> Classical CD Review Archive - Classical - Sept 2002 part 5 S-Y: Classical MusicWeb (UK)

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PART 5
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[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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ALPHABETICAL LISTING

 

Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) Piano Concerto No 2 - Piano Concerto No 4 - Cello Concerto No 1 - Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso * - Philippe Entremont, piano - Leonard Rose, cello - Pinchas Zukerman, violin * Philadelphia Orchestra conducted by Eugene Ormandy London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Charles Mackerras * - Recorded 1961 (Piano Concerto No 4) 1964 (Piano Concerto No 2) 1967 (Cello Concerto) 1969 (Introduction and Rondo) SONY SBK48276 [75’05] [JW]

An occasionally uneven but still attractive disc. … see Full Review

Joly Braga SANTOS (1924-1988) Symphonic Variations on a popular song from the Alentejo (1951) [14.48] Symphony No. 4 (1951) [53.05] National SO of Ireland/Álvaro Cassuto rec RTE Concert Hall, Dublin, 28 June 2001 DDD MARCO POLO 8.225233 [67.53] [RB]

Braga Santos - a nationalistic impressionist with Iberian exoticism tempered with the crash of the Atlantic combers and oceanic blue, green and aquamarine. A top recommendation. ... see Full Review

Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Quartet No 10 in E Flat D87 - Quartet No 14 D810 Death and the Maiden Calvet Quartet - Recorded 1937 TELDEC TELEFUNKEN LEGACY 0927 42661 2 [62’37] [JW]

Intimacy, drama and sheer beauty of sound … see Full Review

Franz SCHUBERT (1796-1828) Piano Sonatas, Volume 2 No. 3 in E major, D459 No. 4 in A minor, D537 No. 8 in F sharp major, D 571-604-570 No. 16 in C major, D845 No. 17 in D major, D 850 No. 18 in G major, D894 Paul Badura-Skoda (fortepiano) Recorded January 1993, Baumgartner Casino, Vienna; December 1993 Nos. 3 & 18), Institut Français, Vienna ARCANA A409 [3CDs: 57.27, 60.06, 62.35] [TB]

Opinions will be divided over whether the limited timbres of the fortepiano can achieve the miracles of expressiveness and fluid lines that Schubert created. … see Full Review
You can sample, download or purchase this disc

Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Piano Sonata No. 1 in F sharp minor, Opus 11 Piano Sonata No. 3 in F minor, Opus14   Bernd Glemser (piano) Recorded 22-24 March 1997, Radio Concert Hall, Lugano, Switzerland   NAXOS 8.554275 [65.09] [TB]

An excellent Schumann disc, a real tour-de-force … see Full Review

Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Liederkreis, Op.39 (1840) [28’15"]
Frauenliebe und leben, Op.42 (1840) [25’51"] Tragödie I, II & III (1841-47) [6’21"] (from Romanzen und Balladen IV, Op.64) 4 Duette, Op.78 (1849) (No.1: Tanzlied; No.4: Wiegenlied) [5’53"] Spanische Liederspiel, Op.74/4: In der Nacht (1849) [7’09"] Nuccia Focile (Soprano) Lucio Gallo (Baritone) Erik Battaglia (Piano) rec 2000 DDD WARNER FONIT 0927 43312-2 [75’10"] [JPo]

Unremarkable - really sums up this disc … see Full Review

Cyril SCOTT (1879-1970) Moods & Impressions - Six Pieces (1903) - Two Pierrot Pieces Op 35 (1904) - Sea-Marge – meditation (1914) - Impressions from the Jungle Book (1912) - Rainbow Trout (1916) - Butterfly Waltz (1915) - A Little Russian Suite (1916) - First Bagatelle (1919) - Moods (1922) - Inclination a la Danse (1922) - Valse Sentimentale (1929) Christopher Howell, piano - Recorded Regson Studios, Milan 15th and 16th July 1993 TREMULA TREM 104-2 [65’16] [JW]

As a survey of Scott’s compositional directions in the first third of the twentieth century this disc carries with it sensitivity and conviction. … see Full Review

Joaquim SERRA (1907 – 1957) Puigsoliu (1957, orch. Brotons) - Rural Impressions (1927) - Variations for Orchestra and Piano (1931)a - Romántica Two Symphonic Sketches Emili Brugalla (piano)a; El Vallès Symphony Orchestra; Salvador Brotons - Recorded: Auditorio del Centro Cultural de Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona, September 2000 NAXOS 8.555871 [57:31] [HC]

Shades of Respighi and de Falla … some welcome unpretentious freshness of its own - one of its most endearing qualities … remarkable orchestral flair. … see Full Review

Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957) The Seven Symphonies and a selection of the tone poems - DISC 1 [40.03] Symphony No. 1 (rec Jan 1976) [39.31] - DISC 2 [73.14] Symphony No. 2 (rec Sept 1974) [45.34] Symphony No. 3 (rec Nov 1970) [27.27] - DISC 3 [69.02] Symphony No. 4 (rec May 1977) [36.14] Symphony No. 5 (rec Dec 1971) [32.38] - DISC 4 [53.24] Symphony No. 6 (rec Jan/Feb 1974) [29.35] Symphony No. 7 (rec Jan/Feb 1974) [23.49] - DISC 5 Finlandia (rec Dec 1971) [8.16] Valse Triste [5.32] Night Ride and Sunrise (rec May/June 1977) [16.08] The Swan of Tuonela [9.02] * En Saga (rec Nov 1970) [19.54] Berlin SO/Kurt Sanderling
*Berlin Radio SO/Paavo Berglund (rec 1983) - All Sanderling recordings made in the Christuskirche, Berlin recorded 1970-77 - ADD stereo recordings digitally remastered.
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 6328 [5CDs: 40.03+73.14+69.02+53.24+59.02] [NH]

An extremely good value introduction to one of the greatest symphonists ever….see Full Review

Charles Villiers STANFORD (1852-1924) Piano Quartet no. 1 in F, op. 15 (1879)* - Piano Trio no. 1 in E flat, op. 35 - Pirasti Trio, with Philip Dukes* - Recorded St. Silas’ Church, Kentish Town, London, 28th-30th July 1998 ASV CD DCA 1056 [58’33"] - Charles Villiers STANFORD (1852-1924) Piano Trio no. 2 in g, op. 73 (1899) - HOLST Gustav (1874-1934) Short Pianoforte Trio in E (1894) - BAX Sir Arnold (1883-1952) Piano Trio in B flat (1946) - Recorded Conway Hall, London, 3rd-5th August 1994 ASV CD DCA 925 [71’42"][CH]

The Stanford Piano Quartet is a real find, but there is much else to enjoy. The performances are admirable and committed. … see Full Review

Richard STOKER (1938-) Vocal Music: Solos, Duos, Folk Song Arrangements, Realisations. CD1: Songs of Love and Loss Op.19 (1952-1957) - Two Arias from Johnson Preserv'd Op.30 (1966/67) - Canticle 2 Make me a Willow Cabin Op.44 (1972/73) - Aspects of Flight Op.48 (1974) - CD2: Two Vocal Duos: Requiescat Op.20 and Glory of the Dove Op.41 (1969/1976) - Folk song Arrangements Op. 39b (1968-1988) - Two Realisations Op.78/79 (??) (Op78 Lullaby, Byrd; Op79 When I am laid in earth, Purcell) - Margaret Feaviour, soprano; Jacqueline Fox, mezzo soprano; Richard Stoker, piano - Recorded at Elite CD Studios, Bromley, Kent c2000 ASC Classical Series CS CD17 [CD1: 49.25; CD2: 36.04] [JF]

An interesting CD that explores a number of facets of this composer's work. The folk songs are sublime and the Aspects of Flight deserve to be in the repertoire of all vocalists. Well worth exploring if you can get hold of a copy.... See Full Review

Richard STOKER (1938-) Vocal music and Piano Duos - Four Shakespeare Songs Op.69 (1988), Quatre Morceaux à Quatre Mains Op.77 (1988), Music that brings sweet sleep Op.25 (1968), Diversions on a Theme of Lennox Berkeley Op.46 (1975), Four Yeats Songs Op.64 (1968), Duologue Op.47 (1975), Kristallnacht Monody Op.76 (1998), Portrait of a Town Op.52 (1976), Aspects I in III Op.39 (1970), Jacqueline Fox, mezzo-soprano; Margaret Feaviour, Soprano Harvey and Helen Davies - The Davies Piano Duo; and the composer, piano. Recorded at the Highgate Recording Studios London circa 1998 ASC CLASSICAL SERIES ASC CS CD10 [66.00] [JF]

Well worth a listen. This is interesting and varied stuff. A composer who can handle a variety of styles and produce a satisfying synthesis that is his own voice. … see Full Review

Toru TAKEMITSU (1930 - 1996) Complete Works For solo Piano - For Away (1973)[6.43] Litany – in Memory of Michael Vyner (1950/1989)[10.09] Piano Pieces for Children (1979)[2.46] Undisturbed Rest (1952/1959)[7.27] Rain Tree Sketch (1982)[4.22] Les yeux clos II (1989)[7.48] Piano Distance (1961)[4.24] Romance for Piano (1948/1949)[4.42] Rain Tree Sketch II (1992)[3.57] Les yeux clos I (1979)[6.53] Paul Crossley - A Vision of Takemitsu (1999)[7.17] Paul Crossley, piano - Rec St John’s, Smith Square, London, 10-12 September 1999 GMN.COM GMNC0114 [66.28] [AT]

Cool, calm, extremely beautiful but not a reputation that will last. … see Full Review

John TAVENER (b. 1944) - Choral Ikons, As one who has slept, A Hymn to the Mother of God, Song for Athene, A parting gift for Tam Farrow, Annunciation, Magnificat, Nunc Dimittis, The Lamb, The Tyger, The Hymn of the Unwaning Light, The Lord’s Prayer - Plus extra features: Manifestations of God – John Tavener on his choral music - The parents of Athene talk about the inspiration behind Song for Athene - The Ikon chooses you – Robert J. Roozemond on spiritual and artistic origins of ikons - The Choir/James Whitbourn - Filmed at TV Support Studios, Hilversum, The Netherlands, 2000? BBC Opus Arte OA 0854 D [100.00] [CT]

A collection of Tavener’s shorter, mostly well known choral works, given excellent performances enhanced by some stunning visuals and commentary from the composer. … see Full Review

Pytor Il’lyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Symphony Number 4 in F minor, opus 36 (1877). Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture (1880 version) Colorado Symphony Orchestra/Marin Alsop - Recorded September 11, 2000 (Romeo and Juliet), and September 8-10 live in concert (Symphony). [DDD] NAXOS 8.555714 [63:56] [KS]

Definitely deserves to be heard. … see Full Review

Michael TIPPETT (1905-1998) Symphony No. 1 (1945) [36.24] - Symphony No. 2 (1957) [33.29] - Symphony No. 3 (1972) [54.59] - Suite in D for the Birthday of Prince Charles (1948) [14.45] - Heather Harper (3) London SO/Colin Davis Chicago SO/Georg Solti (suite) - rec Brent Town Hall, Wembley, Dec 1975, (1); Oct 1973 (3); Kingsway Hall, Mar 1967 (2); Medinah Temple, Chicago, May 1981 DDD, (suite) ADD DECCA The British Music Collection 473 092-2 [2CDs: 140.16] [RB]

Valuable for restoring the first recordings of these busy but not always emotionally yielding symphonies. ... see Full Review

Antonín TUČAPSKÝ (b.1928) Violin Concerto (1993) [27.03] Viola Concerto (1996) [29.16] Víteszlav Kuzník (violin) Pavel Peřina (viola) Janacek PO/Petr Vronský (violin concerto) Prague SO/Elli Jaffe (viola concerto) rec Smetana Hall, Prague, 28 March 1999 (violin); 28 Jan 2000 live - possibly the premiere (viola). DDD SOMM RECORDING SOMMCD 221 [56.34] [RB]

This is a covetable CD - the sort of disc which makes reviewing 'peripheral' repertoire a joy. With its nostalgia and surreal fantasy I shall be returning to these concertos again. see Full Review

Mark-Anthony TURNAGE (b. 1960) Some Days (1989) [1 Come Away, my love (Joseph Kariuki); 2 Lonely (Bloke Modisane); 3 Tango; 4 Some Days (James Baldwin); 5 Blues – Now I am Absolutely Alone, Forever] Your Rockaby (1994) Night Dances (1981) Dispelling the Fears (1994-95) Blood on the Floor (1994-95): [1 Blood on the Floor; 2 Junior Addict; 3 Shout; 4 Sweet and Decay; 5 Needles; 6 Elegy for Andy; 7 Cut Up; 8 Crackdown; 9 Dispelling the Fears)  Cynthia Clarey (mezzo) Chicago Symphony Orchestra/Bernard Haitink (Some Days) Martin Robertson (Saxophone) BBC Symphony Orchestra/Andrew Davis (Your Rockaby) Gareth Hulse (oboe/cor anglais), Helen Tunstall (harp), John Constable (celesta), John Wallace (trumpet) London Sinfonietta/Oliver Knussen (Night Dances) Håkan Hardenberger and John Wallace (trumpets) Philharmonia Orchestra/Daniel Harding (Dispelling the Fears) Ensemble Modern/Peter Rundel: John Scofield (guitar), Peter Erskine (drum kit), Martin Robertson (saxophone and bass clarinet), William Forman and Bruce Knockles (solo trumpets) (Blood on the Floor) Recorded London 1995 (Your Rockaby) London 1996 (Night Dances, Dispelling the Fears) "live" at Queen Elizabeth Hall London, Alte Oper, Frankfurt, Philharmonie, Köln, 1996 (Blood on the Floor) Chicago 1997 (Some Days) DDD  DECCA - THE BRITISH MUSIC COLLECTION 468 814-2 [2CDs: 70:33+68:37] [CT]

One of the most individual voices in British contemporary music. The performances are first class and in the case of Blood on the Floor definitive. … see Full Review

Erkki-Sven TÜÜR (born 1956) Symphony No. 3 Cello Concerto Lighthouse, for string orchestra  David Geringas (cello) Radio Symphony Orchestra Vienna/Dennis Russell Davies Recorded July-August 1998, ORF Studio, Vienna  ECM New Series ECM 1673 [63.33] [TB]

An excellent introduction … constant organic growth, … growth of sound from silence tellingly used … see Full Review

Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Il Trovatore (1853) Manrico, Roberto Alagna, (ten). Leonora, Angela Gheorghiu, (sop). Di Luna, Thomas Hampson, (bar). Azucena, Larissa Diadkova, (m sop). Ferrando, Ildebrando D'Arcangelo, (bass). Ines, Federica Proietti, (sop). Ruiz, Enrico Facini, (ten) London Voices London Symphony Orchestra/Antonio Pappano - Recorded, No 1 Studio Abbey Road, London, August-Sept 2001 - Full Price EMI CDS 5 57360 2 [2CDs: 132.17] [RJF]

Were it not for my reservations about one contribution, this issue would be vying to be tops in a highly competitive league. … see Full Review

Matthijs VERMEULEN (1888-1967) Symphony No. 2 Prélude á la nouvelle journée (1919-20) [26.22] Symphony No. 6 Les Minutes heureuses (1956-58) [25.46] Symphony No. 7 Dithyramb pour les temps á venir (1963-65) [17.05]  Residentie Orchestra, The Hague/Gennady Rozhdestvensky rec Dr Anton Philiszaal, The Hague, Nederlands, 22-26 Nov 1999  CHANDOS CHAN 9735 [69.34] [RB]

Energy, desperation, joy in torrents and cascades from a rebel eccentric symphonist. A voice in the wilderness. ... see Full Review

Henry VIEUXTEMPS (1820-1881) Sonata in B Flat Op 36 Elegie for Viola and Piano Op 30 Capriccio for Viola Solo Op post No 9 La Nuit – by Felicien David, arr Vieuxtemps Sonata Op post No 14 – unfinished   Roberto Diaz, viola Robert Koenig, piano Recorded Toronto Centre for the Arts February 2001   NAXOS 8.555262 [64’00] [JW]

Lyricism, passion, quixotic and rhythmically energised … see Full Review

Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741); ; Complete Flute Concerti (Opus 10, Nr. 1 in F, Nr. 2 in G, Nr. 3 in D, Nr. 4 in G, Nr. 5 in F, Nr. 6 in G. Concerto in D P.295, Concerto in a minor P. 80, Concerto in D, P.203, Concerto in G P. 140, Concerto in c minor P. 440, Concerto in G P.118, Concerto in C for two flutes P. 76, Concerto for flute and two violins in a minor, P. 77, Concerto in G P 141, Concerto in f minor P 139, Concerto in e minor P. 142, Concerto for piccolo in C P. 79, Concerto for Piccolo in C P. 78) ;   Jean-Pierre Rampal, flute ; I Solisti Veniti ; Claudio Scimone, conductor ; Sony Essential Classics, SB2K89981 ;  Two Discs, [75’02] and [74’42], ADD ; Original recordings made in 1966-67. [KS]

Sparkling and fresh ... see Full Review

Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741) - Il Giustino RV 717 [136.13] - Libretto after Count Nicolò Beregan; Anastasio - Marina Comparato; Arianna - Dominique Labelle; Giustino - Francesca Provvisionato; Leocasta - Geraldine McGreevy; Vitaliano - Leonardo De Lisi; Amanzio - Laura Cherici Il Complesso Barocco/Alan Curtis - Rec: October 2001 (live and in sessions), Grote Zaal, Concert-en - congressgebou de Doelen, Rotterdam, Netherlands VIRGIN VERITAS 5455182 [2CDs: 136.13][KM]

Delightful recording. The musicians are smooth and excellent, the singers top-notch, and the music over two hours of pleasure … see Full Review

Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Die Meistersinger con Nürnberg – Prelude to Act I; Götterdämmerung – Siegfried’s Funeral Music, Act III; Tristan und Isolde – Prelude to Act I; Der Fliegende Holländer – Overture; Tannhäuser – Overture (Dresden version); Lohengrin – Prelude to Act III; Siegfried Idyll Berlin State Opera Orchestra/Karl Muck - Recorded 1927-29 NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110858 [75’43] [JW]

Orchestral sonorities most impressive, ensemble discipline high, contemporary performance practices such as mass portamenti notably absent, strings clean-limbed. Tempi well chosen … see Full Review

Sir Thomas Beecham conducts Wagner - Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Der fliegende Holländer – overture; Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg: Introduction to Act III, Dance of the Apprentices, Entry of the Masters - Parsifal – Good Friday Music, Gotterdämmerung: Siegfried’s Rhine Journey,
Funeral Music - Lohengrin – Prelude to Act I - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Sir Thomas Beecham - Recorded 1951-54 SONY CLASSICAL SMK89889 [60’34] [JW]

Admirable qualities of rhythm, melodic contour, elegant phrasing and passionate generosity and no mannerisms whatsoever … see Full Review

Richard WAGNER (1813-1883); ; Die Walküre ;   Duccio del Monte (baritone) (Wotan) ; Andrew Brunsdon (tenor) (Siegmund) ; Gertrud Offenthal (soprano) (Sieglinde) ; Thomas Hay (bass) (Hunding) ; Elena Comotti (soprano) (Brünnhilde) ; Julia Oesch (soprano) (Fricka) ; Maria Gessler, Monike Waeckerle, Barbara Kandler, Susanne Geb, ; Anahita Ahsef, Maria Toledo, Heidi Jütten (Valkyries) ; Orchester der Tiroler Festspiele/Gustav Kuhn ; Rec 14, 18, 21 July 2001, Tiroler Festspiele, Erl, Austria ;   ARTE NOVA 74321 90068 2 [3CDs: 76.51+68.38+64.48] [TB]

A creditable release well worth hearing, but it is worth spending a little more, for the sake of performance and for accessing a libretto. … see Full Review

William WALTON (1902-1983) Belshazzar’s Feast [36’26"] - Symphony No 1 in B flat minor* [41’17"] - Donald McIntyre (baritone) - BBC Chorus - BBC Choral Society - Christ Church Harmonic Choir - BBC Symphony Orchestra - *Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted by Sir William Walton - Recordings: Royal Festival Hall, London, 22 September 1965; *Usher Hall, Edinburgh, 23 August 1959 BBC Legends BBCL 4097-2 [77’43"] [JQ]

A valuable document though the performances are not flawless … see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH 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

WILLIAM WALTON William Walton conducts:- Belshazzar’s Feast - Donald McIntyre, BBC Chorus, BBC Choral Society, Christ Church Harmonic Choir, BBC Symphony Orchestra. Royal Festival Hall 22 September 1965 - Symphony No 1 Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Edinburgh Festival 23 August 1959 BBC LEGENDS BBCL 4097-2 [77:43] - WILLIAM WALTON - William Walton conducts:- Cello Concerto Pierre Fournier, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Edinburgh Festival 23 August 1959 - The Twelve (first performance of orchestral version) - Coronation Te Deum Ann Dowdall, Shirley Minty, Robert Tear, Michael Wakeham, London Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra. Westminster Abbey 2 January 1966. Variations on a theme by Hindemith (first performance) - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Royal Festival Hall 8 March 1963 - Façade extracts: Tango-pasodoble, Popular Song, Old Sir Faulk, Tarantella-Sevillana - BBC Symphony Orchestra. RAH Prom 20 August 1968 BBC LEGENDS BBCL 4098-2 [79:05] [SL]

These are quite simply CDs that should not be missed. … see Full Review

William WALTON (1902-1983) Walton conducts Walton in premiere recordings - Viola Concerto (1929) [22.52] - Belshazzar's Feast (1933) [33.40] - Façade - Suite No. 1: Polka; Valse; Swiss Yodelling Song; Tango-Pasodoble; Tarantella, Sevillana (1926) [10.17] - Façade - Suite No. 2: Fanfare; Scotch Rhapsody; Country Dance; Noche Espagnole; Popular Song; Old Sir Faulk (1936) [10.16] - LPO (Façade) Frederick Riddle/LSO (Concerto) Dennis Noble (bar)/Huddersfield Choral Society/Liverpool PO/Herbert Bardgett cond. William Walton - rec: 5 Mar 1936; 25 Oct 1938 (Façade); 6 Dec 1937 (Concerto); 3, 10 Jan 1943 rec under auspices of British Council. Mono ADD PEARL GEM 0171 [76.15] [RB]

Will please time-travelling enthusiasts of these Walton works … see Full Review

RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS A London Symphony Symphony No. 8 in D minor Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Vernon Handley Rec1993 DDD Classics for Pleasure 7243 5 75309 2 7

Impressive sense of structure … scrupulous observance of dynamic markings, magical … affecting and supremely eloquent...see Full Review

Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) Flos Campi (1925) [24.14] Oboe Concerto (1944) [17.41] Symphony No. 5 (1943) [39.17] Christopher Balmer, viola
Jonathan Small, oboe, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir (chorus master Ian Tracey)
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra/Vernon Handley Rec. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, September 1986 and 30 November/1st December 1990 EMI CLASSICS FOR PLEASURE 72435753112 [79.22] [AT]

The symphony contains some of the most beautiful music ever written by an Englishman, and the orchestra plays it splendidly. … see Full Review

Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) Frederick DELIUS (1862-1934) A Lark And A CuckooVAUGHAN WILLIAMS The Lark Ascending (solo violin, David Nolan) The Wasps – Aristophanic Suite (1. Overture; 2. Entr’acte; 3. March Past of the Kitchen Utensils; 4. Entr’acte; 5. Ballet and Final Tableau) Prelude and Fugue in c minor (organ, David Bell) DELIUS Intermezzo from Fennimore and Gerda, On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring, Sleigh Ride, Irmelin Prelude, La Calinda London Philharmonic Orchestra/Vernon Handley Recorded in St.Augustine’s, Kilburn June 1985 and February 1978, and Henry Wood Hall, Southwark October 1977 EMI CLASSICS FOR PLEASURE 72435 75316 2 7 [77:27] [GPJ]

Handley is always worth hearing in this repertoire. … see Full Review

Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) - Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg - Vorspiel Act 1 - Vorspiel Act 3 - Dance of the Apprentices - Entry of the Masters - Götterdammerung - Siegfried’s Rhine Journey - Funeral March - Brunnhilde’s Immolation Scene - Rienzi - Overture - Berit Lindholm, soprano - London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus - New Philharmonia Orchestra Leopold Stokowski - Recorded Fairfield Hall, Croydon September 1967 (Meistersinger), Royal Festival Hall June 1967 (Götterdammerung), Royal Festival Hall June 1968 (Rienzi) BBCL 4088-2 [73’25] [JW]

A disc that furnishes more compelling evidence of Stokowski’s orchestral greatness. … see Full Review

Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Parsifal Act II complete Lauritz Melchior – Parsifal Kirsten Flagstad – Kundry Arnold Gabor - Klingsor Vocal Ensemble and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera New York Erich Leinsdorf With Finale to Act III, a composite performance with Lauritz Melchior and Herbert Janssen from ?1948, splicing Nur eine Waffe taugh from commercially issued Victor disc (Victor1938) GUILD GHCD 2201 [76’21] [JW]

A unique recorded event in sound better than it has ever received. … see Full Review

William WALLACE (1812-1865) Celtic Fantasies Rosemary Tuck, piano Recorded Large Room, City Hall, Wexford October 2001 CALA-UNITED CACD 88042 [78’32] [JW]

One of Waterford’s most quixotic, far travelled, and talented sons has come home at last. … see Full Review

Richard WILSON (born 1941) Æthelred the Unready: An Opera in Seven Scenes (1992/4, with revisions in 2001) Robert Osborne (Æthelred); Elizabeth Weigle (Emma, his wife); Drew Minter (Clio); Andrew Childs (William of Malmesbury); Jonathan Goodman (Publicist); Curtis Streetman (Hypnotist); Thea Tullman (Clio’s Assistant); Allen Blustine (clarinet); Rolf Schulte (violin); Dorothy Lawson (cello); Blanca Uribe (piano); Paul Hotstetter, Matthew Gold (percussion); Richard Wilson (conductor) Recorded: (live) Merkin Hall, NYC, May 2001 ALBANY TROY 512 [75:12] [HC]

Appropriately light-hearted and lively throughout, deftly and lightly scored … see Full Review

Ermanno WOLF-FERRARI (1876 – 1948) Il segreto di Susanna - Intermezzo in one act., Il Conte Gil…Giuseppe Valdengo (tenor), La Contessa Susanna…Elena Rizzieri (soprano), Sante, domestico…mime, Recorded Turin: 10 November 1954 - Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797-1848) La Favorita: Sinfonia, Recorded: Turin 23 November 1955 - Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Rigoletto: Preludio, Recorded: Turin 22-24 February 1954, Un Ballo In Maschera: Preludio, Recorded: Turin 16 November 1954 - Aida: Preludio, Recorded: Turin 18 December 1956 - Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) Madame Butterfly:Coro a bocca chiusa, Coro Cetra- M. del coro: Giulio Mogliotti, Recorded Turin 26 July 1954, Remastered 2002 Orchestra Sinfonica di Torino della RAI /Angelo Questa - ADD WARNER FONIT 0927 43616 – 2 [58.11] [RM]

Silly story: good orchestration: some delightful singing. A rarely performed work presented well without being outstanding. … see Full Review

Stefan WOLPE (1902 – 1972) - Sonata No.1 "Stehende Musik" (1925) - Adagio (1920) - Tango (1927) - The Good Spirit of a Right Cause (1942) - Encouragements for Piano (1943/7) - Waltz for Merle (1952) - Zemach Suite (1939) David Holzman (piano) - Recorded: Sonic Temple, Roslindale, Mass., October 2000, November 2000 and July 2001 BRIDGE 9116 [64:30] [HC]

Calls for considerable strength and much conviction. Holzman has both and his committed readings clearly the result of a painstaking and thorough immersion in Wolpe’s intricate music. … see Full Review

Udo ZIMMERMANN (born 1943) Scenes from Der Schuhu und die fliegende Prinzessin (The Schuhu and the Flying Princess) (1976) Helga Termer (soprano), Prinzessin; Jürgen Freier (baritone), Schuhu; Rundfunk-Sinfonie Orchester Leipzig; Peter Gülke Recorded: Bethanienkirche, Leipzig, 1978 NOVA Rediscovered BERLIN CLASSICS 0013012 BC [44:11] [HC]

A dedicated rendering of this all-embracing, colourful score … 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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