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MUSICWEB
INTERNATIONAL Recordings Of The Year 2011
Click on cover image to read the full
review.
| Front
Page |
Reviewers
A-L |
|
| MUSICWEB
INTERNATIONAL FOUNDER Len Mullenger |
I has been suffering from
distorted hearing this year that takes all the pleasure
out of listening to CDs. Oddly, live performances do not
suffer the same distortion which particularly affects
horns, piano, upper strings and soprano voice. Consequently
no Recordings of the Year have been chosen by me this
year. I have been told by the ENT specialist that it is
tinnitus however I have been suffering a similar problem
with my eys which seems to be do with medication. Changes
in medication improve my eyes and appear to improve my
hearing so I am hopeful this problem can be resolved and
I can continue to enjoy listening to classical recordings. |
| CLASSICAL
EDITOR Rob Barnett |
Life’s too short – so the expression runs.
At any other point in time has mankind had accessible
to it as much music as now? Has the gap between the
amount of music we can select from and the amount of
life available to us been so wide? MWI is here to help
you in your choices – to guide your hand to this
CD and that download. Each of us is limited to six so
I am sorry to have had to leave out the Arnold cello
Concerto (Naxos), the Rozycki Piano Concerto (Acte Prealable),
the Nystroem Sinfonia del Mare (BIS), the Rachmaninov
concertos with Lill (Nimbus), Mackerras’s Suk
Asrael (Supraphon), Elder’s Bax Spring Fire (Halle),
Postnikova’s Tchaikovsky (Newton) and Beermann’s
Schumann symphonies (CPO). Ultimately you must decide
for yourself not least because each one of us experiences
music through the diffusion and focus of our own preferences
and judgements: degustibus non est disputandum. Here
are my recommendations from a vast array of music heard
over the last 12 months where once again we have striven
to bridge the chasm between the written word and the
experience of listening to music.
 Bernard
HERRMANN Film Classics 
National PO, London PO/Bernard Herrmann rec. 1970-75
ELOQUENCE 480 3784
This double CD set takes the listener back to the heady
days of the early 1970s and treats the superlative cinema
music of Bernard Herrmann to Decca Phase 4 honours.
As a recording ‘philosophy’ Phase 4 caused
dismay, even horror in some classical quarters but for
film music it came along at just the right point in
time. Larger than life orchestral effects blossom and
coruscate set alight by Herrmann’s fertile imaginative
fancy. If you like the aural equivalent of glorious
technicolor waste not a moment and order this inexpensive
fantasy celebration from a twentieth century master
of the orchestra who happened to work in film.
 Arthur
BLISS, Henry WALFORD DAVIES & York BOWEN
Violin
sonatas
Rupert Luck (violin) Matthew Rickard
(piano) rec. 2010
EM RECORDS EMRCD001
This label is not short of well-placed confidence and
acumen when it comes to sifting repertoire and choosing
gifted musicians. An extension of the English Music
Festival steered by Em Marshall-Luck, EM Records launched
with this disc of three British sonatas: the vehemently
heroic Walford Davies, the pastoral ecstasy of the Bliss
and the stormily Tchaikovskian Bowen. Where will they
turn next?
 Frank
MARTIN
Der Sturm
Robert Holl, Christine Buffle, James
Gilchrist, Netherlands Radio PO & Ch/Thierry Fischer
rec. 2008
HYPERION CDA67821/3
Frank Martin’s characterful opera on The Tempest
is brought stylishly to disc by Hyperion. Rather like
Chandos they consistently strike the right note. This
opera is full of unworldly and even unnerving invention
and supernatural intimations (sax and harpsichord!)
and is well recorded and documented. Who better to launch
this opera into the catalogue and onto listeners’
MP3s and CD players everywhere. Immerse yourself in
a new 20th century opera this Christmas.
 Edvard
GRIEG
Peer Gynt Suite 1 Jean
SIBELIUS Lemminkäinen Suite
Philadelphia O/Eugene Ormandy rec.
1947-51
PRISTINE PASC 299
A remarkable 1950s mono reading of Sibelius’s
four tone poems. Do not neglect the other two Pristine
Ormandy Sibelius CDs. You think Ormandy’s 1979
Philadelphia digital recording was good? Try this! You’ll
lament that CBS did not record more while the flame
burned this fiercely. The Grieg suite is no less passionate
– I cannot recall Morning having been played with
such full-on drive and emotional engagement. Very special
music-making.
 William
MATHIAS
Piano Concertos 1 & 2 Ralph
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS Fantasy
Mark Bebbington (piano) Ulster O/George Vass rec. 2011
SOMM SOMMCD 246
Over the last four years Somm have risen several steps
up the league table of classical labels. This disc is
a provocative example of their work with a number of
pianists. Defying convention Somm and the finely gifted
and valiant Mark Bebbington track their way through
early RVW and 1950s Mathias. All the pieces here are
world premieres. I am pleased to see Somm working with
rising star George Vass and the very same Ulster Orchestra
that proved itself early on with its Bax and Harty discs
for Chandos in the early 1980s. The feathery Celtic
poetry of Mathias contrasted with the surging Brahmsian
thunder of 1890s RVW.
 Alexander
GLAZUNOV
Complete Concertos
Rachel Barton-Pine (violin) Alexander Romanovsky (piano)
Wen-Sinn Yang (cello) Marc Chisson (saxophone) Alexey
Serov (horn) Russian Ntl O/Jose Serebrier rec. 2010
WARNER CLASSICS 2564 679465
After a knockout cycle of the nine Glazunov symphonies
Serebrier, the RSNO and a handful of elite soloists
collaborated with Warner in recording the complete concertos.
Glazunov’s music can be stubbornly leaden in the
wrong hands. However, when the planets are aligned -
as they are here – base metal is transformed to
gold. The alchemical reaction in Serebrier’s case
delivers just that well judged blend of Russian sentimentality
and Slav passion. The invention is very much to the
point – works that are often moving and always
concise.
|
| David
Barker |
|  Astor
PIAZZOLLA
Las estaciones porteñas
Astoria
FUGA LIBERA FUG603
For the second year in a row, Piazzolla's Four Seasons
feature in my selection. Last year, it was performed by
a piano trio, this year a more traditional ensemble with
accordion. Which is better? I can't say - they are both
so good that trying to pick one over the other is pointless.
 Vincent
d’INDY
Orchestral Works - Vol. 4: Poème
des rivages, Symphonie italienne
Iceland SO/Rumon Gamba rec. 2010
CHANDOS CHAN10660
Chandos has a number of Orchestral Music series underway
- I doubt any are better than this. I'm sure I'm not alone
in hoping there is a Volume 5 (and 6 and 7 ...).
 Gustav
MAHLER
Symphonies 1-7
Lucerne Festival O/Claudio Abbado rec.
2003-9
EUROARTS 2058574 
Two of the individual releases from this budget boxset
- symphonies 1 & 3 - were my first dip into the world
of Blu-ray. The picture quality is quite extraordinary,
to the point where you can almost make out the maker's
name engraved into the French horns. However, sharpness
of picture would count for nothing if these weren't absolutely
outstanding performances.
 Dietrich
BUXTEHUDE
Scandinavian cantatas
Theatre of Voices, The TOV Band/Paul
Hillier rec. 2010
DACAPO 6.220534
An eye-opener for me. Johan van Veen, in his review,
found fault with certain aspects, and I certainly wouldn't
attempt to argue with his far greater knowledge. However,
perhaps in this case, ignorance is bliss, as I found immense
pleasure in this.
 Note
by Note
- The making of Steinway L1037
Directed by Ben Niles. Interviews with Pierre-Laurent
Aimard, Hélène Grimaud, Lang Lang &
Harry Connick Jnr. rec. 2007
DOCURAMA FILMS NNVG146510 
This illuminating and inspirational documentary tells
the story of the production of one Steinway grand piano
through the words of the people who made it, and the performers
who might one day use it. The only downside is that it
only seems to be available on a Region 1 disc, and many
people outside the US won't be able to watch it. |
| Nick
Barnard |
|
| Byzantion |
|
So many high quality recordings to choose from this year.
Very near misses: Ittai Shapira's Concierto Latino, played
by Shapira himself, on Champs Hill (CHRCD 020); Ginastera's
two Cello Concertos, performed by Mark Kosower, on Naxos
(8.572372); Haskell Small's Lullaby of War, a true 'American
Classic' on Naxos (8.559649); either or both of Hyperion's
latest instalments (3&4) of Christopher Herrick's
account of Buxtehude's complete organ works (CDA67855,
CDA67876); Penderecki's String Quartets on DUX (0770),
featuring the DAFÔ Quartet; Scheidemann's organ
Magnificats, performed by Karin Nelson, on an Intim Musik
double-disc (IMCD 116), and Pieter Bustijn's Suittes pour
le Clavessin, played by Alessandro Simonetto on Brilliant
Classics (94187).
 Aaron
Jay KERNIS
Goblin Market, Invisible Mosaic II
The New Professionals/Rebecca Miller rec. 2008
SIGNUM CLASSICS SIGCD186
Not quite a faultless recording technically, but intoxicating,
outrageous and unforgettable: Kernis's Goblin Market is
one of the great musical works of art for theatre of the
20th century. Sample: "Laughed every goblin when
they spied her peeping" - a truly awesome, epicurean
crescendo of sensual poetry and orgiastic sounds - surely
one of the most spellbinding passages in all music.
 Sven-David
SANDSTRÖM
Nordic Sounds
Swedish Radio Choir/Peter Dijkstra rec. 2009
CHANNEL CLASSICS CCSSA29910 
The expressiveness and imagination of Sandström's
virtuosic but instantly accessible choral music, of which
these works are typical, is outstanding. Beautifully performed
by the Swedish Radio Choir. Sound quality on this SACD
is superlative, even in normal stereo, and sends a message
to the many labels that cut too many corners.
 Carson
COOMAN
Chamber music for strings
rec. 2010
MSR CLASSICS MS1387
Hearing this music, all of which Cooman wrote in his
20s - together with more than 800 other published works
- the listener can only begin to wonder what Cooman will
have achieved musically in another twenty years. Sound
quality is almost as good as it gets. All the performers,
most of whom are leading Slovakian musicians, sound at
their best. Outstanding in every regard.
 Claude
LE JEUNE
Dix Pseaumes de David
Ludus Modalis/Bruno Boterf rec. 2010
RAMEE RAM1005
These innovative Calvinist/Huguenot settings of the psalms
were written for four vocal parts in a rich, serious,
sonorous style moving between polyphony and homophony.
Beautifully crafted, texturally full-bodied and deeply
expressive from beginning to end. The seven voices of
Ludus Modalis are magically blended and balanced, and
their French pronunciation is delightfully authentic and
very clean of articulation. Their varied choice of tempi
and rhythms may well be the result of divine instruction.
 Sonatas
and Scenes
Danish Works for Solo Cello
John Ehde (cello) rec. 2009-10
CDKLASSISK CDK1061
An outstanding disc on every level, from Swedish cellist
John Ehde's breathtaking virtuosity to the phenomenally
inventive music of the five featured Danish composers;
from the superb quality of the recording to the hi-fi
booklet.
 Charles
DESMAZURES
Pièces de Simphonie
Vespres d'Arnadí/Dani Espasa
rec. 2008
MUSIÈPOCA MEPCD001
Beautifully designed debut disc for new Catalan label
Musièpoca. The music is exhilarating, superbly
recorded and performed with consummate musicianship by
Vespres d'Arnadí, whose members are drawn from
the likes of Les Talens Lyriques, Le Concert des Nations
and the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra. Their choices of instruments
- mainly violins, flutes and oboes, tastefully augmented
with an array of period continuo, percussion etc - are
not just authentic but inspired, allowing them to imbue
Desmazures' music with vivid colour and striking texture.
|
| Dominy
Clements |
| As ever I’m torn between
numerous choices, and my double A-list would also include
the Schubert Piano Duets with Paul Lewis and Stephen Osborne
on Hyperion CDA67665 and that label’s must-have
re-release of Lambert’s Summer’s Last Will
and Testament (CDH55388), Andrew Litton’s Stravinsky
Petrouchka and Rite of Spring on BIS-SACD-1474, Edward
Gardner’s Chandos Lutoslawski (CHAN 10688) or James
Ehnes’ Bartók concertos (CHAN 10690), Heinz
Holliger’s lovely Bach concertos on ECM 2229, ARS
Produktion’s colourful Franz Schreker Der ferne
Klang (ARS 38 080), Joanna MacGregor’s lovely Art
of Fugue on Warner Classics... Who was it said Classical
Music is dead?
 Johann
Sebastian BACH
Keyboard Concertos 1-5
Ramin Bahrami (piano) Gewandhaus O/Riccardo Chailly rec.
2009
DECCA 478 2956
This is the kind of recording which just makes me glad
to be alive, and gets my vote on that count alone. The
Bahrami/Chailly chemistry works at every level, from fun-loving
boisterousness to the most touching of sensitivity. Bach
gives us everything, and these musicians give him their
all.
 Jan
Dismas ZELENKA
Officium defunctorium, Requiem
Collegium 1704 & Vocale/Václav Luks rec. 2010
ACCENT ACC24244
Once in a while a recording comes along which nudges
your world into a different orbit, and this is the one
which did it for me in 2011. This is a superb performance
and a magnificent recording of some remarkable and constantly
surprising music.
 Minimal
Piano Collection, Volume X-XX
Jeroen van Veen (pianos) rec. 2007-10
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 9171
Contemporary music crusader Jeroen van Veen shows us
how wide a spectrum of expression and dynamism can be
found in the catch-all word ‘minimalism’.
This is a Pandora’s box which will infect your appetite
for things new and exciting, showing us that there is
more to the minimal than New York grids and West Coast
fog.
 Ottorino
RESPIGHI
Fontane di Roma, Pini di Roma, Feste Romane
São Paolo SO/John Neschling rec. 2008
BIS
BISSACD1720
Respighi’s glorious ‘Roman Trilogy’
scores are given a very special atmosphere in this spectacular
recording, in which we are invited to live the experience
instead of being mere passive listeners. Every moment
takes on an utterly convincing character, from the most
magical to Respighi’s most cheesy – this is
simply irresistible.
 Harrison
BIRTWISTLE
Night’s Black Bird, The Shadow of Night,
The Cry of Anubis
Owen Slade (tuba) Hallé O/Ryan Wigglesworth rec.
2010
NMC D156
Sir Harrison Birtwistle’s work can be forbidding,
but it always sounds ‘right’, and in this
case transport us to dark realms which will long stick
around in your consciousness, and may lurk in your unconscious
forever. Tremendous performances and recording make this
release stand out from this years’ contemporary
crowd.
 Johann
Sebastian BACH
Goldberg Variations (arr. Dmitry
Sitkovetsky)
Leopold String Trio rec. 2010
HYPERION CDA67826
Something of a surprise chamber music find, this version
of the Goldberg Variations opens up new dynamic perspectives.
The Leopold Trio’s performance is a genuine tour
de force, and with Hyperion’s recording a delight
from start to finish this is a disc which crackles with
energy and real emotion. |
| Michael
Cookson |
|  Manfred
TROJAHN
String Quartets 3 & 4, Fragments for Antigone,
Song to Insomnia III
Henschel Qt rec. 2009
NEOS RECORDS 11017
Contemporary German born composer Manfred Trojahn has
his own unique sound-world. These works for string quartet
are challenging contemporary scores yet they are rewarding
and are certainly within the compass of the average listener.
Scrupulously prepared as always the Henschel Quartet demonstrate
an impeccable unity to their expressive playing. Here
the Henschel give the scores their world premiere recordings.
I cannot speak highly enough of these outstanding accounts.
 Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH
Violin Concertos 1 & 2
Arabella Steinbacher (violin) Bavarian RSO/Andris Nelsons
rec. 2006
ORFEO C687061A
Arabella Steinbacher’s expressive playing is irresistible,
delivering strong and forthright interpretations that
feel much in accord with Shostakovich’s unique sound-world.
With the elite Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra Andris
Nelsons’s firm control of tempo, pacing and dynamics
is highly successful. This impressive and beautifully
recorded release deserves considerable praise.
 Coco
Chanel & Igor Stravinsky (soundtrack) Igor
STRAVINSKY The Rite of Spring
Gabriel YARED Original
music
Berlin PO/Sir Simon Rattle Film O/Jeff Atmajian rec. 2003/9
NAÏVE V5223
This disc contains the soundtrack to the 2009 Jan Kounen
film Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky. I loved
the film and the music from start to finish. However,
the main attraction is the stunning 2003 Berlin performance
of the complete The Rite of Spring (Le Sacre
du printemps)from Sir Simon Rattle and the
great Berlin Philharmonic. This exciting account is now
my first choice version of Stravinsky’s masterwork.
I don’t believe this superb performance is available
anywhere else on CD.
 Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN
Symphony 9
Tilla Briem, Elisabeth Höngen, Peter Anders, Rudolph
Watzke, Bruno Kittel Ch, Berlin PO/Wilhelm Furtwängler
rec. 1942
PRISTINE AUDIO PASC250
Furtwängler’s 1942 Berlin performance of Beethoven’s
Symphony No. 9 in D minor ‘Choral’,
has gained legendary status. It is said to be an example
of Furtwängler’s rebellious response to the
stresses of working with the Berlin Philharmonic as cultural
propagandists for Hitler’s Third Reich. Whether
this is a true reflection of the situation or not this
is certainly a heartfelt account of astonishing tension
from Furtwängler’s tortured soul. Recorded
in the Alte Philharmonie in Berlin just under two years
later the concert hall was raised to the ground by allied
bombing. Restoration engineer Andrew Rose has done wonders
with the sound quality which is much improved. A truly
great performance of real historical significance.
 Ralph
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958)
A London Symphony, Oboe concerto
Stéphane Rancourt (oboe) Hallé O/Sir Mark
Elder rec. 2010
HALLÉ CDHLL7529
Vaughan Williams’s London Symphony much
loved by Sir Mark Elder has become something of a specialisation
for him. Sir Mark proves an inspirational guide in the
symphony and the Hallé respond to his direction
with enthusiasm and assurance. I attended the actual concert
at the Bridgewater Hall and found it a gloriously convincing
depiction of a pulsating and multi-faceted metropolis.
The pastoral nature of Vaughan Williams’s engaging
three movement Oboe Concerto seems tailor-made
for principal oboe Stéphane Rancourt who plays
magnificently supported by the glowing Hallé strings.
 Gustav
MAHLER
Symphony 1
Pittsburgh SO/Manfred Honeck rec. 2008
EXTON EXCL-00026
Something wonderful is happening at the Pittsburgh Symphony
Orchestra under the stewardship of Austrian born conductor
Manfred Honeck. As part of the 2011 Berlin Musikfest I
attended a concert in September at the Berlin Philharmonie
on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks
for the Pittsburgh orchestra’s performance of Mahler’s
Symphony No.5. It was a musical tour de force with
awe-inspiring playing from a truly magnificent orchestra.
I enjoyed every minute of this 2008 performance that was
recorded live at the Heinz Hall, Pittsburgh. Everything
was entirely convincing and the overall effect was remarkable. |
| Hubert
Culot |
| Frank
MARTIN
Der Sturm
Robert Holl, Christine Buffle, James
Gilchrist, Netherlands Radio PO & Ch/Thierry Fischer
rec. 2008
HYPERION CDA67821/3
This magnificent – and long awaited – performance
of Frank Martin's opera fills a great gap in this composer's
discography. Everyone involved in this unique enterprise
deserves full praise and gratitude for his/her wholehearted
commitment to one of Martin's greatest scores.
 Francis
ROUTH
The Well Tempered Pianist
Charles Matthews (piano) rec. 2009/10
REDCLIFFE RECORDINGS RR021
Francis Routh's music is far too little known indeed
and deserves wider exposure, which some rare recordings
clearly show. This superbly committed and beautifully
played set of Preludes is thus most welcome and should
be heard by anyone willing to investigate some lesser-known
byways of contemporary British music.
 Jukka
TIENSUU
Vie, Missa, False Memories I-III
Kari Kriikku (clarinet) Helsinki PO/John
Storgårds rec. 2009/10
ONDINE ODE11662
Until fairly recently Tiensuu's music was regarded as
complex and rather avant-garde. His most recent works,
however, as the ones recorded here show a greater stylistic
freedom and a new compositional trend in his music making
characterised by a real enjoyment of the orchestra's full
register.
 Gabriel
PIERNÉ
Piano music
Laurent Wagschal (piano) rec.
2009
TIMPANI 1C1178
Pierné's mature piano works as recorded here amply
demonstrate the real status of this often underrated composer.
The performances and recordings are excellent and serve
the music in the best possible way.
 Einojuhani
RAUTAVAARA
Kaivos
Tampere PO/Hannu
Lintu rec. 2010
ONDINE ODE11742
Rautavaara's first opera Kaivos is a compact, though
powerful work that communicates in the most direct way
through its strongly expressive music and tight dramaturgy.
Kaivos may well be Rautavaara's finest opera.
 Régis
CAMPO
Les Heures Maléfiques, Ombra Felice,
String quartet 2, The Life and
Soul of His Imagined Landscape
Quatuor Diotima rec.
2009
RADIO FRANCE
SIGNATURE SIG11070
Régis Campo is probably one of the most endearing
composers of his generation and his music, though far
from being lightweight, does not always take itself all-too-seriously
as the four strongly contrasted works in this fine release
clearly demonstrate. |
| Robert
Farr |
The last two
years my opera selections have included many quality recordings
of works from the primo ottocento, the Italian bel canto
period of the first half of the nineteenth century, the
focus being very much on the works of the three great
masters of the period, Rossini, Bellini and Donizetti.
That glut of quality performances seems to have dried
up with many offerings marred by avante garde, often way
out, productions that seem the rage on the European mainland
and at composer Festivals. Although in 4:3 presentation,
earlier recordings are emerging on DVD that really will
stand the test of time.
 Gioachino
ROSSINI
Petite Messe Solennelle
Leipzig Gewandhaus Ch & O/Riccardo Chailly rec. 2008
EUROARTS 2057428
In making this a DVD of the month, I suggested that the
performance it receives under Chailly elevates this rarely
heard work not only to stand alongside the composer’s
better-known Stabat Mater, but also the great Mass by
his fellow Italian opera composer, Verdi.
 Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART
Die Entführung aus dem Serail
Eva Mei, Rainer Trost, Patrizia Ciofi, Ch & O Maggio
Musicale Fiorentino/Zubin Mehta rec. 2002
ARTHAUS MUSIK 107109
With its high picture and sound quality this well cast
and elegantly staged production from Florence, recorded
in 2002, becomes a first choice for me in this opera.
 Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART
Così fan tutte
Margaret Marshall, Anne Murray, Kathleen Battle, Vienna
State Opera Ch, Vienna PO/Riccardo Muti rec. 1983
ARTHAUS MUSIK 101219
Albeit in old style 4:3 format, this1983
Salzburg Festival traditional production of Così
fan tutte, with its elegant costumes and set alongside
quality singing realises the intention of Da Ponte’s
story and Mozart’s music as few other more modern
ones do.
 Lauro
ROSSI
Cleopatra
Dimitra Theodossiou, Alessandro Liberatore, Marchigiana
PO/David Crescenzi rec. 2008
NAXOS 2.110279
Not a composer we hear much about today.
Even if in this opera he was overshadowed by Verdi’s
Aida, Pier Luigi Pizzi’s set, alongside a reasonably
sung and acted performance, gives a rare chance to see
and hear what has been long neglected.
 Giuseppe
VERDI
Simon Boccanegra
Placido Domingo, Marina Poplavskaya, Joseph Calleja, Ch
& O Royal Opera House/Antonio Pappano rec. 2010
EMI 9178255
Forget that Verdi wrote the title role for a baritone
and enjoy Domingo’s penetrating acted assumption
of the role in 2010 from Covent Garden and despite the
minor compromises this involves.
 Sospiri
Cecilia Bartoli
DECCA 478 2558
An interesting collection of Cecilia Bartoli’s
diverse recorded repertoire over the last sixteen years.
|
| Göran
Forsling |
| Every year there
are a number of discs that fail to be included in the
final list with a hairbreadth. This time I would have
liked to find room for Elisabeth Schwarzkopf’s classic
operetta recital as well as the lovely Elisabeth Schumann
box in the ICON series. Magdalena Kozena’s Lettere
Amorose was another that I reluctantly excluded. Maria
Forsström’s delightful Kaleidoscope should
also be mentioned and the Arthaus Traviata with Maazel
was another favourite that dropped down on the finishing
line.
 Giacomo
PUCCINI
La rondine
Angela Gheorghiu, Roberto Alagna, London SO/Antonio Pappano
rec. 1996
EMI CLASSICS 6407482
Last year a DVD with Gheorghiu and Alagna in La rondine
was one of my Recordings of the Year. Only a couple of
months later EMI reissued their 15-year-old studio recording
and much as I admired the DVD I felt even more attached
to this oldie. Ideally one should have both.
 Franz
SCHUBERT
Schwanengesang
Thomas Oliemans (baritone) Malcolm Martineau (piano) rec.
2010
ETCETERA KTC1420
Thomas Oliemans here presents a Schwanengesang
with a difference. Between the Rellstab and the Heine
songs he inserts four songs to texts by Schulze. This
works excellently and Oliemans readings of the cycle is
worthy to stand beside any of the established favourite
versions.
 Edvard
GRIEG
Violin Sonata 1 Béla
BARTÓK Sonata for solo violin
Richard STRAUSS
Violin Sonata
Vilde Frang (violin) Michail Lifits (piano) rec. 2010
EMI CLASSICS 9476392
The young Norwegian Vilde Frang is among the most thrilling
new violinists and with this rather unusual coupling she
has produced a real winner. The Grieg sonata compares
favourably even with my old favourite Henning Kraggerud’s,
and both the Bartok and Strauss works are excellently
played.
 Franz
SCHUBERT Winterreise
Natalie Stutzmann (contralto) Inger Södergren (piano)
rec. 2003
SAPHIR LVC1153
I wasn’t familiar with Natalie Stutzmann’s
Winterreise and was truly amazed by her reading.
Her dark contralto voice may be an acquired taste but
it is her way of colouring the texts that made me listen
to both lyrics and music with new ears. This is now my
preferred version.
 Johannes
Möller - Guitar recital
rec. 2010
NAXOS 8.572715
When I reviewed Johannes Möller’s debut recital
some years ago I felt that he was already very advanced.
With the new disc he establishes himself among the front-runners.
What characterises his playing is that his formidable
technique never becomes an end in itself. He is a true
musician.
 Franz
SCHUBERT Die
Schöne Müllerin
Daniel Behle (tenor) Sveinung Bjelland (piano)
rec. 2009
CAPRICCIO 5044
Jan Kobow’s Müllerin has been my favourite
for some years, but here is a version that challenges
his hegemony. They have a lot in common, though Kobow
is accompanied by a fortepiano. A bonus is also the inclusion
of the rarely heard Auf dem Strom with excellent
horn playing by Ab Koster. |
| Michael
Greenhalgh |
 Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN
Symphonies 2 & 8
Royal PO/Hermann Scherchen rec. 1954
PRISTINE AUDIO PASC198
Here’s proof that recordings nearly 60 years old
can still perform the vital interpretive function of bringing
the works to us fresh. Scherchen’s performances
have the transparency of texture and rhythmic force we
nowadays associate with period instruments. They also
have an inspiring sense of focus and conviction.
 Benjamin
BRITTEN
Phaedra, A Charm of Lullabies, Lachrymae, Two
Portraits, Sinfonietta
Sarah Connolly (mezzo), Maxim Rysanov
(viola) BBC SO/Edward Gardner rec. 2010
CHANDOS CHAN10671
Gardner, Connolly and Rysanov all have a gripping understanding
of both the explicit and latent drama in all these pieces,
as well as the ability to present them naturally and thus
not over playing the drama. The result is a vivid witness
of Britten’s depiction of fragile but also loving
humanity.
 Richard
WAGNER
Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg Prelude
Edward ELGAR Cello
Concerto Johannes BRAHMS
Symphony 1
Alisa Weilerstein (cello) Berlin PO/Daniel
Barenboim rec. 2010
EUROARTS 2058064
This provides a fascinatingly different Barenboim in
Elgar and Brahms than in his earlier recordings. Weilerstein’s
cello has more emphasis on the lyrical Elgar, less on
the dramatic than Du Pré. Barenboim’s Brahms
Symphony 1 is now more classically controlled but its
emotional range is well detailed and very satisfying.
 George
Frideric HANDEL
Water Music, Rodrigo Overture and dances
Les Musiciens du Louvre, Grenoble/Marc
Minkowski rec. 2010
NAÏVE V5234
Minkowski dusts away the cobwebs of respectability of
the Water music and shows us its brass scoring as bracing,
open air music. Here are period instruments which can’t
be mistaken for modern ones and yet have an affinity with
jazz. With confident, celebratory playing you appreciate
the piece’s original sparkle.
 Franz
Joseph HAYDN
Piano Trios
Trio Goya rec. 2008
CHANDOS CHACONNE CHAN0771
How well the incapability of period instruments is exploited
here. You can be more forceful than with modern instruments
without going over the top. These performances pack considerable
punch and spice within their urbane frame and have great
vivacity as a result. Music doesn’t have to be all
smoothness to be cultivated.
 Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART
Horn Concertos
Alessio Allegrini (horn) Orchestra
Mozart/Claudio Abbado rec. 2005-7
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 477 8083
I’m just bowled over by the quality of Allegrini’s
playing. Among its chief attributes are joyful rounded
tone, smoothness of phrasing and generally benign but
sometimes, as appropriate, more circumspect flowing line.
From Orchestra Mozart Abbado secures a nimbly deft articulation
to provide an elegant backcloth. Every moment is a pleasure.
|
| Christopher
Howell |
|
After some time away from reviewing I returned to the
fray about half-way through the year. And as it happens,
three issues stand out in my mind from this half-yearly
batch so I’ll just stay with those.
 Claude
DEBUSSY
Piano Music - Vol. 5
Noriko Ogawa (piano) rec. 2000
BIS BISCD1405
Noriko Ogawa’s fifth volume of Debussy piano music
completes her survey. By a small margin hers would now
be my favourite of modern cycles – ahead of Bavouzet
and, as a whole, ahead of older cycles too, Gieseking’s
Preludes and some single pieces notwithstanding. Volume
5 brings ravishingly beautiful performances of the earlier
works.
 Charles
Villiers STANFORD
Piano Trio 1, Legend, Irish Fantasies, Piano Quartet
2
Gould Piano Trio, David Adams (viola) rec. 2009
NAXOS 8.572452
Not a cycle as such, but all of Stanford’s chamber
music for more than one stringed instrument and piano
has now been recorded. The première recording of
the unpublished Second Piano Quartet reveals a major work
and the new version of Piano Trio no.1 is at least the
equal of its predecessor by the Pirasti Trio. The three
beautiful pieces for violin and piano are premières
too.
 Anton
BRUCKNER
Symphonies 4 & 7
Basle SO/Mario Venzago rec. 2010
CPO 777 615-2
From cycles ending to a cycle beginning. I stuck my neck
out by suggesting Venzago’s Bruckner may become
as iconic for the 2020s as Wand’s was for the 1990s.
A lot of big challenges will have to be met before that
can come about, but whatever happens, this pairing of
4 and 7 will remain an inspiration, a breath of pure mountain
air. |
| Ian
Lace |
There have been outstanding
reissues this year including, in Liszt’s centenary
year, Leonard Bernstein’s outstanding reading of
Liszt’s Faust Symphony; and all RCA’s ground-breaking
Classic Film Score albums originally released in the 1970s
(see my Raksin choice below but I could equally have included
the albums devoted to scores by Max Steiner, Korngold,
Tiomkin, Rózsa and Herrmann). If I was allowed
another choice, it would have been another new Chandos
Delius album – of the Violin, Cello and Double Concertos
performed by Tasmin Little and Paul Watkins with the BBC
SO conducted by Sir Andrew Davis.
 Sir
Arnold BAX
Piano Quintet Frank BRIDGE
Piano Quintet
Ashley Wass (piano)Tippett Qt rec. 2009
NAXOS 8.572474
Exceptional performances of two outstanding British chamber
works. The Bax work is epic in scope, tumultuous and wild;
lyrical and nostalgic. Bridge’s early lyrical yet
occasionally turbulent Quintet includes some gorgeous
melodies.
 Frederick
DELIUS Appalachia,
The Song of the High Hills
BBC SO & Ch/Sir Andrew Davis rec. 2010
CHANDOS
CHSA5088
Two Delius masterpieces. The sublime Song of the High
Hills is not only vivid sonic nature painting, its mystical
climax, as the mountain’s summit is reached, touches
the very soul. Appalachia is another heartfelt, lyrical
work based on the black farm labourers’ songs Delius
heard when he was living in Florida
 John
FOULDS
Keltic Overture and other light orchestral works
BBC Concert O/Ronald Corp rec. 2010
DUTTON EPOCH CDLX7252
One of two very welcome 2011 Dutton releases devoted
to the lighter works of neglected British composer, John
Foulds. Ronald Corp delivers vivid committed performances
of music comparable to the best of Eric Coates, Edward
German, Haydn Wood.
 Denis
LEVAILLANT La
Petite Danseuse de Degas
l’Opéra national de Paris O & ballet/Koen
Kessels
EUROARTS
108 026
A wonderful new ballet inspired by Degas’s famous
sculpture of a young dance student. Every aspect of this
production impresses. Levaillant’s music is an arresting
mix of styles ranging from the baroque to modernism and
jazzy figures via Late Romanticism and Impressionism.
 Mario
PILATI
Orchestral Works
Moscow SO/Adriano rec.02007/8
INEDITA PI2757
Delightful, undemanding little gems by a largely forgotten
Italian composer; music that is elegant and witty. Conducted
with unrestrained enthusiasm by Adriano, champion of worthwhile
but little-known music.
 David
RAKSIN
Film Scores
New PO/David Raksin rec. 1975
SONY RCA RED SEAL 88967 812682
One of my favourite albums in RCA’s celebrated
Classic Film Scores series once again available in refurbished
sound. This collection brims with glorious Hollywood Golden
Age scores and comprises music from Laura, Forever Amber
and The Bad and the Beautiful. |
| Oleg
Ledeniov |
 Johannes
BRAHMS
Cello sonata 2 Franz SCHUBERT
Arpeggione sonata Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN Cello sonata 3
Thomas Carroll (cello) Llyr Williams (piano)
rec. 2009/10
ORCHID CLASSICS ORC100016
It could seem that nothing new can be said about such
standard repertoire, but Carroll and Williams put so much
life and enthusiasm into each note that the listening
is a source of constant enjoyment, as if the sonatas were
newly born and heard for the first time. Excellent partnership,
clear and beautiful cello sound, excellent recording quality
– a winner!
 Come
Away, Death
Marianne Beate Kielland (mezzo) Sergej Osadchuk
(piano) rec. 2009
2L 2L064SACD
An interesting structural concept that works very well;
a rich mixture of known and unknown music of very different
styles but highest quality, performed with consummated
artistry and devotion; the dark velvety voice of Marianne
Beate Kielland, so powerful yet always beautiful; a most
memorable performance of Songs and Dances of Death; the
stunning recording quality: all this leads to a profound
listening experience. I think I still am under its spell
from the first listening.
 Nikolay
RIMSKY-KORSAKOV Sheherazade, The Tale of Tsar
Saltan Suite
Seattle Symphony/Gerard Schwarz
rec. 2010
NAXOS 8.572693
Rimsky-Korsakov’s Sheherazade is a colorful and
powerful score, and many conductors have done it well,
but this one goes over and beyond. Each phrase grabs you.
The orchestra is technically and emotionally superb. This
is a real sonic feast for the ears – spectacular,
explosive, electrifying! The pairing is equally vivid
and expressive. This is a proof that the great names of
the past still can be beaten! |
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