Gustav
MAHLER (1860-1911)
Symphony No. 1 in D major (1888) [49:30]
Robert SCHUMANN
(1810-1856) Symphony No. 1 in B
flat op.38 Spring (1841) [29:48] 
Israel Philharmonic Orchestra/Paul Kletzki
rec. 1954
PREISER 90730 [79:23][CH]
Kletzki’s
art deserves investigation, but this was perhaps
not the place to start. ... see Full
Review
Gustav
MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony No. 6 in
A minor (1904-5) [73:46]
Cleveland Orchestra/George Szell rec. October 1967, Severance Hall,
Cleveland, Ohio. ADD
SONY CLASSICAL GREAT PERFORMANCES 88697008132 [73:46][TB]
Szell
and his Cleveland Orchestra achieved the highest standards, based upon
a discipline that was second to none. Adequate rather than inspiring
sound. A notable performance. ... see Full
Review
Bohuslav
MARTINŮ
(1880-1959) Complete Piano Music 1
8 Preludes, H181 [17:37]; Window on the Garden, H270 [8:03]; Fables,
H138 [7:12]; Three Sketches H160 [5:42]; Christmas H167 [5:30]; Dance
Sketches H220 [10:26]; Foxtrot H126 [2:40]
Giorgio Koukl (piano) rec. RSI Lugano, Switzerland, 19 April, 15 August
2004. DDD NAXOS 8.557914
[57:10] [SA]
Koukl
brings off the whole recital with great aplomb
and makes a powerful case for the wider dissemination
of these works. A joyous disc! ... see Full
Review
Nicholas
MAW (b. 1935) Three
Hymns (1989) [13.07] (1) Five Epigrams (1960) [6.40] The
Angel Gabriel (1963) [2.24] Our Lady’s song (1961)
[2.34] Balulalow (1964) [2.20] Corpus Christi Carol (1964)
[3.25] (2) Swete Jesu (1992) [3.25] Five Irish Songs (1972)
[15.13] One Foot in Eden still, I stand (1990) [7.52] Schola
Cantorum of Oxford/Mark Shepherd Jeremy Filsell (organ) (1)
Simon Jones (piano) (2) rec. Chapel of Exeter College, Oxford,
12-14 March 2000 HYPERION
CDA67615 [58.04]
[RH]
It
is good to have another disc of Maw’s music in the catalogue, particularly
in performances as fine as these. If you are interested in choral
music or well wrought contemporary music, then buy this disc. ...
see Full Review
Felix
MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847)
Symphony
No.9 in C Minor for Strings (1823) [25:31]
Symphony No.10 in B Minor for Strings (1823)
[7:31] Symphony No.12 in G Minor for Strings
(1823) [17:19] Concerto in A Minor for Piano
and Strings (1822) [26:36]*
John Ogdon (piano)* Academy of St Martin in
the Fields/Neville Marriner rec. 1966; 1970*
ADD
DECCA ELOQUENCE 476 8460 [77:16] [TP]
If
you are looking to experience more of the
young Mendelssohn, then this is the disc for
you. ... see Full
Review
Felix
MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847)
Piano Concerto No.1 in G minor, Op.25
(1831) [20:06] Piano Concerto No.2 in D minor,
Op.40 (1837) [23:41] Piano Sonata in E major,
Op.6 (1826) [23:20] Prelude and Fugue, Op.35
No.1 (1837) [8:14]
Murray Perahia (piano) Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields/Neville
Marriner rec. CBS Studios, London, 23-24 August
1974 (concertos); Vanguard Studios, New York,
24 November, 10 December 1981 (rest). ADD/DDD
SONY CLASSICAL GREAT PERFORMANCES 88697
00818 2 [75:23][TH]
If
you are fans of the artists and couplings, don’t hesitate ... see Full
Review
Richard MILLS
(b. 1949)
Cello Concerto (1990) [[24:57] a Violin Concerto
(1992) [22:46] b Concerto for Violin and Viola (1994) [24:27]
c Sue-Ellen
Paulsen (cello)a; Barbara Jane Gilby (violin)bc;
Janet Rutherford (viola)c; Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra/Richard
Mills rec. Ballroom, Government House, Hobart, December 1996
ABC CLASSICS 462 016-2
[72:10][JW]
Performances
first class and the orchestral accompaniment is spot-on. The recording
captures the music with real warmth but without blunting detail. ...
see Full Review
RECORDING
OF
THE MONTH Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
Piano Concerto No. 17 in G major, K 453* (1784)
[35:32] Symphony No. 39 in E flat major, K
543 (1788) [34:42]
Wiener Philharmoniker/Leonard Bernstein *(piano
conductor) rec. Grosser Musikvereinssaal,
Vienna, 3-11 October 1981. DDD Video Director:
Humphrey Burton NTSC 4:3 Colour; Region Code
0 (worldwide); PCM Stereo; DD 5.1; DTS 5.1
EUROARTS 2072098 
[72:13][MG]
Bernstein
applies the Vienna Philharmonic’s luxury veneer
to his highly responsive approach to Mozart
and does so to distinctive effect. … see Full
Review
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Rare Recordings 1934-1970 Piano
Concerto No.20 K466 [32:31] Les Petits Riens, ballet K299b [14:36]
Symphony No.39 K543 [24:55] Horn Concerto No.2 K417 [13:39] Divertimento
No.11 K251 [21:19] Symphony No.38 K504 [23:37] Sinfonia Concertante
K364 [29:08] Serenata notturno K239 [Serenade No.6] [14:53]
Symphony No.41 Jupiter K551 [26:26] La Betulia liberata K118
[72:31] Mitja Nikisch
(piano) Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/Rudolf Schulz-Dornburg, recorded
1934 (Piano Concerto) Winterthur Municipal Orchestra/Hermann Scherchen,
recorded 1941 (Les Petits Riens) Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/Leopold
Ludwig, recorded 1941 (Symphony No.39) Dennis Brain (horn), NDR Symphony
Orchestra/Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt, live recording 1954 (Horn Concerto
No.2) NDR Symphony Orchestra/Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt, live recording
1954 (Divertimento No.11) Orchestre National de France/Hans Rosbaud,
recorded 1954 (Symphony No.38) Arthur Grumaiux (violin) William Primrose
(viola) Cologne Radio Symphony Orchestra, live recording 1955 (Sinfonia
Concertante) Toronto Symphony Orchestra/Hermann Scherchen, live
recording 1965 (Serenata notturno) Toronto Symphony Orchestra/Karel
Ancerl, live recording 1970 (Symphony No.41) Cesare Vallenti (Ozias);
Myriam Pirazzini (Giuditta); Elisabeth Schwarzkopf (Amital); Boris Christoff
(Achior); Luigia Vicenti (Cabri) Orchestra and Choir of RAI, Turin/Mario
Rossi, live recording 1952 (La Betulia liberata)
TAHRA 595-598 [4 CDs: 72:56 + 59:46 + 71:31 + 72:31][JW]
Specialist
collector territory. An attractive and enticing mix of rare commercial
recordings and equally rare preserved broadcasts ... see Full
Review
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
Piano
Concerto No. 9 in E flat, K291 (1777) [34:35] Piano Concerto No. 23
in A, K488 (1786) [27:19]
Northern Sinfonia/Imogen Cooper (piano) rec. live, The Sage, Gateshead,
18-20 October 2005. DDD
AVIE AV2100 [61:54] [CC]
There
is little doubt that this disc will bring
much joy. ... see Full
Review
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
Piano Concerto No.18 in B flat major, KV456
(1784) [32:37] (arr. J.N. Hummel) Symphony
No.40 in G minor, KV550 (1788) [28:21] (arr.
J.N. Hummel)
Henrik Wiese (flute); Peter ClementeTibor
Bényi (cello); Fumiko Shiraga (piano) rec.
June 2006, Bavaria Music Studios, Munich,
Germany. DDD
BIS CD-1567 [61:56] [DC]
For
those of you for whom Mozart currently falls
on jaded ears, this CD might well provide
just the cure you need. ... see Full
Review
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Ouverture (Intrada et fugue) in
C K 399/285i (1782) [4:22] Adagio in C für Glasharmonika
K 356 (1791) [3:28] Fugue en mi bémol majeur K
153/375f (1782) [2:17] Fugue en sol mineur K 154/(358k)
(1782) [1:46] Andante mit Variationen K 501 (1786)
[8:35] * Fugue en sol mineur K 401/375c (1782)
[3:27] * Trio en sol majeur K 443/385l [1:55] *
Adagio und Allegro in f für eine Orgelwalze K 594 (1791)
[10:24] Ach Gott, vom Himmel sien darein K 620b
[3:22] Eine kleine Gigue en sol majeur K 574 (1789)
[1:35] Andante in F für eine kleine kleine Orgelwalze
K 616 (1791) [6:37] Zwei kleine Fuguen (Versetten)
für Orgel K 154a (1782) [0:30] [0:24] Allegro und Andante in
f für eine Orgelwalze K 608 (1791) [9’18]
Olivier Vernet, organ, * with Cédric Meckler (4 mains) Rec: St Louis
en L’ile, Paris, 25-27 May 2006 DDD
LIGIA DIGITAL Lidi0104171-06 [59:31][CB]
It’s
a shame given the beautiful instrument, and
the undoubted talents of Olivier Vernet not
to be able to be more enthusiastic ... see
Full
Review
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
Trio
Sonata for flute, viola and harp (arr.
Dezso d’Antalffy-Zsiross from Duo for
violin and viola in G Major KV423 (1783))
[14:30] Claude DEBUSSY
(1862-1918) Sonata for flute, viola
and harp (1915) [17:53]André
JOLIVET (1905-1974) Petite Suite
for flute, viola and harp (1941) [11:44] Ludwig
Van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)Serenade
for flute, viola and harp (arr. Ami Maayani,
1936 from Serenade for flute, violin and viola
in D major, Op. 25 (1801)) [20:12]
Bohemia Luxembourg Trio: (Carlo Jans (flute);
Jitka Hosprová (viola); Kateřina Englichová
(harp)) rec. 27 February, 1-2 March 2006,
Domovina Studio, Prague, Czech Republic. DDD
ARCODIVA UP 0088-2 131 [64:42] [MC]
Quality
music in a lighter vein. Perfect for relaxing
and for late night listening. A fascinating
disc that will undoubtedly appeal to a wide
range of listeners. ... see Full
Review
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART
(1756-1791) Le nozze di Figaro (The
Marriage of Figaro) K492 (sung in German)
Irma Beilke (soprano) - Susanna Helena Braun (soprano) -
Countess Almaviva Res Fischer (soprano) - Marcellina Liane Timm
(soprano) - Barbarina Gerda Sommerschuh (mezzo) - Cherubino Josef
Witt (tenor) - Don Basilio William Wernigk (tenor) - Don Curzio
Hans Hotter (baritone) - Count Almaviva Erich Kunz (bass) - Figaro Gustav
Neidlinger (bass) - Bartolo Franz Normann (bass) - Antonio Vienna State
Opera Chorus and Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Clemens Krauss rec. Salzburg,
5 August 1942 The (Decca) New Year Concert
Johann STRAUSS II (1825-1899) Egyptischer Marsch, 'Egyptian
March' Op. 335 [4:34] Eljen a Magyar!, 'Hail to Hungary' Op. 332 [3:11]
G'schichten aus dem Wienerwald, 'Tales from the Vienna Woods’ Op. 325
[11:54] Im Krapfenwald Op. 336 [4:08] Pizzicato Polka [3:21] Vergnügungszug,
'Train' Op. 281- Die Fledermaus, 'The Bat' [2:54] Josef
STRAUSS (1827-1870) Jokey, 'Jockey' Op. 278 [1:56] Die Libelle,
'The Dragonfly' Op. 204 [4:38] Mein Lebenslauf ist Lieb und Lust 'The
Course Op. 263 [7:03] Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Clemens Krauss rec.
Grosser Saal, Musikverein, Vienna, September 1951
ANDROMEDA ANDRCD 5075 [3 CDs: 76:38 + 53:38 + 74:52] [JW]
A
valuable historic document. Figaro captures
Kunz and Hotter in their primes and Krauss
in rare repertoire – pretty well recorded
too. The Strauss family New Year disc is self-recommending
... see Full
Review
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756–1791)
La finta giardiniera (1775)
Daniel Ohlmann (tenor) – Don Anchise; Alexandra
Reinprecht (soprano) – La Marchesa Violante
(Sandrina); Norman Shankle (tenor) – Il Contino
Belfiore; Cellia Costea (soprano) – Arminda;
Helene Schneiderman (mezzo) – Il Cavaliere
Ramiro; Irena Bespalovaite (soprano) – Serpetta;
Rudolf Rosen (baritone) – Roberto (Nardo)
Staatsorchester Stuttgart/Lothar Zagrosek,
Director: Jean Jourdheuil; Stage Design and
Costumes: Mark Lammert; Lighting: Klaus E.
Zimmermann; Dramaturgy: Juliane Votteler;
Directed for Television and Video by Hans
Hulscher; Sound Format: PCM Stereo; Picture
Format: 16:9
ARTHAUS MUSIC 101 253
[139:00] [GF]
Suppose
you’ve always dreamt of seeing Basil Fawlty
in the opera house, surrounded by some characters
from an absurdist play – then this is for
you. Minimalist setting, good singing and
acting … a weird alternative to more straightforward
productions. ... see Full
Review
Andrzej
PANUFNIK (1914–1991) Homage
to Polish Music Old Polish Suite (1950,
rev. 1955) [10:16] Concerto in Modo Antico (1951, rev.
1955)a [14:13] Jagiellonian Triptych (1966)
[8:47] Divertimento after Janiewicz (1947, rev. 1955)
[11:31] Hommage ŕ Chopin (1949, orch. 1966)b [13:10] Igor
Cechoco (trumpet)a; Hanna Turonek (flute)b Polish
Chamber Orchestra/Mariusz Smolij
rec. W. Lutoławski Concert Studio, Polish Radio, Warsaw, June 2005 NAXOS
8.570032 [57:58] [HC]
Arrangements
done with taste, subtlety and affection. A must for all Panufnik
admirers. A lovely disc. ... see Full
Review
Arvo
PÄRT (b. 1935) Triodion (1998)
[13.36] Tribute to Caesar (1997) [5.33] Nunc Dimittis (2001)
[6.16] Ode VII (1994) [7.37] from Kanon Pokajanen I
Am the True Vine (1994) [6.50] The Woman with the Alabaster
Box (1997) [5.26] Dopo la vittoria (1996/1998) [10.39] Bogorodiste
Djevo (1990) [1.28] Elora
Festival Singers/Noel Edison rec. St. John Chrysostom Church,
Newmarket, Ontario, Canada, 19–21 May 2006 NAXOS
8.570239 [57.26] [RH]
Makes
it easy to explore Pärt’s unaccompanied vocal music at a very attractive
price and in very fine performances. ... see Full
Review
Giovanni
Battista PERGOLESI (1710-1736)
Stabat Mater in F major for soprano,
contralto, strings and basso continuo (1736)
[33.18] Salve Regina in F minor for
contralto, strings and basso continuo (1736)
[13:04] Salve Regina in A minor for
soprano, strings and basso continuo (1736)
[10:22]
Dorothea Röschmann (soprano) David Daniels
(counter-tenor) Europa Galante/Fabio Biondin
(direction, violin) rec. 6-9, 11-14 August
2005, Studio Flagey, Brussels, Belgium. DDD
VIRGIN CLASSICS 3633402 [57:13] [MC]
Biondi,
using authentically scaled forces, directs
beautifully shaped performances that contain
the appropriate balance of reverence and dramatic
expression. I have yet to hear a finer account
of the Pergolesi Stabat Mater. ... see Full
Review
Allan
PETTERSSON (1911-1980)
The Sixteen Symphonies Peter RUZICKA (b.
1948) …
das Gesegnete, das Verflüchte (1991) [13:44] Various Artists
rec. 1984, 1988, 1991-95, 2004. ADD/DDD
CPO 777 247-2 [12 CDs: 57:11 + 78:21 + 65:24 + 60:38 + 44:35 + 50:24
+ 69:52 + 52:45 + 53:05 + 67:03 + 47:00 + 52:24] [RB]
A
significant and sensitive voice that continues to resonate and hold
redemptive power … the composer’s ability to draw a tearful serene epiphany
out of exhaustion and a battered spirit. ... see Full
Review
Astor
PIAZZOLLA (1921-1992)
Sense of Tango Cuatro Estaciones Porteńas (1965-70) [26:37]
Histoire du Tango: Café 1930 (1986) [6:50] Five Tango Sensations (1990)
[27:57] Roberto Daris (accordion)
Trieste String Trio rec. Artesuono Studio, Udine, Italy. No date given
BELLA MUSICA BM31.7043
[61:24] [DC]
A
highly enjoyable ‘chamber’ disc of some typically attractive and characteristic
Piazzolla. ... see Full Review
Gabriel
PIERNÉ (1863-1937) La
Musique de Chambre (Vol. 1) CD 1 Fantaisie-Impromptu
for violin and piano, Op. 4 (c.1885) [5:45] Sonata for violin
and piano, Op. 36 (1900) [22:40] Sérénade for violin and piano,
Op. 7 (pre-1881) [2:26] Berceuse for violin and piano, Op.
8 (1880) [3:28] Andante for violin and piano (pre-1881) [2:35]
Quintet for piano and string quartet, Op. 41 (1916-17) [38:18] CD
2 Pastorale for woodwind quintet (flute, oboe, clarinet,
bassoon, cor anglais) (c. 1886) [2:27] Canzonetta for clarinet
and piano, Op. 19 (c. 1887) [3:45] Sonata da camera for flute,
cello and piano, Op. 48 (1926) [13:53]
Prélude de concert sur un thčme de Purcell for bassoon and piano, Op. 53 (1933)
[5:21] Prelude and Fugue for woodwind septet (2 flutes, oboe, clarinet, 2 bassoons,
cor anglais), Op. 40/1 (1903-04) [5:25]
Pičce in G minor for oboe and piano, Op. 5 (1884)
Pastorale variée for wind septet (flute, oboe, clarinet, trumpet, cor anglais,
2 bassoons), Op. 30 (1898) [6:44] Solo de concert for bassoon and piano, Op.
35 (1898) [5:37] La Danseuse espagnole for violin and piano (1925) [6:35] Giration,
ballet for piano and ten instruments (1933) [8:47] Nuit divine for violin, harmonium
and narrator (c. 1902 / Počme d'Albert Samain)
[2:46] Soloists of the Luxembourg
Philharmonic Orchestra (full list of performers in each work listed below) DDD
rec. 2005/06 Philharmonie, Luxembourg TIMPANI
2C 1110 [75:44
+ 64:58] [MC]
Superbly
performed but how one cries out for more variety and drama in
these works. A disc for dipping into rather than listening to
at one sitting. ... see Full Review
Henry
PURCELL (1659-1695)
Music for Queen Mary Come, ye sons of Art (Ode
for the Birthday of Queen Mary, 1694) (Z 323) [22:18] Praise the
Lord, O Jerusalem, verse anthem (Z 46)* [05:51] Love's
goddess sure was blind (Ode for the Birthday of Queen Mary, 1692)
(Z 331)** [20:01] [Music for the Funeral of Queen Mary, 1695]
Drum Processional [01:38] March (Z 860a) [01:49] Canzona
(Z 860b) [03:01] Drum Recessional [01:39] [Funeral Sentences]
Man that is born of a woman (Z 27)* [02:45] In the
midst of life (Z 17b)* [04:44] Thou know'st, Lord, the
secrets of our hearts (Z 58b)* [03:41] [Funeral Anthem of
Queen Mary, 1695] Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts (Z
58c) [02:32] Edward Phillips
(treble) (*/**); Kate Royal (soprano); David Hansen, Tim Mead (alto);
Andrew Staples (tenor) (**); Jacques Imbrailo (bass); Members of the
King's College Choir; Cambridge (*) Choir of King's College, Cambridge;
The Academy of Ancient Music/Stephen Cleobury rec. April 2005, Chapel
of King's College, Cambridge, UK. DDD
EMI CLASSICS 3 44438 2 [70:03] [JV]
Disappointing
performances despite some nice moments ... see Full
Review
Sergei
RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Symphonic
Dances, Op. 45a (1940) [32:00] Suitesb
– No. 1, Op. 5, Fantaisie-Tableaux (1893) [22:58]; No. 2, Op.
17 (1900) [22:43]
Peter Donohoe, Martin Roscoe (pianos) rec. aHenry Wood Hall,
London, 24-25 September 2004; bRNCM, Manchester, 5 April
2002. DDD NAXOS
8.557062 [77:42][CC]
A
real bargain at the price and a testament to the stature of two of the
UK's best pianists. See Full
Review
Sergei
RachmaninoV
(1873-1943)
Thirteen Preludes for Piano Op. 32 (1910) No. 1 Allegro vivace
[1:43] No. 2 Allegretto [3:45] No. 3 Allegro vivace [3:00] No. 4 Allegro
con brio [6:35] No. 5 Moderato [3:24] No. 6 Allegro appassionato [1:49]
No. 7 Moderato [2:54] No. 8 Vivo [2:10] No. 9 Allegro moderato [3:25]
No. 10 Lento [5:40] No. 11 Allegretto [2:34] No. 12 Allegro [2:44] No.
13 Grave [5:24] Kenneth
Saxon (piano) rec. 2005
PLUM CDS PLUM052 [45:12] [WK]
An
uneven rendition by a pianist who excels in the more gentle Preludes.
... see Full Review
Giulio REGONDI
(1823-1872)
Souvenir d’amitié
Remembrance [14:40] A Set of Three
Waltzes [10:25] Hexaméron du concertiniste
[26:22] Souvenir d’amitié [16:42]
Helmut C. Jacobs (accordion) rec. 2-4 November
2005, Oranienburg Schloss Nordkirchen. DDD
MUSIKPRODUKTION DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM MDG9031420-6
[68:39] [DB]
Rarely-heard,
well-presented and pleasing repertoire given
an excellent presentation. Recommended especially
for those who enjoy the lighter music of the
mid-nineteenth century. … see Full
Review
Ottorino
RESPIGHI (1879-1936) Ballad of
the Gnomes (1920) [15:02] Three Botticelli Pictures (1927)
[18:09] Suite in G major for strings and organ (1902-05) [22:28]
Adagio with Variations for cello and orchestra (1921) [13:08]
Leslie Pearson (organ)
Alexander Baillie (cello) Philharmonia Orchestra/Geoffrey Simon rec.
19-22 December 1990, Goldsmiths College, London.
CALA CADS 4028
[69:04][GPu]
A
fascinating collection of orchestral works by Respighi, three out of
the four pieces being relatively unfamiliar, in outstandingly good recorded
sound. All admirers of Respighi will want this reissued disc …see Full
Review
Ottorino
RESPIGHI
(1879-1936) Christus - Cantata biblica
in due parti per soli, coro e orchestra (1898-99) [66:34]
St Matthew - Carlo Gaifa (ten); Christ - Roland Hermann (bar); Judas
- Gastone Sarti (bass-bar) Coro della Radio Svizzera Italiana Orchestra
della Radio Svizzera Italiana/Marco Balderi rec. live, Auditorium RTSI,
2 June 1991. DDD LA
BOTTEGA DISCANTICA BDI125 [66:34] [RB]
Not
pallid juvenilia. Respighians will have to
have this as will anyone with a weakness for
the Requiems by Verdi and Stanford ... see
Full
Review
Emil
Niklaus von REZNICEK
(1860-1945) Tanz-Symphonie
(Symphony No.5) (1926) [49:39] Ballet
Music from Donna Diana (1898) [4:20]
Waltz Music from Donna Diana (1898)
[4:12]
Danube Philharmonic, Vienna/Manfred Mussauer
No recording details
ANTES EDITION BM-CD 31.9222 [58:07] [JW]
Admirers
of the lighter Reznicek will take to the Tanz-Symphonie
in these attractively committed although not
especially distinguished performances. Intriguing
... see Full
Review
Ferdinand RIES
(1784–1838) Complete Symphonies
CD1 Symphony No. 1 in D major
Op. 23
(1809) [26:37] Symphony No. 2 in C
minor, Op. 80 (1814) [25:26] CD2 Symphony
No. 3 in E Flat major Op. 112 (1815) [24:26]
Symphony No. 5 in D minor Op. 90 (1813) [30:02]
CD3 Symphony No. 4 in F major Op. 110 (1818)
[32:34] Symphony No. 6 in D major Op. 146
(1822) [31:38] CD4 Symphony No. 7 in A minor
Op. 181
(1835) [33:59] Symphony No. 8 in E
Flat major, WoO 30 (1822) [32:56]
Zürcher Kammerorchester/Howard Griffiths.
rec. 1999 (1, 2), 2001 (4,
6), 2002 (7, 8), Neumünsterkirche, Zurich,
Switzerland; 1997 (3, 5), Zurich Radio Studio.
DDD
CPO 777 216-2 [4 CDs: 52:30 + 54:02 +
64:34 + 67:16][RB]
Fine
and insinuatingly pleasurable symphonies played
with eager delight and thoughtful attention
to flickering dynamics and antiphonal effect
... see Full Review
Nikolai
RIMSKY-KORSAKOV
(1844-1908)
Symphony No.
1 in E minor, Op. 1 (1865/1884) [25:18] Fantasia
on Serbian Themes,
Op. 6 (1867/1887) [6:46] Symphony No. 3 in C, Op. 32 (1874/1886)
[33:51] Malaysian
Philharmonic Orchestra/Kees Bakels rec. Dewan Filhamonik
Petronas Hall, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, November 2002
BIS BIS-CD-1477
[66:48][SV]
In
the mood for a Russian nationalist symphony brimming with gorgeous tunes
and extrovert Russian spirit? The Rimsky Third will do nicely. Mystery
and magic in this glowing performance but the First doesn't grab you
the same way. ... see Full Review
Gioachino
ROSSINI (1792-1868) Adelaide
Di Borgogna - music drama in two acts (1817)
Adelaide, widow of Lotario, King of Italy - Majella Cullagh (sop); Ottone,
Emperor of Germany - Jennifer Larmore (mezzo); Adelberto, Berengario’s
son - Bruce Ford (ten); Berengario - Mirco Palazzi (bass); Eurice, Berengario’s
wife - Rebecca Bottone (sop); Ernesto, an officer - Ashley Catling (ten);
Iroldo, former governor of Canosso - Mark Wilde (ten) Scottish Chamber
Orchestra and Chorus/Giuliano Carella rec. live, Usher Hall, Edinburgh,
19 August 2005, Edinburgh International Festival. DDD
OPERA
RARA ORC 32 [77.07 + 52.01][RJF]
Opera
Rara are making a good habit of performing
and recording Rossini opera seria at the
Edinburgh Festival. This issue continues
that tradition and makes this rarely heard
work more readily available than in the
past. ... see Full
Review
Gioacchino
ROSSINI
(1792-1868) Piano Works
Péchés de Vieillesse,
Volume 7: Gammes et Spécimens
Petite
promenade de Passy à Courbevoie,
la percourant (homéopathiquement
et à la pesarese) [3:31] Un cauchemar
[11:52] Tourniquet sur la gamme chromatique
[5:24] Spécimen de l’ancien régime
[18:07] Gamme, Des montées et des
descentes; Deux gammes chinoises, suivies
d’une mélodie analogue: Première
montée et descente [2:19] Deuxième
montée et descente [0:55] Première
Gamme chinoise, Montante et descendante
[0:45] Deuxième Gamme chinoise, Montante
et descendante [0:39] L’amour à Pekin,
Petite mélodie sur la gamme chinoise
[4:23] * Spécimen de mon temps [10:42]
Des tritons s’il vous plait, Montée
– Descente [1:24] Encore unpeu de blague,
Montée – Descente [2:55] Spécimen
de l’avenir [11:42] Ritournelle gothique
[3:42]
Stefan Irmer (piano) * Michaela Dobmeir
(alto) rec. 20-22 April, 2006, Fürstliche
Reitbahn Bad Arolsen.
MUSIKPRODUKTION DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM MDG
618 1426-2 [79:34] [Gpu]
A
well-filled, well-played selection of extraordinary
piano pieces, in exemplary sound … see Full
Review
Nino ROTA
(1911-1979) Mysterium
- Oratorio per soli, coro, coro voci
bianche e orchestra in 7 parti (1962)
Gino Sinimberghi (ten); Ugo Trama (basso);
Angelica Tuccari (sop); Corinna Vozza (mezzo)
Cori della Pro Civitate Christiana di Assisi/Giulio
Sani Orchestra della Pro Civitate Christiana
di Assisi/Armando Renzi rec. 1962. ADD
LA BOTTEGA DISCANTICA BDI124 [70:33] [RB]
Brooding,
passionately devotional, regretfully nostalgic,
romantic, blazing and gritty, rhythmically
inventive, ringing with fervent sincerity
and even operatic .... 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]
