ALPHABETICAL LISTING

Artist Portrait - Martha Argerich, piano WARNER CLASSICS 2564-61589 [75:47] [GS]

Depending on the repertoire sought, tentatively recommended. ... see Full Review

1992 Sydney International Piano Competition of Australia Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini Op.43
Vitaly Samoshko (piano) Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Piano Concerto No.1 in E flat major
Duncan Gifford (piano) Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Piano Concerto No.3 in C
Olivier Cazal (piano) Sydney Symphony Orchestra/Edvard Tchivzhel Recorded in competition in 1992 ABC CLASSICS 476 227-4 [70.09] [JW]

This is strictly for admirers. ... see Full Review

Awake O Harp Georg Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759) Concerto in B flat major Op.4 No.6 (1736) transcribed R DENT* Chaconne in C major transcribed Henryk BOYE Marcel TOURNIER (1897-1951) Etude de Concert Au Matin (1925) John THOMAS (1836-1913) The Minstrel’s Adieu to his Native Land Bugeilio’r Gwenith Gwyn (Watching the Wheat) Marcel GRANDJANY (1891-1975) Aria in Classic Style* David WATKINS (b.1939) Fire Dance (c.1961) William CROFT (1678-1727) Sarabande and Ground edited D. WATKINS Roger NICHOLS (b.1945) Impromptu (1972) Oreste RAVANELLO (1871-1938) Prelude-Berceuse* William MATHIAS (1934-1992) Santa Fe Suite (1998) Rachel Dent (harp) Ronald Frost (organ)* Recorded St. Ann, Manchester* (2003?) DUNELM DRD0221 [69.14] [JW]

This is a pleasing programme from a young harpist who is making a name for herself as soloist and freelance player. ... see Full Review

Alessio Bax – Baroque Reflections Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Toccata and Fugue in D minor BWV 565 transcribed Ferrucio BUSONI (1866-1924)
Concerto in D minor BWV 974 [after Alessandro MARCELLO (1669-1747), Oboe Concerto] Prelude in B minor [after Bach BWV 855 transcribed Alexander SILOTI (1863-1945) Jesu, Joy of man’s Desiring [from Cantata No.147 transcribed by Myra HESS (1890-1965) Christoph Willibald GLUCK (1714-1787) Mélodie arranged by Giovanni SGAMBATI (1841-1914) Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Sarabande and Chaconne from Handel’s Almira Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Variations on a theme of Corelli Op.42 Suite (after the Partita in E major for solo violin BWV 1006 by Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Alessio Bax (piano) Recorded at The Maltings, Snape, May 2004 WARNER 2564 61695-2 [69.18] [JW]

Sound quality is warm, not cloying. Like the playing. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH The Leonard Bernstein Collectors Edition: The Americans Barber - Bloch - Copland - Foss - Gershwin - Harris - Ives - Rorem - Schuman - Del Tredici CD 1 George GERSHWIN (1898-1937) Arr. F.GROFÉ Rhapsody in Blue [17:07] Leonard Bernstein (piano) Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra/Leonard Bernstein Three Preludes for Piano Solo [04:22] Samuel BARBER (1910-1981) Adagio for Strings, Op.11 Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra/Leonard Bernstein [10:02] Ernest BLOCH (1880-1959) Schelomo [24:34] Mischa Maisky (cello) Israel Philharmonic Orchestra/Leonard Bernstein CD 2 Aaron COPLAND (1900-1990) Symphony No. 3 Quiet City for Cor Anglais, Trumpet and Strings [10:35] New York Philharmonic Orchestra/Leonard Bernstein, Philip Smith (trumpet), Thomas Stacy (cor anglais) Appalachian Spring - (Ballet for Martha) [26:34] Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra/Leonard Bernstein CD 3 Aaron COPLAND (1900-1990) El salón Mexico [12:00] Concerto For Clarinet: New York Philharmonic Orchestra/Leonard Bernstein, Stanley Drucker (clarinet) Music For The Theatre (1925) Connotations For Orchestra (1961-62): [20:29] New York Philharmonic Orchestra/Leonard Bernstein CD 4 Roy HARRIS (1898-1979) ymphony No. 3 in one movement [18:27] William Howard SCHUMAN (1910-1992) ymphony No. 3; American Festival Overture [09:23] CD 5 Charles IVES (1874-1954) Symphony No. 2 The Gong on the Hook and Ladder or Firemen's Parade on Main Street [02:16] Tone Roads No. 1 [03:16] Largo cantabile "Hymn" [03:43] Hallowe'en [01:56] Central Park in the Dark [07:11] The Unanswered Question [06:07] CD6 David Del TREDICI (b.1937) Tattoo [18:05] Ned ROREM (b. 1923) Violin Concerto [23:32] Lukas FOSS (b.1923) The Song of Songs - Biblical Cantata for voice and orchestra [28:29] Gidon Kremer (violin) New York Philharmonic Orchestra/Leonard Bernstein Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra/Leonard Bernstein (American Festival Overture) Sheri Greenawald (sop) (Foss) Israel Philharmonic Orchestra/Leonard Bernstein (Foss) Rec. live 1982-1989 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 474 940-2 [56:30 + 80:56 + 74:06 + 60:42 + 67:34 + 70:14] [RB]

Essential listening for Bernstein adherents and for anyone who has already fallen for the American Adventure. Bernstein’s adroit no-holds-barred approach establishes new friends for old favourites and fresh discoveries. Performances vivid and often brimming with unbridled life. ... see Full Review

Ferrucio Busoni – Piano Rolls Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) - Ferrucio BUSONI (1866-1924) Chaconne in D minor Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Feux Follets, La Chasse, Polonaise No.2 in E major Fryderyk CHOPIN (1810-1849) Twenty-Four Preludes Op.28 Ferrucio Busoni - reproduced via a Steinway Duo Art Player Piano in the Concert Artist Studios Cambridge CONCERT ARTIST/FIDELIO RECORDINGS CACH 4060-2 [74.36] [JW]

These thoughtful and expert restorations are particularly effective and are recommended. ... see Full Review

Domingo Sings Caruso Plácido Domingo (tenor); ^abLondon Symphony Orchestra/^aNello Santi, ^bErich Leinsdorf; ^cLondon Philharmonic Orchestra/Georg Solti; ^dNew Philharmonia Orchestra/Nello Santi; ^eRoyal Philharmonic Orchestra/Edward Downes. Texts and translations included. No rec. info. provided. RCA RED SEAL 82876 59407 2 [68’55] [CC]

If a good dollop of Domingo in music he evidently loves is what you’re after, you won’t go far wrong with this. A tenner does seem a bit on the steep side, though. ... see Full Review

Artist Portrait: Placido Domingo WARNER CLASSICS 0927 49707 2 [75.07]

An entertaining and stimulating collection. A true ‘artist portrait’. ... see Full Review

Dreams Maximo Diego PUJOL (b. 1957): Verde Alma; Agustín BARRIOS MANGORÉ (1885 – 1944): Un sueño en la floresta; J.S. BACH (1685 – 1750)/Charles GOUNOD (1818 – 1893): Ave Maria (arr. Giac Giacomantonio); George Frederic HANDEL (1685 – 1759): Lascia ch’io pianga, from Rinaldo (arr. Jan-Olof Eriksson); Francisco TÁRREGA (1852 – 1909): Capricho Arabe; A BARRIOS MANGORÉ: Julia Florida; Robert SCHUMANN (1810 – 1856): Träumerei, from Kinderszenen (arr. A Barrios Mangoré); Isaac ALBÉNIZ (1860 – 1909): Tango, from España (arr. Karin Schaupp); Enrique GRANADOS (1867 – 1916): La Maja de Goya, from Tonadillas en un estilo antiguo (arr. Miguel Llobet); Erik SATIE (1866 – 1925): Gymnopédie No 1 (arr. Carlos Barbosa-Lima); Marguerite MONNOT (1903 – 1961): Hymne à l’amour (arr. Roland Dyens); Heitor VILLA-LOBOS (1887 – 1959): Study No 8; Phillip HOUGHTON (b. 1954): Faerie; John DOWLAND (1563 – 1626): Melancholy Galliard (arr. Karin Schaupp); Domenico SCARLATTI (1685 – 1757): Sonata K 208: Andante è cantabile (arr. Karin Schaupp); Fernando SOR (1778 – 1839): Andante op 43 No 5; Pietro MASCAGNI (1863 – 1945): Intermezzo from Cavalleria rusticana (arr. Giac Giacomantonio) Karin Schaupp (guitar), Brett Dean (viola)(Bach-Gounod), David Leisner (guitar)(Albéniz) Recorded February and April 2004, Brisbane, Australia ABC CLASSICS 476 226-9 [67:07] [GF]

There is so much wonderful guitar music around and some of the most wonderful is on this disc. ... see Full Review

 East meets West Ravi SHANKAR (b.1920) Raga Piloo In memoriam Yehudi Menuhin Swara-Kakali (based on Raga Tilang) In memoriam Yehudi Menuhin Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) Tzigane - Rapsodie de concert for violin and luthéal (original version) Manuel de FALLA (1876-1946) Suite populaire espagnole (arr. Kochanski) Béla BARTÓK (1881-1945) Romanian Folk Dances (arr. Székely) Alfred SCHNITTKE (1934-1998) Sonata 1955 for Violin and Piano (world premiere recording) Daniel Hope, violin Sebastian Knauer, piano/luthéal Gaurav Mazumdar, sitar Asok Chakraborty, tabla Gilda Sebastian, tanpura Recorded at NDR, Rolf-Liebermann-Studio, Hamburg, 5th-6th November 2003. WARNER CLASSICS 2564 61329-2 [72.57] [NH]

An excellent  and ingenious programme fully realised by artists totally committed to the concept of 'East meet West' ... see Full Review

Empty Sky: Yearning for the Bell, Volume 3. TRADITIONAL Daha [6’17]. Yamagoe [4’42]. Honte Chôshi [4’45]. Tehodoki Reihô [4’27]. Matsu Reibo [11’47]. Nesasa Kokû [11’47]. SAKAI CHIKUHO I Ryûmei Chô [7’42]. Riley Lee (shakuhachi). Rec. National Acoustics Laboratory, Sydney, Australia, 24-26 July 1996 DDD. TALL POPPIES TP118 [58’03] [CC]

A wonderful disc that transports the listener to worlds that seem far removed from hectic Western life. ... see Full Review

En Prière – The Girl Choristers of All Saints’ Church, Northampton Gabriel FAURÉ (1845 – 1924) Ave Maria Op. 67 No. 2 [2:08] Jean LANGLAIS (1907 – 1991) Missa in simplicitate [10:46] Jehan ALAIN (1911 – 1940) O quam suavis [2:12] Ave Maria [1:58] Maurice DURUFLÉ (1902 – 1986) Fugue sur le Thème du Carillon des heures de la Cathédrale de Soissons [3:29]* Jean LANGLAIS (1907 – 1991) Cinq motets [9:34] Gabriel FAURÉ (1845 – 1924) Ave Maria Op. 93 [4:40] Jean LANGLAIS (1907 – 1991) Melody (1^st movement from Triptyque) [5:32] Maurice DURUFLÉ (1902 – 1986) Pie Jesu (from Requiem Op. 9) [3:36] Gabriel FAURÉ (1845 – 1924) En Prière [3:11] Andre CAPLET (1878 – 1925) Sanctus [1:30] Benedictus [1:24] Maurice DURUFLÉ (1902 – 1986) In Paradisum (from Requiem Op.9) [2:57] Richard Pinel, organ Girls’ Choir All Saints’ Church, Northampton  Edward Whiting, Director and organ* Recorded in Exeter College, Oxford, April 2004 LAMMAS LAMM 170D [54:06] [BB]

A beautiful ensemble tone, clarity of diction and expression. The overall effect is at times really wonderful ... a joy to hear ... see Full Review

The Fibonacci Sequence Mikhail IPPOLITOV-IVANOV (1859-1935) An Evening in Georgia Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) Fantaisie Op.124 Jan Ladislav DUSSEK (1760-1812) Sonata in E flat Op.34 Mikhail Ivanovich GLINKA (1804-1857) Der Zweifel Arnold BAX (1883-1953) Elegiac Trio Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) Introduction and Allegro Gillian Tingay (harp) The Fibonacci Sequence: Christine Sohn and Ursula Gough (violins), Yuko Inoue (viola), Michael Sterling (cello), Anna Noakes (flute), Christopher O’Neal (oboe), Julian Farrell (clarinet), Richard Skinner (bassoon). Rec. Norden Farm Centre for Arts, Maidenhead, Berkshire, date not given DDD DEUX-ELLES DXL 1090 [61:16][PCW]

Attractive music, very well-played and superbly recorded, this disc is a winner ... see Full Review

Flute Recital Hugo ALFVÉN (1872-1960) Romance (1885) Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Sonata in B K.15 (1764) Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Violin Sonata in C minor Op.30/2 (1802) (transcribed for flute by Mats Möller) Theobald BOEHM (1794-1881) Elégie Op.47 (1880) Charles-Marie WIDOR (1845-1937) Suite Op.34 (1898) Mats Möller (flute) Jan Bülow (piano) Rec. Västerås Concert Hall in January 2004 DDD SFZ RECORDS CD SFZ 1010 [57:52] [PCW]

As good a flute recital as you are likely to find … see Full Review

Guitar Music from Brazil Marco PEREIRA (b. 1956): Pixaim; João PERNAMBUCO (1883 – 1947): Sons de carilhões (Sounds of Bells); Graúna (Blackbird); Marco PEREIRA: Plainte (Lament); Num pagoda en Planaltina (Gathering in Planaltina); Antonio Carlos JOBIM (1927 – 1994): Luiza; Garota de Ipanema (Girl from Ipanema); Luiz BONFÁ (1922 – 2001): Manhã de Carnaval (Morning of the Carnival); Sergio ASSAD (b. 1952): Aquarelle: Divertimento – Valseana – Preludio e Toccatina; Rafael RABELLO (1962 – 1995): Sete Cordas (Seven Strings); Marco PEREIRA: O Chôro de Juliana (Juliana’s Chôro); Egberto GISMONTI (b. 1947): Agua e Vinho (Water and Wine); João PERNAMBUCO: Pó de Mico (Itching Powder); Heitor VILLA-LOBOS (1887 – 1959): Sentimental Melody; Ronaldo MIRANDA (b. 1948): Appassionata Graham Anthony Devine (guitar) Recorded at St John Chrysostom Church, Newmarket, Ontario, Canada, 26-30 Jan 2003 NAXOS 8.557295 [68:36] [GF]

Attractive, varied and thrilling ... lovers of guitar music, curious about what classical guitar music might be like should buy it! ... see Full Review

Two Hands Leon Fleisher Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Jesu, joy of man’s desiring (arr. Hess) [3’43]. Sheep may safely graze (arr. Petri) [5’01]. Domenico SCARLATTI (1685-) Sonata in E, K380/L23 [5’24] Frédéric CHOPIN (1810-1849) Mazurka in C sharp minor, Op. 50 No. 3 [4’33]. Nocturne in D flat, Op. 27 No. 2 () [6’59]. Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918)Suite Bergamasque – Clair de lune Franz Peter SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Piano Sonata in B flat, D960 (1828) Leon Fleisher (piano) Rec. American Academy of Arts and Letters, New York City. NY, 4-6 June 2004 DDD VANGUARD CLASSICS ATMCD1551 [CC]

In a sense this disc represents some kind of modern-day miracle. Enthusiastically recommended. ... see Full Review

Für Elise - Favourite Piano Works BEETHOVEN: Für Elise; SCHUMANN: Träumerei; CHOPIN: Valse, in C sharp minor op 64/2; MENDELSSOHN: Lied ohne Worte in E major op 19/1; DEBUSSY: Arabesque No 1; SCHUBERT: Impromptu in A flat major op 142/2; BEETHOVEN: Adagio from Sonata Pathétique op 13; SCHUMANN: Des Abends from Fantasiestücke op 12; CHOPIN: Prelude in D flat major op 28/15 "Regentropfen"; MENDELSSOHN: Venetianisches Gondellied op 30/6; LISZT: Liebestraum; BRAHMS: Intermezzo in E flat major op 117/1; CHOPIN: Nocturne in B flat minor op 9/1; Nocturne in E flat major op 9/2; BEETHOVEN: Adagio from Mondschein Sonata; DEBUSSY: Clair de lune
Misha Goldstein (piano), Martijn van den Hoek (piano – Chopin: Valse in C sharp minor)
No recording dates and venue(s) given. Includes book with all the recorded music. BRILLIANT CLASSICS 92262 [69:20] [GF]

I can think of several worse ways of spending a little cash than buying this disc ... recorded sound is good with an intimate feeling. ... see Full Review

Genesis Suite - A Musical Collaboration (1945) Arnold SCHOENBERG Prelude Nathaniel SHILKRET Creation* Alexandre TANSMAN Adam and Eve* Darius MILHAUD Cain and Abel Mario CASTELNUOVO-TEDESCO The Flood Ernst TOCH The Covenant (The Rainbow)* Igor STRAVINSKY Babel Sung in English * Orchestrations reconstructed by Patrick Russ Tovah Feldshuh, speaker Barbara Feldon, speaker David Margulies, speaker Fritz Weaver, speaker Isaiah Sheffer, speaker Ernst Senff Chor/Sigurd Brauns Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin/Gerard Schwarz Rec. Jesus-Christus-Kirche, Berlin, December 2000, Deutschland Radio; narration: Clinton Studios, New York, April 2003. DDD Milken Archive of American Jewish Music NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS 8.559442 [56:45] [RB]

Its chrome-plated musical sensationalism is enjoyable provided you have no hang-ups about kitsch. I thought it was great fun. ... see Full Review

The Gigli Edition - Volume 5 - The New York Recordings 1927-28 Georges BIZET (1838-1870) Les Pecheurs de perles, Au fond du temple saint (with Giuseppe De Luca, bar) Amilcare PONCHIELLI (1834-1886) La Gioconda, Enzo Grimaldo, Principe di Santifior (with Giuseppe De Luca, bar) Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797-1868) Lucia di Lamermoor: Tombe degl’ avi miei; Giusto cielo, rispondete (Ezio Pinza, bass); Tu che Dio spiegasti l’ali (Ezio Pinza, bass); Chi mi frena in tal momento? (Sextet; with Giuseppe De Luca, bar. Ezio Pinza, bass. Amelita Galli-Curci, sop. Louise Homer, alto. Angelo Barda, ten.) Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Rigoletto, Bella figlia del’amore (Quartet; with Giuseppe De Luca, bar. Ezio Pinza, bass. Amelita Galli-Curci, sop. Louise Homer, cont.) La Traviata, De, miei bollenti spiriti Ambroise THOMAS (1811-1896) Mignon, Adieu Mignon Mignon, Ah, non credevi tu Giacomo MEYERBEER (1791-1864) L’Africaine, O paradiso Pietro MASCAGNI (1863-1945) Cavalleria rusticana, Viva il vino spumeggiante Ernesto DE CURTIS (1875-1937) Voce’e notte. Canta pe’ me! Beniamino Gigli (tenor) Recorded in Liederkranz Hall, New York and 16 West 64^th Street, New York (Manon), November and December 1927; January, May and December 1928 Accompanied by the ‘Victor Orchestra’, cond. Rosario Bourdon (trs. 1-3 and 14-19) and Metropolitan Orchestra, cond Giulio Setti (trs. 4-13) NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110266 [79.06] [RJF]

This CD should be in every opera lover’s collection. I cannot recommend it highly enough for its inherent quality ... see Full Review

The Gigli Edition: Volume 6 - New York Recordings (1929-30) Friedrich von FLOTOW (1812-1883) Martha, M’appari Amilcare PONCHIELLI (1834-1886) La Gioconda, Cielo e mar! Georges BIZET (1838-1870) Les Pecheurs de perles, Je crois entendre encore (sung in Italian) Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797-1868) L’Elisir d’amore, Una furtiva lagrima SEISMIT-DODA Notte lunare Luigi DENZA (1846-1922) Se Occhi di fata Stanislao GASTALDON (1861-1939) Musica probita Ernesto DE CURTIS (1875-1937) Carmela. KREISLER Vecchio ritornelloEmanuele NUTILE (1862-1932) Mamma mia, che vo’ sape Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) I Lombardi, Oh non piu dinanzi al cielo Attila, Te sol quest’ anima Beniamino Gigli (tenor) Recorded in Liederkranz Hall New York and RCA Victor Studio New York in January 1929 and December 1929; December 1930 Accompanied by the ‘Victor Orchestra’. Cond. Bruno Reibold (trs. 1-2) and, Rosario Bourdon (trs. 3-17) Restoration Engineer: Mark Obert-Thorn NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110267 [66.51] [RJF]

Provides an ideal opportunity to hear Gigli in his golden vocal period. Strongly recommended. ... see Full Review

Tito Gobbi – Baritone Masterclass Ruggero LEONCAVALLO (1857 – 1919) Prologue:Si puo (I Pagliacci) (1) Buono Zaza; Zaza puiccola zingara (Zaza) (2) Francesco CILEA (1866– 1950) Come due tizzi accesi (L’Arlesiana) (2) Giacomo PUCCINI (1858 – 1924) Minnie, dalla mia casa (La Fanciulla del West) (2) Te Deum; Gia mi dicon venal (Tosca) (6) Giuseppe VERDI (1813 – 1901) Credo in un Dio crudel (Otello) (5) Il Sogno:Era la notte (Otello) (1) Pari siamo (Rigoletto) (4) Per me Giunto; Io morro (Don Carlo) (2) Di Provenza il mar (La Traviata) (4) Eri tu (Un ballo in maschera) (5) Urna fatale (La Forza del Destino) (3) Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756 – 1791) Deh vieni (Don Giovanni) (2) Non piu andrai; Aprite un po (Le Nozze di Figaro) (3) Gioacchino ROSSINI (1792 – 1868) Largo al factotum (Il Barbiere di Siviglia) (1) Tito Gobbi (baritone) Maria Callas (soprano) (6) Orchestra/Alberto Erede (1) Orchestra/Umberto Berrettoni (2) Philharmonia Orchestra/James Robertson (3) Philharmonia Orchestra/Walter Süsskind (4) London Symphony Orchestra/Warwick Braithwaite (5) Chorus and Orchestra of La Scala/Victor de Sabata (6) Recorded: London, 1948; Italy, 1942; London, 1950; London, 1950; London, 1950; Milan, 1953 REGIS RRC 1183 [78.55] [RH]

An attractive collection of Tito Gobbi’s early recordings highlighting the singer’s versatility and the sheer beauty of vocal tone ... see Full Review

THE GREAT PIANO CONCERTOS CD 1: Sergey RACHMANINOV (1873 – 1943): Piano Concerto No 3 in D minor op 30 Nikolai Lugansky (piano), State Academy Symphony Orchestra of Russia/Ivan Shpiller; Maurice RAVEL (1875 – 1937): Piano Concerto in G major Hélène Grimaud (piano), Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Jésus Lopez-Cobos Licensed from Challenge Classics (Rachmaninov); Published 1992 (Ravel) CD 2: Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840 – 1893): Piano Concerto No 1 in B flat minor op 23 Evgeny Kissin (piano), St Petersburg Academic Symphony Orchestra/Valery Gergiev Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841 – 1904): Piano Concerto in G minor op 33 Rudolf Firkusny (piano), St Louis Symphony Orchestra/Walter Süsskind Live recording March 30, 1987 (Tchaikovsky); Licensed from VOX, USA (Dvorak) CD 3: Frédéric CHOPIN (1810 – 1849): Piano Concerto No 1 in E minor op 11; Piano Concerto No 2 in F minor op 21 Evgeny Kissin (piano), Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra/Dmitri Kitaenko Live recording March 27, 1984 in the Grand Hall of the Moscow Conservatory CD 4: Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770 – 1827): Piano Concerto No 3 in C minor op 37; Piano Concerto No 5 in E flat major op 73 Emil Gilels (piano), State Symphony Orchestra of the USSR/Kurt Masur Live recording December 1976 CD 5: Sergey RACHMANINOV (1873 – 1943): Piano Concerto No 2 in C minor op 18 Robert SCHUMANN (1810 – 1856): Piano Concerto in A minor op 54 Klára Würtz (piano), National Symphony Orchestra of the Ukraine/Vladimir Sirenko (Rachmaninov); Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie/Arie van Beek (Schumann) Recorded February 1, 2003 in Chassé Theater, Breda, The Netherlands (Rachmaninov); November 16, 2003 in Philharmonie Hereford, Germany
CD 6: Franz LISZT (1811 – 1886): Piano Concerto No 1 in E flat major; Piano Concerto No 2 in A major; Totentanz Nelson Freire (piano), Dresdner Philharmonie/Michel Plasson Recorded September 1994 in Lukaskirche, Dresden BRILLIANT CLASSICS 92293 [6 CDs: 64:39+70:38+63:05+72:39+63:36+52:47] [GF]

There may be individual readings of some of these works that are even better, but taken as a whole and considering the give-away price, this box is worth anybody’s money. ... see Full Review

Gruss aus Baden-Baden! Miloslaw KOENNEMANN (1826-1890) Der Fremersberg (1853) Jacques OFFENBACH (1819-1880) La Princesse de Trébizonde – overture (1869) Konradin KREUTZER (1780-1849) Das Nachtlager von Grenada – overture (1834) Jean-Baptiste ARBEN (1825-1889) Fantasie and Variations on Carnival of Venice* Johann STRAUSS II (1825-1899) Ballsträusschen Op.380 (1878) Lob der Frauen Op.315 (1866-67) Charles GOUNOD (1818-1893) La colombe – entr’acte (1860) Matthias Höfs (trumpet)* Baden-Baden Philharmonic Orchestra/Werner Stiefel Recorded in the Kurhaus Baden-Baden, 1994 (Offenbach, Gounod), 1995 (Koennemann, Kreutzer, Arban) and 2003 (Strauss) STERLING GERMAN ROMANTICS CDS 1062-2 [55.50] [JW]

A postcard from that august nineteenth century watering hole and spa, Baden-Baden - stirring and sparkling ... see Full Review

Gypsy Wheel David DZUBAY (b.1964) Footprints (2002) Francois BORNE (c.1840-1920) Fantasie brillante sur Carmen on themes by Georges Bizet* Matthew van BRINK (b.1978) Dai Dosai – Sonata for Flute and Piano (2000) Charles Tomlinson GRIFFES (1884-1920) Poem (1918) Mischa ZUPKO (b.1971) The Seven Deadly Sins (2002) Paul TAFFANEL (1844-1908) Fantasie (on themes from Der Freischütz by Carl Maria von Weber) Thomas Robertello (flute) Winston Choi (piano) Andreas Adorian (flute)* Recorded in Tom-Tom Studios, Budapest, September 2003 CRYSTAL RECORDS CD712 [74.47] [JW]

A most eclectic collection, ranging from the brilliant French operatic paraphrases via the stern morality to culinary temptations ... Surely a first. ... see Full Review

Howard Hanson conducts American Masterworks CD 1 Samuel BARBER (1910-1981) Capricorn Concerto Walter PISTON (1894-1976) The Incredible Flutist Charles Tomlinson GRIFFES (1884-1920) Poem for Flute and Orchestra Kent KENNAN (1914-2003) Three Pieces for Orchestra William McCAULEY (1917-1999) Five Miniatures for Flute and Strings William BERGSMA (1921-1994) Gold and the Señor Commandante - Ballet Suite CD 2 Charles IVES (1874-1954) Three Places in New England Charles IVES (1874-1954) Symphony No. 3 "The Camp Meeting" William SCHUMAN (1910-1992) New England Triptych Peter MENNIN (1923-1983) Symphony No. 5 CD 3 Morton GOULD (1913-1996) Spirituals Morton GOULD (1913-1996) Fall River Legend - Ballet Suite Samuel BARBER (1910-1981) Medea - Ballet Suite CD 4 George Whitefield CHADWICK (1854-1931) Symphonic Sketches Edward MACDOWELL (1860-1908) Suite for Large Orchestra Johan Friedrich PETER (1746-1813) Sinfonia in G CD 5 Douglas MOORE (1893-1969) Pageant of P. T. Barnum John Alden CARPENTER (1876-1951) Adventures in a Perambulator Bernard ROGERS (1893-1968) Once upon a time - Suite of Five Fairy Tales Burrill PHILLIPS (1907-1988) Selections from McGuffey's Reader Eastman-Rochester Orchestra/Howard Hanson Rec. rec. 1956-1963, Eastman Theatre, Rochester, NY, USA. ADD MERCURY LIVING PRESENCE 475 627-4 0 MM5 [5CDs: 72:02 + 77:08 + 63:14 + 69:16 + 74:13] [RB]

A major nostalgia trip for Mercury fans and a chance for new listeners to get to grips with the USA’s equivalent of the Cheltenham generation with one or two departures into earlier years all vibrantly recorded. ... see Full Review

Music for Solo Harp Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Liebesträume No. 3 (arranged Renié) Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797-1848) Harp Solo from Lucia di Lammermoor (arranged Zabel) Mikhail GLINKA (1804-1857) Nocturne Hugo REINHOLD (1854-1935) Impromptu Op.28 No. 3 Fryderyk CHOPIN (1810-1849) Etude Op.25 No. 1 (arranged Posse) Franz ROSETTI (c.1750-1792) Sonata No. 2 Louis SPOHR (1784-1859) Fantasie Op.35 Wilhelm POSSE (1852-1925) Etudes Nos. 2, 7 Elias PARISH-ALVARS (1808-1849) Serenade Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Un Sospiro (arranged Renié) Elizabeth Hainen (harp) Rec. St. John Chrysostom Church, Ontario, March 2001 NAXOS 8.555791 [61:56] [JW]

Played with consummate grace and room-to-spare dexterity ... see Full Review

A Hi-Fi Spectacular! Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op. 78, Organ (1886) [34’44]. Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) La mer (1905) [22’52]. Jacques IBERT (1890-1962) Escales (1922) [15’32]. Berj Zamkochian (organ, Saint-Saëns) Bernard Zighera and Leo Litwin, (pianos, Saint-Saëns). Boston Symphony Orchestra/Charles Munch Rec. Symphony Hall, Boston, on April 5^th-6^th, 1959 (Saint-Saëns), December 9th, 1956 (Debussy) and December 10^th, 1956 (Ibert). ADD BMG RCA LIVING STEREO SACD 82876 61387 2 [73’04] [CC]

A wonderfully programmed, disc, the sound is fully up to its claim of ‘Hi-Fi Spectacular!’. But the standard and integrity of the performances take this way higher than a mere sonic show-disc. ... see Full Review

Artist Portrait - Sharon Isbin (Guitar) WARNER CLASSICS 2564-61591-2 [79:15]  [GS]

An excellent representation of Ms. Isbin's artistry. Definitely recommended.  ... see Full Review

Italian Oratorios Jan Dismas ZELENKA (1679-1735) Gesù al Calvario, 1735: Introduzione [04:04] Se in te fosse viva fede al veder, aria [07:45] A che riserbano i cieli i fulmini, aria [07:08] Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741) Concerto for strings and bc in C (RV 114) 05:37] Juditha Triumphans (RV 645), 1716: Agitata infido flatu diu, aria [03:26] Noli ò cara te adorantis, aria [05:59] Alessandro SCARLATTI (1660-1725) Cain, overo Il primo omicidio (1707/1710): Introduzione [03:48] Mascheratevi, o miei sdegni, aria [02:18] Perchè mormora il ruscello, aria [04:35] Bramo, insieme, e morte e vita, aria [02:48] Miei genitori, addio [04:18] Antonio CALDARA (1670-1736) La Passione di Gesù Cristo Signor Nostro (1730): Introduzione [02:51] Giacchè mi tremi in seno [08:04] Matthew White, alto Tafelmusik/Jeanne Lamon Recorded in September 2003 at Humbercrest United Church, Toronto, Canada DDD ANALEKTA AN 2 9813 [63:34] [JV]

Arias from oratorios of the 18th century in performances which lack emotional depth ... see Full Review

Kiri Te Kanawa: Artist Portrait Giacomo PUCCINI: Gianni Schicchi: O mio babbino caro; Tosca: Vissi d’arte; Madama Butterfly: Un bel di vedremo; Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART: Così fan Tutte: Come scoglio; Richard WAGNER: Tannhäuser: Dich, teure Halle; Allmächt’ge Jungfrau; Giacomo PUCCINI: Morire; Canto d’anime; Michel LEGRAND: Magic; The Windmills of Your Mind; 16th CENTURY: Coventry Carol; ANONYMOUS (c. 1420): There is No Rose of Such Virtue; TRINIDADIAN TRADITIONAL: The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy; Michel LEGRAND: Blue, Green, Grey and Gone; What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?; Giacomo PUCCINI: La Rondine: Ch’il bel sogno di Doretta; Turandot: Signore, ascolta!; Sole e amore; La Bohème: Si. Mi chiamano Mimi ... O soave fanciulla Kiri Te Kanawa (soprano) Various orchestras conducted by Kent Nagano, Alain Lombard, Marek Janowski, Michel Legrand and Robin Stapleton. Roger Vignoles (piano) Recorded 1977 (Mozart) and 1990–1996 WARNER CLASSICS 256461590-2 [72:58] [GF]

The voice shows signs of wear ... but there is still much to admire and her Mimi is almost worth the price of the disc. ... see Full Review

Introducing Eva Kára Béla BARTÓK (1881-1945) Suite, Op.14 Alberto GINASTERA (1916-1983) Piano Sonata No.1 Eva Kára, piano Rec. 'live', Whiteley Hall, Chetham's School of Music, Manchester, 29 August 2004, Fourth Chetham's International Summer School and Festival for Pianists. DUNELM RECORDS DRD0231 [29:28] [PS]

Recommendable as a memento of a notable occasion and as a record of memorable interpretations of two contrasting 20^th century works. ... see Full Review

Light Music from the Silver Screen - The Golden Age of Light Music see review for details Recorded 1946-53 GUILD LIGHT MUSIC GLCD5109 [78.31] [JW]

Pretty good transfers and a variety bandbox of pleasurable and entertaining listening. ... 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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