin American Night Maurice
RAVEL (1875 – 1937) Bolero
(1928) Georges
BIZET (1756 – 1791) Carmen Suite
No. 1 (1875) Alberto
GINASTERA (1916 – 1983) Malambo
from Estancia Op. 8. (1940) Ernesto
LECUONA (1896 – 1963) La Comparsa
Malaguena Horatio
SALGAN (20th Century) A
Don Agustin Bardi (1950) Astor
PIAZOLLA (1921 – 1992) Adios
Nonino Decarissimo Carlos
GARDEL (1887 – 1935) El dia
que me quieras Gerardo
Matos Rodriguez (20th Century)
La Cumparsita Mariano
MORES (20th Century) El
Firulette Paul
LINCKE Berliner Lufte
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/Daniel Barenboim
Directed by Bob Coles recorded 21st
June 1998 at the Waldebuhne, Berlin (DVD)
TDK DV-WBLAT [91 minutes] [JPh]
A
constant joy … conductor and audience seem
to be thoroughly enjoying themselves … see
Full Review
Warsaw Philharmonic
Archive – Craft and Stravinsky Igor
STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) Variations
(1964) Symphony of Psalms (1930) Firebird
– Berceuse and Finale only (1910)
Warsaw Philharmonic Choir Warsaw Philharmonic
Orchestra Robert Craft (Variations) Igor Stravinsky
– remainder Recorded in concert at the Warsaw
Philharmonic, 28 May 1965
CD ACCORD 116-2 [37.23] [JW]
Increasingly
convincing and cumulatively moving. … a welcome
expansion of Stravinsky’s concert discography.
… see Full Review
Warsaw Philharmonic
Archive- Zecchi and Kletzki Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Symphony
No. 8 in C major D944 Great (1825-1828)
Wolfgang Amadeus
MOZART (1756-1791) Symphony No.
39 in E flat major K543 (1788)
Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra Carlo Zecchi
(Schubert, recorded in concert, March 1955)
Paul Kletzki (Mozart, recorded in concert,
May 1962)
CD ACCORD ACD 114-2 [74.11] [JW]
Followers
of Zecchi and Kletzki will want to investigate
these well-disinterred performances. … see
Full Review
Music in the Weimar Republic
– Berlin 1929 Felix
MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) The
Hebrides Overture Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/Bruno
Walter, recorded c.1923 Anton
BRUCKNER (1824-1896) Symphony No.
8 in C minor – Adagio Orchestra of the Staatsoper
Berlin/Otto Klemperer, recorded 1924 Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Prelude
and Fugue in E flat major BWV 552 – orch.
Schoenberg Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/Erich
Kleiber, recorded 1930 Richard
WAGNER (1813-1883) Lohengrin –
Prelude to Act I Lucerne Festival Orchestra/Wilhelm
Furtwängler, recorded 1947 Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901) La Traviata -
Preludes to Acts I and II Orchestra of La
Scala Milan/Arturo Toscanini, recorded 1951
SYMPOSIUM 1340 [68.30] [JW]
Irresistible
… powerful nobility … see Full
Review
Welte-Mignon Piano
Rolls - Volume 1 Content
- see review
Recorded on Welte-Mignon piano rolls
between 1905 and 1927
NAXOS 8.110677 [68.02] [JW]
Mechanical
intervention causes insurmountable problems
but we should listen to them for any light
they may shine on the pianists concerned.
… see Full Review
Welte-Mignon Piano
Rolls Volume 2 Content
see review
Recorded on Welte-Mignon Piano Rolls recorded
between 1905 and c 1915
NAXOS 8.110678 [69.42] [JW]
For
those performers who never recorded these
are still valuable tools. For others these
are adjuncts to their recorded discography.
… see Full Review
BOOK
REVIEWS
All
the Stops: The Glorious Pipe Organ and
Its American Masters by Craig R. Whitney:
Public Affairs Books, a member of the Perseus
Books Group 323 pages 9.72 x 6.30 inches.
Glossary of organ terminology. About a dozen
b/w portraits of the subjects in the text.
ISBN 1-58648-173-8 2003
A fascinating look
at organ building in North America during
the twentieth century by means of biographical
essays on the interesting, at times colourful,
even heroic, individuals most directly involved
… see Full
Review
BARBIROLLI
: CONDUCTOR LAUREATE - the authorised
biography by Michael Kennedy published
by the Barbirolli Society ISBN 1-85580-029-2
paperback 412pp. £25.99
A
fascinating, absorbing read … Michael Kennedy
has improved upon what was already a fine
book worthy of the love, admiration and respect
he clearly has for his old friend. … see Full
Review
Berton Coffin
–
Coffin’s Sound of Singing – Principles
and Applications of Vocal Techniques with
Chromatic Vowel Chart
First Published 1976 First Paperback Edition
2002 Scarecrow
Press, Inc 4720 Boston Way, Lanham, Maryland
20706 4 Pleydell Gardens, Folkstone, Kent
CT20 2DN ISBM 0-8108-4418-4 308 pages £26.65
A
rather technical vocal production manual rather
than an actual singing method. … see Full
Review
Sharony
Andrews Green
Grant Green - rediscovering the forgotten
genius of jazz guitar Backbeat
Books, San Francisco 274pp illus paperback
087930698X $16.95 [JW]
An
act of homage to the father-in-law she never
knew … seems to represent a kind of quest
for the author. … see Full
Review
Music
and Society in Lowland Scotland in the 18th
Century By
Dr David Johnson Mercat
Press 2003 (1972 OUP) 223 pp 10 Coates Crescent
Edinburgh EH3 7AL ISBN 184183 0496
Well
argued and eminently readable … see Full
Review
David
Milsom Theory
and Practice in Late Nineteenth Century Violin
Performance; an examination of style in performance
1850-1900 Ashgate 2003, vi, 287pp, 82
mus exx, 18 graphs and CD [25 tracks] ISBN
0 7546 0756 9 £40
A
scholar-performer’s eye and ear applied to
matters of treatise and application of precept.
An informed awareness not dependent on gestural
portamenti but also embracing complex issues
of rhythm, vibrato and phrasing … see Full
Review
Orchestra,
The LSO:A Century of Triumph and Turbulence
by Richard Morrison,
306pp, Faber & Faber (2004), £20 (MB)
The Yale Musical
Instrument Series: The Flute
by Ardal Powell Yale University Press London;
and New Haven, CT, USA May 2002 352 pages
20 colour plates 45 b&w illustrations
ISBN 0-300-09498-1 (paper) £19.95 US$20.00
9.80 x 6.76 inches ISBN 0-300-09341-1 (hard
cover) £35.00 US$35.00 9.96 x 7.04 inches
An
indispensable reference and a surprisingly
good time to boot … see Full
Review
Maddalena Lombardini
SIRMEN, Eighteenth-Century Composer, Violinist
and Businesswoman
by Elsie Arnold and
Jane Baldauf-Berdes
The Scarecrow Press, Inc, 2002 [RH]
This
is a charming book which helps illuminate
an all but forgotten corner of musical life.
… 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]