Tigran
MANSURIAN (b.
1939) String Quartet No. 1 (1983/4) [22:34]
String Quartet No. 2 (1984) [21:33] Testament (2004) [4:58] 
Rosamunde Quartett rec. Propstei St. Gerold, May 2004
ECM NEW SERIES 1905 4763052 [49:26][HC]
Deplorably
short playing time but this very fine release
will appeal to those who respond to deeply
felt and sincere music ... see Full
Review
Bohuslav MARTINŮ
(1890-1959) Památník
Lidicím (1943) [8.20] Concertino
for piano trio and strings (1933) [18.54]
Rhapsody-Concerto for viola and orchestra
(1952) [19.23] Concerto for piano trio and
strings (1933) [24.10]
Trio Wanderer Tabea Zimmermann (viola) Gürzenich
Orchestra Cologne James Conlon Recorded
Studio Stolberger, Cologne, April 2003 (bulk)
and September 2004 (Rhapsody Concerto)
CAPRICCIO SACD 71 053 [70.47] [JW]
An
excellently constructed and very useful
addition to the discography. First rate
recording and classy performances. ... see
Full Review
Bohuslav
MARTINŮ (1890-1959)
Songs Deux
chansons (1932) [7:19] Trois mélodies (1930)* [0:53] Vocalise-Etude
(1930)* [1:10] Dvĕ balady [Two Ballads to Folk Texts] (1932)*
[6:31] Čtyři písnĕ [Four Songs to Folk Texts] (1940)
[5:39] Polka for piano from the ballet Špalíček (1932)
[2:13] Novy Špalíček [New Anthology] (1942) [10:56] Waltz for
piano from the ballet Špalíček (1932) [6:05] Three Christmas
Songs (1929)* [2:46] Four Children’s Songs and Nursery Rhymes* [1:17]
Koleda milstoná [Love Carol to a Folk Text] (1937) [0:53] Přání
mamince [A Wish for a Mother]* [1:16] Songs from the Hry o Marii
[The Miracles of Mary] (1934) [6:42]
Olga Černá (mezzo-soprano) Jitka Čechová (piano) rec.
Studio Minor, Trhový Štĕpánov, Czech Republic,
11-12th and 15-16th January 2003 *World première
recordings. NAXOS
8.557494 [53:40] [DC]
In
no way a completist’s mishmash ... contains
much which will have you wondering why such
gems have been ignored until today. ...
see Full
Review
Louis MASSONNEAU
(1766-1848)
Three Quartets for Oboe and String Trio
(?1798): No. 1 in F. major [14:21]; No.
2 in B-flat major [11:48]; No. 3 in C major
[14:38]
Ensemble Più: Andreas Gosling (oboe),
Eva Gosling (violin), Martin Börner
(violin), Markus Beul (cello) Recorded April/May
2005, Neuss-Hoisten. Surround Sound SACD/CD
Hybrid Disc Plays on all CD and SACD players.
AUDITE
92.562 SACD [40:40] [GPu]
Attractive
chamber music firmly in the German classical
tradition, played with love and understanding
... see Full
Review
Darius
MILHAUD
(1892-1974) Les
malheurs d'Orphée - opera in three acts; text: d'Armand Lunel
(1926) [35:24] Le pauvre matelot - Complainte in three acts -
text: Jean Cocteau (1927) [41:43] Jacqueline Brumaire; Bernard Demigny;
Claudine Collart; Janine Collard; Jean Cussac; Clara Neumann; Saül
Verzoub; André Vessières (Les malheurs d'Orphée)
Jacqueline Brumaire; Jean Giraudeau; Xavier Depraz; André Vessières
(Le pauvre matelot)
Solistes de l'Orchestre du Théâtre National de l'Opéra
de Paris/Darius Milhaud rec. Disques Véga, Paris, 1956, AAD.
stereo Collection Musiques Françaises
ACCORD 476 159 1 [65:45] [RB]
Two
vivid chamber operas from the 1920s - fascinating
limelight on the Milhaud of the 1920s ...
see Full
Review
Darius
MILHAUD
(1892-1974) Service
sacré pour le samedi matin Op.
279 (1947) [58:03] sung in Hebrew
Heinz Rehfuss (bar) Choeurs de la RTF/Yvonne
Gouverné Orchestre du Théâtre
de l'Opéra de Paris/Darius Milhaud
rec. Disques Véga, Paris, 1958, AAD.
stereo Collection Musiques Françaises
ACCORD 476 159 0 [58:03] [RB]
Serenity
and devotion are the watchwords in this archival
recording still in excellent audio fettle
... see Full
Review
Barry MILLS
(b.
1949) Morning
Sea Piano Trio, Rondo for Solo Violin,
Piano Quintet, Duo for Violin and Cello, Movements
for Violin and Piano, Music for Solo Cello,
Flux for Cello and Piano, Piano Sketches for
Children,
The Bekova Sisters; Aciel Bekova; Marius Stravinsky
(viola) Recorded by Colin Attwell, All Saints
Chapel, Eastbourne (solos and duo) 6 June
1993. All others, St John's Smith Square,
11-12 April 1993
CLAUDIO RECORDS CC4318-2 [55.13]
Mosaics Wind Quintet, String
Quartet, Clarinet Quintet, Flute Sketches,
Mosaic - Flute and Piano, Duo for Flute and
Violin, Three Movements for Viola, Violin
Duo, Ocean for Double Bass, Duo for Mandolin
and Guitar, Where the Sea Meets the Shore
- Guitar Duo,
Caroline Collingridge, Charlotte Munro, Christopher
Hyde-Smith (flutes), Philip Edwards (clarinet),
Catherine Pluygers (oboe), Huw Jones (bassoon),
Henryk Sienkiewicz (horn), Stuart Deeks, Ellie
Blackshaw (violins), Robert Winquist (viola),
Sarah Stuart-Pennink (cello), Step hen Phillips
(double bass), Jane Dodd (piano), Richard
Hand, Tom Dupré, Martin Vishnik (guitars),
Nigel Woodhouse (mandolin) Recorded by Colin
Attwell, All Saints Chapel, Eastbourne, 25
April, 13 June, 10 October 1993. All others,
St John's Smith Square, 17 October 1993.
CLAUDIO RECORDS CC4325-2 [76.12]
Under the Stars Eight Haiku,
Transitions - piano, Landscapes - piano, The
Pavilion Gardens - piano, In the Mist - piano,
Chief Seattle Fragments - mezzo and guitar,
Guitar Sketches, Duo for Violin and Guitar
Julian Elloway (piano); Corinne Shirman-Sarti
(mezzo); Paul Gregory (guitar); Andrew Sherwood
(violin) Recorded by Colin Attwell, All Saints
Chapel, Eastbourne, 25 September 1993. All
others, St John's Smith Square; 27 February;
27 March 1993
CLAUDIO RECORDS CC4324-2 [75. 02]
Summer Waves Saxophone Sketches,
Saxophone Quartet - Saxploitation, The wind
and the Trees - Bb clarinet, Duo for Flute
and Clarinet, Guitar Quartet, Trio for Flute,
Viola and Guitar, Harp Sketches, Trio
for Flute, Viola and Harp
Tony Sions (solo saxophone); Simon Stewart;
Samantha Ellis; Katie Samways; Caroline Williams
(saxophones); Philip Edwards; (Bb clarinet);
Charlotte Munro; Alison Back (flutes); The
English Guitar Quartet; Paul Gregory (guitar);
Peter Sulski (viola); Hugh Webb (harp) Recorded
by Colin Attwell, All Saints Chapel, Eastbourne,
September 1993-96
CLAUDIO RECORDS CC5153-2 [71. 31] [SJ]
There
is more than a touch of genius in some of
these works; here's a major miniaturist who
in fact has had larger works simply sidelined.
... see Full Review
Stuart
MITCHELL (b.1965)
Seven
Wonders, Suite for Orchestra (2004)
Ildiko Szabo, Pavla Zejbalova (sopranos) Jiri Hurnik (violin solo) Hana
Knauerova (flute solo) Kuhn Mixed Choir/Jan Rozehnal Prague Symphony
Orchestra/Mario Clemens rec. CNSO Studios, Prague, 11-19 November 2004.
DDD EDINBURGH MUSIC
COMPANY EMC 38000 [55.13] [DM]
Re-hashes
just about every orchestral cliché
imaginable, and the result is magnificently
and appallingly anodyne. ... see Full
Review
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Symphonies - 250th
Anniversary Edition
CD1 [60:41] Symphony No. 17 in G major, K129 (1772) Symphony No. 18
in F major, K130 (1772) Symphony No. 19 in E flat major, K132 (1772)
Symphony No. 22 in C major, K162 (1773) CD2 [53:17] Symphony No. 21
in A major, K134 (1772) Symphony No. 23 in D major, K181 (1773) Symphony
No. 24 in B flat major, K182 (1773) Symphony No. 27 in G major, K199
(1773) CD3 [65:08] Six German Dances for orchestra, K571 (1789) Les
Petits Riens (ballet music) for orchestra, K299b (1778) Symphony No.
25 in G minor, K183 (1773) Symphony No. 26 in E flat major, K184 (1773)
CD4 [74:32] Symphony No. 28 in C major, K200 (1773) Symphony No. 29
in A major, K201 (1773) Symphony No. 30 in D major, K202 (1773) CD5
[72:13] Symphony No. 31 in D major, K297 ‘Paris’(1778) Symphony
No. 33 in B flat major, K319 (1779) Symphony No. 34 in C major, K338
(1780) CD6 [71:00] Symphony No. 32 in G major, K318 (1779) Symphony
No. 35 in D major, K385 ‘Haffner’ (1782) Symphony No. 36 in
D major, K425 ‘Linz’ (1783) CD7 [68:33] Symphony No. 38 in
D major, K504 ‘Prague’ (1786) Symphony No. 39 in E flat major,
K543 (1788) CD8 [74:41] Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K550 (1788) Symphony
No. 41 in C major, K551 ‘Jupiter’ (1788)
Amsterdam
Baroque Orchestra/Ton Koopman (Symphonies 17-19, 21-24, 27) Royal Concertgebouw
Orchestra/Nikolaus Harnoncourt (Symphonies 25, 26, 28-36, 38-41) Scottish
Chamber Orchestra/Raymond Leppard (Six German Dances and Les Petits
Riens) Recorded at: Doopsgezinde Kerk, Haarlem, Holland, April 1989
(K134, K184), November 1989 (K199), March 1990 (K181), November 1990
(K162), April 1991 (K129, K130, K132) Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh,
Scotland, November 1982 and March 1983 (K299b, K571) Concertgebouw,
Amsterdam, Holland, November 1980 (K338, K385), September 1981 (K297,
K319, K504), March 1982 (K551), June 1983 (K183, K550), May and June
1984 (K201, K318, K543), November 1984 (K425), January and February
1988 (K184, K200, K202). DDD
WARNER CLASSICS 2564 62334-2 [8 CDs: 60:41 + 53:17 + 65:08 + 74:32
+ 72:13 + 71:00 + 68:33 + 74:41][MC]
Cool,
vivid and well balanced sound. A consistent purity and nobility of playing
... marvellously assured and refined. No romantic wallowing and the
performances are characterful but never overacted. ... see Full
Review
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART
(1756-1791) Mozart
- Piano Concertos: Vol. 8 Piano Concerto No.16 in D major KV 451
(1784) [23.34] Piano Concerto No.24 in C minor KV 491 (1786) [31.20]
Matthias Kirschnereit
(piano) Bamberg Symphony Orchestra/Frank Beermann rec. Sinfonie an der
Regnitz, Bamberg; 6-8 Jan 2004 (K.491), 3-5 Oct 2004 (K.451). DDD.
ARTE NOVA 82876 64011 2 [55.54][ED]
Nice
try, but no cigar. ... see Full
Review
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
Great
Piano Concertos, Vol III: No. 6 in B flat,
K238a (1776) [22'25]; No. 19 in
F, K459b (1784) [27'43]; No. 20
in D minor, K466c (1785) [31'52].
aChristian Zacharias, bRadu
Lupu, cIvan Klánský
(piano) aStuttgart Radio Symphony
Orchestra/Gianluigi Gelmetti; bDeutsche
Kammerphilharmonie/David Zinman; cVirtuosi
di Praga/Jirí Belohlávek. Rec.
aSchwetzingen Palace on May 29th,
1989, bSophiensaal, Munich on July
12th, 1990, cRittersaal
of Palais Waldstein on November 19th-20th,
1990. Directed by János Darvas. NTSC
4:3 full screen. 
EUROARTS 2010238 [80'00] [CC]
This
particular installment of the concertos is
well worth the cost. Each interpreter leaves
some positive impressions, but it is to the
Klánský/Belohlávek partnership
that I shall return. ... see Full
Review
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART
(1756-1791) Cello Sonatas (transcribed by Alexander
Kniazev) Sonata
in G K379 (1781) [25:08] Sonata in G K301 (1778) [16:02] Sonata in F
K376 (1781) [19:23] Alexander
Kniazev (cello), Eduard Oganessian (piano) Rec. Small Hall of the Tchaikovsky
Conservatory, Moscow, November 1997. DDD
TOCCATA CLASSICS TOCC 0002 [60:36] [PCW]
Mozart
dressed up as Beethoven ... see Full
Review
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756
– 1791) Die
Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) (1791)
Josef Greindl (bass) – Sarastro; Walther Ludwig
(tenor) – Tamino; Paul Schöffler (bass-baritone)
– Sprecher; Hermann Gallos (tenor) – 1. Priester;
Karl Dönch (bass) – 2. Priester; Wilma
Lipp (soprano) – Königin der Nacht; Irmgard
Seefried (soprano) – Pamina; Gertrude Grob-Prandl
(soprano) – 1. Dame; Sieglinde Wagner (mezzo-soprano)
– 2. Dame; Elisabeth Höngen (contralto)
– 3. Dame; Karl-Schmitt-Walter (baritone)
– Papageno; Edith Oravez (soprano) – Papagena;
Peter Klein (tenor) – Monostatos; Elisabeth
Rutgers (soprano) – 1. Knabe; Ruthilde Boesch
(mezzo) – 2. Knabe; Polly Batic (contralto)
– 3. Knabe; Ernst Haefliger (tenor) – 1. Geharnischter;
Hermann Uhde (bass) – 2. Geharnischter
Chor der Wiener Staatsoper, Wiener Philharmoniker/Wilhelm
Furtwängler Recorded at the Felsenreitschule,
Salzburg on July 27th 1949
ORFEO C650 053 D [3 CDs: 77:20 +
47:33 + 51:44] [GF]
Probably
not for the general opera lover. Furtwängler’s
admirers should of course consider it as should
general collectors with an interest in some
of these singers. ... see Full
Review
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
Requiem,
K626 [64:00] Gundula
Janowitx, soprano Christa Ludwig, mezzo soprano Peter Schreier, tenor
Walter Berry, bass Chorus of the Vienna Staatsoper Vienna Symphony Orchestra/Karl
Böhm Recorded in the Piaristenkirche, Vienna, December 1971.
DEUTSCHE
GRAMOPHON DVD 00440 073 4081 [64:00] [KS]
Bag
this one, just about every other performance
available is better. ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
Symphony
No 40 in G minor, K550 [35:02] Gustav
MAHLER (1860-1911) Das Lied von
der Erde* [64:57]
*Brigitte Fassbaender (mezzo)Francisco Araiza
(tenor) Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Carlo
Maria Giulini Recorded live at the Grosses
Festspielhaus, Salzburg, 2 August 1987
ORFEO C 654 052 B [35:02 + 64:57] [JQ]
The
Mahler is another treasurable example of Giulini’s
superb, inspiring and perceptive musicianship.
All his admirers and, even more so, all those
who love this wondrous score should hasten
to hear it. ... see Full
Review
Wolfgang Amadeus
MOZART
(1756-1791) Fantasie
in F minor KV 608 [10'12] Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897) Prelude
and Fugue in G minor [6'20] Fugue
in A flat minor [7'28] Chorale
Prelude and Fugue on O Traurigkeit, o Herzeleid
[7'18] Johann Sebastian
BACH (1685-1750) Prelude
and Fugue in E minor [13'48] Max
REGER (1873-1916) Variations
and Fugue on an original theme in F sharp
minor op 73 [34'07]
Robert Houssart, organ Rec: Gloucester
Cathedral, 23-25 February 2005 DDD
REGENT REGCD221 [79'14] [CB]
Despite
my personal feelings about some of the playing,
this remains a remarkable debut CD. The playing
is undeniably of an extremely high quality,
and the Gloucester organ remains as colourful
as ever.[CB] Incredible technique. The tempi
push the boundaries of what should be possible
to the scarcely believable. Unfortunately
fundamental things suffer, such as touch and
legato, so essential in this music [GB]...
see Full Review
Modest
MUSSORGSKY (1839-1881)
Pictures
at an Exhibition [34:41] Sergei
RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Sonata
no.1 in D minor [36:56]
Joyce Hatto (piano) Recorded January 8th
1996 and March 16th 1999 in the
Concert Artist Studios, Cambridge, UK
CONCERT ARTIST/FIDELIO RECORDINGS CACD 9129-2
[72:17] [CH]
Another
notable production from Concert Artists; Joyce
Hatto’s Mussorgsky is notable for its humanity.
... see Full
Review
Carl
NIELSEN (1865-1931)
Aladdin Suite Op. 34 (FS89) (1919) [24:55] Cupid
and the Poet (Amor og Digteren) Op. 54 (FS156) (1930)
[5:33] Saga-Drøm Op. 39 (FS46) (1907-08) [9:48] Helios
Overture Op. 17 (FS46) (1904) [9:54] Maskarade (FS39):
Overture; Prelude to Act II (1904-06) [8:25] Pan and Syrinx (Pan
og Syrinx) Op. 49 (FS87) (1918) [9:10]
South Jutland Symphony Orchestra/Niklás Willén rec. 8-12 Oct 2002, Musikhuset,
Sønderberg, Denmark. DDD
NAXOS 8.557164 [67:46][JQ]
An
excellent introduction to Nielsen’s marvellous
music. Established Nielsen enthusiasts should
also add this splendid anthology to their
collections ... see Full
Review
Jacques
OFFENBACH (1819
- 1880) Les
Contes d'Hoffmann (1881) Hoffmann
- Nicolai Gedda (tenor) Olympia – Mattiwilda
Dobbs (soprano) Giulietta – Rosalind Elias
(soprano) Antonia – Lucine Amara (soprano)
Nicklausse – Helen Vanni (soprano) Lindorf,
Coppelius, Dr. Miracle, Dapertutto - George
London (bass) Spalanzani – Paul Franke (tenor)
Crespel – Norman Scott (bass) Nathanael –
Robert Nagy (tenor) Hermann – Calvin Marsh
(baritone) Schlemil – Clifford Harvout (baritone)
Luther – George Cehanovsky (baritone) Andres,
Cochenille, Frantz, Pittichinaccio – Alessio
da Paolis (tenor) Antonia's Mother – Mignon
Dunn (mezzo-soprano)
Orchestra and Chorus of the Metropolitan Opera/Jean
Morel Recorded 7 February 1959
LIVING STAGE LS1129 [62.27 + 75.13] [JW]
So
whilst Gedda is the star this is a real ensemble
success, presided over by a knowledgeable
and excellent operatic conductor. ... see
Full
Review
Thomas PITFIELD
(1903-1999) *Piano
Concerto No. 1 in E minor (1947) [23:28] Piano
Concerto No. 2 (1960) [11:32] Studies on
an English Dance-Tune (1961) [4:35] Arietta
and Finale (1932) [4:51] Toccata
(1953) [3:54] Xylophone Sonata (1987) [6:22]
*Anthony Goldstone (piano) Peter Donohoe (piano;
xylophone) Royal Northern College of Music
Orchestra/Andrew Penny rec. Brown Shipley
Concert Hall, Royal Northern College of Music,
Manchester, December 2003. DDD
NAXOS 8.557291 [54:41] [PCW]
Coming
from an original, if almost forgotten voice,
this seems well worth resurrecting ... see
Full Review
Manuel
PONCE [1882–1948],
Canciones
Mexicanas: "Estrellita...."
[2:36]; "La barca del marino...."
[2:28]; "Cuiden su vida" [4:14]
Estudios de concierto: No. 7, "Juventud"
[2:09]; No. 12, "La vida sonrie"
[5:07]; No. 3, "Hacia la cima" [3:36]
From "Trozos romanticos":
Souvenir [1:50]; Quimera [2:07]; Deseo [1:55];
Hoja de album [2:39]; Legende [5:38]
Mazurcas: No. 3 in A-flat Major [2:31];
No. 8 in C-Sharp Minor [2:46]; No. 9 in G
Minor [2:49]; No. 11 in A Minor [2:57]; No.
13 in F Minor [2:22]; No. 14 in D-Flat Major
[2:27]; No. 16 in B-Flat Minor [3:18]; No.
23 in A Minor [3:27] Suite cubana [12:27]:
1. Serenata marina [3:06]; 2. Plenilunio [4:11];
3. Paz de ocaso [5:03] Deux études
pour piano [à Artur Rubinstein]
[3:52]: I. Allegretto mosso ma espressivo
[2:43]; II. Allegro non troppo [1:09]
Jorge Federico Osorio (piano) Recorded: 12-13
July 2005, WFMT-Chicago
ÇEDILLE CDR 90000 086 [74:40] [RB]
Fascinating
... will please the adventurous with a taste
for the romantic legacy to the twentieth century.
... see Full
Review
Serge
PROKOFIEV
(1891-1953) Eugene
Onegin op. 71 (1936) Incidental music to Alexander Pushkin’s
verse novel adapted for the stage by Sigismund Krzyzanowski for speakers,
chorus and orchestra Chulpan Chamatova; Jacob Küf (speakers) Boris
Statsenko (baritone) RIAS-Kammerchor; Rundfunk Sinfonieorchester/Michail
Jurowski Pique Dame op 70 (1936) Music for an unrealised
film based on Alexander Pushkin’s novella.
Rundfunk Sinfonieorchester/Michail Jurowski Rec. Berlin-Dahlem, Jesus-Christus-Kirche
Mar 2003; Jan-Feb 2004. DDD
CAPRICCIO 67 149/50 [76:16 + 33:56] [JL]
A
superbly executed realisation of Prokofiev’s
Onegin incidental music – the only available
Russian language recording ... see Full
Review
Giacomo
PUCCINI (1858-1924)
La
Boheme - Opera in four acts (1869) Libretto by Giuseppe Giacosa
and Luigi Illica based on ‘Scènes de la vie de Bohème’ by Henry Murger.
First performed at the Teatro Regio, Turin, 1st February
1869 Rodolfo,
Luciano Pavarotti, (ten); Mimi, Renata Scotto (sop); Marcello, Ingvar
Wixell (bar); Musetta, Maralin Niska (sop); Schaunard, Alan Monk (bar);
Colline, Paul Plishka (bass); Alcindoro, Andrea Veris (ten); Benoit,
Italo Tajo (bass) Metropolitan Opera Chorus Metropolitan Opera Orchestra/James
Levine. Recorded live at the Metropolitan Opera, New York, 15 March
1977 Production for the Lyric Opera of Chicago by Fabrizio Melano, 1972.
Designs by Pier Luigi Pizzi Picture format: NTSC/Colour/4:3 Sound formats:
PCM Stereo. DTS 5.1. Dolby digital 5.1 Menu language English. Subtitles
in Italian (original language), English, German, French, Spanish and
Chinese. Director, Kirk Browning. Audio Producer, John F. Pfeiffer
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON DVD VIDEO 000440 073 4025 GH
[123:00][RF]
This
provides a fascinating historical perspective
but does not cut the mustard as sole representative
of Boheme in anyone’s collection. ... see
Full
Review
Sergei
RACHMANINOV
(1873-1943) Piano
Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18 (1901) [32:15] (I: Moderato [10.04];
II: Adagio sostenuto [10.52]; III Allegro scherzando [11.19]) Rhapsody
on a Theme of Paganini Op.43 (1934) [22.25] (Introduction — Variation
I — Theme — Variations 2-24)
Jorge Lois Prats (piano) Mexico City Philharmonic Orchestra/Enrique
Bátiz Recorded Mexico City, 1990
SANCTUARY RECORDS CD RSN 3050 [54.43][JL]
A
welcome re-release of very powerful performances that may be a little
too full-frontal for some. ... see Full
Review
Sergei
RACHMANINOV
(1873 – 1943) Fantaisie-tableaux
(Suite No. 1) (1893) [22:28] Suite No. 2 (1900) [23:10] Symphonic
Dances (version for two pianos) (1940) [31:39]
Howard Shelley and Hilary MacNamara (pianos) rec. 2-4 August 1989, St
Martin's Church, East Woodhay, Berkshire, England. DDD
HYPERION HELIOS CDH55209 [77:27] [TP]
A
well filled disc that is very good value for
its asking price. If the repertoire appeals,
do not hesitate. ... see Full
Review
Einojuhani
Rautavaara
(b.1928) The
Gift of the Magi (1993-1994) [44:43]
Documentary film: The Gift of Dreams
(1997) [53:24] The Gift of the Magi:
Pia Freund (soprano) … Minna; Jaako Kortegangas
(baritone) … Joel; Martti Wallén (bass)
… Mr. Salomon, landlord; Anna-Lisa Jakobson
(mezzo soprano) … Queen of Sheba, a woman
of easy virtue; Lassi Virtanen (tenor) … Zoff
Musonoff, wigmaker.
Veräjäpelto Choir Tapiola Sinfonietta/Petri
Sakari Directed for TV and Video by Hannu
Heikinheimo. The Gift of Dreams directed
by Aarno Cronvall.
ARTHAUS
MUSIK 100 419 [98:07] [GPu]
An
intelligent, small-scale opera well performed,
and accompanied by a moderately interesting
documentary. In a more civilised world The
Gift of the Magi would be part of our Christmas
TV schedules … see Full
Review
Max
REGER (1873-1916)
Piano
Trio in E minor, Op. 102 (1908) [42:09]
Christine Ragaz, violin Regula Hausler, cello
John Buttrick, piano rec. 1985, ADD
JECKLIN-DISCO JD604-2 [42:09] [MC]
An
excellent Reger score really well performed.
... see Full
Review
Anton
REICHA
(1770-1836) Wind
Quintets (1815-17): in D major op. 91, no.
3 [25:40]; in G minor op. 91 no. 4 [42:00]
Westwood Wind Quintet rec. 26-27 Sept, 1-2
Oct 2004, Crystal Chamber Hall, Camas, Washington.
DDD
CRYSTAL RECORDS CD265 [67:48] [RB]
This
friend of Haydn and Beethoven had a splendid
gift for invention and should not be lost
from sight or sound. ... see Full
Review
Emil Nikolaus
von REZNIČEK (1860-1945)
Symphony
No. 2 in B flat major Ironic (1905)
[25:39] Symphony No. 5 Dance Symphony (1926)
[40:27]
Berner Symphonie-Orchester/Frank Beermann
rec. Kultur-Casino, Bern, 22-23 Apr 2004,
Schweitzer Radio DRS-2
CPO 777 056-2 [66:08] [RB]
These
are fascinating souvenirs of an era and Rezniček's
part in it but the music is not intrinsically
compelling. ... see Full
Review
Knudåge RIISAGER (1897-1974)
Qarrtsiluni
op. 36 (1938) [8:37] Månerenen (Moon Reindeer) op.
57 (1956) [47:21] Aarhus
Symphony Orchestra/Bo Holten rec. Frichsparken, Århus, 22-26 Mar
2004. DDD DACAPO 8.226022
[55:49] [RB]
Brilliantly
orchestrated and balanced - moving forward
in a blizzard of detail; the very antithesis
of drab. ... see Full
Review
George ROCHBERG (1918-2005)
Symphony
No.2 (1956) [31:28] Imago Mundi (1973) [24:06]
Saarbrucken Radio Symphony Orchestra/Christopher Lyndon-Gee Recorded
in the Grosse Sendesaal, Funkhaus Halberg, Saarbrucken, Germany on 19th
– 20th December 2000 (Symphony) and 30th January
2001 (Imago Mundi) – World Premiere. DDD
NAXOS 8.559182 [55:34] [JPh]
Only
unmitigated gloom, despondency and downright
violence ... see Full
Review
Joaquín
RODRIGO (1901-1999)
Concertos and Orchestra Works CD1 Concierto
Serenata for harp and orchestra (1952)
[22.47] Concierto Pastoral for flute
and orchestra (1978) [25.06] Concierto
Heroico for piano and orchestra (1939)
[30.28] CD2 Concierto Madrigal for
two guitars and orchestra (1967) [33.40] Concierto
de Estio for violin and orchestra (1943)
[20.32] Concierto de Aranjuez for guitar
and orchestra (1939) [21.08] CD3 Fantasia
para un Gentilhombre for guitar and orchestra
(1954) [20.15] Concierto Andaluz for
four guitars and orchestra (1967) [26.01]
Concierto en Modo Galante for cello
and orchestra (1949) [25.42] CD4 Per
la flor del lliri blau (El lirio azul)
(1934) [20.00] Musica para un jardín
(1957) [11.16] A la busca del Más
allá (1976) [13.53] Zarabanda
lejana y villancico (1926, 1928, 1930)
[9.22] Cinco piezas infantiles (1924)
[12.31] Soleriana (1953) [9.34] Nancy
Allen (harp) Lisa Hansen (flute) Jorge Federico
Osorio (piano) Agustín León
Ara (violin) Robert Cohen (cello) Alfonso
Moreno (guitar) (Madrigal; Aranjuez;
Andaluz; Fantasia) Minerva Gáribay
(guitar) (Andaluz) Cecilia López
(guitar) (Andaluz) Jesús Ruiz
(guitar) (Andaluz) Deborah Mariotti
(guitar) (Madrigal)
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Enrique Bátiz
London Symphony Orchestra/Enrique Bátiz
Orquesta Sinfónica del Estado de Mexico/Enrique
Bátiz rec. Feb 1980, Sala Nezahualcoyotl,
Mexico City; Aug 1981, Watford Town Hall;
December 1984, Watford Town Hall; Jan 1985,
St Barnabas Church, Woodside Park, London.
DDD licensed from EMI Classics licensed from
EMI Classics
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 7562 [4 CDs: 79.01
+ 75.48 + 72.24 + 77.21] [RB]
If
you want an unbeatably inexpensive Rodrigo
splurge then this set makes an extremely pleasing
choice in good clear sound. ... see Full
Review
Joseph-Guy
ROPARTZ (1864-1955)
Symphony No. 1 Sur un choral Breton (1895)
[41:27] Symphony No. 4 (1910) [29:36]
Orchestra Symphonique et Lyrique de Nancy/Sebastian
Lang-Lessing rec. Nancy, Salle Poirel, France.
Sept 2004. DDD World premiere recordings
TIMPANI 1C1093 [71:03] [RB]
All
of the planetary signs are in conjunction.
A grand success ... two fine romantic symphonies
.... a major addition to the catalogue. Get
it soon. ... see Full
Review
Gioacchino
ROSSINI (1792-1868)
String Sonatas (1804): No 1 in G major [11'31]; No 2 in A major [12'31];
No 3 in C major [11'18]; No 4 in B flat major [13'46]; No 5 in E flat
major [14'18]; No 6 in D major [16'07]
Elizabeth Wallfisch, violin; Marshall Marcus, violin; Richard Tunnicliffe,
cello; Chi-Chi-Nwanoko, double-bass Members of The Orchestra of the
Age of Enlightenment: rec. 25-27 January 1992. No details of the recording
venue provided. DDD
HYPERION HELIOS CDH55200 [79:40] [MC]
A
hugely enjoyable recording. ... see Full
Review
The
thirty-nine operas of Gioachino
ROSSINI (1792-1868):
A conspectus of their composition and recordings
Robert J Farr
Gioachino
ROSSINI (1792-1868)
Le
Comte Ory - an opera in two acts (1828)
Libretto by Eugene Scribe and Charles Gaspard
Delestre-Poirson. First performed at the Théatre
de l’Académie Royale de Musique, (The
Opéra), Paris, 20 August 1828 Count
Ory, a young and licentious nobleman - John
Aler (ten); Countess Adele - Sumi Jo (sop);
Isolier, page to Count Ory and in love with
the Countess Adele - Diana Montague (mezzo);
Raimbaud, friend to Count Ory - Gino Quilico
(bar); Governor, tutor to Count Ory - Gilles
Cachemaille (bar); Ragonde, companion to Countess
Adele - Raquel Pierotti (mezzo); Young Noblemen,
friends of Ory - Francis Dudziak (ten) and
Nicolas Rivenq (bar); Alice, a young peasant
- Maryse Castets (sop)
Orchestra and chorus of the Opéra de
Lyon/John Eliot Gardiner rec. Bourse du Travail,
Lyon, France, February and March 1988
PHILIPS CLASSIC OPERA 475 7014 PM2 [66.17
+ 65.35] [RJF]
One
of Rossini’s finest creations. Should be part
of any collection of the composer’s works.
... see Full
Review
Gioachino
ROSSINI (1792-1868)
La
Cenerentola (1817) Opera Buffa in
Two Acts. Libretto by Jacopo Ferretti. First
performed at the Teatro Valle, Rome, on 25th
January 1817. Angiolina (Cenerentola) - Joyce
DiDonato (mezzo); Don Ramiro, Prince of Salerno
- José Manuel Zapata (ten); Dandini,
Romiro’s valet - Paolo Bordogna (bar); Don
Magnifico, Baron - Bruno Pratico (buffa-bass);
Alidoro, tutor to Romiro - Luca Pisaroni (bass
bar); Clorinda - Patricia Cigna (sop); Tisbe
- Martina Borst (mezzo)
Prague Chamber Choir SWR Radio Orchestra Kaiserslautern/Albert
Zedda. Recorded live on 13 November, 2004
using Alberto Zedda’s Critical Edition. A
co-production between the Rossini In Wildbad
festival and SWR Radio Orchestra.
NAXOS 8.660191-92 [79.53 + 74.50] [RF]
Recommended
to newcomers and old-established Rossini lovers
alike ... see Full
Review
Gioachino
ROSSINI (1792-1868)
La
Cenerentola - Opera Buffa in Two Acts (1816) Libretto by Jacopo
Ferretti. First performed at the Teatro Valle, Rome, 25 January 1817.
Angiolina (Cenerentola), Frederica Von Stade (mezzo); Don Ramiro, Prince
of Salerno, Francisco Araiza (ten); Dandini, Romiro’s valet, Claudio
Desderi (buffa bar); Don Magnifico, Baron, Paolo Montarsolo (buffa-bass);
Alidoro, tutor to Romiro, Paul Plishka (bass); Clorinda, Margherita
Guglielmi (sop); Tisbe, Laura Zannini (mezzo)
Orchestra and Chorus of La Scala, Milan/Claudio Abbado Staged, directed
and designed by Jean-Pierre Ponelle (using Alberto Zedda’s Critical
Edition created for the Fondazione Rossini, Pesaro) Unitel film based
on a 1973 production at Teatro Alla Scala, Milan Sound recorded in Centro
Telecinematografico Culturale, Milan, January 1981. Filmed in Vienna
in August and September 1981 Director of photography, David Watkin Presented
in PCM Stereo/5.1 DTS Surround Sound. NTSC/Colour/ 4:3 Menu language
English. Subtitles in Italian (original language), English, German,
French, Spanish and Chinese. Booklet essay and synopsis in English,
German and French
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON DVD VIDEO 073 4096 GH [151:00] [RF]
An
entertaining and enjoyable evening at the
opera. ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Edmund
RUBBRA (1901-1986)
Improvisation
for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 89 (1956) [12:25]
Improvisations on Virginal Pieces by Giles
Farnaby (1938-39) [14:11] Violin Concerto
(1959) [30:29]
Krysia Osostowicz, violin Ulster Orchestra/Takuo
Yuasa rec. Ulster Hall, Belfast, Northern
Ireland, 25-26 May 2004. DDD
NAXOS 8.557591 [57:04] [KS]
Makes
me want to seek out more music by this composer
and these performers. Should definitely be
added to your collection. ... see Full
Review
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