ALPHABETICAL LISTING

Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Fantasy in c D760 Wanderer (1822) - Sonata in A minor D537 (1817) - Sonata in A minor D784 (1823) Ronald Smith (piano) - Recorded Nimbus Studios, June 1986 (Sonatas), St George’s Brandon Hill, Bristol March 2002 (Wanderer Fantasy) APR 5568 [64.29] [JW]

All the performances reflect Ronald Smith’s still formidable credentials as a Schubertian of distinction. … see Full Review

Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) An Introduction to the Piano Quintet ‘Trout’ Written and Narrated by Jeremy Siepmann Performed by the Kodály Quartet with Jenö Jandó (piano) and István Tóth (double-bass) Classics Explained series NAXOS 8.558075-6 [2CDs: 144.32] [GH]

The presentation and concept is excellent. It is just a case of do you like the execution? ....see Full Review

Ervín SCHULHOFF (1894-1942) Hot Music: Suite dansante en jazz, WV98 (1931) [13’24]. Piano Suite No. 1, WV69 (1924) [13’02]. Cinq Etudes de jazz, WV81 (1926) [12’06]. Second Suite, WV71 (1924) [9’34]. Elf Inventionen, WV57 (1921) [16’57]. Hot Music: Zehn synkopierte Etüden, WV92 (1928) [10’53] Kathryn Stott (piano) - Rec. Nybrokajen 11, Stockholm, Sweden in June 2001 DDD BIS CD1249 [79’40] [CC]

‘Music should first and foremost produce physical pleasures’: much of the music on this disc adheres to this, even becoming slinkily sensual at times. … see Full Review

Robert SCHUMANN (1810 - 1856) Complete Piano Works, Volume 4 - Etudes, W.o.o. 13 (1833) [10.46] - Sonata in g Op. 22, (1838) [21.16] - with alternate finale, ‘Passionato’ W.o.o. (1835) [6.56] - Albumblätter, Op. 124 (1832-1845) [33.28] Franz Vorraber, piano - No information on recording date or location. Notes in German, English, French, and Japanese THOROPHON CTH 2516 [72.26] [PS]

Very skilled but not transporting performances of some Schumann pieces of varying interest. Well recorded … see Full Review

Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) The Symphonies - Symphony No.1, "Spring", in B flat major, Op.38 (1841) - Symphony No.2 in C major, Op.61 (1845/46) - Symphony No.3 in E flat major, Op.97 (1850) - Symphony No.4 in D minor, Op.120 (1841/51) - Scherzo in G minor from Symphony in C minor (fragment, 1841) reconstructed and orchestrated by Joachim Draheim Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra/Douglas Bostock - Recorded in Aufgenommen in Dum hudby, Pardubice, Czech Republic, March and July 2002 CLASSICO CLASSCD 431/32 [2CDs: 128:28] [DS]

Diffuse soundstage, lack of definition, significant deficiency of nobility hamper the performances to the degree that I cannot recommend the set … see Full Review

Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) CD1 Dichterliebe, Op.48 (1840) [31:27] Liederkreis, Op.24 (1840) [21:56] Peter Schreier: Tenor Norman Shetler: Piano Recorded in 1972, 1974, Studio Lukaskirche, Dresden, Germany CD2 Liederkreis, Op.39 (1842) [26:17] Frauenliebe und leben, Op.42 (1840) [22:21] Aus den Ostlichen Rosen, Op.25, No.25 (1840) [1:50] Die Soldatenbraut, Op.64, No.1 (1841) [2:13] Mignon, Op.98a [4:25] Felicity Lott: Soprano Graham Johnson: Piano Recorded at St.Paul’s, New Southgate, UK (no date given) CD3 12 Gedichte von Justinus Kerner, Op.35 (1840) [32:59] 5 Lieder, Op.40 (1840) [10:38] Peter Schreier: Tenor Norman Shetler: Piano Recorded in 1972, 1973, Studio Lukaskirche, Dresden, Germany CD4 Myrthen, Op.25 (selection) (1840) [21:51] 6 Gedichte von Lenau und Requiem, Op.90 [13:46] Ausgewahlte Lieder (8 songs composed at various dates) [19:19] Mitsuko Shirai: Soprano Hartmut Holl: Piano Recorded in 1992, Tonstudio van Geest, Heidelburg, Germany CDs 1 and 3 licensed from Edel Classics GMBH, Germany CD2 licensed from Mark Brown Music Productions, UK CD4 licensed from Capriccio/Delta Music Productions, UK BRILLIANT CLASSICS 99948/1-4 [SA]

Powerful, marvellous stuff … see Full Review

Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906 - 1975) Sonata for Violin and Piano, Op. 134 (1969) (33.26) - Oleg Kagan (1946-1990), violin - Sviatoslav Richter (1915-1997), piano - Recorded by Melodiya in Moscow, Russia, 17 May 1985 - Sonata for Viola and Piano, Op. 147 (1975) (34.29) Yuri Bashmet (1953-), viola - Sviatoslav Richter, piano - Recorded by Melodiya in Moscow, Russia, 26 September 1982. DDD - remastered by Paul Arden-Taylor REGIS RRC 1128 [67.59] [PS]

Very satisfactory versions of these milestones in modern chamber music. … see Full Review

Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Symphony no.7 in C major, op.60, Leningrad (1942) WDR Symphony Orchestra, Cologne/Semyon Bychkov - Recorded February 2003, Köln Philharmonie AVIE AV 0020 [72:30] [GPJ]

Bychkov brings a tautness to the work which is thrilling and bracing and the playing is simply terrific. … See Full Review

Peter SCULTHORPE (b.1929) The String Quartets: Volumes 1 and 2
Volume 1 Irkanda IV (1961, arr. by composer for string quartet 1991) Small Town (1963, arr. by David Matthews for string quartet 1980) String Quartet No. 6 (1964-5) String Quartet No.7 (1966) String Quartet No. 8 (1968) String Quartet No. 9 (1975) Volume 2 String Quartet No. 10 (1983) String Quartet No. 11 'Jabiru Dreaming' (1990) Hill Song No. 1 (1992) Hill Song No. 2 (1993) Earth Cry (1986, arr. by composer 1994) Little Song, from String Quartet No. 1 (1945/1996) To Meadows, from String Quartet No. 3 (1949/1996) Pastorale, from String Quartets Nos. 3 and 4 (1947-49/1996) Prologue from String Quartet No. 5 (1959-60/1996) Morning Song (1966, arr. by composer for string quartet 1970) Autumn Song (1966, arr. by composer for string quartet 1986) Saibai (1987, arr. by composer for string quartet 1994) Goldner String Quartet (Dene Olding, violin; Dimity Hall, violin; Irina Morozova, viola; Julian Smiles, cello) Recorded in the presence of the composer, in the Band Room, Victoria Barracks, Sydney, 1993-95 (Volume 1) and 1994-97 (Volume 2) two CDs - only available separately Vol. 1: TALL POPPIES TP089 [69.36] Vol. 2: TALL POPPIES TP 090 [67.39] [NH]

More vintage Sculthorpe, beautifully played and recorded, this deserves to be far better known … see Full Review

Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957) Piano Music, Volume 4 - Four Lyric Pieces, Op.74 (1914) - 1. Ekloge (Eclogue); 2. Sanfter Westwind (Gentle West Wind); 3. Auf dem Tanzvergnügen (The Pleasures of the Dance); 4. Im alten Heim (In the Old Home); Five Pieces, Op.75 (The Trees – 1914); 5. När rönnen blommar (When the rowan blossoms); 6. Den ensamna furan (The Lonely Fir); 7. Aspen; 8. Björken (The Birch); 9. Granen (The Spruce); Thirteen Pieces, Op.76 (1911-1916); 10. Esquisse; 11. Etude; 12. Carillon; 13. Humoresque; 14. Consolation; 15. Romanzetta; 16. Affettuoso; 17. Pièce enfantine; 18. Arabesque; 19. Elegiaco; 20. Linnaea (Twinflower of the North); 21. Capriccietto; 22. Harlequinade; Five Pieces, Op.85 (The Flowers – 1916/17); 23. Bellis; 24. Oeillet (Carnation); 25. Iris; 26. Aquileja (Aquilegia); 27. Campanula; Six Pieces, Op.94 (1919); 28. Danse; 29. Nouvellette; 30. Sonnet; 31. Berger et bergerette (Shepherd and Shepherdess); 32. Mélodie; 33. Gavotte Håvard Gimse, piano - Recorded at St. Martin’s Church, East Woodhay, Hampshire, UK, November 2000 NAXOS 8.555363 [62:11] [DS]

A fine choice. The price tag is low … affectionate interpretations in rich and clear sound. … see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957) - The Seven Symphonies - Symphony No. 1 (1898) [38.03] - Symphony No. 2 (1902) [47.14] - Symphony No. 3 (1907) [29.31] - Symphony No. 4 (1911) [36.05] - Symphony No. 5 (1917) [31.35] - Symphony No. 6 (1918) [28.50] - Symphony No. 7 (1920) [23.29] Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (2, 4-7) - Helsinki Radio Symphony Orchestra (1, 3) - Okko Kamu (1-3) - Herbert von Karajan (4-7) - rec. Helsinki, Oct 1972 (1,3); Berlin Jesus-Christus-Kirche, Feb 1970 (2), Feb, May, Sept 1965 (4), Feb 1965 (5), Apr, Sept 1967 (6, 7). ADD DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON TRIO 474 353-2 [3CDs: 78.57+77.47+78.39] [RB]

A classic ... fresh as an analogue daisy. ... stands proud and unblushing in the Sibelius stakes ... see Full Review

Sheila SILVER (b.1946) Piano Concerto (1996) - Six preludes for piano on poems by Baudelaire - Alexander Paley (piano) Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra/Gintaras Rinkevicius - Recorded 16^th-20^th January 2002, Vilnius Congress Hall, Lithuania NAXOS 8.557015 [66.02] [RH]

Not quite a new name to the catalogues, but this impressive CD represents Sheila Silver's first appearance on a major label, well worth investigating … see Full Review

Urmas SISASK (b.1960) Zodiak - Star Music for Piano Zodiak Op. 50 (1994) [25.39] (1-12) Der Weihnachtsstern Capella Op. 56 (1995) [8.49] (13-19) Zyklus des Sternenhimmels für Kinder Cassiopeia (1975-77) [9.06] (20-23) Das Sechseck des Himmels - Möwe und Wasser Op. 57 (1996) [18.44] (24-30) Pianists: Urmas Sisask (b.1960) 1-23, 24, 26; Peep Lassmann (b. 1948) 27; Rein Rannap (b. 1953) 29; Vardo Rumessen (b. 1942) 30; Lauri Väinmaa (b. 1961) 25; Urmas Sisask, Lauri Väinmaa 28. DDD rec. Apr-May 1996, House of the Blackheads, Tallinn, Estonia. DDD ERES CD 09 [62.43] [RB]

Deeply rewarding accessible listening for the repertoire explorer. Which of these pieces will be the first to be broadcast on ClassicFM? Let me know. ... see Full Review

Bedrich SMETANA (1824-84) String Quartet No. 1 in E minor, ‘From my life’ (1876) [27’07]. Antonín DVORÁK (1841-1904) String Quartet No. 12 in F, Op. 96 (1893) [21’08].. Waltzes, Op. 54 (1888) – No. 1 in A [3’25]; No. 4 in D [2’37]. Oskar NEDBAL (1874-1930) The Tale of Honza – Valse triste [3’59]. Karel PROCHÁZKA (1878-1947) String Quartet in F – Scherzo [3’24]. Ševcík-Lhotský String Quartet (Bohuslav Lhotský, Karel Procházka, violins; Karel Moravec, viola; František Pour, cello). Rec 1929. From Czech HMV AN326/9 (Smetana); AN332/4 (Dvořák Quartet); AN2227 (Dvořák Waltzes); AN331 (Nedbal and Proházka). [ADD] RUSSIAN COMPACT DISC CZECH HISTORIC RELEASES RCD70023 [61’42] [CC]

Very strongly recommended. Musical qualities outshine the concessions for antique sound. And don’t forget that there is much fun to be had here, too! … see Full Review

Bedrich SMETANA (1824 -1884) Má Vlast - a cycle of six symphonic poems (1879) - arranged for piano 4-hands by the composer (1880) Igor Ardašev and Renata Ardaševová, piano 4-hands - Notes in English, Deutsch, Français SUPRAPHON SU 3712-2 131 [73.01] [PS]

An impossible task accomplished! Twenty fingers doing what 100 orchestra players can do. … see Full Review

Kaikhosru Shapurji SORABJI (1892-1988) The Complete Songs for Soprano - Trois Poèmes (1918-19): Correspondances (Charles Baudelaire) [2:41]; Crépuscule du Soir Mystique (Paul Verlaine) [2:42]; Pantomime (Paul Verlaine) [1:26] - Chrysilla (Henri de Régnier) (1915) [3:01] - Roses du Soir (Pierre Louÿs) (1915) [3:01] - The Poplars (Jovan Ducic) (1915) [3:05] - L'heure Exquise (Paul Verlaine) (1916) [2:13] -Vocalise (1916) [2:21] - I was not Sorrowful (Ernest Dowson) (1917) [2:30] - l'Étang (Maurice Rollinat) (1917) [2:37] - Hymne à Aphrodite (Laurent Tailhade) (1916) [4:59] -Apparition (Mallarmé) (1916) [2:40] - Trois Chants: (1941): 13. Le Faune (Paul Verlaine) [1:31]; Les Chats (Baudelaire) [3:01]; La Dernière Fête Galante (Paul Verlaine) [2:33] - Trois Fêtes Galantes (1919?): l'Allée (Paul Verlaine) [2:44]; A la Promenade (Paul Verlaine) [2:57]; Dans la Grotte (Paul Verlaine) [2:02] - l'Irrémédiable (Charles Baudelaire) (1927) [6:10] - Arabesque (Shamsu'd Din Ibrahim Mirza) (1920) [1:37] Elizabeth Farnum (soprano) - Margaret Kampmeier (piano) - Recorded Aug-Nov 1999 and Aug 2000: Patrych Sound Studios, Bronx, NY, DDD CENTAUR CRC 2613 [56:01] [GH]

Terrific singing and Kampmeier is outstanding, mastering some of the most difficult accompaniments in the history of song-writing and never overbalancing the texture. … see Full Review

Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Don Juan - Till Eulenspiegel - Also Sprach Zarathustra Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich/David Zinman - Rec (Don Juan) 16 Jan 2001; (Also Sprach Zarathustra and Till Eulenspiegel) 5-6 February 2001, Tonhalle Zurich ARTE NOVA 74321 87071-2 [75.48] [TB]

At the Arte Nova super bargain price, this is a very competitive issue. … see Full Review

Thomas TALLIS (c.1505 - 1585) Spem in Alium, Sing and Glorify Chapelle du Roi/Alistair DixonRecorded: 24 September 2002, All Hallows Church, Gospel Oak, London SIGNUM SIGCD047 [20.02] [RH]

A flawed account of 'Spem in alium', notable for the inclusion of its English contrafactum, 'Sing and Glorify'. … see Full Review

Peter Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840 - 1893) Fatum (symphonic fantasia) Op. 77 (1868) Elegie for String Orchestra (1884) Marche Slave Op. 31 (1876) Andante cantabile for String orchestra, arr. Serebrier Capriccio italien Op. 45 (1879/80) 1812 Overture Op. 49 (1880) Bamberg Symphony Orchestra/Jose Serebrier. recorded in the Konzert and Kongresshalle, Bamberg, February 2000 and February 2001.DDD BIS CD-1283 [74’01] [JP]

If you want this repertoire, this is a very, very, good disc. … see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Peter Il'ych Tchaikovsky (1850-1893) Swan Lake - Grand Ballet in Three Acts (1877) Russian State Symphony Orchestra/Dmitry Yablonsky - Rec. Studio 5 Moscow State Broadcasting and Recording House, July 2001 NAXOS 8.555873-874 [2CDs: 147.56] [JF]

A great concert performance. Allows us to come to terms with this great music as if it were a Straussian tone poem. Recommended. … see Full Review

Peter TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Swan Lake: Ballet in 2 Acts and Six Scenes Op.20 (see below) - Odette, Odile - Steffi Scherzer; Prince Siegfried - Oliver Matz; Siegfried's Mother/The Queen - Bettina Thiel; Rotbart - Torsten Händler; Benno von Sommerstein - Jens Weber; recorded live Deutsche Staatsoper 1998 - Nutcracker: Ballet in 2 Acts Op.71 - Mary - Nadja Saidakova; Le Prince Casse Noisette - Vladimir Malakhov; Drosselmeyer - Oliver Matz;Reine des Glaces - Beatrice Knop; Reine des Neiges - Viara Natcheva; Dr Stahlbaum - Torsten Händler;Fra Stahlbaum - Barbara Schroeder; Luiza - Kira Kirillova; Fritz - Steffen Neumann; recorded live Deutsche Staatsoper 1999 Ballet of the Deutsche Staatsoper Berlin - Staatskapelle Berlin/Daniel Barenboim - Choreography and staging: Patrice Bart - Based on the choreography by Marius Petipa - Regional Code 0. Picture Format 16:9; Sound Formats PCM Stereo and Dolby Digital 5.1 - Reviewed using Dolby Digital 5.1 - two discs in sleeve: ARTHAUS DVD Swan Lake 100 001 [2 hours 30 mins]; Nutcracker 100 118 [1 hour 58 mins] [DB]

Two excellent performances with the highest possible musical and choreographic standards, but beware of the revised and updated plots. … see Full Review

Peter Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-93)The Queen of Spades – Great Scenes.Prelude; I do not know her name; One day at Versailles (Tri karti); I’ll sing for you; Why those tears; Forgive me, heavenly creature; You are so sad … I love you; Oh, how I detest today’s world; Do not be frightened; Poor thing! What an abyss; I am so frightened; Midnight is near; What if the clock chimes; We will drink and be happy; If sweet maidens; What is our life? Sergei Larin (tenor) Hermann; Elena Prokina (soprano) Lisa; Vassili Gerello (baritone) Tomsky; Dmitri Hvorostovsky (baritone) Yeletsky; Elena Obraztsova (mezzo) Countess; Marina Domaschenko (mezzo) Pauline; Irina Vaschenko (soprano) Masha; Alexei Maslov (baritone) Chekalinsky;Spiritual Revival Choir of Russia
Philharmonia of Russia/Constantine Orbelian.Rec. Great Hall, Moscow Conservatory, Russia, 2001/2. DDD Transliterated text and translation included Great Scenes series DELOS DE3289 [77’57] [CC]

The line-up of soloists is certainly impressive … one of Tchaikovsky’s sublime masterworks … Very strongly recommended. … see Full Review
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Georg Philipp TELEMANN (1681 - 1767) Passions Oratorium - Das selige Erwägen des bittern Leiden und Sterbens Jesu Christi - Die Andacht (devotion), Der Glaube (faith), Zion - Barbara Locher (soprano) - Die Andacht (devotion) - Zeger Vandersteene (tenor) - Petrus - Stefan Dörr (tenor) - Jesus - Berthold Possemeyer (baritone) - Caiaphas - Jesus-Rene Schmidt (baritone) - Freiburger Vokalensemble L'Arpa Festante München/Wolfgang Schäfer - Licensed from Bayer Records BRILLIANT CLASSICS 99521 [60.52, 50.52] [RH]

Originally one of Telemann’s most popular works, the Passion Oratorio makes a welcome return to the catalogue in a creditable performance … see Full Review

Erkki-Sven TÜÜR (b.1959) Conversio for violin and piano (1994) [10.53] - Architectonics III Postmetaminimal Dream (1990) [9.04] - Architectonics IV Per cadenza ad Metasimplicity (1990) [9.33] - Lighthouse (1997) [14.03] - Symphony No. 2 (1986-87) [26.53] Gidon Kremer (violin) - Vadim Sacharov (piano) - The Nyyd Ensemble/Olari Elts (Architectonics) - Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra/Juha Kangas (Lighthouse) - USSR State Symphony Orchestra/Paul Mägi (Symphony) - rec. 1994-2000 DDD WARNER APEX 2564 60115-2 [71.16] [RB]

A strong and sometimes forbidding Tüür anthology. At this price there is no need for any Scandinavian music collection to be without this ... see Full Review

Viktor ULLMANN (1898-1944) Symphony No. 2 in D Major (1944) - Reconstructed by Bernhard Wulff from the short score of the seventh piano sonata - Sechs Lieder Op. 17 (1937) - for soprano and chamber ensemble on poems by Albert Steffen - Don Quixote Tanzt Fandango (1944) - Overture, reconstructed from the short score by Bernhard Wulff - Symphony No. 1, "On My Youth" (1943) - Reconstructed by Bernhard Wulff from the short score of the fifth piano sonata - Juliane Banse (sop) Gürzenich-Orchester Kölner Philharmoniker/James Conlon - Rec. Studio Stolberger Strasse, 24-28.6.2002 (Lieder, Symphony No. 1 and Don Quixote) and Koelner Philharmonie, 4-10.9.2002 (Symphony No. 2) DDD CAPRICCIO 67 017 [1 CD 62.29] [VM]

A great recording that can also function as a strong introduction to the works of Viktor Ullmann ... see Full Review

Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis [15.11] - Norfolk Rhapsody No. 1 [11.35] - In the Fen Country [15.29] - Fantasia on Greensleeves [4.30] - Concerto Grosso [13.45] New Zealand Symphony Orchestra/James Judd - Recorded in June 2001 at the Michael Fowler Centre. Wellington, New Zealand NAXOS 8.555867 [60.20] [RB]

Playing is accomplished, but decidedly ‘cool’ with a curious lack of response to what might be called the ‘inward landscape’ of these works. … see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) Mass in G minor* (1922) [21’41"] - Festival Te Deum in F major** (1937) [7’35"] - Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) ‘My love dwelt in a northern land’, Op. 18 No.3 (1890) [4’18"] - Two Choral Songs, Op. 71 (1914): ‘The Shower’ [2’26"]; ‘The Fountain’ [3’56"] - ‘Go, song of mine’, Op. 57 (1909) [4’24"] - ‘Death on the hills’, Op. 72 (1914) [3’14"] - Two Choral Songs, Op. 73 (1914): ‘Serenade’ [2’07"]; ‘Love’s tempest’ [2’59"] - *Isobel Collyer (soprano); Joya Logan (alto); Christopher Mercer (tenor); Martin Johnson (bass) - ** John Birch (organ) The Holst Singers/Hilary Davan Wetton - Recorded in St. Paul’s Girls’ School, Brook Green, London in April 1990 REGIS RRC 1135 [54’13"] [JQ]

With top-drawer performances this Regis CD is an outstanding bargain in every way. It’s reissue is warmly to be welcomed and I recommend it with great enthusiasm. … see Full Review

Heitor VILLA-LOBOS (1887-1959) Uirapurú (1917) - Bachianas Brasileiras No. 4 (1939-41) - The Emperor Jones (1956) Odense Symphony Orchestra/Jan Wagner - Recorded in the Carl Nielsen Hall of Odense Koncerthus, May 1999 (Bachianas Brasileiras No. 4 and The Emperor Jones) and August 2000 (Uirapurú) BRIDGE 9129 [61.36] [JW]

Colourful, saturated, brittle, heavily rhythmic, laced with ostinati, swooning strings, sweat drenched drama and panic and touched by ominous delicacy. … see Full Review

Heitor VILLA-LOBOS (1887-1959) Symphony No. 4 Victoria (1919) Cello Concerto No. 2 (1953) Amazonas (1917) Andrés Días (cello) Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela/Enrique Arturo Diemecke Recorded: Caracas, July and August 1995 DORIAN DOR 90228 [66.06] [JW]

Gripped by a sense of place, of texture, heat, smell and birdsong. The rhythmic chirping, the hot-house and haze, the bristle and burnish … see Full Review

Antonio VIVALDI (1678 - 1741) Oboe Concertos (complete) - Concerto in D Minor RV 454 - Concerto in C Major RV 184 - Concerto in C Major RV 449 - Concerto in C Major RV 447 - Concerto in D Major RV 453 - Concerto in C Major RV 452 - Concerto in C Major RV 448 - Concerto in F Major RV 455 - Concerto in G Minor RV 460 - Concerto in A Minor RV 461 - Concerto in C Major RV 451 - Concerto in C Major RV 450 - Concerto for 2 oboes in C Major RV 534 - Concerto in F Major RV 457 - Concerto for 2 oboes in D Minor RV 535 - Concerto in A Minor RV 463 - Concerto for 2 oboes in A Minor RV 536 - Ingo Goritzki (oboe II) - Christine Schornstein (cembalo) - Neues Bachisches Collegium Musicum Leipzig Burkhard Glaetzner (oboe and director) - Recorded 1989, Licensed from Capriccio, Germany BRILLIANT CLASSICS 92001 [3CDs: 57.35+48.07+56.55] [RH]

Brilliantly played by Burkhard Glaetzner, a comprehensive survey of Vivaldi's attractive oboe concerti … see Full Review

Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741) CD1 The Four Seasons: Concertos for violin, strings and basso continuo Op.8, Nos. 1-4. 'Il cimento dell'armonia e dell'invenzione', Spring, in E major, RV 269; Summer, in G minor, RV 315; Autumn, in F major RV 293; Winter, in F minor, RV 297. Concerto Italiano/Rinaldo Alessandrini
Rec. The Four Seasons, June 2002, Sala Academica del Pontificio Istituto di Musica Sacra, Rome, Italy - CD2 ‘Bonus CD’ comprising extracts of works in recordings directed by Rinaldo Alessandrini on the Opus 111/Naive label: Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741) Luca MARENZIO (1553-1599) Alessando SCARLATTI (1660-1799) J.S. BACH (1660-1750) George HANDEL (1685-1759) Domenico SCARLATTI (1685-1759) Claudio MONTEVERDI (1567-1643) Gioacchino ROSSINI (1792-1868) DDD OPUS111/NAÏVE OP 30363 [2CDs: 44:41+57:43] [MC]

Excellent performance … few purchasers will be disappointed … varied expression, impressive imagination and a fiery passion … a refreshing alternative. … see Full Review

Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg Hans Sachs - Otto Edelmann (bass); Veit Pogner - Frederick Dalberg (bass); Kunz Vogelgesang - Erich Majkut (tenor); Konrad Nachtigall - Hans Berg (bass); Sixtus Beckmesser - Erich Kunz (baritone); Fritz Kothner - Heinrich Pflanzl (bass); Balthasar Zorn - Josef Janko (tenor); Ulrich Eisslinger - Karl Mikorey (tenor); Augustin Moser - Gerhard Stolze (tenor); Hermann Ortel - Heinz Tandler (bass); Hans Schwarz - Heinz Borst (bass); Hans Foltz - Arnold van Mill (bass); Walther von Stolzing - Hans Hopf (tenor); David - Gerhard Unger (tenor); Eva - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf (soprano); Magdalena - Ira Mlaniuk (soprano); A Night Watchmann - Werner Faulhaber (bass); Bayreuth Festival Chorus (chorus master: Wilhelm Pitz) Bayreuth Festival Orchestra/Herbert von Karajan - Recorded 27^th July and 5^th, 16^th, 19^th, 21^st, 24^th August 1951, Festspielhaus Bayreuth - First Issued on Columbia LX 1465 through 1498 (78 rpm) and 33CX 1021 through 1025 (LP) NAXOS 8.110872-75 [4CDs: 70.09, 73.19, 68.56, 55.13] [RH]

A document of an important historical occasion, greater than the sum of its parts but rather fails to capture the special Bayreuth atmosphere. … see Full Review

Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Lohengrin,‘Prelude to Act 1’ - Tannhaüser, ‘Dich, teure Halle’ (Act 2) - Die Walküre, ‘Act 1 Scene 3’ - Tristan und Isolde, ‘Prelude’ - Götterdämmerung: ‘Dawn, Duet and Rhine Journey’; ‘Siegfried’s Funeral March’; ‘Brünnhilde’s Immolation’ - Die Walküre, Rehearsal of Act 1 Scene 3, ‘Der Manner Sippe’; Orchestral Finale - Siegfried, Lauritz Melchior (ten) - Brünnhilde, Helen Traubel (sop) NBC Symphony Orchestra/Arturo Toscanini - Recorded 22 February 1941 (except rehearsal, recorded April 1947) - Toscanini Broadcast Legacy Series GUILD GHCD 2242/3 [2CDs: 55.02+75.35] [RJF]

Whatever one’s view of Toscanini and Wagner, every lover of the composer’s work will want these well recorded discs ... see Full Review

Love Divine - Wesleyan Music Samuel Sebastian WESLEY, (1766-1837): Anthem - Blessed be the God and Father 1-5vv. & organ. (1833-35) [7’10] Wash me throughly from my wickedness (4vv) (pub.1853) [3’59] Anthem - Ascribe unto the Lord (7/4vv & organ) (1849-53) [13’04] . Anthem: Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace (5vv) (pub.1853) [3’44] Anthem: Cast me not away (6vv. & organ) (1848) [4’26] Hymn: O thou who camest from above (pub.1904) [2’39] Anthem: The Wilderness (4vv. & organ) (1832) [13’09] Paderborn Gesangbuch (1765): Hymn - Ye servants of God (4vv) [2’37] William ROWLANDS, (1860 - 1937): Hymn: (tune "Blaenwern") - Love divine, all loves excelling. [3’23] Johann Sebastian BACH, (1685 - 1750): Hymn - Lo! God is here! (from melody by J.H. Schein) (4vv) [1’47] George Frideric HANDEL, (1685 - 1759): Hymn: Rejoice the Lord is King [2’43] Traditional 18th. Century: Hymn: Lo, he comes with clouds descending [4’55] The Choir of Lincoln College, Oxford/Christopher Eastwood Christopher Bucknall (Organ) Rec. Exeter College, Oxford, 13-15 March 2002 GUILD GMCD7256 [64’47"] [RH]

An interesting enough collection of S.S.Wesley’s anthems. But as an examination of the musical contribution of the Wesley family, this is rather a missed opportunity. … see Full Review

Isang YUN (1917-1995) Symphony No. 1 (1982/83) - Symphony No. 2 (1984) - Symphony No. 3 (1985) - Symphony No. 4 (1986) - Symphony No. 5 (1987) + Naui Dang, Naui Minjokiyo! (My Land, My People) (1987) * Exemplum in memoriam Kwangju (1981) - Richard Salter (baritone) + Myung-Sil Kim (soprano), Young-Ok Kim (alto), Sun-Chai Pak (tenor) and Yong-Yin Han (bass) with the Chorus and State Symphony Orchestra of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea conducted by Byung-Hwa Kim * Symphonies played by the Filharmonia Pomorska Bydgoszcz/Takao Ukigaya - Recorded 1986-87 (Naui Dang, Naui Minjokiyo! (My Land, My people) Exemplum in memoriam Kwangju) and 1991-93 (Symphonies) CPO 999 165-2 [4CDs: 241.31] [JW]

The frequently stern and unyielding music enshrined in the box reflects Yun’s own bitter experience. … see Full Review

Takashi YOSHIMATSU (b.1953) - Symphony No.5, Op.87 (2001) [46’27] - Atom Hearts Club Suite No.2, Op.79a (1999/2000) [14’28] - Prelude to the Celebration of Birds, Op.83 (2000) [10’08] BBC Philharmonic Orchestra/Sachio Fujioka - Recorded Studio 7, New Broadcasting House, Manchester, 2-3 July 2002 - New Direction series CHANDOS CHAN 10070 [71’22] [TH]

I doubt I shall be returning to it terribly often. … 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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