September 2009

RECORDINGS OF THE MONTH

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Symphonies Nos. 1-4 Berliner Philharmoniker/Sir Simon Rattle rec. 2008 EMI CLASSICS 2672542 [3 CDs: 44:55 + 79:16 + 42:19][JQ]

An important set of the Brahms symphonies ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Gabriel FAURÉ (1845-1924) Piano Quintets Nos. 1 & 2 Cristina Ortiz (piano); Fine Arts Quartet rec. 2007 NAXOS 8.570938 [63:24][IL] 

Magical, enchanting works in alluring performances ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Piano Sonatas - Volume 2 Sonatas 34, 41, 46, 48, 52, 56, 58 & 59 Marc-André Hamelin, (piano) rec. 2008 HYPERION CDA67710 [74:03 + 78:54]  [MC]

Some of the finest performances I have heard ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Johann KRIEGER (1651-1735) Geistliche Arien und weltliche Lieder aus Neue musicalische Ergätzlichkeit Philipp Friedrich BUCHNER (1614 - 1669) Sonaten Jan Kobow (tenor), Julia von Landsberg (soprano) United Continuo Ensemble rec. 2006 CPO 777 433-2 [71:01] [GF]

My baroque discovery of the year… see Full Review 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) The Complete Symphonies with sound samples New York PO/Leonard Bernstein (1-7; 9-10) London SO/Leonard Bernstein (8) Israel PO/Leonard Bernstein (DLVDE) rec.1960-68 SONY CLASSICAL 88697 45369-2 [12 CDs] [TD]

Truly something special ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Nino ROTA (1911-1979) Symphonies 1 & 2 Filarmonica ’900 del Teatro Regio di Torino/Marzio Conti rec. 2005/6 CHANDOS CHAN10546 [61:57] [DJB]

The best non-mainstream works I have heard in a long while ... see Full Review 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) The Nose Vladislav Sulimsky (baritone) Alexei Tanovitski (bass) Tatiana Kravtsova (soprano) Mariinsky Theatre Ch & O/Valery Gergiev rec. 2008 MARIINSKY MAR0501 [50:41 + 50:56] [DM]

Gergiev sets new standards for this work ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Erkki-Sven TÜÜR (b. 1959) Wallenberg Jesper Taube, Priit Volmer, Estonian Ntl Opera Ch & SO/Arvo Volmer rec. live a 2007 ESTONIAN RECORD PRODUCTIONS ERP1808 [1:58:05] [GF]

Should be seen by as many as possible … see Full Review

 

BARGAINS OF THE MONTH

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Alberto GINASTERA (1916 - 1983) String Quartets 1-3 Ensõ Qt; Lucy Shelton (soprano) rec. 2007 NAXOS 8.570780 [73:31] [NB]

Jaw-dropping prowess revealing masterpieces of the quartet literature ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH The Very Best of Broadway Excerpts from musicals by Gershwin, Kern, Bernstein, Berlin, Porter, Rodgers, Loewe, Weill & Youmans John McGlinn (conductor) rec. 1987-93 EMI CLASSICS 6952402 [75:43 + 79:25] [GF]

There isn’t a weak number or weak reading … see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Song of the Stars Voices of Ascension/Dennis Keene rec. 2007 NAXOS 8.570533 [62:44][GPu] 

An outstanding recording, rare repertoire of real quality, good sound and excellent performances .... see Full Review

OCTOBER 2009

RECORDINGS OF THE MONTH

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Complete String Quartets Alexander String Qt rec. 2008 FOGHORN CLASSICS CD2005 [9 CDs: 522:11] [MC]

One of the very finest sets available ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Leonard BERNSTEIN (1918-1990) Mass Jubilant Sykes, Morgan State University Ch, Peabody Children’s Ch, Baltimore SO/Marin Alsop rec. 2008 NAXOS 8.559622-23 [65:11 + 38:50] [ST]

Do not hesitate ... see Full Review 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Percy GRAINGER (1882-1961) Lincolnshire Posy Dallas Wind Symphony/Jerry Junkin rec. 2008 REFERENCE RECORDINGS RR-117 [73:43][BM] 

A beautiful, exceptional recording, full of joy … see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) String Quartets, Op. 17 London Haydn Qt rec. 2008 HYPERION CDA67722 [74:32 + 73:35] [MG]

Superb performances which set the standard for Haydn interpretation … see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Franz Joseph HAYDN (1732 - 1809) String Quartet in G, op.54/1 (1788) [19:09] String Quartet in C, op.54/2 (1788) [20:19] String Quartet in E, op.54/3 (1788) [23:40] Sacconi Quartet (Ben Hancox, Hannah Dawson (violins); Robin Ashwell (viola); Cara Berridge (cello)) rec. 21 - 22 July and 4 August 2008, The Music Room, Champs Hill, Sussex, DDD SACCONI RECORDS no serial number [63:13] [BBr]

A most exciting issue…see Full Review 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Carl August NIELSEN (1865-1931) Music for Wind and Piano New London Chamber Ensemble rec. 2005/8 MERIDIAN CDE84580 [64:58] [JL]

One of the best Nielsen discs ever made … see Full Review 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Francis POULENC (1899-1963) Gloria Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) Daphnis et Chloé Jessica Rivera (soprano) Chicago SCh & O/Bernard Haitink rec. 2007 CSO RESOUND CSOR901 906 [77:09] [BR]

Marvellous playing, glowing sound, inspired coupling … see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) Songs Gerald Finley (baritone) Julius Drake (piano) rec. 2008 HYPERION CDA67728 [73:28]  [TB]

Supreme collaborative insights … wonderful music too ... see Full Review 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH William RUSSELL (1777-1813) Complete Organ Voluntaries John Kitchen (organ) rec. 2008 DELPHIAN DCD34062 [3 CDs: 65:27 + 68:01 + 53:14] [JV]

An exemplary production: repertoire, performance, instrument and booklet ... see Full Review 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Georg Philipp TELEMANN (1681-1767) Kapitänsmusik 1724 Telemannisches Collegium Michaelstein/ Ludger Rémy rec. 2005 CPO 777176-2 [78:52]

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Georg Philipp TELEMANN (1681-1767) Kapitänsmusik 1744 Weser-Renaissance Bremen/Manfred Cordes rec. 2008 CPO 777390-2 [71:20 + 75:19][JV] 

Telemann at his very best and most inspired, and so are the ensembles performing his music ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH James Ehnes in Recital Music by Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937), Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918), Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921), Henryk WIENIAWSKI (1835-1880) and Pablo de SARASATE (1844-1908) James Ehnes (violin); Wendy Chen, Eduard Laurel (piano) rec. 1999 & 2003 CBC RECORDS MVCD1177-2 [68:17 + 65:34][KS] 

Peerless playing … will please and astound ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Italian music in the Low Countries by ANONYMOUS (early 18^th-Century) and Francesco MANCINI (1672-1737) Currende/Erik van Nevel rec. 2009 ET’CETERA KTC4031 [79:42][BW]

A delight from beginning to end: more, please ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Lamentations Tomás Luis de VICTORIA (c. 1548-1611) Lectio Don Carlos GESUALDO (c. 1561-1613) Responsorium Robert WHITE (c. 1538-1574) Lectio Giovanni Pierluigi da PALESTRINA (1525/26-1594) Lectio Nordic Voices rec. 2009 CHANDOS CHACONNE CHAN0763 [68:30] [DC]

Transcends category and criticism ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Dance of the Three Legged Elephants Matthew Barley (cello); Julian Joseph (piano) SIGNUM CLASSICS SIGCD171 [72:24] [BW]

Beguiles and overwhelms - don’t miss it ... see Full Review 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Unaccompanied Niccolò PAGANINI (1782-1840) Nel cor più non mi sento, God Save The King Béla BARTÓK (1881-1945) Sonata for Solo Violin Nikos SKALKOTTAS (1904-49) Sonata for violin solo Eugène YSAŸE (1858-1931) Sonatas for Solo Violin 6 George Zacharias (violin) rec. 2008 DIVINE ART DDA25074 [69:18] [JW]

An encounter with excellence ... see Full Review 

 

BARGAINS OF THE MONTH

No discs were selected

NOVEMBER 2009

RECORDINGS OF THE MONTH

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Ramón CARNICER (1789 - 1855) Elena e Costantino Ruth Rosique (soprano), Robert McPherson (tenor) Ch & O titular del Teatro Real/Jesús López Cobos rec. live, 2005 DYNAMIC CDS 619/1-2 [75:46 + 75:14]

A more or less sensational treasure trove of an opera ... see Full Review 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) En blanc et noir, Jeux, Lindaraja Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) Rapsodie espagnole, La Valse Vladimir and Vovka Ashkenazy (pianos) rec. 2008 DECCA 478 1090 [66:01] [BBr]

This is outstanding…see Full Review 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Franz Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) The Complete Masses and Stabat Mater Trinity Ch, Rebel Baroque O/J Owen Burdick, Jane Glover rec. 2001-8 NAXOS 8.508009 [8 CDs: 489:21] [JS]

The highlight of my anniversary year listening ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony No.1 in D (1888) [56:51] London Symphony Orchestra/Jascha Horenstein rec. Barking Assembly Hall, London, 29-30 September 1969. ADD Transferred from a Unicorn four-track tape. HDTT HDCD128 [56:51] [TD]

You will be as thrilled as I was. ... see Full Review 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Nicoló PAGANINI (1782 - 1840)
24 Caprices Op.1 James Ehnes (violin) rec. 2009 ONYX 4044 [78:04] [NB]

Marvellous, amazing, stunning, spectacular ... see Full Review 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Julius RÖNTGEN (1855-1932) Symphonies 8 & 15, Variations on a Norwegian Folksong Carmen Fuggiss (soprano) NDR Radiophilharmonie/David Porcelijn rec. 2006 CPO 777 307-2 [69:29] [RB]

Deeply romantic yet not extravagant ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Alessandro SCARLATTI (1660-1725) Davidis pugna et victoria (The Fight of David and his Victory) Roberta Invernizzi (soprano) Academia Montis Regalis/Alessandro De Marchi rec. 2009 HYPERION CDA67714 [64:50] [BW]

As dramatic as any early opera and a performance to do it full justice ... see Full Review 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Winterreise D911 Mark Padmore (tenor); Paul Lewis (piano) rec. 2008 HARMONIA MUNDI HMU907484 [74:18] [JQ]

This deserves to be ranked alongside the very best ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Christmas Preludes - Preludes for Holy Christmastide Johannes Strobl (organ) rec. 2008, The Abbey Church of Muri, Canton Aargau, Switzerland AUDITE 92.573 [73:04] [DM]

The perfect complement to a festive feast ... see Full Review 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Es ist ein Ros entsprungen Vocal Concert Dresden/Peter Kopp; Sebastian Knebel (organ) rec. 3 - 6 October 2008, Hauptkirche St Marien in Kamenz, Germany. DDD BERLIN CLASSICS 0016442BC [64:33] [JV]

An outstanding disc with choral music for Advent and Christmas ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Georg Philipp TELEMANN (1681 - 1767) Christmas Cantatas Christoph BERNHARD (1629-1692) Fürchtet euch nicht* Mária Zádori (soprano), Judit Németh (mezzo), Gábor Kállay (tenor), Klaus Mertens (baritone); Capella Savaria/Pál Németh rec. 1983-91 HUNGAROTON HCD 32611 [66:45] [JV]

First-rate music in excellent performances - a perfect disc ... see Full Review 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Lakeuden Risti urut Includes Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Concert-etude 3 César FRANCK (1822-1890) Choral III Pierre COCHEREAU (1924-1984) Scherzo Symphonique Kalevi KIVINIEMI (b. 1958) Fantasia Oskar MERIKANTO (1868-1924) Passacaglia Kalevi Kiviniemi (organ) rec. 2009 FUGA 9285 [62:39] [DM]

Sensational - a high-water mark in the history of organ recording ... see Full Review 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Missa Gotica (anon. 14th cent.) Ensemble Organum rec. 2009 ZIGZAG TERRITOIRES ZZT090601 [51:30] [MS]

An outstanding and immensely enjoyable CD of glorious fourteenth century polyphonic liturgical music … see Full Review 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Sacrificium Cecilia Bartoli (mezzo) Il Giardino Armonico/Giovanni Antonini rec. 2009 Italian texts and German, English and French translations enclosed DECCA 478 1521 Limited Edition [77:55 + 21:15] [GF]

This is certainly an indispensable issue! ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Scotland At Night Choral settings of Scottish poetry from Robert Burns to Alexander McCall Smith Laudibus/Mike Brewer rec. 2009 DELPHIAN DCD34060 [64:17]  [CSS]

Encompasses Scotland in the nostalgia that is its characteristic voice ... see Full Review 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Songs of Northumbria Traditional songs: The Cullercoats Fish Lass;, The Cliffs of Old Tynemouth; Trimden Grange Explosion; Water of Tyne; Blow the Wind I-Ho; Cushie Butterfield; The Keel Row; Rap Her to Bank; It Was One Summer Morn; The Oak and the Ash; The Hexhamshire Lass; Lavender’s Blue; Cat Gut Jim; The Sandgate Lass’s Lament; Ee Aye, Aa Cud Hew; The Proacher’s Call,; Died of Love; Jowl, Jowl; The Row Between the Cages; The Coal Owner and the Pitman’s Wife; The Lambton Worm; The Newcastle Overture; Wor Geordie; Blaydon Races. Sir Thomas Allen (baritone); Sheila Armstrong (soprano) Eric Robson (narrator and interviewer) Northumbria Concert Orchestra and Chorus/David Haslam
rec. 8-10 August 1993, All Saints Church, Newcastle and at Durham Cathedral. Reissued in DVD format 2008. MAWSON AND WAREHAM (MUSIC) LTD MWMVD 88 [c.90:00] [IL]

A rare treat, a joy to treasure … see Full Review 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Weihnachtslieder (Christmas Carols)   Thomanerchor Leipzig/Georg Christoph Biller; Ulrich Böhme (organ) rec. 2007, 2008 CARUS 83.440 [68:12] [JV]

A most attractive and tasteful programme for Advent and Christmas ... see Full Review 

 

BARGAINS OF THE MONTH

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) The Complete Piano Sonatas Alfred Brendel (piano) rec. 1992-5 DECCA 478 1821 [10 CDs: 646:55] [DC]

Still one of the best at any price ... see Full Review 

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Edward GERMAN (1862-1936) Tom Jones National Festival Ch & O/David Russell Hulme rec. 2008 NAXOS 8.660270-71 [75:49 + 34:20] [RJW] [IL]

A fresh and spirited reading … see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Leoš JANÁČEK (1854-1928) Das Schlaue Füchslein (The Cunning Little Vixen) Irmgard Arnold, Manfred Hopp, Ch & O Komische Oper Berlin/Václav Neumann rec. 1965 ARTHAUS MUSIK 101297 [121:00 ] [DC]

Rather special ... see Full Review 

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Flemish Masters Heinrich ISAAC (c.1450 - 1517) Missa de Apostolis Johannes OCKEGHEM (c.1425 - 1497) Missa Au travail suis Orlandus LASSUS (1532 - 1594) Missa Osculetur me Cipriano de RORE (c.1515 - 1565) Missa Praeter rerum seriem Antoine BRUMEL (c.1460 - 1520) Missa Et ecce terrae motus Tallis Scholars/Peter Phillips rec. 1989-97 GIMELL CDGIM211 [72.22 + 77.02]   [RH]

Fabulous music, beautifully and intelligently sung ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH The Golden Age of English Polyphony The Sixteen/Harry Christophers Christopher Royall, countertenor and Paul Nicholson, organ; Fretwork rec. 1982-1992. DDD. Texts and translations included. HYPERION CDS44401/10 [10 CDs] [BW]

No need to hesitate - buy this set ... see Full Review 

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH In Terra Pax: A Christmas Anthology Gustav HOLST, John JOUBERT, William MATHIAS, Herbert HOWELLS, Gerald FINZI, Peter WARLOCK, Kenneth LEIGHTON, John RUTTER, John GARDNER, William MATHIAS, Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS Julia Doyle (soprano); Roderick Williams (baritone); Mark Williams (organ, celesta, piano) City of London Choir; Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra/Hilary Davan Wetton rec. 2009 NAXOS 8.572102 [57:37] [ST]

As good a Christmas recital as you’re likely to find ... see Full Review

DECEMBER 2009

RECORDINGS OF THE MONTH

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Brandenburg Concertos 1-6 Kati Debretzeni (violin, director) English Baroque Soloists/Sir John Eliot Gardiner rec. live 2009 SOLI DEO GLORIA SDG707 [41:32 + 50:32] [JQ]

Marvel afresh at the musical skill, imagination and invention ... see Full Review 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Charles GOUNOD (1818 - 1893) Roméo et Juliette Bidú Sayão, Jussi Björling, Metropolitan Opera Ch & O/Emil Cooper rec. live, 1947 IMMORTAL PERFORMANCES IPCD1003-2 [74:06 + 79:30] [GF]

One of the truly great moments at the Met … indispensable ... see Full Review 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Simon HOLT (b. 1958) Tauromaquia, a book of colours, Black Lanterns, Klop’s Last Bite, Nigredo Rolf Hind (piano) rec. 2008 NMC D128 [69:17] [HC]

One of the most endearing composers of his generation ... see Full Review 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Carlo Ignazio MONZA (c.1696 - 1739) Harpsichord Music Terence Charlston (harpsichord) rec. 2005 DEUX-ELLES DXL1117 [67:14] [JV]

An ideal combination of first-rate music and performance ... see Full Review 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) Heroic Elegy & Triumphal Epilogue Roderick Elms (organ) William ALWYN (1905-1985) Overture in the Form of a Serenade Micaela Haslam (soprano) and the London Chorus Prelude; Blackdown – A Tone Poem from the Surrey Hills; Peter Pan Suite (Peter Pan; Tinker Bell; The Lost Boys in Never-Never Land; Captain Hook); Ad Infinitum – A Satire for Orchestra Sir Hubert PARRY (1848-1918) Hypatia – Incidental Music (Hypatia and Philammon; Ruth and Orestes; Orestes’ March) York BOWEN (1884-1961) Orchestral Poem: Eventide Roderick Elms (organ) BBC Concert Orchestra/John Wilson rec. The Colosseum, Town Hall, Watford, England, 12-14 July 2009 World premiere recordings DUTTON EPOCH CDLX 7237 [72:52] [IL]

One of the best compilations of British music I have heard for a very long time. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Richard WAGNER (1813–1883)
Das Rheingold (1869) [194:00] Wotan - Juha Uusitalo, Fricka - Anna Larsson, Alberich - Franz-Josef Kapelmann, Loge - John Daszak, Fasolt - Matti Salminen, Fafner - Stephen Milling Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana/Zubin Mehta rec. live, Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia, Valencia, April/May 2007 Bonus Track - The Making of Rheingold [27:00] UNITEL CLASSICA 700604 [221:00] [BK]

A must have disc for any serious Wagnerian, I’d say. Easily on a par with The Copenhagen Ring ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH John WARD (c.1589-1638) Consort Music for five and six viols Phantasm rec. 2009 LINN CKD339 [77:57] [JW]

Something of a revelatory disc … first class ... see Full Review 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Greatest Hits of All Time Contemporary Music for Oboe and Ensemble Roger REDGATE (b.1958) Oboe quintet, Eperons Michael FINNISSY (b.1946) Greatest Hits of All Time, Ceci n’est pas une forme Christopher FOX (b. 1955) Oboe Quintet Howard SKEMPTON (b. 1947) Garland Michael FINNISSY [5:34] James CLARKE (b. 1957) Oboe Quintet Christopher Redgate (oboe, cor anglais) Kreutzer Qt, Ensemble Exposé rec. 2002-6 METIER MSV28513 [56:15] [CR]

An excellent disc of well written and imaginative repertoire … see Full Review 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Jonas Kaufmann – Sehnsucht
Richard WAGNER, MOZART, SCHUBERT, BEETHOVEN, WAGNER Jonas Kaufmann (tenor) Coro del Teatro Regio di Parma
Mahler Chamber Orchestra/Claudio Abbado rec. Auditorium Nicolo Paganini, Parma, December 2008 DECCA 478 1463 [69:25] [ST]

One of the finest vocal recitals to have come my way this year ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Stille Nacht (Silent Night) Bettina Pahn (soprano); Joachim Held (lute) rec. 29-31 January 2009, Erlöserkirche in Vahrendorf, Germany. DDD
HÄNSSLER CLASSIC CD 98.525 [59:30] [JV]

A splendid Christmas disc with a number of little-known songs, performed with great refinement and subtlety ... see Full Review

 

BARGAINS OF THE MONTH

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Béla BARTÓK (1881-1945) Boulez conducts Bartók Chicago SO, Berlin PO/Pierre Boulez rec. 1991-2008 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 477 8125 [8 CDs: 9:05:10]  [GH]

A good addition to your Bartók collection … some performances will be difficult to improve on ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Complete String Quartets Borodin Qt rec. 2003-6 CHANDOS CHAN10553(8) [8 CDs: 551:10] [DC]

Excellence and depth: real transcendent Beethoven, almost all of the time ... see Full Review 

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Frederick DELIUS (1862-1934) The Complete Violin Sonatas Tasmin Little (violin) Piers Lane (piano) rec. 1997 SONY CLASSICAL 88697 532142 [76:40] [RB]

Magical Delius performances ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Franz Joseph HAYDN (1732-1810) Great Piano Sonatas Sonatas 20, 23, 28 & 48 Ronan O'Hora (piano) rec. 1997 REGIS RRC1311 [71:37] [OL]

Life and love in every note ... see Full Review 

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Bohuslav MARTINU (1890-1959) Complete Piano Music - Vol. 6 & 7 Giorgio Koukl (piano) Chiara Solari (piano, third hand) rec. 2008 NAXOS 8.572024/5 [53:45 + 54:52] [JW]

The overarching reach of Koukl proves dominant and permanent ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Einojuhani RAUTAVAARA (b. 1928) Twelve Concertos rec. 1991-2005 ONDINE ODE 1156-2Q [4 CDs: 268:27] [RB]

Powerful, often directly accessible, nuanced and patently sincere ... see Full Review 

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau sings Lieder by Schubert, Schumann & Brahms Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (baritone); Günther Weissenborn, Gerald Moore, Jörg Demus (piano) rec. 1951-58 REGIS RRC1313 [73:22] [GF]

There is no better Lieder singing to be found anywhere on records ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Carol Ann DUFFY and Sasha JOHNSON MANNING The Manchester Carols (2007) The Manchester Carollers Northern Chamber Orchestra/Richard Tanner rec. St. Thomas’ Church, Stockport, England, 22 October 2007. DDD NAXOS 8.572469 [63:43] [JQ]

Hugely successful and atmospherically beautiful [ST] Fresh, lively and enjoyable [JQ]... see Full Review

 

 

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