Camille
SAINT-SAËNS
(1835-1921) Overture
: La Princesse jaune, Requiem , Symphony No.3 (Organ Symphony) 
Tinuke Olafimihan (soprano) Catherine Wyn-Rogers (contralto) Anthony
Roden (tenor) Simon Kirkbride (bass) James O’Donnell (organ) The Hertfordshire,
Harlow, and East London Choruses London Philharmonic Orchestra Geoffrey
Simon (conductor) Recorded at All Saints Church, Gospel Oak,, London,
14 -19 January 1993 Grand Organ recorded at Westminster Cathedral, 15
April 1993 CALA CACD
1032 [78.27] [CF]
The
performers on this excellent disc all serve the music well, the acoustics
sufficiently spacious for this ethereal music, and the excellent quartet
of soloists blend magnificently. .. see Full
Listing
Domenico
SCARLATTI
(1685-1757)
Complete Keyboard Sonatas Vol. 1 [182.54] "Essercizi
per gravicembalo" (London, 1738) Sonatas Kirkpatrick 1-48
Pieter-Jan Belder, harpsichord Rec: Autumn 2000, Remonstrantse Kerk
Deventer. BRILLIANT
CLASSICS 99740 [182.54 3CD] Superbudget
A
magnificent set. Fans of Scarlatti will be delighted to know that there
is another complete recordings in the works, and, the wait certainly
seems likely to be worthwhile. … see Full
Listing
Alfred
SCHNITTKE (1934-1998)
Concerto
for Mixed Chorus (1984/5) [40.58] Voices of Nature (Golosa prirodi)
(1972)[5.07] Minnesang (1980/81) [18.32]
Holst singers Stephen Layton Rec. All Hallows’, Gospel Oak, 13-15 Jul
2001 HYPERION CDA67297[64.48]
[AT]
This
disc is hugely welcome. The sound of a composer under the yoke of communism
trying to explore matters of the spirit whilst forbidden to make expressly
devotional music is fascinating and, ultimately, uplifting. … see Full
Review
Franz
SCHREKER (1878-1934)
Ekkehard Overture - Fantastic Overture- Interlude from Der Schatzgräber
- Prelude, Die Gezeichneten - Prelude, Das Spielwerk
Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra/Edgar Seipenbusch Rec 16 Nov 1985 (Ekkehard
& Fantastic Overtures), 24 July 1987 (remaining items), Concert
Hall of the Slovak Philharmonic, Bratislava
NAXOS 8.555246 [54.05] [TB]
Schreker's
may be a worthy cause, but it will not be hugely advanced by this disc.
… see Full Review
Franz
SCHUBERT
(1797-1828) Symphonies
– No. 8 in B minor, D759, ‘Unfinished’; No. 9 in C, D944, ‘Great’. Cologne
Radio Symphony Orchestra/Günter Wand. Recorded in 1980 (‘Unfinished’)
and 1977 (‘Great’) [ADD] RCA RED SEAL 74321 6800-7-2 [78.11]
Budget [CC]
Günter
Wand is a natural Schubertian whose interpretations have given much
joy and inspiration over the years. A true bargain: there is precious
little symphonic Schubert as satisfying as this, at any price....see
Full Review
Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
Winterreise D911
Jules Bastin (bass) Ursula Kneihs (piano) Rec. Abbaye
de Stavalot, France 1978
PAVANE RECORDS ADW 7406 [70.26]
[RJF]
Fans
of Bastin, and others, who simply enjoy the sound of a good voice in
perfect condition, will find this disc an enjoyable bargain. … see Full
Review
Franz
SCHUBERT
(1797-1828) Die
Schöne Mullerin [65.17] Winterreise [75.21]
Olaf Bär, baritone;
Geoffrey Parsons, piano Rec: June 1986, Lukaskirche, Dresden; December
1988, Abbey Road, London.
EMI CLASSICS 7243 5 74855 2 4 [140.38] [KM]
At
a bargain price, this should not be missed. Bär is one of the great
lieder singers of recent times. see Full
Review
Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
Fantasy
in C, D760, ‘Wanderer’. Piano Sonata No. 18 in G, D894.
Elisabeth Leonskaja (piano) Recorded in Teldec Studio, Berlin in November
1988. [DDD] WARNER APEX
0927 40831-2 [66.54] [CC]
Unfortunately,
even at super-budget price this disc does not offer enough to be recommendable.
… see Full Review
Robert
SCHUMANN
(1810-1856) Symphony
no. 1 in B flat, op. 38 – "Spring" Symphony no. 4 in D minor,
op. 120 Philharmonia
Orchestra/Christian Thielemann Recorded 2.2001, All Hallows Church,
London DG 469 700-2 [68.48]
[CH]
The
famous Schumann cycles are all in their various ways classical interpretations.
If you prefer a romantic alternative then give these daringly well-meaning
versions a try. … see Full Review
Dimitri
SHOSTAKOVICH (1906
1975) Symphony
No. 8 (1943) Rehearsal Sequence
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Mariss Jansons
recorded in the Heinz Hall, Pittsburgh 9/11-2-01 - DDD.
EMI CLASSICS CDC 5 71762-2 [75.10] [JP]
Jansons
delivers the Symphony immaculately prepared and performed with that
additional spark which makes certain recordings very special. see...Full
Review
Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957)
Works for String Orchestra Ett
ensamt skidspör, for reciter, strings and harp - Grevinnans konterfej,
for reciter and strings - Incidental music: Rodlan, Opus 8 - Presto
- Andante Festivo - Rakastava, Opus 14 - Romance, Opus 42 - Suite Champêtre
Opus 98b - Impromptu - Suite for violin and strings, Opus 114 - Lilga
Kovanku, Matti Lehtinen (reciters) - Jari Valo (violin) Ostrobothnian
Chamber Orchestra/Juha Kangas - Rec September 1993, Kaustinen Church,
Finland WARNER APEX
09274 06072 (76.23) [TB]
An
interesting issue, containing some splendid music, though not everything
comes from Sibelius's top drawer. … see Full
Review
Jean
SIBELIUS
(1865-1957) String
Quartet, Op. 56, ‘Voces intimae’.
Edvard GRIEG (1843-1907) String
Quartet in G minor, Op. 27. New
Helsinki String Quartet. Recorded at Sigyn Hall, Finland, September
1997. [DDD] WARNER APEX
0927-40601-2 [72.57] Superbudget [CC]
The
New Helsinki String Quartet present both pieces in the best possible
light: one comes away enriched from the experience. … see Full
Review
Jean
SIBELIUS (1865-1957)
Complete Symphonies and Selected Miscellaneous
Works
Conducted by Paavo BERGLUND Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestras (HPO),
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO), choirs and soloists as listed
Rec. Dec. 1970 (5), Jan. 1972 (2, 4), May 1978 (3), Guildhall, Southampton,
no date given for (1)
EMI 5 74485 2 (8 CDs, timings as above) Superbudget [CH]
One
of the greatest symphonic cycles, plus many shorter pieces, under a
conductor who shows a deep understanding and profound identification
with it. In the end I felt I was listening, not to Berglund, but to
Sibelius. see Full Review
Elie
SIEGMEISTER (1909-1991)
Prelude,
Blues and Finale (1984) - American Chamber Ensemble & Stanley
Drucker City Songs (1977) - Clinton Ingram, tenor with Alan Mandel
, piano - Theme and Variations for solo piano (1932) - played
by Alan Mandel - Songs of Innocence (1972 rev., 1985)
Elizabeth Kirkpatrick, soprano with Alan Mandel, piano - Studio recording
1986 - reissued from Gasparo LP GS-253 in 1999
GASPARO GSS 2008 [57.58] [GH]
Alan
Mandel plays eloquently. Siegmeister's music is dissonant and unrepentant.
… see Full Review
Nikos SKALKOTTAS (1904
– 1949) String
Quartet No.1 (1928)
Zehn Stücke für Streichquartett (1940) Octet (1934)² String
Trio No.2 (1935) Geros Dimos (1949)
The New Hellenic Quartet; Jan Bengtson (flute)²; Per Huderson (oboe)²;
Per Billman (clarinet)²; Christian Davidson (bassoon)²
Recorded: Nybrokajen, Stockholm, April 2000
BIS CD-1124 [65:16] [HC]
The
musicians play with conviction, technical assurance and full understanding
of Skalkottas’s music. … see Full Review
Bedrich
SMETANA (1824-1884) The Bartered
Bride
Soloists Orchestra and
Chorus of the National Opera Company of Prague Conductor: Otakar Ostrcil
Recorded in Vienna, from 6 to 23 June, 1933
NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110098-99 [2 CDs 117.51] [FC]
For
those who enjoyed the recent ENO production of this opera and want a
recording in the original language there can be no better choice than
this fine, budget priced, and all-Czech historical reissue. … see Full
Review
Richard
STRAUSS (1864-1949)
Ein
Heldenleben, Tod und Verklarung
Concertgebouw Orchestra Willem Mengelberg conductor Recorded Concertgebouw
1941 (Ein Heldenleben) and 1942 (Tod und Verklarung
NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110161 [65.54] [JP]
Concentration
on the grand gestures, astonishing virtuosity and a warmth and humanity
in the playing which is often breathtaking. … see Full
Review
Richard
STRAUSS
(1864-1949) Ariadne auf Naxos. Deborah
Voigt (soprano) Ariadne/Primadonna; Anne Sofie von Otter (mezzo) Composer;
Natalie Dessay (soprano) Zerbinetta; Ben Heppner (tenor) Tenor
Staatskapelle Dresden/Giuseppe Sinopoli.Recorded in the Lukaskirche,
Dresden in September and December 2000.
DG 471 323-2[two discs] [122.01] [CC]
Billed
by DG as Giuseppe Sinopoli’s last opera recording, this star-clad Ariadne
acts as a reminder of all the strengths of this cruelly-underrated conductor/composer
(underrated in the UK, at least). Certainly this is a major addition
to the Strauss discography, and a most distinguished exit from the recorded
vaults of opera for Sinopoli. … see Full
Review
Arthur
SULLIVAN (1842-1900)
The
Golden Legend - cantata
Janice Watson (sop), Jean Rigby (mezzo), Mark Wilde (ten), Jeffrey Black
(bar), Jonathan Brown (ten) London Chorus, New London Symphony Orchestra,
Ronald Corp Rec: All Saints Church, Tooting, London; Feb. 2001
HYPERION CDA67280 [94.47] [CW]
The
appearance of "The Golden Legend" on commercial CD is a milestone long
overdue, and this performance can be heartily welcomed on nearly all
counts. ...see Full Review
LEOPOLD
STOKOWSKI Peter
TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) The Sleeping Beauty Jean
SIBELIUS (1865-1957) The Swan of Tuonela Franz
LISZT (1811-1886) Les preludes (symphonic Poem No 3) Leopold
Stokowski and his Symphony Orchestra Recorded December 1947
CALA CACD 0522 [76.56] [JW]
The
performances date from December 1947. The sound rather splendidly forward
and has emerged well refurbished. … see
Full Review
Pyotr
Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893)
String Quartet No. 1 in D major, Opus 11 String Quartet No. 3 in E flat
minor, Opus 30 St Lawrence
String Quartet Rec 20-16 April 2001, The Metropolitan Tabernacle, Vancouver
EMI CLASSICS CDC5 57144
[69.42] [TB]
This
is an excellent performance, and the recording is good too, an unqualified
success after the qualified success of the First Quartet. This is altogether
a splendid disc, although the recording by the Borodin Quartet is better
still. … see Full Review
John
WILLIAMS (b.1932) -Treesong (2000)
Dreamily. "Doctor Hu and the Metasequoia" - Twice as fast
– Deciso. "Trunks, Branches and Leaves" - Tempo Primo. "The
Tree Sings" - Concerto for Violin and Orchestra (1974-76, rev.
1998) In memory of B.R.W. - Moderato - Slowly (in peaceful contemplation)
- Broadly (Maestoso) - Quickly
Three Pieces from "Schindler’s List" (1993) Theme. Lente
- Jewish Town (Kraków Ghetto – Winter ’41). Andante - Remembrances.
Andante - Gil Shaham, Violin
Boston Symphony Orchestra/John Williams - Recorded: Boston Symphony
Hall, USA, 1999-2000
DG CD 471 326-2 [66:05]
[SHJ]
A
landmark disc of John Williams' major violin compositions. Haunting
yet very beautiful pieces, they are performed in this superlative recording
by the outstanding Gil Shaham and the Boston Symphony Orchestra.…
see Full Review
Ralph
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS
(1872-1958): 1)
The Lark Ascending* [14.49] 2) Fantasia on Greensleeves
(arr. Greaves)** [4.10] 3) Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis**
[14.41] Sir Edward ELGAR (1857-1934)
4) Serenade in E minor, Op. 20 [11.08] 5) Variations on
an Original Theme Enigma, Op. 36 [31.00] *David Nolan (violin) London
Philharmonic Orchestra **Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Vernon Handley Recorded: St. Augustines, Kilburn 24 &
25 June, 1985 (items 1 & 4); Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool November
& December, 1990 (items 2 & 3); Watford Town Hall 30 & 31
January, 1983 (item 5)
CLASSICS FOR PLEASURE CFPCD 7243 5 74880 2 0 [76.19] Superbudget
[JQ]
Central
performances and the sound is consistent and good. Collectors wanting
either a first recording of any of these works or an inexpensive alternative
will not go wrong here. see Full
Review
Ralph
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958)
On Wenlock Edge*
Ivor GURNEY (1890-1937) The Western
Playland** Ludlow and Teme*
* Adrian Thompson (tenor); ** Stephen Varcoe (baritone) Iain Burnside
(piano); The Delmé String Quartet Rec 23, 24, 26 October 1989
HYPERION CDA66385 [69.08]
[JQ]
Though
I have one or two reservations about this issue it is nonetheless a
very welcome release, particularly for the Gurney cycles, and all lovers
of English song will want to hear it. see Full
Review
Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958)
The
House of Life, Songs of Travel John IRELAND
(1879-1962) The Land of Lost Content Ivor
GURNEY (1890-1937) Down by the Salley Gardens, An Epitaph,
Desire in Spring, Black Stitchel George BUTTERWORTH
(1885-1916) Six Songs from "A Shropshire Lad" Peter
WARLOCK (1894-1930) A Prayer to St. Anthony, The Sick Heart,
My Own Country, Passing By, Pretty Ring Time
Anthony Rolfe Johnson (tenor), David Willison (piano) Recorded 1974,
Hornsey Town Hall (RVW), 1975, Assembly Hall, Northwood College (others)
EMI CLASSICS CZS5 74785
2 [2 CDs: 55.08, 44.48] Superbudget price [CH]
I
firmly believe that British song has a rightful place in the repertoire
of recitalists of all nationalities. I’m not sure that the treasures
are to be found where we tend to think they are, nor that we always
sing them in the best way to bring out their beauty. These CDs only
serve to reinforce my view. see Full Review
Ralph
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958)
Toward
the Unknown Region (1), Dona nobis pacem (2), Fantasia (quasi variazione)
on the Old 104th Psalm Tune (3), Magnificat (4), Partita
(5), Concerto Grosso (6), Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis (7),
Romance in D flat (8), The Lark Ascending (9)
Sheila Armstrong (soprano) (2), Helen Watts (contralto) (4), John
Carol Case (baritone) (2), Peter Katin (pianoforte) (3), Jean Pougnet
(9), Christopher Hyde-Smith (flute) (4), Larry Adler (harmonica) (8),
Ambrosian Singers (4), London Philharmonic Choir (1, 2), BBC Symphony
Orchestra (8), London Philharmonic Orchestra (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 9), Orchestra
Nova of London (4), Philharmonia Orchestra (7)/Sir Adrian Boult (1,
2, 3, 5, 6, 9), Meredith Davies (4), Sir Malcolm Sargent (7, 8)Recording
dates: 20 Oct. 1952 (8), 21 Oct. 1952 (9), 5 June 1959 (7), 12 Feb.
1970 (3), 16 June 1970 (4), 16-18 April 1973 (1, 2), 10 & 15 Oct.
1975 (5, 6)Locations: Kingsway Hall, London (1, 2), No. 1 Studio Abbey
Road, London (3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9), St. Augustine’s, Kilburn (7)
EMI CLASSICS CZS 5 74782 2 [2 CDs: 76.16 + 72.34] Superbudget
"Dona
nobis pacem" is essential and alone worth the price of the set.
But there is much else, too. … see Full
Review
Tomas
Torrejon y VELASCO (1644-1728)
Musique
à la Cité des Rois 1.
A este sol peregrino 2’33" 2. Cuando el bien que adoro 3’54"
3. Es mi rosa bella 2’52"
4. Si ei alba sonora 5’08" 5. Cuatro plumajes airoses 4’42"
6. Psaume Nisi Dominus 6’38" 7. Lamentation du mercredi
Saint 3’26" 8. Messe à six voix 12’01"
9. Psaume Dixit Dominus 5’15" Recordings made in l’eglise
de Saint-Pierre aux Nonnains (Metz) on 30 June and 2 July 1993 Ensemble
Elyma Coro de Niños de Córdoba (Argentina)
Directed by Gabriele Garrido
K617 ‘LES CHEMIN DU BAROQUE’ K617035 [47.14]
At
47 minutes this disc is definitely on the short side, and the music
is interesting enough that a couple more pieces would have been welcome.
… see Full Review
Anna
Bon di VENEZIA (1740-1767)
Six Sonatas
for Harpsichord (1757) Sonata 1 in g minor Allegro - Andantino - Allegretto,
Sonata 2 in B flat major Allegro non molto - Andante - Allegro, Sonata
3 in F major Allegretto - Adagio - Minuetto, Sonata 4 in C major Allegro
- Largo - Allegro Assai, Sonata 5 in b minor Allegro moderato - Adagio
non molto - Allegro, Sonata 6 in C major Allegro - Andante - Minuetto
con Variazione Paule
van Parys - Harpsichord - Recorded in St Annenkapel, Diest in April
1995 PAVANE ADW 7338
[66.42] [PW]
A
pity that van Parys does not seem to be willing to give a little more
of herself to allow Anna Bon di Venezia to come across as anything more
than ‘interesting’. … see Full Review
Giuseppe
VERDI
(1813 1901) Verdi - Domingo - The Tenor Arias
various New Recordings (Chung): DDD: Rome, Auditorio di Via della
Conciliazione, 4/1999; New York, Master Sound Astoria, 3/2001 New Recordings
(Gergiev): DDD: Baden-Baden, Festspielhaus, 7/2000; Salzburg, Aula der
Theologischen Fakultät der Universität, Salzburg, 8/2000;
New York, Master Sound Astoria, 10/2000
ADD / DDD DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 471 335-2 [4CD] [RMK]
For
the Domingo addict this is a must; for the Verdi addict this is a maybe
depending on your collection and the need for single arias (and some
alternatives) from his lesser known operas see
Full Review
Louis
VIERNE
(1870-1937) Quintet
for Piano and Strings, Op. 42* [30.35] String Quartet, Op.
12 [22.25] Athenaeum Enesco
String Quartet Constantin Bogdanas & Florin Szigeti (violins); Dan
Iarca (viola); Dorel Fodoreanu (cello) *Gabriel Tacchino (piano) Recorded
at Adyar Hall, Paris in September, 1999
PIERRE VERANY PV700011 [53.35] [JQ]
This
Quintet is a significant discovery. It is imposingly played and the
recorded sound is good. This release is warmly recommended to any lovers
of French music or of chamber music who wish to explore something a
little off the beaten track. ...see Full Review
Heitor VILLA-LOBOS
(1887-1959) Forest
of the Amazon Renee
Fleming (soprano) Chorus of the Moscow Physics and Engineering Institute
Moscow Radio Symphony Orchestra Conducted by Alfred Heller Recorded
Nov – Dec 1994 and April 1995 in Studio 5, State House for Broadcasting
and Recording, Moscow
DELOS DE 1037 [74.05]
[JQ]
This
CD will be of greatest appeal to devotees of Villa-Lobos’s music who
should snap up this rarity while it remains available. … see
Full Review
Heitor
VILLA-LOBOS Symphony
no. 10: "Amerindia".
Carla Wood (mezzo-soprano), Carlo Scibelli (tenor), Nmon Ford-Livene
(bass-baritone)
Santa Barbara Choral Society, USCB Chamber Choir, Donald Brinegar Singers
Santa Barbara SO / Gisèle Ben-Dor.
KOCH INTERNATIONAL CLASSICS 3-7488-2 [c.52.00] [GR]
Self-recommending
to lovers of this composer (I count myself for one), it is certainly
worth exploring by those who know him only for the Bachianas Brasileiras.
… see Full Review
Antonio
VIVALDI (1678-1741) The Four Seasons; Violin
Concertos op.8 nos.1-4, RV269, 315, 293, 297 Concertos RV581 and 582,
for the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary London Mozart Players
David Juritz (violin
and director) Recorded at the church of St Silas the Martyr, Chalk Farm,
London, on 1 and 2 March 1999
NAXOS DVD 5.110001
[62.39] [PQ]
Beguiles
from the start with the sensitive and alert responses of the London
Mozart Players. … see Full Review
Antonio VIVALDI Music
for cello and orchestra Cello
Concerto in E minor, Cello Concerto in G major RV 413, Concerto for
strings and cembalo in D, Cello Concerto in G major, R 417, Concerto
for strings and cembalo in A major, Concerto for two cellos RV 411
Alexandre Debrus (cello) (second cello - Elaine Debrus-Boucher) Arpeggio
Chamber orchestra/Gilberte Boucher Rec 1990s? (DDD)
PAVANE ADW 7352 [63.32] [DW]
A
mixed reception for this disc but it has much to commend it. … see Full
Review
Richard WAGNER Parsifal
- Act 2 (complete) and finale Act 3 Sung
in German Act 2 (complete) First performance August 1882, Bayreuth,
Germany Parsifal - Lauritz Melchior (tenor) Kundry - Kirsten Flagstad
(soprano) Klingsor - Arnold Gabor (baritone)
Vocal Ensemble and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera, New York Erich
Leinsdorf (conductor) Recorded live on 15 April 1938 Act 3 (Finale):
Parsifal - Lauritz Melchior (tenor) Amfortas - Herbert Janssen (baritone)
GUILD HISTORICAL 2201
[76.21] [CF] [RF]
Melchior
was a supreme Parsifal while Kundry was nothing short of sublime in
her phrasing, with a kaleidoscopic variety of drama and vocal colour
being at the core of her interpretation. [CF]
Such
performances as Parsifal are legendary and given the quality of the
recording, in its own right not merely in comparison with the EJS or
Myto transcriptions, Wagnerians will want this issue in their collection.
[RF]…
see Full Review
Richard
WAGNER Siegfried
Sung in German First performance August 1876, Bayreuth, Germany
Siegfried -Lauritz Melchior
(tenor) Wotan - Friedrich Schorr (bass-baritone) Brünnhilde - Kirsten
Flagstad (soprano) Mime - Karl Laufkoetter (tenor) Eduard - Habisch
Alberich (bass-baritone) Erda - Kerstin Thorborg (contralto) Fafner
- Emanuel List (bass) Woodbird - Stella Andreyeva (soprano) Orchestra
of the Metropolitan Opera, New York Artur Bodanzky (conductor) Recorded
live on 30 January 1937
GUILD HISTORICAL 2207/9 [210.01]
John
Steane once wrote, ‘to learn how Wagner could be sung, the public in
general had to wait for the great days of Melchior, Schorr and Flagstad’.
Well, here is the chance to experience such an occasion - seize it.
… see Full Review [CF]
It is the singing that will draw purchasers; above all the name of Melchior.
The greatest joy for Wagnerians is that Melchior is matched elsewhere
in this wonderful cast. All in all, a formidable performance and welcome
addition to the catalogue … see Full
Review [RF]
Richard WAGNER
(1813-1883) Tristan
und Isolde (1865) Kirsten Flagstad (Isolde), Lauritz Melchior
(Tristan), Sabine Kalter (Brangane), Herbert Janssen (Kurwenal), Emmanuel
List (King Marke), Frank Sale (Melot), Roy Devereux (Sailor), Octave
Dua (Shepherd), Leslie Horseman (Steersman).
Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden London Philharmonic Orchestra/Fritz
Reiner Recorded at Covent Garden during performances on 18th
May and 2nd June 1936. Archivist and restoration producer
Ward Marston NAXOS HISTORICAL
8.110068-70 [3 CDs 209.29] [TD]
A
remarkable document of recorded history and a performance of rare and
compelling power that, in spite of historic sound, is one of the greatest
recordings of this opera ever made. … see Full
Review
Richard
WAGNER (1813-1883)
Tristan
und Isolde (1865) Isolde – Gertrud Grob-Prandl (sop)
Tristan – Max Lorenz (ten) Brangane – Elsa Cavelti (sop) Kurwenal –
Siegurd Bjorling (bar) King Marke – Sven Nilsson (bass)
La Scala Orchestra and Chorus, Victor de Sabata Recorded live at La
Scala, Milan, 13th December 1951
ARCHIPEL RECORDS ARPCD 0027-3 [3 CDs: 73.11, 56.34, 65.01] [MB]
This
is without doubt the most searing Tristan on record, and for that reason
it is indispensable. … see Full
Review
Bruno
WALTER
(1876-1962) Sonata
for piano and violin Karl GOLDMARK (1857-1934)
Suite No. 1 in D major for violin and piano, Opus 11
Philippe Graffin (violin, Pascal Devoyon (piano) Rec 15-16 Jan
1999 (Walter, 23 June 2000 (Goldmark), Henry Wood Hall
HYPERION CDA67220 [64.41] [TB]
Spectacular
recorded sound. Both pieces sound excellent, with real presence and
an ideal ambience for this instrumental pairing. … see
Full Review
Sir
William WALTON
(1902-1983) Façade,
Suites Nos I & II, Viola Concerto, Variations on a Theme by Hindemith,
Paul Neubauer (viola) Bournemouth
Symphony Orchestra/Andrew Litton Rec March 1996, Guildhall, Southampton
DECCA 470 200 2 [71.30]
[TB]
The
Bournemouth Orchestra is an international orchestra which happens to
be based in the regions. The playing is assured. Recorded sound very
good. … see Full Review
Carl
Maria von WEBER
(1786-1826) Peter
Schmoll and his Neighbours (1802) Busching, Schmidt, Pteffer,
Basa, Porcher, Schöpflin Hagen
Philharmonic Orchestra/Gerhard Markson Rec. Hagen, 1993
MARCO POLO 8.223592-3 [91.48] [RW]
Delightfully
fresh, deserving revival. Weber is not short of ideas, and his arias
embrace a number of charming melodies and motifs. The soloists are strong
and blend well in the many duets and trios. … see
Full Review
Anton
WEBERN
(1883-1945) Passacaglia,
Opus 1, Five Movements for Strings, Opus 5, Six Pieces, Opus 6, Five
Pieces, Opus 10, Symphony, Opus 21 Variations, Opus 30
Ulster Orchestra/Takuo Yuasa Rec 29-30 March 2000, Ulster Hall, Belfast
NAXOS 8.554841 [52.27]
[TB]
Yuasa
and the Ulster Orchestra are wholly convincing and can take justifiable
pride in their achievement. Confidently recommended. see Full
Review
Silvius Leopold WEISS (1686-1750)
LUTE SONATAS TRANSCRIBED FOR GUITAR
Kurt Schneeweiß (guitar)
ARTE NOVA CLASSICS 74321 77063 2 (10 CDs) Superbudget [AD]
This
rather turgid, flat-landscaped view of this music falls short of the
mark and does little to enhance Weiss's legacy. … see Full
Review
Domenico
ZIPOLI Vespers
of St Ignacio Ensemble
Elyma Coro de Niños de Córdoba (Argentine) Directed by
Gabriel Garrido Recordings made in L’église de Saint-Pierre aux
Nonnains (Metz); 27-29 November 1992
K617 ‘LES RÉFÉRENCES’ K617FC4 [55.35] [PW]
Apart
from the children, this disc bears repeated listening and is well worth
having. … 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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