ALPHABETICAL LISTING

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony No 7 (1905) Lucerne Festival Orchestra/Claudio Abbado rec. live, Lucerne, August 2005 DVD - all regions EUROARTS 2054629 [78:00][AOz]

One day the Lucerne concerts will be appreciated for their role in developing Mahler performance practice ... see Full Review

Etienne-Nicolas MÉHUL (1763-1817) L’Irato ou l’Emporté - opéra comique in one Act (libretto: Benoit-Joseph Marsollier) (1801) Ouverture du Ballet de Paris a Grand Orchestre (1793) Scapin (servant to Lasandre): Miljenko Turk, (bass) Lysandre (in love with Isabelle): Cyril Auvity, (tenor) Isabelle (Pandolphe’s daughter): Pauline Courtin, (soprano) Pandolphe (Uncle to Lysandre): Alain Buet, (bass) Nérine (servant to Isabelle): Svenja Hempel, (soprano) Balouard (Tutor): Georg Poplutz (tenor) Bonn Chamber Choir L’Arte du Mondo/Werner Ehrhardt rec. Bonn Bundeskunsthalle, 18 September 2005. DDD CAPRICCIO 60 128 [64:20] [RW]

Charming music by Méhul sensitively put across by all concerned ... see Full Review

Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809–1847) Aus tiefer Not, Op. 23 No 1. (1830) [12.36] Ave Maria, Op. 23 No 2. (1839) [6.29] Mitten wir in Leben sind, Op. 23 No 3. (1830) [7.47] Hör mein Bitten (1844) [10.54 Warum toben die Heiden, Op. 78 No 1. (1843/44) [7.45] Richte mich Gott, Op. 78 No 2. (1843/44) [3.37] Zum Abendsegen [2.41] Kyrie Eleison (1846) [1.25] Heilig, Heilig (1846) [1.57] Ehre sei Gott (1846) [1.57] Verleih uns Frieden (1830) [4.44] Hear my prayer (1844) [5.27] Quintin Beer (treble) Allan Clayton (tenor) John Robinson (organ) Choir of St. John’s College, Cambridge/David Hill rec. 8-9, 11 July 2005, St. John’s College Chapel, Cambridge HYPERION CDA67558 [71.35] [RH]

If the repertoire on this disc appeals, you won’t go far wrong. Impressive … there is something quite thrilling, hearing the trebles singing Mendelssohn’s lovely vocal lines. ... see Full Review

Felix MENDELSSOHN-BARTHOLDY (1809-1847) Sonata No. 4 in B flat op. 65 [15:55] Andante Sostenuto in f minor [4:38] Andante in D (2nd version) [1:16] Fugue in d minor (1820) [2:01] [Passacaglia] in c minor (1823) [5:28] Fughetta in D (1834/5) [3:40] Prelude in c minor (1841) [3:01] Fantasia in g minor (after August 1823?) [2:29] Fugue (fragment) [0:39] completion of Fugue by J. Bate [2:15] Allegretto in d minor (1844) [2:31] Con moto maestoso in A (1844) [8:47] Andante Con Moto in A (1844) [3:03] Fugue in C (before 19/12/1844) [3:32] [Chorale] in D (after 19/12/1844) [1:17] Grave [2:01] Andante con moto in c minor (1844) [3:26] Moderato in C (1845) [2:22] Andante in D (fragment, after 23/7/1844) [1:58] Jennifer Bate (organ) rec. All Saints Church, Margaret Street, London, St John’s Church, Upper Norwood, London, St Matthew’s Church, Bayswater, London, St Stephen’s Church, Bournemouth, Dorset, The Temple Church, London, Wimborne Minster, Dorset, November 2003-October 2004. DDD SOMM SOMMCD 053 [71:45] [CB]

Bate, with her leaden performances on bloated instruments, misses the point badly on both counts. ... see Full Review

Bernhard MOLIQUE (1801-1869) String Quartets Vol. 1 String Quartet Op. 18 No. 1 in F (1834) [29.31] String Quartet Op. 18 No. 2 in a minor (1834) [28.48] Mannheimer String Quartet: (Andreas Krecher (violin 1); Shinkyung Kim (violin 2); Niklas Schwarz (viola); Armin Framm (cello)) rec. 21-22 July, 26-27 April 2005, Kammermusikstudio des SWR Stuttgart CPO 777 149-2 [58:29] [DB]

A definite find for those who love Beethoven’s middle quartets. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Claudio MONTEVERDI (1567-1643) Vespers - The complete 1610 publication: Disc 1: Vespers [70:25] Disc 2: Magnificat a 7 [18:15]; Magnificat a 6 [15:47]; Missa In illo tempore [32:24] Carolyn Sampson, Rebecca Outram (soprano) Daniel Auchincloss, Nicholas Mulroy (high tenor) Charles Daniels, James Gilchrist (tenor) Peter Harvey, Robert Evans, Robert Macdonald (bass) The King’s Consort/Robert King rec. St. Jude-on-the-Hill, Hampstead Garden Suburb, London, 6-11 February 2006 also available as SACDA67531/2 HYPERION CDA67531/2 [70:25 + 66:40] [DC]

Truly mind-blowing. Vespers virgins need seek no further. I can’t imagine it being replaced any time soon. ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) The Early Symphonies Disc 1 No 1 in E-flat, K 16 [13:33] No 4 in D, K19 [9:31] Symphony in F, K Anh.223 [13:00] No 5 in B-flat K22 [6:16] Gallimathias musicum, K32 [4:00] No 6 in F K43 [17:00] Disc 2 Symphony in G, K Anh.221 (45a) [12:45] Symphony in B-flat, K Anh.214 (45b) [12:08] No. 8 in D, K48 [12:18] Symphony in C K73 (75a) [11:30] No 7 in D K45 [11:07] Disc 3 Symphony in D, K100 (62a) [16:18] No 10 in G, K74 [8:02] No 13 in F, K112 [14:18] No 12 in G, K110 [15:16] No 14 in A, K114 [17:36] Disc 4 No 15 in G, K124 [11:26] No 16 in C, K128 [10:01] No 17 in G, K129 [10:54] No 18 in F, K130 [19:48] No 19 in E-flat, K132 [15:19] I Solisti Veneti/Claudio Scimone rec. Olympic Theatre, Vicenza, Italy, Sept 1994; 10, 14 June, 29 July, 4 Aug 1991; 29 July –4 Aug 1994 ARTS 47780-2 [4 CDs: 64:09 + 60:52 + 71:38 + 68:46][DB]

A great value, with great riches for the Mozart lover.  Dignified performances that hold immediacy ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Overtures: Le nozze di Figaro K492 [4.17]; Bastien und Bastienne K50 [1.47]; Der Schauspieldirektor K486 [4.11]; Lucio Silla K135 [7.38]; Così fan tutte K588 [4.41]; La finta giardiniera K196 [7.15]; Die Entführung aus dem Serail K384 [5.24]; Il re pastore K208 [3.28]; Idomeneo K366 [5.00]; La clemenza di Tito K621 [5.01]; Don Giovanni K527 [5.47]; Die Zauberflöte K620 [6.50] Staatskapelle Dresden/Colin Davis rec. Lukaskirche, Dresden, 1999. DDD BMG-RCA RED SEAL CLASSIC LIBRARY 82876 762352 [61.22] [JW]

Davis cleaves to traditional values with his superlative orchestra, splendidly recorded. Look no further. ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Piano Concerto No. 26 in D, K 537 Coronation (1788) [30.17] Piano Concerto No. 25 in C, K 503 (1786) [32.37] Jean-Bernard Pommier (piano) Philharmonia Orchestra rec. Snape Maltings Concert Hall, Aldeburgh, August 1992 WARNER APEX 2564-61985-2 [64.21] [SV]

Pommier's gentle attack produces tone which is consistently limpid but otherwise doesn't seem to have much to say. ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Piano Concerto No. 13 in C major K. 415 (387b) (1782-3) [32:44] Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor K. 466 (1785) [35:57] Bonus: “Bach spiele ich mit siebzig” [19:52] Camerata Salzburg/Mitsuko Uchida (piano, conductor) rec. Salzburg, Mozarteum, 2-4 March 2001. DDD DVD: Region 1 only DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 00440 073 4129 [72:10][DC]

A well produced recording of a beautifully played concert ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Works for Violin and Piano [394:07] Sonata in C major, KV 6 (1764) [10:25] Sonata in D major, KV 7 (1764) [9:18] Sonata in B major, KV 8 (1764) [7:03] Sonata in G major, KV 9 (1764) [7:37] Sonata in E flat major, KV 26 (1766) [5:59] Sonata in G major, KV 27 (1766) [7:07] Sonata in C major, KVF 28 (1766) [4:57] Sonata in D major, KV 29 (1766) [5:48] Sonata in F major, KV 30 (1766) [5:59] Sonata in B major KV 31 (1766) [7:57] Sonata in C major, KV 296 (1778) [15:23] Sonata in G major, KV 301 (1778) [13:57] Sonata in E flat major, KV 302 (1778) [8:25] Sonata in C major, KV 303 (1778) [8:25] Sonata in E minor, KV 304 (1778) [11:27] Sonata in A major, KV 305 (1778) [15:15] Sonata in D major, KV 306 (1778) [19:44] Twelve Variations on a French Song, KV 359 (1781) [12:20] Six Variations on a French Song, KV 360 (1781) [9:31] Sonata in B major, KV 372 (1781) [7:30] Sonata in F major, KV 376 (1781) [15:21] Sonata in F major, KV 377 (1781) [20:02] Sonata in B major, KV 378 (1779) [18:08] Sonata in G major, KV 379 (1781) [19:57] Sonata in E flat major, KV 380 (1781) [17:02] Sonata in A major, KV 402 (1782) [6:48] Sonata in C major, KV 403 (1782) [13:03] Sonata in C major, KV 404 (1782) [2:56] Sonata in B major, KV 454 (1784) [23:11] Sonata in E flat major, KV 481 (1785) [21:32] Sonata in A major, KV 526 (1787) [20:11] Sonata in F major, KV 547 (1788) [16:26] Elizabeth Jess-Kropfitsch (violin) Johannes Jess-Kropfitsch (piano) rec. Konzertsalon, Villa Kaiserstein, Mürzzuschlag, Austria, 23 July-25 September, 2005 GRAMOLA 98777/82 [6 CDs: 72:49 + 61:14 + 64:38 + 73:43 + 63:21 + 58:22][GPu]

Not the ‘greatest’ performances, but nothing here that is less than highly accomplished, technically assured and musically intelligent. An excellent ‘library’ collection to have on one’s shelves ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Inter natos mulierum, K 72 (1771) [5:09] Misericordias Domini, K 222 (1775) [6:09] Requiem, K 626 (completed by Franz Xaver Süssmayr) (1791) [41:03] Miriam Allen (soprano), Anne Buter (mezzo), Marcus Ullmann (tenor), Martin Snell (bass) GewandhausKammerchor, Leipziger Kammerorchester/Morten Schuldt-Jensen rec. 10-12 November 2004, Grosser Saal des Gewandhauses, Leipzig. Plus bonus disc of ‘Great Choral Classics’ by J.S. Bach, Beethoven, Berlioz, Handel, Mozart, Rossini, Szymanowski, Tippett, Vanhal NAXOS 8.557728 [52:21 + 71:29][GPu]

An energetic, honest performance of the Requiem, but one that lacks the spark that might make it really special … see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756–1791) Così fan tutte - Dramma giocoso in two acts Fiordiligi … Edita Gruberova (soprano) Dorabella … Delores Ziegler (mezzo-soprano) Guglielmo … Ferruccio Furlanetto (bass) Ferrando … Luis Lima (tenor) Despina … Teresa Stratas (soprano) Don Alfonso … Paolo Montarsolo (bass) Vienna Philharmonic/Nikolaus Harnoncourt Filmed at Munich, Bavaria Studios, 1-15 June 1988 Sound Recording: Vienna, Studio Rosenhügel, 25 February – 12 March 1988 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 00440 073 4237 [90.59 + 84.30][RM]

What a thought provoking school for lovers … what a superb production. ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Die Zauberflöte – opera in two acts K620 (1791) [161:00] Tamino: Stefan Dahlberg (tenor) Pamina: Ann Christine Biel (soprano) Sarastro: Lászlo Polgár (bass) Queen of the Night: Birgit Louise Frandsen (soprano) Papageno: Mikael Samuelson (baritone) Papagena: Birgitta Larsson (soprano) Speaker: Petteri Salomaa (baritone) Monostatos: Magnus Khyle (tenor) Three Ladies: Anita Soldh (soprano), Linnea Sallay (soprano), Inger Blom (mezzo) Three Boys: Elisabeth Berg (soprano), Ann Christine Larsson (soprano), Anna Tomson (mezzo) Priest: Torbjorn Lillieqvist (tenor) Two Armed Men: Thomas Annmo (tenor), Olle Skold (bass) Chorus and Orchestra of the Drottningholm Court Theatre/Arnold Östman Stage Director: Goran Järvefelt TV Director: Thomas Olofsson rec. Drottningholm Court Theatre, 1989 Sound format: PCM stereo Subtitle languages: D, F, GB, IT, SP Picture format: 4:3 Region code: 0 (all regions) ARTHAUS 102013 [161:00][MG]

The performance has an atmosphere, a spirit of enquiry and adventure, which draws you in and makes you want to go on experiencing it.  … see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756–1791) La clemenza di Tito (1791)
Michael Schade (tenor) – Tito; Vesselina Kasarova (mezzo) – Sesto; Dorothea Röschmann (soprano) – Vitellia; Elina Garanča (mezzo) – Annio; Barbara Bonney (soprano) – Servilia; Luca Pisaroni (bass) – Publio Konzertvereinigung Wiener Staatsopernchor Wiener Philharmoniker/Nikolaus Harnoncourt Directed for stage by Martin Kušej; Set Design: Jens Kilian; Costume Design: Bettina Walter; Lighting: Reinhard Traub; Directed for TV and Video by Brian Large rec. live, Felsenreitschule, Salzburg, August 2003 TDK DVWW-OPCLETI DVD (2 discs) [160:00] [GF]

The present Harnoncourt offering has an integrity of its own and the singing is absolutely superb. ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756–1791) La clemenza di Tito (1791) Stefan Dahlberg (tenor) – Tito; Anita Soldh (soprano) – Vitellia; Lani Poulson (mezzo) – Sesto; Pia-Marie Nilsson (soprano) – Servilia; Maria Höglund (soprano) – Annio; Jerker Arvidson (bass) – Publio; Chorus and Orchestra of the Drottningholm Court Theatre/ Arnold Östman Stage Director: Göran Järvefelt Costumes: Börje Eldh and Göran Järvefelt br> Lighting: Yngve Mansvik and Torkel Blomkvist Directed and Produced for TV and Video by Thomas Olofsson Recorded live at the Drottningholm Court Theatre in 1987 ARTHAUS MUSIC 102 009 DVD [128:00] [GF]

While enjoying the singing in the Harnoncourt/Kušej set as a total experience that is more in tune with the music this Drottningholm production takes pride of place in my collection of La clemenza di Tito. ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756–1791) Le nozze di Figaro - Opera in four acts Figaro – Paul Schöffler (baritone) Susanna – Elisabeth Rutgers (soprano) Il Conte d’Almaviva – Alfred Poell (baritone) La Contessa d’Almaviva – Maria Reining (soprano) Cherubino - Dora Komarek (soprano) Marcellina – Olga Levko-Antosch (soprano) Bartolo – Franz Normann (bass-baritone) Don Curzio – Anton Arnold (tenor) Antonio – Victor Madin (bass) Barbarina – Maria Schober (soprano) Basilio – Hermann Gallos (tenor) Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Hans Knappertsbusch rec. live, Gebouw voor Kunsten en Wetenschappen, The Hague, 15 October 1940. ADD TAHRA TAH 573-74 [76.40 + 78.05] [JW]

A rude kind of theatrical life … vigour and drama …. the audience breaks into delighted laughter genuinely enough. ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) The Four Flute Quartets: No. 1 in D, K 285 [14:05]; No. 2 in G K 285a  [9:25]; No. 3 in C K 285c [16:05]; No. 4 in A K 298 [11:34] Richard Adeney (flute) Melos Ensemble recording date and venue not indicated ASV SANCTUARY RESONANCE RSN 3064 [51:39] [DB]

Competent performances from the seventies, albeit with few frills and rather chilly playing ... see Full Review

Clifton J NOBLE (b.1961) Violin Sonata No.2 Spring (1987) [13.23] Violin Sonata No.3 Summer (2000) [11.45] Violin Sonata No.4 Autumn (2001) [11.48] Violin Sonata No.5 (2004) [15.50] Joel Pitchon (violin) Clifton J. Noble (piano) rec. Smith College, undated [2005] GASPARO GSCD-363 [52.48] [JW]

A clean-limbed, and enjoyable selection of Noble’s broadly traditional violin works. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Niccolò PAGANINI (1782–1840) Twenty-Four Caprices op. 1 (arr. for saxophone) Raaf Hekkema (alto saxophone; soprano saxophone) rec. 27–31 August 2005, Hervormde Kerk, Mijnsheerenland, The Netherlands MUSIKPRODUKTION DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM MDG 619 1379-2 [81:28][GF]

I can’t believe that anyone will be disappointed when hearing this – unless jealousy is a hampering factor. ... see Full Review

Lorenzo PALOMO (b.1938) Andalusian Nocturnes (1995) [40.53]* Spanish Songs (1986) [33.26]** * Pepe Romero (guitar); ** María Bayo (soprano) Seville Royal Symphony Orchestra/Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos rec. Sala Apolo, Seville, 29 August-2 September 2000. DDD NAXOS 8.557135 [74.19] [ED]

Warmly recommended if tuneful Spanish infused textures are your thing. ... see Full Review

Harry PARTCH (1901-1974) Enclosure 5 ... On an Ancient Greek Theme [224:55] CD1 [72:51] 1. Ulysses Departs from the Edge of the World (1955) [6:29] 2-8. Revelation in the Courthouse Park, after “The Bacchae” of Euripides (1960) [38:53] 9. Introduction to “King Oedipus” [7:43] 10-13. King Oedipus (1951, start) [19:39] CD2 [76:13]: 1-15. King Oedipus (conclusion) [61:48] 16. Johann Philipp Krieger (1649-1725) - Menuet [0:53] 17. Douglas Moore (1893-1969) - Come Away, Death [3:02] 18. Come Away, Death (1942) [2:46] 19. By the Rivers of Babylon (Psalm 137) (1931, re. 1955) [3:39] 20. Introduction to “The Bewitched” [4:05] CD3 [75:51] 1-12. The Bewitched (1954-5) Ulysses Departs from the Edge of the World (1971 Orion LP, Jack Logan, trumpet); Revelation in the Courthouse Park (1960, University of Illinois, Gate 5 Records, Issue F); Introduction to King Oedipus (KPFA-FM, 1954); King Oedipus (1952, Allen Louw: Oedipus; Rudolphine Radil: Jocasta; Mills College premiere with W.B. Yeats libretto); Johann Krieger: Menuet (1950, Partch + Ben Johnston); Come Away, Death (from December, 1942); (1997, Didier Aschour and Vincent Bouchot); By the Rivers of Babylon (137th Psalm); (1961, Gate Five Records); Introduction to The Bewitched (A Dance Satire) (1959, WNYC); The Bewitched (1980, WDR-Köln). Full details in note at end of review. rec. 1942-1997, various locations. DDD INNOVA 405 [3 CDs: 72:51 + 76:13 + 75:51] [PSe]

Pulling focus on the influence of Ancient Greece on Partch’s theatrical philosophy, this is another essential Enclosure for the musically adventurous. ... see Full Review

Ernst PEPPING (1901-1981) CD1 Symphony No. 1 (1939) [32:07] Symphony No. 2 (1942) [41:10] CD2 Symphony No. 3 Tageszeiten (1944) [38:15] Piano Concerto (1950) [22:02] Volker Banfield (piano) Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie/ Werner Andreas Albert rec. Westdeutscher Rundfunk, Herford, Schützenhofsaal, 27-30 Jan 1992, 24-27 Jan 1994; 22-25 Nov 1993; 3-7 April 1995. DDD CPO 777 041-2 [73:17 + 60:17] [KS]

No one should shy away from grabbing this fine release. Gorgeous music beautifully played in first rate sound ... see Full Review

Giovanni Battista PERGOLESI (1710-1736) Stabat Mater ^1,2 [40.51]; Salve Regina in C minor ¹ [16.13] Jörg Waschinski (soprano) ¹ Michael Chance (counter-tenor) ² Cologne Chamber Orchestra/Helmut Müller-Brühl rec. Deutschland Radio, Sendesaal des Funkhauses, Köln, Germany, November 2003. DDD Latin texts with English translations provided NAXOS 8.557447 [57.05] [ED]

This Naxos reading is serviceable but ultimately undistinguished when placed alongside Hogwood ... see Full Review

Vincent PERSICHETTI (1915-1987) Music for Wind Band Divertimento op. 42 (1950) [11:22] Psalm op. 53 (1952) [8:48] O God Unseen - Chorale Prelude op. 160 (1984) [9:04] Pageant op. 59 (1953) [7:42] Masquerade op. 102 (1965) [13:14] O Cool is the Valley op. 118 (1971) [6:08] Parable - Poem op. 121 (1972) [18:13] Winds of the London Symphony Orchestra/David Amos rec. Abbey Road Studio 1, London, 13-14 April 1993 NAXOS WIND BAND CLASSICS 8.570123 [74:31] [RB]

A wide-ranging and satisfying conspectus of Persichetti's windband music both lyrical and atonal ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Hans PFITZNER (1869-1949) String Quartet No. 2 in C sharp minor, Op. 36 (1925) [33'57]. Arnold SCHOENBERG (1874-1951) String Quartet No. 4, Op. 37 (1936) [33'12]. Wihan String Quartet (Leos Cepicky, Jan Schulmeister, violins; Jirí Zigmund, viola; Ales Kasprík, cello). rec. 3-4 (Pfitzner), 7, 20 (Schoenberg) April 2000. DDD ARCO DIVA UP 0028-2 [67:20] [CC]

An inspired coupling from Arco Diva. The Pfitzner is an impressive work ... the recording is a fine one ... see Full Review

Franz Alexander PÖSSINGER (1767-1827) Music for String Trio Trio concertante Op.36/2 in D major [17.23] Trio concertante Op.36/1 in E flat major [18.26] Serenata in Trio concertante Op.10 [24.39] Kontraste Köln rec. Mandelsloh, Evangelische Kirche, December 2004 CAPRICCIO 67 162 [60.52] [JW]

Biedermeier chamber music of gentle persuasion. ... see Full Review

Giacomo PUCCINI (1858–1924) Il Tabarro (1918) [58.55] Michele – Ettore Bastianini (baritone) Giorgetta – Nora de Rosa (soprano) Luigi – Salvatore Puma (tenor) Il Tinca – Angelo Mercuriali (tenor) Il Talpa – Eraldo Coda (bass) La Frugola – Ebe Ticozzi (contralto) Il Venditore – Luigi Alva (tenor) NDR Symphony Orchestra and Chorus/Mario Cortone rec. 21 June 1954, Hamburg ANDROMEDA ANDRCD5027 [58.55][RH]

Not a library recording. Not a classic historic reissue. The opportunity to hear Bastianini recorded in his prime in a role not otherwise available. ... see Full Review

Henry PURCELL (1659-1695) Music for Queen Mary Come ye sons of Art: Ode for the birthday of Queen Mary (1694) [22:18] Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem [5:51] Love’s goddess sure was blind: Ode for the birthday of Queen Mary (1692) [20:04] Music for the funeral of Queen Mary (1695) [8:08] Funeral Sentences [11:11] Funeral Anthem of Queen Mary (1695) [2:32] Kate Royal (soprano); David Hansen, Tim Mead (counter-tenor); Jacques Imbrailo (bass) Choir of King’s College Cambridge Academy of Ancient Music/Stephen Cleobury rec. April 2005, King’s College Chapel, Cambridge, England. DDD EMI CLASSICS 3 44438 2 [70:03] [MG]

Spirited and well styled performances, with some questionable practices, but the disc as a whole presents a unique, generous and contrasted selection … see Full Review

Twilight of the Romantics Walter RABL (1873-1940) Quartet in E-flat major for clarinet, violin, cello and piano, Op. 1 (1896) [24:20] Josef LABOR (1842-1924) Quintet in D major for clarinet, violin, viola, cello and piano, Op 11. (1900) [33:13] The Orion Ensemble (Jennifer Marlas, viola; Kathryne Pirtle, clarinet; Florentina Ramniceanu, violin; Diana Schmück, piano; Judy Stone, cello) rec. February and May 2005, studios WFMT radio, Chicago CEDILLE 90000088 [57:46] [KS]

A highly desirable disc ... I can’t imagine that any lover of romantic chamber music would find this music anything less than pleasing. ... see Full Review

Phillip RAMEY (b.1939) Color Etudes (1994) [16.41]; Memorial (In Memoriam Alexander Tcherepnin) 919770 [5.44]; Chromatic Waltz (19610 [1.30]; Piano Sonata No 1 (19610 [7.36]; Piano Sonata No 2 (1966 rev., 2003) [12.47]; Piano Sonata No 5 - For the left hand (1989) [10.00]; Four Tangier Portraits (1991-9) [7.56]; Toccata No 2 (1990) [4.06] Stephen Gosling (piano) rec. Recital Hall, Performing Arts Centre, SUNY, Purchase, New York, 17-19 March 2003 TOCCATA CLASSICS 0029 [77.41] [GH]

A CD to which I will return. Pan-European yet brash ... often pulverizes the listener into submission. ... see Full Review

Amédée RASETTI (1759-1799) Trio in F major, Op. 13, No. 1 (1799) [23.24] Trio in C major, Op. 13, No. 2 (1799) [17.59] Trio in B flat major, Op. 13, No. 3 (1799) [20.52] Trio Amédée (Andrea Lieberknecht, flute; Dag Jensen, bassoon; Jan Philip Schulze, piano) rec. Fürstliche Reitbahn Bad Arolsen, May 2005. DDD MUSIKPRODUKTION DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM SCENE MDG 603 1332-2 [62.40][SV]

Exuberant playing … persuasive advocacy. ... see Full Review

Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) String Quartet in F major (1903) [27.10] Pavel HAAS (1899-1944) String Quartet No.3 Op.15 (1937-38) [21.11] Leos JANÁČEK (1854-1928) String Quartet No.1 after Tolstoy’s Kreutzer Sonata (1924) [17.20] M. Nostitz Quartet rec. June 2000, Domovina Studios, Prague ARCO DIVA UP 0037-2 131 [65.58] [JW]

Rather clever programming … gives pause for thought about the interconnections between the Ravel and subsequent Czech quartets ... see Full Review

Marga RICHTER (b. 1926) Variations and Interludes on Themes from Monteverdi and Bach, “...Besides the still waters” (1992) [46.16] Howard HARRIS (1945-1996) Music for dauncing Judicially, proving the true observation of time and measure in the Authenticall and laudable use of Dauncing (1996) [27.05] Renata Knific (violin); Pamela Frame (cello); Robert Weirich (piano) (Richter); Carinthian Saxophone Quartet (Gilbert Sabitzer, alto saxophone); Polish Radio National Symphony Orchestra/Joel Suben (Harris) rec. 2004, Katowice, Poland. DDD Notes in English. LEONARDA LE 351 [73.21][PSh]

Well crafted modern music you will enjoy hearing over and over. ... see Full Review

John Donald ROBB (1892-1989) Hispanic Folksongs of New Mexico and Art Songs (orchestrated by Ray Jannotta) Hispanic Folksongs: Cuando por el oriente [2:18]; De la real Jerusalen [4:01]; A la ru [2:03]; Vamos todos a Belen [4:50]; Ofreecimento de los Pastores [9:17]; Sierra Nevada [2:42]; El muchacho alegre [1:51]; Palomita que vienes herida [3:21]; Sandovalito [1:29] Art Songs: To Electra [1:14]; I am very old tonight [4:19]; Good Night, My Love [2:47]; Tonight My Heart is on the Hill [2:18]; Tears [2:48]; Cradle Song [3:28] Leslie Umphrey (soprano) National Polish Radio SO/David Oberg rec. Poland? circa 2001? DDD OPUS ONE CD191 [49:38][RB]

Should appeal to any student of 1940s Americana and to those who rejoice in the orchestral songs of Canteloube and Copland. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Ned ROREM (b.1923) Pilgrims (1958) [7:14] Flute Concerto (2002) [31:21] Violin Concerto (1985) [24:07] Jeffrey Khaner (flute) Philippe Quint (violin) Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra/José Serebrier rec. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, June 2005. DDD NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS 8.559278 [62:42] [PCW]

Just click on the “Buy Now” link right away … see Full Review

Gioacchino ROSSINI (1792-1868) Overtures Tancredi (1813) [6:06] L’Italiana in Algeri (1813) [8:04] L’inganno felice (1812) [5:59] La scala di sete (1812) [6:07] Il barbiere de Siviglia (1816)  [7:39] Il signor Bruschino (1813) [5:11] La cambiale di matrimonio (1810) [5:16] Il Turco in Italia (1814) [8:53] Introduction, theme and variations for clarinet and orchestra, in E flat major (1810) [13:04] * Charles Neidich (clarinet), Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. rec. Performing Arts Centre, State University of New York, Purchase, December 1994, * April, 1991. Deutsche Grammophon ENTRÉE 00289 477 5012 [66:18][GPu]

An enjoyable collection of early overtures, played with sure-footed understanding of their idiom ... see Full Review

Gioachino ROSSINI (1792-1868) Bianca e Falliero - operatic melodrama in two acts (1819) Bianca, the daughter of Contareno, María Bayo (sop); Falliero, a Venetian general, Daniela Barcellona (mezzo); Contareno, a Venetian senator, Francesco Meli (ten); Capellio, a Venetian senator in love with Bianca, Carlo Lepore (bass); Costanza, Bianca’s nurse, Ornella Bonomelli (sop); Priuli, Doge of Venice, Danio Benini (bass); Pisani, a member of The Council of Three, Stefan Cifolelli (ten); Chorus da Camera di Praga; Orchestra Sinfonica de Galicia/Renato Palumbo DYNAMIC CDS 501/1-3 [3 CDs: 63.25 + 42.55 + 73.01] [RF]

Lovers of Rossini’s works now have a live Bianca e Falliero with that extra frisson and few of the drawbacks of a stage event ... see Full Review

Gioachino ROSSINI (1792-1868) L’occasione fa il Ladro, (Opportunity Makes the Thief) - Burletta per musica in one act (1812) Berenice, Susan Patterson (sop); Don Parmenione, Natale de Carolis (bass); Conte Alberto, Robert Gambill (ten); Ernestina, Monica Bacelli (sop); Martino, Alessandro Corbelli (bass); Don Eusebio, Stuart Kale (ten) Radio Symphony Orchestra of Stuttgart, Germany/Gianluigi Gelmetti. Stage production of the Oper der Stadt Köln and Opera de Montpellier from the Schwetzingen Festival rec. live, Rokotheater Schwetzingen 1-3 May 1992 Stage production and design: Michael Hempe. Costumes: Chiara Donato Directed for TV: Claus Villar Picture format NTSC 4:3. Colour. Sound Formats: PCM stereo; DD 5.1; DTS 5.1. Subtitles in English, German, Spanish, Italian and French First performed: Teatro San Moise, Venice, 24 November 1812 EURO ARTS DVD 2054998 [94:00] [RJF]

This staging and performance can hardly be bettered. I can thoroughly recommend its purchase for an enjoyable aural and visual operatic experience of a work too rarely seen. ... see Full Review

John RUTTER (b. 1945) Mass of the Children (2002) [35:43] Shadows (1979) [25:06] Wedding Canticle (2004) [5:55] Angharad Gruffydd-Jones (soprano) Jeremy Huw Williams (baritone) Stewart French (guitar) Daniel Pailthorpe (flute) James McVinnie (organ) Farnham Youth Choir Clare Chamber Ensemble The Choir of Clare College, Cambridge/Timothy Brown rec. Chapel of Tonbridge School, Kent, 19 July 2005 NAXOS 8.557922 [66:45] [JQ]

I’m sure this disc will sell well, and I hope it does. Most purchasers will probably be attracted by the Mass but I hope they’ll enjoy Shadows as well. That, for me, is the strongest reason to recommend this disc. ... see Full Review

 

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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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