Adolphe
ADAM (1803-1865) Giselle (complete ballet) (1841)
Orchestre National de l’Opéra de Monte-Carlo/Richard Bonynge rec. Salle
Alcazar, Monte-Carlo, October 1967. ADD. Booklet with track details
and notes in English. DECCA
ELOQUENCE 442 9028 [61:08 + 61:40][BW]
This
may not be the greatest ballet music ever, but it is tuneful and enjoyable
and the performance and recording more than adequate, especially at
such a reasonable price … see Full Review
Hugo
ALFVÉN (1872-1960)
Synnøve
Solbaken (Synnøve of Solbakken) (Film Suite) Op. 50 (1934) [27:48]
En Bygdesaga (A Country Tale/Mans Kvinna) (Film Suite) Op. 53
(1944) [33:09] Elégie (vid Emil Sjögrens bar) (at Emil
Sjogren’s Bier) Op. 38 (1918) [12:15]
Norköpping Symphony Orchestra/Niklas Willén rec. De Geer Hall, Norköpping,
Sweden, 17-18 June 2004, 23-27 May 2005. DDD
NAXOS 8.557828 [73:12][WK]
An
exciting recording dealing with a lesser-known aspect of Alfvén’s career.
Wonderful playing by Willén and Norköpping. ... see Full
Review
Attilio ARIOSTI
(1666-1729) The Stockholm Sonatas
II Sonata No.8 in D Minor [9:42] Sonata No.9 in G Minor [8:08]
Sonata No.10 in F Major [8:16] Sonata No.11 in A Minor [7:16] Sonata No.12
in E Minor [7:44] Sonata No.13 in C Major [6:58] Sonata No.14 in E flat
Major [6:56] Thomas
Georgi (viola d’amore) Lucas Harris (archlute; baroque guitar) Mime Yamahiro
Brinkmann (cello) rec. January 2006, Länna Church, Sweden.
BIS-CD-1555 [56:33][DC]
Highly
attractive. ... see Full Review
Sir
Malcolm ARNOLD (1921-2006) Complete
Symphonies CD1 Symphony No.1
Op.22 (1949) [29:27]
Symphony No.2 Op.40 (1953) [26:13] CD2 Symphony No.3 Op.63 (1954-57)
[31:13]
Symphony No.4 Op.71 (1960) [37:47] CD3 Symphony No.5 Op.74 (1961)
[32:36]
Symphony No.6 Op.95 (1968) [24:41] CD4 Symphony No.7 Op.113
(1973) [38:04]
Symphony No.8 Op.124 (1978) [25:51] CD5 Symphony No.9 Op.128
(1986) [46:58]
Sir Malcolm Arnold in conversation with Andrew Penny [10:35] National
Symphony Orchestra of Ireland/Andrew Penny
rec. 10-11 April 1995 (1 & 2); 10, 12 September 1995 (9); 13-14 June 1996
(3 & 4); 24-25 January 2000 (5 & 6); 21-22 February 2000 (7 & 8),
National Concert Hall, Dublin. DDD. 5 CDs in slipcase; also available separately
on 8.553406 (CD1), 8.553739 (CD2),
8.552000 (CD3); 8.552001 (CD4); 8.553540 (CD5) NAXOS
8.505221 [55:41 + 69:07 + 57:17 + 63:55 + 57:34] [BW]
Very
good performances, well recorded: strongly recommended to those
wishing to explore a major twentieth-century symphonic achievement
at a very reasonable price. Even the lesser-known symphonies
are worth getting to know … see Full
Review
Nils
Henrik ASHEIM
(b.1960)
BROKEN LINEX1 (2005) [2:25] 1
Navigo, for violin and cello (1999) [6:26] 2 X2 (2005) [1:43]
1 Broken Line, for string quartet (2003) [13:36] 1
X3 (2005) [1:08] 1 Nicht, for voice and ensemble (2002) [14:35]
3 X4 (2005) [1:23] 1 Chase, for double string
trio (2001) [14:47] 4 X5 (2005) [1:17] 1
1 Vertavo String Quartet: Berit Cardas (violin), Øyvor
Volle (violin), Henninge Landaas (viola), Bjørg Værnas
Lewis (cello); 2 Berit Cardas (violin), Bjørg Værnas
Lewis (cello); 3 Isa Gericke (soprano), Tom Ottar Andreassen
(flute), Hans Christian Bræin (clarinet), Sveinung Bjelland (piano),
Eirik Raude (percussion); 4 Berit Cardas (violin), Øyvor
Volle (violin), Henninge Landaas (viola), Aida-Carmen Soanea (viola),
Bjørg Værnas Lewis (cello), Louise Hopkins (cello) rec.
16 June 2005, 16-18 November 2005, 7 June 2006, Sofienerg Church, Oslo
AURORA ACD 5044
[57:26] [GP]
Rather
mixed, as regards both style and quality,
but the best work shows how interesting and
inventive a composer Asheim is … see Full
Review
Grażyna
BACEWICZ (1909-1969) Sonata
no. 4 (1949) [17:54] Kolysanka (Lullaby) (1952) [2:19] Melodia
(Melody) (1946) [2:48] Partita (1955) [14:30] Concertino (1945)
[4:47] Kaprys (Caprice) (1946) [1:46] Oberek (1951) [1:46]
Sonata da camera (1945) [12:32] Taniec mazowiecki (Mazovian
Dance) (1951) [3:04] Bartlomiej
Nizioł (violin);
Paweł Mazurkiewicz (piano)
rec. June 2004, Bydgosocz Concert Hall, Poland. DUX
0486 [61:27] [GPu]
Good
performances of some representative pieces from a single decade
of Bacewicz’s career … see Full
Review
Johann Sebastian BACH
(1685-1750) Organ Works: Volume
8 Fantasia in G minor BWV542/1 [5:52] Chorale Prelude
Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr BWV662 [8:11] Chorale Prelude
Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr BWV663 [7:31] Trio super Allein
Gott in der Höh sei Ehr BWV664 [6:04] Prelude and Fugue in A major
BWV536 [2:13 + 5:50] Concerto in A minor (after Vivaldi Op.3/8) BWV593
[4:47+3:55+5:03] Toccata and Fugue in F major BWV540 [10:02+6:36]
Jacques van Oortmerssen (Christian Müller organ, 1738) rec. church of
St Bavo, Haarlem, 25-26 May 2006. DDD.
Challenge Classics CC72153 [66:10] [BW]
A
varied recital of organ works: those who like
big-sounding Bach will enjoy it more than
those who expect a lighter touch ... see Full
Review
Wilhelm Friedemann BACH (1710–1784)
Sonatas and Trios Sonata for transverse flute and bc in
e minor (F deest) [12:49] Sonata for 2 transverse flutes and
bc in D (F 48) [11:21] Sonata for 2 violins and bc in B flat
(F 50) [15:08] Sonata for transverse flute and bc in F (F deest)
[12:56] Sonata for 2 transverse flutes and bc in a minor (F 49) (fragment)
[04:08] Sonata for 2 transverse flutes and bc in D (F 47) [08:28]
Camerata Köln (Karl Kaiser,
Michael Schneider (transverse flute); Sabine Lier, Ingeborg Scheerer
(violin); Rainer Zipperling (cello); Yasunori Imamura (lute); Sabine
Bauer (harpsichord, organ)) rec. October 2003, Studio of Deutschlandfunk,
Cologne, Germany. DDD CPO
777 086-2 [65:20][JV]
This
disc contains two recently discovered flute
sonatas by Wilhelm Friedemann Bach - Camerata
Köln gives splendid performances of these
enthralling compositions ... see Full
Review
Christopher BALL
(b. 1936) Concerto
for Clarinet and Strings (2006)a
[24:20] Four Dances for Wind Trio (c.1991)b
[10:35] Concerto for Flute and Orchestra (2006)c
[23:54] Irish Suite (2006) [11:38]
Leslie Craven (clarinet)ab; Adam
Walker (flute)bc; Paul Arden-Taylor
(oboe)b; Emerald Concert Orchestra/Christopher
Ball rec. All Saints’ Church, Weston-upon-Mare,
July 2006
QUANTUM QM 7040 [70:25] [HC]
Happy,
unpretentious music-making … you will end-up
whistling all the tunes. ... see
Full Review
Sir Granville BANTOCK
(1868-1946) Overture
to a Greek Tragedy: Oedipus at Colonus (1911) [15:40] Josef
HOLBROOKE (1878-1958) The Birds of Rhiannon Op. 87
(1923) [15:50] Cyril ROOTHAM (1875-1938)
Symphony No. 1 in C minor (1932) [30:57]
Philharmonia Orchestra/Nicholas Braithwaite (Bantock); London Philharmonic
Orchestra/Vernon Handley (Rootham; Holbrooke) rec. January 1979, Kingsway
Hall (Holbrooke); September 1976, Henry Wood Hall (Rootham; Bantock).
ADD LYRITA SRCD.269
[62.30] [JF]
As
usual with Lyrita the sound quality is superb,
the playing totally inspiring, the programme
notes are helpful and the repertoire is totally
challenging – and perhaps even essential.
... see Full
Review
Pierre
BARTHOLOMÉE
(b. 1937) Quatuor
à cordes (2004)a [24:26]
Fragments des Belles Heures (2002/3)b
[39:31] 13 Bagatelles (2003)c [39:02]
Le Rêve de Diotime (1999)d
[21:57]
Quatuor Danela; Dominique Mols
(soprano), Ensemble "Les Belles Heures"b;
Philippe Terseleer (piano)c; Valentina
Valente (soprano), Ensemble Musiques Nouvelles,
Pierre Bartholoméed rec.
Studio The Right Place, Brussels, June 2006
(String Quartet); Tibor Varga Foundation Studio,
Sion, Switzerland, March-April 2005 (Fragments);
Salle Philharmonique, Liège, July 2006
(Bagatelles) and (live) Studio 4, Brussels,
December 2002
(Le Rêve de Diotime)
CYPRES CYP 4625 [64:04 + 61:00] [HC]
This
generously filled released is the best possible
birthday tribute to a most distinguished composer,
whose music definitely deserves wider exposure....
see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Sir
Arnold BAX
(1883-1953) Symphony
No. 6 (1934) [39:32] Irish Landscape (1913)
[7:28] Rogue’s Comedy Overture (1936)
[10:54] Overture to Adventure (1937)
[9:28] Overture: Work in Progress (1943)
[8:18]
New Philharmonia Orchestra/Norman Del Mar
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Vernon Handley
rec. Kingsway Hall, London, 18-20 July 1966
(6); Kingsway Hall, London, 29 April 1976
(Irish Landscape); 18 January 1994, Watford
Town Hall (overtures). ADD/DDD (overtures)
LYRITA SRCD.296 [75:43] [RB]
The
Del Mar/Lyrita Bax 6 is violent and phantasmal
- essential Bax in performance and recording
terms. ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Ludwig van BEETHOVEN
(1770-1827) Symphony No. 3 in E flat major, Op. 55 Eroica
(1803) [49:54]
Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin/Kent Nagano Video Directors: Oliver
Becker (documentary), Ellen Fellmann (concert) Writers: Reiner Schild
and Rolf Rische rec. Philharmonic Hall, Berlin, DDD. Sound formats PCM
Stereo, DD 5.1, DTS 5.1. Picture format NTSC 16:9. Disc format DVD 9.
Region code 0 (all regions). Subtitles French, Italian, Japanese, Spanish.
ARTHAUS MUSIK 101
429 [105:22][MG]
This
fresh and electric performance allows you
to see the Eroica in a new light. … see Full
Review
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Overture: The Creatures of Promtheus: Overture
Op.43 (1801)[5:12) Symphony No.4 in B-flat
major Op.60 (1806) [34:21]Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Flute
Concerto No.1 K.313 (cadenzas by Nikolai
Platonov)(1778)[23:46]
Eduard Scherbachev (flute) Moscow Philharmonic
Symphony Orchestra/Kirill Kondrashin rec.
1964 (Mozart), 1965 (Prometheus), 1967
(Symphony). ADD
MELODIYA MEL CD 10-01007 [62:23] [DW]
This
performance of one of Beethoven’s most unjustly
underplayed works is a joy from beginning
to end … see Full
Review
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN
(1770-1827) Piano Sonata No. 7 in D, Op. 10/3
(1797/98) [22:33]; Piano Sonata No. 16 in G, Op. 31/3 (1802) [20:18]
Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Carnaval (1834) [25:24]
Annie Fischer (piano) rec.
BBC Studios, London, 19 May 1963 (Schumann); 11 November, 1987 (Beethoven).
ADD BBC LEGENDS BBCL
4199-2 [70:45] [CC]
Buy
this for the Beethoven and enjoy the Schumann for what it is – a
live performance in which Fischer let go of inhibitions, no matter
what the consequences ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Complete
Works for Solo Piano: Vol. 5 Sonata No.16 in G major, Op.31
No.1 (1802) [23:14]
Sonata No.17 in D minor, Op.31 No.2 ‘Der Sturm’ (1802) [22:18] Sonata
No.18 in E flat major, Op.31 No.3 (1802) [21:13] Ronald
Brautigam (McNulty fortepiano after Anton Walther)
rec. Österåker Church, Sweden, August 2005 BIS
BIS-SACD-1572 [67:49]
[TH]
I
love this disc and it’s hardly been out of the player since it arrived
... see Full Review
Franz
BENDA (1709-1786) Violin
Sonatas Sonata in C [11:44] Sonata in a minor
[09:40] Sonata in F [11:09] Sonata in E [10:19] Sonata in C
[11:06]
Sonata in E flat [14:48] Anton
Steck (violin), Christian Rieger (harpsichord) rec. March 2005, Studio of Deutschlandfunk,
Cologne, Germany. DDD CPO 777
214-2 [69:13] [JV]
The
first recording ever entirely devoted to the technically demanding
and musically enthralling violin sonatas by Franz Benda … brilliantly
played … an exemplary production ... see Full
Review
Alban
BERG (1885-1935) String
Quartet, Op. 3 (1910) [21:45]
Lyric Suite (1925/26) [28:31] Hugo WOLF (1860-1903) Italian
Serenade (1887) [6:56] New Zealand
String Quartet (Helene Pohl, Douglas Beilman, violins; Gilliam Snsell, viola;
Rolf Grelsten, cello) rec. Adam Concert Room, Victoria University of Wellington,
New Zealand, 22-24
November 2004. DDD NAXOS 8.557374 [57:28]
[CC]
These
are urgent interpretations … interpretative stature and technical
prowess ... see Full Review
Richard
BLACKFORD (b.
1954) Voices of Exile (2001, orch.
2005) Catherine
Wyn-Rogers (mezzo); Gregory Kunde (tenor); Gerald Finley (baritone)
The Bach Choir; New London Children’s Choir Philharmonia Orchestra/David
Hill
rec. Abbey Road Studios, London, April 2005 QUARTZ
QTZ2018 [60:44]
[HC]
Voices
of Exile is a vibrant, sincere and generous plea for more humanity
in our troubled world ... see Full
Review
Giovanni
BOTTESINI (1821-1889) The Virtuoso
Double Bass: Elegy; Tarantella; Romanza Patetica (Mélodie); Gavotta;
Reverie; Meditazione (Aria di Bach); Fantasie Sonnambula; Romanza Drammatica
(Elégie); Adagio par Ernst; Capriccio di Bravura.
Leon Bosch (double bass); Sung-Suk Kang (piano) rec. no details given.
MERIDIAN CDE 84544
[64:55][RB]
Not
just for double bass fanciers ... also for those who fancy instrumental
bel canto and salon repertoire. Considerable pleasure in this sincere
and highly accomplished playing. ... see Full
Review
York
BOWEN (1884-1961) Piano
Concerto No. 2 in D minor Concertstück, Op. 17 (1905)
[21.33] Piano Concerto No. 3 in G minor Fantasia, Op.
23 (1907) [19.40] Symphonic Fantasia – a tone poem,
Op. 16 (1905) [33:16] Michael
Dussek (piano) BBC Concert Orchestra/Vernon Handley rec. 20-21
February 2007, The Colosseum, Town Hall, Watford, England.
DDD DUTTON
EPOCH CDLX7187 [74.56] [RB]
A
most enjoyable helping of Bowen’s late-romanticism which does nothing
to dampen the demand for more of the concertos ... see Full
Review
Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897) Ein
Deutches Requiem Op. 45 (1854-1868) Siri
Karoline Thornhill (soprano); Klaus Mertens (baritone); Choir
of St. Peter's Cathedral, Bremen German Chamber Philharmonic/Werner
Helbich rec. 9-13 April 2001, St. Peter's Cathedral, Bremen.
DDD German texts and English translations included MUSIKPRODUKTION
DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM MDG GOLD 3341137 [63:18] [WK]
A
lyrical, but not totally committed version of the Brahms perennial
... see Full Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Frank BRIDGE (1879-1941) Oration -
Concerto elegiaco for cello and orchestra (1930) [31:07] Phantasm
- Rhapsody for piano and orchestra (1931) [27:19] Julian
Lloyd Webber (cello) Peter Wallfisch (piano) London Philharmonic
Orchestra/Nicholas Braithwaite rec. October 1976, Southwark (Oration);
November 1975, Kingsway Hall (Phantasm). ADD LYRITA
SRCD.244 [58:32] [RB]
Two
majestic and subtle master works of tragic and even sinister grandeur
... see Full Review
Anton
BRUCKNER (1824-1896) Symphony No. 4
in E flat major Romantic (Nowak edition, 1880)
Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra/Jaap van Zweden rec. 4-7 April
2006, Studio of Netherlands Radio, Hilversum Hybrid SACD
EXTON OVCL 00248
[71:36][TB]
Van
Zweden and his players respond to the atmospheric orchestration and
the stirring horn fanfares, with their hunting allusions. The music
builds to a powerful and exciting climax, which is balanced by a lyrical
trio of magical calm. ... see Full
Review
Anton
BRUCKNER (1824-1896) Symphony
No. 6 in A (1879-81) [57:01] ((i) Majestoso [15:56]; (ii) Adagio.
Sehr feierlich [17:19]; (iii) Scherzo – Trio [8:36]; (iv) Finale
[15:06]) Staatskapelle
Dresden/Bernard Haitink rec. live, Semperoper, Dresden, Germany,
2 November 2003. DDD PROFIL
PH07011 [57:01] [PCW]
Looking
for mid-price Bruckner 6 in modern sound? Look no further … see Full
Review
Anton
BRUCKNER (1824-1896) Symphony
No. 7 in E (1881-3, ed. Haas) ((i) Allegro moderato [21:04]
(ii) Adagio: Sehr feierlich und sehr langsam [23:28] (iii)
Scherzo: Sehr schnell – Trio: Etwas langsamer [10:06] (iv)
Finale: Bewegt, doch nicht schnell [12:20]) Aarhus
Symphony Orchestra/James Loughran rec. live, Aarhus Cathedral,
Denmark, 28 April 2005. DDD DANACORD
DACOCD655 [67:28]
[PCW]
A
bit plain spun: not bad but not competitive either … see Full
Review
Ferruccio
BUSONI
(1866-1924)
Violin Sonata No. 1 in E minor Op. 29 (1890) [26:38] Violin Sonata No.
2 in E minor Op. 36a (1898-1900) [32:56] Four Bagatelles Op. 28 (1888)
[6:53] Joseph Lin (violin)
Benjamin Loeb (piano) rec. The Country Day School, King City, Ontario,
1-4 August 2005. DDD
NAXOS 8.557848 [66:27] [PCW]
Busoni’s
cause is very well served … see Full
Review
Dietrich
BUXTEHUDE
(1637-1707) Vocal
Works Volume 2 see review for details
Bettina Pahn (soprano) Johannette Zomer
(soprano) Bogna Barosz (alto) Patrick van
Goethem (alto) Daniel Taylor (alto) Andreas
Karasiak (tenor) Jorg Durmuller (tenor) Donald
Bentvelsen (bass) Klaus Mertens (bass)
Amsterdam Baroque Choir Amsterdam Baroque
Orchestra/Ton Koopman rec. March 2006, December
2006, January 2007, Waalse Kerk, Amsterdam
CHALLENGE CLASSICS CC72244 [74.40 + 76.32]
[RH]
All
it remains to say is that everyone should
have a copy of this lively and inspiring disc
on their library shelves. ... see Full
Review
Dietrich
BUXTEHUDE (c.1637–1707) Praeludium
in G minor, BuxWV 149 [8:35]
Wie schö leuchtet der Morgenstern, BuxWV 223 [8:36] Vater unser in Himmelreich,
BuxWV 219 [2:51]
Nun lob, mein Seel’ den Herren, BuxWV 212 [3:55] Ciacona in C minor, BuxWV 159
[6:46] In dulci jubilo, BuxWV 197 [1:53] Magnificat primi toni, BuxWV 203 [9:08]
Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ, BuxWV 196 [3:37] Praeludium in F sharp minor,
BuxWV 146 [8:10]
Ach Herr, mich armen Sünder, BuxWV 178 [3:49] Fuga in C major, BuxWV 174 [3:07]
Nun komm der Heiden Heiland, BuxWV 211 [1:53] Praeludium in C major, BuxWV 137
[5:36] David Hamilton (organ)
rec. King’s College Chapel, The University of Aberdeen, January 2007. DDD DIVINE
ART DDA25041 [69:25] [MK]
A
well-chosen and varied collection of some of Buxtehude’s finest
organ works … see Full
Review
Detailed
listing (last
five 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]
[Recommended
recordings]