PART 7
Misc. M-Z

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]

 

 

The Marriage of Heaven and Hell - Motets and Songs from 13^th Century France Je ne chant pas / Talens m’est pris / APTATUR / OMNES ^abde [2:19] Trois sereurs / Trois sereurs / Trois sereurs / PERLUSTRAVIT ^bcde [2:11] BLONDEL DE NESLE (fl.1180-1200) En tous tans que vente bise ^a [2:50] Plus bele que flors / Quant revient / L’autrier jouer / FLOS FILIUS EIUS ^abcd [1:15] Par un matinet / He, sire! / He, bergier! / EIUS ^bcde [4:37] De la virge Katerine / Quant froidure / Agmina milicie / AGMINA ^abce [2:15] COLIN MUSET (fl.1200-1250) Trop volentiers chanteroie ^a [3:44] Ave parens / Ad gratie / AVE MARIA ^abd [1:35] Super te Jerusalem / Sed fulsit virginitas / PRIMUS TENOR / DOMINUS ^abcd [1:10] A vous douce debonnaire ^b [3:08] Mout souvent / Mout ai este en dolour / MULIERUM ^bcd [2:50] BERNART DE VENTADORN (1125-1195) Can vei la lauzeta mover ^d [3:43] Quant voi l’aloete / Diex! je ne m’en partire ja / NEUMA ^bcd [1:52] En non Dieu / Quant voi la rose / NOBIS ^bcd [2:41] GAUTIER DE DARGIES (c.1165-after 1236) Autres que je ne sueill las ^b [4:01] Je m’en vois /Tels a mout / OMNES ^abf [2:40] Festa januaria ^bcd [2:18] Gothic Voices : (Margaret Philpot (alto)^a; Rogers Covey-Crump (tenor)^b; Rufus Muller (tenor)^c; Leigh Nixon (tenor)^d; Stephen Charlesworth (baritone)^e)/Christopher Page (medieval harp)^f rec. St Cross Hospital Church, Winchester, 21-23 March 1990. DDD. Booklet with notes in English and French, texts and English translations HYPERION HELIOS CDH55273 [46:26] [BW]

I am running out of superlatives for these Gothic Voices reissues, though the more obscure nature of the music on this disc may not be to all tastes … see Full Review

Masterpieces of Portuguese Polyphony Duarte LÔBO (c.1565-1646) Missa pro defunctis (Requiem) for 8 voices (1621) [24:21] Audivi vocem de caelo for 6 voices (Liber Missarum, 1621) [3:03] Filipe de MAGALHÃES (c.1571-1652) Missa Dilectus meus for 5 voices [27:00] Commissa mea pavesco for six voices [4:36] The William Byrd Choir/Gavin Turner rec. All Hallows, Gospel Oak, London, 2-4 June, 1986. DDD. HYPERION HELIOS CDH55138 [59:14][BW] 

Yet another highly recommendable Helios reissue; ideal performances, well recorded … see Full Review

Medieval Dances for Flute and Harp George Frederik MCKAY (1899-1970) Suite for Flute and Harp, (1977) [13:09] Joseph JONGEN (1873-1953) Danse Lente for Flute and Harp [4:19] Henry COWELL (1897-1965) Triple Rondo for Flute and Harp, (1961) [6:55] Désiré-Emile INGELBRECHT (1880-1965) Sonatine for Flute and Harp [11:42] Joseph LAUBER (1864-1952) Four Medieval Danses [14:53] Nino ROTA (1911-1979) Sonata for Flute and Harp, (1937) [13:20] Laurel Zucker (flute); Susan Jolles (harp) rec. 2007, USA. DDD CANTILENA RECORDS 66034-2 [64:35] [MS]

Despite the CD’s title, this is at best music perhaps inspired by the mediaeval harp and flute; although excitingly played, be aware that what’s actually on the disc is half a dozen 19th and 20th century suites for those instruments… see Full Review

Pierre Monteux in France - 1952-58 Concert Performances Igor STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) Petrushka (1911 version) [35:22] – Paris, 8 May 1958 and Paris, 9 June 1955 Le Sacre du Printemps (1910) [34:18] – Strasbourg, 17 June 1955 Nikolai RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844-1908) Le coq d’or (1906-07) [7:59] – Paris, 8 May 1958 Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Symphony No. 9 in D minor Op.125 "Choral" (1824) [68:06] – Paris, 6 or 8 November 1958 with Maria Stader (soprano)  Helene Bouvier (alto) Libero de Luca (tenor), Josef Greindl (bass) Symphony No.2 in D major Op. 36 (1807) [30:59] - Paris, 3 May 1956 Symphony No.7 in A Major Op. 92 (1812)  [35:43] - Strasbourg 13 June 1952 Symphony No.8 in F Major, Op.93  (1812) [26:38] - Strasbourg, 17 June 1955 Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)  Piano Concerto No. 24 in C K. 491 Robert Casadesus, piano, Montreux, 22 September 1958 Violin Con. No. 5 in A, K. 219, ‘Turkish’ [30:23] Annie Jodry (violin) - Strasbourg, 17 June 1955 Sergei PROKOFIEV (1890-1953) Symphony No.1 Op.25 ‘Classical’  (1917) [14:33] - Paris, 8 May 1958 Paul HINDEMITH (1895-1963) Nobilissima Visione (1938) [20:43] - Paris, 8 November 1958 Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Images  (1905-08) [34:40] - Paris, 3 May 1956 Jeux — Poème dansé (1912) [17:59] - Paris, 9 June 1955 Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) Shéhérazade (1903) [15:06]  Germaine Moysan, (soprano) - Strasbourg, 13 June 1952 François COUPERIN (1668-1733) La Sultane [7:33] arranged Darius MILHAUD (1892-1974) - Paris, 8 November 1958 Ottorino RESPIGHI (1879-1936) Pines of Rome (1924) [20:12] - Paris, 3 May 1956 Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Tod und Verklärung (1889) [23:28] - Paris, 3 May 1956 Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Symphony No.5 in E, Op.64 (1888) [44:52] - Paris, 8 May 1958 Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Variations on an Original Theme (‘Enigma’) Op.36 (1899) [27:57] - Paris, 24 September 1958 Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Flying Dutchman Overture (1843) [9:32] - Paris, 9 June 1955 César FRANCK (1822-1890) Symphony in D Minor (1886-8) [38:16] - Paris, 24 September 1958 Orchestre National de France (Orchestre National de la RTF)/Pierre Monteux MUSIC AND ARTS CD 1182 [8 CDs: 77:43 + 68:06 + 74:39 + 77:46 + 75:15 + 79:22 + 72:50 + 47:50][JW]

Anyone remotely interested in Monteux will need both M&A sets which are complementary. I’m sorry for your finances but not for the musical enjoyment you will receive. ... see Full Review

Music at the Coronation of King James II, 1685 William CHILD (1606-1697) O Lord, grant the King a long life [03:30] Henry PURCELL (1659-1695) I was glad (Z 19) [08:12] John BLOW (1649-1708) Let thy hand be strengthened [01:44] Thomas TALLIS (1505-1585) Litany [08:38] William TURNER (1651-1740) Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire [02:28] Henry LAWES (1596-1662) Zadok, the Priest [02:21] John BLOW Behold, O God our defender [02:21] William TURNER The King shall rejoice [02:29] William CHILD Te Deum in E flat [06:03] John BLOW God spake sometime in visions [12:54] Henry PURCELL My heart is inditing (Z 30) [17:53] The Choir of the Chapel Royal The Musicians Extra-Ordinary/Andrew Gant rec. July 2006, Chapel Royal, St James's Palace, London, UK. DDD SIGNUM CLASSICS SIGCD094 [70:11][JV]

The only reason for buying this disc is the opportunity to hear the music in the context for which it was written. Musically the result of the reconstruction is rather disappointing. ... see Full Review

Musical Aspects - Bellshill Band of the Salvation Army John LARSSON arr. ROBINSON To a God Like This  [2.17] Andrew LLOYD WEBBER arr. WALKER   I Don't Know How to Love Him [4.20] Lynn Shanks (flügel horn) John LARSSON arr. BROUGHTON Hosea [8.18] Andrew LLOYD-WEBBER arr. BULLA Love Changes Everything [4.13] John LARSSON arr. STEADMAN-ALLEN Someone Cares [4.07] Yvonne Ferguson (cornet) – Andrew LLOYD WEBBER and Charles HART Wishing You Where Somehow Here Again [2.58] Gemma Gunn (vocal) John LARSSON arr. STEADMAN-ALLEN Jesus Folk [2.58] Andrew LLOYD WEBBER arr. GRAHAM Any Dream Will Do [3.55] John LARSSON and John GOWANS Burning Burning [4.43] Olwyn Mathie (vocal) Andrew LLOYD WEBBER arr. GRAHAM Aspects of Andrew Lloyd Webber [7.52] John LARSSON arr. STEADMAN-ALLEN Spirit [7.42] John LARSSON arr. STEADMAN ALLEN They Shall Come From The East [2.44] Andrew LLOYD-WEBBER arr. RICHARDS Memory [3.49] John LARSSON arr. STEADMAN-ALLEN Take-Over Bid [9.33] Bellshill Band of the Salvation Army/Ian Dickie rec. B&H Sound Services Ltd, Uddingstone Old Parish Church, 5-7 October 2006 SALVATIONIST PUBLISHING AND SUPPLIES SPS 224 CD [74.09][LB]

A truly inspiring disc ... see Full Review

Neue Alphornmusik Arkady SHILKLOPER (b. 1956) Fanfare for 4 Alphorns [2:27] After Storm [3:18] Hans-Jürg SOMMER (b.1950) Danza Pastorella for 2-4 Alphorns [2:28] Mathias RÜEGG (b. 1952) Erbauliche Studie für zwölf Alphörner in Abwesenheit von Bergen [6:01] Arkady SHILKLOPER Alpine Trail [3:49] John Wolf BRENNAN (b. 1954) Zum Gipfel und zurück for 4 Alphorns [5:07] Arkady SHILKLOPER Procession for 4 Alphorns [3:12] Alfred Leonz GASSMAN (1876-1962) Trübe Stunden [3:23] John Wolf BRENNAN Song and Variations for Alphorn, Flugelhorn and 3 Horns [4:31] Arkady SHILKLOPER Brain-(t)racking Work for 4 Bernatone Alphorns [2:15] Daniel SCHNYDER (b. 1961) Kadenz zum Alphornkonzert [2:53] Hans KENNEL (b.1939) Dance Five for 5-8 Alphorns Arkady SHILKLOPER Crested Butte Mountain for solo Alphorn and 7 Horns [2:58] Arkady Shilkloper (alphorn and horns) rec. June 2006, Hardstudios, Winterthur MUSIQUES SUISSES MGB CD 6246 [46:33][DC]

Warm up the ‘repeat play’ function on your CD player – here comes Arkady Shilkloper! ... see Full Review

Norwegian Piano Music Edvard GRIEG (1843–1907) 1. 25 Norwegian Folksongs and Folkdances, Op. 17, No. 12: Solfager og Ormekongen (Sun-Fair and the Snake-King) (1869) [2:01] Klaus EGGE (1906–1979) 2. Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 21 for piano and string orchestra (Symphonic Variations and Fugue on a Norwegian Folktune) (1944) [20:01] 3. Three Pieces, Op. 12, No. 1: Halling Fantasy (1939) [4:35] 4–7. Piano Sonata No. 1, Op. 4, “Draumkvaedet” (The Dream Ballad) (1933) [22:29] Sverre BERGH (1915–1980) 8. Norwegian Dance No. 2, “Gamel-Holin” (Old Holin) (1944) [2:41] Alf HURUM (1882–1972) 9. Aquarelles, Op. 5, No. 2: Miniature (1912) [2:23] Geirr TVEITT (1908–1981) 10. Brudlaups-Klokkor (Wedding Bells) (1963) [3:05]* Håvard Gimse (piano) Trondheim Soloists/Øyvind Gimse (tr. 2) rec. Potton Hall, Westleton, Suffolk, UK, 7-8 April 2006 (tr. 1 and 3 – 10); Olavshallen, Trondheim, Norway, 27 October 2005 (tr. 2) * World Premiere Recording NAXOS 8.557834 [57:15][GF]

This disc shows what many already suspected: that Norwegian music is much more than Grieg. It also shows that Gimse is one of the best pianists at present before the public. ... see Full Review

One Minute Wonders Paul Archbold Coronae [1:30] ** Rhian SAMUEL Gaslight Square I [1:23] ** Bryn HARRISON Flowers Fall [1:04] ** Katharine NORMAN Thumbs Up [1:24] ** Stephen GOSS invisible starfall after Morton Feldman [0:45] * Colin Matthews 60 Second Waltz [1:18] ** Robert KEELEY Chip Revisited [1:32] ** Dave SMITH Korean Waltz [1:02] ** Fraser TRAINER Flip [1:37] ** Julian ANDERSON Old Bells [1:25] ** Michael FINNISSY One Minute Wonder [1:12] *** Jonathan Owen Clark on nicola’s bell it says 6:six [1:24] ** Kenneth HESKETH Epigram [1:28] ** Tom INGOLDSBY A Little Moment [1:26] ** Camden Reeves Præludium from Notturno Dalle Flamme Del’Inferno [1:15] ** Andrew TOOVEY Morag [1:32] ** Tom Armstrong Melody [0:44] * Morgan Hayes Strides (1) [1:24] ** Neil LUCK Attraction / Repulsion [0:59] Arlene Sierra Titmouse [1:14] ** John Woolrich One Moment More [1:03] *** Gordon McPherson Se voce puder dizer algo em um minuto e ele worth dizer [0:54] ** Howard SkEMPTON Stroking the Keys [1:06] ** Sebastian Forbes Toccata [1:06] * Matthew Sansom On Remembrance [1:10] ** Allan F. Moore Gudrun’s Waltz [0:53] * Mark Sambell crossing the M4 (as a spider) [1:03] *** Ben Donnelly Boss [1:08] * Sadie Harrison Sleeping with the Fishes [1:29] ** Tansy Davies Last Minute [1:02] *** Benjamin Hooper University Challenge [0:45] * Philip Cashian Journey after Rain [1:20] *** Anthony John Disillusioned [0:59] * Phillip Neil Martin Chime [1:11] *** Philip Grange Prelude: In Memoriam Karlin Field [1:25] ** Matthew King Sonatas [1:16] ** Clive Williamson (piano) rec. * 7 April 2004; ** 10 July 2005; *** 13 November 2006; all in Studio 1, Performing Arts Technology Studies, University of Surrey CADENZA MUSIC CACD0612 [46:34] [GPu]

An entertaining and intriguing CD, far from run of the mill – where else can you hear, on one disc, music by 36 contemporary British composers? … see Full Review

Opera Highlights - Volume 3 Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756–1791) Die Entführung aus dem Serail Solche hergelaufne Laffen; O wie will ich triumphieren Franz Hawlata (bass) Martern aller Arten Christine Schäfer (soprano) Wenn der Freude Tränen fliessen Paul Groves (tenor) Salzburg Festival 1999/Marc Minkowski Cosi fan tutte Per pietà, ben mio, perdona Yvonne Kenny (soprano) Australian Opera 1995/Peter Robinson Richard WAGNER (1813–1883) Tannhäuser Geliebter, komm! Sieh dort die Grotte! Waltraud Meier (mezzo-soprano) Inbrunst im Herzen René Kollo (tenor) National Theatre Munich 1995/Zubin Mehta Richard STRAUSS (1864–1949) Salome Wo ist er, dessen Sündenbecher jetzt voll ist? Bryn Terfel (bass-baritone); Catherine Malfitano (soprano) Covent Garden 1997/Christoph von Dohnanyi Elektra Ich habe keine guten Nächte Brigitte Fassbaender (mezzo-soprano); Eva Marton (soprano) Vienna State Opera 1995/Claudio Abbado Capriccio aria from final scene Kiri Te Kanawa (soprano) San Francisco Opera 1993/Donald Runnicles Sound format: PCM Stereo; Picture format: 4:3 / 4:3 Letterbox ARTHAUS MUSIC 102 051 [85:00][GF]

Much to enjoy here, if one likes bleeding chunks of opera ... see Full Review

Isabelle Philippe - A Star is Born Fromental HALÉVY (1799–1862) Charles VI (1843) 1. act 2: Gloire au maïtre et gloire aux Chanteurs … Daignez vous faire entendre encore (Duet Isabeau de Bavière–Bedford) [16:02] 2. act 1: C’est votre fille … Oui Reine (Duet Isabeau de Bavière–Odette) [10:30] Giacomo MEYERBEER (1791–1864) Dinorah (1859) 3. act 2: Me voici, me voici … Ombre légère (Dinorah’s romance and aria) [14:11] 4. act 2: Sombre destine, âme condamnée … J’ai déjà, il me semble, entendu cela (Air du val maudit) [3:22] 5. act 3: Ma maison? ma maison? … Oui, c’était un rêve (duet Dinorah–Hoël) [3:53] Daniel François Esprit AUBER (1782–1871) Haÿdée (1847) 6. Overture [1:49] 7. act 1: Tu ne me diras pas ton secret … Il en donc un! (Haÿdée’s couplets) [6:11] 8. act 2: A toi Domenico, chante nous une chanson (Couplets and chorus. Corvette’s aria) [3:50] 9. act 3: Je suis dans son palais! A Venise … chez lui … Pour punir pareille offense (Entr’acte and Haÿdée’s aria [9:36] Isabelle Philippe (soprano)
Armando Noguera (1); Anne-Sophie Schmidt (2); Armand Arapian (5) and others; Orchestre Français Albéric Magnard/Miquel Ortega (Charles VI), Olivier Opdebeeck (Dinorah), Michel Swierczewski (Haÿdée) rec. live, Théâtre Impérial de Compiègne, 2004 (Dinorah and Haÿdée); 2005 (Charles VI) Artistic direction: Pierre Jourdan Isabelle Philippe (soprano) CASCAVELLE VEL 3105 [69: 28] [GF]

A splendid new coloratura soprano and some interesting rare French repertoire make this an enticing proposition – despite less than ideal recording balance. ... see Full Review

Victor Pikaizen (violin)
Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Sonatas and Partitas for unaccompanied violin (ca. 1720) [155:34] Niccolò PAGANINI (1782-1840) 24 Caprices for solo violin, Op.1 (1837) [86:58] Introduction and variations on "God Save The King" [15:33] ¹ Variations on "Pria ch’io l’impegno" (Veigl) [10:38] ¹ Introduction and Variations on "Non piu mesta" from Rossini’s La Cenerentola [13:41] ¹ Konstantin MOSTRAS (1886-1965) Caprice (Recitative and Toccata) [4:57] ¹ Aram KHACHATURIAN (1903-1978) Sonata-monologue for violin solo (1975) [16:19] Yuri LEVITIN (1912-1993) Variations Op.45 (c.1956) [9:43] Mieczyslaw WEINBERG (Moishei VAINBERG) (1919-1996) Sonata No.3 for solo violin Op.126 (1979) [23:15] Victor Pikaizen (violin) Tatiana Pikaizen (piano) ¹ Rec. Moscow 1958-83 MELODIYA MEL CD 10 01000 [5 CDs: 73:39 + 59:37 + 71:12 + 70:30 + 61:35]
Niccolò PAGANINI (1782-1840) 24 Caprices for solo violin, Op.1 (1837) [86:58] Introduction and variations on "God Save The King" [15:33] Variations on "Pria ch’io l’impegno" (Veigl) [10:38] Introduction and Variations on "Non piu mesta" from Rossini’s La Cenerentola [13:41] Konstantin MOSTRAS (1886-1965) Caprice (Recitative and Toccata) [4:57] Victor Pikaizen (violin) Rec. Moscow 1958-82 MELODIYA MEL CD 10 001004 [70:30 + 61:35] [JW]

These discs show Pikaizen’s devotion to the canonic and to the exploratory. Sturdy and deeply considered examples of his art. ... see Full Review

Saimir Pirgu (tenor) Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797-1848) Il Duca D Alba: Angelo Casto E Bel [6:32] L’elisir d’amore: Una furtiva lagrima (1832) [4:19] Roberto Devereux: Ed ancor la tremenda porta [6:17] Jules MASSENET (1842-1912) Manon: Instant charmant...En fermant les yeux  [3:29] Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Don Giovanni, Dalla sua pace K 527 (1787) [4:25] Don Giovanni: Il mio tesoro intanto K 527 (1787) [4:16] Così fan tutte; Un'aura amorosa (1790) [4:15] Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Rigoletto: Questa o quella (1851) [1:56] La Traviata: Lunge da lei" - "De' miei bollenti spiriti (1853) [3:46] Giovanni Battista BONONCINI (1670-1747) Per la gloria d´adorarvi [3:35] Giovanni Battista PERGOLESI (1710-1736) Tre Giorni Son Che Nina [3:49] Saimir Pirgu (tenor) Haydn Orchestra of Bozen and Trient/Gustav Kühn rec. 2004? UNIVERSAL 4763149 [46:45][JW]

This is certainly an attractive voice, a lyric tenor of sweetness and ardour. ... see Full Review

Portrait – violin and cello duo Massimiliano MATEŠIC (b. 1969) Duo per Violino e Violoncello (2004) [10:11] Reinhold GLIÈRE (1875-1956) Huit morceaux, Op. 39 (1909) [17:46] Martin WETTSTEIN (b. 1970) Zyklus – Second Movement; Roter Raum (1998) [6:32] Erwin SCHULHOFF (1894-1942) Duo für Violine und Violoncello (1925) [17:21] Georg Frederic HANDEL (1685-1759) Passacaglia from Harpsichord Suite No.7 HWV 432 arr. Johan HALVORSEN (1875-1935) [7:36] Daria Zappa (violin) Mattia Zappa (cello) rec. Auditorio Stelio Molo, Lugano, 2002-05 GUILD GMCD 7313 [59:57][JW]

Esoteric though this combination is the performances are highly assured and I valued the playing ... see Full Review

The Power of Love - British Opera Arias William Vincent WALLACE (1812-1865) The Night Winds: Lurline (1860) [4:30] Michael BALFE (1808-1870) Placida Notte: Il Talismano (1870) [7:42] WALLACE ’Tis the Harp: Maritana (1845) [3:44] BALFE ’Twas in that Garden: The Siege of Rochelle (1835) [3:13] BALFE Nella Dolce Trepidanza: Il Talismano (1870) [3'34) [4:04] Arthur SULLIVAN (1842-1900) Lord of our Chosen Race: Ivanhoe (1891) [4:04] SULLIVAN ’Neath My Lattice: The Rose of Persia (1898) [2:43] WALLACE Scenes that are Brightest: Maritana (1845) [6:07] Philip Michael FARADAY (1791-1867) Little Princess: Amasis (1906) [2:16] BALFE The Convent Cell: The Rose of Castille (1848) [2:55] BALFE There’s a Power: Satanella (1858) [3:32] BALFE The Rapture Dwelling: The Maid of Artois (1836) [2:51] BALFE Yon Moon o’er the Mountain: The Maid of Artois (1836) [2:52] BALFE Oh! Could I but his Heart enslave: Satanella (1858) [4:16] BALFE Bliss For Ever Past: The Puritan’s Daughter (1861) [3:26] WALLACE The Naiad’s Spell: Lurline (1860) [3:43] WALLACE These Withered Flowers: Love’s Triumph (1862) [3:12] WALLACE My Long Hair is Braided: The Amber Witch (1861) [3:51] Deborah Riedel (soprano) Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra/Richard Bonynge rec. St Scholastica Chapel, Sydney, August 1999 SACD - supersedes MR 301082 MELBA MR 301107 [69:51] [RW]

For too long these melodious arias have been neglected. Amongst them are real operatic gems with catchy melodies as good as any of those of the continental masters. ... see Full Review

Quintets for Clarinet and Strings Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Quintet in B minor for clarinet and strings, Op.115 (1891) [38:37] Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Quintet in A for clarinet and strings, K.581 (1790) [30:37] Håkan Rosengren (clarinet) Chiara Quartet rec. Festival Hill, Round Top, Texas, January 2005 and January 2006 ROUND TOP RECORDS RTR015 [69:36][SV]

Veteran collectors will find this worth tracking down and hearing for the Brahms. ... see Full Review

Reverie Manuel de FALLA (1876-1946) Danza española No. 1 [3:41]; Nana (arr. Miguel Llobet) No. 5 from Siete canciones populares españolas [2:01]; Traditional Scottish Arr. Francesco BARSANTI (1690-1772) Busk ye, my bonny bride [2:28]; Logan Water [1:39]; Gabriel FAURÉ (1845-1924) Aprés un rêve Op. 7 No.1 [3:03]; Berceuse Op 16 [3:05]; Heitor VILLA-LOBOS (1887-1959) Bachianas brasileiras No. 5: Aria (Cantilena) [4:57]; Mazurka-Chôro No.1 from Suite Popular brasileira; RONG FA LIU (20^th Century) Pastoral; Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Träumerei [3:05]; Franz SCHUBERT (1808-1878) Die Biene [1:59]; Astor PIAZZOLLA (1921-1992) Milonga del Angel [3:55]; Café 1930 [6:28]; Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Salut d’amour Op 12 [2:41]; Peter Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) No 10 from Les Saisons Op. 37b [4:27]; Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957) Etude Op.76 No.2 [2:49]; Karl Y. DAVIDOV (1838-1889) Romance sans paroles Op. 23 [2:51); attrib. Maria Theresia PARADIS (1759-1824) or Samuel DUSHKIN (1891-1976) Sicilienne [3:09]; Andrew LLOYD WEBBER (b.1948) ‘Memory’ from Cats [4:01]. Jian Wang (cello) Göran Söllscher (guitar) rec. August 2006, Mandelsloh, Kirche St. Osdag. DDD DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 477 6401 GH [60:40][ZT]

An eclectic selection of beautiful music superbly played by two modern masters ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH 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][DC]

Makes you feel as if you have died and gone to heaven ... see Full Review

Seascapes Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) La Mer - trois esquisses symphoniques (1903-05) [25:50] Zhou LONG (b. 1953) The Deep, Deep Sea, for alto flute/piccolo, timpani, harp and strings* (2004) [10:40] Frank BRIDGE (1879-1941) The Sea - suite for orchestra (1910-11) [23:11] Alexander GLAZUNOV (1865-1936) La Mer - fantaisie pour grand orchestre, Op. 28 (1889) [18:14] Singapore Symphony Orchestra/Lan Shui Sharon Bezaly (alto flute/piccolo); Gulnara Mashurova (harp); Jonathan Fox (timpani) rec. August 2004 (Debussy, Zhou Long, Glazunov), July 2005 (Bridge), Esplanade Concert Hall, Singapore BIS SACD 1447 [79:50][DM]

This well-filled disc is a real cracker. The programme is well chosen and once again it seems BIS have pulled off a sonic and artistic coup. ... see Full Review

Soliloquy - Kirsty Abbotts (cornet) Joy WEBB A new dimension (Arr. Stephen Hague) [3:52] J. LARSON Someone cares (Arr. R. Steadman-Allen) [4:23] Charles GOUNOD (1818–1893) O divine Redeemer (Arr. R. Newsome) [6:16] Trad. (Arr. Leigh Baker) Down by the Sally Gardens [5:51] Walford DAVIES (1869–1941) God be in my head (Arr. Leigh Baker) [4:13] Max BRUCH (1838–1920) Violin concerto No. 1 in G minor, 2^nd movement (Arr. Stephen Hague) [4:21] Phil COULTER (b. 1942) Home away from home (Arr. Stephen Hague) [4:22] Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873–1943) Adagio [5:02] Leigh BAKER (b. 1970) Grace [4:59] Philip SPARKE (b. 1951) Soliloquy [5:16] Giacomo PUCCINI (1858–1924) Your tiny had is frozen from La bohème (Arr. Gordon Langford) [4:22] Charles MARSHALL (1859–1927) I hear you calling me (Arr. J. Ord Hume) [3:43] Jules MASSENET (1842–1912) Meditation from Thaïs (Arr. A. Fernie) [5:57] Rolf LØVLAND (b. 1955) You raise me up (Arr. A. Duncan) [5:46] Kirsty Abbotts (cornet) Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band/Allan Ramsay rec. Hemsworth Arts and Community College, West Yorkshire, 7-8 October 2006. EGON SFZ 139 [69:30][GF]

Cornet enthusiasts should give this disc a chance and anyone who likes beautiful melodies beautifully played will find much to enjoy here – but don’t listen to all of it in one sitting! ... see Full Review

Stokowski conducts a Russian Spectacular Modest MUSSORGSKY (1839-1881) Night on Bare Mountain (1867) orchestrated Stokowski (1940) [9:47] Khovantchina Suite (1872-75) [17:13] Act I Prelude - orchestrated Rimsky-Korsakov [6:21] Act IV Dance of the Persian Maidens - orchestrated Rimsky-Korsakov [6:03] Act IV – Entr’acte – Prince Galitsin’s Journey - orchestrated Stokowski [4:49] Nikolai RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844-1908) Russian Easter Overture Op 36 (1888) [13:40] Rheinhold Moritzovich GLIÈRE (1875-1956) Red Poppy, ballet – Russian Sailors’ Dance (1926-27) [3:22] Peter Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840–1893) Eugene Onegin – Polonaise (1879) [4:14] Alexander BORODIN (1833-1887) In the Steppes of Central Asia (1880) [9:03] Prince Igor - Polovtsian Dances (1879) arranged Stokowski [17:47] Leopold Stokowski and his Symphony Orchestra rec. Manhattan Centre, New York, 1953 except Polovtsian Dances, 1950 CALA CACD 0546 [74:28] [JW]

An enjoyable disc - varied and visceral ... see Full Review

The Complete Conchita Supervia Volume 2; Fonotipia/Odeon, 1929-30 Gioacchino ROSSINI (1792-1868) La Cenerentola - Signore, una parola [3:35] with Vincenzo Bettoni (bass) Ambroise THOMAS (1811-1896) Mignon - Non conosci il bel suol (Connais-tu le pays?) [3:34] Leggiadre rondinelle (Légères hirondelles) [3:09] with Vincenzo Bettoni (bass) Leopoldo Emanuele GENNAI (b.1886) Canzoncine (with spoken introductions) Pioggerella, pioggerellina [2:00] Il gallo [2:40] Preghiera della sera [3:14] Filastrocca dell’asino [2:51] La scarpetta e la neve [2:52] Il grillo [2:06] Il mulino e la luna [2:30] La fonte [2:01] Paolo TOSTI (1846-1916) L’ultima canzone [3:45] Léo DELIBES (1836-1891) Églogue [3:25] Isaac ALBENIZ (1860-1909) Granada [4:40] Andrea FALCONIERI Occhietti amati [2:53] Giovanni PAISIELLO (1741-1816) I Zingari in Fiera: Chi vuol la zingarella [2:01] ANONYMOUS  (attributed to Pergolesi) Se tu m’ami [3:48] Edvard GRIEG (1843 - 1907) Peer Gybnt; Solveig’s song [4:24] Léo DELIBES (1836-1891) Les filles de Cadix [3:17] Modesto ROMERO De la serranía [2:56] George BIZET (1838 -1875) Adieux de l’hôtesse arabe [4:56] F.M ALVAREZ Pregària o lo cant de l'ànima à la Verge [3:08] A SARTORIO O che umore stravagante (Canzone del paggio) [3:31] Ruperto CHAPI (1851-1909) La Revoltosa; Porque de mis ojos [6:19] with Marcos Redondo (baritone) Tomas BRETON La Verbena de la Poloma: Ya estás frente á la casa [3:31] with Marcos Redondo (baritone) Léo DELIBES (1836-1891) Bonjour, Suzon [3:03] Enrique MORERA Enterro [3:10] Francisco ALONSO Pajarico triguero [2:18] Ruperto CHAPI (1851-1909) Las Hijas del Zebedeo: Al pensar en el dueño [2:14] Manuel de FALLA (1876-1946) Siete canciones populares espanolas El paño moruno [1:32] Seguidilla murciana [1:17] Asturiana [2:22] Jota [2:50] Nana [1:32] Canción [1:16] Polo [1:51] Edvard GRIEG (1843 - 1907) Med en primula veris, op. 26, no. 4 [2:34] J SERRANO La Reina Mora; Ay! Gitana, pasó la pena [6:36] with Marcos Redondo (baritone) José RIBAS Pel teu amor “Rosó” [3:34] Enrique GRANADOS (1867-1916) Danza No. 5 “Andaluza” [4:42] J. Borrás de PALAU La farigola [3:10] Vora, voreta la mare [3:15] Eduardo TOLDRÁ (1895–1962) Romanç sense paraules [1:16] Menta I farigola [1:39] Frederico LONGAS Gitana [2:20] TRADITIONAL La filadora - arranged by Juan Manén [2:27] Julio GOMEZ Coplas de amores [3:51] Manuel de FALLA (1876-1946) El Amor Brujo No. 4, Canción del amor dolido [3:26] No. 9, Canción del fuego fatuo [2:49] Ruperto CHAPI (1851-1909) La Revoltosa: Guajiras [3:38] Carlos López BUCHARDO Jujeña [3:46] Vidalita [3:31] Conchita Supervia (mezzo soprano) with orchestras conducted by Angelo Albergoni, Leopoldo Emanuele Gennai, Modesto Romero, Antonio Capdevila; chamber orchestra conducted by Gustave Cloëz; Frank Marshall (piano) rec. Milan, Barcelona and Paris, 1929-30 MARSTON 52050-2 [79:45 + 78:44][JW]

The Marston marque is one of dedication and quality. ... see Full Review

Symphonies of the Mozart Era SACD 1: Francois-Joseph GOSSEC (1734-1829) Symphony in B flat major, Op. 6 no. 6 [20:59] Johann Christian BACH (1735-1782) Symphony in E major for Double Orchestra [13:58] Johann Baptist VAŇHAL (1739-1813) Symphony in F major [17:36] * Karl Ditters von DITTERSDORF (1739-1799) Symphony in C major, The Four Ages of Man [17:32] SACD 2: Johann Baptist VAŇHAL (1739-1813) Symphony in G minor [17:46] Antoine MAHAUT (c. 1720-1785) Symphony No. 4 in C minor for Strings [8:12] Antonín REICHA (1770-1836) Symphony in E flat major [23:24] Joseph Martin KRAUS (1756-1792) Symphony in C minor [22:36] Cappella Coloniensis/Hans-Martin Linde/Ulf Björlin * rec. (dates and venues not provided) Hybrid Multi-Channel SACD CAPRICCIO 71 110 [71:07 + 72:35] [DS]

In glorious SACD sound, this set is a musical feast for those who love orchestral music of the Classical era.......... see Full Review

Tales of Opera: Simon Keenleyside Gioacchino ROSSINI (1792-1868) Il barbiere di Siviglia (1816) – Largo al factotum [4:56]; Guillaume Tell (1829) – Sois immobile [2:25]; Jules MASSENET (1842-1912) Hérodiade (1881) – Vision fugitive [4:23]; Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Don Carlo (1867) – Per me giuntoè il di [8:17]; Un ballo in maschera (1859) – Eri tu che macchiavi quell:anima [6:00]; La traviata (1853) – Di provenza il mar [4:16]; Ambroise THOMAS (1811-1896) Hamlet (1866) – O vin, dissipe la tristesse [3:53]; Vincenzo BELLINI (1801-1835) I Puritani (1835) – Ah! Per sempre io ti perdei [5:22]; Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Die Zauberflöte (1791) – Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen [4:07]; Don Giovanni (1787) – Dah vieni alla finestra [2:09]; Zaïde (1779-1780) – Nur mutig, mein Herz, versuche dein Glück [5:22]; Ruggiero LEONCAVALLO (1858-1919) Pagliacci (1892) – Si può, si può [5:23]; Francisco CILEA (1866-1950) L:Arlesiana (1897) – Come due tizzi accesi [3:36]; Peter TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Pique Dame (1890) – Je vas ljublju [4:49]; Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Tannhäuser (1845) – Oh, du mein holder Abendstern [5:14] Simon Keenleyside (baritone) Munich Radio Orchestra/Ulf Schirmer rec. Bayerischer Rundfunk, Munich, 29 May-2 June 2006. DDD SONY/BMG 82876884822 [70:12] [CC]

This is one of the best produced, best sung and best played operatic arias disc to come my way in many a moon. Keenleyside shows his very best side here. ... see Full Review

Arve Tellefsen (violin): Aria Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Ave Maria orch. Knut Anders Vestad  [4:31] George Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759) Rinaldo - 'Lascia Chio Pianga' [3:49] Carl-Andreas NAESS (b.1969) Nå Gjester Himlen Jorden [3:38] Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) Sir John in Love – Greensleeves arr. Ralph Greaves [4:06] John RUTTER (b. 1945) Som En Brudgom Til Sin Hjertenskjær [3:51] William KRISTOFFERSEN (b.1951) Julefløyten arr. Henninng Sommerro [3:44] Pietro MASCAGNI (1863 – 1945) 'Cavalleria Rusticana - Intermezzo [3:00] Knut NYSTEDT (b.1915) Peace I Leave With You [2:15] Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Requiem - Lacrimosa [3:14] Pablo CASALS (1876-1973) El Cant Dels Ocells – Song of the Birds arr. Oivind Westby and Arve Tellefsen [2:44] Charles Hubert PARRY (1848-1918) Dear Lord and Father of Mankind orch. Knut Anders Vestad [3:45] Egil HOVLAND (b.1924) Et Lite Barn Av Davids Hus [2:30] Andres OHRWALL (b.1932) När Juldagsmorgon Glimmar orch. Knut Anders Vestad [2:52] Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Wiegenlied (Vuggesang) from Five Lieder Op.49; No.4 arr. Oivind Westby [2:04] Richard ROGERS (1902-1979) You’ll Never Walk Alone arr. Oivind Westby [4:15] Arve Tellefsen (violin) Nidarosdomens Guttekor/Bjorn Moe No recording details GRAPPA MUSIKKFORLAG GRCD 4250 [50:18][JW]

Pleasant listening for Summer evenings – glass in hand, the sky cloudless blue. And don’t worry what Norman Lebrecht would make of it all. ... see Full Review

This Time It’s Personal Herbert BREWER (1865-1928) Marche Héroïque [7:01] C. S. LANG (1891-1971) Tuba Tune [2:21] George THALBEN-BALL (1896-1987) Elegy [5:02] Leon BOELLMANN (1862-1897) Priere from Suite Gothique [4:28] Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Wer nur den lieben Gott lasst walten, BWV 642 [1:50]; Mein Seele erhebet den Herren, BWV 648 [3:07]; O Mensch bewein’ dein’ Sunde gross, BWV622 [5:01]; Christ lag in Todesbanden, BWV 625 [1:05]; Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 645 [3:47]; Ich ruf’ zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ, BWV 639 [2:58]; Ebarm Dich Mein o Herre Gott, BWV 721 [5:34] William ALBRIGHT (1944-1998) Sweet 16ths [4:17] Sigfrid KARG-ELERT (1877-1933) Three pieces from Sketches for Organ: (Evening [1:54]; Sundown [1:45]; Gossip [1:10]) Louis VIERNE (1870-1937) Impromptu from 24 Pieces en Style Libre [3:36] Charles-Marie WIDOR (1844-1937) Adagio from Organ Symphony No. 5 [5:20] John Walter BRATTON (1867-1947) (arranged for organ by Stephen J. Ketterer) Teddy Bear’s Picnic [1:59] Andrew WRIGHT (b. 1955) Paean [3:10] Stephen Ketterer (organ) rec. Edgewood, Washington, Connecticut, 3 October 2006. DDD MSR CLASSICS MS 1225 [65:29][CB]

This is only recommendable for novelty value then, although, as you can probably tell, its hard not to be just a little jealous - alright I admit it! ... see Full Review

Viennese Jewish Composers – Sonatas for Violin and Piano Hanns EISLER (1898-1962) Violin Sonata Die Reisesonate (1937) [10:51] Kurt ROGER (1895-1966) Violin Sonata (1944) [18:54] Bruno WALTER (1876-1962) Violin Sonata (1909) [33:24] Hagai Shahan (violin) Arnon Erez (piano) rec. Stadttheater Lindau, March 2000 TALENT DOM 2910 93 [63:56] [JW]

Highly persuasive and imaginative performances, finely balanced between expressive extroversion and a rueful nostalgia ... see Full Review

Women at the Piano Volume 3 Sandro FUGA (1906-1994) Studio No 1 [1:39] Annarosa Taddei (piano) rec. 1950 Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Studies, Op. 104b - No 2 in F (1834) [3:21] Annie d’Arco, rec. 1951 Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) English Suites, BWV806- No.3 in G minor - Gigue [1:18] Rosalyn Tureck (piano) rec. 1936 Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Moments musicaux, D780 - No. 5 in F minor [2:40] Ethel Leginska (piano) rec. 1928 Leopold GODOWSKY (1870-1938 Triakontameron – Book III - Alt Wien (Old Vienna) [2:06] Isabelle Yalkovsky (piano) Béla BARTÓK  (1881-1945)  Mikrokosmos, Book 6, Sz107 - Dance in Bulgarian rhythm 1 [1:59] Maro Ajemian (piano) rec. 1947 Aram KHACHATURIAN (1903-1978) Poem about Stalin “Song of the Ashug”; Chant du Mirza (1937-38) [4:12] Gisèle Kuhn (piano) Alexander SCRIABIN (1872-1915) Etudes Op. 65 - No. 1 in B flat major “Etude in Ninths” [3:27] Ida Krehm (piano) rec. 1942 Olivier MESSIAEN (1908-1992) Les sons impalpables du Rêve (Prelude No.5) [3:41] Yvonne Loriod (piano) Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) Le Tombeau de Couperin – Toccata [3:51] Phyllis Sellick (piano) rec. 1940 Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Andante favori in F, WoO57 (1803) [7:52] Elly Ney (piano) recorde1938 Fryderyk CHOPIN (1810-1849) Waltzes - Op. 18 No.1 in E flat major [4:23] Halina Czerny-Stefanska (piano) rec. 1949 Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Sonata (un piccolo divertimento: Variations) in F minor, HobXVII/6 [6:04] Clara Haskil (piano) rec. 1934 Antonio SOLER (1729-1783) Sonatas for Keyboard - No. 2 in C sharp minor [5:29] Felicja Blumental  (piano) rec. 1952 Enrique GRANADOS (1867-1916) Goyescas - El fandango de Candil [6:59] Frieda Valenzi (piano) rec. 1951 Manuel INFANTE (1883-1958) Guadalquivir (Étude Pittoresque) [5:25] Amparo Iturbi (piano) rec. 1949 Gian Francesco MALIPIERO (1882-1973) Poemi asolani – No.3 I partenti (1916) [4:46] Helen Schnabel (piano) rec. 1953 Riccardo PICK-MANGIAGALLI La Ronda d' Aprile Vera Francheschi (piano) rec. 1947 Sergei RACHMANINOFF (1873-1943) Morceaux de salon, Op. 10 - No. 4; Melodie in E minor [4:12] Nadia Reisenberg (piano) rec. 1954 Francis POULENC (1899-1963) Trois Pièces – Toccata (1931) Livia Rév (piano) rec. 1947 NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.111217 [78:17] [JW]

You can argue about the concept until the cows come home but these transfers, and the rationale behind them, are truly awful ... see Full Review

 

 

BOOK REVIEWS

ELGAR THE MUSIC MAKER by DIANA McVEAGH The Boydell Press, 2007 240pp.; ISBN 978-1-84383-295-9 £16.99 (hardback). [Garry Humphreys]

It is a pleasure to read, with the biographical element relating directly to the music and not just included for its own sake. ... see Full Review

Elgar, Vicat Cole and the Ghosts of Brinkwells By Carol Fitzgerald and Brian W. Harvey Includes reproductions of paintings of Rex Vicat Cole ISBN 978-1-86077-442-3 202 pages hardback Phillimore Publishers [IL]

A book for all Elgar enthusiasts to treasure. ... see Full Review

A History of American Classical Music by Barrymore Laurence Scherer 237 pages Naxos Books, 2007 Paperback: 978-1-84379-117-1 £15:00 [KM]

A fine overview of American classical music, and a companion to the Naxos American Classics series ... see Full Review

PATRICK PIGGOTT: EIGHT PRELUDES AND A POSTLUDE (SOLO PIANO)
Roberton Publications No.5577 31pp. £6.00 Goodmusic, PO Box 100, Tewkesbury GL20 7YQ Phone: 01684 - 773883 www.goodmusicpublishing.co.uk

 

---

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]

---