John CAGE (1912
– 1992) One4
(1990) [6:56] Four (1989) [30:00] Twenty-Nine
(1991) [29:00] 
Christina Fong (violins, violas); Karen Krummel
(cellos); Michael Crawford (basses); Glenn
Freeman (percussion)
OGREOGRESS no number given [66:23] [HC]
I
am not a particular fan of Cage’s music, but
I readily admit that a piece such as Twenty-Nine
is quite impressive, and well worth having
... see Full Review
Francesco
CAVALLI (1602
- 1676) Didone
(excerpts) (1641) Egisto (excerpts)
(1643) Ormindo (excerpts) (1644) Giasone
(excerpts) (1649) Calisto (excerpts)
(1651) Didone/Climene/Ormindo/Medea/Diana
– Gloria Banditelli (mezzo-soprano) Clori/Erisbe/Isifile/Calisto
– Rosita Frisani (soprano) Nettuno/Hipparco/Oreste/Giove
– Roberto Abbondanza (baritone) Jarba/Lidio/Giasone/Linfea/Endimione
– Gianluca Belfiori Doro (counter-tenor) Enea/Egisto/Amida/Demo/Mercurio
- Mario Cecchetti (tenor)
Mediterranea Concento/Sergio Vartolo rec.
Chiesa Vecchia di San Zeno, Cavalo, Verona,
Italy, 1–4 November 2003
NAXOS 8.557746 [76.34] [RH]
A
good introduction to Cavalli’s operas ...
infectious enthusiasm ... see Full
Review
George
Whitefield CHADWICK (1854-1931)
Symphony
No. 2 in B flat major Op.21 [35:37] Symphonic
Sketches (1895-1904) [30:10]: Jubilee
[8:13]; Noël [8:13]; Hobgoblin [5:59];
A Vagrom Ballad [7:45]
National Radio Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine/Theodore
Kuchar Recorded at the Grand Concert Studio
of the National Radio Company of Ukraine in
Kiev 17th -21st December 2003
NAXOS 8.559213
[65:47][JF]
An
excellent introduction to one of the great
American symphonies from the nineteenth century.
This deserves recognition. ... see Full
Review
Ernest CHAUSSON (1855-1899)
Poème
de l’amour et de la mer op.19 [25:26]* Paul
DUKAS (1865-1935) Fanfare pour
La péri [02:09], La péri (poème
pour orchestre) [17:00] Hector
BERLIOZ (1803-1869) Les nuits d’été
op.7 [28:35]*
Elsa Maurus (mezzo-soprano)* Orchestre
Nationale Lille-Région Nord/Pas-de
Calais/Jean-Claude Casadesus Recorded 26th-28th
February 2003, Auditorium du Nouveau Siècle,
Lille, France
NAXOS 8.557274 [73:21] [CH]
Straightforward,
unfussy, musical performances by artists who
are not trying to make points but just concentrate
on doing a good job. ... see
Full Review
Frédéric
CHOPIN (1810-49)
Nocturnes. CD 1: Nocturne in C sharp minor, Op posth.
[3’53], Nocturne in C minor, Op posth. [2’46], Nocturne in B flat minor,
Op. 9, no. 1 [5’59], Nocturne in E flat major, Op. 9, No. 2 [4’34],
Nocturne in B major, Op. 9, No. 3 [6’20], Nocturne in F major, Oop.
15, No. 1 [4’47], Nocturne in F sharp major, Op. 15, No. 2 [3’32], Nocturne
in G minor, Op. 15, No. 3 [3’34], Nocturne in C sharp minor, Op. 27,
No. 1 [5’41], Nocturne in D flat major, Op. 27, No. 2 [6’05], Nocturne
in B major, Op. 32, No. 1 [4’48], Nocturne in A flat major, Op. 32,
No. 2 [5’21], Nocturne in G minor, Op. 37, No. 1 [6’18], Nocturne in
G major, Op. 37, No. 2 [4’57]; CD 2: Nocturne in C minor, Op.
48, No. 1 [7’16], Nocturne in F sharp minor, Op. 48, No. 2 [6’56], Nocturne
in F minor, Op. 55, No. 1 [4’38], Nocturne in E flat major, Op. 55,
No. 2 [4’57], Nocturne in B major, Op. 62, No. 1 [7’29], Nocturne in
E major, Op. 62, No. 2 [6’09], Nocturne in E minor, Op. 72, No. 1 [4’54],
Impromptu No. 1 in A flat major, Op. 29 [4’19], Impromptu No. 2 in F
sharp major, Op. 36 [6’20], Impromptu No. 3 in G flat major, Op. 51
[5’48], Fantaisie-Impromptu in C sharp minor, Op. 66 [5’22].
Angela Hewitt (piano) Recorded in Reitstadel, Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz,
Germany, 16-20 November 2003 DDD
HYPERION CDA67371/2 [2 CDs: 132’53"] [JW]
A
Chopin player of decided viewpoints. Tonally she is special ... subtlety
of touch and warm lyricism ... see Full
Review
Frederic
CHOPIN
(1810 - 1849) Arrangements for violin and piano
Nocturne,
Op 27/2 [6:17] arr. Pablo de Sarasate (1844-1908) Waltz, Op 64/2
[3:10] arr. Bronislaw Huberman (1882-1947) Mazurka, Op 68/4 [2:26]
arr. Zino Francescatti (1902-1991) Nocturne, Op 55/2 [6:03] arr.
Joan Marten (1883-1971) Waltz, Op 64/3 [3:18] arr. Pablo de Sarasate
Nocturne, Op 9/2 [4:09] arr. Pablo de Sarasate Waltz,
Op 34/3 [2:18] arr. Pablo de Sarasate Lithuanian Song, Op 74/16
[3:31] arr. Leopold Auer (1845-1930) Waltz, Op 70/1 [2:19] arr.
Bronislaw Huberman Mazurka, Op 7/3 [2:14] arr. Bronislaw Huberman
Nocturne ohne Op [4:24] arr. Nathan Milstein (1903-1992) Waltz,
Op 34/2 [5:12] arr. Pablo de Sarasate Mazurka,Op 33/2 [1:53]
arr. Fritz Kreisler (1875-1962) Nocturne, Op 37/2 [6:31] arr.
Bronislaw Huberman Berceuse, Op 57 [5:25] arr. Charles Cerné
(1897-1943) Joanna
Madroszkiewicz (violin) and Paul Gulda (piano) recorded 17-19 July 2004
at Fürstliche Reitbahn Bad Arolsen
MDG 603 1296-2 [60:38]
Violinists
will be (should be) fascinated! Devotees of
the composers will be (should be) wary! ...
see Full
Review
Domenico
CIMAROSA (1749
-1801) Il
Matrimonio Segreto, Dramma giocoso in two acts First performed
at the Vienna, Burgtheater, 7 February 1792 Il Signor Geronimo, a rich
merchant, Alfonso Antoniozzi (bass); Elisetta, his daughter, Janet Williams
(sop); Carolina, also his daughter, Susan Patterson (sop); Fidalma,
widowed sister of Signor Geronimo, Gloria Banditelli (mezzo); Il Conte
Robinson, Petteri Salomaa (bass); Paolino, a clerk to Signor Geronimo,
William Matteuzzi (ten); Fortepiano. Hans Ludwig Hirsch
Orchestra of Eastern Netherlands/ Gabriele Bellini Recorded Musiekcentrum
Enschede, Holland. 26 August - 8 September 1991
ARTS 447117-2 [3CDs: 59.27 + 70.12 + 62.04] [RJF]
This
well sung, conducted and recorded performance, at bargain price ....
one of the few 18th century comic operas that has maintained
its place in the repertoire ... see Full
Review
John CORIGLIANO (b. 1938) Symphony
No. 2 (2000) [38’28]. Suite from the Film, ‘The Red Violin’a
(1997) [25’00].
aEleonora Turovsky (violin) I Musici de
Montréal/Yuli Turovsky. Rec. L’Eglise de la Nativité de la Sainte Vierge,
La Prairie, Québec 15-17 Sept 2003. DDD
CHANDOS SACD CHSA5035 
[62’28][CC]
This
new Chandos version of the Second Symphony now takes pride of place
on the Corigliano part of the shelf. ... see Full
Review
Brett
DEAN (b. 1961) Beggars and
Angels (1999) [26:10] Amphitheatre (2000) [10:34] Ariel’s Music (1995)a
[24:39]
Paul Dean (clarinet)a Melbourne Symphony Orchestra/Markus
Stenz Rec. Robert Blackwood Hall, Monash University, Melbourne, November
2001
ABC CLASSICS 476 160-6 [61:23][HC]
A
most desirable release - a composer who obviously has things to say
and who knows how to say them in the best possible way. ... see Full
Review
Lex van DELDEN (1919-1988) Quartetto
Op.58 (1957) [14:14] Sestetto per Archi Op.97 (1971) [16:42] Duo per
Flauto ed Arpa Op.27 (1950) [11:46] Introduzione e Danza Op.26 (1950)
[9:35] Nonetto per Amsterdam Op.101 (1975) [18:15]
Viotta Ensemble Recorded: Doopsgezinde Singelkerk, Amsterdam, June 2004
MDG
603 1317-2 [71:10][HC]
This
very fine release pays a well-deserved tribute to a most distinguished
composer whose music is still too rarely heard, let alone, recorded.
Recommended. ... see Full Review
Gaetano
DONIZETTI (1797
- 1848) Lucia
di Lammermoor - highlights (1835) [71.49] Lucia - Edita Gruberova
(soprano) Edgardo – Neil Shicoff (tenor) Enrico – Alexandru Agache (baritone)
Arturo – Bernard Lombardo (tenor) Raimondo – Alastair Miles (bass) Alisa
– Diana Montague (mezzo-soprano) Normanno – Francesco Piccoli (tenor)
Ambrosian Singers
London Symphony Orchestra/Richard Bonynge Recorded 1991, St. Augustine’s
Church, London WARNER
Apex 2564 61506-2 [71.49] [RH]
Gruberova’s
purity of tone and outstanding technical accomplishment.
... see Full
Review
Aita
DONOSTIA
(1886-1956) Preludios
Vascos (Segunda Serie) (1918) [12.41] Les
Trois Miracles de Sainte Cécile (1920)
[17.33] Urruti Jaia (1916) [4.59] Los Ferrones
de Mirandaola (1930) [4.00] Acuarelas Vascas
(1932) [9.16] La Vie Profonde de Saint François
D’Assise (Fourth Tableau) (1926) [7.46] Rapsodia
Baskongada (1906) [12.54]
Coral Andra Maria Choir Euskadiko Orkestra
Sinfonikao (Basque National Orchestra)/Cristian
Mandeal
rec. Basque National Orchestra Concert Hall,
San Sebastian, March-April 2003
CLAVES CD 50-2305 [68.06] [JW]
Delightfully
light, aerial and full of grace though he
doesn’t stint the sense of serious, contemplative
twilit religiosity ... see Full
Review
Guillaume
DUFAY (attr.)
(?1397-1474) Mass
for Saint Anthony Abbot [50.50]: Introit
[5.25]; Kyrie [2.53]; Gloria
[8.34]; Gradual [4.16]; Alleluia
[5.27]; Credo [9.09]; Offertory
[3.05]; Sanctus [6.06]; Agnus Dei
[3.22]; Communion [2.02] Gilles
BINCHOIS (c.1400-1460) Domitor
Hectoris [4.07]; Kyrie ‘in simplici
die’ [2.16]; Sanctus [4.42]; Agnus
Dei [3.21]; Nove cantum melodie
[5.00]
The Binchois Consort: Mark Chambers, William
Towers (altos), Edwin Simpson, Nick Todd,
Matthew Vine, Christopher Watson (tenors),
Andrew Kirkman (conductor) rec. All Saints
Church, Tooting, London, 13-15 January 2004
DDD
HYPERION CDA67474 [70.54] [EM]
This
is music that one can lose oneself in. Often
searingly beautiful, often surprisingly inventive,
and always brilliantly performed ... good
for both ear and soul. ... see Full
Review
Antonín
DVOŘÁK (1841-1904)
Symphony
No. 9 From the New World Op. 95 (1893)
[39.17] Carnival Overture Op. 92 (1891)
[8.53] Bedřich
SMETANA (1824-1884) The Bartered
Bride – Overture (1866) [6.32] Jaromír
WEINBERGER (1896-1967) Schwanda
the Bagpiper – Polka and Fugue (1927)
[9.18]
Chicago Symphony Orchestra/Fritz Reiner
Recorded at Orchestra Hall, 1955-57 
RCA RED SEAL LIVING STEREO SUPER AUDIO CD
82876 66376 2 [64.09] [AR]
I
would highly recommend this New World ... superlatively played and conducted
... an incisively cut and flawless diamond. ... see Full
Review
Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) Symphony
No.9 in E minor Op.95 From the New World (1893) [40.16] Jean
SIBELIUS (1865-1957) Violin Concerto
(1905) [33.04] Danilo Belardinelli
(violin) Orchestra stabile dell’Accademia di Santa Cecilia/Joseph Keilberth
Live recordings in Rome at the Teatro Argentina, April 27th
1952 ARCHIPEL
ARPCD 0302 [73.25][JW]
The
performance, while in no way remarkable, does have a vigorous boldness
to it ... see Full Review
Edward
ELGAR
(1857-1934) Symphony
No.1 in A flat major Op.55 (1908) [56.34] Cockaigne Overture (In
London Town) Op.40 (1901) [16.34]
Thüringen Philharmonie Suhl/Stephen Somary Recorded in Suhl, February
1996 CLAVES CD 50-9813
[73.12] [JW]
I’m
afraid this is a non-starter in the Symphony
stakes. ... see Full
Review
Edward
ELGAR (1857-1934)
CD 1: In the South (Alassio),
Op. 50 Symphony No. 1, Op. 55
CD 2: Symphony No. 2, Op. 63
Serenade for strings, Op. 20
Salut d’amour, Op.12 CD 3: Froissart,
Op. 19 Cockaigne (In London
Town), Op. 40 Variations on an Original
Theme, Op. 36 "Enigma"CD
4: Violin Concerto, Op.61
Cello Concerto, Op. 85
Janos Starker (cello), Pinchas Zukerman (violin)
London Philharmonic Orchestra/Leonard Slatkin
(CDs 1-3) St. Louis Symphony Orchestra/Leonard
Slatkin (CD 4) Recorded 1989, 1991, 1993,
1997, 2004 BMG Music DDD
BMG-RCA Red Seal Complete Collections 4
CDs 82876 603892 2 [73:36 + 71:08 + 63:50
+ 76:40] [EM]
Top
ranking versions of the two symphonies ...
excellent value for money. Recommended despite
a flaccid Enigma. ... see Full
Review
Sir
Edward ELGAR
(1857-1934) Cockaigne
(In London Town), Concert Overture, Op. 40 (1900) [15.54] Variations
on an Original Theme (Enigma Variations), Op. 36 (1899) [30.33]
Serenade in E minor for Strings, Op. 20 (1890) [11.47] Salut
d’amour, Op. 12 (1888) [3.16]
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra/David Zinman Rec. Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony
Hall, Baltimore, Maryland, 5-6 June 1989. DDD
TELARC CD-80192 [61.55] [EM]
A
good disc, but by no means outstanding. ... see Full
Review
Edward
ELGAR
(1857-1934) Marches
Coronation March Op.65 (1911) [10:37] Funeral March (from
Grania and Diarmid Op.42) (1901) [10:21] Pomp and Circumstance
Marches Op.39 (1901-1930): No. 1 [6:13]; No. 2 [5:08]; No. 3 [5:48];
No. 4 [5:14]; No. 5 [6:16]; March from Caractacus Op.35 (1898)
[7:06] March of the Mogul Emperors, Op.66 No. 4 (1912) [3:50]
Empire March (1924) [4:17] Symphonic prelude Polonia
Op.76 (1915) [14:25]
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra/James Judd Rec. Michael Fowler Centre,
Wellington, New Zealand in February 2003. DDD
NAXOS 8.557273 [79:16][PCW]
More
circumstance than pomp ... a desirable bargain-price collection which
should certainly find a niche in the market ... see Full
Review
Sir Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Enigma
Variations (1898)
A documentary: A Hidden Portrait and a complete performance of
the work by BBC Symphony Orchestra/Sir Andrew Davis Documentary filmed
in the Malvern Hills Concert recorded in Worcester Cathedral 30th
June 2004
BBC OPUS ARTE DVD OA 0917 D
[85:00][IL]
Enjoy
Davis’s
Enigma Variations. Approach the dumbed-down, politically-correct documentary
with caution – distasteful and crass imagery abounds. ... see Full
Review
Gabriel FAURÉ (1845-1924)
The Complete Songs, Volume 2 The Hyperion French Song Edition: see
review for details
Jean-Paul Fouchécourt (tenor); Geraldine McGreevy (soprano)
& Stella Doufexis (soprano); Stephen Varcoe (baritone); Geraldine
McGreevy (soprano); John Mark Ainsley (tenor); Christopher Maltman(
baritone); Dame Felicity Lott (soprano); Jennifer Smith (soprano); Graham
Johnson (piano) Recorded on various dates in 2002, 2003 and 2004. Location
not specified. DDD HYPERION
CDA67334 [68’03"] [JQ]
This
disc has given me enormous pleasure and will
continue to do so, I know. I recommend it
urgently. ... see
Full Review
Paul FISHER
(b. 1943) Bradford
(2004) [10:41] Three Fancies for Pedal
and Left Hand: Your Feet’s too big [2:10],
Misty [3:10], A Yorkshire Christmas
[3:24] The Shadow of the Sun [7:13]
For Helen [5:42] Wild Spirits [22:02]
Noel Nouvelet [6:57] The Colours
of Spirit [11:18]
Kevin Bowyer (organ) Claudia Lashmore (flute)
(The Shadow of the Sun, For Helen)
Rec. Blackburn Cathedral, Blackburn, England,
2-3 November 2004
LAMMAS RECORDS LAMM 182D [72:23] [BJ]
A
unique album of beautiful music. I highly
recommend it for the true enthusiast of the
sounds of organ music. ... see Full
Review
Philip GLASS
(b.
1937) Symphony No.
2 (1994) [43’14"] Symphony No. 3 (1995)
[23’54"]
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra/Marin
Alsop. Rec. 20-21 July 2003, The Concert Hall,
Lighthouse, Poole, Dorset. DDD
NAXOS 8.559202 [67.07] [JPh]
I
recommend this to fans of Philip Glass – others,
steer well clear. ... see Full
Review
Max REGER
(1873-1916) Organ
Sonata in D minor, Op. 60 (1901) [23:40] Organ
Pieces, Op. 65, Nos. 7-12 (1902) [34:33] Chorale
Fantasia on Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme,
Op. 52, No. 2 (1900) [19:59]
Stefan Frank (organ) Rec. Fulda Cathderal,
Fulda, Germany, October 2002
NAXOS 8.557186 [78:12] [BJ]
If
only the entire album could have the musicality
and energy of the last few tracks, it would
be quite wonderful. ... see Full
Review
Christoph
Willibald GLUCK (1714–1787)
Orphée et Euridice (1774 Paris
Version) Jean-Paul
Fouchécourt (tenor) – Orphée;
Caterine Dubose (soprano) – Euridice; Suzie
Le Blanc (soprano) – Amour
Opera Lafayette Orchestra and Chorus/Ryan
Brown rec. Clarice Smith Center for the Performing
Arts, University of Maryland, USA, 11-15 Jan
2002
NAXOS 8.660185-86 [41:03 + 44:40] [GF]
Parsimonious
tracking apart, this is a stylish must-buy ... see Full
Review
Christoph Willibald GLUCK (1714-1787)
Orphée
et Euridice (1774 Paris version) [85:43]
Jean-Paul Gouchécourt (Orphée, tenor), Catherine Dubosc (Euridice, soprano),
Suzie Le Blanc (Amour, soprano), Opera Lafayette Orchestra and Chorus/Ryan
Brown rec. 11-15 Jan 2002, Clarice Smith Center for the Performing Arts,
University of Maryland, USA
NAXOS 8.660185-86 [41:03 + 44:60][CH]
It’s
salutary to be made to think again about a
well-known work but for me the baby’s gone
out with the bathwater. ... see Full
Review
Christoph
GRAUPNER (1683-1760)
Orchestral Works Vol. 2 Overture
in F (GWV 451) [32:33] Trio for 2 violins
and bc in c minor (GWV 203) [06:59] Sinfonia
in F (GWVC 571) [15:23]
Nova Stravaganza/Siegbert Rampe Recorded in
January 2003 at the Fürstliche Reitbahn
in Bad Arolsen, Germany. DDD
MDG 341 1252-2 [55:08] [JV]
Excellent
performances of remarkable music by a composer
who deserves to be treated as an equal of
Telemann ... see Full
Review
Jesús
GURIDI (1886-1961) Sinfonía
pirenaica (1945)a [49:14] Espatadantza
(1920)b [3:28]
Bilbao Choral Societyb Bilbao Symphony
Orchestra/Juan José Menaa,
Theo Alcántarab Recorded:
Euskalduna Concert Hall, Bilbao, February
2003 (Sinfonía) and Teatro Arriaga,
Bilbao, June 1997 (Espatadantza)
NAXOS 8.557631 [52:42][HC]
Superbly
crafted music not lacking in grandeur, though
no earthshaking masterpiece. Well worth hearing.
I enjoyed this release enormously. ... see
Full
Review
George Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759)
The Six Organ Concertos Op. 4 Concerto in F, op. 4,4 (HWV 292)**
[14:24] Concerto in B flat, op. 4,2 (HWV 290) [10:04] Concerto in G
minor, op. 4,3 (HWV 291)* [10:34] Concerto in B flat, op. 4,6 (HWV 294)
[12:19] Concerto in F, op. 4,5 (HWV 293) [08:10] Concerto in G minor,
op. 4,1 (HWV 289)** [16:22] Matthew Halls,
organ Sonnerie: Monica Huggett, Emilia Benjamin, Sarah Moffat*, Claire
Duff*, violin; Molly Marsh**, Hannah McLaughlin**, oboe; Katherine McGillivray,
viola; Joseph Crouch, cello; Peter McCarthy, 3-string contrabasso; Matthew
Wadsworth, archlute Recorded July 2003 at Saint Silas Church, Kentish
Town, London, UK DDD AVIE AV2055
[72:25][JV]
Handel's
organ concertos opus 4 in a very imaginative and enthralling interpretation
... see Full Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Michael HAYDN
(1737–1806) Requiem pro defuncto Archiepiscopo Sigismundo
(Requiem for Archbishop Siegmund)
(1771) [40.12] Missa in honorem Sanctae Ursulae
(1793) [43.38] Carolyn
Sampson (soprano) Hilary Summers (alto) James Gilchrist (tenor) Peter
Harvey (bass) Choir of the King’s Consort The King’s Consort/Robert
King Recorded at St. Jude on the Hill, Hampstead Garden Suburb, London,
7-9 May 2004 2 CDs priced as a single CD
HYPERION CDA67510
[40.12 + 43.38][RH]
The
Mass is given a satisfyingly spirited performance, but these discs
are memorable for their fine recording of Michael Haydn’s astonishing
Requiem. One of my records of the year ... see Full
Review
Joseph Jongen
(1873-1953) In
Flanders’ Field: Volume 41 Trio for piano, violin and cello
in G minor Op. 10 (1897) [29:09] Trio
for piano, violin and viola (Prélude Variations et Final) Op. 30
(1907) [30:38]
Erard Ensemble: Caspar Bleumers, violin; Arjan Wildschut, viola;
John Addison, cello and Edward Janning, piano. Recorded at Maria Minor
Kirk Amsterdam 19th - 21st June 2003 DDD
PHAEDRA 92041 [59:47][JF]
An
attractive addition to the discography of this unjustly neglected
composer ... see Full Review
Leon KIRCHNER (b.1919) Duo
for Violin and Piano (1947) [11:09] Elisabeth Perry, violin; Joel Sachs, piano "Flutings"
from Lily (1973) [3:13] Jayn Rosenfeld,
flute Trio for Violin, Cello and Piano (1954) [14:25] Geoffrey Michaels, violin; Beverly Lauridsen, cello;
Joel Sachs, piano Piano Sonata
(1948) [14:46] Cheryl Seltzer, piano Triptych
(1986/88) [20:53] Maria Kitsopoulos, cello; Mark Steinberg, violin
Triptych recorded
New York, 1992. All others recorded New York, 1983
NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS 8.559195
[64:56][JL]
A
reissue of modernist chamber works that may help Leon Kirchner achieve
the reputation he deserves ... see Full
Review
Graeme
KOEHNE (b.
1956)
Elevator Music (1997) [8:03] Inflight Entertainment (1999)a [28:40]
Unchained Melody (1990) [10:16] Powerhouse (1993) [10:59]
Diana Doherty (oboe)a
Sydney Symphony/Takuo Yuasa Recorded: Sydney Town Hall, January
2001
NAXOS 8.555847 [57:59] [HC]
Koehne: music that is often tuneful, colourful, expertly scored and directly
expressive, without any attempt at plumbing any great depth ... see
Full Review
Giorgio KOUKL
(b.1953)
Musica Vocale Tre Canti Disperati [19.37]
Roberta
Invernizzi (soprano) Giorgio Koukl (piano)
Quattro Pezzi per Pianoforte [6.05] Giorgio Koukl (piano) Niponari
[9.46]
Keiko Kashima (contralto) Leandro Hgalassi and Valentino Marré
(percussion) Giorgio Koukl (piano, harpsichord, celesta, glockenspiel)
Ceremony After A Fire Raid [19.01]
Carole Manzoni (soprano) Giorgio Koukl (piano)
Recorded in the Auditorium of RSI Lugano, August 1997 (Tre Canti
Disperati), November 1983 (Quattro Pezzi per Pianoforte and
Niponari) and September 1987 (Ceremony After A Fire Raid)
ALTRI
SUONI AS037 [55.29] [JW]
Another
diverting and toughly lyrical disc from Koukl ... see Full
Review
Ignaz
LACHNER
(1807-1895) Six Trios
for Violin, Viola and Piano Trio
in B flat major Op.37 [28.05] Trio in G
major Op.45 [33.21] Trio in A major Op.58
[26.12] Trio in D minor Op.89 [19.52] Trio
in E flat major Op.102 [17.47] Trio in C
major Op.103 [19.43] Stefan
Muhmenthaler (violin) Anna Barbara Dütschler
(viola) Marc Pantillon (piano) rec. Tonstudio
van Geest, Sandhausen, Heidelberg, May 1997
and March 1998
CLAVES CD-50 9802/03 [66.01 + 79.28]
[JW]
No,
no masterpieces, but enjoyable music making
and a cool sidelight into German chamber
music of the time. ... see Full
Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Franz
LEHÁR (1870–1948) Die lustige
Witwe (The Merry Widow)(1905)
Elisabeth Schwarzkopf (soprano) – Hanna Glawari; Erich Kunz (baritone)
– Count Danilo Danilowitsch; Nicolaï Gedda (tenor) – Camille de Rosillon;
Emmy Loose (soprano) – Valencienne; Anton Niessner (baritone) – Baron
Mirko Zeta; Josef Schmidinger (bass) – Raoul de Saint-Brioche; Otakar
Kraus (baritone) – Vicomte Cascada Speaking parts: Hella Kurty – Valencienne;
André Mattoni – Vicomte Cascada Philharmonia Orchestra and Chorus/Otto
Ackermann Recorded 16th – 18th and 21st
April 1953 in Kingsway Hall, London. First issued on Columbia 33CX 1051
and 1052 Reissue Producer and Audio Restoration Engineer: Mark Obert-Thorn
NAXOS 8.111007 [79:06][GF]
Good
sound, excellent playing and glorious singing. I can’t believe anyone
will regret buying it. ... see Full
Review
Franz
LISZT (1811-1886) Earl
Wild plays Liszt in Concert - 1973-1983 La
Leggierezza (Concert Etude No 2 in F minor) [4.21] Un Sospiro (Concert
Etude No.3 in D flat major) [4.41] Funérailles (Harmonies Poétiques
et Réligieuses) [12.37] Paysage (Etudes d’exécution Transcendante, Etude
No.3) (1852) [4.41] Ricordanza (Etudes d’exécution Transcendante, Etude
No.9) (1852) [9.23] Hungarian Rhapsody No.4 in E flat major [4.49] Sonetto
47 del Petrarca (Années de Pèlerinage, Deuxième Année, Italie) (1858)
[5.56] Sonetto 123 del Petrarca (Années de Pèlerinage, Deuxième Année,
Italie) (1858) [6.02] Valse Oubliée No.1 (Années de Pèlerinage, Deuxième
Année, Italie) (1858) [2.41] Mephisto Waltz (Années de Pèlerinage, Deuxième
Année, Italie) (1858) [3.54] La Capriccioso No.2 in E flat major (Grandes
Etudes de Paganini) [4.42] La Chasse No.5 in E major (Grandes Etudes
de Paganini) [2.56] La Campanella No.3 in G sharp minor (Grandes Etudes
de Paganini) [4.36]
Earl Wild (piano) Recorded in Chicago, 1979 (tracks 1 and 2), Queen
Elizabeth Hall, London, 1973 (tracks 3-10) and Tokyo, 1983 (tracks 11-13)
IVORY CLASSICS 73002 [72.13][JW]
Strongly
recommended to Wildeans: to them goes the bravura, the poetry. Sober
sides may want to dip in first. Prepare to be gloriously singed. ...
see Full Review
Franz
LISZT (1811-1886)
The Complete Works Inspired by J.S. Bach –
The Transcriptions Fantasia
and Fugue in G minor S463 (1863) [11.06] Prelude and Fugue in A minor
S462 – BWV 543 (i) (1842-50) [8.15] Prelude and Fugue in C major
S462 – BWV 545 (ii) (1842-50) [5.24] Prelude and Fugue in C minor
S462 – BWV 546 (iii) (1842-50) [10.17] Prelude and Fugue in C
major S462 – BWV 547 (iv) (1842-50) [7.50]Prelude and Fugue in
E minor S462 (v) – BWV 548 (1842-50) [12.21] Prelude and Fugue
in B minor S462 (vi) – BWV544 (1842-50) [10.09]
Joyce Hatto (piano) Recorded Concert Artist Studios, Cambridge, November
2004 and January 2005
CONCERT ARTIST/FIDELIO RECORDINGS CACD 9100-2 [65:50 [JW]
Imbued
with timbral colour and a sure sense of where she’s going; fine
Liszt-Bach playing, playing that always respects the ultimate Bachian
truth of these arrangements ... 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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