Camille SAINT-SAËNS
(1835-1921) Piano
Trio No.1 in F major Op.18 (1863) [25:30] Piano Trio No.2 in E minor
Op.92 (1891) [34:22] 
Florestan
Trio (Anthony Marwood (violin), Richard Lester (cello), Susan Tomes
(piano)) rec. Henry Wood Hall, London, 21-23 December 2004
HYPERION CDA 67538 [60:03] Camille SAINT-SAËNS
(1835-1921) Piano Trio No.1 in F major Op.18 (1863) [26:42]
Piano Trio No.2 in E minor Op.92 (1891) [30:49]
Trio Wanderer (Jean-Marc Phillips-Varjabédian
(violin), Raphaël Pidoux (cello), Vincent
Coq (piano)) rec. August 2004, Salle Modulable
IRCAM, Paris
HARMONIA MUNDI HMC 901862 [58:01] [IL]
Two
splendid but different performances of Saint-Saëns’
accessible and lyrical Piano Trios. Each will
appeal according to one’s mood. If pushed
I would choose the Wanderer for the First
Trio and the Florestan for the Second. ...
see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Alfred
SCHNITTKE (1934-1998) Quasi una sonata
for violin and chamber orchestra (1968/1987) [22:22] Moz-Art à la Haydn
(1977) [11:43] Suite in the Old Style, arranged for chamber orchestra
(1972/1987) [15:49] Concerto Grosso No.6 (1993) [13:12] Ulf Wallin (violin);
Meri Englund (violin); Tero Latvala (violin); Ralf Gothóni (piano) Tapiola
Sinfonietta/Ralf Gothóni rec. December 2003, Tapiola Concert Hall, Finland
BIS-CD-1437 [64:26][DC]
Self-recommending.
You can never have too much Schnittke, and with such excellent performances
and recordings as these you can save yourself ever again needing to
look out those scratchy old Melodiyas ... see Full
Review
Alfred
SCHNITTKE (1934-1998) Sonata
for Piano No.1 (1988) [31:36] Little Piano Pieces (1971)
[8:45] Concerto for Piano and Strings (1979) [22:49] Svetlana
Ponomarëva (piano) Omsk Chamber Orchestra Yuri Nikolaevsky
(conductor) rec. 15 February 2006, CBC Studio One, Vancouver
(piano solo); 9 April 2003, Omsk Organ Hall, Russia (piano
concerto – live recording) MV
PRODUCTIONS SPPSCD06 [63:10] [DC]
A
mixed bag. Looking for the substantial and rarely-recorded piano
sonata … then I can give this a fair recommendation … Audiophiles
wanting a decent recording of the Piano Concerto have been warned.
... see Full Review
Johann
SCHOBERT (c.1735-1767) Quartet in
F minor, Op.VII No.2 [13:01] Trio in B flat, Op.XVI, No.1 [14:34] Sonata
in D minor, Op.XIV, No.4 [11:22] Sonata in A, Op.XIV, No.5 [10:19] Trio
in F, Op.XVI, No.4 [15:36] Quartet in E flat, Op.XIV, No.1 [9:52]
Luciano Sgrizzi (pianoforte), Ensemble 415: Chiara Banchini, Véronique
Méjean (violins), Philipp Bosbach (cello) rec. October 1988.
HARMONIA MUNDI HMA 1951294 [76:40][GPu]
An
attractive sampler of the distinctive and historically interesting music
of a composer who captures perfectly the sensibility of his time … see
Full Review
BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828) String
Quartet in C Quartettsatz, D103 (1814) [8:01] Five Minuets
and Trios, D89 (1813) [12:38] String Quartet No. 14 in D minor Death
and the Maiden, D810 (1824) [37:59]
Maggini Quartet (David Juritz (violin); David Angel (violin); Martin
Outram (viola); Michal Kaznowski (cello)) rec. live, Wigmore Hall, London,
1 June 1993 (Death and the Maiden);
remainder All Saints, Petersham, 21 April 1994. DDD
RESONANCE CD RSN 3036 [59:00][JWi]
I
would re-iterate that this is a lively and exciting performance of a
stirring work, and a disc I have found most enjoyable. ... see Full
Review
Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Sonata
No 20 in A D959 (1828) [40:16] Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Rondo in G Op 51 No 2
(1797/1798) [9:40] Bagatelle in A, Op 119 No 4 (1820-1822)
[2:01] Bagatelle in A, Op 119 No 10 (1820-1822) [0:13] Bernard
Roberts (piano) rec. live, Whitely Hall, Chethams, Manchester,
24 August 2005 DUNELM
RECORDS DRD0246 [52:40] [DB]
Unpretentiously
performed and warmly recorded ... see Full
Review
Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
Deutsche Schubert-Lied-Edition 20 - Poets of Sensibility, Volume
3: Der Tod und das Mädchen D.531 [02:22]; Der Leidende (3rd version)
D.432 [01:48]; Totengräberlied D.44 [02:03]; Lied/Die Mutter Erde D.788
[03:50]; Der Leidende D.432 (2nd version) D.432 [01:44]; Die Nonne D.208
[08:25]; Täglich zu singen D.533 [01:38]; Klage D.371 [02:49]; Stimme
der Liebe D.412 [01:54]; Seufzer D.198 [01:09]; An eine Quelle D.530
[01:52]; An die Apfelbäume; wo ich Julien erblickte D.197 [02:38]; Die
frühe Liebe D.430 [02:04]; An den Mond D.193 [03:06]; Abendlied D.499
[02:53]; Klage D.436 [01:41]; Auf den Tod einer Nachtigall (1st setting;
fragment) D.201; Auf den Tod einer Nachtigall (2nd setting )D.399; Auf
dem Wasser zu singen D.774 [03:55]; Lied in der Abwesenheit (fragment)
D.416 [01:43]; Der Liebende D.207 [01:41]; Minnelied D.429 [01:54];
Der Traum D.213 [02:03]; Seligkeit D.433 [02:12]
Wolfgang Holzmair (baritone); Ulrich Eisenlohr (Hammerflugel) rec. 30
November – 5 December, 2004, Bayerische Rundfunk Studio 2, Munich, Germany
NAXOS 8.557568 [60:59]
[JQ]
Collectors
who are following this series can invest with confidence and those
who have not yet sampled it could do a lot worse than start here
... see Full Review
William
SCHUMAN (1910-1992)
Credendum - Article of Faith (1955) [17:43] Piano Concerto
(1943) [30:53] Symphony No. 4 (1942) [23:35]
John McCabe (piano) Albany Symphony Orchestra/David Alan Miller rec.
16 Mar 2002 (4), 18 Nov 2001 (Concerto); 20 Mar 2000 (Sym), Troy Savings
Bank Music Hall, Troy, NY. DDD
ALBANY TROY566 SACD 
[64:54][RB]
Belongs
in the collection of every enthusiast of American twentieth century
music. Credendum is outstanding both as a piece and as a performance.
... see Full Review
RECORDING OF THE MONTH Cyril
SCOTT (1879-1970) Piano Concerto No.
1 (1913-14) [30:42] Symphony No. 4 (1951-52)* [28:21] Early One Morning
- Poem for Piano and Orchestra (1930-31, revised 1962) [13:54]
Howard Shelley (piano) BBC Philharmonic/Martyn Brabbins rec. Studio
7, New Broadcasting House, Manchester, 8-9 September 2005 * premiere
recording CHANDOS
CHAN 10376 [73:05][RB]
A fine
addition to the shelves of any collector of twentieth century melodic
music. ... see Full Review
Roger
SESSIONS (1896-1985) Quintet for two
violins, two violas and cello (1958) [20.16] Canons (to the memory of
Stravinsky) for string quartet (1971) [2.04] Six Pieces for Cello (1966)
[12.52] String Quartet No.1 in E minor (1938) [30.51]
The Group for Contemporary Music Joshua Gordon (cello) rec. State University
of New York, Purchase, April 1992; American Academy and Institute of
Arts and Letters, NYC, September 1991 (Six Pieces for Cello)
NAXOS 8.559261 [66.04][JW]
Expert
performances. Those unconvinced by the quintet may yet revel in the
quartet, a work well worth getting to know ... see Full
Review
Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975)
Symphony no. 1 in F minor, op.10 (1924) [34:07] Symphony no. 6 in B
minor, op.54 (1939) [32:25]
Russian National Orchestra/Vladimir Jurowski rec. October 2004, DZZ
Studio, Moscow. DDD
PENTATONE CLASSICS SACD PTC 5186 068
[66:57] [CH]
Jurowski
is an uncommonly interesting Shostakovich
conductor, and one not afraid to pursue paths
that are rather different from those of the
“old guard” Russian conductors. ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH
(1906-1975) Violin
Concerto No.1 in A Minor, op.77 (1947) (rev.
1955 as op.99) [43:23] Violin Concerto No.2
in C Sharp Minor, op.129 (1967) [33:03] Romance
from The Gadfly, op.97 (arr. Levon
Atovmian) (1955) [ 5:56]
Daniel Hope (violin) BBC Symphony Orchestra/Maxim
Shostakovich rec. 7-9 November 2005, Studio
1, BBC Maida Vale Studios, London, England.
WARNER CLASSICS 2564 62546-2 [77:59] [SA]
I
found it the most supremely listenable disc I have heard in a long time.
... see Full Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) String
Quartet No.3 in F major, Op.73 (1946) [30:57] String Quartet
No.7 in F sharp minor, Op.108 (1960) [11:47] String Quartet No.8
in C minor, Op.110 (1960) [20:21] Hagen
Quartett: Lukas Hagen (1st violin); Rainer Schmidt
(2nd violin); Veronika Hagen (viola); Clemens Hagen
(cello)
rec. November 2005, Große Universitätsaula, Salzburg DEUTSCHE
GRAMMOPHON 00289 477
6146 [63:25] [DC]
This
disc is up to the Hagen’s usual phenomenal
standard. Right there at the ‘unsurpassed’
level ... see Full
Review
Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975)
The
Execution of Stepan Razin, op. 119 (1964)
[28:37] October, op. 131 (1967) [13:10]
Five Fragments, op. 42 (1935) [10:35]
(Moderato [1:21]; Andante [1:02];
Largo [3:48]; Moderato [2:51];
Allegretto [1:33]) Charles Robert Austin
(bass-baritone) Seattle Symphony Chorus/Abraham
Kaplan
Seattle Symphony/Gerard Schwarz rec. June
1996, Seattle Center Opera House (Stepan
Razin); S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium,
Benaroya Hall, Seattle, Feb 2000, (October);
February 2005 (Five Fragments). DDD
NAXOS 8.557812 [52:22] [SA]
Unfortunately
this recording just doesn’t punch its weight
... lacklustre with the orchestra missing
the opportunity to throw its weight behind
the music ... see Full
Review
Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957)
Violin Concerto in D minor, Op.47 (1903) [31:37] Symphony No.2 in
D, Op.43 (1901) [40:18]
Shlomo Mintz (violin) Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/James Levine rec.
Jesus-Christus Kirche, Berlin, June 1986 (concerto); Berlin Schauspielhaus,
Grosser Konzertsaal, October 1991 (symphony). DDD
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON ENTRÉE D 477 501-3 [72:05][RB]
Sibelius
pulse-racingly red in tooth and claw - impressive performances, golden
recordings ... see Full Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Bedřich
SMETANA
(1824-1884) String
Quartet No 1 in E minor From My Life
(1876) [29:19] String Quartet No 2 in D minor
(1883) [19:19]
Wihan Quartet rec. Domovina Studio, Prague,
October-November 2005. DDD
ARCO DIVA UP 0086-2 131 [48:33][PCW]
The
music making on this disc has a feeling of
"rightness" that makes comparisons
largely superfluous … see Full
Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Bedřich
SMETANA (1824-1884)
Piano Trio in G minor, Op. 15 B104 (1855)
[29:28] Antonín DVOŘÁK
(1841-1904) Piano Trio No. 4 in
E minor, Op. 90, Dumky, B 166 (1891)
[32:39]
Czech Trio (Milan Langer (piano), Dana Vlachova
(violin), Miroslav Petras (cello)) rec. Domovina
Studio Prague, 6-7 July 1999. DDD
ULTRAPHON UP 0017- 2 131 [62.16] [DD]
Two
dark Czech trios performed by a trio that
must know them very well. ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Sir
Charles Villiers STANFORD (1852-1924)
Songs
of the Fleet, op.117 for baritone, chorus
and orchestra (1910)* [26:04] The Revenge:
A Ballad of the Fleet, op.24 for chorus
and orchestra (1886) [25:17] Songs of the
Sea, op.91 for baritone, male chorus and
orchestra (1904) [18:00]
Gerald Finley (baritone)* BBC National Chorus
of Wales, BBC National Orchestra of Wales/Richard
Hickox rec. 6-8 July 2005, Brangwyn Hall,
Swansea, Wales. DDD
CHANDOS CHSA 5043 SACD [69:37]
[CH]
The
"popular" Stanford, and the best
recordings so far of the two song-cycles.
... see Full
Review
William
STERNDALE BENNETT
(1816-1875) Symphony
in G minor op. 43 (1867) [27:07] Cipriani
POTTER (1792-1871) Symphony
No. 7 in F major (1826) [34:02]
Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra/Douglas
Bostock rec. 4-5 Sept 2004, Hronovická
Kulturní Dum, CZ Pardubice. DDD The
British Symphonic Collection - Vol. 14 world
premiere recordings
CLASSICO CLASSCD 634 [61:09] [RB]
ClassicO
draw the curtains back to let in the light
on these two symphonies. The most immediately
pleasing is the Sterndale Bennett but it is
fascinating to hear the Potter. ... see Full
Review
David
STOCK (b.
1939) A Little Miracle (1997)
[30:03] Yizkor (1999) [10:04] Tekiah (1987) [19:19] Y'rusha (1986)
[16:28] Elizabeth
Shammash (mezzo)
Rundfunk Sinfonie-Orchester Berlin/Gerard Schwarz (Miracle). Seattle Symphony
Orchestra/ Gerard Schwarz (Yizkor); Stephen Burns (trumpet); Richard Stoltzman
(clarinet) Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble/David
Stock (Tekiah, Y'rusha) rec. Jesus Christus Kirche, Berlin, Apr
2000, Oct 2001 (Miracle); Benaroya
Hall, Seattle, May 1999 Yizkor); Levy Hall, Rodef Shalom Temple, Pittsburgh,
27 Feb 1992 (Tekiah); 10 Aug 1992 (Y'rusha). DDD NAXOS MILKEN SERIES
8.559422 [76:23]
[RB]
Yet
another fascinating perspective on Jewish music in America. Will
Naxos and the Milken archive really stop when they reach the
fiftieth disc? ... see Full Review
Johann
STRAUSS I (1804-1849)
Complete
Edition Volume 8 Tausendsapperment-Walzer, op.61 [07:27] Ballnacht-Galopp,
op.86 [01:53] Der Frohsinn, mein Ziel, Walzer, op.63 [08:04] Paris-Polka
[03:24] Robert-Tänze, op.64 [10:15] Marianka-Polka (attrib) [02:16]
Elisabethen-Walzer, op.71 [08:42] Militär-Quadrille [06:42] Cotillons
nach beliebten Motiven aus der Oper “Der Zweykampf”, op.72 [06:54] Versailler-Galopp,
op.107 [01:51] Rosa-Walzer, op.76 [07:32] Gitana-Galopp, op.108 [02:40]
Slovak Sinfonietta
Žilina/Christian Pollack rec. 25-27 February 2005, Fatra Concert Hall,
Žilina, Slovakia. DDD
MARCO POLO 8.225284 [67:38][CH]
This
series maintains its excellent standard. ...
see Full
Review
Richard
STRAUSS
(1864-1949) Violin
Sonata in E flat op. 18 (1887) [29:16]
Sergei
RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Cello Sonata
in G minor op. 19 (arr. for viola by Vadim
Borisovsky) (1901) [34:39]; Vocalise (arr.
for viola/violin by Yuri Zhislin) (1912 rev
1915) [6:08]
Yuri Zhislin (violin; viola) George-Emmanuel
Lazaridis (piano) rec. St Mary's Church, Walthamstow,
28-29 January 2005. DDD
SOMM NEW HORIZONS SOMMCD 046 [70:37]
[RB]
Zhislin
is thankfully sturdy of tone and has ample
reserves of virtuosity on which he draws in
these two high water marks of romanticism.
... see Full
Review
Franz
Xavier SÜßMAYR (1766-1803)
Der Spiegel von Arkadien
Consortium Classicum (Gernot Schmalfuß (oboe); Minkyu Yoon (oboe); Dieter
Klocker (clarinet); Johannes Pieper (clarinet); Jan Schroeder (horn);
Johannes Therodor Wiernes (horn); Helman Jung (bassoon); Jun-Won Lee
(bassoon); Michiniori Bunya (double-bass)) rec. 20-22 April 2005, Fuerstliche
Reitbahn, Bad Arolsen, Germany
MUSKPRODUKTION DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM MDG 301-1380-2 [62:26] [DB]
Works
for opera presented warmly for wind ensemble ... see Full
Review
Joby TALBOT (b.
1971) Path
of Miracles (2003): Roncesvalles
[17:22]; Burgos [15:04]; Leon
[11:44]; Santiago [18:13]
Tenebrae/Nigel Short rec. All Hallows Church,
Gospel Oak, London, 8-11 July 2005. DDD
SIGNUM CLASSICS
SIGCD078 SACD/CD [62:26] [RB]
A
work of sheer, plangent beauty which conveys
a sense of time-travelling, profundity and
disorientating strangeness. ... see Full
Review
Francisco
TÁRREGA (1852-1909) Complete works for guitar [109:12] CD1 Capricho Arabe [5:23]; La Alborada [2:00]; El Columpio
[2:36]; Maria [1:18]; Marieta [2:14];Adelita [1:55];Rosita [1:31];Grand
Vals [2:37]; Danza Odalisca [2:58]; Pavana [2:05]; Paquito [2:14];Pepita
[1:17]; Danza Mora [2:04] Vals en re [2:02]; Recuerdos de la Alhambra
[5:21]; Mazurka en sol [2:10];Minuetto [1:23]; Estudio sobre una sonatina
de Alard [2:11]; Isabel [1:12]; La Mariposa [1:06]; Estudio sobre un
estudio de Cramer [1:20]; Sueño-mazurka [1:39]; Las dos Hermanas [4:05];
Variaciones sobre el Carnaval de Venecia de Paganini [8:55] CD2 Preludio
en re [0:24]; Preludio en mi [0:37];Preludio en la menor [0:22]; Preludio
en sol [0:42]; Preludio en mi [1:26];Preludio en re [0:18];Preludio
en sol [0:34];Preludio en la menor [ 1:35];Lagrima [1:33]; Preludio
en re menor [1:17]; Preludio en la [0:43];Preludio en la [0:40];Preludio
en si menor [0:56]; Preludio en mi [0:43]; Preludio en fa# menor [0:32];
Preludio en re [0:30]; Oremus [0:49]; Endecha [0:50]; Preludio en la
[0:48]; Preludio en do [0:47]; Preludio en mi menor [0:28]; Preludio
en la [0:20]; Preludio en la menor [0:23]; Preludio en la [0:20]; Preludio
en la menor (da Robert Schumann:Presto op.99 n.2) [1:02]; Estudio en
forma de Minuetto [1:55];Estudio sobre un tema de Damas [1:38]; Sueño
(tremelo) [6:19]; Estudio en sol [2:15];Estudio sobre una sonatina de
Prudend [3:22]; Estudio de velocidad [1:27]; Mazurka sobre un tema anònimo
Español [0:50]; F.Mendelssohn (trans. Tárrega):
Bacarola veneziana op.19 n.6 [2:23]; Fantasia sobre la Traviata de Verdi
[2:30].
Giulio Tampalini (guitar) rec.
no information provided
CONCERTO CD 2001/2 [62:36 + 46:36][ZT]
This
new offering capably addresses the key components and will ensure musical
pleasure and fulfilling discovery however David Russell still represents
the gold standard for overall excellence. ... see Full
Review
Sir
John TAVENER (b.
1945) Lament for Jerusalem (2003. Revised
‘Jerusalem Version’ 2004) [54:35]
Angharad Gruffydd Jones (soprano); Peter Crawford (counter-tenor) Choir
of London and Orchestra/Jeremy Summerly rec. All Hallows, Gospel Oak,
London, UK, 30-31 March 2005. DDD
NAXOS 8.557826 [54:35] [JQ]
A
very fine work warmly welcomed. I’m very glad to have both this
version and the ABC disc on my shelves. ... see Full
Review
Pyotr
Il’yich TCHAIKOVSKY
(1840-1893) Dances and Overtures The
Queen of Spades, overture (1890) [3:58] Fatum – symphonic
poem, Op. 77 (1868) [15:58] The Voyevoda, overture (1868) [9:21]
The Maid of Orleans (1881): (Entr’acte, Act II [3:22]; Danse
des Bohémiens [3:44]; Danse des Polichinelles [4:21]) Cherevichki
(The Slippers) (1876/1887): Danse Russe [3:52]; Danse des Cosaques
[3:26]) The Enchantress (1887): (Introduction [5:31]; Danse des
Histrions [3:56]) Mazeppa, Gopak (1884) [4.21] The Oprichnik,
Danses (1874) [5:47] National
Symphony Orchestra of the Ukraine/Theodore Kuchar rec. Grand Concert
Studio, National Radio Company of the Ukraine, Kiev, 18-20 December
2000. DDD NAXOS 8.554845
[67:36] [RW]
The
overtures and dance music found here are interesting
since the pieces are taken from Tchaikovsky’s
lesser-known operas ... see Full
Review
Pyotr
Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Mazeppa
(1884) Mazeppa,
Cossack chieftain - Sergei Leiferkus (baritone) Kochubey, Ukrainian
landowner - Anatoly Kotcherga (bass) Lyubov. his wife - Larissa Dyadkova
(mezzo) Maria, their daughter - Galina Gorchakova (soprano) Andrey,
a young Cossack - Sergei Larin (tenor) Oriik, Mazepa’s henchman - Monte
Pederson (bass) Iskra, Kochubey’s friend - Richard Margison (tenor)
Drunken Cossack - Heinz Zednik (tenor) Royal Opera Chorus, Stockholm
Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra/Neeme Järvi rec. August 1993, Konserthuset,
Gothenburg DEUTSCHE
GRAMMOPHON 00289 477 5637 [62.58 + 66.14][TB]
Expressive
intensity well captured with powerful performances from Gorchakova and
Leiferkus and overall a vivid sweep and compelling urgency ... see Full
Review
Romuald
TWARDOWSKI (b.
1930) Concerto
for Piano and Orchestra (1984) [23:24] Concerto for Cello and Orchestra
(1997) [23:37] Small Concerto for Piano and Instrumental Group (1980)
[9:03] Old Polish Concerto "Staropolski" (1988) [11:32]
Edward Wolanin (piano) Tomasz Strahl (cello) The Chopin Youth Orchestra/Slawek
Adam Wroblewski rec. Warsaw 2001-2003 (no venue given)
ACTE PRÉALABLE APO 0110 [68:06] [DB]
Fans
of Prokofiev and Alexander Tcherepnin will
find these works quite interesting. I look
forward to hearing future performances. ...
see Full
Review
Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901) La
Traviata - opera in three acts (1853)
Violetta Valery -
Norah Amsellem (sop); Flora - Itxaro Mentxaka (mezzo); Annina - María
Espada (sop); Alfredo Germont - José Bros (tenor); Giorgio Germont
- Renato Bruson (bar); Gastone - Emilio Sánchez (ten); Doctor Grenvil
- Lorenzo Muzzi (bass); Baron Douphol - David Rubiera (bar); Marquis
d’Obigny - Marco Moncola (bar); Giuseppe - Ángel Walter (ten) Chorus
and orchestra of the Teatro Real de Madrid/Jésus López-Cobos rec.
live, Teatro Real de Madrid, 22, 26 March 2005. Set and costume design:
Pier Luigi Pizzi Director: Pier Luigi Pizzi Television Director:
Angel Luis Ramirez Picture format: 16/9 Anamorphic Sound formats:
LPCM Stereo. DTS surround Subtitles in English, German, French, Spanish
and Italian Libretto: Francesca Maria Piave after Alexander Dumas’ play La
dame aux camellias First performed at Teatro La Fenice, Venice,
6 March 1853 OPUS
ARTE DVD VIDEO OA0934D 
[2
DVDs:175:00] [RJF]
Amsellem’s
dramatically acted and well-sung portrayal
of one of the greatest roles in the operatic
repertoire makes this performance, in an updated
but not way-out setting, worthy of recommendation.
... see Full
Review
Giuseppe
VERDI
(1813-1901) La
Traviata. Opera in three acts (1853).
Bonus: interviews and rehearsals. Violetta
Valery, Anna Netrebko (sop); Flora, Helene
Schneiderman (mezzo); Annina, Diane Pilcher
(sop); Alfredo Germont, Rolando Villazón
(tenor); Giorgio Germont, Thomas Hampson (bar);
Gastone, Salvatore Cordella (ten); Doctor
Grenvil, Luigi Roni (bass); Baron Douphol,
Paul Gay (bar); Marquis d’Obigny, Herman Wallén
(bar); Giuseppe, Dritan Luca (ten) Chorus
of the Vienna State Opera
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Carlo Rizzi
rec. live, Grosses Festspielhaus, August 2005
Staged and directed by Willy Decker DEUTSCHE
GRAMMOPHON DVD VIDEO 000440 073 4196 GH 2
[2 DVDs: 132:00 + 42:00] [RF]
This
staging requires singing actors of considerable
ability in order to bring out the agonies
and all too brief ecstasies of the story.
In two Netrebko and Villazón it has
them. ... see Full
Review
Giuseppe VERDI
(1813-1901)
Don Carlos - opera in five acts (1867) 1867 Paris version
sung in French and complete with music unused at the first production
Philippe II (King of Spain),
Joseph Rouleau (bass); Don Carlos (Infante of Spain), André Turp (ten);
Rodrigue (Marquis de Posa), Robert Savoie (bar); Le Grande Inquisiteur,
Richard Van Allan (bass); Elisabeth de Valois (Philip's Queen), Edith
Tremblay (sop); Princesse Eboli (Elisabeth's lady-in-waiting), Michelle
Vilma (mezzo); Thiabault (Elisabeth's page), Gillian Knight (sop); Le
Comte de Lerme (A Royal Herald), Emile Belcourt (ten); An Old Monk,
Robert Lloyd (bass); A Voice from Heaven, Prudence Lloyd (sop) BBC Singers;
BBC Concert Orchestra/John Matheson rec. 22 April 1972 before invited
audience, Camden Theatre, London. First broadcast: BBC, 10 June 1973
Libretto: Joseph Méry and Camille Du Locle on Schiller’s dramatic poem
‘Don Carlos, Infant von Spanien’ (1785-86) Premiere: Académie Impériale,
The Opéra, Paris, 11 March 1867.
OPERA RARA ORCV 305 [4 CDs: 50.00 + 75.49 + 60.06 + 45.21] [RJF]
The
emergence of this vividly drawn seminal performance in the public
domain is to be wholeheartedly welcomed. ... see Full
Review
Richard
WAGNER (1813 – 1883) Das Rheingold
John Tomlinson (bass-baritone) – Wotan; Bodo Brinkmann (baritone) –
Donner; Kurt Schreibmayer (tenor) – Froh; Graham Clark (tenor) – Loge;
Günter von Kannen (bass) – Alberich; Helmut Pampusch (tenor) – Mime;
Matthias Hölle (bass) – Fasolt; Philip Kang (bass) – Fafner; Linda Finnie
(mezzo) – Fricka; Eva Johansson (soprano) – Freia; Birgitta Svendén
(mezzo) – Erda; Hilde Leidland (soprano) – Woglinde; Annette Küttenbaum
(mezzo) – Wellgunde; Jane Turner (contralto) – Flosshilde Orchester
der Bayreuther Festspiele/ Daniel Barenboim Staged and directed by Harry
Kupfer; Stage design: Hans Schavernoch; Costume design: Reingard Heinrich;
Video director: Horant H. Hohlfeld; Artistic supervision: Wolfgang Wagner
Filmed at the Bayreuth Festspielhaus, June-July 1991
WARNER CLASSICS 2564 62318-2 DVD
[154:00] [GF]
This
Rheingold has the best singing. If forced
to make a choice I would opt for this Barenboim
version ... see Full
Review
Richard
WAGNER (1813–1883)
Die Walküre (1876)
Stuart Skelton (tenor) – Siegmund; Deborah
Riedel (soprano) – Sieglinde; Richard Green
(bass) – Hunding; John Bröcheler (bass-baritone)
– Wotan; Lisa Gasteen (soprano) – Brünnhilde;
Elizabeth Campbell (mezzo) – Fricka; Elizabeth
Stannard (soprano) – Gerhilde; Lisa Harper-Brown
(soprano) – Ortlinde; Liane Keegan (contralto)
– Waltraute; Zan McKendree-Wright (mezzo)
– Schwertleite; Kate Ladner (soprano) – Helmwige;
Gaye MacFarlane (mezzo) – Siegrune; Jennifer
Barnes (soprano) – Grimgerde; Donna-Maree
Dunlop (soprano) – Rossweise;
Adelaide Symphony Orchestra/Asher Fisch rec.
Adelaide Festival Theatre, 16 November–12
December 2004
MELBA
MR 301091-94 SACD [4 CDs 63:17 + 49:10
+ 42:12 + 68:47] [GF]
Impresses
greatly … In every respect a high quality
product that will have an honoured place in
my collection. ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Richard WAGNER (1860-1911) Siegfried (1876) Siegfried:
Heinz Kruse, Mime: Graham Clark,
Der Wanderer: John Bröcheler, Alberich: Henk Smit, Fafner: Carsten Stabell Erda:
Anne Gjevang,
Brünnhilde: Jeannine Altmeyer, Waldvogel: Stefan Pangratz, Rotterdam Philharmonic
Orchestra, Der Nederlandse Opera/ Hartmut Haenchen, Stage Director: Pierre Audi,
rec. live, Het Muziektheater, Amsterdam, 1999
DVD - all regions OPUS ARTE
OA 0948D [3
DVDs: 273:00] [AO]
Haenchen
is superb, galvanising a tight, precise and very animated performance.
It’s faster paced than usual and surprisingly lucid. This is a
Siegfried to listen to, as well as watch (though missing Clark’s
Mime would be a shame) ... Very highly recommended ... see Full
Review
Richard
WAGNER (1860-1911) Götterdämmerung
(1876) Siegfried:
Heinz Kruse Alberich: Henk Smit Waltraute: Anne Gjevang Brünnhilde:
Jeannine Altmeyer Hagen: Kurt Rydl Gunther: Wolfgang Schöne Gutrune:
Eva-Maria Bundschuh Der Nederlandse Opera Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra/Hartmut
Haenchen Stage Director: Pierre Audi rec. live, Het Muziektheater, Amsterdam,
1999 DVD: all regions OPUS
ARTE OA 0949 D
[3 DVDs: 268:00][AO]
This
is a series that breaks new ground in Wagner interpretation and should
not be missed ... see Full
Review
William
WALTON
(1902-1983) Symphony No.1 in B flat minor (1933)
[44:15] Prelude and Fugue - The Spitfire (1942) [7:30]
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra/Vernon Handley (symphony;) English
Chamber Orchestra/Steuart Bedford (Prelude and Fugue) Rec. Liverpool,
1978 (symphony); Maltings, Snape, 1987 (Prelude and Fugue); ADD/DDD
ASV RESONANCE CD CDRSN3067
[51:45][RB]
A
sound entry-level choice. Even seasoned Waltonians would do well to
reassess this version of the symphony. ... see Full
Review
Silvius Leopold
WEISS
(1687-1750)
Lute Sonatas: Volume 7 Lute Sonata No.15 in B flat major [24:45]
Lute Sonata No.48 in F sharp minor [35:20]
Robert Barto (baroque lute) rec. Offord Hall, Aurora, Ontario, February
2005. NAXOS 8.557806
[60:05] [JW]
The
flowing elasticity of both these sonatas is
memorable and the performances, ideally recorded
... a marvellous disc. ... see Full
Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Healey WILLAN (1880-1968) Hymns,
Anthems, Motets In the heavenly kingdom, Op. 380 B380 (1924
completed F.R.C.Clarke 1979) [8:45] St Osmund, Op. 449 B449 (1927)
[3:20] Sun of Righteousness, Op. 438 B438 [3:22] How they so
softly rest, Op. 302 [B302] (1917) [3:48] Anthem on Ye watchers
and ye holy ones, Op. 403 B403 [4:35] Missa Brevis No. 11, "Sancti
Johannis Baptistae", Op. 226 B266 Kyrie [2:05] Sanctus
[1:05] Benedictus qui venit [1:20] Agnus Dei [2:40] I looked,
and behold a white cloud, Op. 344 B344 (1907) [7:16] (Joseph
Schnurr, tenor / Matthew Larkin, organ) Preserve us, O Lord,
Op. 310 B310 (1928-37) [1:44] O King all glorious, Op. 311 B311
[2:44] Anthem on Picardy, Op. 405 B405 [5:06] Christ hath a garden,
Op. 352 B352 (1940) [3:33] Anthem on O quanta qualia, Op. 394
B394 [3:52] O how glorious, Op. 304 [1:35] O praise the Lord,
Op. 377 B377 (revised 1963) [7:50] Rise up, my love, my fair
one, Op. 314 B314 [2:26] Elora
Festival Singers/Noel Edison, Matthew Larkin (organ)
rec.St John’s Church, Elora, November 2004. DDD NAXOS
8.557734 [67.07]
[JW]
Appetites
whetted for more Willan have been handsomely met with this release
... see Full Review
Healey
WILLAN (1880-1968) Organ
Works Prelude and Fugue in c (1908) [11’36] Chorale
Prelude on a Melody by Orlando Gibbons (1950) [3’31] Introduction,
Passacaglia and Fugue (1916) [19’35] Aria from A Fugal Trilogy (1950)
[2’14] Five Preludes on Plainchant Melodies (1958) [19’31]
Passacaglia and Fugue No 2 in e (1959) [12’48] Prelude on ‘Aberystwyth’ (1956)
[2’57] Epilogue (1908) [5’22] Patrick
Wedd, organ rec. Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste, Montréal, Canada,
26-28 February 2002. DDD NAXOS
8.557375 [77’39] [JQ]
I’m
delighted to have encountered this disc as will anyone interested
both in organ music and in the music of the Anglican Church. ...
see Full Review
Hugo WOLF
(1860-1903) String
Quartet in D minor (1878-1884) [43:23] Intermezzo
(1886) [10:13] Italian Serenade (1887)
[6:32]
Wihan Quartet rec. Domovina Studio, Prague
in May, June, September 2000. DDD
ARCODIVA UP 0029-2 131 [60:21] [PCW]
Hard
to imagine this being bettered ... see Full
Review
Haydn
WOOD (1882-1959) The Golden Age of Light
Music – Joyousness – The Music of Haydn Wood Horse Guards -
Whitehall (from London Landmarks Suite)
Orchestre Raymonde/Robert Preston [3:11] Joyousness - Concert
Waltz (from Moods Suite) Light Symphony Orchestra/Haydn Wood
[4:18] Laughing Cavalier (Haydn Wood) New Concert Orchestra/Jack
Leon [3:01] Longing London Palladium Orchestra/Richard Crean
[3:02] Roses of Picardy Peter Yorke and his Concert Orchestra
featuring Freddy Gardner, saxophone [2:33] Seville (from Cities
of Romance Suite) BBC Variety Orchestra/Charles Shadwell featuring
Reginald Foort, organ [2:35] The Seafarer - A Nautical Rhapsody (Haydn
Wood) Intro: Hulla Balloo Balay, Rio Grande,
Leave Her Johnnie Leave Her, Drunken Sailor, Shenandoah,
When Johnnie Comes Down To Hilo, Roving Charles Williams
and his Concert Orchestra [7:38] Montmartre (from Paris
Suite) Debroy Somers Band [2:47] Nelson's Column - Overture (from
London Landmarks Suite) Queen's Hall Light Orchestra/Charles
Williams [3:05] Soliloquy Queen's Hall Light Orchestra/Robert
Farnon [3:11] Homage March Light Symphony Orchestra/Haydn Wood
[4:13] Bird of Love Divine London Palladium Orchestra/Richard
Crean [3:37] Vienna (from Frescoes Suite) New Concert
Orchestra/Serge Krish [4:07] Mannin Veen (Dear Isle Of Man)
Light Symphony Orchestra/Haydn Wood [8:55] Caprice (from Moods
Suite) Queen's Hall Light Orchestra/Charles Williams [2:18] Tower
Hill (from London Landmarks Suite) Queen's Hall Light Orchestra/Charles
Williams [3:15] I Hear You Calling Me (Charles Marshall arr.
Haydn Wood) London Palladium Orchestra/Richard Crean [4:15] Torch
of Freedom - Grand March New Concert Orchestra/Jack Leon [2:34]
Stanford Rhapsody (founded on Sir Charles Villiers Stanford's
Songs of the Sea) (Haydn Wood) Intro: Drake's Drum,
Homeward Bound, Devon O Devon In Wind And Rain, The Old
Superb Debroy Somers Band [8:19] Recorded 1933-52. ADD
GUILD LIGHT MUSIC GLCD 5121 [77.57][JF]
A
great CD that captures the spirit of Haydn Wood’s light music. ... see
Full Review
Alexander
ZEMLINSKY
(1871-1942) Lyric Symphony, Op
18 (1921-3) [51.43] (Texts by Rabindranath Tagore, tr. Hans Effenberger)
Christine Schäfer (soprano);
Matthias Goerne (baritone) Orchestre de Paris/Christoph Eschenbach rec.
Maison ONDIF, Paris, 26 June 2005. DSD CD tracks stereo 2.0; SACD stereo
2.0 and surround 5.0. Hybrid SACD Notes in Deutsch, English, Français.
Photos of artists, complete texts and translations.
CAPRICCIO SACD 71 081
[51.43] [PSh]
The
most satisfying performance of this music I’ve ever heard — intense,
detailed, intimate, free of exaggerated dramatic gestures. ...
see Full Review
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