Hoffnung At Large New double CD lasting 2 hours of Gerard Hoffnung from the BBC. Full details here £14 postage included world-wide	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	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 NOTE: Region 0 but PAL only	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 from the Oxford Union. [mono] £14 postage included world-wide Purchase

See a new Hoffnung Cartoon every day

NEW and RECENT ARTICLES

The Global Concert Hall - Marc Bridle

EDITORIAL: A Death Foretold - Marc Bridle

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Reviewer's Log - Robert Hugill - February 2006

AM I CAPABLE OF PLAYING THIS MUSIC? by Arthur Butterworth

ARTHUR BUTTERWORTH’s Desert Island Discs

Mahler Symphony 4: an update of Tony Duggan's survey of available recordings

Reith Lectures - April 2006 - Barenboim A universal language or a divisive art ? by Arthur Butterworth

MusicWeb Reviewer’s Log: May 2006 Reviewer: Patrick C Waller

 

BOOK REVIEWS

William Alwyn: The Art of Film Music by Ian Johnson Published by Boydell Press (London 2005) 357 pp, ISBN 184383 1597

Songs of Gaelic Scotland by Anne Lorne Gillies Birlinn Ltd ISBN10 : 84158 018 X ISBN13 : 978 1 84158 018 £30 [CSS]

A hefty volume, substantially and beautifully bound, from which Gael and non-Gael alike will derive lasting pleasure. ... see Full Review

Changing Tunes: The Use Of Pre-Existing Music In Film Phil Powrie and Robynn Stilwell, editors Ashgate Publisthing, Gower House, Croft Road, Aldershot, Hants GU11 3HR 205 Pages ISBM-10:0 7546 5137 1

The book only gives up its treasures slowly. Much careful reading and consideration will be needed on the part of the reader. ... see Full Review

 

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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
Reviews: Volume 1 Volume 2 Volume 3 Volume 4 Volume 5

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KUMMER Cello Duets Recorded and sold in support of 'Cellos for Chelsea' - assisting children with cancer.
All net proceeds from the sales of this CD will be given to the Cellos for Chelsea project
SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No. 11 "The Year 1905" WDR Sinfonie Orchester Koln conductor: Semyon Bychkov
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ACD140-2 Lukasz Kuropaczewski (guitar) - Portrait
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Anthony Collins Sibelius Cycle It is difficult to find this set at the moment so we have made arrangements that you can purchase it through MusicWeb - see review [only 1left]

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RECORDINGS OF THE MONTH

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Kurt ATTERBERG (1887-1974) Värmlands Rhapsody, Op. 36 (1951-52) [9:05] Violin Concerto, Op. 7 (1913) [37:03] Overture in a minor, Op. 4 (1910-11) [13:18] Ulf Wallin, violin Radio Symphony Orchestra of Berlin/Roger Epple rec. 2-4 November 2004  Jesus Christus Kirche, Berlin CPO 777 106-2 [59:26] [KS]

Any listener who would not be pleased by this superb music should take the next available appointment for a hearing examination. Not to be missed. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH John FOULDS (1880-1939) Dynamic Triptych for piano and orchestra Op. 88 (1927-29) [25:38] April - England (Impressions of Time and Place No. 1) for orchestra Op. 48 No. 1 (1926 orch. 1932) [7:56] Music-Pictures Group III op. 33 (1912) [19:06] The Song of Ram Dass (1935) [3:13] Keltic Lament Op. 29 No. 2 (Keltic Suite) (1911) [4:38] Peter Donohoe (piano) City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra/Sakari Oramo rec. Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 11, 13, 15-16 Jan 2006. DDD WARNER CLASSICS 2564 62999-2 [61:05] [RB]

The delightfully relentless tread of the Foulds Edition ... a disc not just for British music buffs but for anyone who values music of stunning originality and otherworldly beauty. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Sofia GUBAIDULINA (b. 1931) The Deceitful Face of Hope and of Despair - concerto for flute and large orchestra (2005) [29:55] Sieben Worte (Seven Words) for cello, bayan (accordion) and strings (1982) [31:24] Sharon Bezaly (flute); Torleif Thedéen (cello); Mie Miki (accordion) Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra/Mario Venzago
rec. Gothenburg Concert Hall, Sweden, May 2005 (flute concerto); August 2004 (Sieben Worte) BIS SACD 1449 [61:19] [JuW]

For those with a serious interest in Gubaidulina and her contemporaries this is a must ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Emmerich KÁLMÁN (1882-1953) Die Herzogin von Chicago (The Duchess of Chicago)- Operetta in Two Acts (1928) Libretto by Julius Brammer and Alfred Grünwald, revised by Dominik Wilgenbus and Stefan Frey. Peter Matic (King Pánkraz); Mehrzad Montazeri (Prince Boris); Norine Burgess (Miss Mary Lloyd); Renée Schüttengruber (Princess Rosemarie); Wolfgang Gratschmaier (Bondy); Josef Luftensteiner (Finance Minister); Sándor Németh (Minister of State) Chorus, Orchestra and Ballet of the Volksoper Wien/Michael Tomaschek Rudolf Berger (Director) Dominik Wilgenbus (Producer) Marcus Tesch (Choreographer) Co production of Volksoper Wien and Capriccio Music. Recorded live, Vienna, 2005 DVD-all regions CAPRICCIO 93509 [145:00] [AOz]

It’s not "opera archaeology" by any means, but operetta for our times. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Rolf LISLEVAND (b. 1961) Nuove musiche Sources: Giovanni Girolamo Kapsberger (c. 1575-1661); Domenico Pellegrini (c. 1610-1662); Alessandro Piccinini (1566-1638); Luys de Narváez (1500-1555); The Margaret Board Lute Book (c. 1620-1635); Girolamo Frescobaldi (1583-1643); Bernardo Gianoncelli (fl. 1650) Arpeggiata addio [7:17] Passacaglia antica I [2:09] Passacaglia andaluz I [2:35] Passacaglia antica II [2:03] Passacaglia cromatica [1:52] Passacaglia antica III [1:48] Passacaglia cantus firmus [2:33] Passacaglia celtica [2:00] Passacaglia spontanea [4:13] Passacaglia andaluz II [2:15] Toccata [5:31] Passacaglia cantata [4:13] Corrente [2:18] Corrente [1:47] Toccata [2:38] Ciaccona [2:57] Toccata cromatica [3:45] Rolf Lislevand (archlute, baroque guitar, theorbo) Arianna Savall (triple harp, voice) Pedro Estevan (percussion) Bjørn Kjellemyr (colascione, double-bass) Guido Morini (organ, clavichord) Marco Ambrosini (nyckelharpa - viola d’amore a chiavi) Thor-Harald Johnsen (chitarra battente) rec. Rainbow Studio, Oslo, October 2004 ECM NEW SERIES 1922 [52:15] [DC]

You really want this CD – I’m telling you, but you don’t really want as much as need it – you’ll certainly find yourself taking a fix on a regular basis once you have it! ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Franz LISZT (1811- 1996) Sonata in b, S178 (1853) [31.12] Fantasy and Fugue on B-A-C-H, S529ii (1871) [11.33] Totentanz, S525 (1865) [16.12] Markus Groh (piano) Steinway D-274 piano. Piano technician, Michel Brantjes rec. Reitstadel-Neumarkt, Oberpfalz, Germany, 22 December 2004. DDD Notes in Deutsch, English, Français. Photos of artist. CD tracks stereo 2.0; SACD tracks 2.0 stereo and 5.0 surround. Hybrid SACD AVIE AV 2097 [59.00] [PSh]

Truly exceptional performances and recordings, perhaps the best of these works ever made. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Per NØRGÅRD (b. 1932) Gennem torne (2003) [20:30] Consolazione: Flos ut rosa (2002) [3:59] Sonora (1981) [9:39] Lille dans (1982) [2:21] Swan Descending (1989) [3:12] Hedda Gabler (1993) [17:45] Mens toner daler. Vårsol med fregner (2004) [2:08] King, Queen and Ace (1989) [19:32] Tine Rehling (harp); Esbjerg Ensemble/Kaisa Roose rec. Esbjerg Performing Arts Centre and West Jutland Music Academy, January-May 2004 DACAPO 8.226039 [79:06][HC]

A magnificent release superbly played. Nørgård’s admirers will need no further recommendation ... many others will find much to relish ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Paul PARAY (1886-1979) Affairs of the Heart - The complete Mélodies of Paul Paray CD 1 Mélodies with orchestra Le papillon (1911) [3:06]; Trois Mélodies sur des poésies de Théophile Gautier (1912) (Infidelité [2:20]; La dernière feuille [1:54]; Serment [1:18]); Quatre Poèmes de Jean Lahor (1921) (Après l'orage [1:15]; Adieux [2:25]; Après le bal [1:47]; Désir de mort [2:16]); Villanelle (1920s?) [1:51]; La promesse (1910) [2:31]; Le chevrier (1913) [2:31]; La plainte (1911) [3:41]; Il est d'étranges soirs (1913) [4:12]; Nocturne pour violon et orchestre (1910) [3:27]; Trois Poèmes pour choeur et orchestre (1910-11): (Soleils de Septembre [5:12]; L'aurore vermeille [4:07]; Nuit tombante [3:45]) CD 2 Mélodies with piano; sacred songs with organ Emprise (1905 or 1908) [2:36]; Nuit d'Italie (1908?) [2:16]; Chanson violette [4:04]; Sépulture (1908) [3:15]; Champs de bataille (1912) [5:03]; En pays de Cocagne (1908?) [5:56]; Chanson napolitaine (1907) [3:43]; Embarquement pour l'idéal (1911) [2:57]; Viole (1913) [2:54]; Mortes les fleurs (1907) [3:51]; Paroles à la lune (1902) [4:06]; Dans les bois (1904) [3:13]; Le Poète et la Muse (1908) [3:37]; Vocalise-Étude (1924) [4:00]; Chaque chose a sa petit place [2:16]; In manus tuas (1914) [3:42]; Panis Angelicus (1904) [4:25]; Ruth Lapeyre (soprano) Adam Stepniewski (violin) (Nocturne) Nadine Deleury (cello) Eric Everett (baritone) (Chaque chose; In manus) The Assumption Grotto Orchestra and Choir, Detroit, Michigan/Fr. Eduard Perrone Fr. Eduard Perrone (piano; organ) rec. 2002, Detroit world premiere recordings GROTTO PRODUCTIONS GP-0004[48:39 + 63:02] [RB]

Taste and accomplishment ... a pearl of the lyric repertoire ... demands your attention if you have any feeling for the settings of Duparc, Canteloube and Chausson ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH 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] [TH]

The Florestan play with a warmth and homogeneity that is hard to resist ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
Abendbilder: Bei dir allein [02:08], Abendbilder [05:42], Himmelsfunken [04:21], Dass sie hier gewesen [02:45], Drang in die Ferne [03:44], Am Fenster [03:24], Auf der Bruck [03:30], Des Fischers Liebesglück [05:40], Der Winterabend [07:31], Das Zügenglöcklein [04:43], Alinde [04:15], Fischerweise [02:52], Im Abendrot [03:47], Der Musensohn [02:10], Du bist die Ruh [04:50], Greisengesang [05:08], Wilkommen und Abscheid [03:31] Christian Gerhaher (baritone), Gerold Huber (piano) rec. 18-21 September 2005, Hochschule für Musik und Theater, München, Grosser Konzertsaal BMG-RCA RED SEAL 82876 777162 [70:02] [CH]

Lieder singing of the highest order ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Songs by Schubert’s Friends and Contemporaries Carl BANCK (1809-1889) Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Ludwig BERGER (1777-1839) Jeannette Antonie BÜRDE (b. 1799) Moritz von DIETRICHSTEIN (1775-1864) Maximilian EBERWEIN (1775-1831) Stephan FRANZ (1785-1855) Adalbert GYROWETZ (1760-1853) Franz Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Carl LOEWE (1796-1869) Ferdinand HILLER (1811-1885) Johann Nepomuk HUMMEL (1778-1837) Anselm HÜTTENBRENNER (1794-1868) Conradin KREUTZER (1780-1849) Nikolaus von KRUFFT (1779-1818) Franz Paul LACHNER (1803-1890) Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Fanny MENDELSSOHN (1805-1847) Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Giacomo MEYERBEER (1791-1864) Sigismund NEUKOMM (1778-1858) Johann Vesque von PÜTTLINGEN (1803-1883) Benedict RANDHARTINGER (1802-1893) Johann Friedrich REICHHARDT (1752-1814) Louise REICHARDT (1779-1826) Gioacchino ROSSINI (1792-1868) Antonio SALIERI (1750-1825) Franz SCHUBERT of Dresden (1768-1827) Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Simon SECHTER (1788-1867) Louis SPOHR (1784-1859) Václav Jan Křtitel TOMAŠEK (1774-1850) Johann Karl UNGER (1771-1836) Karoline UNGER-SABATIER (1803-1877) Carl Maria von WEBER (1786-1826) Joseph WEIGL (1766-1846) August Heinrich von WEYRAUCH (1788-1865) Carl Friedrich ZELTER (1758-1832) Johann Rudolf ZUMSTEEG (1760-1802) A full track listing is provided at the end of the review Susan Gritton (soprano); Stella Doufexis (soprano); Ann Murray (mezzo); Mark Padmore (tenor); Gerald Finley (baritone); Graham Johnson (piano) rec. All Saints, East Finchley, London, August 2001, March, October 2004. DDD HYPERION CDJ33051/3 [3 CDs: 78:25 + 77:02 + 78:17] [JQ]

This is an absolutely first class set. It’s most rewarding and stimulating to listen to and I recommend it urgently to all lovers of lieder as a truly indispensable purchase. Bravo, Graham Johnson! Bravo, Hyperion! ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH A Golden Year Peter GRAHAM (b. 1952) Journey to the Centre of the Earth (2005) [14.54] Johan de MEIJ (b. 1953) Extreme Make-over (2005) [15.54] Philip WILBY (b. 1949) Northern Lights (2005) [13.16] Bramwell TOVEY (b. 1953) The Night to Sing (2005) [16.50] John PICKARD (b. 1963) Eden (2005) [14.46] Black Dyke Band/Nicholas J. Childs rec. Morley Town Hall, May, October 2005 (Graham, de Meij, Wilby, Pickard); live recording of winning performance British Open 2005, Symphony Hall, Birmingham (Tovey). DDD DOYEN DOYCD205 [75:45] [CT]

A fabulous recording charting Black Dyke’s 150^th Anniversary year in music. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Hans Hotter and Birgit Nilsson Arias & Scenes from Der fliegende Holländer and Die Walküre + Schubert lieder Richard WAGNER (1813–1883) Der fliegende Holländer: Wie aus der Ferne (Love Duet, act II) [15:06]; Die Walküre: Complete Final Scene [37:24]; Der fliegende Holländer: Die Frist ist um (The Dutchman’s Monologue, act I) [7:33] Franz SCHUBERT (1797–1828) Selected Lieder: An die Musik, D. 547 [2:37]; Meeresstille, D. 216 [1:56]; Am Bach im Frühling, D. 882 [3:26]; Im Frühling, D. 547 [4:02] Birgit Nilsson (soprano); Hans Hotter (bass) Philharmonia Orchestra/ Leopold Ludwig (Wagner) rec. London, May 1957. Gerald Moore (piano) (Schubert) rec. London, 1949. Concertgebouw Orchestra, Amsterdam/Bruno Walter (Die Frist ist um)
rec. 1936 ARCHIPEL RECORDS ARPCD 0334 [72:06] [GF]

It was with the anticipation of something extraordinary that I put the CD in the player. I was not let down. ... see Full Review

 

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BARGAINS OF THE MONTH

 

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Triple Concerto in C major, Op. 56 (1803-04) [34:35]*; Septet in E flat major, Op. 20 (1799-1800) [39:23]† *Yefim Bronfman (piano); Gil Shaham (violin); Truls Mørk (cello); Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich/David Zinman †Michael Reid (clarinet); Florenz Jenny (bassoon); Jakob Hefti (horn); Gil Shaham (violin); Michel Rouilly (viola); Truls Mørk (cello); Ronald Dangel (double-bass) rec. Zurich Tonhalle, *20-21, †30-31 October 2004. DDD ARTE NOVA CLASSICS 82876 64015 2 [74:21] [AOr]

Gracious melody, gracious playing, gracious recording ... at one with the composer’s vision ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Hector BERLIOZ (1803-1869) Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14 (1830) [46:42] Roméo et Juliette, Op. 17 (1839) – Part II: Love Scene [13:20]. Boston Symphony Orchestra/Charles Munch rec. Symphony Hall, Boston, 14-15 November 1954 (Op. 14); 23-24 April 1961 (Op. 17). ADD RCA LIVING STEREO SACD 82876 67899 2 [60:11][CC]

A deluxe issue. The low playing time hardly matters – this is Berliozian gold. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH César FRANCK (1822-1890) Symphony in D Minor (1888) [39:00]* Igor STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) Petrouchka (1911) [34:48]# Chicago Symphony Orchestra*/Boston Symphony Orchestra#/Pierre Monteux rec. Orchestra Hall, Chicago, 7 January 1961 *; Symphony Hall, Boston, 25, 26, 28 January 1959 #. ADD BMG-RCA LIVING STEREO SACD 82876 678972 [74:08][TP]

In sum, an unsurpassed Franck D Minor and an excellent Petrouchka into the bargain.  Highly recommended. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Bohuslav MARTINŮ (1890-1959) Tri České tance (Three Czech Dances) (1926) [8:39] Borová (Seven Czech Dances) (1929-30) [12:24] Quatre Mouvements (1929) [7:19] Skici (Esquisses) (1931) [11:39] Hry (Esquisses) (1931) [11:22] Ritornely (Les Ritournelles) (1933) [11:35] Okna do zahrady (Fenêtre sur le jardin) (1938) [8:19] Radoslav Kvapil (piano) rec. Studio Domovina, Prague, May 1991. DDD originally issued on Unicorn-Kanchana, 1991. REGIS RRC 1222 [73:12][RB]

Great value. Martinů of the vivacious Parisian years presented in a warm, sunny light. Performances honed to subtlety and satisfaction by one of the great statesmen of the Czech piano school. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) The Complete Solo Piano Music see review for full details Ronald Brautigam (fortepiano) rec. Länna Church, Sweden, August 1996 (Sonatas), August 1997 (Variations) BIS CD-1633/36 [57:48 + 60:32 + 58:30 + 70:40 + 59:42 + 73:42 + 60:37 + 63:07 + 61:37 + 61:21] [DC]

A superb box  – 10 CDs for the price of 4 means you will be buying the Variations, and getting the Sonatas thrown in for free: and that in Mozart year, yippee! ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893)
CD1 RRC1212 [68:50] Symphony No: 4 (1877) [43:20] Marche Slave (1876) [9:48] 1812 Overture (1880) [15:19]* CD2 RRC1213 [63:46] Symphony No: 5 (1888) [47:00] Capriccio Italien (1879) [16:42] CD3 RRC1214 [60:09] Symphony No: 6 (1893) [45:40] Overture - The Storm (1864) [14:17] London Symphony Orchestra/Gennadi Rozhdestvensky, Yuri Ahronovitch * rec. All Saints, Tooting, London, February 1987. DDD REGIS RRC 3009 [3 CDs: 68:50 + 63:46 + 60:09] [RB]

Little real competition in or out of budget price. Grippingly sensational sound and interpretative insight. Rozhdestvenky’s Tchaikovsky - the three last symphonies before they became routine ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Bella Domna: The Medieval Woman: Lover, Poet, Patroness and Saint Martin Codax (fl. early 13th century) Cantigas de amigo (13th century): Ondas do mar de vigo [3:37] Mandad’ ei comigo [2:36] Mia jrmana fremosa, treides comigo [2:57] Aj deus, se sab’ora meu amigo [6:01] Quantas sabedes amar amigo [6:11] Eno sagrado en vigo [2:37] Aj ondas que eu vin veer [1:34] ANONYMOUS (13th century) Domna, pos vos ay chausida [2:43] ANONYMOUS (13th century) Estampie Royal ‘No.3’ [2:46] Richart de FOURNIVAL (1201-1260) Onques n’amai tant que jou fui amee [6:06] Onques n’amai tant que jou fui amee [Version 2] [1:37] ANONYMOUS (13th century) Estampie Royal ‘No.6’ [2:59] Estampie Royal ‘No.4’ [2:28] La COMTESSE DE DIE (late 12th century?) A chantar m’er de so qu’ieu non volria [5:24] ANONYMOUS (13th century) Danse Royale ‘No.2’ [3:16] ANONYMOUS (early 14th century) Lasse, pour quoi refusai [6:36] Sinfonye: Mara Kriek (voice), Stevie Wishart (medieval fiddle, symphony), Andrew Lawrence-King (harps), Jim Denley (pandeiro, bendir) rec. 16-17 September 1987, All Hallows, Gospel Oak, London. HYPERION HELIOS CDH55207 [GPu]

An important and influential collection, now reissued. It belongs in every collection of medieval song. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Le Jeu d’amour Moniot d’ARRAS (c.1213-1239) Ce fu en mai, au dous tens gai [3:12] Thibault de CHAMPAGNE (1201-1253) Amors me fait commencier [3:52] ANONYMOUS L’on dit q’amors est dolce chose [4:16] Jehannot de l’ESCUREL (d.1304) Bien se lace (2:07] Adam de la HALLE (c.1237-1288) Je muir d’amourete [1:33] Jean de FLAGY ‘Et tout les gens …’ [0:30] ANONYMOUS Lai de Kievrefuel [14:00] Guillaume d’AMIENS (13^th century) Je mais ne serai saous [1:08] Guillaume le VINIER (d.1245) Pastourelle: Valuru, valuraine [4:53] Guillaume de DOLE ‘Main à main…’ [0:19] ANONYMOUS Caroles on ‘La verte olive’: La jus desous la verte olive; C’est desoz l’olive; C’est la jus par dessous l’olive   [7:45] Guillaume d’AMIENS (13^th century) Prendés i garde our cest rivage /ANONYMOUS Prendés i garde [1:34] Colin MUSET (13^th century) En mai [2:25] ANONYMOUS Margot, Margot grief sunt li mau d’amer [1:40] ANONYMOUS Trois serors sor rive mer [1:11] ANONYMOUS En un vergier [6:08] ANONYMOUS Tuit cil qui sunt enamourat [2:52] Anne Azema (soprano); Catharine Joussselin; Ellen Santaniello; John Fleagle; Noël Bisson (voice); Shira Kammen (vielle; rebec; harp); Jesse Lepkoff (flute; recorder); Robert Mealy (vielle; harp); Margriet Tindemans (vielle; gittern; harp). rec. 20-25 January 1976, Campion Center, Weston, Massachusetts. WARNER CLASSICS APEX 2564 62685-2 [59:43][GPu]

A delightful recital, equally full of musicality and scholarship. Unreservedly recommended ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Leopold Stokovsky: The Great Philadelphia Wagner Recordings Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Rienzi (1842): Overture [11.03] (rec. November 1926 and January 1927)
Lohengrin (1848): Prelude to Act I [8.13] (rec. October 1927); Prelude to Act III [3.15] (rec. March 1940) Tannhäuser (1845): Prelude and Venusberg Music [22.51] (rec. December 1937); Prelude to Act III (arr Stokowski) [10.21] (rec. January 1936) Parsifal (1879), Prelude to Act I [14.45] (rec. November 1936); Good Friday Spell [11.55] (rec. November 1936); Symphonic Synthesis (arr. Stokowski) [14.07] (rec. April 1934) Tristan und Isolde (1859), Symphonic Synthesis (arr. Stokowski) [35.36] (rec. March 1932) Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (1867), Prelude to Act I [9.18] (rec. January 1936); Prelude to Act III [6.43] (rec. March 1932) Philadelphia Orchestra/Leopold Stokowski Track list, including recording dates, no notes. Photo of conductor. rec. mono ADD. Re-mastered at 96kHz24Bit "using state of the art restoration techniques". ANDROMEDA ANDRCD 5030 [70.30 + 77.31] [PSh]

Ancient recordings miraculously restored, full range, clear, sweet sounding, and completely listenable. An absolute must for any lover of Wagner, Stokowski, and recording science. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH War’s Embers. A legacy of songs by composers who perished or suffered in World War I Gerald FINZI (1901-1956) Only a man harrowing clods SV [4:08]; Ivor GURNEY (1890-1937) The twa corbies MG [4:52]; Black Stitchel MG [2:21]; Blaweary MG [1:30]; The fiddler of Dooney MG [1:57]; Goodnight to the meadow MG [1:21]; The ship MG [2:26]; The boat is chafing MG [1:19]; Cathleen ni Houlihan MG [2:54]; Edward, Edward MG [6:01]; The night of Trafalgar MG [2:18]; Thou didst delight my eyes MG [3:23]; To violets MG [1:05]; Last hours MG [4:52]; Ernest FARRAR (1885-1918) The wanderer's song SV [2:56]; Silent noon SV [3:51]; The roadside fire SV [1:57]; Brittany SV [1:47]; Come you, Mary SV [0:58]; Who would shepherd pipes SV [1:45]; W Denis BROWNE (1888-1915) Arabia MH [5:24]; Diaphenia MH [2:05]; Epitaph on Salathiel Pavy MH [4:41]; To Gratiana dancing and singing MH [4:17]; Frederick KELLY (1881-1916) Shall I compare thee? SV [3:27]; George BUTTERWORTH (1885-1916) Requiescat SV. Michael George (bass) MG; Martyn Hill (tenor) MH; Stephen Varcoe (baritone) SV Clifford Benson (piano) rec. 21-23 April 1987. Location unspecified. AAD A full track listing is given at the end of this review Recording sponsored by The Finzi Trust HYPERION HELIOS CDH55237 [JQ]

This is a self-recommending issue to all lovers of the treasury that is the English song repertory. ... 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]