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

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. [mono] £14 postage included world-wide Purchase

See a new Hoffnung Cartoon every day

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

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CONCERT ARTIST MOZART The Complete Piano Sonatas, Fantasy in C minor, K.475 Joyce Hatto plus a free sampler disc. 5 discs for the price of 3 : £37.50 post-free World-wide
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Schumann Sonata in G minor Liszt Concert Studies Debussy Suite Bergamasque Chopin Polonaise in A flat major Op.53 Review

Michael Balfe (1808-1870) The Maid of Artois A light romantic opera in 3 Acts, with ballet based on a Manon Lescaut plot Victorian Opera Northwest conducted by Philip Mackenzie CAMEO 2042/3 2CD set with libretto and essays £26 post free
This opera was premièred in London as the second of Balfe’s early English opera successes.
With melodious music and reconstructed score, this is only the second Balfe opera to appear in the CD catalogue.
The quality of Balfe’s music was known to Beecham who turned to his ‘Bohemian Girl’ to represent British operatic interests for the Festival of Britain in 1951. Purchase Review

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Domenico SCARLATTI (1685-1757) The Complete Keyboard Sonatas (Kk Nos 1-555) Scott Ross (harpsichord) Recorded at various locations in France, 1984-1985 DDD WARNER CLASSICS 2564 62092-2 [34 CDs - approx. 34 hours, 36 minutes] [PCW] Review updated 29th January 2006

This set is a pinnacle in the history of recorded music … see Ongoing Review

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Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Cantata Ich habe genug, BWV 82 [23:42] Cantata Mein Herze schwimmt im Blut, BWV 199 [27:00] Loraine Hunt Lieberson (mezzo) The Orchestra of Emmanuel Music/Craig Smith rec. 13-16 May 2002, Emmanuel Church, Boston, MA. DDD NONESUCH 79692-2 [50:42] [JQ]

Quite simply, one of the finest Bach discs I’ve heard in a very long time ... I don’t expect it to be surpassed for some considerable time. ... see Full Review

Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Violin Sonata No. 2 in A major Thun, Op. 100 (1886) [20.08] Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Violin Sonata No. 1 in A minor, Op. 105 (1851) [16.24] César FRANCK (1822-1890) Violin Sonata in A major (1886) [28.52] Rudens Turku, violin Milana Chernyavska, piano rec. 20-22 July 2005, Grosser Saal, Hochschule für Musik und Theater, Munich, Germany. DDD AVIE RECORDS SACD AV2080 [65.29] [MC]

Sensitive and thoughtful readings with no dearth of vitality or high enthusiasm. ... see Full Review

Franz DANZI (1752-1821) Bassoon Concerto No. 1 in F major [19:22] Bassoon Concerto No. 2 in F major [17:34] Johann Baptist VANHAL (1739-1813] Concerto for Two Bassoons in F major* [21:57] John Heard (bassoon), Taras Osadchiy (bassoon)* Camerata Kiev/Alexander Ostrowski rec. National Recording Hall, Kiev, 28, 30 June 2004. DDD KLEOS CLASSIC KL5136 [59:21] [GPu]

Good performances of pleasant music, the double concerto by Vanhal being a particularly interesting piece ... see Full Review

César FRANCK (1822-1890) Piano Quintet in F minor* (1878-79) [35.47] Violin Sonata in A major (1886) [28.51] The Schubert Ensemble: Simon Blendis, violin*; Jan Peter Schmolk, violin; Douglas Paterson, viola; Jane Salmon, cello; William Howard, piano* rec. Champs Hill, Pulborough, Sussex, England, 3-5 Oct, 7-8 Nov*, 2003. DDD ASV GOLD GLD 4019 [65.19] [MC]

A fine recording that will appeal to many especially for the excellent performance of the Piano Quintet. ... see Full Review

Franz LEHÁR (1870 – 1948) Highlights (in French) Le Tsarévitch (Der Zarewitsch) (1927) [8:34] Introduction; Chanson de la Volga; Un beau rêve; Giuditta (1934) [13:39] Oh, signora, oh signora; Sur mes lèvres; Oh, ma belle étoile; Frédérique (Friederike) (1928) [10:20] Overture; Chantez, oiseaux; Quatuor des étudiants; Duo de la belle Alsacienne; Ah, pourquoi m’as-tu pris mon coeur?; Le Comte de Luxembourg (Der Graf von Luxemburg) (1909) [25:12] Entrée du comte; Entrée de Suzanne; Duo Suzanne – Fernand; Suzanne; Duo Basil – Juliette; Duo Suzanne – Fernand; Romance de Suzanne et Brissard; Duo Suzanne – Fernand; Finale; La danse de libellules (Libellentanz) (1922) [12:26] Lina Dachary, Anita Ammersfeld (sopranos), Remi Corazza, Alain Vanzo, Henri Legay (tenors), Aimé Doniat, André Dran (baritones) Chorus and Orchestre Lyrique of the ORTF/Adolphe Sibert rec. studios, ORTF, Radio France, Paris, 1966 (La danse des libellules), 1970 and 1980 (Giuditta) and 1971 NAXOS 8.111010 [70:11] [GF]

Lehár excerpts - live recordings and enthusiastic performances, occasionally over-sentimental but generally lively and high-spirited ... see Full Revie

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony No. 7 (1908) [78.11] San Francisco Symphony/Michael Tilson Thomas Rec. live, Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco, 9-12 March 2005. SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY 821936-0009-2 SACD/CD [78.11] [DC]

It’s like a great painting which has been cleaned for the first time in generations – restoring and renewing the sense of awe ... see Full Review

Moritz MOSZKOWSKI (1854-1925) Pieces for Piano Duet Deutsche Reigen, Op.25 [14:45] Deux Morceaux, Op. 43 [9:28] Polnische Volkstänze, Op. 55 [15:19] Aus Aller Herren Länder, Op. 23 [17:58] Neue Spanische Tänze, Op. 65 [13:25] Ulrich Koella, Gérard Wyss (piano) rec. Studio 2, Bayerischen Rundfunks, Munich, 10-22 Nov 1997, 8 Dec 1998. DDD TUDOR 7060 [71:37] [GPu]

Polished and charming piano music for four hands, played with considerable panache ... see Full Review

Alexander PEÇI (b. 1951) Albanian Lament Alb-Postmortorium (Albanian Lament) (1997) * [10:10] Rimodelazh (Remodeling) (1996-1998) ** [9:55] Heteroondulacion (Polymotion) (1996) *** [14:02] Spectrum (1998) **** [5:01] Rrenjet e tingujve (Sonic Roots) (1995) # [7:00] Policentrum (1999) ## [14:43] Bujar Lako (speaker)* Irini Qiriako (vocalist) * Suzana Frasheri (soprano) * Merita Rexha (piano) ** Pjeter Guralumi (cellos) *** Ensemble Spectrum **** Fatos Qerimi (clarinet) # AMRA Ensemble/Zhani Ciko ## rec. March 4-6, 2000 at Studio 1, Radio Tirana. licensed from EMI Classics LABOR RECORDS LAB 7030-2 [61:29] [DB]

An extremely interesting release of contemporary Albanian music. And what you hear may surprise you. … see Full Review

Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) Miroirs (1904-1905) [27'48]; Gaspard de la nuit (1908) [20'25]; Le tombeau de Couperin (1914-1917) [25'56] David Korevaar (piano)
rec. Recital Hall, Purchase College of Music, New York, July 2000. DDD MSR CLASSICS MS1125 [72'04] [CC]

Worth investigating if not a Ravelian front-runner. ... see Full Review

Music of Tribute, Volume 4: Scarlatti Domenico SCARLATTI (1685-1757)
Sonata in G major, L 486 [4:53] Jean FRANCAIX (1912-1997) Hommage à Scarlatti [3:22] Domenico SCARLATTI (1685-1757) Sonata in B minor, L 33 [5:53] Marcelle de Manziarly (1899-1989) Hommage à Scarlatti [1 :19] Domenico SCARLATTI (1685-1757) Sonata in B flat major, L 396 [3:52] Vlastimir NIKOLOVSKI (1925-2001) Sonata in G [2:37] Domenico SCARLATTI (1685-1757) Sonata in C minor, L 360 [2:47] Charles-Valentin ALKAN (1813-1888) Duettino (alla D. Scarlatti) [1:51] Domenico SCARLATTI (1685-1757) Sonata in D major, L 415 [5:26] Raymond LEWENTHAL (1926-1988) Toccata alla Scarlatti [4:18] Domenico SCARLATTI (1685-1757) Sonata in A minor, L 314 [3:12] Marc-André Hamelin (b.1961) Essercizio per pianoforte [4:58] Domenico SCARLATTI (1685-1757) Sonata in F major, L 432 [6:20] Leopold GODOWSKY (1870-1938) Concert-Allegro [5:18] Domenico SCARLATTI (1685-1757) Sonata in E major, L 21 [5:42] Walter STEFFENS (b.1934) Hommage à Scarlatti [4 :01] György KURTÁG (b.1926)
Hommage à D.S. Viktoria Lakissova (piano) Recorded in Sendesaal Radio Bremen, Bremen, June 2004 LABOR RECORDS LAB 7077 [66:37] [GPu]

A well-played, thought-provoking and entertaining anthology of pieces by – and in homage to – Domenico Scarlatti. Warmly recommended … see Full Review

Władisław ŻELEŃSKI (1837-1921) Piano Works 1 Deux Morceaux, Op. 63: Toccata [5:27]; Idylle in B major [4:47] Ode to Youth. Solemn March, Op. 51 [9:51] Solemn March in Honour of the Immortal National Bard Adam Mickiewicz [11:01] Two Mazurkas, ‘A Madame Sophie Menteur’, Op. 31: No. 1 in C sharp minor [4:10]; No. 2 in A major [6:10] Sonata in E minor, Op. 20 [32:41] Joanna Ławrynowicz (piano) Recorded in Warsaw, 2004-5 ACTE PRÉALABLE APO124 [74:13] [GPu]

Not music of great individuality or originality, but there is much to enjoy for those fond of the piano music of the Nineteenth Century ... see Full Review

Monday

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Concerto for violin, oboe, strings and basso continuo in D minor, BWV 1060R (c.1735) [14.21] (trs 1-3) Concerto for flute, violin, harpsichord, strings and basso continuo in A minor, BWV 1044 (1730) [23.06] (trs. 4-6) Concerto for harpsichord, strings and basso continuo in D minor, BWV 1052 (1738) [23.08] (trs. 7-9) Collegium Aureum: Franzjosef Maier, violin (trs. 1-6); Helmut Hucke, oboe (trs. 1-3); Barthold Kuijken, flute (trs. 4-6); Bob van Asperen, harpsichord (trs. 4-6); Gustav Leonhardt, harpsichord (trs. 7-9) rec. April 1976, Schetzinger Schloss, Jagdsaal, Germany (trs. 1-6); 23 Nov 1965, Cedernsaal des Fuggerschlosses Kirchheim, Schwaben, Germany (trs. 7-9). ADD DHM DEUTSCHE HARMONIA MUNDI 82876 70044 2 [60.35][MC]

Smooth, elegant and thoughtful playing of these three Bach works from Collegium Aureum. ... see Full Review

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Concerto in a after Vivaldi BWV 593 [12’02] Trio Sonata no 4 in e BWV 528 Toccata, Adagio and Fugue in C BWV 564 [15’01] The Schűbler Chorales: Wachet Auf, ruft uns die stimme BWV 645 [4’23]; Wo soll ich fliehen hin, BWV 646 [1’45]; Wer nur den lieven Gott lässt walten BWV 647 [3’21]; Meine Seele erhebt den Herrn BWV 648 [2’05]; Ach bleib’ bei uns, Herr Jesu Christ BWV 649 [2’39]; Kommst du nun, Jesu vom Himmel herunter BWV 650 [3’33];Toccata and Fugue in F BWV 540 [14’45] Passacaglia in c BWV 582 [13’17] Trio Sonata No 3 in d BWV 527 [12’56] Pastorella in F BWV 590 [10’59] Five Chorales from the “Great Eighteen”: Komm, Heiliger Geist, Herre Gott BWV 652 [9’25]; Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend, BWV BWV 655 [4’11]; O Lamm Gottes unschuldig BWV 656 [8’20]; Nun danket alle Gott BWV 657 [4’55]; Komm, Gott Schöpfer, Heiliger Geist BWV 667 [2’10]; Pièce d’Orgue BWV 572 [9’06] Robert Clark, organ rec: First Presbyterian Church, Springfield, Illinois, 10-14 October 2004. DDD ARSIS SACD 405 [70’46 + 75’19][CB]

Recommended for the instrument. ... see Full Review

Luigi BOCCHERINI (1743-1805) Six Duets for Two Violins, Op. 5 (1761): No. 1 [13:33]; No. 2 [10:42]; No. 3 [9:55]; No. 4 [12:21]; No. 5 [9:55]; No. 6 [9:26] Marco Rogliano, Gianfranco Ianneta (violins) rec. Oratorio di San Giovanni Evangelista, Gaggio Montana, Bologna, June 2000 TACTUS TC 740204 [66:03][GPu]

Wonderfully intimate music, very well played and ideal for home listening … see Full Review

George Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759) Agrippina – opera in three acts (1709) [154:00] Claudio: Gunter von Kannen (bass) Agrippina: Barbara Daniels (soprano) Nerone: David Kuebler (tenor) Poppea: Janice Hall (soprano) Ottone: Claudio Nicolai (baritone) Pallante: Ulrich Hielscher (baritone) Narciso: Eberhard Katz (tenor) Lesbo: Carlos Feller (baritone) Chorus of the Oper der Stadt Koln London Baroque/Arnold Ostman Directed and adapted by Michael Hampe Stage Design by Mauro Pagano Directed for TV by Thomas Olofsson A stage production of the Oper der Stadt Koln rec. live, Rokotheater Schwetzingen, Germany, 1-4 May 1985. EUROARTS 2054538 [154:00][KS]

I enjoyed viewing Agrippina rather than just listening to it. Just bear in mind this isn’t quite as Handel originally envisaged. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH André JOLIVET (1905-1974) Piano Music: Volume 1 Cosmogonie (1938) [10:19]; Sarabande sur le nom d’Erik Satie (1925) [3:57]; Mana (1934) [13:03]; Etude sur les modes antiques (1944) [3:43]; Deux mouvements (1930) [15:50]; Romance barbare (1920) [3:39]; From Bom Bo (1935) [1:16]; Tango (1927) [3:10]; Algeria – Tango (1934) [2:19]; El viejo camello (1935) [1:37]; Danses pour Zizou (1934) [1:01]; Madia (1935) [0:54]; Sidi Ya Ya (1934) [6:54] Pascal Gallet (piano) rec. Salle Jeanne d’Albret, St-Germain en Laye, June 2003 MAGUELONE MAG 111.136 [68:58] André JOLIVET (1905-1974) Piano Music: Volume 2 Danses rituelles (1939) [28:21]; Trois temps (1930) [7:40]; Deuxième sonate (1957) [18:36]; Berceuse dans un hamac (1951) [2:18]; Danse caraïbe (1963) [0:20]; Danse roumaine (1949) [1:31]; Chansons naïves (1951) [15:23] Pascal Gallet (piano) rec. Salle Jeanne d’Albret, St-Germain en Laye, September 2004 MAGUELONE MAG 111.137 [70:16][HC]

An absolute must for all the Jolivet admirers but many other will derive much pleasure from the shorter, more accessible pieces before facing the demanding, but ultimately rewarding challenges of the bigger works. ... see Full Review

Peter Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) David Oistrakh Collection, Volume 6 Piano Trio  in A minor, Op. 50^a (1881/2) [46'12]; Souvenir d'un lieu cher, Op. 42 (1878) – No. 1, Méditation in D minor^b [9'24]; Valse-Scherzo, Op. 34^b (1877) [5'20]; Sérénade mélancholique in B minor, Op. 26^c (1875) [10'00]. David Oistrakh (violin) ^aSviatoslav Knushevitsky (cello); ^aLev Oborin, ^bVladimir Yampolsky (pianos) ^cUSSR State Symphony Orchestra/Kyril Kondrashin. From Melodiya ^aD15696/707, ^bD393/4, ^cD12982/5 rec. ^aMarch 1^st & 4^th, 1948, ^b1948, ^c1945. ADD DOREMI LEGENDARY TREASURES DHR7742 [71'03][CC]

A joy to encounter performances of such character as these ... A fascinating release from a company whose catalogue is of major historic importance. ... see Full Review

Mark-Anthony TURNAGE (b. 1960) This Silence (1992/3) [15:35] True Life Stories (1995/9)^a [12:56] Slide Stride (2002)^b [13:02] Two Baudelaire Songs (2004)^c [10:23] Eulogy (2003)^d [9:56] Two Vocalises (2002)^e [5:40] Cantilena (2001)^f [10:45] Sally Matthews (soprano)^c; The Nash Ensemble; Ian Brown (piano)^abe; Gareth Hulse (oboe)^f; Lawrence Power (viola)^d; Paul Watkins (cello)^e; Lionel Friend rec. Henry Wood Hall, London, October 2004 ONYX 4005 [78:34]

Some have described Turnage’s music as brash or vulgar. His chamber music is all subtlety and refinement. A splendid and highly rewarding release. ... see Full Review

Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Nabucco (1842) Ambrogio Maestri (baritone) - Nabucco; Andrea Gruber (soprano) - Abigaille; Paata Burchuladze (bass) - Zaccaria; Nazzarno Antinori (tenor) - Ismaele; Nino Surguladze (soprano) - Fenena; Carlo Striuli (bass) - High Priest; Enzo Peroni (tenor) - Abdallo SONICS acrobatic dance group Coro del Teatro Municipale di Piacenza Orchestra della Fondazione Arturo Toscanini/Daniel Oren. Rec. live at the Teatro Municipale di Piazenza in 2004. Stage Director and Design Paolo Panizza. Picture format 16:9. Region Code: 0. Sound format PCM Stereo. Dolby Digital 5.1.DTS 5.1. ARTHAUS 101 241 [130'00][CC]

Very strongly recommended from just about all angles. ... see Full Review

Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Rigoletto (1851) [113:05] Robert Merrill (baritone) – Rigoletto; Anna Moffo (soprano) – Gilda; Alfredo Kraus (tenor) – Duke of Mantua; Rosalind Elias (mezzo) – Maddalena; Ezio Flagello (bass) – Sparafucile; David Ward (bass) – Count Monterone; Anna Di Stasio (mezzo) – Giovanna; Piero Di Palma (tenor) – Borsa; Robert Kerns (baritone) – Marullo; Mario Rinaudo (baritone) – Count Ceprano; Corinna Vozza (soprano) – Countess Ceprano; Tina Toscano (soprano) – A Page; Enzo Titta (baritone) – A Herald RCA Italiana Opera Orchestra and Chorus/Georg Solti Recorded June 1963 at RCA Italiana Studios, Rome, Italy. ADD BMG-RCA RED SEAL 82876 70785 2 [53:33 + 59:32][GF]

The most moving portrayal of Rigoletto ever committed to disc and the voice I always imagine when talking or just thinking of Rigoletto. ... see Full Review

Original Works and Classics for Cello and Double Bass Ignaz Joseph PLEYEL (1757-1831) Rondeau in C major [2:34] Theme and Variations in G major [8:41] Franz BENDA (1709-1786) Sonata in F major [5:38] Luigi BOCCHERINI (1743-1805) 3 Fugues [6:20] Jules MASSENET (1842-1912) Duo in D major [1:26] Giorgio ANTONIOTTI (1692-1776) Sonata No. 9 in C minor [9:55] Georg Philipp TELEMANN (1681-1767) 2 Canons in F major [3:19] Johann Michael HAYDN (1737-1806) Polonaise in C major [3:35] Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Andantine and Tempo di minuetto [9:06] Anton KRAFT (1749-1820) Sonata No. 1 in B flat major* (14:16) Jean Louis DUPORT (1749-1819) Adagio in E flat major* [5:42] Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Divertimento in D major* [7:19] Luigi BOCCHERINI (1743-1805) Sonata No.3 in G major* [9:31] Gotthelf Heinrich KUMMER (1774-1857) Variations in C major, Op. 12* [7:36] Franz Christoph NEUBAUER (1750-1795) Sonata No.1 in C major* [8:58] Jörg Baumann (cello), Klaus Stoll (double bass) rec. Teldec Studio, Berlin, 25-28 February 1980; 8-10 October 1984. WARNER APEX 2564 62298-2 [50:45 + 54:25][GPu]

A historically fascinating survey of rare repertoire, most of which is musically rewarding and all of which is well played ... see Full Review

Larry Combs (clarinet) Miklós RÓZSA (1907-1995) Sonata for Clarinet Solo* (1986) [15:18] Sonatina for Clarinet Solo (1951) [9:27] George ROCHBERG (1918-2005) Trio for Clarinet, Horn and Piano (1980) [19:27] Gunther SCHULLER (b.1925) Romantic Sonata for Clarinet, Horn and Piano (1983) Larry Combs (clarinet), Gail Williams (horn), Mary Ann Covert (piano) Recorded: 1986 and *2004 CRYSTAL RECORDS CD731 [55:07][GPu]

A valuable and largely enjoyable programme, with striking music for solo clarinet by Rózsa and a subtle trio piece by Schuller … see Full Review

Harmonia Caelestis - A ray of sunshine piercing the shadows Gregorio STROZZI (c1615-c1687)/arr. Kah-Ming Ng Mascara sonata e ballata da più Cavalieri Napolitani nel Regio Palazzo [02:11] Kah-Ming NG Ciaccona mosaica - A pastiche of ciaccone by Antonio  Bertali, Andrea Falconieri, Girolamo Frescobaldi, Tarquinio Merula and Claudio Monteverdi [05:49] Carlo Francesco POLLAROLO (c.1653-1723) Toccata in g minor [01:39] Alessandro STRADELLA (1639-1682) Sinfonia No 22 in d minor [08:15] Carlo FARINA (c.1604-1639) Balletto primo à 3 [02:30] Giovanni Paolo CIMA (c.1570-1630) Sonata a tre per cornetto, violino and basso continuo [03:25] Alessandro PICCININI (1566-c.1638)/arr. Lynda Sayce Chiaccona Cappona alla vera Spagnola [04:00] Francesco CAVALLI (1602-1676) Canzon à 3 in a minor [00:51] Giulio MUSSI (1589-1623) Canzona l'Amaltea per sonar 'a doi Canti in ecco' [03:32] Carlo FARINA Sinfonia per sonare con doi violini over cornetti à 3 [01:43] Giovanni Antonio TERZI (fl. c.1580-1600) Contraponto sopra Vestiva i colli per sonar a duoi liutti in quarta o in concerto [05:39] Giovanni PICCHI (fl. 1600-1625)/arr. Kah-Ming Ng Ballo alla Polacha [04:54] Giovanni BASSANO (1561-1617) Diminuzioni per basso and canto sopra Veni, veni, dilecte mi da G.P. da Palestrina [04:22] Kah-Ming NG Ciaccona mosaica - A pastiche of bergamasche by Girolamo Frescobaldi, Bernardo Gianoncelli, Bernardo Pasquini, Salamone Rossi, Giovanni Salvatore and Giovanni Battista Vitali Charivari Agréable: Jamie Savan (cornett, cornetto muto), Oliver Webber (violin, viola), Susanne Heinrich (treble viol, bass viol, violone), Lynda Sayce (lute, bass lute, guitar, chitarrone), Kah-Ming Ng (harpsichord, organ) rec. May 2004, St Andrew's Church, Toddington, Gloucestershire, UK. DDD SIGNUM SIGCD049 [60:11][JV]

This disc gives some idea of the variety in the performance practice of music in 17th-century Italy - even though some arrangements are not entirely convincing, the ensemble gives excellent performances ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Ana María Martínez: Soprano Songs and Arias Léo DELIBES (1836 – 1891) Les filles de Cadix; Charles GOUNOD (1818 – 1893) Roméo et Juliette: Je veux vivre; Giacomo PUCCINI (1858 – 1924) Gianni Schicchi: O mio babbino caro; Franz LEHÁR (1870 – 1948) Die lustige Witwe: Vilja-Lied; Pablo LUNA (1879 – 1942) El Niño Judío: De España vengo; Francis LÓPEZ (1916 – 1995) Violetas imperiales; Giacomo PUCCINI La Rondine: Chi il bel sogno di Doretta; Joseph CANTELOUBE (1879 – 1937) Chants d’Auvergne: Baïlèro; Giacomo PUCCINI Madama Butterfly: Un bel di vedremo; Heitor VILLA-LOBOS (1887 – 1959) Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5 for voice and 8 cellos: Aria (Cantilena); Dança (Martelo) Ana María Martínez (soprano) Prague Philharmonia/Steven Mercurio Recorded in the Dvořák Hall, Rudolfinum, Prague, in August 2000 NAXOS 8.557827 [53:26][GF]

One of the freshest, loveliest and most musical soprano voices to have appeared for some time. ... see Full Review

Grete Sultan (piano): The Legacy – Volume 1 Arnold SCHOENBERG (1894-1951) Funf Klavierstücke, Op. 23 (1923) [13:19] 1. Sehr langsam 2. Sehr rasch 3. Langsam 4. Schwungvoll, mässige 5. Walzer Klavierstücke, Op. 33a (1928) [1:51] John CAGE (1912-1992) 7. Music of Changes, Part I (1951) [8.10] 8. The Perilous Night for prepared piano; the original first recording (1944) [13:34] Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) from: Douze Etudes, Book II (1915) [21:21] 9. No. VII - pour les degrés chromatique [2:15]; 10. No. VIII - pour les agreements [5:05]; 11. No. IX - pour les notes répétées [3:27]; 12. No. X - pour les sonorités opposes [5:49]; 13. No. XI - pour les arpèges composés [4:28] Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Goldberg Variations [78:03] Grete Sultan (piano) Recorded 1959 (Bach) to 1990 (Schoenberg) LABOR RECORDS LAB 7037 [55.53 + 78.03] Grete Sultan (piano): The Legacy Volume 2 Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) 33 Variations on a Waltz by Anton Diabelli, Op. 120 (1819-23) [52:14] Six Bagatelles, Op. 126 (1823) [17:27] Aaron COPLAND (1900-1990) Piano Sonata (1939-41) [22:48] Episodes for piano 14:25 Ben WEBER (1916-1979) 4. Episode I; Interlude (1957); 5. Episode II (1957); 6. Episode III: Adagio (1957) Stefan WOLPE (1902-1972) Form for Piano (1959) 7. Remote and restless [3:34] Alan HOVHANESS (1911-2000) Yenovk (The Troubadour), Partita for Piano (1951) [6:26]; 8. No. 1 Fantasy [3:02]; 9. No. 5 Gamelan. [1:05]; 10. No. 2 Canzona [1:48]; 11. No. 3 Pogh [1:24] Tui St. George TUCKER (b.1924) Tantum Ergo for piano [13:43] 12. Adagio with solemn ecstasy; Moderato; 13. Im Paradies: Allegro Moderato; 14. Amoroso: Adagio molto espressivo; 15. Laudate Dominum: Allegro; 16. Moderato; with Majestic Jubilation; 17. Moderato; Adagio John CAGE (1912-1992) Etudes Australes (1974) [15:34] 18. Book I, No. 8 [3:27]; 19. Book II, No. 12 [3:47]; 20. Book I, No. 6 [4:04]; 21. Book IV, No. 32 [4:13] Grete Sultan (piano) Recorded between 1969 and 1973 except the Cage, recorded c 1980s LABOR RECORDS LAB 7038-2 [2 CDs 69.41 + 75.10][JW]

A powerful sense of authority ... its intellectual strengths can’t be gainsaid. ... see Full Review

Laurel Zucker and Susan Jolles: Images for flute and harp Ida GOTKOWSKY (b. 1933) Eolienne for flute and harp (1976) [13:34] Jean FRANCAIX (b. 1912) Cinque piccolo duetti for flute and harp (1975) [9:12] Theo SMIT SIBINGA (1899-1958) Trois Images for Flute and Harp (1954) [10:20] Victor FROST (b.1952) Sonatine for flute and harp (1998) [11:54] Katherine HOOVER (b. 1937) Dances and Variations for flute and harp (1996) [19:30] Laurel Zucker, flute Susan Jolles, harp rec. Suny Purchase Hall C, Performing Arts Center, Purchase College, State University of New York, December 1999. CANTILENA 66016-2 [64:39][KS]

A complete winner ... an adventure in sound that deserves to be sought out by serious collectors and musicians, and by casual lovers of delightful music. ... see Full Review

BOOK REVIEWS

British Music: The Journal of the British Music Society Volume 27 2005 Editor: Roger Carpenter
Alan Rawsthorne – Towards Unity by John McCabe
The Constancy of Lambert and some lesser-known aspects of the man by Stephen Lloyd
The Music of Thomas Attwood, Maritime Associations and His Near Contemporaries by Alastair Mitchell
William Alwyn at 100 by Hubert Culot
John Parry’s Nightingale – A British nineteenth century concert piece for duct flute by John Turner
Mátyás Seiber and the Dorian Singers by Alan Gibbs
Overshadowed: British Symphonism beyond Parry, Stanford and Elgar by Jürgen Schaawächter
Scott and Arnold: Is the Symphony out-dated? by Ian Parrott
Published by the British Music Society: 2005. [JF]

Altogether a fascinating issue. Most of the articles are extremely interesting, educative and informative. One in particular, is, to be polite, somewhat challenging! ... see Full Review

The Cambridge Companion to Haydn Edited by Caryl Clark 318 pages Cambridge University Press, 2005 Hardcover: 0521833477, £17.99, $17.99; Paperback: 052141077, £ 45, $75

A musicologist’s delight, perhaps, but beyond the ken of the average listener ... see Full Review

The Cambridge Companion to Liszt Edited by Kenneth Hamilton, University of Birmingham Series: Cambridge Companions to Music Cambridge University Press, September 2005 304 pages; 247 x 174 mm Paperback and Hardback (ISBN-10: 0521644623 | ISBN-13: 9780521644624) [JL]

A timely new book on Liszt’s work, splendidly comprehensive. Requires technical knowledge for some of it. ... see Full Review

Mozart: His Life and Music by Jeremy Siepmann Published by Naxos Books, 2005. Paperback. ISBN: 1-84379-110-2. 224pp. Includes two full CDs of music and accompanied by a free access dedicated website.

A well intentioned primer on both man and music; as such likely to be of most use to one approaching either for the first time ... see Full Review

 

 

Recordings of the Month Bargains of the Month

 
Specialist Music Books for sale- expensive but I have made them as cheap as I can and offer free postage

BOOK REVIEWS

Eric Charles Blake Wars, Dictators and the Gramophone 1898-1945 pp320; illustrated; laminated cover.published by Sessions of York, Huntingdon Rd, York YO31 9HS, England Buy from MusicWeb £10 plus postage - immediate delivery review

Christopher Fifield - Ibbs and Tillett: The Rise and Fall of a Musical Empire. Just published by Ashgate. 692 pages, 78 b/w illustrations. Hardback for only £29.95 post-free in the UK [review Rob Barnett] [review Jon Woolf]

LONDON – a Musical Gazetteer By Lewis and Susan Foreman Yale University Press, New Haven and London, 2005 ISBN 0-300-10402-2 (chalk.paper) 384 pp 107 b/w illus large format paperback ISBN 0 300 10402 2 £15:99.

.....must find itself a place on music-lovers’ shelves beside the British Music Yearbook and is excellent value for the quite modest price. see Full Review

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