RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Claudio
SANTORO
(1919-1989) Symphony
No 4 Sinfonia da Paz* (1953/4) [25:29]
Ponteio for string orchestra (1953)
[5:48] Symphony No 9 (1982) [25:00]
Frevo (1953/1982) [2:40] 
*São Paulo Symphony Choir São
Paulo Symphony Orchestra (OSESP)/John Neschling
rec. Sala São Paulo, Brazil, February
2002. DDD
BIS CD1370 [60:12] [PCW]
A
very fine disc and a chance to discover some
music that surely should be more widely known … see Full
Review
Ahmed
Adnan SAYGUN
(1907-1991) Complete String
Quartets No. 1 Op. 27 (1947) [29:23];
No. 2 Op. 35 (1958) [30:39]; No. 3 Op. 43
(1966) [29:16]; No. 4 Op. 77 (1990, Fragment)
[12:41]
Quatuor Danel rec. Studio Stolberger Strasse,
PG Musik WDR 3, Cologne, 1-4 December 2003,
20-22 September, 19 November 2004. DDD
CPO 999 923-2 [60:02 + 41:57][AOr]
An
astonishing body of works. Instinctive chamber music. All credit to
the Quatuor Danel ... see Full
Review
Florent
SCHMITT (1870-1958)
La Tragédie de Salomé (1907) op. 50 [26.19] Psaume 47
for soprano, chorus and orchestra op. 38 (1904) [26.06]
Sharon Sweet (sop), Jean-Louis Gil (organ), Jacques Prat (violin), Guy
Commentale (violin) Choeurs de Radio France/Michel Tranchant Orchestre
Philharmonique de Radio France/Marek Janowski rec. Studio 3, Radio France,
Oct 1988 (Salomé); Église Notre-Dame du Travail, Paris, May 1989 (Psalm
47) WARNER APEX 2564
62764-2 [52:42][RB]
Schmitt
the luxuriant and the lithe. Not the dernier cri in sound but enjoyable
and very high interpretative values. … see Full
Review
Franz
SCHUBERT
(1797-1828) String
Trio in B flat major D471 (1816) [8:04] Piano Quintet in A major Trout
D667 (1820) [40:07] String Trio in B flat major D581 (1817) [20:37]
Paul Lewis (piano);
Graham Mitchell (double bass) Leopold String Trio: Marianne Thorsen
(violin); Lawrence Power (viola); Kate Gould (cello) rec. Potton Hall,
Suffolk, 6-7 June 2005
HYPERION CDA 67527 [69:03] [TH]
Fleet-of-foot
and with very keen observance of dynamic light
and shade, wholly delightful. A complete winner
... see Full
Review
Franz
SCHUBERT
(1797-1828) Piano
Trio No 1 in B flat major, D 898 (?1827/1828)
[33:52] Notturno in E flat major, D
897 (?1827/1828) [9:52]
Suk Trio
rec. Prague, 1967. ADD
WARNER APEX 2564 60164-2 [43:47] [AtO]
Sublime,
Olympian chamber music. The Suk Trio’s Prague
Schubert reissued ... see Full
Review
Franz
SCHUBERT (1797–1828)
Deutsche
Schubert-Lied-Edition 21: Poets of Sensibility, Volume 4: Zufriedenheit
(2nd setting) D501; Das Lied vom Reifen D532*; An die Natur
D372; Morgenlied D266*; Blumenlied D431; Pflicht und Liebe (Fragment)
D467*; Erntelied D434; Zufriedenheit (1st setting) D362;
Mailied D503*; Die Mainacht D194; Am ersten Maimorgen D344; An die Nachtigall
D497*; Daphne am Bach D411*; Frühlingslied D398; Phidile D500*;
Die Knabenzeit D400; An den Mond D468*; An die Nachtigall D196*; Klage
um Ali Bey D496A; Abendlied D276*; Winterlied D401; Am Grabe Anselmos
D504*; Die Laube D214; Wiegenlied ("Schlafe, süsser holder
Knabe" D498* Birgid
Steinberger (soprano)*; Wolfgang Holzmair (baritone); Ulrich Eisenlohr
(fortepiano) Recorded at Bayrischer Rundfunk Studio 2, Munich, Germany,
from 30 November to 5th December, 2004
Naxos 8.557569 [62:27] [GF]
There
are few established masterpieces here, but
since this is middle-period Schubert, everything
is of some interest and completists need it.
... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828) CD1 Fantasie
for Piano Four Hands, D940 (1828) [18:45] Allegro for Piano Four
Hands, D947, “Lebensstürme” (1828) [15:17] CD2 Sonata
for Piano Four Hands, D812, “Grand Duo” (1824) [40:47] Characteristic
March No.1, D968b [6:02] Military March No.1, D733 [4:39] Evgeny
Kissin (piano) James Levine (piano) rec.
live, 1 May 2005, Carnegie Hall, New York City BMG-RCA
RED SEAL 82876 69283 2 [34:05 + 51:33] [DC]
Superb!
The energy and spirit of these live performances have that quality
of uniqueness which means they can take pride of place alongside
any studio recording one can name ... see Full
Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Robert
SCHUMANN (1810–1856) Lieder: Fünf
frühe Lieder, op. posth. (1828): Kurzes Erwachen; Gesanges Erwachen;
An Anna I; An Anna II; Im Herbste; Zwölf gedichte von Justinus
Kerner, Op. 35 (1840): Lust der Sturmnacht; Stirb, Lieb’ und
Freud’!; Wanderlied; Erstes Grün; Sehnsucht nach der Waldgegend;
Auf das Trinkglas eines verstorbenen Freundes; Wanderung; Stille
Liebe; Frage; Stille Tränen; Wer machte dich so krank?; Alte
Laute; Fünf Lieder, Op. 40 (1840): Märzveilchen; Muttertraum;
Der Soldat; Der Spielmann; Verratene Liebe; from Fünf Lieder
und Gesänge, Op. 127 (1850-1851): Sängers Trost; From Vier Gesänge
Op. 142 (1852): Trost im Gesang Thomas
Hampson (baritone), Geoffrey Parsons (piano) rec. Siemensvilla,
Berlin, December 1989 WARNER
CLASSICS 2292 44935-2 [66:18]
[GF]
Hampson
during his early bloom ... nimble, sappy, beautiful, perfectly
controlled and moving effortlessly between head-voice and chest-voice.
... see Full Review
Heinrich
SCHÜTZ (1585-1672)
Historia der Auferstehung Jesu Christi
Surrexit
pastor bonus, concerto for 6 voices, 2
violins, 4 viole da gamba and bc (SWV 469)
[04:21] Historia der fröhlichen und
siegreichen Auferstehung unseres einigen Erlösers
und Seligmachers Jesu Christi, oratorio
for 8 voices, 4 viole da gamba and bc (SWV
50) [42:30] Ich bin die Auferstehung,
concerto for 3 voices and bc (SWV 324) [03:46]
Weib, was weinest du, Dialogo for 4
voices and bc (SWV 443) [04:25] Feget den
alten Sauerteig aus, concerto for 4 voices,
2 violins and bc (SWV 404) [05:12]
Weser-Renaissance: Ulrike Hofbauer, Almut
Teichert-Hailperin, Manja Stephan (sopranos);
Hans-Jörg Mammel, Knut Schoch, Andreas
Hirtreiter, Michael Schaffrath (tenors); Wolf-Matthias
Friedrich (bass); Veronika Skuplik, Elfriede
Stahmer (violins); Hille Perl, Frauke Hess,
Juliane Looke, Lennart Spies (viole da gamba);
Thomas Ihlenfeldt (chitarrone); Margit Schultheis
(harp); Detlef Bratschke (organ)/Manfred Cordes
rec. April 2004, Stiftskirche Bassum, Germany.
DDD
CPO 777 027-2 [60:16] [JV]
Impressive
and idiomatic performances of Schütz's
Auferstehungshistorie and some sacred concertos
for Easter ... see Full
Review
Alexander
SCRIABIN
(1872-1915) Five
Preludes, Op. 15 (1895/96) [7:13]; Piano Sonata
No. 3 in F sharp minor, Op. 23 (1897/88) [20:42];
Nikolai MEDTNER
(1880-1951) Forgotten Melodies,
Set 1, Op. 38 (1918-20) - Sonata-Reminiscenza
in A minor [16:09]; Igor
STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) Three Movements
from Petrushka (1921) [15:39]
Evgeny Kissin (piano). rec. SWR-Studio, Freiburg,
Germany, 7-8 August 2004. DDD
BMG-RCA RED SEAL 82876 65390 2 [59:55]
[CC]
A
well thought out recital that shows many of
Kissin's strengths. ... see Full
Review
Jean-Baptiste
SENAILLIÉ
(1687-1730) Troisième
Livre de Sonates à violon seul avec
la basse continue (1716) Sonatas 1-10
Ensemble Baroques-Graffiti Jarosław Adamus
(violin) Jean-Paul Serra (harpsichord) Frédéric
Audibert (cello) rec. St Theodore Church,
Marseille, August 2004
ACTE PRÉALABLE AP0115 [79.00] [JW]
I
can imagine someone like Manze investing these
sonatas with greater fantasy and colour but
not even he would convert them to masterpieces.
... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH
(1906-1975)
Violin concerto 1 in A minor, Op.77 [39:29]
a Leoš
JANÁČEK (1854–1928) Violin
concerto, Die Wanderung einer Seele
[11:41] b
Baiba Skride (violin)a Munich
Philharmonic/Mikko Frank (conductor) b
Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra/Marek
Janowski (conductor) rec. live, Philharmonie,
Munich, 16-18 April 2004 (Shostakovich), Berlin,
25 August 2004 (Janáček). DDD.
SONY CLASSICAL 82876731462 [52:41] [ED]
White-hot
Shostakovich ... Skride is a serious artist.
More please, and soon! ... see Full
Review
Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975)
The
Execution of Stepan Razin, op. 119 (1964)
[28:37] October, op. 131 (1967) [13:10]
Five Fragments, op. 42 (1935) [10:35]
Charles Robert Austin (bass-baritone)
Seattle Symphony Chorus Seattle Symphony/Gerard
Schwarz rec. June 1996, Seattle Center Opera
House (Stepan Razin); S. Mark Taper Foundation
Auditorium, Benaroya Hall, Seattle, Feb 2000,
(October); February 2005 (Five Fragments)
NAXOS 8.557812 [52:22] [BB]
Austin
sounds more Russian than the competition with
a voice that has great depth and resonance
... exciting and evocative ... see Full
Review
Robert
SIMPSON (1921-1997)
Symphony No. 3 (1962) [30:54] Clarinet
Quintet (1968) [34:23]
London Symphony Orchestra/Jascha Horenstein
Bernard Walton (clarinet)/Aeolian String Quartet
rec. Barking Assembly Hall, 5 June 1970 (symphony);
Christ Church, Chelsea, 6 August 1970 (quintet).
ADD Originally released on Unicorn-Kanchana
LPs then reissued on CD Unicorn-Kanchana UKCD2028
NMC ANCORA D109 [65:44][RB]
This
is a valuable document of the world’s earliest
awakening to Simpson’s distinctive and completely
genuine voice. ... see Full
Review
Antonio SOLER
(1729-1783) Sonatas for Harpsichord: Volume
11 see
review for details
Gilbert Rowlands (harpsichord) rec. 12-14
July, Epsom College Concert Hall, Surrey
NAXOS 8.557640 [78:14] [GPu]
An
interesting contribution - which demonstrates
Soler’s stylistic range - to a valuable
series ... see Full
Review
Rudi STEPHAN
(1887-1915)
Music
for Violin and Orchestra (1911) [19:56]
Music for Orchestra in one movement
(1910) [24:30] (premiere recording) Music
for Orchestra in one movement (1911)
[18:34]
Sergey Stadler (violin) Melbourne Symphony
Orchestra/Oleg Caetani rec. Robert Blackwood
Hall, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia,
8-11 March 2005. DDD 
CHANDOS SACD
CHSA5040 [63:10] [RB]
Opulence,
rhapsodic late-romantic impressionism. Discoveries
to be made here ... see
Full Review
Igor
STRAVINSKY
(1882-1971) Pulcinella*
(1920) [36:22] The Fairy’s Kiss** (1928) [42:01]
*Diana Montagu (mezzo), Robin Leggate (tenor), Mark Beesley (bass)
Philharmonia Orchestra/Robert Craft. **London Symphony Orchestra/Robert
Craft. rec. 3-5, 8 January*; 1 Feb 1997**, Abbey Road Studio No.1,
London. NAXOS 8.557503
[78:23][GPu]
Authoritative
and meticulous performances. Warmly recommended,
especially for the complete score of Pulcinella.
... see Full
Review
Robert
STILL (1910-1971)
Quintet for three flutes, violin and cello (1954?) [22:02]
Geoffrey Gilbert; George Crozier; Lionel Solomon (flutes); Jean Pougnet
(violin); Francesco Gabarro (cello) Viola Sonata No. 2 (1953?) [14:45]
Frederick Riddle (viola); Eric Harrison (piano) Six Songs for soprano:
A song of pain and beauty; Ode to a Skylark; The
Kingfisher; When I am dead; Sister Awake; The
Siren’s Song [15:33] Heather Harper (soprano) John Russell (piano)
Six Songs for baritone: Sonnet; August; Beauty Bathing;
Awaiting Execution; To Julia; Sunset on the Morea
[15:30] John Carol Case (baritone) John Russell (piano) Two songs:
The Sea Hath many Thousand Sands [2.44]; Shall I wasting
in despair [2.19] Jessica Cash (sop); Gordon Clinton (bar); John
Russell (piano) Twelve Songs: from Record Society LP RS 60; Quintet
and Sonata from Argo LP RG 74 mono, 1955. Two Songs from private recording
of 1959 Wigmore Hall concert ADD
ISMERON JMSCD 8 [71:56] [RB]
A
generously loaded disc representing the chamber music and songs
of Robert Still. Pleasing music-making and a very unusual quintet
... see Full Review
Karol SZYMANOWSKI
(1882-1937) Piano Works - Volume
4 Nine Preludes, Op. 1 (c.1896-1900) [18:58] Variations in B flat
minor, Op. 3 (1901-3) [11:11] Mazurkas, Op. 50, Nos. 17-20 (1924-5)
[10:15] Two Mazurkas, Op. 62 (1933-34) [5:44] Valse Romantique (1925)
[3:43] Piano Sonata No. 3 (1917) [18:58]
Martin Roscoe (piano) Recorded in Potton Hall, Suffolk, 15-17 April
2003 NAXOS 8.557168
[68:51] [GPu]
A
convincing presentation of fascinating music,
and the resounding completion of a very
desirable series ... see Full
Review
Jan TARASIEWICZ
(1889-1961) Chamber and
Vocal Works Prelude
and Toccata in C sharp minor (1951) [9.08]
1 Suite No.1 in D major in four parts (1951)
[7.21] 1 From the Suite No.2: Old Rome Song,
Nice Waltz, Military March (1951) [5.39]
1 Polka in E major (1947) [3.24] 1 The Song
(1919) [1.57] 2 Autumn Song (1919) [1.58]
2 Mournful Songs (1919) [11.25] 3 Why Boys
Are Sad? [1.31] 4 My Motherland (1946) [2.57]
4 Lullaby (1946) [2.03] 4 Kasienka (1946)
[1.38] 4 Sad Waltz in E minor (1947) [6.38]
5 Nocturne in A flat major (1955) [2.44]
5 Love Song in B flat minor (1949) [5.15]
5 Irina Shumilina (piano) 1 Victor Scorobogatov
(baritone) and Anna Korenevskaya (piano)
2
The Student’s Choir of the Belorussian
Academy of Music/Oleg Gembitsky 3 Tatyana
Tsybulskaya (soprano) and Anna Korenevskaya
(piano) 4 Igor Olovnikov (piano) 5 rec.
dates and locations not provided
ACTE PRÉALABLE AP 0047 [64.38]
[JW]
A
steady voice, circumscribed but lyrical
and not developing much beyond Liadov as
a model. A worthy tribute ... see Full
Review
Pyotr
Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY
(1840-1893) Symphonies
Nos. 4-6
Vienna Philharmonic/Valery Gergiev rec.
live, Grosser Saal, Musikverein, Vienna
17-21 October 2002 (4), 2-4 September 2004
(6); Festspielhaus, Salzburg, July 1998,
ORF recording, Salzburg Festival. DDD
PHILIPS 475 6315 [3 CDs: 42:36 + 46:04
+ 44:00] [GPJ]
A bit of a mixed
box, but containing versions 4 and 6 which
are very fine, and which have the virtues
of live performance while avoiding some
of the acoustic pitfalls this can sometimes
bring. ... see Full
Review
Pyotr
Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893)
Eugene
Onegin, op.24 Lyrical scenes in three acts (seven scenes).
(1877-1878) Libretto by the composer and K. Shilovsky, after Pushkin.
Tatyana
- Elena Prokina (soprano); Eugene Onegin - Wojciech
Drabowicz (baritone); Lensky - Martin Thompson (tenor); Olga - Louise
Winter (contralto); Madame Larina - Yvonne Minton (soprano); Filippyevna
- Ludmilla Filatova (mezzo); Monsieur Triquet – John Fryatt (tenor);
Gremin - Frode Olsen (baritone); Zaretsky - Christopher Thornton-Holmes
(baritone); Glyndeboune Festival Chorus London Philharmonic Orchestra/Andrew
Davis Director: Graham Vick; Designer: Richard Hudson; Lighting Designer:
Thomas Webster; Choreographer: Ron Howell Filmed by NVC ARTS for Channel
Four Television Corporation at the Glyndebourne Festival, July 1994.
Directed for video by Humphrey Burton Picture format NTSC 4:3. Colour.
Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo. DVD Regions 2,3,4,5. Subtitles in English,
German, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese.
WARNER MUSIC VISION DVD VIDEO 0630-14014-2 
[154.00][ED]
An
absorbing production combines with movingly
sung and acted characterisations to produce
a reading that demands serious attention.
... see Full
Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Ernst
TOCH (1887-1964)
Symphony
no 1, Op. 72 (1951-1952) [39:52] Symphony
no 2, Op. 73 (1953) [32:20] Symphony no
3, Op. 75 (1955) [27:49] Symphony no 4,
Op. 80 (1957) [26:45] Symphony no 5, Op.
89 Jephtha (1963) [23:51] Symphony
no 6, Op. 93 (1963) [22:25] Symphony no
7, Op. 95 (1964) [22:18]
Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra/Alun
Francis rec. Jesus-Christus-Kirche, Berlin,
Germany (1995 - 2002) DDD
CPO 777 191-2 [3 CDs: 66:38 + 60:11
+ 68:58] [RB]
A
compact and inexpensive introduction to
the seven symphonies of the intricately
inventive Ernest Toch said by himself to
be a dachshund in the USA when he had been
a St Bernard in Germany. ... see Full
Review
Sir
Donald Francis TOVEY
(1865-1940) Bride
of Dionysus Prelude (1918) [5.32] (arr.Shore/Vass)
Symphony in D Op. 32 (1913, rev. 1923) [58.03]
Malmö Opera Orchestra/George Vass rec.
Swedish Radio Studio 7, Malmö, Sweden,
27 May 2005.
TOCCATA CLASSICS TOCC 0033 [63.20] [RB]
A
highly desirable and well-documented purchase
for all those wanting a satisfyingly Brahmsian
sturdy symphony of epic ambition and execution.
... see
Full Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Ralph
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958)
The Wasps (1909)Text: Aristophanes
English
singing translation and narration: David
Pountney
Henry Goodman (narrator) Hallé
Choir/Richard Suart/James Burton
Hallé/Mark
Elder rec.
26-28 July 2005, Albert Halls, Bolton. DDD
world
premiere recording; studio recordingrecording
in association with BBC and BBC Radio 3
with support from the Vaughan Williams Estate
HALLÉ CD CD HLD7510 [44:07 +
61:30] [RB]
Some
may find this an unnerving experience but
it works superbly well provided you are
ready for the salty dialogue. It’s a small
price to pay for the fascination and delight
of hearing so much familiar and unfamiliar
Vaughan Williams.
... see Full
Review
Giuseppe
VERDI
(1813-1901)
Aida (1871)
Aida – Maria Chiara, Amneris – Fiorenza
Cossotto, Radames – Nicola Martinucci, Amonasro
– Giuseppe Scandola, Orchestra, Chorus and
Corps de Ballet of the Arena di Verona/Anton
Guadagno Producer – Giancarlo Sbragia Video
Director – Brian Large rec. Arena di Verona,
1981 Dolby Digital Stereo 2.0, Format –
NTSC 4:3
WARNER DVD 0630-19389-2
[154:00] [ABa]
A
good record of a fine live performance with
splendid production and vocal standards.
... see Full
Review
Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901)
Ernani
- opera in four acts
(1843) Libretto by Francesco Maria Piave
based on Victor Hugo’s play Hernarni
First performed at the Teatro la Fenice,
Venice, 9 March 1843 Ernani, the bandit,
Marco Berti (ten); Don Carlo, King of Spain,
Carlo Guelfi (bar); Don Ruy de Silva, a
Spanish grandee, Giocomo Prestia (bass);
Elvira, Silva’s niece and loved by Ernani,
Susan Neves (sop); Don Riccardo, the King’s
equerry, Samuele Simoncini (ten); Jago,
equerry to Silva, Alessandro Svab, (bass)
Orchestra and Chorus of the Teatro Reggio,
Parma, Italy/Antonello Allemandi rec. live
Teatro Reggio, May 2005, annual Verdi Festival.
DDD
DYNAMIC CDS 496/1-2 [77.23 + 43.22]
[RF]
Viscerally
thrilling as early Verdi should be, particularly
with the chorus in virile voice as they
are here. ... see Full
Review
Pierre
VILLETTE (1926-1998)
O
sacrum convivium, Op. 27 (1959) [3:43]
Hymne à la Vierge, Op. 24
[3:56] Attende, Domine, Op. 45 (1983)
[5:37] Notre Père d’Aix, Op.
75 [2:17] Inviolata, Op. 66 (1991)
[5:15] Tu es Petrus, Op. 29* (1959)
[3:07] O quam suavis est, Op. 76
[3:05] Salutation angélique,
Op. 20* (1954) [2:30] Strophes polyphoniques
pour le Veni Creator, Op. 28 [5:49]
Panis angelicus, Op. 80 [2:58] O
salutaris hostia, Op. 21 (1954) [2:55]
Ave verum, Op. 3 (1944) [3:16] Salve
regina, Op. 5** (1944) [3:06] O quam
amabilis es, Op. 71 [3:53] Jesu,
dulcis memoria, Op. 78 [3:28] Adoro
te, Op. 31 (1960) [3:10] O magnum
mysterium, Op. 53 (1983) [4:18]
Holst Singers/Stephen Layton *James
Vivian (organ); **Katy Cooper (soprano)
rec. The Temple Church, London, 11-16 May
2005. DDD
HYPERION CDA67539 [62:42] [JQ]
Villette’s
subtle and beautiful music deserves a wide
audience. This superbly performed recital
is an ideal way to get to know it. Outstanding
... see Full
Review
Antonio
VIVALDI (1678-1741) Recorder Concertos Concerto in G minor,
RV 103 1,4,6 [10:25] Concerto in D major, RV 92 2,5,6
[10:15] Concerto in G minor, RV 105 1,2,4,5,6 [8:45]
Concerto in D major, RV 94 1,2,4,5,6 [10:50] Concerto in
A minor, RV 108 2,3,5,6 [8:25] Concerto in C major, RV
87 1,2,3,5,6 [8:20] Concerto in G major, RV 101 1,2,4,5,6
[9:41] László
Kecskeméti (recorder), László Hadady (oboe)1, Attila Falvay2
and Katalin Párkányi3 (violins), György Olajos4
(bassoon), György Kertész5 (cello), Borbála Dobozy6
(harpsichord) rec. Phoenix Studios, Budapest, 24-27 July 2003
NAXOS 8.557215
[66:41][DB]
Solid
performances from a very good ensemble.
... see Full
Review
Antonio
VIVALDI (1678-1741)
The
Four Seasons, op.8 CD version:
Pina Carmirelli (violin)/I Musici DVD
version: A film by Anton von Munster featuring
Federico Agostino (violin)/I Musici rec.
La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland, July 1982
(CD); various locations in Venice, July
1988 (DVD).
PHILIPS 475 6940 [CD: 42:23; DVD:
46:00] [ED]
Pleasing
if traditionally conceived performances
... see Full
Review
Richard
WAGNER
(1813-1883) Das
Rheingold - music drama in one
act (1869) Wolfgang Probst (bass-baritone)
… Wotan; Motti Kaston (baritone) .. Donner
Bernhard; Schneider (tenor) ... Froh;
Robert Kunzli (tenor) ... Loge; Michaela
Schuster (mezzo) ... Fricka; Helga Ros
Indridadottir (mezzo) ... Freia; Mette
Ejsing (contralto) ... Erda; Esa Ruuttunen
(bass-baritone) ... Alberich; Eberhard
Francesco Lorenz (tenor) ... Mime; Roland
Bracht (bass) ... Fasolt; Phillip Ens
(bass) ... Fafner; Catriona Smith (soprano)
...Woglinde; Maria Theresa Ullrich (mezzo)
...Wellgunde; Margarete Joswig (mezzo)
... Floβhilde;
Staatsorchester Stuttgart/Lothar Zagrosek
rec. live, Staatsoper Stutgart, Germany,
28 September, 29 December 2002. DDD
NAXOS 8.660170-71 [72:14 +
76:22] [DH][CC]
Fine
sound engineering, excellent conducting,
beautifully deep bass colours but dragged
down by several of the gods.[DH]
A pleasure to welcome this most enjoyable
Rheingold.[CC] ... see Full
Review
Richard
WAGNER (1813-1883)
Das
Rheingold (1869) John Bröcheler
(baritone) (Wotan); Henk Smit (bass) (Alberich);
Graham Clark (tenor) (Mime); Reinhild
Runkel (mezzo) (Erda); Chris Merritt (tenor)
(Loge); Jürgen Freier (baritone)
Residentie Orchestra, Amsterdam/Hartmut
Haenchen Pierre Audi (director) rec. 1999.
Bonus: 50 minute documentary about the
production DVD-all regions
OPUS ARTE OA 0946D [68:02 + 80:05]
[AO]
This
is a production to study for its insights.
The spare set and visible orchestra concentrate
attention on what is happening in the
drama, and on its psychological, philosophical
ideas ... see Full
Review
Richard
WAGNER
(1813-1883) Die
Walkure - music drama in three
acts (1870) Birgit Nilsson (soprano) …
Brünnhilde Set Svanholm (tenor) …
Siegmund
Royal Swedish Opera Orchestra cond.
Sixten Ehrling rec. live, Royal Opera
House Stockholm, Sweden, 18 November 1956
(acts 1, 2); 14 April 1955 (act 3)
CAPRICE CAP 21765 [3 CDs: 65:00
+ 77:21 + 78:54] [DH]
These
Stockholm Royal Opera-based singers should
be better known, fully justifying this
special archive release ... see Full
Review
Siegfried
WAGNER
(1869 - 1930)
Sonnenflammen (1912) [132.50]
Alexios – Roman Trekel (baritone) Irene – Michaela Schneider (soprano)
Fridolin – Richard Brunner (tenor) Albrecht – Jürgen Trekel (bass)
Gomella – Niels Giesecke (tenor) Iris – Eva Batori (soprano) Eustachia
– Ulrike Schneider (alto) Gottfried – Ulrich Studer (baritone) Chorus
and Orchestra of Halle Opera House/Roger Epple rec. live, 27-31
January 2003, Georg-Friedrich-Handel-Halle
CPO 777 097–2 [64.36 + 68.14] [RH]
A
committed performance ... anyone interested in Siegfried Wagner’s
music can be certain of hearing a performance which makes as
strong a case as possible for the work. ... see Full
Review
Joseph
WEIGL (1766
- 1846) Die Schweizer
Familie
(1809) [130.57] Graf Wallenstein – Tobia
Müller-Kopp (baritone) Durmann –
Petri Mikael Pöyhönen (tenor)
Richard Boll – Stephan Bootz (bass) Gertrude
Boll – Olivia Vermeulen (mezzo) Emmeline
– Marilia Vargas (soprano) Jacob Fribourg
– Roman Payer (tenor) Paul – Robert Maszl
(tenor) Emmeline’s dialogue spoken by
Antje Hochholdinger Durmann’s dialogue
spoken by Michael Hoffmann
Chorus and Orchestra Dreieck/Uri Rom rec.
Herbert von Karajan Saal, Universität
der Künste, Berlin; September, November
2004. DDD
GUILD GMCD 7298-9 [68.47 + 62.10]
[RH]
While
the music
does nothing to probe the characters’
feelings and troubles this is certainly
feel-good music.... see Full
Review
Dan WELCHER
(b.1948)
Haleakala - How Maui Snared the Sun (Tone Poem) (1991)
[22.32] Prairie Light; Three Texas Watercolours of Georgia
O’Keefe (1985) [14.20] Concerto for clarinet and orchestra (1989)
Bill Jackson (clarinet)
Richard Chamberlain (narrator) Honolulu Symphony Orchestra/Donald
Johanos rec. Blaisdell Concert Hall, Honolulu, January 1992
NAXOS 8.559287 [57.06] [JW]
Most
diverting all round. ... see Full
Review
Malcolm
WILLIAMSON
(1931-2003) Orchestral
Works, Volume 1 Santiago de Espada (1956) [6:09] Suite
from 'Our Man in Havana' (1963/1966) [20:19] * (Prelude,
Cuban dances and waltz song. Presto; Passacaglia and Threnody.
Allegretto - Poco lento; Serenade. Allegretto;
Intermezzo. Allegro; Finale) Concerto grosso
(1965) [10:49] (Adagio; Adagio; Presto vivace)
Sinfonietta (1965) [19:42] * (Prelude; Toccata.
Allegro; Elegy. Grave; Tarantella. Presto)
Iceland Symphony Orchestra/Rumon
Gamba rec. Háskólabió, Reykjavik, Iceland, 13-16 June 2005. DDD * premiere
recordings CHANDOS
CHAN 10359 [57:13][IL]
The
catchy haunting Our Man in Havana makes this a must for lovers of lighter
music but a not over-generously filled album with music of limited musicality
might make others pause. ... see Full
Review
Boris
YOFFE
(b.1968) 32
Gedichte aus dem Quartettbuch (32 Poems from the Book of Quartets)
Patricia Kopatschinskaja and Daniel Kobyliansky (violins), Roman Spitzer
(viola) and Dmitri Dichtiar (cello) rec. May 2004 at SWR Studios Karlsruhe
ANTES EDITION BM-CD
31.9192 [48.01][JW]
Eastern
reflectiveness and minutest incremental intensities of lightening having
powerful weight in the context of so much quartet stasis ... see Full
Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Isang YUN (1917–1995)
Chamber Symphony I (1987) [26:53] Tapis (1987) [8:23]
Gong-Hu (1984)a [25:47]
Rana Park (harp)a; Korean Chamber Ensemble/Piotr Borkowski
rec. Seoul National University Concert Hall, Seoul, August 2005
NAXOS 8.557938 [61:03][HC]
If
you have never heard Yun’s music and are willing to give it a try, you
will not be disappointed either by the pieces or the fine performances
heard here. ... see Full Review
Władisław
ŻELEŃSKI
(1837-1921) Deux
Morceaux Op. 63 Toccata [5:27]; Idylle in
B major [4:47] [10.14] Oda do mlodosci. Marsz
uroczysty [Ode to Youth. Solemn March] Op.
51 [9.51] Marsz uroczysty ku czci niesmiertelnego
wieszcza Adama Mickiewicza [Solemn March in
Honour of the Immortal National Bard Adam
Mickiewicz] Op. 44 [11.01] Deux Mazurkas Op.
31 [10.20] Sonata in E minor, Op. 20 [32.41]
Joanna Lawrynowicz (piano) rec. Warsaw,
2004-05.
ACTE PRÉALABLE AP0124 [74.13] [JW]
Broadly
unadventurous though it is Żeleński’s
music is often warm and appealing. When it’s
bombastic it’s much less interesting. ...
see Full
Review
Bernard ZWEERS
(1854-1924) Symphony
No. 1 in D major (1881) [26:18] Daniël
de LANGE (1841-1918) Symphony No.
1 in C minor (1868) [30:45]
Netherlands Radio Chamber Orchestra/Ed
Spanjaard (Zweers); Anthony Halstead (de Lange)
rec. 4 December 1994, Vredenburg, Utrecht
(Zweers); 2 August 2001, Studio MCO, Hilversum
(de Lange). DDD Dutch Romantics series World
premiere recordings
STERLING CDS 1068 [57:11] [RB]
This
makes for a fascinating whistle-stop tour
of the classical-romantic symphonic voice
in the Netherlands. Richly enjoyable. ...
see Full Review
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