John Alden Carpenter
(1876-1951) Collected Piano Works Sonata
in G minor (1897) [22.00] Diversions (1923) [13:55] Nocturne
(1898) [4:21] Polonaise Américaine (1912) [2.25] Impromptu
(1913) [4.37] Tango Américain (1920) [4.36] Minuet
(1893) [2.29] Little Dancer (1917) [2.42] Little Indian
(1916) [3.05] Twilight Reverie (1894) [5.56] Danza (1935)
[4:47] 
Denver Oldham,
piano. rec. American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters Auditorium,
New York, January 1985.
NEW WORLD RECORDS NW803282 [72.05] [JF]
Carpenter’s
collected piano works present an interesting
trajectory of the composer’s music over a
forty year period. An important CD for all
lovers of American music. ... see Full
Review
Fryderyk
CHOPIN
(1810-1849) The Complete
Works for the Piano Volume 3 Fantasy
in F minor Op.49 Bolero in A minor Op.19 Scherzo
No.1 in B minor Op.20 Scherzo No.2 in B flat
minor Op.31 Scherzo No.3 in C sharp minor
Op.39 Scherzo No.4 in E major Op.54
Joyce Hatto (piano) Recorded Concert
Artist Studios, Cambridge, 1998, 2000 and
2003
CONCERT ARTIST/FIDELIO RECORDINGS CACD 9037-2
[60.45] [JW]
Joyce
Hatto’s Chopin solo series just gets better
and better. ... see Full
Review
Henry Walford
DAVIES (1869-1941)
Everyman
– Cantata (1904; 1934 revisions of
two movements are included as a supplement)
Elena Ferrari (soprano – Good Deeds), Jennifer
Johnston (contralto – Knowledge), Andrew Staples
(tenor – Death), Pauls Putnins (bass – Everyman)
London Oriana Choir Kensington Symphony Orchestra/David
Drummond Recorded 13-15 February 2004. Henry
Wood Hall, London. Additional track (unspecified)
25 June 2004, St. John’s, Smith Square, London
DUTTON CDLX7141 [68:55] [CH]
At
least part of this once-famous work still
has the power to move. ... see Full
Review
Gaetano DONIZETTI
(1797-1848)
Linda
di Chamounix - Melodramma in three
acts First performed: Vienna Karntnerthor,
19 May 1842 Linda, Mariella Devia (sop); Carlo,
(Visconte di Sirval) Luca Canonici (ten);
Marquis of Boisfleury, Alfonso Antoniozzi
(buffo); Antonio, Linda’s father, Petteri
Salomaa (bass); Pierotto, an orphan musician,
Sonia Ganassi (mezzo); The Prefect, Boguslaw
Fiksinski (bass); Maddalena, Linda’s mother,
Francesca Provvisionato (sop);
Chorus of the Nationale Reisopera East Netherlands
Orchestra/Gabriele Bellini Recorded Musiekcentrum
Enschede, Holland. 24 June - 2 July 1992.
DDD
ARTS 47151-2 [3CDs: 74.01 + 56.22 + 46.14]
[FR]
Given
the fine performance and budget price I recommend
every lover of the bel-canto genre to go out
and buy it. Superb mature Donizetti well performed.
... see Full
Review
Gaetano
DONIZETTI
(1797-1848) Sinfonia
a soli instrumenti di fiato in G minor, reconstructed
Päuler Concertino in C minor for flute
and chamber orchestra, orchestrated Hoffmann
Concertino in F major for oboe and chamber
orchestra, orchestrated Hoffmann Concertino
in S minor for violin, cello and orchestra,
reconstructed Wojciechowski Concertino in
G major for clarinet and orchestra Concertino
in B flat major for clarinet and orchestra
Sinfonia in D minor per la Morte di Capuzzi
Imre Kovács (flute) József Kiss
(oboe) Ágnes Girgás (cor anglais)
Béla Kovács (clarinet) András
Kiss (violin) Judit Kiss Domonkos (cello)
Camerata Budapest/László Kovács
Recorded at Festetich Castle, Budapest, 1994
NAXOS 8.557492 [64.19] [JW}
No
masterpieces but good recorded sound - a pleasant
hour’s worth of music with this unfailingly
fluent melodist. ... see Full
Review
Richard DRAKEFORD
(b. 1936) Cello
Suite (1957/8) [9:22] John
R. WILLIAMSON (b. 1929) Sonata
No. 2 for Cello and Piano (2001) [27:46] Vagn
HOLMBOE (1909 – 1996) Sonata for
Solo Cello Op.101 (1969) [19:27]
Diane Porteous (cello); Kathryn Page (piano)
Recorded: Whiteley Hall, Chetham’s School
of Music, Manchester, July 2003 (Drakeford,
Holmboe) and August 2004 (Williamson)
DUNELM RECORDS DRD 0229 [51:35] [HC]
A
most interesting and rewarding recital. These
works ought to be known and appreciated more
widely. Warmly recommended. ... see Full
Review
Antonín
DVOŘÁK
(1841-1904) Cello
Concerto in B minor Op.104 (1895)* Joseph
HAYDN (1732-1809) Cello Concerto
No.2 in D major Hob 7b-2 (1782)+ Claude
DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Minuet
Daniil Shafran (cello) Moscow Philharmonic
Orchestra/Mariss Jansons, recorded 1980* USSR
State Symphony Orchestra/Neeme Jarvi, recorded
1977+ Anton Ginsburg (piano), recorded 1970
AULOS MUSIC AMC2-053 [68.04] [JW]
You
may find yourself astonished by Shafran’s
Dvořák but you won’t be half as astonished
as the audience. They clap like people who
have just sat through an earthquake. As indeed,
in a
sense, they have. ... see Full
Review
Antonín DVOŘÁK
(1841-1904)
Mazurek
(Mazurka) for Violin and Orchestra,
Op. 49/B90a (1879) [6’14]. Rondo
in G minor for Cello and Orchestra, Op.
94/B181b (1893) [6’15]. Seven
Interludes, B15 (1867) [23’20]. Silent
Woods (Klid) for Cello and Orchestra,
Op. 68 No. 5/B182b (1893) [6’05].
Polonaise in E flat, B100 (1879) [4’59].
Nocturne in B, Op. 40/B48 (1875) [4’37].
Suite in A, ‘American’, Op. 98b/B190
(1895) [16’34]. Five Prague Waltzes,
B99 (1879) [8’40]. Polka in B flat,
‘Prazskym akademicum’ (‘For the
Prague Students’), Op. 53A/1/B114 (1880)
[1’58]
aAlexander Trotnianski (violin) Russian
Philharmonic Orchestra/Dmitry Yablonsky (bcello).
Rec. Studio No. 5, Radio House Moscow, on
October 10th-12th, 2003.
DDD
NAXOS 8.557352 [78’42] [CC]
Recommended,
despite some shortcomings. A great way to
explore some of the lesser-known byways of
this great composer’s output. ... see Full
Review
Antonín DVOŘÁK
(1841-1904) String Quartets
Volume 7 String
Quartet No. 1 in A major Op.2 (1862 revised
1888) String Quartet No.6 in A minor Op.12
(1873)
Vlach Quartet Prague Recorded at the Martínek
Studio, Prague, June and July 2003
NAXOS 8.557357 [66.53] [JW]
Pleasurable
and nourishing listening. ... see Full
Review
Antonín DVOŘÁK
(1841-1904)
Piano
Trio No. 3 in F minor, Op. 96/B130 (1882)
[42’28]. Josef SUK
(1874-1935) Elegie (Under the impression
of Zeyer’s Vyšehrad) [5’14]. Bohuslav
MARTINŮ (1890-1959) Piano
Trio No. 3 in C, ‘Grand Trio’ [19’45].
Czech Trio (Milan Langer, piano; Dana Vlachová,
violin; Miroslav Petráš, cello). Rec.
Lichtenstein Palace, Prague, on July 28th-31st,
2004. DDD
ARCODIVA UP0072-2 131 [62’22] [CC]
Marvellous
programming here. The Czech Trio plays three
native works with the utmost dedication in
a spacious, supporting recording. A lovely
disc. ... see Full
Review
Antonín DVOŘÁK
(1841-1904) DVD
documentary of Dvořák’s life and music
interspersed with a performance of String
Quartet No.10 in E flat major Op. 51 plus
CDs of Symphony No. 9 in E minor "From
the New World" * Serenade for Strings
in E major† Slavonic Dances Op. 46 ●
Cello Concerto ◙
Zara Nelsova (cello) Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Paavo
Järvi *, Sir Yehudi Menuhin † John Farrer●
Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra/Walter Süsskind
◙ No provenance given to any of the
CD recordings except that the Slavonic
Dances were ‘Licensed from’ ASV and the
Cello Concerto by Vox USA 
BRILLIANT
CLASSICS 92408 [1 DVD and 2 CDs: 74:46
+ 76:39] [IL]
Shoe-string
super-budget stuff with a vengeance! ... see
Full Review
Edward ELGAR
(1857
– 1934) Symphony
No. 2 in E Flat, Op. 63 (1911) Introduction
and Allegro for strings, Op. 47 (1905)Song,
by Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792 – 1822) read
by Mark Elder
Hallé Orchestra/Mark Elder Rec.
BBC Studio 7 New Broadcasting House Manchester,
12-13 July 2003 (Symphony), Bridgewater Hall,
Manchester; 21 July 2003 (Introduction and
Allegro); and 18 June 2004 (Song) DDD
HALLÉ CD HLL 7507 [75:30] [JPh]
Sorry,
Hallé and Mr. Elder. Try to sound a
little more interested in the music next time.
... see Full Review
John FOULDS
(1880-1939)
Three
Mantras from Avatara (1. Of
Action and Vision ... of Terrestrial Avataras;
2. Of Bliss and Vision ... of Celestial
Avataras; 3. Of Will and Vision ...
of Cosmic Avataras) Op. 61b (1930) [26:28]
Lyra Celtica - concerto for voice and
orchestra Op. 50 (1925) [16:11] Apotheosis
(Elegy) - Music Poem No. 4 for
violin and orchestra Op. 18 (1907) [11:18]
Mirage - Music Poem No. 5 for orchestra
Op. 20 (1910) [23:49]
Susan Bickley (mezzo) Daniel Hope (violin)
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra/Sakari
Oramo rec. Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 26-27
Feb 2004. DDD
WARNER CLASSICS 2564 61525-2 [78:13] [IL]
At
last the extraordinary sound-world of John
Foulds is captured on disc in first class
performances and sound. Required listening
for every British music enthusiast ... see
Full Review
George
GERSHWIN (1898-1937)
Porgy
and Bess - Opera in Three Acts (1935)
(Abbreviated version) Lyrics by DuBose Heyward
and Ira Gershwin. Libretto by DuBose Heyward.
Porgy, Lawrence Winters (bar); Bess, Camilla
Williams (sop); Serena, Inez Matthews (sop);
Sporting Life, Avon Long (ten); Crown, Warren
Coleman (bar); Clara, June McMechen (sop);
Maria/Lily/Strawberry Woman, Helen Dowdy (mezzo);
Jake, Eddie Matthews (bar); Mingo, William
A. Glover (ten); Robbins, Irving Washington
(ten); Peter, Harrison Cattenhead (ten); Frazier,
J. Rosamond Johnson (bar); Annie, Sadie McGill
(mezzo); Jim, George Fisher (bar); Undertaker,
Hubert Dilworth (bar); Nelson/Crab Man, Ray
Yeats (Tenor)
Orchestra and J. Rosamond Johnson Chorus/Lehman
Engel Recorded 5th-13th April 1951 in the
Columbia 30th Street Studios, New York Appendix.
Highlights from Porgy and Bess
Risë Stevens (mezzo); Robert
Merrill (bar) The Robert Shaw Chorale. RCA
Victor Orchestra/Robert Russell Bennett Reissue
Producer and Restoration Engineer: Mark Obert-Thorn
NAXOS HISTORICAL GREAT OPERA RECORDINGS 8.110287-88
[2CDs: 77.36+79.09] [RJF]
The
energy of musical comedy and the vocal richness
of opera ... thoroughly recommendable. ...
see Full Review
Alexander
GLAZUNOV (1865-1936)
Symphony
No. 5 in B flat major, Op.55 (1895) The
Seasons, ballet, Op.67 (1900)
Royal Scottish Symphony Orchestra/José
Serebrier Recorded Henry Wood Hall, Glasgow,
Scotland, 2003, DDD
WARNER CLASSICS 2564 61434-2 [70:31] [RW]
Clear
and slightly reverberant recording maximises
the textures and appeal of these works making
the disc worthy of consideration as a benchmark
recording ... see Full
Review
Christoph Willibald
GLUCK (1714-1787)
Orfeo
ed Euridice, Opera in Four Acts Combination
of 1762 Vienna and 1774 Paris versions. Sung
in Italian
Orfeo, Ewa Podles (cont); Euridice, Ana Rodrigo
(sop); Amore, Elena de Merced (sop) Chorus
of the Comunidad de Madrid Orchestra Sinfónica
de Galicia/Peter Maag Live recording. La Coruna,
Spain. 19 June 1998
ARTS 47536-2 [34.29 + 69.14] [RJF]
The
audience is enthusiastic ... I am too, and
strongly recommend this performance to all
those not concerned about original version
or period instrument performance. ... see
Full Review
Enrique GRANADOS
(1867-1916)
María
del Carmen - Opera in three acts (1898)
Libretto by José Feliu i Codina after
his play of the same name Cast: Diana Veronese
(María del Carmen); Concepción
(Larisa Kostyuk); Fuensanta (Silvia Vazquez);
Jesús Suaste (Pencho); Dante Alcalá
(Javier); Gianfranco Montresor (Domingo);
David Curry (Don Fulgencio); Aleberto Arrabal
(Pepuso); Stewart Kempster (Migalo); Ricardo
Mirabelli (antón); Alex Ashworth (Roque);
Nicholas Sharratt (Andrés); Vicenç
Esteve (Un cantaor huertano)
Wexford Festival Opera Chorus National
Philharmonic Orchestra of Belarus/Max Bragado-Darman
rec. Theatre Royal, Wexford, 23, 26, 29 October
2003
MARCO POLO 8.225292-93 [50.01 + 53.19]
Tempi
and balances are well judged, and the conductor’s
firm grip on proceedings ensures we get a
very good idea of Granados's intentions and
orchestral mastery. ... see Full
Review
Paul GRIFFITHS
and Frances-Marie UITTI
[text
and music] There is still
time: scenes for speaking voice and cello
(1997) [55’19"]
Paul Griffiths (speaker); Frances-Marie Uitti
(cello) Recording: Rainbow Studio, Oslo August
2003 DDD *
ECM NEW SERIES 1882 476 2411 [55’19"]
[BH]
A
worthwhile experiment that will probably give
pleasure to either fans of the cellist or
those who enjoy Griffiths’ mellifluous voice.
... see Full
Review
Christopher GUNNING (b.1944)
Concerto for piano and orchestra (2001) [28.52]
Storm (2003) [11.40]Symphony No. 1
(2002) [24.57]
Olga Dudnik, piano Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra
Christopher Gunning (conductor) recorded in
Bratislava on 7-10 December 2003. DDD
ALBANY TROY686 [65.56] [CF]
Gunning’s
approachable tonal idiom ... eloquent harmonic
language ... an exhilarating disc, and one
which will not disappoint. ... see Full
Review
Rodolfo HALFFTER
(1900-1987)
Don
Lindo de Almería, Ballet suite
Op.7b (1936) La madrugada del panadero
(The Baker’s Dawn), Ballet suite Op.12a
(1940) Paquiliztli, Op.46 (1983) Obertura
festiva, Op.21 (1952) Obertura concertante,
Op.5 (1932)
Orchestra of the Communidad de Madrid/José
Ramón Encinar
NAXOS 8.557623 [58:00] [RW]
Admirable
performances but the texture is thin and instrumental
sections lack of integration. Little for the
listener to get enthused over. ... see Full
Review
August HALM (1869-1929)
Symphony
in A major (1911-1924) [53:40]
Württembergische Philharmonie Reutlingen/Peter
Borin Rec. 2-3 June 2004, Reutlingen, Germany.
Südwestrundfunk. DDD
STERLING CDS-1064-2 [53:40] [RB]
Halm
is no major discovery but his gift for pleasing
pastoral invention is entertaining and if
grand profundity is not really in evidence
there is still much here to enjoy. ... see
Full Review
George
Frideric HANDEL
(1685-1759) Italian Cantatas
Cuopre
tal volta il cielo HWV 98 Tu fedel? Tu constante?
HWV 171 Mi palpita il cor HWV 132c Spande
ancor a mio dispetto HWV 165 Amarilli vezzosa
(il duello amoroso) HWV 82
Arcadia Miriam Allan (soprano) Christopher
Field (alto) Michael Leighton Jones (bass)
Catherine Shrugg (violin) Nicole Forsythe
(violin) Robin Hillier (flute) Rosanne Hunt
(cello) Samantha Cohen (theorbo)
Jacqueline Ogeil (harpsichord and director)
Recorded in the Carmelite Monastery, Kew,
March and July 2004
TALL POPPIES TP 173 [70.35] [JW]
Colour
and rhythmic drive. It’s only the acoustic
that lets down the disc – and then it’s not
a fatal drawback. ... see Full
Review
Georg
Frideric HANDEL
(1685-1759) Giulio Cesare
Cleopatra – Renata Tebaldi (soprano) Giulio
Cesare – Cesare Siepi (bass) Cornelia – Elena
Nicolai (mezzo soprano) Sesto – Gino Sinimberghi
(tenor) Tolomeo – Antonio Cassinelli (bass)
Achille – Fernando Piccini Curio/Nireno –
Gerardo Gaudioso
Chorus and Orchestra of the Theatre of
San Carlo, Naples/Herbert Albert Recorded
live in the Teatro Grande, Pompeii, 6 July
1950
WALHALL WLCD 0024 [59.13 + 70.14] [JW]
I
strongly suggest that this disc is either
withdrawn or repackaged responsibly, in the
way I have described. Nothing less will do.
... see Full
Review
George
Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759)
Messiah
Judith Raskin, soprano; Florence Kopleff,
contralto; Richard Lewis, tenor; Thomas Paul, bass; Robert Conant,
harpsichord; Robert Arnold, organ; James Smith, solo trumpet; The Robert
Shaw Chorale and Orchestra/Robert Shaw. Recorded June 13-20, 1966 in Webster Hall, New
York City. ADD
BMG-RCA 82876
62317 2 [74:12
+ 74:47][PSh]
Flawless
enunciation and peerless rhythmic drive but lacks a sense of line and
the blend of the voices is less than stellar. Tone is at best professional,
at worst, strident, unvaried and colorless. ... see Full
Review
Georg
Frideric HANDEL
(1685-1759) Semele:
O, Sleep Why Dost Thou Leave Me? Semele: Endless Pleasure; Scipione:
Scoglio d'immota fronte; Orlando: Quando spieghi;Serse: Ombra mai fù;
Samson: To Fleeting Pleasures Make Your Court; Rinaldo: Lascia ch'io
pianga; Rinaldo: Dunque, I laci d'un volto, Ah! Crudel; Samson: Let
The Bright Seraphim; Giulio Cesare: V'adore pupile; Giulio Cesare: Da
tempeste il legno infranto; Rodelinda: Ritorno, caro e dolce mio tesoro;
Lotario: Sommo rettor del cielo, d'una torbida sorgente; Agrippina:
Pensieri; Agrippina: Bel piacere; Alexander Balus: Calm Thou...Convey
Me Renée Fleming
(soprano) Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment/Harry Bicket Recorded
at the Colosseum, Watford, November 2003 
SACD
DECCA 475 6186 [70.22] [JW]
In
the end I was left slightly disappointed ...
see Full Review
George Frederic
Handel
(1685-1759) Suites
de pieces pour Le Clavecin - 2 volumes (c.
1710-1720) Volume 1 Suite I in A major
HV 426 [11:09] Suite II in F major
HV 427 [9:43] Suite III in D minor
HV 428 [22:53] Suite IV in E minor
HV 429 [16:15] Suite V in E major HV
430 [14:01] Volume 2 Suite VI in F#
Major HV 431 [9:18] Suite VII in G
minor HV 432 [20:22] Suite VIII in
F minor HV 433 [14:38] Chaconne in
G major HV435 [6:55] Sonata in G minor
HV 580 [2:36] Sonatina in G minor HV
583 [0:41] Air in G minor HV 467 [3:14]
Capriccio in G minor HV 483 [1:23]
Fuga in G major HV 606 [3:34] Capriccio
(Lesson) in A minor HV 496 [1:57] Fuga
in A minor HV 609 [5:34]
Ottavio Dantone (clavecin) Recorded Villa
Medici, Briosco, Italy October 1998 Played
on original instrument 1769 by M Kramer.
ARTS 47698- 2; ARTS 47699-2 [74:01 + 71:25]
[JF]
A
definitive recording of the ‘Eight Suites’.
This music should be much better known than
it is. ... see Full
Review
George Frideric
Handel
(1685 - 1757) Theodora,
HWV 68, oratorio in three acts, text by Thomas
Morell (1750) [207.00] Theodora
- Dawn Upshaw Didymus - David Daniels
Valens - Frode Olsen Septimus
- Richard Croft Irene - Lorraine
Hunt [Lieberson] Keyboard continuo, Jonathan
Hinden; Cello continuo, Susan Sheppard; Theorbo
continuo, Elizabeth Kenny.
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment/William
Christie Stage Director and video direction,
Peter Sellars. Sets, George Tsypin; Costumes,
Duná Ramicová Recorded at the
Glyndebourne auditorium, East Sussex, England,
1996. Brief synopsis and track list in English.
On-screen menus in English. Subtitles in English,
Français, Deutsch. Format DVD-9, NTSC
4:3 colour. Region code 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Dolby
digital 2.0 stereo. Region 1 version available
on Kultur video, ASIN# B00023BN4M WARNER
MUSIC VISION 0630-15481-2 [207.00] [PSh]
A
superb musical performance of Theodora, but
you may prefer to throw away the box and turn
off the video screen. ... see Full
Review
Robert HELPS
(1928-2001) Shall
We Dance for piano (1994)* Piano Quartet (1997)
Postlude for horn, violin and piano (1964)
Nocturne for string quartet (1960)+ John
IRELAND (1879-1962) The Darkened
Valley (c.1919)*
Robert Helps (piano) * Janine Jansen (violin)
Quinten de Roos (violin) Ronald Carbone (viola)
+ replacing Rohde Hartmut Rohde (viola) Frank
S. Dodge (cello) Ron Schaaper (horn) Daniel
Blumenthal (piano) Recorded in the Kammermusiksaal
der Philharmonie, Berlin, live (except Piano
Quartet and Nocturne) between 2000 and 2003
NAXOS 8.559199 [58.04]
Fuses
impressionism with layered density ..... allusiveness
and power. Performances thoroughly committed
... see Full Review
Engelbert
HUMPERDINCK (1854-1921)
Hänsel
und Gretel (1890-93, sung in English)
[103:24] Susanne Mentzer (mezzo) Hansel; Heidi
Grant Murphy (soprano) Gretel; Judith Forst
(mezzo) The Witch; Janice Taylor (mezzo) Mother;
Robert Orth (baritone) Father; Anna Christy
(soprano) Sandman, Dew Fairy
Milwaukee Children’s Choir and Symphony Orchestra/Andreas
Delfs. Text included. Rec. Live, Uihlein Hall,
The Marcus Center for the Performing Arts,
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 28-30 Nov 2003. DDD
AVIE AV0050 [60:47 + 42:37] [CC]
The
important point about this set is that the
sense of live performance – and a magical,
fun one at that – is viscerally captured.
... see Full
Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Engelbert
HUMPERDINCK (1854-1921)
Hänsel
und Gretela (1890-93)
Elisabeth Grümmer (mezzo) Hansel; Elisabeth
Schwarzkopf (soprano) Gretel; Else Schürhoff
(mezzo) The Witch; Maria von Ilosvay (mezzo)
Mother; Josef Metternich (baritone) Father;
Anny Felbermayer (soprano) Sandman, Dew Fairy;
Loughton High School for Girls Choir; Bancroft
School Choir
Philharmonia Orchestra/Herbert von Karajan.
Hänsel und Gretel extracts:
Suse, liebe Suse, was raschelt im Strohb;
Brüderchen, komm tanz’ mit mirb
(sung in Italian); Ral la la … heissa Mutter,
ich bin da! (Besenbinderlied)c;
Ein Männlein steht im Walded;
Der kleine Sandmann bin ichd; Abends,
will ich schlafen gehnd; Hurr hopp
hopp hoppe; Juchhei! Nun ist die
Hexe tot (Witch Waltz)f. bConchita
Supervía (mezzo); bInes
Maria Ferraris, dElisabeth Schumann,
fMeta Seinemeyer (sopranos); fHelen
Jung (mezzo); cGerhard Hüsch
(baritone); borchestra/A. Albergoni;
cefBerlin State Opera Orchestra/cHanns
Udo Müller, efFrieder Weissmann;
dErnest Lush (piano) Synopsis included.
From aColumbia 33CX1096/97, Fonotipia
b120166, cHMV EH1024,
dDA1439, efOdeon O-7796.
. Rec. aKingsway Hall, London,
on June 27th, 29th-30th
and July 1st-2nd, 1953,
bMilan in 1928, Berlin in cJanuary
1937, efFebruary 15th,
1929, dAbbey Road Studio No. 3,
London, on August 28th, 1935.
NAXOS GREAT OPERA RECORDINGS 8.110897/8
[127’21: 62’45 + 64’36] [CC]
Surely
one of the real jewels in Naxos’ crown … and
don’t just play it at Christmas, either! ...
see Full Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Leoš
JANÁČEK (1854-1938)
Complete
Piano Works: Capriccioa
[19’39]; Concertinob (1925)
[16’47]; Tema con variazioni (Zdenka’s
Variations) (1880) [9’25]; V mlhách
(In the mists) (1912) [two versions:
13’51 and 13’42]; Vzpomínka (Reminiscence)
[two versions: 1’07 and 1’09]; Po zarostlém
chodníčku I (On an Overgrown Path
I) (1911) [25’51]; Po zarostlém chodníčku
II (On an Overgrown Path II) [10’54];
Piano Sonata I;X;1905, ‘Z ulice’
(‘From the Street’) (1905) [12’58]
Jan Jiraský (piano); aJiří
Ševčík (flute); aJiří
Houdek, aMarek Vajo (trumpets);
aStanislav Penk, aPetr
Fríd, aPavel Čermák
(trombones); aJiří Nauš (tuba)/aLubomir
Mátl; bPavel Wallinger;
bJan Vašta (violin); bMiroslav
Kovář (viola); bVít
Spilka (clarinet); bRoman Novozámský
(bassoon); bJindřich Petráš
(french horn). Rec. abDominova
Studio, Prague, on 6, 13 April 2004
ARCODIVA UP 0071-2 132 [126’25: 61’22
+ 65’03] [CC]
Unhesitatingly
recommended. A vastly laudable project the
value of which lies in Jiraský’s eminently
musical approach ... see Full
Review
Douglas
Bruce JOHNSON (b.1949)
Territory of The Heart
Songs of Time, of Love, of Wonder; Il terzodecimo
canto for string quartet … at evening,
in the shadow of the volcano, they are dancing
…; Two Essays for String Quartet
Elizabeth Anker (contralto) Leslie Amper
(piano) Gregory Vitale (violin) Christine
Vitale (violin) Jennifer Stirling (viola)
Emmanuel Feldman (cello) Anthony de Bedts
(piano) No recording information (CD published
2004). DDD
ZIMBEL RECORDS ZR105 [56’11"] [RNB]
This
fine disc provides a welcome introduction
to the music of a lively-minded composer and
is thoroughly recommended. ... see Full
Review
RECORDING OF THE MONTH Robert
JOHNSON
(c.1583-1633) Away
Delights – Lute Solos and Songs from Shakespeare’s
England Fantasia,
The gypsies’ dance, As I walked forth, Where
the bee sucks, Gallyard (My Lady Mildmay’s
Delight), Woods, rocks and mountains, Come
hither you that love, Tell me dearest, Pavan
I in C minor, Almayne I Hark! Hark! The lark,
Away delights, Oh, let us howl, Pavan II in
F minor, Almayne II, How wretched is the state,
Have you seen but a white lily grow? Care-charming
sleep, Pavan III in C minor, Almayne III,
Almayne IV, With endless tears, Come heavy
sleep
Carolyn Sampson (soprano) Matthew Wadsworth
(lute) Mark Levy (bass viol) Recorded St Mary’s
Church, South Creake, Norfolk, October 2003
and April 2004
AVIE AV2053 [64.47] [JW]
A
very distinguished release and its dynamic
motor, Wadsworth, also wrote the notes, produced
the artwork and owns the copyright. A Restoration
Man indeed. ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Charles
KOECHLIN
(1867-1950) Vers
la Voûte Étoilée -
nocturne pour orchestre dédié
à la mémoire de Camille Flammarion
(1923-33, rev. 1939) [12:31] Le Docteur
Fabricius - poème symphonique d’après
la nouvelle de Charles Dollfus Op. 202 (1941-44
orch. 1946) [51:09]
Christine Simonin (ondes martenot) Radio-Sinfonieorchester
Stuttgart des SWR/Heinz Holliger Rec. SWR,
Stadthalle Sindelfingen, Konzertsaal, 24-26
Feb 2003. DDD
HÄNSSLER CLASSIC CD 93.106 [63:40]
[RB]
Two
world premiere recordings ... two philosophical
and imaginative pieces touched with an ardent
imagination ... see Full
Review
Ernst KRENEK
(1900-1991) Three One Act
operas Der
Diktator Op.49 (1926); Schwergewicht
oder Die Ehre Der Nation Op.55 (1927)
;Das Geheime Königreich
Op.50 (1927) Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester
Berlin/Marek Janowski Recorded Berlin-Dahlem
Jesus-Christus-Kirche 1998 and 1999
CAPRICCIO 60 107 [44.17 + 42.12] [JW]
Hard-edged
and brittle, or faux melismatically romantic.
It all makes for a tangy mid-twenties brew.
... see Full Review
Guillaume LEKEU
(1870-1894) Piano
Trio in C minor (1891) Piano Quartet (Unfinished.
Second movement completed by D’INDY)*
Spiller Trio Albert Lysy (viola)* Recorded
Studio 2, Bavarian Radio, May 1999 (Trio)
and March 1992 (Quartet)
ARTS 47567-2 [69.54] [JW]
Powerful
performances at very reasonable cost - very
strongly recommended. ... see Full
Review
Paul LEWIS (b.1943)
Serenade and Dance: The Romantic Harmonica
Music of Paul Lewis The
Secret World of Polly Flint [4:15] Woof!
Fantasy [4:38] Two Miniatures: Loves
[2:09]; Lark [1.03] Impromptu
for Harmonica and Harp [5:03] Spring
Suite: Jaunt [3:10]; Romance [2.36];
Jig [2:40]. Tea for Three [2:15]
Pavane [4:35] Seal Morning [3:08]
Serenata [11.2] A Somerset Garland
[12:08]: Bridgwater Shanty [2:27];
Martock Jig [2:35]; Muchelney Ham
Lament [2:35]; Huish Episcopi Sarabande
[2:48]; Langport March [2:33].
Norfolk Rhapsody [8:43] Serenade
and Dance [3:30] The Benny Hill Waltz
[2:16] James Hughes, harmonica Elizabeth
Jane Baldry, harp Dana Preece, piano
The Delamere String Quartet (James Davis and
Arnold Goodger, violins; Nicola Akeloyd, viola;
Sylvia Knussen, cello)
Pail Lewis, wind chimes and "musical
director" Rec. The Old Bakehouse, Honiton,
Devon, and St. Andrews Church, Charmouth,
Dorset, June 30th, July
1st and 24th,
1997
CAMPION CAMEO 2024 [74:58] [WT]
Unpretentious,
never less than skilfully written, and deserves
a modest place in the grand tradition of British
"Light Music". ... see Full
Review
Franz LISZT
(1811-86) Complete Piano
Music, Vol. 21 Transcription
of Symphony No 9 in D minor, Op 125, by Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827),
S464/R128
Konstantin Scherbakov (piano) recorded at
Potton Hall, Suffolk, 2-3 June 2003
NAXOS 8.557366 [65'03"] [PL]
A
splendid CD of a great but little known piano
sonata - remarkable achievement ... see
Full Review
Miguel LLOBET
(1878 – 1938) Guitar
Music Scherzo – Vals (1909); Estudio Capricho
(1899); Mazurka (1901); 13 Catalan Folksongs
(1899 – 1920); Respuesta (Impromptu)(1922);
5 Preludes (1912 – 1935); Mazurka for Federico
Bufaletti; 4 Folksongs (ca 1910); Study in
E major (1899); Romanza (1896); Variations
on a theme by Sor (1908).
Lorenzo Micheli (guitar). Rec. Aula Magna,
Seminario Arcivescovile, Ivrea (Turin), Italy,
24 April, 24 Oct 2002.
NAXOS 8.557351 [73:42] [GF]
In
spite of some reservations I think that this
well-filled disc could adorn many guitar collections.
... see Full Review
Carl LOEWE
(1796-1869) Balladen:
Nächtliche
Heerschau, op. 23, Der Räuber, op. 34
No. 2 Süßes Begräbnis, op.
62 No. 5 Hinkende Jamben, op. 62 No. 5 Kleiner
Haushalt, op. 71 Heinrich der Vogler, op.
56 No. 1 Die verfallene Mühle, op. 109
Trommelständchen, op. 132 No. 2 Die Uhr,
op. 123 No. 3 Der Nöck, op. 129 No. 2
Spirito Santo, op. 143 Der Feind (Der Marsch),
op. 145 No. 2
Hermann Prey (baritone) Karl Engel (piano)
Recorded Rittersaal, Schloss Hohenems, May
1976
ARTS 43021-2 [49.24] [JW]
Just
the right voice: warm, flexible and adeptly
lyric, capable of irresistible mezza voce
and considerable colour. It also has great
authority and a certain grand seigneurial
status. ... 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]
Return
to Front page