RECORDINGS OF THE MONTH

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) English Suite No. 2 in A minor, BWV807 Partita No. 1 in B flat, BWV825 Partita No. 2 in C minor, BWV826 English Suite No. 3 in G minor, BWV808 Anne-Marie McDermott (piano) Recorded 26-29 April 1999, St George's, Brandon Hill, Bristol GMN C0112 [63.26] [TB]

One of the best discs of Bach's keyboard music. Confirms the quality of the music, and there can be no higher praise. … see Full Review

George ENESCU (1881-1955) String Octet, Op.7 (1900) - Piano Quintet, Op. 29 (1940] Kremerata Baltica with Andrius Zlabys (piano) - Gidon Kremer - Recorded at the Angelica-Kauffman Saal, Schwarzenberg, Austria, June 2000 (Octet), and at the Probesaal der Philharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz, Ludwigshafen, Germany, November 2001 (Quintet) NONESUCH 7559-79682-2 [73.11] [TH]

Unerring precision, fervour and big-boned yet sensitive … see Full Review

EDWARD GREGSON Concerto for Orchestra ALUN HODDINOTT Concerto for Orchestra JOHN McCABE Concerto for Orchestra  RLPO/Douglas Bostock Rec 2001, Liverpool  CLASSICO CLASSCD 384 [78’08"] [PC]

I will be returning to this exceptional disc again and again. … see Full Revie

Ignaz PLEYEL (1757-1831); Symphony opus 3, number one in D (B. 126) ; Symphonie Concertante number 2 in F for piano and violin (B. 115) ; Sixth Symphonie Periodique in F (B. 140) ;   Jakub Dzialak, violin ; Riccardo Bovino, piano ; Zurich Chamber Orchestra/Howard Griffiths ; Recorded in the Kirche Neumünster, Zurich, July 27-30, 2000. DDD ;  CPO 9997592 [55:09] [KB]

A winner through and through … see Full Review

Francis POULENC (1899-1963) Les Animaux Modèles (1941) - Sinfonietta (1948) Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg/Jonathan Darlington - Recorded Luxembourg Conservatoire, 15^th – 19^th September 1997 TIMPANI 1C1041 [70:42] [GPJ]

lovingly shaped, sharply characterised, tight yet flexible. The Luxembourg Philharmonic play superbly … see Full Review

STOCKHOLM CHAMBER BRASS NOW - Anders HILLBORG (b.1954) Brass Quintet (1998) - Eino TAMBERG (b.1930) Music for Five op.86 (1992) - Per MÅRTENSSON (b.1967) I-Ching Variations (1998-9) for brass quintet and live electronics - Poul RUDERS (b.1949) Break Dance (1984) for piano and brass quintet - Luciano BERIO (b.1925) Call (1985) - Joakim AGNAS (b.1969) Tango (1996) - Yong-Won SUNG (b.1977) Pandragon (2000) - Fredrik HÖGBERG (b.1972) Melancholy Tango (2000) for five brass players and their voices Stockholm Chamber Brass, Per Mårtensson, electronics, Frederik Ullén, piano - Recorded January 2001 at Danderyd Grammar School, Sweden BIS-CD-1213 [62:53] [GPJ]

These extremely difficult modern works made to sound effortless, directing attention to their quality and expressiveness rather than their uncompromising modernity. … see Full Review

 

 

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH

 

Frank BRIDGE (1879-1941) Enter Spring (1924) [18.11] - Summer (1912) [9.37] - Christmas Dance - Sir Roger de Coverley (1918) [4.17] - Cello Sonata (1940) [23.13] - Go Not Happy Day [1.37] - rec ADD/DDD DECCA The British Music Collection 470 189-2 [57.11] [RB]

The more romantic impressionist Bridge in a satisfying though rather short-timed collection. ... see Full Review

Edward ELGAR (1865-1934) Symphony No. 1 (1908) [48.43] - Symphony No. 2 (1911) [51.35] - Introduction and Allegro (1905) [14.16] - Serenade (1892) [12.04] LPO/Solti (symphonies); English Chamber Orchestra/Britten (Intro & Allegro); Academy of St Martin in the Fields/Neville Marriner (Serenade) - rec 1968 (Serenade), 1969 (Intro), 1972 (1), 1975 (2), Kingsway Hall, Maltings Snape (Intro) ADD DECCA The British Music Collection 473 082-2 [2CDs: 127.15] [RB]

An alchemist in this music. An exhilarating experience. First choice for the Second Symphony ... see Full Review

Benjamin FRANKEL (1906-1973) Symphony No. 1 (1958) [25.33] - Symphony No. 2 (1962) [35.36] - Symphony No. 3 (1964) [17.24] - Symphony No. 4 (1966) [25.02] - Symphony No. 5 (1967) [18.03] - Symphony No. 6 (1969) [28.21] - Symphony No. 7 (1970) [28.03] - Symphony No. 8 (1971) [24.14] - Overture: May Day (1948) [9.26] - Mephistopheles Serenade and Dance (1952) [6.09] - Overture to a Ceremony (1971) - A Shakespeare Overture (1956) - The composer introducing his symphonies 2 and 3 Queensland SO/Werner Andreas Albert - rec ABC Studio 420, Ferry Road, Brisbane, Australia, May 1993, Apr 1994, Oct 1994, Sept 1995, April 1999 CPO 999 661-2 [4CDs: 53.24+59.18+60.03+70.27=243.12] [HC]

Frankel’s symphonies have now - at long last - been given their due. Recommended without reservation. ... see Full Review

Roy HARRIS (1898-1979); Symphony No. 7 (1952, revised 1955); Symphony No. 9 (1962);   Epilogue to Profiles in Courage - JFK (1964); National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine/Theodore Kuchar. Recorded in the Grand Concert Studio, National Radio Company of Ukraine, Kiev, Ukraine, 19^th - 27^th June 1999.   NAXOS 8.559050 [57.49] [RB]

The sunrise, the rolling horizons, vigour and muscular glory. Don't miss this wonderful disc ... see Full Review

Gustav HOLST (1874-1934) Choral Hymns from the Rig Veda (1908-12) [12.16] Savitri - A chamber opera in one act (1908) [30.43] Seven Partsongs [20.05] The Evening-Watch (1924) [4.26] A Fugal Concerto (1922) [7.26] St Paul's Suite (1912-13) [12.33] The Perfect Fool - ballet music (1923) [10.43] Egdon Heath (1928) [12.49] The Hymn of Jesus (1920) [21.46] A Moorside Suite (1928) [14.26] Rec 1961-1994 ADD DDD DECCA The British Music Collection 470 191-2 [149.30] [RB]

Quite simply the best and most economical introduction to the extra-Planetary Holst ... see Full Review

Julius KATCHEN, piano - Volume 1: Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Concerto No 1 - Piano Concerto No 2 - Rondo in B Flat Major - Piano Concerto No 3 - Piano Concerto No 5 - LSO - Piero Gamba DECCA 460 822-2 [2 CDs 149’59] - Volume 2: Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Concerto No 5 - Choral Fantasia - Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Piano Concerto No 13 K415 - Piano Concerto No 20 K466 - Piano Concerto No 25 K503 - Piano Sonata in A Major K331 - LSO conducted by Piero Gamba (Beethoven) - New Symphony Orchestra of London conducted by Peter Maag (K415) - Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra conducted by Karl Munchinger (K466, K503) DECCA 460 825-2 [2 CDs 152’54] - Volume 3: Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Piano Concerto No 1 - Piano Concerto No 2 - Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Piano Concerto - Fantasie in C Major - LSO conducted by Pierre Monteux (Brahms No 1) - LSO conducted by Janos Ferencsik (Brahms No 2) - Israel Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Istvan Kertesz (Schumann) DECCA 460 828-2 [2 CDs 157’24] - Volume 4: Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Piano Concerto No 1 - Piano Concerto No 2 - Mephisto waltz - Funerailles - Hungarian Rhapsody No 12 - Edvard GRIEG (1843-1907) Piano Concerto - Modest MUSSOURGSKY (1839-1881) Pictures at an Exhibition - Mily BALAKIREV (1837-1910) Islamey - LPO conducted by Ataulfo Argenta (Liszt Concertos) - Israel Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Istvan Kertesz (Grieg) DECCA 460 831-2 [2 CDs 134’41] - Volume 5: Pyotr I TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Piano Concerto No 1 - Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Piano Concerto No 3 - Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Hungarian Fantasie - Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Piano Concerto No 2 - Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini - Erno DOHNANYI (1877-1960) Variations on a Nursery Theme - LSO conducted by Piero Gamba (Tchaikovsky, Liszt) - LSO conducted by Istvan Kertesz (Prokofiev) - LSO conducted by Georg Solti (Rachmaninov No 2) - LPO conducted by Adrian Boult (Rachmaninov Rhapsody and Dohnányi) DECCA 460 834-2 [2 CDs 152’22] - Volume 6: George GERSHWIN (1898-1937) Piano Concerto in F - Rhapsody in Blue - Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) Piano Concerto for the Left Hand - Piano Concerto in G - Benjamin BRITTEN (1913-1976) Diversions for Piano (left hand) and Orchestra - Bela BARTÓK (1881-1945) Piano Concerto No 3 - Mantovani and his Orchestra (Piano Concerto in F) - LSO conducted by Istvan Kertesz (Ravel, Rhapsody in Blue, Bartok) - LSO conducted by Benjamin Britten (Britten) DECCA 460 837-2 [2 CDs135’10] - Volume 7: Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Sonata Op 111 - Piano Sonata op 57 Appassionata - 33 Variations on a Waltz by Diabelli Op 120 - Six Bagatelles Op 126 - Polonaise Op 89 - Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Piano Sonata in C Major K545 - Piano Sonata in B Flat Major K333/315c DECCA 466 714-2 [2 CDs 142’39] - Volume 8: Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Fantasie in C Major Fantasie - Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Carnaval - Toccata in C - Arabeske - Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Clair de lune - Manuel de FALLA (1876-1946) Ritual Fire Dance - Frederic CHOPIN (1810-1849) Piano Sonata No 2 Op 35 - Piano Sonata No 3 Op 58 - Fantasie-Polonaise Op 66 - Polonaise Op 53 - Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Rondo Capriccioso - On Wings of Song Arr Liszt - J S BACH (1685-1750) Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring Arr Hess DECCA 466 717-2 [2 CDs 145’34] [JW] - All recordings Volumes 1-8 made between 1955-69

Pianism and musicality such as Katchen’s come but rarely and should be embraced when they do. A set of major importance. … see Full Review

Ernest John MOERAN (1894-1950) Symphony in G minor (1937) [44.30] Sinfonietta (1940) [23.03] Bournemouth SO/David Lloyd-Jones rec: 4-5 June 2001, Wessex Hall, Poole Arts Centre, Poole, Dorset, DDD NAXOS 8.555837 [67.33] [RB]

I came to this disc with exalted expectations which have been met. A superb bargain. ... see Full Review

The Art of Anne Sofie von Otter - Georges BIZET (1838-1875) Carmen-Habanera, L’amour est un oiseau rebelled - Carmen-Gypsy Song, Les tringles des sisters tintaient - Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Le Nozze di Figaro-Non so più - Le Nozze di Figaro-Voi che sapete - Don Giovanni-Batti, batti o bel Masetto - Cosi fan tutte-Smanie implacabili - Cosi fan tutte-Soave sia il vento - La Clemenza di Tito-Parto, ma tu ben mio - Mass in C Minor-Laudamus te - George Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759) Ariodante-Dopo notte, atra e funeste - Hercules-Begone, my fears, fly, hence away - Hercules-Cease, ruler of the day, to rise - Il pianto di Maria –Se d’un Dio fui fatta Madre - Messiah – O thou that Tellest - J S BACH (1685-1750) Mass in B Minor – Qui sedes ad dextram Patris - St Matthew Passion – Buss und Reu - Henry PURCELL (1659-1695) Oh Solitude - Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Elijah – Oh rest in the Lord - Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Ave Maria - An Silvia - Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Rheinlegendchen - Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen – Ging heut’ morgen über Feld - Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Lullaby - Jacques OFFENBACH (1819-1880) Les Contes d’Hoffmann-Barcarolle-belle Nuit - Les Contes d’Hoffmann-Une poupée aux yeux - Hector BERLIOZ (1803-1869) La Damnation de Faust-Le Roi de Thule - La Damnation de Faust-D’amour l’ardente flamme - Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Frauenliebe und Leben-Du Ring an meinem Finger - Edvard GRIEG (1843-1907) Haugtussa-Ved Gjaetle-Bekken - Giacomo MEYERBEER (1791-1864) Mina - Cécile CHAMINADE (1857-1944) L’Anneau d’argent - Je Voudrais… - Erich Wolfgang KORNGOLD (1897-1957) Mariettas Lied - Come away, Death - Percy GRAINGER (1882-1961) The Sprig of Thyme - Gunnar HAHN (b 1908) Visa från Lappland - Kurt WEILL (1900-1950) One life to live - Benny ANDERSSON (b 1946) and Björn ULVAEUS (b 1945) Like an Angel passing through my room - Elvis COSTELLO (b 1954) For the stars - Franz Xavier GRUBER (1787-1863) Stille Nacht - Mel TORME and Robert WELLS The Christmas Song Anne Sophie von Otter, soprano with various accompaniments DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 472 474-2 [2 CDs 75’45 and 76’58] [JW]

A well chosen selection and a solid decade’s worth of distinction, exploration and achievement. … see Full Review

Michael PRAETORIUS (1571-1621) Seven Dances from Terpsichore (1612) - Anthony HOLBORNE (1547-1603) Dances from ‘Short Airs Both Grave and Light’ (1599)- Christoph DEMANTIUS (1567-1643) German and Polish Dances (1601)- Thoinot ARBEAU Dances from Orchesographie (1589) Praetorius Consort directed by Christopher Ball - No other recording details given REGIS RRC 1076 [77.09] [GH]

Highly recommended, with lively and colourful performances especially as it is at bargain price. … see Full Review

William WALTON (1902-1983) Cello Concerto * [24’03"] - The Twelve** [12’13"] - Coronation Te Deum*** [10’25"] - Variations on a Theme by Hindemith**** [23’04"] - Façade: excerpts from Suites 1 & 2***** [8’41"] - *Pierre Fournier (cello); Royal Philharmonic Orchestra - ** Ann Dowdall (sop); Shirley Minty (contralto); Robert Tear (ten); Michael Wakeham (bar); London Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra - ***London Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra - ****Royal Philharmonic Orchestra - *****BBC Symphony Orchestra Conducted by William Walton - Recordings: *Usher Hall, Edinburgh, 23 August 1959; ** and ***Westminster Abbey, London, 2 January 1966; ****Royal Festival Hall, London, 8 March 1963; *****Royal Albert Hall, London, 20 August 1968 BBC Legends BBCL 4098-2 [79’05"][JQ]

An invaluable disc ... just the sort of issue that make the BBC Legends series so important … see Full Review