RECORDINGS OF THE MONTH

 

Frank BRIDGE (1879-1941) Orchestral Works, Volume 4 Rebus - Overture for Orchestra (1940) [10:44] (premiere recording on CD) Oration (Concerto elegiaco) for solo cello and orchestra (1930)* [29:16] Allegro moderato - Fragment of a symphony for string orchestra (1940-41) [13:24] (edited by Anthony Pople) Lament for string orchestra (Catherine, aged 9, 'Lusitania' 1915) (1915) [5:21] A Prayer for chorus and orchestra (1916-18)† [17:55] Alban Gerhardt (cello)* BBC National Chorus of Wales † BBC National Orchestra of Wales/Richard Hickox Rec. Brangwyn Hall, Swansea, 13-14 May 2003 CHANDOS CHAN 10188 [77:00] [RB]

An extraordinarily rewarding series now celebrated in a fourth volume placing the masterly tragic-elegiac Oration alongside the busily loquacious Rebus, the innocence of Lament and the transitional but still independent-minded A Prayer.... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH The Berkeley Edition: Volume Four Michael BERKELEY (b. 1948) Concerto for Organ and Orchestra Viola Concerto (Revised version 1996) Lennox BERKELEY (1903-1989) Voices of the Night Op. 86 Symphony No. 2 (Revised version 1976) Paul Silverthorne (viola) Thomas Trotter (organ) BBC National Orchestra of Wales/Richard Hickox Rec. St. David’s Hall, Cardiff, May 2003 (Organ Concerto) Brangwyn Hall, Swansea, May 2003 (other works) DDD CHANDOS CHAN 10167 [71:26] [CT]

Another fine addition to the ongoing Chandos Berkeley Edition ... see Full Review

Les Chemins d’Amour Francis POULENC (1899-1963) Le sommeil; Quelle aventure; La reine de cœur; Ba, be, bi, bo, bu; Les anges musiciens; Le carafon; Lune d’avril; Violon; C’est ainsi que tu es; Dernier poème; Les chemins d’amour Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Chevaux de bois; Beau soir; Fleurs des blés; Rondel chinois; Nuit d’étoiles Henri DUPARC (1848-1933) Extase; Au pays où se fait la guerre; Chanson triste; Soupir; Le manoir de Rosemonde; Elégie; Phidylé; L’invitation au voyage Olga Pasiecznik (soprano), Ewa Pobłocka (piano) Recorded at the National Philharmonic Concert Hall, Warsaw, 5^th-6^th January and 25^th-26^th February 2002 CD ACCORD ACD 078-2 [68:13] [CH]

It would be difficult to imagine a better duo partnership for this music, in whose hands it wafts in and out of the consciousness as a perfect musical equivalent of Marcel Proust. ... see Full Review

Toivo KUULA (1883-1918) Finnish Songs Syystunnelma (Autumn Mood), Tuijotin tulehen kauan (Long stared I into the Fire), Aamulaulu (Morning song), Kesäyö kirkomaalla (Summer Night in the Churchyard), Epilogi, Suutelo(the Kiss), Marjatan Laulu (Marhatta’s Song), Sinikan Laulu (Sinika’s Song), Sinipiika (Blue Maiden), Lauanta-Ilta (Saturday Evening), Jääkukkia (Ice Flowers), Vanha Syyslaulu (Old Autumn Song), Yö nummella (Night on the Moor), Tule Armaani (Comer, my Sweetheart), Inamdran Laulau (Imandra’s Song),Purjein kuutamolla (Sailing in the Moonlight). Leevi MADETOJA (1887-1947) Syksy-Sarja (Autumn Song Cycle) Syksy (Autumn), Lähtö (The Departure), Luulit, ma katselin sua (You thought I was watching you), Hyvää yötä ( Good Night), Lintu sininen (Bluebird), Ijät hyrskyjä päin (Ever against the Breakers) Kirsi Tiihonen, (soprano), Satu Salminen (piano). Recorded Järvenpää Hall, Järvenpää , Finland, 25-27 August 1996. DDD MARCO POLO 8.225177 [74.11] [AO]

This fascinating conjunction of nostalgia and forward thinking provides us with some beautifully evocative mood music. ... see Full Review

DISCOVERY OF THE MONTH Johann Joachim QUANTZ (1697-1773) Concerto in G minor for two flutes, strings and bc: Allegro [6.17]; Amoroso [4.18]; Presto [4.56] Concerto in G major for two flutes, strings and bc (No.89): Spiritoso e larghetto [2.42]; Allegro [3.46]; Grave [1.59]; Allegro assai [3.46] Concerto in D major for flute, strings and bc (No.82): Allegro di molto-Adagio-Allegro [7.32]; Un poco andante e cantabile [4.49]; Allegro [4.56] Concerto in G major for flute, strings and bc (No161): Allegro [5.58]; Arioso mesto [5.56]; Allegro Vivace [4.12] Josep-Francesc Palou – flute Claudi Arimany - flute Hungarian Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra Rec. Aug 2002, L’Auditori del Conservatori de Palma de Mallorca COLUMNA MUSICA 1CM0109 [61.33] [PW]

A most welcome disc of stylish performances of quite wonderful music and deserves wide dissemination. ... see Full Review

Valentin SILVESTROV (b. 1937)Requiem for Larissa (1997/9) National Choir of Ukraine "Dumka"National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine/Volodymyr Sirenko Recorded: Kiev, Ukraine, 2001 ECM New Series 1778 (472 112-2) [52:32] . [HC]

Most beautiful and deeply felt. Poignant grief expressed with sincerity, honesty and restraint ...A major work ... one of the finest discs I have heard recently. ... see Full Review

Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958)
The Poisoned Kiss An opera in three acts. Libretto by Evelyn Sharp and Ralph Vaughan Williams Soloists BBC National Orchestra of Wales/Richard Hickox Rec. Brangwyn Hall, Swansea, 3-6 January 2003 World premiere recording CHANDOS CHAN 10120 [2CDs: 57:56+58:03 = 115:59] [RB]

This set now joins the strong representation of RVW Hickox-conducted operas on Chandos and provides undemanding delight, witty repartee, romantic enchantment - a serenade for a summer’s night ... see Full Review

Fancy That! John DANKWORTH (b.1927) Suite for Emma Leonard BERNSTEIN (1917-1990) Sonata for clarinet and piano Arthur BENJAMIN (1893-1960) Le Tombeau de Ravel Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Vocalise Robert MUCZYNSKI (b.1929) Time Pieces André PREVIN (b.1929) Passing Fancy Fancy Passing Alan Vivian, clarinet; Susanne Powell, piano Recorded at Llewellyn Hall, Canberra, ACT, Australia, August 1998 REVOLVE AJM1314 [66:12] [GPJ]

A most distinguished disc, beautifully planned and executed, and the recording is ideal. ... see Full Review

Piano Music for Children Béla BARTÓK (1881-1935) Four pieces from Ten Easy Pieces Igor STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) Les Cinq Doigts Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Music for Children, op. 65 Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Children’s Notebook, op.60 Aram KHACHATURIAN (1903-1978) Pictures from Childhood Aaron COPLAND (1900-1990) Five pieces from Piano Album Anton WEBERN (1883-1945) Kinderstück Béla BARTÓK (1881-1935) Four pieces from Mikrokosmos, Volume 6 Raymond Clarke, piano Recorded on 16^th December 2001 and 1^st September 2001 at King’s Hall, University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne DIVINE ART 25022 [77:18] [GPJ]

I don’t know whose idea this CD was, but it was a brilliant one. More please! ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH

Frederich Von FLOTOW (1812-1883) Alessandro Stradella, comic opera (1844) Stradella, Werner Hollweg (ten); Leonore, Helen Donath (sop); Bassi, Richard Kogel (bass); Malvolio, Alexander Malta (bass); Barbarino, Ferry Gruber (ten). Orchestra and Choir of Bayerischen Radio/Heinz Wallberg Rec. Germany, 1977, ADD Albert LORTZING (1801-1851) Regina, opera excerpts (1848) Simon, Gerhard Frei (bar); Regina, Irmgard Klein (sop); Stefan, Heinz Friedrich (bass); Richard, Karl Heinz Stracke (ten). Choir and Orchestra of Berlin Radio/Walter Schartner Rec. Berlin, Germany, 1951, ADD GALA GL100.733 [63.38+75.03] [RW]

High-spirited and refreshing with everyone responding admirably. The handling of the nuances of the Flotow is excellent. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Jean SIBELIUS (1865 - 1957) The Complete Symphonies:- Kullervo, Op. 7 (1892) ^(3)(f)† [80.59] Symphony No. 1, Op. 39 (1898-9) ^(1)(a) [39.34] Symphony No. 2, Op. 43 (1901-2) ^(1)(c) [46.38] Symphony No. 3, Op. 52 (1904-7) ^(2)(d) [30.17] Symphony No. 4, Op. 63 (1911) ^(1)(b) [37.18] Symphony No. 5, Op. 82 (1914-9) ^(2)(d) [30.17] Symphony No. 6, Op. 104 (1923) ^(1)(c) [26.05] Symphony No. 7, Op. 105 (1924) ^(1)(e) [22.51] Other Orchestral Works:- En Saga, Op.9 (1892, rev. 1901) ^(1)(e) [18.48] Karelia Suite, Op.11 (1893) ^(3)(h) [15.21] Rakastava, Op. 14 (1893) ^(1)(e) [14.40] Lemminkäinen Suite, Op. 22 (1893-5) ^(4)(g) [51.47] Finlandia, Op. 26 (1899-1900) ^(1)(c) [9.00] Valse Triste, Op. 44 (1904) ^(1)(c) [6.04] Pohjola’s Daughter, Op. 49 (1906) ^(4)(g) [15.05] Night Ride and Sunrise, Op. 55 (1907) ^(3)(h) [17.01] The Bard, Op. 64 (1913-4) ^(4)(g) [7.57] Tapiola, Op. 122 (1925-6) ^(2)(d) [18.29] The Oceanides, Op.73 (1914) ^(3)(h) [10.57] Hillevi Martinpelto (sop.)†, Karl-Magnus Fredriksson (bar.)† London Symphony Chorus† London Symphony Orchestra/Sir Colin Davis Rec. London: (1) Blackheath Concert Halls, (2) Watford Town Hall, (3) Walthamstow Assembly Hall, (4) Watford Colosseum, (a) December 1994, (b) April 1994, (c) 12-13 December 1994, (d) 1-3 December 1992, (e) April/December 1994, (f) November 1996, (g) 17-19 January 2000, (h) 13 February 1998 BMG/RCA RED SEAL 82876-55706-2 [7 CDs: 77.38 + 72.53 + 61.07 + 73.09 + 64.41 + 75.25 + 76.51 = 501'44] [PSe]

Sympathetic recordings and vital performances of revelatory interpretations, over 500 minutes of pure bliss for any lover or learner of Sibelius. ... see Full Review

Sir Thomas Beecham (1879- 1961) - Great Conductors of the 20th Century CD 1 Gioacchino ROSSINI William Tell Overture Antonín DVOŘÁK Legend No. 2 Richard WAGNER Das Rheingold - Entry of Gods into Valhalla Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART Divertimento No. 15 Frederick DELIUS Appalachia Carl Maria von WEBER Der Freischütz Overture CD 2 Nikolai RIMSKY-KORSAKOV Antar Symphony Felix MENDELSSOHN Song without words Op. 102 Nos 2 and 3 Peter Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 4 George Frideric HANDEL Amaryllis Suite - Sarabande Edith Furmedge (soprano) Margaret Field-Hyde (soprano) Sylvia Patriss (alto) Gwladys Garside (mezzo-soprano) Walter Widdop (tenor) George Chitty (tenor) Theo Herrmann (bass) Cuthbert Matthews (baritone) Cuthbert Matthews (bar) (Delius) Royal Opera Amateur Chorus (Delius) London Philharmonic Orchestra (Rossini, Dvořák, Weber, Delius); Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (rest) Rec. mono and stereo (only I from Tchaikovsky) - 1934-1958. ADD EMI CLASSICS/IMG 575938-2 [2CDs: ] [RB]

Some very special music making here and invaluable in its wholesale publication of many previously unissued originals. A stunner. ... see Full Review

 

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