Giacomo CARISSIMI (1605-1674)
Oratorios Historia di Jephte [21:38] Dai più riposti abissi,
Serenade [12:09] Historia Ionae [19:30] 
Consortium Carissimi/Vittorio Zanon Recorded November 2003 at the Museo
Civico, Marino, Italy DDD
NAXOS 8.557390 [53:16][JV]
A
largely inadequate recording of two of Carissimi's
best-known oratorios … see Full
Review
Henri CASADESUS
(1879–1947)
Viola
Concerto in B minor in the Style of Handel
[15.21] (1) William
WALTON (1902–1983) Viola Concerto
(1927) [22.33] (2) Hector
BERLIOZ (1803–1869) Harold in
Italy (1834) [41.47] (3)
William Primrose (viola) RCA Victor
Orchestra/Frieder Weissmann (1); Philharmonia
Orchestra/William Walton (2); Boston Symphony
Orchestra/Serge Koussevitsky (3) Recorded:
8th May 1946, New York City (1);
22nd – 23rd July 1946,
EMI Abbey Road Studio, London (2); 28th
November 1944, Symphony Hall, Boston (3)
NAXOS 8.110316 [79.43] [RH]
Outstanding
performances; though these may be performances
which people already have on other discs.
Transfers exemplary as usual. ... see Full
Review
Frédéric
CHOPIN
(1810-1849) Piano
Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11 (1830)
[40.44] Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor,
Op. 21 (1829-30) [31.07]
Christian Zacharias (piano/conductor) Lausanne
Chamber Orchestra rec. Metropol Lausanne,
21-22 March 2003 (Op. 21), 10-11 October
2004 (Op. 11)
MD+G Gold MDG 340 1267-2 [72.05] [SV]
May
well make you revise your estimate of these
concerti upwards. Do make sure you have
a higher-powered version as well ... see
Full
Review
James COOK (circa 1970)
Organ Symphony Odyssey, (Heaven Taken by Storm) [10’56]
Pneumatologia [6’08] Proem [3’05] Ultima (The Four Last Things)
[10’15] Suite: Man’s Fourfold State In Eden
[2’46] In Nature [1’57] In Grace [1’46] In Heaven [1’59]
Two Voluntaries A Glimpse of Glory [2’03] A Glance
of Heaven [4’30] Heaven and Hell Epitomised: 2 Sacred Lessons
Calvaries of Love [8’22] The Everlasting Habitations [8’24]
Myles Hartley,
organ Rec: Harris Manchester College Chapel, Oxford, 19 November 2004.
DDD
DIVINE
ART 25031 [62’15][CB]
Worth
picking up for explorers of the organ repertoire’s more unknown corners
... see Full Review
Aaron
COPLAND
(1900-1990) Piano
Fantasy (1955-1957) [29:19] Piano Sonata (1939-1941) [21:56] Piano Variations
(1930) [11:53] Benjamin
Pasternak, piano. rec. Toronto Centre for the Arts, Toronto, Ontario,
Canada: 19-20 August 2003
NAXOS 8.559184 [63:08][JF]
The
three masterworks for piano by one of the
greatest American composers. The playing
complements the vivacity, complexity and
depth of this fine music. ... see Full
Review
Joseph CURIALE
(b.
1955) Gates
of Gold (1993) [19:00] Awakening (Songs
of Earth) (1995) [10:46] Adelina de Maya
(1995-6) [11:08] The Multiples of One (1995)
[5:17] Blue Windows (2000) [7:39]
Doc Severinsen, trumpet Bryan Pezzone, piano
Miriam Clarke, flute Jon Clarke, oboe Robert
Becker, viola Larry Corbett, cello The Royal
Philharmonic Orchestra The Academy of St.
Martin in the Fields/Joseph Curiale Recorded
at Abbey Road Studios London July 1995 and
January, December and June 1996; Blue Moon
Studios, California, June, 1996 and at Air
Studio, London in June 2001.
ORCHARD ROAD RECORDS Bar code 6-3967971572-6
(No catalogue number given) [63:22]
[KS]
Sit
down in some quiet place where you won’t
be disturbed, and let this wash of beauty
bring you a moment or two of repose. ...
see Full
Review
Claude
DEBUSSY
(1862-1918) L’Enfant
Prodigue (1884) [34.15] Lia – Jeanine
Micheau (soprano) Azaël – Michel Sénéchal
(tenor) Siméon – Pierre Mollet (baritone)
Arthur HONEGGER
(1892-1955) Symphony No.3 Liturgique
–H186 (1946) [28.35]
Choir and Orchestra of RAI, Turin/André
Cluytens Recorded live in Turin in April
(Debussy) and May (Honegger) 1962
ARTS ARCHIVES 43059-2 [63.54] [JW]
It’s
an admirable performance of the Honegger
and a warm one of the Debussy ... it reflects
well on Arts to have released it. ... see
Full
Review
Antonín
DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) String
Quartets – No. 12 in F, Op. 96/B179, 'American' (1893) [25'55]; No.
10 in E flat, Op. 51/B92 (1878/9) [31'21]. Cypresses, B152 (1887) -
No. 1, I know that on my love to thee [3'42]; No. 2, In many a heart
is death [2'38]; No. 3, In the sweet power of your eyes [2'31]; No.
11, Nature is held in light sleep [2'16].
Australian String Quartet (Natsuko Yoshimoto, James Cuddeford, violins;
Jeremy Williams, viola; Niall Brown, cello). Rec. Elder Hall, University
of Adelaide on October 4th-7th, 2004. DDD
ABC CLASSICS 476 7741 [68'30][CC]
A
most enjoyable disc. ... see Full
Review
Antonín
DVOŘÁK (1841-1904)
String
Sextet in A major for two violins, two violas
and two cellos, B.80, Op.48 (1878) [33:20]
String Quintet in G major for two violins,
viola, cello and double bass, B.49, Op.77
(1875) [33:37] Intermezzo in B for two violins,
viola, cello and double bass, B.49 (1875)
[04:32]
The Nash Ensemble: (Marianne Thorsen, violin
I; Malin Broman, violin II; Lawrence Power,
viola; Garfield Jackson, viola II (tracks
1-4); Paul Watkins, cello; Natalie Clein,
cello (tracks 1-4); Duncan McTier, double
bass (tracks 5-9)) rec. St. Jude’s Church,
Hampstead, London, UK, 30-31 Jan, 1 Feb
2004. DDD
ASV GOLD GLD4011 [71:34] [MC]
An
excellent release from the highly talented
Nash Ensemble of two Dvořák chamber
works that deserve to be better known. ...
see Full
Review
Antonín
DVOŘÁK (1841-1904)
Complete Solo Piano Music
Two Minuets Op.28 B58 (1876-77) [9.10] Dumka
in D minor Op.35 B64 (1876) [7.01] Theme
with Variations in A flat major Op.36 B65
(1876) [14.32] Album Leaves B109 (1880-88)
[7.03] Album Leaf in E flat major B158 (1888)
[0.47]Eight Waltzes Op.54 B101 (1880) [27.29]
Moderato in A major B116 [2,10] Question
B128a [0.27] Two Furiants Op.42 B85
(1878) [13.04] Four Eclogues Op.56 B103
(1880) [15.01] Six Pieces Op.52 B110 (1880)
[17.41] Dumka and Furiant Op.12 B136 and
B137 (1884) [7.27] Two Little Pearls B156
(1887) [2.55] Poetic Tone Pictures Op.85
B161 (1889) [57.35] Eight Humoresques Op.101
B187 (1892-95) [23.47] Six Mazurkas Op.56
B111 (1880) [15.05] Silhouettes Op.8 B98
(1879) [15.18] Polka in E major B3 (1860)
[2.01] Scottish Dances Op.41 B74 (1877)
[5.32] Humoresque B138 (1884) [2.23] Impromptu
B129 (1883) [4.22]Suite in A "American"
Op.98 B184 (1894) [16.25] Two Pieces Op
Posthumous – Lullaby and Capriccio B188
(1894) [4.55]
Inna Poroshina (piano) Recorded Kiev, 1997-98
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 92606 [5 CDs: 50.35
+ 61.10 + 47.33 + 57.35 + 58.53] [JW]
Swings
and roundabouts then; on balance I think
I would suggest this new Brilliant box ...
see Full
Review
Roland
DYENS (b. 1955) 1.
Tango en Skai (1978/1985) [2:49] Triaela
(2001/2002) [15:21] 2. Light Motif (Takemitsu
au Bresil [4:52] 3. Black Horn (when Spain meets
jazz) [5:03] 4. Clown Down (Gismonte au cirque) [5:14] 5. Songe
Capricorne (1994) [6:04] Hommage
ŕ Villa-Lobos (1987) [11:21] 6. Climazonie [2:35] 7. Danse caracterielle et bachianinha
[3:56] 8. Andantinostalgie [2:39] 9. Tuhu [2:07] Trois
Pieces Polyglottes [14:17] 10. Sols d’ięze (G sharp) (1992) [5:51] 11. Valse des loges
(Green Room Waltz) (1998) [4:58] 12. Flying Wigs (Perruques volantes)
(1998) [3:22] 13. Lettre Encore (2000) [1:35] Libra
Sonatine (1986) [16:30] 14. India [5:50] 15. Largo [7:02] 16. Fuoco [3:31]
Elena Papandreou, guitar. rec. 25-28th January 2004 at Länna
Church, Sweden.
BIS CD 1366 [69:14][ZT]
This
new release is recommended listening. ...
see Full
Review
Sir George
DYSON (1883-1964)
At the Tabard Inn – Overture [11’13"]
Concerto da Chiesa for string orchestra
[19’06"] Symphony in G minor [42’14"]
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra/David Lloyd-Jones
Recorded at the Concert Hall, Lighthouse,
Poole, 1-2 November 2004. DDD
NAXOS 8.557720 [72’33"] [JQ]
Good,
musical and well-balanced sound. Performances
full of life, warmth and vitality. Lloyd-Jones
proves himself a doughty and effective champion
of English music. ... see Full
Review
Joseph Leopold EYBLER (1765-1846)
Quintet in D major for 2 Violins, Viola, Cello and Double Bass [42:37]
Trio in C major for Violin, Viola and Cello [28:47]
Quintett Momento Musicale Recorded Markkleeberg, Saxonia, August 2004
MDG 603 1321-2 [71:39][DS]
Exemplary.
Anyone who loves the chamber music of Mozart and Haydn will likely
derive great satisfaction from the music and performances ... see
Full Review
Girolamo
FRESCOBALDI (1583-1643) Fiori Musicali
Vol II – Messa Della Madonna (Missa cum jubilo and Vesper)
Canticum/Christoph Erkens Lorenzo Ghielmi – organ (in the church
of San Maurizio in Monastero Maggiore, Milan rec 18-19 Oct 1994 in the
church of San Maurizio in Monastero Maggiore, Milan, and 23-26
October 1994 in St Osdag, Mandelsloh.
DEUTSCHE HARMONIA MUNDI 74321 935472 [68.13][PW]
Undeniably
enjoyable. Plainsong, pure tuning and fairly
dense organ writing is probably going to make
this disc more for the Frescobaldi devotee
... see Full
Review
Kenneth
FUCHS
(b. 1956) An
American Place (2004) [18:44] Eventide
- concerto for english horn, harp, percussion
and string orchestra (1980s) [21:24] Out
of the Dark, suite for chamber orchestra
after Three Paintings by Helen Frankenthaler
(1980s) [15:09] Thomas Stacey (cor anglais)
(Eventide) Timothy Jones (French horn)
(Out of the Dark)
London Symphony Orchestra/JoAnn Falletta
rec. St Luke's, Finsbury, London, 6-7 September
2003. DDD
NAXOS 8.559224 [55:16] [TP]
Altogether
a strong release. All three works are accessible
and rather lovely, and An American Place alone
is worth the price of the disc. ... see Full
Review
Francesco
GEMINIANI
(1687-1762) Sonatas for
Cello and Bass Continuo Op.5; Pièces
de Clavecin Sonata
in A Op.5 No 1 [11:31] Sonata in D minor Op.5
No 2 [11:02] Prelude (Lentement) and Vivement
in D after Op.4 No 1 from Pièces
de Clavecin (1743) [6:15] Sonata in C
Op.5 No 3 [12:12] Tendrement in G minor after
Op.1 No 6 from Pièces de Clavecin
[3:34] Sonata in B flat Op.5 No 4 [5:39] Vivement
in D after Op.4 No 4 from Pièces
de Clavecin [3:50] Sonata in F Op.5 No
5 [7:15] Sonata in B flat after Op.5 No 4
from The Second Collection of Pieces for
Harpsichord (1762) [4:48] Sonata in A
minor Op.5 No 6 [8:49] Alison McGillivary
(cello), David McGuinness (harpsichord), Eligio
Quinteiro (alto guitar), Joseph Crouch (cello)
Rec. St. Martin’s Church, East Woodhay, UK
in August 2004 DDD/DSD Hybrid SACD playable
on all CD players
LINN CKD 251 [74:51] [PCW]
High
quality playing and production of rarely heard
music by a composer yet underestimated by
history … see Full
Review
Mauro GIULIANI (1781-1829) Complete
works for guitar and orchestra with Gran Quintetto op. 65 and Quintet
op. 102 CD 1 Concerto
for Guitar and Orchestra No. 1 in A Major Op. 30 (Allegro
maestoso [16:07]; Siciliana (Andantino) [5:38]; Polonaise (Allegreto)
[9:18]) Concerto for Guitar “terzina” and
Orchestra No. 3 in F Major Op. 70 (Allegro
moderato [13:05]; Andantino alla Siliciano con variazoni [6:54]; Polonaise
(Allegretto) [8:28]) CD 2 Concerto for Guitar
and Strings in C Major Op. 36 (Maestro [14:44];
Andantino [4”52]; Ronda (Allegretto) [10:04]) Gran
Quintetto for Guitar and Strings in C Major Op. 65 (Introduzione
[1:38]; Theme and Variations [7:06]; Polonaise [8:36]) Variazioni
su “Nume perdonami in tale istante” from Generali’s Baccanali di Roma,
for Guitar “terzina” and string Quartet Op. 102 (Introduzione,
Thema. Variations [7:53])
Claudio Maccari (guitar) (Opp. 30, 36); Paulo Pugliese (guitar) Orchestra
“Esemble Ottecento” on original instruments/Andrea Rognoni rec. 1-8
Sept 2002, Chiesa di S. Defendente, Romano di Lombardia, Bergamo, Italy.
BRILLIANT
CLASSICS 92621 [59:49 + 55:19][ZT]
Listeners
with a commitment to the ”original instrument”
concept and an interest in evaluating the
novel sounds the time will find this enjoyable
... see Full
Review
Philip
GLASS (b.
1937) Les
Enfants Terribles – Children of the Game
(1996) [1:29:57] Christine Arand, soprano
(Lise) Philip Cutlip, bass-baritone (Paul)
Hal Cazalet, tenor (Gerard, narrator) Valerie
Komar, mezzo (Dargelos, Agathe) Philip Glass,
Nelson Padgett, and Eleanor Sandresky, keyboards
Karen Kemensek, conductor rec. Lutheran
Church, Wendelstein, 9-12 September 2002;
Church of St. Lorenz, Nuremberg, Germany,
25 January 2003 DDD
ORANGE MOUNTAIN MUSIC OMM0019 [49:06
+ 40:51] [PG]
If
the work is to be performed, this is a very
good reference point. Otherwise this is
probably a work for the Glass completist
more than the casual listener. ... see Full
Review
Alexander
Constantinovich GLAZUNOV
(1865-1936)
Complete Songs and Romances
1888–1890 1. From Hafiz (Don’t be
lured by warlike glory…) Words by A. Pushkin
2. The Belle. Words by A. Pushkin
Two Songs to Words by A. Pushkin, op. 27
3. Oriental Romanza 4. Song (Why
do I not hear the roar of joy?…) 1898 Six
Songs, Op. 59
5. The Muse. Words by A. Pushkin
6. From Petrarca (We Used To Live
At The Foot Of A Hill…) Russian version
by Ap. Korinfsky 7. From Petrarca (When
Your Eyes …) Russian version by Ap.
Korinfsky 8. You Want To Love … Words
by Ap. Korinfsky 9. Delia. Words
by A. Pushkin 10. The Sky’s All Silver
… Words by Ap. Maikov Six Songs, Op.
60 11. The Grace Cup. Words by A.
Pushkin 12. Desire. Words by A. Pushkin
13. The Nereid. Words by A. Pushkin
14. Dream. Words by A. Pushkin 15.
My Life Is Still Before Me … Words
by Ap. Maikov 16. Near The Land Where
Golden Venice Reigns … Words by A. Pushkin
1900
17. Hey You, My Free Song! A Duo.
Words by P. Seversky 1905 18. Masha Is
Told Not To Cross The River. Words of
a traditional Russian song 1916 19. Shakespeare’s
Sonnet LXVI ("For Restful Death
I Cry…") Russian version by A.
Kremlev 20. Nina’s Song. Op. 102,
from the music to The Masquerade,
a drama by M. Lermontov Young years - 1881–1882
21. Stifling! Words by H. Heine;
Russian version by N. Nekrasov 22. Spanish
Romanza. Words by A. Pushkin 23. Whenever
I Hear Your Voice … Words by M. Lermontov
24. My Songs Are Venomous… Words
by H. Heine, Russian version by N. Dobrolyubov
1881–1885
Five Songs, Op. 4 25. To Your Snow–White
Bosom… Words by H. Heine, Russian version
by N. Dobrolyubov 26. The Nightingale.
Words by A. Koltsov 27. When I Look
Into Your Eyes. Words by H. Heine, Russian
version by M. Mikhailov 28. Arab Melody.
Words from a traditional song 29. Spanish
Song. Words from a traditional song
Victoria Evtodieva, soprano (11 - 18,
20, 23) Lyudmila Shkirtil, mezzo (1, 3,
4, 17, 25 - 29) Mikhail Lukonin, baritone
(2, 5-10, 19, 21, 22, 24) Yuri Serov, piano
(1-29) rec. St. Catherine Lutheran Church,
St. Petersburg, December 2003, February,
May 2004
NORTHERN FLOWERS NF9925 [67:04] [RB]
If
you have any thought for the Russian romance
be sure to get this disc. Glazunov aims
for the very best and proves that it is
within his grasp. ... see Full
Review
Christoph
Willibald von GLUCK
(1714-1787) Orfeo
ed Euridice (1762)
Orfeo – Fedora Barbieri (mezzo-soprano) Euridice – Hilde Gueden (soprano)
Amore – Magda Gabory (soprano) Choir and Orchestra of La Scala, Milan/Wilhelm
Furtwängler Recorded live 7th April 1951
WALHALL ETERNITY SERIES WLCD 0076 [59.10 + 54.05][JW]
Stressing
the philosophic nobilities of the score, unhurried and weighty without
courting ponderousness. ... see Full
Review
Christoph Willibald von GLUCK
(1714-1787)
Orfeo
ed Euridice Kerstin
Thorburg (mezzo soprano) – Orfeo Jarmila Novotna (soprano) – Euridice
Marita Farell (soprano) – Amore Annamary Dickey (soprano) – Blessed
Spirit Metropolitan Opera Chorus and Orchestra/Erich Leinsdorf Recorded
live, New York, 20 January 1940 Extract - Che faro senza Euridice
(Gluck-Thorburg, sung in German) [3.17] Interview with Kerstin Thorburg
(undated, in English) [18.16] Richard WAGNER
(1813-1883) Das Rheingold – Weiche, Wotan, Weiche (Erda)
[3.56] Die Walküre – So ist’s denn aus (Fricka) [2.48] Die Walküre
– Deiner ew’gen Gattin (Fricka) [2.55] Götterdämmerung – Waltraute’s
Narrative – Höre mit Sinn was ich sage! (Waltraute) [8.20] Tristan
und Isolde – Act II Einsam wachend (Isolde) [4.32] Parsifal –
Act II Ich sah das kind (Kundry) [5.31] Kerstin Thorburg (mezzo)
with unidentified accompaniment (from Victor M707, recorded May 1940)
GUILD GHCD 2317/18
[72.26 + 79.33][JW]
The
gravity and nobility of Thorburg’s assumption
is tangible ... see Full
Review
Eugene
GOOSSENS (1893-1962)
Orchestral Works CD1
[79:55] Symphony No.1, Op.58 (1940) [42:02]
Oboe Concerto, Op.45 (1927) [12:22] Tam
O’Shanter, Op.17a (1919) [3:10] Concert
Piece for two harps, oboe (doubling cor
anglais) and orchestra, Op.65 (1958) [22:00]
* Joel Marangella, oboe and cor anglais; Jane
Geeson (harp); Sebastien Lipman (harp).West
Australian Symphony Orchestra/Vernon Handley
CD2 [61:57] Symphony No.2, Op.62 (1945) [38:26]*
Concertino, Op.47 (1928) [13:05] * Fantasy
for Nine Winds, Op.36 (1924) [9:58] Janet
Webb (flute); Guy Henderson (oboe); Lawrence
Dobell and Christopher Tingay (clarinet);
John Cran and Fiona McNamara (bassoon); Robert
Johnson and Clarence Mellor (horn); Daniel
Mendelow (trumpet) Sydney Symphony Orchestra/Vernon
Handley. CD 3 [76:12] Divertissement,
Op.66 (1956-60) [18:37] Variations on a
Chinese Theme, Op. 1 (1911–12) [27:58]
The Eternal Rhythm, Op.5 (1913) [20:24]
* Kaleidoscope, Op.18 (1917, 1933)
[9:50]
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra/Vernon Handley
* denotes world premiere recording rec. March;
Nov 1996 Perth Concert Hall (CD1); Concert
Hall, Sydney Opera House 19-20 Nov 1993, 30
Nov 1993 (Symphony 2, Concertino); Eugene
Goossens Hall, ABC Ultimo Center, Sydney,
30 Nov 1993 (Fantasy); Oct 1995 Melbourne
Concert Hall (CD3). DDD
ABC CLASSICS 476 7632 [3 CDs: 79.55 +
61.57 + 76.12] [JPh]
I
enjoyed this set very much, and I can heartily
recommend it to anyone looking for out of
the ordinary music of the last century. ...
see Full
Review
Edvard
Hagerup GRIEG (1843-1907) and Henrik IBSEN (1828-1906)
Peer Gynt (1874/75) [112.42] Concert version of Henrik Ibsen’s
play prepared by Svein Sturla Hungnes
Peer Gynt – Håkon Hagegård (baritone), Svein Sturla
Hungnes (actor) Solveig – Marita Solberg (soprano and actor) Anitra
– Ingebjørg Kosmo (mezzo), Andrea Bræin Hovig (actor)
1st Herd Girl – Kari Postma (soprano) 2nd Herd Girl – Kilde
Haraldsen Sceen (soprano) 3rd Herd Girl - Ingebjørg Kosmo (mezzo),
Thief - Ikka Leppänen (baritone) Receiver – Torbjørn
Gulbrandsøy (baritone) Ingrid/Woman in Green - Andrea Bræin
Hovig (actor) Hegstad Farmer / Mountain King / Captain – Bjørn
Willberg Andersen (actor) Boyg / Monsieur Ballon / Stranger / Begriffenfeldt
/ Button Moulder – Ståle Bjørnhaug (actor) KorVest
(Bergen Vocal Ensemble) Arve Moen Bergset (Hardanger Fiddle) Bergen
Philharmonic Orchestra/Ole Kristian Ruud Recorded June 2003, Grieg Hall,
Bergen, Norway
BIS BIS-SACD-1441/42 
[53.29 + 60.01][RH]
I
love the sound of the Norwegian language ... a wonderfully refreshing
view of Grieg’s music, in fine idiomatic performances. Essential ...
see Full Review
Jesús
GURIDI
(1886-1961) Piano
Works Danzas viejas (Ancient Dances) (1939) [5:42]
Cantos populares vascos (Basque Folksongs) (1917) [7:40]
Vasconia (1924) [13:18] Ocho apuntes para piano (Eight Sketches)
(1954) [15:38] Lamento e imprecación de Agar (Hagar’s Lament
and Curse) (1958) [8:30] Vals de Mirentxu (Waltz from Mirentxu)
(1915) [3:19] Amanecer (Dawn) [2:35] and Nostalgia [3:05]
from Tres piezas breves (1910)
Victoria Aja (piano) Rec. Estudio L’Auditorium de Anacrusi in July 2001
DDD NAXOS 8.557633
[60:04][PCW]
Perfect
listening for a balmy summer evening … see Full
Review
Emil HARTMANN
(1836-1898) Violin
Concerto in G minor Op 19 (1876) [25.15] Cello Concerto in D minor Op.26
(1879) [18.52] Piano Concerto in F minor Op.49 (1890) [26.02]
Christina Ĺstrand (violin) Stanimir Todorov (cello) Per Salo (piano)
Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra/Hannu Lintu Recorded in Helsingborg Konserthus,
September 2003 and August 2004
DACAPO SACD 6.220511
[70.09][JW]
None
of these concertos is new to disc but all are nevertheless very welcome.
... see Full Review
Jonathan HARVEY
(b. 1939) Curve with Plateaux (1982) [12:17]
Advaya (1994)a [22:20] Arne
DEFORCE (b. 1962) Limen (2000) [22:19] Riti
(2000) [20:18] Arne
Deforce (cello); Yutaka Oya (keyboard); Jonathan Harvey and CRFMW (electronics)a
rec. Concertgebouw, Brugge, Belgium, July and September 2004 (Harvey)
and (live) La Font Sainte Auvergne, France, November 2000 (Deforce)
MEGADISC MDC 7806 [77:23][HC]
There
is much substantial music on display here as well as some superb music-making.
... see Full Review
Johann Adolf HASSE (1699-1783)
Sonatas and Trio Sonatas Trio Sonata for oboe, violin and b.c. in
F [11:21] Trio Sonata for oboe, violin and b.c. in d minor [09:39] Sonata
for violin and b.c. in e minor, op. 5,5 [11:38] Sonata for oboe and
b.c. in G [08:13] Sonata for chalumeau, oboe, bassoon and b.c. in F
[14:47] Trio Sonata for oboe, violin and b.c. in C [10:01]
Epoca Barocca: Alessandro Piqué (oboe), Christian Leitherer (chalumeau),
Sergio Azzolini (bassoon), Margarete Adorf (violin), Ilze Grudule (cello),
Christoph Lehmann (harpsichord, organ) Recorded in October 2001 at the
Broadcasting Hall of Deutschlandfunk, Cologne, Germany. DDD
CHANDOS CHAN 0711 [66:15][JV]
This
disc pays attention to chamber music of one of history's most famous
opera composers - not a 'must have' but good entertainment and well
played ... see Full Review
Joseph
HAYDN (1732-1809) Keyboard Concertos Concerto
for Keyboard and Strings in G major Hob.XVIII:4 (date unknown) [24:56]
Concerto for Keyboard, Violin and Strings in F major Hob.XVIII:6 (c.1756)
[19:37] Concerto for Keyboard and Orchestra in D major Hob.XVIII:11
(1784) [19.36]
Andreas
Staier (pianoforte) Freiburg Baroque Orchestra/Gottfried von der Goltz
Teldex Studio Berlin March 2004. Stereo. DDD
HARMONIA
MUNDI HMC901854 [64:20][DB]
A
terrific disc of concertos which seems to have provoked orchestra and
pianist into the liveliest possible music making. ... see Full
Review
Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809)
Harmoniemesse (Harmony Mass) Hob.XXII No 14 (1802) Te Deum in
C Hob.XXIIIc No 2 (1800)
Sandra Piau (soprano), Monika Groop (mezzo), Christoph Prégardien
(tenor) Harry van der Kamp (bass) Choeur de Chambre de Namur La Petite
Bande/Sigiswald Kuijken rec. Sept 1994, Begijnhofkerk, Ghent, Belgium
DEUTSCHE HARMONIA MUNDI 74321 935492 [51.43][PW]
Recordings
of period instrument versions that have
lost none of their freshness and élan ...
see Full
Review
Tobias
HUME (1575?-1645)
The Passion of Musick, Poeticall Musicke
The
Soldiers Song [01:59] A souldiers Galiard
[01:44] Fain would I change that note [02:46]
Tobacco is like love [01:47] M.S. Georges
delight [02:21] Cease leaden slumber [05:21]
The passion of musick [03:48] What greater
griefe [04:21] Captain Hume Lamentation
[08:28] Captaine Humes Musicall Humors
Hark, hark [02:02] I'm falling [01:21]
Beccus an hungarian lord his delight [04:44]
Captain Hume Pavin [08:32] A Souldiers resolution
[04:11] Deth [05:21] Life [01:56] A Pavin
[05:55]
Nima Ben David, bass viol; Pascale Boquet,
tenor and bass lute, theorbo; Damien Guillon,
alto; Bruno Boterf, tenor Consort de la
Belle Feullie: (Ariane Maurette, descant
and bass viol; Andréas Linos, tenor
and bass viol; Nima Ben David, bass viol;
Pascal Gallon, bass lute) rec. April 2003,
Chapel of the Hospital Notre-Dame de Bon
Secours, Paris, France. DDD
ALPHA 061 [66:43] [JV]
A
worthy tribute to one of the most interesting
composers in English music history - strongly
recommended… see Full
Review
Johann Nepomuk HUMMEL
(1778-1837) Piano
and Violin Concerto Op.17 (1804) [36:44]
Violin Concerto (completed Gregory Rose)
(1806) [27:29]
Alexander Trostiansky (violin) Polina Osetinskaya
(piano) Russian Philharmonic Orchestra/Gregory
Rose Rec. Studio 5, Russian State TV and
Radio Company KULTURA, Moscow in September
2004. DDD
NAXOS 8.557595 [64:21] [PCW]
A
logical, interesting coupling and a worthwhile
bargain ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF MONTH Michael
JARRELL (b.
1958) Music for a While (1995)a
[17:20] Formes-Fragments II b (1999)b [12:35] ...car
le pensé et l’ętre (2002)c [12:04] Essaims-Cribles
(1986/8)d [18:06]
Ernesto Molinari (bass clarinet)d Neue Vocalisten Stuttgartbc;
Klangforum Wienabd; Emilio Pomárico rec. (live) Espace
de projection, IRCAM, Paris, June 2004
AEON AECD 0531 [60:32][HC]
These
performances, recorded live are excellent and committed. They serve
Jarrell’s complex, but strongly expressive music well. ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH André
JOLIVET (1905-1974)
Violin Sonata (1932)a [19:32] Incantation (1937) [3:48]
Suite rhapsodique (1965) [17:42] Violin Concerto (1972)b
[37:59] Devy Erlih
(violin); Manabu Sekiya (piano)a; Orchestre National, Marius
Constantb rec. (live) Japan, 1991 (Violin Sonata); Château
du Seuil, Aix-en-Provence, June 1977 (Incantation, Suite rhapsodique)
and (live) Théâtre de la Ville, Paris, April 1975 (Violin Concerto)
LYRINX LYR 242
[79:09][HC]
A
very important release and a must for all
Jolivet fans. I hope that it will draw violinists’
attention to the Violin Concerto - a long-neglected
masterpiece. ... see Full
Review
Antonio JOSE
(Antonio
José Martinez Palacios)
(1902-1936) Sinfonia
castellana (Castilian Symphony)
(1924) [28:33] El mozo de mulas (The
Muleteer) (Suite) (1936) [8:44] Evocaciones
(Cuadros de danza campesinos)
(1926, 1928) [6:48] Marcha para soldados
de plomo (March of the Lead Soldiers)
(orch. Alejandro Yagüe) (1931)
[3:13] Suite ingenua for piano and
strings (1931) [10:13]
Alberto Rosado (piano) Castile and
León Symphony Orchestra/Alejandro
Posada rec. Teatro Lope de Vega, Valladolid,
Spain 16-19 July 2003
NAXOS 8.557634 [57:30] [RB]
Up
for engaging nationalist-impressionist music
with sympathies paralleling those of Frederico
de Freitas, Canteloube, de Falla and Ravel
then look no further. ... see Full
Review
Sholom KALIB
(b.
1929) The Day of Rest Abraham
KAPLAN (b. 1931) Psalms of Abraham
Cantor Naftali Herstik Cantor Shimon Craimer
Vienna Boys Choir Chorus Viennensis Vienna
Chamber Orchestra/Gerald Wirth Recorded Baumgartner
Casino, Vienna, Austria, 7-19 May 2001; Casino
Zoegernitz, Vienna Austria, May 2000
NAXOS 8.559419 [66.17] [RH]
I
wish I could be more enthusiastic but neither
composer has completely transcended the limitations
placed on him ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Emmerich
KÁLMÁN (1882-1953)
Lieder: Őszel születtem [02:22];
A hol te jársz [02:17]; Őrök mámor [01:29];
Egyedül [03:11]; Bujdokolva járok [02:51];
Virágének [01:54]; Hajdu tánc [00:45]; Nincsen
apám [02:39]; Öszi estén [03:39]; Tüzet rak
a német tábor [02:23]; Sárvári
nóta [02:52]; Székely Anna [01:53];
Piano pieces: Reverie [03:03]; Intermezzo
[03:19]; Scherzo [05:11]; Intermezzo [03:09];
Lieder: Emlékezés [04:56];
Kurucok tábori dala [02:11]; Sólyom
dal [02:01]; Tréfas bordal [02:10];
Nem tudom én [04:06]; Nagy Lajos karabeli
banderista… [04:44]; Kinyillott az idö
[03:01]; Fülemüle nota [02:06]
Anna Korondi (soprano); István Kovács
(baritone); Peter Stamm (piano) rec. Kleiner
Sendesaal, Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg, 18-23
March 2004
CPO 777 059-2 [68:26] [CH]
The
songs are a real find. ... see Full
Review
Erich
Wolfgang KORNGOLD
(1897-1957) Film Music The
Sea Wolf - film music (1941) [55:04] plus trailer [4:40] The
Adventures of Robin Hood suite from film music (1938) [16:22]
BBC Philharmonic
Orchestra/Rumon Gamba rec. Studio 7, New Broadcasting House, Manchester;
1, 3 Sept 2004. DDD
CHANDOS CHAN 10336 [76:22] [IL]
The
complete Sea Wolf - powerfully dramatic and
eerily atmospheric – played with conviction
and intensity. A must for all Korngold admirers.
... see Full
Review
Fritz
KREISLER
(1875-1962) Russian
and Slavonic Miniatures – all arrangements
by Fritz Kreisler Nicolai
RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844-1908) Hymn
to the Sun from The Golden Cockerel [4.15]
Oriental Dance [4.35] Scheherazade – Arab
Song [4.31] Chant Hindou from Sadko [3.24]
Fantasy (on various themes) [9.06] Antonín
DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) Songs My
Mother Taught Me; Gypsy Melodies [2.57] Slavonic
Dance No.1 - Op.46 No.2 [3.34] Slavonic Dance
No.2 – Op.72 No.10 [5.08] Slavonic Dance No.3
– Op.72 No.16 [3.34] Sonatina Op.100 – Larghetto
“Indian Lament” [4.41] Humoresque Op.101 No.7
[2.53] Slavonic Fantasy [5.05] Symphony No.9
–Largo “Negro Spiritual Melody” [5.31] Pyotr
Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Scherzo
from Souvenir de Hapsal [4.10] Humoresque
– Deux Morceaux Op.10 No.2 [2.24] Chant sans
paroles from Souvenir de Hapsal [3.23] Andante
cantabile from String Quartet No.1 [5.32]
Nicolas Koeckert (violin) Milana Chernyavska
(piano) Recorded in the Clara-Wieck-Suditorium,
Sandhausen, December 2003
NAXOS 8.557388 [76.47][JW]
Pretty
consistent; thoroughly proficient, well-executed, well supported,
avoiding easy gestures and crude simplicities; thoughtful and discreet
musicianship but misses the heart of these works with regularity.
... see Full Review
Franz
LEHÁR
(1870-1948) Das
Land des Lächelns (The Land of Smiles) - operetta in
three acts (1929) [74:03 + 12:02] Libretto by Ludwig Herzer and Fritz
Löhner Lisa ... Elisabeth
Schwarzkopf (soprano) Prince Sou-Chong ... Nicolai Gedda (tenor) Gustl
... Erich Kunz (baritone) Mi ... Emmy Loose (soprano) Tschang ...
Otakar Kraus (baritone) Philharmonia Orchestra and Chorus/Otto Ackermann
rec.17, 19-21 April, 28 June 1953, Kingsway Hall, London. ADD Plus
bonus tracks – Excerpts from Lehár Operettas [66:19]:- Die
Lustige Witwe (1905) ‘Vilja Lied’ – Dusolina Giannini
(soprano) rec. 1938 Frasquitta (1922) ‘Hab’ ein blaues
Himmelbelt’– Richard Tauber (tenor) rec. 1927 Der Zarewitsch
(1927) ‘Einer wird kommen’ – Ester Rethy (sopraono
with Vienna Symphony Orchestra conducted by the composer rec. 1942
Friederike (1928) ‘Sah’ ein Knab’ ein
Röslein steh’n’ and ‘Oh Mädchen, mein Mädchen’ – Leonardo Aramesco
(tenor) rec. 1933 Eva (1911) ‘Wär es auch
nichts als ein Augenblick’ – Lotte Lehmann (soprano) rec. 1938 Das
Land des Lächelns (1929) (selections) Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
(soprano) and Rupert Glawitsch (tenor) rec. 1940 Paganini
(1925) (selections) Elisabeth Schwarzkopf (soprano) and Rupert Glawitsch
(tenor) rec. 1939 Schön ist die Welt (1930) ‘Ich
bin verliebt’ – Ester Rethy (soprano) with Vienna Symphony Orchestra
conducted by the composer rec. 1942; ‘Liebste, glaub’ an mich’ and
‘Schön ist die Welt’ – Marcel Wittrisch (tenor) rec. 1930 Der
Fürst der Berge (1915?) ‘Kindchen, sie hübsch brav’ and ‘’Alt
und jung’ - Irene Eisinger (soprano) rec. 1930 Giuditta
(1934) ‘Meine Lippen, sie küssen so heiss’ – Jarmila Novotna (soprano)
with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by the composer rec.
1934; ‘Du bist meine Sonne’ and ‘Freunde, da Lebens ist lebenswert’
- Helge Rosvaenge (tenor) rec. 1943.
NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.111016-17 [2 CDs: 74:03 + 78:21][IL]
A
classic recording of a favourite Lehár operetta with superb performances.
At Naxos’s super budget price don’t hesitate. ... see Full
Review
Franz LEHÁR (1870-1948)
Die Lustige Witwe (The Merry Widow) (1905) An operetta
in three acts, with words by Victor Léon (Viktor Hirschfeld)
and Leo Stein (Leo Rosenstein). dialogue and lyrics in German
Dagmar
Schellenberger (sop) - Hanna; Rodney Gilfry (ten) - Danilo; Rudolf
A. Hartmann - Baron Zeta; Ute Gfrerer - Valencienne; Piotr Beczala
(ten) - Camille; Herbert Prikopa (bar) - Njegus. Orchestra and Choir
of the Opera House Zurich/Franz Welser-Möst rec. live, Zurich
Opera House, Switzerland, 2004 DVD Region 0
ARTHAUS
MUSIK 100451 
[125:00][RJW]
Captivating
... always a pleasure to find a modern operatic production, well
sung, acted and played and enhanced with good staging and appealing
scenery. ... see Full Review
Franz LISZT (1811-1886)
Deux Légendes, S. 175 (1863) [16.07] Consolations, S. 172 (1850)
[18.11] Fantasy and Fugue on B-A-C-H S. 529 (1870) [11.25] Ballade
No. 2 in B, S. 171 (1853) [12.46] Valse oubliée No. 1 in F#,
S. 215 (1885) [3.07] Impromptu in F#, S. 191 (1872) [3.14]
Lilya
Zilberstein (piano) Recorded Jesus-Christus-Kirche, Berlin, Germany,
March 1995 Notes in English
DEUTSCHE
GRAMMOPHON ELOQUENCE 476 2463 [65.11][PSh]
Big,
brilliant Liszt playing coupled with sensitive
Consolations - a perfect disk to start
or extend your Liszt collection. ... see
Full
Review
Franz
LISZT
(1811-1886) The Complete
Works Inspired by J S Bach – Volume 2
Prelude
after Bach’s Weinen, Klagen (1859) [6.16]
Variations on Weinen, Klagen (1875) [16.37]
Fantasy and Fugue on B-A-C-H (1870) [12.32]
Johann Sebastian
BACH (1685-1750) Partita No.6
BWV 830 [26.58] Toccata in F sharp minor
BWV910 (1720) [13.10]
Joyce Hatto (piano) Recorded at the
Concert Artists Studios, Cambridge, November
2004 (Liszt) and June 1992 (Bach)
CONCERT ARTIST/FIDELIO RECORDINGS CACD
9101-2 [75.44] [JW]
Clarity,
no fudging of technical problems, fine attention to text; diminuendi,
powerful voicings – in short, passionate but controlled. ... see
Full Review
Antonio
LOCATELLI
(1695-1764) L’arte del violino Op.3 - Concertos
Nos.1-12: No 1 in D major [22.37]; No.2 in C minor [22.36]; No.3
in F major [21.27]; No.4 in E major [19.04]; No.5 in C major [16.13];
No.6 in G minor [15.05]; No.7 in B flat major [18.47]; No.8 in E
minor [18.10]; No.9 in G major [18.36]; No.10 in F major [17.58];
No.11 in D major [17.03]; No.12 in D major [22.15]
Mela Tenenbaum (violin) Pro Musica Prague Philharmonia Virtuosi
(Concertos 1 and 3) Pro Musica Kiev (Concertos 2, 4, 5 and 6) Directed
by Richard Kapp Recorded Kiev 1994/95 (Concertos 1-6), Prague, 1998
(concertos 7-12)
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 92608 [4 CDs: 65.27 + 50.58 + 56.30 + 57.48][JW]
Locatelli
by the scruff of the neck and the vitality and innovation is better
revealed here in these performances, imperfect though they may sometimes
be. ... 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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