RECORDING OF THE MONTH Gustaf BENGTSSON (1886-1965) Violin Concerto in B minor (1941) * Cello Concerto in A minor (1932) † * Tobias Ringborg (violin) † Mats Rondin (cello) Malmö Opera Orchestra/Mats Rondin*; Tobias Ringborg † Recorded at the Palladium, Malmö, June 2004 STERLING CDS-1063-2 (59:42) [IL]

Why have these lovely melodic concertos been so ignored? Every soloist should be considering them. I urge you to hear them. ... see Full Review

DVD OF THE MONTH Hector BERLIOZ (1803-1869) Les Troyens (1856-60) Grand Opera in five acts, libretto by the composer after Virgil’s Aeneid Dido (mezzo) – Susan Graham Cassandra (soprano) – Anna Catarina Antonacci Anna (contralto) – Renata Pokupic Aeneas (tenor) – Gregory Kunde Choroebus (baritone) – Ludovic Tézier Pantheus (bass) – Nicolas Testé Iopas (tenor) – Mark Padmore Ascanius (mezzo) – Stephanie d’Oustrac Helenus (tenor) – Topi Lehtipuu Chorus of the Théâtre du Châtelet /Monteverdi Choir Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique/John Eliot Gardiner Stage Director – Yannis Kokkos TV Director – Peter Maniura Recorded live at the Théâtre Musical de Paris, Châtelet, October 2003 BBC OPUS ARTE OA0900D [3 discs, running time approx. 5 hrs 12 minutes] [TH]

Hard to imagine this being bettered. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Benjamin BRITTEN (1913-1976)
A Ceremony of Carols, op.28 arr. For SATB and Harp by Julius Harrison [21:50] (1942 arr. 1955): Procession [1:37]; Wolcum Yole [1:25]; There is no Rose [2:19]; That yönge Child [1:43]; Balulalow [1:15]; As Dew in Aprille [0:58]; This Little babe [1:23]; Interlude [3:45]; In Freezing Winter [3:22]; Spring Carol [1:01]; Deo Gracias [1:06]; Recession [1:36] Arr. Jaroslav KRČEK (b.1939) Old European Christmas Carols: Adeste Fideles [3:21]; Dormi, dormi bel Bambin [1:55]; Ding, Dong! Merrily on High [1:47]; Es ist Ein Ros’ entsprungen [2:39]; Vstįvajte, pastieri [1:54]; Lulajźe Jezuniu [3:23]; Los animals ante el nacimento [2:01]; ˇe˛ulka z lesa vylitla [1:42]; Deck the Halls [1:12]; Les anges dans nos campagnes [2:06]; Byla cesta, byla uŝlapanį [3:34]; A vent-i-cinc de desembre (Fum, fum, fum) [2:06]; Stille Nacht [2:43] Hana Müllerová-Jouzová (harp), Miroslav Kejmar (flugelhorn) Boni Pueri Czech Boys Choir Musica Bohemica Praha/Jakub Martinec Recorded 27-29 August 2004, Domovina Studio, Prague. DDD ARCODIVA UP 0070-2 231 [54:08] [GPJ]

Buy this and give it to your Best Friend – you’ll be rewarded with eternal gratitude. ... see Full Review

 

DISCOVERY OF THE MONTH Ruggero LEONCAVALLO (1858-1919) Pagliacci - Opera in Two Acts. Plus appendix, Florence Quartararo Memorial Canio, Ramon Vinay (ten); Nedda, Florence Quartararo (sop); Tonio, Leonard Warren (bar); Silvio, Hugh Thompson (bar); Beppe, Lesley Chabay (ten) Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera New York/Giuseppe Antonicelli Live broadcast performance. 28 February 1948 Appendix of Florence Quartararo in excerpts recorded 1945-1950 George Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759) Atlanta, Care Selve Umberto GIORDANO (1867-1948) Andrea Chenier, La mamma morta Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Il Trovatore, Tacea la notte placida Otello, Act 1 duet (abridged) with Joseph Laderout (ten) Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) Tosca, Perche chiuso with Ramon Vinay Tosca, ‘Vissi d’arte’ Landon RONALD (1873-1938) Cycle of Life, Love I have won you Georges BIZET (1838-1870) Carmen, Parle-moi de ma mère. With Ramon Vinay Pietro MASCAGNI (1863-1945) Cavalleria rusticana, Voi la sapete Madama Butterfly, Un bel di vedremo Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Le nozze di Figaro, Dove sono Don Giovanni, Taci inguisto core. With Ezio Pinza (bass), Salvatore Baccaloni (bass) Jules MASSENET (1842-1912) Thais, Mirror Song Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828). Ave Maria GUILD HISTORICAL IMMORTAL PERFORMANCES SERIES GHCD 2291-92 [72.08 + 79.10] [RJF]

Quartararo - a voice to set alongside the giants of the 20^th century. I suggest lovers of fine singing go out and buy while stocks last. Once the word gets out copies will surely fly off the shelves. ... 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

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Dichterliebe op.48 [30 :07], 7 Lieder op.90 [18 :13], Die Löwenbraut op.31/1 [08:15], Die arme Peter op.53/3, Belsatzar op.57 [04:28] Christian Gerhaher (baritone), Gerold Huber (piano) Recorded June 15^th-16^th, July 26^th-27^th 2004 at the Bavaria Musik Studios, Munich, Germany BMG RCA RED SEAL 82876 58995 2 [65:48] [CH]

A version of "Dichterliebe" to set alongside the classic ones. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Harold Shapero (b.1920) Nine-Minute Overture (1940) [9:15] Symphony for Classical Orchestra (1947) [44:04] Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra/André Previn Recorded, in performance, at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion of the Music Center in Los Angeles between 22^nd April – 1^st May 1988 NEW WORLD RECORDS NW 373-2 [53.19] [JF]

This is a wonderful Symphony. It deserves to have a permanent place in the canon of American music. Well done New World Records! ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Franz von SUPPÉ (1819 - 1895) Overtures: The Beautiful Galatea (1865) [6'22] Pique Dame (1864) [7'28] Light Cavalry (1866) [6'26] Poet and Peasant (1854) [9'24] Morning, Noon and Night in Vienna (date uncertain) [7'32] Boccaccio (1879) [6'48] Daniel-François AUBER (1782 - 1871) Overtures: The Bronze Horse (1835) [6'49] Fra Diavolo (1830) [7'31] Masaniello (1828) [7'24] Detroit Symphony Orchestra/Paul Paray Rec. Cass Technical High School, Detroit, 29 November 1959 (Suppé), Old Orchestra Hall, Detroit, 4 April 1959 (Auber) SACD reviewed as CD MERCURY LIVING PRESENCE 470 638-2 [65'44] [PSe]

Eminently enjoyable overtures, joyous performances utterly without peer. Stunning! ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741) Vespers of Sorrow Stabat Mater, RV621 Sonata al Santo Sepolcro, RV130 Nisi Dominus, RV608 Magnificat, RV611 Salve Regina (Plainchant) La Tempesta/Jakub Burzynski (counter-tenor) Rec.: 11, 14 Jan 2004, Evangelical Reformed Church, Warsaw, Poland. DDD BIS BIS-CD-1426 [54:35] [MC]

A superb release, not to be missed! This will be my Record of the Year! ... see Full Review

 

 

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Cantatas Volume 1 Friedericke Sailer, Maria Friesenhausen, Agnes Giebel, Emiko Iiyama, Ingeborg Reichelt, Edith Selig, Hedy Graf (sopranos) Claudia Hellmann, Emmy Lisken, Barbara Scherler, Hertha Töpper, Marga Höffgen (altos) Helmut Krebs, Georg Jelden, Theo Altmeyer, Friedrich Melzer, Kurt Huber (tenors) Erich Wenk, Jakob Stämpfli, Barry McDaniel, Franz Kelch, Bruce Abel (basses) Heinrich Schütz Choir, Heilbronn Pforzheim Chamber Orchestra *Württemberg Chamber Orchestra, Heilbronn Conducted by Fritz Werner WARNER ERATO 2564 61401-2 [10 CDs: 70’43" + 77’10" + 77’39" + 75’38" + 75’36" + 68’05" + 74’38" + 78’24" + 70’34" + 77’09". Total: 741’36"] [JQ]

I am thrilled that Warner Classics have made these recordings available again and at a bargain price. I would advise anyone who takes Bach’s vocal music seriously to snap them up while they are still around... 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

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Piotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Piano Concerto No. 1 [34.42] Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873–1943) Piano Concerto No. 2 [34.08] Van Cliburn (piano)
RCA Symphony Orchestra/Kirill Kondrashin (Tchaikovsky) Chicago Symphony Orchestra/Fritz Reiner (Rachmaninov) Rec. 30 May 1958, Carnegie Hall, New York City (Tchaikovsky); Rec. 31 March, 2 April 1962 Orchestra Hall, Chicago (Rachmaninov). ADD RCA BMG LIVING STEREO SACD 82876613922 [60.02] [AR]

A must-have CD for any lover of Russian music and legendary piano playing. Buy it! ... 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

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Leontyne PRICE Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Aida^a (1871) – Ritorna vincitor! [6’55]; Qui Radamès verrà [1’32]; O patria mia [5’14]. Il trovatore (1853) – Che più t’arresti^b? [2’28]; Tacea la notte^b [4’31]; Di tale amor che dirsi^b [1’25]; Timor di me? … D’amor sull’ali rosee [5’19]^c. Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) Madama Butterfly^d (1904) – Un bel dì vedremo; Tu? Tu? piccolo Iddio! (Morte di Butterfly) [2’50]. La rondine (1917) – Chi il bel sogno di Doretta^e [2’48]. Tosca (1900) – Vissi d’arte^e [3’15]. Turandot^f (1926) – Signore, ascolta! [2’33]; Tu che di gel sei cinta [2’34]. Leontyne Price, ^bLaura Londi (sopranos) Rome Opera Orchestra/^adefOliviero de Fabritiis, ^bcArturo Basile. Rec. June ^a27^th, ^d29th, ^ef28th, ^f29^th, 1960, ^bcJuly 15^th & 22^nd, 1959. ADD RCA RED SEAL LIVING STEREO SACD 82876 61395 2 [46’18] [GF]

I do not expect to hear a better recital this side New Year’s Eve, probably not afterwards either. ... see Full Review

 

 

 

Book Review

 

THE CAMBRIDGE COMPANION TO BRUCKNER John Williamson (editor) £47.50 hardback £17.99 paperback 303pp Cambridge University Press, ISBN 0 521 80404 3 hardback. 0 521 00878 6 [TB]

A fine addition to the Bruckner bibliography but decidedly not a book for the beginner, not for the uninitiated. ... see Full Review

 

Return to Front page