ALPHABETICAL LISTING

Joseph ACHRON (1886-1943) Violin Concerto no. 1, Op. 60 Elmar Oliveira, violin Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin*/Joseph Silverstein Rec. Jesus-Christus-Kirche, Berlin July 1998. DDD Co-production with Deutschland Radio and the ROC GmbH-Berlin The Golem (Suite): Creation of the Golem; The Golem's Rampage; The Fatigued Wanderer (Lullaby); Dance of the Phantom Spirits; Petrifying of the Golem Czech Philharmonic Orchestra/Gerard Schwarz Rec. Rudolfinum, Prague, Czech Republic, Sept 2000. DDD Two Tableaux from the Theatre Music to Belshazzar Barcelona Symphony/National Orchestra of Catalonia/Gerard Schwarz Rec. Centre Cultural de Sant Cugat, Barcelona, Spain. Jan 2000. DDD world premiere recordings NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS 8.559408 [65:28] [RB]

It is a real pleasure to hear Achron’s music beyond the clutch of violin solos. He is much more than a pyrotechnician for violin aspirants. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH John ADAMS (b. 1947) Short Ride in a Fast Machine (1986) [4’05"] The Wound Dresser* (1988) [19’19"] Shaker Loops (1978, rev. 1983) [25’28"] Ferrucio BUSONI (1866-1924) arr. ADAMS Berceuse élégiaque (1991) [9’27] *Nathan Gunn (baritone) Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra/Marin Alsop Recorded at the Lighthouse Poole Centre for Arts, UK, 10 – 11 June 2003. DDD NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS 8.559031 [58’20"] [JQ]

Excellent performances in good recorded sound .... an ideal very inexpensive introduction to one of the most stimulating composers currently before the public. Well-nigh ideal. Urgently recommended. ... see Full Review

John ADAMS (b.1947) On the Transmigration of Souls (2002) New York Choral Artists Brooklyn Youth Chorus Philip Smith (trumpet) Preben Antonson (boy’s voice). Other voices: Sam Adams; Emily Adams; Ditsa Pines; Deborah O’Grady; Morgan Staples. Mark Grey (soundscape engineering) New York Philharmonic Orchestra/Lorin Maazel Recorded in concert at Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center, New York City, 19-24 September 2002. DDD NONESUCH 7559 79816-2 [25’04"] [JQ] RECORDING OF THE MONTH for September

A sincere and moving piece of music, avoiding excess or poor taste ... should be heard widely and ... listened to very carefully. It deserves no less. ... see Full Review

Leroy ANDERSON (1908-1975) Blue Tango - Symphonic Pops The Syncopated Clock , The Typewriter, A Trumpeter’s Lullaby, Fiddle Faddle, Blue Tango, The Phantom Regiment, Bugler’s Holiday, The Waltzing Cat, Sleigh Ride, Belle of the Ball, Forgotten Dreams, Sandpaper Ballet, Sarabande, Jazz Pizzicato, Serenata, The Penny-Whistle Song, The Girl in Satin, Home Stretch, The Golden Year, WDRRundfunkorchester Köln/Pinchas Steinberg Recorded WDR Studio Stolberger Strasse, Köln, November and December 1988 SACD CAPRICCIO SACD 71 021 [56.09] [JW]

The programme is pretty standard Anderson ... alternates nobility and saucy wit ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Toward the Unknown Region Malcolm ARNOLD – A Story of Survival - A Film by Tony PALMER Ratio 16:9. Widescreen. All regions. Isolde Films ISO 001 [133:00]also available as VHS [CT]

A remarkably honest and moving portrait of Malcolm Arnold’s extraordinary and often tragic life. ... see Full Review

Tor AULIN (1866-1914) Concert Piece in G minor for violin and orchestra (1891) [16.34] Violin Concerto No. 2 (1893) [23.02] Gotlandish Dances (1910) [13.43] Swedish Dances (1913) [20.09] Tobias Ringborg (violin) Gävle Symphony Orchestra/Niklas Willén Rec. Gävle Concert Hall, Sweden, 28-31 May, 23 Sept 2002. DDD STERLING CDS-1050-2 [73.35] [GR]

The influence of the Mendelssohn and Bruch can be felt ... melodic flair ... appealing to those enamoured of the lighter side of High Romanticism. ... see Full Review

Kees van BAAREN (1906 – 1970) The Hollow Men (1948, revised 1955)^a Variazioni per orchestra (1959) Sinfonia (1956/7) Musica per orchestra (1965/6) Monique Krüs (soprano)^a; Maarten Koningsberger (baritone)^a; Netherlands Radio Choir^a; Radio Filharmonisch Orkest Holland/Reinbert de Leeuw Recorded: Studio MCO5, Hilversum, October 2000 DONEMUS CV 103 [65:20] [HC]

A very fine release that pays a much deserved tribute to an important composer whose achievement has often been overlooked. Reveals the substance and originality of his music. ... see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Double Concerto for Oboe and Violin in C minor BWV1060 Oboe Concerto in F after BWV49; BMV169 Oboe d’amore Concerto in A BWV1055 Oboe Concerto in G minor BWV1056 Hans-Peter Westermann (oboe) Mary Utiger (violin) Camarata Köln Rec. October 1992, location not stated DDD DEUTSCHE HARMONIA MUNDI 74321 935422 [56:03] [PCW]

Browsing the documentation is frustrating … listening to the disc a much better experience … see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Goldberg Variations BWV988 Italian Concerto in F major BWV971 French Overture in B minor BWV831 Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue in D minor BWV903 Pieter-Jan Belder (harpsichord) Recorded Maria Minor, Utrecht, July 1999 BRILLIANT CLASSICS 93384 [52.22 + 77.28] [JW]

Sometimes slightly earthbound but often colourful, perky and sensitive ... see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Goldberg Variations BWV988 Haskell SMALL (b.1948) Twenty-Five Preludes (1985) Haskell Small (piano) Recorded at Rutgers Presbyterian Church, New York, May 1986 (Small) and at the Church of the Epiphany, Washington D.C, March 2003 (Bach) 4 TAY4028 [79.09] [JW]

An interesting compositional voice – steeped in impressionism, show tunes and the gaudy traffic of after hours – a good brew. ... see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Six Suites for Solo Cello, BWV 1007-1012 Disc 1: Suite No. 1 in G major, BWV 1007 Suite No. 4 in E flat major, BWV 1010 Suite No. 5 in C minor, BWV 1011 Disc 2: Suite No. 3 in C major, BWV 1009 Suite No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1008 Suite No. 6 in D major, BWV 1012 Hidemi Suzuki, cello Recorded Luthersekerk, Haarlem, Netherlands, September 1995 DEUTSCHE HARMONIA MUNDI DHM 82876 601472 [65:04 + 70:21] [DS]

A pleasant evening's entertainment, but nothing more. ... see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Bach for Christmas John O’Donnell (organ) Recorded on a 1980 Jürgen Ahrend organ at Robert Blackwood Hall, Monash University, October 2003 except the Canonic Variations, recorded June 1996 TALL POPPIES TP166 [73.44] [JW]

This seasonal conspectus proves a winning collection ... see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Motets: Singet dem Herr nein neues Lied [12:04] Komm, Jesu, Komm [8:01] Jesu meine Freude [18:20] Der Geist hilft unsrer Schwacheit auf [7:30] Fürchte dich nicht, ich bin bei dir [8:09] Lobet den Herren, alle Heiden [6:14] Cantus Cölln/Konrad Junghänel (artistic director and lute) Recorded 19^th-23^rd October 1995, St.Osdag Mandelsloh DEUTSCHE HARMONIA MUNDI SPLENDEURS 74321 935432 [60:57] [GPJ]

Young voices, athletic and flexible. A fine issue ... see Full Review

Nicolas BACRI (b.1961) Une Prière Op. 52 for violin and orchestra - à la mémoire des martyrs juifs de tous les temps (1994-1997) [22.33] Laurent Korcia (violin) WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln/Semyon Bychkov rec. WDR, Köln, Jan 2002 CD SINGLE BMG RCA RED SEAL 82876 584162 [22:33] [RB]

Darting aggression seasoned with a touch of Jewish temperament. Fast hunting activity pecking away with all the rawness of Shostakovich. Long melodic lines spun in a stimulating counterpoint. ... see Full Review

Béla BARTÓK (1881-1945) Concerto for Orchestra, Sz116 (1943) [37’17]. Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta (1936) [27’50]. Hungarian Sketches, Sz97 (1931) [10’44]. Chicago Symphony Orchestra/Fritz Reiner. Rec. Orchestra Hall, Chicago, 22 Oct 1955 (Concerto) and 28-29 Dec 1958. ADD RCA RED SEAL LIVING STEREO 82876 61390 2 [76’07] [CC]

A disc that shows Reiner and his orchestra at the height of their powers, presented in exemplary sound. Strongly recommended. ... see Full Review

 

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Béla BARTÓK (1881-1945) Rhapsody, Op. 1 (1904) [22’45]. Etudes, Op. 18/Sz72 (1918) [11’13]. Suite, Op. 14/Sz62 (1916) [10’34] Sonatina, Sz55 (1915) [4’36]. Out of Doors, Sz81 (1926) [16’41]. Allegro barbaro, Sz49 (1911) [3’02] Andreas Bach (piano) Rec. August 22^nd-25^th, 2003 in Studio 2 of the Bavarian Radio. DDD OEHMS CLASSICS OC348 [68’58] [CC]

Enthusiastically recommended. Bach is a most musical pianist whose understanding of the Bartókian idiom should be sampled. Currently available at a bargain price from Crotchet... see Full Review

Arnold BAX (1883-1953) Piano Sonata No. 1 (1910) [22:28] Piano Sonata No. 2 (1919) [27:57] Dream in Exile - Intermezzo (1916) [11:50] Burlesque (1920) [3:02] Nereid (1919) [4:45] In a Vodka Shop (1915) [3:59] Ashley Wass (piano) Potton Hall, Suffolk, 9-11 Oct 2003 NAXOS 8.557439 [74:27] [RB]

Full-on confidently rooted Bax from Mr Wass ... powerful stuff in its fragrant subtlety and flamboyant abandon ... see Full Review

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Symphony No 5 in C minor, Op. 67* [33’08”]; Symphony No 1 in C major, Op. 21** [25’39”]; Egmont: Overture, Op. 84*** [9’19”]; Carl Maria von WEBER (1786-1826) Oberon: Overture* [9’59”] London Philharmonic Orchestra/Klaus Tennstedt Rec: *Royal Albert Hall, London, 30 August 1990; **Royal Festival Hall, London, 14 December 1989; *** Royal Festival Hall, London, 26 September 1991. ADD BBC LEGENDS BBCL 4158-2 [79’42”][JQ]

The second excellent Tennstedt CD that BBC Legends have issued this year. I hope there will be lots more. Strongly recommended. ... see Full Review

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Missa Solemnis in D major, Op. 123* [83’43”] Teresa Stich-Randall (soprano); Norma Procter (contralto); Richard Lewis (tenor); Kim Borg (bass); BBC Chorus; BBC Symphony Orchestra/Jascha Horenstein Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Symphony No 8 in B minor, D759 “Unfinished”** [25’07”] BBC Symphony Orchestra/Jascha Horenstein Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Eine Faust-Ouvertüre ***[11’54”] BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra/Jascha Horenstein Recorded: *BBC Studios, Maida Vale, London, 23 February 1961; ** Royal Albert Hall, London, 15 September 1971; *** University of Salford, England 23 April 1972 ADD BBC LEGENDS BBCL 4150-2 [66’48” + 54’18”] [JQ]

Distinguished release ... self-recommending ... of great interest to the general collector and I recommend it highly. ... see Full Review

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Concerto No.3 in C minor Op.37 Marguerite Long (piano) Paris Conservatoire Orchestra/Felix Weingartner Rec. Paris, 10 June 1939 Concerto for Violin, Cello and Piano in C minor Ricardo Odnoposoff (violin) Stefan Auber (cello) Angelica Morales (piano) Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Felix Weingartner Rec. Vienna, 20/21 October 1937 NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110878 [68.35] [BB]

An example of fine orchestral and solo artistry from the last century. ... see Full Review

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Contemporary Arrangements for Chamber Ensemble Pathétique Sonata Op.13 (1799) Symphony No.8 in F major Op.93 (1814) Symphony No.1 in C major Op.21 (1800) Locrian Ensemble Recorded St Martin’s Church, East Woodhay (Pathétique Sonata) and St Silas Church, Chalk Farm, London (remainder), 2002 GUILD GMCD 7274 [69.54] [JW]

An imaginative disc ... performances are well integrated and sound well rehearsed. ... see Full Review

Richard Rodney BENNETT (b. 1936) Noctuary (1981) Impromptu on the name of Haydn (1982) Tango after Syrinx (1985) Three Romantic Pieces (1988) Impromptu on a theme of Henri Dutilleux (1993) Excursions (1993) Memento (2000) Theme from Eustace and Hilda (1997) Sonata (1954) Fantasy (1962) Five Studies (1962/4) Scena I (1974) Diversions (1965) Taking a line for a walk Seven Days a Week (1963) A Week of Birthdays (1961) Partridge Pie (1990) Martin Jones (piano) Recorded: Potton Hall, Suffolk, April 2003 METRONOME MET CD 1068/9 [68:07 + 74:42] [HC]

Martin Jones obviously relishes every ounce of Bennett’s superbly crafted and attractive music. Warmly recommended...see Full Review

Hector BERLIOZ (1803-1869) Requiem, "Grande Messe des Morts," Op 5 (1867) Frank Lopardo, tenor Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus/Robert Spano Recorded in Woodruff Symphony Hall, Atlanta, Georgia, USA, 9 November 2003 Notes in English with text in Latin and translation. DSD 2.0 stereo and 5.1 surround sound. 2.0 stereo cd tracks.Hybrid SACD also playable on CD players TELARC SACD 60627 [77.01][PSh]

A tremendously effective sonic presentation of this difficult and dramatic music. Many will find it the best version ever ... see Full Review

 Hector BERLIOZ (1803-1869) Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14 (1830) [56:03] Lélio où Le Retour à la vie, Op. 14bis (excerpts) (1832) [19:20] San Francisco Symphony/Michael Tilson Thomas Recorded at Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco, CA, on 2 March 1998. DDD BMG CLASSICS 82876 60859 2 [72:32] [PG]

If you don’t have a favorite recording already, this is a disc that you should consider. ... see Full Review

Hector BERLIOZ (1803-1869) Roméo et Juliette, Op. 17 [1:31:10] Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 73 [37:50] Margaret Roggero (mezzo); Leslie Chabay (ten); Yi Kwei Sze (bar) Harvard Glee Club and Radcliffe Choral Society Boston Symphony Orchestra/Charles Munch rec. mono, Boston Symphony Hall? 1953, 1952 ARCHIPEL ARPCD 0206 [2CDs: 2:08:07] [SV]

Two inspiring performances but there are technical demerits to be negotiated ... see Full Review

Leonard BERNSTEIN (1918-1990): A Jewish Legacy Israelite Chorus; Invocation and Trance (from Dybbuk); Psalm 148; Reenah; Three Wedding Dances; The First Waltz (Canon); Cha-cha-cha; Hora; Yevarechecha; Halil; Simchu Na; Oif Mayn Khas'ne; Vayomer Elohim; Yigdal; Four Sabras; Ilana, the Dreamer; Idele, the Chassidele; Yosi, the Jokester; Dina, the Tomboy Who Weeps Alone; Silhouette (Galilee); Hashkiveinu BBC Singers; Rochester Singers/Samuel Adler; Jean Barr, piano; Hans Peter Blochwitz, tenor; Christopher Bowers-Broadbent, organ; Bonita Boyd, flute; Jack Gottlieb, piano; Patrick Gnage, baritone; Avner Itai, conductor; Aaron Miller, organ; Angelina Réaux, mezzo-soprano; Jason Smith, bass baritone; Barry Snyder, piano; Michael Sokol, baritone; Cantor Howard Stahl. NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS 8.559407 [55:47][RB]

Much that is here is musically stimulating, succinct and inspirational. ... see Full Review

Leonard BERNSTEIN (1918 – 1990) and Richard RODGERS (1902 – 1979)
BERNSTEIN: Candide: Overture; Jerry HERMAN: La Cage aux Folles: I Am What I Am; Marvin HAMLISH: A Chorus Line Medley: At the Ballet; What I Did for Love; One; RODGERS: Waltz Medley: Lover; The Most Beautiful Girl in the World; It’s a Good Night For Singing; Oh, What a Beautiful Morning; Falling in Love With Love; Carousel Waltz; The Sound of Music Medley: The Sound of Music; Do, Re, Mi; Edelweiss; My Favourite Things; Climb Every Mountain; Andrew LLOYD-WEBBER: Cats: Memories; RODGERS: On Your Toes: Slaughter on Tenth Avenue; BERNSTEIN: West Side Story Medley: I Feel Pretty; Maria; Something’s Coming; Tonight; Somewhere; Cool; One Hand, One Heart; America Joshua Pierce and Dorothy Jonas (Duo Pianists); Arrangements by Homer Denison No information about recording dates and venues. Originally released on KEM-DISC 1009 in 1986. PHOENIX PHCD 152 [51:22] [GF]

If for a change you want Broadway music in black and white instead of Technicolor, this is for you. ... see Full Review

Harrison BIRTWISTLE (b. 1934) Theseus Games (2003) Earth Dances (1985) ¹Ensemble Modern/Martyn Brabbins, Pierre-André Valade ²Ensemble Modern Orchestra/Pierre Boulez ¹recorded live: Ruhr Biennale, Duisberg 19-20 September 2003 ²recorded live: Frankfurt Alte Oper, 29 October 2001.DDD DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 00289 477 0702 [66'63"] [AO]

An essential for anyone who wants to keep pace with powerful, distinctive music as it is being composed ... see Full Review

João Domingos BOMTEMPO (1771-1842) Symphony No.1 Op.11 Symphony No.2 Algarve Orchestra/Álvaro Cassuto Recorded at the University of the Algarve, Faro, undated NAXOS 8.557163 [66.44] [JW]

Another pleasant re-acquaintance with Portugal’s leading classicist composer. ... see Full Review

Joseph BOULOGNE, Chevalier de SAINT-GEORGES (c.1775-1799) Violin Concertos, Volume 2: Concerto in D, Op. Post. No. 2 (publ. c1800) [22’50]. Concerto No. 10 in G (c1777) [24’07]. Concerto in D, Op. 3 No. 1 (publ. 1773) [18’33]. Qian Zhou (violin) Toronto Camerata/Kevin Mallon. Rec. Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto, Canada, on April 20^th-23^rd, 2003. DDD NAXOS 8.557322 [65’30] [CC]

Worthy of investigation, certainly, if not quite the barrel of delight it could have been ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor op.25 (1861) Robert SCHUMANN (1810-56) Fantasiestucke for piano, violin and cello op.88 (1842) Martha Argerich (piano) Gidon Kremer (violin) Yuri Bashmet (viola) Mischa Maisky (cello) Recording: Teldec Studio, Berlin. February 2002 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON DG 463 700-2 [58:17] [MC]

Really great performances with the Brahms undoubtedly a ‘classic’. An indispensable release! ... see Full Review

Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897)Quintet for piano, 2 violins, viola and cello op. 34 (1864) Andreas Staier (piano) Leipzig String Quartet Rec: 17-18 October, 2002, Furstliche Reitbahn, Bad Arolsen, DDD MUSIKPRODUKTION DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM MDG GOLD 307 1218-2 [39:13] [MC]

This new release from MDG Gold, admittedly hampered by poor acoustics and meagre value, is not in the same league as the best competitors. ... see Full Review

Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Sonata No. 1 in G major for piano and violin, op. 78 transcribed for cello by Peter Horr (1878-79) Five Lieder, arranged for cello by Peter Horr Sonata No. 1 in E minor for piano and cello, op. 38 (1862-65) Peter Horr (cello); Cora Irsen (piano) Rec. 6-8 Dec 2002 at Furstliche Reitbahn, Bad Arolsen, Germany. DDD MUSIKPRODUKTION DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM MDG GOLD 643 1197-2 [63:45] [MC]

Unfortunately there must surely be only a limited market for the present two interesting cello arrangements. Far superior accounts of the first Cello Sonata op.38 are available. ... see Full Review

Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) The Complete Works for Piano, Vol. 5 Seven Fantasien, op.116, Three Intermezzi, op.117, Six Klavierstücke, op.118, Four Klavierstücke, op.119 Joyce Hatto (piano) Recorded at the Concert Artist Studios, Cambridge, 17th September 1997 (op.116/1, 3, 6, 7), 5th and 18th May 1998 (op.117/1, 2, op.118/1-3, 5-6, op.119), 3rd February 2004 (op.116/2, 5, op.117/2, op.118/4) (This leaves op.116/4 unaccounted for). CONCERT ARTISTS/FIDELIO RECORDINGS CACD-9031-2 [72:40] [CH]

Some wonderfully satisfying late Brahms, with a few provoking moments and a few really great performances thrown in. ... see Full Review

Pierre Onfroy de BRÉVILLE (1861-1949) Violin Sonata No. 1 in C sharp minor (1918-19) [37:36] Joseph CANTELOUBE (1879-1957) Suite: Dans la montagne: I En plein vent; II Le soir; III Jour de fête; IV Dans le bois au printemps. (1904-6) [32:29] Philippe Graffin (violin) Pascal Devoyon (piano) Rec. 19-21 Nov 2003. DDD HYPERION CDA67427 [70:04] [RB]

Two substantial rare French works for violin and piano played with utter conviction, typically presented in Hyperion’s honest, well judged sound and superbly documented ... see Full Review

Frank BRIDGE (1879-1941) Chandos Collected Orchestral Works Vol 5 Suite for Strings (1909-10) The Hag (1902) * Two Songs of Robert Bridges (1905-06) * Two Intermezzi from ‘Threads’ (1921/38) * Two Old English Songs (1916) Two Entr’actes (1906/36) Valse Intermezzo à cordes (1902) Todessehnsucht (1932/36) Sir Roger de Coverley (A Christmas dance) (1922/39) Roderick Williams (baritone) * BBC National Orchestra of Wales/Richard Hickox Rec. Brangwyn Hall, Swansea, 3-4 December 2003. DDD CHANDOS CHAN 10246 [68:17] [IL]

Charming miniatures performed with great refinement ... enchants from beginning to end. Strongly recommended. ... see Full Review

Benjamin BRITTEN (1913-1976) A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1960) - opera in three acts Libretto adapted from William Shakespeare by Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears Tatyana…Ileana Cotrubas Oberon…James Bowman Bottom…Curt Appelgren Puck…Damien Nash Hermia…Cynthia Buchan Lysander…Ryland Davies Demetrius…Dale Duesing Helena…Felicity Lott Quince…Robert Bryson Snug…Andrew Gallagher Starveling…Donald Bell Flute…Patrick Power Snout…Adrian Thompson Theseus…Lieuwe Visser Hippolyta…Claire Powell London Philharmonic Orchestra/Bernard Haitink Directed by Peter Hall Recorded at Glyndebourne, England, in 1981 WARNER/NVC ARTS 0630-16911-2 [156:00] [IL]

A performance that enchants. ... see Full Review

MAX BRUCH (1838-1920) Scottish Fantasy Op. 46 (1880) [32.45] Serenade Op. 75 (1899) [39.53] Maxim Fedotov (violin) Russian Philharmonic Orchestra/Dmitry Yablonsky recorded in Studio 5, Russian State TV and Radio, Moscow on 27 September-7 October 2003 NAXOS 8. 557395 [72.38] [CF]

For those wishing to acquaint themselves with beautiful music, familiar and unfamiliar, this disc is more than value for money. ... see Full Review

William BUSCH (1901-1945) Music Score of Selected Songs ‘Rest’ (AE) ‘Ode to Autumn’ (Keats) ‘The Echoing Green’ (Blake) ‘The Shepherd’ (Blake) ‘Come, O come my Life’s Delight’ (Campion) ‘The Snowdrop in the Wind’ (Anon) ‘If Thou wilt ease thine Heart’ (Beddoes) ‘The Lowest Trees have tops’ (Dyer) ‘L’Oiseau Bleu’ (Mary Coleridge) Song Cycle – There have been happy days (Wilfrid Gibson); ‘There have been happy days’; ‘The Soldier; ‘The Goldfinches’; ‘The Kitbag’; ‘The Promise’ Foreword by John Amis - JustAccord Music Cover Design ‘Spring in the Trenches’ (Paul Nash) [CS-S]

These highly original songs show a distinct and strong musical personality ... wastes no words in drawing lithe and sinuous contrapuntal phrases which tint rather than colour the text. ... see Full Review

Ferruccio BUSONI (1866-1924) Seven Elegies (1907-8) [39.29] Perpetuum Mobile (1921) Seven Short Pieces (1923) [20.46] Prelude and Etude in Arpeggios (1923) [8.54] Roland Pöntinen (piano) Rec 15-18 October 2001, 17 January 2002, Bolshoi Hall, Kammermusikstudio SWR Stuttgart CPO 999 853-2 [72.56][TB]

Pöntinen’s playing is sensitive and strong, and the CPO recording supports his attention to detail with good, clear sound. ... 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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