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  Friday February 27th


DAILY CD REVIEWS - No other web-site offers as many new reviews as MusicWeb


Hoffnung Music Festivals 1956,58,61
$31 £19 World $33 £21 post free
This is a must for all Hoffnung enthusiasts.
SPECIAL OFFER Buy Two- SAVE £5
Purchase here    see review

Hoffnung - A Last Encore
On 2 CDs lasting 1 hour 45min, this contains all the recordings of Hoffnung preserved in the BBC archives. They include the famous and hilariously funny Bricklayer story. $22 £14 post free world-wide Purchase

Music Books for sale Elgar's Oratorios, Michael Tippet, Malcolm Arnold,etc.

MusicWeb SPECIAL OFFER From Stock: ERIK CHISHOLM Piano Music Murray McLachlan Piano. Olympia OCD 639 £10 P&P free Worldwide. See review for how to purchase.

MusicWeb can now supply World-wide from the catalogue of the American Label Gasparo at £10, £8 and £6 including postage (restrictions apply on mid-price and budget titles)

New from Gasparo
Phyllis TATE Sonata for clarinet and cello, Air and Variations for violin, clarinet and piano, Three pieces for solo clarinet Karel HUSA Évocations de Slovaquie for clarinet, viola and cello Ingolf DAHL Concerto a Tré for clarinet, violin and cello

MusicWeb can now offer you the
ARCODIVA catalogue including the highly regarded Janacek Glagolitic Mass conducted by Leos Svarovsky and the pianism of
Martin Kasik only
£9.00 post free World-wide
CDACCORD catalogue including recordings made by Menuhin, Arcgerich.
£9.00 post free World-wide
Concert Artist catalogue including the recordings made by Joyce Hatto and
Sergio Fiorentino CDs are priced at £12.99 Post-free World-Wide

New from Redcliffe
RRO20 British String Quartets Vol 3 Frank Bridge: String Quartet No 4; Alan Bush Suite of Six op.81; Henry Purcell Chacony in G minor Bochmann String Quartet

NEW and RECENT ARTICLES

MusicWeb - a few Home-truths

GORDON JACOB (1895 – 1984) By Dr Geoff Ogram

MICHELANGELI A few thoughts from Dr David C F Wright

Dr. Randolph Davis and Ivor Gurney: One Last Chance by Pamela Blevins

JEAN-PHILIPPE RAMEAU A brief account of his life and works … and personal comments David C F Wright

Alan BUSH, Arthur BENJAMIN, Berthold GOLDSCHMIDT, Karl RANKL, Lennox BERKELEY & THE ARTS COUNCIL’s 1951 OPERA COMPETITION by Lewis Foreman

NED ROREM Songwriter and philosopher by Dr David C F Wright

HANS ROTT by Dr David C F Wright

Osmo Vänskä talks to Bill Kenny

JOHN VEALE'S THIRD SYMPHONY Dr David C F Wright

AMELIE-JULIE CANDEILLE by Dr David C F Wright

HERMIT AT HEART: Carolyn Nott pays an eightieth birthday tribute to her husband, the composer GERARD SCHURMANN

REAL MUSIC …. OR JUST FOR SHOW? ... Arthur Butterworth

BERNARD BARRELL (1919 - )List of works

 


British Music Society CDs can now be bought on-line from MusicWeb. You do not need to be a member of the BMS

New from CDACCORD:
ACD130 KILAR Lament, September Symphony Written in Remembrance of 9/11. Digipack with heart-rending photographs. Booklet of notes Review
ACD078 Les Chemins d'Amour F. Poulenc, C. Debussy, H. Duparc

Back in stock from CDACCORD:
ACD071-2 KARLOWICZ Violin Concerto A major Op. 8 "Eternal Songs" symphonic poem Op.10
ACD080-2 CHOPIN CONCERTOS Piano Concertos Nos 1 and 2 RUBINSTEIN, ARGERICH, ROWICKI, NOWAK
ACD091 ANTONIO VIVALDI (1678-1741) Le Quattro Stagioni TELEMANN Don Quixote - Suite

New from Arcodiva

Sylvie Bodorova Juda Maccabeus Gabriella Benackova (sop), Ales Briscein (ten), Ivan Kusnjer (bar) Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Vladimir Valek live recording Prague Spring Festival 2002 UP 0065-2 231 (CD) New release Februaury 2004
BENDA Ariadne auf Naxos Jitka Molavcova - Ariadne Alfred Strejcek - Theseus Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchesrta Conductor Jaraslov Krcek UP 0066-2 231 (CD) New Release Jan 2004 Review

Lyrita Catalogue


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210 reviews completed for February


BOOK REVIEWS

Myer Fredman The Drama of Opera. Exotic and Irrational Entertainment 2003 Sussex Academic Press ISBN 1-903900-50-6 146 pages £15.95 [RH]

A useful little book introducing the bewildering world of opera and full of good sense. … see Full Review

 

UNEASY LISTENING - A caricature guide to 20th century composers
by John Minnion
109pp Paperback ISBN 0-9544499 1 6 [RB]

This is wonderfully well done as a book of illustrations. It tells us something of the psychology of the composer in each case and does so wittily and not without taking a few dangerous corners. ... see Full Review


RECORDINGS OF THE MONTH

Samuel BARBER (1910-1981) Vanessa. An opera in three acts (Revised Version) Vanessa: Ellen Chickering (soprano) Erika: Andrea Matthews (soprano) The Old Baroness: Marion Dry (contralto) Anatol: Ray Bauwens (tenor) The Old Doctor: Richard Conrad (tenor) Nicholas: Philip Lima (baritone) Ukrainian National Capella "Dumka" National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine/Gil Rose Rec. Concert Studio of Ukrainian Radio, Kiev, Ukraine, 25 May – 8 June 2002 DDD NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS 8.669140-41 [2 CDs 55’08" + 65’51"] [JQ]

Rejoice that such a significant opera has been done proud by this release. … a very fine achievement. Urgently recommended. … see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841 - 1904) Violin Concerto in A Minor, Op. 53 (1884) Romance in F Minor Op. 11 (1877) Joseph SUK (1874 - 1935) Fantasia for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 24 (1902) Josef Suk (violin) Czech Philharmonic Orchestra/Karel Ančerl Part of the Karel Ančerl Gold Edition remastered in 24 bit sound Rec. Rudolfinum Hall, Prague, August 1961. ADD SUPRAPHON SU 3668-2 [69:16] [JPh]

Drama and delicacy balanced perfectly … the wonderful acoustic of the Rudolfinum, enhances the performances, making listening an absolute joy. … see Full Review

Jules MASSENET (1842-1912) Cendrillon (1896) Frederica von Stade (mezzo) Cendrillon; Nicolai Gedda (tenor) Prince Charmant; Jane Berbié (soprano) Madame de la Haltière; Jules Bastin (bass) Pandolfe; Ruth Welting (soprano) La Fée; Teresa Cahill (soprano) Noémie; Elizabeth Bainbridge (mezzo) Dorothée; Claude Méloni (tenor) Le Roi, La Voix du Héraut; Paul Crook (tenor) Le Doyen de la Faculté; Christian du Plessis (baritone) Le Surintendant des Plaisirs; John Noble (baritone) Le Premier Ministre Ambrosian Opera Chorus; Philharmonia Orchestra ADD /Julius Rudel Rec All Saints Church, London, in 1978. SONY CLASSICAL SM2K91178 [two discs: 136’33: 71’18 + 65’15] [CC]

This set positively sparkles with joy … this is a Recording of the Month if ever there was one. … see Full Review

Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957) The Symphonies CD1 Symphony No. 1 in E minor, Op. 39 (1899) Symphony No. 3 in C major, Op. 52 (1904–1907) Finlandia Op. 26 (1899–1900) CD2 Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 43 (1901) [44.10] Symphony No. 4 in A minor, Op. 63 (1911) [35.48] CD3 Symphony No. 5 in E flat Op. 82 (1914) [31.14] Karelia Suite Op. 11 (1893) [14.55] Pohjola’s Daughter Op. 49 (1906) [11.51] The Bard Op. 64 (1913) [7.58] CD4 Symphony No. 6 (1923) [27.01] Symphony No. 7 (1924) [21.19] Tapiola (1926) [15.42] City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra/Sakari Oramo rec. Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 7-12 Jan 2002 (CD1), 29 May - 1 June 2000 (CD2), 17-19 Apr 2001 (CD3), 6-8 Jan 2003 (CD4) WARNER ERATO 2564 60294-2 [4 CDs: 75.15+80.00+66.35+64.22] [RB] [JPh]


If you like your Sibelius served ablaze rather than cool then Oramo is the man for you. Magnificent in 2, 5, 6, 7 and Pohjola. Never less than thoughtful and often provocative ... see Full Review

LEOPOLD STOKOWSKI - Decca Recordings 1965-1972 DECCA ORIGINAL MASTERS LIMITED EDITION 475 145-2 [5CDs: 78.14+69.48+75.33+65.13+80.38] [RB]

A landmark set in a limited edition. Sybaritic opulence at its zenith with an OTT recording system to match. Gorgeous? ... I should say! ... see Full Review

 

Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Iolanta (1892) - opera in eight scenes, an introduction and finale [92.24] Olga Myktenko (sop) - Iolanta Benno Schollum (bass) - King René of Provence Andrey Grigoryev (bar) - Robert Piotr Beczala (ten) - Count Vaudémont Vladimir Krassov (bar) - Ibn-Hakia Roman Muravitsky - Alméric Nikolai Didenko - Bertrand Nina Romanova - Martha Bella Kabanova - Brigitte Moscow Chamber Choir/Vladimir Minin Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra of Moscow Radio/Vladimir Fedoseyev Alla Demidova reads from Pushkin's Eugene Onegin interspersed with scenes from Tchaikovsky's opera (sung by Maria Gavrilova (sop), Irina Chistiakova (mezzo), Sergej Murzayev (bar), Albert Shagidullin (bar), Vitaly Tarashchenko (ten)). [48.00] rec. live, 13 March 2002, Grand Hall, Moscow Conservatory (Iolanta); live, 24 May 1999, Pushkin Concert, 24 May 1999, Great Hall, Moscow Conservatory (readings). RELIEF CR991074 [68.38+70.36] [RB]

Wonderful - a most accomplished and life-imbued version of Iolanta. A top recommendation ... see Full Review

 

MY LOVE Malena Ernman (mezzo-soprano) Gioacchino ROSSINI (1792-1868) Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Una voce poco fa Georges BIZET (1838-1875) Carmen: L’amour est un oiseau rebelle (Habanera), Près des remparts de Séville (Seguidilla) Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) Vocalise-étude en forme de Habanera Michel LEGRAND (b. 1932) The summer knows Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Le Nozze di Figaro: Non sò più cosa son, cosa faccio, Voi che sapete, Abendempfindung an Laura Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Die Sterne, D.939, Im Frühling, D.882, Heidenröslein, D.257, Litanei, D.343 Duke ELLINGTON (1899-1974) Heaven*, Come Sunday*, Almighty God, My Love Nils LINDBERG (b.1933) Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? Bo NILSSON (b.1937) Vals i mejram, Röda höst, Det finns ju faktiskt telefon* Malena Ernman (mezzo-soprano), Mats Bergström (guitar), with *Magnus Lindgren clarinet/flute) and Hans Backenroth (double bass) All works arranged by Mats Bergström, the first two Bo Nilsson pieces after arrangements by Stefan Nilsson Recorded April and June 2002 at Länna Church, Sweden BIS-NL-CD-5020 [67:45] [CH]

Malena Ernman is second to none among today’s mezzos and the originality of her programme planning ensures that each disc is a special event. … see Full Review

 

CURIOSITY OF THE MONTH Hornroh Zirp Das Alphorn danasch [1:15] Kaamor [4:56] Purup [1:16] Dr’ Schlipfer [4:16] Rothko Room [3:04] Flüchting [2:06] Serpent tacere [4:39] Adieu O(h) W(eh) [2:17] Arb [7:08] Ahjä [3:18] Flugs [3:27] Choral [4:54] Zirp [4:42] Fun Facile [6:41] All compositions written and arranged by Hornroh Recorded in July 2002 at Saalbau Aarau DDD SUISA MGB CD 6195 [54:01] [PG]

If you only buy one recording of new music this year, you wouldn’t go wrong by choosing this one; I cannot recommend it highly enough. … see Full Review

 


BARGAIN OF THE MONTH

 

Dave BRUBECK (b. 1920) Chromatic Fantasy Sonata [29:05] Five Pieces from ‘Two-Part Adventures’ [5:50] Tritonis [13:04] The Salmon Strikes [3:06] Rising Sun [3:44] John Salmon, PianoRecorded at the School of Music, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, USA on 22 September and 13-14 October, 2002 DDD NAXOS 8.559212 [54:48] [PG]

Performances of highest caliber. truly excellent. The music is a joy. The performance is exquisite. Very highly recommended. … see Full Review

Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Piano Sonata in G minor, Hob.XVI: 44 Piano Sonata in G major, Hob.XVI: 40 Piano Sonata in E minor, Hob.XVI: 34 Piano Sonata in C major, Hob.XVI: 48 Piano Sonata in C minor, Hob.XVI: 20 András Schiff (piano) Recorded in Teldec Studio, Berlin, January, 1997 DDD WARNER ELATUS 2564 60677-2 [73’45]

Even in a crowded field, this is almost self-recommending. … see Full Review

Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony No. 3 in D minor (1895-6) Marjorie Thomas (Contralto) Tolzer Knabenchor Symphonie-Orchester und Frauenchor des Bayerischen Rundfunks/Rafael Kubelik Recorded "live" in Herkules-Saal in der Residenz, Munich, 20 April 1967 AUDITE 23.403 [2 CDs: 94.36] [TD]

This is a firm recommendation for Mahler’s Third and another gem in Audite’s Kubelik releases. … see Full Review

 

Nicolay MYASKOVSKY (1881-1950) Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D minor, Op. 44 (1938) [38:06] Mieczyław VAINBERG (1919-1996) Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in G minor, Op. 67 (1961) [28:43] Ilya Grubert, violin Russian Philharmonic Orchestra, Dmitry Yablonsky, conductor Recorded in Studio 5 of the Moscow State Broadcasting and Recording House from 27 February to 5 March 2003. DDD NAXOS 8.557194 [66:49] [KS]

Bold, lyrical, rhythmic, charming, dramatic and thought-provoking … some unusual yet highly accessible delights. Go buy and enjoy. … see Full Review

Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) Tosca (1900) Maria Callas (Tosca), Giuseppe Di Stefano (Cavaradossi), Tito Gobbi (Scarpia), Franco Calabrese (Angelotti), Angelo Mercuriali (Spoletta), Melchiorre Luise (Sacristan), Dario Caselli (Sciarrone/Gaoler), Alvaro Cordova (Shepherd), Chorus and Orchestra of Teatro alla Scala, Milan/Victor De Sabata Recorded 10th-14th, 16th and 18th-21st August 1953 in the Teatro alla Scala, Milan NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110256-57 [2 CDs: 42:35, 65:56] [CH]

This mythical set lives up to its reputation and sounds fine in this transfer. … see Full Review

Igor STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) Petrushka (1911, rev. 1947) [34’11]. Le sacre du printemps (1913, rev. 1947) [32’42]. Czech Philharmonic Orchestra/Karel Ančerl. Rec. Dvořák Hall of Rudolfinum, Prague, in March 1962 (Petrushka) and March 1963 (Le sacre). ADD SUPRAPHON KAREL ANČERL GOLD EDITION SU3665-2 [67’05] [CC]

A remarkable document that should be heard without delay. … see Full Review


 


Detailed listing (last two days)]
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