ALPHABETICAL LISTING

 

Marc-Antoine CHARPENTIER (c.1643-1704) Judicium Salomonis, H.422 (1702) [40:00] Motet pour une longue offrande, H.434 (1698-99) [22:47] Ann Quintans (soprano); Maud Gnidzaz (soprano); Marc Molomot (tenor), Leif Aruhn-Solén (tenor); Paul Agnew (tenor); Carl Ghazarossian (tenor); Marc Mauillon (baritone); Neal Davies (bass); João Fernandes (bass); Les Arts Florissants/William Christie rec. 5-7 September, 2005, Théâtre de Poissy, France. DDD VIRGIN CLASSICS 0946 35929423 [63:00] [JW]

Considerable vivacity and engagement though individual strands do obtrude. Not the neatest or most tightly drilled performance on disc ... see Full Review

Fryderyk CHOPIN (1810-1849) THE 15^th INTERNATIONAL FRYDERYK CHOPIN PIANO COMPETITION - Warsaw 2005 Competition Chronicle DUX 0068 [[15 CDs: 62:33 + 73:01 + 77:49 + 57:39 + 78:26 + 78:07 + 77:21 + 74:08 + 62:43 + 67:33 + 73:31 + 71:24 + 39:39 + 75:37 + 35:30] [CH]
Rafał BLECHACZ The Winner of the 15^th International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition Warsaw 2005 A repackaging of CDs 6, 13 and 15 from the above set DUX 0066 [3 CDs: 78:07 + 39:39 + 35:30] [CH]

Summary: Did the winner deserve his prize? No spoilers here – read on!

Frédéric CHOPIN (1810-1849) Ballades: 1 in g op.23 [10:13], 2 in f op.38 [07:16], 3 in A flat op.47 [07:11], 4 in f op.52 [11:52] Barcarolle op.60 [09:24] Nocturne in c sharp op. posth. [04:50] Kevin Kenner (piano) rec. June 2005, Pomeranian Philharmonic Concert Hall, Bydgoszcz, Poland DUX 0521 [51:09] [CH]

Piano fanciers with extensive collections will welcome an individual view of the music and the Third Ballade should gain a high place in their affections. ... see Full Review

Cesare CIARDI (1818-1877) Music for Flute Gran Concerto in D major, Op. 129* (c.1859) [20:17] L'Eco dell'Arno, Op. 34* [10:02] Il carnevale di Venezia, Op. 22* [7:26] Le Rossignol du Nord, Op. 45 [6:08] Un sospiro del cuore [6:00] La Smorfiosetta [2:56] Di Chi? [5:28] Piccola fantasia su 2 Stornelli napoletani [5:07] Roberto Fabbriciani (flute) Massimiliano Damerini (piano) Orchestra Sinfonica del Friuli Venezia Giulia*/Stefan Fraas rec. April 2004, The Auditorium in Udine (Italy). NAXOS 8.557857 [63:24][DC]

Interesting repertoire, but reservations about the soloist ... see Full Review

François COUPERIN (1668–1733) Second Prélude from 'L'Art de Toucher le Clavecin' [1:27] Les Nations, Troisième Ordre 'L'Impériale' [30:44] Treizième Concert à 2 instruments à L'unison [9:21] Troisième Prélude from 'L'Art de Toucher le Clavecin' [1:00] Les Nations, Quatrième Ordre 'La Piémentoise' [22:56] The Purcell Quartet (Catherine Mackintosh (violin); Catherine Weiss (violin); Richard Boothby (bass viol); Robert Woolley (harpsichord)) with Rebeka Rusó (bass viol) rec. St Bartholomew’s Church, Orford, Suffolk, 29-31 October 2004. DDD CHANDOS CHACONNE 0729 [65:26] [SH]

Savall is closest to the court of the Sun King and I regret that, against this backdrop, the Purcell Quartet version on Chandos simply cannot compete. ... see Full Review

François COUPERIN (1668-1733) Les Ombres Errantes - Suites for harpsichord from the 4th Book 22e Ordre in D [20:48] 26e Ordre in F sharp minor [16:32] 20e Ordre in G [20:31] 25e Ordre in E flat/C [16:35] Mitzi Meyerson (harpsichord) rec. May 2004, Church 'Zur frohen Botschaft', Berlin, Germany. DDD GLOSSA GCD 921802 [74:30][JV]

An exemplary production, offering some of Couperin's finest keyboard music in splendid performances on a beautiful harpsichord ... see Full Review

Franz DANZI (1763-1826) Complete Wind Quintets CD 1 Wind Quintet in B flat major, Op.56 No.1 [15:52] Wind Quintet in G minor, Op.56 No.2 [15:53] Wind Quintet in F major, Op.56 No.3 [22:30] Quintet in D minor, Op.41 for piano, oboe, clarinet, horn and bassoon [22:58] CD 2 Wind Quintet in G major, Op.67 No.1 [17:12] Wind Quintet in E minor, Op.67 No.2 [18:07] Wind Quintet in E flat major, Op.67 No.3 [17:01] Quintet in F major, Op.53 for piano, flute, oboe, clarinet and bassoon 23:30] CD 3 Wind Quintet in A major, Op.68 No.1 [15:49] Wind Quintet in F major, Op.68 No.2 [20:48] Wind Quintet in D minor, Op.68 No.3 [17:58] Quintet in D major, Op.54 for piano, flute, oboe, clarinet and bassoon [21:06] Love Derwinger (piano) Philharmonisches Bläserquintett, Berlin rec. February 1991, Siemens Villa, Berlin, Germany (Op.67); February 1992 (Op.56 nos. 1+3), October 1992 (Op.56 no.2, Op.68), Andreaskirche, Wannsee, Berlin, Germany; October 1991, Danderyd Grammar School, Sweden (Quintets) BIS-CD-1581/82 [78:20 + 77:33 + 77:09][DC]

The musical equivalent of stroking a gorgeously soft and friendly cat. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Orchestral Works La Mer, L(esure No.) 109 (1905) [24.26] Trois Nocturnes, L 91 (1899) [22.32] Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune, L 86 (1884) [10.29] Marche écossaise, L 77 (1891) [6.23] Berceuse héroïque, L 132 (1914) [4.47] Musiques pour Le Roi Lear, L 107 (1904) [4.58] Jeux, L 126 (1913) [18.15] Images, L 122 (1909) [35.24] Printemps (1882, lost; reconstructed Büsser, 1913) L 24 [16.00] Choeurs de l’O.R.T.F.Michel Sedrez and Fabienne Boury (pianos) Orchestre National de l’ORTF/Jean Martinon Salle Wagram, Paris, February 1973 and April 1974. ADD EMI CLASSICS GEMINI 3 65235 2 [74.15 + 70.07] Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Orchestral Works Children's Corner, L 113 (1908, orch. André Caplet 1910) [17.55] Petite Suite, L 65 (1889; orch. Henri Büsser 1907) [13.34] Danses sacrée et profane, L 103 (1904) [9.15] La Boîte à joujoux, L 28 (orch. André Caplet) (1913) [31.40] Fantaisie for piano and orchestra, L 73 (1885) [23.53] La plus que lente, L 121 (1910) [6.00] Première Rapsodie for orchestra with principal clarinet, L 116 (1910) [8.11] Rapsodie for orchestra with [alto] saxophone solo, L 98 (1911) [10.02] Khamma, L 125 (Légende dánsée, orch. Charles Koechlin) (1911) [20.24] Danse, L 69 (Tarantelle styrienne, orch. Maurice Ravel) (1890) [5.44] Jules Goetgheluck, (oboe) Marie-Claire Jamet, (harp) Aldo Ciccolini, (piano) John Leach, (cimbalom) Guy Dangain, (clarinet) Jean-Marie Londeix, (saxophone) Fabienne Boury, (piano) Orchestre National de l’ORTF/Jean Martinon Salle Wagram, Paris, February 1973 and April 1974. ADD EMI CLASSICS GEMINI 3 65240 2 [72.54 + 74.54][PSh]

Not just good, but better or best Debussy in brilliant sound and attractive format, a must buy for all collectors. ... see Full Review

John DOWLAND (1563-1626) Songs for his Elizabethan Patrons For the Earl of Essex: Can she excuse [2:38]; O sweet woods [6:27]; It was a Time [2:55] For Lucy, Countess of Bedford: I saw my Lady Weepe [5:36]; Flow my teares [3:47]; Sorrow Stay [2:48]; Dye not before thy Day [1:26]; Mourne, Mourne, Day is with Darknesse [1:49]; Fine Knacks for Ladies [2:56] For Queen Elizabeth I: Farewell too Faire [3:12]; Times stands Still [4:23]; Behold a Wonder Here [2:48]; Daphne was not so Chaste [2:09]; Me me and none but me [2:52]; When Phoebus first did Daphne love [1:23]; Say Love if Ever Thou Didst Find [1:59] For Sir Henry Lee: His Golden Locks [3:32]; Time’s Eldest Sonne [3:44]; Farre from Triumphing Court [7:25] Emma Kirkby (soprano) Anthony Rooley (lute) rec. Lanna Church, Sweden, April 2004. DDD BIS SACD1475 [65:22] [EM]

A well-articulated, piercing clarity, delicacy and perfect intonation, not to mention sympathetic accompaniment, combine to make this a superb version of Dowland’s inventive and touching songs ... see Full Review

Paul DUKAS (1865-1935) Piano Sonata in E flat minor (1899-1900) [43:49] Variations, Interlude et Final (1902) [18:19] La plainte, au loin, du faune (1920) [04:06] Prélude élégiaque (1909) [04:25] Manuel de FALLA 1876-1946) Pour le Tombeau de Paul Dukas (1935) [03:17] Joyce Hatto (piano) rec. 30 December 2004 (Sonata), 3 January 2005 (Variations), 6 January 2006 (Plainte, Prélude) in the Concert Artist Studios CONCERT ARTIST/FIDELIO CACD 92742 [74:22] [CH]

Yet more treasure from Joyce Hatto and Concert Artist, urgently recommended to all lovers of French piano music. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Sir Edward ELGAR (1857–1934) Concert Overture: Cockaigne (In London Town) Op. 40 (1900-01) [14:38]; Cello Concerto in E minor Op. 85 (1919) [29:59]; Sea Pictures Op. 37 (1899) [23:46]: (I. Sea Slumber Song [5:04]; II. In Haven (Capri) [2:06]; III. Sabbath Morning at Sea [6:20]; IV. Where Corals Lie [4:10]; V. The Swimmer [6:06]) Jacqueline du Pré (violoncello) Janet Baker (mezzo) Philharmonia Orchestra (Cockaigne), London Symphony Orchestra/Sir John Barbirolli) rec. Kingsway Hall, London, 27 August 1962 (Cockaigne); 19 August 1965 (Cello Concerto); No. 1 Studio, Abbey Road, London, 30 August 1965 (Sea Pictures) EMI GREAT RECORDINGS OF THE CENTURY 7243 5 62886 2 1 [68:38][GF]

Among the many jewels in the GROC series this one shines possibly brighter than any of the others. ... see Full Review

Jean FRANÇAIX (1912-1997) Le roi nu (1935) [25:58] Les demoiselles de la nuit (1948) [36:38] Ulster Orchestra/Thierry Fischer rec. Ulster Hall, Belfast, March 2004 HYPERION CDA 67489 [62:49][SV]

The rarity of the repertoire notwithstanding, this is for Françaix completists only. ... see Full Review

César Franck (1822-1890) Violin Sonata in A-Major (1886) [29:07] Claude Debussy (1862-1918) Violin Sonata in G-Minor (1917) [13:51] Robert Schumann (1810-1856) Fantasiestücke Op. 73 (1849) [11:15] Dora Schwartzberg (violin); Martha Argerich (piano) rec. 10-12 December 2005, Dada Studio, Belgium AVANTICLASSIC 10232 [53:54] [WK]

Incisive playing by a famous teacher of the violin. ... see Full Review

Lillian FUCHS (1902-1995) Sixteen Fantasy Etudes (1959) [42.20] Sonata Pastorale for Unaccompanied Viola (1956) [12.04] Fifteen Characteristic Studies for Viola (1965) [32.35] Twelve Caprices for Viola (1950) [26.20] Jeanne Mallow (viola by Gasparo de Salò) rec. St. John Chrysostom Church, Newmarket, Ontario, Canada, 29 September 2003 Notes in English. Photo of the performer and her instrument. NAXOS 8.557932-33 [54.14 + 58.46][PSh]

An extended look at a vital but too often ignored member of the ensemble … fascinating, often beautiful music as well, exquisitely performed. ... see Full Review

Harald GENZMER (b. 1909) Sonata for Double Bass and Piano (1979) [14:37] Sonata No. 2 for Cello and Piano (1977) [20:15] Fantasie for Double Bass and Piano (1980) [6:52] Six Bagatelles for Cello and Double Bass (1985) [10:56] Sonata No. 1 for Cello and Piano (1953) [16:28] Martin Ostertag (cello) Nabil Shehata (double bass) Oliver Triendl (piano) rec. 9-10 July 2004 and 28-29 June 2005, SWR Studio Karlsruhe, Sendesaal THOROFON CTH 2529 [72:50][DB]

The latest disc in the continuing series of Genzmer releases on Thorofon. … see Full Review

George GERSHWIN (1898-1937) Porgy and Bess - opera in 3 acts (1934-5) Libretto: DuBose Heyward; Lyrics: DuBose Heyward and Ira Gershwin. Based on the play ‘Porgy’ by DuBose and Katherine K Heyward Willard White – Porgy; Cynthia Haymon – Bess; Harolyn Blackwell - Clara; Damon Evans – Sporting Life; Bruce Hubbard – Jake; Cynthia Clarey – Serena; Marietta Simpson – Maria; Gregg Baker – Crown Glyndebourne Chorus London Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Simon Rattle rec. 8-19 February 1988, Abbey Road, London EMI CLASSICS GREAT RECORDINGS OF THE CENTURY 4 76836 2 [3CDs: 57.59 + 72.26 + 59.09][RMO]

Despite its age it is one of the best Porgy and Bess ever recorded. ... see Full Review

Enrique GRANADOS (1867-1916) Goyescas: Book 1 (1911) Los requiebros [8:22]; Coloquio en la reja [10:21]; El fandango de candil [5:30]; Quejas, o la maja y el ruiseñor [6:23]; El amor y la muerte [12:22]; Serenata del espectro [7:34]; El pelele [4:13] Isaac ALBENIZ (1860-1909) Iberia: Books 1-4 (1905-8) Evocación [5:35]; El Puerto [4:09]; Corpus Christi en Sevilla [8:06]; Rondeña [7:10]; Almería [9:01]; Triana [5:16]; El Albaicín [6:45]; El Polo [6:44]; Lavapiés [6:18]; Malaga [4:30]; Jerez [8:41]; Eritaña [5:25]; Navarra [5:28]; Azulejos [8:30]; Alicia de Larrocha (piano) rec. Spain, 1962/3 by Hispavox (no other details). ADD EMI GREAT RECORDINGS OF THE CENTURY 3 61514 2 [72:47 + 73:57][TH]

Truly thrilling…self recommending ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Mikhail GLINKA (1804-1857) Ruslan and Ludmilla (1842): Dances in Naina’s Castle; Eastern Dances in Black Sea Castle [22:21] Dance for violin and orchestra [8:23] Dance for oboe and cello with orchestra [7:54] Andante Cantabile and Rondo [11:50] Majestic Polonaise [4:35] Ivan Susanin (1836): Valse; Krakowiak; Mazurka [16:22] Kamarinskaya (1848) [6:34] Moscow Radio Symphony Orchestra/Mark Ermler (Ruslan); Boris Demchenko (Dance; Andante); Vladimir Fedoseyev (Susanin); Konstantin Ivanov (Kamarinskaya); Ilmar Lapins (Polonaise) rec. Moscow, 1982-1994. ADD/DDD REGIS RRC1242 [78:01] [RB]

Almost eighty minutes of Russian-sourced Glinka and all in vivacious, colourful and spatially well-upholstered recordings. ... see Full Review

Charles GOUNOD (1818-1893) Symphony No. 1 in D major (1855) [28:29] Symphony No. 2 in E flat major (1855) [39:45] Sinfonia Finlandia Jyväskylä/Patrick Gallois rec. Concert Hall, Suolahti, Finland, 13-15 May 2004. NAXOS 8.557463 [68:14] [BB]

If you are willing to set aside expectations of the Romanticism and enjoy Gounod’s anachronistic late-Classicism, this is an admirable recording for getting to know these relatively unknown symphonies. ... see Full Review

Edvard GRIEG (1843-1907) Works for Piano Duo Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16 (1868 two piano version published 1876) [28:39] (Two Piano Version with second piano part by Grieg and Károly (Carl) Thern (1817-1886)) Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 Op. 46 for piano duet (1874 arranged for two pianos 1877-78)  [13:01] Norwegian Dances, Op. 35, for piano duet (1881) [15:04] Homage March from Sigurd Jorsalfar Op. 56 No. 3, for piano duet (1872 revised 1902) [7:46] Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Sonata in C major, K.545 (1788) with second piano part by Grieg (1877) [13:02] Anthony Goldstone and Caroline Clemmow (pianos) rec. St John the Baptist Church, Alkborough, North Lincolnshire, 2006 DIVINE ART 25042 [77:35][JW]

A real flair for the unexpected. An unusual perspective on a much-abused warhorse ... see Full Review

Alois HÁBA (1893-1973) Piano Works: Scherzo Op.2 No.1 (1917-18) [5:34] Intermezzo Op.2 No.2 (1917-18) [6:31] Six Piano Pieces Op.6 (1920) [15:29] Four Dances Op.39 [17:33] Shimmy-Fox [3:54] Romance [2:20] Waltz [2:29] Toccata. Quasi una Fantasia Op.38 (1931) [8:48] Six Moods Op.102 (1971) [7:54] Tomáš Víšek (piano) rec. SR Studios and Domovina Studios, Prague, 1996 SUPRAPHON SU 3146-2 131 [71:12][JW]

Hába, whatever one may have heard to the contrary, can be fun as well as serious ... see Full Review

George Frideric HANDEL (1685–1759) Jephtha (1751) [151.16] Iphis – Emma Kirkby (soprano) Storge, Angel – Melinda Paulsen (mezzo) Hamor – Charles Humphries (counter-tenor) Jephtha – Julian Podger (tenor) Zebul – Stephen Varcoe (bass) Maulbronner Kammerchor Barockorchester der Kosterkonzerte/Jurgen Budday rec. 26^-27 September 1998, Maulbronn Monastery. DDD K&K VERLAGSANSTALT KuK LC 11277 [73.54 + 77.22][RH]

If you are an admirer of Emma Kirkby’s, then you might care to have this on your shelves. ... see Full Review

George Frideric HANDEL (1685–1759) Saul (1739) [157.13] Michal – Nancy Argenta (soprano) Merab – Laurie Revio (soprano) David – Michael Chance (counter-tenor) Jonathan – Marc LeBrocq (tenor) The Witch of Endor, High Priest, An Amalekite – Michael Berner (tenor) Samuel, Doeg - Steffen Balbach (bass) Saul - Stephen Varcoe (bass) Maulbronner Kammerchor Die Hannoversche Hofkapelle/Jurgen Budday rec. live, Maulbronn Monastery, 28-29 September 2002 K&K VERLAGSANSTALT 3-930643-83-9 [77.48 + 79.25] [RH]

Creditable enough, but unless you are interested in these particular performers, the lack of drama means that the essential core of the work is missing. ... see Full Review

Alan HOVHANESS (1911-2000) Khrimian Hairig, Op. 49 (1944-48) [07:58] Guitar Concerto, Op. 325 (1979) [31:58] Symphony No. 60 To the Appalachian Mountains Op. 396 (1985) [33:34] Lars Ranch (trumpet) David Leisner (guitar) Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra/Gerard Schwarz rec. Jesus-Christus-Kirche, Berlin Dalheim, Germany, 6-8 July 2005. DDD NAXOS 8.559294 [73:24][RB]

There is healing in the wings of this music which is most sweetly articulated in performances that avoid blandness and embrace simple sincerity. We need to hear much more Hovhaness. ... see Full Review

William Yeates Hurlstone (1876-1906) Variations on an Original Theme (1896) [20:50] The Magic Mirror, Suite (1900) [24:44] (I The Stepmother Looks in the Mirror [4:13]; II Snow White in the Wood [4:06]; III March of the Dwarfs [3:28]; IV Snow White’s Death Sleep [4:33]; V The Coming of the Prince [2:35]; VI Interlude [3:00]; VII The Witch’s Death Dance [2:49]) Variations on a Hungarian Air (1899) [10:38] London Philharmonic Orchestra; Nicholas Braithwaite (conductor) No rec. info. DDD LYRITA RECORDED EDITION SRCD 208 [56:14] [WK]

A welcome return of some thrilling music that deserves to be much better known. ... see Full Review

Charles IVES (1874-1954) String Quartet No.1: From the Salvation Army (1896) [21:46] Scherzo (ca.1907-14) [1:42] String Quartet No.2 (1911-13) [26:59] Blair String Quartet rec. Ingram Hall, Blair School of Music, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 5, 6, 8 March 2004. NAXOS 8.559178 [50:19][KM]

A good rendition of Ives’ quartets, though the mediocre sound detracts from its overall quality ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Leos JANÁČEK (1854-1928) String Quartet No.1 (Kreutzer Sonata) (1923) [18:13] String Quartet No.2 (Listy duverne) (Intimate Letters) (1928) [26:01] Martinu Quartet (Lubomir Havlak (violin I); Petr Matejak (violin II); Jan Jisa (viola); Jitka Vlasankova (cello)) rec. 29 February and 1 March 2000, Hlubos Chateau ARCO DIVA UP 0036-2 131 [44:23] [SA]

I've never heard these quartets better played and I imagine they will become a benchmark recording, at least that's how they will remain for me ... see Full Review

Mieczyslaw KARLOWICZ (1876-1909) Violin Concerto in A major op. 8 (1903) [29:52] Stanislas et Anna Oswiecimowie – symphonic poem op. 12 (1907) [22:54] Dorota Anderszewska (violin) Orchestre National de Montpellier LR/Friedemann Layer rec. live, 20 May; 14 October 2006, l’Opéra Berlioz, Le Corum, Montpellier. DDD ACCORD ACRD4769827 [52:48] [RB]

Some good stuff here but as a disc in competition with others it cannot rival the generosity and excellence of the Polish CDAccord disc which together with the Hyperion are to be preferred in the concerto. ... see Full Review

Tikhon KHRENNIKOV (b. 1913) The Piano Concertos Piano Concerto No. 1 (1932-33) [21:38] Piano Concerto No. 2 (1971) [16:20] Piano Concerto No. 3 (1983) [20:03] Tikhon Khrennikov (piano) USSR State Symphony Orchestra/Evgeny Svetlanov (1,2) Symphony Orchestra of Moscow Radio/Vladimir Fedoseyev rec. No details given but presumably 1970s, 1980s, Moscow. ADD KAPELMEISTER KAP009 [58:12] [RB]

Will appeal to those who appreciate the piano concertos of Kabalevsky and Shostakovich but with unusual and provocative twists and turns. ... see Full Review

Tikhon KHRENNIKOV (b. 1913) Chamber Music String Quartet No. 1 Op. 33 (1988) [8:18] Cello Sonata Op. 34 (1989) [13:31] Three Pieces for violin and piano op. 26 (1983) [8:16] Piano Concerto No. 4 op. 37 (1991) [10:26] Three Poems on Nekrasov’s Rhymes (1971): Before Rain; Unharvested Field; Watching the war horrors [5:59] Three Poems on Nekrasov’s Rhymes op. 36 (1990): Prayer; Days Pass; Hymn [4:58] Songs from theatrical productions: The Ballade from the play Quixote; Bring Flowers for Sweethearts from Dorothea; A Gypsy Song from Dorothea; Like a nightingale of a rose from Much ado about nothing; The night is slightly swaying leaves from Much Ado About Nothing; A Song of Drunks from Much Ado About Nothing [23:09] Prokofiev String Quartet; Kirill Rodin (cello); Anatoly Sheludyakov (piano); Igor Oistrakh (violin); Natalia Zertsalova (piano); Anatoly Sheludyakov (piano), ARKO Chamber Orchestra/Levon Ambartsumian; Tchaikovsky Chamber Choir of the Moscow Conservatoire/Boris Tevlin; Eugenia Segeniuk (alto); Alla Osipenko (piano); Leonid Boldin (bass); Ekaterina Ganelina (piano) rec. 1970s-2000s, Moscow. ADD; DDD KAPELMEISTER KAP 012 [67:53] [RB]

An often startling cross-section of Khrennikov’s output. The chamber music and the Nekrasov Songs are sure to impress and win him new friends. ... see Full Review

Tikhon KHRENNIKOV (b.1913) Three Symphonies Symphony No.1 in B flat minor (1933-35) [22:03] Symphony No.2 in C minor (1940-44) [34:48] Symphony No.3 in A major (1973) [17:27] USSR State Symphony Orchestra/Evgeny Svetlanov KAPELMEISTER KAP 008 [74:23]
The Three Piano Concertos Piano Concerto No.1 (1932-33) [21:38] Piano Concerto No.2 (1971) [16:12] Piano Concerto No.3 (1983) [20:04] * Tikhon Khrennikov (piano) USSR State Symphony Orchestra/Evgeny Svetlanov, Moscow Radio Symphony Orchestra/Vladimir Fedoseyev* KAPELMEISTER KAP 009 [58:18]
The Chamber Music String Quartet No.1 Op.33 (1988) [8:18] Cello Sonata Op.34 (1989) [13:23] Three Pieces for violin and piano Op26 (1983) [8:16] Concerto No.4 for piano and string orchestra and percussion Op.37 (1991) [10:16] Three Poems on Nekrasov’s Rhymes (1971) [5:59] Three Poems on Nekrasov’s Rhymes Op.36 (1990) [4:58] Songs from Theatrical Performances see review for details KAPELMEISTER KAP 012 [67:53] [JW]

At his best he can be a most engaging composer ... see Full Review

Herman D. KOPPEL (1908-1998) Piano Quintet Op.114 (1988) [11:09] ¹ Nine Variations Op.80 (1969) [9:14] ² Piano Quintet Op.57 (1953) [27:50] ³ Arne Balk-Møller (violin); Ida Speyer Grøn (viola)¹³; Henrik Brendstrup (cello); Christina Bjørkøe (piano) Johannes Søe Hansen (violin)³ rec.Mantziusgården, Birkerød, May 2005 and January 2006 DACAPO 8.226003 [48:25] [JW]

Koppel’s legacy is in safe hands with Dacapo. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Fantasie and Fugue on “Ad Nos Salutarem Undam” (from Le Prophète by Meyerbeer) S259, R380 (1850) [16.05] Prelude and Fugue on B.A.C.H., S260, R381 (1870) [12.01] Variations on “Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen”, S179/673, R382 (1862) [17.02] Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Four Sketches (for the pedal piano), Op.56 (1845) [14.14] Jennifer Bate (organ, Royal Albert Hall, London, UK) rec. 1977; 1978. DDD Notes in English. Photo of the artist. SANCTUARY CLASSICS CDRSN3077 [59:22] [PSh]

A tour de force of eloquence, brilliance, and virtuosity, encompassing a vast range of musical moods and styles, in thundering sound quality. Among the finest organ recordings ever made. ... see Full Review

 

 

Detailed listing (last five 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]
[Recommended recordings]