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Classical Editor: Rob
Barnett
Music Webmaster
Len Mullenger:
Len@musicweb-international.com
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Classical Editor: Rob
Barnett
Music Webmaster |
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Current
Reviews New entries are indicated by
a rotating symbol.
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PART 1 [Part 1] [Part 2]
[Part 3] [Part 4] [Part 5]
Also New:
Norman Lebrecht in interview with Marc Bridle
English Composers for Amateurs 10 profiles by Philip Scowcroft
Aviation in British Music by Phil Scowcroft
Agatha Christie and Music by Phil Scowcroft
John Addisons - Past and Present by Phil Scowcroft
Garland No 31 by Phil Scowcroft
Peformance of Lloyd Symphonic Mass March 31st 2001 (Advanced notice)
David Wright writes about Franco Donatoni and Joan Trimble who died last month
The latest contribution in the Great Composer debate
Alan Rawsthorne by John Huntley From Music Parade Volume 2 No2 circa 1950
Rawsthorne in the Pages of Music Survey - 1947 -1953
Have you checked for today's update on Seen&Heard? e.g. report from ISCM World Music Days 2000 Luxembourg 29 September-8 October
The October Film Music reviews are now available
Robert Gerhard Paul Conway appraises the available recording of the symphonies
Three emigrés: Gál, Gerhard and Goldschmidt by Guy Rickards
LATEST ADDITIONS (last two days)
WILLIAM ALWYN Sonata alla Toccata (1945/6) Movements for Piano (1961) Night Thoughts (1939) Green Hills (1935) Fantasy-Waltzes (1956/7)
Julian Milford (piano)
A most welcome release which I do not hesitate recommending.
BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Symphonies a - No. 1 in C, Op. 21; No. 3 in E flat, Op. 33, 'Eroica'. Violin Concerto in D, Op. 61b. Cello Sonata in A, Op. 69c.
To end a compilation such as this with chamber music might at first glance appear to be a miscalculation. Whether by accident or design, however, it is a masterstroke and it is this performance which makes the cost of the set worthwhile.
BENCINI Ave Maria/ Missa de Oliveria
These first recordings were made from the original parts preserved in the Vatican Apostolic Library.....I confirm the claim made that this is high quality music from the early 18th Century, with fine fugues, not dissimilar to some of Bach's.
BYRD Music for Voice & Viols
A series well worth exploring
DUSAPIN Requiem(s) Granum Sinapis; Umbrae Mortis; Dona eis
In any country or musical culture, the most interesting composers are often those whose work stands apart from prevalent or mainstream trends. Pascal Dusapin, the most important French composer of the generations younger than Boulez or Barraqué, undoubtedly belongs to this category. His music has a penetrating, searing individuality that is utterly unassimilable within stylistic categories.
Eötvös Psalm 151; Psy; Triangel
Here is one of the most important percussion CDs I have heard for many a month..... Definitely a CD to collect if you are interested in the development of percussion during the late 20th Century.
BENJAMIN FRANKEL The Battle of the Bulge (1965)
All in all this magnificent release of a large-scale score is a fine tribute to Frankel as a composer of highly distinguished film scores. A very welcome offshoot in CPO's Frankel series. Recommended and not only to film buffs.
GILBERT Dream Carousels; Igoruchki; Quartet of Beasts; Six of the Bestiary; Towards Asavari.
There is an abundance of purely musical humour and fantasy, making for an excellent long listen, nearly 80 minutes, and with NMC's production standards, a good bargain too. Gilbert manages all his disparate instrumental combinations with easy aplomb and there are many bright sounds to relish. Hard to describe; hear it instead!
HOLT …era madrugada; canciones;; sparrow night
This is darker music than that of Simon Holt's teacher Anthony Gilbert (NMC D068) which has been promoted in tandem with this one. Born 1958, Holt is an acknowledged leader of his generation of British composers, and this portrait CD can be recommended to those unfamiliar with his music, which is championed regularly by London Sinfonietta, the Nash Ensembles and others.
KENNETH LEIGHTON Sonatina No.2 Op.1b Fives Studies Op.22 Fantasia Contrappuntistica Op.24 Pieces for Angela Op.47 Four Romantic Pieces Op.95
Margaret Fingerhut (piano)
Margaret Fingerhut plays beautifully throughout and this CD is yet another well-deserved tribute to a most distinguished composer whose death in 1988 was a great loss indeed.
Áskell MÁSSON Til Lifsins (To Life) Music 1967-98. including Gna (The Goddess)
Not as stimulating as one had hoped
Subtle and power-satiated sound quality matched with perceptive performances make this a disc of preference for those wishing the best of DDD digital sound.
A useful single disc anthology of this core US composer featuring his most renowned score.
ROBIN ORR Italian Overture (1952) From the Book of Philip Sparrow (1969) Rhapsody for String Orchestra (1958) Journeys and Places (1971)*
In short a well-planned, beautifully played and richly deserved tribute to a distinguished composer who certainly merits wider recognition.
VERDI (1813-1901) Don Carlo.
Giulini's vision shines through the entire production. Backed by a list of talents such as this, Don Carlo becomes an unforgettable experience.
Nebojsa Jovan ZIVKOVIC (b. 1962) Ultimatum IIa. The Castle of the Mad King. Ilijas. Ein Liebeslied?. Northwind. Bayerischer Ländler. Trio per unoab. Il canto dei gondolieri. Suomineito. Der kleine Paganini.
It would appear that the age of the virtuoso who performs his own compositions is not dead after all.
BOOK REVIEW
ELGAR In the Bavarian Highlands by Peter Greaves Elgar Monographs No. 1; 96 pp Elgar Enterprises. - £5.99
A must-read for the Elgar enthusiast
Elgar The Best Of Me; A Gerontius Centenary Companion; Edited By Geoffrey Hodgkins.Elgar Enterprises - £18.
The entire production reflects the scholarly and affectionate approach adopted by the chief editor and his assistants.
Jussi by Anna-Lisa Björling & Andrew Farkas Amadeus Press, 1996; ISBN 1-57467-010-7; Hardback; 456 pages.
....There are many interesting photographs and a bibliography and a chronological listing of Jussi Björling's opera, operetta, and oratorio repertoire. The absence of a discography though is a serious omission. Nevertheless, this is a valuable source of reference.
RECORDINGS OF THE MONTH
BRUCKNER Symphony No 8 in C minor
There is no doubt that Boulez' Bruckner Eighth falls into that very select category named 'great recordings' - worthy to stand beside recordings by Karajan (Vienna Philharmonic), by Celibidache (Munich Philharmonic) and by Giulini (Vienna Philharmonic).
MASSENET (1842-1912) MANON Opéra Comique in five acts and six tableaux
This scintillating opera set that will be making repeated visits to my CD player
Jussi Björling Romantic Songs
If you buy only one recording this month, I unhesitatingly recommend it should be this one. 'Music' and 'Now take my heart' are still ringing in my ears; songs to die for.
CLASSIC ELLINGTON
What a magnificent Album, who says jazz and classics don't mix, this is pure delight from start to finish!
RUSSIAN HORN CONCERTOS Reinhold GLIERE (1875-1956) Horn Concerto (1950)
Four Pieces for horn and piano (1908) Alexander GLAZUNOV (1865-1936) Reverie; Serenade; Idyll (1884-1890) Vissarion SHEBALIN (1902-1963) Horn Concertino (1930)A cracking collection for French horn hunters and for anyone wanting to pathfind their way around the peripheral Russian repertoire. Advocacy of the highest order from all concerned.
David OISTRAKH ARAM KHACHATURYAN Violin Concerto (1938) NIKOLAI MIASKOVSKY Violin Concerto (1940) ARAM KHACHATURYAN Dance in B flat (Oistrakh/Abram Makarov)
Two uninhibited concertos, interpreted with poetry and whiplash technique, in exceptional mono recordings from the 1940s. Oistrakh at his zenith in the subtle and unmissable Miaskovsky.
BARGAIN OF THE MONTHBIZET Carmen (complete opera)
I cannot recommend this issue highly enough. Wonderful!!!
BYRD Music for Voice & Viols
A series well worth exploring
DEBUSSY String Quartet in G minor, op. 10 RAVEL String Quartet in F major.
This is a bargain of bargains!
Gustav MAHLER Symphonies 1 - 9
This is one of the great bargains. All of Mahler's completed symphonies for the same price you might pay for one of them at full price.
ALPHABETICAL LISTING
ABRAMS, Daniel. Fantasie Variations on Tales Of Love .
But it is an interesting disc, attractively presented. I hope it finds many friends.
Adolphe ADAM Giselle
[25 chapters - total 106:03 (the packaging incorrectly states the playing time as 116 minutes)] [GD]
This is ballet like they don't make 'em anymore.....a successful attempt to recreate Adam's Giselle as it's original creators would have understood and recognised it, freed from contemporary gimmicks and patronising attempts to make it 'relevant' for a modern audience.
WILLIAM ALWYN Sonata alla Toccata (1945/6) Movements for Piano (1961) Night Thoughts (1939) Green Hills (1935) Fantasy-Waltzes (1956/7)
A most welcome release which I do not hesitate recommending.
D'ANGLEBERT Complete harpsichord works
There are 65 pieces in this rich collection; uniformly accomplished and enjoyable
ARNOLD BAX (1883-1953) Symphony No. 5 (1932) 41.09 The Tale the Pine Trees Knew (1931) 16.33
This Naxos disc is very fine indeed and enjoyably continues a great series presenting the seriously symphonic work of a composer whose combustible imagination remains a national treasure.
To end a compilation such as this with chamber music might at first glance appear to be a miscalculation. Whether by accident or design, however, it is a masterstroke and it is this performance which makes the cost of the set worthwhile.
BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 2 Piano Concerto No. 3
Stylish playing from Gulda. Big band beefy Beethoven. Be ready for hardness in the sound at and above forte.
BEETHOVEN Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D major, op. 61. Johannes BRAHMS
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D major, op. 77.
recorded 11th March 1940 (Beethoven) in Studio 8H, New York & 11th April 1939 (Brahms) from Symphony Hall, BostonWhat we have here are two famous performances played immaculately by a violinist at the very height of his powers, issued at a bargain price with fully comprehensive notes on both works and the artists, together with a brief history of the performances themselves.
BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Fidelio. Leonore Overture No. 3.
If you haven't already heard this performance, this set is an essential purchase.
BENCINI Ave Maria/ Missa de Oliveria
These first recordings were made from the original parts preserved in the Vatican Apostolic Library.....I confirm the claim made that this is high quality music from the early 18th Century, with fine fugues, not dissimilar to some of Bach's.
BIZET Carmen (complete opera)
I cannot recommend this issue highly enough. Wonderful!!!
BRAHMS String Quartets Op. 51/1 & 2, Op. 67 Clarinet Quintet Op. 115
Orpheus Quartet with José Luis Estellés (clarinet)These are the warmest and most satisfying recorded performances of these well-loved and oft recorded masterworks, which I have heard in many a year. ... No reservations, and this is definitely a five-star set.
FRANK BRIDGE The Christmas Rose (1919-29) An opera in three scenes
For British music enthusiasts. An unconsidered treasure of the catalogue. A sensitive and joyous Christmas opera of warmly-turned and transparent lyricism.
BROSSARD Petits Motets
This is an important CD to introduce a remarkable boy singer Cyrille Dubois (left) in some very original and innovative music by Sebastien de Brossard (1655-1730)
BRUCKNER Symphony No. 1 in C Minor (1866) unrevised Linz version, prepared by William Carragan, Adagio (1876) to Symphony No. 3 in D Minor
The current disc allows us to hear the version of Symphony No. 1 as Bruckner originally wrote, and which first saw the light of day as the work originally premiered in 1868, before it was tampered with and modified.
BRUCKNER Symphony No 8 in C minor
There is no doubt that Boulez' Bruckner Eighth falls into that very select category named 'great recordings' - worthy to stand beside recordings by Karajan (Vienna Philharmonic), by Celibidache (Munich Philharmonic) and by Giulini (Vienna Philharmonic).
[Part 1] [Part 2]
[Part 3] [Part 4] [Part 5]
Classical Editor: Rob Barnett, Reviewers: Rob Barnett, Ian Lace, Len Mullenger, and: Richard Adams, Colin Anderson, Arthur Baker, Terry Barfoot, Marc Bridle, Arthur Butterworth, Colin Clarke, Paul Conway, Gary Dalkin, Andy Daly, Tony Duggan, Harry Downey, Gerald Fenech, Lewis Foreman, Christopher Howell, John Phillips, Ailís Ní Ríain, Humphrey Smith, Philip Scowcroft, Colin Scott Sutherland, Andrew Seivewright, Richard Whitehouse, Reg Williamson, Peter Grahame Woolf, David Wright. A complete list of contributors can be seen here
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