John McCABE (b.
1939) Concerto
for Wind Quintet (1969) Musica Notturna (1964) Fauvel’s Rondeaux (1966)
Postcards for Wind Quintet (1965 rev. 1991)
Fibonacci Sequence Rec. 2002. DDD
DUTTON CDLX 7125 [67.31] [PC]
Some
of John McCabe’s finest chamber works in commanding performances marrying
sensitivity with technical virtuosity. … see Full
Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Gustav MAHLER
(1860-1911)
Symphony No. 4 (1892-1895) [53.29] - Richard
STRAUSS (1864 -1949) Burleske (1885-1886) [20.09] - Lisa
della Casa (soprano) - Byron Janis (piano)
Chicago Symphony Orchestra/Fritz Reiner - recorded in 1958
RCA RED SEAL 09026 64002 2 [73.38] [CF]
A
recording worth its weight in gold for the stylish Reiner and the exemplary
playing of the CSO.
see Full Review
Gustav MAHLER
(1860-1911) Symphony
No.10 (1910-11)
Orchestrated and completed by Clinton A. Carpenter Dallas Symphony Orchestra/Andrew
Litton Recorded in McDermott Hall, Dallas, 3-6 June 2001
DELOS DE 3295 [78.45] [TB]
With
a top-rate Mahler conductor in charge of a top class orchestra, this
recording demands serious attention. … see Full
Review
Gustav MAHLER
(1860-1911) Kindertotenlieder
(1901) Rückertlieder (1901-2) Lieder eines fahrenden
Gesellen (1883-5)
Janet Baker (mezzo-soprano) New Philharmonia Orchestra (Rückertlieder)
Hallé Orchestra Sir John Barbirolli Recorded Watford Town Hall,
July 17-18, 1969 (Rückertlieder), Abbey Road Studio 1, London,
May 4, 1967 ADD Great Recordings of the Century
EMI CLASSICS 5 66981 2 [71’47] [TH]
The
songs that come off best are the deeper, more introspective ones … see
Full Review
Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911)
Das
Lied von der Erde (1907-8)
Christa Ludwig (mezzo-soprano) Fritz Wunderlich (tenor) Philharmonia
then New Philharmonia Orchestra/Otto Klemperer Recorded in Kingsway
Hall, London 19-22 February 1964 No 1 Studio, Abbey Road, London 7-8
November 1964 and 6-9 July 1966 Great Recordings of the Century series
EMI CLASSICS 7243
5 66892 2 0 [64’07"] [JQ]
One
of the finest accounts of Das Lied von der Erde ever committed to disc.
… see Full Review
Manuel MARTÍNEZ-SOBRAL
(1879-1946) Cinco
piezas características y una romanza (1903-1919) * - Five Characteristic
Pieces and a Romance): Mazurka in A flat major; Gavota in D flat major;
Mazurka in A minor; Gavota in G major; Minueto in a major; Romanza sin
palabras (Romance without words) - Sonata para dos pianos (Acuarelas
chapinas) (1903/1922) * ±: La parada (The Promenade); Misa mayor (High
Mass); La hora del cocktail (Cocktail Time); En la ventana (By the Window)
- Cuatro series de valses autobiográficos (1910-1939) *: (Four
Autobiographical Waltzes): Deja que cante al pie de tu ventana (Let
me sing by your window); María Teresa; Lejana juventud, edad
de ensueño (Distant youth, age of dreams); Otoño (Autumn)
Suzanne Husson, piano
* - Michel Bourdoncle, piano ± - Recorded at Potton Hall, Westleton,
Suffolk, England, January 2002 - Guatemala, Volume 5
MARCO POLO 8.225188 [69:26] [DS]
Given
Marco Polo’s premium price this is a poor use of disposable income …
see Full Review
Bohuslav MARTINU (1890-1959)
Symphony
No. 4 H305 (1945) [32.07] -
Tre Ricercari H267 (1938) [14.05] - Piano Concerto No. 4 Incantations
H358 (1956) [18.59] - Josef Pálenicek (piano)
Brno State Philharmonic Orchestra/Jiri Pinkas (concerto) - Czech Philharmonic
Orchestra/MartinuTurnovsky (Symphony; Tre Ricercari) rec. ADD
1967, 1968 WARNER CLASSICS
APEX 0927 49822 2 [65.17] [RB]
One
of the unmistakable and unmissable highlights of the year. A glorious
bargain. ... see Full Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Bohuslav MARTINU
(1890-1959) String
Quartet No. 1 (1918) - String Quartet No. 2 (1925) - String Quartet
No. 3 (1929) - String Quartet No. 4 Concerto da Camera (1937)
- String Quartet No. 5 (1938) - String Quartet No. 6 (1946) - String
Quartet No. 7 Concerto da Camera (1947) - Madrigals for Violin
and Viola (1947) - String Trio No. 2 (1934) - Bedrich
SMETANA (1824-1884) String Quartet No. 1 in E minor From
My Life (1880) - String Quartet No. 2 in D minor (1882-83) -
Leoš JANÁCEK (1854-1928) String Quartet
No. 1 Kreutzer Sonata (1923) - String Quartet No. 2 Intimate
Letters (1928) Stamitz
Quartet - Recorded in Prague 1988 (Janácek), 1990 (Smetana and Martinu)
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 6473
[5 CDs 245.48] [JW]
A
warm welcome to this disarmingly cheap set. I heartily recommend this
comprehensive traversal of the unpredictable, occasionally highly impressive
Martinů Quartets. … see Full Review
Sacred Motets by Mendelssohn and Brahms
- Felix
MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Heilig [1.54] - Zwei geistliche Chore
Op.115 (1833) [3.51] - Mitten wir in Leben sind Op.23 No.3 (1830)[7.55]
- Aus tiefer Noth Op.23 No.1 (1830) [15.32] - Three Motets Op.39 (1830)
[19.20] - Sechs Sprüche Op.79(1846) [11.29] -
Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897) Es ist das Heil Op.29 No.1 (1864) [5.15]
- O Heiland reiss die Himmel auf Op.74 No.2 (1863-64) [5.26] - Ach,
arme Welt Op.110 No.2 (1889) [2.25] - James Jordan (organ)
Gloriae Dei Cantores/Elizabeth Patterson - rec Mechanics Hall, Worcester,
Massachusetts, USA in 1996
GLORIAE DEI CANTORES GDCD 107 [75.45] [CF]
For
followers of this accomplished vocal group of forty singers, I can recommend
this disc as a valuable addition to their ever-growing and evergreen
collection. … see Full Review
Felix
MENDELSSOHN (1809
- 1847) Six organ sonatas, Op 65 (1845) -
Organ Sonata #1 in f [17.24] - Organ Sonata #2 in c [10.56] - Organ
Sonata #3 in A [9.47] - Organ Sonata #4 in Bb [13.50] - Organ
Sonata #5 in D [9.49] - Organ Sonata #6 in d [16.25]
Reg Elson, Viscount Prestige [electronic digital sampler sequencer]
Organ - Recorded at Woodsetts House, November 2002 - Notes in English,
Deutsch GUILD GMCD 7249
[72.26] [PS]
A
good recording of the Mendelssohn Sonatas and a taste of the future:
Computer assisted musical instruments. … see Full
Review
RECORDING OF THE MONTH
- Saverio MERCADANTE (1795-1870)
Concertos for Clarinet and for Winds and Orchestra: Concerto
in B flat major for clarinet and orchestra (1819?) - Concertone No.
1 in F major for flute, clarinet, horn and orchestra * - Concertone
No. 2 in F major for flute, two clarinets, horn and orchestra * - Concertone
No. 3 in F major for flute, two clarinets, horn and orchestra * - (dates
of composition unknown; probably student works) - Concerto in E flat
major for clarinet and orchestra.(1814) - Luigi Magistrelli (clarinet);
Laura Magistrelli (clarinet) - Elena Cecconi (flute) Alfredo Predetti
(horn) Lario Chamber
Orchestra/Pieroangelo Gelmini - Recorded at S. Stefano Ticino, Milan
in July 2002 CLARINET
CLASSICS CC0042 [71:58] [IL]
Cheeky,
sunny Italian clarinet and wind concertos, delightfully played with
great brio and a keen sense of humour. A real tonic - guaranteed to
make you smile. … see Full Review
Darius
MILHAUD
(1892-1974) Symphony
No. 4 Op. 281 (1939) [20.28] Symphony No. 8 Rhodanienne Op. 362
(1957) [23.08] Piano Concerto No. 4 Op. 295 (1949) [19.23] Ballade for
piano and orchestra Op. 61 (1920) [7.57]
Orchestre Philharmonique de l'ORTF/Darius Milhaud (symphonies) Claude
Helffer (piano) (concerto; Ballade) Orchestre National de France/David
Robertson (concerto; Ballade) rec. ADD 1968 (symphonies); DDD 1993 (concerto;
Ballade) WARNER CLASSICS
APEX 0927 49982 2 [77.15] [RB]
Generosity
cannot be faulted: full to the brim. A rewarding Milhaud collection.
... see Full Review
Ludwig
MINKUS (1826
- 1917) Don
Quichotte Ballet - complete - (1869) arr. John Lanchberry (1981)
- Aurelie Dupont, Kitri - Manuel Legris, Basile - Jean-Guillaume Bart,
Espada - Marie-Agnes Gillot, La Danseuse de rue - Delphine Moussin,
La Reine des Dryades - Clairemarie Osta, Cupidon - Melanie Hurel and
Veronique Doisneau, Les deux amies - Jean-Marie Didiere, Don Quichotte
- Fabien Roques, Sancho - Laurent Queval, Gamache - Alexis Saramite,
Lorenzo - Karl Paquette, Le gitan - Fanny Fiat, La demoiselle d’honneur
- Corps de Ballet, l’Opera Nationale de Paris
L’Orchestre de l’Opéra Nationale de Paris/Ermanno Florio. Director:
Nicolas Auboyneau, Choreographer: Brigitte Lefevre, Ballet Master: Patrice
Bart and Clothilde Vayer, Sets: Alexandre Beliaev, Costumes: Elena Rivkina
and Lighting: Philippe Albaric. recorded at l’Opera Nationale de Paris,
Paris, April, 2002, DVD
TDK DV-BLDQ [122 minutes] [JP]
An
excellent DVD and one which I am sure you will enjoy … see Full
Review
Ernest
John MOERAN
(1894-1950) The
Complete Solo Piano Music - Bank Holiday (1925) - The
White Mountain (1927) - On A May Morning (1921) - Toccata
(1921) - Two Legends (1923): A Folk Story; Rune
- Three Piano Pieces (1919): The Lake Island; Autumn
Woods; At A Horse Fair - Two Pieces (1933): Prelude;
Berceuse - Theme And Variations (1920) - Summer Valley
(1925) - Stalham River (1921) - Three Fancies (1922):
Windmills; Elegy; Burlesque - Irish Love Song (1926)
Una Hunt (piano) - Rec. 2002. DDD
ASV CD DCA 1138 [77.04] [RB]
Of
poetic and sensitive melancholy you can drink your fill. Wonderful stuff,
superbly recorded and strongly recommended. ... see Full
Review
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756
- 1791) Clarinet
Concerto in A major KV 622 - Concerto for Flute, Harp and Orchestra
in C major KV 299 Harmen
de Boer (cl.), Nieuw Sinfonietta Amsterdam/Lev Markiz - Marc Grauwels
(fl.), Giselle Herbert (hp.), Les Violons du Roy/Bernard Labadie - rec.
Musiekcentrum Frits Philips, Eindhoven, 1994 - Licensed from AVRO (1-3)
CLASSIC COLLECTION
99823 [54'26] [PS]
Don’t
let the lack of liner notes put you off buying this disc - these lively
and sympathetic performances will please all but the pickiest of nit-pickers.
… see Full Review
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART
(1756-1791) Idomeneo
- Opera seria in tre atti, KV 366 - Idomeneo, King of Crete
- Nicolai Gedda (tenor); Idamante, his son - Adolf Dallapozza (tenor);
Arbace, confidant of the King - Peter Schreier (tenor); Ilia, daughter
of King Priam in Troy - Anneliese Rothenberger (soprano); Elettra, daughter
of King Agamemnon of Argos - Edda Moser (soprano); High Priest of Neptune
- Eberhard Büchner (tenor); Voice of Neptune - Theo Adam (bass);
Priest - Günther Lieb; Chor des Leipziger Rundfunks; Staatskapelle
Dresden/Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt; Recorded 1972; Thamos, König
in Ägypten, KV 345 (336a) (a); Les petits riens,
KV 299b (b); Ballet Music from Idomeneo, KV 366
(b); Charlotte Lehman (soprano); Rose Scheible (alto); Oly Pfaff (tenor);
Bruce Abel (bass); Württembergisches Kammerchoir und Orchester
(a); Slovak Sinfonietta (b); Jörg Faerber (conductor) (a); Taras
Krysa (b); (a) Licensed from VOX, USA; (b) Recorded May 2002, Zilina,
Slovak Republic; Church Sonatas: Sonata in E flat major, KV 67 -
Sonata in B flat major, KV 68 - Sonata in D major KV 69 - Sonata in
D major KV 144 - Sonata in F major KV 145 - Sonata in B flat major KV
212 - Sonata in G major KV 241 - Sonata in F major KV 224 - Sonata in
A major KV 225 - Sonata in F major KV 244 - Sonata in D major KV 245
- Sonata in G major KV 274 - Sonata in C major KV 328 - Sonata in C
major KV 336 - Sonata in C major KV 263 - Sonata in C major KV 278 -
Sonata in C major KV 329 - Bohuslav Mtousek (violin) - Collegium
Jaroslav Tuma - Licensed from Bayer records - Canons - Adagio, KV
410 - Leck mir den Arsch, KV 233 - Lieber Freistädtler, KV 232
- Kanon KV 508a-1 - O du eselhafter Martin, KV 560b - Bona nox, KV 561
- Kanon KV 508a-2 - Leck mich im Arsch KV 231 - Kanon KV 508a-3 - Kyrie
KV 89 - Alleluia KV 553 - Ave Maria KV 554 - Dona nobis pacem KV 109
- Kanon KV 508a-4 - Heiterkeit KV 507 - Hei wenn die Gläser KV
89a - Kanon KV 508a-5 - Essen, trinken KV 234 - Auf das Wohl KV 508
- Kanon KV 508a-6 - Incipe KKV 89a II - Cantate Domino KV 89a II - Confitebor
tibi KV 89a II - Tebana bella KV 89a II - Kanon KV 508a-7 - G'rechtelt's
enk KV 556 - V'amo di core KV 348 - Lacrimosa KV 555 - Caro bell'idol
mio KV 562 - Nascoso e il mio sol KV 557 - Difficile lectu KV 559 -
Kanon KV 508b - Seht, Sie ist dahin KV 229 - Selig, selig alle KV 230
- Heil dem Tag KV 347 - Canon for 2 violins, viola and bass KV 191 -
Horch, ihr susses Lied KV 562a - Lebet wohl KV 228 - Sinkt die Nacht
KV 109d - Chamber Choir of Europe
Klarinetten-Trio der Musikschule Achern-Oberkirch (Robert Beck, Lea,
Hamm, Joachim Fischer) - Bläsersolisten der Würteembergischen
Philharmonic Reutlingen - Streicherolisten der Würteembergischen
Philharmonic Reutlingen - Nicol Matt (conductor) - Recorded November
2002, Alte Kirche Fautenbach, Germany
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 99738/1-6 [6CDs: 57.5, 58.04, 71.49, 78,25, 75.12,
68.06] [RH]
An
interesting performance of Idomeneo which does not quite live up to
its promise, coupled with rather a miscellany of other items … see Full
Review
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
London
Sketchbook (1764/5) - Minuets and Contredanses - Completions of Mozart’s
earliest sketches and fragments by Hans-Udo Kreuels
Hans-Udo Kreuels, Piano - With the Vorarlberg Conservatory Ensemble
(tracks 28 and 39) - Recorded at Ostereichischer Rundfunk, Voralberg,
Dornbirn, Austria, December 2001
NAXOS 8.554769 [74:40] [SA]
A
delightful disc nevertheless, that is sympathetically played with obvious
affection for both the composer and the works. … see Full
Review
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
Piano
Concerto No. 11, in F major, K.413, (1782-83) - Piano Concerto No. 14,
in E flat major, K.449 (1784) - Piano Concerto No. 15, in B flat major,
K.450 (1784) Daniel Barenboim:
piano and conductor - Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra - Rec.: K.413 Philharmonie,
Berlin, in March 1996; K.449 live, Philharmonie, Berlin, January 1997;
K.450, live Philharmonie, Berlin, November 1996 DDD
WARNER CLASSICS ELATUS 2564-60116-2 [68:00] [MC]
Good
performances but Barenboim is left behind by the exceptionally strong
competition that is available in these works. … see Full
Review
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
Symphony
No. 40 in G minor, K550 [33’21"] Symphony No. 41 in C major, K551
"Jupiter" [37’18"]
Prague Chamber Orchestra/Sir Charles Mackerras Recorded in The Hall
of Artists, Prague, 12-14 July 1986
TELARC CD-80139 [71’10"] [RB]
Fine
airy, performances, phrases sharply accented, Mozart completely purged
of powdered wig lassitude. ... see Full
Review
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
Horn
Concertos: 1 in D K.412, 2 in E flat K.417, 3 in E flat K.447, 4 in
E flat K.495, Quintet for piano and wind in E flat K.452
Dennis Brain (horn), Philharmonia Orchestra/Herbert von Karajan
(concertos), Colin Horsley (piano), Dennis Brain Wind Ensemble – Leonard
Brain (oboe), Stephen Waters (clarinet), Cecil James (bassoon), Dennis
Brain (horn) (quintet) Recorded 12, 13, 23/11/1953, Kingsway Hall, London
(concertos), 19, 23/5/1954, No.1 Studio, Abbey Road, London (quintet)
Great Recordings of the Century series
EMI CLASSICS CDM 5 66898 2 [77:26] [CH]
Not
all myths stand up to investigation but this one does. … see Full
Review
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART
(1756-1791)
Requiem in d minor, K. 626 for soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor, bass,
chorus and orchestra [50:33] Benjamin BRITTEN
(1913-1976) in conversation with Donald Mitchell [26:00]
Heather Harper, soprano Alfreda Hodgson, mezzo-soprano Peter Pears,
tenor John Shirley-Quirk, bass Aldeburgh Festival Chorus English Chamber
Orchestra/Benjamin Britten Recorded 20 June 1971, Aldeburgh Festival
Concert Hall (Requiem) Recorded February 1969 (Interview) Great Performers
of the 20th Century series
BBC LEGENDS BBCL 4119-2 [76:33] [JS]
It
is said that when the angels sing, they sing Mozart: if that is true,
then when the angels mourn, they sing the Requiem thus … see Full
Review
Paul
MÜLLER-ZÜRICH (1898
- 1993) Concerto
for Organ and Orchestra, Op. 28 (1938, rev. 1978) [18.16] - Toccata
in C, Op. 12 (1925) [8.42] - Willy BURKHARD
(1900 - 1955) Sonatina for Organ, Op. 52 (1938) [9.28] -
Adolf BRUNNER (1901 - 1992) Pfingstbuch
über den Choral "Nun bitten wir den Heiligen Geist"
(1937) [20.15] - Hans SCHAEUBLE (1906
- 1988) Preludium, from Op. 15 (1930) [4.21]
Jeremy Bines at the Alte Tonhalle Organ, Neumünster, Zürich
- Kammerorkester Basel; Christopher Hogwood, conductor - Recorded at
the Alte Tonhalle, Neumünster, Zürich, Swizerland, 14 May
2002 - Notes in English and Deutsch with photos of the artists and organ,
and specifications
GUILD GMCD 7253 [61.30] [PS]
Intriguing,
colourful Swiss music from the 1930s, beautifully played and recorded.…
see Full Review
Thea
MUSGRAVE
(b. 1928) Memento
Vitae (1969-70) Helios (1994) Night Music (1969) The
Seasons (1988) Nicholas
Daniel (oboe) Scottish Chamber Orchestra/Nicholas Kraemer BBC Symphony
Orchestra/Jac van Steen Recorded at City Hall, Glasgow 13-14 May 1998
(Helios, Night Music, The Seasons) and Studio 1, BBC Maida Vale, London
29 May 1998 (Memento Vitae) DDD
NMC Ancora+ NMC D074 [79:34] [CT]
Excellent
performances and Thea Musgrave at her most compelling. A highly recommended
combination. … see Full Review
Nikolai MYASKOVSKY
(1881-1950)
Symphony
No. 24 (1943) - Symphony No. 25 (1947)
Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra/Dmitry Yablonsky - Rec. 18, 22-23 Oct
2000, Radio House, Moscow
NAXOS 8.555376 [66.07]
This
is vibrant and sensitive playing and does Myaskovsky proud. No complaints
at all about the disc? None. … see Full
Review
Carl NIELSEN (1865
- 1931) Symphony
No. 2 The Four Temperaments Op. 16 (1902) Symphony No. 5 Op.
50 (1922) BBC Scottish
Symphony Orchestra/Osmo Vänskä.Rec. City Hall, Glasgow
2001-08-02/03 (No.2), and 2000-01-22/23 (No. 5). DDD
BIS CD-1289 [71’23"] [JPh]
Not
up there with the best, but a very creditable effort, superbly recorded
and annotated by BIS … see Full Review
Carl
NIELSEN (1865-1931) Songs -
Musik tilfem digte, Opus 4 (1891) - Viser og vers, Opus
6 (1891) - Sange, Opus 10 (1894) - Tit er jeg glad (1917)
- Saenk kun dit hoved, Opus 21 (1907) - Solen skinner (1916)
- Nu lyser lív I lunde (1921) - Undelige aftenlufte!
(1915) - Italiensk hyrdearie, Opus 54 (1930) - Duet fra
Maskarade (1906) Inger
Dam-Jensen (soprano), Morten Ernst Lassen (baritone) - Ulrich Staerk
(piano) - Rec. 4-6 Feb 2002, Royal Library, Diamanten
DACAPO 8.224218 [57.11] [TB]
Grouping
the songs in shorter sequences can be most uplifting - some real gems
here … see Full Review
Jaques OFFENBACH (1819-1875)
Hoffmans
Erzahlungen (Les Contes d’Hoffman) opera
in 3 Acts with Prologue and Epilogue. (sung in German)
Hoffman, Rudolf Schock (ten); Lindorf/Dapertutto/Coppelius/Dr Miracle,
Alexander Welitsch (b.bar); Olympia, Wilma Lipp (sop); Giulietta, Martha
Modl (m.sop); Antonia, Elfride Trotschel (sop); Stella, Annelie Jansen
(sop); Nicklaus, Maria von Ilosvay (m.sop); Spalazini, Willy Hoffman
(ten); Crespel, Otto von Rohr (bass); Hermann, Walther Schonfield (bass);
Nathanael, Ernst-August Steinhoff (ten); Andrea/Cochenille, Alexander
Welitsch (b.bar) Kolner Rundfunk Chorus and Orchestra/Eugen Szenkár
Recorded 28th September-1st October 1950. North West German
Radio Studio, Köln
RELIEF CR 1902 [3CDs: 57.23+75.19+45.18] [RF]
Schock:
subtleness, sheer élan and feel for a phrase as well as characterisation.
His portrayal is convincing and enjoyable … see Full
Review
Niccolò PAGANINI
(1782-1842) Violin
Concerto No. 1 in D major (1817) - Camille
SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) Introduction et Rondo capriccioso
(1863) - Havanaise - Franz WAXMAN
(1906-1967) Carmen Fantasie for violin and orchestra - Maxim
Vengerov (violin) Israel
Philharmonic Orchestra/Zubin Mehta - rec Tel Aviv, November 1992
ELATUS 2564-60013-2 [63:12] [IL]
Excitement
and romance - a highly recommended bargain reissue … see Full
Review
Mogens PEDERSON
(1585-1623)
Madrigali a cinque voci, Libro primo (1608) -
Ecco la Primavera [02:23] - Se nel partir [02:31] - Morirò, cor
mio [02:57] - T’amo mia vita [03:40] - O che soave baccio [02:52] -
Son vivo e non son vivo [03:02] - Care lagrime mie [02:39] - Se del
mio lagrimare [02:23] - Come esser può [02:41] - S’io rido et
scherzo [02:17] - Nell’ apparir dell’ amorosa Aurora [01:53] - Tutti
presero all’hora [02:26] - Tra queste verdi fronde [03:10] - Amor, per
tua mercè [02:18] - Donna, mentre i’vi miro [02:39] - Non voglio
più servire [02:43] - Dimmi, caro ben mio [02:45] - Io non credea
già mai [02:55] - Lascia, semplice, lascia [02:44] - Madonn’,
Amor ed io [02:40] - Et ella all’hor spiegò [03:34] - Musica
Ficta: Malene Nordtorp, Elisabeth Holmertz (soprano), Rie Koch (mezzosoprano),
Helen Rossil (contralto), Christian Hauskov, John Kjoller (tenor), Hans
Henrik Raaholt (bass)
Director: Bo Holten - Recorded in November 2001 and February 2002 in
Torpen Kapel, Humlebaek DDD
DACAPO 8.224219 [57:42] [JvW]
An
interesting recording which unfortunately fails to deliver the true
qualities of the madrigals by the Danish composer Pederson. … see Full
Review
Wilhelm
PETERSEN (1890-1957)
Lieder
aus Shakespeares Dramen Op. 46 (c.1949) [21.09] Sechs Gesänge nach
texten von Claudius, Hölderlin, George, Lenau, Trakl, Op. 45 (1910?)
[15.41] Fünf Lieder aus Des Knaben Wunderhorn (1922) [11.35]
Drei Oden von Klopstock Op. 13 (1925) [9.55] Fünf Lieder aus Des
Knaben Wunderhorn - erste fassung (1947) [13.42]
Hans Christoph Begemann (bar) Matthias Gräff-Schestag (piano) rec.
15-17 May 2001, Festburgkirche Frankfurt am Main. DDD
EIGENART 10280 [71.15] [RB]
A valuable
addition to the shelves of all lieder and English song enthusiasts -
beautifully performed and recorded. ... see Full
Review
Music
for Two Pianos and Orchestra Francis POULENC
(1899-1963) Concerto
in D minor (1932) [19.05] Nikolai BEREZOWSKY
(1900-1953) Fantasie (1931) [10.53] Paul
CRESTON (1906-1985) Concerto Op.50 (1951) [23.44] Joshua
Pierce and Dorothy Jonas (duo-pianists) National Symphony Orchestra
of Polish Radio and Television David Amos (conductor) recorded in the
Concert Hall of Polish Radio, Katowice, Poland in 2001
KLEOS CLASSICS KL 5121 [53.42] [CF]
A
highly commendable disc, the playing of the highest calibre despite
the caveat of occasional breaches of the speed limit in Poulenc’s classic.
… see Full Review
Sergei PROKOFIEV
(1891-1953) Symphony
No. 3, Opus 44 (1928) - Symphony No. 4 (revised version), Opus 112 (1947)
French National Orchestra/Mstislav
Rostropovich - Recorded April (No. 3) and November (No. 4) 1987, Grand
Auditorium, Radio France, Paris
ELATUS 2564 60020-2 [78.12] [TB]
A
curious lack of tension and momentum … though no lack of force or power
… passion and commitment are never in doubt. … see Full
Review
Johann
Joachim QUANTZ (1697-1773)
Flute
Sonatas: D major QV 1:42; G minor QV 1:116; in G minor QV 2:17:
C major QV 1:9 and Trio Sonatas in D major QV 2:15 and in Eb QV 2:17
Baroque transverse flute played by
Mary Oleskiewicz Stephanie Vial, baroque cello David Schulenburg,
harpsichord and fortepiano Jean-Francois Beaudin, flute 2 Recorded at
the Baldwin Auditorium, Duke University, North Carolina, January 1998
NAXOS 8.555064 [60.19]
[GH]
There
is much on this CD to appreciate. Certainly all flute players should
have it and to anyone with an interest in baroque music it will be greatly
enjoyed. … see Full Review
Sergei RACHMANINOV
(1873-1943) Piano
Concerto No. 2 in C minor Op. 18 (1901) The Nine Études-Tableaux
Op. 39 (1916/17) Joyce
Hatto (piano) National Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra/René Köhler
Recorded St Mark’s, Croydon, March 1998 (Concerto) and the Concert Artist
Studios, September 1999 (The Études Tableaux)
CONCERT ARTIST/FIDELIO RECORDINGS CACD 9218-2 [70.20] [JW]
Triumphant
reconciliation and wholeness … a greater ranger of nuance and understanding.
… see Full Review
Alan RAWSTHORNE
(1905-1971) Piano
Concerto No.1 for Piano and Orchestra (1939;1942) - Piano Concerto No
2 for Piano and Orchestra (1951) - Improvisations on a Theme by Constant
Lambert. (1960) - Peter Donohoe, piano
Ulster Orchestra/Takuo Yuasa. Recorded in the Ulster Hall, Belfast 20th
-24th November 2001
NAXOS 8.555959 [56.19] [JF]
A
great recording of these two fine British Piano Concertos. Rawsthorne
enthusiasts will want this for their collection to complement Tozer's
version on Chandos. … see Full Review
Joaquín RODRIGO (1901-1999)
Palillos
y panderetes (1982); Dos Danzas españolas (1966);
Per la flor del Iliri blau (1934); Tres viejos aires de danza
(1926); A la busca del mas alla (1976) Lucera Tena (castanets)
Castile and Leon Symphony
Orchestra/Max Bragado Darman - Rec. Teatro Carrion, Valladolid, 1991;
Nov 2000 NAXOS 8.555962
[68.52] [GH]
The
two longest works are the most serious and to me at least, present an
impressive side of the composer, which I had never suspected. … 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]