Classical CD Review Archive - Classical - Nov 2002 part 4 M-R: Classical MusicWeb (UK]

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Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony No.5 in C sharp minor (1901-1904) Berliner Philharmoniker/Sir Simon Rattle Recorded live in the Philharmonie, Berlin 7th-10^tth September 2002 Full Price EMI CLASSICS 7243 5 57385 2 [69�04] [TD] [MB]
Rattle�s micro-managed Mahler 5: every word considered and interpreted; every glance, every gesture, every movement and resonance calculated � [TD]
Opt for a great performance of Mahler 5. For that, you need Abbado DG 1993 or Bernstein DG 1987. � see Full Review [MB]
George Frederick McKAY (1899-1970) Caricature Dance Suite (1924)From My Tahoe Window - Summer Moods and Patterns, Americanistic Etude (1924) An April Suite (1924) Dance Suite No. 2 (1938) Dancing in a Dream (1945) Excerpts from Five Songs for Soprano (1964) Every Flower That Ever Grew (1969) Suite for Viola and Piano (1948) William Logan, Logan Skelton, Sanford Margolis (piano) Joan Morris (mezzo-soprano) Mahoko Eguchi (viola) rec July 1999-Feb 2001, The Brookwood Studio, Ann Arbour, MI, USA DDD NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS 8.559143 [64.00] [RB]
An affectionate and varied anthology in which the extremes are charted by the Viola Suite and the April Suite ... see Full Review
RECORDING OF THE MONTH James MACMILLAN (b. 1959) Magnificat (1999) Nunc dimittis (2000) Exsultet (1998/2000) Màiri (1997) The Gallant Weaver (1997) The Birds of Rhiannon (2001) Jonathon Scott (organ) BBC Singers � Stephen Betteridge (chorus-master) BBC Philharmonic � James MacMillan (conductor) Recorded Studio Seven, New Broadcasting House, Manchester, November 2001, DDD CHANDOS CHAN 9997 [70:30] [CT]
A highly recommended collection of recent works for choir and orchestra by MacMillan, magnificently performed by the BBC Philharmonic and the BBC Singers under the direction of the composer. � see Full Review
Gustav MAHLER (1864-1911) Symphony No.1 in D major (1884-8) San Francisco Symphony Orchestra/Michael Tilson ThomasRecorded "live" at Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco, September 19-23, 2001Hybrid SACD - playable on SACD and standard CD players SFS MEDIA 8211936-0002-2 [56.21] [TD]
If you fancy a brand new Mahler First for your collection, this is certainly one to consider. For those planning to collect the whole Tilson Thomas cycle there need be no worries at all. � see Full Review
BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony No.9 in D Major (1908-9) Berliner Philharmoniker/Sir John Barbirolli (Recorded in the Jesus-Christus-Kirche, Berlin, on 10-11,14 & 18 January 1964) EMI GREAT RECORDINGS OF THE CENTURY 5 67925 2 [78.26] [TD]
If you don�t already own this great recording, one of the five or six best of this work ever taped, buy it immediately. It should be on every Mahlerite�s shelf. � see Full Review
Steve MARTLAND (b.1959) Horses of Instruction (1994) Kick (1996) Beat the Retreat (1995) Mr.Anderson�s Pavane (1994) Principia (1989) Thistyle of Scotland (1996) Eternal Delight (1997) Re-Mix (1986) Terminal (1998) The Steve Martland Band � James Pearson, piano, Malcolm Moore, bass guitar, Simon Pearson, Drums, Tim Maple, electric/acoustic guitar, Peter Whyman, alto/soprano saxophone, Tim Holmes, tenor/soprano saxophone, Chris Caldwell, baritone saxophone, Lee Butler, trumpet/flügel horn/ piccolo trumpet, Mike Kearsey, trombone, Colin Currie, marimba, Chris Tombing, violin Recorded 21^st-23^rd November 2000, Angel Studios London BLACK BOX BBM1033 [70:06] [GPJ]
Steve Martland is one of the more interesting characters around the current UK music scene � see Full Review
Arturs MASKATS (b 1957) Lacrimosa (1995) - Concerto Grosso (1996) - Three Poems by Paul Verlaine (1996) - Concerto for Cello and Orchestra (1992) - Salve Regina (1996) - Latvian Radio Choir, Riga Chamber Players, Aivars Kalejs /Sigvards Klava, conductor (Lacrimosa) - Sandis �teinbergs, violin, Reinis Birznieks, cello, Edgars Saksons, percussion, Riga Chamber Players/ Normunds �ne, conductor (Concerto Grosso) - Latvian Radio Choir, Normunds �ne, oboe, Reinis Birznieks, cello - Reinis Birznieks, cello, Riga Chamber Players/ Normunds �ne, conductor - Antra Bigaca, mezzo-soprano, Agnese Rugevica, cello, Riga Chamber Players/ Normunds �ne, conductor - Recorded August 2000 Reformation Church, Riga except Lacrimosa, recorded Riga Cathedral BIS CD 1146 [69.07] [JW]
Maskats is another strong voice in the Latvian musical landscape. An absorber of late Romanticism. � see Full Review
Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809 � 1847) Symphony No. 4 in A, Op, 90 (1833) - A Midsummer Night�s Dream, Opp, 21 and 61 (1826 / 1842) - Judith Blegen (soprano) - Florence Quivar (mezzo) - Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by James Levine (Symphony) Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus conducted by James Levine (Dream) - recorded in Jesus-Christus-Kirche, Berlin, Op. 90, Nov 1988, Orchestra Hall, Chicago, July 1984. DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON Masters 445 605-2 [68�31"] [JP]
With all of the competing versions, in perfectly reasonable performances, I can�t see why this disc was released at all � see Full Review
Felix MENDELSSOHN-BARTHOLDY (1809-1847) String Quintets, opus 18 and 87. Mendelssohn String Quartet (Miriam Fried, Nicholas Mann, violins; Ulrich Eichenauer, viola; Marcy Rosen, cello) Robert Mann, viola II Recorded in Sweden, May 2001, DDD BIS CD 1254 [59�32] [KS]
Certainly professional performances, but I cannot call them either inspired or particularly pleasing � see Full Review
Olivier MESSIAEN (1908 � 1992) Les offrandes oubliées (1930) - Fantaisie burlesque (1932) - Pièce pour le tombeau de Paul Dukas (1935) - Rondeau (1943) - Prélude (1964) - La Fauvette des Jardins (1972) Håkon Austbø (piano) - Recorded: St Martin�s Church, East Woodhay, Hampshire, April 1999 and Doopsgezinde Kerk, Deventer, Netherlands, July 2001 (Prélude) NAXOS 8.554655 [57:16] [HC]

A most welcome foray into Messiaen�s lesser-known piano works. � See Full Review
Olivier MESSIAEN (1908 - 1992) Turangalîla Symphonie (1948) - Michel Béroff, piano - Jean Loriod, ondes martenot London Symphony orchestra/André Previn - Recorded Number 1 Studio, Abbey Road, London August 1977 ADD EMI 7243 4 92398 9 0 [80.16] [PS]
A beloved classic recording of a modern masterpiece now available in richer sound to owners of DVD players. � see Full Review
John METCALFE The Inner Line - 95 [4:41] - Schoenberg [4:42] - George [5:11] - Ray b [4:37] - The Inner Line [4:04] - Suspicion [4:07] - The Thrill Is Gone [3:57] - Moving On [2:13] - 1916 [5:41] - Groovy Dog [6:48] - Joe [3:07] - Eh! No! No! [4:27] - Blue Ruby [7:53] - All the above works composed by John Metcalfe except �The Thrill Is Gone� which is composed by the Duke Quartet members John Metcalfe, violin, viola and guitar - Louisa Fuller, violin - Rick Koster, violin - Ivan McCready, cello - All members of the Duke Quartet - with Ralph Salmins, drums/percussion BLACK BOX BBM1053 [61.28] [MC]
Nothing new here to get my pulse racing � see Full Review
Nikolai MIASKOVSKY A Survey of the Chamber Works, Orchestral Music and Concertos on Record By JONATHAN WOOLF
plus
Nikolai MIASKOVSKY (1881-1950) The Complete Symphonic Works Volumes 6 - 9 on OLYMPIA
Volume 6 Symphony No. 6 (1921-23 rev 1947) [64.36: I 20.41; II 8.35; III 18.16; IV 165.55]
Pathétique Overture (1947) [13.45] Russian Federation Academic Symphony Orchestra/Evgeny Svetlanov rec: 1965 ADD (3) 1991-3, Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, Russia. DDD (overture) OLYMPIA OCD 736 [79.09]
Volume 7 Symphony No. 7 (1921-22) [23.48: I 10.13; II 13.35] Symphony No. 26 (1948) [42.43: I 16.15; II 12.48; III 13.29] Russian Federation Academic Symphony Orchestra/Evgeny Svetlanov rec: 1991-3, Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, Russia. DDD OLYMPIA OCD 737 [67.26]
Volume 8 Symphony No. 8 (1924-25) [52.27: I 14.02; II 7.41; III 16.40; IV 14.00]
Symphony No. 10 (1927) [16.45] Russian Federation Academic Symphony Orchestra/Evgeny Svetlanov rec: 1991-3, Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, Russia. DDD OLYMPIA OCD 738 [76.46]
Volume 9 Symphony No. 9 (1926-27) [41.38: I 13.55; II 6.53; III 9.56; IV 10.48]
Symphony No. 20 (1940) [27.02: I 8.09; II 8.38; III 10.07] Russian Federation Academic Symphony Orchestra/Evgeny Svetlanov rec: 1991-3, Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, Russia. DDD OLYMPIA OCD 739 [69.35]
Miaskovskians will be way ahead of me but others with a taste for Twentieth Century exotica from Northerly climes will want these. No collection is complete without them ... see Full Review

Nikolai MIASKOVSKY (1881-1950) Symphony No. 27 (1950) [35.35] - Cello Concerto (1944) [31.37] - Alexander Ivashkin (cello) Russian State SO/Valeri Polyansky - rec Dec 2001, Grand Hall, Moscow Conservatory, DDD CHANDOS CHAN 10025 [67.23] [RB]
The triumph of the quiet spirit .... see Full Review
Sebastiano MORATELLI La Faretra Smarrita (The Lost Quiver) - a serenata for seven characters and orchestra Mercurio - Hermann Oswald (tenor) Amore - Verena Krause (soprano) Africano - Thomas Ruf (bass) Asiatico - Gunther Schmid (alto) Americo - Martin Steffan (tenor) Europea - Rufus Muller (tenor) Echo - Tissi Georg (soprano) Soloists, Salzburg Hofmusik/Wolfgang Brunner Rec DDD CPO 999851-2 [49.25] [DW]
This work has a strange charm � well worth investigating. � see Full Review
Jerome MOROSS (1913 � 1983) Frankie and Johnny (1938)^a - Those Everlasting Blues (1932)^b - Willie the Weeper (1948)^c Melisa Barrick, Denise Edds (soprano)^a; Diane Kesling (mezzo-soprano)^ab; John DeHaan (tenor)^c; Hot Springs Music Festival Chorus^c and Symphony Orchestra; Richard Rosenberg - Recorded: Horner Hall, Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas, June 2000 NAXOS 8.559086 [63:29] [HC]

American Classics, maybe not so, but I enjoyed every minute of this delightful release. � see Full Review
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) - Symphony No. 35 in D major, K385 'Haffner' (1783) - Symphony No. 38 in D major, K504 'Prague� (1787) - Symphony No. 39 in E flat, K543 (1788) - Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K550 (1790) - Symphony No. 41 in C major 'Jupiter' (1790) Staatskapelle Dresden/Sir Colin Davis - Rec Nov 1981 (Nos. 39, 41), Sept 1988 (Nos. 35, 38, 40), Dresden PHILIPS 4701 540-2 [2 CDs: 73.48+76.23] [TB]
Colin Davis reveals himself a master of his art. Tempi and balances beautifully judged � see Full Review
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756 � 1791) Don Giovanni, KV 527 (1787) [158.00] Il dissoluto punito, ossia Don Giovanni: Dramma giocoso in due atti Libretto: Lorenzo da Ponte - Don Giovanni: Werner van Mechelen (Baritone) - Leporello: Hubert Claessens (Bass) - Donna Anna: Elena Vink (Soprano) - Don Ottavio: Markus Schäfer (Tenor) - Zerlina: Nancy Argenta (Soprano) - Masetto: Nanco de Vries (Bass) - Donna Elvira: Christina Högman (Soprano) - Il Commendatore: Harry van der Kamp (Bass) - Collegium Compostellanum - La Petite Bande/Sigiswald Kuijken - Recorded 1995 - Die Entführung aus dem Serail, KV 384 (1781/82) [132.00] - Singspiel in 3 Akten - Libretto: J.Gottlieb Stephanie jr., - after "Belmonte undKonstanze" by Christoph Friedrich Bretzner - Belmonte: Paul Groves (Tenor) - Konstanza: Yelda Kodalli (Soprano) - Pedrillo: Lynton Atkinson (Tenor) - Blonde: Désirée Rancatore (Soprano) - Osmin: Peter Rose (Bass) - Bassa Selim: Oliver Tobias (Speaker) - Scottish Chamber Orchestra Chorus Scottish Chamber Orchestra/Sir Charles Mackerras - Recorded 1999 - Mozart Edition Volume 18 BRILLIANT CLASSICS 99732 [5 CDs: 63�04, 68�02, 21�25, 66�41, 65�27] [RH]
Die Entführung: a beautifully shaped dramatic performance; nicely judged tempi but the Don Giovanni lacks tension � see Full Review
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Violin Concertos - No 1 K207 (1773) - No 2 K211 (1775) - No 3 K216 (1775) - No 4 K218 (1775) - No 5 K219 (1775) - Rondo for Violin and Orchestra K269 (1775-77) - Rondo for Violin and Orchestra K373 (1781) - Cho-Liang Lin, violin English Chamber Orchestra/Raymond Leppard - No recording details provided [1988-89?] SONY SM2K89983 [2 CDs 133.53] [JW]
Not many sets since have been able successfully to challenge this one for all-round excellence. � see Full Review
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Idomeneo, re di Creta, KV 366 - Opera in three acts - Idomeneo�Ian Bostridge (ten) - Idamente�Lorraine Hunt Lieberson (mezzo) - Ilia�Lisa Milne (sop) - Elettra� Barbara Frittoli (alto) - Arbace�Anthony Rolfe Johnson (ten) - With Paul Charles Clarke and John Reylea - Dunedin Consort (Felicity Hammond, Louise Innes, James Gilchrist, Matthew Brook) - Edinburgh Festival Chorus/David Jones Scottish Chamber Orchestra/Sir Charles Mackerras - Recorded July/Aug 2001, Usher Hall, Edinburgh DDD EMI Classics CDS F: PM 639 [CD1: 78.32 CD2: 68.37 CD3: 55.06] [RM]
Other sets provide a more rounded performance without perhaps reaching some of the heights of this set. � see Full Review
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Life and Works Audio-Original Jeremy Siepmann, writer/narrator With Nicholas Boulton as Mozart Featuring musical excerpts from the Naxos catalogue. NAXOS 8.558061-64 [4CDs: 65.21+77.15+74.54+75.09] [NH]
An excellent library item but possibly of limited value for repeated listening ��See Full Review
Modest MUSSORGSKY (1839-1881) Boris Godunov: Opera in a prologue and four acts ( composed 1868-69; revised 1871-72; revised and orchestrated by Rimsky-Korsakov 1896) Main Cast: Boris Godunov - Boris Christoff (bass) , Fyodor - Ana Alexieva (mezzo), Shuisky - John Lanigan (tenor), Pimen - Boris Christoff (bass), Grigory (Dimitry) - Dimitr Ouzounov (tenor), Marina Mnishek - Evelyn Lear (soprano), Rangoni - Anton Diakov (baritone), Varlaam - Boris Christoff (bass) - Sofia Opera Chorus Orchestre de la Société des Concerts du Conservatoire/André Cluytens - Recorded at the Salle Wagram, Paris, September 1962 EMI GREAT RECORDINGS OF THE CENTURY CMS 5 67877 2 [3CDs: 69.56+56.13+77.11] [TH]
Christoff is as grippingly effective as one could reasonably hope for � see Full Review
Carl NIELSEN (1865-1931) The Six Symphonies and the Concertos Symphony No. 1 (1889-1894) FS16 [33.55] Symphony No. 2 The Four Temperaments (1901-1902) FS29 [34.11] Symphony No. 3 Sinfonia Espansiva (1910-1911) FS60 [37.30] Symphony No. 4 The Inextinguishable (1914-1916) FS76 [33.56] Symphony No. 5 (1920-1922) FS97 [33.05] Symphony No. 6 Sinfonia Semplice (1924-1925) FS116 [32.20] Violin Concerto (1911) [34.25] Flute Concerto (1926) [18.07] Clarinet Concerto (1928) [24.50] Pia Raanoja (sop) Knut Skram (bar) Dong-Suk Kang (violin) Patrick Gallois (flute) Olle Schill (clarinet) Gothenburg SO/Myung-Whun Chung (not 4 and 6) Neeme Järvi (4 and 6) rec Gothenburg Concert Hall, 4-4 Mar 1983 (2), 13-16 Dec 1985 (cl, 3), 15-18 May 1987 (Vn, 5), 14-16 June 1989 (Fl, 1), 8-9 Sept 1990 (4), 9 Mar 1992 (6) DDD BIS-CD-614/616 [4CDs: 68.42+71.37+67.04+78.30] [RB]
An excellent and economic choice; rapturously airborne, lyrically triumphant, uproarious musicmaking. ... see Full Review
Per NORGARD (b.1932) Songs: - Det abne Op.2 (1952-55); Six Songs Op.14 (1956-7); Fred (1955) Landskabsbillede (1961); Golgotha (1962); Tue Bentsons viser Op.27 (1960); Du skal plante et tra (1967); Aret (1976); Himmelfaden (1985); Stjernespejl (1987) 3 Magdalene-sange (1991) Lars Thodberg Bertelsen (baritone) - Per Norgard (piano) - Recorded in DR Radio House Studio 2 May/November 2000 DACAPO 8.224170 [76.14] [GH]
The more I have listened the more I have enjoyed � see Full Review
Jacques OFFENBACH (1819-1880) Les Contes d'Hoffmann - Opera in 3 Acts with Prologue and Epilogue - Hoffmann, Raoul Jobin; Olympia, Renée Doria; Giulietta, Vina Bovy; Antonia Géori-Boué; Voice of Antonia's Mother, Simone Borghèse; Stella, Hélène Delahaye; Nicklausse, Fané1y Révoil; The Muse, Renée Faure; Councillor Lindorf, Louis Musy; Coppélius, André Pernet; Dapertutto, Charles Soix; Doctor Miracle, Roger Bourdin; Spalanzani, René Lapelletrie; Sch1émil, Charles Cambon; Crespel, André Philippe; Nathanael, Raymond Amade; Hermann, Camille Maurade; Lather, André Vessières Chorus and Orchestra of the Opéra-Comique, Paris/André C1uytens - Recorded in Paris by French Columbia, 11th-26th March 1948 - Bargain Price NAXOS HISTORICAL 8110214-15 [2CDs: 129.58] [RJF]
See Full Review
Astor PIAZZOLLA (1921-1992) - 1. Oblivion - 2. Adios Nonino - 3. Revirado - 4. Buenos Aires Hora O - 5. Romance del Diablo - 6. Introduccion el Angel - 7. Milonga del Angel - 8. La Muerte del Angel - 9. Tango III; Allegretto molto marcato - 10.Otono Porteno - 11.Chiquilin de Bachin - 12.Le Grand Tango - 13.Violentango - 14.Undertango - 15.Libertango - Tango For Four (Jaakko Kuusisto, violin, Mika Väyrynen, accordion, Kalle Elkomaa, piano, Jaan Wessman, bass) 2,3,4,5,7,10,11,15 - Emiko Mizuki and Izumi Tateno, pianos 6,8,13,14 -
Marko Ylönen, cello and Martti Rautio, piano 12 - Mika Väyrynen, accordion Kuopio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Atso Almila 1,9 - Recorded between 1999-2001, no recording dates or locations specified APEX 0927 44232 2 [76.52] [JW]
Piazzolla�s great gift for ravishing simplicity. � see Full Review
BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Violin Concerto No. 1, Opus 19 (1917-23)* - Violin Concerto No. 2 (1935)* - Overture on Hebrew Themes, Opus 34b (1919)^ - March in B flat, Opus 99 (1944)^ - Schlomo Mintz (violin)* - Chicago Symphony Orchestra* - Chamber Orchestra of Europe^ Claudio Abbado*^ - Recorded February-March 1983, Orchestra Hall Chicago (Concertos); October November 1988, Konzertshaus Vienna (Overture, March) DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON MASTERS 445 607-2 [59.57] [TB]

Full of orchestral subtleties, well balanced, exotic, magical textures - an ideal foil to Mintz's beautifully toned solo line. of the First Concerto � see Full Review
Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) Madama Butterfly (opera in two acts). Madama Butterfly, Renata Scotto (sop). Pinkerton, Carlo Bergonzi (ten). Suzuki, Anna di Stasio (mezzo). Sharpless, Rolando Panerai (bar). Goro, Piere, di Palma (ten). Il Bonze, Paolo Montarsolo (bass) Chorus and Orchestra of the 'Teatro dell'Opera di Roma', Cond. Sir John Barbirolli. Recorded Rome Opera House August 1966. "Great Recordings of the Century" Series. Mid Price. EMI CLASSICS 5 67885 2 [2CDs: 142.07] [RJF]

As a total 'package' this Butterfly takes a lot of beating � see Full Review

Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) La Bohème (1896); Mimi - Mirella Freni; Musetta - Adriana Martino; Rodolfo - Gianni Raimondi; Marcello - Rolando Panerai; Schaunard - Gianni Maffeo; Colline - Ivo Vinco; Benoit - Carlo Badioli; Alcindoro - Carlo Badioli; Parpignol - Franco Ricciardi; Un doganiere - Carlo Forti; Un fruttivendolo - Angelo Mercuriali Chorus and orchestra of La Scala Milan/Herbert von Karajan - Directed and designed by Franco Zeffirelli - Recorded at La Scala, Milan 1965 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON DVD 073 027-9 [102:54] [GPJ]
I became enthralled and engrossed as I watched this, almost despite myself. � see Full Review
Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) Le Villi - Elisabetta Fusco (Anna), Gianni Dal Ferro (Roberto), Silvano Verlinghieri (Guglielmo Wulf and narrator), Turin RAI Chorus and Symphony Orchestra Arturo Basile - Recorded 21^st December 1954, Turin Warner Fonit 0927 43621-2 [59� 28"] [CH]
Summary: The existence of a version by Scotto and Domingo under Maazel cannot be ignored, but this is a likeable snapshot of Italian operatic life in the mid-fifties. ... see Full Review
Henry PURCELL (1659-1695) Overture (Z 770) - The Tempest (Z 631) - Chacony (Z 730) - If ever I more riches did desire (Z 544) - Trumpet Overture to the Indian Queen (Z 544) - Trumpet Sonata (Z 850) - Meredith Hall (Soprano) - Gillian Keith (Soprano) - Rosemarie van der Hooft (Mezzo-soprano) - Nils Brown (Tenor) - Michael Colvin (Tenor) - Brett Polegato (Baritone) - Paul Grindlay (Bass-baritone) - Robert Stewart (Baritone) - Norman Engel (Trumpet) Aradia Baroque Ensemble - Kevin Mallon - Recorded in Humbercrest United Church, Toronto May 1997 NAXOS 8.554262 [76.26] [JW]
A strongly persuasive and pleasurable disc � see Full Review
Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1941) Preludes Opp. 23 and 32 (1903) - Piano Sonata No. 1 in D minor (1910) - Piano Sonata No. 2 in B flat minor (1912) - Nocturnes Nos. 1-3 (1890s) - Etudes-Tableaux Opp. 33 and 39 (1920) - Variations on a theme of Corelli (1922) John Ogdon (piano) - Recorded in 1988 and previously unpublished EMI CLASSICS 5 67938 2 [3CDs: 214:25]
Passion occasionally appears to be more a matter of dynamics rather than fervour of heart. Nevertheless, for Ogdon enthusiasts, this is a set worth acquiring � see Full Review
Maurice RAVEL (1875 � 1937) Piano Concerto for the Left Hand (1930). Richard STRAUSS (1864 � 1949) An Alpine Symphony (1915) - Robert Casadesus (piano) Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Dimitri Mitropoulos - recorded 19^th August 1957 � Ravel and 19^th August 1956 � Strauss in the Festspielhaus, Salzburg ORFEO C 586 021 B [63.08] [JP]
We are in Orfeo�s debt for allowing us to eavesdrop on these wonderful performances. � see Full Review
Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) Le Tombeau de Couperin* [12�35"] - String Quartet in F** [28�22"] - Valses Nobles et Sentimentales*** [21�23"] - Introduction and Allegro for flute, clarinet, harp and string quartet**** [10�44"] *Academy of St. Martin in the Fields conducted by Sir Neville Marriner - (Recorded in Abbey Road Studios, London) - **The Lindsays - (Recorded in Holy Trinity Church, Wentworth 5 � 7 July, 1994) - ***Gordon Fergus-Thompson (piano) - (Recorded in All Saints Church, Petersham, November 1991) - ****Prometheus Ensemble - Recorded in St. Peter�s, Morden ASV PLATINUM PLT 8517 [73�12"] [JQ]
A most attractive and recommendable anthology � see Full Review
Paul READE (1943-1997) Far From The Madding Crowd - music from the ballet (1996) Prologue (The Proposal) Act 1 (in 6 scenes) Act 2 (in 6 scenes) Act 3 (in 4 scenes) Epilogue (Bathsheeba and Oak: pas de deux) Royal Ballet Sinfonia/Paul Murphy - Recorded at Whitfield Street Studios, London, October 20^th - 21^st 1997. BLACK BOX BBM1006 [74.42] [NH]
An interesting and tuneful musical response to one of Thomas Hardy's most popular works � See Full Review
Silvestre REVUELTAS (1899 � 1940) Sensemayá (1938) - La noche de los Mayas (1939) - La Coronela (1940) Aguascalientes Symphony Orchestra/Enrique Barrios - Recorded: Teatro Aguascalientes, Mexico, February 2001 NAXOS 8.555917 [67:25] [HC]
Committed readings of these superb scores by Mexico�s greatest composer � see Full Review
Gioacchino ROSSINI (1792-1868) Semiramide (1823) - June Anderson ... Semiramide (sop) - Marilyn Horne ... Arsace (alto) - Stanford Olsen ... Idreno (ten) - Samuel Ramey ... Assur (bar) - Young-Ok Shin ... Azema (sop) - John Cheek ... Oroe (bar) - Jeffrey Wells ... L'ombra di Nino (bar) - Michael Forest ... Mitrane Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus/James Conlon - Director: John Copley - Recorded Metropolitan Opera House, New York, December 1990 ARTHAUS MUSIK 100 222 [2 discs: 223 mins] [GR]
A worthy successor to the 1966 Decca Bonynge/Sutherland. The magnificent Marilyn Horne repeats her performance. � see Full Review
Gioachino ROSSINI (1792-1868) Il turco in Italia (1814) - Per piacere alla signora. La scala di seta (1812) - Io so ch'hai buon core. Il signor Bruschino (1813) - E un bel nodo che due cori; Ah voi condur volete ... Ah donate il caro sposo. La Cambiale di Matrimonio (1810) - Darei per sì bel fondo. Adina (1826) - Fragolette fortunate. L'occasione fa il ladro ovvero Il cambio delle valigie (1812) - Voi la sposa. Il barbiere di Siviglia (1816) - Una voce poco fa; A un dottor della mia sorte; Dunque io son. Eva Mei (soprano); Bruno Praticò (bass/baritone) Munich Radio Orchestra/Marcello Viotti. Rec February 9th-13th, 2000, Philharmonie am Gasteig, Munich. RCA RED SEAL 74321 74562-2 [75'34] [CC]
Life-enhancing music, superbly performed, excellently engineered - snap this one up. � see Full Review
Gioachino ROSSINI (1792-1868) Messa di Gloria (ed. Acciai/Gossett) Anna Caterina Antonacci (soprano); Bernadette Manca di Nissa (mezzo); Francisco Araiza, Robert Gambeill (tenors); Pietro Spagnoli (bass) Chorus and Orchestra of the Santa Cecilia Academy/Salvatore Accardo. Recorded at the Auditorio dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, Rome on March 1st-2nd, 1992. DDD WARNER FONIT 0927 43311-2 [64'38] [CC]
Salvatore Accardo, proves a committed advocate. A fine line-up of soloists. Worthy of investigation at the price. � see Full Review
Albert ROUSSEL (1869-1937) Symphony No. 3 in G minor Op. 42 (1929) - Symphony No. 4 in A major Op. 53 (1933) Orchestre de l�Association des Concerts Lamoureux/Charles Munch - Recorded at the Eglise Notre Dame du Liban, Paris, April 1965 WARNER ELATUS 0927-46730-2 [48.04] [TH]
Lack of refinement compensated for in terms of visceral excitement and sheer hell-for-leather intensity. � see Full Review
Francis ROUTH (b1927) The Piano Music: Scenes for piano IV, Bretagne Op. 68 ; Scenes for piano III Angels of Albion, Op. 64 ; Elegy ; Celebration, Op. 45 Lora Dimitrova (piano, items 1 and 2) Jeffrey Jacob (piano, items 3 and 4) REDCLIFFE RECORDINGS RR018 [61' 12] [DW]
Breathtaking � This disc is recommended. � 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-Z]
[Part 6 Misc A-L] [Part 7 Misc M-Z]
Revolving notes from clipart.com

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