BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Music
for Strings Paul HINDEMITH (1895-1963) Fünf
Stücke, Op.44 No.4 (1927) [11:31]Sergei
PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Visions Fugitives, Op.22 (arr.
R. Barshai) (1915-17) [17:23] Béla
BARTÓK (1891-1945) Divertimento for Strings, Sz.113
(1939) [26:51]Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741) Concerto
in B minor, Op.3 No.10 (pub.1711) [10:13] Concerto in D major
Op.3 No.1 (pub.1711) [10:20] 
Academy
of St. Martin in the Fields/Neville Marriner (Hindemith, Prokofiev)
Moscow Chamber Orchestra/Rudolf Barshai (Bartók, Vivaldi) rec.
St. John’s, Smith Square, London, July 1974 (Hindemith) and October
1972 (Prokofiev), and at Decca Studio 3, West Hampstead, London,
July 1962 (Bartók, Vivaldi) DECCA
ELOQUENCE 442 8414 [76:38] [DC]
With
excellent sonics and musicianship and a high score in the ‘first
CD release’ stakes this disc is as good as self-recommending ...
see Full Review
Musik in Zürich 1500-1900
Huldrych ZWINGLI (1484-1531) 1. “Herr, nun heb den wagen selb” (1519)
[1:51] Ludwig SENFL (c1486-1542/3) 2. “Allein die Huld” [1:07] Paul HOFHAIMER (1459-1537) 3. “Nach Willen dein” [1:32] Anonymous 4. Scaramella
[0:41] Johann Caspar BACHOFEN (1695-1755) 5. “Lobe Zion” [1:57] 6. “Welt, ich achte deiner nicht” [0:36] 7. “Das
alte Jahre” [1:37] (1743) Johannes SCHMIDLIN
(1722-1772) 8. Five extracts from “Hymnus auf die Allmacht, Weissheit
und Güte Gottes” (1761) [8:04] Johann Heinrich
EGLI (1742-1810) & Johann
Jakob WALDER (1750-1817) 9. “Was sorgest du?” [2:46] 10.
“Nicht ist, Jusus, deines Gleichen” [1:07] (1775) Philipp
Christoph KAYSER (1755-1823) Romance for tenor and
piano (1777) [1:25], 11. “Ein Schauspiel für Götter” for tenor and
piano (1777) [3:58] 12. Sonata No 1 in D for piano, violin and two
horns:
I. Allegro assai (c1780) [4:08] Anton LISTE
(1772-1832) 13. Sonata for Piano and Bassoon Op 3: II. Adagio con
espressione (1811) [9:21] 14. Neujahrslied [2:22] Johann Carl ESCHMANN (1826-1882) 15. Neujahrslied
(piano solo) (1851) [7:37] 16. String Quartet in D minor: I. Adagio
- allegro con fuoco [9:52] 17. “ Zur Weinlese” Op 6/6 for horn and
piano (c1852) [4:32] Alexander MÜLLER (1808-1863)
18. Tempo di Mazurka for piano solo (1852) [4:29] Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) 19. Extract from “Siegfrieds
Tod” (1853) [4:06] Wilhelm BAUMGARTNER
(1820-1867) “Wenn die Sonne lieblich schiene” Op 4/5 [1:02]
(1-7) Choir of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, Geoffrey Webber
(conductor and organ) (8) Purcell Singers, Robert Howard (organ), Fred
Jacobs (theorbo); (9,10) Katie Towers; Abigail Boreham (sopranos), Geoffrey
Webber (organ); (11,12) Steve Davislim (tenor), William Fong (piano),
Roy Howat (piano), Oliver Lewis (violin), Dave Lee; Chris Davies (horns);
(13,14) William Waterhouse (bassoon), William Fong (piano), Garrie Davislim
(tenor), James Rutherford (bass); (15-17) Jeremy Filsell (piano), Ceruti
Quartet, Dave Lee (horn), Roy Howat (piano); (18) Kathron Sturrock (piano);
(19) Yvonne Howard (soprano), Richard Edgar-Wilson (tenor), Kathron
Sturrock (piano); (20) Richard Edgar-Wilson (tenor), Kathron Sturrock
(piano) Texts and translations included
GUILD GMCD7312 [74:19] [JS]
It
may have a dull sounding title and a shortage of big name composers
and performers but I have no hesitation in recommending it to
anyone in search of interesting curiosities ... see Full
Review
Music
of the Reformation Martin
LUTHER (1483-1546) Nun bitten
wir [0:50] Mitten wir im Leben sind [1:31] Nun
bitten wir [0:50] Nun bitten wir [0:50] Nun bitten
wir [0:50] Durch Adams Fall [0:54] Mit Fried
und Freud [0:43] Caspar
OTHMAYR (1515-1553) Ein feste Burg a 4 [2:17] Ein
feste Burg Bicinium [1:00] Ein feste Burg a 4 [2:24] Verba
Lutheri ultima [4:37] Mitten wir im Leben sind Bicinium [1:55] Epitaphium
D Martin Lutheri [8:54] Durch Adams Fall Bicinium [1:19] Mit
Fried und Freud [0:57] Verleih uns Frieden [1:41] Johann
WALTER (1496-1570) Nun bitten wir [1:46] Nun
bitten wir [1:43] Nun bitten wir [1:46] Der christliche
Glaub [2:59] Mitten wir im Leben sind [3:08] Das
Vater unser Vater [2:38] Durch Adams Fall [2:20] Mit
Fried und Freud [1:03] Verleih uns Frieden [1:54] Himlische
Cantorey: (Veronika Winter (soprano); Henning Voss (alto);
Henning Kaiser (tenor); Jan Kobow (tenor); Ralf Grobe (bass));
Michel Freimuth (lute); Gregor Hollmann (organ) rec. 28 August,
1-2 September 2003, Markt Nordheim, Schloß Seehaus, Germany.
DDD CPO 777
275-2 [49:12] [MS]
Intimate,
focused devotional music – the first Protestant hymns from Germany
performed with sensitivity and restraint - and all the better for
that - on a welcome CD that’s short on quantity, but not on musical
pleasure ... see Full Review
Elisabeth
Schwarzkopf -
Salzburg Recital 1956 Gottfried
H. STÖLZEL (1690-1749) Bist du bei mir (3:13)
(attrib. J.S. Bach) Alessandro
PARISOTTI (1853-1913) Se tu m'ami (2:21) (attrib. Pergolesi) George
Frideric
HANDEL (1685-1759) Atalanta, HWV 35: Care selve (3:30) Christoph
GLUCK (1714-1787) La rencontre imprevue: C'est un torrent impetueux
(2:22) Ludwig
Van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Songs (3), Op. 83: no 1, Wonne der
Wehmut (3:03) Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828) An Sylvia, D 891/Op. 106 no 4 (2:28) Rosamunde,
D 797/Op. 26: no 5, Romance "Der Vollmond strahlt" (3:45) Die Vogel,
D 691/Op. 172 no 6 (0:49) Der Einsame, D 800 (4:30)
Vedi, quanto adoro, D 510 "Didone abbandonata" (4:30) Hugo
WOLF (1860-1903) Goethe Lieder: no 9, Mignon "Kennst du
das Land" (6:50) Goethe Lieder: no 8, Philine (3:21) Eichendorff Lieder:
no 8, Nachtzauber (3:59)
Eichendorff Lieder: no 7, Die Zigeunerin (3:26) Richard
STRAUSS (1864-1949) Lieder (4), Op. 27: no 1, Ruhe, meine Seele
(3:18) Lieder (5), Op. 41: no 1, Wiegenlied (4:12) Lieder (5), Op. 69: no 5,
Schlechtes Wetter (2:02) Lieder (4), Op. 36: no 3, Hat gesagt, bleibts nicht
dabei (2:15) Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Warnung, K 433 (416c) (2:24) Robert
SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Myrthen, Op. 25: no 3, Der Nussbaum (3:24) Franz
SCHUBERT Die schone Mullerin, D 795/Op. 25: no 7, Ungeduld (3:12) Elisabeth
Schwarzkopf (soprano);
Gerald Moore (piano)
rec. 7 August 1956, Salzburg Festival ARCHIPEL
ARPCD0390 [69:57]
[EMc]
No
sense of strain, no wobble, perfect legato and astounding breath
control. The performances always capture the attention ... see Full
Review
Nordic Showcase Carl
NIELSEN (1865–1931) Suite for string orchestra, Op. 1 (1888)
[13:50] Johan SVENDSEN (1840–1911)
Romance for violin and orchestra, Op. 26 (1881) [7:53] Anders
WESSTRÖM (1720–1781) Armida, overture [7:50] Jón
LEIFS (1899–1968) Variazioni Pastorali, Op. 8 (1930) [10:44] Bo LINDE (1933–1967)
Concerto piccolo, Op. 35 (1967) [10:50] Jean
SIBELIUS (1865–1957) Impromptu for strings (1893, arr. 1894)
[8:04] Richard
Tognetti (violin) (Svendsen) Nordic Chamber Orchestra/Christian Lindberg
rec. January 2006, Tonhallen, Sundsvall, Sweden
BIS-CD-1538 [60:46][GF]
A
couple of Nordic ‘standards’ and some rarities of great interest – all
of it expertly played. ... see Full
Review
Highlights
of 23rd Norwegian Wind Band Championship
CD 1 Stig NORDHAGEN
(b.1966) Variations on a Folk Theme from Valdres (2005)
[14.26] Dragefjellets Musikkorps/Gary
Petersen Winners of Elite Section David GILLINGHAM (b.1947) Galactic Empires (1997)
[11.54] Musikklaget Lurlat/Rune Bergmann 2nd Place in 2nd Section Gustav
HOLST (1874-1934) First Suite for in E-flat for Military
Band, (1. Chaconne [4.44]; 2. Intermezzo [2.42]; 3. March [2.57]) Op.
28 No.1 (1909) [10.23] Holmlia Konsertorkestor/Morten Wensberg Winners
of 4th Section Philip WILBY (b.1949)
arr. by M Scott McBride Paganini Variations (1991) [15.39]
Halsen Musikkforening/Gavin David Lee 2nd Place in 1st Section Bert
APPERMONT (b.1973) Egmont (2004) [18.29] Sande Musikkorps/Lars-Thomas
Holm Winners of 2nd Section CD2 Stephen
MELILLO Wait of the World [23.05] Bispehaugen Ungdomskorp/Tomas
Carstensen Winners of 1st Section John Barnes
CHANCE (1932-1972) Incantation and Dance (1960) [7.24]
Faberg Musikkforening/Karlsten Dalsrud Winners of 3rd Section Alfred
REED (1921-2005) First Suite for Band 1st and 2nd Movements
[8.20] OK Janitsjar/Benny Solli; Knut Harald Jensen 2nd Place in 3rd
Section Gustav HOLST
(1874-1934) arr. Curnow Jupiter from The Planets
Suite [8.43] Malvik Musikkorps/Bjorn Erik Heggli 2nd Place in 4th
Section Andres VALERO-CASTELLS (b.1973) La Vall de la Murta
[25.19] Sarpsborg Janitsjarkorps/Geir Holm 2nd Place in Elite Section
rec. Trondheim, 31 March-1 April 2006
DOYEN DOYCD213 [71:15 + 73:17] [LB]
A
thoroughly enjoyable couple of CDs for the symphonic wind band lover
... see Full Review
The
Road to Paradise - In
Ora Mortis Nostrae Thomas TALLIS
(c.1505-85) Miserere nostri [3:24] The Pilgrim’s Journey Chant
Jacet granum – Clanat pastor [5:37] Robert
PARSONS (c.1535-1571/ 2) Ave maria [5:01]
Benjamin BRITTEN (1913-1976) A Hymn to the Virgin [3:53] Media
Vita In Morte Sumus William BYRD
(c.1540-1623) Christe qui lux es et dies [3:40] John
SHEPPARD (c.1515-1558) Media vita in morte
sumus [19:16] Requiem Aeternam Richard
Rodney BENNETT (b. 1936) A Good-Night (1998) [2:33] John
TAVERNER (b. 1944) Song for Athene (1993) [6:28] John
SHEPPARD In pace in idipsum [4:27] A Vision Of Paradise Gustav
HOLST (1874-1934) Nunc dimittis (1915) [3:12]
William H. HARRIS (1883-1973)
Bring us, O Lord God [4:15] Herbert HOWELLS
(1892-1983) Take him, Earth, for cherishing (1963) [9:37] Chant
In paradisum Gabrieli
Consort/Paul McCreesh rec. July 2006, The Parish Church of S. Alban
the Martyr, Holborn, London.
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 477 6605 [74:11][KM]
An
imaginary pilgrimage of lush choral music, impeccably performed and
recorded ... see Full Review
Rose
van Jherico: The Songbook of Anna von Köln
(ca.1500) Laist ons syngen ind vroelich syn [2:23] Nu hoirt
nu hoirt all wonder [3:02] Te celi reginam [3:45] Ich
grois dich gerne [8:37] Mit vrouden quam der engel [6:08]
Ich sachz eyn mols [2:34] Puer natus in bethleem [3:08]
Jure plaudant omnia [1:02] In dulci jubilo [3:30] In
Feuers Hitz [1:38] Heir bouen in myns vaders rych [3:33]
Rose van Jherico [2:17] O laist ons vroelich syngen [3:13]
Elend, du hast umfangen mich [3:32] Audi tellus [3:47] Stetit
ihesus coram pylato [3:48] Mater sancta, dulcis Anna [5:28]
Dulcissime ihesu [6:41] Ave dei genitrix [2:44] Wail
up, ich moes van hynnen [6:47]
Ars Choralis Coeln Ensemble for Medieval Music/Maria Jones rec. Kloster
Walberberg, near Brühl, Germany, 11-14 September 2006. DDD. Booklet
with notes in English, French and German and texts in Early New High
German and Latin, with Modern German translations and summaries in English
and French. RAUMKLANG
RK2604 [77:39][BW]
An
excellent opportunity to get to know some little-known but very rewarding
music in fine performances and recording … see Full
Review
Hansheinz
Schneeberger
Rolf LOOSER (1920-2001)
Rezitativ und Hymnus für Violine allein (1960) [11:59] Kolja
LESSING (b. 1961) Metaphysische Muse in einer con der
Abendsonne beleuchteten Strasse ( 1979) [3:39] Friedemann
TREIBER (b. 1971) Prelude for Violin solo (2002) [7:14] Balz
TRÜMPY (b. 1946) Intertwined Paths (2001/02) [23:27] Eric
GAUDIBERT (b. 1936) Capriccio for solo violin (1978)
[6:25] Heidi BAADER-NOBS (b.
1940) Duo pour Hansheinz (1996) [6:42] Elliott
CARTER (b. 1908) Four Lauds für Geige solo (1984/2000)
[13:16] Hansheinz Schneeberger
(violin) rec. Radiostudio Zürich, 23-25 March, 16 June 2006
MUSIQUES SUISSES MGB CTS-M 101 [66:59] [DB]
A
stark set of challenging works, impressively performed and recorded
… see Full Review
A Scottish Lady Mass
- Sacred Music from Medieval St Andrews Introit:
Gaudeamus omnes [02:38] Kyrie:
Rex, virginum amator [04:26] Gloria
- Per precem [05:36] Gradual:
Proptem veritatem [02:55] Alleluya:
Ave Maria gratia plena [03:44] Alleluya:
Virga florem germinavit [03:59] Sequence:
Missus Gabriel de celis [06:22] Sequence:
Hodierne lux diei [05:13] Offertory:
O vere beata sublimis [02:50] Sanctus
- Mater mitis [03:57] Sanctus
- Christe ierarchia [07:52] Sanctus
- Voce vita [05:44] Agnus
Dei - Archetipi mundi [04:57] Agnus
Dei - Factus homo [03:27] Communion:
Principes persecuti sunt [01:41]
Red Byrd, Yorvox rec. April, May 2004, St Alban's Church, Holborn, London,
UK. DDD HYPERION CDA67299
[66:05][JV]
Fascinating
music from a manuscript put together in St Andrews around 1200 - a must
for everyone interested in early liturgical music ... see Full
Review
A
Taste of Shropshire –
English Music from Ludlow Oliphant
Chuckerbutty
(1884-1960) Paean – a Song of Triumph [2:24] Sir
Edward Elgar
(1857-1934) arr. Sinclair Pomp and Circumstance March No.
4 in G Op. 39 (1907) [5:53] Sir Edward
German (1862-1936) arr. Lemare Three
dances from Henry VIII: Morris Dance, Shepherds’ Dance & Torch Dance
[9:14] Sir
Arthur Sullivan
(1842-1900) arr. Rawsthorne The Lost Chord [5:19] Paul
Spicer (b. 1952)
The Land of Lost Content (2006?) [6:50] Peter Warlock
(1894-1930) arr. Setchell Two dances from Capriol
Suite: Basse-danse; Pieds-en-l’air (1926) [4:02] Sir
Edward German
(1862-1936) arr. Brown/Setchell Coronation March and Hymn
(1911) [6:47] Sir Charles Burney
(1726-1814) Introduction and Voluntary for the Cornet stop
(1751) [6:51] Robert Prizeman
(b. 1952) Songs of Praise Toccata [4:15] John
Gardner (b.1917)
Jig (No. 3 of Five Dances) (1988) [4:46] Sir
Henry Walford Davies
(1869-1941) arr. Setchell RAF March Past [2:58]
Richard Francis (b. 1946) Introduction and
Grand Concert Variations on a Hymn Tune by Sir Arthur Sullivan (the
‘Not-so-young person’s guide to the organ’) (2003) 16:40]
Martin Setchell (organ) rec.
8-10 January 2007, St Laurence’s Parish Church, Ludlow
QUANTUM QM7041 [76:06][JF]
A
good CD featuring a number of Salopian composers. As a compilation it
is very much a mixed blessing but the good parts will be seen differently
by various listeners. ... see Full
Review
Hopkinson Smith (lute,
guitar) Album Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Tempo di Borrea from Partita I (BWV 1002) in A minor [6:42]; Sarabande from Suite for Baroque Lute (BWV 1012) in D major
[4:10]; Adagio from Sonata I (BWV 1001) in G minor; Prelude from Partita
III (BWV 1006) in E Major [4:32]; John DOWLAND
(1563-1626) Frogg Galliard [2:47];
Lachrimae Pavin
[4:10]; Charles MOUTON (1626-after
1699) La Mallassis Sarabande
[2:27]; Sylvius Leopold WEISS
(1686-1750) Prelude in D minor [1:37]; Courante in D minor [3:30];
Gaspar SANZ (c.1640-1710) Marizapalos
[4:23]; La Tarantela [2:04] Alonso MUDARRA (c.1510-1580) Romanesca o Guardame las vacas [2:55]; Luys de NARVAEZ (c.1500-1588)
Veynte y dos diferencias sobre
Conde claros [2:46] Bernhard Joachim HAGEN
(c.1720-1787) Largo from Concerto in A major for lute, 2 violins,
viola and cello [4:27]; Giovanni Girolamo
KAPSPERGER (c. 1580-1651) Toccata 6 [2:44]; Gagliarda [2:01]; Pierre ATTAINGNANT
(c. 1494-1551/52) Pavane et Sauterelle
[3:43]; Bransle de Poictou
[3:01]; Fransisco GUERAU
(1649-1722)
Canarios (2:27); Le Vieux
GAULTIER (1575-1651) La Cascade [8:00];
Jacques De GALLOT (c.1652-c.1690) Sarabande
‘la sans Pareille’ [4:10)
Hopkinson Smith (Renaissance and Baroque Lutes, Baroque Guitar, Vihuela De Mano) Chiara Banchini, David Plantier
(violins), David Courvoisier (viola), Roël
Dieltens (violoncello piccolo) (12) rec. 1980-2004 NAĎVE
E8908 [60:18][ZT]
The
most enjoyable and entertaining recording of music for lute and allied
instruments I have yet encountered. ... see Full Review
Walewska
i przyjaciele -
The Best Polish Singers Sing Arias and Songs rec.
dates and venues unknown DUX 0500-0501 [70:03 + 75:24] [GF]
A
mixed bag. Some of the songs left me indifferent,
some of the performances were not up to the
standard of the best but there was really
nothing awful and there are several things
that are very good indeed. ... see Full
Review
Sir Henry
WOOD
(1869-1944) Orchestrations
by Sir Henry Wood J.S.
BACH Toccata
and Fugue in D minor (BWV 565) [9:53]
CHOPIN
Marche
funèbre (from Piano Sonata No.2
in B flat minor) [10:26] SCHARWENKA
Polish
Dance (Op.3 No.1) [4:10] GRANADOS
Spanish
Dance (No.5 Andaluza) [5:15] GRIEG
Funeral
March [7:47] DEBUSSY
La
Cathédrale engloutie (Preludes,
Book 1 No.10) [6:46] RACHMANINOV
Prelude
in C sharp minor Op.3 No.2 [3:46] MOUSSORGSKY
Pictures
at an Exhibition [30:29]
London Philharmonic Orchestra/Nicholas Braithwaite
rec. Watford Town Hall, 10-11 January 1990
(Bach; Mussorgsky); 6 July 1993. DDD
LYRITA SRCD.216 [78:42] [RB]
Plenty
here to fascinate and please. ... see Full
Review
Zarzuela Gerónimo
GIMÉNEZ (1854–1923) La Tempranica (1900)
1. Sierras de Granada [6:24] Federico
Moreno TORROBA (1891–1982) La Marchenera (1928)
2. Petenera (Tres horas antes del dia) [3:00] Pablo
SOROZÁBAL (1897–1988) Adíos a la bohemia (1933)
3. Recuerdas aquella tarde? [2:26] Francisco
Asenjo BARBIERI (1823–1894) Mis dos mujeres (1855)
4. żPor qué se oprime el alma? [6:21] Jacinto
GUERRERO (1895–1951) La rosa del azafrán (1930)
5. No me duele que se vaya [3:30] Pedro
Miguel MARQUÉS (1843–1918) El anillo de hierro (1878)
6. Pasión del alma mia [5:30]
7. Lágrimas mias, en dónde estáis [3:17] Pablo
SOROZÁBAL La del manojo de rosas (1934)
8. No corté mas que una rosa [4:01] Manuel
Fernández CABALLERO (1835–1906) Gigantes y cabezudos (1898)
9. ˇEsta es su carta! [5:17] Federico
CHUECA (1846–1908) and Joaquin
VALVERDE (1846–1910) La Gran Via (1886)
10. Chotis del Eliseo madrileńo (Yo soy el Elisedo) [4:28] Gerónimo
GIMÉNEZ La Tempranica (1900)
11. La tarántula (La tarántula é un bicho mu malo) [1:44] Manuel
Fernández CABALLERO Château Margaux (1887)
12. Siempre lo decia nuestra directora [3:41] Ana
Maria Sánchez (soprano)
Orquesta Sinfónica y Coro de RTVE/Enrique Garcia Asensio rec. Teatro Monumental
de Madrid, 12–16 July, 2004 RTVE
65225 [49:43] [GF]
Even
though los Angeles, Caballé and Berganza still hold their own in
this repertoire, Ana Maria Sánchez is a thrilling alternative with
an extra dramatic frisson ... see Full
Review
BOOK
REVIEWS
Henry RUSSELL
- A Life on the
Ocean Wave – The story of a composer, singer,
entertainer by Andrew Lamb
2007 398 pp. Ł25 ISBN 0 9524149 6 1 Publ.
Fullers Wood Press, Croydon CR0 8HZ, U.K.
[RW]
An
excellent volume in which is pieced together
a correct account of the progressive activities
of this entrepreneur. ... 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]
