Edith
CANAT DE CHIZY (born 1950) Exultet (1995)a Siloël (1992)
Moïra (1998)b 
Laurent Korcia
(violin)a; Sonia Wieder-Atherton (cello)b; Philarmonie
de Lorraine; Pascal Rophé Recorded: Arsenal, Metz, March and
July 1998 TIMPANI 1C1048 [47:05]
Music
of great beauty and of great communicative power - a revelation. A wonderful
release which I urge you to investigate. Unreservedly recommended. …
see Full Review
You
can make a HUGE saving by downloading this disc
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH
- Frédéric
CHOPIN
(1810-1849)
24 Preludes op. 28 - Prelude in C sharp minor op. 45 - Prelude in
A flat major op. Posth. - Piano Sonata No. 2 in B flat minor op. 35
Martha Argerich, piano - Recorded 1974 (sonata), 1975 (28 Preludes),
1977 (op. 45/posth)
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON Legendary Recordings 463 663-2 [61:17]
[JL]
"Legendary
Recordings" indeed! The cumulative power of the Preludes make it,
for some, the greatest performance of the work ever recorded. … see
Full Review
Frédéric
CHOPIN
(1810-1849) Ballade
No. 3 in A flat, Opus 47, Ballade No. 4 in F minor, Opus 52, Nocturne
in D flat, Opus 27 No. 2, Nocturne in C minor, Opus 48 No. 1, Nocturne
in E, Opus 62 No. 2, 24 Préludes, Opus 28
Nikolai Lugansky (piano) Recorded 20-24 April 2001, Teldec Berlin Studios
ERATO 0927 42836-2
[75.00] [TB]
Abundant
subtleties, and a real sweep of momentum … see Full
Review
Aaron
COPLAND (1900-1990)
Symphony No. 3 Suite, Billy the Kid.
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra/James Judd. Recorded July
2000, Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington, New Zealand.
NAXOS 8.559106 [64.29] [WH]
If
this lacks the weight, power and steel of the finest rivals these performances
are extremely convincing on their own terms, and nobody buying this
disc will be disappointed. … see Full
Review
Aaron
COPLAND (1900
– 1990)
Concerto for Clarinet and String Orchestra (1948)
Leonard BERNSTEIN (1918 – 1990) Prelude,
Fugue and Riffs (1949) Morton GOULD (1913
– 1996) Derivations (1955, rev. 1965) Artie
SHAW (born 1910) Concerto for Clarinet (1940) George
GERSHWIN (1898 – 1937) Summertime (1935, arr. Gregor
Bühl) They All Laughed (1937, arr. John Cameron) The
Man I Love (1924, arr. John Cameron) I Got Rhythm (1930,
arr. John Cameron) Sharon
Kam (clarinet) London Symphony Orchestra; Gregor Bühl Recorded:
Olympic Studios, London, June and September 2001
TELDEC 8573-88482-2 [61:20] [HC]
A
hugely entertaining collection of jazz-inflected works, brightly recorded
and magnificently played. … see Full
Review
Arcangelo CORELLI (1653-1713) Sonate
da chiesa, Opera terza Sonate postume Ensemble Aurora
Enrico Gatti Recorded September 1996, September 1997, Granecy-le-Château
church, France. ARCANA A 902
[132.15] [KM]
A
wonderful, almost essential recording with a near perfect performance…see
Full Review
You
can make a HUGE saving by downloading this disc
Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918)
Images, Sets I and II - Canope, Bruyères
(Préludes, Book II) - Children's Corner
Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli (piano) - Recorded 1963, Turin
APEX 0927 40649 2 [48.13] [TB]
No-one
acquiring this disc is likely to be disappointed that the sound is distorted
or lacking in impact. It will give pleasure. … See Full
Review
Frederick DELIUS
(1862-1934) Brigg
Fair* In a Summer Garden* Eventyr* A Song of Summer* Summer Night on
the River A Song before Sunrise The Walk to the Paradise Garden
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Hallé Orchestra* Vernon Handley Recorded 8-9 September 1981,
Free Trade Hall, Manchester*, 10-11 October 1977 Henry Wood Hall, Southward,
London CLASSICS FOR
PLEASURE 5 75315 2 [79.11] [TB]
Handley
is a distinctive Delian, finding drama at every opportunity and persuading
his musicians to match his commitment. … see Full
Review
Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797-1848)
L'elisir d'amore -
Roberto Alagna, Angela Gheorghiu, Simone Alaimo, Elana Dan, Roberto
Scaltriti, Lyon National Opera Chorus
Lyon National Opera Orchestra/Evelino Pidó - Rec 1996, Lyon
DECCA 4400741039 [2hrs 5mins] [JL]
Lifted
to real world class status by the heartfelt singing of Alagna and Gheorghiu
and some will justifiably want buy it for that alone. … see Full
Review
Felix DRAESEKE (1835-1913)
Symphony
no.2 op. 25 in F major - Serenade op.49 in D major Radio-Philharmonie
Hannover des NDR/Jörg-Peter Weigle - Recorded Grosser Sendesaal
des Landesfunkenhauses Niedersachsen des NDR, Hannover, September 1998
and November 1999 CPO 999 719-2 [66:13]
[GPJ]
Skip
the rather dreary symphony and proceed straight to the Serenade! …
see Full Review
Franz
Xavier DUSSEK (1731 - 1799) Sinfonia in G major (Altner G2) Sinfonia in E flat major (Altner
Eb3) Sinfonia in F major (Altner F4) Helios 18 conducted by Marie-Louise
Oschatz The 18th Century Symphony: Recorded in Vienna August
2001 - DDD Stereo NAXOS 8.555878 [68:53] [DB]
An
enjoyable disc of entertaining 18th century Bohemian symphonies,
which, for most listeners, will be new repertoire. … see Full Review
Antonín DVORÁK
(1841
– 1904) Slavonic
Dances 1–16, Opp. 46 and 72 (1878 and 1886) Chamber Orchestra of
Europe - conducted by
Nikolaus Harnoncourt recorded in Stefaniensaal, Graz, Austria, June
2000 (Op. 72) and June 2001 (Op. 46) DDD
TELDEC CLASSICS 8573-81038-2 [73.23][JP]
Performance
and recording superb. Recommended but Sejna’s Supraphon issue is the
genuine article. … see Full
Review
Antonin
DVORÁK (1841-1904)
String
quartet in F no.12 op.96, ‘American’ String Quintet in Eb major, op.97
Keller Quartet, with
Anna Deeva, viola in the quintet - Recorded at the Salle de Musique
de la Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, January 1994 (quartet) and June 1994
(quintet) APEX 0927
44355 2 [55:12] [GPJ]
The
quartet plays superbly, with great conviction and sense of style, and
their unanimity of purpose is never in doubt. … see Full
Review
Antonín DVORÁK
(1841-1904) Serenade for String Orchestra
Op. 22 (1875) Josef SUK (1874-1935) Serenade
for String Orchestra in E flat major Op. 6 (1892) Prague Chamber Philharmonic
Orchestra conducted by Jirí Belohlávek
Recorded in the Domovina Studio, Prague, 1996 DDD Stereo SUPRAPHON SU3157-2031 [59:19]
A
really lovely disc of Czech string serenades that tempts one to run
out of superlatives. … see Full
Review
You
can make a HUGE saving by downloading this disc
Antonín
DVORÁK
(1841-1904) Piano Trio op 90
Dumky Bedrich SMETANA (1824-1884) Piano Trio op 15
Guarneri Trio Prague Recorded Domovina Studio, September
and November 1991 SUPRAPHON 11 1561-2 [56’12]
[JW]
A
collective achievement of some stature. Despite that cold acoustic the
Trio generates considerable heat. … see Full
Review
You
can make a HUGE saving by downloading this disc
Antonín
DVORÁK (1841-1904) Piano Trio No 3 op 65 Piano Trio op 90 Dumky Guarneri Trio Prague Recorded Domovina Studio October and
November 1997 SUPRAPHON 11 1463-2 131
[66’45] [JW]
Properly
delineated intimacies of declamation and reserve. Elegant and very sensitive
to dynamics … see Full
Review
You
can make a HUGE saving by downloading this disc
Antonín
DVORÁK (1841-1904) Piano Works 2 Waltzes op 54 Eclogues
op 56 Piano pieces op 52 Moderato in A major B116 Album Leaves B109/2,
109/3, 109/4 Radoslav
Kvapil, piano Recorded Domovina Studios, Prague 1969 and 1970
SUPRAPHON SU 3376-2 111 [70’32]
A
certain amount of archaeology and resurrection but so much is deliciously
attractive and so infectiously inspiring. … see Full
Review
Sir
Edward ELGAR
(1857-1934) Organ Sonata No. 1 in
G * Sacred Music† * Herbert Sumsion at the organ of Gloucester
Cathedral Choir of Worcester Cathedral (Harry Bramma – organ) Christopher
Robinson (conductor and †† organ) (* recorded Gloucester Cathedral
4-6 January 1965; † recorded Worcester Cathedral 6-8 March 1969
Recording produced by Brian B. Culverhouse‡) EMI CDM 5 65594
2 [76:10] [IL]
An
inspiring album of an aspect of Elgar’s music that is not so well
known, all impeccably performed. … see Full
Review
Manuel
de FALLA
(1876-1946) El Amor Brujo (1915,
1925) [25.05] Noches en los Jardines de España (1916)
[22.31] Harpsichord Concerto (1926) [13.15] El sombrero de tres picos
- Miller's Dance; Jota (1919) [9.10] La Vida breve
- Interlude and Dance 1 (1905) [6.43] Ines Rivandeneyra (mz), Orquesta
Sinfonica de la RTV Española/Igor Markevich - Oct 1966, Spain
(Brujo) Clara Haskil (piano),
Orchestra des Concerts Lamoureux/Igor Markevich - rec Oct 1960, France
(Noches) Rafael Puyana (hpschd), David Sandeman (fl), Neil Black
(ob), Thea King (cl), Raymond Cohen (vn), Terence Weil (vc), Sir Charles
Mackerras (dir) - rec Aug 1969, England (concerto) Orchestre du Théâtre
de L'Opéra de Paris/Roberto Benzi - June 1964, France - (Sombrero)
Minneapolis SO/Antal Dorati - rec 1966-7 - (Vida) all ADD
PHILIPS ELOQUENCE 468 313-2 [77.02] [RB]
Performances
by Spanish and French artists recorded in the 1960s and still sounding
pretty good. ... see Full Review
Edward
ELGAR
(1857-1934) Violin Concerto * Arthur
BLISS (1891-1975)
Theme
and Cadenza for solo violin and orchestra + Introduction and Allegro,
Alfredo Campoli, violin London Philharmonic Orchestra
conducted by Adrian Boult * London Symphony
Orchestra conducted by Arthur Bliss + Recorded 1955 (Elgar) 1956 (Bliss)
DECCA ELOQUENCE 461 353-2 [63.52]
[JW]
One
of the most outstanding recordings ever made of the Elgar Violin Concerto
coupled with infectious performances of Bliss…see Full Review
Gabriel
FAURÉ (1845-1924)
Requiem,
Cantique de Jean Racine - Pierre VILLETTE
(1926-1998) O salutaris hostia, O magnum mysterium -
Jean ROGER-DUCASSE (1873-1954) Regina cśli laetare, Crux
fidelis, Alma redemptoris Mater
Nancy Argenta, soprano, Simon Keenlyside, baritone, Kenan Burrows, treble,
Richard Studt, violin - Winchester Cathedral Choir, Bournemouth Sinfonietta/David
Hill - Recorded Winchester Cathedral June-July 1996
VIRGIN CLASSICS 7243 5 61994 2 [61.46] [GPJ]
Hill
takes an approach which cleverly combines austerity with expressive
flexibility. … see Full Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH
Gabriel FAURÉ
(1845-1924) Romance sans paroles, op.17 no.3
[2.45] - Nocturne No.1, op.33 no.1 [8.47] - Nocturne No.3, op.33 no.3
[4.33] - Impromptu No.2, op.31 [3.42] - Nocturne No.6, op.63 [9.36]
- Barcarolle No.1, op.26 [5.37] - Nocturne No.11, op.104 no.1 [4.41]
- Nocturne No.13, op.119 [8.43] - Improvisation (8 pièces brèves),
op.84 no.5 [1.43] - Romance sans paroles, op.17 no.1 [1.54] - Prélude,
op.103 no.2 [2.24] - Prélude op.103 no.7 [2.06] - Ballade, op.19
[15.48] Kun Woo Paik, piano
- Rec Brangwyn Hall, Swansea, 29-31 July 2001
DECCA 470 246-2 [72.21] [TB]
A
very beautiful record that places these works in the context of their
more celebrated relations, yet demonstrates their marvellous individuality
at the same time. … see Full Review
Gabriel
FAURÉ (1845-1924)
Requiem
-
Pelléas et Mélisande-Incidental Music, Op.80 -
Masques et Bergamasques, Op.112 - Suzanne Danco (soprano) Gérard
Souzay (baritone) - L’Union Chorale de la tour de Peilz L’Orchestre de la Suisse Romande/Ernest Ansermet -
Recorded circa 1960 ADD ELOQUENCE DECCA
450 131-2 [67.05] Super-budget [TH]
see
Full Review
Gabriel
FAURÉ (1845-1924) Requiem César FRANCK (1822-1890)
Symphony
Johannette Zomer, soprano Stephan Genz, baritone La Chapelle
Royale Collegium Vocale Gent Orchestre des Champs Elysées/Philippe
Herreweghe Recorded Le Grande Salle de l’Arsenal de Metz, November
2001 HARMONIA MUNDI
HMC 901771 [75’46] [JW]
I
liked Herreweghe’s restraint but it pulls too many punches in the
end to be more than passingly attractive. … see Full
Review
Jean-Baptiste Antoine FORQUERAY (1699-1782)
Jupiter: Orchestral Transcriptions and Chamber Music Extracts
from Pièces de Viole (Paris 1747) Premier Divertissement, Deuxième
Divertissement, Troisième Divertissement, Quatrième Divertissement
Charivari Agréable
Simfonie Rec: 3-5 October, 1998, St Andrew's Church, Toddington, Gloucestershire.
SIGNUM SIGCD008
[77.32] [KM]
You
can make a HUGE saving by downloading this disc
For
fans of 18th century French music, this recording is certainly recommended....see
Full Review
Gérard
GASPARIAN
(b.1960) Intermède
for clarinet in A and piano, Cycle Vocale, Pulsions for flute and piano,
Quintet for 4 saxophones and piano ,Ballade for piano, Sonata for violin
and piano
Sylvie
Hue (clarinet), Marie Kobayashi (mezzo-soprano), Emmanuelle Ophèle,
(flute), Hidéki Nagano (piano), Quatuor de Saxophones Jean Ledieu,
Yoko Yamasaki (piano), Jean Ter-Merguérian (violin), Gérard
Gasparian (piano) Recorded Paris 1998/99 TIMPANI 1C1055 [59:56] [GPJ]
If
you haven’t encountered this interesting and talented young French
composer, this disc makes an excellent entrée. … see Full Review
You
can make a HUGE saving by downloading this disc
Luis GIANNEO
(1897 – 1968) Bailecito
(1931)b Música para Niños (1946)c
Dos Estudios (1933)a Cinco Pequeñas Piezas (1938)b
En el Altiplano (1932)b Siete Piezas Infantiles (1946)a
Tres Danzas Argentinas (1938)d Villancico (1946)d
Caminito de Belén (1947)d
Dora Di Marinis (piano)a; Elena Dabul (piano)b;
Pervez Mody (piano)c; Fernando Viani (piano)d
- Recorded: Schloss Gottesauer, Velte Saal, Karlsruhe, August 2000
MARCO POLO 8.225206 [62:58][HC]
The
best introduction to Gianneo’s attractive and worthwhile piano music.
… see Full Review
Howard
GOODALL's BIG BANGS Big
Bangs - Titles Music Gregorio ALLEGRI
Miserere
mei Deus Claudio MONTEVERDI Deus
in auditorium from 1610 Vespers; Overture to Orfeo; Euridice e
Orfeo Ahi caso acerbo Io la musica son and string ritrnello Orfeo in
Hades - possente spirto Wolfgang Amadeus
MOZART Pace pace - Marriage of Figaro Act IV
John
DUNSTAPLE Veni Sancte Spiritus arr
Howard GOODALL Agincourt
Song Johann Sebastian BACH The
Well Tempered Clavier - Prelude No. 1; Fugue No. 1 Franz
SCHUBERT (arr
Goodall) Gute
Nacht from Winterreise - abridged English version and full
German version Scott
JOPLIN Maple Leaf Rag Ruggero
LEONCAVALLO Vesti la Giubba from I Pagliacci
David
FANSHAWE Sanctus - from African Sanctus
Howard
GOODALL Sanctus from Missa Aedis Christi
Richard
STRAUSS Im Abendrot from Four Last Songs rec
late 1990s METRONOME MET
CD 1043 [63.00] [RB]
A
very miscellaneous assemblage which may work well as a reminder of the
original series but which does not stand happily by itself. For me the
discovery was Goodall's Sanctus.... see Full
Review
Eivind
GROVEN (1901-1977) Orchestral music
- Piano Concerto (1947-1949)- Symphony No. 2 (1939-1945) - Wolfgang
Plagge, piano - Trondheim Symphony Orchestra
Ole Kristian Ruud, conductor - Recorded: Olavshallen, Trondheim, August
1991/April 1992 - Released in co-operation with the Norwegian Cultural
Council SIMAX - NORWAY
IN MUSIC - PSC 3111 [58.56] [NH]
Unknown
gems from Scandinavia; admirers of the Nordic musical scene should investigate
as a matter of urgency … see Full Review
Francisco
GUERRERO (1528-1599)
Vespers
for All Saints and the Missa Pro Defunctis
Chapelle du Roi directed by Alistair Dixon Recorded in St. Jude’s Church,
Hampstead, March 1999
SIGNUM CD017 [76.54] [GH]
Performances
faultless. Recorded balance ideal. Speeds well judged. Any lover of
renaissance music would find this a worthwhile investment even if the
music is restrained and coolly beautiful. … see Full
Review
You
can make a HUGE saving by downloading this disc
Georg Friedrich HAENDEL
(1685-1759)
Partenope - Meredith Hall (soprano) Kai Wessel (countertenor)
Annette Markert (mezzo-soprano) Christopher Josey (countertenor) John
McVeigh (tenor) William Berger (bass)
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra/Nicholas McGegan - Rec: May 30 to June
5, 2001, International Handel Festival, Göttingen.
GÖTTINGEN HANDEL SOCIETY No catalogue number [192.39] [KM]
If
you can deal with audience noise, you will certainly find some excellent
music and some very good singing. … see Full
Review
George
Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759)
Great Handel Arias -
Vieni, o figlio(Ottone), Voglio dire (Partenope), Convey me to some
peaceful shore (Alexander Balus), La Speranza e giunta (Ottone), Cangio
d’aspetto (Admeto), Dove sei (Rodelinda), Lascia ch’io piango (Rinaldo),
La Rondinella – Cantata (Clori, Tirsi e Fileno), Revenge, Timotheus
cries (Alexander’s Feast), Se un bell’ardier (Ezio), Peace crowned with
roses (Susanna), The God of Battle (Hercules), Wide spread his name
(Theodora), Leave me, loathsome Light (Semele), Pensa a chi geme (Alcina),
Honour and Arms (Samson)
Bernadette Greevy, contralto, first eight items - Forbes Robinson, bass,
last eight items - Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields - Raymond Leppard
(for Greevy) - Philip Ledger (for Robinson) Recorded 1966-67
DECCA ELOQUENCE 461 593-2 [77’34] [JW]
Greevy,
a contralto of discernment and depth and Forbes Robinson, redoubtable
bass her past his zenith. … see Full
Review
Georg
Friedrich HAENDEL (1685-1759)
Ariodante Ann Murray, Joan Rodgers, Lesley Garret
English National Opera Orchestra and Chorus - Ivor Bolton (Note: this
opera is sung in English - the original was in Italian.) Rec: 1996,
London Coliseum. ARTHAUS
100 064 [178 min.] [KM]
This
is one of Handel’s finest operas, and shines through its excellent arias
and beautiful instrumental sections. … see Full
Review
Georg
Friedrich HAENDEL (1685-1759) Messiah
- Lynn Dawson, soprano - Guillaumette Laurens, mezzo-soprano - Charles
Daniels, tenor - Antonio Abete, bass - Coro della Radio Svizzera - I
Barocchisti, Duilio Falfetti, leader
Diego Fasolis, conductor - Rec: June 2000, Chiesa di San Nicolao, Lugano,
Switzerland. ARTS 47627-2
[141.10] [KM]
Yet
another Messiah. … see Full Review
George
Frederic HANDEL
Arias:
David Hobson (tenor) Cantillation Sinfonia Australis/Antony Walker Rec
2001 ABC CLASSICS ABC
472 151-2 [55’13"] [PS]
I
am happy to give the disc the warmest of welcomes. Mr Hobson’s sometimes
rather nasal delivery has admirable incisiveness and clarity, both in
line and, particularly so, in diction. … see Full
Review
Georg
Friedrich HAENDEL (1685-1759)
THE MASTERWORKS (40-CD set)
CD 1/3 JEPHTHA CD 4/5 JUDAS MACCABAEUS CD 6/7 SOLOMON CD 8/10 BELSAZAR
CD 11/12 MESSIAH CD 13/15 BROCKES PASSION CD 16 JOHANNES PASSION CD
17/18 ACIS & GALATEA CD 19/20 IMENEO CD 21/23 FARAMONDO CD 24 CORONATION
ANTHEMS CD 25/26 CANTATAS CD 27 DEUTSCHE ARIEN CD 28 WATER MUSIC CD
29 MUSIC FOR THE ROYAL FIREWORKS CD 30/31 CONCERTI GROSSI OP. 3 CD 32/34
ORGAN CONCERTOS (COMPLETE) CD 35/40 CHAMBER MUSIC (COMPLETE)
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 99777 [approx. 40 hours]
[KM]
At
this super-budget price, even a Handel connoisseur will find many discs
which make it worth his or her while. … see Full
Review
Franz Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809)The
Seasons (highlights) Gundula Janowitz, Werner Hollweg, Walter Berry
- Chorus of the Deutsche Oper, Berlin
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/Herbert von Karajan - Recorded Berlin,
1972 EMI CLASSICS
CDE 574977 2 [53:26][JL]
A
disc of highlights culled from Karajan’s splendidly sounding, indulgent
recording of The Seasons that manages to leave out some of the best
bits. Why not consider a complete version? … see Full
Review
Joseph
HAYDN
(1732-1809) The Complete Symphonies
CD 1 to 33 Austro-Hungarian
Haydn Orchestra, cond. Adam Fischer, with *Rainer Küchl (violin),
Wolfgang Herzer (cello), Gerhard Turetschek (oboe) and Michael Werba
(bassoon) DDD: recorded at the Haydnsaal, Esterházy Palace, Eisenstadt,
Austria BRILLIANT CLASSICS
99925 [AT]
This
set is a very great step towards educating us all in this clever, profound,
pioneering, but most of all, wonderfully joyous music … recommended
without any hesitation … see Full Review
Basil HARWOOD (1859-1949)
Sonata
No 1 in C Sharp Minor, Opus 5; Dithyramb, Opus 7; Six Pieces, Opus 15;
Capriccio, Opus 16 Adrian Partington (organ)
Rec 2000? PRIORY PRCD 683 [65.00?] [PLS]
This
well recorded disc has given me much pleasure and I strongly recommend
it. … see Full Review
Terry
HAWES HIS
EXCELLENCY operetta (2001) With libretto
by W S Gilbert (1894)
David Luck (Matts Munck), Paul Mills (Erling), Nova Skipp (Christina),
Faith Stretton (Nanna), Jean Aird (Thora), Stan Wilson (Griffenfeld),
Mick Wilson (The Regent), Harald (Leon Berger), Chris Vincent (Tortenssen),
Rosalind McCutcheon (Dame Hecla), Sarah Lodge (Blanca), Peter Francis
(Sentry) Chorus and Orchestra by members of the Royal Academy of Music/Terry
Hawes Rec. London, 2001
AMP PRODUCTIONS [69.40] £12.99 +p&p [RW]
Delightfully
bright Sullivanesque pastiche … see Full Review
BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Joseph
HAYDN
(1732-1809) The Complete Symphonies -
CD1 to CD33 Austro-Hungarian
Haydn Orchestra, cond. Adam Fischer, with *Rainer Küchl (violin),
Wolfgang Herzer (cello), Gerhard Turetschek (oboe) and Michael Werba
(bassoon) DDD: recorded at the Haydnsaal, Esterházy Palace, Eisenstadt,
Austria BRILLIANT CLASSICS
99925 [PJL]
Fischer’s
has been a memorable project: it began well, and got better and better.
In the early days, it was competitive without ever being top of the
class: now the race is run, it is most certainly a winner, and its rivals
have their work cut out to match it, let alone surpass it. … see Full
Review
Joseph
HAYDN (1732-1809)
String Quartets Op. 50 Nos 1-6
Festetics Quartet (István Kertész, violin; Erica Petöfi,
violin; Péter Ligeti, viola; Rezsö Petorini, cello) Rec:
August 1999, Technical Library, Budapest.
ARCANA A 415 [151.00] [KM]
Bask
in the delight of such magnificent music. … see Full
Review
You
can make a HUGE saving by downloading this disc
Joaquim HOMS (born
1906) Piano
Sonata No.1 (1945) Three Inventions on One Chord (1958) Carousel Waltz
(1934) Between Two Lines (1948) Three Evocations (1982/7) In memoriam
A. Rubinstein Remembrances (1984/95)
Jordi Masó (piano) Recorded: Teatre de Ponent in Granollers,
July 2000 MARCO POLO
8.225236 [67:01] [HC]
Homs
was attracted to atonality and even serialism although his music rarely
adheres strictly to serial principles. … see Full
Review
Arthur
HONEGGER
(1892-1955)
String
Quartet No. 1 (1919?) String Quartet No. 2 (1935) String Quartet No.
3 (1936) Pâques … New York* (1924)
*Fusako Kondo (mezzo-soprano) Quatuor Ludwig Recorded September-October
1991, Eglise Evangélique, St Pierre, Paris TIMPANI 1C1011
[72.39] [TB]
Music
thoroughly representative of this composer. Performances respond convincingly
to the challenges the music poses. A commendable achievement …
see Full Review
You
can make a HUGE saving by downloading this disc
William HURLSTONE Trio
in G Minor for clarinet, bassoon and piano. Bassoon Sonata in F - Four
Characteristic Pieces - Stephen Emmerson (piano) - Murray Khouri (Clarinet)
Peter Musson, Bassoon. Rec 1999? CONTINUUM CCD 1079 [52.08] from D I Music Direct, 7
High Street, Cheadle, Cheshire SK8 1AX [PS]
Rather
short measure but a well played and recorded CD. … see Full
Review
Francis JACKSON (born
1917) Edinburgh
Fanfare (1957) - Five Preludes on English Hymn Tunes Op.60 (1987) -
Impromptu Op.5 (1944) - Three Pieces Op.17 (1955) - Division on Nun
Danket Op.19 No.2 (1956) - Prelude on Lonesome Valley Op.43
No.2 (1973) - Recessional Op.32 (1963) - Sonata Giocosa Op.42 (1972)
Francis Jackson at the
organ of Hull City Hall and of York Minster - Recorded: Hull City Hall,
January 1986 and York Minster, 1973 (Sonata Giocosa)
AMPHION PHI CD 180 [74:50] [HC]
Beauty
and brilliance in this selection of organ music by Francis Jackson spanning
some forty years of his long and busy career. … see Full
Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Leoš
JANÁCEK (1854-1928) String Quartet
No.1 ‘The Kreutzer Sonata’ , String Quartet No. 2 ‘Intimate Letters’
- Antonín DVORÁK (1841-1904) From
Cypresses, B.152
New Helsinki Quartet
- Recorded at Sigyn Hall, Turku, Finland, August 1996 DDD Super budget
WARNER APEX 0927 40603
2 [59.02] [TH]
No-one
investigating this marvellous release will have any cause for complaint.
… see Full Review
Leoš
JANÁCEK
(1854-1928) Idyla
(Idyll) for String Orchestra - Mládí (Youth) for wind
sextet - David Shostac, flute, Allan Vogel, oboe, David Shifrin,
clarinet, Kenneth Munday, bassoon, Robin Graham, horn (all in Mládí),
Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra/Gerard
Schwarz - Recorded at the Ambassador Auditorium, Pasadena, California
USA, December 1980 and November 1981
APEX 7559 79680 [43:32] [GPJ]
Music
from the beginning and end of a creative life … fine performances. …
see Full Review
Leoš
JANÁCEK
(1854-1928) Lachian
Dances - Antonín DVORÁK (1841-1904)
Suite in A major
Rochester PO/David Zinman - Rec. 29 January 1984, Hochstein Auditorium,
Rochester, New York
APEX 7559 79677 2 [47.30] [TB]
Music
of immediate appeal, fresh melodies and lively rhythmic qualities. Winning
performances but regrettable that the disc should contain only 47 minutes
of music. … see Full Review
Leoš
JANÁCEK (1854-1928) The
Makropulos Case:
Opera in Three Acts
Libuše Prylová, Ivo Žídek
Prague National Theatre Chorus and Orchestra Bohumil Gregor (conductor)
Recorded at the Domovina Studio, Prague, December 1965 to January 1966
ADD SUPRAPHON 10 8351-2 612 2 discs [2CDs: 37.53+62.57]
[TH]
This
has an unmistakably authentic feel about it, with acerbic Czech brass
playing, the difficult language easily rolling off the tongue, and the
conductor and cast obviously totally inside the piece. It deserves success.
… see Full
Review
You
can make a HUGE saving by downloading this disc
John
JEFFREYS
Organ Music Michel Bourcier
(organ) The organ of Saint-Antoine des Quinze-Vingts, Paris Rec 2000?
SOMM - Celeste Series - CD019 [57.00?]
[CSS]
Like
all good things this music is to be savoured, not rushed, and in the
hands of Michel Bourcier, is impressively moving. … see Full Review
André
JOLIVET
(1905-1974)
Symphonie pour cordes (1961) [21.51]
Yin-Yang (1973) [19.20] Adagio (1960) [8.07] La Flèche
du Temps (1973) [15.18] Andante (1935) [8.13] Orchestre des Pays de Savoie, cond. Mark Foster recorded
23-26 September 1994 at the Dôme-Théâtre, Albertville.
DDD TIMPANI 1C1027 [73.34] [PL]
High
harmonic temperatures, dark polyphony, demanding listening, aggressive
and violent, serene and peaceful. I have been stirred by this music.
… see Full Review
You
can make a HUGE saving by downloading this disc
Albert
KETÈLBEY (1875-1959)
The
Sacred Hour,Bells across the Meadows, In a Fairy realm, Algerian Scene,
Fairy Butterfly, King Cupid, In the Mystic Land of Egypt,
Wedgwood Blue, Sanctuary of the Heart, In a Persian Market, A Dream
of Christmas, In a Monastery Garden
Peter Dawson, bass-baritone Albert Sandler, violin Florence Smithson,
soprano Dennis Noble, baritone Nellie Walker, contralto Robert Easton,
bass Oscar Natzke, bass Albert Ketèlbey, piano Various Orchestras
and Choruses conducted by Albert Ketèlbey, Ray Noble, Charles
Prentice and Henry Geehl Recorded London between 1917-1939
NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110848 [61’42] [JW]
So
much sheer verve, so much outpouring of lyrical and life-affirming music.
Enthusiastically recommended. … see Full Review
Aram
KHACHATURYAN
(1903-1978) Spartacus Suite
(1956) [21.31] Masquerade Suite (1941) [17.09] Gayaneh
Suite (1943) [18.41] London SO/Stanley Black rec 1975, 1978
ADD DECCA ELOQUENCE 461 007-2 [68.47]
[RB]
Khachaturyan
the master purveyor of hokum with the primitivistic tone softened a
click or two by Black and the LSO. … see Full
Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH
Zoltán KODÁLY
(1882-1967) Sonata
for solo cello, Op.8 (1915) Duo for violin and cello, Op.7 (1914)
Jerry Grossman (cello)
Daniel Phillips (violin) Recorded at the American Academy of Arts and
Letters, New York City, October 1983 DDD
WARNER APEX 7559 79672 2 [59.09] [TH]
Stimulating
music that is as original as anything in Bartók, and in performances
of real power and commanding stature. … see Full
Review
Kenneth
LEIGHTON
(1929 – 1968) Piano
Trio Op.46 (1965) Partita for Cello and Piano Op.35 (1959) Metamorphoses
for Violin and Piano Op.48 (1965/6) Elegy for Cello and Piano Op.5 (1949)
Lorraine McAslan (violin);
Andrew Fuller (cello); Michael Dussek (piano)
Recorded: Henry Wood Hall, London, September 2001
DUTTON CDLX 7118 [77:00] [HC]
All
the pieces here strongly communicate thanks to committed and dedicated
performances that make the best of these wonderful works. … see Full
Review
Edwin
LEMARE Organ
Symphony No 1 in G Minor Opus 35; The Cuckoo (Summer-Sketches,
Opus 73) MENDELSSOHN, Transcr.
LEMARE ed. FISHER: The Hebrides Overture. ALFRED
HOLLINS: Concert Overture in C Major Roger Fisher (organ) JAV RECORDINGS JAV 128A (57 mins. Approx). [PS]
Mr
Fisher, one of our finest organists once again shows his aptitude for,
and love of, the Romantic organ repertoire … see Full
Review
Franz
Liszt
Piano Music played by john ogdon - Piano Concerto no 1 in E flat major
(S 124) Bournemouth
Symphony Orchestra/Constantin Silvestri, recorded in Colston Hall, Bristol,
September 1967 - Piano Concerto no 2 in A major (S 125) BBC Symphony
Orchestra/Sir Colin Davis, recorded in the Royal Albert Hall, London,
September 1971 - Mephisto Waltz no 1 (S 514), recorded in the
Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, April 1969 - Grand Fantasia on La
Campanella (S 420) and Transcendental Study Harmonies du Soir
(S139 no 11), recorded in BBC Studios, London, September 1970
BBC LEGENDS 4089-2 [73:13] [AS]
This
disc, which captures Ogdon at the height of his powers, is to be treasured.
… see Full Review
Witold LUTOSLAWSKI (1913
– 1994) Dance Preludes (1954, orch. 1955) -
Mátyás SEIBER (1905 – 1960) Concertino for
Clarinet and String Orchestra (1928, orch. 1951) -
Howard BLAKE (born 1938) Clarinet Concerto (1984) - Thea
King (clarinet); English Chamber Orchestra;
Andrew Litton, Howard Blake - Recorded: May-June 1985 (Blake) and April
1986 (Lutoslawski, Seiber)
HELIOS CDH 55068 [46:41] [HC]
An
attractive programme, superbly performed and recorded. If you did not
get it when first released it is now at customer-friendly bargain price.
… see Full Review
Sergei LYAPUNOV
(1859-1924) Symphony
No.1 Op.12 (1897) Piano Concerto No.2 Op.38 (1909) Polonaise
Op.16 (1902) Howard Shelley (piano).
BBC Philharmonic conducted by Vassily Sinaisky - Studio 7 New Broadcasting
House Manchester 26th -31st October 2000
CHANDOS CHAN 9808 [64.31] [JF]
A
rare opportunity to hear two major works by this unknown Russian composer.
I hope that this disc will act as encouragement for further exploration
of Lyapunov’s sensuous, poetic and romantic music. … see Full
Review
[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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