Gustav
MAHLER (1860-1911).
Symphony
No 2 in C Minor Resurrection - Kathleen Ferrier (con) and Joan
Vincent (sop) Concertgebouw Orchestra. Amsterdam Toonkunstchoir. Cond.
Otto Klemperer - Live performance
given at the Holland Festival on 6 July 1951. Bargain Price
GUILD IMMORTAL PERFORMANCE SERIES GHCD 2210 [77.41] [RJF]
If
you are a Mahler or Ferrier fan, and haven't heard this performance,
which is in good sound, then invest the modest cost, you will be well
rewarded. … see Full Review
Gustav
MAHLER
(1860-1911) Symphony No.1 in D major
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Lorin Maazel (Recorded in the Musikverin,
Vienna in 1986) SONY ESSENTIAL CLASSICS SBK89783
[57.54] Superbudget [TD]
A
disappointing interpretation from Maazel although superbly played and
richly recorded. … see Full Review
RECORDINGS
OF THE MONTH Gustav
MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony
No 7 Berliner Philharmoniker,
Claudio Abbado Live recording, Philharmonie, Berlin May 2001 Full Price
DG 417 623-2 [78’07]
[MB]
One
of Abbado’s greatest recordings - and one of a handful of Mahler symphonies
which are truly unequalled in their inspiration. … see Full
Review
Gustav
MAHLER (1860-1911)
Symphony
No.7 in E minor (1904-5)
Amsterdam Concertgebouw Orchestra/Kirill Kondrashin (Recorded "live"
at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam 29th November 1979) Remastering
by Charles Eddi at Sofreson from a recording by NPS Radio
TAHRA TAH451 [72.24] [TD]
A
superb performance of Mahler’s Seventh to be ranked with the finest
but carrying an extra magic only "live" performance with realistic
concert hall recording balance can bring. … see Full
Review
Gustav
MAHLER
(1860-1911) Symphony No.9 in D Minor (1908-1909) Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Bruno Walter Recorded "live"
on 16th January 1938 in the Musikverein,Vienna Producer and Audio Restoration
Engineer: Mark Obert-Thorn
NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110852 [70.43] [TD]
A
fine new version of this legendary recording. … see Full
Review
Gian
Francesco MALIPIERO
(1882 – 1973) I
Capricci di Callot (1942) Martina Winter (soprano), Giacinta; Markus
Müller (tenor), Giglio; Gro Bente Kjellevold (mezzo-soprano), la
Vecchia Beatrice; Bernd Valentin (baritone), il Principe; Burkhard Ulrich
(tenor), il Poeta; Jörg Sabrowski (baritone), una Maschera; Thomas
Schmid-Kapfenburg (piano); Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra;
Peter Marschik - Recorded (live): Opernhaus Kiel, May 1999
CPO 999 830-2 [56:36 + 36:36] [HC]
At
the start of the enthusiastic applause greeting this performance, someone
is heard shouting Bellissimo!. There is really nothing to add to this.
… see Full Review
Jaakko MÄNTYJÄRVI (b.
1963) ECLECTICA -
Jaakko Mäntyjärvi – Choral works Pseudo-Yoik - 4 Shakespeare
Songs: Come away, death; Lullaby; Double, double, toil and trouble;
Full fathom five - El Hambo - More Shakespeare Songs: Fear no more;
Over hill, over dale; Time; Who is Sylvia; A scurvy tune - Psalm 150
in Grandsire Triples - Canticum Calamatatis Maritimae - Psalm 150 in
Kent Treble Bob Minor - Kouta
Tapiola Chamber Choir, Sibelius Academy Chamber Orchestra/Hannu Norjanen,
Emmiliiana Tikkala, piccolo - Recorded in Roihuvuori Church, Helsinki,
and Olari Church, Espoo, 2001(?)
FINLANDIA 0927 41563 [69:09] [GPJ]
It’s
very exciting when you come across a really talented new composer, one
who has a distinctive voice and yet who can communicate strongly with
the listener. … see Full Review
Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847)
Trio
in D Minor Op 49 Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856)
Trio in D minor Op 63
Jacques Thibaud, violin - Pablo Casals, cello - Alfred Cortot, piano
- Recorded London 1927-28
NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110185 [59’23] [JW]
Elegant,
big tone, triumphant pianism, propulsive warmth … see
Full Review
Gian Carlo MENOTTI (b.1911)
The
Saint of Bleeker Street -
Musical Drama in Three Acts (1954) - Annina…………Julia
Melinek (soprano) - Michele………..Timothy
Richards (tenor) - Desideria………Pamela Helen Stephen
(mezzo-soprano) - Don Marco…….John Marcus Brindle (bass-baritone)
- Carmela………..Sandra Zeltzer (soprano) - Assunta………...Yvonne
Howard (mezzo-soprano) - Salvatore……….Vitali Rozynko
(baritone) Spoleto Festival Chorus and Orchestra/Richard
Hickox - Recorded live at the Teatro Nuovo, Spoleto, Italy, 7, 10, 14
July 2001 DDD CHANDOS CHAN 9971(2)
2 Discs [51.20, 73.32] [TH]
Emotional
intensity, good tunes, a sumptuously rich instrumental palette, and
plenty of emotional clout. … see Full
Review
Michael
MENTION
(1714-1788) Fantaisie, Impressions 1 - 3, Libidineuses 1 & 2, Sonatine,
Ballade, Etudes 1 - 3, Sonata No. 2
Michael Mention piano recorded 7 9/6/99 in Bridges Hall of Music,
Claremont, California, DDD
PROdigital PRO - 4652 [68.09] [JP]
Mention's
interpretations of his own works. Most of the works are relatively short,
which is a good thing, as many modern works outstay their welcome, and
this does not happen here. see Full Review
Darius MILHAUD (1892-1974)
Piano
Concerto - Concerto for Violin and Orchestra - Quartet No 7 - Six Chants
Populaires Hébraïques - La Création du Monde - Suite
Française - Marguerite Long, piano - Yvonne Astruc, violin
- Galimir Quartet - Martial Singher, baritone - Darius Milhaud, piano
- Orchestra Nationale, unnamed orchestra and
Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra of New York conducted by Darius Milhaud
- Recorded 1931-46
PEARL GEM 0124 [72’04] [JW]
Most
are classics of the twentieth century discography, many in still unsurpassed
performances. … see Full Review
Darius
MILHAUD (1892-1974)
Alissa op 9, Trois Poèmes
de Lucile de Chateaubriand op 10, D’un Cahier inédit d’Eugénie
de Guérin op 27, Deux Poèmes de Coventry Patmore op 30
Florence Katz, mezzo-soprano Serge Cyferstein, piano Recorded Theatre
de Poissy, May 1994 TIMPANI 1C1022 [56’06]
[JW]
Exceptionally
convincing, brilliantly accomplished and rather moving. … see Full Review
You
can make a HUGE saving by downloading this disc
Benno
MOISEIWITSCH - The Complete Acoustic
Recordings - Louis DAQUIN (1694-1772) Le
Coucou - Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918)
Jardins sous la pluie, Clair de lune, Minstrels -
Frederic CHOPIN (1810-1849) Berceuse Op 57, Chant polonais
No 5 arr LISZT, Prelude Op 28 No 20, Waltz Op 64 No 1, Waltz Op 70 No1,
Impromptu Op 36, Nocturne Op 72 No 1, Mazurka Op posthumous -
Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) Jeux d’eau -
Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Capriccio Op 76 No 2 -
Alexander SCRIABIN (1872-1915) Nocturne for Left Hand
Op 9 No2 - Selim PALMGREN (1878-1951)
Bird Song, The Sea, Rococo - Jean
Phillipe RAMEAU (1683-1764) Gavotte and Variations -
Domenico SCARLATTI (1685-1757) arr TAUSIG Pastorale, Capriccio
- Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Hark
Hark the Lark - Carl Maria von WEBER (1786-1826)
Sonata Op 24 – Moto Perpetuum -
Theodor LESCHETIZKY (1830-1915) Arabesque en forme d’Etude
Op 45 No 1 - Leo DELIBES (1836-1891)
Passepied - Moritz MOSKOWSKI La
Jongleuse Op 52 No 4 - Modest MUSSOURGSKY
(1839-1881) Gopak - Robert
SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Traumeswirren, Fruhlingssnacht
arr LISZT - Anton RUBINSTEIN (1829-1894)
Barcarolle Op 30 No 1 - Felix MENDELSSOHN
(1809-1847) Concerto No 1 Songs without Words Op 53 No
4 and Op 19 No 3 - Adolf HENSELT (1814-1889)
Etude Op 2 No 6 - Abram CHASINS
(1903-1987) Flirtation in a Chinese Garden, Rush Hour
in Hong Kong - Jacques IBERT (1890-1962)
The Little White Donkey - Richard
WAGNER (1813-1883) Liebestod – Tristan und Isolde arr
LISZT - Johann Nepomuk HUMMEL (1778-1837)
Rondo Op 11
Benno Moiseiwitsch, piano - Royal Albert Hall Orchestra conducted by
Landon Ronald - Recorded London 1916-1930
PEARL GEMS 0142 [2 CDs: 144’16] [JW]
Listening
to the pianism enshrined in them can only deepen one’s understanding
not only of Moiseiwitsch’s art but of the art of the piano itself. …
see Full Review
Frederic
MOMPOU
(1893 – 1987) Música Callada (1959 – 1967) El pont (1941)
Muntanya (1915) Jordi
Masó (piano) Recorded: Auditori Enric Granados, Lleida, February
2000 NAXOS 8.554727
[78:48] [HC]
Very
fine release: excellent playing, natural piano sound. Nevertheless if
you do not know Mompou’s piano music you might better start with any
of the other volumes before investigating the present one. … see Full
Review
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART
(1756-1791) String
Quintets, Vol 3 - String Quintet in G minor, K516 (1787) [36.44]
String Quintet in D major, K593 (1790) [31.43]
Ensemble Villa Musica - recorded 6/7 February 2001 at the Fürstliche
Reitbahn Bad Arolsen DDD
MD&G 304 1106-2 [68.47][PJL]
With
its gorgeous K593, it’s a fine CD, and worth anyone’s money. … see Full
Review
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART
(1756-1791) Serenade
No 4 in D major, K203 (1774) [37.20]Vier Kontratänze, K101
(1776) [5.24]Serenade No 5 in D major, K204 (1775) [35.15] Tero Latvala
(violin) Tapiola Sinfonietta,
cond. Jean-Jacques Kantorow - recorded September 1999 (K203/204) and
April 2000 (K101) at the Tapiola Concert Hall, Finland DDD
BIS-CD-1100 [79.13] [PJL]
This
beautifully-recorded disc is a treasure. Go serenade yourself… … see
Full Review
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART
(1756-1791) Serenade
No 4 in D major, K203 (1774) [37.20] Vier Kontratänze, K101
(1776) [5.24] Serenade No 5 in D major, K204 (1775) [35.15] Tero Latvala
(violin) Tapiola Sinfonietta,
cond. Jean-Jacques Kantorow - recorded September 1999 (K203/204) and
April 2000 (K101) at the Tapiola Concert Hall, Finland DDD
BIS-CD-1100 [79.13] [PJL]
This
beautifully-recorded disc is a treasure. Go serenade yourself… … see
Full Review
W.
A. MOZART (1756-1791)
Don Giovanni. Don
Giovanni, Giuseppe Taddei (bar), Leporello, Italo Tajo (bass),
Don Ottavio, Cesare Vallettl (ten). Masetto, Vito Susca
(bar), Anna, Maria Verna (sop),. Elvira, Carla Gavazzi
(sop),. Zerlina. Elda Ribetti (sop). Orchestra and chorus of
Turin Radio. Cond. Max
Rudolf - Recording. Turin, 1955. mono - bargain price
WARNER FONIT 0927 43561
[3 CDs: 54.48+51.21+56.58] [RJF]
This
set may have been long forgotten but it has been a pleasure to listen
to, and particularly at bargain price, is worth adding to one's collection.
… see Full Review
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756
- 1791) Mozart Edition Volume 13 Keyboard Works [approx 521 minutes]
CD1 Variations Vol. I - CD2 Variations Vol. II - CD3 Variations
Vol. III - CD4 KLAVIERSTÜCKE VOL. I - CD5 Klavierstücke Vol.
II - CD6 Klavierstücke Vol. III - CD7 KEYBOARD WORKS 4-HANDS Vol.
I - CD8 KEYBOARD WORKS 4-HANDS Vol. II - CD9 Sonata in B flat major
KV 358 (1773-74) - CD10 ORGAN WORKS, ORGELWERKE
Martin Haselböck, organ - Domorgel zu Brixen/Tirol, Austria - Recording:
September 1989, Dom zu Brixen
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 99725 [approx 521 minutes] [KM]
Worth
far more than its cost. While this set does not contain Mozart’s deepest
music, it is certainly full of hours of enjoyable works. … see Full
Review
Leopold
MOZART
(1719-1787) Symphony
in D major (Eisen D6, 1760) [12.38] Symphony in F major (Eisen F5, 1756/60)
[16.01] Symphony in D major (Eisen D24, 1753) [09.09] Symphony in D
major (Eisen D11, 1750/51) [14.22]
Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra Vilnius, cond. Georg Mais - DDD: recorded
6-9 June 2001 in Studio Vilnius
ARTE NOVA 74321 89771 2 [53.02] [PJL]
Inexpensive
opportunity to widen your horizons. It’s widened mine, but I confess
it hasn’t stirred my soul! … see Full
Review
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (Serenade No. 13 in G) K525 - Bassoon
Concerto in B flat K191* - Divertimento in D K136 - Divertimento in
B flat K137 - Divertimento in F K138
Yoshiyuki Nakanishi (bassoon) - London Mozart Players/Jane Glover -
Rec London 1988 (*rec London 1984)
EMI CLASSICS FOR PLEASURE LC 6646 [72:08] [JL]
Performances
from the mid-1980s a delight, collected into a disc that is a real bargain.
… see Full Review
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART
(1756-1791)
Concerto
for Piano and Orchestra No 21 in C major, K467 Concerto for Piano and
Orchestra No 9 in E flat, K271 Stephen Hough, piano Hallé
Orchestra/Bryden Thomson Recorded Manchester, May 1987 EMI CLASSICS FOR PLEASURE 575 1452 [58:58] Superbudget
[JL]
A
bargain reissue of the popular k467, coupled with the youthful but remarkably
forward looking k271. These performances may not plumb the depths but
there is much to delight in the poise of Stephen Hough’s playing.
… see Full
Review
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART
(1756 - 1791) Mozart Edition Volume 2
Le Nozze di Figaro [176 min.] Apollo et Hyacinthus
[85 min.]
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 99714 5CDs [approx 261 minutes]
A
very good set consisting of one of Mozart’s finest operas and a little-known
work. This bargain-priced box set will delight Mozart fans, and continue
to please those collecting this complete Mozart edition. … see Full
Review
Modest MUSSORGSKY (1835-1881):
Boris Godounov (excerpts) (version completed by Rimsky-Korsakov)
Boris - Feodor Chaliapin (bass), Tchelkalov - Aristide Baracchi (baritone),
Shuisky - Angelo Bada (tenor), Dimitri - Dino Borgioli (tenor), Varlaam
- Salvatore Baccaloni (bass), Missail - Giuseppe Nessi (tenor), Theodore
- Margherita Carosio (soprano), Lavretzky - Dennis Noble (baritone),
Tcherniakovsky - Aristide Baracchi (baritone), Innocente - Octave Dua
(tenor), (Pimen - Nicola Moscona) Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent
Garden - London Philharmonic Orchestra
Vincenzo Bellezza, conductor, from a performance at the Royal Opera
House, Covent Garden (with interpolations), 4 July 1928
GUILD GHCD 2206 [72:14] [CMG]
As
complete a rendering of this important performance as we shall ever
have, undistorted by sonic improvements and presenting honest and full-toned
reproductions of the originals … see Full
Review
Carl
NIELSEN (1865-1931)
Symphony
No. 4, FS76 (Op. 29) ‘The Inextinguishable’ Alexander
SCRIABIN
(1872-1915) Poem
of Ecstasy,
Op.54 
Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra/Zubin Mehta Recorded
1967 (Scriabin), 1974 (Nielsen) ADD ELOQUENCE DECCA
466 904-2 [53.31] Super-budget [TH]
This
re-issue deserves serious consideration by anyone interested in these
two composers. … see Full Review
Maurice OHANA (1914
- 1992) Cello
Concerto No.2: "in dark and blue" (1990) T’Harân-Ngô
for orchestra (1974) Piano Concerto (1981) Sonia Wieder-Atherton
(cello) Jean-Claude Pennetier (piano) Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra
conducted by Arturo Tamayo
Recorded in Luxembourg Conservatoire 1997 DDD Stereo
TIMPANI 1C1039 [65:20] [DB]
You
can make a HUGE saving by downloading this disc
A
splendid modern cello concerto and two rather more avant-garde and challenging
works by Ohana - extremely well recorded and played. … see Full
Review
Carl
ORFF (1895-1982) Carmina Burana
(1937) [62.35] - Gabriel FAURÉ
(1845-1924) Pavane, Op 50 (choral version, 1887) -
César FRANCK (182-1890) Panis angelicus (1860,
arr. Sandré) Hallé
Choir and Orchestra, cond. Maurice Handford, with (Orff only) Sheila
Armstrong (soprano), Peter Hall (tenor), Brian Rayner Cook (baritone)
and the Boys of Manchester Grammar School - ADD: recorded in the Free
Trade Hall, Manchester, May 1982 (Orff) and May 1980 (Fauré,
Franck) CLASSICS FOR
PLEASURE 7243 5 75146 2 [73.36] [PJL]
Hallé
Choir undoubtedly sing with gusto but they’re neither frolicsome nor
debauched. They sometimes sound tired and half-hearted … see Full
Review
Giovanni
Battista PERGOLESI
(1710-1736) La Morte di San Giuseppe -
Michele Farruggia - San Giuseppe, Bernatette Manca di Nissa - Maria
Santissima, Maria Angeles Peters - San Michele, Patrizia Pace - Amor
Divino - Orchestra Allesandro Scarlatti di Napoli,
Marcello Panni - Rec: June 1990, Auditorium Domenico Scarlatti, Napoli,
Italy. WARNER FONIT
0927 43308-2 [109.14] [KM]
In
spite of the excellent work of the orchestra this is one recording to
avoid. … see Full Review
Steve
PERILLO Napoli!
(1998) - Piano Concerto No.1 (1998)a - Hangoverture (1998)
Antique Suite (1998) Nina
Kogan (piano)a; St. Petersburg Festival Orchestra/Yuval Waldman
- Recorded: "Kapella", St. Petersburg, May 1998
CENTAUR CRC 2544 [61:42] [HC]
Joyously
iconoclastic music. … see Full Review
Wilhelm
PETERSON-BERGER (1867
- 1942) Symphony
No. 4 in A Major "Holmia" (1929) Tornrossagan (1934) Frösöblömster
(1898) Nörrkoping
Symphony Orchestra/Michail Jurowski. co-production between CPO / Swedish
Broadcating Corporation - recorded 31/5 - 4/6 1999 in De Geer Hall,
Nörrkoping. DDD
CPO 999 662-2 [65'55''] [JP]
Fans
of early twentieth century conservative Scandinavian symphonies will
be well pleased with these recordings. … see Full
Review
John PICKARD
(born 1963) String
Quartet No.2 (1993) String Quartet No.3 (1994) String Quartet No.4 (1997/8)
Sorrel Quartet Recorded:
The Maltings, Snape, December 2001
DUTTON CDLX 7117 [66:21] [HC]
Superbly
recorded performances could hardly be better. They serve the music well.
… see Full Review
Francis
POULENC
(1899-1963) Mélodies Songs
from:- Banalités, Chansons Villageoises, Tel Jour Telle Nuit,
Chansons Gaillardes, Calligrammes Pierre-Yves Pruvot,
baritone, Charles Bouisset, piano Recorded at Villa Louvigny, Luxembourg
December 2000 TIMPANI 1C1061 [58:50]
[GPJ]
In
the best sense, very ‘modern’ singing, and makes a useful
comparison and contrast with the more familiar older generation of interpreters.
… see Full Review
You
can make a HUGE saving by downloading this disc
Francis POULENC
(1899-1963)
Stabat
Mater,Litanies à la Vierge Noire, Quatre Motets pour un temps
de pénitence
Judith Howarth, soprano The Choirs of Gonville and Caius Colleges, Cambridge
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra Conductors Christopher Robinson (Stabat Mater),
Geoffrey Webster (Litanies), Timothy Brown (Motets) DVD, recorded St.Wulfram’s
Church, Grantham, UK (Stabat Mater) and Jesus College Cambridge UK (Litanies
and Motets) 1996(?) BBC OPUS ARTE DVD VIDEO OA 0817D [GPJ]
A
moving, compelling document regarding some of this unique composer’s
finest music. … see Full Review
Josquin DES PRES (c.1455-1521)
Master of Musicians Songs and Instrumental Music by Josquin Des Pres,
his Pupils and Contemporaries Composers
include Isacc, Agricola, Japart, Willaert etc.
Jennie Cassidy, soprano, Belinda Sykes, alto, John Potter, tenor and
Robert Evans, bass Musica Antiqua of London directed by Philip Thorby
Recorded at St. Mark’s Church, East Woodhay, January 2000
SIGNUM 025 [68.21] [GH]
So,
much here to enjoy for all early music enthusiasts and a reminder of
what I call the ‘nitty-gritty’ of Renaissance music with some pieces
not previously available. … see Full Review
Make a HUGE saving by downloading this disc
Sergei
PROKOFIEV
(1891-1953) Symphony
No. 1 in D major, Op. 25 ‘Classical’ Symphony No. 5 in B flat
major, Op.100 Russian Overture, Op.72
London Symphony Orchestra (Op. 25, Op. 100) London Philharmonic Orchestra
(Op.72) Walter Weller Recorded in Kingsway Hall, 1975 (Op.25), 1977
(Op.100), 1979 (Op.72) ADD
ELOQUENCE DECCA 467 469-2 [74.47] Super-budget [TH]
Couplings
of these two most popular symphonies are legion, but Weller’s disc can
hold its own with any, particularly in this price category. An excellent
budget addition to the Prokofiev discography. … see Full
Review
Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891
- 1953) Excerpts
from Romeo And Juliet – Ballet (1938) Sergei
RACHMANINOV (1873
– 1943) Aleko’s
Cavatina
from Aleko (1893) Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770
– 1832) Romances
1 and 2 for Violin and Orchestra (1802 and 1798) Symphony No. 7 in A,
Op. 92 (1812) Anatoly Kocherga, Baritone (Rachmaninov), Kolja Blacher,
Violin, (Beethoven) Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
conducted by Claudio Abbado. recorded in the Maryinsky Theatre,
St. Petersburg, 1st May, 1996. Video directed by Brian Large TDK DVD - ECSPE [89 minutes
(main programme) + 20 minutes documentary] [JP]
The
overall impression of this DVD is one of immense pleasure, and provided
you are happy with the repertoire presented I cannot think of a higher
recommendation. … see Full
Review
PROKOFIEV,
SCRIABIN, SHOSTAKOVICH: The
Complete Piano Sonatas
Alexander SCRIABIN (1872-1915) Håkon
Austbo (pianoforte) Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953)
Murray McLachlan (pianoforte) Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH
(1906-1975) Colin Stone (pianoforte)
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 6137 [5 CDs: 63’ 20", 67’ 27", 69’
46", 76’ 42", 74’ 16"] [CH]
Perhaps
the Scriabin and the Shostakovich in themselves justify the modest price
of the set, but the Prokofiev is not really good enough. … see
Full Review
Giacomo
PUCCINI (1858-1924)
An
Introduction to TOSCA (musical excerpts with spoken guide)
Thomson Smillie, writer.
David Timson, narrator. Featuring musical examples from Naxos 8.660001-02
(Nelly Miricioiu/Silvano Carroli/Giorgio Lamberti/Slovak Philharmonic
Choir/Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra/Alexander Rahbari)
NAXOS 8.558047 [67.59] [NH]
An
audiobook style introduction to a classic Puccini opera that is both
accessible and effective… See Full
Review.
Giacomo
PUCCINI Madama
Butterfly (Original 1904 Version) Butterfly (Cio-Cio-San) Svetlana
Katchour, F.B. Pinkerton - Bruce Rankin - Suzuki,servant, Fredrika Brillemburg-
Sharpless, Heikki Kilpelainen - Goro, Uwe Eikotter - Kate Pinkerton,
Kristen Strejc - Prince Yamadori, Loren Christopher Lang - Bonze, Andreas
Haller - Bremen Theatre Chorus; Theo Wiedebusch, Chorus-Master
Bremen Philharmonic State Orchestra/Gunter Neuhold - Recorded at Bremen
Theatre, Stuhr, Germany, 15-19 December 1997 - Bargain price
NAXOS 8.660078-79 [2CDs: 79.36] [JP]
In
summary, an interesting issue. My own preference would be for the standard
version, both for the sake of familiarity and for the better atmospheric
surround. … see Full Review
Giacomo
PUCCINI
(1858-1924) Madama Butterfly – An
opera in two acts to a libretto by Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica,
based on David Belasco’s play Madama Butterfly. .Toti Dal
Monte, Beniamino Gigli Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House,
Rome Conducted by Oliviero de Fabritiis Recorded
on 32 sides by His Master‘s Voice The Royal Opera House, Rome,
July 1939 Matrices: 2BA 3271-3300, 2BA 3314-15 Catalogue: DB 3859-74
Appendix: A selection of recordings by Toti Dal Monte. Gaetano
Donizetti
Le
ricchezze ed il orado from La Figlia del reggimento (Recorded:
10th March 1928)Tornami a dir che m'ami from Don Pasquale (Recorded:
4th October 1933) Vincenzo
Bellini Ah! non credea mirarti from La Sonnambula (Recorded:
3rd July 1929) Giuseppe
Verdi Sul d'un soffio estesio from Falstaff (Recorded:
5th July 1929)
Pietro
Mascagni Flammen, perdonami!...from Lodoletta (Recorded:
2nd May 1941) Fambre-Bianchini Ninna-nanna
(Recorded: 6th July 1929) Bianchini Redentor in famegia
(Recorded: 6th July 1929) Francesco
Geminiani Amuri, Amuri (Recorded: 3rd January 1938)
NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110183-84 ADD [CD1 76.25 CD2 77.04] [US]
Youthful
naturalness, brilliance, charming honey-sweet timbre, coloured with
the flame of youth and the lyricism of poesy … see
Full Review
Henry PURCELL (1659-1695)
Harmonia Sacra and Complete Organ Music Voluntary in G Major
Z720 - A Morning Hymn: Thou wakeful Shepherd Z198 - A Divine Hymn: Lord,
what is Man? Z192 - Voluntary in D Minor Z718 - The Aspiration: How
long, great God Z189 - In the black dismal Dungeon of Despair Z190 -
O solitude Z406 - Voluntary in C Major Z714 - The Blessed Virgin's Expostulation:
Tell me...Z196 - Voluntary in D Minor for Double Organ Z719 - On our
Saviour's Passion: The Earth trembled Z197 - With sick and famished
eyes Z200 - Verse in F Major Z716 - Full of wrath Z185 - Voluntary on
the Old 100th (A Major) Z721 - Adam's Sleep: Sleep, Adam, Sleep Z195
- An Evening Hymn: Now that the sun Z193 Davitt Moroney,
organ - Jill Feldman, soprano - Rec. September 1992, Eglise Paroissial
Saint-Miliau, Guimiliau, France. ARCANA A 310 [69.20]
[KM]
A
very successful disc combines works with similar tone to great effect.
The use of organ accompaniment for the anthems highlights their dark
tones, and the overall sound is very moving. … see Full Review
You
can make a HUGE saving by downloading this disc
Sergei
RACHMANINOV (1873-1943)
Piano
Concerto No. 4 - Igor STRAVINSKY (1882-1971)
Concerto for piano and wind instruments -
Alexander SCRIABIN (1872-1915)
Prometheus: The Poem of Fire*
Alexei Lubimov (piano) Toronto Mendelssohn Choir* Toronto Symphony Orchestra/Jukka-Pekka
Saraste - Recorded May 1996, Toy Thomson Hall, Toronto
WARNER APEX 0927 43073 2 [68.22] [TB]
Lubimov’s
sensitivity most impressive but Ashkenazy's Decca Rachmaninov and Scriabin
are just a little more vivid. … see Full Review
Sergei
RACHMANINOV (1873-1943)
Piano
Concerto No 2, Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Prelude in C sharp minor
Op 3 No 2 William Kapell,
piano Robin Hood Dell Orchestra of Philadelphia William Steinberg (Concerto)
Fritz Reiner (Rhapsody) Recorded 1945 –1951
NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110692 [57’20] [JW]
Kapell’s
emerges with balanced virtuosity and a musicality that never sacrificed
sensitivity to sentimentality, bravura to bombast. … see Full
Review
Sergei
RACHMANINOV (1873-1943)
Piano
Concerto no. 3 in d, op. 30 (1) - CHINESE FOLK-MELODY
Liu Yang River (2) - Alexander
SCRIABIN (1872-1915) Etudes: op.2/1, op. 8/2, 3, 8, 10, 11,
12, op. 42/4, 3, op. 65/3 (3) Lang Lang (pianoforte)
St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra/Yuri Temirkanov (1) Recorded 22.8.2001,
Royal Albert Hall, London, live (1, 2) 20.10.2001, Oberlin College,
Ohio (3) TELARC CD
80582 [71’ 48"] [CH]
An
artist who is surely here to stay, and some outstanding Scriabin. …
See Full Review
I’m
sure Lang Lang will return to the Concerto in time in a more sympathetic
acoustic and with increased experience. … see Full
Review [JW]
Sergei
RACHMANINOV
(1873-1943) Piano
Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op.18 - Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini,
Op.43 - Prelude in B minor, Op.32, No.10 - Prelude in D major, Op.23,
No.4 - Prelude in C sharp minor, Op.3, No.2 - Tamas Vasary (piano-Concerto,
Rhapsody) - Lazar Berman (piano-Preludes)
London Symphony Orchestra/Yuri Ahronovitch
Recorded 1976 (Op. 18), 1977 (Op. 43), 1980 (Preludes)
ADD ELOQUENCE DG 457
305-2 [75.58] Super-budget [TH]
Difficult
to give much more than a muted welcome, even at budget price, in the
face of some of the competition. … see Full
Review
Sergei
RACHMANINOV
(1873-1943)
Piano
Concerto No. 1 (1890) [23.58] Piano Concerto No. 3 (1909) [44.49] Peter
Katin (piano) (1) Alicia de Larrocha (piano) (3) LSO/Previn
(3); LPO/Boult (1) rec 1971 (1), 1975 (3), ADD DECCA ELOQUENCE 461 348-2 [68.47] [RB]
Worthwhile
pairing of a highly personal peripheral reading of the Third and a sturdy
mainstream version of the Tchaikovskian First. … see Full Review
Sergei
RACHMANINOV (1873-1943)
Piano
Concerto no.3 in d minor Sergei PROKOFIEV
(1891-1953) Piano
Concerto no.2 in g minor
Shura Cherkassky, piano, BBC SO/Rudolf Schwarz (Rachmaninov), LPO/Kent
Nagano (Prokofiev) Rachmaninov recorded Royal Festival Hall, London,
11th December 1957, Prokofiev recorded Royal Festival Hall,
London, 2nd May 1991
BBC LEGENDS BBCL4092-2 [76:09] [GPJ]
Titanic
performance of the Prokofiev; totally worth hearing. Repays the listener
for persisting with the comparatively frustrating and unsatisfactory
version of the Rachmaninov. … see Full
Review
Carl REINECKE
(1824-1910)
-
Trio
for oboe, horn and piano in A minor, op. 188 - Nocturne for horn and
piano, op. 112 - Trio for clarinet, horn and piano in B flat major,
op. 274. Luc van Marcke,
horn; Fabrice Melinon, oboe; Olivier Dartevelle, clarinet; Luc Devos,
piano. Recorded January/March 1997, Villa Louvigny, Luxembourg.
TIMPANI 1C1043 [57.17] [WH]
Not
an essential purchase, but much to be recommended to those who like
to leave the motorway and explore the back roads of the romantic repertoire.
… see Full Review
You
can make a HUGE saving by downloading this disc
Josef REJCHA (1752-1795)
Concerto in A major for Cello and Orchestra Op 4 No 1 - Concerto
in D major for Two Violins (or Violin and Cello) and Orchestra Op 3
- Concerto in D major for Cello and Orchestra - Mikael Ericsson, cello
- Jana Vlachova, violin
Czech Chamber Orchestra/Ondrej Kukal - Recorded Martinek Studio, Prague,
February, May and September 1995
PANTON 81 1420 – 1031 [69’31] [JW]
This
issue is of real interest – and not just to those preoccupied with the
Classicists of the Bohemian diaspora. … see Full
Review
Ottorino RESPIGHI (1879-1936)
Belkis, Queen of Sheba-Suite - Dance of the Gnomes - The Pines of
Rome
Minnesota Orchestra conducted by Eiji Oue with Chad Skelton (tenor)
Recorded May 2001 at Orchestral Hall, Minneapolis DDD
REFERENCE RECORDINGS RR-95CD [62.30] [AB]
The
exotic Respighi - contrasts the little known with the very well known.
Recommended. … see Full Review
Nicolai
RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844-1908)Sheherazade
- Symphonic Suite for Orchestra Op.35 (1888) [46:05] Sydney Harth, solo violin Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra/Zubin
Mehta Capriccio Espagnol Op.34 (1887)
[16:07] Israel Philharmonic Orchestra/Zubin Mehta Recorded London, 1975,
1980 ELOQUENCE DECCA 466 686-2
[62:28] [JPo]
Some
lush moments, particularly with the 'cellos at the opening of the third
movement, but these are lingered upon in such a way as to make them
over-sugared. … see Full
Review
Joseph-Guy ROPARTZ (1864-1955)
Le Pays - Drame en musique en trois actes et quatre tableaux
(1908-10) - Poème de Charles Le Goffic - Mireille Delunsch (sop)
... Kæthe - Gilles Ragon (ten) ... Tual - Olivier Lallouette (bar)
... Jörgen Orchestre Philharmonique
de Luxembourg/Jean-Yves Ossonce - rec Luxembourg, May 2001 world premiere
recording TIMPANI 2C2065 [CD1 Acts 1 and 2: 61.00;
CD 2 Act 3: 49.00] [RB]
A
world premiere for Ropartz's lyric drama - turbulently dramatic, tragic
and moody, Brittany is the amour lointaine. The voices are secure, clean
toned, strong and attractive. Delunsch has a voice which merits the
sort of fame meted out to the greatest. … see Full Review
You
can make a HUGE saving by downloading this disc
Joseph-Guy
ROPARTZ (1864-1955)
Piano
Trio * Prélude, Marine et Chansons +
Quartet No. 4 # Jean-Louis
Haguenauer, piano * Alexis Galpérine, violin * Cecilia Tsan,
cello * Ensemble Stanislas + Quartet Stanislas # Recorded Salle Poirel,
Nancy 1995 and 1996
TIMPANI 1C1047 [70’05]
A
superbly presented disc which well encompasses the stylistic affinities
of a major figure in the history of French chamber music. Strongly recommended.
… see Full Review
You
can make a HUGE saving by downloading this disc
Gioachino
ROSSINI
-
Arias. Ah,
dov’è, dov’è, il cimento - Semiramide
Che ascolto! - Otello Cessa di pim resistere - Il barbiere
di Siviglia Vieni fra queste braccia - La gazza ladra Concedi,
amor pietoso - L’Italiana in Algeri S’intessano agli
aliori / Terra amica - Zelmira Oh fiamma soave - La donna
del lago Si, ritrovarla io giuro - La Cenerentola Juan Diego Flórez
(tenor) Coro Sinfonico di Milano Giuseppe Verdi/Romano Gandolfi Chorus
Master) Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano Giuseppe Verdi/Riccardo Chailly
Recording: Auditorium di Milano, May and August 2001. DECCA UNIVERSAL CLASSICS 470 024-2 [59.09] [ME]
A
recording to treasure; it introduces a young singer who achieves ‘the
union of scrupulous means and brilliantly effective ends.’ …
see Full Review
Albert
ROUSSEL
(1866-1937) Complete Songs
Marie Devellereau (Soprano), Yann Beuron (tenor), Laurent Naouri (baritone),
Billy Eidi (piano), Étienne Plasman (flute), Luxembourg Philharmonic
Orchestra; Jean-Yves Ossonce (conductor) Recorded May and July 2001,
Luxembourg TIMPANI 2C2064
[2CDs: 49.38+55.47] [TB]
Roussel
is a major composer who is well worth exploring. His cause is well served
here. … see Full Review
You
can make a HUGE saving by downloading this disc
[Detailed listing (last two
days)]
[Part 1 New] [Part 2 A-B] [Part 3
C-L]
[Part 4 M-R] [Part
5 S-Y] [Part 6 Misc] [Part 7 Misc]
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