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Alphabetical Listing

PART 5
S-Z

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]
[last 5 days] [Recommended recordings]


Superbudget £5.99 or less Budget £6-7.99 Medium £8-10.99 Full price £11+ Download

Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) Cello sonata 2 Frédéric CHOPIN (1810-1849) Cello Sonata; Introduction and polonaise brillante Jamie Walton (cello) Daniel Grimwood (piano) rec. 2010 SIGNUM CLASSICS SIGCD252 [71:48] [GA]

This is an enterprising and very well played program of Romantic cello music, but the small piano sound may deter some.

Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) String Quartets 1 & 2 Fine Arts Qt rec. 2009 NAXOS 8.572454 [62:42] [BR]

A new side of Saint-Saëns, no bon-bons but great interest.

Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) Samson et Dalila see Domingo

Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) Oratorio de Noël see PART

Robert SAXTON (b. 1953) The Wandering Jew Roderick Williams (baritone) Tim Mirfin (baritone) Teresa Cahill (soprano) Hilary Summers (mezzo) BBC Singers/SO/Andre de Ridder rec. 2008/2009 NMC RECORDINGS NMC D170 [75:14 + 22:21] [DC]

Powerful, rewarding, and deserving of the widest audience.

Franz Xaver SCHARWENKA (1850-1924) Piano Concerto 4, Mataswintha overture, Andante Religioso, Polish National Dances François Xavier Poizat (piano) Poznań PO/Łukasz Borowicz rec. 2009 NAXOS 8.572637 [67:27] [RMay]

Poizat is certainly engaging and for anyone coming to Scharwenka for the first time this disc might be a sensible and economical way of dipping an exploratory toe in the water. 

Florent SCHMITT ( 1870-1958) La Tragédie de Salomé, Le Palais hanté, Psaume XLVII Susan Bullock (soprano) São Paulo SO & Ch/Yan Pascal Tortelier rec. 2010 CHANDOS CHSA5090 [68:10] [NB]

An auspicious and impressive debut for this new performing team. Any new Schmitt disc from this source will be eagerly awaited.

Alfred SCHNITTKE (1934-1998) Complete Violin Sonatas Carolyn Huebl (violin) Mark Wait (piano) rec. 2009 NAXOS 8.570978 [69:20] [MS]

Nowhere else are all of Schnittke's violin sonatas available on the same CD. It's hard to imagine more idiomatic, lively, sensitive and generally persuasive performances.

Arnold SCHOENBERG (1874-1951) Variations for Orchestra see TCHAIKOVSKY

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Piano sonatas D858-60 Craig Sheppard (piano) rec. 2010 ROMÉO RECORDS 7283-4 [71:06 + 47:12] [JQ]

Exceptionally fine and satisfying. Sheppard is a perceptive and intelligent guide.

Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Symphonies 4 & 5 London Mozart Players/Harry Blech rec. 1953 FORGOTTEN RECORDS FR386 [53:49] [CH]

I don’t think I’ve heard a finer Schubert 4. A welcome reminder that there was more to the Blech story than listeners of my generation can remember.

Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Symphony 9; Cello concerto (arr. of Arpeggione Sonata) Gaspar Cassadó (cello) Hallé O/Hamilton Harty rec. 1928/29 PRISTINE AUDIO PASC282 [71:47] [JW]

Fascinating listening.

Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Symphony 9, Five German Dances Budapest Festival O/Iván Fischer rec. 2010 CHANNEL CLASSICS CCSSA31111 [69:47] [GD]

Fischer has certainly put his personal stamp on this recording. 

Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Symphonies 3 & 5 see HAYDN

Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Piano Sonata 21 see Sofronitsky


RECORDING OF THE MONTH

Erwin SCHULHOFF
(1894-1942)
Duo for violin and cello see Duos for Violin & Cello

Gunther SCHULLER (b.1925) +Concerto da Camera see To the point

Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Kreisleriana Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) Miroirs Alexander SCRIABIN (1872-1915) Sonata 5 Alexei Volodin (piano) rec. 2010 CHALLENGE CLASSICS CC72354 [67:41] [GA]

A rhapsodic Kreisleriana, a vividly-painted Miroirs and a virtuosic Scriabin sonata make up a convincing and varied recital.

Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Cello transcriptions Francesco Dillon (cello) Emanuele Torquati (piano) rec. 2010 BRILLIANT CLASSICS 94060 [62:53 + 52:14] [WK]

Well-played transcriptions of Schumann, of interest mostly to cellists and completists. 

Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Complete Works for Piano Trio Leif Ove Andsnes (piano) Christian Tetzlaff (violin) Tanja Tetzlaff (cello) rec. 2009/2010 EMI CLASSICS 0941802 [75:15 + 46:41] [MC]

It is pleasing to have such fine accounts from the Andsnes-Tetzlaff trio but they do not replace some of the more established versions.

Alexander SCRIABIN (1872-1915) Piano sonata 5 see SCHUMANN

Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Violin Concerto 1 see WEBER

Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Viola Sonata see INNER VOICE

Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Piano Concerto 1 see Martha Argerich

Fernando SOR (1778-1839) Le Calme and other late works William Carter (guitar) rec. 2010 LINN CKD 380 [60:10] [ZT]

Anachronistic novelty. 

Louis SPOHR (1784-1859) Der Zweikampf mit der Geliebten Overture, Symphonies 8 & 10 Svizzera Italiana O/Howard Shelley rec. 2010 HYPERION CDA67802 [68:10] [CC]

In short, a fine, musical, superbly engineered disc that guarantees much pleasure. 


RECORDING OF THE MONTH

Alessandro STRADELLA
(1639-1682) Sinfonias see ROSENMÜLLER

Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Ein Heldenleben, Vier letzte Lieder Dorothea Röschmann (soprano) Rotterdam PO/Yannick Nézet-Séguin rec. 2010 BIS-SACD-1880 [69:13] [DM]

This Heldenleben is not competitive. All very perplexing.

Richard STRAUSS (1864–1949) The Complete Chamber Music BRILLIANT CLASSICS 9231 [9 CDs: 596:07] [NB]

Interesting, beautiful and appealing even if little – if any – is great.

Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Don Juan see BEETHOVEN

Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Cello Sonata see BRAHMS

Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Burleske see Arrau with Szell

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Igor STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) L’Oiseau de Feu, Petrouchka, La Sacre du Printemps, Pulcinella Monte Carlo PO/Yakov Kreizberg rec. 2010 OPMC CLASSICS OPMC001 [3 CDs: 159:54] [BW]

Individually these performances are at or near the top of the pile; collectively this is an irresistible offering.

Igor STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) Perséphone Vera Zorina (narrator) Richard Robinson (tenor)
Westminster Ch, New York PO/Igor Stravinsky rec. 1957 PRISTINE AUDIO PACO061 [53:33] [DC]

Not definitive, but still very fine. 

Sir Arthur SULLIVAN (1840-1900) The Mikado, Overtures Donald Adams, Thomas Round, Peter Pratt, Jean Hindmarsh, New SO of London/Isidore Godfrey, Boston Promenade O/Arthur Fiedler rec. 1952-58 MAGDALEN METCD 8002 [73:33 + 73:31] [JS]

There is plenty to enjoy here.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Svend Erik TARP (1908-1994) Piano Works Theme with variations, Suite, Sonatinas, Improvisations, Sonata Tonya Lemoh (piano) rec. 2010 DACAPO 8.226053 [58:32]

A quality artefact that all but recommends itself [Byz] Do try this most intriguing and musically valuable disc [RB]

Pyotr TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Symphony 6 Arnold SCHOENBERG (1874-1951) Variations for Orchestra West-Eastern Divan O/Daniel Barenboim rec. 2007 DECCA 478 2719 [69.02] [EM]

No buyer should feel let down by the purchase of this disc.

Pyotr Il’yich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Hamlet see Inspired by Shakespeare and Hamlet

Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Piano Concerto No.1 see KATZ

Thomas D. A. TELLEFSEN (1823-1874) The Complete Works for Piano Solo Einar Steen-Nøkleberg (piano) rec. 2009 SIMAX CLASSICS PSC1239 [4 CDs: 286:07] [DC]

Deserves pride of place in any fine collection.


RECORDING OF THE MONTH

Ernst TOCH
(1887-1964)
Divertimento see Duos for Violin & Cello

Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) English Folk Song Suite see HOLST

Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) The Verdi Collection: Ernani, Luisa Miller, La forza del destino rec. 2005/6 DYNAMIC CDS681 [7CDs: 449:40] [RJF]

This bargain-priced collection is a good starter for someone new to Verdi or for those enthusiasts who prefer live performances to studio recordings. 

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Giuseppe VERDI (1813 – 1901) La traviata Patrizia Ciofi (soprano) Roberto Saccà (tenor) Dmitri Hvorostovsky (baritone) Eufemia Tufano (mezzo) Orch/Chor of the Teatro La Fenice/Lorin Maazel rec. 2004 ARTHAUS 107 227 [146:00] [GF]

This Violetta has looks, acting ability and voice placing her among the best.

Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) La Traviata Licia Albanese, Jan Peerce, Robert Merrill, NBC SO/Arturo Toscanini rec. 1946 MUSIC & ARTS CD-4271 [57:07 + 46:45] [JS]

An essential adjunct to other more modern recordings for anyone wanting to explore the opera more fully.

Robert de VISÉE (c.1655-?1733) La musique de la Chambre du Roy Manuel Staropoli (recorder, Baroque flute) Massimio Marchese (theorbo) Cristiano Contadin (viola da gamba) rec. 2010 BRILLIANT CLASSICS 94154 [55:22] [Byz]

Strikingly original. The work of an inspired mind, dignified and charged with emotional depth. 

RECORD OF THE MONTH Antonio VIVALDI (1678 - 1741) The Complete Cello Sonatas David Watkin (cello) Helen Gough (cello continuo) David Miller (theorbo, archlute, guitar) Robert King (harpsichord, organ) rec. 1993 HYPERION DYAD CDD22065 [65:35 + 50:02] [JV]

Don’t delay; purchase this reissue today.

Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741) Violin concertos (La Stravaganza) Europa Galante/Fabio Biondi (violin) rec. 2008 VIRGIN CLASICS 5193002 [56:26] [MC]

Exciting music-making … highly desirable. 

Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Eine Faust-Ouvertüre, Siegfried Idyll Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony 1 NBC SO/Bruno Walter rec. 1939 MUSIC & ARTS CD-1241 [77:25] [JQ]

A fine example of Bruno Walter’s artistry speaking powerfully seven decades later.

Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Die Walküre Jon Vickers (tenor) Birgit Nilsson (soprano) Christa Ludwig (mezzo) Metropolitan Opera Ch & O/Berislav Klobucar rec. 1968 SONY CLASSICAL 88697 853082 [3 CDs: 216:46] [ST]

Undeniable weaknesses but parts are excellent and at this budget price you can afford to give it a go if you like the performers. 

Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Der fliegende Hollander Overture see BEETHOVEN

William WALTON (1902 - 1983) Concerto for Violin and Orchestra (1938) [30:36] Two Pieces for Strings from Henry V (1944) [4:36] Samuel BARBER (1910 - 1981) Concerto for Violin and Orchestra Op.14 (1939-40) [21:56] Adagio for Strings Op.11 (1938) [8:52] Thomas Bowes (violin) Malmö Opera Orchestra/Joseph Swensen rec. 2010 SIGNUM SIGCD238 [66:02] [WH]

A fine Barber, but the Walton seems less convincing overall

Carl Maria von WEBER (1786-1826) Overture, Oberon Dmitry SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Violin Concerto 1 Antonin DVORÁK (1873-1943) Symphony 8 Hilary Hahn (violin) Berlin PO/Mariss Jansons rec. 2000 EUROARTS DVD 2050448 [98:41] [WH]

A very fine filmed concert from Tokyo, with the Berlin Philharmonic, Jansons and the young Hilary Hahn on superb form

Carl Maria von WEBER (1786-1826) Konzertstück see Arrau with Szell

Samuel WESLEY (1766-1837) Organ pieces Christopher Howell (organ) rec. 2009/10 SHEVA COLLECTION 030 [78:04] [Byz]

Sheva need to go back and do this properly, and ideally on a better instrument.

Sir David WILLCOCKS (b. 1919) A Ceremony of Psalms, Five Folksongs, Magnificat and Nunc dimittis and choral works by Ledger, Cleobury, Rutter & J Willcocks Ch King’s College, Cambridge/Sir David Willockcs rec. 2010 PRIORY PRCD 1053 [72:40] [JQ]

It would be hard to imagine a more gracious, generous and effective tribute to a man who has been a key figure in choral music for some six decades.

Ian WILSON (b.1964) Re:play, for tenor saxophone, piano, double-bass and string quartet Across a Clear Blue Sky - String Qt 10, Im Schatten - String Qt 11 Cathal Roche (saxophone) Hugh Tinney (piano) Malachy Robinson (double-bass) RTÉ Vanbrugh Qt rec. 2010 RIVERRUN RVRCD 82 [55:38] [Byz]

The nuances, subtleties and technical difficulties of Wilson's string writing.

Stefan WOLPE (1902-1972) Address about Peace BRIDGE 9209 [60:06] The Music Of Stefan Wolpe, Volume 4 BRIDGE 9215 [60:05] The Music Of Stefan Wolpe, Volume 5 Lazy Andy Ant BRIDGE 9308 [57:46] [MS]

A representative collection of works by the unduly neglected Stefan Wolpe on a label that's in the forefront of championing contemporary and new music.

William WOLSTENHOLME (1865-1931) Works for organ Michael Harris (organ) rec. 2010 PRIORY PRCD1047 [78:28] [JF]

This is an excellent new CD that fills a major gap in the repertoire of British organ music.

Fu-Tong WONG (b.1948) Shiau-Feng - Symphonic Poem [12:52] *Symphony: The Hero with Great Eagle [63:35] Taipei Philharmonic/Paul Tien-Chi Lin *Voronezh State Symphony Orchestra/Mak Ka-lok rec. 2004, 2007. DDD ARCADIA 007 [76:27] [Byz]

This release contains not only what is probably the only symphony ever written to have been based on a kung fu novel.

Judith Lang ZAIMONT (b.1945) String Quartet 'The Figure' ZONES (Piano Trio 2) Astral...a Mirror Life on the Astral Plane, for solo viola, Serenade, for piano trio Harlem Quartet, Awadagin Pratt (piano) rec. 2010 NAVONA RECORDS NV 5846 [64:40] [Byz]

Fine work, containing much imaginative, stimulating, beautiful music.

Hao-Fu ZHANG (b.1952) Théâtre pour Deux, Crépuscule, Yin-Yang, Le Chant du Ciel, Théâtre pour Deux II Muhiddin Dürrüoglu-Demiriz (piano) Marie Hallynck (cello) Eugène Galand (piano II) Alexandra Grot (flute) Graf Mourja (violin) rec.2008 MEGADISC CLASSICS MDC 7796 [74:55] [Byz]

Repeated hearings will only improve the experience and repay the listener with original, ambicultural ideas attractively presented.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Johann Rudolph ZUMSTEEG (1760 - 1802) Die Geisterinsel Kammerchor Stuttgart, Hofkapelle Stuttgart/Frieder Bernius rec. live 2010 CARUS 83.229 [3 CDs: 139:26] [JV]

Enjoyable Singspiel in a fine performance with an impressive cast.  


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]
[last 5 days] [Recommended recordings]


 



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