Hugo
ALFVÉN (1872-1960)
Symphony
No. 4, Op. 39, From the Outer Skerries (1919) [48:08] Festival
Overture, Op. 52 (1944) [10:04]
Arnis Halla, soprano; Johann Valdimarsson, tenor Iceland Symphony Orchestra/
Niklas Willén Rec. University Cinema Auditorium, Reykjavik, 10-13
June, 2003 NAXOS 8.557284
[58:12] [WT]
Should
win many new friends for Alfvén’s music.
... see Full
Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
Das
Wohltemperierte Klavier, Book 1 BWV 846-869
[122:26]
Sviatoslav Richter (piano) Recorded July 21st-31st
1970 at the Schloss Klesheim, Salzburg, Austria
BMG RCA RED SEAL 82876 62315 2 [67:51
+ 54:35] [CH]
I
am quite sure that Richter’s overall achievement
will stand as a classic. ... see Full
Review
Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
Goldberg
Variations BWV 988 (1741)
Jenö Jandó, piano Recorded Phoenix
Studio, Budapest, Hungary, February 2003
NAXOS 8.557268 [77:29] [DS]
The
performance is serviceable and soundstage
acceptable but the fierce competition puts
this interpretation into the unnecessary and
unwanted grouping ... see Full
Review
Johann Sebastian
BACH
(1685 - 1750) Suites
for solo cello, BWV 1007 - 1012 (1720) [148.52]
Maria Kliegel, violoncello Stradivarius
1693, "ex-Gendron" Recorded in Phoenix
Studio, Budapest, Hungary, May 2003 Notes
in English and Deutsch. Photo of artist double
jewel-case
NAXOS 8.557280-81 [71.56] [76.56].[PSh]
As
fine a performance and recording as these
works have ever received. Eventually you’ll
want to hear Casals but you’ll come back here
and can’t start at a better place. ... see
Full Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
Cantatas Ich
will den Kreuzstab gerne tragen BWV 56 [18’08"]
Der Friede sei mit dir BWV 158 [10’18"]
Ich habe genug BWV 82 [21’21"]
Thomas Quasthoff (bass-baritone) Albrecht
Mayer (oboe) Members of the RIAS-Kammerchor
Berliner Barock Solisten/Rainer Küssmaul
(violin) rec. Berlin-Dahlem, Jesus-Christus-Kirche,
Jan 2004. DSD. SACD
DEUTSCHE
GRAMMOPHON 00289 474 5052 GSA [50’05"]
[JQ]
Every
collector of Bach cantata recordings needs
to have this disc in his or her collection.
I recommend it with the greatest possible
enthusiasm. ... see Full
Review
Johann Sebastian BACH
(1685-1750)
Cantatas from Leipzig 1724 - Volume 26 Cantata
BWV 180, "Schmücke dich, O liebe Seele"
(Adorn thyself, beloved soul) [21:18] Cantata
BWV 122, "Das neugeborne Kindelein" (The new-born
little child) [13:19] Cantata BWV 96, "Herr
Christ, der einge Gottessohn" (Lord Christ,
the only Son of God) [17:14]
Yukari Nonoshita, soprano Timothy Kenworthy-Brown,
counter-tenor Makoto Sakurada, tenor Peter
Kooij, bass Bach Collegium Japan, Chorus and
Orchestra/Masaaki Suzuki (direction and harpsichord)
Recorded: Kobe Shoin Women's University Chapel,
Japan, 7-10 June 2003 DDD
BIS CD-1401 [52:57] [MC]
A
further wonderful release in this Bach cantata
series. Highly recommended... see Full
Review
Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
Cantatas from Leipzig 1724 Cantata
BWV 78, "Jesu, der du meine Seele" Cantata BWV 99, "Was Gott tut, das
ist wohlgetan" Cantata BWV 114, "Ach, lieben Christen, seid getrost"
Yukari Nonoshita, soprano
Daniel Taylor, counter-tenor Makoto Sakurada, tenor Peter Kooij, bass
Bach Collegium Japan/Masaaki Suzuki Recorded Kobe Shoin Women's University
Chapel, Japan, February 2003
BIS CD-1361 [62:57] [DS]
Magnificent
solo singing and breathtaking choral contributions ... see Full
Review
Osvaldas
BALAKAUSKAS (b. 1937) Requiem
in memoriam Stasys Lozoraitis (1995) Judita Leitaité
(mezzo); Vilnius Municipal Choir “Jauna Muzika”; Christopher Chamber
Orchestra of Vilnius/Donatas Katkus Recorded: Lithuanian Radio, February
2003 NAXOS
8.557604 [52:56][HC]
A
substantial work that obviously means much to the present performers
who all sing and play with dedication
and conviction. Do not hesitate to give this most welcome release a
try. ... see Full Review
Béla
BARTÓK (1881-1945)
String
Quartets String Quartet No. 1 Op.7 (1908)
String Quartet No. 2 Op.17 (1915-17) String Quartet No. 3 (1927) String
Quartet No. 4 (1928) String Quartet No. 5 (1934) String Quartet No.
6 (1939)
Rubin Quartet Recorded 9-17 June 2003, Sendesaal Deutschland Radio,
Cologne
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 6901 [77.07 + 74.27][JW]
At
bargain price these are formidably fluent
readings. ... see Full
Review
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Complete Overtures CD1: The
Creatures of Prometheus, Op. 43 (1801) [4.48] Egmont, Op.
84 (1810) [7.25] Coriolan, Op. 82 (1807) [7.21] Leonore No.
1, Op. 138 (1805) [8.56] The Ruins of Athens, Op. 113 (1812)
[4.19] Leonore No. 2, Op. 72 (1805) [12.14] CD2: Namensfeier,
Op. 115 (1815) [6.34] Leonore No. 3, Op. 72 (1805) [12.24] Fidelio,
Op. 72 (1814) [6.08] King Stephen, Op. 117 (1812) [6.29] The
Consecration of the House, Op. 124 (1822) [10.13]
Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich/David Zinman Rec 9-12 February 2004 Tonhalle
Zurich ARTE NOVA 82876
57831 2 [45.38 + 42.11] [TB]
A
most rewarding issue and collectors should
not hesitate. Stimulating performances at
a competitive price. ... see Full
Review
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Complete
Symphonies Symphony No. 1 Op.21 in C Major
Symphony No. 2 Op.36 in D Major Symphony No. 3 Op.55 in E Flat Major
Eroica Symphony No. 4 Op.60 in B Flat Major Symphony No. 5 Op 67 in
C Minor Symphony No. 6 Op.68 in F Major Pastoral Symphony No. 7 Op.
92 in A Major Symphony No. 8 Op.93 in F Major Symphony No. 9 Op.125
in D Minor Choral # Leonore Overture No.1 Op.138 Leonore Overture No.2
Op.72b Leonore Overture No.3 Op.72a Egmont Overture Op.84 Coriolan Overture
Op.62 King Stephen Overture Op.117 Fidelio Overture Op.72 Creatures
of Prometheus Op.43* Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Symphony
No. 41 in C major K551 Jupiter
Adele Addison (soprano) Jane Hobson (mezzo soprano) Richard Lewis (tenor)
Donald Bell (baritone) Cleveland Orchestra Chorus# Cleveland Orchestra/George
Szell Cleveland Orchestra/Louis Lane* Recorded 1957-67
SONY ORIGINAL JACKET COLLECTION SX10K 92480
[10 CDs: 57.09 + 47.21 + 45.24 + 58.01 + 41.24 + 33.47 + 26.37 + 66.12
+ 54.00 + 62.50][JW]
A
veritable feast for the perceptive cycle lover ... lissom, linear,
superbly articulate and wonderfully balanced representations of Szell’s
art ... see Full Review
Ludwig Van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Arturo Toscanini Conducts Beethoven Symphony No. 3 in E-flat,
Op.55, "Eroica" (1: Allegro con brio: [13.44]; Marcia funebre;
Adagio assai: [16.28];Scherzo; Allegro vivace: [5.22]; Finale; Allegro
molto: [10.45]) Leonore 3 Overture [12.50] Coriolan Overture [7.34]
NBC Symphony
Orchestra/Arturo Toscanini, rec. NBC 3 Dec. 1938 (Eroica); 6 March
1948 (Leonore) 6 Dec. 1953 (Coriolan) Restorations: Graham Newton
(2004). "Eroica" previously released on CD-264 (1987); "Coriolan"
previously released on CD-3007 (1988); "Leonore III" previously
unissued. AAD. UPC Number: 0-17685-11342-0; Mid Price: £9.95
MUSIC
& ARTS CD-1134(1) [66:52][AR]
This
is a highly recommendable disc and truly puts the word authentic back
into limp-wristed ‘authenticity’. ... see Full
Review
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Symphony
No 5 in C minor, Op.67*
[31’45"] Wilhelm FURTWÄNGLER (1886-1954)
Adagio Solemne (from Symphonic Concerto)** [11’02"] Richard
WAGNER (1813-1883) Parsifal: Prelude to Act 1*** [14’09"];
Good Friday Spell (Act 3)*** [10’41"]
**Edwin Fischer (piano) Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/ Wilhelm Furtwängler
rec. Beethovensaal, Berlin on*8 October, 3 November 1937; ** 25 April
1939; ***15 March 1938 ADD
NAXOS 8.110879 [68’08"] [JQ]
A
good example of why Furtwängler is regarded
as a great conductor. Performances that will
grace any collection. Strongly recommended
... see Full
Review
Ludwig van
BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Symphony
No 9 in D minor, Choral Op. 125 (1925)
Frances Yeend (soprano); Martha Lipton (contralto);
David Lloyd (tenor); Mack Harrell (baritone)
Westminster Choir
New York Philharmonic Orchestra/Bruno Walter
rec. 18 April 1949, 30th Street
Studio, New York (movements 1-3) and 7 March
1953, Carnegie Hall, New York (movement 4).
AAD
MUSIC AND ARTS CD-1155 [65’40"] [JQ]
It
is good to have this performance available
on CD as it lets us hear Bruno Walter in a
central repertoire masterpiece when he was
in his prime. .. see Full
Review
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770
– 1827) Symphony
No. 9 in D minor Choral, Op. 125 (1825)
[70:01] T. Kobayashi, sop. T. Iwamoto, alto.
H. Yamamoto, tenor H. Yokata, bass
Orchestra and Chorus of the Kansai Philharmonic,
Osaka/Carl-Auguste Bünte Rec. Osaka Symphony
Hall, 28 Dec 1989 DDD
BELLA MUSICA BM 31.2396 [WT]
The
performance made me sit up and take notice
of this astounding work. ... see Full
Review
Ludwig van
BEETHOVEN
(1770 - 1827) String Quartets
Volume 4 String
Quartet No. 12 Op. 127 (1824) [37.22] String
Quartet No. 13 Op. 130 (1825, new finale
1826) [42.11]
Borodin Quartet (2005): Ruben Aharonian, Andre
Abramenkov, vv; Igor Naidin, vla; Valentin
Berlinsky, vc Recorded in Small Hall, Conservatory,
Moscow, Russia, 24 April 2004 Notes in English,
Deutsch, Français.
CHANDOS CHAN 10292 [79.39] [PSh]
A
completely fresh take on two of Beethoven’s
most profound works by one of the world’s
most distinguished ensembles; and Beethoven
comes out a winner. Very highly recommended.
... see Full
Review
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN
(1770 - 1826) Piano
Trio #3 in c, Op 1 #3 (1795) [30.11] Piano
Trio #6 in Bb, "Archduke,"
Op 97 (1811) [40.54]
Kempf Trio: Freddy Kempf, piano; Pierre Bensaid,
violin; Alexander Chaushian, cello. Steinway
D Piano; technician, Kenneth Eneberg. rec.
former Academy of Music, Nybrokajen 11, Stockholm,
Sweden, April 2003. Notes in English, Deutsch,
Français. Recorded in DSD, SACD 2.0
and 5.0. CD tracks 2.0 stereo. Hybrid
SACD playable in stereo on cd players BIS
SACD-1172 [71.28] [PSh]
Monumentally
great performances of Beethoven, sufficient
to cause the blind to see, to convert the
unbeliever. Buy this disk and look carefully
at anything else these people do. ... see
Full Review
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN
(1770-1827)
Piano
Trio in C minor, Op. 1/3 (1795) [28.01] Variations
in E flat major, Op. 44 (1792?) [12.27] Piano
Trio in B flat major, Op. 11 (1797) [20.29]
The Florestan Trio: Anthony Marwood (violin),
Richard Lester (cello), Susan Tomes (piano)
rec. Henry Wood Hall, London, 7-9 September
2003. DDD
HYPERION CDA 67466 [61.10] [SV]
It's
difficult adequately to describe the essential
rightness of these performances. ... see Full
Review
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Complete works for piano and cello Sonatas:
No. 2 in G minor, Op. 5 No. 2a (1796) [24’51]; No. 4 in C,
Op. 102 No. 1a (1815) [16’34]; No. 3 in A, Op. 69a
(1808) [26’46]; No. 5 in D, Op. 102 No. 2b (1815) [20’31];
No. 1 in F, Op. 5 No. 1b (1796) [25’19]. Twelve Variations
on ‘Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen’ from Die Zauberflöte, Op.
66a (1796) [7’11]. Twelve Variations on ‘See the conqu’ring
hero comes’ from Judas Maccabaeus, WoO45b (1796)
[8’34]. Seven Variations on ‘Bei Männern, welche Liebe fühlen’
from Die Zauberflöte, WoO46a (1801) [10’12].
Alfred Brendel (piano); Adrian Brendel (aJunuarius
Galliano 1741 cello; bAntonio Stradivari Leveque cello,
1683-90). Rec. Jugenstiltheater, Vienna, on aJuly 2nd-8th, 2003 and
bJuly 1st-5th, 2004.
PHILIPS 475 379-2 [7850 + 6855][CC]
A
superb set, then, and one that perhaps opens a new chapter in Alfred
Brendel’s activities? One hopes so. ... see Full
Review
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770 – 1827) Violin
Sonata No. 7 in C minor, Op. 30 No. 2 [26:07] Violin Sonata No. 9 in
A “Kreutzer”, Op. 47 [35:31] Rondo in G, WoO 41 [3:39] Franz
SCHUBERT (1797 – 1828) Rondo in B minor for violin
and piano Op. 70, D 895 “Rondeau brilliant” [12:58]
Yehudi Menuhin (violin), Hephzibah Menuhin (piano) rec. EMI Studio No.
3, London, 28 November 1934 (Kreutzer), 6 May 1936 (Schubert), 29 March
1938 (Beethoven: Rondo) and 30 March 1938 (Beethoven Sonata C minor)
Producer and Audio Restoration Producer: Ward Marston
NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110775 [78:14][GF]
Enthusiasm,
intensity, risk-taking and that un-definable freshness ... I am certain
that this disc will give lots of pleasure for years to come. ... see
Full Review
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN
(1770-1827)
Piano Works, Vol. 8 Piano
Sonatas: No. 27 in E minor, Op. 90a
(1814) [12’24]; No. 28 in A, Op. 101 (1816)
[19’17]; No. 29 in B flat, Op. 106, ‘Hammerklavier’
(1818) [40’48].
Artur Schnabel (piano). Rec. EMI Abbey
Road Studio No. 3 on aJanuary 21st
and February 3rd, 1932, bApril
24th, 1934, cNovember
3rd-4th, 1935. From
HMV aDB1654-55, bDB2467-69,
cDB2955-60. ADD
NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110762 [72’49] [CC]
A
magnificent achievement. Naxos is doing pianophiles
the World over a real service. ... see Full
Review
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN
(1770-1815)
Fidelio
(selection arr. For wind ensemble by Wenzel
Sedlak, c.1815) [43:38], Sextet in E flat
op.71 (1792) [19:30], Rondino in E flat WoO
25 (1793) [06:21]
Nachtmusique/Eric Hoeprich Recorded in Kortenhoef
(Gereformeered Kerk), Holland, February 2003
GLOSSA GCD 920606 [69:38] [CH]
Some
illuminating thoughts for those who know their
Fidelio well. ... see Full
Review
Hector BERLIOZ
(1803-1869)
Roméo
et Juliette op.17 (1838) (A) (B) [2 versions:
91:27, 91:31], Les Nuits d’Été
op.7 (1838, orchestral version 1856) (C) [30:14],
Les Troyens (1856-58): Chasse royale et
orage (D) [10:59], La Damnation de Faust
op.24 (1845-6) (E) [121:52], Béatrice
et Bénédict (1862): Overture
(F) (G) [2 versions: 07:18, 07:17], Le
Corsaire op.21 (1844-55) (H) [07:58], Benvenuto
Cellini op.23 (1834-1837): Overture (I)
[10:26], L’enfance du Christ op.25 (1850-54)
(J) [93:26], Harold en Italie op.16 (1834)
(K) [37:44], Le carnival romain op.9 (1843)
(L) [08:01], Grande messe des morts op.5 (1837)
(M) [83:33], Symphonie fantastique op.14 (1830)
(N) (O) [2 versions: 46:20, 48:54] Victoria
de los Angeles (soprano) (C), Suzanne Danco
(soprano) (E), Rosalind Elias (mezzo-soprano)
(B), Margaret Roggero (mezzo-soprano) (A),
Florence Kopleff (contralto) (J), Leslie Chabay
(tenor) (A), David Poleri (tenor) (E), Léopold
Simoneau (tenor) (M), Cesare Valletti (tenor)
(B) (J), Lucien Oliver (baritone) (J), Martial
Singher (baritone) (E), Gérald Souzay
(baritone) (J), Donald Gramm (bass) (E), McHenry
Boatwright (bass) (E), Yi-Kwei Sze (bass)
(A), Giorgio Tozzi (bass) (B) (J), William
Primrose (viola) (K), Harvard Glee Club (A)
(E), New England Conservatory Chorus (B) (J)
(M), Radcliffe Choral Society (A) (E)
Boston Symphony Orchestra/Charles Munch (all
items) Recorded 1949 (F), 22nd-23rd
February 1953 (A), 21st-22nd
February 1954 (E), 14th-15th
November 1954 (N), 12th-13th
April 1955 (C), 23rd-24th
December 1956 (J), 1st December
1958 (G) (H) (L), 6th April 1959
(D) (I), 26th-27th April
1959 (M), 23rd-24th
April 1961 (B), 9th April 1962
(O) in the Symphony Hall, Boston
BMG RCA RED SEAL 82876-60393-2 [10 CDs:
67:24 + 66:06 + 74:26 +74:04 + 72:50 + 66:52
+ 60:26 + 69:50 + 73:14 + 75:06] [CH]
A
wonderful way to snap up at one fell swoop
all the Berlioz performances recorded by one
of the composer’s greatest interpreters during
his vital years in Boston. ... see Full
Review
Hector
BERLIOZ (1803-1869)
Symphonie
fantastique, Op. 14 [51’40"] Peter TCHAIKOVSKY
(1840-1893) Francesca da Rimini, Op. 32* [23’36"]
Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra/Gennadi Rozhdestvensky rec. Royal Albert
Hall, London, 9 September 1971; *Usher Hall, Edinburgh, 9 September
1960 ADD BBC LEGENDS
4163-2 [75’58"] [JQ]
Another
winner. The coupling works well and both are
played with panache and feeling. Virtuoso
conductor and orchestra on top form. Hard
to beat. Very warmly recommended. ... see
Full
Review
Vincenzo
BELLINI
(1801 – 1835) Norma
(1831) Maria Callas (soprano) – Norma Mario Filippeschi (tenor)
– Pollione Ebe Stignani (mezzo-soprano) - Adalgisa Nicola Rossi-Lemeni
(bass) – Oroveso Paolo Caroli (tenor) – Flavio Rina Cavallari (soprano)
– Clotilde Chorus
and Orchestra of Teatro alla Scala, Milan/Tullio Serafin Recorded from
23rd April to 3rd March 1954 in the Cinema Metropol,
Milan Reissue Producer and Restoration Engineer: Mark Obert-Thorn Appendix:
Highlights from Norma performed by Legendary Singers (1927 – 1936)
Ezio Pinza (bass); Francesco Merli (tenor); Rosa Ponselle
(soprano); Irene Minghini-Cattaneo (mezzo-soprano);Marion
Telva ; Ezio Pinza (bass); Gina Cigna (soprano); Tancredi
Pasero (bass) ; Giovanni Breviario (tenor)Recorded from 25th
August to 7th September 1937 at the Teatro Nuovo, Turin Reissue
Producer and Restoration Engineer: Ward Marston
NAXOS 8.110325-27 [62:34 + 62:06 + 73:42] [GF]
You
need this Callas version for the best interpretation
of the title part on disc. ... see Full
Review
Heinrich
Ignaz Franz BIBER
(1644-1704) Sonata
‘Victori der Christen’ A minor [9’39] Sonata 1 A major [11’15] Sonata
II D dorian [8’24] Sonata V E minor [10’48] Sonata VIII A major [9’23]
Georg MUFFAT (1653-1704) Sonata
Violino Solo D major [12’52]
John Holloway (violin) Aloysia Assenbaum (organ) Lars Ulrik Mortensen
(harpsichord) Rec: Monastery of Gerold, Austria, July 2002
ECM NEW SERIES 1837 [62’52] [GMS]
An
enchanting recording of violin sonatas of
Biber and Muffat. I’ve been returning to this
disc again and again over the past few weeks.
A superb disc ... a must-have. ... see Full
Review
Arrigo
BOITO
(1842-1918) Boito
Memorial Concert June 10th 1948. (Plus appendices) Mefistofele,
Prologue and Act 1 Mefistofele, Cesare Siepi (bass); Faust, Giocinto
Prandelli (ten); Marguerite, Herva Nelli (sop) Chorus and Orchestra
of La Scala, Milan/Arturo Toscanini Nerone, Act 3 and
Act 4 scene 1 Asteria, Herva Nelli (sop); Rubria, Giulietta Simionato
(mez); Nero, Giocinto Prandelli (ten); Fanuel, Frank Guarrera (bar);
Gobrias, Giuseppe Nessi (ten); Perside, Ebe Ticozzi (mez); Simon Mago,
Cesare Siepi (bass)
Chorus and Orchestra of La Scala, Milan/Arturo Toscanini Appendices
Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) La Traviata
- Prelude to Acts I and III Orchestra of La Scala, Milan/Arturo
Toscanini. 7-8 August 1951Ludwig van BEETHOVEN
(1770-1827) Symphony No. 1 in C op.21.
Orchestra of La Scala, Milan/Arturo Toscanini.
24 June 1946
GUILD HISTORICAL TOSCANINI EDITION GHCD 2307/8
[67.12 + 71.31] [RJF]
It
is commendable of Guild to enable us to share
a memorable night, and allow us to witness
two great Italian singers who were destined
to make a considerable impact over the next
ten years ... see Full
Review
Johannes BRAHMS (1833 – 1897)
Violin Concerto in D, Op. 77 (1879)
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART
(1756 – 1791) Violin Concerto No.
3 in G, K216 (1775)
Julian Rachlin (violin) Bavarian Radio
Symphony Orchestra/Mariss Jansons. Recorded
February 12th – 14th
2004, in the Stadthalle, Germering, Germany
DDD.
WARNER CLASSICS 2564 61561-2 [64’49"]
[JPh]
I
look forward with great interest to hearing
this artist again, hopefully in similarly
exalted company. ... see Full
Review
Johannes BRAHMS
(1833-1897)
String
Sextet No. 2 in G major, op. 36 (1864-65)
String Quartet in C minor Op. 51 No. 1 (c.1868-73)
Leipzig String Quartet Hartmut Rohde, viola
(Op. 36) Peter Bruns, cello (Op. 36) Recording:
Markkleeberg, Jan. 26-27, 2004 (Op. 51/1);
Paul-Gerhard-Kirche, Leipzig, May 21-22, 2004
DDD
MUSIKPRODUKTION DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM MDG
GOLD MDG 307 1281-2 [68:23] [MC]
These
are fine accounts by the Leipzig String Quartet,
that will provide much pleasure. ... see Full
Review
Johannes BRAHMS
(1833 - 1897) Clarinet
Trio in A, Op 114 (1892) [26.59] Paul
JUON (1872 - 1940) Op 18: Three
Miniatures (1901) [9.59] Robert
KAHN (1865 - 1951) Clarinet Trio
in g, Op 45 (1906) [22.40]
Trio Bornalie: Norbert Kaiser, clarinet; Francis
Gouton, violoncello; Saoli Saito, Steinway
piano. Notes in German, Français, English.
Photos of artists and composers. Recorded
at the Hochschule für Musik, Stuttgart,
Germany, 12 May 2003.
EDITION HERA - HERA 02113 [59.38]
[PSh]
A
gorgeous Brahms Trio and unfamiliar but fully worthy companion music.
... see Full Review
Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897) Four-hand
piano music, vol. 13; String Sextets (arr. piano duet composer)
- No. 1 in B flat, Op. 18 (1858-60) [22'26]; No. 2 in G, Op. 36 (1864/5)
[38'22]
Silke-Thora Matthies, Christian Köhn (piano duet). Rec. Clara Wieck
Auditorium, Sandhausen, Germany, on November 2nd-4th, 1999
NAXOS 8.554817 [74'35][CC]
Worth
hearing in some respects, then, not least for the intense musicality
of the Matthies and Köhn team. ... see Full
Review
Joseph Szigeti (violin) Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897) Violin Sonata No.1 in G Op.78
Joseph Szigeti (violin); Mieczyslaw Horszowski (piano) Piano Quartet
No.3 in C minor Op.60 Joseph Szigeti (violin); Milton Katims (viola);
Paul Tortelier (cello); Myra Hess (piano) Recorded 1951-52
BIDDULPH 80212-2 [65.27][JW]
Very
much for Szigeti completists ... to those for whom the ubiquity of those
fabled older recordings might encourage a purchase I would just urge
respectful, understanding caution. ... see Full
Review
Johannes BRAHMS
(1833-1897)
Complete Sonatas for Violin and Viola CD
1 Violin Sonata No. 1 in G major Rain,
Op. 78 (1878-79) Violin Sonata No. 2 in A
major Thun, Op. 100 (1886)Violin Sonata
No. 3 in D minor, Op. 108 (1886-88) CD 2 Viola
Sonata in F minor, Op. 120 No. 1 (1894) Viola
Sonata in E flat Major, Op. 120 No. 2 (1894)
Scherzo for violin and piano in C minor, III
from F.A.E. Sonata, WoO posth. 2 (1853)
Shlomo Mintz (violin; viola) Itamar Golan
(piano) rec. 30 Oct 2003-7 Nov 2003, Teldex
Studio, Berlin, German Republic. DDD
AVIE RECORDS AV2057 [75:45 + 53:35] [MC]
An
enjoyable and well recorded release that many
will consider worthy of inclusion in their
Brahms collection. ... see Full
Review
Benjamin
BRITTEN
(1913-1976) Simple
Symphony for Strings, op.4 (1934) [15:56]
Temporal Variations (1936) orch.
Colin Matthews
(1993) [13:50] A Charm of Lullabies,
op.41 (1947) arr. Colin
Matthews (1993) [13:45] Lachrymae,
op.48a (1976) [14:30] Suite on English
Folk Tunes, ‘A time there was….’ op.90
(1974) [13:45]
Nicholas Daniel (oboe), Catherine Wyn-Rogers
(mezzo-soprano), Philip Dukes (viola) Northern
Sinfonia/Steuart Bedford Recorded at All Saints
Church, Gosforth, Newcastle, UK, 16-17 July
1998. DDD
NAXOS 8.557205 [71:46] [GPJ]
And
so Naxos has unfolded yet more layers of this
astonishing composer; an issue to cherish,
and, at over seventy minutes, excellent value
too. ... see Full
Review
Benjamin BRITTEN
(1913-1976)
The Canticles Canticle
I, Op. 40, My Beloved is Mine (1947)
[7:11]; Canticle II, Op. 51, Abraham
and Isaac (1952) [16:10]; The Heart
of the Matter (rev. Peter Pears, 1983)
and Canticle III, Op. 55, Still
Falls the Rain (1954) [24:56]; Canticle
IV, Op. 86, Journey of the Magi
(1971) [10:50]; Canticle V, Op. 89,
The Death of Narcissus (1974) [7:39]
Philip Langridge (tenor); Jean Rigby (contralto);
Gerald Finley (baritone); Derek Lee Ragin
(counter-tenor); Dame Judi Dench (narrator);
Steuart Bedford (piano); Frank Lloyd (horn);
Osian Ellis (harp). Recorded at All Hallows,
Gospel Oak, London, 19-20, 23-24 March 1996;
narrations recorded at Floating Earth, 16
May 1996, First issued on Collins Classics
in 1996
NAXOS 8.557202 [66’47"] [BH]
A
recommendable recording for those who are
inclined toward these unusually intense works
.... fans of the singer or the pianist/conductor
should not hesitate. ... see Full
Review
Benjamin
BRITTEN in
rehearsal and performance Nocturne for
Tenor and Chamber Orchestra Op.60
Bonus selection: Peter Pears with Julian Bream
(lute) Dowland Fine knacks for Ladies
Rosseter What then is love but Mourning
Benjamin Britten Interview
Peter Pears (tenor) CBC Vancouver Chamber
Orchestra/Benjamin Britten Recorded April
29 1962, bonus tracks recorded February 1959,
January 1968
CBC HOME VIDEO DVD 4277 [58.55] Bonus
tracks [15.41] also available as VAI 4277
[EM]
An
utterly fascinating DVD. Amazing to see Britten
and Pears at work together, and to watch their
interaction, musical understanding and obvious
empathy. ... see Full
Review
BRUCKNER
SYMPHONIES: AN INTRODUCTION AND REVIEW
OF SELECTED RECORDINGS by Patrick Waller and
John Quinn
Ferrucio BUSONI
(1866-1924) Busoni –
the Visionary Volume II The Six Sonatinas:-
Sonatina
No. 1 Sonatina No. 2, `Sonatina seconda' Sonatina
No. 3, `ad usum infantis' Sonatina No. 4,
`in diem Nativitas Christi MCMXVII' Sonatina
No. 5, `Sonatina brevis in signo Joannis Sebastiani
Magni' Sonatina super Carmen [Fantasia on
Bizet's 'Carmen'] Toccata in C major for Organ
BWV 564 transcribed by BUSONI
Jeni Slotchiver (piano) Recorded at the
American Academy of Arts and Letters, New
York City, September 2002
CENTAUR CRC 2681 [68.29] [CSS]
Slotchiver
is an ardent disciple of Busoni – her playing is authoritative and the
recorded sound excellent. A persuasive performance. One looks to the
next disc with considerable interest. ... see Full
Review
William Byrd
(c.1535/40-1623)
O Sacrum Convivium; Propers for Ascension 1.
Introit: Viri Galilaei [4:13] 2. Alleluia: Ascendit Deus [1:13]
3. Alleluia: Dominus in Sina 1:10] 4. Offertory: Ascendit
Deus [1:07] 5. Communion: Psallite Domino [1:02] 6. Hymn:
Jesu nostra redemptio [4:53] 7. Magnificat: Antiphon O rex gloriae
[2:08] Propers for Pentecost 8.
Magnificat: Antiphon Non vos relinquam [1:35] 9. Introit:
Spiritus Domini [4:28] 10. Alleluia: Emitte spiritum tuum
[1:37] 11. Alleluia: Veni Sancte Spiritus [1:09] 12. Sequence:
Veni Sancte Spiritus [4:53] 13. Offertory: Confirma hoc Deus
[1:39] 14. Communion: Factus est repente [1:52] Propers
for Corpus Christi 15. Magnificat: Antiphon
O quam suavis est [3:47] 16. Benedictus: Antiphon Ego sum panis
vivus [1:46] 17. Introit: Cibavit eos [3:51] 18. Gradual
& Alleluia: Oculi omnium [3.51] 19. Offertory: Sacerdotes
Domini [1:13] 20. Communion: Quotiescunque manducabitis [2:26]
21. Magnificat Antiphon: O sacrum convivium [2:38] Devotions
to the Blessed Sacrament 22. O salutaris
hostia [2:18] 23. Ab ortu solis [4:18] 24. Alleluia: Cognoverunt
discipuli [3:18] 25. Ave verum corpus [3:42] 26. Pange
lingua gloriosi [7:01]
The Cardinalls Musick/Andrew Carwood Recorded: 8th -9th
September 2002 at the Fitzalan Chapel, Arundel Castle and 20th
February 2004 at St. Michaels Church, Highgate London.
SANCTUARY CLASSICS – GAUDEAMUS GAU 332 [74:27][JF]
Another
volume in a fine series exploring the works of one of Britain’s
greatest composers. Superbly realised and beautifully sung ... 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]