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Charles-Valentin
ALKAN
(1813-1888) Complete
Piano Duos and Duets 
Anthony Goldstone and Caroline Clemmow (piano(s)) rec. 2008/2009. DDD
TOCCATA CLASSICS TOCC 070 [70:36]
[Byz]
Imposing,
complex and astounding.
Lorenzo
ALLEGRI (1567-1648) Le Suites Medicee Secondo
Ballo detto 'La Serena' Quinto ballo detto 'Le Ninfe della Senna'
Primo Ballo detto della 'Notte d'Amore' Ottavo Ballo detto
'L’Iride' Settimo Ballo Sesto Ballo Quarto Ballo
detto 'I Campi Elisi' Terzo Ballo detto 'Alta Maria'
Gran Consort Li Stromenti/Gian Luca Lastraioli rec. 2010
DYNAMIC DM8007 [66:28]
[MS]
While
never lacking life, this concentrates more on the music's finer points
than is often the case with such productions.
Joachim
ANDERSEN (1847-1909) Etudes and Salon Music
Kyle Dzapo (flute) A. Matthew Mazzoni (piano) rec. 2007
NAXOS 8.572277 [54:12]
[CR]
An
enjoyable disc of light-hearted repertoire, performed with good technical
control, a lovely flute sound and a well-judged piano accompaniment.
Volkmar
ANDREAE (1879-1962) String Quartet, Six Piano Pieces,
String Trio, Violin Sonata
Fali Pavri (piano) Locrian Ens London rec. 2010
GUILD GMCD7355 [79:42]
[JW]
Unflamboyant
and intelligent, and at its best engaging, warm-hearted and resourceful.
Alfredo
ARACIL (b.1954) String Quartets 1-4
Cuarteto Bretón: Anne Marie North (violin) Antonio Cárdenas
(violin) Iván Martín (viola) John Stokes (cello) rec.
2010.
VERSO VRS 2095 [62:43]
[Byz]
None
of these works is easy listening but the very capable Bretón
Quartet pull all the strings at their disposal to make it a satisfying
experience.
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH BACH Family
- Chamber Music for two Flutes Wilhelm Friedemann
BACH (1710-1784)
Wilhelm Friedrich Ernst BACH (1759-1845)
Johann Christian BACH (1735-1782)
Johann Christoph Friederich BACH (1732-1795)
Carl Philipp Emanuel BACH (1714-1788)
Hansgeorg
Schmeiser (flute) Jan Ostrý (flute) Eszter Haffner (viola) Othmar Müller
(cello) Ingomar Rainer (harpsichord) rec. 2008.
NIMBUS NI 5869 [79:22]
[KS]
Elegant
chamber music perfect for your next dinner party or evening alone with
a good book and a glass of fine wine. Fine playing all round by a well
matched and collegial ensemble.
Carl
Philipp Emanuel BACH
(1714-1788) The Solo Keyboard Music - Volume 22
Miklós Spányi (clavichord) rec. 2003,
BIS CD-1762 [67:30]
[KM]
Yet
another fine release in this great series of C.P.E. Bach's music for
solo keyboard.
Johann
Christian BACH (1735-1782) Keyboard Sonatas Op.5
nos.1-6
Susan Alexander-Max (clavichord) rec. 2008.
NAXOS 8.570476 [73:08]
[Byz]
In
smaller sessions of two sonatas a go, the instrument's unique sonorities,
coupled with the brilliance and imagination of the music, make this
an almost irresistible bargain.
Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Clavier-Übung Part
II Hansjörg
Albrecht (organ)
OEHMS OC634 
[73:41]
[JFL]
A
splendid mix of the structure of Bach and the exuberance of the French
romantic organ.
Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Complete
Clavier Suites Vol 4
John Paul (Lautenwerck) rec. 2010
LYRICHORD LEMS 8077 [71:00] [MS]
Great
finesse and insight on the Lautenwerck, which combines the sounds of
lute and harpsichord.
Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Organ Works - Volume 15
Hans Helmut Tillmanns (organ) rec. 2010
DANACORD DACOCD706 [57:51]
[BW]
If
the programme appeals, this latest volume in a developing series will
satisfy.
Johann
Sebastian BACH
(1685-1750) Trio
sonatas
Camerata Köln rec. 2006
CPO 777 359-2 [67:35]
Trio sonatas
Reine-Marie Verhagen (recorder, voice flute) Tini Mathot (harpsichord,
organ) rec. 2008
CHALLENGE CLASSICS CC72314 [67:36]
[JV]
Different
approaches to the issue of adapting Bach's music.
Leonardo
BALADA (b.1933) Caprichos 2-4
Pittsburgh Sinf/Andrés Cárdenes, Lawrence Loh rec. 2008/9
NAXOS 8.572176 [64:11]
[BR]
Sterner
than advertised, but really good music, especially No 3.
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Mili
BALAKIREV
(1837-1910) Piano
Sonata 2 and other piano works
Danny Driver (piano) rec. 2010
HYPERION CDA67806 [69:07] [DM]
A
pianist of exceptional skill and promise.
Mili
BALAKIREV (1836 – 1910) Complete works for solo piano
Alexander
Paley (piano) rec. 1992
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 94086 [6 CDs: 399:33]
[PK]
Paley
has this music in his soul.
Christian
BARNEKOW (1837-1913) Fire folkesange efter det russiske
ved Thor Lange see
HEISE
Béla
BARTOK
(1881-1945)
Concerto for Orchestra Maurice RAVEL
(1875-1937) Ma mčre l’oye Pyotr Il’yich
TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Romeo and Juliet
Japan Soloists SO/Marco Guidarini
TALENT DOM 2929 902sp
[74:28] 
[DC]
Nice
to have around, but doesn’t trash the competition.
Julius
BECHGAARD (1843-1917) Lyriske Sange: Digte af Ernst v.
d. Recke see
HEISE
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Symphonies 1-3, Coriolan &
Egmont Overtures
Vienna PO/Christian Thielemann rec. 2008-10
UNITEL/C MAJOR 704804 [405:46] 
[RC]
The
more one listens, the more the performances sound new and revelatory.
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN
(1770-1827) Symphony No.2 in D major Op.36 (1801)
[34:17] Bedrich
SMETANA (1824-1884) Festive Symphony Op.6 — Scherzo
only (1854) [10:25] Bohuslav MARTINŮ
(1890-1959) Sinfonietta La Jolla in A for piano
and chamber orchestra H328 (1950) [20:11]
Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Pardubice/Marko Ivanovic rec. 2010
ARCO
DIVA UP 0136-2 131 [65:15]
[JW]
The
Pardubice acquits itself well in Beethoven and there’s a good account
of a lovely Martinů work.
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN
(1770-1827) The
Unknown Beethoven
Julius Berger (cello) José Gallardo (piano) rec. 2010
CHALLENGE CLASSICS CC72504 [68:31] [DC]
Guaranteed
to provide long-term enjoyment.
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN
(1770-1827) The Creatures Of Prometheus, Symphonies 4
& 5
Boston SO/Charles Munch rec. 1959-61
ICA CLASSICS 
ICAD5016 [82:49]
[TP]
Anyone
with an interest in Munch and his magnificent Boston band will find
this DVD fascinating.
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) String Quartet Op.132 Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828) String Quartet D810
London Str Qt rec. 1925/34
ST LAURENT STUDIO YSL78-022 [71:01]
[JW]
Direct,
unfussy, undogmatic, and leanly impressive.
Vincenzo
BELLINI (1801-1835) Norma
Joan Sutherland, Montserrat Caballé (soprano) Luciano Pavarotti (tenor)
Chorus & O of Welsh NO/Richard Bonynge rec. 1984
DECCA 414 476-2 [3 CDs: 148:29]
[DBe]
Admirable
in many regards.
Vincenzo
BELLINI (1801-1835) La Sonnambula
Eglise Gutierrez, Antonino Siragusa, Simone Alaimo, Sandra Pastrana,
Ch & O Teatro Lirico di Cagliari/Maurizio Benini rec. 2008
DYNAMIC 33616 [141:00]
[DBe]
A
recording with some good points but one in which the acting, singing
and conducting do not always gel.
George
BENJAMIN
(b. 1960) Antara Pierre BOULEZ (b.
1925) Dérive, Mémoriale Jonathan HARVEY
(b. 1939) Song Offerings
Penelope Walmsley-Clark (soprano) London Sinfonietta/George Benjamin
rec. 1989
NIMBUS NI5167 [49:50]
[WH]
A
celebrity ensemble interprets a collection of outstanding music from
the 1980s. Not to be missed.
Luciano
BERIO (1925-2003)
Différences,
Sequenza III & VII
Cathy Berberian (soprano) Heinz Holliger (oboe) Juilliard Ens rec. 1969
NEWTON
CLASSICS 8802040 [43:29] [MC]
For
those new to Berio’s music I’m not sure that these chamber works are
the best place to start.
Hector
BERLIOZ
(1803-1869) Symphonie
fantastique; Cléopâtre
Anna Caterina Antonacci (soprano) Rotterdam PO/Yannick Nézet-Séguin
rec. 2009
BIS-SACD-1800
[75:05] [DM]
I
can only hope Nézet-Séguin and BIS will be snapped in more flattering
light some time soon.
Heinrich
BIBER (1644-1704) Vesperae longiores ac breviores,
with additional music by Emperor Leopold I, Giovanni Legrenzi
& Rupert Ignaz Mayr
Yale Schola Cantorum, Yale Collegium Players/Simon Carrington rec. 2004
CARUS
83.348 [59:30]
[MS]
An
excellent Biber collection supplemented by contemporaries … as well
performed as it was well-conceived.
Georges
BIZET (1838-1875) Piano Music
Julia Severus (piano) rec. 2008/9
NAXOS 8.570831-32 [71:14 + 67:27]
[JZ]
A
welcome addition to the discography.
Giovanni
BOTTESINI (1821-1889) String Quartets 1-3
Quartetto Elisa rec. 1996
DYNAMIC DM8012 [61:23]
[Byz]
Bottesini
was a talented musician. A disc worth considering if it can be found
at a budget price.
York
BOWEN (1884
– 1961) Sonatina for recorder see Songs
of Yesterday
Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897) Symphonies 2 & 3
Bayerischen Rundfunks SO/Mariss Jansons rec. 2006/10
BR KLASSIK 900111 [79:05]
[KS]
Strong
performances marked by rich tone and just-right choices of tempo and
demeanor. Well worth adding to any collection.
Johannes
BRAHMS
(1833-1897) Complete Organ Works:-
Kevin
Bowyer (organ) rec. Odense Cathedral, Denmark. No date given. c. 1989?
DDD
NIMBUS NI5262 [68:40]
[Byz]
The
organ makes an aptly awe-inspiring noise, and is played with great authority
and insight.
Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897) Symphony 2 see LOCKE
Havergal
BRIAN
(1876
– 1972) Orchestral Music Volume One – Early and Late Works
Legend: Ave atque vale, Elegy, Burlesque Variations on an Original Theme,
English Suite 5
BBC Scottish SO/Garry Walker rec. 2009
TOCCATA CLASSICS TOCC 0110 [63:29]
[NB]
Will
be one of my discs of the year without doubt.
Max
BRUCH
(1838–1920)
Violin Concerto 1 see The
Romantic violinist
Gavin
BRYARS (b.1943) After Handel’s Vesper, Ramble on Cortona,
Piano Concerto (The Solway Canal)
Ralph van Raat (piano) Capella Amsterdam, Netherlands Radio Ch Phil/Otto
Tausk rec. 2010
NAXOS 8.572570 [52:42]
[JF]
An
interesting CD that will appeal to a wide range of listeners who are
comfortable with Bryars’ approachable style.
Dietrich
BUXTEHUDE (1637-1707)
Scandinavian Cantatas
Theatre of Voices, The TOV Band/Paul Hillier,
Bine Bryndorf (organ) rec. 2010
DACAPO 6.220534
[59:04] [JV]
A compelling programme of wonderful vocal music by Buxtehude.
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for alphabetical listings by composer:
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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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