Gustav
MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony No.
9 (1909-10) [85’27"] - Four songs from Des Knaben Wunderhorn*
[15’50"] - Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen* [15’57"]
- * Yvonne Minton (mezzo soprano) 
Chicago Symphony Orchestra/Sir Georg Solti - Recorded in *Medinah Temple,
Chicago in March – April 1970; Orchestra Hall, Chicago in May 1982
DECCA 473 274-2 [116’41"] [JQ]
An
interesting, provocative reading of the Symphony and the performances
of the songs are very good. … see Full Review
Rolf
MARTINSSON (b. 1956) Bridge,
Trumpet Concerto No. 1 Op. 47 (1998) - Arvo
PÄRT (b. 1935) Concerto Piccolo über B-A-C-H
(1994) for trumpet, strings, harpsichord and piano - Eino
TAMBERG (b. 1930) Concerto No. 1 for trumpet and orchestra
- Håkan Hardenberger (trumpet)
Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra/Neeme Järvi - Recorded at Gothenburg
Concert Hall, Sweden, August 2000
BIS CD-1208 DDD [50:51] [CT]
Impressive
performances of three contrasting and highly entertaining Swedish and
Estonian trumpet concertos. … see Full
Review
Bohuslav
Martinu (1890-1959) String
Quartet Number 4 (1937) [20:42] - String Quartet Number 5 (1938) [28:28]
- String Quartet Number 7 "Concerto da Camera" (1947) [21:59]
Martinu Quartet: (Lubomír
Havlák, violin I, Petr Macećek, violin II, Jan Jíša, viola, Jitka
Vlanšánková, cello) - Recorded in the Martíek Studio,
Prague, 20-21 November, 16-17 December 1995 DDD
NAXOS 8.553784 [71:09] [KS]
Vigorous playing, a fine sense of ensemble,
simply ravishing in tone and expression … see Full
Review
Giuseppe
MARTUCCI
(1856-1909) La
Canzone Dei Ricordią (1886-87) - Novelletta, Op. 82 (1905) - Colore
Orientale, Op. 44 No. 3 (1880) - Andante, Op. 69 No. 2 (1888) - Notturno,
Op. 70 No. 1 (1888) - Serenata, Op. 57 No.1˛ (1886) - Momento Musicale,
Op. 57 No. 3˛ (1883) - Rachel Yakar, sopranoą
Philharmonia Orchestra/Francesco d'Avalos - Recorded in St. Barnabas
Church, Mitcham, England, July 1989, December 1989˛ and July 1990ą
ASV PLATINUM PLT 8512 [74.13] [NH]
Another
excellently programmed disc in the ASV Platinum series, offering a real
insight into the strengths and, to a lesser extent, the limitations
of Martucci's idiom … see Full Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Joseph MARX (1882-1964)
Natur-Trilogie
(1922-5):- 1. Ein Symphonische Nachtmusik (1922) 2. Idylle
- Concertino über die pastorale Quart (1925) 3. Eine Frühlingsmusik
(1925) Bochum
SO/Steven Sloane rec. Maximilianpark, Hamm, Germany, 11-15 June 2002.
DDD Complete Orchestral Music: Volume 1.
ASV CD DCA 1137 [64.19] [RB]
An
impressionistic South German voice soaked in the quintessence of lyrical
expression. The strongest recommendation. ... see Full
Review
Jules
MASSENET (1842-1912)
Manon (an opera in 5 Acts) (1882-84) Manon
Lescaut - Germaine Féraldy (sop) Le Comte Des Grieux - Louis
Guénot (bass-baritone) Le Chevalier Des Grieux - Josef Rogatchewsky
(tenor) Lescaut - Georges Villier (baritone) Pousette - Andrée
Vavon (sop) Javotte - Jeanne Rambert/Mme Ravery (side 31) (sop) Rosette
- Andrée Bernadet/Marguerite Julliot (sides 29, 32) (sop) Rosette
- Marinette Fenoyer (side 33) (sop) Guillot - Emile de Creus (tenor)
De Brétigny - Jean Vieuille/André Gaudin (sides 17, 20,
21) (baritone) L’Hôtelier - Paul Payan
Chorus and Orchestra of the Opéra-Comique, Paris/Elie Cohen
Recorded on 36 sides by French Columbia, December 1928-March 1929 Matrices:
WLX 655, 656, 661, 676-80, 683-87, 689-93, 723-31, 740, 741, 823, 824,
827-29, 835, 836 Catalogue: D 15156-73 Mono ADD Naxos Great Opera Recordings
NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110203-04
[2CDs: 76.08+65.25] [RVD]
a
recording of real value to which I shall enjoy returning again. … see
Full Review
Jules
MASSENET (1842-1912)
Werther
Opera in 4 Acts (1887) Werther, Marcus Haddock (ten). Charlotte,
Béatrice Uria-Monzon (sop). Albert, René Massis (bar).
Sophie, Jael Azzaretti, (sop). Le Billi, Jean-Phillipe Marliére
(bar). Orchestra
National de Lille-Région Nord/Pas-de-Calais/Jean-Claude Casadesus
Recorded live during stage performances at the ‘Auditorium du Nouveau
Siècle’, Lille, France, from 19th –25th
June 1999 NAXOS 8.660072-73
[68.17+53.07] [RF]
The
strengths of this issue are in the use of native speakers, all with
generally good diction … it can sit comfortably alongside the most distinguished
recordings … see Full Review
Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809
- 1847) Symphony
for Strings No. 9 in C Minor (1823) - Symphony for Strings No. 11 in
F Minor (1823) The German
Chamber Academy of Neuss (Deutsche Kammerakademie Neuss)/Johannes Goritzki
- Recorded Westdeutcher Rundfunk, Köln 1991
CLAVES CD 50-9002 [67.42] [RH] 
Rather
sober performances of two of Mendelssohn's charming youthful symphonies
… see Full Review
Felix MENDELSSOHN
(1809-1847) A
Midsummer Night's Dream: Overture (1826) and Incidental Music (1843)
- Overture: Ruy Blas (1839) - Rebecca Evans (soprano) - Juyce
di Donato (mezzo-soprano) - The Oxford and Cambridge Theatre Company
- Le Jeune Choeur de Paris
Ensemble Orchestral de Paris/John Nelson - Rec 13-16 December 2001,
Orchestre National d'Ile de France, Alfortville
VIRGIN CLASSICS 7243 5 45532 [77.12] [TB]
A
dramatic rendition of Ruy Blas completes this most appealing new issue
… splendid addition to the catalogue. … see Full
Review
Felix
MENDELSSOHN-BARTHOLDY (1809-1847)
Lieder ohne Worte (Songs without words) 1-24 (1829-45) -
E major Op.19 No. 1 - A minor Op.19 No.2 - A major Op.19 No.3 Jägerlied
- A major Op.19 No.4 - F sharp minor Op.19.No.5 - G minor Op.19 No.6
Venetian Gondola Song - E flat major Op 30.No.1 - B flat minor
Op.30 No.2 - E major Op.30 No.3 - B minor Op.30 No.4 - D major Op.30
No.5 - F sharp minor Op.30 No.6 Venetian Gondola Song - E flat
major Op.38 No.1 - C minor Op.38 No.2 - E major Op.38 No.3 - A major
Op.38 No.4 - A minor Op.38 No.5 - A flat major Op.38 No.6 Duetto
- A flat major Op.53 No.1 - E flat major Op.53 No.2 - G minor Op.53
No.3 - F major Op.53 No.4 - A minor Op.53 No.5 Volkslied - A
major Op.53 No.6 Frank
van de Laar (Piano) - Recorded between December 1999 and January 2000
in the Remonstrantse - Gemeente, Deventer, Netherlands DDD
CLASSIC COLLECTION 99897 [66.04] [RB]
And
yes, I did listen to all 24 at one sitting, very much enjoyed it and
regretted the absence of some personal favourites. … see Full
Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Felix MENDELSSOHN-BARTHOLDY
(1809-1847)
‘Elias’,
Op. 70 (1846-7) [128’12"] Christine Schäfer (soprano); Cornelia
Kallisch (alto); Michael Schade (tenor); Wolfgang Schöne (baritone)
Gächinger Kantorei Stuttgart Bach-Collegium Stuttgart/Helmuth Rilling
‘Paulus’, Op. 36 (1834-6) [131’11"]
Juliane Banse (soprano); Ingeborg Danz (alto); Michael Schade (tenor);
Andreas Schmidt (bass) Gächinger Kantorei Stuttgart Prager Kammerchor
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra/Helmuth Rilling Recorded: 3 – 7 July 1994,
iederhalle Stuttgart, Germany (‘Elias’); 17 – 19 November 1994,
Rudolfinum Dvořák Hall, Prague (‘Paulus’)
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 99953 [65’16"+62’56"+72’25"+58’46"]
[JQ]
Outstanding
value for money … marvellous music in outstanding performances captured
in first class sound. … see Full Review
FROM
MONTEVERDI TO VIVALDI -
CD 1: Claudio MONTEVERDI (1567-1643) ‘Venetian
Vesper Music’ (Selva morale e spirituale) -
Dixit Dominus (II) a 8 [08:24] - Confitebor tibi (II) a 3 [06:27] -
Beatus vir (I) a 6 [08:59] - Laudate pueri (II) a 5 [06:52] - Laudate
Dominum (I) a 5 [04:48] - Deus tuorum militum a 3 [02:43] - Magnificat
a 8 (completed by Andrew Parrott) [12:59] - Jubilet tota civitas a voce
sola in dialogo [04:42] - Salve Regina a 3 [05:56] - CD 2: ‘Venetian
Church Music’ - Giovanni GABRIELI
(1553/56-1612) Intonatio del 9. tono (Intonationi d’organo, 1593) [0:44]
- In ecclesiis a 14 (Symphoniae sacrae, II, 1615) [8:12] -
Claudio MONTEVERDI Adoramus te, Christe a 6 (Motetti in lode
d’iddio nostro Signore, 1623) [4:42] - Alessandro
GRANDI (1577-1630) O quam pulchra es (Ghirlanda sacra, 1625)
[3:43] - Dario CASTELLO (c1590-1644)
- Sonata seconda (Sonate concertate, libro secondo, 1629) [4:37] -
Claudio MONTEVERDI Exulta, filia Sion (Arie de diversi autori,
1624) [5:09] - Giovanni LEGRENZI
(1626-1690) - Sonata da chiesa a 3, op. 8, 8 ‘La Bevilaqua’ (Sonate,
libro III, op. 8, 1663) [5:16] Antonio LOTTI
(c1667-1740) - Crucifixus a 10 - Antonio VIVALDI
(1676-1741) Clarae stellae, scintillate (RV 625) [12:02] -
Antonio LOTTI Crucifixus a 6 - Claudio
MONTEVERDI Currite populi (Ghirlanda sacra, 1625) [4:09]
- Christe, adoramus te (Motetti in lode d’iddio nostro Signore, 1620)
[3:00]- Giovanni GABRIELI Canzon
VIII a 8 (Canzoni e sonate, 1615) [5:09] - Fuga del 9. tono - Magnificat
a 14 (Symphoniae sacae, II, 1615) [7:12] - CD 3: Claudio
MONTEVERDI ‘Madrigali guerrieri et amorosi’ (1638) Altri
canti di Marte [7:36] - Ninfa che scalza il piede [4:58] - Chi vol haver
felice [2:00] - Hor ch’el ciel e la terra [7:18] - -Lamento della ninfa
[5:44] - Altri canti d’amor [8:45] - Su, pastorelli vezzosi [3:58] -
Vago, augelletto [4:34] - Volgendo il ciel (ballo) [11:41] - CD 4:
Antonio VIVALDI Instrumental music -
4 Concerti for violin, strings and basso continuo, op. 8, 1-4 ‘Le Quattro
Stagioni’: Concerto in E, op. 8,1 ‘La Primavera’ (RV 269) [10:04] -
Concerto in g, op. 8, 2 ‘L’estate’ (RV 315) [10:18] - Concerto in F,
op. 8, 3 ‘L’autunno’ (RV 293) [11:20] - Concerto in f, op. 8, 4 ‘L’inverno’
(RV 297) [8:19] - Concerto for 4 violins, viola and basso continuo in
B flat (RV 553) [10:05] - Sinfonia for strings and basso continuo in
G (RV 146) [05:44] - Concerto alla rustica for strings and basso continuo
in G (RV 151) [03:50] - CD 5: Antonio
VIVALDI
Religious music - Gregorian chant Kyrie
(Missa cum jubilis) [01:42] - Antonio VIVALDI
Gloria in D (RV 589) [29:09] - Sinfonia ‘Al Santo Sepolcro’
in b minor (RV 169) [03:50] - Laetatus sum (RV 607) [03:35] -
Gregorian chant Ave maris stella (hymn) [03:25] -
Antonio VIVALDI Magnificat in g minor (RV 610b) [13:24] -
Gregorian chant Salve regina (antiphon) [02:59] -
Antonio VIVALDI Laudate Dominum omnes gentes (RV 606) [01:51]
- Sonata ‘Al Santo Sepolcro’ in E flat (RV 130) [03:47] - In exitu Israel
(RV 604) [03:53] Emma Kirkby,
Emily Van Evera, Nancy Argenta, soprano; Alison Place, mezzo-soprano;
Margaret Cable, Catherine King, Randi Stene, contralto; Rogers Covey-Crump,
Nigel Rogers, Jeffrey Thomas, tenor; David Thomas, bass; Chiara Banchini,
Alison Bury, John Holloway, Elisabeth Wallfisch, violin; John Toll,
organ - Taverner Consort, Choir and Players/Andrew Parrott - Recorded
1982-1992 VIRGIN CLASSICS
5 62167 2 [62:57 + 72:45 + 57:28 + 59:44 + 67:45] [JvV]
A
mixed bag with reissues of typically British interpretations of Italian
music ... see Full Review
Christophe MOYREAU
(c 1690-1771) Pièces
de Clavecin (1753) Harpsichord:- Livre I 1 Ouverture: Allegro
[3.29] 2 La Petitte Follette: Mesure de Menuet [2.54] 3 La Guepine:
Rondeau, Gracieusement [4.21] 4 L'Orleanois: Animé [3.32] Livre
II 5 L'Agissante: Vivement [2.40] 6 La Bourruë: Pesamment [3.48]
Livre III 7 Ouverture: Vivace - Allegro - Andante [2.50] 8 Allemande:
Vivace [2.20] 9 Courante: Largo [4.20] 10 La Baccante: Vivement [5.24]
11 L'Euridice: Gratieusement [2.34] 12 L'Orphée: Gay [2.55] Livre
IV 13 La Mode: Menuet [1.45] 14 L'Etourdi: Vite [3.22] 15 Le Momus:
Rondeau [3.59] Livre V 16 Le Pandoure: Animé [1.50] 17 L'azem-Beba
Carmagniole [2.19] Livre VI 18 Sinfonia II in B flat: Vivace - Largo
- Minuetto [5.02] Organ: 19 Le Purgatoire: Tres Lentement (from
Livre II) [6.50] 20 Les Cloches d'Orleans: Grand Jeu, Gravement (from
Livre V) [5.45] Douglas
Hollick (harpsichord and organ) December 2001, Metzler organ, Chapel
of Trinity College Cambridge; Gold Room of Harlaxton Manor, Lincolnshire
(harpsichord). RIVERRUN
RVR CD60 [73.48] [KM]
An
attractive recording of harpsichord pieces by a little-known French
composer ... See Full Review
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
"Chill
with Mozart" - Serenade in B flat "Gran Partita, K.361: Adagio
â -
Vesperae solennes de confessore, K.339: Laudate Dominum Ï
- Piano
Concerto No. 19 in F, K.459: Allegro Ð -
Flute Quartet in A , K.298: Andante Ñ -
String Quintet in D, K.593: Larghetto – Allegro Ò -
Requiem, K.626: Benedictus Ó -
Ave Verum Corpus, K.618 Ô -
Serenade in D, K.203: Andante - Concerto in C for Flute & Harp,
K.299: Andantino Ö -
Sinfonia Concertante in E flat, K.297b: Andantino con Variazioni - Cosi
fan tutti: Soave sia il vento - German Wind Soloists â
- Priti
Coles (sop) Ï -
Košice Teachers’ Choir Ï -
Jenö Jandó, Piano Ð -
Concentus Hungaricus, Mátyás Antal Ð -
Jean Claud Gérard, Flute Ñ -
Ensemble Villa Musica Ñ -
János Féhervári, Viola Ò -
Éder Quartet Ò -
Magdeléna Hajóssyová (sop) Ó -
Jaroslava Horská (cta) Ó -
Jozef Kundlák (ten) Ó -
Peter Mikuláš (bass) Ó -
Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus, Zdenek Košler Ó
- Košice
Teachers’ Choir, Johannes Wildner Ô
Salzburg Chamber Orchestra, Harald Nerat - Jiri Válek, Flute
Ö -
Hana Müllerová, Harp Ö -
Capella Istropolitana, Richard Edlinger Ö - Rec. 1987- 2000 DDD
NAXOS 8.556780 [72:52]
[DS]
For
new Mozart listeners who need some mood enhancement. … see Full
Review
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
Symphonies - complete -
Symphony No.1 in E Major K.16 (1765) - Symphony in F Major K. 19a (1765)
- Symphony No. 4 in D Major K19 (1765) - Symphony No. 5 in B Flat Major,
K22 (1765) - Symphony G Major K.45a "Old Lambach"(1768)
- Symphony in B Flat major K.45b (1768) - Symphony No. 6 in F Major
K 43 (1767) - Symphony No. 7 in D Major K.45 (1768) - Symphony No. 8
in D Major K.48 (1768) - Symphony No. 9 in C major K.73 (1770) - Symphony
in F major K.75 (1770) - Symphony in F major K.76 (1770) -
Symphony in D major K.81 (1770) - Symphony No. 10 in G major K.74 (1770)
- Symphony No. 11 in D Major, K84 (1770) - Symphony in D major K.95
(1770) - Symphony in C major K.96 (1771) - Symphony in D major K.97
(1779) - Symphony No. 12 in G Major K.110 (1771) - Symphony No. 13 in
F Major K.112 (1771) - Symphony No. 14 in A major K.114 (1771)
- Symphony No. 15 in G major K.124 (1772) - Symphony No. 16 in C major
K.128 (1772) - Symphony No. 17 in G major K.129 (1772) - Symphony No.
18 in F Major K.130 (1772) - Symphony No. 19 in E flat Major (1772)
- Symphony No. 20 in D Major K.113 (1772) - Symphony No. 21 in A Major
K.134 (1772) - Symphony No. 22 in C Major K.162 (1773) - Symphony No.
23 in D Major K.181 (1773) - Symphony No. 24 in B flat Major K182 (1773)
- Symphony No. 25 in G Minor, K183 (1773) - Symphony No. 26 in E Flat
Major K.184 (1773) - Symphony No. 27 in G Major K.199 (1773) - Symphony
No. 28 in C Major, K200 (1774) - Symphony No. 29 in A Major K.201 (1774)
- Symphony No. 30 in D Major K 202 (1775) - Symphony in B Flat Major
K.216 (1776) - Symphony No. 31 in D Major K.297 "Paris"
(1778) - Symphony No. 32 in G major K.318 (1779) - Symphony No. 33 in
B flat Major, K319 (1779) - Symphony No. 34 in C major K.338 (1780)
- Symphony No. 35 in D Major K.385 "Haffner" (1782)
- Symphony No. 36 in C Major K.425 "Linz" (1783) -
Symphony No. 38 in D Major K.504 "Prague" !1786) -
Symphony No. 39 in E Flat Major K.543 (1788) - Symphony No. 40 in G
Minor K.550 (1788) - Symphony No. 41 in C Major K.551 "Jupiter"(1788)
- The English Consort Directed
from the harpsichord by Trevor Pinnock - All recorded at the Henry Wood
Hall from June 1992 – January 1995. DDD
DG ARCHIV 471 666-2 [11CDs: 916 minutes] [JP]
The
current Archiv issue is extremely good value for money, and I can’t
see any purchaser being disappointed by the contents. … see Full
Review
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756
- 1791) Symphonies – Volume 2 Symphony
No.18 -41 Mozart
Akademie Amsterdam Directed from the harpsichord by Jaap ter LindenAll
recorded at Maria Minor, Utrecht, The Netherlands, Spring 2002. DDD
BRILLIANT CLASSICS
99715 [6CDs: 415 minutes] [JP]
There
is one big disadvantage with this set – once you hear it you will probably
wish to buy Volume 1 as well. … see Full
Review
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756
- 1791) The Great Piano Concertos, Volume 3. Piano
Concerto No. 9 in E flat major, K271 Jeunehomme (1777) - Piano
Concerto No. 14 in E flat major, K449 (1784) - Piano Concerto No. 15
in B flat major, K450 (1784) - Piano Concerto No. 17 in G major, K449
(1784) - Piano Concerto No. 18 in B flat major, K456 (1784) - Rondo
in D major, K382 (1782)
Mitsuko Uchida (piano) - English Chamber Orchestra/Jeffrey Tate - recorded
in St. John’s Smith Square, London, July 1986 ( K453), May 1987 (K477)
- May 1988 (K456) October 1989 (K450) February 1990 (K171 and K382)
DDD PHILIPS 473 313-2
[2CDs: 147.09] [JP]
Uchida
clearly has the full command of these works … see Full
Review
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
Concert Arias for Tenor -
Va, dal furor portata, K21 - Or che il dover - Tali e catanti sono,
K36 - Si mostra la sorte, K209 - Con ossequio, con rispetto, K210 -
Se al labbro mio con credi, K295 -
Clarice cara mio sposo, K256 - Per piet…, non ricercate, K420 - Misero!
O sogno - Aura che interno spiri, K431 - Sinfonia in E flat major, K16
- Divertimento in F major, K138 - Christoph Prégardien (tenor)
L'Orfeo Barockorchester/Michi
Gaigg - Rec 24-27 April 2001, SWR Studio, Karlsruhe
CPO 999 810-2 [77.09] [TB]
Sensitive,
well shaped and lovingly phrased … only the final degree of expressive
warmth lacking … see Full Review
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART
(1756-1791) Requiem
K626 (1791) - Angela Maria Blasi (soprano) - Marjana Lipovšek (contralto)
- Uwe Heilmann (tenor) - Jan-Hendrik Rootering (bass)
Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and Chorus/Colin Davis - Recorded
1991 RCA RED SEAL 09026
63982 2 [53.08] [JW]
Grave
but certainly not marmoreal … those seeking a more thrusting and theatrical
performance will look elsewhere … see Full
Review
Modest MUSSORGSKY
(1839-1881) Where
are you, little star?; Darling Savishna; The Nursery; Lullaby; Sunless;
King Saul*; Hopak*; The wild wind blows*; Songs and Dances of Death*;
Mephistopheles’ Song of the flea*.
Boris Christoff (bass) Alexander Labinsky (piano) *Orchestre National
de la Radiodiffusion Française/George Tzipine Recorded in the
Salle de la Mutualité, Paris, between 1955 and 1957 Mono
EMI CLASSICS Great Recordings of the Century 7243 5 67993 2 [78’59]
[TH]
Christoff
is delightfully over the top, hugely enjoyable and making more straight-laced
versions sound boring. … see Full
Review
RECORDING OF THE MONTH Joaquín NIN (1879-1949)
10
Villancicos (1932), 20 Canciones populares españolas (1923),
Le chant du veilleur (1937)*
Elena Gragera (mezzosoprano), Antón Cardó (piano),
Miquel Bofill (saxophone)* Recorded 6th-8th September 1999, Estudis
Albert Moraleda COLUMNA
MÚSICA 1CM0072 [78:04]
Joaquín NIN-CULMELL (b. 1908) 3 poemas de Gil Vincente
(1950), 4 canciones populares de Salamanca (1960), 4 canciones populares
de Cataluña (1960), 4 canciones populares de Andalucía
(1960), 5 canciones tradicionales españolas (1971), 6 canciones
populares sefardies (1982), 2 canciones populares cubanas (1984-90),
Si ves un monte de espumas (1985-90), Canciones de la barraca (1997)
Elena Gragera
(mezzosoprano), Antón Cardó (piano) Recorded 6th-8th September
1999, Estudis Albert Moraleda
COLUMNA MÚSICA 1CM0053 [55:17] [CH]
The
discs of music by father and son, Nin and Nin-Culmell, are a major discovery,
both for the music and for the singer. … see Full
Review
Anders NORDENTOFT (b.1957)
On
This Planet (2002) Thomas
Sandberg, vocals Athelas Sinfonietta, Copenhagen/ Morten Ryelund Sørensen
Notes in English
Recorded in Sweet Silence Studio, 30 May 2002
DACAPO 8.224221 [56.56] [PSh]
So
far out it’s out of sight, but unfortunately it can still be heard …
see Full Review
Vítĕzslav
NOVÁK (1870-1949)
The
Storm, Op. 42 (1908-10) The Maid on Shore: Jarmila Žilková (sop)
The Swain at the Masthead: Jarmila Smyčková (sop) The Youth under
the Mast: František Livora (ten) The Maid in the Cabin: Nadĕžda
Kniplova (sop) The Negro in the Cabin/ The Skipper: Richard Novák
(bass) Scullion: Kvĕtoslava Nĕmečková (sop) First Coastal
Robber: Karel Petr (bass) Second Coastal Robber: Jaromír Vavruška
(bass) Czech Philharmonic
Chorus and Orchestra/Zdenĕk Košler Recorded at the Dvořák
Hall of Rudolfinum, Prague, 6-12 December 1978
SUPRAPHON SU 3088-2 211 [76’05"] [JQ]
Snap
up this release before it is shipwrecked on the rock of deletions …
see Full Review
Sangam -
Michael Nyman Meets
Indian Masters -
Michael NYMAN (b.1944) Sangam -
Three Ways of Describing Rain (Nyman/Misra) - i. Sawan (First Rain),
ii. Rang (Colour of Nature), iii. Dhyan (Meditation) - Samitha (Compiling
the Colours) (Nyman/Shrinivas) - U. Shrinivas, mandolin - Rajan Misra,
voice - Sajan Misra, voice - Ritesh and Rajnish Misra, voices - Sanju
Sahai, tabla - Michael Nyman Band
Michael Nyman, conductor - Recorded at Abbey Road Studios, London, July
2002 and Sony Studios, London, October 2002
WARNER CLASSICS 0927 49551-2 [59.08] [NH]
Hot
on the heels of Facing Goya, another different but equally compelling
aspect of Nyman's art is revealed … See Full
review
Jacques OFFENBACH
(1819-1880) Les
Contes d’Hoffmann (1877-80) Opera in four acts, libretto by
Barbier and Carré, after E.T.A.Hoffmann Hoffmann – Nicolai Gedda
(tenor) Olympia – Gianna d’Angelo (soprano) Giulietta – Elizabeth Schwarzkopf
(soprano) Antonia – Victoria de los Angeles (soprano) Coppelius and
Miracle – George London (bass) Dapertutto – Ernest Blanc (baritone)
René Duclos
Choir Orchestre de la Société des Concerts du Conservatoire/André
Cluytens Recorded at the Salle Wagram, Paris, Sept. 1964, Nov. 1965.
ADD Great Recordings of the Century Series
EMI CLASSICS 7243 5 67979 2 [2 CDs 76’29+75’47] [TH]
The
stylish performing traditions of a previous generation … pretty good
stereo sound. Recommended. … see Full
Review
Else
Marie PADE (b.1924)
Symphonie
Magnétophonique (1958) (19.27) - The Little Mermaid (1958)
(42.54) - Face It (Hitler is not dead) (1970) (7.58)
Else Marie Pade, tape recorders and synthesisers - Notes in English,
German, and Danish - Created in the studios of Danish Radio and remixed
at DIEM, Arhus, Denmark, 2002
DACAPO 8.224233 [70.20] [PS]
A
great classic masterpiece of Musique Concrète available to us
at last … see Full Review
Nicolo
PAGANINI
(1782-1840) 24
Caprices for solo violin, Op.1 (1837)
Michael Rabin (violin) Recorded at Studio A, Capitol 46th
Street Studios, New York City, Sept 1958, ADD Great Recordings Of The
Century EMI CLASSICS
5 67986 2 [72’07] [TH]
Rabin
is special, and there can be no better tribute to one of the century’s
most gifted, and ultimately most tragic, musical prodigies. … see Full
Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Arvo PÄRT
(b.1935) Passio Passio
Domini Nostri Jesu Christi secundum Joannem (1982) (St. John Passion)
Robert MacDonald,
bass (Jesus) Mark Anderson, tenor (Pilate) Tonus Peregrinus/Antony Pitts
Recorded in the Abbey Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, Dorchester-on-Thames,
15th- 18th May and 28th June 2001.
NAXOS 8.555860 [61.50]
[NH]
Great
music, great performances, but for those seeking truth rather than light
relief … see Full Review
Krzystof PENDERECKI
(b.1933) Concerto
for Violin and Orchestra No. 1 (1974-76) [39:16] - ‘Metamorphosen’
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra No. 2 (1992-95) [38:16] - Orchestral
Works: Volume 4 Rec.
Grzegorz Fitelberg Concert Hall, Katowice, Poland, 22-26 May 2000 DDD
NAXOS 8.555265 [77:32]
[SM]
Admirers
of this composer will be thrilled … performance and sound quality excellent.
… see Full Review
Tobias
PICKER
(born 1954) Keys
to the City (1982)a - And Suddenly It’s Evening (1994) -
Concerto for Cello and Orchestra (1999)b - Jeremy Denk (piano)a;
Paul Watkins (cello)b
Russian Philharmonic Orchestra/Thomas Sanderling - Recorded: Studio
5, Moscow State Broadcasting and Recording House, February-April 2002
CHANDOS CHAN 10039
[62:11] [HC]
The
best possible introduction to Picker’s superbly crafted and highly communicative
music. … see Full Review
Amilcare
PONCHIELLI (1834
- 1886) La Gioconda (1876); La
Gioconda - Maria Callas (Soprano); La Cieca - Maria Amadini (Contralto);
Barnaba - Paolo Silveri (Baritone); Alvise Badoere - Giulio Neri (Bass);
Laura - Fedora Barbiere (Mezzo-Soprano); Enzo Grimaldo - Gianni Poggi
(Tenor); Zuane - Piero Poldi (Bass); Isepo - Armando Benzi (Tenor);
Chorus and Orchestra of RAI Turin/Antonino Votto; Recorded September
1952 Vincenzo BELLINI (1801 - 1835)
Casta Diva (Norma) Norma - Maria Callas (Soprano); Richard
WAGNER (1813 - 1883) Liebestod (Tristan und Isolde) sung
in Italian Isolde - Maria Callas (Soprano)
Orchestra of RAI, Turin/Arturo Basile - Recorded 1949
REGIS RRC3004 [3 CDs: 55.05+54.43+77.00] [RH]
Callas's
first recording of a role strongly associated with her … a must for
all lovers of Callas and those interested in the recorded history of
'La Gioconda' … see Full Review
Amilcare PONCHIELLI (1834-1886).
La
Gioconda. Opera in 4 Acts (1876) La Gioconda, Violeta Urmana
(soprano). Enzo Grimaldi, Placido Domingo (ten). Barnaba, Lada Ataneli
(bar). Laura Adorno, Luciana D’Intino (m. sop). Alvise, Roberto Scandiuzzi
(bass). La Cieca, Elisabetta Fiorillo (m. sop).
Choir and Orchestra of ‘Bayerischen Rundfunks’ (Bavarian Radio)/Marcello
Viotti. Recorded Studio 1, Bayerischer Rundfunks, July and August 2002
Special Price EMI
CLASSICS 7243 5 57451 2 [3CDs: 53.49+55.08+59.42 min]. [RF]
If
the Tebaldi and Bergonzi recording is reissued, this one moves down
to third in the pecking order … see Full
Review
Francis
POULENC
(1899 - 1963) Complete Chamber Music Sextet
for piano, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and horn (1932/1939) Sonata
for violin and piano (1943) Sonata for two clarinets (1918) Sonata for
horn, trumpet and trombone (1922) Sonata for cello and piano (1940/1948)
Sonata for clarinet and piano (1962) Sarabande for solo guitar (1960)
Villanelle for piccolo (pipe) and piano (1934) Sonata for oboe and piano
(1962) Elegie for horn and piano (1957) Trio for piano, oboe and bassoon
(1926) Sonata for clarinet and bassoon (1922) Sonata for flute and piano
(1957) The Nash Ensemble:-
Philippa Davies (flute/piccolo)
Gareth Hulse (oboe) Richard Hosford (clarinet) Michael Harris (clarinet)
Ursula Leveaux (bassoon) Richard Watkins (horn) John Wallace (trumpet)
David Purser (trombone) Leo Phillips (violin) Paul Watkins (cello) Craig
Ogden (guitar) Ian Brown (piano) Recorded 22, 23 December 1998, 11-13
January 1999, Henry Wood Hall, London
HYPERION CDA67255/6 [2CDs: 73.48+72.30] [RH]
A
perfect summary of Poulenc's career as a chamber music composer. This
recording was seminal when it was first issued and it remains so … see
Full Review
Sergei
PROKOFIEV (1891-1953)
Sinfonia
Concertante for cello and orchestra Op. 125 (1954) [36.51] - Cello
Sonata Op. 119 (1949) [24.33]
Han-Na Chang (cello) - Antonio Pappano (piano) - London Symphony Orchestra/Antonio
Pappano - rec. March 2002, No. 1 Studio, Abbey Road, London. DDD
EMI CLASSICS 72453 5 57438 2 4 [61.41] [RB]
Perhaps
rather lacking in character in the case of the Sinfonia Concertante
but a much better than respectable version of the Sonata. ... see Full
Review
Sergei PROKOFIEV
(1891-1953) The
Complete Piano Sonatas (three discs)
Yefim Bronfman (piano) Recorded in multiple sessions, this compilation
reissued 2002 SONY
ESSENTIAL CLASSICS SB3K87747 3CDs [163.30] [TM]
Should
be at the top of every piano lover’s Want List … see Full
Review
Giacomo
PUCCINI (1858-1924)
La
Fanciulla del West (1910)
Carla Gavazzi (Minnie), Ugo Savarese (Jack Rance), Vasco Campagnano
(Dick Johnson), Aldo Bertocci (Nick), Pier Luigi Latinucci (Sonora),
Tommaso Soley (Harry), Pasquale Lombardo (Happy), Jone Farolfi (Wowkle),
Dario Caselli (Ashby, Jake Wallace), Giulio Scarinci (Trin, Joe), Giovanni
Privitera (Sid, Larkens), Aristide Baracchi (Bello, Billy Buckrabbit,
José Castro), Orchestra Lirica e Coro della RAI di Milano/Arturo
Basile - Recorded 23rd November 1950, Milan - CETRA OPERA COLLECTION
WARNER FONIT 8573 87488-2
[2 CDs: 53:38+65:50] [CH]
A
fine performance, especially valuable for a further glimpse of Carla
Gavazzi, though the 1950 sound makes it a set for aficionados. … see
Full Review
Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924)
Gianni Schicchi
(Puccini). One Act Opera.
Gianni Schicci, Italo Talo (bass). Lauretta, Lucia Albanese. (sop).
Rinuccio, Giuseppe di Stefano (ten). Zita, Cleo Elmo (sop). Simone,
Virgilio Lazzari (bass). Orchestra and Chorus of The Metropolitan Opera
House, New York, conducted by Giuseppe Antonicelli. Richard
STRAUSS (1864-1949) Salome (Strauss). One Act Opera.
Salome, Ljuba
Welitsch (sop). Jochanaan, Herbert Janssen (bar). Herod, Frederick Jagel
(ten). Herodias, Kerstin Thorburg (cont). Narraboth, Brian Sullivan
(ten). Orchestra and Chorus of The Metropolitan Opera House, New York,
conducted by Fritz Reiner. Recorded live broadcast performance on March
12th 1949 Immortal Performances series.
GUILD GHCD 2230/31 [2CDs: 78.12+78.04] [RF]
Outstanding
in Salome … Welitsch at the height of her vocal and interpretative powers
… Janssen and Thorburg are well matches to her … see Full
Review
Johann Joachim QUANTZ
(1679-1773) Flute
Sonatas Sonata in D major QV 1:42 Sonata in G minor QV 1:116 Sonata
in D major for Two Transverse Flutes QV 2:15 * Sonata in C major QV
1:9 Sonata in G minor QV 1:128 Trio Sonata in E flat major for Two Transverse
Flutes QV 2:17 *
Mary Oleskiewicz, baroque transverse flute Jean-Françoise Beaudin,
Flute II * Stephanie Vial, baroque cello David Schulenberg, harpsichord
and fortepiano Recorded Baldwin Auditorium, Duke University, North Carolina
January 1998 NAXOS
8.555064 [60.19] [JW]
A
delightful example of sensitive and accomplished musicianship. … See
Full Review
Sergei RACHMANINOV
(1873-1943)
Piano
Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30 (1909) - Six Moments Musicaux,
Op. 16 (1896) - Joyce Hatto (piano)
National Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra/René Köhler - Recorded
in St. Mark’s Church, Croydon, UK., July 1998 and April 1999
CONCERT ARTIST/FIDELIO RECORDINGS CACD9217-2 [71.44] [WH]
As
recommendable in its own way as the two others I know best, by Martha
Argerich or Byron Janis, and praise doesn’t come higher than that. …
See Full Review
Joachim RAFF
(1822-1882) Symphony
No. 3 in F major Op. 153 In Walde (1869) - Symphony No. 10 in
F minor Op. 213 Zur Herbstzeit (1879)
Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra (Košice)/Urs Schneider - Recorded
at the House of Arts, Košice, January 1990
NAXOS 8.555491 [70.07] [DW]
Warm,
mellow, transparently clear, well-written music noted for its lasting
attractiveness and class, impeccable craftsmanship, subtle orchestration,
sound structure … see Full Review
Jean Philippe RAMEAU
(1683-1784) from Pièces de Clavecin (1731): Lex Cyclopes
(3.02); Rigaudons (1.11); Tambourin (1.04); La villegoise (2.56); Les
Tendres Plaintes (3.13); Les Niais de Sologne [and doubles] (5.06);
L’Entretien des Muses (3.10); Les Toubillons (1.53); Le Rappel des Oiseaux
(2.18). from Nouvelles Suites de Pièces de Clavecin (1728):
Allemande (3.26); Courante (2.59); Sarabande (2.14); Les Trois Mains
(3.42); Gavotte and Doubles (6.36); Les Triolets (2.29); La Poule (4.30);
L’Enharmonique (3.38); L’Egyptienne (2.39). from Cinq Pièces
(1741): La livri (2.31); La Timide (4.17).
Eiji Hashimoto, harpsichord - Notes in English - Recorded in Corbett
Auditorium, University of Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, May 1995
CENTAUR CRC 2579 [63.35] [PS]
Acceptable
performances of Rameau’s most popular keyboard works. Serious collectors
will want Christophe Rousset, or equivalent … see Full
Review
Ottorino
RESPIGHI (1879-1936) Roman Festivals
(1928) - Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949)
Don Juan (1888) - Witold LUTOSLAWSKI (1913-1994)
Concerto for Orchestra (1954)
Oregon Symphony Orchestra/James DePreist - Rec 28-29 May 1987, Arlene
Schnitzer Auditorium, Portland, Oregon
DELOS DE 3070 [70.24] [TB]
DePreist has the music's measure, and his orchestra
shows itself to have a pedigree of truly international calibre. … see
Full Review
Joseph Gabriel RHEINBERGER
(1839
- 1901) Mass in C, opus 169 -
Cyrissa Anderson (Soprano) - JoAnn Stump (Alto) - David Ellwood (Tenor)
- John Reschl (Bass) - Francis Slechta (Organ) - Church of the Holy
Ghost choir and orchestra - Richard Robertson (Conductor) - Gerald
NEAR (1942 - ) Veni Sancte Spiritus - Spiritus Domini - Missa
Orbis Factor - Church of the Holy Ghost choir - Francis Slechta
(Organ) - Richard Robertson
(Conductor) - Recorded September, October 2001, Church of the Holy Ghost,
Denver, Colorado, USA
LISZT DIGITAL LD001 [51.59] [RH]
An
interesting disc of rarely performed liturgical music. Given in decent
performances, the disc will probably be mainly of interest to specialists
… see Full Review
Wolfgang RIHM
(born 1952) Tutuguri:
Poème dansé (1980/2)
Rupert Huber (speaker); SWR Vokalensemble Stuttgart; Radio-Sinfonieorchester
Stuttgart des SWR/Fabrice Bollon Recorded: Stadtshalle Sindelfingen,
July 2002 HÄNSSLER
CLASSIC CD 93.069 [78:51 + 37:59] [HC]
Tireless
energy, huge forces … a long, cataclysmic work. Quite an experience
… see Full Review
Joaquín RODRIGO (1901-1999)
Piano
Concerto (rev. Achúcarro) (1942 rev 1996) [30.29] Preludio
para un poema a la Alhambra (1928) [7.36] Música para
un jardín (1935) [11.11] Homenaje a La Tempranica (1939)
[5.34] Juglares (1923) [5.26]
Daniel Ligorio Ferrandiz (piano) Castille y León SO/Max Bragado-Darman
rec Valladolid, July, Nov, 2001, DDD Complete Orchestral Works: Vol.
4 NAXOS 8.557101 [60.17]
[DW]
Very
bright and cheerful if a little schmaltzy at times with braying hunting
horns and a grandeur that is not held back by pomposity. … see Full
Review
Sigmund ROMBERG (1887-1951)
Romberg conducts Romberg Vol.1 - The Blue Paradise (1915)
Auf Wiedersehen - Maytime (1917) Will You remember?
- Blossom Time (1921) Blossom Time Waltzes; Tell
me Daisy; Song of Love - The Student Prince (1924)
Drinking Song; Deep in my Heart, Dear; Ballet;
Golden Days; Serenade; Student Prince Waltzes -
The Desert Song (1926) Riff Song; One Alone;
Romance; Girls! Girls! Girls! (French March); Desert
Song Waltzes; One Flower grows alone; Desert Song;
Medley (Romance, Desert Song Waltz) - Lawrence Brooks (ten),
Stuart Churchill (ten), Lillian Cornell (sop), Shirlee Emmons (mezzo
sop), William Diehl (bar), Warren Galjour (ten), Lois Hunt (sop), Eric
Mattson (ten), Genevieve Rowe (sop), Richard Wright (bar)
RCA Victor Chorus, Robert Shaw Chorale, Orch. Conducted by Sigmund Romberg
- Rec. 1944-51, RCA Victor Studios, ADD
NAXOS Historical 8.110866 [74.35] [RW]
These
score over the early Pearl transcriptions by giving us the chance to
hear the orchestration with improved clarity. The singing is strong
throughout. … see Full Review
Antonio
ROSETTI (c1750-92)
Horn Concertos in E flat, C49; D minor, C38; E, C51; F, C53
Zdenek Divoký (horn) - Czech Chamber Orchestra/Ondrej Kukal -
Rec Studios Martínek, Prague, 1997 DDD
HÄNSSLER CLASSIC CD98.383 [77'31] [CC]
An
excellently performed and engineered product ... the recording itself
is warm with just the right amount of reverberation to highlight the
Czech bloom that suits this music so well. … 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]
Return
to Front page