Victor
DE SABATA
(1892-1967) La notte di Plàton,
Gethsemani, Juventus 
Aldo Ceccato conducting the London Philharmonic Orchestra
HYPERION CDA67209 [62:57] [IL]
For
all unashamed romantics -- this recording is absolutely fabulous. Don’t
miss it. If only today’s composer’s of film music could find such a
lyrical and unrestrained voice. ...see Full Review
Camille
SAINT-SAENS
(1835-1921) The Complete 5 Piano Concertos Gabriel
Tacchino (piano) Orchestra of Radio Luxembourg Louis de Froment (conductor)
Symphony No.3 in C minor Op. 78 "Organ" Baltimore
Symphony Orchestra Sergiu Comissiona (conductor) Carnival of the
Animals 
Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra Bystrich Rezucha (conductor)
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 99524 [3 Discs :77:00 ; 67:53 ; 64:21] [TH]
This
set has the distinction of featuring the veteran French pianist and
personal friend of Poulenc, Gabriel Tacchino however the competition
leaves this set unplaced. … see Full
Review
Joly
BRAGA SANTOS
(1924-1988) Symphony
No. 1 (1947) Symphonic Overture No. 3 (1954?)
Hungarian State SO/Mátyas Antal rec 7-10 Aug 1989, Italian Institute,
Budapest STRAUSS PORTUGALSOM
SP4048 [50.32] [RB]
The
best version available of the First Symphony. This is a work that anyone
who loves his Sibelius, Moeran or Vaughan Williams must hear. ... see
Full Review
Erik
SATIE (1866-1925)
The Music for Piano (complete)
Aldo Ciccolini (piano 2 & 4 hands) Rec 1967-1971, EMI France
EMI Classics 5 74534 2 [5CDs: 53.13, 54.29,59.37, 60.41, 48.19]
[TB]
This
is a French issue. Everything is beautifully presented. Just like Ciccolini's
performances, in fact. … see Full Review
Harold
SCHIFFMAN (born
1928) Symphony
(1961)a Concerto for Oboe d’amore and String Orchestra (1988)b
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra (1982)b
Julie Ann Giacobassi (oboe d’amore); Jane Perry-Camp (piano); Györ
Philharmonic Orchestraa; Hungarian Symphony Orchestrab;
Mátyás Antal Recorded: Györ Evangelical Church, May
1998 (Symphony); MATAV Music House, Budapest, July 1998 (Oboe
d’amore Concerto) and June 1999 (Piano Concerto)
NORTH/SOUTH RECORDINGS R 1021 [75:08] [HC]
Fine
works well served by performers who play with dash and conviction. Bright
recorded sound. If you like American symphonism as embodied by, say,
Walter Piston, Paul Creston or Peter Mennin, you will have no difficulty
with Schiffman’s music. … see Full Review
Franz SCHREKER
(1878-1934) -
Prelude to ‘Memnon’ (1933) [22.17] - Romantic Suite (1902)
[27.13] NOe. Tonkünstler
Orchestra, Vienna/Uwe Mund - Recorded in the ORF-Studio, Vienna, March
1988 DDD NAXOS 8.555107
[49.30] [TH]
Cheap,
decently recorded, and well worth investigation from those who care
about composers from the margins of music history. … see Full
Review
Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
Die
schöne Müllerin D. 795
Andreas Schmidt (baritone), Rudolf Jansen (pianoforte) Recorded Sender
freies Berlin, Kleiner Sendesaal, 5th-8th June
2000 HÄNSSLER CD
98.373 [61’26"] [CH]
It
is the simplicity of Schmidt’s utterance which strikes us most. His
interpretation has a timeless quality. ...see Full
Review
Franz
SCHUBERT
(1797 – 1828) Piano Sonata in A minor, D.845
Piano Sonata in E flat major, D.568
Jeno Jando (piano) Recorded at the Phoenix Studios, Budapest, February,
1998 NAXOS 8.553099
[61:29] [TH]
An
issue that will not displace any Schubertian's favourites, and does
not plumb the depths as much as it might, though there are no serious
reasons for the average collector not to investigate. … see Full
Review
Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856)
Marchenerzahlungen Op 132 Max
BRUCH (1838-1920) 8 Pieces for Clarinet, Viola and Piano
Op 83 Michel Lethiec,
clarinet Vladimir Mendelssohn, viola Roberte Mamou, piano Recorded Conservatoire
de Tourcoing March 1995
PAVANE ADW 7334 [53.38] [JW]
Truly
musical performances from all three players never over assertive or
feyly withdrawn but instead distinctively alive to all the moods of
these engaging pieces. ...see Full
Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH
Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH
(1906-75) Piano
Concerto No. 1 (1933) * Piano Concerto No. 2 (1957) ** Cello Concerto
No. 1 (1959) *** * Andrê
Previn (piano), William Vacchiano (trumpet), NYPO/Bernstein ** Leonard
Bernstein (piano and conductor)/NYPO *** Yo-Yo Ma (cello)/Philadelphia/Ormandy
Piano Concertos: rec 1960s ADD; Cello Concerto: 1980s DDD
SONY SMK 89752 [69.07] [RB]
Classic
Shostakovich; irresistible in the case of the populist Second Concerto.
… see Full Review
Jean SIBELIUS
(1865-1957) Symphony
No. 1 (1898) - Symphony No. 4 (1911) - Symphony No. 5 (1917) - Symphony
No. 6 (1918) - Karelia Suite (1896)
Berlin PO/Herbert von Karajan - rec 1 (1981), 4 (1978), 5 (1977), 6
(1986), Karelia (1981)
EMI CLASSICS Double Fforte 7243 5 74858 2 [CD1 77.54; CD2 76.35]
[RB]
Karajan
was no mean Sibelian and his Fifth Symphony was always worth a concentrated
listen. … see Full Review
Jean SIBELIUS
(1865-1957) Violin
Concerto - Alban BERG (1885-1935) Violin
Concerto Oleg Kagan (violin)
Sibelius: Finnish Radio SO/Tauno Hannikainen, rec Helsinki, 8 Dec 1965
- Berg: Vienna SO/Hans Vonk, rec Bregenzer Festspiele, 11 Aug 1985
LIVE CLASSICS LCL 143 [58.43] [RB]
This
disc is satisfying for the Sibelius - a historically significant document
- and outstanding for the Berg. … see Full
Review
Jean
SIBELIUS (1865-1957)
Symphony
No. 1 (1899) [35.54] - Symphony No. 4 (1910) [32.31]
Vienna PO/Lorin Maazel - rec Sofiensaal, Vienna, Sept 1963, Mar-Apr
1968 ADD ELOQUENCE (DECCA)
461 325-2 [69.00] [RB]
A
deeply cherishable disc in which two classic Sibelius symphony recordings
of the sixties are made cheaply available. … see Full
Review
Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957)
Symphony
No. 2 (1902) [43.04] - Symphony No. 3 (1907) [26.31]
Vienna PO/Lorin Maazel - rec Sofiensaal, Vienna, Apr 1964, Mar-Apr 1968
ADD ELOQUENCE (DECCA)
461 321-2 [69.42] [RB]
A
deeply cherishable disc in which two classic Sibelius symphony recordings
of the sixties are made cheaply available. … see Full
Review
Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957)
Symphony
No. 5 (1915, 1919) [27.13] - Symphony No. 6 (1923) [24.11] - Symphony
No. 7 (1924) [21.18]
Vienna PO/Lorin Maazel - rec Sofiensaal, Vienna, Mar 1966 (5, 7), Mar-Apr
1968 (6) ADD ELOQUENCE
(DECCA) 461 323-2 [73.17] [RB]
A
deeply cherishable Sixth with strong but flawed recordings of the Fifth
and Seventh. Regally recorded. … see Full
Review
Jean
SIBELIUS (1865-1957) Symphony
No. 1 [35.48] - Symphony No. 4 [31.59]
Lemminkainen's Return [5.27] Berceuse from The Tempest
[2.37] Philadelphia Orchestra
cond: Eugene Ormandy (1; Return); Leopold Stokowski (4; Berceuse) -
rec 25 Oct 1941 (Sym 1); 20 Oct 1940 (Return); 15 Jan 1936 (Berceuse);
23 Apr 1932 (Sym 4) ADD mono - transfer by Mark Obert-Thorn
BIDDULPH WHL062 [76.58] [RB]
Humility
from Stokowski in No.4 and invincible unanimity of attack from Ormandy's
supreme orchestra. ... see Full
Review
Jean
SIBELIUS (1865-1957)
Violin
Concerto (1905) - Symphony No. 5 (1917) - Ida Haendel (violin)
Bournemouth SO/Paavo Berglund - rec 1976, 1974, EMI UNESCO CLASSICS -
DISKY DCL 707242 [65.00] [RB]
Two
lustrous and illustrious Sibelius documents at super bargain price -
devastatingly compelling in the case of the concerto. ... see Full
Review
Jean
SIBELIUS
(1865-1957) Symphony
No. 2 (1902) [41.11] Symphony No. 5 (1917) [30.03]
Boston SO/Serge Koussevitsky - rec Symphony Hall, Boston, 24 Jan 1935
(2); 29 Dec 1936 (5). ADD
NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110170 [71.14] [RB]
Nice
transfers of classic Boston Sibelius - stronger in the Fifth than the
Second. … see Full Review
Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957)
Symphony No. 2 (1902) [43.17] The Tempest: Caliban's Song;
Canon; Humoresque; Oak Tree [6.44] Karelia Suite:
Intermezzo; Alla Marcia [6.52] Tapiola [17.49]
Royal PO (Tapiola; Sym 2); BBCSO (Karelia);
Thomas Beecham - rec 21, 23, 24 Dec 1946, 8, 9 Feb 1947 (Sym 2); 4 Oct
1934 (Tempest); 13 Dec 1945 (Karelia); 25 Nov 1946 (Tapiola)
ADD - Mono - transfer by Mark Obert-Thorn
BIDDULPH WHL055 [75.14] [RB]
Fine
performances from the 1930s and this Tapiola belongs in the Olympic
heights. … see Full Review
Jean
SIBELIUS (1865-1957)
Symphony
no. 4 in A minor - Symphony no. 6 in D minor.
CBSO/Rattle - Rec 1980s? (DDD)
EMI CLASSICS CDM 7 64121 2 [58 mins?][DW]
I
am fussy about performances and these do not quite make the grade though
the string playing in the Sixth is ravishing … see Full
Review
Jean
SIBELIUS
(1865-1957) Violin
Concerto (1904) Carl NIELSEN (1865-1931)
Violin Concerto (1911)
Cho-Liang Lin (violin) Philharmonia (Sibelius); Swedish RSO (Nielsen)
conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen rec 1988?
SONY CLASSICAL THETA SMK89748 [69.16] [RB]
A
sound library choice with really great sound and performances that exude
individuality without eccentricity. … see Full Review
Jean
SIBELIUS (1865-1957)
The Seven Symphonies and
a selection of the tone poems DISC
1 [40.03] Symphony No. 1 (rec Jan 1976) [39.31] DISC 2 [73.14]
Symphony No. 2 (rec Sept 1974) [45.34] Symphony No. 3 (rec
Nov 1970) [27.27] DISC 3 [69.02] Symphony No. 4 (rec May 1977)
[36.14] Symphony No. 5 (rec Dec 1971) [32.38] DISC 4 [53.24]
Symphony No. 6 (rec Jan/Feb 1974) [29.35] Symphony No. 7 (rec
Jan/Feb 1974) [23.49] DISC 5 Finlandia (rec Dec 1971)
[8.16] Valse Triste [5.32] Night Ride and Sunrise
(rec May/June 1977) [16.08] The Swan of Tuonela [9.02]
* En Saga (rec Nov 1970) [19.54]
Berlin SO/Kurt Sanderling Berlin Radio SO/Paavo Berglund (rec 1983)
all Sanderling recordings made in the Christuskirche, Berlin recorded
1970-77 ADD stereo recordings digitally remastered.
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 6328 [5CDs: 40.03+73.14+69.02+53.24+59.02] [RB]
A
valuable bargain addition to anyone's library and very strong in the
case of symphonies 1, 3, 4, 5 and one of the best versions ever of Nightride
and Sunrise. ...see Full Review
Christian
SINDING (1856-1941)
Symphony
no. 1 in D minor, op. 21
Symphony no. 2 in D, op. 83
Radio-Philharmonie Hannover des NDR/Thomas Dausgaard
Recorded in the Grosser Sendesaal des Landesfunkhauses Hannover des
NDR, 24th-28th Feb. 1997, 13th-17th
Sep. 1999 CPO 999
502-2 [70’42"] [CH]
Well-made
music, but is there anything here that "only" Sinding could
have written? … see Full Review
Bedřich
SMETANA
(1824-1884) Má
Vlast (My Country) A cycle of symphonic poems
Vyšehrad (1874) [15.40] Vltava (The Moldau) (1874) [11.35]
Šárka (1875) [9.43] Z českých luhů a hájů
(From Bohemia’s Woods and Fields) (1875) [13.09] Tábor
(1878) [12.59] Blaník (1879) [14.15]
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, cond. Rafael Kubelík DDD: recorded
live at the opening concert of the Prague Spring Festival at the Smetana
Hall of the Council House, Prague on 12 May 1990
SUPRAPHON 11 1208-2 031 [77.45] [PL]
Literally
incomparable. Buy it, whether or not you have a Má Vlast already
on your shelves! … see Full Review
Bedrich
SMETANA
(1824-1884) Piano
Trio in G minor Antonin DVORAK (1841-1904)
Piano Trio in E minor, Opus 90 'Dumky'
Smetana Trio Rec 6-9 January 2000, Demovina Studio, Prague
SUPRAPHON SU 3500-2 131 [58.23] [TB]
The
composers would surely have approved of the eloquent performances of
the Smetana Trio. … see Full Review
Sir
Arthur SOMERVELL (1863-1937)
Song
Cycles: Maud [35.36] A Shropshire Lad [23.27]
David Wilson-Johnson (baritone); David Owen Norris (piano) Recorded
March 1985 HYPERION
HELIOS CDH55089 [59.14] Budget price [JQ]
This
reissue is greatly to be welcomed and should be heard by all lovers
of English song. Strongly recommended. … see Full
Review
Sir
John STAINER (1840-1901)
The Crucifixion, Come, thou long-expected Jesus, I saw the Lord,
Love Divine all loves excelling *
Richard Lewis, tenor Owen Brannigan, bass Brian Runnett, organ The Choir
of St John’s College Cambridge The Choir of King’s College Cambridge
* George Guest Stephen Cleobury * Recorded St John’s College Chapel,
Cambridge December 1961 (The Crucifixion); August 1963 (Come Thou long-expected
Jesus); King’s College Chapel 1958 (I saw the Lord); March 1985 (Love
Divine all loves excelling)
DECCA 470 379-2 [74.21] [JW]
The
Crucifixion still has the power to move. … see Full
Review
Richard STRAUSS
(1864-1949) Horn
Concerto no. 1 in Eb, op.11 - Horn Concerto no. 2 in Eb, (1942) -
Paul HINDEMITH (1895-1963) Horn Concerto
(1949) - Concert Music for Brass and Strings, op.50 - Dennis Brain,
horn Philharmonia Orchestra/Sawallisch
in the Strauss Philharmonia
Orchestra/Hindemith in the Hindemith - Strauss recorded Abbey Rd Studios,
London, September 1956. Hindemith recorded Kingsway Hall London, November
1956 EMI CLASSICS
‘GREAT RECORDINGS OF THE CENTURY’ 7243 5 67782 [65:07] [GPJ]
One
of the greatest instrumentalists of the 20th century in some
of its juiciest music – it’s a disc you can’t really afford to miss.
… see Full Review
Richard
STRAUSS
(1864-1949) Also Sprach Zarathustra, op 30
(1896) Salome – Dance of the Seven Veils (1905) Der
Rosenkavalier – Orchestral excerpts (1911) Feuersnot –
Love Scene (1901)
London Philharmonic Orchestra/Norman Del Mar (Recorded at Walthamstow
Assembly Hall, 1978 & 1979)
CLASSICS FOR PLEASURE 5 73442 2 [74.26] [TD]
Excellent
bargain priced Strauss conducted by someone who knew this music better
than many. … see Full Review
Richard
STRAUSS
(1864-1949) Ein
Heldenleben Op.40, Tod und Verklärung Op.24*
Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam/Willem Mengelberg (Recorded in
the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, 21 April 1941 and 14 April 1942*) Restoration
producer Mark Obert-Thorn
NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110161 [65.54] [TD]
A
great partnership from a past era delivers two stunning performances
in remarkable sound. … see Full Review
George
Templeton STRONG (1856-1948)
Die
Nacht - four little tone poems (1913) [26.10] Le Roi Arthur -
symphonic poem (1916) [40.56]
Moscow SO/Adriano rec April 1999, Mosfilm Studios, Moscow world premiere
recordings NAXOS 8.559048
[67.15] [RB]
Pleasingly
discursive late-romantic canvases which sit easily with the pictorial
works of Raff, and Huber. … see Full Review
Josef
SUK
(1874-1935) Piano Music Six Piano Pieces: Song
of Love, Humoreske, Recollections, Idylls, Dumka, Capriccietto De
Maman (O matince) Quand maman était encore une petite
fille, Jadis au printemps, Comme maman chantait, la nuit, à son
enfant malade; Du coeur de maman, Souvenirs Moods Legend,
Capriccio, Romanze, Bagatelle, Spring Idyll
Risto Lauriala (piano) recorded in the Small Auditorium, Tampere Hall,
Tampere, Finland; 18-19 December 1996
NAXOS 8.553762 [72:34] [GL][JW]
Whilst
many of these pieces share a certain similarity, each track has an identity
of its own. A recommended album for admirers of piano music.[GL]
Suk’s piano music has been neglected of late and this is an excellent
opportunity to get to know it better.[JW] … see Full
Review
Peter
I TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893)
Violin Concerto * Sérénade Mélancolique
# Henryk WIENIAWSKI (1835-1880)
Violin Concerto No 2 +
Mischa Elman, violin with
London Symphony Orchestra conducted by John Barbirolli December 1929
* Victor Symphony Orchestra conducted by Nathaniel Shilkret August 1930
# Robin Hood Dell Orchestra of Philadelphia conducted by Alexander Hilsberg
June 1950 + NAXOS
HISTORICAL 8.110912 [66.58] [JW]
Elman’s
succulent portamenti, ravishing tone, lava-like in its molten flow,
which no-one could ever match. One of the most remarkable sounds in
recorded music. … see Full Review
Pyotr
Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY
(1840-1893) The Masterworks CD1
Symphony No. 4 [43.40] Marche Slave [9.43] CD2 Symphony No. 5
[47.00] Capriccio Italien [16.40] CD3 Symphony No. 6 [45.40]
Overture - The Storm [14.17] CD4 Piano Concerto No. 1 [34.43]
Violin Concerto [35.13]
CDs 1-3 London SO/Gennadi Rozhdestvensky CD4 - Slovak PO Peter Toperczer
(piano); cond Ladislav Slovak Vladimir Spivakov (violin): cond Zdenek
Kosler rec dates not given. LSO recordings DDD probably late 1980s.
Slovak PO ADD probably 1970s
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 99410 [4CDs: 53.18; 63.42; 59.59; 69.36]
[RB]
A
good unaffected and inexpensive library choice or newcomer's introduction
to the popular symphonies and piano concerto. Spivakov superb in the
violin concerto. Your price is justified by the Spivakov alone but there
is much else to enjoy. ...see Full Review
Jehan
TITELOUZE
(1563-1633) Hymns
(Ave Maris Stella; Pange Lingua; Veni Creator; Conditor Alme siderum;
A solis ortis; Exsultet Coelum) Magnificat on the sixth tone played
on the historic organ of Thomas Dallam
Jean-Charles Ablitzer with verses and polyphony performed by Gerard
Lesne, Josep Benet, Josep Cabre and Malcolm Bothwell Recorded at the
Church of Saint-Miliau, Guimiliau, Finisterre, November 1990
HARMONIC RECORDS HCD 9037 [58.58] [GH]
Each
leading voice part in the texture needs clarity and focus. It is a credit
to the creative imagination of Harmonic and its artists this, and more,
is achieved. … see Full Review
Richard
TOENSING (born
1940) Responsoria
(1991/3) The Choir of St.
Luke in the Fields; Troy L. Rinker, Jr. (double bass); Christopher Oldfather
(piano); Thomas Kolor (percussion); David Shuller Recorded: St. Luke
in the Fields, New York, Summer 1998
NORTH/SOUTH RECORDINGS R 1022 [36:11 + 50:42 + 40:50] [HC}
A
long piece, but don’t be put off by it for this is a truly magnificent
piece that definitely deserves to be better known. Recalls Pärt,
Rubbra and Vaughan Williams. … see Full Review
Thomas
TOMKINS
(1572 - 1656) 1.
Barafostus' dream 2. Pavan of three parts 3. GaIliard of three parts
4. Miserere 5. A sad pavan for these, distracted times 6. Worcester
brawls (Worster Braules) 7. What if a day 8. Fancy for two to play 9.
Fancy 10. Pavan 11. The Lady Folliott's galliard 12. Fancy 13. Toy made
at Poole Court 14. Pavan Earl Strafford 15. Galliard Earl Strafford
16. Fortune my Foe 17. Ground 18. In Nomine 19. Ground
Carole Cerasi (harpsichord) Rec: December 2000, East Woodhay.
METRONOME MET CD 1049 [73.33] [KM]
A
fine overview of Tomkin’s varied keyboard music. Cerasi is an excellent
performer, and, with the exception of some of the faster pieces where
she gets carried away by the tempo, her interpretations are first-rate.
… see Full Review
Eduard
TUBIN
(1905-82) Complete Music for Violin, Viola and Piano
Arvo Leibur (violin) Vardo Rumessen (piano) Petra Vahle (viola)
rec 11-20 July 1991, Danderyd Grammar School Gymnasium, Sweden DDD
BIS-CD-541/542 [CD1 77.52; CD2 70.32] [RB]
As
strongly recommended as the Rumessen triple volume cycle of the Tubin
piano music - also from BIS. Not to be missed! ... see Full
Review
Ralph
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS Symphony
No. 4 [32.57] George BUTTERWORTH A
Shropshire Lad [9.55] George ANTHEIL Symphony
No. 4 1942 [31.45]
NBCSO/Leopold Stokowski - rec from original NBC broadcasts 14 March
1943 (RVW4); 13 Feb 1944 (Butterworth and Antheil). ADD MONO
CALA CACD0528 [74.37] [RB]
This
works well as an adjunct to the Sony recording of Stokowski in RVW 6
and Mitropoulos in RVW 4. For Stokowski, RVW, Antheil and Butterworth
specialists. The Fourth Symphony of Vaughan Williams is given a quite
special performance. … see Full Review
Ralph
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958)
Symphony
No. 2 A London Symphony (1913 rev 1920) Symphony No. 8 (1956)
Hallé/Sir
John Barbirolli rec Free Trade Hall, Manchester, 19 June 1956 (No. 2);
28-29 Dec 1957 (No. 8) stereo ADD
DUTTON LABORATORIES - The Barbirolli Society CDSJB 1021 [73.33]
[RB]
Performances
to remind you that RVW is a composer whose music need not be passion-neutral.
... see Full Review
Ralph
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS
(1872-1958) Symphony
No. 6 (1948) [32.46] London
Symphony Orchestra/Adrian Boult rec 23-24 Feb 1949 under auspices of
British Council Scott of the Antarctic (1948) [8.28] Philharmonia
Orchestra/Ernest Irving rec 1949 Coastal Command: Prelude;
Sunderland Goes in Close (1942) [4.52] BBC Northern Orchestra/Muir
Mathieson rec 7 July 1943, BBC 49th Parallel - Epilogue (1941)
[4.23] London Symphony Orchestra/Muir Mathieson rec Sept 1943, London
The Story of a Flemish Farm - Dawn Scene (1943) [5.16] BBC Northern
Orchestra/Muir Mathieson rec 28 Oct 1944, BBC The Loves of Joanna
Godden (1945) [8.40] Philharmonia Orchestra/Ernest Irving rec 1947
PEARL GEM 0107
[65.13] [RB]
This
is an extremely valuable disc for Vaughan Williams collectors. Never
have so many rare vintage film tracks been gathered together. … see
Full Review
Heitor VILLA-LOBOS
Symphonies nos. 6 "Sobre a linha das montanhas do Brasil"
& 8. Suite for strings.
SWR RSO / Carl St. Clair. Rec 2000?
CPO 999 517-2 [65.00?]
Symphonies nos. 4, "Victoria" & 12.
SWR RSO / Carl St. Clair. Rec 1999?
CPO 999 525-2 [63.00?] [GR]
St.
Clair has the measure of the style and the music. Performances top-notch
though No. 6 seems less convincing as if in parallel to the work’s less
compelling inspiration. Sound quality: rich, full and with depth. …
see Full Review
Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741)
THE CONCERTO COLLECTION - 8CDs
various Artists BRILLIANT
CLASSICS STEMRA 99415 [8 CDs: 67'06", 68'31", 50'43",
54'32", 53'36", 71'13", 73'43", 51'39"] [CH]
Recommended
to all those who want 8 CDs of Vivaldi concertos. And a particular recommendation
to the agricultural community. … see Full
Review
Antonio
VIVALDI (1678-1741)
Gloria
In D Major RV589 - Dixit Dominus In D Major RV 594; Magnificat In G
Minor RV 610 - Sarah Fox and Deborah Norman (sopranos), Michael Chance
(counter-tenor); James Gilchrist (tenor); Jonathan Lemalu (bass) - Choir
of King’s College Cambridge with The Academy of Ancient Music conducted
by Stephen Cleobury Recorded
in the Chapel of King’s College Cambridge March/July 2001
EMI CLASSICS 5 57265 2 [68.15] [GH]
Much
here to captivate and interest. Performances will not disappoint, and
EMI have captured the difficult college acoustic without detriment to
the music … see Full Review
Antonio
VIVALDI (1678-1741)
Stabat Mater - Nisi Dominus, Stabat Mater dolorosa
David Daniels countertenor, Europa Galante, Fabio Biondi violin, viola
d’amore & direction, Lorenzo Colitto violin, Ernesto Braucher viola,
Maurizio Naddeo cello, Sergio Ciomei organ, Francisco Jose Montero violone,
Ugo Nastrucci theorbo, Rec: August 2001, American Academy of Arts and
Letters, New York. VIRGIN
VERITAS 5 45474 2 [55.25] [KM]
One
of those rare discs that carries you along from beginning to end as
if on a subtle wave. The music flows so perfectly … see Full
Review
William
WALTON
(1902-1983) Symphony
No. 2 (1959-60) - Variations on a Theme of Hindemith (1962-3)
- Partita (1957) - Violin Concerto (1938-9) - Belshazzar's
Feast (1930-1) - Capriccio Burlesco - Johannesburg Festival
Overture - Zino Francescatti (violin) - Walter Cassel (bar) - Rutgers
University Choir - Philadelphia Orchestra/Eugene Ormandy - Cleveland
Orchestra/Georg Szell (Symphony, Variations, Partita)
New York PO/André Kostelanetz (overture and capriccio) - Rec
late 1950s-early 1970s
SONY SB2K89934 [CD1: 72.21; CD2: 70.41] [RB]
There
is no competition for this contrasting collection of prime and late
mature Walton; the latter in authoritative versions; the former brimming
with character. ... see Full Review.
William
WALTON (1902-1983)
Symphony
No. 1 (1935) [43.17] - Violin Concerto (1939) [27.20] - Cello Concerto
(1957) [29.23] - Viola Concerto (1929) [25.46] - Sinfonia Concertante
- original version (1927) [18.35] - London SO/Previn, rec 1966 (Symphony)-
Heifetz/Philharmonia/composer, rec 1950 mono (Violin Concerto) Gregor
Piatigorsky/Boston SO/Munch, rec 1957 (Cello Concerto) Yuri Bashmet/London
SO/Previn, rec 1994 (Viola Concerto) Kathryn Stott/Royal PO/Vernon Handley,
rec 1989 (Sinfonia Concertante)
RCA-BMG 74321 92575 [CD1: 70.40; CD2: 73.50] [RB]
Golden
age Walton interpretations made irresistible at bargain price. ... see
Full Review
WILLIAM
WALTON – At the Haunted End of the Day
London Weekend Television’s South Bank Show 1981 documentary
Directed by Tony Palmer Featuring Sir William Walton and Lady Susana
Walton DECCA DVD
074 150-9 [99 mins] [IL]
A
wonderful musical experience that is whole-heartedly recommended and
especially welcome in this centenary year. … see
Full Review
Sir
William WALTON (1902-1983)
Sacred
Music Christopher Whitton
(organ)
Choir of St John's College, Cambridge Christopher Robinson Rec 10-12
July 2001, St John's College Chapel, Cambridge NAXOS
8.555793 [66.09] [TB]
Another
real bargain from Naxos. This attractive CD brings some excellent but
little known pieces to public attention. … see
Full Review
Hayden
WAYNEThe
Nuzerov Quartets No. 3, No.4, No.5
The Wallinger String Quartet Recorded December 1999, Brno, Czech Republic
NEW MILLENNIUM 61600
[71.34] [SHJ]
A
remarkable set of modern classical quartets with interesting rock and
roll inflections is let down by lack of musical development and imagination.
… see Full Review
Carl Maria von WEBER
(1786-1826) Clarinet
Concerto No. 1 - Clarinet Concerto No. 2 - Concertino for clarinet and
orchestra - Frédéric Rapin (clarinet)
Philharmonie de Timisoara/Jean-François Antonioli - Rec April
1993 1993 (No. 1), March & August 1994 (No. 2 & Concertino),
Musica Numeris, Brussels
TIMPANI 1C1031 [52.59] [TB]
The
performances are pleasing, so too the recorded sound. Rapin splendid
though his version of No. 2 misses fire. … see Full
Review
Kurt
WEILL
(1900-1950) String
Quartet No. 1 (1919) [25.03] String Quartet No. 2 Op. 8 (1922-23) [20.14]
Paul HINDEMITH (1895-1963) Minimax
- Repertorium für Militärmusik (1923) [22.22]
Leipziger Streichquartett Rec 28-30 Mar 2001 at Markkleeburg (Weill);
8/1995 Fürstliche Reitbahn Bad Arolsen. Co-production with Deutschland
Radio MDG GOLD 307 1071-2
[68.08] [RB]
A
pleasurable and surprising listening experience. … see Full
Review
Mike
WESTBROOK
(1936 -) PlatterBack
(1998) Story and Lyrics
by Kate Westbrook Westbrook & Company (Kate Westbrook, John Winfield
- vocalists; Karen Street - accordion and vocalist; Stanley Adler -
Vc and vocalist; Mike Westbrook - Pf, tuba and vocalist)
recorded at Livingstone Studios, Dec. 1998.
VOICEPRINT GROUP: JAZZPRINT JPVP117CD [74'11] [PS]
Jazz-based
musical theatre, or a jazz-based song-cycle? Platterback is both (probably),
and it’s also quirky and original. Projected with panache by Westbrook
and Company, the highlights are Kate Westbrook’s astonishing vocal acting
and (especially) Karen Street’s gorgeous accordion playing. … see Full
Review
[Part 1 New] [Part
2 A-B] [Part 3 C-L]
[Part 4 M-R] [Part
5 S-Y] [Part 6 Misc]
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