Mardi
Brass: Something Old ... The
Evolution of the Brass Quintet Renaissance
Suite (arr. Adam WOOLF): HENRY
VIII (1491-1547) I. The
Base of Spayne [2:16] Anthony
HOLBORNE (c.1545-1602) II. Pavan:
The Image of Melancholy [3:26] Tarquinio
MERULA (c.1594-1665) III. Chaconne
[3:24] Henry PURCELL (1659-1695)
(arr. Edward
MAXWELL) Chaconne from the Duke of Gloucester’s Birthday Ode [3:31] George
Frederick HANDEL (1685-1759) Concerto in F (from HWV335a): Overture:
Allegro (arr. Edward MAXWELL)
Eternal Source of Light Divine (from Queen Anne’s Birthday Ode) (arr. Richard
HAMMOND) [3:11]
Hornpipe (arr. Edward MAXWELL) [3:35] Johann
VIERDANCK (1605-1646) Sonata: Als ich einmal Lust bekam
(arr. Adam WOOLF) [4:27] Jean-Philippe
RAMEAU (1683-1764) Gavaotte and Variations (arr. Edward MAXWELL) [4:33] Hector
BERLIOZ (1803-1869) Two Scenes from The Damnation of Faust (arr. Jeff
MILLER):
Mephistopheles’s Air [2:55]
Dance of the Sylphes [2:24] Wolfgang Amadeus
Mozart (1756-1791) Three Church Sonatas (arr. Jonathan HASSAN) K329 [4:30]
K67 [2:41]
K263 [2:38] Viktor EWALD (1860-1935): Quintet No.2, Op.6 [19:32] 
Richard
Hammond, Edward Maxwell (trumpets), Jonathan Hassan (horn), Adam Woolf (trombone),
Jeff Miller (tuba, bass trombone)
rec. 8-10 September 2004, St. Paul’s Church, New Southgate, London. DDD LONDON
INDEPENDENT RECORDS LIR010 [67:34] [GPu]
There
is plenty to enjoy here in the playing of an obviously accomplished
group – so long as one doesn’t take the implied history lesson
too seriously … see Full Review
Zubin
Mehta: A 70th Birthday Tribute CD
1 [71:52] Leonard
BERNSTEIN (1918-1990) Candide: Overture
[4:14]§1 Gioachino ROSSINI (1792-1868) Guglielmo Tell:
Overture [11:56]*§15 La scala di seta: Overture [6:12]*§16 Carl
Maria von WEBER (1786-1826) Oberon: Overture
[8:26]*§16 Der Freischütz: Overture [9:15]§2 Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) La forza del destino:
Overture [7:31]§3 La traviata: Act I - Prelude [3:22]*§16 La
traviata: Act III - Prelude [3:22]*§16 Franz
von SUPPÉ (1819-1895) Dichter und Bauer: Overture
[9:07]§3 Johann STRAUSS II (1825-1899) Die
Fledermaus: Overture [8:11]§2 CD 2 [78:58] Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) Boléro [13:52]§3 La
valse [11:57]§4 Daphnis et Chloé: Suite No 2 [16:19]††§4 Igor STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) Circus Polka [3:36]§5 Le
sacre de printemps [31:56]§6 CD 3 [80:44] Aaron COPLAND (1900-1990) Fanfare for the Common
Man [2:43]7 John WILLIAMS (b 1932) Star Wars: Suite [29:48]8 Close
Encounters of the Third Kind: Suite [13:36]8 William
KRAFT (b 1923) Concerto for Four Percussion Soloists
and Orchestra [18:38]9 Charles IVES (1874-1954) Decoration
Day (Holidays in a Connecticut Country Town No 2)
[9:37]10
Variations on America (orch. William Schuman) [6:48]10 CD
4 [80:36] Gustav HOLST (1874-1934) The Planets, Op.
32 [49:53] ††11 Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Enigma Variations,
Op. 36 [30:45]3 CD 5 [78:52] Anton
BRUCKNER (1824-1896) Symphony No 8 in C minor (Nowak edition) [78:42]§12 CD
6 [79:57] Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Die
Meistersinger von Nürnberg: Act I - Prelude [9:11]†§17 Rienzi:
Overture [12:00]§13 Lohengrin: Act I – Prelude [8:58]†§17 Gottfried
von EINEM (1918-1996) Philadelphia Symphony [16:31]†§17 Richard
STRAUSS (1864-1949) Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30 [32:56]14 Los
Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra; *Israel Philharmonic Orchestra; †Wiener Philharmoniker/Zubin
Mehta; ††additionally Los Angeles Master Chorale/Roger Wagner rec. Royce Hall
UCLA, Los Angeles, 1: April 1976; 2: March 1973; 3: May 1972; 4: March 1970;
5: April 1967; 6: August 1969; 7: August 1977; 8: December 1977; 9: April 1968;
10: May 1975; 11: April 1971; 12: April 1974; 13: April 1973; 14: May 1968; *Mann
Auditorium, Tel Aviv, 15: July 1980; 16: February 1977; †Sofiensaal, Vienna,
17: May-June 1966
ADD §1st international CD release DECCA
475 7470 [71:52 +
78:58 + 80:44 + 80:36 + 78:52 + 79:57] [AOr]
Zubin
Mehta rocking the galaxy, the jaw-dropping LA sessions ... see Full
Review
Missa
Mexicana Francisco
ESCALADA (fl. 1677) Villancico Canten
dos jilguerillos [2:26] Juan Gutiérrez
de PADILLA (c.1590-1664) Kirie [Missa Ego flos campi]
[2:09] Santiago
de MURCIA (c.1682-fl. 1714) Jácaras de la costa [4:18]
Juan Bautista José CABANILLES
(d. 1702) Xácara Los que fueren de buen
gusto [4:55] Juan
Gutiérrez de PADILLA Gloria [Missa Ego flos campi] [3:23] Juan
CABANILLES (1644-1712) Corrente Italiana [4:04] Juan
Gutiérrez de PADILLA Xácara: A la xácara xacarilla [7:12]
Juan Gutiérrez de PADILLA Credo
[Missa Ego flos campi] [5:52] Santiago
de MURCIA Cumbées [3:02] Juan
Gutiérrez de PADILLA Negrilla A siolo flasiquiyo
[3:02] Juan
Gutiérrez de PADILLA Sanctus [Missa Ego flos campi]
[1:32] ANONYMOUS (17th Century, Peru)
Marizápalos a lo humano: Marizápalos bajó una tarde [6:37] Joan CEREROLS
(1618-1676) Marizápalos a lo divino: Serafin que con dulce harmonía
[4:20] Miguel Pérez de ZAVALA (fl.
1690) Diferencias sobre marizápalos [4:20]
Juan Gutiérrez de PADILLA Agnus
Dei [Missa Ego flos campi] [1:34] Juan
García de ZÉSPEDES (1619-1678) Guaracha Convidando está
la noche [4:26]
The Harp Consort/Andrew Lawrence-King rec.
July 2000, Abbey of Saint-Michel-en-Thiérache, France. DDD
HARMONIA MUNDI HMX 2907293 [64:17][DC]
An
irresistible package for early music buffs and open-minded collectors.
Beautifully recorded and performed ... see Full
Review
Viktoria
Mullova (violin) Twentieth-Century Violin
Concertos Disc 1 Igor STRAVINSKY
(1882-1971) Violin Concerto in D (1931) [20:37] * Béla
BARTÓK (1881-1945) Violin Concerto No.2, BB117 (1939) [35:52]
^ Disc 2 Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975)
Violin Concerto No.1 in A minor, op. 99 (1948) [33:53] # Sergey
PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Violin Concerto No.2 in G minor, op.63
(1935) [26:52] #
Viktoria Mullova (violin) Los Angeles Philharmonic/Esa-Pekka
Salonen*^, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/André Previn #. rec. Long Beach
Terrace Theatre, Long Beach, May 1997 *; Todd-AO Studios, Hollywood,
May 1997 ^; London, June 1988 #. DDD
PHILIPS 475-7457 [56:44 + 61:04][TP]
This
reissue brings together superb recordings of the Stravinsky and Prokofiev
concertos, an excellent alternative reading of the Bartók and a decent
performance of the Shostakovich. Great value from a greatly underrated
artist. ... see Full Review
Music
for Brass and Percussion – 2 Arvo
PÄRT (b. 1935) Arbos (1977 rev. 1986) [2:20]
Giovanni GABRIELI (c. 1557-1612) Canzon Duodecimi Toni à 10 (No.4)
(1597 edition) [3:43] Sonata Pian'e Forte (1597 edition) [3:59]
Canzon in Double Echo (attributed to Gabrieli) [3:35] Robert
SIMPSON (1921-1997) The Four Temperaments (1982) [21:27]
Henry PURCELL (1659-1695) Symphony
from Act IV of the Fairy Queen (1692) [5:55] Modest
MUSSORGSKY (1839-1881) arr. Elgar HOWARTH
(b. 1935) Pictures at an Exhibition (1874) [30:14] Kensington
Symphonic Brass/Russell Keable rec. live, Holy Trinity, Kensington,
31 March 1995. DDD DUNELM
RECORDS DRD0254 [73:02] Music for Brass and
Percussion – 3 Michael TIPPETT (1905-1998)
Fanfare for Brass No.1 (1943) [2:20] Giovanni
GABRIELI (c. 1557-1612) Canzon XXVIII (1608 edition) [1:33]
Canzon XIII (1615 edition) [2:30] Malcolm
ARNOLD (b.1921) Symphony for Brass, Op.123 (1979) [22:39]
Aaron COPLAND (1900-1990) Ceremonial
Fanfare (1969) [4:02] Paul HINDEMITH
(1895-1963) Morgenmusik (1932) [4:25] George
Frederic HANDEL (1685-1759) arr. Elgar
HOWARTH (b. 1935) Music for the Royal Fireworks (1749) [17:21]
Kensington Symphonic Brass/Russell Keable rec. live, Holy Trinity, Kensington,
29 March 1996. DDD DUNELM
RECORDS DRD0255 [54:50][TP]
Volume
3 does not demand to be purchased, but although none of these individual
performances is essential, they are well played and make an attractive
concert programme. If you are interested in the Simpson, then volume
2 may be worth purchasing. Otherwise, avoid. ... see Full
Review
Music
4 Hands
Steve REICH (b. 1936)
Piano Phase (1967) [18:20] Philip
GLASS (b. 1937) Six Scenes from Les Enfants Terribles
(1996) [32:40]: (Overture; The Bedroom; Paul Sleepwalking; Snow Falling
in the Playground; Elizabeth Chooses a Career; Death of the Twins/Finale)
Maki Namekawa and Dennis
Russell Davies (pianos) rec. no date given, Brucknerhaus, Linz, Studio
Weinberg, Kafermarkt
ORANGE MOUNTAIN RECORDS OM0022 [51:00] [KM]
A
mixed bag of early and later minimalist music for two pianos ...
see Full Review
A Night of Rhythm and Dance
Maurice
RAVEL (1875-1937)
La Valse (1919-20) [13:16] Daphnis et Chloé: Suite
No. 2 (1913) [16:16] George GERSHWIN (1898-1937)
Songs: Fascinatin’ Rhythm [2:58]; The Man I Love [4:34];
Nice Work If You Can Get It [2:41]; Someone To Watch
Over Me [4:30]; Summertime [6:55]; I Got Rhythm [5:15]
sung by Susan Graham Zhao
JIPING (b. 1954) Farewell My Concubine: Suite for
Orchestra [17:31] Jean-Paul BEINTUS
(b. 1966) He Got Rhythm (Hommage à George Gershwin) [8:16]
Mari and Momo Kodama (pianos) Eitetsu HAYASHI
(b. 1952) Utage Eitetsu Hayashi (wadaiko) Isao
MATSUSHITA (b. 1951) Hi-Ten-Yu Eitetsu Hayashi (wadaiko)
Berliner Philharmoniker/Kent Nagano rec. Live from the Waldbühner, Berlin,
25 June 2000 EUROARTS
INVITATION 2050526 
[112:00]
[IL]
A
concert dominated and highlighted by Far Eastern music that thrilled
and fascinated. ... see Full
Review
Birgit
Nilsson at the churches of St. Jacob and Gustav Vasa Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1779-1827) Die Ehre Gottes aus der
Natur; Josef ERIKSSON (1872-1957) Stora
och underbara äro dina verk; Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)/Charles GOUNOD (1818-1893) Ave Maria; Edvard GRIEG (1843-1907) Den store, hvide flok; César FRANCK (1822-1890) Panis angelicus; Charles GOUNOD Parce Domine (Repentir); Albert RUNBÄCK (1894-1974) Frid; Adolphe ADAM (1803-1856) O holy night; Stephen ADAMS (1844-1913) The holy city; John Henry HOPKINS Jr. (?) We three kings of Orient; Felix
MENDELSSOHN-BARTHOLDY (1809-1847) Hark! The herald
angels sing; Lowell MASON (1792-1872) Joy
to the world; George Frederic HANDEL (1685-1759) Tochter
Sion, freue dich; Franz GRUBER (1787-1863) Stille
Nacht, heilige Nacht; Johann Sebastian
BACH/Charles GOUNOD Ave Maria; César FRANCK (1822-1897) Panis angelicus; ; Adolphe ADAM O Helga natt; Franz GRUBER Stilla natt; Prince Gustaf (1827-1852) I rosens doft Birgit
Nilsson (soprano) Anders Bondeman (organ)(tracks 1-14), Åke Olofsson
(cello)(tracks 5; 6), Anna
Stångberg (harp)(track 5), St. Jacob’s Youth Choir/Stefan Sköld (tracks 11, 13,
14), Åke Levén (organ) (tracks 15-18), Arnold Östman (piano)(track 19) Recorded
at St. Jacob’s Church, Stockholm, 14-17 February, 1977 (tracks 1-14), at Gustav
Vasa Church, Stockholm, 3 August, 1963 (tracks 15-18), Swedish Radio, Studio
3, Stockholm, 29 December 1975 (track 19) SWEDISH
SOCIETY DISCOFIL SCD 1137 [69:08] [GF]
All
in all a disappointing issue. For the best of Birgit Nilsson one
has to look elsewhere. ... see Full
Review
Piano Music from Northern
Ireland Philip HAMMOND (b.
1951) African Black (1993) [4:33] Ho Hum Hill
NH (2001) [7:05] The island beyond the world (2001) [10:26] Alan
MILLS (b. 1964) Night-music (1987) [3:13] Reproductions (2002) [9:30]
Eibhlis FARRELL (b. 1953) Time
drops (1988) [9:14] Deirdre MCKAY (b. 1971) Time, shining (1998) [9:56] David
BYERS (b. 1947) Echoes of survival (2004) [3:59]
David Quigley (piano) rec. Wathen Hall, St Paul’s School, London, September
2005 LORELT LNT 122
[58:01][HC]
A
neatly balanced, pleasantly varied, expertly played and well recorded
programme of pieces that are well made, often attractive and clearly
deserve more than the occasional hearing. ... see Full
Review
Opera -
New Works for Violin and Piano
Joe CUTLER (b.1968)
Re(GAIA) (2000) [5:36] Richard CAUSTON
(b.1971) Seven States of Rain (2002) [11:32] Joseph
PHIPPS (b.1974) Fantasia (1997) [8:15] Bryn
HARRISON (b.1969) Listenings I (2001) [17:23] Jonathan
POWELL Intrecciata (2003) [4:46] Morgan
HAYES (b.1973) Opera (2003) [6:50]
Darragh Morgan (violin) Mary Dullea (piano) rec. Gateway Studios, Kingston,
December 2002 to March 2003
NMC D108 [55:00] [DC]
Congratulations
for giving us another stimulating and variety-packed helping of
brand new music. ... see Full Review
Das Partiturbuch: Instrumental
Music at the Courts of 17th Century Germany
Antonio BERTALI (1605-1669) Sonata
a 4 in D minor [9:29] Ciaconna in C major for solo violin [8:45] Sonata
a 3 in G major [3:18] Johann Michael NICOLAI
(1629-1685) Sonata a 2 in A minor [3:36] Sonata a 2 in C major [5:40]
ANONYMOUS Ciaconna a 3 in C major
[2:17] Johann Heinrich SCHMELZER (c.1623-1680)
Sonata variata in D minor [6:38] Adam
DRESE (c.1620-1701) Sonata a 3 in A minor [4:32] Sonata a
2 in A minor [4:10] Samuel CAPRICORNUS
(1628-1665) Ciaconna in D major [4:17] Nathaniel
SCHNITTELBACH (1633-1667) Ciaconna in A major [9:36]
Ensemble Echo du Danube: Martin Jopp (violin), Jörn Sebastian Kuhlmann
(violin), Rainer Johannsen (dulcian), Christian Zincke (viola da gamba,
violone), Michael Dücker (theorbo), Margit Schultheiss (Italian double
harp), Alexander Weimann (harpsichord, organ), directed by Christian
Zincke rec. Studios of Hessischer Rundfunk, Frankfurt; 25-28 November
2002. DDD NAXOS 8.557679
[62:28] [GPu]
An
entertaining and instructive collection, which whets the appetite
for more music by these composers … see Full
Review
Juliette
Pochin – Venezia Antonio
VIVALDI (1678-1741) arr. Morgan
Pochin Sposa son disprezzata [4.24] * JS
BACH (1685-1750) arr. Morgan Pochin Ave
Maria [3.28] ** Tomasso ALBINONI (1671-1751) arr. Morgan Pochin Mille Fiate (Adagio) [3.50] MORGAN
POCHIN Lucezia [2.52] Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741) arr. Morgan Pochin Nulla in Mundo [3.36] Benedetto
MARCELLO (1686-1739) arr. Morgan
Pochin Pace non trovo [3.42] *** Domenico
CIMAROSA (1749-1801) arr. Morgan
Pochin A Capemonte [3.20] Tomasso
ALBINONI (1671-1751) arr. Morgan
Pochin Salve Regina [3.55] MORGAN
POCHIN Ponte dei sospiri [3.13] Antonio
VIVALDI (1678-1741) arr. Morgan
Pochin Four Seasons suite: La Primavera I [2.43]; La
Primavera II [2.18]; L’estate [2.37]; L’autunno [2.13]; L’inferno
I [3.06]; L’inferno II [2.13] Juliette
Pochin (mezzo) * with Craig Ogden (guitar) ** with Julian Lloyd-Webber
(cello) and Marat Bisengaliev (violin) *** with Alun Darbyshire
(oboe) BTA West Kazakhstan Philharmonic Orchestra/Arcadians Choir/James
Morgan. Orchestra recorded at Gateway Studios; vocals, choir
and mixing at Morgan Pochin Studios, London. No recording dates
given SONY
82876821222 [47.36] [ED]
An
instantly forgettable disc. I hope that future releases might pay
more than occasional lip service to serious music-making, but I
fear this hope may be forlorn ... see Full
Review
Portraits Karol SZYMANOWSKI (1882-1937) Violin
Concerto No. 1 (1916) [25:35] Bohuslav MARTINŮ (1890-1959) Violin Concerto
No. 2 H293 (1943) [27:25] Béla BARTÓK (1881-1945) Two Portraits (Idealistic; Distorted)
op. 5 (1911) [11:54] Jennifer
Koh (violin) Grant Park Orchestra/Carlos Kalmar rec. Harris Theater
for Music and Dance, Millennium Park, Chicago, 1-2 July 2004 (Szymanowski);
1-2 July 2005 (Martinů, Bartók) . DDD ÇEDILLE
CDR 90000 089 [65:15] [RB]
Outstanding
audio versions of good performances but a
shade too cool for my taste. ... see Full
Review
Provence
mystique:
Sacred songs of the Middle Ages ANONYMOUS
Audi tellus [1:30] ANONYMOUS Clara sonent
organa [3:44] Pierre Espanhol/ Gaucelm Faidit (12th
century) Ar levatz sus, francha corteza gens! [5:14] ANONYMOUS (13th
century) Tantost com fon al loc vengutz [1:27] Venantius
FORTUNATUS (d.609?)/Gregorian
Chant Vexilla regis [0:40] Peire CARDENAL (c.1180-c.1278)/Jaufré RUDEL (c.1125-c.1148) Del
quatre caps que la cros [7:32] ANONYMOUS Verbum
patris humanatur [2:53] Guilhem FIGUEIRA (c.1215-c.1240)/Piere
VIDAL (fl.1180-1205) D’un sirventes far [6:49] Peire
CARDENAL (c.1180-c.1278)/attrib. Alfonso
el Sabio (1221-1284) Una ciutatz fo [10:38] ANONYMOUS (13th
century) Dona, Maire del salvador [0:59] ANONYMOUS Flore
vernans gratie [1:39] attrib. Alfonso EL SABIO (1221-1284) En
bon ponto [8:29] ANONYMOUS Gregor pastor
Tityrus [4:06] Anne Azéma (soprano);
Laurence Brisset; Annelies Coene; Catherine Jousselin; Pasquale Mourey (voices);
Kit Higginson (recorder; psaltery); Shira Kammen (medieval fiddle); Margriet
Tindemans (medieval fiddle; harp)
rec. 11-18 July 1998, Abbaye de Gellone, Saint-Guilhem-le-Déser, France WARNER
CLASSICS APEX 2564 62759-2 [56:03] [GPu]
An
imaginatively compiled programme, often beautiful and powerful, of the
religious songs of twelfth-century Provence ... see Full
Review
Quatuors
Suisses pour Instruments à Anches Boris MERSSON (b. 1921) Odyssée à quatre, Op. 40 (1981)
[12.55] Barbara JAZWINSKI (b.?-d.?) Blue Tango (1999) [7.45] Hans-Martin LINDE (b. 1930) Wind-Spiel (1993) [10.11]
Felix HUBER (b. 1952) Holzminiaturen (1994) [11.46] Jerzy DERFEL (b. 1941) Sonata in blue (1994) [12.30]
Quatuor Francis Poulenc rec. Musikschule Rheinfelden, 20-24 September
2001 MUSIQUES SUISSES
MGB CD 6213 [55.32][SV]
Spankingly
precise, full-toned playing ... fleet virtuosity and poignant expression
... see Full Review
HISTORICAL
RECORDING OF THE MONTH Sergei
RACHMANINOV (1873-1943)
His Complete Recordings
BMG-RCA RED SEAL 82876-67892-2 [10 CDs:
67:49 + 62:45 + 62:30 + 65:03 + 66:00 + 58:14
+ 58:54 + 71:52 + 65:39] Superbudget [CH]
In
spite of the booklet, the opportunity to gather
the entire legacy of one of the greatest of
all pianists in a single box is not one to
be missed. ... see Full
Review
Rapsodi
- Albanian Piano Music: Volume II Çesk
ZADEJA (1927-1997)
Tokkata (Toccata) [3:31] Theme
and Variations in E minor [5:21] Feim
IBRAHIMI (1935-1997) Vals (Waltz)
[1:21] Valle për piano (Dance
for piano) [2:53] Tonin
HARAPI (1928-1992) Sonatina
(Allegro non troppo [5:53]; II.
Andante [4:08]; III. Rondo:
Allegro con brio [3:28]) Këngë
mbrëmje (Evening Song) [4:33]
Temë me variacione (Theme and
Variations) [9:14] Aleksander
KOMNINO Këngë polifonike
(Polyphonic Song) [2:12] Këngë
(Song) [1:08] Tish
DAIJA (1926-2004) Vals (Waltz)
[1:28] Jani PAPADHIMITRI
(b. 1948) Baresha e Vogël (The
Little Shepherdess) [2:21] Alberto
PAPARISTO (b. 1925) Scherzo
[3:22]; Val (Dance) [1:09]
Kozma LARA
(b. 1931) Ballade No. 2 [5:28]
Sonatë për piano nr. 2 (Sonata
No. 2 for piano) [9:25] Ramadan
SOKOLI (b. 1920) Rapsodi
Shqiptare nr. 2 (Albanian
Rhapsody No. 2) [3:52] Simon
GJONI (1926-1991) Prelud
në mi minor (Prelude in E minor)
[2:26] Tokata (Toccata) [1:37]
Kirsten Johnson (piano) rec. St George's
Bristol, 14, 17 January 2005 DDD
GUILD GMCD 7300 [74:58] [GH]
I
can honestly say that if I had not been sent
this CD to review then I would have purchased
it. Immensely enjoyable, fascinating, enterprising
... see Full
Review
Instruments
from the Raymond Russell Collection Volume
II Double-manual
harpsichord (4316), Robert Falkener, London, 1773 George
Frideric HANDEL (1685 -1759) Suite in D minor HWV
437 (1733) Prelude - Allemande - Courante - Sarabande (avec doubles)
- Gigue Bentside spinet (4309) attrib. John Player, London,
c. 1705 Henry PURCELL (1659-1695) Five
pieces from Musick's Handmaid (1689) March - Minuet - A new Ground
- A new Scotch Tune - A new Irish Tune Bentside spinet (4313),
John Harrison, London, 1757 Three pieces from Robert Bremner's
The Harpsichord or Spinnet Miscellany (1765) Fy gar rub her o'er
with Straw - The Flowers of the Forrest - Maggy Lauder Enharmonic
virginal (4345), attrib. Francesco Poggio, Florence, c. 1620 Michelangelo
ROSSI (1601/2-1656) Toccata settima (Toccate e corenti
d'intavolatura d'organo e cimbalo, 1657) Chamber organ (4327),
anonymous, London?, c. 1680 Thomas
TOMKINS (1572-1656) A sad Pavan for these distracted
times John BLOW (1649-1708) Voluntary
in C Fretted clavichord (4338), Christian Gottlob Hubert,
Ansbach, 1784 Johann
Christoph Friedrich BACH (1732-1795) Five pieces from
Musikalische Nebenstunden (1787- 88) Marche - Menuet - Adagio
- Andante - Marche Square piano (4325), Andrew Rochead,
Edinburgh, c. 1815 Franz
Xaver MOZART (1791-1844) Deux Polonaises mélancoliques
No. 1 in C minor - No. 2 in A minor Double-manual harpsichord
(4329), Jean Goermans/ Pascal Taskin, Paris, 1764/83- 84 Armand-Louis
COUPERIN (1727-1789) Les Tendres Sentimens - L'Affligée
- L'Enjouée Single-manual harpsichord (4314), Johann Adolph
Hass, Hamburg, 1764 Christoph
GRAUPNER (1683-1760) Four movements from Partita in
E major 'November' (1722) Praeludium - Menuet - Gavotte - Chaconne John
Kitchen (keyboards) Recorded in St Cecilia’s, Edinburgh, April
2005 DELPHIAN
DCD34039 [77.22] [JW]
Well
chosen music highlighting salient features of the particular instruments
... that, rather than particular profundity of expression, has
been the guiding spirit. ... see Full
Review
Russian Cello Sonatas
Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873–1943)
Sonata in G minor Op.19 (1901) [35:46] Sergei
PROKOFIEV (1891–1953) Sonata in C major Op.119 (1948) [23:20]
Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906–1975)
Sonata in D minor Op.40 (1934) [26:59] Alfred
SCHNITTKE (1934–1998) Sonata No.1 (1978) [25:06]
Marc Coppey (cello); Peter Laul (piano) rec. Auditorium Saint-Pierre
des cuisines, Toulouse, July 2005
AEON AECD 0636 [59:06 + 52:05] [HC]
These
readings belong amongst the finest. Coppey’s beautifully varied,
firm tone is a joy from first to last, and Laul supports with commitment
and immaculate playing. ... see Full
Review
Esa-Pekka SALONEN in Rehearsal
Los Angeles Philharmonic
Orchestra With contributions from Ernest Fleischmann and John Santana
(KKGO) (1997) Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918)
La mer (1903-05)
ARTHAUS MUSIK 100 317
[60:00] [DC]
Rock
on Salonen! ... see Full
Review
Hermann
Scherchen – the Nixa recordings Hector
BERLIOZ (1803-1869) Symphonie fantastique Op.14 (1830)
[51.53]
Harold in Italy Op.16 (1834) [42.18]* Pyotr
Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Romeo
and Juliet – Fantasy overture (1880) [22.54] Marche slave Op.31
(1876) [10.37] Capriccio Italien Op.45 (1880) [16.39] 1812 Overture in E flat
major Op.49 (1880) [15.09]+ Nikolai
RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844-1908) Antar – symphonic suite Op.9 (1868, rev 1875, 1897) [34.33] La Grande Paque Russe
Op.36 [15.24] Capriccio Espagnol Op.34 (1887) [16.01] Band
of the Irish Guards+ London Symphony Orchestra, Frederick Riddle (viola)/Royal
Philharmonic Orchestra* Hermann Scherchen
rec. Nixa, London, 1953-54 TAHRA
TAH 413-416 [4
CDs: 51.53 + 42.18 + 65.38 + 66.36] [JW]
Scherchen
lovers will speedily sweep up this set – handsomely done ... see Full
Review
Andrès
Segovia – The 1946 New York and the
1949 London Recordings Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Violin Partita No. 2 in
D minor, BWV 1004: V. Chaconne (arr. for guitar) [12:13] Lute
Suite No. 2 in E minor, BWV 996 – Sarabande and Bourée (arr.
for guitar) [04:53] Fugue in G minor, BWV 1000 (arr. for guitar)
[04:21]
Prelude in C minor, BWV 999 (arr. for guitar) [1:15] Lute Suite in No. 4 in E
major, BWV 1006a: III. Gavotte (arr. for
guitar) [02:52] Cello Suite No.3 BWV 1009 – Courante (arr. for guitar) [2.45]
Cello Suite No.6 BWV 1012 – Gavotte (arr. for guitar) [3.47] Heitor
VILLA-LOBOS (1887-1959) Etude No.8 in C sharp minor [2.43] Etude No.1
in E minor [1.67] Federico Moreno
TORROBA (1891-1982) Suite Castellan Nos 1 and 2 [4.43] Joaquin
TURINA (1882-1949) Fandanguillo
[3.53] Mario CASTELNUOVO-TEDESCO (1895-1968) Tarantella
in A minor, Op. 87a [3.50]
Guitar Concerto No.1 in D major Op.99 [18.59]* Manuel
Maria PONCE (1886-1948) Sonata meridional [8:32] Andrés
Segovia (guitar) New London Orchestra/Alec Sherman* rec. New York, December 1946
(Bach Musicraft albums) and June and July 1949 in
London (remainder) NAXOS HISTORICAL
8.111088 [76.47] [JW]
This
makes a fine companion to Naxos’s release of Segovia’s 1944 American
recordings. ... see Full Review
Six On Two
Antonio
LAURO
(1909-1986) Valse
Venezolano Nos 1, 2 and 3 [5'12] Benjamin
BRITTEN (1913-1976) Nocturnal,
Op. 70 (for Julian Bream) (1964) [21'05] Domenico
SCARLATTI (1685-1757) Sonata [6'11]
Steven SCHOENBERG
(b.1952) Lullaby and Fantasy [7'53] Peter
GOLUB (b.1952) Three Interludes
(1989) [5'58] Fernando
SOR (1778-1839) Introduction, Theme
& Variations, Op. 20 [13'53]
Rob Phelps (guitar) rec. Deerfield Academy,
except Britten, rec. Brooks Rogers Recital
Hall, Williams College, undated
GASPARO Galante GG 1025 [60.44] [JW]
Phelps
proves a handy guide to this repertoire, not
least in the Schoenberg which was dedicated
to him. A miscellaneous programme reflecting
his interest in new editions, new work and
core classics. ... see Full
Review
Spirits of Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
Overture: Die Entführung aus dem Serail [6:04] (a) Concerto for
Violin and Orchestra, No.5, K.219: Rondeau [12:45] (b)
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791),
Benjamin SCHMID (b.1968), Biréli
LAGRÈNE (b.1966), George BREINSCHMID
Improvisations on Mozart Themes [9:37] (c) Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791), Hughes DE COURSON
(b.1946), TED, DALIL
Concerto for Oud, Piano and Orchestra: Adagio (based on Piano Concerto
No.23, K.488) [8:38] (d) Hughes DE COURSON
(b.1946) Taqsim Do [6:50] (e)
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791), Hughes de COURSON (b.1946) Alexandria
Quintet [4:04] (e) Jacques PREVERT
(1900-1977), Joseph KOSMA (1905-1969),
Lalo SCHIFRIN (b.1932) Les Feuilles
mortes [5:49] (f) Richard RODGERS (1902-1979),
Oscar HAMMERSTEIN (1895-1960) My Favourite
Things [5:13] (g) Wolfgang Amadeus
MOZART (1756-1791) ‘Un moto di gioia mi sento’, K.579
[2:06] (h) ‘Voi che sapete’ (Le nozze di Figaro)
[3:18] (h) Wolfgang Amadeus
MOZART (1756-1791), Ian ANDERSON (b.1947) Mo’z Art
Medley [7:03] (i) Johann Sebastian
BACH (1685-1750), Ian ANDERSON (b.1947) Bourrée [5:19] (i)
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
Symphony No.34, K.338: Finale. Allegro vivace [7:39] (a) Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791), Michael
‘Pogo’ Kreiner
e-magic flute: tamino [7:58] (j) Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) German dance, K.605, No.3
[3:23] (a) Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART
(1756-1791), Deyan PAVLOV Mozart
Medley [7:26] (k) Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART
(1756-1791), Deyan PAVLOV ‘O
du eselhafter Peierl’, K.560a [3:28] (l)
(a) Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra / Andrey Boreyko; (b) Benjamin Schmid
(violin), Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra / Andrey Boreyko; (c) Benjamin
Schmid (violin), Biréli Lagrène (guitar), George Breinschmid (double
bass); (d) Henri Agnel (oud), Osvaldo Caló (piano), Vienna Radio Symphony
Orchestra / Andrey Boreyko; (e) Alexandria Quartet: Henri Agnel (oud),
Osvaldo Caló (piano), Ibrahim Kawala (kawala), Idriss Agnel (oudou);
(f) Dee Dee Bridgewater (vocal), Edsel Gomez (piano), Vienna Radio Symphony
Orchestra / Andrey Boreyko; (g) Dee Dee Bridgewater (vocal), Edsel Gomez
(piano); (h) Christaine Oelze (soprano), Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra
/ Andrey Boreyko; (i) Ian Anderson (flute) Lucia Micarelli (violin),
John O’Hara (keyboard), David Goodier (bass), Florian Ophale (guityar),
James Duncan (drums); (j) Michael ‘Pogo’ Kreiner and band: Michael ‘Pogo
Kreiner’ (guitar), Reinwald Kranner (vocal), Jozej Stikar (keyboard),
Alexander Machat (bass), Diana Lueger (drums); (k) Dee Dee Bridgewater
(vocal), Amira Selim (soprano), Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra / Andrey
Boreyko; (l) ‘All artists’. rec. Halle E, MuseumsQuartier, Vienna, 14th
January, 2006. DVD, Region Code 0. Disc Format DVD 9.
EUROARTS 2055178
[120:00][GPu]
Entertaining
the first time round, but there isn’t much here that is likely to demand
repeated listening or viewing … see Full
Review
RECORDING OF THE MONTH
Christianne Stotijn: Fantasies and
Dream-Figures
Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
Im Walde D.708 [06:59]; An den Mond D.193 [05:09]; Nachtstück D.672
[05:20]; Der Zweig D.771 [05:15]; Abendstern D.806 [02:17]; Auflösung
D.807 [02:24]; Nacht und Träume D.827 [03:35]; Erlkönig D.328 [04:22]
Alban BERG (1885-1935) 4 Lieder op.2 [08:47] Hugo
WOLF (1860-1903) Mörike-Lieder: Die Geister am Mummelsee
[03:48]; Gesang Weylas [02:10]; Elfenlied [02:19]; Um Mitternacht [03:38];
Auf eine Christblume I [06:25]; Lied von Winde [02:43]
Christianne Stotijn (mezzo), Joseph Breinl (piano) rec. 21-23 July 2005,
Potton Hall, Dunwich, Suffolk, UK
ONYX 4009 [63:33] [CH]
A
highly original programme sung by an up-and-coming singer who can bear
comparison with even the greatest lieder-singers ... see Full
Review
Josef Suk and Rudolf Firkušný
at the Prague Spring International Music Festival 1992
Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841-1904)
Sonatina for Violin and Piano in G major, Op. 100 (B. 183) (1893) [16.31]
Leoš JANÁČEK (1854-1938)
Sonata for Violin and Piano (1913-21) [12.56] Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897) Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 3 in D
minor, Op. 108 (1886-88) [18.58] Ludwig Van
BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 10
in G major, Op. 96 (1812) [21.30]
Josef Suk (violin) Rudolf Firkušný (piano) rec. live, Prague Spring
International Music Festival, Dvořák Hall, Rudolfinum, Prague,
Czech Republic, 18 May 1992. DDD
SUPRAPHON SU 3857-2 [70.24][MC]
The
recording is a testament to the art of two twentieth century stalwarts
of chamber music. ... see Full Review
Two
Clarinets and Piano: Original Music from Finland,
Malta, Israel and points in between Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847), arranged Pamela WESTON (b.1921) Herbstlied [2:02]
* Aus dem Lob gesang [3:34] * Ernesto
CAVALLINI (1807-1874) La Bacana [9:53] ** Lotti
AMIT-KALEV (b.1934) Divertimento (1986) [5:40] * Bernhard
CRUSELL (1775-1838) Adagio and Rondo (1822?) [5:34]
** Sarah FEIGIN (b.1928) Fantasia
(1996/2002) [4:09] * Charles CAMILLERI
(b.1931) Divertimento No.1, Homage a Manuel de Falla (1957) [7:23]
** Jaroslav MAŠTALÍŘ (1906-1988)
Duo Concertante, Op.34 (1934) [12:19] * Franz
SCHWEINSBERG (1835-1913) Fantasie Brilliante
et Originale [11:21] **
Eva Wasserman-Margolis (clarinet; * first clarinet), Luigi Magistrelli
(clarinet; ** first clarinet), Claudia Bracco (piano) rec. S. Stefano
Ticino, Italy, August 2003. DDD
LEONARDA LE 354 [62:03][GPu]
This is a CD that can be recommended both to
those with a special interest in the clarinet and to those who like
to explore unfamiliar musical territories. It is well performed and
recorded … see Full Review
Violin
Duos, Vol. 2 Erik
FÖRARE (b.1955) Duo No.2 for two violins, ‘Elementi diversi/in via
Mi, in modo di Miklós Maros’ (2001-2) [11:39] Håkan
LARSSON (b.1959) När intet blir allt (2002) [13:32]
Ingvar KARKOFF (b.1958) Largo (2004) [6:54] Kerstin
JEPPSON (b.1948) Canto cromàtico per due violini (2003) [18:00]
Peter SCHUBACK (b.1947) del altro
al altro per due violini (2001) [14:26]
Duo Gelland: Cecilia Galland (violin), Martin Gelland (violin) rec.
Church of Alanäs by Strömsund, 22-25 October 2005
NOSAG CD 121 [64:33][GPu]
A finely recorded CD, which contains a lot
of striking music, played with conviction, certainty of purpose and
considerable subtlety. Strongly recommended to all with an interest
in contemporary chamber music ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Women's
lives and loves Frauenliebe und –Leben -
A Liederspiel devised by Graham Johnson [see
review for full details] Felicity
Lott (soprano) Angelika Kirchschlager (mezzo)
Graham Johnson (piano) rec. All Saints Church,
East Finchley, London, 2-4 August 2005. DDD.
HYPERION CDA67563 [71’46] [ED]
Deeply
rewarding; a disc to live with and love. ...
see Full
Review
This World’s
Globe:
Celebrating the Globe Experience
CD 1: The Play’s The Thing Excerpts from Twelfth Night,
Romeo and Juliet, Richard II and contemporary writings.
CD 2 Groundlings to Gods Excerpts from Edward II and
Measure for Measure. See review for details of music
Actors of the Globe Theatre: Philip Bird, Liam Brennan, Tom Burke, Peter
Forbes, John McEnery, Mark Rylance; Musicians of the Globe Theatre,
William Lyons, Keith McGowan, Belinda Sykes, Musical Directors rec.
Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel, London; Duthy Hall, London; All Saints’
Church London; Shakespeare’s Globe Exhibition, London - dates of recording
not indicated. SIGNUM
CLASSICS SIGCD077 [63:49 + 78:41] [WK]
A
very informative and enjoyable set for lovers of both Shakespeare
and of early music and especially of the connection between the
two ... see Full Review
BOOK REVIEWS
Chopin. His
Life and Music: Jeremy
Nicholas
Naxos Books (ISBN: 1-84379-115-3) [268
pages; illustrated in black & white and
including 2CDs [75:14 + 79:41] of music spanning
Chopin’s career + free access to a dedicated
website with hours of extra music to listen
to, and other bonus material]
Treacherous
Bonds and Laughing Fire: Politics and
Religion in Wagner’s Ring by Mark Berry
2006
274 pp Ashgate Publishing Limited. www.ashgate.com
ISBN 0 7546 5356 0 (hardcover)
Just
as coming to terms with the Ring is a commitment
in time and imagination, this book will repay
dividends in terms of insights into the music
and the worldview it represents. ... see Full
Review
SCORE
REVIEWS
Ian
Venables Song-Cycle Love’s
Voice (Venetian Songs op 22) for High Voice and Piano
Text: John Addington Symonds (Fortunate Isles; The Passing Stranger;
The Invitation to the Gondola; Love’s Voice) Thames
Publishing [CSS]
Both
style and colour mark these evocative songs of Venables ... see Full
Review
Detailed listing (last two days)]
[Part
1 New] [Part
2 A-B] [Part
3 C-L]
[Part
4 M-R] [Part
5 S-Z]
[Part
6 Misc A-L][Part
7 Misc M-Z]
Return to Front page