Hoffnung At Large New double CD lasting 2 hours of Gerard Hoffnung from the BBC. Full details here £14 postage included world-wide	Hoffnung Music Festivals 1956,58,61 2CDs:£17 postage included World-Wide [mono/stereo] This is a must for all Hoffnung enthusiasts. Purchase here    see review	Available for the FIRST TIME - a DVD of 7 animated Hoffnung cartoons as shown on the BBC in the 1960s in FULL COLOUR plus animated Gilbert and Sullivan Ruddigore. £14.99 Details NOTE: Region 0 but PAL only	Hoffnung - A Last Encore On 2 CDs lasting 1 hour 45min, this contains all the recordings of Hoffnung preserved in the BBC archives. They include the famous and hilariously funny Bricklayer story from the Oxford Union. [mono] £14 postage included world-wide Purchase

See a new Hoffnung Cartoon every day

 

Click for MUSICWEB RECORDINGS OF THE YEAR

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RECORDINGS OF THE MONTH

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Symphony No. 3 in E flat major, Op. 55 Eroica (1803) [44:25] Twelve Contredanses, WoO. 14 (1802): No. 1 in C major [0:28]; No. 2 in A major [0:32]; No. 3 in D major [1:00]; No. 4 in B flat major [0:28]; No. 5 in E flat major [1:07]; No. 6 in C major [1:11]; No. 7 in E flat major [0:33]; No. 8 in C major [0:28]; No. 9 in A major [0:28]; No. 10 in C major [0:57]; No. 11 in G major [0:31]; No. 12 in E flat major [1:40] Funeral March from the incidental music to Leonore Prohaska, WoO. 96 (1815) [4:57] Romance No. 1 in G major, Op. 40* (c. 1800-02) [5:34] Romance No. 2 in F major, Op. 50* (c. 1795) [7:04] Katarina Andreasson (violin)* Swedish Chamber Orchestra Örebro/Thomas Dausgaard rec. Örebro Concert Hall, May, October 2002. DDD SIMAX PSC 1281 [71:34] [MG]

This performance of the Eroica symphony lets you see it in a new light and in a context that is itself fresh and illuminating … see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Hungarian Dances - four hands (1-10, 1868; 11-21, 1880) Steven and Stijn Kolacny (Steinway D piano) rec. DSD, Galaxy Studios, Mol, Belgium, 28 March 2002. 2.0 stereo and 5.1 surround SACD tracks, 2.0 stereo CD tracks. Notes in Nederlands, Français, English, and Deutsch.  Photos of artists and composer ETCETERA KTC 5250 [52.27] [PSh]

The best version of these brilliant works to date, a must for all Brahms collectors. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony No. 2 Resurrection (1888-1894) [76:66] Christine Schäfer, (soprano) Michelle DeYoung (mezzo) Wiener Singverein Wiener Philharmoniker/Pierre Boulez rec. Grosser Saal, Wiener Musikverein, May-June 2005. DDD DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 00289 477 6004 [76:66] [AOz]

This performance really does give a new perspective … truly inspirational. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Jacques OFFENBACH (1825-1892) Ballade symphonique La Vie Parisienne (1866) (Preludes to Acts I, 2, 3, 4, 5; Melodrama of the Entrance of the Masks; Melodrama of the glove and bootmakers) Les Bergers, Prelude to Act 1 (1865) La Périchole (1868-74) (Preludes to Acts 1, 2, and scenes 3, 4; Indian March; Melodrama of the acrobats; Melodrama of the letter; Melodrama of the King’s place setting; Melodrama of Piquillo’s goal; Melodrama of the old prisoner; Melodrama of the escape) Sur un volcan, overture (1855) Orphée aux Enfers (1858) (Preludes to Scenes 1, 3, 4; Melodrama of Eurydice’s death; Melodrama of the depart of the Underworld; Melodrama for the anger of public opinion; Melodrama of Orpheus in the Underworld Ba-ta-Clan (1855) (Overture and Chinese March; Exit; Melodrama of Florette’s round) Barbe-Bleue (1866) (Prelude to Acts 1, 3 (Storm), 4; Melodrama of the reception; Melodrama of the dénouement) Les Souvenirs d’Aix-les-Baines, waltz suite (1873)  Orchestre National de Montpellier/Jean-Christophe Keck rec. Montpellier, France, 2005. DDD ACCORD 476  8999 [77:14] [RW]

Fresh material from Offenbach, much not previously recorded although many of the titles are familiar. Quite fascinating. Delightful. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Gioachino ROSSINI (1792-1868)
Matilde di Shabran - Melodramma giocoso in two acts (1821) Matilde, Annick Massis (sop); Corradino Ironheart, Juan Diego Florez (ten); Raimondo Lopez, Eduardo’s father, Bruno Taddia (bass); Edoardo, Hadar Halevy (mezzo); Aliprando, physician, Marco Vinco (bass); Isidoro, poet, Bruno de Simone (bass); Contessa d’Arco, Chiara Chialli (sop); Ginardo, tower-keeper, Carlo Lepore (bass); Egoldo, leader of the peasants, Gregory Bonfatti (ten); Rodrigo, captain of the guards, Lubomir Moravec Prague Chamber Choir Orchestra Sinfónica de Galicia/Riccardo Frizza rec. live, Rossini Opera Festival, Pesaro, Italy, August 2004 DECCA 475 7688 [3 CDs: 68.23+52.56+67.36] [RF]

In outstanding fashion this fills an important gap in the composer’s discography. A work of Rossini’s compositional maturity, I cannot see it being bettered. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741) Musica Sacra vol. 5 Mottetto RV626 “In furore iustissimae irae” [12:55] (1) Sinfonia in B minor RV169 “Al Santo Sepolcro” [05:03] (2) Laudate pueri RV601 [23:10] (3) Concerto in D minor for violin, organ and strings RV541 [09:07] (4) Concerto in F for violin, strings and harpsichord “per la Solennità di San Lorenzo RV286” [12:27] Sandrine Piau (soprano (1, 3), Stefano Montanari (violin)(4), Marcello Gatti (flute) (3), Ottavio Dantone (Organ) (4), Accademia Bizantina/Ottavio Dantone rec. July 2005, Abbaye de Saint-Michel en Thiérache NAÏVE OP 30416 [62:56] [CH]

It’s beginning to dawn on me that we’re living in a golden age of Vivaldi interpretation. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH L’invitation au voyage –Mélodies from La belle époque Jules CRESSONNOIS (1823–1883) L’invitation au voyage (Charles Baudelaire) [3:29] Léo DELIBES (1836–1891) Départ (Èmile Augier) [4:23] Bonjour, Suzon! (Alfred de Musset) [2:59] Regrets! (Armand Silvestre) [4:58] Charles LECOCQ (1832–1918) La cigale et la fourmi (Jean de La Fontaine) [1:45] La chauve-souris et les deux belettes (Jean de La Fontaine) [3:16] Émile PESSARD (1843–1917) Le spectre de la rose (Théophile Gautier) [4:42] Oh! quand je dors (Victor Hugo) [2:34] Benjamin GODARD (1849–1895) Chanson du berger (Jean-Pierre Claris de Florian) [1:56] Guitare (Victor Hugo) [2:35] L’invitation au voyage (Charles Baudelaire) [4:13] Viens! (Victor Hugo) [2:49] Paul PUGET (1848–1917) Madrid (Alfred de Musset) [3:27] Comment, disaient-ils (Victor Hugo) [2:27] Paul (1852–1933) and Lucien (1860–1909) HILLEMACHER Soupir (Sully Prudhomme) [3:31] Si mes vers avaient des ailes (Victor Hugo) [1:34] L’invitation au voyage (Charles Baudelaire) [1:52] Ici-bas (Sully Prudhomme) [1:59] Sérénade (Alfred de Musset) [2:09] Émile PALADILHE (1844–1926) Psyché (Pierre Corneille) [2:44] Les papillons (Théophile Gautier) [2:59] La chanson des blondes (Jean Aicard) [3:27] Danse indienne (Jean Lahor) [6:06] Henri DUPARC (1848–1933) L’invitation au voyage ((Charles Baudelaire) [4:26] John Mark Ainsley (tenor), Graham Johnson (piano) rec. All Saints Church, East Finchley, London, 2-4 August 2004. DDD HYPERION CDA67523 [78:14] [DC]

There isn’t a dull moment in this long recital. Good songs need not be masterpieces to be enjoyed, especially when performed this well ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Thomas Quasthoff: The Voice Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) An die Musik D457 [4:03]; Erlkönig D328 [2:32]; Ständchen, [3:36]; Greisengesang D957 [4:49] (previously unissued) Thomas Quasthoff, (baritone) Chamber Orchestra of Europe/Claudio Abbado Albert LORTZING (1801-1851) From Der Wildschütz: Funftausend Taler [5:20] Thomas Quasthoff (baritone) Orchester der Deutschen Oper Berlin/Christian Thielemann Carl Maria von WEBER (1786-1826) From Euryanthe: Wo berg ich mich? [9:17] Thomas Quasthoff (baritone) Orchester der Deutschen Oper Berlin/Christian Thielemann Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) From Tannhäuser: Wie Todesahnung Dämmerung deckt die Lande - O du, mein holde Abendstern [5:39] Thomas Quasthoff (baritone) Orchester der Deutschen Oper Berlin/Christian Thielemann Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) From Der Schweigesame Frau: Wie schön ist die Musik [4:01] Thomas Quasthoff (baritone) Orchester der Deutschen Oper Berlin/Christian Thielemann Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) From Des Knaben Wunderhorn: Des Antonius von Padua Fischpredigt, [4:03]; Lob des hohen Verstandes [2:32]; Thomas Quasthoff (baritone) Justus Zeyen (piano) Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Ich habe genug BVW 82 Thomas Quasthoff (baritone) Albrecht Mayer, (oboe) Berliner Barock Soloisten/Rainer Kussmaul (violin and direction) Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Auf der Bruck, D843 [3:21]; Heidenröslein, D257 [1:56]; Die Forelle D550 [2:11]; Tränenregen, D795 [2:11]; Mein! D795 [4:17]; Der Fischermädchen D957 [2:02]; Die Taubenpost, D957 [3:40] Thomas Quasthoff (baritone) Justus Zeyen (piano) Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Du Bist wie eine Blüme op. 34 [1:34]; Thomas Quasthoff (baritone) Justus Zeyen (piano) Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Auf Flügeln des Gesanges [2:28]; 25 [1:34]; Thomas Quasthoff (baritone) Justus Zeyen (piano) Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Verzagen op. 72 [2:30]; Unüberwindlich [2:13]; Sapphische Ode op. 94 [2:30]; Thomas Quasthoff (baritone) Justus Zeyen (piano) Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Die Loreley S273 [6.51]; O Lieb, so lang du lieben kannst S298 [5:33]; Es muss ein Wunderbaressein S314 [2:07] Thomas Quasthoff (baritone) Justus Zeyen (piano) Carl LOEWE (1796-1869) Herr Oluf op. 2 [6.06]; Thomas Quasthoff (baritone) Justus Zeyen (piano) Richard STRAUSS (1864-1894) Heimliche Aufforderung [3:14]; Zueignung op. 10 [1:44]; Morgen! Op. 27 [3:57] Thomas Quasthoff (baritone) Justus Zeyen (piano) Solo jazz Improvisation (6:04) DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 477 6159 [67:22 + 67:11] [AOz]

A perfect set for anyone new to Quasthoff, or who wants an introduction to German art song ... see Full Review

 

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BARGAINS OF THE MONTH

 

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) Symphony No. 9 From the New World (1893) [42.48]* The Water Goblin (1896) [21:08] Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra/Nikolaus Harnoncourt
rec. Het Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, October 1999, (* live recording). DDD WARNER CLASSICS 3984 25254-2 [64:13] [TP]

Harnoncourt has something to tell even the most seasoned collector about this music, and in a warhorse like this, that is no mean feat! ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Gerald FINZI (1901-1956) Intimations of Immortality op. 29 (1949-50) [38:58] For Saint Cecilia op. 30 (1947) [16:37] James Gilchrist (tenor) Bournemouth Symphony Chorus/Greg Beardsell Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra/David Hill rec. The Concert Hall, The Lighthouse, Poole, 4-5 June 2005. DDD NAXOS 8.557863 [55:35][AOz]

Easily the best recording by any standard – I hope Naxos realize what a treasure this is ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Symphony No. 40 in G minor K550 (1788) [26:29] Symphony No. 41 in C major Jupiter K551 (1788) [37:01] Manchester Camerata/Douglas Boyd rec. live, 4 February 2006, The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester AVIE AV 2107 [63:50] [DC]

Looking for a top notch performance of two of the greatest classical symphonies ever written? Your money will be very well spent with this issue. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Modest MUSSORGSKY (1839–1881) Boris Godunov (arr. & orch. Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov) (1874) Prologue, Scene 2 (The Square in the Moscow Kremlin): Long Live the Tsar Boris; Even as glory to the radiant sun; My soul is torn with anguish; Glory, Act II: I have attained the highest power; What do you want?; Mighty Lord …; It is not death that is hard to bear; God, how stifling it’s become! Act IV, Scene 2: Boris Farewell to his Son and Death of Boris George London (bass) – Boris Godunov; Mildred Allen (mezzo-soprano) – Fyodor, his son; Howard Fried (tenor) – Prince Vasily Ivanovich Shuisky; Stanley Kolk (tenor) – Boyal Khrushchyov Columbia Symphony Chorus and Orchestra/Thomas Schippers rec. Manhattan Center, New York City, 23–27 March 1961. ADD Pictures at an Exhibition  (1874) (orch. Maurice Ravel) Philadelphia Orchestra/ Eugene Ormandy rec. Town Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 21 April, 18 June 1966. ADD SONY CLASSICAL 82876 78747 2 [69:58] [GF]

At mid-price this is a find: a truly great version of Pictures and one of the great Borises at the height of his powers. Not to be missed. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN NOF THE MONTH Gioachino ROSSINI (1792-1868) Torvaldo e Dorliska. Torvaldo, Huw Rhys-Evans (ten); Dorliska, Torvaldo’s wife, Paola Cigna (sop); ARS Brunensis Chamber Choir Czech Chamber Soloists Brno/Alessandro de Marchi rec. 2003 NAXOS OPERA CLASSICS 8.660189-90 [73.20 + 67.47] [RF]

A fine performance of the opera which preceded Rossini’s greatest work by less than two months and with the same librettist. It fills an important gap in the Rossini discography. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Symphony No. 5 in E minor Op. 64 (1888) [45:40] Capriccio Italien Op. 45 (1880) [14:55] Cleveland Orchestra/Georg Szell rec. 23 October 1959 (Symphony), 28 February–1 March (Capriccio), Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio. ADD SONY CLASSICAL 82876 787442 [60:35] [TB]

This famous recording of Tchaikovsky’s Fifth sounds better than ever in its latest transfer from Sony Classical. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH The Art of the Lindsays CD 1 Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) String Quartet in C major, K465 Dissonance (1785) [38.15] Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) String Quartet No.13 in A minor, Rosamunde D804 (1824) [34.05] CD 2 Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) String Quartet in F major (1902-1903) [28.42] Franz Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) String Quartet in E flat, Op.64 No.6 (1790) [18.37] Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-47) String Quartet No.6 in F minor, Op.80 (1847) [24.49] CD 3 Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) String Quartet No.12 in F major, Op.96 (B.179) American (1893) [27.18] Ludwig Van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) String Quartet in F minor, Op.95, Serioso (1810) [20.80] Alexander BORODIN (1833-1887) String Quartet No.2 in D major (1885) [28.37] CD 4 Leoš JANÁČEK (1854-1928) String Quartet No.1 The Kreutzer Sonata (1923) [17.15] Sir Michael TIPPETT (1905-1998) String Quartet No.5 (1990-1991) [27.57] Béla BARTÓK (1881-1945) String Quartet No.6, Sz.114 (1938) [30.41] CD 5 Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Piano Quintet in A major, D667, The Trout (1819) [37.53] Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Clarinet Quintet in B minor, Op.115 (1891) [39.57] The Lindsays: (Peter Cropper, violin; Ronald Birks, violin (all tracks except Schubert Quintet); Robin Ireland, viola (all tracks except Bartók); Bernard Gregor-Smith, cello) Roger Bigley, viola (on Bartók only) Kathryn Stott, piano (Schubert Quintet only); Leon Bosch, double-bass (Schubert Quintet only); Janet Hilton, clarinet (Brahms Quintet only) see review for recording details SANCTUARY CLASSICS RESONANCE CDRSB404 [5 CDs: 72:22 + 72:18 + 76:33 + 76:11 + 77:53] [DRD]

I really can’t recommend this highly enough. It was a source of joy on our recent holiday and will make excellent Christmas presents. A really great advertisement for chamber music. ... 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]