Camille
SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) Chamber
Music for Wind Instruments and Piano Sonata
for Oboe and Piano in D major, Op. 166 (1921) [11:29] Sonata
for Clarinet and Piano in E flat major, Op. 167 (1921) [17:06]
Sonata for Bassoon and Piano in G major, Op. 168 (1921) Romance
for Flute and Piano in D flat major, Op. 37 (1871) Caprice
sur des
airs danois et russes, for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet and Piano,
Op. 79 (1887) 
Ensemble Villa Musica:
(Jean-Claude
Gérard (flute); Ingo Goritzki (oboe); Ulf Rodenhäuser (clarinet); Dag Jensen
(bassoon); Leonard Hokanson (piano)) rec. January 1991, Furstliche Reitbahn,
Bad Arolsen, Germany. DDD MUSIKPRODUKTION
DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM MDG GOLD 304 03952 [58:42] [MC]
This
is a well performed and recorded release … a worthwhile addition
to the Saint-Saëns discography ... see Full
Review
Alessandro
SCARLATTI (1660-1725)
Dixit
Dominus [13:06] Sdegno
la fiamma estinse [4:00] Mori,
mi dici, [4:57] O selce, o tigre, o ninfa [3:56] O morte
[6:13] Arsi un tempo [4:16] Magnificat [21:57]
Concerto Italiano: Anna Simboli (soprano); Elisabetta Tiso (soprano);
Paolo Costa (alto); Gianluca Ferrarini (tenor); Sergio Foresti (bass);
Ignazio Schifani (organ and harpsichord); Eduardo Eguez (chitarrone)/Rinaldo
Alessandrini rec. 2006, European Union. DDD
NAïVE OP 30350 [58:35] [MS]
Sacred
and secular vocal music by Scarlatti father
splendidly performed by the ever-impressive
Concerto Italiano; recommended for its bright,
powerful and yet sensitive attention to detail
and texture… see Full
Review
Alfred
SCHNITTKE (1934-1998)
Symphony No.0 (1956-57) [40:34] Nagasaki
(1958) [36:09]
Hanneli Rupert (mezzo) Cape Town Voice of
the Nation (Nagasaki) Cape Philharmonic
Orchestra/Owain Arwel Hughes rec. November
2006, Cape Town City Hall, South Africa
BIS BIS-CD-1647 [77:35][DC]
If
you couldn’t predict the road Schnittke’s work would ultimately follow
from these pieces alone, you would certainly come away with the sense
that his career was safely assured. ... see Full
Review
Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828) String Quintet
in C major, D956 (1828) [53:47] Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Divertimento, K136 (‘Salzburg
Symphony’) (1772) [16:38]
Aeolian String Quartet: Sidney Humphreys (violin); Raymond Keenlyside
(violin); Margaret Major (viola); Derek Simpson (cello); Bruno Schreker
(2nd cello, Schubert) rec. 1966-7, venue not stated, ADD
REGIS RRC1278 [70:26][BW]
A classic account of the Schubert restored
… see Full Review
Franz SCHUBERT
(1797-1828) Sonata in A major, D.959 (1828)
[41:44] German Dances, D.820 (1824) [7:57] Ländler, D.814
(1824) [3:19] German Dance, D.841 (1824) [1:25] Waltzes, D.844
(1824) Christian Zacharias
(piano) rec. 13-14 November 2006, Fürstliche Reitbahn, Bad Arolsen
MUSIKPRODUKTION DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM DG GOLD SACD MDG 940 1440-6 [56:15][TB]
Careful
attention to details of phrasing sets the standard, and the splendidly
clear and atmospheric MDG recording suits the piano tone admirably.
... see Full Review
Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Die schöne Müllerin
D795 (1823) [58:34]
Gerhard Hüsch (baritone) Hanns Udo Müller (piano) rec. January-March
1934 PRISTINE AUDIO
PAC0007 [58:34][JW]
This
now has a much more visceral and immediate
piano image; closer to Hüsch and not recessed.
Both men now occupy a degree of aural parity
and that was not the case in 1934. ... see
Full Review
Georg
SCHUMANN (1866–1952) Three Choral
Motets for mixed choir, Op. 75 (1934) [25.10] Five Choral Motets
for mixed choir, Op. 71 (1921/22) [42.15]
Geraldine McGreevy (soprano) Mary Nelson (soprano) The Purcell Singers/Mark
Ford rec. St. Alban’s Church, London, 5, 12 November 2006. DDD
GUILD GMCD 7311 [67.35][RH]
Fine
performances of well-crafted music. Anyone interested in the byways of
German neo-Romantic composers in the 20th century would be
well advised to try this disc. ... see Full
Review
Robert
SCHUMANN
(1810-1856) Davidsbündlertänze
Op. 6 (1837) [33:27] Kreisleriana Op. 16 (1838) [27:57] Carnaval
Op. 9 (1834) [24:17] Piano Sonata in F sharp minor Op.11 (1835)
[26:25] Fantasie Op.17 (1836) [29:45] Kinderszenen
Op.15 – No.7 Träumerei (1838) [2:46]
Walter Gieseking (piano) rec. Berlin, 1938-47
ANDROMEDA ANDRCD 9009 [79:04 + 66:08] [JW]
With
good sonics for the time, these recycled performances
cast their spell anew ... see
Full Review
Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856)
Das
Paradies und die Peri, op. 50 (1843) [95:55] Margaret Price;
Oliviera Miljakovic (sopranos); Marjorie Wright (mezzo); Anne Howells
(contralto); Werner Hollweg; Carlo Gaifa (tenors); Wolfgang Brendel
(baritone); Robert Amis el Hage (bass)
Coro di Roma della RAI/Gianni Lazzari Orchestra Sinfonica di Roma della
RAI/Carlo Maria Giulini rec. 9 February 1974, "Auditorium RAI Rome"
(Foro Italico?) ARTS
ARCHIVES 43076-2 [58:50 + 37:05] [CH]
A
valuable discovery of a work much prized by
Giulini but which he did not record commercially.
... see Full
Review
Cyril
SCOTT (1879-1970)
Festival Overture for Orchestra (chorus and
organ ad libitum) (1902, revised 1912 and
1929) [10:34] Violin Concerto (ded. LKVG)
(c. 1925) [21:55] * Aubade for large orchestra,
Op. 77 (To My Friend Landon Ronald) (1905,
revised c. 1911) [10:43] Three Symphonic Dances,
Op. 22 (revised from Symphony No. 2 (1901-02))
(c. 1907) [17:59]
Olivier Charlier (violin) Sheffield Philharmonic
Chorus/Darius Battiwalla BBC Philharmonic/Martyn
Brabbins rec. Studio 7, New Broadcasting House,
Manchester, 16 and 17 March 2006 * premiere
recording
CHANDOS CHAN 10407 [61:40][RB]
Another
strong entrant in the Scott renaissance which
continues to assault both ignorance and the
accumulation of ill-informed assumptions about
this fine composer. ... see Full
Review
Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Symphony
No.8 in C Minor Op.65 (1943) [63:05] Chicago Symphony Orchestra/Sir
Georg Solti rec. 1989. DDD DECCA LONDON
425675 
[63:05][TP]
This is by no means a terrible recording.
It just isn't a great one. ... see Full
Review
Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) The
15 String Quartets CD 1 No.1 in C major Op.49 (1938)
[14:12] No.2 in A major Op.68 (1944) [32:25] No.3 in F major
Op.73 (1946) [29:51] CD 2 No.4
in D major Op.83 (1949) [21:31] No.5 in B flat major Op.92 (1952) [29:56]
No.6 in G major Op.101 (1956) [26:50] CD 3 No.7 in F sharp
minor Op.108
(1960) [11:40] No.8 in C minor Op.110 (1960) [19:47] No.9 in E flat
major Op.117 (1964) [23:46] No.10 in E flat major Op.118
(1964) [21:48]
CD 4 No.11 in F minor Op.122 (1966) [15:13] No.12 in D flat major Op.
133 (1968) [26:14] No.13 in B flat major (1970) [18:16] Two
Pieces for
String Octet Op.11 [9:50] * CD 5 No.14 in F sharp major Op.142 (1973)
[25:01] No.15 in E flat major Op.144 (1974) [37:24]
Beethoven Quartet; *Komitas Quartet Dmitri Tziganov (1903-1992);
Vassili Shirinsky (1901-1965) (violins); Vadim Borisovsky (1900-1972)
(viola); Sergei Shirinsky (1905-1974) (cello); Fedor Druzhinin
(viola) (1962-); Nicolai Zabavnikov (violin II) (1965-); Evgeny
Altman (cello) (1974-); rec. 1956-1974. no individual recording
information
supplied DOREMI
DHR-7911-5 [5 CDs: 76:35 + 78:24 + 77:08
+ 69:42 + 62:31][EMc]
An
indispensable document for those who value unvarnished honesty of performance
and a sense of direct link to the mind of the composer. ... see Full
Review
Jean
SIBELIUS
(1865-1957) Karelia
Suite, Op. 11 (1893) [15:33] En Saga, Op. 9
(1892) [17:47] Pohjola’s Daughter, Op. 49 (1906) [14:12]
Swan of Tuonela, Op. 22, No. 3* (1895) [8:17] Finlandia, Op.
26, No. 7 (1899) [8:02]
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra/Yoel Levi * Patrick McFarland (English horn)
rec. 8 February, 16, 18 May 1992, Woodruff Memorial Arts Centre, Atlanta,
Georgia TELARC CD-80320
[64:32] [DM]
A
golden opportunity sadly missed ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Jean SIBELIUS (1865–1957)
Songs 1. Svarta
rosor, Op. 36, No. 1 (Ivar Hellman) [1:49] 2.
Säv, säv, suda, Op. 36, No. 4 (Ivar Hellman) [2:32] 3.
Demanten på marssnön, Op. 36, No. 6 (Ivar Hellman) [2:21]
4. På verandan vid havet, Op. 38, No. 2 [3:28]
5. Under strandens granar, Op. 13, No. 1 (Jussi
Jalas) [4:45] 6. Våren flyktar hastigt, Op.
13, No. 4 [1.40] 7. Kom nu hit, död, Op.
60, No. 1 [2:35] 8. Var det en dröm? Op.
37, No. 4 (Jussi Jalas) [2:04] 9. Flickan kom
ifrån sin älsklings möte, Op. 37, No. 5 (Ernst Pingoud) [2:57]
10. Im Feld ein Mädchen singt, Op. 50, No. 3 (Simon Parmet) [2:51]
11. Die stille Stadt, Op. 50, No. 5 (Leif Segerstam) [2:52] 12.
Aus banger Brust, Op. 50, No. 4 (Leif Segerstam) [2:21] 13. Koskenlaskijan
morsiamet, Op. 33 [9:06] 14. Lastu lainehilla, Op. 17, No.
7 (Ernst Pingoud) [1:13] 15. Illalle, Op. 17, No.
6 (Jussi Jalas) [1:27] 16. Souda, souda, sinisorsa
(Jussi Jalas) [1:15] 17. Kaiutar, Op. 72,
No. 4 (Jussi Jalas) [2:58] 18. Laulu ristilukista,
Op. 27, No. 4 [4:09] (arranger in parenthesis)
Jorma Hynninen (baritone) Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra/Leif Segerstam
rec. Tampere Hall, March 1994
ONDINE ODE 823-2 [53:49][GF]
Hynninen’s
singing is on such a high level, vocally and interpretatively, that
it is hard to believe that anyone could challenge him ... see Full
Review
Bedřich SMETANA (1824-1884)
Hubička
(The Kiss) (1875/6) [103:27] Karel Kalaš (bass) - Father Paloucký;
Ludmila Černiková (soprano) - Vendulka; Beno Blachut (tenor) -
Lukáš; Přemysl Kočí (baritone) - Tomeš; Marta Krásová (contralto)
- Martinka; Vladimir Jedenáctík (bass) - Matouš; Štefa Petrová (soprano)
- Barče; Karel Hruška (tenor) - A frontier guard;
Prague National Theatre Chorus and Orchestra/Zdenĕk Chalabala.
rec. Dominova Studio, 30 June, 1-2 July 1952. ADD mono Includes notes,
text and translation
SUPRAPHON SU 3878-2 [58:55 + 44:52] [CC]
There
is so much to enjoy, and this radiant, laughing
performance makes the best possible case for
the magnificently crafted music of The Kiss.
... see Full
Review
Bedřich
SMETANA (1824–1884) The
Bartered Bride (sung in German) (1866) Gottlob
Frick (bass) – Kezal; Pilar Lorengar (soprano) – Marie; Fritz
Wunderlich (tenor) – Hans; Karl-Ernst Mercker (tenor) – Wenzel;
Ivan Sardi (bass) – Micha; Marcel Cordes (baritone) – Kruschina;
Nada Puttar (mezzo) – Kathinka; Sieglinde Wagner (contralto) – Agnes;
Ernst Krukowski (tenor) – Springer; Gertrud Freedmann (soprano) – Esmeralda;
Walter Stoll (bass) – Muff; RIAS-Kammerchor, Bamberger Symphoniker/Rudolf
Kempe rec. May, June, October 1962, Kulturraum, Bamberg and
Grunewaldkirche Berlin EMI
CLASSICS 3818722 [67:43 + 69:37] [GF]
An
infectious version, thrillingly conducted by Kempe and with three
superb singers in the leading roles ... see Full
Review
Bedřich
SMETANA
(1824-1884) Dreams (c.1875) Faded
Happiness [4:49] Consolation [4:48] In Bohemia - a country tale [4:49]
In the Salon [4:22] By the Castle [5:54] Celebration of Czech country
folk [4:59] The Curious One - Transcription for solo piano (1858) of
Der Neugierige (Inquisitive) from Schubert's song cycle
Die schöne Müllerin (c.1823) [4:52] Concert Étude in C major
(1858) [6:21] On the Sea Shore - a memory (1861) [5:47] Fantasia on
Czech Folksongs (1862) [9:35]Czech Dances, Book 1 Polka in
F sharp minor (1877) [2:50] Polka in A minor (1877) [2:54]Czech
Dances, Book 2 Hulán (1879) [5:56]
Kathryn Stott (piano) rec. 18-20 October 2006, Potton Hall, Dunwich,
Suffolk, England. DDD
CHANDOS CHAN10430 [67:59] [MC]
Kathryn
Stott acquits herself admirably in this interesting and reasonably
appealing selection of Smetana’s piano music ... see Full
Review
William
STERNDALE BENNETT (1816-1875)
Overture,
The May Queen (1842) [6:27] Overture, The Wood Nymphs
(1839) [13:42] Symphony in G minor Op. 43 (1863) [23:41] Overture, The
Naiades (1836) [12:32] * Overture, Parisina (1835) [8:05]
London Philharmonic Orchestra/Nicholas
Braithwaite Philharmonia Orchestra/Nicholas Braithwaite * rec. early
1990s? London. ADD LYRITA
SRCD.206 [64.35] [RW]
Wow!
What an enjoyable disc — never be put off
by a dull CD picture. ... see Full
Review
Johann
STRAUSS II (1825–1899)
19 Waltzes see
review for details
Wiener Johann Strauss-Orchester/Willi Boskovsky
rec. Baumgartner-Kasino, Wien, March 1982
(CD1 tr. 1-7), December 1980 (CD 1 tr 8, 9
and CD 2 tr. 1, 2), November 1984 (CD 2 tr.
3, 4), April 1984 (CD 2 tr. 7-10) and at Studio
Rosenhügel, Wien, in December 1985 (CD
2 tr. 5, 6)
EMI CLASSICS 0946 3 81524 2 2 [76:14 +
78:53] [GF]
Anyone
who likes the idea of performing this music
à la ballroom instead of concert hall
will find much to admire here. ... see Full
Review
Johann
STRAUSS II (1825–1899)
Wiener Blut
(1899) (arr. Adolf Müller, Jr.)
Karl Dönch (baritone) – Prince Ypsheim-Gindelbach,
Prime Minister; Nicolai Gedda (tenor) – Balduin
Count Zedlau, Count; Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
(soprano) – Gabriele, Countess; Karel Stepanek
(speaking role) – Count Bitowski; Erika Köth
(soprano) – Demoiselle Franziska Cagliari,
Franzi; Hannah Norbert (speaking role) – Franzi;
Alois Pernerstorfer (speaking role) – Kagler;
Emmy Loose (soprano) – Pepi Pleininger; Erich
Kunz (baritone) – Josef; Philharmonia Orchestra
and Chorus/Otto Ackermann rec. 21-22, 26-28,
31 May 1954, Kingsway Hall, London. ADD
NAXOS 8.111257 [69:43][GF]
Every
operetta lover should invest in this issue
... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Richard
STRAUSS (1864-1949)
The Complete Songs – Vol. 2 Die
Nacht Op.10 No.3 (1885) [3:08] Geduld Op.10
No.5 (1885) [4:36] Mein Herz ist stumm Op.19
No.6 (1888) [3:13] All: mein Gedanken Op.21
No.1 (1889) [1:08] Du meines Herzens
Krönelein Op.21 No.2 (1889) [2:21]
Ach Lieb, ich muß nun scheiden Op.21
No.3 (1889) [1:53] O wärst
du mein! Op.26 No.2 (1891) [2:47]
Ruhe, meine Seele! Op.27
No.1 (1894) [3:37] Traum durch die Dämmerung Op.29
No.1 (1895) [2:46] Schlagende
Herzen Op.29 No.2 (1895) [2:35]
Nachtgang Op.29 No.3 (1895) [3:02]
Blauer Sommer Op.31
No.1 (1895) [2:16] Weißer
Jasmin Op.31 No.3 (1895) [2:29]
Das Rosenband Op.36 No.1 (1897-8)
[3:06] Waldseligkeit Op.49
No.1 (1901) [3:02] In goldener
Fülle Op.49 No.2 (1901) [2:25] Wiegenliedchen Op.49
No.3 (1901) [2:05] Wer lieben will, muß
leiden Op.49 No.7 (1901) [2:36]
Ach, was Kummer, Qual und Schmerzen Op.49
No.8 (1901) [2:21] Blindenklage Op.56
No.2 (1906) [5:01] Drei
Lieder der Ophelia Op.67 (1918) [8:06]
1.Wie erkenn’ ich mein
Treulieb? [2:46] 2.Guten Morgen,
’s ist Sankt Valentinstag [1:26]
3.Sie trugen ihn auf
der Bahre bloß [3:43]
Anne Schwanewilms (soprano); Roger Vignoles
(piano) rec. All Saints Church, East Finchley,
London, 22-24 August 2006. DDD
HYPERION CDA67588 [66:27][JQ]
This
fine CD is a worthy successor to Volume One
in the series and an essential purchase for
all lovers of Strauss lieder ... see Full
Review
Richard
STRAUSS (1864-1949) Der Rosenkavalier
(1909-10) Kiri
te Kanawa (soprano) – die Feldmarschallin; Kurt Rydl (bass) – der
Baron Ochs von Lerchenau; Anne Sofie von Otter (mezzo) – Octavian; Barbara
Hendricks (soprano) – Sophie; Franz Grundheber (baritone) – Herr von
Faninal; Julia Faulkner (soprano) – Marianne; Graham Clark (tenor) –
Valzacchi; Claire Powell (contralto) – Aninia. Boys of the Dresden Kreuzchor
Dresden Staatsoper Chorus/Hans-Dieter Pflüger Dresden Staatskapelle
Orchestra/Bernard Haitink rec. Lukaskirche, Dresden, August 1990. DDD EMI CLASSICS 3 58618
2 [3 CDs:74:35 + 62:40 + 67:27][BW]
Excellent
performances and clear, wide-ranging digital
sound, but the EMI/Karajan sets, in mono and
stereo, are not superseded … see Full
Review
Karol
SZYMANOWSKI
(1882–1937) Children’s
Rhymes (1915) [29.09] Songs of the
Fairy Tale Princess (1922-23) [17.41]
Anna Mikolajczyk (soprano)
Edward Wolanin (piano) rec. S-1 Studio of
Polish Radio, Warsaw, May 2006
DUX DUX0547 [46.48] [RH]
Slightly
short playing time but displays Szymanowski
in the best possible light. Highly recommended
for those interested in exploring some fascinating
vocal music. ... see
Full Review
John
TAVENER
(b. 1944) Beyond the Veil
Song for Athene (1993); 'Spit in My Face' from 'Three
Holy Sonnets of John Donne' (1960); Annunciation (1992);
The Protecting Veil (1987) - First Movement; Akathist of Thanksgiving
(1986-87); 'The Bless duet' from 'Mary of Egypt' (1991);
'As One Who Has Slept' (1996);Agraphon (1994).
Westminster Abbey Choir; Stephen Varcoe (tenor); Renato Ripo (cello);
La Camerata/Alexander Myrat; Choir of Greek Orthodox Cathedral, London;
Patricia Rozario (soprano). Produced and Directed by Bryan Izzard Edited
and Presented by Melvyn Bragg Photography: Clive Barda, Performing Arts
Library Filmed in England and Greece, 1998, 2006
LWT/NVC ARTS 3984-23931-2 
[80:00] [JWi]
A
taster for full-length performances or recordings but also an informative
introduction to the composer's life and work and a tribute to what
can be achieved in careful and thoughtful television production
... see Full Review
Joan
TOWER
(b. 1938) Made in America (2005) [31:12]
Tambor (1998) [14:03] Concerto for Orchestra (1991) [28:42]
(Part One [15:41], Part Two [13:01])
Nashville Symphony Orchestra/Leonard Slatkin Laura Turner Concert Hall,
Schermerhorn Symphony Center, Nashville, 29-30 June 2006. DDD
NAXOS 8.559328 [55:56] [JWi]
An
interesting and well-produced disc which would broaden the musical
horizons of many listeners ... see Full
Review
William
TURNER (1651-1740)
Sacred Choral Music Julia
Doyle (soprano); William Purefroy, William Towers (alto); Paul Thompson
(tenor); Daniel
Jordan (bass) The Choir of Gonville &
Caius College, Cambridge Yorkshire Baroque
Soloists/Geoffrey Webber rec. 1–4 July 2006,
Pembroke College Chapel, Cambridge, UK. DDD
DELPHIAN DCD34028 [66:14] [JV]
An
important addition to the catalogue - the
quality of the music justifies the efforts
of everyone involved ... see Full
Review
Ralph
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) Symphony
No.6 in E minor (1948) [32:54]
London Symphony Orchestra/Adrian Boult rec. Abbey Road Studios, London,
February 1949 PRISTINE
AUDIO PASC072 [32:54][JW]
The
provisional conclusion must be that the XR is highly effective but not
necessarily outstanding. ... see Full Review
Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901) Il Trovatore
(1853) [138:14] Ballet Music from Le Trouvère (1857)
[25:57] Leonora
– Joan Sutherland (soprano) Manrico – Luciano Pavarotti (tenor) Azucena
– Marilyn Horne (mezzo) Il Conte di Luna – Ingvar
Wixell (baritone) Ferrando – Nicolai Ghiaurov (bass) Ruiz – Graham
Clark (tenor) Ines – Norma Burrowes (soprano) An old gipsy – Peter Knapp
(baritone) A messenger – Wynford Evans (tenor) London Opera Chorus National
Philharmonic Orchestra/Richard Bonynge rec: Kingsway Hall, London, 1976:
ADD DECCA 475 8281 [3
CDs: 73:03 + 65:11 + 25:57][RH]
Many
incidental beauties, but your attitude will depend on how much you like
Sutherland’s technique and Bonynge’s rather limp conducting. ... see
Full Review
Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901) Falstaff -
opera in three acts (1893)
Falstaff - Renato Bruson (baritone); Alice Ford - Katia Ricciarelli
(soprano); Ford - Leo Nucci (baritone); Meg Page - Brenda Boozer (mezzo);
Mistress Quickly - Lucia Valentina-Terrani (alto); Nannetta - Barbara
Hendricks (soprano); Fenton - Dalmacio Gonzales (tenor); Pistol - William
Waldermann (bass); Bardolph - Francis Egerton (tenor); Dr. Caius - John
Dobson (tenor) Orchestra and Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent
Garden, London/Carlo Maria Giulini rec. live, Royal Opera House, Covent
Garden, London, 1995 Producer: Ronald Eyre. Set design: Hayden Griffin.
Costume design: Michael Stennett Directed for TV and Video by Brian
Large Sound format. LPCM stereo. Picture format 4:3. Colour
WARNER MUSIC VISION 50-51442-0494-2-8
[137:00][RJF]
This
traditional staging from 1982 has a superbly sung and acted portrayal
of Falstaff from Bruson. Add a good all-round cast and affectionate
conducting by Giulini and it should appeal to many. ... see Full
Review
Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901) Macbeth – melodrama
in four acts (1865) Macbeth,
a general in King Duncan’s army - Leo Nucci (baritone); Banco,
a general in King Duncan’s army - Enrico Iori (bass); Lady
Macbeth - Sylvie Valayre (soprano); Macduff, a Scottish nobleman,
Thane of Fife - Roberto Iuliano (tenor); Malcolm, Duncan’s
son - Nicola Pascoli (tenor); Lady Macbeth’s lady-in-waiting
- Tiziana Tramonti (mezzo); Il medico - Enrico Turco (bass);
Davide Ronzoni; Riccardo Di Stefano; Noris Borgogelli. Compagnia
Balletto di Roma Orchestra and Chorus of Teatro Regio di Parma/Bruno
Bartoletti rec. live Teatro Regio di Parma, June 2006 Director
for Stage: Liliana Cavani Set Design: Dante Ferretti Costume
Design: Alberto Verso Lighting Design: Sergio Rossi Choreography:
Amedeo Amodio Director for TV and Video: Andrea Bevilacqua
Region 0; Sound formats: DD5.1; LPCM stereo; Picture Format:
16:9 anamorphic NTSC; Subtitles: GB, D, F, I, E; Liner Notes
GB, D, F; Disc Format DVD9 TDK
DVWW OPMACPA [156:00]
[RM]
Sadly,
a production that is less than the sum of its parts ... see Full
Review
Heitor
VILLA-LOBOS
(1887-1959) Cello
Sonata No.2 Op.66 [27:30] Sergei RACHMANINOFF
(1873-1943) Cello Sonata in G minor, Op. 19 (1901) [32:03]
Wolfgang Laufer (cello) Steven Swedish (piano) Recorded at the University
of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, undated
GASPARO GSCD 365 [59:33] [JW]
Rather
lean and occasionally impersonal performances, variably and closely
recorded. At best offering rewards of clarity and judicial detachment.
... see Full Review
Leonardo VINCI
(1690/1697-1730) Erighetta e Don Chilone (1726)
[23:33] Sinfonia per archi [4:34] Giuseppe
PETRINI (fl.1720) Graziello e Nella [10:59] Leonardo
VINCI (1690/1697-1730) Adónde fugitivo [6:57] Triste, ausente,
en esta selva [14:15] Cuando infeliz destino [8:29] José
de NEBRA (1702-1768) Tempestad grande amigo [2:40]
Roberta Invernizzi
(soprano); Cristina Calzolari (alto); Giuseppe De Vittorio (tenor);
Giuseppe Naviglio (baritone) Cappella della Pietà
de’Turchini/Antonio Florio rec. 2001, Santa Caterina
da Siena, Naples
NÄIVE OP 30274 [71:35][GPu]
Historically
interesting, but more importantly, a thoroughly enjoyable and well planned
presentation of some of the musical connections between Naples and Spain
in the early eighteenth century … see Full
Review
Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741)
Seven Favourite Bassoon Concertos Concerto
No.16 in C major (RV 469) [10:20]* Concerto
No.33 in C major (RV 470) [10:37]* Concerto
No.19 in F major (RV 488) [8:02]** Concerto
No.17 in C major (RV 472) [10:28]** Concerto
No.5 in D minor (RV 481) [10:28]** Concerto
No.4 in C major (RV 474) [9:30]* Concerto No.22
in F major (RV 486) [8:30]*
Daniel Smith (bassoon) English Chamber Orchestra/Philip
Ledger rec. no details provided. Originally
issued ASV*1986,**1989
REGIS RRC 1277 [68.24][LB]
Not
a huge amount of contrast … an album better 'dipped' into by
bassoonists and Vivaldi fans alike. Ideal reference material.
... see Full
Review
Richard
WAGNER (1813–1883)
Lohengrin
(1850) Reingard Hagen (bass) – Heinrich der Vogler; John Treleaven
(tenor) – Lohengrin; Emily Magee (soprano) – Elsa von Brabant; Hans-Joachim
Ketelsen (baritone) – Friedrich von Telramund; Luana DeVol (soprano)
– Ortrud; Robert Bork (baritone) – Herald; Vicenç Esteve Madrid,
José Luis Casanova, Francisco Santiago, Stefan Kocan – Four noblemen;
Eun Kyung Park, Glòria López Péres, Sandra Codina,
Miglena Savova – Pages; Andy McGurk – Gottfried; Margarida Buendia,
Angèlica Prats, Rosa Cristo, M. Josep Escorsa – Girls; Cor del
Gran Teatre del Liceu,
Orquestra Simfònica del Gran Teatre del Liceu/Sebastian Weigle
Directed for stage by Peter Konwitschny; Sets and costumes: Helmut Brade;
Lighting: Manfred Voss; Directed for TV by Pietro d’Agostino rec. live,
Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona, 24, 27 July 2006 Picture format: NTSC
16:9; Sound formats: PCM Stereo; DD 5.1; DTS 5.1
EUROARTS 2056008 [2 DVDs: 223:00] [GF]
What’s
wrong with this production? The surgeon made
a successful operation but he managed to kill
the patient. ... see Full
Review
Richard
WAGNER (1813–1883) Parsifal
(1882) 1. Prelude, act 1 [14:36] 2. Good Friday Music, act 3
[10:19] Der fliegende Holländer (1843) 3. Overture [10:53]
Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (1868) 4. Prelude, act
3 [6:22] 5. Prelude, act 1 [10:28] Tristan und Isolde (1865)
6. Prelude [11:34] 7. Liebestod
[7:46]
Anja Kampe (soprano) (7) Hallé/Mark Elder
rec. 23 January, 2, 4 February 2007, BBC Studio 7, New Broadcasting
House; Bridgewater Hall, Manchester. DDD
HALLÉ CD HLL 7517 [72:38][GF]
Admirers
of Hallé or Elder or Wagner shouldn’t hesitate. An excellent disc in
splendid sound. Retailing at £10 it shouldn’t dig too deep a hole the
music-lover’s pocket. ... see Full
Review
Richard WAGNER (1813–1883)
Götterdämmerung
(1876) Stig Andersen (tenor) – Siegfried; Robert Bork (baritone) – Gunther;
Günter von Kannen (bass) – Alberich; Kurt Rydl (bass) – Hagen;
Linda Watson (soprano) – Brünnhilde; Irmgard Vilsmaier (soprano)
– Gutrune; Michaela Schuster (mezzo-soprano) – Waltraute; Birgitta
Svendén
(contralto) – First Norn; Michaela Schuster (mezzo) – Second Norn;
Irmgard Vilsmaier (soprano) – Third Norn; Alexandra Coku (soprano) – Woglinde;
Natascha Petrinsky (mezzo) – Wellgunde; Elena Zhidkova (contralto) –
Flosshilde; Koor van De Nederlandse Opera,
Nederlands Philharmonisch Orkest/Hartmut Haenchen rec. live, Het Muziektheater Amsterdam, September 2005; (act 2, sc.
1) February 2005 
ET’CETERA
KTC 5503 [4 CDs: 70:00 + 39:35 + 61:40 + 74:01] [GF]
Swings
and roundabouts but summing up pros and cons this set is a much safer
bet than the Naxos with fresh and lively conducting and generally better
singing ... see Full Review
Richard
WAGNER (1813–1883) Götterdämmerung (1876) Albert Bonnema (tenor)
– Siegfried; Hernan Iturralde (baritone) – Gunther; Franz-Josef Kappellmann
(bass-baritone) – Alberich; Roland Bracht (bass) – Hagen; Luana DeVol
(soprano) – Brünnhilde; Eva-Maria Westbroek (soprano) – Gutrune; Tichina
Vaughn (mezzo) – Waltraute; Janet Collins (contralto) – First Norn;
Lani Poulson (mezzo) – Second Norn; Sue Patchell (soprano) – Third Norn;
Helga Rós Indridadóttir (soprano) – Woglinde; Sarah Castle (mezzo) –
Wellgunde; Janet Collins (contralto) – Flosshilde; Staatsopernchor Stuttgart,
Staatsorchester Stuttgart/Lothar Zagrosek rec. live, Staatstheater
Stuttgart, Germany, 3 October 2002, 12 January 2003
NAXOS 8.660179-82 [4CDs: 49:16 + 66:34 + 63:52 + 77:59][GF]
Fine
orchestral playing but Zagrosek’s conducting is uneven and too much
of the singing is unsteady and unfocused. ... see Full
Review
William
WALTON (1902-1983) Viola Concerto (original
version) (1928-29) [24:51] Edmund
RUBBRA (1901-1986) Meditations on a Byzantine Hymn Op.117
(1962) [11:15] Viola Concerto
in A major Op.75 (1952) [25:05]
Lawrence Power (viola) BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra/Ilan Volkov rec.
City Hall, Glasgow, 16-17
September 2006 (concertos); Henry Wood Hall, London,
27 September 2006
(Meditations)
HYPERION CDA67587 [61:13][NS]
This
spaciously recorded Hyperion disc is rendered indispensable by its inclusion
of the Rubbra concerto. ... see
Full Review
Kurt WEILL
(1900-1950) Original recordings 1929-1956
Die Moritat von Mackie Messer (from Die Dreigroschenoper) (1)
[02:45] Bilbao Song (from Happy End) (2) [03:05] Die Ballade
von der Unzulänglichkeit (from Die Dreigroschenoper) (3) [02:48]
Alabama Song (from Aufstieg und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny) (4)
[02:55] Surabaya Johnny (from Happy End) (5) [03:06] Wie man
sich bettet (from Aufstieg und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny) (6)
[03:05] September Song (from Knickerbocker Holiday) (7) (8) (two
versions combined) [04:44] My Ship (from Lady in the Dark)(9)
[02:56] Tchaikovsky /And Other Russians) (from Lady in the Dark)
(10) [03:18] The Saga of Jenny (from Lady in the Dark) (11) [03:14]
Lost in the Stars (from Ulysses Africanus and Lost in the
Stars) (12) [03:01] Lover Man (Trouble Man) (from Ulysses Africanus
and Lost in the Stars) (13) [02:50] Speak Low (1) (from One
Touch of Venus) (14) [02:04] Speak Low (I1) (from One Touch of
Venus) (15) [03:17] Moderato Assai from the Threepenny Opera (arr.
Stefan Frenkel) (16) [02:16] Moon-Faced, Starry-Eyed (from Street
Scene) (17) [03:05] Here I’ll Stay (from Love Life) (18)
[03:15] Green-Up Time (from Love Life) (19) [02:41] Pirate Jenny
(from The Threepenny Opera) (20) (04:04) Mack the Knife (A Theme
from the Threepenny Opera) (21) [03:24]
Kenny Baker (vocalist) (15), Bertolt Brecht (vocalist) (1, 3), Buddy
Clark (vocalist) (18), Walter Huston (vocalist) (7, 8), Danny Kaye (vocalist)
(10), Greta Keller (vocalist) (19), Gertrude Lawrence (vocalist) (9,
11), Lotte Lenya (vocalist) (2, 4, 5, 6, 12, 13, 20), Mary Martin (vocalist)
(15), Johnny Mercer (vocalist) (17), Kurt Weill (vocalist) (14), Jascha
Heifetz (violin) (16), Benny Goodman (clarinet) & His Orchestra
(17), Louis Armstrong (trumpet and vocalist) & His All-Stars (21),
Emanuel Bay (piano) (16), Cy Walter (piano & rhythm section) (19),
Kurt Weill (piano) (5, 6, 12, 13, 14), Mitchell Ayres’ Orchestra &
Chorus (18), Orchestra (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 20), Theo Mackeben’s Jazz
Orchestra (1, 2, 3), The Three Admirals and Orchestra (4)/Maurice Abravanel
(8, 10, 15), Leonard Joy (9, 11), Samuel Matlowsky (20), Victor Young
(7) rec. May 1929 (1, 3), c. October 1929 (2), 24 February 1930 (4),
24 November 1938 (8), 28 January 1941 (10), 23 February 1941 (9, 11),
c. 1942 (5, 6, 12, 13, 14), 7 November 1943 (15), 31 October 1944 (7),
30 November 1945 (16), 30 January 1947 (17), 20 December 1947 (18),
March 1954 (20), 28 September 1955 (21), January 1956 (19) in Berlin
(1, 2, 3, 4), Hollywood (17), Los Angeles (7) and New York (all others)
NAXOS 8.120831 [62:47][CH]
Recordings
of great historical importance, apart from their intrinsic merits ...
see Full Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Hugo
WOLF (1860-1903) 62 Lieder
18 Goethe-Lieder (1888/9) [52:54]; Sechs Lieder für eine Frauenstimme
(1877-82) [14:24]; Die Zigeunerin (1887) [3:05]; 3 Mörike-Lieder (1888)
12:26]; Spanisches Liederbuch songs (1890) [5:14]; Sechs alte Weisen
(1890) [12:23]; Italienisches Liederbuch songs (1890) [39:40]; Sonne
der Schlummerlosen (1896) [2:42];
Elisabeth Schwarzkopf (soprano); Gerald Moore (piano) rec.
London, 1956-62. 2007 digital remasters. ADD. detailed track-listing
below EMI CLASSICS
GREAT RECORDINGS OF THE CENTURY 00946 3 80040 2 8 [71:11 + 80:13][AOz]
This
isn’t just another recording. It’s a piece of history, and exquisitely
beautiful. ... see Full Review
Mark
ZUCKERMAN (b.1948)
Introduction and Fugue (2001) [6:16] Shir Kinah: Elegy for Victims
of Terrorism (2002) [8:39] Out of the Wilderness (1995) [16:35]
Shpatsír (2001) [3:32] Theme Song (1999) [1:57]
String Quartet (2003) [36:14]
Seattle Sinfonia/Joel Eric Suben Momenta Quartet (Miranda Cuckson, Annaliesa
Place (violins); Stephanie Griffin (viola); Joanne Lin (cello)) rec.
12 February 2000, Kenmore, WA (Out of the Wilderness, Theme
Song); 30 June 2001, Seattle, WA (Introduction and Fugue, Shir
Kinah, Shpatsír); 6 July, 17 September 2006, Patrych
Sound Studios, New York (Quartet). first recordings. DDD
MSR CLASSICS MS 1223 [73:19] [DW]
Technically
competent enough, the music lacks a strong
enough identity, originality, variety or natural
flow to bear repeated listening. … 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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