Mahir
CETIZ
(b. 1977) Mist
Bells for small ensemble (2002-2003) [13:45]
Triptych for piano solo (2003) [14:17]
Polarisation for solo bassoon (2002)
[6:46] Panayiotis
DEMOPOULOS (b. 1977) Theme and
variations on a villota by Filippo Azzaiolo
(2003) [14:54] Three songs for bass and
piano (2002) [12:02] Of Seventh Doors (suite
for cello and piano) (2002) [14:56] 
Anairesis Ensemble/Matthew Coorey Rec.
May 9, 2003 Birtwistle Festival, Royal Northern
College of Music, Manchester and June 11,
2003 at St. Ann’s Church, Manchester DDD
DUNELM RECORDS DRD0214 [74:54] [PG]
Anyone
interested in the future of symphonic music
should find this album. ... see Full
Review
Ernest CHAUSSON (1855-1899)String
Quartet in C minor Op. 35 (completed by Vincent
d'Indy) (1900) [30.39] Albert
ROUSSEL (1869-1937) String
Quartet in D major Op. 45 (1932) [20.48] Albéric
MAGNARD (1865-1914) String Quartet
in E minor Op. 16 (1903) [43.17]
Quatuor Via Nova: (Jean Mouillère,
Hervé le Floch (violins); Gerard Caussée
(viola); René Benedetti (cello) (Chausson,
Roussel). (Jean Mouillère, Jean-Pierre
Sabouret (violins); Claude Naveau (viola);
Jean-Marie Gamard (cello) (Magnard). rec.
Studio 106, Radio France, Oct 1985 (Magnard);
1970, no details for Chausson; Roussel. DDD,
ADD
WARNER APEX 2564 61368 2 [2CD 51:27
+ 43.17] [RB]
Three
French string quartets in idiomatic performances
and vivid recordings. ... see
Full Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Piano
music of Erik Chisholm and his friends
BARTÓK
Out of Doors Suite (With drums and pipes)
SORABJI
Fantasiettina sul nome illustre dell’Egregio
poeta Hugh MacDiarmid Ossia Christopher Grieve
MCMLXI CHISHOLM
Sonata in A (1939) "An Riobain Dearg":
(Molto Moderato; Scherzo: Allegretto con Moto;
Lament: HMS "Thetis" foundered June
3rd 1939; Allegro Moderato) STEVENSON
A Threepenny Sonatina BUSONI
Fantasia Contrappuntistica (Edizione Definitiva)
Murray McLachlan (piano) Recorded 16-17,
19 December 2003, Whiteley Hall, Chethams,
Manchester. DDD
DUNELM DRD0219[78:11] [CSS]
In
MacLachlan’s hands a magisterial performance
... see Full
Review
Fryderyk
CHOPIN
(1810-1849) Complete
Piano Works Volume Three Ballade No.1
in G minor Op.23 Ballade No.2 in F major Op.38
Ballade No.3 in A flat major Op.47 Ballade
No.4 in F minor Op.52 Rondo in E flat major
Op.16 Rondo in C major Op.73
Garrick Ohlsson (piano) Recorded at Concordia
College, Bronxville, New York, December 1989
ARABESQUE Z6630 [64.04] [JW]
Many
will find him highly poetic and sympathetic,
his consistently slow tempos will appeal and
his musical understanding out of the ordinary
but Ohlsson 1989 is not greatly to my liking
... see Full
Review
Fryderyk CHOPIN
(1810-1849) The
Complete Chopin Piano Works, Volume 8 Fantasy
for piano in F minor/A flat major, Op. 49
Berceuse for piano in D flat major, Op. 57
Barcarolle for piano in F sharp major, Op.
60 Bolero for piano in C major/A major, Op.
19 Tarantelle for piano in A flat major, Op.
43 Prelude for piano in C sharp minor, Op.
45 Allegro de concert for piano in A major,
Op. 46 March funebre in C minor Op.72 No.2
Ecossaise for piano No. 1 in D major, Op.
72/3 Ecossaise for piano No. 2 in G major,
Op. 72/3 Ecossaise for piano No. 3 in D flat
major, Op. 72/3 Variations for piano in A
major "Souvenir de Paganini," KK IVa/10 (spurious)
Contredanse for piano in G flat major (spurious),
KK Anh.Ia/4 Moderato for piano in E major,
KK IVb/12Cantabile for piano in B flat major,
KK IVb/6 [Feuille d’album in E major] Largo
for piano in E flat major, KK IVb/5 Fugue
for piano in A minor, KK IVc/2
Garrick Ohlsson (piano) Recorded in 1995
at the Recital Hall in the Performing Arts
Centre, Purchase College, State University
of New York
ARABESQUE Z6686 [76.32] [JW]
Considerable
delicacy and nuance but a sometimes puzzling
attitude to tempo ... see Full
Review
Frédéric
CHOPIN (1810-1849)
Etudes:
Op. 10 (1829-32) [30’28]; Op. 25 (1832-36)
[32’55].
Freddy Kempf (piano). Rec. Nybrokajen 11 (former
Academy of Music), Stockholm, Sweden, Aug
2003. DDD
BIS-SACD-1390 [64’08] [CC]
Kempf’s
interpretation has yet to mature and there
is the constant nagging doubt that this has
been put down for posterity too early in his
career. Disappointing. ... see Full
Review
Frederic CLIFFE
(1857-1931) Symphony
No. 1 in C minor (1889) Orchestral picture:
Cloud and Sunshine (1890)
Malmö Opera Orchestra/Christopher Fifield
Recorded at St Johannes Church, Malmö,
Sweden, 6th-7th May
2003
STERLING CDS-1055-2 [57:54] [IL]
Amazing
how music of such power and lyricism can lie
lost and unperformed for so many years. ...
see Full Review
Aaron COPLAND
(1900-1990) John
Henry - A Railroad Ballad (1940) [13.48]
Lincoln Portrait [15.33] The Promise
of Living from The Tender Land [5.26]
Old American Songs - Set 1: The
Boatmen's Dance; The Dodger; Long
Time Ago; Simple Gifts; I Bought
Me a Cat [11.27] Jubilee Variations
[1.27] Ceremonial Fanfare [3.44]
An Outdoor Overture [8.47]
Katharine Hepburn (speaker) Sherrill Milnes
(bar) Cincinnati Pops Orchestra/Erich Kunzel
rec. Music Hall, Cincinnati, 22 Sept 1985,
15-16 Nov 1986. DDD
TELARC CD-80117 [70.12] [RB]
Novelties
and rarities, stylishly done, make this of
considerable interest ... see Full
Review
Claude DEBUSSY
(1862-1918)
Nocturnes
(1899) [25.35] La Mer (1905) [24.16]
Ibéria (1906) [19.57]
Czech Philharmonic Chorus/Josef Veselka Czech
Philharmonic Orchestra/Jean Fournet rec. Dvořák
Hall, Rudolfinum, Prague, 23-27 Oct 1963 (Nocturnes;
Mer); 7-10 Feb 1965. ADD
SUPRAPHON ARCHIVE SU 3421-2 011 [70.05]
[RB]
No
serious Debussian should be without this.
These unaffected Fournet recordings offer
enchantment-in-waiting. ... see Full
Review
Debussy’s
Corner Claude
DEBUSSY (1862 – 1918) Syrinx
(1913) Sonata for Flute, Viola and Harp (1915)
Richard Rodney BENNETT
(b. 1936) Sonata after Syrinx (1985) Toru
TAKEMITSU (1930 – 1996) And then
I knew ’twas wind (1992) Benoît
MERNIER (b. 1964) Images (2002)
Trio Medicis (Bernard Pierreuse, flute;
Ning Shi, viola; Francette Bartholomée,
harp) Recorded: Fondation Tibor Varga, Sion,
Switzerland, July 2002
CYPRÈS CYP 1637 [63:15] [HC]
A
well planned, superbly played programme that
is a pure joy from start to finish and generously
repays repeated hearings. Warmly recommended.
... see Full
Review
Frederick DELIUS
(1862-1934) A
Village Romeo and Juliet - Lyric Drama
in Six Scenes Vreli (Marti’s Daughter) - sung
by Helen Field; acted by Dana Moravkova Sali
(Manz’s Son) - Arthur Davies; acted by Michel
Dlouhy The Dark Fiddler - Thomas Hampson Vreli
as a child - Pamela Mildenhall; acted by Katerina
Svobodova Sali as a child - Samuel Linay;
acted by Jan Kalous Manz - Barry Mora; acted
by Leopold Haverl Marti -Stafford Dean; acted
by Pavel Mikulik
Arnold Schönberg –Chor and ORF Symphonieorchester/Sir
Charles Mackerras Filmed on location in 1989.
The audio recording was made in the Grossersaal,
Konzerthaus, Vienna Between 1st
and 13th February 1989 Bonus
Feature: Discovering Delius
DECCA
DVD Video 074 177-9 [Opera: 112 mins.
Feature: 59 mins] [IL]
A
beautiful and often moving visualisation ...
The bonus feature makes this a compulsive
purchase for all Delians. ... see Full
Review
David DIAMOND
(b.1915)
Symphony No. 2 (1942) [42:43] Symphony No.
4 (1945) [16:35] Seattle Symphony Orchestra/Gerard
Schwarz. Rec. 8, 11 Sept 1989 (2); 22 May
1990 (4), Seattle Center Opera House. DDD
Originally issued on Delos DE3093 American
Classics series NAXOS 8.559154 [59:19]
[RB]
Two
wartime symphonies ... insidiously emotional
... believable recordings of well conceived
and executed performances. ... see Full
Review
Gaetano DONIZETTI
(1797-1848)
L’elisir
d’amore (1832). Valeria Esposito (soprano)
Adina; Aquiles Machado (tenor) Nemorino; Enrico
Marrucci (baritone) Belcore; Erwin Schrott
(bass) Dulcamara; Roberta Canzian (soprano)
Giannetta;
Coro Lirico Marchigiano ‘V. Bellini’;
Orchestra Filarmonica Marchigiana/Niels Muus.
Rec. Arena Sferisterio, Macerata, in July
2002. DDD
TDK CD-OPELAMOR [71’07 + 57’47] [CC]
There
are enough caveats to preclude a recommendation
for this set, even at its budget price. ...
see Full Review
Gaetano
DONIZETTI (1797-1848)
Il
Campanello – Farce in One Act (1836)
Clara Scarangella (Serafina), Renato Capecchi
(Enrico), Sesto Bruscantini (Don Annibale
Pistacchio), Miti Truccato Pace (Madama Rosa),
Angelo Mercuriali (Spiridione), Orchestra
Lirica e Coro di Torino della RAI/Alfredo
Simonetto Recorded 13th October 1949, Turin
WARNER FONIT 5050467-1044-2-6 [53:03]
[CH]
This
55-year-old document can still provide a lot
of pleasure as well as a peep at two of Italy’s
major post-war bass-baritones at the beginning
of their careers. ... see Full
Review
John DOWLAND
(1563-1626) Awake
Sweet Love, the Music of John Dowland
Come Again * Toss Not My Soul * Fine Knacks
For Ladies * Mourn, Day Is With Darkness Fled,
His Golden Locks, In Darkness Let Me Dwell,
Lachrimae + What If I Never Speed * Awake,
Sweet Love, Away With Thee, Selfe Loving Lads,
All Ye Who Love Or Fortune Hath Betray’d *
Think’st Thou Then By Thy Feigning, Weep You
No More * I Saw My Lady Weep Tarleston’s Riserrectione
+ Time Stands Still, If My Complaints Could
Passions Move, Tell me True Love, O Sweet
Woods * The Lowest Trees Have Tops * Now,
Oh Now I Needs Must Part *
Julianne Baird (soprano) The Robert DeCormier
Singers * David Tayler (lute and Orpharion)
Lute solos marked + Recorded at Concordia
College, Bronxville, New York, January 1991
ARABESQUE RECORDINGS Z6622 [68.23] [JW]
There
are virtues here but I can’t really suggest
you start your Dowland quest here ... see
Full Review
Maurice DURUFLÉ
(1902-1986)
Requiem,
Op. 9* [39’37"] Quatre motets sur des
thèmes Grégoriens, Op.10** [7’
20"] Messe "Cum Jubilo", Op.
11*** [18’23"] Prélude et fugue
sur le nom d’Alain, Op. 7**** [11’ 04"]
*Hélène Bouvier (mezzo-soprano);
Xavier Depraz (bass); Marie-Madeleine Duruflé-Chevalier
(organ) Chorales Philippe Caillard et Stéphane
Caillat Orchestre de l’Association des Concerts
Lamoureux/Maurice Duruflé Recorded
in 1959 **Chorale Stéphane Caillat/Maurice
Duruflé Recorded in 1965 ***Roger Soyer
(baritone); Marie-Madeleine Duruflé-Chevalier
(organ) Chorale Stéphane Caillat; Orchestre
Nationale de l’O.R.T.F./Maurice Duruflé
Recorded in 1971 **** Marie-Madeleine Duruflé-Chevalier
(organ) Recorded in 1963 on the Gonzales organ
at Soissons cathedral
WARNER CLASSICS APEX 2564 61139-2 [77’46"]
[JQ]
An
excellent introduction to the music of this
modest, unassuming but dedicated French composer
... see Full
Review
Antonín
DVOŘÁK
(1841-1904) Chamber Music
details
in the review
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 92181 [8 CDs: 65’10
+ 71'33 + 69'51 + 69'42 + 72'53 + 53'53 +
46'44 + 66'32] [JW]
A
most diverting box ... I’d rate Matousek and
the Stamitz highly; the Nash too, and the
Borodin/Richter is obviously a big draw ...
see Full
Review
Edward ELGAR
(1857-1934) CD1
Violin Sonata in E minor [25:19] Violin Concerto
in B minor [49:03] CD2 Piano Quintet in A
minor [34:44] String Quartet in E minor [28:59]
Serenade [2:29] Concert Allegro
[10:30]
Hugh Bean (violin) David Parkhouse (piano)
RLPO/Charles Groves John Ogdon (piano) Music
Group of London Allegri Quartet rec. Philharmonic
Hall, Liverpool, 15-16 June 1972 (Concerto);
Studio No. 1 Abbey Road, London, 1 Jan 1971
(sonata), 26-27 Aug 1969 (5tet); 10 May 1971
(Serenade), 12 June 1969 (Allegro). ADD
CLASSICS FOR PLEASURE 7243 5 85908
2 1 [74:36 + 77:09] [RB]
Recommendable
... strong on British reserve. The concerto
impresses by its integrity if not through
high-wire dazzle. ... see Full
Review
Luis Antonio ESCOBAR
(1925- 1993) Canticas
y Madrigales
Americas Vocal Ensemble/Nelly Vuksie
Recording venue not given. Recorded in 1982
4TAY 4024 [49.16] [GH]
The
music is attractive and interesting ... just
the right choice for anyone with a quest for
the unusual. ... see Full
Review
RECORDING OF THE MONTH Johann
Friedrich FASCH (1688-1758)
Overture
in G (FWV L:G16) [32:02] Concerto for bassoon,
strings and bc in C (FWV L:C2) [09:45] Concerto
à 7 for 2 oboes, 2 violins, viola,
bassoon and bc in c minor (FWV L:c2) [09:15]
Concerto for violin, strings and bc (FWV L:A3)
[08:02] Concerto for bassoon, strings and
bc in d minor (FWV L:c1) [09:22] Concerto
for 2 oboes, 2 violins, viola, bassoon and
bc in E flat (fragment) (FWV L:Es 1) [02:33]
Hans-Peter Westermann, Alessandro Piqué,
oboe; Sergio Azzolini, bassoon; Veronika Skuplik,
violin La Stravaganza Köln (on period
instruments)
Rec. August 2002, Evangelische Kirche, Honrath,
Germany. DDD
CPO 777 015-2 [71:30] [JV]
A
passionate plea for the orchestral music of
Fasch, an unjustly neglected master of the
German baroque ... see
Full Review
Gabriel
FAURÉ
(1845-1924) Violin
Sonata No.1 in A major Op.13 (1875-77) Violin
Sonata No.2 in E minor Op.108 (1916-17) Romance
Op.28 (1877) Berceuse Op.16 Andante Op.75
(1897) Morceau de lecture (1903) Sicilienne
Op.78 (1893) arr. Howat Air de danse (from
Caligula Op.52) (1888) arr. Howat
Alban Beikircher (violin) Roy Howat (piano)
Recorded by Radio Suisse Romande at the Studio
Ernest Ansermet, Maison de la Radio, Geneva,
April 2003
ARTE NOVA 74321 92763 2 [68.35] [JW]
Stressing
the dolce aspects and underplaying the assertive
independence of the violin line but there’s
certainly no lack of youthfulness ... see
Full
Review
Gabriel FAURÉ
(1845-1924)
Piano
Trio in D minor, Op. 120 (1923) [21:08] Claude
DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Piano Trio
in G major ("Premier Trio") (c. 1879)
[22:54] Joseph JONGEN
(1873-1953) Two Pieces for Piano Trio,
Op. 95 (1931) [18:19]
Trio Grumiaux Rec. no details supplied
KLARA MMP 036 [62:40] [SV]
Vivid,
immediate sonics enhance these marvellous
performances ... see Full
Review
RECORDING OF THE MONTH Samuil
Evgenievitch FEINBERG (1890-1962)
The
Twelve Piano Sonatas: Nos. 1-6: No. 1,
Op. 1a (1915) [6’51]; No. 2, Op.
2b (1915-16) [9’01]; No. 3, Op.
3b (1916) [23’24]; No. 4, Op. 6a
(1918) [8’33]; No. 5, Op. 10a (1920-21)
[8’05]; No. 6, Op. 13c (1923) [14’20].
aNikolaos Samaltanos, bcChristophe
Sirodeau (pianos). Rec. Eglise Evangélique
Saint-Marcel, Paris, in abSpring
2002 and cDec 1993. DDD
BIS CD-1413 [70’13] [CC]
Revelatory.
The music of Feinberg is hypnotic in the extreme,
close to Scriabin in mystical mode. Enjoy
the voyage of discovery. ... see Full
Review
Samuil FEINBERG
(1890-1962) Piano
Sonata No.7 Op.21 (1924-28) Piano Sonata No.8
Op.21a (1933-34) Piano Sonata No.9 Op.29 (1939)
Piano Sonata No.10 Op.30 (1940-44) Piano Sonata
No.11 Op.40 (1952) Piano Sonata No.12 Op.48
(1962)
Nikolaos Samaltanos (piano) – Sonatas 9, 10
and 11 Christophe Sirodeau (piano) – Sonatas
1, 8 and 12
Recorded in the Eglise Evangélique
Saint-Marcel, Paris 1999-2002
BIS CD 1414 [79.57] [JW]
There
are tough and combative, rewarding and enlivening
things here; touching, too. ... see
Full Review
Nicolas FLAGELLO
(1928
– 1994) Symphony
No.1 (1964/8) Sea Cliffs (1957) Intermezzo
from The Piper of Hamelin (1969) Theme,
Variations and Fugue (1956)
Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra/David
Amos Recorded: Concert Hall, Slovak Radio,
Bratislava, November 2001
NAXOS 8.559148 [63:49] [HC]
Warmly
Romantic music of considerable substance and
expressive strength, in excellent performances
and well recorded. Well worth more than the
occasional hearing. ... see Full
Review
Antoine FORQUERAY
(1671/2 - 1745) Pièces
de Viole -Pièces de Clavecin (1745)
Suite
#1: Allemande La Laborde [5:04]; La Portuguaise
[3.20] Suite #2: Chaconne - La Buisson [4.36]
Suite #3: La Régente [5.44]; La Ferrand
[4.24] Suite #5: Jupiter [4.34] Jay Bernfeld,
viola da gamba ; Skip Sempé, harpsichord
Suite #1: La Cottin [3.23]; La Forqueray [2.44];
La Couperin [3.22] Suite #2: La Leclair [1.45]
Suite #4: La Marella [2.48]; Sarabande La
d’Aubonne [4.18] Suite #5: La Rameau [3.39]
Skip Sempé, harpsichord solo Notes
in English, Deutsch, Français. Photos
of artists. Recorded Temple St. Marcel, Paris,
France; May 1991.
DEUTSCHE HARMONIA MUNDI 82876601652 [50.26]
[PSh]
One
bright spot, but on the whole a disappointing
mismatch of instrument, artistic style, and
repertoire ... see Full
Review
Hans FRANKE
(1882-1971)
Piano
Trio No.4 Op.792 in D minor Piano Quintet
No.3 Op.795 in F sharp minor Piano Trio No.5
Op.801 in D major
Klaus Opitz (viola)
Trio inC: Joachim Enders (piano); Ingo de
Haas (violin); Gisela Reith (cello) Gesine
Kalbhenn (violin) rec. 25/26 March, 19 July
2003, Clara Wieck-Auditorium, Tonstudio van
Geest, Heidelberg/Sandhausen. DDD
SIGNUM Germany SIG X126-00 [70'14] [RNB]
The
musicians play excellently on a good recording
and I look forward to hearing them in music
more worthy of their abilities. ... see Full
Review
Johann Jacob FROBERGER
(1616-1667)
The Unknown Works, Vol. 1 Partita
in d minor (FbWV 639) [08:46] Partita in d
minor (FbWV 618a) [08:30] Allamand in d minor
(FbWV 635) [02:29] Partita in E (FbWV 645)
[09:07] Partita in f sharp minor (FbWV 646)
[06:51] Partita in b minor (FbWV 652) [06:14]
Partita in g minor (FbWV 641)* [10:36] Partita
in c minor (FbWV 644)* [07:17] Sarabande in
c minor (FbWV 640)* [01:18] Capriccio in a
minor (FbWV 519)** [05:06] Fugue in d minor
(FbWV 307)** [00:53] Toccata 2. toni in g
minor (FbWV 130)** [02:23]
Siegbert Rampe, harpsichord [Reinhard
von Nagel, after Couchet, Antwerp 1679], clavichord
(*) [Jörg Gobeli, after anonymous South-German
instrument, c1670], organ (**) [Hans Scherer
the younger, 1624] Recorded in August 2003
at the Oranienburg of Schloss Nordkirchen
& St Stephanskirche, Tangermünde
(**), Germany
MDG 341 1186-2 [70:36] [JV]
Little-known
pieces – some recorded for the first time
- by one of the greatest keyboard composers
of the 17th century ... irresistible ... see
Full Review
An introduction
to Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice Written
by Thomson Smillie and narrated by David Timson
Recorded at Motivation Sound Studios, London,
2004. DDD
NAXOS OPERA EXPLAINED 8.558122 [66.17][EM]
A
well-presented disc that offers interesting
information as well as a chance to become
familiar with the music without having to
listen to the entire piece. ... see Full
Review
Edvard GRIEG
(1842 - 1907) Concert
Overture, "In Autumn," Op.
11(1866) [11.09] Concerto for Piano &
Orchestra in a, Op. 16 (1907) [29.24] Symphonic
Dances, Op. 64 (1897) [31.05]
Håvard Gimse, piano Royal Scottish National
Orchestra/Bjarte Engeset Recorded at Henry
Wood Hall, Glasgow, Scotland, UK, 15 May 2003
Notes in English and Deutsch 5.1 stereo 44kHz/24Bit
surround. AC-3 and DTS tracks encoded 5.1
surround. DVD-Audio playable
on DVD-Audio and DVD players
NAXOS
5.110060 [71.38] [PSh]
A
finely balanced but not commanding performance
of the Concerto, an odd Autumn, and really
good Symphonic Dances ... see Full
Review
Edvard GRIEG
(1843-1907) Piano
Concerto in A minor Op.16 Gabriel
FAURÉ (1845-1924) Fantasie
for piano and orchestra Op.111 Franz
LISZT (1811-1886) Rhapsodie espagnole
S254 arranged Ferrucio
BUSONI (1866-1924)
Felicja Blumental (piano) Vienna Pro Musica
Orchestra/Hans Swarowski (Grieg) Philharmonia
Orchestra/Rudolf Schwarz (Fauré) Prague
Symphony Orchestra/Helmut Froschauer (Liszt/Busoni)
No recording dates or locations
BRANA RECORDS BR 0015 [61.08] [JW]
The
Brana Blumental discs tend to throw up nuggets;
I think the Fauré is one ... Brana
continues to fly the flag with enthusiasm.
... see Full Review
Edvard GRIEG
(1843-1907) Chamber
Music String Quartet No. 1 in G minor
Op. 27 String Quartet No. 2 in F major (completed
by Julius Röntgen) Raphael Quartet
Recorded 19-22 April 1993, English Church,
Begijnhof, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Violin Sonata No. 1 in F major Op. 8 Violin
Sonata No. 2 in G major Op. 13 Violin Sonata
No. 3 in C minor Op. 45 Ivan Zenatý
(violin) Antonin Kubalek (piano) Recorded
October 1995, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall,
Troy USA Cello Sonata in A minor Op. 36
Robert Cohen (cello) Roger Vignoles (piano)
Recorded 1980, Unitarian Chapel, Hampstead,
London Fugue in F minor for string quartet
Raphael Quartet Andante con moto for piano
trio, in C minor Ramy Koch (violin) Henk Lambooij
(cello) Jet Röling (piano) April 1993,
English Church Begijnhof, Amsterdam
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 92176 [3 CDs 65'06
+ 66'11 + 40'37] [JW]
Some
interesting material a rather mixed collection
though seldom less than attractive. ... see
Full Review
Franz Josef HAYDN
(1732-1809)
Symphony
No. 30 in C major, Hob. I:30 "Alleluia"
[14:56] Symphony No. 53 in D major, Hob. I:53
"L’Impériale" [26:03] Symphony
No. 69 in C major, Hob. I:69 "Loudon"
[25:23]
Concentus Musicus, Wien/Nikolaus Harnoncourt
Recorded at the Casino Zögernitz, Vienna,
12-14 June 1990 DDD
WARNER APEX 2564 60520-2 [66:40] [KS]
Intonation
and ensemble fine throughout ... Harnoncourt
captures all the drama, humor and elegance
with which these scores are rife. ... see
Full Review
Franz
Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809)
String
Quartet Op.64, No.6 (hob.iii.64) in E flat
major [18:02] String Quartet Op.64, No.3 (hob.iii.67)
in B flat major [20:09] String Quartet Op.64,
No.1 (hob.iii.65) in C major [22:00]
Quatuor Mosaïques: Erich Höbarth
(vn 1); Andrea Bischof (vn 2); Anita Mitterer
(vla); Christophe Coin (cello). Rec. La Borie
Studio (France), June 2003. ADD
ASTRÉE E8886 [60:11] [AN]
A
sequence of performances that sustain a remarkable
collaboration of musicianship and technical
agility... see Full
Review
Joseph HAYDN
(1732-1809)
Die
sieben letzten Worte unseres Erlosers am Kreuze,
H.XX: 2 (The Seven Last Words of the Saviour
on the Cross) originally composed for orchestra
in 1786, version for keyboard from 1787
Ronald Brautigam (fortepiano) Recorded
at the Lanna Church, Sweden, August 2002.
DDD
BIS-CD-1325 [66:22] [MC]
A
sensitively expressed account of these contemplative
and reverent sacred works ... see Full
Review
RECORDING OF THE MONTH Franz
Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809)
Sonatas:
Volume 3: Keyboard Sonatas: No. 33 in
C minor, Hob.XVI:20 (1771); No. 35 in A flat,
Hob.XVI:43 (first publ. 1783); No. 47 in B
minor, Hob.XVI:32 (c1774); No. 50 in D, Hob.XVI:37
(c1779); No. 61 in D, Hob.XVI:51.
Alain Planès (piano). Rec. Salle modulable,
IRCAM, Paris, August 2001. DDD
HARMONIA MUNDI HMC901763 [65’31] [CC]
Recommended
without hesitation. Planès is a Haydn
interpreter to be reckoned with. ... see Full
Review
Jennifer HIGDON (b.
1962) Concerto
for Orchestra (2002) [34.58] Cityscape
(2002) [30.51]
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra/Robert Spano
Rec. Symphony Hall, Woodruff Arts Center,
Atlanta, Georgia, 12, 14 Sept 2003. DDD
TELARC SACD-60620 [66.17] [RB]
Satisfyingly
exciting ... evincing rhythmic flair... a
coursing and confident wave of greenery and
unrepentant life ... see Full
Review
Alun HODDINOTT
(b.
1929) Dives
and Lazarus, Op. 39a (1965)
[14’38]. Viola Concertino, Op. 14b
(1958) [21’56]. Nocturnes and Cadenzas,
Op. 62c (1969) [20’59]. Sinfonia
Fidei, Op. 95d (1977) [20’24]
aFelicity Palmer, dJill Gomez
(sopranos); dStuart Burrows (tenor);
aThomas Allen (baritone); bCsaba
Erdélyi (viola); cMoray
Welsh (cello); aWelsh National
Opera Chorus; abNew Philharmonia
Orchestra/David Atherton; Philharmonia dChorus
and cdOrchestra/ Sir Charles Groves.
Rec. dates unknown. abADD/cdDDD
LYRITA RECORDED EDITION SRCD332 [77’57]
[CC}
Equipped
with this disc and the Hoddinott Symphonies,
you will be ideally poised to appreciate many
aspects of this composer’s art. Hoddinott
is due some sort of reappraisal. ... see Full
Review
Vagn HOLMBOE
(1909-1996) Sinfonias
I-IV for strings Opp. 73a-d (1957-1962): I
Molto sostenuto (1957) [11:15]; II
Tranquillo (1957) [19:01]; III Allegro
con brio (1958-59) [10:51]; IV Preludio,
Interludio I, Interludio II, Postludio (1962)
[15:31] Plus bonus CD featuring Chairos:
the movements of Sinfonias I-IV re-sequenced
Søren Elbæk (violin); Troels
Svane (cello) Danish Radio Sinfonietta/Hannu
Koivula rec. Danmarks Radio, Studio 2, 1997.
DDD
DA CAPO 8.226017-018 [56:52 + 56:52] [RB]
The
Four Sinfonias are significant and, more to
the point, stimulating and loveable. ... see
Full Review
Alan HOVHANESS
(1911-2000) Symphony
No. 22 "City of Light" * (1971)
Concerto for Cello and Orchestra + (1936)
*Janos Starker (cello) Seattle Symphony/Dennis
Russell Davies + Seattle Symphony/Alan Hovhaness
Rec * Benaroya Hall, Seattle, March 19th
1999; + Seattle Center Opera House, May 1992
NAXOS 8.559158 [60:49] [IL]
A
most rewarding album. extraordinary that a
Cello Concerto of this quality has lain unrecorded
so long. And Hovhaness’s reading of "City
of Light" sounds magnificent. ... see
Full Review
Herbert HOWELLS
(1892-1983) Rhapsodic
Quintet for clarinet and string quartet
(1919) Sonata for clarinet and piano (1946)
Prelude for harp (1915) A Near-Minuet
for clarinet and piano (1946) Sonata No.
3 in E minor for violin and piano (1923)
Mobius: Robert Plane (clarinet), Alison Nicholls
(harp), Sophia Rahman (piano), Phillippe Honorée,
Lucy Gould (violins) Ashan Pillai (viola),
Josephine Knight (cello) Recorded 1 December
2002 (Quintet), St Martin’s Church, East Woodhay,
Hampshire; 26-27 October 2002 (remainder),
Potton Hall, Suffolk
NAXOS 8.557188 [66.05] [TB]
A
model of its kind ... see Full
Review
Jenö HUBAY
(1858-1937) Violin
Concerto No.3 in G minor Op.99 (1906/07) Violin
Concerto No.4 in A minor Op.101 (All’antica)
(1906/07) Variations sur un thème hongrois
Op.72
Hagai Shaham (violin) BBC Scottish Symphony
Orchestra/Martyn Brabbins Recorded in Greyfriars
Church, Edinburgh, 13-14 December 2002
HYPERION CDA67367 [68.34] [JW]
Shaham
plays with fire and sensitivity. ... see Full
Review
Andrés ISASI
(1890-1940)Symphony
No. 2 in G minor Op. 23 (1915) [43:58] Suite
No. 2 in E major Op. 21 (Idyll, Burleske,
Fugue) (1915) [11:43] Bilbao Symphony Orchestra/Juan José
Mena Rec. Palacio Euskalduna, Bilbao, 29-31
Aug 2001. DDD NAXOS 8.557584 [56:08]
[RB]
Isasi:
late-romantic colourist. ... not the sound
expected from a top-flight orchestra ... will
satisfy curiosity and in the case of the Suite
achieves much more ... see Full
Review
Janis IVANOVS
(1906-83) Symphony
No. 8 in B minor (1956) [33.45] Symphony No.
20 in E flat major (1981) [26.25]
Moscow Symphony Orchestra/Dmitry Yablonsky
rec. Mosfilm Studio, Moscow, Jan 1997. DDD
NAXOS 8.555740 [60.10] [DS]
Abundant
energy offset by irresistible lyricism ...
effective and surprising. ... see Full
Review
Charles
IVES
(1874-1954) Universe
Symphony (1874-1951) Realized and
completed (1974-1993) by Larry Austin (b.1930)
Symphony No.2 (1897-1901)
Saarbrüken Radio Symphony Orchestra/Michael
Stern Recorded live at Hermann Neuberger Sporthalle,
Völkingen, Germany, May 24, 1998 (Universe)
and at Grosser Sendesaal des SR, November
16-18, 1999 (No.2)
COL LEGNO WWE 1CD 20074 [74’52] [TH]
A
must for Ivesians, or those with a penchant
for something different – very different.
... see
Full Review
Émile JACQUES-DALCROZE
(1865-1950) Suite
de danses (ca. 1911) Poème alpestre
(1896-98) Treize petites variations sur
"La Suisse est belle" (ca. 1895)
Suite de ballet (extraite de la comédie
lyrique "Sancho") (1897)
Moscow Symphony Orchestra/Adriano Recorded
at Mosfilm Studios, Moscow, August 2003
STERLING CDS-1057-2 [60:04] [IL]
An
irresistible hour of enchanting easy listening:
wonderful melodies and vivacious rhythms.
Recommended. ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Leoš
JANÁČEK (1854-1928)
Jenůfa
(Brno version, 1908; English translation,
Edward Downes and Otakar Kraus). Janice Watson
(soprano) Jenůfa; Elizabeth Vaughan (mezzo)
Grandmother Buryja; Dame Josephine Barstow
(soprano) The Kostelnička; Peter Wedd
(tenor) Števa Buryja; Nigel Robson (tenor)
Laca Klemeň; Neal Davies (baritone) Foreman
at the mill; Alan Fairs (bass) Mayor of the
village; Marion McCullough (mezzo) Mayor’s
wife; Charlotte Ellett (soprano) Karolka;
Claire Hampton (soprano) Jano; Rosie Hay (soprano)
Barena; Imelda Drumm (mezzo) Maid; Sarah Pope
(mezzo) Village woman;
Chorus and Orchestra of Welsh National Opera/Sir
Charles Mackerras Rec. in association with
the Peter Moores Foundation. Rec. Brangwyn
Hall, Swansea, July 20th-26th,
2003. DDD
CHANDOS OPERA IN ENGLISH CHAN 3106 [2CDs:
121’12] [CC}
The
felicities of the scoring emerge as if newly-minted,
sometimes inspiring delight, at others horror.
Unhesitatingly recommended. ... see Full
Review
Robert KAJANUS
(1856-1933)
Finnish
Rhapsody No. 1 Op. 5 (1881) [9:26] Kullervo's
Funeral March Op. 3 (1880) [14:43] Sinfonietta
in B flat major Op. 16 (1915) [25:17]
Aino - symphonic poem for male chorus
and orchestra (1885 rev. c.1916) [14:26]
Helsinki University Choir/Matti Hyökki
Lahti SO/Osmo Vänskä rec. Sibelius
Hall, Lahti, Finland, 28-31 May 2002; 14 May
2001 (). DDD
BIS-CD-1223 [65:21] [RB]
Wagnerian
late romanticism with the subtlest Sibelian
flavour. - all extremely well done ... see
Full Review
Aram
KHACHATURIAN (1903-1978)
Violin
Concerto (1940) [38.46] Concerto-Rhapsody
for violin and orchestra (1961) [23.36]
Mihaela Martin (violin) National Symphony
Orchestra/Theodore Kuchar rec. Grand Concert
Studio, National Radio Company of the Ukraine,
Kiev, 25-27 Dec 2001
NAXOS 8.555919 [62.22] [RB]
A
rather introspective take on the Concerto
(if you can imagine such a thing) but the
reference recording of the Concerto-Rhapsody.[RB]
Splendid music made splendidly. Highly recommended
[KS]... see Full
Review
Mieczysław
KARŁOWICZ
(1876-1909) Violin
Concerto in A major Op. 8 (1902) [27.00] Moritz
MOSZKOWSKI (1854-1925) Ballade
in G minor Op. 16 No. 1 (1871) [11.25] Violin
Concerto in C major Op. 30 (1882) [34.13]
Tasmin Little (violin) BBC Scottish Symphony
Orchestra/Martyn Brabbins Rec. Caird Hall,
Dundee, 11-12 Sept 2003
HYPERION CDA67389 [72.38] [IL]
An
appealing if derivative Karłowicz Concerto
combined with the sunny, lyrical Moszkowski
works for violin and orchestra played with
verve and sensitivity by Tasmin Little. ...
see Full
Review
Rudolf KELTERBORN
(b.
1931) Cello
Concerto (1998/9)a Namenlos (1995/6)b
Chamber Concerto for Clarinet and 14 Players
(1999)c
Ivan Monighetti (cello)a; Kurt
Widmer (baritone)b; Matthias Müller
(clarinet)c; Orchestre Philharmonique
de Liège et de la Communauté
Françaisea; Sinfonieorchester
Baselb; Ensemble Collegium Novum
Zürichc; Jan Krenza,
Howard Griffithsb, Jürg Wyttenbachc
Recorded: Schweizer Radio DRS2, Tonhalle Zürich,
April 2000 (Cello Concerto); Stadtcasino Basel,
May 1997 (Namenlos) and Tonhalle Zürich,
June 2000 (Chamber Concerto)
MGB CD 6182 [69:09] [HC]
three
substantial works, all well served by carefully
prepared and committed readings, in a very
fine recorded sound. You actually hardly notice
that these recordings have been made live.
... see Full Review
Zoltán
KODÁLY (1882-1967)
Theatre
Overture [15.00] Concerto for
Orchestra Allegro risoluto - Largo
- Tempo primo - Largo - Tempo primo, [15.59]
Dances of Marosszek Maestoso,
poco rubato - Con moto - Tempo primo, poco
piu largo - Moderato - Tempo primo - Vivace
- Tempo primo - Allegro con brio [13.11] Symphony
in C major Allegro +Andante moderato +Vivo
[26.44]
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra/Yan Pascal
Tortelier Recorded at Studio 7, New Broadcasting
House, Manchester, 9 February 1999 (Dances
of Marosszek) and 27-28 October 1998 (other
works)
CHANDOS CHAN 9811 [71.18] [LN]
But
for the music of Hungary that won’t spill
through your hands in translation - Kodály
may be still your best buy ... see Full
Review
Hans KRÁSA
(1899-1944)
Brundibár. A Children’s Opera
in Two Acts (1938) Hebrew and Yiddish Folk
Songs (arr. Victor ULLMANN
unless otherwise stated) Chassidish, Bachuri
L’an Tisa (arr. Gideon KLEIN)
Ki Tavo El Ha-Arets (arr. Siegmund
SCHUL), Anu Olim Hala Yarden, Sha
Shtil, Fregt Di Velt, Az Der Rebbe Elimelech,
Am’cha Yisrael, Halleluyah, Hedad Ginah
K’tanah, Eliyahu Hanavi,
Essex Children’s Choir Members of the
Vermont Symphony Orchestra and Chorus / Robert
DeCormier Recorded at Ira Allen Chapel, University
of Vermont in Burlington, January 1996 (Brundibár)
and at the Fine Arts Centre, Middlebury College,
Vermont, February 1996 (Songs)
ARABESQUE Z6680 [45.28] [JW]
A
score that fused Martinu's motoric self-confidence
with Weill's smoky cabaret wit laced with
Francophile wind writing - cool and clear.
... see Full Review
Joseph
KREUTZER
(1790-1840) Grand
Trio in F major Op.16 Frank
CAMPO (b. 1927) Preludes Op.51
Andor KOVACH
(b. 1915) Trio No.1 (Musique d’Automne)
Antonino MADDONNI
(b. 1960) Introduzioni e variazioni sulla
"Follia" Gioachino
ROSSINI (1792-1868) Ouverture da
"L’Italiana in Algeri"
Trio Mauro Giuliani: Vincenzo Mastropirro
(flute); Giambattista Ciliberti (clarinet);
Antonino Maddonni (guitar)
WARNER FONIT 5050466-3304-2-0 [59’40]
[RNB]
I
was surprised and captivated ... a wide variety
of styles and depths. The recording is excellent
and the disc strongly recommended. ... see
Full Review
Ernst KŘENEK
(1900-1991) Works for
Piano Sonatine
Op5 No.1 (1920) Zwölf Variationen in
drei Sätzen Op.79 (1937) Piano piece
in eleven parts Op.197 (1967) Echoes from
Austria Op.166 (1958) Klaviersonate No.7 Op.240
(1988)
Till Alexander Körber (piano) Recorded
in the Jerger-Saal, Bruckner-Konservatorium,
Linz, December 2002
CAPRICCIO 67 078 [55.44] [JW]
Körber:
adroit musicality. Capriccio gives us a high
vantage point over his oeuvre. ... see Full
Review
Toivo KUULA
(1883-1918) 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). [56.02] Leevi
MADETOJA (1887-1947) Syksy-sarja
(Autumn Song-Cycle) (six songs) 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) [18.09]
Kirsi Tiihonen (sop); atu Salminen (piano)
rec. Järvenpää Hall, Järvenpää,
Finland, 25-27 Aug 1996. DDD
MARCO POLO 8.225177 [74.11] [RB]
Intensely
introspective Finnish late-romantic songs
leavened with some folk material - all from
the first three decades of the last century
... see Full Review
Frederic LAMOND
(1868-1948) Symphony
in A major Op. 3 (1889) Ouvertüre Aus
Dem Schottischen Hochlande Op. 4 (1890?)
Sword Dance from Eine Liebe im Hochlande
(1890s?)Eugen
d'ALBERT (1864-1932) Overture to
Esther Op. 8
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra/Martyn
Brabbins Recorded 4-5 September 2003, Usher
Hall, Edinburgh
HYPERION CDA67387 [59.51][JW]
Explores
an intriguing corner of the repertoire with
refreshing results ... see
Full Review
Henri LAZAROF (b.
1932) Symphony
No. 4 In Celebration (1996) Symphony
No. 5 (1998)
Richard Zeller (baritone); Seattle Symphony
Orchestra and Chorus; Gerard Schwarz Recorded:
(live) Benaroya Music Centre, Seattle, December
1998 (Symphony No.4) and April 2003 (Symphony
No.5)
CENTAUR CRC 2657 [51:26] [HC]
Schwarz
conducts vital performances of these substantial
scores, and is well served by very decent
live recordings. This is a very fine release
that admirers of Lazarof’s music will want.
Others may also find much to enjoy. ... see
Full Review
Ruggiero
LEONCAVALLO
(1858-1919) Pagliacci
(1892) Canio – Franco Corelli (tenor)
Nedda – Mafalda Micheluzzi (soprano) Tonio
– Tito Gobbi (baritone) Silvio – Lino Puglisi
(baritone) Beppe – Mario Carlin (tenor)
Orchestra and Coro di Milano della RAI/Alfredo
Simonetto Rec. live Milan, 26 September 1954
ADD
ARCHIPEL ARPCD 0208 [71:58] [PCW]
Would
be an interesting historical supplement …
unfortunately, the sound is quite poor … see
Full Review
Sergei LIAPUNOV
(1859-1924)
Symphony
No. 2 in B flat minor Op. 66 (1917) [61.57]
Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France/Evgeny
Svetlanov Rec. 27 Nov 1998, Salle Pleyel,
Paris. DDD
NAÏVE CLASSIQUE V 4974 [61.57] [RB]
Do
not let this epic late-late romantic symphony
pass you by. In Svetlanov's hands goes with
a confident and brooding swing ... see Full
Review
György LIGETI
(b.
1923)Drei
Stücke (1976) [15’13]. Fünf Stücke
(1942-51) [11’27]. Etudes, Premier Livre (1985)
[19’47]. Etudes, Troisième Livre (ongoing)
[10’43].
Lucille Chung, Alessio Bax (pianos/piano duet).
Rec. Rocca Sforzesca, Italy, on September
15th-17th, 2003. DDD
DYNAMIC CDS434 [58’48] [CC]
Highly
recommended, then. Do try to hear the smaller
pieces at least once as they afford much delight,
but it is the Etudes that provide the main
course, and very filling they are, too. ...
see Full Review
Franz LISZT
(1811-1886) Symphony
[#2] on Dante’s Divine Comedy, S. 109 (LW
G14) (1856) [43.20] Symphonic Poem #2, "Tasso,
Lamento e Trionfo," S. 96 (LW G2) (1849)
[21.16] London
Oratory School Schola, Michael McCarthy, director
London Symphony Orchestra/Leon Botstein Recorded
at Watford Town Hall, Watford, England, 17
January 2003 Notes in English. Three page
SACD catalogue listing. CD tracks, 2.0 stereo.
SACD tracks, 2.0 stereo and 5.1 surround sound.
Playable on CD players and SACD players [hybrid]
TELARC
SACD 60613 [64.36] [PSh]
A
clear, dignified Dante Symphony, but a very
persuasive Tasso ... see Full
Review
Sergio Fiorentino Edition VIII Franz
LISZT (1811-1886)
Ballade
No.1 in D flat major S.170 Ballade No.2 in
B minor S.171 Funérailles S.173/7 La
Leggierezza Waldesrauschen Sonata in B minor
Sergio Fiorentino (piano) Recorded Konzertsaal
Siemensvilla, Berlin, October 1997
APR 5562 [76.42] [JW]
Deeply
moving. As indeed is much in these valedictory
but powerfully human, thus flawed, recordings.
... see Full
Review
Franz
LISZT
(1811-1886) The
Complete Studies-Volume 2 Three Concert Studies
(1848) Il Lamento in A flat, La Leggierezza
in F minor, Un Sospiro in D flat, Two Concert
Studies (1862/63) Waldesrauschen, Gnomenreigen,
Six Études d’Éxecution Transcendante
d’après Paganini
Joyce Hatto (piano) Recorded at the Concert
Artist Studios November 1998 to January 1999
CONCERT ARTIST/FIDELIO RECORDINGS CACD 9132-2
[56.08] [JW]
Recordings
set down in 1998/99 in good, natural sound.
They reflect well on Hatto’s sensitive approach
to the repertoire. ... see Full
Review
Franz LISZT
(1811-1886) Variations
on ‘Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen’, S180 (1862)
[16’20]. Weihnachtsbaum, S186 (1874-76) [17’30]:
An old Christmas Carol; Scherzoso; Carillon;
Ancient Provençal Christmas Carol;
Evening Bells; Formerly; In the Polish Manner.
Béla BARTÓK
(1881-1945) Three Rondos, Sz84 (1916-27)
[7’15]. Sonatina, Sz55 (1915) [4’35]. For
Children, Sz42 (excerpts) (1908-09) [6’40].
Ilona Kabos (piano). Rec. in New York
Town Hall in 1952. ADD
BARTÓK RECORDS BR1910 [52’00] [CC]
A
highly enjoyable collection and a fitting
memorial to an artist to be reckoned with.
... see Full Review
Franz LISZT (1811-1886)
From
The Years Of Pilgrimage - Années de
Pélerinage (Years of Pilgrimage) -
Selections Troisième année
(Third Year) (publ. 1883)No. 4 Les jeux d'eaux
a la Villa d'Este (Fountains at the Villa
d'Este) Première année: Suisse
(First Year: Switzerland) (publ. 1855)No.
9 Les cloches de Genève: Nocturne (The
Bells of Geneva: Nocturne)No. 2 Au lac de
Wallenstadt (At the lake of Wallenstadt)No.
6 Vallée d'Obermann (The valley of
Obermann) Deuxième année: Italie
(Second Year: Italy) (publ. 1858)No. 5 Sonetto
104 del Petrarca (Petrarch's Sonnet No. 104)No.
7 Après une lecture du Dante. Fantasia
quasi sonata(After reading Dante. A fantasy,
almost a sonata)No. 1 Sposalizio (Marriage
[of the Virgin: after a painting by Raphael])
Venezia e Napoli (Venice and Naples, suppl.
to the Second Year) (publ. 1861)No. 1 Gondoliera
(Gondolier's Song)No. 2 Canzone (Song)No.
3 Tarantella
Stephanie McCallum (piano) Recorded 8 February,
19 May, 15 August, 7 September 2003, Eugene
Goossens Hall, Australia Broadcasting Corporation
Ultimo Centre. DDD
ABC CLASSICS ABC 476 124-8 [77:53] [MC]
A
glowing Liszt recital expertly recorded. I
will return to this release very soon. ...
see Full Review
BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Franz
LISZT (1811-1886)
Complete
Piano Music, Volume 20 Two Concert Studies,
S145 (1862/3) [7’38]. Trois Études
de Concert, S144 (1848) [19’28]. Etude
en douze exercices, S136 (1826) [43’24].
Morceau de Salon, S142/R4a (1840) [2’07].
Ab irato, S142/R4b (1852) [2’47]. Mazeppa,
S136 (????) [7’09].
William Wolfram (piano). Rec. Performing Arts
Centre, Country Day School, King, Ontario,
Canada, from January 30th-February
2nd, 2003. DDD
NAXOS 8.557014 [63’06] [CC]
A
pianist of no average musicality ... a long
way from just mere note-spinning at great
velocity … finds the lyrical Romantic that
lies at the very heart of Liszt. Strongly
recommended. ... see Full
Review
Franz LISZT
(1811 - 1886)
Christus, S.3 (1866) [173.13] Benita Valente (sop); Marjana Lipovšek
(mezzo); Peter Lindroos (ten); Tom Krause
(bar);Slovak Philharmonic Choir Rotterdam
Philharmonic Orchestra/James Conlon Recorded
in De Doelen, Rotterdam, The Netherlands,
20 September 1985 ADD Notes in English, Français,
Deutsch. Latin text, no translations. WARNER APEX 2564 61167-2
[3 CD: 173.13] [PSh]
A
superb — some will say the best —
version of this still unfamiliar masterpiece
... see Full
Review
Franz LISZT (1811-1886)
Organ Works Prelude
and Fugue on the name of B.A.C.H. S180/R24
(1855, rev. 1870) Variations on "Weinen,
Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen" (Weeping, Lamenting,
Sorrows, Fear) S180/R24 (1863) Fantasia and
Fugue on the chorale 'Ad nos, ad salutarem
undam' (To us, to the water of salvation)
S259/R380(1850); theme from Meyerbeer’s opera:
Le Prophète
Hans-Jürgen Kaiser (organ) Recorded
in August 1997 on the Frederich Ladegast organ
in Dom in Schwerin, Germany. DDD SUPER AUDIO
CD (SACD)
BRILLIANT
CLASSICS 92208 [77:46] [MC]
The
playing has a special authority and the disc
is worthy of celebration. ... see Full
Review
Hans Christian LUMBYE
(1810-1874)
Complete
Orchestral Works Vol. 9: Prince of Wales,
Galop; Alexandra Waltz; The St. Petersburg
lady, Polka, from the suite Memories of St.
Petersburg; St. Petersburg Champagne Galop,
from the suite Memories of St. Petersburg;
Rosalie Polka, from the suite Memories of
St. Petersburg; A Promenade on the Deer Park
Hill, Galopade; Grand Duke Alexander March;
Dream Pictures, Fantasia; Sylphide Waltz;
Grand Duke Alexander March; Souvenir of Peterhof,
March; Northern Lights Waltz; Blanche Polka;
Danube Flowers, Quadrille; Manoeuvre Galop
Tivoli Symphony Orchestra/David Riddell Recorded
in the Concert Hall, Tivoli, Denmark, in Summer
2001 DDD
MARCO POLO 8.225264 [67:24] [MC]
There
are many rewards from this recording and Lumbye
certainly deserves to be known by a wider
audience. ... 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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