Gordon MCPHERSON
(b.
1965) Detours
(1998/2000)a Maps and Diagrams
of Our Pain (1990)b Born of Funk
and the Fear of Failing (2000/1)c
Allan Neave (guitar)c; David Routledge
(violin)b; Richard Casey (piano)b
Psappha/Nicholas Kokac Recorded:
(live) Brown Shipley Concert Hall, Royal Northern
College of Music, April 2001
METIER MSV CD92073 [44:43 + 44:13] [HC]
Listen
to the music first, and you will find much
to enjoy here. Well worth investigating. ...
see Full Review
Gustav
MAHLER (1860-1911)
Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen (1884) [18.00]
Frühe Lieder (1880-1890) Thomas Hampson
(baritone) David Lutz (piano) Fünf frühe
Lieder (1880-1890), orchestrated Berio Sechs
frühe Lieder (1880-1890), orchestrated
Berio
Thomas Hampson (baritone) Philharmonia Orchestra/Luciano
Berio Rec January 1992, St Augustine’s
Church, London (songs with piano); October
1992, Casino Zögernitz, Vienna (songs
with orchestra)
WARNER ELATUS 2564 61570 2
[67.39] [TB]
The
Berio versions sound so distinctively Mahlerian:
the biting attack, the melancholy dreaming,
the deeply-felt emotion ... see Full
Review
Igor
MARKEVITCH
(1912-1983) Piano
Concerto* (1929) Cantate† (1929-30) Icare
(1932, rev. 1943)
Martijn van den Hoek (Piano) * Nienke
Oostenrijk (soprano) † Men’s voices of the
Nederlands Concertcoor † Arnhem Philharmonic
Orchestra/Christopher Lyndon-Gee Rec. Musis
Sacrum, Arnhem, April 1998, April 1999 DDD
MARCO POLO 8.225076 [65:40] [PCW]
Famous
this music is not but great it may well be
... see Full
Review
Frank
MARTIN
(1890-1972) Concerto
for Harpsichord and Small Orchestra (1951/52) Ballade for Trombone and
Orchestra (1940) Ballade for Piano and Orchestra (1939)
Christine Jaccottet (harpsichord) Armin Rosin (trombone) Sebastian Benda
(piano) Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne/Frank Martin Recorded 1971.
ADD JECKLIN DISCO JD
529-2 [46.58] [JW]
Once
more Jecklin have flown the Martin flag with
character and commitment. ... see Full
Review
Giovanni Battista
MARTINI (1706-1784)
Sacred Vocal Music - Keyboard Sonatas Toccata
I [01:36] Beatus vir [04:08] Cantate Domino
[03:09] Sonata I per il Cembalo [08:34] Sonata
II per l'Organo [05:31] Sonata III per il
Cembalo [08:47] Sonata IV per l'Organo [05:54]
Sonata V per il Cembalo [08:16] Sonata VI
per l'Organo [05:09] Os justi [01:30] Sonata
al post communio sui Flauti [03:28] Sonata
sui Flauti II [02:30] Mihi autem [01:37] Toccata
III [01:31] Toccata per il Deo Gratias [02:36]
Oscar Milani, harpsichord*; Norbert Düchtel,
organ** Freiburger Domkapelle***; Raimund
Hug, positive organ Dir: Boris Böhmann
Recorded in November 2002 at the Concert Hall
of the Conservatory of Dinkelsbühl (*),
March 2003 at the Convent Schwarzenberg (**)
& May 2003 at the Abbey of Oberried (***),
Germany DDD
ARS MUSICI AM 1368-2 [64:25] [JV]
Historically
interesting, but musically not entirely satisfying
recording of some of Padre Martini's compositions
... see Full Review
Joseph MARX (1882-1964)
Alt-Wiener
Serenaden (1941-42) [18:36] Partita in Modo Antico (1937-38,
arr. 1945) [31:08] Sinfonia in Modo Classico (1940-41, arr. 1944)
[25:47] Bochum Symphony
Orchestra/Steven Sloane rec. Stadthalle, Wuppertal, Germany, 24-30 April
2003. DDD ASV SANCTUARY
CD DCA 1158 [76:45] [RB]
The
Marx renaissance opens a fresh chapter here
in music that is light-of-heart yet serenely
nostalgic. ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Joseph MARX
(1882-1964) Orchestral
Works: Volume 2 – Orchestral Songs Songs
for High Voice , Songs for Middle
Voice, Verklärtes Jahr Angela
Maria Blasi – soprano Stella Doufexis – mezzo
Bochum Symphony Orchestra/Steven Sloane Rec.
Maximilianpark, Hamm, Germany, September 2003.
DDD ASV-SANCTUARY
CD DCA1164 [56.35] [RB]
Intrepid
as ever ASV bear away the laurels for this
audacious and highly accomplished first recording
of Marx's songs with orchestra ... see Full
Review
Pietro MASCAGNI (1863-1945)
Cavalleria Rusticana - melodrama in one act. Santuzza,
Zinka Milanov (soprano); Turridu, Jussi Björling (tenor). Alfio,
Robert Merrill (bar); Lola, Carol Smith (alto); Mamma Lucia, Margaret
Roggero (mezzo) The Robert Shaw Chorale
RCA Victor Orchestra/Renato Cellini Recorded January-March 1953 in Manhattan
Center, New York. ADD Restoration Engineer: Mark Obert-Thorn
NAXOS HISTORICAL GREAT OPERA RECORDINGS 8.110261 [71.07] [RJF]
This
issue provides an excellent artefact of a
period and generation of singers whose strengths
are increasingly appealing as time passes.
... see Full
Review
William
MATHIAS
(1932-1992) Intrada
Op. 54 (1971) Songs of William Blake
Op. 82 (1979) Horn Concerto Op. 93 (1984)
Threnos (1990) Hobed o Hilion
(1971)
Jeremy Huw Williams (baritone); David Pyatt
(horn) Welsh Chamber Orchestra/Anthony Hose
Recorded at Wyastone Concert Hall, Monmouth,
11-12 April 2003. DDD
METRONOME MET CD 1066 [79:39] [CT]
A
welcome new CD that adds valuably to the Mathias
discography. ... see Full
Review
Siegfried MATTHUS
(b.
1934) Manhattan Concerto
- For the 70th Birthday of Siegfried MATTHUS
Concerto
for trumpet, percussion and orchestra (1982)
[20’45] (1. Intrada 4’08; 2. Adagio
und Passacaglia 5’45; 3. Vivace 2’49; 4. Adagio
lamentoso 5’51; 5. Stretta con collera 2’12)
Robert Hofmann (trumpet); Michael Gärtner
(drums) Orchester Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester
Saarbrücken/Michael Stern Manhattan
Concerto for Orchestra (1994)
[21’38] (6. Moderato 4’02; 7. Allegro assai
7’25; 8. Adagio 3’45; 9. Cadenza · Energico
6’26) Stephan V. Böhnlein, Michael Gärtner,
Wolfram Winkel, Edgar Guggeis, (percussion)
Orchester Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Saarbrücken/Günther
Herbig Der Wald - Concerto
for percussion and orchestra (1984) [20’03]
(10. Andante 8’34; 11. Allegro agitato · Larghetto
lugubre e lamentoso 3’49; 12. Rezitativ Allegro
energico e marcato · Allegro vivace risoluto
7’40) Michael Gärtner (percussion)
Orchester Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester
Saarbrücken/Günther Herbig Rec,
Großen Sendesaal des Funkhauses am Halberg
in Saarbrücken, 1 rec, 03.12.1999 - 06.12.1999,
2 06.12.2002 - 07.12.2002; 3 31.03.2003 -
01.04.2003. DDD
PERC-PRO 40012004 [62’36] [RB]
Demanding
music and not just at technical level. Matthus
must be pleased. He has been handsomely served
by all concerned especially by Michael Gärtner
whose Perc.Pro recording project this is ...
see Full Review
Peter
MAXWELL DAVIES
(b. 1934) An
Orkney Wedding, with Sunrise (1984)
George McIlwham (highland bagpipes) Rec. EMI
studios, London, December 1991 Strathclyde
Concerto No 7 for double bass and
orchestra* (1992) Duncan McTier (double bass)
Rec. Usher Hall, Edinburgh, November 1993
Threnody for Michael Vyner†
(1989) Rec. Cheltenham Town Hall, July 1991
Piano Concerto (1997) Kathryn Stott
(piano) Rec. St. Augustine’s Church, Kilburn,
November 1997 Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
* Scottish Chamber Orchestra † BBC Philharmonic
Orchestra all conducted by the composer
MAXOPUS CUSTOM COMPILATION [73:54] [PCW]
This
is no ordinary CD - I chose the programme…
this excellent venture deserves every support
… see Full
Review
Billy MAYERL
(1902-1959) Sweet
William, Jazzaristrix, Song
of the Fir Tree, Marigold, Ace
of Hearts, Ace of Spades, Bats
in the Belfry, Autumn Crocus,.
Shallow Waters, Mignonette,
Jazz Master Billy
MAYERL arrs of Jerome
KERN Smoke Gets in your Eyes
and Percy
FRENCH Phil
the Fluter’s Ball George
GERSHWIN (1898-1937)
Song arrangements: I’ll Build a Stairway
to Paradise, Fascinating Rhythm,
Oh Lady Be Good, I Got Rhythm;
Rhapsody in Blue Zez
CONFREY Kitten on the Keys
Morton GOULD
Boogie Woogie Etude Felix
ARNDT Nola
Phillip Dyson (piano) Recorded live, London’s
Purcell Room, 9 Nov 2002, Celebrating centenary
Billy Mayerl’s birth
MARIGOLD 010 [54:47 + 43:07] [IL]
A
feast for Billy Mayerl fans with titbits from
Gershwin and other popular favourites thrown
in. ... see Full
Review
Felix MENDELSSOHN
(1809-47)
Psalms
CD 1 Psalm 42, op. 42: Wie der Hirsch schreit
(As the doe longs for running streams) Psalm
95, op. 46: Kommt laßt uns anbeten (Come
in, let us bow) Psalm 115, op. 31: Nicht unserm
Namen, Herr (Not unto us, O Lord) CD 2 Psalm
114, op. 51: Da Israel aus Ägypten zog
(When Israel came out of Egypt) Hymn op. 96:
Lass’, o Herr mich Hülfe finden (Help
me, O Lord, to find peace) Psalm 98, op. 91:
Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied (Sing to the
Lord a new song) Lauda Sion (Praise the Lord),
op. 73
Gulbenkian Choir and Orchestra/Michel
Corboz Recorded at the Eglise de Jesus, Lisbon.
February 1977 (Psalms 42 and 95) ADD; July
1987 (Psalms 98, 115 and Lauda Sion); June
1987 (Psalm 114 and op. 96) DDD
WARNER CLASSICS APEX 2564 61692-2 [70:37
+ 63:07] [MC]
Listeners
new to Mendelssohn’s sacred choral works should
relish these excellent compositions ... see
Full Review
Paucity
of invention and even triteness ... one
becomes rapidly disenchanted ... see
Full
Review
Darius
MILHAUD (1892-1974)
Symphony
No. 1, Op. 210 (1939) [27:21] Symphony No.
2, Op. 247 (1944) [27:03] Suite provençale,
Op. 152b (1936) [14:03]
Orchestre du Capitole de Toulouse/Michel
Plasson Rec. June 1991, Halle aux Grains,
Toulouse. DDD Originally recorded in association
with Association des Industriels et Entreprises
Amis de l'Orchestre du Capitole de Toulouse
and first released as DG 435 437-2GH
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 476 2197 [69:49]
[RB]
The
present disc at mid-price is a great bargain
and opens the door to Milhaud’s distinctive
brand of moody symphonism and blithe pastoral
innocence. ... see Full
Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Claudio
Monteverdi
(1567-1643) Tempro
la cetra (1619) [9:08] Il ballo delle
ingrate (1608) [34:10] Tirsi e Clori
(1615) [9.20] Il combattimento di
Tancredi e Clorinda (1624) [22:59]
John Potter, tenor; Barbara Borden,
soprano; Päivi Järviö, mezzo
soprano; Harry van der Kamp bass; Suzie
le Blanc, soprano; Dougnal Nasrawi, tenor;
Cesare Righetti, baritone. Tragicomedia/Stephen
Stubbs Rec. Kleiner Sendesaal, Sender Freieis,
Berlin, 21-23 September 1992
WARNER APEX 2564 61781-2 [78:01] [JF]
Essential
listening for all Monteverdi enthusiasts.
Here are the some of the composer’s superb
essays in opera from the ‘lost years’. A
must-have for all opera lovers. ... see
Full Review
Beata MOON Earthshine
Movement - String Quartet Illusions-Marimba
solo 2. Prelude 3. Tenderly 4. With intense
energy Nursery-Piano solo
- Reflectively Guernica-Piano
solo -. Vivace String Quartet 7.
Suspended; 8. Scherzo; 9. Flowing; 10. Eerie;
11. Energetic 1,2,3-Alto Saxophone
solo 12. Driving; intense energy; 13. Soulful;
sincere; 14. Flowing Vignettes-Electric
Guitar/Piano - Spirited Three Songs 16.
I Corinthians 13 (Soprano/Baritone duet);
17. John 3:16 (Baritone solo); 18. Psalm
121 (Soprano solo) Shall I Compare
Thee to a Summer's Day- Soprano/Baritone
- Lovingly Wind Quintet 20. Allegro;
with rhythmic vitality; 21 Introduction;
Soulful; 22 Playful; with rhythmic vitality
BIBIMBOP RECORDS 02B56 [72:24]
Perigee and apogee Safari
David Fedele, flute; tom Chiu, violin; Makoto
Nakura, marimba; Thomas Kolor, percussion;
Beata Moon, piano Piano Fantasy Beata
Moon, piano Moonpaths Alan
Kay, clarinet; Karen Marx, violin; Beata
Moon, piano Submerged Beata
Moon, piano Antelope Vamp Tom
Chiu, electric violin; Makato Nakura, vibraphone;
Thomas Kolor, percussion; Beata Moon, piano
Winter Sky Chin Kim, violin;
Beata Moon, piano In Transit Beata
Moon, piano Mary Joan La Barbara,
soprano; Tom Chiu, violin; Danny Mallon,
percussion; Beata Moon, piano Prelude
Beata Moon, piano
ALBANY TROY426 [63:21] [RB]
A
composer of many facets: populist, jazzy,
bleak, modernist, minimalist. She has it
in her to grip the listener and a number
of pieces here are on a first hearing extremely
attractive. ... see Full
Review
Wolfgang Amadeus
MOZART (1756-1791)
Concerto
for Piano and Orchestra No. 12 in A, K414
[26:33] Concerto for Piano and Orchestra
No. 20 in d minor, K466 [31:21] Six German
Dances, K571 [10:22] Prelude and Fugue in
C K394 [10:06]
Rudolf Serkin, piano English Chamber
Orchestra/Alexander Schneider Recorded at
the Guildhall, London (Concerti, German
Dances) 23 July 1966; Royal Festival Hall,
London (Prelude and Fugue) 13 May 1968.
MONO
IMG ARTISTS - BBC LEGENDS BBCL 4157-2 [79:18]
[KS]
A
very fine slice of history indeed, and one
that should interest and delight a broad
spectrum of listeners. Recommended. ...
see Full Review
Carl NIELSEN
(1865-1931) The Six Symphonies
CD1
Symphony No. 1 FS16 (1892) [37.01] Symphony
No. 4 The Inextinguishable FS76 (1916)
[37.04] CD2
Symphony No. 2 The Four Temperaments
FS29 (1902) [32.21] Symphony No. 3 Sinfonia
Espansiva FS60 (1911) [35.26] CD3 Symphony
No. 5 FS97 (1922) [35.34] Symphony No. 6
Sinfonia Semplice FS116 (1925) [33.58]
Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra/Gennady
Rozhdestvensky Solveig Kringelborn (sop);
Karl-Magnus Fredriksson (bar) (3); Roland
Johansson, Lars Hammerteg (timpani) (4);
Sölve Kingstedt (clarinet); Daniel
Kåse (snare drum) (5). rec. Stockholm
Concert Hall, 13-14 Sept 1993 (1); 14-18
Mar 1994 (2, 3); 16-17 Nov 1992 (4); 14-15
Sept 1993 (5); 16, 19 Nov 1992 (6)
CHANDOS CLASSICS CHAN 10271(3)X [74.13
+ 77.36 + 71.43] [RB]
Ultimately
too much of a good thing ... some misfires
but the recording quality and Rozhdestvensky's
eye for detail make for sometimes surprisingly
pleasing listening. Not to be so easily
dismissed but not a library choice ... see
Full Review
Gösta
NYSTROEM (1890-1966)
Sinfonia
Shakespeariana - Symphony No. 4
(1951/52) [25:14] (I. Lento - Allegro
- Lento [8'31]; II. Allegro scherzando
[5'20]; III. Allegro [11'23])
Sinfonia tramontana - Symphony
No.6 (1965) [28:11] (I. Lento - Allegro
molto scherzando - Lento [15'08]; II.
Lento - Allegro - Andante [13'03])
Malmö Symphony Orchestra/B Tommy Andersson
Rec. Malmö Concert Hall, Sweden, Feb
2002 (4); Sept 2003 (6). DDD
BIS-CD-1082 [53:25] [RB]
A
courageous enterprise which now means that
all the Nystroem symphonies have been commercially
made. While not in the Del Mare category
these are important and highly individual
works superbly performed and recorded ...
see Full
Review
Jacques OFFENBACH
(1819-1880) Les
Contes d’Hoffmann René Maison
(tenor) - Hoffmann Vina Bovy (soprano) –
Olympia, Giulietta, Antonia, Stella Laurence
Tibbett (baritone) - Lindorf, Coppelius,
Daperutto, Miracle Angelo Badà (tenor)
– Andres, Cochenille, Pitichinaccio, Frantz
Irra Petina (soprano) – Nicklausse Norman
Cordon (baritone) – Schlemil Luis d'Angelo
(baritone) – Spalanzani, Crespel Anna Kaskas
– Mother Arnold Gabor – Luther Wilfred Engelman
– Hermann George Rasely - Nathanaël
Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan
Opera/Maurice Abravanel Recorded at the
Metropolitan Opera House, New York, 23 January
1937
GUILD GHCD 2315/16 [64.55 + 79.41] [JW]
A
splendid night and its restoration on disc
has been accomplished with skill and care
... see Full
Review
Georges
ONSLOW
(1784-1853) Symphony
No.1 in A major Op.41 (1831) Symphony No.3
in F minor (1834)
NDR Radiophilharmonie/Johannes Goritzki
Recorded NDR Grosser Sendesaal, March and
April 2002
CPO 999 747-2 [64.23] [JW]
Music-making
that is detailed, colourful and serious.
Onslow’s is a voice that should be heard
and not simply in relation to other bigger
names. ... see Full
Review
Ignacy Jan PADEREWSKI
(1860-1941)
Manru
- opera: a lyrical drama in three
acts (1899-1900) To a libretto in German
by Alfred Nossig on Josef Ignacy Kraszewski’s
novel ‘The Hut Behind the Village’ Taras
Ivaniv (ten) - Manru Ewa Czermak (sop) -
Ulana Barbara Krahel (mezzo) - Jadwiga Agnieszka
Rehlis (mezzo) - Aza Radosław Żukowski
(bass) - Jagu Maciej Krzysztyniak (bar)
- Urok Zbigniew Kryczka (bass-bar) - Oroz
Dorota Dutkowska (mezzo) - A girl Andrzej
Kalinin (ten) - Voice from the Mountains
Stanisław Czermak - violin solo
Chorus of the Lower Silesian Opera in
Wrocław/Małgorzata Orawska Orchestra
of the Lower Silesian Opera in Wrocław/Ewa
Michnik rec. live, Great Studio, Polish
Radio, Wrocław, March 2001. DDD world
premiere recording
DUX 0368/0369 [68:44 + 41:27] [RB]
An
overwhelmingly confident operatic entry
ready made for anyone already partial to
the operatic Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov
and late-romantic folk-drama. You will not
be disappointed. ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Giovanni
Pierluigi da Palestrina
(c.1525-1594) Live in Rome -
Celebrating Palestrina’s 400th
Anniversary Surge, illuminare [3:16]
Missa Papae Marcelli [33:02] Stabat
Mater [10:01] Alma Redemptoris
Mater [3.33] Magnificat primi
toni (8 voices) [8:40] Nunc Dimitis
(8 voices) [4:06] Missa Brevis [21:29]
– Audio only Missa Assumpta est Maria
[29:51] – Audio only Gregorio
Allegri (1582-1652) Miserere
[13.52] N.B. Dating of Palestrina’s
music is debatable.
The Tallis Scholars, directed by Peter Phillips
Deborah Roberts, soprano (in Allegri’s Miserere)
Filmed in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore
on February 2nd & 3rd
1994 Audio tracks:- Missa Brevis in Merton
College Oxford (undated) Missa Assumpta
est Maria in Salle Church, Norfolk (undated)
GIMDN 904 NTSC format
GIMELL
GIMDP 903 PAL [c.80 mins film; c.60
mins audio] [JF]
This
is a stunning DVD. Not only some of the
most moving choral music in the world but
also views of one of the finest churches
in Christendom. The next best thing to being
in paradise! ... see Full
Review
Andrzej PANUFNIK
(1914-1991)
Symphony
No. 9 Sinfonia della Speranza (1986-1990)
[40:54] Piano Concerto (1962-1982) [23:45]
Ewa Pobłocka (piano)
London Symphony Orchestra/Andrzej Panufnik
rec. 7-9 June 1991, Henry Wood Hall, London.
DDD
BMG CATALYST 8287 664280 2 [64:59]
[RB]
A
distinguished contribution to the catalogue
and one with many rewards ... this undervalued
but valuable music. ... see Full
Review
Wilhelm PETERSON-BERGER
(1867–1942)
The Complete Piano Music - Volume 3 Swedish
folk music set for the piano (Dalsland reel
– Waltz song from Ångermanland – Ebba
Brahe’s reel – Old song reel – Reel from
Jämtland); Entry of the June King;
Memories of travel (On the road – Sunshine
rain - The ladies of the manor – Distant
view – Past); Earina (Invocation – Floral
offering – Consecrating the weapons – Temple
rite – The rhapsodist sings – Runes of good
fortune – Promise); Three album leafs in
dance-form (Menuett – Gavott – Vals); September
Olof Höjer (piano) Rec. Swedish Broadcasting
Corporation, Studio 2, Stockholm, 2 – 4
September 2003
SWEDISH SOCIETY DISCOFIL SCD 1088 [76:31]
[GF]
Musical
by-ways these may be, but to wander them
in the company of Peterson-Berger and Olof
Höjer is a pleasure indeed. ... see
Full Review
Giacomo PUCCINI
(1858-1924)
La
Boheme - Adapted by Kevin Hocking as
a ballet CD 1 Act 1 Garret scene Mimi's
entrance - Rodolfo tells his story Mimi
tells her story Falling in love duet Act
2 Cafe Momus Babette's solo The Revue -
Introduction The Revue - Divertissement
1 The Revue - Divertissement 2 Rodolfo's
dream - Mimi/Rodolfo duet The Revue - Divertissement
3 The Revue - Divertissement 4 CD 2 Act
2 (continued) Alcindoro and Musetta enter
Musetta's solo and pas de deux with Marcello
Cafe patrons exit. Tango with Madame Bijoux
and Henri Rodolfo's inebriated hallucination.
Mimi and Rodolfo's angry duet Frontcloth
scene. Marcello comforts Mimi Double duet
- Mimi, Rodolfo, Musetta and Marcello go
their separate ways till Act 3 Garret scene,
final pas de deux - Mimi and Rodolfo Mimi's
death Recorded November 2003, January and
February 2004 at Studio 520, Australian
Broadcasting Corporation, Perth, Western
Australia
West Australian Ballet West Australian
Symphony Orchestra/Director Dobbs Franks
ABC CLASSICS 476 199-9[57.46 + 59.05]
[RJF]
The
recording quality is clear and open. The
orchestra plays with panache under the lyrical
guidance of the conductor Dobbs Franks.
... see Full
Review
Sergei RACHMANINOV
(1873-1943)
Piano
Concerto no.1 in F sharp minor op.1 [26 :02],
Piano Concerto no.2 in C minor op.18 [32 :26],
Piano Concerto no.3 in D minor op.30 [38 :23],
Piano Concerto no.4 in G minor op.40 [24 :35],
Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini op.43 [23 :44]
Stephen Hough (piano)
Dallas Symphony Orchestra/Andrew Litton
Rhapsody recorded 29th June 2003
and the Concertos recorded live during April
and May 2004 at the Eugene McDermott Concert
Hall, Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center,
Dallas
HYPERION CDA67501/2 [74:41 + 70:54]
[CH]
Some
fleet playing but Concertos 2 and (especially)
3 are too superficial to make the cycle
recommendable as a whole. ... see Full
Review
Sergei
RACHMANINOV
(1873-1943) Piano
concerto No.3 in D minor Op.30 (1909) The
Isle of the Dead – Symphonic poem Op.29
(1909)
Andreas Jetter (piano) Philharmonia Moldova/Dietrich
Schöller-Manno Recorded at the Concert
Hall of Iasi State Philharmonic, Romania,
September, 1997 (Concerto) and February,
1999 (The Isle of the Dead)
ANTES EDITION BM CD 31.9203 [65.26]
[JW]
Not
the strongest and unflattering recording
... see Full
Review
Sergey
RACHMANINOV (1873-1943)
Sonata
for Cello and Piano in G minor Op.19 (1901)
Dmitry SHOSTAKOVICH
(1906-1975) Sonata for Cello and Piano
in D minor Op.40 (1934) Alfred
SCHNITTKE (1934-1998) Suite
in the Old Style (1972) Arr. Daniel
Shafran
Leonid Gorokhov (Cello) Nikolai Demidenko
(Piano) Rec. The Music Room, Champs Hill,
Pulborough, Sussex in February 2004 DDD
ASV GOLD GLD 4006 [78:17] [PCW]
The
Rachmaninov is a "hit" but the
Shostakovich a "miss" … see Full
Review
Sergei
RACHMANINOV: (1873
- 1943) Vespers
– All Night Vigil (1915)
Raissa Palmu (soprano), Erja Wimeri (contralto) Eugen Antoni (tenor)
Finnish National Opera Chorus/Eric-Olof Söderströmrecorded
in St. John Church, Helsinki, 1st April, 29th,
30th 31st May, 1st June, 2001. DDD
NAXOS 8.555908 [54’00"]
[JPh]
Because
of the contralto soloist this disc is un-recommendable.
... see Full
Review
Sergei
RACHMANINOV (1873-1943)
The
Miserly Knight Op. 24 - an opera in
three scenes (1906) Libretto from the 'Little
Tragedy' by Alexander Pushkin Prelude [7:43]
Scene 1 In the Tower [17:33] Scene 2 In the
Cellar [22:56] Scene 3 At the Palace [12:12]
The Baron - Mikhail Guzhov (bass) Albert,
his son - Vsevolod Grivnov (ten) The Duke
- Andre Baturkin (bar) Jewish Moneylender
- Borislav Molchanov (ten) Servant - Vitaly
Efanov (bass)
Russian State Symphony Orchestra/Valeri
Polyansky rec. Grand Hal, Moscow Conservatory,
Oct 2003, DDD
CHANDOS CHAN 10264 [60:30] [RB]
The
full package handsomely performed and recorded
with complete text and presented in the current
ultimate in sound quality. ... see Full
Review
Music from Estonia, Vol. 1 Kaljo
RAID (b. 1921)
Symphony No. 1 in C minor (1944): Funebre,
energico, [15.38] +Vivace, meno allegretto,
[8.31] +Andante, poco maestoso, [13.16] [37.31]
Heino ELLER (1887-1970)
Elegia for Harp and Strings (1931)
[12.59] Five Pieces for String Orchestra
(1953): Andante con moto, 5.34 +Allegretto
moderato, 1.21 +Vivo, 1.40 +Lento assai poco
rubato, 2.13 +Cantando espressivo, 4.20 [15.21]
Tone poem "Dawn" (1918)
[8.10]
Scottish National Orchestra/Neeme Järvi
Recorded August 1986 at SNO Centre, Glasgow
CHANDOS CHAN 8525 [74.20]
Kaljo RAID (b.
1921) Stockholm Symphony (Symphony
No. 2): Allegretto, [7.22] +Adagio, [8.10]
+Allegro giocoso, [5.33] +Larghetto, [5.54]
+Allegro moderato e risoluto, [9.30] Eduard
TUBIN (1905-1982) Elegy for Strings
(arr. Kaljo RAID)
[2.33] Unfinished Symphony (Symphony
No. 11) (orchestration completed by Kaljo
RAID) Allegro vivace, con spirito
[8.51]
Estonian State Symphony Orchestra/Arvo Volmer
Recorded April 1990-January 1992, Radio House,
Tallinn, Estonia
KOCH INTERNATIONAL CLASSICS 3-7291-2H1 [48.17]
[LN]
Raid
Symphony No. 1: a symphony ... of powerful
discourse. Its impact is like the first movement
of Walton No. 1. Symphony No. 2: a trace of
sardonic humor and lofty, spiritual writing
... see Full Review
Jean Philippe
Rameau (1683
– 1764) Hippolyte et Aricie – Orchestral
Suite La
Petite Bande/Sigiswald Kuijken Recorded June
1978, Scholosskirche, Scheiden.
DEUTSCHE HARMONIA MUNDI 74321 935542 [51.39]
[RH]
A
reissue of the 1979 recording of a selection
of the purely instrumental movements from
Rameau’s first opera. ... see Full
Review
Max
REGER (1873-1916)
Variations
and Fugue on a theme of J. S. Bach, Op.
81 (1904) [30’14]. Variations and Fugue
on a theme of G. P. Telemann, Op. 134
(1914) [39’55].
Mark Latimer (piano). Rec. All Saints’ Church,
Petersham on April 4th and 5th,
1994. DDD
WARNER CLASSICS 2564 61718-2 [70’19] [CC]
Very
strongly recommended. Latimer’s belief in
this music is clear, his technique fully up
to the challenges. ... see Full
Review
Ottorino
RESPIGHI (1879-1936)
Ancient Dances and Airs for Lute Suites Nos:
1, for orchestra (1917); 2, for chamber orchestra
(1924); 3, for strings (1932)
Philharmonia Hungarica/Antal Dorati Recorded:
Grosser Saal, Wiener Konzerthaus, 9-11 June
1958. ADD Super Audio CD 3 channel stereo
MERCURY LIVING PRESENCE 470 637-2
[54:32] [MC]
A
remarkable achievement. Magnificent! ... see
Full Review
Nicolai Andreyevich
RIMSKY-KORSAKOV
(1844 - 1908) Capriccio
Espagnol, Op 34 (1887) [15.00] Piano Concerto
in c#, Op 30 (1883) [14.06] The Tale of
the Tsar Sultan, Op 57: Suite (1900) [19.49]
Sadko, Musical Picture, Op 5 (1869)
[12.20] Russian Easter Festival Overture,
Op 36 (1888) [14.10]
Noriko Ogawa (Steinway D piano) Malaysian
Philharmonic Orchestra/Kees Bakels Tan Eng,
piano technician. Notes in English, Deutsch,
Français. Photos of artists. Recorded
in Petronas Hall, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,
November 2003
BIS-CD-1387 [76.42] [PSh]
A
superlative new version of these venerable
orchestral showpieces. If you can, wait for
the SACD ... see Full
Review
Gioachino
ROSSINI (1792-1868)
The Great Rossini Overtures La
gazza ladra (The Thieving Magpie) Il barbiere
di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville) La scala
di seta (The Silken Ladder) Eduardo e Cristina,
L'italiana in Algeri (The Italian Girl in
Algiers) Semiramide, Tancredi, La donna del
lago (The Lady of the Lake) Guillaume Tell
(William Tell)
Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra/Ola Rudner
Recorded March and October 2002 in the Federation
Concert Hall, Hobart, Tasmania
ABC CLASSICS 476 259-9 [76.23] [RJF]
Given
the clear open recording there is much to
enjoy here even if the interpretations are
rather strait-laced. ... see Full
Review
Gioacchino
ROSSINI (1792-1868)
Il
Barbiere di Siviglia – comic opera in
two acts (1816) [143:56] John Charles Thomas
(Figaro), Bruno Landi (Almaviva), Josephine
Tuminia (Rosina), Salvatore Boccaloni (Bartolo),
Ezio Pinza (Basilio), Wilfred Engelman (Fiorello),
Irra Petina (Berta), John Dudley (Officer),
Metropolitan Opera Chorus and Orchestra/Gennaro
Papi Recorded live at the Metropolitan Opera
House, New York, 1st March 1941
Friedrich von FLOTOW
(1812-1883) Martha: Il
suo sguardo* [4:55], M’appari [4:15]
Bruno Landi (tenor), Vivian Della Chiesa (soprano)*,
San Francisco Opera Orchestra/Gaetano Merola
From a Standard Hour broadcast, 10th
September 1944
GUILD GHCD 2296/97 [76:29 + 76:37] [CH]
The
very fact that you are unlikely to hear a
performance anything like this today is justification
for hearing this one. ... see Full
Review
Gioachino
ROSSINI (1792-1868)
Il
Barbiere di Siviglia, Comic Opera
in Two Acts [128 :28] Luigi Infantino
(Il Conte d’Almaviva), Carlo Badioli (Bartolo),
Giulietta Simionato (Rosina), Giuseppe Taddei
(Figaro), Antonio Cassinelli (Basilio), Piero
Poldi (Fiorello), Renata Broilo (Berta)
Orchestra Sinfonica e Coro di Milano della
RAI/Fernando Previtali Recorded in Milan,
Italy, 10th October 1950
WARNER FONIT 5050467-1050-2-7 [65:07 +
63:21] [CH]
One
for Taddei fans. ... see Full
Review
Gioachino
ROSSINI (1792-1868)
Maometto II (1822 Venice
version) [166:40]
Denis Sedov (Maometto, bass), Anna-Rita Gemmabella
(Calbo, contralto), Luisa Islam-Ali-Zade (Anna
Erisso, mezzo-soprano), Massimiliano Barbolini
(Paolo Erisso, tenor), Antonio De Gobbi (Condulmiero,
bass), Cesare Ruta (Selimo, tenor) Czech Philharmonic
Choir, Brno, Czech Chamber Soloists/Brad Cohen
Recorded live in Kurhaus Bad Wildbad on 15th,
17th and 20th July 2002
NAXOS 8.660149-51 [3 CDs: 71:58 + 26:12
+ 68:30] [CH]
A
notable opera enters the catalogue in a version
worthy of the occasion. ... see Full
Review
Gioachino
ROSSINI (1792-1868)
Il
Signor Bruschino or Il Figlio per
azzardo. Farsa giocosa in One Act (1813) Florville,
Sofia's beloved, Alessandro Codeluppi (ten);
Gaudenzio, Sofia's tutor, Maurizio Leoni (bar);
Sofia, Elena Rossi (sop); Signer Bruschino,
Dario Giorgelè (bass); Filiberto, inn-keeper,
Antonio Marani, (bar) Marianna, a maid, Clara
Giangaspero (mez); Bruschino Figlio, Signor
Bruschino son, Massimiliano Barbolini (ten)
I Virtuosi Italiani/Claudio Desderi Recorded
in the Auditorium Pandurera, Cento(Ferrara)
Italy, on 4th May 2002
NAXOS OPERA CLASSICS 8.660128 [79.43]
[RJF]
This
last of Rossini’s one act farces is well worth
hearing for its musical innovations and innate
virtues. ... see
Full Review
Nino ROTA
(1911-1979) Il
Gattopardo (The Leopard) (1963) French/Italian
film Directed by Luchino Visconti Starring Burt Lancaster, Alain Delon
and Claudia Cardinale Digital restoration of complete film from original
70mm negative materials overseen by the film’s director of photography,
Giuseppe Rotunno, and presented in its original wide screen aspect ratio
Italian language with English subtitles.
BFI (BRITISH FILM INSTITUTE) BFIVD595 [178 mins plus extra material]
[IL]
One
of the 20th century’s major films
with a powerful score by Nino Rota now splendidly
refurbished – except for the music sound quality
and questionably complete. ... see Full
Review
Anton RUBINSTEIN
(1829 - 1894) The
Demon, opera in prologue and three
acts (1871) [142.29] text by P. Viskovatov
after the poem by Lermontov. Sung in Russian.
Tamara - Tatiana Talachadze The
Angel - Elena Gribova The Demon
- Alexey Ivanov Prince Goudal - Sergei
Krassovsky
Chorus and Orchestra of the Bolshoi Theatre,
Moscow/Alexander Melik-Pashayev Recorded in
Moscow, Russia, 1950 ADD Track list and synopsis
in Cyrillic Russian and English; no texts.
Photos of singers.
GREAT HALL MVT CD 030-031 [71.40 + 70.49]
[PSh]
Interesting
and effective music by a composer better known
for his instrumental works ... see Full
Review
The Complete
Music of Rubbra and Britten for Recorder
The Flautadors; Dante Quartet; Laurence Cummings,
harpsichord; Susanna Pell, viola da gamba;
Patricia Rozario, soprano Recorded at All
Saints Church, East Finchley, November 2003
DUTTON LABORATORIES CDLX 7142 [74.10]
[GH]
Good
to hear these works ... rare and beautifully
played ... recording excellent. I heartily
recommend this fascinating project. ... 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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