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RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Charles AVISON
(1709-1770)
Sonatas 
Gary Cooper (harpsichord) Pavlo Beznosiuk, Caroline Balding (violins)
Robin Michael (cello) rec. 2008
DIVINE ART DDA21215 [65:33 + 46:36] 
[JW]
Recording
quality (first class), performances and music come together in a wholly
splendid way in this disc, one which advances Avison’s cause still
further.
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Johann Sebastian
BACH (1685-1750) Cantatas - Vol. 46:
BWV17, 19, 45 & 102
Hana Blažíková (soprano), Robin Blaze (counter-tenor), Gerd Türk (tenor),
Peter Kooij (bass); Bach Collegium Japan/Masaaki Suzuki rec. 2009
BIS BIS-SACD-1851 
[76:24] 
[PB]
Now
on the home straight this is perhaps the finest of all Suzuki’s recordings
of Bach’s cantatas released so far.
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Johann Sebastian BACH
(1685-1750)
The
Bach Cantata Pilgrimage - Vol. 18
The Monteverdi Ch, English Baroque Soloists/Sir John Eliot Gardiner.
rec. 1999/2000
SOLI DEO GLORIA SDG174 [78:53 + 52:16]
[JQ]
The
final, excellent instalment of Sir John Eliot Gardiner’s epic
Bach Cantata Pilgrimage.
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
String Quartet ‘Harp’ Arne NORDHEIM (1931-2010)
String Quartet Béla BARTÓK (1881-1945)
String Quartet 3
Engegårdkvartetten rec. 2009
2L RECORDS 2L71
[66:29] 
[DC]
A
shining jewel in 2L’s already richly studded crown.
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Luigi CHERUBINI (1760–1842)
Requiem
Schola Gregoriana Tübingen, Kammerchor Stuttgart, Hofkapelle Stuttgart/Frieder
Bernius rec. 2010
CARUS 83.227
[42:12] [MC]
A
superb achievement for Frieder Bernius and Carus.
RECORDING OF THE MONTH Unknown
Britten Realisation
and orchestrations of Britten works by Colin Matthews
Sandrine Piau (soprano) Michael Collins (clarinet) Northern Sinf/Thomas
Zehetmair rec. 2008/9
NMC D140 [78:12]
[MG]
Brilliant
orchestrations and realizations which enhance our appreciation of Britten’s
creative potential.
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Gaetano DONIZETTI
(1797–1848) L’Elisir d’amore
Maria Bayo, Rolando Villazon, SO & Ch Gran Teatre del Liceu/Daniele
Callegari, rec. 2005
VIRGIN CLASSICS 2672779 [152:00] 
[GF]
So
charming, so entertaining and so human.
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Edward ELGAR
(1857-1934)
Violin Concerto
Nikolaj Znaider (violin) Staatskapelle Dresden/Sir Colin Davis rec.
2009
BMG-RCA RED SEAL 88697 605882 [49:35]
[MG]
An
exceptional, finely rounded performance.
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Oskar FRIED (1871-1941)
Prelude and Double Fugue, Die Auswanderer, Fantasy on themes
from Hansel & Gretel, Verklärte Nacht
Berlin RSO/Matthias Foremny rec. 2008-9
CAPRICCIO CAP5043 [60:21]
[MC]
A
composer of worth. For those that enjoy something away from the mainstream
this release demands to be heard.
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH
Gershwin by Grofé: Symphonic Jazz George
GERSHWIN (1898-1937) Includes “I Got Rhythm”
Variations, Rhapsody in Blue
Lincoln Mayorga (piano) Al Gallodoro (clarinet/bass clarinet/alto saxophone)
Harmonie Ens/Steven Richman rec. 2004-7
HARMONIA MUNDI HMU 907492 [54:40]
[BR]
Even
my neighbors agree: it’s the recording of the year!
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Lodovico GIUSTINI
(1685-1743)
Sonate da Cimbalo di piano e forte
Wolfgang Brunner (fortepiano) rec. 2009
CPO 777 207-2 [71:10]
[JV]
The
copy of a Cristofori fortepiano of 1726 and the sonatas by Giustini
are an ideal match under the hands of Wolfgang Brunner.
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Christoph
GRAUPNER (1683-1760) Orchestral Works - Vol.
3
Nova Stravaganza/Siegbert Rampe rec. 2004/9
MUSIKPRODUKTION DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM 3411628-2 [60:51]
[JV]
This
disc proves once again that Graupner was his own man - Nova Stravaganza
delivers excellent performances.
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Johann HALVORSEN
(1864-1935) Orchestral Works - Vol. 2 Suite ancienne, Three Norwegian dances,
Air norvégien, Symphony 2
Marianne Thorsen (violin) Bergen PO/Neeme Järvi rec. 2009
CHANDOS CHAN10614 [75:19]
[DJB]
If
you respond to Dvorak, Borodin and Bruch, I’m sure that you will be
thoroughly entertained.
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Marc-André
HAMELIN (b.
1961) 12 Études in all the minor keys, Con intimissimo
sentimento, Theme and Variations
Marc-André Hamelin (piano) rec. 1998-2009
HYPERION CDA67789 [76:10]
[DM]
It’s
always a pleasure to hear artists who wear their virtuosity so lightly
- one of the finest piano records of the year.
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Joseph HAYDN
(1732
- 1809) String Quartet 'The Rider' Felix
MENDELSSOHN-BARTHOLDY (1809-1847) String Quartet No.
6 Josef SUK (1874-1935) Meditation
on the Old Czech Hymn St. Wenceslas
Graffe Qt rec. 2009
STUDIO MATOUS MK0807 [57:07]
[RB]
The
playing is amongst the most sheerly beautiful I have heard from any
string quartet.
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Wolfgang Amadeus
MOZART (1756-1791)
Piano Concertos - Volume 1 Concertos 24-27
Vassily Primakov (piano) Odense SO/Scott Yoo rec. 2008/9
BRIDGE 9328A/B [63:54 + 62:46] 
[OL]
Primakov’s
uniquely lyrical approach - brilliant yet emotional, light yet profound.
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Giacomo PUCCINI (1858
– 1924) La Rondine
Angela Gheorghiu, Roberto Alagna, Metropolitan Opera Ch & O/Marco
Armiliato rec. 2009
EMI CLASSICS
6316189 [114:00 + 8:00 bonus]
[GF][IL]
Absolutely
enchanting. [GF] Sheer joy - this is a wonderful, practically peerless
production of Puccini’s long-neglected La Rondine. [IL]
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Gioachino ROSSINI
(1792-1868)
Ermione
Carmen Giannattasio (soprano) Patricia Bardon (mezzo) Colin Lee (tenor)
Paul Nillon (tenor) Geoffrey Mitchell Ch, London PO/David Parry rec.
2009
OPERA RARA ORC42 [64.47+69.35]
[RJF]
A
quality performance of one of the rarest and most distinctive of Rossini’s
opera seria composed for Naples.
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Gioacchino ROSSINI
(1792-1868)
Stabat Mater
Anna Netrebko, Joyce DiDonato, Lawrence Brownlee, Ildebrando d’Arcangelo,
Ch & O Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia/Antonio Pappano rec.
2010
EMI CLASSICS 6405292 [57:57]
[ST]
Magnificent.
The Stabat Mater projected as a work of red-blooded Italian passion,
a natural successor to Rossini’s operas.
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Jesús RUEDA
(b.
1961) Symphony 3, Imaginary Journey
Asturias SO/Maximiano Valdés rec. 2008
NAXOS 8.572417 [51:26]
[ST]
Dazzling,
cathartic music in an exultant performance.
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Impromptus
Andrea Lucchesini (piano) rec. 2009
AVIE RECORDS AV2179 [67:55]
[BR]
A
true keyboard poet returns from obscurity for this superb recital.
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Robert SCHUMANN
(1810-1856)
Carnaval, Davidsbündlertänze
Alessandra Ammara (piano) rec. 2010
ARTS 47755-8
[69:22]
[DC]
Eternally
fascinating and really rather special.
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Paul STANHOPE
(b.
1969) Songs for the Shadowland - Vocal Music
Southern Cross Soloists; Cantillation, Sydney Chamber Ch/Paul Stanhope;
Gondwana Voices/Lyn Williams rec. 2005-9
ABC CLASSICS 476 3870 [66:27]
[WH]
Real
music, brilliantly written for voices, beautiful and moving; not to
be missed.
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Giuseppe VERDI
(1813-1901) Falstaff
Christopher Purves, Glyndebourne Ch, London PO/Vladimir Jurowski rec.
2009
OPUS ARTE OA1021D [136.00]
[MM-B]
An
exceptionally fine cast and truly great performance.
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH
A Song without Words
- the
legacy of Paul Taffanel
Kenneth Smith (flute) Paul Rhodes (piano) rec. 2008/9
DIVINE ART DDA21371 [3 CDs: 77:41 + 76:41 + 78:14]
[JS]
Charm,
craftsmanship and a special kind of poetic feeling.
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH A Virtuoso
Faceoff Works by Biber
& Muffat
Petri Tapio Mattson (Baroque violin) Markku Mäkinen (organ) Eero Palviainen
(archlute) rec. 2006/8
ALBA ABCD311 [73:46]
[DC]
Duet
or duel? – who cares, everyone’s a winner here.
BARGAINS
OF THE MONTH
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Johann Sebastian
BACH (1685-1750)
Complete
Works
Helmuth Rilling 172 CDs, CD ROM & 2 books HÄNSSLER 098.620.000
[c. 178 hrs]
[KM]
An
excellent bargain, containing 178 hours of Bach. For completists or
casual Bach fans, this set is full of great recordings.
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Gustav
MAHLER (1860-1911)
Symphony 8
City of Birmingham SO/Sir Simon Rattle rec. live, 2004
EMI CLASSICS MASTERS 6317902 [77:36]
[BW]
Vies
with Solti for the top recommendation.
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART
(1756-1791)
Opera and Concert Arias
Véronique Gens (soprano) O Age of Enlightenment/Ivor Bolton rec.
1998
VIRGIN CLASSICS 6286332 [59:29]
[WH]
A
splendid recital of Mozart arias from a magnificent French soprano and
a superb English orchestra and conductor.
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Astor PIAZZOLLA
(1921
- 1992) Sinfonia Buenos Aires, Aconcagua, Las Cuatro Estanciones
Porteñas
Daniel Binelli (bandoneón), Tianwa Yang (violin) Nashville SO/Giancarlo
Guerrero rec. 2009
NAXOS 8.572271 [79:38]
[BBr]
A
very exciting issue.
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH
(1906-1975)
Symphony 10
Royal Liverpool PO/Vasily Petrenko rec. 2009
NAXOS 8.572461 [52:11]
[JQ]
Another
fine instalment in what is shaping up to be a distinguished cycle of
the Shostakovich symphonies.
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Lady Macbeth of
Mtsensk District
Maria Ewing (soprano) Aage Haugland (bass) Philip Langridge (tenor)
Ch & O de l’Opera Bastille/Myung-Whun Chung rec. 1992
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 4779118 [79:13 + 76:19]
[GF]
Chung
with his more sober approach is convincing and misses nothing of the
raw power of this patchy but fascinating work.
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS
(1872-1958) The Collector’s Edition
Various artists rec. 1965-95
EMI CLASSICS 2066362 [30 CDs: 34 hrs]
[RB]
There
is nothing like this anywhere and hardly a single dud in the collection.
Any serious explorer who has not amassed many of these works already
should get this and begin a journey of discovery.
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH
Pierre Fournier -
The
Aristocrat of Cellists
rec. 1937-71
EMI CLASSICS ICON 6295392 [7 CDs: 504:35]
[JW]
Noble,
selfless and wonderful.
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH
Alicia de Larrocha Complete
EMI Recordings
rec.
1962-92
EMI CLASSICS ICON 6294862 [8 CDs: 557:44]
[JW]
It
would hardly be possible to imagine a more headily performed collection
of Spanish piano music.
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH
Sacred Music in the Renaissance Vol.
2:
Finest Recordings 1990-1999
The Tallis Scholars/Peter Phillips rec. 1990-1999
GIMELL GIMBX302 [4 CDs: 310:27]
[JQ]
An
astonishing bargain.
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Sacred
Music in the Renaissance –
Vol. 3 The Tallis Scholars’ Finest Recordings: 2000-2009
Tallis Scholars/Peter Phillips, rec. 2000-9
GIMELL GIMBX 303 [4 CDs: 79:31 + 79:40 + 78:15 + 75:30]
[JQ]
The
final instalment in a wonderful celebration of thirty years of dedicated
and highly skilled recording by The Tallis Scholars and Gimell Records.
Click
for alphabetical listings by composer:
[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]
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