RECORDING OF THE MONTH Edith CANAT DE CHIZY (born 1950) - Tiempo (1999)^a - Irisations (1999)^b - Moving (2001)^a - Vivere (2001)^c - Hallel (1991)^a - Danse de l’aube (1998)^d - Diego Tosi (violin)^b; Marc Siffert (double bass)^d; Trio à cordes de Paris^a; Quatuor Parisii^c Recorded: Auditorium du Conservatoire Charles Munch, Paris, April 2002 (Tiempo, Moving, Hallel, Danse), July 2002 (Vivere) and September 2002 (Irisations) ÆON AECD 0210 [60:10] [HC]

Robust, joyfully dancing music making of great energy and very often of great beauty … see Full Review

Feodor Chaliapin - A Vocal Portrait - Acoustic Recordings - Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756 - 1791) - Madamina, il catalogo è questo (Don Giovanni,K527) recorded 1923 - Vincenzo BELLINI (1801 - 1835) - Ite sul colle, O Druidi (Norma) recorded 1912 - Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797- 1848) - Vieni: la mia vendetta (Lucrezia Borgia) recorded St. Petersburg 1912 - Giacomo MEYERBEER (1791 - 1864) - Le rovine .. Suore che riposate (Robert le Diable) recorded St. Petersburg 1912 - Giuseppe VERDI (1813 - 1901) - Che mai vegg'io! … Infelice (Ernani) recorded St. Petersburg 1912 - Giuseppe VERDI (1813 - 1901) - Dormiro sol (Don Carlos) recorded Camden 1922 - Giacomo PUCCINI (1858 - 1924) - Vecchia zimarra (La Bohème) recorded Camden 1924 - Leo DELIBES (1836 - 1891) - Lakme, ton doux regard (Lakmé) recorded Paris 1908 - Anton RUBINSTEIN (1829 - 1894) - Do not weep, child, do not weep in vain (The Demon) recorded St. Petersburg 1911 - Anton RUBINSTEIN (1829 - 1894) - On the ocean of the air, without rudder or sail (The Demon) (14) recorded St. Petersburg 1911 - Alexander BORODIN (1833 - 1887) - Have you enjoyed yourself, Prince? …I can't conceal (Galitsky's song, Prince Igor) recorded St. Petersburg 1911 - Alexander BORODIN (1833 - 1887) - Are you well, Prince? (Khan Konchak's aria, Prince Igor) recorded Hayes 1924 - Alexander BORODIN (1833 - 1887) - Neither sleep nor rest (Igor's aria Prince Igor) recorded Hayes 1924 - Modest MUSSORGSKY (1839 - 1881) - Song of the Flea recorded St. Petersburg 1907 - Gennady KORGANOV (1858 - 1890)- Elegy. recorded Moscow 1902 - Piotr TCHAIKOVSKY (1840 - 1893) - The nightingale (12 Songs,Op. 60 - No. 4) recorded London 1913 - Sergey RACHMANINOV (1873 - 1943) - When yesterday we met (15 Songs,Op. 26 - No. 13) recorded St. Petersburg 1914 - Alexander GLAZUNOV (1865 - 1936)- Chanson Bachique (2 Songs,Op. 27) recorded St. Petersburg 1912 - Johannes BRAHMS (1833 - 1897) - Sapphische Ode (5 Lieder,Op. 94, No. 4) recorded St. Petersburg 1916 - Edvard GRIEG (1843 - 1907) - Abschied (6 Songs,Op. 4) recorded St. Petersburg 1914 - Edvard GRIEG (1843 - 1907) - Stambogsrim (6 Songs,Op. 25, No. 3) recorded St. Petersburg 1914 - TRADITIONAL - Maschenka (folk-song) recorded St. Petersburg 1911 - Electrical Recordings - Gioacchino ROSSINI (1792 - 1868) - La calunnia è un venticello (Il Barbiere di Siviglia) (1, 6) recorded Camden 1927 - Vincenzo BELLINI (1801 - 1835) - Il mulino, il fonte … Vi ravviso (La Sonnambula) (1, 6) recorded Camden 1927 - Charles GOUNOD (1819 - 1893) - Un rat, plus poltron … Le veau d'or (Faust) (2, 7, 16) recorded Paris 1930 - Charles GOUNOD (1819 - 1893) - Vous qui faites l'endormie (Faust) (2, 7) recorded Paris 1930 - Arrigo BOITO (1842 - 1918) - Ave Signor! (Mefistofele) (3, 8) recorded live Covent Garden 1926 - Arrigo BOITO (1842 - 1918) - Son lo spirito (Mefistofele) (3, 8) recorded live Covent Garden 1926 - Jules MASSENET (1842 1912) - Oh, mon maitre.. Oui! Je fu le chef (Don Quichotte.) (1, 6, 15) recorded New York 1927 - Mikhail GLINKA (1804 - 1857) - O joy! … the hour of my triumph (Farlaf's rondo, Ruslan and Ludmilla) (4, 9) recorded London 1931 - Nikolai RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844 - 1908)- Against the cruel crags (Merchant's Song, Sadko) (1, 10) recorded London 1927 - Modest MUSSORGSKY (1839 - 1881) - In the town of Kazan (Varlaam's song, Boris Godunov) (1, 6) recorded Camden 1927 - Modest MUSSORGSKY (1839 - 1881) - Boris's Farewell and Death Scene (Boris Godunov) (3, 8) recorded live Covent Garden 1928 - Sergey RACHMANINOV (1873 - 1943) - All the gipsy camp is sleeping (Aleko) (1, 11) recorded London, 1929 - Modest MUSSORGSKY (1839 - 1881) - Trepak (Songs and Dances of Death) (1, 11) recorded London 1929 - Anton RUBINSTEIN (1829 - 1894)- Persian Love Song, Op. 34, No. 9 (1, 11) recorded London 1931 - TRADITIONAL - Down the Petersky (5) recorded London 1929 - TRADITIONAL - Black Eyes (5, 12) recorded Paris 1927 - Modest MUSSORGSKY (1839 - 1881) - Song of the Flea (13) recorded Tokyo 1936 - TRADITIONAL - Song of the Volga Boat Men (13) recorded Tokyo 1936 Feodor Chaliapin bass - Maria Kovalenko (Soprano) (14) - Olive Kline (Soprano) (15) - Michel Cozette (Baritone) (16) - George Godzinsky (Piano) (13) - Anonymous Orchestra (1) - Orchestra of the Paris Opera (2) - London Philharmonic Orchestra (3) - London Symphony Orchestra (4) - Balalaika Orchestra (5) - Rosario Bourdon (Conductor) (6) -Henri Busser (Conductor) (7) - Vincenzo Bellezza (Conductor) (8) - Max Steinmann (Conductor) (9) - Albert Coates (Conductor) (10) - Lawrance Collingwood (Conductor) (11) -A. A. Scriabin (Conductor) (12) - Recorded 1902 - 1936 ADD NAXOS 8.110748/49 [79.07+77.50] [RH]

A highly recommended compilation of Chaliapin's recordings, finely transferred by Ward Marston. Not all are gems, but they are all fascinating and contribute to our knowledge of this great singer … see Full Review

QIGANG Chen (born 1951) Iris dévoilée (2001)^a - Reflet d’un temps disparu (1995/6)^b - Wu Xing (1999)^c - Wu Bixia, Ke Luwa (soprano)^a; Ma Shuai (voice of Beijing opera)^a; Wang Nan (er-hu)^a; Li Jia (pi-pa)^a; Chang Jing (zheng)^a; Yo-Yo Ma (cello)^b Orchestre National de France/Muhai Tang^a, Charles Dutoit^b, Didier Benetti^c - Recorded: (live) Radio France, Auditorium Olivier Messiaen, February 2002 (Iris dévoilée); Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Paris, April 1998 (Reflet) and Radio France, Studio 103, May 1999 (Wu Xing) VIRGIN CLASSICS 7243 5 45549 2 6 [75:36] [HC]

Subtly scored and refined, often calls Messiaen to mind … a highly personal tone. … see Full Review

Frédéric CHOPIN (1810-1849) Complete Mazurkas - CD 1: B flat (1825), G (1825), opp. 6, 7, 17, 24, 30, 33, 41/1 [the latter is not included in the track listings but it is present] CD 2: Opp. 41/2-4, 50, 56, 59, 63, a minor "Emile Gaillard" [track 16 not 24 as listed], a minor "Notre Temps" [track 17 not 25 as listed], opp. 67, 68 [tracks 18-25, not 16-23 as listed], D (1832), B flat (1832), C (1833), A flat (1834) Joyce Hatto (piano) - Recorded 15th March 1992, 27th April 1997, Concert Artist Studios - 2 CDs - available separately CONCERT ARTIST/FIDELIO RECORDINGS 9116-2, 9117-2 [73:29+73:56] [CH]

Hatto’s rather gentle approach to many of the mazurkas has its own validity and this set can be added to the number of versions that count. … see Full Review

Frédéric CHOPIN (1810-1849) Sonata no. 2 in b flat op. 35 – "Funeral March", 24 Preludes op. 28 Howard Shelley (piano) - Recorded 1987, location not given REGIS RRC 1120 [63:00] [CH]

Commendably faithful to the letter of the scores but I hear more perspiration than inspiration here. … see Full Review

Louis COUPERIN (c1626-1661) Five Pieces in D - Prélude - Allemande - Courante - Sarabande -Gigue - Prelude (Toccade) in A minor (after M Froberger) -
Prelude in F major - Tombeau de M de Blancrocher in F major - Five Pieces in G minor - Prélude - Allemande - Courante - Sarabande - Passacaille - Six Pieces in C - Prélude - Allemande - Courante - Courante (croisée) - Rigaudon et Double - Gigue - Prelude in A major - Pavane in F sharp minor - Prelude (Toccade) in D minor - Prelude in G major - Galliarde in G major Glen Wilson (harpsichord) - Recorded at Schutt-Bau in Hofheim-Rügheim, Lower Franconia in February 2001 NAXOS 8.555936 [74.41] [JW]

An affirmative and joyful way with Couperin … this enterprisingly sensitive disc. … see Full Review

Antonín DVORÁK (1841-1904) Cello Concerto in b minor, opus 104 (1895) [40:06] - Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Double Concerto in a minor, opus 102 (1887) [33:56] - Paul Tortelier, cello - Yehudi Menuhin, violin London Symphony Orchestra, André Previn (Dvořák) Recorded in September 1977, Abbey Road Studios, London - London Philharmonic Orchestra, Paavo Berglund (Brahms) Recorded in November 1984 at Abbey Road Studios, London - Presumably ADD, though not indicated EMI CLASSICS ENCORE 75865 [73:31] [KS]

Packed with drama and tunefulness and with virtuosity to burn … see Full Review

Edward ELGAR (1857 – 1934) With Proud Thanksgiving (1921) - Frank BRIDGE (1879 – 1941) A Prayer (1916/8) - Herbert HOWELLS (1892 – 1983) Sine Nomine (1922)^a - George DYSON (1883 – 1964) The Blacksmiths (1934)^b - Havergal BRIAN (1876 – 1972) Psalm XXIII (1904)^c - Henry PURCELL (1659 – 1695) Jehova, quam multi sund hostes mei (1678)^c - Elizabeth Donovan (soprano)^a; Kevin Matthews (tenor)^ac; William Prideaux (baritone)^c; Pauline Alston (piano)^b Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Chorus and Orchestra/Douglas Bostock - Recorded: Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, July 2002 CLASSICO CLASSCD 456 [78:14] [HC]

Excellent choral singing, superb orchestral playing, magnificently recorded. This series goes from strength to strength. A most desirable release on all counts. … see Full Review

Aldo FINZI (1897 – 1945) Danza (1940)¹ Come all’ultimo (1942/3)¹ Interludio (1936/7)¹ Berceuse (1920)^a Toccata (1930)^b Pavana (1920)^b Liriche per Soprano e Piano (1920/5)^c Dmitry Yablonsky (cello)^a; Oxana Yablonskaya (piano)^ab; Khibla Gerzmava (soprano)^c; Catherine Ganelina (piano)^c; Russian State Orchestra¹/Dmitry Yablonsky¹ Recorded: Moscow Radio Studio5, June 2002 BEL AIR MUSIC BAM 2029 [64:41] [HC]

This well-played and well-recorded release serves the music well and makes good advocacy for Finzi’s music.… see Full Review

Antoine FORQUERAY (1672-1745) Vol. 2: Harpsichord Suites Nos. 2 and 4 - Suite No. 2 in G major [20.21] - Suite No. 4 in G minor [30.12] - NOTE: The following pieces complete the Suites included on an earlier release, Naxos 8.5534087 - Movement from Suite No. 1 in D minor: La Laborde: Allemande [4.59] - Movement from Suite No. 3 in D major: La Morangis où la Plissay, by Jean-Baptiste-Antoine FORQUERAY [7.31] - Three movements from Suite No. 5 in C minor La Rameau, La Guignonn, La Léon: Sarabande [12.23] Luc Beauséjour (harpsichord) - Recorded in the Church of Saint-Alphonse-Rodriguez, Québec, Canada, June 1996 NAXOS 8.553717 [76.06] [RB]

A winningly enthusiastic performance from Luc Beauséjour … see Full Review

César FRANCK (1822-1890) Les Béatitudes (1879) Diana Montague, Ingeborg Danz, mezzo sopranos; Cornelia Kallisch, alto; Keith Lewis, Scot Weir, tenors; Gilles Cachemaille, baritone; John Cheek, Reinhard Hagen, Juan Vasle, basses; Gächinger Kantorei Stuttgart Radio-Sinfonieorchester, Stuttgart/Helmuth Rilling. Recorded March 2 1990 in the Liederhalle/Beethovensaal, Stuttgart, Germany BRILLIANT CLASSICS 99955 [2 CDs: 62.07+69.00] [WH]

First rate and I can’t imagine any being greatly superior. … this admirable set. … see Full Review

Robert FUCHS (1847-1927) Piano Concerto in B flat minor Op. 27 (1891) [36.21] Friedrich KIEL (1821-1885) Piano Concerto in B flat major Op. 30 (1864) [27.13] Martin Roscoe (piano) BBC Scottish SO/Martyn Brabbins rec 7-8 Dec 2001, City Hall, Glasgow HYPERION CDA67354 [63.34] [RB]

A delight for romantic piano concerto fanciers. ... see Full Review

The Glory of Gabrieli - Giovanni GABRIELI (1553/6-1612) Canzon duodecimi toni, Canzon septimi toni no. 2, Canzon VII, Canzon IX - ANONYMOUS (c. 1500) Gloria - Claude GERVAISE (fl. 1540-60) Pavane di Angleterre - Samuel SCHEIDT (1587-1654) Galliard - Christopher TYE (c.1505-?1572) In Nomine XII - Gabriel DIAZ (1590-1638) Lauda Jerusalem* - Giovanni Perluigi da PALESTRINA (1525/6-1594) Vos amici mei estis - G. GABRIELI Canzon XVI* - Adriano BANCHIERI (1658-1634) Concerto Primo: La Battaglia - Giovanni CAVACCIO (c.1556-1626) Credidi (Tertii toni) - Orlando di LASSO (1530/2-1594) Olà, o che di bon echo - G. GABRIELI Sonate XIII (from Canzone e sonate), Canzon XI - Thomas TALLIS (c.1505-1585) Veni Redemptor - William BYRD (1543-1623) Non vos relinguam - G. GABRIELI Canzon a 12, Canzon a 12 echo* Empire Brass Quintet [Rolf Smedvig, Marc Reese (trumpets), Gregory Miller (horn), Mark Hetzler (trombone), Kenneth Amis (tuba)] and friends [Robert Sullivan, Thomas Rolfs, Thomas Smith, Philip Smith, Stephen Emery (trumpets), James Sommerville, Jonathan Menkis (horns), Norman Bolter, Ronald Barron (trombones), Chester Schmitz, Gary Offenlock (tubas), J. William Hudgins (percussion)]/Rolf Smedvig, Robert Sullivan* - Recorded 31^st August-2^nd September 1999, National Music Center, Lenox, Massachusetts TELARC CD-80553 [58:39] [CH]

If you don’t have a recording of Renaissance music played by brass on your shelves, you need look no further than this one. … see Full Review

George GERSHWIN (1898-1937) Porgy and Bess [selections] (1935) - Original Cast and other early Recordings - Members of the Original Cast, Anne Brown, Harriet Jackson, Edward Matthews, Todd Duncan, Helen Dowdy, Gladys Goode, William Woolfolk, Georgette Harvey and Avon Long with the Eva Jessye Choir and the Decca Symphony Orchestra conducted by Alexander Smallens. Decca recordings of 1940-42 - Members of the Original Cast, Avon Long and Helen Dowdy, with the Leo Reisman Orchestra. Decca recording of 1942 - Original Cast member Edward Matthews in two songs from Song hits from Porgy and Bess for Dancing album of 1935 - Highlights set with Helen Jepson and Lawrence Tibbett with Chorus and Orchestra conducted by Alexander Smallens [and Nathaniel Shilkret on one track] Recorded in New York in 1935 - Four-song selection sung by Paul Robeson with an orchestra conducted by Clifford Greenwood in London in 1938 An instrumental collection arranged by Jascha Heifetz (violin) with Emmanuel Bay (piano) and recorded in 1945 - Porgy and Bess; A Symphonic Picture arranged by Robert Russell Bennett played by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Alfred Wallenstein and recorded in Los Angeles in 1944 NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110219-20 [2 CDs 137.14] [JW]

A joyful and historically important set that collates its material with great vivacity and skill. … see Full Review

Philip GLASS (b.1937) The Hours - Music from the Motion Picture (2003) - The Poet Acts - Morning Passages - Something She Has to Do - "For Your Won Benefit" - Vanessa and the Changelings - "I'm Going to Make a Cake" - An Unwelcome Friend - Dead Things - The Kiss - "Why Does Someone Have to Die?" - Escape! - Choosing Life - The Hours - Michael Riesman, piano - The Lyric Quartet (with Chris Laurence, double bass) Orchestra conducted by Nick Ingham - Recorded at Abbey Road Studios, London, and Air Studios, London (dates not given) NONESUCH 7559-79693-2 [57.39] [NH]

Another Glass soundtrack and one with a different sort of musical emphasis to what has often gone before. Worth a listen, with or without the film. … see Full Review

Enrique GRANADOS (1867-1916) Piano Music – Volume 6 Piezas sobre cantos populares españoles, DLR V:2.1-7 (1895) El jardí d’Elisenda, DLR VI:2 (1912) Parranda-Murcia, DLR I:4* Pastoral, DLR III:12 (1910)* Danza característica, DLR I:1 Sardana, DLR I:7 (1914) Serenata, DLR III:20 (1893)* Járcara, DLR II:1 Países soñados – Palacio encantado en el mar, DLR V:9 (1913) Three Impromptus, DLR V:6.1-3 Douglas Riva, Piano Recorded St. Martin’s Church, East Woodhay, Hampshire, November 2000 World Première Recordings*
NAXOS 8.555723 [62:48] [DS]

Granados takes the brighter path and basks in the glow of his heritage; his music is life affirming and immensely satisfying. … see Full Review

Edvard GRIEG (1843-1907) Piano Concerto in A minor, opus 16 [28:42] Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Piano Concerto in A minor, opus 54 [30:09] Papillons, opus 2 [14:38] Sviatoslav Richter, piano Orchestre National de l’Opéra de Monte Carlo, Lovro von Matačić, conductor Concerti recorded 25-30, September 1974 at the Palais Garnier, Monte Carlo Papillons recorded live in concert, 21 October 1962, Florence, Italy ADD EMI CLASSICS Great Recordings of the Century 567982-2 [73:49] [KS]

Grab this one. … see Full Review

George Frideric HANDEL (1685 – 1759) Water Music (1717) Suite No. 1 (Suite in F major, HWV 348) Suite No. 2 (Suite in G major, HWV 350) Trumpet Suite No. 3 (Suite in D major, HWV 349) Consort of London/Robert Haydon Clark Recorded 1989 (Originally issued on Collins Classics) CLASSIC COLLECTION 99921 [62.58] [RH]

A welcome reissue of the old Collins Classics recording, an interesting addition to the modern instrument performances … see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Dave HEATH (b.1956) Sirocco - concerto for violin, oboe and chamber orchestra (2001) The Celtic - concerto for violin and string orchestra (1994) Home from the Storm for flute and chamber orchestra (1984) The Sapphire for oboe and chamber orchestra (2000) Requiem The Beloved for soprano, treble, oboe, choir and organ (2001) Lochalsh for solo violin (1995) Ittai Shapira (violin) (Sirocco, Celtic) Rusen Gunes (viola) (Celtic) John Anderson (oboe) (Sirocco, Sapphire) William Bennett (Storm) English Chamber Orchestra/Dave Heath Angela Tunstall (sop) (Requiem) Jonathan Rendell (treble) (Requiem) Simon Nieminski (organ) (Requiem) Choir of St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh (Requiem) David Thomas (oboe) (Requiem) rec. Sony Music Studios, London 31 Aug 2002 (Celtic, Lochalsh); Abbey Road, London, 13 Feb 2002 (Sirocco), St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral, Edinburgh 25 Aug 2001 (Requiem), DDD world premiere recordings except The Celtic and Lochalsh BLACK BOX BBM1083 [68.46] [RB]

Rewarding stuff in an accessible though not dumbed down way. ... see Full Review

Charles IVES (1874-1954) Third Symphony 'The Camp Meeting' (c1904) - Washington's Birthday (from the Holidays Symphony) (1909) - Two Contemplations (c1906) - 'Country Band March' (1905) - Overture and March '1776' (1906) Northern Sinfonia/James Sinclair - Rec: All Saints Church, Quayside, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 19-20 June 2000 DDD NAXOS 8.559087 [51.31] [JF]

A fine introduction to the complex musical world of Charles Ives. In spite of this CD being a short fifty minutes, it is still well worth buying. Very enjoyable. … see Full Review

Music of the Gothic Era CD 1 Notre Dame Period (c.1160 - c.1250) 2 voice organa LÉ ONIN Viderunt Omnes [9.14] Alleluya Pascha nostrum [5.59] Gaude Maria Virgo [7.00] Locus iste [6.02] 4 voice organa PÉROTIN Viderunt omnes [11.55] Sederunt principes [11.22] Ars Antiqua (c.1250 - c.1320) Motets ANONYMOUS Alle, psallite cum luya [1.09] Amor potest [1.01] S'on me regarde [2.23] In mari miserie [1.52] On parole de batre [1.52] En mai, quant rosier sont flouri [2.09] Dominator Domine [1.50] El mois de mai [1.39] O mitissima [1.29] CD 2 ANONYMOUS Hoquetus I-VII [7.47]: Nuema; Virgo; In seculum longum; In seculum viellatoris; In seculum breve; In seculum d'Amiens longum; In seculum Petrus DE CRUCE (d. c.1298) Aucun ont trouvé [3.14] Adam DE LA HALLE (d.1288) De ma dame vient [2.26] J'os bien a m'aime parler [1.50] ANONYMOUS La mesnie fauveline [1.17] Ars Nova (c.1320 - c.1400) Motets ANONYMOUS Quant je le voi [1.02] Zelus familie [2.53] Quasi non ministerium [2.43] Philippe DE VITRY Impudenter circumivi [3.10] Cum statua [2.27] Bernard DE CLUNY Pantheon abluitur [2.40] ANONYMOUS Clap, clap, par un matin [1.29] Henry Gilles DE PUSIEX Ida capillorum [4.05] Rachel plorat filios [1.52] ANONYMOUS Lés l'ormel a la turelle [1.51] O Philippe, Franci qui generis [3.39] Febus mundo oriens [3.31] Guillaume DE MACHAUT (c.1300-1377) Lasse! comment oublieray [4.06] Qui es promesses [1.56] Hoquetus David [3.18]
Christe, qui lux es [4.13] ANONYMOUS Degentis vita [2.16] Inter denas deserti meditans [3.17] Philippe ROYLLART Rex Karole, Johannis genite [4.22] James Bowman, Charles Brett, David James: Countertenors Rogers Covey-Crump, Paul Elliott, Martyn Hill, John Potter: Tenors Geoffrey Shaw: Bass The Early Music Consort of London / David Munrow
rec April 1975, Charter House Chapel, Godalming, Surrey, England and Oct 1975, Conway Hall, London, England DG ARCHIV BLUE 471 731-2 [2CDs: 67.16+72.04] [PW]

Without a doubt, this collection deserves a place in the library of anybody who claims an interest in early music. … see Full Review

Alessandro GRANDI (1577 - 1630) Vulnerasti cor meum: Sacred music by Alessandro Grandi O quam tu pulchra es (Il primo libro Motetti, Venice 1610) In lectulo meo (Motetti a voce sola, Venice 1621) Versa est (Motetti a cinque voci, Ferrara 1614) Salve Regina (Motetti con Sinfonie d'Istromenti, Venice 1621) Quemadmodum desiderat (Il sesto libro de Motetti, Venice, 1630) O intemerata (Motetti a voce sola, Venice 1621) Osculetur me (Motetti con Sinfonie d'Istromenti, Venice 1621) Ave Regina (Motetti a cinque voci, Ferrara 1614) Bone Jesu verbum patris (Motetti con Sinfonie d'Istromenti, Venice 1621) Missus est Gabriel - Dialogo (Il primo libro Motetti, Venice 1610) Virgo prudentissima (Motetti con Sinfonie di due violini, lib.3, Venice 1629) O quam tu pulchra es (Sammeldruck: Ghirlanda sacra, Venice 1625) Domine ne in fuore (Il sesto libro di Motetti, Venice 1630) Vulnerasti cor meum (Motetti con Sinfonie d'Istromenti, Venice 1621) Heu mihi - Quid ploras - Dialogo (Il secondo libro de motetti, Venice 1613, 4^th edition Venice 1623) Transfige (Motetti con Sinfonie d'Istromenti, Venice 1621)
Plorabo die ac nocte (Il quarto libro de Motetti Venedic 1616) Schola Cantorum Basiliensis
(Elisabeth Scholl, Maria Cristina Kiehr - Sopranos, René Jacobs, Andreas Scholl - Altos, Gerd Türk, Otto Rastbichler - Tenors, Ulrich Messthaler - Bass, Brigitte Täubl, Minna Arkkola - Violins, Jean Tubery, William Dongois - Cornets, Gottfried Bach- Organ, Friederike Heumann - Renaissance viola da gamba, Karl-Ernst Schröder - Chitarrone) Director: René Jacobs
Recorded 4-7 November 1991, Katholische Kirche Seewen, Kanton Solothurn (CH)
DEUTSCHES HARMONIA MUNDI Baroque Esprit 05472 77857 2 [72.00] [RH]

A disc full of gems, winningly performed by a line up which includes the young Andreas Scholl … see Full Review

Ivar HALLSTRÖM (1826-1901) Duke Magnus and the Mermaid (Hertig Magnus) Romantic Opera in 3 Acts (1867) With book by Frans Hedberg (1828-1908) Critical Edition: Anders Wiklund Duke Magnus - Lars Johansson, baritone Sten Åkeson, constable - Johan Rydh, baritone Brynolf, his son - Mattias Ermedahl, tenor Peder, an old fisherman Staffan Alveteg, bass Ingrid, his wife - Eva Marklund, mezzo-soprano Anna, their daughter - Ingela Bohlin, soprano Lisa, a fisherman's daughter - Emelie Sigelius, soprano Ulf, cook to the Duke - Jonas Olofsson, tenor A monk - Marco Stella, baritone A fisherman - Robin Svanvik, baritone Courtiers, pages and servants; Fishermen and peasants, their wives and children - Vadstena Academy Choir Norrköping Symphony Orchestra/Niklas Willén Rec. Louis De Geer Concert Hall, Noorköping, Sweden. 7-11 August 2000 MARCO POLO 8.225214-15 [44.22+69.00] [RW]

Rare romantic opera from Sweden … music matched to stage character rather than plot/mood … an interesting work … see Full Review

George Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759) Tamerlano (1724); Gwendolyn Killebrew – Tamerlano (mezzo-soprano); Alexander Young – Bajazet (tenor); Sophia Steffan – Andronicus (mezzo soprano); Carole Bogard – Asteria (soprano); Joanna Simon – Irene (mezzo soprano); Marius Rintzler – Leone (bass); Albert Fuller (harpsichord continuo); Lars Holm Johansen (cello continuo) The Chamber Orchestra of Copenhagen/John Moriarty - Recorded Copenhagen 1970 PARNASSUS PACD 96038/40 [3 CDs 224.42] [JW]

Praise to Parnassus for bringing this excellent set back to life. … see Full Review

George Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759) Scenes from ‘Julius Caesar’ (sung in English) Act 1 ‘Caesar! Caesar! Egypt acclaims thee’ [1’41"] - ‘Killed in tribute, fair land of Egypt’ [2’05"] - ‘Curio, Caesar has come…’ [2’33"] - ‘Tyrant, avoid my sight’ [3’58"] - ‘Spirit of mighty Pompey’ [2’57"] - ‘Caesar! A generous destiny’ [1’08"] - ‘How silently, how slyly’ [6’31"] - Act 2 ‘Have you done as I ordered, faithful Nirenus?’ [2’48"] - ‘Lamenting, complaining of Caesar’s disdaining’ [4’37"] - ‘Fly then, fly, O my heart’ [0’42"] - ‘Fleet o’er flowery meadow gliding’ [7’48"] - ‘Ah gods! What do I see?’ [2’49"] - ‘In anger and fury I’ll turn on the foe’ [1’41"] - ‘They will kill him’ [1’12"] - Act 3 Symphony [0’43"] - ‘From the perils of the ocean’ [2’06"] - ‘Zephyrs! Zephyrs! Come to mine aid’ [6’35"] - ‘Nirenus, the battle is fought and lost’ [2’32"] - ‘See in spate the high cataract storming’ [4’33"] - Symphony [2’59"] - ‘Here, Curio and your legions’ [2’27"] - ‘Dearest!’ ‘Fairest!’ [5’45"] - ‘Long, long may Egypt continue’ [0’29"] - ‘Proclaim we all great Caesar’s glory’ [0’52"] - ‘A vow I give you’ [0’57"] - ‘Proclaim we all great Caesar’s glory’ [0’55"] - Julius Caesar: Dame Janet Baker (mezzo-soprano) - Curio: Christopher Booth-Jones (baritone) - Cornelia: Sarah Walker (mezzo-soprano) - Sextus: Della Jones (mezzo-soprano) - Cleopatra: Valerie Masterson (soprano) - Ptolemy: James Bowman (countertenor) - Achillas: John Tomlinson (bass) - Nirenus: David James (countertenor) English National Opera Orchestra and Chorus/Sir Charles Mackerras - Recorded at Abbey Road Studios, London; 1- 7 August 1984 CHANDOS CHAN 3072 [74’25"] [JQ]

One of the very finest singers of the post-war generation singing music by a composer who always brought out her the very considerable best … see Full Review

George Frederic HANDEL (1685-1759) Messiah (1742) (highlights) Felicity Palmer (soprano) Helen Watts (contralto) Ryland Davies (tenor) John Davies (bass) John Shirley-Quirk (bass) English Chamber Orchestra and Choir/Raymond Leppard 1976? ADD WARNER CLASSICS APEX 0927-48726-2 [73.23] [RBr]

You might feel rather short changed by this lightning tour and start to wonder what all the fuss is about. … see Full Review

Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Die Schöpfung (1795) Simone Kermes, Dorothee Mields, sopranos; Steve Davislim, tenor; Johannes Mannov, Locky Chung, basses; Balthasar-Neumann-Chor; Balthasar-Neumann-Ensemble/Thomas Hengelbrock Recorded in July 2001 at Montforthaus, Feldkirch, Austria. DEUTSCHE HARMONIA MUNDI 05472 77537 2 [71.59+27.16] [WH]

Thoroughly recommendable … much of its freshness of character coming from the fact that so many young people are involved … see Full Review

Franz Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) String Quartet in D major, Op. 76, No. 5 [19’05"] Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) String Quartet in F major (1903) [27’24"] Ervin SCHULHOFF (1894-1942) Five Pieces for String Quartet (1923) [13’38"] Cypress String Quartet: (Cecily Ward and Tom Stone (violins); Ethan Filner (viola); Jennifer Kloetzel (violoncello)) Recorded at Skywalker Sound, San Rafael, California in May 2002 CYPRESS STRING QUARTET CSQ3275 [60’15"] [JQ]

An enjoyable disc by a fresh-sounding young quartet from whom I hope we hear more on disc. Recommended. … see Full Review

Leoš JANÁČEK (1854-1928) Glagolitic Mass (1926) [40’53]Amarus (1897) [29’28]Gabriela Beňačková, Kvĕtoslava Nĕmečková (sopranos); Eva Randová (contralto); Vilém Přibyl, Leo Marian Vodička (tenors); Václav Zítek (baritone); Sergej Kopčák (bass); Czech Philharmonic Chorus; Brno State Philharmonic Orchestra/František Jílek; Czech Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Charles Mackerras.Rec. Stadion Studio, Brno, on July 3rd-4th, 1979 (Glagolitic) and Dvorak Hall, Rudolfinum, Prague, on January 30th, 1984 (Amarus). AAD SUPRAPHON SU3045-2 [70’28] [CC]

A most rewarding disc, and while Amarus may not be for everyday listening, it remains well worth excavating. … see Full Review

Joseph JONGEN (1873 – 1953) Impressions d’Ardennes Op.44 (1913) - Cello Concerto in D Op.18 (1900)^a - Fantaisie sur deux Noëls populaires wallons Op.24 (1902) Marie Hallynck (cello)^a; Orchestre National de Belgique; Roman Kofman - Recorded: Palais des Beaux-Arts, Brussels, July 2002 CYPRÈS CYP 1634 [65:14] [HC]

Music neglected for too long … should appeal to all those who admire the Symphonie Concertante but wonder "What else?" … see Full Review

Aram KHACHATURIAN (1903-78) Piano Concerto (1936) [30'28]. Serge PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Piano Concerto No. 3 in C, Op. 26 (1917-21) [27'28]. Dickran Atamian (piano) Seattle Symphony Orchestra/Gerard Schwarz. Rec Seattle Opera House, 22nd-23rd November 1993. [DDD] DELOS DE3155 [57'56] [CC]

A mixed disc… moments of beauty and of technical panache do not add up to a convincing musical statement in the case of either work. ...see Full Review

Hermann D. KOPPEL (1908 – 1998) Symphony No. 1, Op. 5 Sinfonia breve (1930) - Symphony No. 2, Op. 37 (1943) Aalborg SO/Moshe Atzmon - Rec. Symphonien, Aarlborg, Denmark on 11^th – 13^th 2001 (No. 1) and 4^th – 5^th October 2001 (No. 2). DDD DACAPO 8.224205 [68.51] [JP]

Very beautiful, animated, elegiac, peaceful and violent … see Full Review

Herman D. KOPPEL (1908-1998) String Quartet No. 2 Op. 34 String Quartet No. 3 Op. 38 Piano Quintet Op. 57 Ternio Op. 53b Sonata for Cello and Piano Op. 62 Suite for Solo Cello Op. 86 Trio for Violin, Cello and Piano Op. 88 The Koppel Quartet (Quartets 2 and 3 and the Piano Quintet – with Herman D Koppel, piano), Erling Blöndal Bengtsson, cello (Suite for Solo Cello; and Cello Sonata and Ternio – with Herman D Koppel, piano) Béla Detreköj, violin René Honnens, cello and Herman D Koppel, piano Broadcast performances and commercial LPs recorded 1956-73 DANACORD DACOCD 565-566 [2 CDs 141.03] [JW]

An axis of Bartók, Stravinsky and Nielsen with an admixture of Prokofiev … see Full Review

Erich Wolfgang KORNGOLD (1897-1957) Die Tote Stadt (1920) An opera in three acts, libretto by Paul Schott (a.k.a. Julius Korngold) Angela Denoke (Marietta), Torsten Kerl (Paul), Yuri Batukov (Frank), Birgitta Svendsen (Birgitta), Barbara Baier (Juliette), Julia Oesch (Lucienne), Christian Baumgärtel (Victorin), Stephan Genz (Fritz). Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg/Ching-Lien Wu Chorus of the Opera National de Rhin/Jan Latham-Koenig Inga Levant, stage director, Charles Edwards, set and lighting design, Magali Gerberon, costumes. DVD produced by Francois Duplat, Film direction but Don Kent. Produced in 2001 for the Opera National de Rhin. ARTHAUS MUSIC 100342 [145 minutes, 4 seconds] [KS]

A rich lyric sound … wonderful to watch. Recommended … see Full Review

Trond H. F. KVERNO (b.1945) St. Matthew Passion - Marianne Hirsti (soprano) - Marianne E. Andersen (soprano) - Robin Blaze (counter-tenor) -
Joseph Cornwell (tenor) - Ian Lyon (tenor) - Daniel Norman (tenor) - Ian Partridge (tenor) - Colin Campbell (baritone) - Adrian Peacock (bass) - Njal Sparbo (bass) Oslo Cathedral Choir/Terje Kvam - recorded in Valerengen Church, 7^th September – and October 1996 DDD AURORA ACD 4994 [2CDs: 94.34] [JP]

I can’t imagine anyone not liking this work, and I do urge you to try it. … see Full Review

Jean LANGLAIS (1907-1991): Festival Alleluia (1971) [6’53"] Jehan ALAIN (1911-1940): O Salutaris [2’00"] Olivier MESSIAEN (1908-1992): O sacrum Convivium (1937) [4’13"] Marcel DUPRÉ (1886-1971): La France au Calvaire, Op. 49 (1952/3)* [64’24"] *Helen Neeves (soprano); Catherine Denley (alto); Matthew Beale (tenor); Colin Campbell (baritone) Vasari Singers conducted by Jeremy Backhouse Jeremy Filsell (organ) - Recorded at Douai Abbey, Upper Woolhampton, near Reading, Berkshire, 22 – 24 February 2002 GUILD GMCD 7239 [78’25"] [JG]

Very strongly recommended. ....see Full Review

Orlando di LASSUS (1532 - 1594) The Lamentations of Jeremiah (5vv.) (pub.1585):- Three Lamentations for Maundy Thursday [21’58] - Three Lamentations for Good Friday [21’29] - Three Lamentations for Holy Saturday [19’51] Pro Cantione Antiqua/Bruno Turner - Recorded in St. John’s Church, Hackney, London on 24-29 August 1981 - Previously released on Hyperion CDA66321 REGIS RRC1123 [64’38"] [JPo]

This is a disc for Lassus admirers, or those who wish to extend their knowledge of this fine composer. … see Full Review

Orlandus LASSUS (1532 - 1594) Music for Easter Sunday (directed by Bruno Turner) Pro Cantione Antiqua/Bruno Turner Recorded in St. John’s Church, Hackney, London on 24-29 August (Easter Music) and 21-22 October (Requiem) 1981 Formerly Hyperion CDA66322 REGIS RRC1124 [68’00"] [JPo]

A welcome alternative to the full priced Dyad, or a choice should you not want the full offerings. … see Full Review

Sylvio LAZZARI (1857-1944) La Tour de Feu - opera in three acts (1925) - Marisa Ferrer - Naïc; Charles Fronval - Yves; José Beckmans - Don Jacinto; Pierre Froumenty - Yann; Orchestre et Choeurs/François Ruhlmann - Ballade de Naïc Jacqueline Courtin with orch conducted by Eugène Bigot - Paris, 25 June 1944 (complete opera), 1943 (Courtin aria) ADD? MALIBRAN-MUSIC CDRG 155 [73.21] [RB]

A forgotten French verismo opera revived ... stormy, passionate and well sung ... see Full Review

Georges LENTZ (born 1965) "Caeli enarrant..IV" (1991/8) Birrung (1997) Nguurraa (2000/1) "Caeli enarrant...III" (1990/6)^a Ensemble 24; Michael Donovan (boy soprano)^a; Matthew Coorey Recorded : Eugene Goossens Hall, Sydney, March 2000 and February 2001 NAXOS 8.557019 [58:33] [HC]

The expression of an honest and sincere creativity reflecting deeply personal experience. … see Full Review

Ingvar LIDHOLM (1921 - ) Orchestra Works 1963 - 1998 Poesis per orchestra (1963) (a,b) Greetings from an Old World (1976) (c) stund, när ditt inre (hour, when your soul) (1998) (d) Kontakion (1978) (e,f) Gunnar Idenstam (Piano) (a) Björn Malmqvist (Double Bass) (b) Niklaas Veltman (Cello) (c) Peter Mattei (Baritone) (d) Odin Hagen (Trumpet) (e) Eva Pettersson-Veltman (Bassoon) (f) Norrköping Symphony Orchestra/Lü Jia
Recorded April 2002, May 2000, November 2001- Louis de Geer Concert Hall, Norrköping, Sweden BIS BIS-CD-1240 [70.28] [RH]

With works spanning 35 years, this disc forms an excellent introduction to this Swedish composer's fascinating work … see Full Review

Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Sonata in b, S178 (1853) [33.02] - Tre Sonetti del Petrarca, S158 (1846): Sonetto 47 [7.46]; Sonetto 104 [7.04]; Sonetto 123 [8.06] - Deux Legendes, S175 (1863): St. François d’Assise: La predication aux oiseaux [10.33]; St. François de Paule marchant sur let flots [8.45] Artur Pizarro, piano - Previously released in 1993 on Collins Classics as 1357-2 CLASSICS COLLECTION 99882 [75.42] [PS]

A great recording of St. Francis de Paule marchant sur les flots … see Full Review

Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Piano Concerto No. 1 in E flat S124 (1854 version) Spanish Rhapsody S254 (arranged Busoni for Piano and Orchestra) (c.1863) Totentanz (arranged Liszt for solo piano, revised Ozan Marsh) S525 rev. from S126 (c.1860-65) Ozan Marsh (piano) London Philharmonic Orchestra/Paul Freeman Recorded All Saints Church, Tooting, August 1985 CONCERT ARTIST CACD 9049-2 [52.53] [JW]

A staggering tour de force … some breathtakingly saturnine things, roulades of right hand runs thrown up the keyboard, the bass throbbing to the power of Marsh’s playing … see Full Review

Mark LOCKETT (b. 1956) The Loop Reorchestrated. Music for Balinese gamelan salunding, electronics, bass and percussion Jon Alford, Ceri Frost, Alex Hutchings, Dmitry Kormann, Trevor Lines, Mark Lockett and Frank Moon. 4 CDS PROMO/800 (approximately 220 minutes) [DW]

No bombast or showing off, but music for music's sake. … see Full Review

Dan LOCKLAIR (1949 - ) Orchestral Music:- HUES Dayspring, In the Autumn Days, Creation's Seeing Order, "Ere long we shall see..", When Morning Stars, Jozef Zsapka (Guitar) Gregory D'Agostino (Organ) Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra/Kirk Trevor Recorded 2-5 September 2002, Radio Hall, Bratislava, Slovakia ALBANY RECORDS TROY517 [63.50] [RH]

An interesting disc of music devoted to a contemporary American composer, who writes music which is attractively approachable whilst never talking down to the listener. … 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]

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