All
in the April Evening Sir
Hugh ROBERTON (1874-1952) All in the
April evening [3:12] TRADITIONAL (arr.
Roberton) The Banks
o'Doon [3:17]; An Eriskay Love Lilt [2:39]; Dream Angus [2:46]; The Wee
Cooper o'Fife [1:44] TRADITIONAL (arr.
Vaughan Wiliams) Ca' the
yowes [4:40]; The Turtle Dove [2:49] TRADITIONAL (arr.
Bantock) O can ye sew
cushions? [3:11] TRADITIONAL (arr. Mansfield) Wi' a
hundred pipers [2:34] TRADITIONAL (arr.
Roberton) Drink to me only with thine eyes [3:29]; All
through the night [2:10] Thomas MORLEY (1557-1602) Fyer!
Fyer [2:07] John BENNET (?1575/80 -?) All
creatures now are merry-minded [1:52] William
BYRD (1539/40-1623) Ave verum corpus [3:25] TRADITIONAL (arr.
Grant) Crimond [3:16] Sir
C. Hubert H. PARRY (1848-1918) Never weather-beaten sail
(Songs of Farewell) [2:54] Sir
Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) My love dwelt in a northern land
[3:45]; As torrents in summer [2:10] Peter
WARLOCK (1894-1930) Corpus Christi [4:47] Sir
Charles Villiers STANFORD (1854-1924) The Blue Bird [3:08] Ralph
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) Three Shakespeare Songs [5:51] Sir
Arthur SULLIVAN (1842-1900) The long day closes [3:36] 
Laudibus/Michael
Brewer rec. St. Jude-on-the-Hill, Hampstead Garden Suburb, London 18-19
July 1998. DDD HYPERION
HELIOS CDH55243 [71:46] [JQ]
As
a tribute to Sir Hugh Roberton and his legendary Glasgow Orpheus
Choir, this CD succeeds splendidly and it will also give great
pleasure in its own right ... see Full
Review
Amorous
in Music William Cavendish in Antwerp (1648-1660)
ANONYMOUS Daphne [4:10] Strawberry
leaves [1:33] Tickle my toe [1:48] John DOWLAND
(1563-1626) Pavan (Taffelconsort) (1621) [4:18] Lamentatio Henrici
Noel [4:10] Galeazzo SABBATINI (1597-1662)
Congregavit Dominus aquas [4:10] Nicholaes
a KEMPIS (c.1600-1676) Symphonia No.1 Op.2 [5:01] Leonora
DUARTE (1610-1678) Sinfonia No.1 [2:29] William
LAWES (1602-1645) Up, Ladies, Up [1:46] Suite in G minor
[6:28] Gather ye rosebuds [1:49] Henry LAWES
(1596-1662) Now Lucatia now make haste [3:52] Orlando
GIBBONS (1583-1625) Fantasia No.2 from Koninklycke Fantasien
[2:37] Matthew LOCKE (c.1621-1677) Lucinda, wink or veil those eyes [2:36] Oh the
brave jolly gypsy [1:15] John JENKINS
(1592-1678) Newark Siege [6:04] Galliard [2:55] Nicholas
LANIER (1588-1666) No more shall meads [3:02] Peter
PHILLIPS (1561-1628) Pavan Dolorosa [4:54] Galliard [1:35]
Angharad
Gruffydd Jones (soprano) Concordia/Mark Levy rec. Academiezaal
Sint-Truiden, January 2006
ETCETERA KTC 4019 [67:05][JW]
Plenty
of variety here and quite some historical frisson as well. ... see Full
Review
Rose
Bampton (b. 1907) Christoph
Willibald von GLUCK (1714-1787) Alceste - Ah, malgré moi,
mon faible coeur [4:43] Alceste - Non, ce n'est point un sacrifice[5:16]
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Don Giovanni - Era gia alquanto... Or sai chi
l'onore [4:51] Don Giovanni - Non mi dir, bell'idol mio [5:02] Gioachino
ROSSINI (1792-1868) La Cenerentola - Nacqui affanno... Non
piu mesta [5:14] Semiramide - Bel raggio lusinghier [4:59] Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901) Ernani - Sorte e la notte... Ernani, involami [5:06] Aida - Qui Radames verra!...
O patria mia [5:15] Richard
WAGNER (1813-1883) Lohengrin - Einsam in trüben Tagen
[4:41] Tristan und Isolde - Mild und leise [5:11]
Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) Tosca - Vissi d'arte [3:11]
Jules MASSENET (1842-1912) Herodiade - Il est doux, il est
bon [4:44] Hector BERLIOZ (1803-1869) La Damnation de Faust - D'amour
l'ardente flamme [7:34] CLAUDE
DEBUSSY (1862-1918) L'enfant prodigue - L'Année en vain chasse l'année
[4:46] Georg Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759)
Atalanta - Come, beloved [3:36] John Alden
CARPENTER (1876-1951) Gitanjali - When I bring to you colour'd
toys [2:28] Gitanjali - Light, my light [2:18]
Rose Brampton (soprano) Victor Orchestra/Wilfred Pelletier RCA Victor
Orchestra/Wilfred Pelletier Metropolitan Opera Orchestra/William Steinberg
Wilfred Pelletier (piano) Charles O'Connell (piano)
rec. 1932-1946 PREISER
89675 [79:03][JW]
If Bampton emerges as a somewhat lesser interpreter
than she might once have seemed, there's still pleasure to be taken
in hearing this agreeably wide-ranging conspectus ... see Full
Review
Emmy Bettendorf (soprano) Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Marriage of Figaro:
Heil'ge Quelle reiner Triebe [3:34]; Nur zu flüchtig bist Du entschwunden
[2:59]; Wenn die sanften Abendwinde with Mizzi Fink [3:11]; O säume
länger nicht, geliebte Seele [4:03] Carl
Maria von WEBER (1786-1826) Der Freischütz
-Und ob die Wolke sie verhülle [4:27]
Georges GOUNOD (1818-1893) Faust
- Es war ein König in Thule [4:49] Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901) Il Trovatore - In Deines Kerkers
tiefe Nacht [3:31] Richard WAGNER
(1813-1883) Tannhäuser - O Fürstin with Lauritz Melchior
[8:50] Lohengrin - Einsam
in trüben Tagen [4:46]; Euch Lüften, die mein Klagen [3:54] Die
Meistersinger von Nürnberg - Gut'n Abend, Meister with Alfred Jerger
[8:17] Peter CORNELIUS (1824-1874)
Der Barbier von Bagdad - Er kommt, er kommt with Margarete Arndt-Ober and Waldemar Henke [7:04]
Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Der
Rosenkavalier - Kann mich auch an ein Mädl erinnern [4:25]; Quinquin,
er soll jetzt gehn [4:42] Ariadne auf Naxos - Ein schönes war
[7:55] Emmy Bettendorf
(soprano) Orchester der Staatsoper Berlin/Paul Breisach, Fritz Stiedry,
Frieder Weissmann, Bruno Weyersberg rec.1922-25
PREISER 89672 [76:34][JW]
This
worthy salute to Bettendorf makes us impatient for more ... see Full
Review
Jussi Björling
- Radamès, Alfredo, Roméo CD
1 Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Aida, act 1 (Sw.) [35:09] 1. Si, corre
voce che l'Etiope ardisca [1:35]; 2. Se quell guerrier io fossi! -
Celeste Aida [4:18]; 3. Quale insolita gioia nel tuo sguardo! [3:16]; 4.
Vieni, o diletta appressati [2:48]; 5. Alta cagion v'aduna [3:47]; 6.
Su! del Nilo al sacro lido [2:12]; 7. Ritorna vincitor! [6:57]; 8.
Possente Fthà - Tu che dal nulla hai tratto [3:06];
9. Immenso Fthà! - Mortal, diletto ai Numi [3:05]; 10. Nume, custode
e vindice [3:57];
Inez Köhler (soprano) - Aida; Gertrud Pålsson-Wettergren (mezzo) -
Amneris; Jussi Björling (tenor) - Radamès; Georg Svedenbrant
(baritone) - Messaggero; Folke Jonsson (bass) - Ramfis; Inez Wassner
(soprano) - Sacerdotessa; Leon Björker (bass) - Il Re; Royal Orchestra and Chorus/Kurt Bendix
rec. 29 March 1940 La traviata, Highlights (Sw.) [37:23]
Act I 11. Libiamo ne'lieti calici [2:55]; 12. Un di, felice, eterea
[6:06]; Act II 13. Lunge da lei - De'miei bollenti spiriti
[4:09]; 14: Mi chiamaste? Che bramate? - Ogni suo
aver tal femmina [9.56]; Act III
15: Signora! - Che t'accadde? - Parigi, o cara [5:28]; 16. Ah, non più, a un tempio - Ah! Gran Dio!
Morir si giovine [3:03]; 17. Finale: Ah, Violetta! - Voi, signor! -
Prendi, quest'è l'immagine - Se una pudica vergine [5:39] Hjördis
Schymberg (soprano) - Violetta; Jussi Björling (tenor) - Alfredo; Margit
Sehlmark (contralto) - Annina; Conny Molin (baritone) - Germont; Georg
Svedenbrant (baritone) - Barone; Gösta Lindberg (bass) - Dottore; Royal Orchestra and Chorus/Herbert Sandberg rec. 29
August 1939 CD 2 Giacomo
PUCCINI (1858-1924) 1. Tosca: E lucevan le stelle [3:43]; 2. Turandot:
Nessun dorma [3:01]; Stockholm Radio Orchestra/Sixten Ehrling rec. 10
July 1943 3. La bohème: Che gelida manina (Sw.) [4:24]; Pietro
MASCAGNI (1863-1945) 4. Cavalleria rusticana: O Lola (Sw.)
[4:44]; Swedish Radio Orchestra/Nils Grevillius rec. 8 April 1937 5.
Cavalleria rusticana: Mamma! Quel vino [4:37]; Swedish Radio Symphony
Orchestra/Tor Mann rec. 10 November 1944
Giuseppe VERDI 6.
Requiem: Ingemisco [3:47]; 7. Rigoletto: Questa o quella [1:53]; 8.
Aida: Celeste Aida [4:18]; Giacomo PUCCINI
9. Che gelida manina [4:37]; Sw.
Radio Orchestra/Sten Frykberg rec. Spring 1951
Kurt ATTERBERG (1887-1974) 10. Fanal: Nu, bröder, Ändas våra
strider (Act III Finale)(Sw.) [5:03]; Jussi
Björling (tenor) - Martin Skarp; Helga Görlin
(soprano) - Rosamund; Gösta Böckelin (tenor)
- Vassal; Joel Berglund (bass-baritone) -
Jost; Leon Björker (bass) - Duke; Royal Orchestra and Chorus/Nils Grevillius rec.
29 January 1934 Charles GOUNOD (1818-1893)
Faust, act III, beginning [10:48] 11. Faites-lui mes aveux [4:18]; 12.
C'est ici? [3:08]; 13. Salut! demeure chaste et pure (incomplete) [3:22];
Benna Lemon-Brundin (soprano) -
Siebel; Jussi Björling (tenor) - Faust; Joel
Berglund (bass-baritone) - Méphistophélès; Royal
Orchestra/Nils Grevillius rec. 25 September 1944
Roméo et Juliette, Act II (Sw.) [27:22] 14. O nuit, sous
tes ailes obscures[3:18]; 15. L'amour, l'amour! - Ah! lève-toi soleil
[4:53]; 16. Hélas! moi le hair [8:16]; 17. O nuit divine! Je t'implore!
[6:25]; 18. Va! repose en paix! [2:27]
Hjördis Schymberg (soprano) - Juliette; Göta
Allard (mezzo) - Gertrude; Jussi Björling (tenor)
- Roméo; Sven d'Ailly (bass) - Gregorio; Royal Orchestra
and Chorus/Nils Grevillius rec. 13 May 1943
BLUEBELL
ABCD 103 [72:44 + 77:21][GF]
There
are riches aplenty on these two discs. Björling
completists need them of course but general
collectors should also hear them and marvel
at the divine voice. ... see Full
Review
Blooming
Sounds:
Works for Unaccompanied
Violin Vache SHARAFYAN
(b.1966) Blooming
sounds (2004) [8:59] 4 Adam
KHOUDOYAN (1921-2000) Sonata (1980)
[8:29] 2 Augusta
Read THOMAS (b.1964) Pulsar (2004)
[5:37] 2 Incantation (1995) [5:52]
5 Leif
SEGERSTAM (b.1944) Why Yes or No
(1975) [10:21] 2 David
FELDER (b.1953) Another Face (1987)
[13:11] 1 Paul
HINDEMITH (1895-1963) Sonata, Op.31,
No.2 (1924) [13:13] 3 
Movses Pogossian (violin) rec. Lippes Concert
Hall, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New
York, 14 January 2003 1; 10 February
2004 2; 8 March 2004 3;
25 September 2004 4; 21 February
2005 5
ALBANY TROY810 [65:46] [GPu]
An
excellent CD of music for unaccompanied violin,
which adds several adventurous contemporary
pieces to one of Hindemith's sonatas, all played with utter technical
assurance and emotional involvement ... see Full
Review
Borodin
Quartet 60th Anniversary Alexander
BORODIN
(1833-1887)
String Quartet No. 2 in D Major (1885): (Allegro moderato
[8:45]; Scherzo: Allegro [5:10]; Notturno: Andante [8:37]; Finale:
Andante - Vivace [7:14]);
Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893)
Andante cantabile (from String Quartet No. 1 in D Major Op. 11)(1871)
[7:22]; Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943)
Romance (1889) [6:13]; Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
String Quartet No. 12 in C Minor, D703 "Quartettsatz"
(1820) [9:37]; Anton WEBERN (1883-1945)
Langsamer Satz (1905) [11:08]; Alexander
BORODIN (1833-1887) Serenata alla Spagnola (1886) [2:18]
Borodin Quartet rec. The
Lutheran Church, Moscow, Russia, 2005
ONYX 4002 [66:28] [GF]
One
of the finest string quartet discs I have heard for some time with all
the music played con amore. ... see Full
Review
Bridge across the Pyrenees
- Flute Concertos Joaquín
RODRIGO (1901-1999) Concierto pastoral (1978)
[25:19] François BORNE (1840-1920)
Fantaisie brillante sur des airs de Carmen [11:09] Jacques
IBERT (1890-1962) Concerto for flute and orchestra (1934)
[19:15] Sharon Bezaly
(flute) São Paulo Symphony Orchestra/John Neschling rec. July 2005,
Sala São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
BIS-SACD-1559 
[56:50][DC]
With
musicianship of this standard, who's complaining? ... see Full
Review
Choral
Favourites from King's Gregorio
ALLEGRI (1582-1652) Miserere mei, Deus a 9 (vv.1-4 & 17-20) [5:45] Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Ave
verum corpus K618 (1791) [3:03] Thomas
TALLIS (c1505-1585) If ye love me [2:23] Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741) Gloria in excelsis Deo from Gloria RV589 [2:23] John
TAVENER (b. 1944) The Lamb
(1982) [3:28] John RUTTER (b. 1945) Requiem aeternam from Requiem (1985) [5:35] Henry
PURCELL (1659-1695) Rejoice in the Lord alway [8:08] George Frideric
HANDEL (1685-1759) Hallelujah Chorus from The Messiah (1742) [4:23] Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring from Cantata 147 [3:30] Joseph
HAYDN (1732-1809) The heavens are telling
from The Creation (1798) [4:43] Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Gott ist mein Hirt
(Psalm 23) D706 [5:00] Gabriel
FAURÉ (1845-1924) Agnus Dei
from Requiem (1888) [5:26] Frederick
DELIUS (1862-1934) To be sung of a summer
night on the water [2:10] Benjamin
BRITTEN (1913-1976) The Birth of Nicolas from Saint Nicolas (1948) [2:35] There
is no rose from A Ceremony of Carols (1942) [2:20] William
HARRIS (1883-1973) Faire is the heaven [4:43] Charles WOOD (1866-1926) Hail, gladdening light (1919) [3:07] John DYKES (1823-1876) arr. David Willcocks
Holy, holy, holy [2:43] Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Land of hope and glory from Coronation Ode (1902) [4:32]
Timothy Beasley-Murray (treble); Gerald Finley (baritone); Stephen
Layton (organ); Michael Cockerham (alto); Andrew King (tenor);
Nicholas
Hayes (bass); Francis Grier (organ; Heather Harper (soprano);
Robert Tear (tenor); Sir Philip Ledger (piano); John Wells (organ); Bruce Russell (treble); Andrew Davis and Ian Hare (piano); Ossian
Ellis (harp); Ian Hare (organ); Dame Felicity Lott (soprano);
Alfreda Hodgson (alto); Richard Morton (tenor); Stephen Roberts
(bass). Cambridge Classical Players; Academy
of Ancient Music; City of London Sinfonia; Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields; Phillip Jones Brass Ensemble; Cambridge University Musical
Society Chorus; Band of the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller
Hall; New Philharmonia Orchestra. Choir
of King's College, Cambridge/Sir David Willcocks; Sir Philip Ledger;
Stephen Cleobury. Rec. no information given.
ADD/DDD (Allegri, Mozart, Tallis, Vivaldi, Tavener and Rutter).
EMI
CLASSICS FOR PLEASURE 0946 3 75943 2 2 [76:43][TP]
At the price, you are unlikely to find a better
album of choral favourites. ... see Full
Review
Natalie Clein - The Romantic Cello
Frédéric CHOPIN
(1810-1849) Cello Sonata in G minor, Op. 65 (1845) [24:48]
Polonaise Brillante, Op. 3 (1829) [9:01]
Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Cello
Sonata in G minor, Op. 19 (1901) [35:17] Vocalise,
Op. 34 No. 14 (1912) [6.12]
Natalie Clein (cello); Charles Owen (piano) rec. 17-20 May 2006, St
Paul's School, Barnes, London
EMI CLASSICS 3669382 [75:21] [TB]
Natalie
Clein and Charles Owen prove themselves worthy
interpreters of this wonderful music. The
sound perspective seems ideal for duo performances,
with pleasing cello tone and piano detail,
always beautifully balanced. ... see Full
Review
Continental
Britons - The Émigré Composers
CD 1 Egon WELLESZ
(1885-1974) Octet
Op.67 (1948) [30:48] Geistliches Lied (Sacred
Song) for medium voice, violin, viola
and piano Op.23 (1918/19) [9.29] Kirschblütenlieder
(Cherry Blossom Songs) from the
Japanese-style poems of Hans Bethge Op.8 (1911)
[6:06] (Sehnsucht nach der Nachtigall;
Der Blütenzweig; Blütenschnee;
Leichtes Spiel; Blüten)
Leopold SPINNER
(1906-1980) Zwei Kleine Stücke
(Two Small Pieces) for violin and piano
(1934) [5:22] Berthold
GOLDSCHMIDT (1903-1996) Fantasy
for oboe, cello and harp (1991) [11.41]
Peter GELLHORN
(1912-2004) Intermezzo for violin
and piano (1937) [4.28] Vilém
TAUSKÝ (1910-2004) Coventry
- A Meditation for string quartet (1941)
[8.19] CD 2 Hans
GÁL (1890-1987) Violin Sonata
in B-flat minor Op.17 (1920) [23:59] Fünf
Melodien (Five Songs) for medium
voice and piano Op.33 (1917-21) [11:59] (Vergängliches;
Der Wiesenbach; Vöglein Schwermut;
Drei Prinzessinnen; Abend auf dem
Fluss) Berthold
GOLDSCHMIDT (1903-1996) The
Old Ships (James Elroy Flecker) (1952)
[4.31] Mátyás
SEIBER (1905-1960) Violin Sonata
Op. 17 (1960) [16:37] Franz
REIZENSTEIN (1911-1968) Quintet
for flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and horn
(1934) [11:42] Karl
RANKL (1898-1968) War -
eleven songs Op.10 (1939-42) (No. 4 They;
No. 5 Böhmisches Rekrutenlied)
[3:39] Seven Songs for baritone and
piano op.6 (1939-42) (No. 6 The Whim)
[3.39]
Ensemble Modern, Frankfurt (Dietmar Wiesner
(flute); Catherine Milliken (oboe); Roland
Diry (clarinet); Karl Ventulett (bassoon);
Silke Schurack (horn); Manon Morris (harp);
Freya Ritts-Kirby (violin); Thomas Hofer (violin);
Susan Knight (viola); Eva Böcker (cello);
Bruno Suys (double-bass); Nurit Pacht (violin);
Konstantin Lifschitz (piano) Christian Immler
(baritone); Erik Levi (piano) Paul Silverthorne
(viola) rec. live, Wigmore Hall, London, June
2002. From a series of concerts sponsored
and organised by Andante and the JMI International
Forum for Suppressed Music. DDD
NIMBUS NI 5730/1 [76:46 + 76:38] [RB]
An
eye-opening collection of the music of composers
swept along by the unforgiving tempest of
the 1930s diaspora ... see Full
Review
Creative
Mix Dan
WELCHER
(b.1948) Kiva
from Spirit Realms (1996) [4:51] Lynn
GLASSOCK (b.1946) Three Days
in May (2001) [14:52] Dana
WILSON (b.1946)
Pu Em Remu - (From The Tears)
(1997) [8:57] Burt
FENNER (b.1929) Music for flute
and drums (1997) [13:06] Wolfgang
HOFMANN (b.1922) Sonata piccolo
for flute and multiple percussion (1975)
[8:05] Peter TANNER
(b.1936) Diversions for flute and
marimba (1958) [9:22]
The Armstrong Flute and Percussion Duo (Eleanor
Duncan Armstrong (flutes); Dan C. Armstrong
(percussion)) rec. Eisenhower Auditorium,
Penn State Campus, 2002 (Glassock and Fenner);
Esber Recital Hall, Penn State School of Music
March 2003 (remainder)
GASPARO GSCD 364 [59:40] [JW]
The
versatile performers bring effusive life to
these demanding works. ... see Full
Review
Danzas
Niklas SIVELÖV (b. 1968) Tres Danzas (2005) [10.18] Paul HINDEMITH (1895-1963)
Sonata for Tuba and Piano (1955) [10.52] Gordon
JACOB (1895-1984) Tuba Suite (1972) [17.31] Leonard
BERNSTEIN (1919-1990) Waltz for Mippy III (1948) [1.46]
Anthony PLOG (b. 1947) Three
Miniatures (1990) [6.02] Astor
PIAZZOLLA (1921-1992) Milonga del Angel [3.24]; Invierno Poroteno [2.18]; Adioa Nonino [3.36]
Øystein Baadsvik (tuba) Niklas Sivelöv
(piano) rec. June 2005, Nybokajen 11, Stockholm; March 2006,
Danderyd Grammar School, Sweden
BIS BIS-CD-1585 [57.38][RH]
Might
not be very high on everyone's wants list but I urge you to try it,
you will discover some interesting repertoire and some very fine playing.
... see Full Review
Discover
Opera Written and compiled by Nick Kimberley;
Excerpts from operas by: Orazio VECCHI,
Claudio MONTEVERDI, Francesco CAVALLI, Henry PURCELL, George Frideric
HANDEL, Jean-Philippe RAMEAU, Christoph Willibald GLUCK, Wolfgang Amadeus
MOZART, Ludwig van BEETHOVEN, Richard WAGNER, Gioachino ROSSINI, Gaetano
DONIZETTI, Giuseppe VERDI, Giacomo PUCCINI, Hector BERLIOZ, Georges
BIZET, Pyotr Il'yich TCHAIKOVSKY, Claude DEBUSSY, Alban BERG, Leos JANÁČEK,
Bela BARTÓK, IGOR STRAVINSKY, Benjamin BRITTEN, John ADAMS and
Harrison BIRTWHISTLE incl. 25,000-word essay. Booklet
illustrated with photographs.
NAXOS 8.558196-97 [79:30 + 76:02][GF]
A
cheap way of getting an introduction to the history of opera. The book
alone will be a useful reference until the beginner has acquired so
much basic knowledge that it is time for something more comprehensive.
... see Full Review
Divine Dancers -
Live from Prague Jules MASSENET
(1842-1912) Manon (1884) - Act I Scene 2a
(excerpt, arr. Lucas) [5:55] Kurt WEILL (1900-1950)
Wie lange noch?b [5:04] Serge
RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Mémoirec [6:25]
SINATRA/ANKER My Wayd [5:07] Cesare
PUGNI (1802-1870) La Fille du Pharaon (1862) - excerpte
[5:47] Henry PURCELL (1659-1695) The
Moor's Pavanef [20:50] George
GERSHWIN (1898-1937) Who cares?g [6:34]
Peter TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) The
Sleeping Beauty (1890) - Grand Pas de deuxh [11:31]
Jacques BREL (1929-1978) Amsterdami
[3:39] Les Bourgeoisj [3:31] Alexander
GLAZUNOV (1865-1936) Raymonda (1898) - Act 2: Adagioe
[6:21] aPolina
Semionova, aIgor Zelensky, bNatalia Hoffmann,
bAttin Kaftira, cDelphine Baey, dDaniil
and Dimitri Simkin, eMaria Alexandrova, eSergey
Filine, fCharles Jude, fStéphanie Roublot, fJean-Jacques
Herment, fViviana Franciosi, gNatalia Hoffmann,
gAltin Kaftira, hOksana Kutcheruk, hRoman
Mikhalev, iDmitri Simkin, iMarek Tuma, jDaniil
Simkin. rec. live, Prague State Opera, 11 January 2006. NTSC
16:9 anamorphic. Region 0.
EUROARTS 2054708 
[90:00][CC]
The
spread of composers here is remarkably wide, from Purcell to Brel via
Rachmaninov and Pugni ...
Production values are of the highest. Recommended ...
see Full Review
Down a River of Time Georg
Philip TELEMANN (1681-1767) Concerto in D minor [9.44] Francois
Joseph GARNIER (1755-1825) Concerto for Oboe and Strings
[8.11] Giuseppe FERLENDIS (1785-1810) Concerto no. 1 in F major [13.31]
Ermanno WOLF-FERRARI (1876-1948)
Idillio-Concertino (1932) [19.36] Eric
EWAZEN (b. 1954) Down a River of Time (1999)
[24.57]
Andrea Gullickson (oboe) Czech Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra/Lucia
Matos rec. July 2005, Czech Radio Studio One, Prague.
CALA RECORDS CACD1037 [76.39][RH]
Out
of the way repertoire and musical performances, a highly recommendable
disc. ... see Full Review
Phillip Dyson
- By Special Request Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Piano Sonata in E flat major K282 [14:27] Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Sonata in C minor Op.13 Pathetique
(1798-99) [19:55] Fryderyk CHOPIN
(1810-1849) Impromptu in F sharp minor Op.36 (1839) [6:37] Franz
LISZT (1811-1886) Ballade No.2 in B minor [16:44] Claude
DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Images; Reflets dans l'eau (1903-07)
[5:53] Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897)
Rhapsody in G minor Op.79 No.2 (1879) [6:57]
Phillip Dyson (piano) rec. Maltings Theatre, Berwick upon Tweed,
February 2004 MARIGOLD 011
[70:33][JW]
A
'By Request' programme of tried and tested favourites, ones with which
Dyson feels entirely comfortable. ... see Full
Review
Eighth
Blackbird - Strange Imaginary Animals Jennifer
HIGDON (b.1962) Zaka (2003) [12:50] Gordon
FITZELL (b.1968) violence (2001) [9:46] Steven
MACKEY (b.1966) Indigenous Instruments (1989) [17:34]
David M. GORDON Friction Systems
(2002; rev. 2005) [14:37] Gordon FITZELL
(b.1968) evanescence (2006) [11:18] Dennis
DESANTIS (b.1973) strange imaginary remix (2006)
[5:33] Eighth Blackbird:
(Lisa Kaplan (piano); Matt Albert (violin, viola); Nicholas Photinos
(cello); Matthew Duvall (percussion); Michael J Macafferi (clarinet);
Molly Alicia Barth (flute)) rec. Ball State University, 15-18 August
2005. DDD CEDILLE CDR
90000 094 [72:00][RB]
Modernistic
stuff but if this style is to your taste the DeSantis, Higdon, Gordon
and parts of the Mackey are well worth hearing. ... see Full
Review
Eine Orgelmesse in Dom zu Freiberg
Johann Jacob FROBERGER
(1616-1674) Toccata I FbWV 101 [4:16] Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr
BWV 662 [7:54] J.J. FROBERGER
Canzon III FbWV 303 [4:00] J.S. BACH
Komm, heiliger Geist, Herre Gott BWV 651 [5:48] J.J.
FROBERGER Toccata III FbWV 103 [3:10] Fantasia III FbWV 203
[5:47] J.S. BACH Schmücke dich,
o liebe Seele BWV 654 [6:59] J.J. FROBERGER
Toccata IV FbWV 106 [5:41] J.S. BACH
Jesus Christus, unser Heiland BWV 665 [5:25] O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig
BWV 656 [9:27] J.J. FROBERGER
Canzon V FbWV 305 [2:26] J.S. BACH
Komm, Gott Schöpfer, heiliger Geist BWV 667 [2:13]
Christian Skobowsky (organ) rec. October 2004, Freiberg Dom. DDD
ORGANUM CLASSICS OGM250078 [69:08][CB]
Clever programming - marvellous organ - Froberger more convincing than Bach
... see Full Review
Mario
Filippeschi
Vincenzo BELLINI (1801-1835)
Norma - Meco all'altar di Venere (with Paolo Caroli) [5:44] Gioachino
ROSSINI (1792-1868) Gugliemo Tell - Ah Matilde, io t'amo
(with Giuseppe Taddei) [9:16]; Troncar suoi di (with Giuseppe Taddei
and Giorgio Tozzi) [3:25]; O muto asil del pianto [8:12] Giacomo
MEYERBEER (1791-1864) Gli Ugonotti - Bianca al par [5:29]
Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901)
Il Trovatore - Ah si ben mio coll'essere [3:24]; Di quella pira [2:08]
La forza del destino - La vita e inferno all'infelice [6:14] Aida -
Celeste Aida [4:22]; Pur ti riveggo mia dolce Aida (with Caterina Mancini,
Giulio Neri, Giulietta Simionato, Rolando Panerai) [12:21]; Gia i sacerdoti
adunansi [6:51] Otello - Ora per sempre [2:17] Umberto
GIORDANO (1867-1948) Andrea Chenier - Un di all'azzurro spazio
[4:37] Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924)
La fanciulla del west - Ch'ella mi creda [2:02] Turandot - Nessun dorma
[3:05] Mario Filippeschi
(tenor) Orchestra and Chorus of La Scala, Milan/Tullio Serafin Orchestra
and Chorus of Radio Italiana, Turin/Mario Rossi Orchestra of Radio Italiano,
Turin/Argeo Quadri Orchestra of Radio Italiano, Rome/Vittorio Gui Orchestra
Sinfonica di Milano/Argeo Quadri rec. 1951-56
PREISER 89671 [79:37] [JW]
Filippeschi's
famed "voz de oro" - core-centred and powerful, well supported
and well projected. ... see Full
Review
Three French Pianists
1. Camille SAINT-SAËNS
(1835-1921) Improvised cadenza on Afrique -
suite for piano and orchestra Op.89 [2:47] Valse mignonne Op.104 [2:37]
Valse nonchalante Op.110 [3:14] Piano Concerto No.2 in G Op.22 -
extracts [3:57] Rhapsodie d'Auvergne Op.73 [2:28] Ascanio - Air of
Scozzone [2:28] Réverie [3:08] La Solitaire (Mélodie Persane) [2:25]
Samson et Dalila - Printemps qui commence [3:37] Le Déluge - Prelude
Op.45 [3:31] Elégie Op.143 [4:29] Première Mazurka Op.21 [2:59] Réverie
du soir - Blidah
(Suite Algérienne Op.60/3) [3:48] Marche militaire française (Suite
Algérienne Op.60/4) [3:41] Valse mignonne Op.104 [2:23] Camille
Saint-Saëns (piano) with Gabriel Willaume (violin) Meyrianne
Héglon (mezzo-soprano) rec. 1904 and 1919 2.
Cécile CHAMINADE (1857-1944) - Air de Ballet Op.30
[2:53] Pas des écharpes (Callirhoe Op.37) [1:38] Courante (Danse
ancienne Op.95/3) [1:23] Les Sylvains Op.60 [2:20] Danse Créole Op.94
[2:14] L'Enjoleuse - La Lisonjera Op.50 [2:47] Pierrette Op.41 [2:33] Cecile Chaminade
(piano) rec. 1901 3.
Louis DIÉMER Grande
Valse de concert in D flat Op.37 [2:31] Chant du nautonier [3:15]
4. Benjamin GODARD (1849-1895) Valse chromatique
[3:09] 5. Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847)
Songs without Words - No.34 in C major Op.67/4 La Fileuse [1:45]
6. Fryderyk CHOPIN (1810-1849) Nocturne
in D flat Op.27/2 [3:49] Louis Diémer (piano) rec. 1904
SYMPOSIUM 1305 [77:34] [JW]
Essential
items for your specialist pianophile shelves.
... see Full
Review
Golden Age series:
Light Music While You Work:
Calling All Workers etc. see
review for details rec. Decca Studios, London,
1943-1951. ADD
GUILD GLCD 5128 [77:52] [RW]
Once
again we have a memorable library of nostalgic
reminiscences thanks to Guild, David Ades
and Alan Bunting ... see Full
Review
Igor Gorin in Opera
and Song: Victor Recordings
1938-42 Modest MUSSORGSKY
(1839-1881) Khovanshchina
- All is quiet in the camp [5:33] Hopak [3:12]
Sorochintsy Fair - Reverie of the young peasant
[4:16] The garden by the Don [1:55] Forgotten
[2:21] Where art thou, little star? [3:42]
Songs and Dances of Death - Lullaby [4:27];
Serenade [4:15]; Trepak [4:35]; The Field-Marshal
[4:52] Alexander
GRECHANINOV (1864-1956) Over the
Steppe [3:08] Pyotr
Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) None
but the lonely heart [3:22] Karoly
GOLDMARK (1830-1915) Die Königin
von Saba - Lift thine eyes [3:48] Erich
Wolfgang KORNGOLD (1897-1957) Die Tote Stadt - My Longing, My Yearning [4:52]
Tito MATTEI Non
è ver [4:37] Gioachino
ROSSINI (1792-1868) Il Barbiere
di Siviglia - Largo al factotum [4:40] Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901) Attila
- Dagli immortal vertici [4:47] Ruggero
LEONCAVALLO (1858-1919) Pagliacci
- Prologue Si può? Un nido di
memorie [5:36]
Igor Gorin (baritone) Orchestra/Charles O'Connell
Orchestra/Wilfred Pelletier Orchestra/Bruno
Reibold Max Rabinowitsch (piano)
rec.1938-42
NIMBUS PRIMA VOCE NI7937 [74:07] [JW]
This is a most diverting and perceptive recital and one hopes it will
garner Gorin some new admirers - and more reissues. ... see Full
Review
Marc-André
Hamelin - It's All About the Music Part
I It's all about the music: The Art of Marc-André Hamelin
[47'48] A documentary film, featuring Marc-André Hamelin, which looks
at the music-making of virtuoso composer-pianists from both the present
and 'golden age'. Including interviews with Ronald Stevenson, Robert
Rimm and Andrew Keener, plus Marc-André Hamelin performing music by
Albéniz, Alkan, Busoni, Dukas, Godowsky, Hamelin, Kapustin, Liszt, Medtner,
Rzewski and Schubert. Part II Recital: Hamelin in Charlevoix,
Quebec [47:50] including interview with Marc-André Roberge (Professor
of Musicology, Laval University) Leopold
GODOWSKY (1870-1938) Seven Studies on Chopin's Études
The Gardens of Buitenzorg from Java Suite Franz
LISZT (1811-1886) Isoldes Liebestod, S447 Ernani
- Paraphrase de Concert, S432 Salvatore SCIARRINO
(b 1947) Anamorfosi George
ANTHEIL (1900-1959) Piano Sonata No. 4 'Jazz Sonata'
Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918)
Reflets dans l'eau from Images II Part III Extra
features [25:45] Interview with Jay Reise (composer) Interview with
Harvey Wedeen (Professor of Piano, Temple University) Robert Rimm (author
of The Composer-Pianists: Hamelin and the Eight) Concert performance
of Busoni's Piano Concerto Op. 39, fourth movement, All'Italiana
Marc-André Hamelin; Lahti
Symphony Orchestra/Osmo Vänskä Sound format: Dolby Digital 2.0 Subtitle
languages: EN, FR, DE, JP Picture format: 16:9 Picture standard: NTSC
Region code: 0 (all regions)
HYPERION DVD DVDA68000
[121:00][KM]
An
interesting look at one of today's finest pianists. ... see Full
Review
Harps
of the Ancient Temples
Gail Laughton (harp and bells) rec. 1978
LAUREL RECORDS LR811 [28.26][PSh]
Welcome to the CD catalog a best-selling classic LP, one of the earliest
- and best - New Age meditation
recordings ever. ... see Full
Review
Hommage à Poulenc - Music
for flute and piano Paul
TAFFANEL (1844-1908) Andante Pastoral (1907)
[3:33] Scherzettino [1:55] Charles
KOECHLIN (1867-1950) Sonate op.52 (1913) [11 :58] Francis
POULENC (1899-1963) Sonate (1957) [11:53] Bart
VISMAN (b.1962) Mélodie (2004) [7:42] Henri
DUTILLEUX (b.1916) Sonatine (1943) [9:05] Arthur
HONEGGER (1892-1955) Danse de la chévre (1921)
[3:15] Jan BUS (b.1961) Cherchez
l'Orange (2003) [9:54] Germaine
TAILLEFERRE (1892-1983) Forlane (1972) [3:00] Dick
KATTENBURG (1919-1944) Sonate Op.5 (1937) [10:17] Abbie
de Quant (flute) Elizabeth van Malde (piano) rec. July 2006, Toonzaal,
's-Hertogenbosch,
The Netherlands FINELINE
CLASSICAL FL72410 [72:33] [DC]
As
recital discs go this has to be declared a great success. ... see Full
Review
Otto
Klemperer
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Grosse Fuge in B flat op.133 (1825) [16:31] (rec. 26-27 March 1956)
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
Adagio and Fugue in c K.546 (1788) [08:37] (rec. 27 March 1956) Serenade
in D K.239 - 'Serenata notturna' (1776) [12:59] (rec. 25 March 1956)
Serenade in G K.525 - 'Eine kleine Nachtmusik' (1787) [17:37] (rec.
25 March 1956) George Frideric
HANDEL (1685-1759) Concerto Grosso in a op.6/4 (1739) [15:27]
(rec. 28 March, 26 July 1956)
Philharmonia Orchestra/Otto Klemperer rec. No.1 Studio, Abbey Road,
London, dates as above
EMI CLASSICS 3773642 [71:29] [CH]
The
Grosse Fuge is an essential recording, well worth the price of
the disc. The rest is best left to those who wish to gain the fullest
picture of a great but sometimes infuriating musician. ... see Full
Review
Laurent Korcia - Doubles
jeux Django REINHARDT (1910-1953)/Stephane GRAPPELLI (1908-1997)
1. Minor Swing [2:54] Michel PORTAL (b.
1935) 2. Minor Waltz [3:56] Maurice RAVEL
(1875-1937) 3. Blues [5:30] Claude
DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Sonata for violin and piano (1916-17)
4. Allegro vivo [4:34] 5. Intermède. Fantasque et léger
[4:08] 6. Finale. Très animé [4:36] Henryk
WIENIAWSKI (1835-1880) 7. Étude-caprice No. 1 Op.
18 [4:00] Laurent KORCIA (b. 1964) 8. Minor tango [2:56] Béla
BARTÓK (1881-1945) Duos for 2 violins, Sz.98: 9. No. 35 [1:11]
10. No. 18 [0:48] 11. No. 28 [2:03] 12. No. 44 [1:45] Gideon
KLEIN (1919-1945) 13. Duo: Allegro con fuoco [4:36]
Django REINHARDT/Stéphane GRAPPELLI 14. Tears
[3:29] Michel LEGRAND (b. 1932)
15. Les parapluies de Cherbourg (theme) [3:23] Jules
MASSENET (1842-1912) 16. Elégie [3:05] Luigi
DENZA (1846-1922) 17. Si vous l'aviez compris [3:25]
Laurent Korcia (violin) Florin Niculescu (violin) (1, 14, 15), Christophe
Lartilleux (guitar)(1, 14, 15), Jean-Philippe Viret (double bass) (1,
14, 15), Michel Portal (bandoneon) (2, 8), Pierre Boussaguet (double
bass) (2, 8), Michael Wendeberg (piano) (3-6, 16, 17), Nemanja Radulovic
(violin) (7, 9-12), Tatjana Vassiljeva (cello) (13), Jean-Louis Aubert
(vocals) (16, 17) No recording dates or venues given.
NAÏVE V 5066 [57:12][GF]
A
fascinating programme, where borders are removed between genres and
doors are opened to new experiences. ... see Full
Review
Landscape and Time
Richard Rodney BENNETT
(b.1936) The Seasons of his Mercies (1992) [6.39] John
McCABE (b.1939) Scenes in America Deserta (1986) [14.57]
Cyrillus KREEK (1889-1962)
Taaveti laulud [12:51] Jackson
HILL (b.1941) Remembered Love (2004) [8.27] Peter
MAXWELL DAVIES (b.1934) House of Winter (1986) [11.52]
Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957)
Rakastava (1893) [7.46] Zoltán
KODÁLY (1882-1967) Esti Dal (1938) [3.17] Bob
CHILCOTT (b.1955) Even Such is Time (1993) [2.50]
* The King's Singers, Andrew
Swait (treble)* rec. St Andrew's Toddington, UK, 9-11 May, 19-20 June
2006. DDD SIGNUM CLASSICS
SIGCD090 [68.44] [TP]
Lovers of serious choral repertoire and admirers of excellent ensemble
singing will be well pleased with this disc. ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH
Libre
comme un oiseau Aurelian-Octav
POPA
(b.1937) Perpetuum mobile [10.05]
Henry PURCELL
(1659-1695) Prélude from The
Fairy Queen [1.33] Martian
NEGREA (1893-1973) Le mois
de Mars [2.40] Henry
PURCELL Prélude from The
Fairy Queen [1.46] Igor
STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) Three Pieces
for solo clarinet [5.13] Henry
PURCELL Hornpipe from The
Fairy Queen [0.56] Tiberiu
OLAH (1928-2002) Sonata for solo
clarinet [6.40] Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Partita
[2.37] Olivier
MESSIAEN (1908-1992) Abîme
des Oiseaux [6.31] François
COUPERIN (1668-1733) Les petits
moulins à vent [1.21] John
CAGE (1912-1992) Sonata [4.36]
Hans-Ulrich
LEHMANN (1937-) Mosaïk [7.05]
Carl Philippe
Emanuel BACH (1714-1788) Solfegietto
[1.32] Aaron COPLAND
(1900-1990) Cadenza [3.35] Corneliu
CEZAR (1937-1998) Théâtrale
[1.28] Olivier
MESSIAEN Subtilité des Corps
Glorieux [3.34] Mihnea
BRUMARIU (b.1958) Musique pour
Aurelian [5.10] Olivier
MESSIAEN Hymne des passereaux
au lever du jour [1.13]
Aurelian-Octav Popa (clarinet) rec. IRCAM,
Espace de Projection, December 2004. DDD.
CALLIOPE CAL 9354 [69.30][ED]
A most engaging recital.
Let your
imagination take flight! ... see Full
Review
Eileen
Monger: The Lilting
Banshee: Traditional Airs & Dances
for Celtic Harp TRADITIONAL
King
of the Fairies/The Lilting Banshee [4:19]
Poll Ha penny/Pains of boyle/Cnoc na gClarach
Slides [4:46] O South Wind/Great High
Wind [4:50] The Wild Geese [4:13]
Bonny Portmore [2:07] The Morning
Dew/The Ivy Leaf [2:34] TRADITIONAL
and Rory Dall O'CATHAIN Limerick's
Lamentation/Give Me Your Hand [3:42] TRADITIONAL
The Drunken Sailor [2:24]
Neil GOW and Dougie
MACLEAN Neil Gow's Lament for
the Death of his Second Wife/Farewell to Craigie
Dhu [4:37] TRADITIONAL
Kerry Polkas [3:00] Fingal's
Cave [3:03] Morris Tunes: Orange in
Bloom (Sherborne)/Step Back (Field Town)/Idbury
Hill (Bledington) [3:54] Howard
JONES (b. 1955) Hide and Seek
[4:21]
Eileen Monger (Celtic harp) Mike Billinge
(bodhran) Jenny McLeod (Uilleann pipes and
whistles) George Monger (hammer dulcimer)
rec. The Meeting House, Frenchay, Bristol,
UK, dates undisclosed. DDD
SAYDISC CD-SDL 348 [47:56] [PG]
Well
recorded and enjoyably performed tracks. A
solid collection of performances, worth the
time of any fans of folk harp or Celtic music
... see Full
Review
Dinu Lipatti - The Chopin Experience - The
Complete Chopin Recordings 1941-1950
Fryderyk
CHOPIN (1810-1849) see review for
details Franz
LISZT (1811-1886) Piano Concerto
No.1 Edvard
GRIEG (1843-1907) Piano Concerto
Dinu Lipatti rec. 1941-50
ANDROMEDA ANDRCD5072 [3 CDs: 75:32
+ 76:35 + 76:56] [JW]
Obviously
indispensable traversals ... 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]
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