ALPHABETICAL LISTING

Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony No.1 in D (1884-8) Philadelphia Orchestra/Ricardo Muti (Recorded in Memorial Hall, Fairmount Park, Philadelphia in February 1984) EMI CLASSICS ENCORE 5 74963 2 [56.25] [TD]

A performance to stress this symphony as a stunning orchestral showpiece, with sound recording and playing of the highest order. … see Full Review

Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony No.6 in A minor "Tragic" (1903-5) Alban BERG (1885-1935) Three Pieces for Orchestra op.6 (1914-15) Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Andante in B minor (D 936A No.2) (1828) (Realised by Brian Newbould) SWR Sinfonieorchester Baden-Baden und Freiburg/Michael Gielen (Recorded in the Festspielhaus, Baden-Baden 7-9 September 1999 (Mahler), the Hans Rosbaud Studio, Baden-Baden 3-8 March 1993 (Berg), and the Konzerthaus, Freiburg 5 September 1998 (Schubert).) HÄNSSLER CLASSIC CD 93.029 [1.55.28] [TD]

A well-executed and very absorbing Mahler Sixth placed in fascinating musical context by Schubert and Berg, all well-recorded and played … see Full Review

Igor MARKEVICH (1912-1983) Variations, Fugue et Envoi sur une thème de Haendel (1941) [19.56] Stefan Le Poète - Impressions d'enfance (1939) [17.08] Bernard GALAIS Méditation sur la mort d'un peintre - en hommage à Jacques Courtens [6.12] Kazuoki Fujii (piano) Philippe Depetris (flute) Bernard Galais (harpe) rec 1979? PAVANE ADW 7217 [43.24] [RB]

Markevich's Handel Variations played wth great concentration by Fujii - deeply rewarding; the Impressions less so. Galais a modestly smiling addition to the Gallic harp repertoire ... see Full Review.

Ingram MARSHALL (b.1942) Kingdom Come (1997) The American Composer’s Orchestra Robin Lustig Dunkel (conductor) Hymnodic Delays (1997) The Theatre of Voices Paul Hillier (director) Fog Tropes II (1993) for String Quartet and Tape Kronos Quartet Recorded at various venues 1996 – 2000 NONESUCH 7559 – 79613 – 2 [47.09] [TH]

A disc which shows us a composer at his eclectic best, and although his mode of expression has been fashionable in American contemporary music for some time, the pieces on this CD show us the most human and accessible face of this expression. … see Full Review

Nicolai MEDTNER (1880-1951) Sonate-Ballade Op.27 (1913) Sonata Minacciosa 'Sonate Orageuse' Op. 53 No. 2 (1932) Four Skazki Op. 26 (1913?) Sonate-Idylle Op. 56 (1937) Malcolm Binns (piano) rec 1976 and 1991 (Op. 56) PEARL SHE CD 9628 [66.14] [RB]

Amidst the more familiar sets do not lose sight of this CD. Binns though recorded up-close is subtle, aristocratic, noble, innocent and poetic. see Full Review

Nicolai MEDTNER (1880-1951) Violin Sonata No 1 Sergey PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Sonata for Two violins Anton von WEBERN (1883-1945) Four pieces for Violin and Piano Alfred SCHNITTKE (1934-1998) Violin Sonata No 1 Oleg Kagan, violin with Victor Tretyakov, violin (Prokofiev) Sviatoslav Richter, piano (Medtner) Vassily Lobanov, piano (Webern, Schnittke) Recorded Pushkin Museum December 1981 (Medtner), December 1984 Prokofiev), Tchaikovsky Hall February 1989 (Webern, Schnittke) LIVE CLASSICS LCL 191 [57.54] [JW]

Admirers of Kagan need not hesitate, whilst devotees of the modern Soviet school of violin playing will be intrigued by both playing and repertoire; in fact theres plenty to interest everyone here. see Full Review

Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Symphony No 4 Italian - Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Symphony No 2 National Philharmonic Orchestra - Leopold Stokowski, conductor - Recorded Abbey Road, London April-June 1977 CALA CACD0531 [73.43] [JW]

A truly remarkable document of an ever-questing musician whose final recordings are as noble, as understanding and as true as one could ever wish to hear. … see Full Review

Felix and Fanny MENDELSSOHN Felix MENDELSSOHN, (1809-1847). Piano Trio No. 2 in C minor, Op. 66 Fanny MENDELSSOHN, (1805-1847). Piano Trio in D minor, Op. 11 The Atlantis Trio: Jaap Schröder (violin), Enid Sutherland (cello), Penelope Crawford (fortepiano) Recorded March 2001 in the Chapel of our Lady of Providence Center, Northville, Michigan, USA Bonus Disc: The MENDELSSOHNs: members of The Atlantis Trio explore the artist’s place in high society MUSICA OMNIA M00105 2 CDs [56:48+23:55] [RB]

Brilliantly played though it is the Graf’s crisp, forward tone tends to dominate the quieter-sounding strings and leads to an imbalance that occasionally becomes obtrusive. … see Full Review

André MESSAGER (1853-1929) Véronique - operetta (complete with dialogue) Mady Mesplé (Hélène), Andrea Guiot, Denise Benoit, Michel Dens (Florestan), Jean-Christophe Benoit, Michel Dunand, Jacques Pruvost René Duclos Choir Orchestre de l’Association des Concerts Lamoureux/Jean-Claude Hartemann Rec. Paris, 1969 EMI 72435 7407328 [CD1 48.46 CD2 47.33] [IL]

A delightful, sunny entertainment with lots of hummable tunes, at least four of which are memorable, and two instantly recognisable....see Full Review

Nikolai MIASKOVSKY (1881-1950) The Complete Symphonic Works - The First Five Volumes on OLYMPIA - Volume 1 Symphony No. 1 (1908 rev 1921) [41.50: I 17.16; II 15.16; III 9.12] Symphony No. 25 (1946 rev 1949) [35.07: I 16.03; II 5.21; III 13.43] Russian Federation Academic Symphony Orchestra/Evgeny Svetlanov - rec: 1991-3, Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, Russia. DDD OLYMPIA OCD 731 [77.49] Volume 2 Symphony No. 2 (1911) [46.57: I 13.52; II 16.21; III 16.41] Symphony No. 18 (1937) [23.55: I 6.29; II 12.04; III 5.16] Russian Federation Academic Symphony Orchestra/Evgeny Svetlanov - rec: 1991-3, Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, Russia. DDD OLYMPIA OCD 732 [71.44] Volume 3 Symphony No. 3 (1914) [46.24: I 20.48; II 25.36] Symphony No. 13 (1933) [20.30] Russian Federation Academic Symphony Orchestra/Evgeny Svetlanov - rec: 1965 (3) ADD, 1991-3 (13), Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, Russia. DDD OLYMPIA OCD 733 [67.50] Volume 4 Symphony No. 4 (1918) [41.06: I 19.04; II 10.46; III 11.00] Symphony No. 11 (1931) [34.46: I 13.04; II 11.19; III 10.13] Russian Federation Academic Symphony Orchestra/Evgeny Svetlanov - rec: 1991-3, Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, Russia. DDD OLYMPIA OCD 734 [76.46] Volume 5 Symphony No. 5 (1918) [44.05: I 14.34; II 14.24; III 4.05; 10.52] Symphony No. 12 (1931-2) [32.35: I 13.16; II 8.52; III 10.24] Russian Federation Academic Symphony Orchestra/Evgeny Svetlanov - rec: 1991-3, Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, Russia. DDD OLYMPIA OCD 735 [77.32] [RB]

A major stride forward in the Miaskovsky revival. Strong and broadly expressed interpretations mostly in modern digital recordings. Highly recommended. … see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) The music for two pianos and piano four hands Orit and Dalia Ouziel (pianos)
Rec April 1991, André Defossez, Brussels PAVANE ADW 7244 [2CDs: 76.10 + 75.16] [TB]

The best performances, fittingly enough, are of the best music: the later sonatas. These give great pleasure and are particularly well articulated … see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Flute Concertos K313 and K314. Andante for Flute and Orchestra K315. Rondo for Flute and Orchestra K Anh. 184. Claudi Arimany (flute) Hungarian Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra/Jean-Pierre Rampal. Rec. Spain August 1996 PROdigital Records PRO 2419 [57.13] [RF]

A worthy addition to the recorded list of Mozart's works for flute and orchestra. … see Full Review

Goffredo PETRASSI (b.1904) I Concerti per Orchestra - Concerto No. 1 (1934) - Concerto No. 2 (1951) - Concerto No. 3 Récréation Concertante (1953) - Concerto No. 4 for string orchestra (1954) - Concerto No. 5 (1955) - Concerto No. 6 Invenzione concertata for strings and percussion (1957) - Concerto No. 7 (1964) - Concerto No. 8 (1972) - BBCSO (1, 2, 7, 8); Philharmonia Hungarica (3, 4); Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano della RAI (5, 6) All conducted by Zoltán Peskó - Rec BBCSO: Maida Vale, London, 8-11 June 1977 and St Pancras Town Hall, 1 June 1978; Hungarica: Marl, Hungary, Dec 1972; RAI: Giuseppe Verdi Hall, Nov/Dec 1979. ADD all stereo WARNER FONIT 8573 83274-2 [3 CDs 61.49; 67.16; 43.28] [2.52.33] [RB]

While other ears than mine may discern greater beauties and rewards I am most confident in recommending to adventurous listeners the Fourth and Fifth Concertos. ... see Full Review

Astor PIAZZOLLA (1921-1992) Adios Nonino* Milonga del angel* Double Concerto for bandoneon and guitar*+ Oblivion*^ Tres movimientos tanguisticos portenos Danza criolla Tangazo Daniel Binelli, bandoneon* Eduardo Isaac, guitar+ Louise Pellerin, oboe^ Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal Charles Dutoit conductor Recorded Eglise St-Eustache, Montreal 18 May and 18 October 2000 Decca 468 528-2 [75.47]

Piazzolla’s is an amorphous and limited talent, recycled to breaking point; Vaclav Trojan, like Piazzolla, a film composer and lover of tunes, lies forgotten whilst the modish World Music bandoneon just keeps rolling along. … see Full Review

Gabriel PIERNÉ (1863-1937) Cydalise et le chevre-pied - ballet in three scenes (1915) College Vocal de la Cathédrale de Metz Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg David Shallon (conductor) Conservatoire, Luxembourg: 29 May-2 June 2000 TIMPANI 1C1059 [73.39] [PQ]

Playing rhythmically tight, tempos apt and orchestral sound is so French. Its first prize at MIDEM well-deserved. You need be no particular fan of obscure repertoire to enjoy this. ... see Full Review

RACHMANINOV Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini PROKOFIEV
Piano Concerto no 3 in C minor Mark Zeltser (piano) Cologne Radio Symphony Orchestra/Rudolf Barshai - Recorded in the Philharmonie, Cologne in 1999 (or possibly earlier) LAUREL RECORDS LR-904 [55;15] [AAS]

The most striking thing about this disc is Zeltser’s wonderfully clean and crisply articulated piano-playing, and this is the disc’s strongest recommendation. In addition, Barshai and his forces provide excellent and sympathetic accompaniments. … … see Full Review

Alan RAWSTHORNE (1905 – 1971) Oboe Quartet (1935)¹ Lament for a Sparrow (1962)² Studies on a Theme by Bach (1936)¹ A Canticle of Man (1952)³ Concerto for Oboe and String Orchestra (1947)⁴ Camarada (Sylvia Harper, oboe; Jake Pea, violin; David Aspin, viola; Joseph Spooner, cello)¹; David Heathcote (tenor)²; Stephen Pascoe (baritone)³; David Watkins (harp)²; Jill Crowther (oboe)⁴; Alan Cuckston Singers²³; City of Bradford Chamber Orchestra³; English Northern Sinfonia⁴; Alan Cuckston Recorded : Pateley Bridge Parish Church, July 2000 (Lament, Canticle of Man); Leeds University Great Hall, June 2000 (Oboe Concerto); ASC Recording Macclesfield, May and June 2000 (Oboe Quartet, Studies) ASC CS CD46 [64:26] [HC]

This CD might be worth having for the choral pieces, even if these brave performances might have been better. It also includes two very fine, hitherto unrecorded rarities. ...see Full Review

Steve REICH (b.1936) Triple Quartet (1999) [14.43] Electric Quitar Phase (1967, 2001) [15.11] Music for Large ensemble (1977) [14.51] Tokyo/Vermont counterpoint (1981, 2000) [9.05] Kronos Quartet
Dominic Frasca, electric guitar Alarm Will Sound and Ossia, Alan Pierson Mika Yoshida, MIDI Marimba Rec. various locations, 1998-2001 NONESUCH 7559-79546-2 [53.50] [AT]

A well-recorded and well-presented album that is not essential Reich, but has plenty to interest the enthusiast.

Carl REINECKE (1824-1910) Music for Strings. Serenade in G minor for string orchestra; Twelve Tone Poems for string orchestra; Children’s Symphony, Op. 239 Chamber Orchestra Kremlin/Misha Rachlevsky Recorded in the Great Gall of Moscow Conservatory, September 2000. CLAVES CD 50-2107 [67.38] [RDB]

The Kremlin players enter into the spirit of the thing, but even their indulgent vibrato and persistent portamento do not succeed in making this disc more than a charming curiosity....see Full Review

Terry RILEY (b.1935) Requiem for Adam (1998) i. Ascending the Heaven Ladder   ii. Cortejo Funebre en el Monte Diablo iii. Requiem for Adam Kronos Quartet The Philosopher’s Hand (2000) Terry Riley (piano) Recorded August 2000 at Skywalker Sound, Nicasio, California. NONESUCH 7559-79639-2 [47:46] [TH]

This Requiem is both a heartfelt memorial and a celebration of ‘the pulsations of a young life’. Deeply engaging. … see Full Review

Frederik van ROSSUM (born 1939) Twelve Miniatures Op.10 (1964)^a Eglogue et Conte bleu Op.24 (1971)^a Little Style-Studies Op.41 (1983)^a Three Short Pieces for the White Keys Op.31 (1974)^a Twelve Miniatures Op.13 (1966)^b Frederik van Rossum (piano)^a; National Orchestra of Belgium^b; André Vandernoot^b RENE GAILLY RG 86009 [70:41] [HC]

One of the most personal Belgian composers of his generation. An expressionist composer for whom communication is paramount, no matter how complex or straightforward his music may be. … see Full Review

Frederik van ROSSUM (born 1939) Violin Concerto No. 1 Op.37 (1979/80) Violin Concerto No.2 Op.45 (1985/90) Epitaphe Op.25 (1972) Paul Zazofsky (violin); Orchestre Philharmonique de Liège et de la Communauté Française; Pierre Bartholomée Recorded: Conservatoire Royal de Liège, February 1993 CYPRES CYP 5615 [63:22] [HC]

Excellent, dedicated performances warmly recorded in the superb acoustics of the concert hall of the Liège Conservatory. … see Full Review

FREDERIK van ROSSUM (born 1939) - Réquisitoire Op.28 (1973)^a- Eloquences Op.39 (1980)^b - Symphonie Concertante Op.11 (1966/7)^c André De Groote (piano)^c; Francis Orval (horn)^bc; National Orchestra of Belgium; Brian Priestman^ab; Frederik Devreese^c - Recording information not provided by reviewer RENE GAILLY RG 86008 [51:55] [HC]

A fine survey of van Rossum’s varied orchestral output - heartily recommended. … see Full Review

Frederik van ROSSUM (born 1939) - Ballade op.49 (1989) - Twelve Preludes Op.44 (1985/6) - In Memoriam Glenn Gould Op.43 (1984) - Waves Op.51 (1990) - Black and White Op.40 (1982) Frédéric Menguy (piano) RENE GAILLY RG 87129 [66:48] [HC]

Frédéric Menguy is a gifted player and a dedicated performer of these consistently fine and attractive pieces by a composer who knows what he wants to say and how to say it in his most direct, though uncompromising way. 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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