PART 3
C-L

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]

John CAGE (1912-1992) As It Is Alexei Lubimov (piano, prepared piano) Natalia Pschenitschnikova (voice) rec. 2011 ECM NEW SERIES 2268 [71:31] [DC]

Opens up unexpected musical nuggets and provides context for Cage’s entire creative world.

In Friendship César CANO (b.1960) Quintet Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Clarinet Quintet Joan Enric Lluna (clarinet) Alexander String Qt rec. 2011 FOGHORN CLASSICS CD2007 [59:38] [OL]

Inspired performances of inspired music.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH 
Georgy CATOIRE (1861-1926) Symphony see BLUMENFELD

CHEN Gang The Butterfly Lovers Piano Concerto YIN Chengzong (b.1941) The Yellow River Piano Concerto Chen Jie (piano) New Zealand SO/Carolyn Kuan rec. 2011 NAXOS 8.570607 [49:00] [RMay]

Plenty of appealing melody and sub-Rachmaninov passion.

Fryderyk CHOPIN (1810-1849) Chopin for Piano Duo Anthony Goldstone, Caroline Clemmow (piano duo) rec. 2008, DIVINE ART DDA25070 [72:19] [OL]

An interesting disc for those who like to explore the unknown, and to see the known from new points of view.

Frédéric CHOPIN (1810-1849) Piano works Evgeni Koroliov (piano) rec. 2011 TACET 202 [79:41] [BR]

Beautiful, dead things: Chopin playing at its most clichéd.

Frédéric CHOPIN (1810-1849) Barcarolle, Berceuse, Ballade 1 Anne-Marie McDermott (piano) rec. 2011 BRIDGE 9359 [68:17] [BR]

McDermott’s Chopin is distinctive. Her style won’t be for everyone but despite a few odd tracks I found much to like.

Fryderyk CHOPIN (1810-1849) Piano Sonata 2, Ballade 1, Preludes see Leonard Shure

Frédéric CHOPIN (1810-1849) Piano works see BEETHOVEN

Gloria COATES (b.1938) String Quartets 1-9 Kreutzer Qt rec. 2000-09 NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS 8.503240 [3 CDs: 64:37 + 59:02 + 58:51] [Byz]

One of the most important and prolific female composers of the 20th and 21st centuries.

François COUPERIN (1688-1733) Messe proper pour les couvents de religieux, et religieuses Pierre Du MAGE (1674-1751) 1e Livre d’orgue contenant une suite du premier ton David Ponsford (organ) rec. 2012 NIMBUS ALLIANCE NI 6213 [63:38] [DC]

Staggering variety of colour: Couperin on a human scale.

Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Images: Book I see BRAHMS

Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Cello Sonata see Duo

Frederick DELIUS (1862-1934) Cello Sonata Edvard GRIEG (1843-1907) Cello Sonata Raphael Wallfisch (cello) John York (piano) rec. 2011, NIMBUS NI 5884 [68:24] [JW]

This is a most successful disc, excellently engineered, and annotated.

Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797-1848) Lucia di Lammermoor Maria Callas (soprano) Giuseppe Di Stefano (tenor) Tito Gobbi (baritone) Ch & O of the Florence Maggio Musicale/Tullio Serafin rec. 1953 PRISTINE AUDIO PACO 084 [68:43 + 64:14] [JS]

For admirers of Callas or Donizetti this newly minted set is more than ever an essential part of their collections. 

Paul DUKAS (1865-1935) Villanelle for horn and piano see Come Blow Your Horn

Maurice DURUFLÉ (1902-1986) Complete Organ Works, Motets, Requiem Bo Skovhus (baritone) Kristian Krogsøe (organ) Aarhus Cathedral Ch, Vocal Group Concert Clemens/Carsten Seyer-Hansen rec. 2010-12 DANACORD DACOCD 726 [120:38] [HP-R]

Aarhus Cathedral is very fortunate to have such an accomplished musical team. 

Jan Ladislav DUSSEK (1760-1812) Duos for Harp and Piano Masumi Nagasawa (single action harp) Richard Egarr (pianoforte) rec. 2011 ETCETERA KTC 1436 [71:13] [JW]

Ingratiating warmth. 

Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) String Quartet 3 Vlach Quartet Prague rec. 1998-1999 NAXOS 8.553378 [63:43] [SV]

This sensitive, stylish issue is well worth checking out. 

Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) Symphony 9 see Romantische Sinfonien

Werner EGK (1901-1983) Die Zaubergeige highlights; La Tentation de Saint Antoine Marcel Cordes, Erika Köth, Richard Holm, Gottlob Frick, Bavarian State Ch & O/Werner Egk rec. 1954/56 MAGDALEN RECORDINGS METCD8018 [74:09] [JS]

Well worth exploration. This inexpensive but well filled disc merits a very strong welcome.

Óscar ESPLÁ (1889-1976) Music for Piano Martin Jones (piano) rec. 2012 NIMBUS RECORDS NI 5889 [78:03 +69:13][SA]

Martin Jones plays with great sensitivity and a real feeling for the colour.

Johann Friedrich FASCH (1688 - 1758) Orchestral Works - Volumes 2 & 3 Tempesta di Mare, Philadelphia Baroque O/Gwyn Roberts, Richard Stone rec. 2010-12 CHANDOS CHAN 0783/0791 [74:12 & 66:20] [JV]

Valuable contributions to our knowledge and appreciation of the Fasch oeuvre. 

Gabriel FAURÉ (1845-1924) Piano Quartets 1 & 2 Éric Le Sage (piano) Daishin Kashimoto (violin) Lise Berthaud (viola) François Salque (cello) rec. 2011 ALPHA 601 [64:09] [OL]

Faithful performances, expressive and engaging. 

Gerald FINZI (1901-1956) Clarinet Concerto see STANFORD

Jean FRANÇAIX (1912-1997) Music for solo piano, duo and duet Martin Jones (piano) Richard McMahon (Duo): Adrian Farmer (Duet) rec. 2011 NIMBUS NI 5880 [3 CDs: 191:05] [JW]

Lovers of the Ravel and Satie-spiced, jazz-infused, rhythmically inexhaustible Françaix can entertain no reservations over this set.

César FRANCK (1822-1890) Symphony in D minor see Romantische Sinfonien

Giovanni GABRIELI (1544/47-1612) Sacred Symphonies Ex Cathedra, His Majestys Sagbutts and Cornetts, Concerto Palatino/Jeffrey Skidmore rec. 2012 HYPERION CDA67957 [66:16] [JQ]

A feast for the ears. Gabrieli’s music brought vividly to life. 

Vittorio GIANNINI (1903-1966) Piano Quintet, Piano Trio Musicians of the Manchester Music Festival rec. 2011 MSR CLASSICS MS 1394 [60:59] [RB]

Two no-compromise neo-romantic chamber works utterly saturated in intense sentiment and lyricism.

Jan van GILSE (1881-1944) Symphonies 3& 4, Funeral Music on the Death of Uilenspiegel, Concert Overture Aile Asszonyi (soprano) Netherlands SO/David Porcelijn rec. 2009/10 CPO 7775182/7776892 [63:00 & 62:33] [RB]

Glowing radiance is his shining strength. 

Alexander GLAZUNOV (1865-1936) The Welte Mignon Mystery - Volume XIX Alexander Glazunov & Artur Lemba (pianos, recorded on Welte Mignon piano rolls) rec.1910 TACET 203 [75:07] [JW]

These tracks summon up a small element of Glazunov’s pre-Revolutionary musical life. 

Maurice GREENE (1696-1755) Sonnet settings from Spenser’s Amoretti Benjamin Hulett (tenor) Luke Green (harpsichord) Giangiacomo Pinardi (theorbo) rec. 2012 NAXOS 8.572891 [66:17] [JF]

No better can be demanded for a performance of these richly demanding sonnets. 

Edvard GRIEG (1843-1907) Piano Concerto, Lyric Pieces see SCHUMANN

Edvard GRIEG (1843-1907) Cello Sonata see DELIUS

RECORDING OF THE MONTH George Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759) Handel’s Finest Arias for Base Voice Christopher Purves (bass) Arcangelo/Jonathan Cohen rec. 2012 HYPERION CDA67842 [70:54] [JW]

This outstandingly good disc offers a wide range of music, feeling, texture and mood. 

George Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759) Dixit Dominus, Zadok the Priest, Ode for Queen Anne Apollo's Fire & Singers/Jeannette Sorrell rec. 2007/8 AVIE AV2270 [64:56] [JV]

I am not that impressed.

Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Missa in Angustiis William CROFT (1678-1727) The Burial Service Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, London SO/David Willcocks rec. 1960/61 ALTO ALC1184 [74:42] [JS]

It is good to have these recordings from what was very much a vintage period for the King’s College Choir.

Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Trumpet Concerto see MOZART

Ferdinand HÉROLD (1791-1833) La fille mal gardée - Choreography by Sir Frederick Ashton Nadia Nerina, David Blair, The Royal Ballet, Covent Garden O/John Lanchbery rec. 1962 ICA CLASSICS ICAD5088 [90:37] [RMay]

A wonderful full characterised performance and an historic occasion. 

Ferdinand HILLER (1811-1885) Piano Sonatas 2 & 3 and other short pieces for piano Alexandra Oehler (piano) rec. 2010 CPO 777 584-2 [52:48] [JW]

A very fair survey of Hiller’s piano works. 

Antony HOPKINS (b.1921) Portrait of a Composer rec 2011 DIVINE ART DDA21217 [67:37 + 57:52] [JW]

A Portrait and a very well deserved one too.

Christopher HOWELL (b.1953) And We Are Whole Again: Hymns and Canti Biblici Caroline Goodwin (soprano) Christopher Howell (organ) rec. 2011/12 SHEVA COLLECTION SH061 [64:20] [Byz]

Unpretentious and tuneful … should appeal to congregations far and wide.

Herbert HOWELLS (1892-1983) Hymnus Paradisi, A Kent Yeoman’s Wooing Song Joan Rodgers (soprano) Anthony Rolfe Johnson (tenor) Alan Opie (baritone) BBC SO & Ch/Richard Hickox rec. 1988 CHANDOS CHAN 10727X [65:12] [JW]

Hickox and his forces reinforce a strong claim. 

Thomas HYDE (b. 1978) Chamber music Aquinas Piano Trio, Iuventus Quartet rec. 2007-12 GUILD GMCD 7389 [73:54] [JW]

This is not only welcome but has been accomplished with skill and attention to detail.

Ludvig IRGENS-JENSEN (1894-1969) Symphonic Works Trondheim SO/Eivind Aadland rec. 2009 CPO 7773472 [59:03 + 63:58] [RB]

A pastoral nationalist who produced music that remained vibrant well into the twentieth century.

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Gabriel JACKSON (b. 1962) A ship with unfurled sails The State Choir Latvija/Māris Sirmais rec. 2010 HYPERION CDA67976 [78:21] [JQ]

A memorable exhibition of unaccompanied choral singing and more fine music by Gabriel Jackson. 

Gordon JACOB (1895-1984) Viola Sonatina see Idylls and Bacchanals

Leoš JANÁČEK (1854-1928) The Fiddler’s Child see MAHLER

David JENNINGS (b.1972) Piano Sonata and other pieces James Willshire (piano) rec. 2012 DIVINE ART DDA25110 [78:10] [GH]

A new and individual voice in British piano music.

Sigfrid KARG-ELERT (1877-1933) The Complete Organ Works - Volume 8 Stefan Engels (organ) rec. 2011 PRIORY PRCD1063 [73:51] [Byz]

Music that is eminently accessible and likeable played with ample technique, stamina and understated expression. 

Erich Wolfgang KORNGOLD (1897-1957) Much Ado About Nothing, Sinfonietta Helsinki PO/John Storgårds rec. 2011/12 ONDINE ODE 1191-2D [43:38 + 43:33] [NB]

Given the competition this disc demands the attention of completists only. 

György KURTÁG (b.1926) Signs, Games and Messages György LIGETI (1923-2006) Sonata for Viola Solo Kim Kashkashian (viola) rec. 2011 ECM NEW SERIES 2240 [55:12] [JW]

Terse and dramatic music-making. 

Jean-Marie LECLAIR (1697 - 1764) Récréations de musique 1 & 2 Musica Alta Ripa MUSIKPRODUKTION DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM MDG 3091762-2 [75:44] [JV]

Simply wonderful stuff.  

Kenneth LEIGHTON (1929-1988) Fantasia on the name of BACH see Idylls and Bacchanals

György LIGETI (1923-2006) Sonata for Viola Solo see KURTÁG

Dinu LIPATTI (1917-1950) Piano Works Luiza Borac (piano) rec. 2012 AVIE RECORDS AV2271 [63:21 + 47:06] [DC]

If you thought you knew Dinu Lipatti, think again.

Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Liebesträume 2 & 3, Valses Oubliée 1-3, Mephisto Waltz 1, Fantasy on Hungarian Folk Melodies, Piano Concerto 2, Funérailles Sviatoslav Richter (piano) Hungarian State O/János Ferencsik rec. 1958/61 WEST HILL RADIO ARCHIVES WHRA6043 [79:47] [JW]

A feast of Richter’s Liszt caught live. 

Martin LODGE (b. 1954) Toru rec. 2011 ATOLL ACD 143 [69:35] [BMcC]

Will appeal to Martin Lodge enthusiasts as well as those who enjoy the music of nature.

Ireneusz LUKASZEWSKI (b. 1938) Choral Works Polski Chor Kameralny/Jan Lukaszewski rec. 2011 ACTE PRÉALABLE AP0252 [57:04][JW]

The choral singing is first class, from top to bottom, and the church recording has been sensitively handled.

Witold LUTOSLAWSKI (1913-1994) Mała Suite, Cello Concerto, Grave, Symphony 2 Paul Watkins (cello) BBC SO/Edward Gardner rec. 2011 CHANDOS CHSA5106 [70:04] [DC]

Scary and splendid, a journey to delight, enlighten and unnerve. 

 

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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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