André CAPLET (1878-1925) Mélodies - Le Vieux Coffret - Viens! Une Flute Invisible - La Croix Douloureuse - Détresse - Ecoute - Trois Fables de La Fontaine - Cinq Ballades Françaises Lionel Peintre (bar) - Alain Jacquon (piano) - Etienne Plasman (flute) - rec Luxembourg, Villa Louvigny 18-20 Sept 2000 TIMPANI 1C1058 [62.32] [RB]

A significant songster at ease on the limb established by Debussy and nurtured by Poulenc. ... see Full Review

Cornelius CARDEW (1936-1981) The Great Learning: Paragraph 2 (Jan 1969) [21.45]; Paragraph 7 (Apr 1969) [20.30] - David BEDFORD (b.1937) Two poems for chorus on words by Kenneth Patchen (1966) [4.21+8.30] The Scratch Orchestra/Cornelius Cardew (Cardew) - Chor des Norddeutschen Rundfunks Hamburg/Helmut Franz (Bedford) - Rec 1969-1970 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 471 572-2 [51.77] [RB]

Two doyens of the 1960s British avant-garde ... see Full Review

Frederic CHOPIN (1810-1849) Piano Concerto No 1 in E minor Op 11 (1830) - Piano Concerto No 2 in F minor Op 21 (1829) Joyce Hatto (piano) - The Philharmonia Orchestra of Warsaw/René Köhler - Recorded in Watford Town Hall October 1994 CONCERT ARTIST/FIDELIO CACD 9082-2 [72.19] [JW]

Poetic and enjoyable, full of fluency, deftness, musical understanding. … see Full Review

Frédéric CHOPIN (1810-1849) Nocturnes in C sharp minor, E minor (Op.72/1) andC minor (Op.48/1) Ballades in G minor (Op.23) & F (Op.38) Waltz in A minor, Op.34/2 Prelude in E minor, Op.28/4 Andante spianato and Grande Polonaise, Op.22 * # Mazurka in A minor, Op.17/4 ** Wojciech KILAR (born 1932) Moving to the Ghetto Oct.31, 1940 # Music from and inspired by the Film The Pianist Janusz Olejniczak (piano) Wladislaw Szpilman (piano) ** Hanna Wolczedska (clarinet) # Warsaw Philharmonic National Orchestra of Poland/Tadeusz Strugala * # Recorded 1948, 1991, 1994, 2001, 2002 SONY SK 87739 [58’30"] [CA]

A CD for the hunter of film souvenirs. … see Full Review

Francesco CILEA (1866-1950) Adriana Lecouvreur (1902) Carla Gavazzi (Adriana Lecouvreur, soprano), Giacinto Prandelli (Maurizio, tenor), Miti Truccato Pace (La Principessa di Bouillon, mezzo-soprano), Saturno Meletti (Michonnet, baritone), Plinio Clabassi (Il Principe di Bouillon, bass), Aldo Bertocci (L’Abate di Chazeuil), Pasquale Lombardo (Quinault), Tommaso Soley (Poisson), Loretta di Lelio (Mad.lla Jouvenot), Jone Farolfi (Mad.lla Dangeville) Orchestra Lirica e Coro di Milano della RAI/Alfredo Simonetto Recorded July 1951, Milan CETRA OPERA COLLECTION - WARNER FONIT 8573 87480-2 [2 CDs: 66:34+58:49] [CH]

A practically faultless cast under a masterly conductor and a recording that is remarkably good for its age amount to a version with some claims to be first choice. … see Full Review

Viola Sonatas Rebecca CLARKE (1886-1979) Viola Sonata (1919) Henri VIEUXTEMPS (1820-1881) Viola Sonata in B flat Op 36 (1863) Georges ENESCU (1881-1955) Konzertstück (1906) Barbara Westphal (viola) Jeffrey Swann (piano) Recorded 2001 BRIDGE 9109 [56.21] [JW]

This is a useful recital that dispenses with the chronological running order … see Full Review

Samuel COLERIDGE-TAYLOR (1875-1912) Scenes from 'The Song of Hiawatha' by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow - a trilogy of secular cantatas (1900) [119.15]: 1. Hiawatha's Wedding Feast [35.50] 2. The Death of Minnehaha [36.01] 3. Hiawatha's Departure [48.26] Symphonic Variations on an African Air (1899) [20.15] Helen Field (sop) Arthur Davies (ten) Bryn Terfel (bar) Chorus of Welsh National Opera Orchestra of Welsh National Opera/Kenneth Alwyn (Hiawatha) Royal Liverpool PO/Grant Llewellyn (Variations) rec. Brangwyn Hall, Swansea, Jan 1990 (Hiawatha); Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, Sept 1991 (Variations). DDD DECCA The British Music Collection 473 431-2 [71.15+68.41] [RB]

A smoothly skilled choral conformity in Hiawatha paired with a true mastery of orchestral resource in the Variations ... see Full Review

Frederick Shepherd CONVERSE (1871-1940)The Mystic Trumpeter (1904) [20:30]Flivver Ten Million: A Joyous Epic Inspired by the Familiar Legend "The Ten Millionth Ford is Now Serving Its Owner." (1927) [12:08]Endymion's Narrative (1901) [20:33] Buffalo PO/JoAnn Falletta Rec. 19-21 Feb 2001, Kleinhans Music Hall, Buffalo, New York, USA. DDD NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS 8.559116 [53.13] [RB]

Snap up this substantial and indulgent sample of Tchaikovskian-Gallic late-romantic Americana. ... see Full Review

Aaron COPLAND (1900-1990) Three Latin American Sketches: Estribillo (1971) Paisaje Mexicano, Danza de Jalisco (1959); Quiet City (1940) - Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra (1947) - Appalachian Spring (Original chamber version) (1944) - Paula Engerer, english horn, Scott Moore, trumpet, Laura Arden, clarinet The Nashville Chamber Orchestra/Paul Gambill - Recorded at Austin Peay State University, Clarkesville, TN, 27^th March and 12-13^th November 2001 DDD NAXOS 8.559069 [62:47] [KS]

Recorded sound is near perfect with a warm reverberant acoustic and an excellent balance between the instruments and between soloists and the orchestra ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH John CORIGLIANO (b. 1938) Symphony No. 1 (1989) Stephen Hough (piano) John Sharp (cello) Chicago Symphony Orchestra/Daniel Barenboim Recorded at Orchestra Hall, Chicago, 15-17 March 1990 WARNER CLASSICS ELATUS 0927-49011-2 DDD [40:41] [CT]

A powerful reading of a disturbing yet hugely rewarding work. Strongly recommended … see Full Review

 

Frederick DELIUS (1862-1934) A Village Romeo and Juliet (1901) [104.42] - Fabian Smith (bar) - Manzes (ten) - Sali; Vera Terry (sop) - Vreli; Gordon Clinton (bar) - The Dark Fiddler; Donald Munro (bar) - First Peasant, Merry-go-Round Man, Bargeman; Scott Joynt (bar) - Second Peasant, Bargeman; Sylvia Patriss (sop) - Woman 1, Wheel of Fortune Woman; Gwladys Garside (mz) - Women 2 and 3, Cheap Jewellery Woman, The Wild Girl; Marion Davies (sop) - Gingerbread Woman, Slim Girl ; Lloyd Strauss-Smith (ten) - Showman, Poor Horn Player, Bargeman; Philip Hattey (bass-bar) - Hunch-Backed bass-fiddler; Herbert Dawson (organ); Norman Del Mar (repetiteur) - BBC Theatre Chorus/RPO/Beecham - Songs of Sunset (1932) [29.14] - Olga Haley (sop); Roy Henderson (bar) - London Select Choir LPO/Beecham - rec: Maida Vale Studios, BBC Third Programme, 23 Apr 1948 (Village Romeo and Juliet); from rehearsal takes, Leeds Town Hall, Leeds Festival, 4 Oct 1934 (Songs of Sunset) mono ADD SOMM RECORDINGS SOMM-BEECHAM 12-2 [CD1: 70.22+ CD2: 72.15] [RB]

A self-recommending historic recording in which the passion of a radio studio performance compares very well with Beecham's commercial effort for EMI ... see Full Review

Frederick DELIUS (1862-1934) The EMI Beecham orchestral recordings 1927-1938 on Naxos Historical - Three Volumes - AAD - Three CDs at special price in a single card slip-case. Each available separately. Full listings at foot of review NAXOS 8.503148 [61.11+62.42+66.12] [RB]

Though some may quibble about the sound this inexpensive trio is a rewarding casement opened onto a performing tradition portrayed as the 'one true way' ... see Full Review

Frederick DELIUS (1862-1934) Florida Suite (1899) [34.49] - Over the Hills and Far Away (1898) [12.54] - Songs of Sunset (1928) [31.03] - Maureen Forrester (alto) - John Cameron (ten) - Beecham Choral Society Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Thomas Beecham - rec. No. 1 Studio, Abbey Road, 10, 19, 21-22 Nov, 4 Dec 1956, 1-2 Apr 1957. ADD Stereo EMI CLASSICS 5 75788 2 [77.37] [RB]

Classic Beecham-Delius in stereo. ... see Full Review

Frederick DELIUS (1862-1934) The Beecham Collection - The Delius Volumes (8 and 10) A Mass of Life - Prelude to Part II, No. 3 [4.30] An Arabesk [11.16] Songs of Sunset [22.36+2.20] Songs (1): Whither; The Violet; I-Brasil; Klein Venevil [9.09] Songs (2): Le Ciel est par-dessus le toit; The Violet; Irmelin Rose; Twilight Fancies; Cradle Song; Nightingale. [16.39] Roy Henderson (bar), London Select Choir (Arabesk) Olga Haley (sop), Roy Henderson (bar), London Select Choir (Sunset, all except last song) Nancy Evans (sop), Redvers Llewellyn (bar), BBC Chorus (Sunset, last song) Dora Labette (songs (1) (2)) London Philharmonic Orchestra (Mass; Arabesk; Sunset; Songs (1)); Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (Sunset - They Are Not Long); Beecham (piano), (Songs (2)). Sir Thomas Beecham (conductor) rec 11 Feb 1938, Studio No. 1, Abbey Rd, London (Mass, Songs (1)); 3 Oct 1934, Leeds Festival (Arabesk); 4 Oct 1934, Leeds Festival (Sunset - all except last song); 10 July, 24 June, 1929, Large Studio, Petty France (Songs (2)). mono ADD SOMM-BEECHAM 8 [73.40]
Brigg Fair [14.43] On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring [6.28] The Walk to the Paradise Garden [7.22] Sea Drift [22.33] North Country Sketches: Autumn; Winter Landscape [6.48+3.52] A Song Before Sunrise [4.51] A Dance Rhapsody No. [7.23] Symphony Orchestra (Brigg); Orch of Royal Phil Soc (Cuckoo, Paradise); Dennis Noble (bar), Manchester Beecham Opera Chorus, London SO (Sea Drift); London Philharmonic Orchestra (Sketches, Sunrise, Rhapsody). Sir Thomas Beecham (conductor) 11 Dec 1928, 10 July 1929, Portman Rooms, London (Brigg); 19 Dec 1927, Fyvie Hall, London (Cuckoo); 19-20 Dec 1927, Fyvie Hall, London (Walk); 11 Nov 1928, Portman Rooms, London (Sea Drift *); HMV no dates, locations (Sketches, Sunrise *); 16 Oct 1945, EMI Studio 1, Abbey Rd, London (Rhapsody *). * previously unissued rec mono ADD
SOMM-BEECHAM 10 [74.45]

Beecham's authoritative sense of plastic flow triumphs in these delicate blooms ... see Full Review

David DIAMOND (b.1915) The String Quartets - Volume 2: String Quartet No. 2 (1943-44) [19.49] - String Quartet No. 9 (1965-68) [16.13] - String Quartet No. 10 (1966) [17.38] Potomac String Quartet - rec. St Luke's Church, McLean, Virginia, USA, Oct 2001, Mar 2001 DDD ALBANY RECORDS TROY 540 [53.55] [RB]

Scorchingly committed performances and recording of these monuments of twentieth century music-making ... well up to exalted standards ... see Full Review

Concertos for Guitar Duo Carlo DOMENICONI (b. 1947) Concerto Meditteraneo, Op. 67 (1993) ą Harald GENZMER (b. 1909) Concerto in G (1989)˛ Dale Kavanagh, Thomas Kirchhoff (Amadeus Guitar Duo), guitars Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Halleą Marc Piollet, conductorą Amati Ensemble München˛ Residenzquintett München˛ Attila Balogh, conductor˛ Recorded June 1994ą and May 1996˛ (venues not stated). HÄNSSLER CLASSIC 98.347 [57.10] [NH]

A must buy for the Domeniconi and you will also be pleasantly surprised by Genzmer … See Full Review.

Paul DUKAS (1865-1935) Piano Sonata in E flat minor (1900) [33.40] - Variations, Interlude et Finale (1902) [24.02] - Prélude Elégiaque (1908) [4.26] - La Plainte au Loin du faune (1920) [4.41] - Jean Hubeau (piano) - rec Salle Adyar, Paris, Nov 1987 WARNER APEX 0927 48996-2 [70.23] [RB]

Robust and of great tensile strength. ... subtle and imaginative. A fascinating disc. ... see Full Review

Antonín DVORÁK (1843-1904) Eight Slavonic Dances Op.46 (1878) - Eight Slavonic Dances Op.72 (1886) Czech Philharmonic Orchestra/Václav Neumann - Recorded circa 1972 (no venue details given) ADD Super-budget WARNER APEX 0927-48999-2 [75’29] [TH]

Adrenalin where required, grace and elegance … see Full Review

Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) Piano Trio No. 1 in B flat major, Op.21 Piano Trio No. 2 in G minor, Op.26 Guarneri Trio Prague Recorded at the Domovina Studio, Prague, 18-19 December, 1996 SUPRAPHON 11 1462-2 131 [60.00] [TH]

The players respond with a buoyancy and lilt that is infectious. … see Full Review

Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) Stabat Mater, op. 58 Eva Jenisová (soprano), Hana Štolfová-Bandová (contralto). Vladimir Doležal (tenor). Jiří Sulženko (bass) Czech Philharmonic Chorus of Brno Brno State Philharmonic Orchestra/Leoš Svárovský Rec. Live, 23.3.1996, Stadion Studio, Brno SUPRAPHON SU 3181-2232 [2 CDs: 45’47"+39’14"] [CH]

A heartfelt performance which you will not regret buying. … see Full Review

Antonín DVORÁK (1841-1904) The Spectre's Bride, B135/Op. 69 (1884). Eva Urbanová (soprano) The Giral; Ludovít Ludha (tenor) The Spectre; Ivan Kusnjer (bass-baritone) The Narrator; Prague Philharmonic Choir; Prague Symphony Orchestra/Jiři Běhlolávek [DDD] Live performance from the Dvorák Hall of the Rudolfinum, Prague, on November 29th, 1995. Text and translation included. SUPRAPHON SU3091-2 [78'26] [CC]

A rare opportunity to hear one of the lesser known treasures in a live performance. Not uniformly inspired but a committed performance … truly involving … see Full Review

Edward ELGAR (1865-1934) - Symphony No. 1 (1908) [48.43] - Symphony No. 2 (1911) [51.35] - Introduction and Allegro (1905) [14.16] - Serenade (1892) [12.04] - Cello Concerto (1908) [29.16] - Violin Concerto (1911) [49.38] - Enigma Variations (1905) [27.49] - Cockaigne (1892) [14.14] - In the South (1904) [20.03] - Pomp and Circumstance Marches Nos. 1-5 (1901-30) [27.14] - Imperial March (1897) [4.47b] - Sospiri (1909) [4.51] - Elegy (1909) [4.28] - The Wand of Youth Suites 1 and 2 (1908) [19.43] - The Starlight Express (1916) [28.32] - Dream Children (1902) [7.28] - Falstaff - Symphonic Study (1913) [32.53] - The Dream of Gerontius (1900) [90.28] - Sea Pictures (1889) [19.25] - LPO/Solti (symphonies, Violin Concerto, In the South, Pomp and Circumstance); English Chamber Orchestra/Britten (Intro and Allegro); Academy of St Martin in the Fields/Neville Marriner (Serenade; Sospiri; Elegy) - Julian Lloyd Webber (cello) RPO/Yehudi Menuhin (Cello Concerto) - Kyung Wha Chung (violin) LPO/Solti (Violin Concerto) - Chicago SO/Solti (Enigma) - Peter Pears (ten) - Gerontius; Yvonne Minton (sop) - Angel; John Shirley-Quirk (bar) - Priest/Angel of Agony, London Symphony Chorus, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, LSO/Britten (Gerontius) - Della Jones (mezzo), RPO/Charles Mackerras (Sea Pictures) - Welsh National Opera Orchestra/Mackerras (Dream Children, Starlight Express, Wand of Youth) - Grenadier Guards Band/Lt Col Rodney Bashford (Imperial March) - recordings made:- July 1985, Watford Town Hall (Cello Concerto); Feb 1977, Kingsway Hall (Violin Concerto) - May 1974 Medinah Temple, Chicago (Enigma) - Feb 1976, Kingsway Hall (Cockaigne) - April 1968 (Serenade; Sospiri; Elegy), Dec 1968 Maltings Snape (Intro) - Feb 1972 (1), Feb 1975 (2), Kingsway Hall - Oct 1989, St Eustache, Montreal (Falstaff) - July 1971, The Maltings, Snape (Gerontius) - March 1993, Walthamstow Assembly Hall (Sea Pictures) - Dec 1979, Kingsway Hall (In the South) - March 1977, Kingsway Hall (Pomp and Circumstance Marches) - Dec 1990, Brangwyn Hall, Swansea (Wand of Youth, Starlight Express, Dream Children) - ADD; DDD (Cello Concerto, Falstaff, Sea Pictures, Wand of Youth, Starlight Express, Dream Children) DECCA The British Music Collection 473 249-2 [8 CDs: 61.07+66.00+58.19+63.57+69.22+75.31+63.31+74.28] [RB]

Solti shakes the rafters still ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) The Dream of Gerontius, Op. 38 (1900) [93’45"] * William WALTON (1902-1983) Belshazzar’s Feast (1931) [35’15"] § * Gerontius: Anthony Rolfe Johnson (tenor) The Angel: Catherine Wyn-Rogers (mezzo-soprano) The Priest, The Angel of the Agony: Michael George (bass) Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir Huddersfield Choral Society Stephen Disley (organ) Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra/Vernon Handley § Michael Rippon (baritone) Hallé Choir and Orchestra/James Loughran Rec: Elgar: Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, 16, 17, 19 January 1993; Walton: Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, September 1973 EMI CLASSICS FOR PLEASURE 7243 5 75764 2 0 [72’22"+56’45"] [JQ]

A decent performance of Belshazzar; an excellent one of Gerontius. A very good bargain and I confidently recommend it. … see Full Review

Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Overture: Cockaigne, Opus 40 (1901) Overture: Froissart, opus 19 (1890) In the South, Opus 50 (1904) Handel Overture in D minor (1923) Scottish National Orchestra/Alexander Gibson Recorded 9-10 Sept 1982, Henry Wood Hall, Glasgow CHANDOS CHAN 6652 [54.19] [TB]

A real sweep of passionate intensity … see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH - Gerald FINZI (1901-1856) Lo, the full, Final Sacrifice and other choral works - 1) God is gone up, Op.27, No.2 (1951) - 2) Magnificat, Op. 36 (1952) - 3) My lovely one, Op.27 No.1 (1947) - 4) Welcome sweet and sacred feast, Op.27, No.3 (1953) - 5) Thou didst delight mine eyes, Op.32 (1951) - 6) Let us now praise famous men, Op.35 (1952) - Seven Unaccompanied Partsongs, Op.17 (1934-1937) (set to poems by Robert Bridges) - 7) I praise the tender flower - 8) I have loved the flowers that fade - 9) My spirit sang all day - 10) Clear and gentle stream - 11) Nightingales - 12) Haste on, my joys! - 13) Wherefore tonight so full of care - 14) Lo, the Full, Final Sacrifice, Op.26 (1946) - Choir of St. John’s College, Cambridge Christopher Robinson (Director) - Christopher Whitton (organ) - Aaron Burchell (alto soloist in the ‘Magnificat’) - Gareth Jones (bass soloist in the ‘Lo, the Full Final Sacrifice’) - Recorded 17-19 March 2001 in St. John’s College, Cambridge, England. DDD - Naxos English Choral Music Series NAXOS 8.555792 [61:43] [MC]

Magical music for a cold winter’s evening … it really doesn’t get much better than this. … see Full Review

Karsten FUNDAL (b.1966) Chamber Music - Zoom (1997) - The Wings of a Butterfly for clarinet, violin, viola and accordion (1996-97) - Traces for clarinet, violin, cello and piano (1995) - The Ways of Lightness and Falling for clarinet, piano and cello (1991) - Two Simple Movements for flute, violin, cello and piano (1995-96) - Ritornello al contrario for percussion and sinfonietta (1997) - Thomas Sandberg (percussion) Athelas Sinfonietta Copenhagen/Giordano Bellincampi - Recorded at the Radio House Concert Hall, Copenhagen between August 1999 and May 2000 DACAPO 8.224164 [55.28] [JW]

Fundal: a relatively combustible protagonist, colour and drive, spectral sonorities … see Full Review

Robert FUCHS (1847-1927) Complete Violin Sonatas Vol. 1 Violin Sonata No. 1 in F sharp minor Op. 20 (1877) [26.38] Violin Sonata No. 4 in E major Op. 77 (1905) [19.59] Violin Sonata No. 5 in A major Op. 95 (1912) [24.26] Ursula Maria Berg (violin) Oliver Treindl (piano) rec NDR Landesfunkhaus Hannover, Kleiner Sendesaal, 27-28 July, 7-8 Oct 2002. DDD THOROFON CTH2511 [71.11] [RB]

Brahmsian lyricism ... see Full Review

George GERSHWIN (1898-1937) Dayful of Song [12.23] - Cuban Overture (1932) [10.35] - Promenade [2.50] - Rhapsody in Blue (1924) [16.58] - Lullaby (1919) [8.56] - An American in Paris (1928) [18.27] Dallas Symphony Orchestra/Andrew Litton (conductor/piano) - Rec McDermott Hall, Meyerson Center, Dallas, Texas, October 1996 DELOS DE 3216 [70.09] [CF]

A thoroughly enjoyable disc - a pity the best of it (and Dayful of Song really is top stuff) is over so quickly … see Full Review

Nicolas GOMBERT (c1495 – c1560) Magnificats 5 - 8 The Tallis Scholars directed by Peter Phillips. recorded during 2002 in the Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Salle, Norfolk. DDD GIMELL CDGIM 038 [58.23] [JP]

Highly developed melodic invention … multiple strands of texture, dissonances and harmonic clashes. … see Full Review

Alessandro GRANDI (1586-1630) and Masters of the Italian Baroque
Motets by GRANDI: Osculeture Me; Venite Filii; O intemerata a 2; Deus Misereatur Nostri; Ceacilia; O Dulce Nomen Jesu; Salvum me fac Domine a 2; Bone Jesu; Veni Sancte Spiritus; O Quam Speciosa; Instrumental works by: GRANDI Sonata terza; Carlo MILANUZZI (d.1647) Canzona 5; Giuseppe SCARANI Sonata Primo and Sonata Terza. Musica Antiqua Praha directed by Pavel Kilkar Recorded Czech Brethren Chapel, Prague, December 1993
SUPRAPHON SU 3017-2 931 [48.07] [GH]

A series of very fine renderings of rare but important repertoire well worth getting to know. … see Full Review

George Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759) Dixit Dominus, Zadok the Priest Dixit Dominus (Psalm 109) Coronation Anthem No.1 ‘Zadok the Priest’ Felicity Palmer, Margaret Marshall soprano Charles Brett, John Angelo Messana, counter-tenor Richard Morton, Alistair Thompson, tenor David Wilson-Johnson, bass Nicholas Kraemer, harpsichord Malcolm Hicks, organ Monteverdi Choir and Orchestra /Sir John Elliot Gardiner Recorded in October 1976 and January 1977 at Henry Wood Hall, London, England DDD APEX 0927 48683 2 [42:03] [PB]

Another superb performance from Gardiner and the Monteverdi Choir and Orchestra, re-released at super budget price…see Full Review

Franz Joseph HAYDN (1732 - 1809) A selection of Scots Songs (1795) 1 The Ploughman 2 The Bonny Brucket Lassie 3 Logie of Buchan 4 My Heart's in the Highlands 5 Sleepie Bodie 6 O Can Ye Sew Cushions 7 The White Cockade The Mermaid's Song (VI Original Canzonettas, I: 1794) A Pastorial Song (VI Original Canzonettas, I: 1794) A Sailor's (VI Original Canzonettas, II: 1795) Gabriel's Recitative and Aria (The Creation, Ed. Clementi 1801) Cantata: Arianna a Naxos (English Edition 1791) Catherine Bott (Soprano) Melvyn Tan (Fortepiano) Alison Bury (Violin) Lisa Beznosiuk (Flute) Anthony Pleeth (Violoncello)
Frances Kelly (arp) Recorded 1985 (Originally issued by Meridian in 1986) MERIDIAN CDE 84495 [71.23] [RH]

A charming recital, highlighting some of Hadyn’s lesser known arrangements, an imaginative picture of the London years … see Full Review

Joseph HOLBROOKE (1878-1958) String Quartet No. 1 Fantasie in D minor Op. 17b Departure, Absence, Return (1905) [15.15] String Quartet No. 2 Impressions (Belgium 1915; Russia-1915) Op. 59a (1915) [12.42] Song of the Bottle (from Folk Song Suite No. 2 Op. 72, No. 2) (1917) [4.02] Eileen Shona for clarinet and string quartet (1905) [3.58] The Last Rose of Summer and Mavourneen Deelish for string quartet from Folk Song Suite No. 1) (1916) [3.59+1.21] Clarinet Quintet Op. 27 (1910) [24.58] The Rasumovsky Quartet Richards Hosford Clarinet rec. 26-28 Mar 2002, Great Hall, Bancroft's School, Woodford, Essex. DDD DUTTON EPOCH CDLX 7124 [67.17] [RB]

Pleasingly unnerving moments, his handling of folksong is astoundingly fresh and impressionistic ... see Full Review

Gustav HOLST (1874-1934) Toccata (1924), Chrissemas Day in the Morning, op. 46/1 (1926), O! I hae seen the roses blaw, op. 46/2 (1927), The Shoemakker, op. 46/3 (1927), Nocturne (1930), Jig (1932), The Planets, op. 32 (arr. Holst, Lasker and Day). YORK 2 (Fiona and John York) (pianoforte) 27^th March 2000 (Planets) at Potton Hall, Suffolk, England, 10^th May 2000 at St. Georges, Brandon Hill, Bristol, England (solo pieces) BLACK BOX BBM1041 [61’ 19"] [CH]

The Planets are interesting and instructive rather than uniformly convincing. The disc also contains all the music Holst wrote for solo piano. ...see Full Review

Jacques IBERT (1890-1962) Persée et Andromède - or Le Plus Heureux des Trois - an opera in two acts by Nino adapted from Moralités Légendaires by Jules Laforgue (1921) [40.34] La Ballade de la Géole de Reading (1920) [25.36] Sarabande pour Dulcinée () [4.02] Annick Massis (sop) - Andromède Philippe Rouillon (bass-bar) - Cathos Yann Beuron (ten) - Persée Melanie Moussay (mz) - Thétis Marie Basson, Karen Perret, Armela Fortuna, Jing Li, Melanie Moussay, Sophie Ottenwelter (Les Néréides) Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg/Jan Latham-Koenig rec. 8-9 Oct 2001 (Ballade, Sarabande); 19-20 June 2002 (Persée) DDD AVIE AV0008 [70.31] [RB]

Major discoveries from a French romantic-melodist ... see Full Review

Ludvig IRGENS-JENSEN (1894-1969) ‘Japanischer Frühling’* (1919/1957) [25’38"] - Passacaglia (1926-7) [20’02"] - Pastorale religioso (1939) [5’58"] - Canto d’omaggio (1950) [12’17"] - *Ragnhild Heiland Sørensen (soprano) Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Eivind Aadland - Recorded 1- 4 April 2001 in the Grieghallen, Bergen SIMAX CLASSICS PSC 1164 [63’57"] [JQ]

This is a most interesting collection of unfamiliar, well-crafted music which will give pleasure to collectors with an enquiring ear … see Full Review

Charles IVES (1874-1954) Symphony No. 1 (1898) Symphony No. 2 (1902) Symphony No. 3 The Camp Meeting (1907) Symphony No. 4 (1916) A Symphony: New England Holidays (1912) The Unanswered Question (revised version) The Unanswered Question (original version) Central Park in the Dark Hymns (as quoted in Fourth Symphony): Sweet by and by; Beulah Land (organ solo); Ye Christian Heralds; Jesus, Lover of my Soul; Nearer, My God, to Thee () [] Chicago SO (1, 4, New England, Question, Park) Concertgebouw Orchestra (2, 3) conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas Mary Sauer (piano) (4) Richard Webster (organ) (hymns) Adolph Herseth (trumpet) (Question) members of Chicago Symphony Chorus/Margaret Hillis (hymns) rec: no recording dates or locations given SONY ESSENTIAL CLASSICS SB3K87746 [3CDs: 77.09+60.59+63.04] [RB]

A self-selecting first choice without a shadow of doubt. ... see Full Review

Charles IVES (1874-1954) Violin Sonata No 1 (1902-08) Violin Sonata No 2 (1902-09) Violin Sonata No 3 (1905-14) Violin Sonata No 4 (1906-15) Gregory Fulkerson (violin) Robert Shannon (piano) Recorded at the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters, May-June 1989 BRIDGE BCD 9024 [2 CDs: 79.52] [JW]

A clarifying and cleansing beauty that seems to beatify all the struggle that has preceded it … see Full Review

Leoš JANÁCEK (1854 - 1928) Jenufa (Brno Version - 1908); Jenufa - Karita Mattila; Kostelnicka Buryjovka - Anja Silja; Starenka Buryjovka - Eva Randova; Laca Klemen - Jorma Silvasti; Steva Buryja - Jerry Hadley; Starek (Foreman) - Jonathan Veira; Rychtar (The Mayor) - Jeremy White; Rychtarka (The Mayor’s Wife) - Carole Wilson; Karolka - Leah-Marian Jones; Pastuchyna (Herdswoman) - Elizabeth Sikora; Barena (Servant Girl) - Rebecca Nash; Jano - Gail Pearson; Tetka - Jennifer Higgins; Hlas - Jonathan Fisher; Zena - Eryl Royle Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden/Bernard Haitink - Recorded live at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, 10-18 October 2001 ERATO 2927-45330 [69.19+58.39] [RH]

A fine record of a great series of performances, particularly memorable for Karita Mattila in the title role and the playing of the Royal Opera House Orchestra … see Full Review

Joseph JONGEN (1873 – 1953) Cello Sonata Op.39 (1912) - Aria Op.68 No.1 (1921) - Moto perpetuo Op.68 No.2 (1921) - Dans la douceur des pins Op.51 No.1 (1916) - Caprice-impromptu Op.51 No.2 (1916) - Habanera Op.86 (1928) - Feuille d’album (1892) - Valse Op.35 (1909) - Karel Steylaerts (cello) Piet Kuijken (piano) - Recorded: Academiezaal, Sint Truiden, July 2002 PHAEDRA 92030 [73:38] [HC]

Committed and assured readings serve Jongen’s richly melodic music well … see Full Review

Dmitri KABALEVSKY (1904-1987) Cello Concerto No. 1 in G minor Op. 49 (1949) [18.49] - Cello Concerto No. 2 in C minor Op. 77 (1964) [30.59] - Improvisato for violin and piano Op. 21 No. 1 (1934) [4.16] - Rondo for violin and piano Op. 69 (1961) [6.57] - Marina Tarasova (cello) Symphony Orchestra of Russia/Veronika Dudarova - Natalia Likhopoi (violin) - Ludmilla Kuritskaya (piano) - rec. July 1993, Moscow Radio Studio 5 REGIS RRC 1116 [61.31] [RB]

Impressive for Tarasova's sense of flow and colour as well as for the mercurial fantasy and power of Likhopoi. ... see Full Review

Abraham Van den KERCKHOVEN (1618-1701) Organ works François Houtart, Organist Organ by: Westenfelder, 1995, Luxembourg Cathedral, Luxembourg Recorded: September 1995 PAVANE RECORDS ADW 7381 [70’57] [ChA]

An uninteresting recording that does not show Van de Kerckhoven’s music in the best light…see Full Review

Albert KETÈLBEY (1875-1959) In a Monastery Garden; Characteristic Reflection (1915) Chal Romano – A Gypsy Overture (1924) The Phantom Melody 91912) By the Blue Hawaiian waters – Tone Picture (1927) Three Fanciful Sketches (1928) In a Chinese Temple Garden – Oriental Fantasy (1923) Will You Forgive? (1923) In the Moonlight – Poetic Intermezzo (1919) The Clock and the Dresden Figures (1930) Sanctuary of the Heart (1924) Peter Dawson (bass baritone), Albert Sandler (violin), Len Fellis (Hawaiian guitar), Arthur Jordan (tenor), Albert Ketèlbey (piano) and an unknown contralto soloist with various bands and orchestras conducted by Albert Ketèlbey, Ray Noble and Richard Crean. Recorded 1924-32 NAXOS 8.110174 [59.02] [JW]

Heartily recommended to Ketèlbey’s once more growing band of admirers. … see Full Review

Wojciech KILAR (b.1932) Film Music Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992) König der letzen Tage (1993) Death and the Maiden (1994) The Beads of One Rosary (1980) Pearl in the Crown (1972) Cracow Philharmonic Chorus Polish National Radio SO/Antoni Wit Recorded in Grzegorz Fitelberg Concert Hall, Katowice in November 1997 MARCO POLO 8.225153 [63.39] [GH]

Played with commitment and passion … see Full Review

Uuno KLAMI (1900-1961) All'Ouverture (1951) [8.33] Sea Pictures (1930-32) [22.28] Kalevala Suite (1943) [31.51] Cheremissian Fantasy (1931) [11.28] Violin Concerto (1942) [27.27] Piano Concerto No. 2 (1950) [30.22] Finnish RSO/Leif Segerstam, rec 1987 (Overture, Sea, Kalevala) Arto Noras (cello) Helsinki PO/Jorma Panula (Cheremissian Fantasy) rec. 1973 Ilkka Talvi (violin) Kouvola City Orchestra/Eero Bister. rec 1983 Juhani Lagerspetz (piano) Tapiola Sinfonietta/Juhani Lamminmäki, 1990 ADD/DDD Meet The Composer series FINLANDIA 4509-99968-2 [63.17+69.40] [RB]

This is the set by which Sibelians should be introduced to the sympathetic melodic strengths and imagination of Uuno Klami ... see Full Review

Paul von KLENAU (1883-1946) Symphony No. 7 Die Sturmsymphonie (1941) [32.49] - Klein Idas Blume (Ballett-Ouverture) (1916) [10.47] - Gespräche mit der Tod (1916) [14.41] - Jahrmarkt bei London (Bank holiday - Souvenir of Hampstead Heath) (1923) [17.48] - Susanne Resmark (alto) Odense SO/Jan Wagner - rec 4-8 Dec 2000, Odense Concert Hall, Dansk Radio. DDD DACAPO 8.224183 [76.23] [RB]

A revelation - a restlessly dissonant symphony, an operatic song cycle and a Francophile-impressionistic sketch ... see Full Review

KOMZÁK, LANNER, MILLÖCKER, STRAUSS, SUPPÉ, ZIEHRER Overtures, Marches, Polkas and Waltzes Franz von SUPPÉ (1819-1895) Overture: Ein Morgen, ein Mittag und ein Abend in Wien (1844) Overture: Boccaccio (1879) Overture: Leicht Kavallerie (1866) Overture: Dichter und Bauer (1846) Marsch: Fatinitza Karel KOMZÁK (1850-1905) Walzer: Bad'ner Mad'ln (1890s) Walzer: An der schönen grunen Narenta (1890s) Fideles Wien Marsch: Echtes Wiener Blut Marsch: Erzherzog Albrecht (1877) Carl Michael ZIEHRER (1843-1922) Overture: Die Landstreicher Marsch: Hoch und Nieder Polka: Loslassen Walzer: Faschingskinder Schönfeld-Marsch (1890) Walzer: Weaner Mad'ln Polka: Das liegt bei uns im Blut Johann STRAUSS II (1825-1899) Overture: Blindekuh (1878) Overture: Eine Nacht in Venedig (1883) Josef STRAUSS (1827-1870) Walzer: Perlen der Liebe (1857) Joseph LANNER (1801-1843) Walzer: Abendsterne (1841) Walzer: Jagd-Galoppe Walzer: Die Romantiker (1841) Carl MILLÖCKER (1842-1899) Walzer: Carletta Traum-Walzer (1894) Polka: Postscriptum Wiener Johann-Strauss-Orchestra/Willi Boskovsky rec. May 1971, May and Oct 1972, Redoutensaal, Hofburg; Simmeringer Hof, Vienna. ADD EMI CLASSICS DOUBLE FFORTE 5 75676 2 [78.29+77.49] [RB]

The overture meets the dances of old Vienna in light fantasy ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Erich Wolfgang KORNGOLD (1897-1957) Symphony in F sharp Op.40 (1952) [53.54] Moderato ma energico [15.20] Scherzo [10.33] Adagio: Lento [16.57] Finale: Allegro [11.04]The Sea Hawk (1940) [8.06] Oregon Symphony Orchestra/James DePreist rec Baumann Auditorium, George Fox University, Newberg, Oregon, November 12 and 13 1997 DELOS DE 3234 [62.00] [CF]

As good as it gets. … see Full Review

Joseph Martin KRAUS (1756-1792) Sinfonia per la Chiesa in D, VB 146 (Riksdagssymfon) 1789 [7:37] - Symphony in F, VB 145 ca. 1787 [21:33] - Symphony in D, VB 143 ca. 1783 [18:05] - Symphony in E flat, VB 144 ca. 1784 [4:59] (alternative slow movement, full symphony released on Naxos 8.553734) - Riksdagsmarsch 1789 [6:29] Swedish Chamber Orchestra/Petter Sundkvist - Recorded 24-26 May 2000 at the Concert Hall Orebro. DDD, Complete Symphonies, vol. 4 NAXOS 8.555305 [58:44] [KS]

Splendid classical symphonies by composers other than Mozart or Haydn … served up on little silver platters for the price of a burger and fries. … see Full Review

Constant LAMBERT (1905-1951) The Rio Grande [14.25] Concerto for Piano and Nine Players [31.00] Horoscope [27.13] Kathryn Stott (piano) Della Jones (mezzo) BBC Singers BBC Concert Orchestra/Barry Wordsworth rec. Walthamstow Assembly Hall, June 1991. DDD DECCA The British Music Collection 473 424-2 [69.12] [RB]

The Orchestra have this music in their blood... see Full Review

Rued LANGGAARD (1893-1952) Violin Sonatas Volume 1 - Violin Sonata No 1 Viole BVN94 (1915 rev 1945) - Violin Sonata No 2 Den store Mester kommer BVN167 (1920-21) Serguei Azizian (violin) - Anne Øland (piano) - Recorded at Mantzuisgården, October and December 1999 DACAPO 8.224153 [65.04] [JW]

Performances are strongly committed and generally assured … adventurous and experimental work … see Full Review

Motets en espace Roland de LASSUS (1532-1594) Aurora lucis rutilat Tomas Luis de VICTORIA (c1548-1611) Ave Maria Eustache du CAURROY (1549-1609) Victimae paschali laudes Roland de LASSUS (1532-1594) Salve regina Francisco GUERRERO (1528-1599) Duo seraphim Phillipe de MONTE (1521-1603)
Super flumina babylonis Peter PHILIPS (1561-1628)* Jubilate deo Giovanni Pier Luigi da PALASTRINA (c1525-1592)* Stabat mater Alessandro STRIGGIO (c1540-1592)* Ecce beatem lucem Thomas TALLIS (1505-1585) Spem in alium Roland de LASSUS (1532-1594) Aurora lucis rutilat Tomas Luis de VICTORIA (c1548-1611) Ave Maria Eustache du CAURROY (1549-1609) Victimae paschali laudes Roland de LASSUS (1532-1594) Salve regina Francisco GUERRERO (1528-1599) Duo seraphim Phillipe de MONTE (1521-1603)
Super flumina babylonis Peter PHILIPS (1561-1628)* Jubilate deo Giovanni Pier Luigi da PALASTRINA (c1525-1592)* Stabat mater Alessandro STRIGGIO (c1540-1592)* Ecce beatem lucem Thomas TALLIS (1505-1585) Spem in alium Gary Cooper, organ La Maitrise Nationale de Versailles The Choir of New College Oxford Directed by Edward Higginbotham and Michel-Marc Gervais * Recorded L’Abbeye Cistercienne de Valloires March 1991 K617010 [56.35] [JW]

A most palpable sense of tonal depth and flexibility from this choir. … see Full Review

György LIGETI (b.1923) The Ligeti Project Vol.1 Melodien (1971) [13’04] Chamber Concerto (1969-70) [18’24] Piano Concerto (1985-88) [23’30] Mysteries of the Macabre (1974-77; 1991) [7’57] Pierre-Laurent Aimard (piano); Peter Masseurs (trumpet) Schoenberg Ensemble (Melodien, Chamber Concerto) Asko Ensemble (Piano Concerto, Mysteries) Reinbert de Leeuw (conductor) Rec. Stichting Muziekcentrum van de Omroep, Hilversum, September 2000 DDD TELDEC CLASSICS 8573-83953 2 [64’05] [TH]

The whole disc is a success. … see Full Review

György LIGETI (b.1923) The Ligeti Project Vol.2 Lontano (1967) [11’35] Atmosphères (1961) [8’51] Apparitions (1958-59) [12’21] San Francisco Polyphony (1973-74) [12’21] Romanian Concerto (1951) [12’50] Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/Jonathan Nott Rec. Philharmonie, Berlin, 13-16 December 2001, DDD TELDEC CLASSICS 8573-88261-2 [54’34] [TH]

Whether a Ligeti fan or not heartily recommended –worth it for the rare items and the sonic experience alone! … see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH György LIGETI (b.1923) The Ligeti Project Vol.3 Cello Concerto (1966) [14’22] Clocks and Clouds (1973) [14’23] Violin Concerto (1992) [27’02] Sippal, dobbal, nádihegedüvel (2000) [11’24] Siegfried Palm (cello); Frank Peter Zimmerman (violin); Katalina Karolyi (mezzo); Cappella Amsterdam; Amadinda Percussion Ensemble; Asko Ensemble; Schoenberg Ensemble Reinbert de Leeuw (conductor) Rec. Muziekcentrum Vredenburg, Utrecht, 7-9 April 2001, 12-16 September 2001 TELDEC CLASSICS 8573-87631-2 [67’15] [TH]

A beguiling combination of clarity and sheer weirdness … see Full Review

Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Love and the Devil Mordecai SHEHORI plays Franz Liszt - Volume One Cantique d’amour S173 (1845-52) Scherzo and March S177 (1851) Gretchen (from A Faust Symphony Second Movement) S513 (1851) Gretchen am Spinnrade (after Schubert) S558 (1837-38) Ständchen von Shakespeare (after Schubert) S558 (1837-38) Réminiscences de Don Juan (after Mozart) S418 (1841) Mephisto Waltz No 1 S514 (1856-60) Mordecai Shehori (piano) Recorded 2002 CEMBAL D’AMOUR CD 116 [73.29] [JW]

When it comes to Liszt Shehori takes on something of the leonine drive of pianists of the Golden Age.… see Full Review

 

Terence Judd (piano). Homage 1 Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Sonata in B minor S178 Sposalizio (No 1 from Années de pèlerinage, deuxième année Italie) S161 La Campanella (No 3 from Etudes d’exécution transcendente d’après Paganini) S140 Hungarian Rhapsody No 11 in A minor S244 Frederic CHOPIN (1810-1849) Nocturne in B major Op 32 No 1 Etude in A minor Op 25 No 11 Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) Noctuelles (No 1 from Miroirs) Anatol Konstantinovich LYADOV (1855-1914) A Musical Snuffbox (Valse-Badinage) Terence Judd (piano) Recorded at the Grand Hall of the Moscow Conservatory in 1978 (Sonata, La Campanella, Etude), Broadcasting House Concert Hall, London January 1978 (Nocturne) and New Gallery, London October 1977 (remainder) CHANDOS CHAN 10004 [64.36] [JW]

Judd: what a musician he could have become; what a musician he already was. … see Full Review

George LLOYD (1900-1998) The Vigil of Venus (1977-1980) - Carolyn James (sop) - Thomas Booth (ten) Orchestra and Chorus of Welsh National Opera/George Lloyd - rec Brangwyn Hall, Swansea, Nov 1990 DDD DECCA The British Music Collection 473 437-2 [78.02] [RB]

Rises to full euphoric stretch … much to exult in along the way ... see Full Review

Alonso LOBO (1555-1617) Missa O Rex Gloriae - Missa Simile est Regnum Caelorum - Lamentationes The Choir of King’s College, London/David Trendell - Rec. St Mary Magdalene, Paddington, London, 21-23 September 2001 GAUDEAMUS CD GAU311 [75.21] [PW]

Somewhat less memorable than the music deserves. … see Full Review

Alexander LOKSHIN (1920-1987) Songs of Margaret (1973) [21.31] - Symphony No. 7 for contralto and chamber orchestra (based on Japanese poems of the Seventh and Thirteenth Centuries) (1972) [20.07] - Symphony No. 10 for contralto, mixed chorus and chamber orchestra (to lyrics by Nikolai Zabolotsky) (1975) [33.24] - Nina Grigorieva (alto) (symphonies) - Ludmila Sokolenko (sop) (symphonies) - Moscow Chamber Choir Moscow Chamber Orchestra/Rudolf Barshai - rec 1974, 1976 (10), Melodiya Studios, Moscow, ADD LAUREL RECORD LR-901 CD [75.15] [RB]

Powerfully intense traversals of a fascination with death and bereavement. Typically Russian ... 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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