John CAGE (1912-1992)
Three˛ - Twenty-Three - Six - Twenty-Six 
Glenn Freeman, percussion, Christina Fong, violins and violas, Karen
Krummel, cellos OGREOGRESS
PRODUCTIONS [61’00] [JW]
Dramatically
convincing performances and high production values. … see Full
Review
George
Whitefield CHADWICK
(1854-1937) Overture and tone poems Euterpe
- overture (1903) Angel of Death - tone poem (1918) Aphrodite
- tone poem (1918) Melpomene - overture (1887) Thalia
- overture (1883) Nashville
SO/Kenneth Schermerhorn rec Andrew Jackson Hall, Tennessee Performing
Arts Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA, 11 Mar, 18 June 2001 DDD
NAXOS American Classics 8.559117 [79.26] [RB]
A
generous selection of Chadwick's German-inflected tone poems and overtures
in good if not matchless performances ... see
Full Review
James CLAPPERTON
(b.1968) - Long Journey Back - Piano Music -
Long Journey Back (1998) - The Ressoning betuir Aige an Yowth
(1992) - Stephen’s Piano Book (1996): They’re writing songs
of love but not for me…; Edain; Howard Skempton; Renard; Sarah -
Mikhashoffschina (1994-98) - Haar (1988) - Michael’s
Piano Book (1994): The Cathedral at Freiburg; Café Greco;
St. Patrick’s Day - The Testament of Cresseid (1989-90) -
Two North East Songs (1998): My Heart is broke since thy departure
(arr. Clapperton); Mrs Major Stewart of the island of Java (arr.
Clapperton) James Clapperton
(piano) - Recorded in the Gunnar Sævigs Sal, Griegakademiet, Bergen
(dates not given)
METIER MSV CD92033 DDD [69:03] [CT]
The
ability to move his listener with the simplest of material. … music
that deserves to be better known. … see Full
Review
Claude
DEBUSSY (1862-1918)
Préludes Book 1 Maurice
RAVEL (1875-1937) Miroirs, Noctuelles, Oiseaux tristes,
Une barque sur l’océan, Alborada del gracioso, La vallée
des cloches Peter Donohoe
(piano) Recorded at St.Silas’ Presbytery, Chalk Farm, London
GMN.COM GMNC0106 [64:39]
Donohoe’s
imagination and musical integrity will not let you down … see Full
Review
You may sample, download or purchase
this recording
Frederick DELIUS (1862-1934)
Violin
Concerto (1916) - Piano Concerto (1899) -
Caprice and Elegy (1930) - On Hearing the First Cuckoo in
Spring (1912) - Brigg Fair (1905)
London SO/Anthony Collins (Brigg Fair) - Julian Lloyd Webber/Bengt Forsberg
(Caprice; Elegy) - Jean-Rodolphe Kars (piano)
London SO/Alexander Gibson (Piano Concerto) -
Tasmin Little (violin)
Orchestra Welsh National Opera/Charles Mackerras (Violin Concerto, Cuckoo)
- rec 1953 (Brigg Fair); 1969 (Piano); 1990 (Cuckoo);
1991 (violin); 1996 Two Pieces. ADD/DDD
DECCA British Music Collection 470 190-2 [77.25] [RB]
Mixed
bag with the two concertos being the pillars. Inconsequential though
skilfully done cello pieces and a strong Cuckoo. ... see Full
Review
Frederick DELIUS (1862-1934)
Sea
Drift (1904), Paris - Song of a Great City (1899), In
a Summer Garden (1911), A Song of Summer (1930), Summer
Night on the River (1911), The Walk to the Paradise Garden (1900),
Cello Sonata (1916), A Song of the High Hills (1912), Hassan
- Intermezzo and Serenade (1920), A Song before Sunrise, Air
and Dance (1915), La Calinda - Koanga (1897), John Shirley-Quirk
(bar), London Symphony Chorus
RPO/Richard Hickox (Sea Drift) - London SO/Anthony Collins (Paris;
Garden; Summer; Paradise) - Julian Lloyd Webber/Bengt
Forsberg (sonata) - Rebecca Evans (sop) - Peter Hoare (ten) - Orchestra
and Chorus, Welsh National Opera/Charles Mackerras (High Hills)
- Academy of St Martin in the Fields/Neville Marriner (Hassan;
Sunrise; Air; Calinda) - rec Oct 1953, Kingsway
Hall (Paris; Summer; Summer Night); Feb 1953 (Paradise);
Apr 1980 (Drift); Abbey Rd, Sept 1996 (Caprice; Elegy);
Brangwyn Hall, Swansea (High Hills); St Johns Smith Sq, London
(Marriner) ADD/DDD
DECCA British Music Collection 470 375-2 [2CDs: 151.56] [RB]
A
mixed bag then: Marriner, Hickox and Mackerras all outstanding as is
the sunrise rhapsody of the Sonata. ... see Full
Review
David
DIAMOND (b.1915)
The String Quartets - Volume 1 -
Concerto for String Quartet (1936) [17.32] String Quartet No. 3 (1946)
[25.51] String Quartet No. 7 (1964) [17.54]
Potomac String Quartet - rec. St Luke's Church, McLean, Virginia, USA,
Oct 2000, Mar 2001 ALBANY RECORDS
TROY 504 [60.31] [RB]
The
two earlier works are approachable examples of the middle ground between
neo-classicism and romantic-impressionism. ... see Full
Review
Ernst
von DOHNÁNYI (1877-1960)
Piano
Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Opus 5 (1897-8) Piano Concerto No. 2 in B
minor, Opus 42 (1947)
Martin Roscoe (piano)
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra/Fedor Glushchenko Rec 17-18 June 1993,
Henry Wood Hall, Glasgow The Romantic Piano Concerto: Volume 6
HYPERION CDA66684 [74.56] [TB]
Thoroughly
satisfying … wholly justifies Hyperion's foray into this little known
territory … see Full Review
Antonín DVORÁK (1841-1904)
Symphony No. 7 in D minor, Opus 70 - Symphony No. 8 in G major,
Opus 88 Philharmonia
Orchestra/Sir Andrew Davis - Rec 2-5 January (No. 8) & 18-19 July
(No. 7) 1999, EMI Studios, London
SONY CLASSICAL SBK 67174 (75.24) (TB)
These
performances are particularly enjoyable. … see Full
Review
Antonin
DVORÁK (1841-1904) ; Stabat Mater ; Psalm CXLIX ;
Christine Brewer, soprano ; Marietta Simpson, mezzo-soprano ; John Aler,
tenor ; Ding Gao, baritone ; The Washington Chorus and Orchestra ; Robert
Shafer ; Recorded November 2000 at the John F Kennedy Centre for the
Performing Arts, Washington ; NAXOS 8.555301-02 [2 CDs 91’19]
[JW]
I’d spend more for a comprehensively more successful performance.
… see Full Review
Antonín
DVORÁK (1841-1904)
Symphony No.7 in D minor, Op.70 [1885] Symphony No.8 in
G major, Op.88 [1889] Philharmonia
Orchestra/Andrew Davis Recorded at EMI Studios, London, July 1979 (No.7),
January 1979 (No.8) SONY
ESSENTIAL CLASSICS SBK 67174 [75.24] [RB]
EMI recording is excellent. Anyone purchasing on the off chance
probably won’t be too disappointed … see Full
Review
Antonín DVORÁK
(1841-1904) Symphony No.9 in E minor, Op.95 ‘From
the New World’ [1893] London Symphony Orchestra/Eugene Ormandy Serenade
for Strings in E minor, Op.22 [1875] Munich
Philharmonic Orchestra/Rudolf Kempe Recorded circa 1969 (Symphony),
1975 (Serenade) SONY
ESSENTIAL CLASSICS SBK 46331 [72.28] [TH]
Anyone who is more interested in genuine music-making rather than
state-of–the-art sound will not be disappointed … see Full
Review
Ludovico EiNAUDI Eden
Roc -
Yerevan, eden roc, fuori dalla notte, due tramonti, nefeli, odessa,
ultimi fuochi, giorni dispari, julia, fuori dal mondo, ultimi fuochi
II, un mondo a parte, password, yerevan II, exit
Ludovico Einaudi (piano) with Djivan Gasparian (duduk), Antonello Leofreddi
(viola), Marco Decimo (‘cello), Franco Feruglio, Stefan Dall’ora, (double
bass), Ricky Maja (guitar), Quartetto David - Recorded 16th
June 1999 live at Piccolo Teatro Studio, Milan, and 8th-10th
July at extra production studio, Milan
BMG Ricordi 74321 70717 [64:37] [GPJ]
Far
too slender to stand up on its own. … See Full
Review
Edward ELGAR (1865-1934)
Cello
Concerto (1908) [29.16] ‡ Violin Concerto (1911) [49.38] † Enigma
Variations (1905) [27.49] § Cockaigne (1892) [14.14] ¤ ‡
Julian Lloyd Webber RPO/Yehudi Menuhin † Kyung Wha Chung (violin) LPO/Solti
§ Chicago SO/Solti
LPO/Solti - rec DDD Watford
Town Hall, July 1985 ‡; Kingsway Hall, Feb 1977 †; Medinah Hall, Chicago,
May 1974 §; Kingsway Hall, Feb 1976 ¤ ADD
DECCA The British Music Collection 473 085-2 [2CDs: 122.21] [RB]
A
damned fine Elgar interpreter inclined to shake the rafters. A bargain
here for the buying.. . ... see Full
Review
BARGAIN OF THE MONTH 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
Edward
ELGAR (1857-1934)
Symphony
No 1 - Symphony No 2 - Overture; Cockaigne - Serenade for String Orchestra
* - Elegy for String Orchestra * - Romance for Bassoon and Orchestra
* - Martin Gatt, bassoon - London Philharmonic Orchestra - English Chamber
Orchestra * Daniel Barenboim
- Recorded 1973-75 SONY
SB2K89976 [2 CDs 145’08] [JW]
Controversial
but still passionately engaged and flooded with life. … see Full
Review
Edward ELGAR (1857-1934)
The
Wand of Youth. Suite No 1, Op. 1a; Suite No 2, Op. 1b - Three Bavarian
Dances - Polonia, Op. 76* - Triumphal March from Caractacus Op.
35** - Meditation from The Light of Life Op. 29*
London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Sir Adrian Boult - Recorded
in No 1 Studio, Abbey Road, London on 17-18 April 1967; *6 February
1974; **4 February 1974
EMI Classics CDZ 575295 2 [74’06"] [JQ]
Well
played and conducted with quiet authority … see Full
Review
Edward ELGAR (1857-1934)
Nursery Suite - Funeral March from Grania and Diarmid Op.
42 - Severn Suite, Op. 87 - Meditation from The Light of Life,
Op. 29 - Woodland Interlude from Caractacus Op. 35* - Suite from
The Crown of India Op. 66*
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Sir Charles Groves
- Recorded in the Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool on 2-3 June 1969; *30
June – 1 July 1970
EMI Classics CDZ 5 75294 2 [75’46"] [JQ]
A
well-played, idiomatic collection which will give much pleasure … see
Full Review
RECORD OF THE MONTH 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
Manuel
FARIA
(1916-1983) - Imagens
da Minha Terra - Images of My Land (1959) [23.53] Triptíco
Litúrgico (1968) [18.04] Ditirambo (1973) [11.11]
Suite Minhota (1956) [18.30]
Orquestra Sinfónica Nacional - cond Frederico de Freitas (all
except Ditirambo); Silva Pereira (Ditirambo) - rec: all
live recordings - Estúdio A da ENR 15 July 1966 (Imagens);
12 Aug 1960 (Minho); Cinema Tivoli, 9 Nov 1968 (Triptico);
15 Dec 1973 (Ditirambo)
STRAUSS - PORTUGALSOM SP 4354 [70:59] [RB]
Recordings
and interpretations from RDP are respectable if unsubtle. The music
is at the picturesque yet challenging confluence of impressionism, folk
character and dissonance. ... see Full Review
Gerald FINZI (1901-1956)
In Terra Pax [15.30] - Dies Natalis [24.49] -
For St Cecilia [17.36] - Amen from Lo, The Full Final
Sacrifice [1.06] - Magnificat [10.12] - Romance for
string orchestra [7.13] - Earth and Air and Rain [28.57] - Let
Us Garlands Bring [16.00]
Philip Langridge (ten), LSO, LS Chorus/Hickox (Dies; Cecilia,
1978); Donald Sweeney (bs), Choir of Winchester Cathedral, Bournemouth
SO/David Hill (Pax, 1974); New College Oxford/Edward Higginbottom
(Amen, 2000); City of London Sinfonia/Hickox (Mag, 1978);
ASMIF/Marriner (Romance, 1996); Benjamin Luxon/David Willison
(Earth and Air, 1976); Bryn Terfel/Malcolm Martineau (Garlands,
1995) - rec. 1976-2000, ADD/DDD
DECCA The British Music Collection 468 807-2 [2CDs: 121.22] [RB]
A good
Finzi collection which could have been even better. This Dies Natalis
and For Saint Cecilia are amongst the best going as also are the two
song cycle performances. ... see Full Review
César
FRANCK (1822-1890)
Prelude, Chorale and Fugue - Prelude, Fugue and Variation (arr. Bauer)
- Pastorale (arr. Bauer) - Sonata in A (arr. Cortot)
Alexander Paley (piano) - Rec 1-4 July 1994, Fisher Hall, Santa Rosa,
California MARCO POLO
8.225044 [73.23] [TB]
An
interesting project targeted at enthusiasts … see Full
Review
BARGAIN OF THE MONTH 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
Benjamin
FRANKEL
(1906 - 1973) Symphonies and other orchestral works Symphony
No.1 Op.33 (1958) Symphony No.2 Op. 38 (1962) (includes composer's spoken
introduction) Symphony No.3 Op. 40 (1964) (includes composer's spoken
introduction) Symphony No.5 Op. 46 (1967) Symphony No.7 Op.50 (1970)
Symphony No.8 Op. 53 (1971) Overture "May Day" Op. 22 (1948)
A Shakespeare Overture Op. 29 (1956) Overture to a Ceremony Op. 51 (1970)
Queensland Symphony Orchestra/Werner
Andreas Albert Recorded in the studios of the Australian Broadcasting
Corporation, May 1993 (Symphonies 1 and 5, May Day), April 1994 (Symphonies
2 and 3), April 1999 (Symphonies 7 and 8, Shakespeare Overture, Overture
to a Ceremony). CPO
999 240/241/243 - 2 [4CDs: 53.24+59.18+60.03+70.27=243.12] [NH]
More
sterling rehabilitation work for a fine but neglected composer.….. see
Full Review
Benjamin
FRANKEL
(1906 - 1973) Concertos -
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra Op. 24 In Memory of the Six Million
(1951) - Viola Concerto Op. 45 (1967) - Serenata Concertante for
Piano Trio and Orchestra Op. 37 (1960) - Ulf Hoelscher, violin (concerto)
- Alan Smith, violin (serenata) - Brett Dean, viola - Stephen Emmerson,
piano - David Lale, cello - Queensland Symphony Orchestra
Werner Andreas Albert, conductor - Recorded at ABC Ferry Road, Brisbane,
Australia, May 1996 (except Viola Concerto, July 1997).
CPO 999 422-2 [65.36] [NH]
Chamber
Music with Clarinet - Quintet for Clarinet and String Quartet Op.
28 (1956) - Trio for Clarinet, Cello and Piano Op.10 (1940) - Pezzi
Pianissimi for Clarinet, Cello and Piano Op. 41 (1964) - Bagatelles
for Eleven Instruments (Cinque Pezzi Notturni) Op. 35 (1959)
- Early Morning Music (1948) - Paul Dean, clarinet - Australian
String Quartet - Markus Stocker, cello - Kevin Power, piano - Duncan
Tolmie, oboe - Leesa Dean, bassoon
Queensland Symphony Chamber Players - Recorded at ABC, Brisbane, Australia,
October and November 1995.
CPO 999 384-2 [57.46] [NH]
More
evidence of an astonishing but neglected talent. A tonal serialist for
whom melody was the thing … see Full Review
Ferenc
Fricsay Gioachino ROSSINI (1792-1868)
L’Italiana in Algeri, overture Johann STRAUSS
(1825-1899) An der schonen blauen Donau Wiener Blut Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901) La Traviata Act III Carl
ORFF (1895-1982) Carmina Burana – extracts Elfriede Trotschel,
Violetta Annelies Herrfruth, Annina Peter Anders, Alfredo Joseph Metternich,
Germont Josef Greindl, Doctor Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, baritone (Orff)
Berlin Philharmonic
Orchestra (Rossini, Strauss) RIAS SO and Kammerchor (Verdi, Orff) Ferenc
Fricsay Recorded 1949-51 TAHRA
TAH454 [60’55]
[JW]
Perhaps only the Traviata Act will attract Fricsay devotees. …
see Full Review
Friedrich
GOLDMANN (born
1941) Symphony
No.1 (1972/3)a Inclinatio temporum (1981)b Symphony
No.3 (1986)c
Rundfunk-Sinfonie-Orchester, Leipzigac; Staatskapelle Berlinb;
Herbert Kegela; Friedrich Goldmannbc Recorded:
Radio DDR, Sender Leipzig, June 1973; Christuskirche, Berlin, February
1987 and Paul-Gerhardt-Kirche, Leipzig, November 1987
NOVA Rediscovered BERLIN CLASSICS 0013022 BC [76:29] [HC]
Expressionistic
character inherited from Berg produced by untraditional instrument playing,
clusters and controlled aleatory. Brilliantly and expertly scored …
see Full Review
Howard GOODALL -
We Are The Burning Fire - songs on a small planet -
Polignala e Todora (Bulgaria), A la Nanita Nana (Spain),
Tina Singhu (Lesotho), Asikhatali (South Africa), Allunde
Allunde (East Africa), Blow the Wind Southerly (Scotland),
Bium Bium Bamba (Iceland), Röslein Röslein (Germany),
Waly Waly (England), Pecche non duorme? (Naples), Dormi
Dormi (Calabria), Tutu Maramba (Brazil), Rosla Kalina
(Poland), Adieu, la Belle (France), Kou jou-no-tsuki (Japan),
The Lark in the Clear Air (Eire), She moved through the Fair
(Eire), Choir of Christ Church Cathedral Oxford/Stephen Darlington
Chamber Orchestra of
London - Howard Goodall (instrumentals)
METRONOME MET CD 1040 [68.38] [RB]
Easy
listening arrangements - highly skilled and very accessible - could
have had stronger impact with mixed voice choir ... see Full
Review
Percy GRAINGER (1882-1961)
The
Warriors - music to an imaginary ballet (1916) Beautiful Fresh
Flower orch Peter SCULTHORPE (1935)
* Hill-Song No. 1 (1902, 1923) * Hill-Song No. 2 (1907)
* Irish Tune from County Derry (1902) Colleen Dhas (1904)
Danish Folk-Music Suite (1928 rev 1941)
Glen Riddle, Ben Martin, Denise Harvey (pianos in The Warriors)
Claire Clements (piano in Danish Folk-Music Suite) * world premiere
recordings - Melbourne SO/Geoffrey Simon - rec 1989 DDD
ABC CLASSICS 426989-2 [66.50] [RB]
A
very desirable acquisition for those who fancy a single disc anthology
of the music of this most rebellious and eccentric of composers. … see
Full Review
Christoph
GRAUPNER (1683-1760)
Sinfonia GWV 538 in D major; Sinfonia GWV 578 in G major; Ouverture
GWV 429 in Eb major; Ouverture GWV 439 in E major; Concerto GWV 321
in E minor for 2 violins, 2 flutes, viola and bass.
Nova Stravaganza directed by Siegbert Rampe - Recorded Fürstliche
Reitbahn, Bad Arolsen, January 2002
DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM - DG GOLD - MDG 341 1121-2 [77.21] [GH]
Individuality,
spontaneity and more than a little spark of genius … see Full
Review
RECORD
OF THE MONTH 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
Review
Edvard GRIEG (1843-1907)
Poetic
Tone-Pictures, op.3 - Sonata, op.7 - Seven Fugues for Piano - Four Pieces,
op.1 - Four Album Leaves, op.28
Kyoko Tabe, piano - Recorded Studio 7, New Broadcasting House, Manchester,
28th-30th September 2001
CHANDOS CHAN 9985 [73:09] [GPJ]
Tabe
is always a sensitive, responsive interpreter. … see Full
Review
Joseph
HAYDN (1732-1809)
String
Quartets Opp 71 and 74
The Griller Quartet - Recorded Hertz Hall, U C Berkeley, California
February 1959 VANGUARD
CLASSICS SVC 62/63 [2 CDs 102.59’] [JW]
Wise
and humane way … still invigorating. … see Full
Review
Joseph HAYDN (1732-1815)
or Romanus HOFFSTETTER (1742-1815) String
Quartet in G, Op. 3, No. 3 - String Quartet in B flat, Op. 3, No. 4
- String Quartet in F, Op. 3 , No. 5, "Serenade Quartet" -
String Quartet in A, Op. 3, No. 6 -
Kodály Quartet - Recorded June 2000, Phoenix Studio, Budapest,
Hungary NAXOS 8.555704
[56.35] [WH]
Whoever
wrote these works the Kodály Quartet devote their remarkable
and familiar skills to them and the disc is beautifully recorded. …
see Full Review
Reynaldo
HAHN
(1874-1947) Songs:
Feuilles Blessées: Dans le ciel est dressé
le chêne séculaire; Encor sur le pavé sonne mon
pas nocturne; Quand reviendra l’automne avec ses feuilles mortes; Belle
lune d’argent; Quand je viendrai m’asseoir; Eau printanière;
Donc, vous allez fleurir encor;Compagne de l’éther; Pendant que
je médite; Roses en bracelet; Aux rayons du couchant. Love
without wings: Ah! Could I clasp thee in mine arms; The fallen Oak;
I know you love me not…’ Oh! For the Wings of a Dove - Five Little
Songs: The Swing; Windy Nights; My Ship and I; The Stars; A Good
Boy - Neuf mélodies retrouvèes: Je me souviens;
La vie est belle; L’Amitié; Chanson; Naïs; La nymphe de
la source;Au Rossignol; Ta main; Sous l’oranger (Tango habañera)
- Méduse: Chanson au bord de la fontaine; Danse, petite
sirène - La dame aux camélias: Mon rêve était
d’avoir; C’est à Paris; Au fil de l’eau
Catherine Dune (soprano) Didier Henry (baritone) with Stéphane
Petitjean (piano) MAGUELONE
MAG 111.108 [65:47] [IL]
An
important premiere recording of over 30 songs, many quite exquisite
… see Full Review
Georg
Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759) Concerto Grossi, Opus 6,
Nos. 1 -12 Hamburg
Soloists/Emil Klein Recorded August 1995, Mozartsaal, Provinziallage
von Niedersachsen, Hamburg ARTE
NOVA 74321 37326 2 [3CDs: 56.20, 53.39, 63.32] [TB]
Nobility, clarity and excitement … see Full
Review
Roy
HARRIS
(1898-1980) Symphony
No. 7 (1955) - William SCHUMAN (1910-1992)
Symphony No. 6 (1948)
New Zealand SO/Hugh Keelan - rec December 1994, Symphony House, Wellington,
New Zealand KOCH INTERNATIONAL CLASSICS
3-7290-2 HI [49.03] [RB]
A
strong Schuman 6 and a more careful Harris 7. ... see Full
Review
Sir Thomas Beecham conducts Haydn
- Josef HAYDN (1732-1809) Symphony
No 93 - Symphony No 94 Surprise - Symphony No 103 Drumroll
- Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Sir Thomas Beecham - Recorded 1950-51
SONY CLASSICAL SMK89890 [71’52] [JW]
Elegance
and precision, aristocracy of music-making … see Full
Review
Fini
HENRIQUES (1867-1940)
Romance Op. 12 for violin and orchestra (1894) [5.46] Myggedans
Op. 20 No. 5 for violin and orchestra (1899) [1.09] Djævledans
for violin and orchestra (1920) arr Launy GRØNDAHL,
1940 [2.37] Tata - two czardas (1932) [3.43] Vølnd
Smed - suite (1896) [20.01] Suite in F major Op. 12 for oboe and
strings (1894) [12.11] From: Den lille Havfrue (1909) [8.48]
Christina Åstrand
(violin) Max Artved (oboe) Helsingborg SO/Giordano Bellincampi rec.
4-8 Sept 2000, 30-31 May 2001, Helsingborg Concert Hall. DACAPO
8.224173 [54.17] [RB]
Lovingly performed ... light music and ballet scores .. a lilt and
a glint ... see Full Review
Franz Anton HOFFMEISTER
(1754-1812) Clarinet Quartets
Dieter Klöcker, clarinet Members of the Vlach Quartet Prague (Jana
Vlachová, violin; Petr Verner, viola; Mikael Ericsson, cello)
Recorded Tonstudio Teije van Geest, Sandhausen, Clara-Wieck Auditorium,
April 30th and May 3rd 2001.
CPO 999 812-2 [75.43] [OW]
Excellent
performances of exuberant, newly unearthed chamber music from a friend
of Mozart….See Full Review
Joseph
HOLBROOKE (1878-1958) Piano Concerto No.1 ‘The Song
of Gwyn ap Nudd’, Op.52 (1908 revised 1923) Haydn
WOOD (1882-1959) Concerto
in D minor for piano and orchestra (1909) Hamish Milne (piano), BBC
Scottish Symphony Orchestra conducted by Martyn Brabbins Recorded on
4 & 5 June 1999 in Caird Hall, Dundee HYPERION
CDA67127 [69’29"] [CA]
If the music itself is variable and easy to deride, it is also
curiously likeable. … see Full Review
Vagn HOLMBOE
(1909-1996) -
Symphony No. 8 'Sinfonia Boreale' - Symphony No. 9
Aarhus Symphony Orchestra/Owain Arwel Hughes - Rec 7-15 June 1993, Musikhuset
Aarhus BIS CD-618
[65.25] [TB]
Music
at once convincing and satisfying … see Full
Review
Vagn
HOLMBOE (1909-96)
Requiem
for Nietzsche (1964)
Helge Rønning (tenor) Johan Reuter (baritone) Danish National
Choir Danish National SO/Michael Schønwandt rec 29-31 Aug 2001,
DR Concert Hall DDD
DACAPO 8.224207 [51.44] [RB]
Avant-garde
gestures, melodious tonality, compassion and the summonsing of fear.
An elevating experience for anyone tracking the progress of 20th century
music ... see Full Review
BARGAIN OF THE MONTH 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
Arthur
HONEGGER (1892-1955)
The Chamber Music, Volume 3 Sonatine
for clarinet & piano, Rapsodie, for 2 flutes, clarinet & piano,
Danse de la chèvre for flute, Romance for flute & piano,
Petite Suite, for 2 flutes & piano, Contrepoints, for piccolo, oboe,
violin & cello, Colloque, for flute, celesta, violin & viola,
Introduction et Danse, for flute, harp, violin, viola & cello, Intrada,
for trumpet & piano, Hommage, for trombone & piano, J'avais
un fidèle amant, for string quartet, Chanson de Ronsard, Chansons
de la petite Sirène.
Pascal Devoyon (piano) Alain Marion, Ashildur Haraldsdottir (flutes)
Christian Moreaux (oboe) Michel Arrignon (clarinet) Thierry Caens (trumpet)
Michel Becquet (trombone) Dong-Suk Kang (violin) Pierre Xuereb (viola)
Raphael Wallfisch (cello) Pascale Zanlonghi (harp) Quatuor Ludwig Recorded
September - October 1991, Église Evangélique St Pierre,
Paris TIMPANI 1C1010
[58.57] [TB]
A
rare beauty that makes this repertoire worth exploring. … see Full
Review
You can sample, download or purchase this disc
Hans
HUBER (1852-1921) Symphony No. 8
(1920) [28.56] - Symphony No. 4 Akademische (1918) [32.34] -
Stuttgart PO/Jörg-Peter Weigle - rec 12-16 July 2001 (8); 14-16
Jan 2002, Philharmonie,
Gustav-Siegle Haas, Stuttgart, Germany DDD world premiere recordings
STERLING CDS-1047-2
[61.57] [RB]
Two
lovely idyllically smiling symphonies written against the rapine and
bloodshed of the times: a spell against evil - an uncomplicated benediction
and one stalwart against dodecaphonic insurgency. ... see Full
Review
Andrés
ISASI (1890-1940)
Tragic Berceuse for violin and orchestra (1914) [8.37] Erotic
Poem (1912) [8.27] Zharufa (1911) [15.55] The Oracle (1913)
[14.54] The Sin (1913) [10.46]
Jonathan Carney (violin) (Berceuse) Basque National SO/Enrique
García Asensio rec San Sebastian, 4-7 Sept 2000 world premiere
recordings CLAVES
CD 50-2007 [58.41] [RB]
The performances are polished and in touch with the sometimes elusive
and always expressionistically romantic music of this prophet who unjustly
remained largely unhonoured in his own land. ... see Full
Review
Leoš
JANÁCEK (1854-1928); ; Sinfonietta ; Lachian
Dances ; Taras Bulba ; Cunning Little Vixen – Suite ; Jealousy ; From
the House of the Dead ; The Makropulos Case – Symphonic Synthesis
by José Serebrier ;
Czech State Philharmonic, Brno ; José Serebrier ; Recorded April
1995 (Sinfonietta, Lachian Dances, Taras Bulba) June 1996 (remainder)
; REFERENCE RECORDINGS
RR-2103 [2 CDs 65’08 + 59’40] [JW]
Not all front-runners but tremendously committed and the Brno Phil
plays with devilish engagement. … see Full
Review
Gustav
JENNER
(1865-1920) Piano
Quartet in F major (1905) [35.41] String Quartet No. 1 in F major (1907)
[30.22] String Quartet No. 2 in G major (1910) [14.43] String Quartet
No. 3 in F major (1911) [25.19] Trio for Piano Clarinet and Horn in
E flat major (1900) [25.09]
Mozart Piano Quartet and Friends Wolfram Brandl (second violin in string
quartets) Wolfha rd Pencz (clarinet) Olivier Darbellay (horn) rec
Hans Rosbaud Studio, Baden-Baden, Germany, 13-15 Dec 1999, 17 July 2000,
8-10 May 2001 CPO 999
699-2 [61.47+71.22] [RB]
Played
with joyous inspiration and no trace of dutiful dullness. Sparks and
sighs radiate outwards. ... see Full Review
Mieczysław
KARŁOWICZ
(1876-1909) Eternal
Songs, Op. 10 (1906) [26’57"] Stanisław and Anna Oswiecim,
(1907) Op. 12 [22’18"] Lithuanian Rhapsody, Op. 11 (1906)
[17’13"] BBC Philharmonic
Orchestra/Yan Pascal Tortelier Recorded in Studio 7, New Broadcasting
House, Manchester; 13-14 December 2001
CHANDOS CHAN 9986 [66’41"]
Passionate,
intense, vivid, powerful and highly charged. This is the product of
a fertile musical imagination. … see Full Review
Don
KAY Tasmania
Symphony - The Legend of Moinee - for cello and orchestra (1988)
[40.24] - Peggy GLANVILLE-HICKS (1912-1990)
Sinfonia da Pacifica (1952-53) - Christian Wojtowicz (cello)
Tasmanian SO/Richard
Mills - rec 3-6 Nov 1992, Government House Ballroom, Hobart
VOX AUSTRALIS VAST013-2 [53.53] [RB]
A
cello concerto/creation epic in the brilliant Britten manner and a symphony
shaped by folk music. ... see Full
Review
Aram
KHACHATURIAN (1903-1978)
Piano Concerto Gerhard ROSENFELD
(b.1931) Violin Concerto No. 1 (1963) Mirka
Pokorná (piano) Gustav Schmahl (violin) Dresdner Philharmonie/Horst
Förster rec. 1962 ADD EDEL CLASSICS
0002522 CCC [55.50] [RB]
A broad version of the Piano Concerto and a rather acid-toned newcomer
amongst violin concertos all at super-bargain price... see Full
Review
Erich Wolfgang KORNGOLD (1897-1957)
Piano
Concerto in C sharp for the left hand Joseph
MARX (1882-1964) Romantisches Klavierkonzert (first recording)
Marc-André Hamelin
(piano) BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra/Osmo Vänskä recorded
on 19 and 20 June 1997, Glasgow The Hyperion Romantic Piano Concerto
Series – No. 18 HYPERION
CDA66990 [64:39] [GL]
Exciting
compositions sumptuously played by Hamelin and the BBC Scottish Orchestra.
The Marx work is a real find and the recording companies should explore
his music further. See Full Review
Ernst
KRENEK (1900-1991) Karl V
- Stage Work with music in two parts (1931-3 rev 1954) - Karl
V - David Pittman-Jennings; Juana, his mother - Anne Gjevang; Eleonore,
his sister - Turid Carlsen; Ferdinand, his brother - Alfons Eberz; Isabella,
his wife - Franziska Hirzel; Juan de Regla, his confessor - Christoph
Bantzer; Henri Mathys, his physician - Hans Schulze; Francisco Borgia,
Jesuit - Werner Hollweg; Czech Philharmonic Chorus of Brno
Orchestra of the Beethovenhalle Bonn/Marc Soustrot - rec 8-14 Oct 2000,
Beethovenhalle Bonn DDD
MD&G MDG 337 1082-2 [73.49+66.58] [RB]
For
those with case-hardened sinews or those fascinated by the evidence
left by the people who refused to conform. ... see Full
Review
Rued
LANGGAARD
(1893-1952) Symphony
No. 4 Løvfald BVN 124 (1916, rev 1920) [23.38] Symphony
No. 5 BVN 191 (1917-18, rev 1926) [14.22] Symphony No. 5 Steppenatur
(Sommersagnsdrama) BVN 216 (1917-18, rev 1920/1931) [19.13]
Danish National RSO/Thomas Dausgaard - rec 21-22 Aug 2001 (4); 23 Aug
2001 (5 I), 17, 21 June 1999 (5 II) Danish Radio House. DDD
DACAPO 8.224215 [57.17] [RB]
Fiery
readings of the Langgaard symphonies from Thomas Dausgaard ... see Full
Review
Rued
LANGGAARD
(1893-1952) Symphony
No. 9 From Queen Dagmar's City BVN 282 (1942) [21.22] Symphony
No. 10 Yon Hall of Thunder BVN 298 (1944-45) [25.53] Symphony
No. 11 Ixion BVN 303 (1944-45) [6.20]
Danish National RSO/Thomas Dausgaard rec 7-8 Apr 1999; 12-13 Jan 2001;
23 June 1999, Danish Radio House. DDD
DACAPO 8.224182 [53.37] [RB]
A
rapturous masterpiece flanked by a pugnaciously enigmatic brevity and
a euphoric example of Schumann-dominated nostalgia ... see Full
Review
Georges
LENTZ (born
1965) Ngangkar
(1998/2000) Guyuhmgan (2001)
Sydney Symphony Orchestra/Edo de Waart - Recorded: (live) Sydney Opera
House Concert Hall, February 2000 and August 2001
ABC CLASSICS 472 397-2 [26:15] [HC]
Varied,
rich and more complex, blending computer-generated sounds into the orchestral
fabric. … see Full Review
Franz
LISZT (1811-1986)
Tasso.
Lamento e Trionfo (1849, revised 1854) Les Préludes (1848,
revised before 1854) Mazeppa (1851, revised before 1854) Orphée
91854) Dresden Philharmonic
Orchestra conducted by Michel Plasson - Recorded in 1992 and 1993 at
the Lukaskirche, Dresden, Germany
BERLIN CLASSICS 00947BC [63.14] [WH]
Totally
successful and makes the best possible case for this music … see Full
Review
Carl LOEWE (1796-1869)
Der
selt’ne Beter, Der alte Goethe, Graf Eberstein, Fredericus Rex, Der
gefangene Admiral, Gruss vom Meere, Die Überfahrt, Der Asra, Jordans
Ufer, Der Weichdorn, Das Wunder auf der Flucht, Ich bin ein gutter Hirte,
Das dunkle Auge, Mein Geist ist trüb, Die Sonne der Schlafloden,
Bauernregel, Der Wirthin Töchterlein, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau,
baritone Hartmut Höll
- Recorded location unspecified, 1987
APEX 0927 44767 2 [70’02] [JW]
Loewe
had an astute ear for superior poetry setting; a thoroughly recommendable
disc … see Full Review
Fernando
LOPES-GRAÇA (1906-1994)
Álbum do Jovem Pianista (1953-64) Mornas Caboverdianas
(1941-78) In Memoriam Béla Bartók - Suite No. 8
(1960-75) Olga
Prats (piano) rec St George's Church, Lisboa, Portugal, 1 June, 23-24
Nov 2000. DDD STRAUSS-PORTUGALSOM
SP 4355 [65.05] [RB]
The Album do Jovem Pianista is probably the best
entré to the world of Lopes-Graça. ... 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]
Revolving
notes from clipart.com
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