Paul McCARTNEY (b.1942) A Leaf Frederic RZEWSKI (b.1938) Short Fantasy on "Give Peace a Chance" Paul McCARTNEY (b.1942), John LENNON (1940-1980), arr. Ichizo OKASHIRO Hey Jude Paul McCARTNEY (b.1942), John LENNON (1940-1980), arr. Toru TAKEMITSU (1930-1996) Golden Slumbers Paul McCARTNEY (b.1942), John LENNON (1940-1980), arr. Barbara MONK-FELDMAN (b.1953) Michelle Paul McCARTNEY (b.1942), John LENNON (1940-1980), arr. Ichizo OKASHIRO Yesterday Ryuichi SAKAMOTO (1952-) Aki 2.2 Michel BLOCK (1938-2003) "billet doux" Chitose Okashiro (piano) Recorded at the American Academy of Arts and Letters, NYC, April 12^th-13^th 2003. CHÂTEAU C10002 [52.00] [RH]

A display of fine pianism linked to modern transcriptions of Beatles songs. … see Full Review

Musica Riservata Jia GUOPING (b.1963) Schweben über grenzenlosern Feld (2002) Hans Ulrich LEHMAN (b. 1937) Minuties (1998) Rudolf KELTERBORN (b.1931) Invention (1998) Alfred ZIMMERLIN (b.1955) Anderer Ort (1998) Nadir VASSENA (b. 1970) Formulae (1997) Lukas LANGLOTZ (b. 1971) Facetten (1997)
Urban MÄDDER (b. 1955) En suite (1997) Peter WETTSTEIN (b. 1939) Sieben Miniaturen (1974) Wang PENG (b. 1976) Yàna (2001) Heinrich Keller (flute) Brigitta Steinbrecher (harpsichord/piano) rec. 1975-2003, Radiostudio Zürich. MGB MUSIKSZENE SCHWEIZ MGB CTS-M 85 [77.18] [RB]

One for modernist flute enthusiasts. Superbly played, recorded and annotated. … see Full Review

Norwegian Classical Favourites Edvard GRIEG (1843-1907) Peer Gynt Suite Op. 46 Morning mood In the Hall of the Mountain King Norwegian Dance No. 2 Op. 35 Two Elegiac Melodies Op. 34; No. 2 Last spring Christian SINDING (1856-1941) Six Pieces for Piano Op. 32; Rustle of Spring Agathe BACKER-GRØNDAHL (1847-1907) Fantasy pieces Op. 45; Summer Song Johan SVENDSEN (1840-1911) The Wedding at Dovre, Norwegian Artist’s Carnival Op. 14 Festive Polonaise Op. 12 Johannes HAMSSEN (1874–1967) Valdres-Marsch Johan HALVORSEN (1864-1935) Entry of the Boyars Ole OLSEN (1850-1927) Funeral March Op. 41 Rikard NORDRAAK (1842-1866) Maria Stuart (arr. Halvorsen) Purpose, Valse Caprice Sigurd ISLANDSMOEN (1881-1964) Forest Clearing Op. 15 Arne EGGEN (1881-1955) Liti Kersti Suite, Bjørgulv the Fiddler Iceland Symphony Orchestra/Bjarte Engeset Recorded in the Concert Hall of the ISO, Reykjavik, June 2002 NAXOS 8.557017 [68.04] [JW]

Idiomatically played … with real charm. … see Full Review

Ritmata Edino KRIEGER (b.1928) Ritmata (1974) Toru TAKEMITSU (1930 – 1996) All in Twilight (1987) Armand COECK (b.1941) Constellations (1986) Nuccio D’ANGELO (b.1955) Due canzoni lidie (1984) Leo BROUWER (b.1939) Paisaje cubana con campanas (1986) Tristan MURAIL (b.1947) Tellur (1977) Hughes Kolp (guitar) Recorded: Eglise Notre Dame du Sacré-Coeur, Bois-des-Nauwes, Belgium, no date GHA 126.049 [57:51] [HC]

So, in short, guitar buffs or not, I urge you to look out for this magnificent release. … see Full Review

Gabrielle Ritter-Ciampi (1886-1974) Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797-1848) La Fille du Régiment – Salut à la France Giacomo MEYERBEER (1791-1864) Les Huguenots – Nobles Seigneurs, Salut, Air de la Reine- O beau pays Le Pardon de Ploermel – Valse Ombre légère Ambroise THOMAS (1811-1896) Mignon Air de Philine – Je suis Titania la blonde Hamlet – A toi, cruel Hamlet – Pâle et blonde Charles GOUNOD (1818-1893) Faust – Ah! Je ris Roméo et Juliette – Je veux vivre dans ce rêve Daniel AUBER (1782-1871) Manon Lescaut – L’eclat de rire Leo DELIBES (1836-1891) Lakmé – Ou va la jeune hindoue Jules MASSENET (1842-1912) Manon – Suis-je gentile ainsi? Jacques OFFENBACH (1819-1880) Les Contes d’Hoffmann – Les oiseaux dans la chamille RODE Variations Gioachino ROSSINI (1792-1868) Le Barbier de Seville – Rien ne peut changer Victor MASSÉ (1822-1884) Le Carnaval de Venise – Theme et Variations MASSART Les Dragons de Villars – Espoir charmant Gustave CHARPENTIER (1860-1956) Louise – Depuis le jour Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) La Bohème – D’un pas léger Madame Butterfly – Un bel di vedremo
Nikolai RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844-1908) Le Coq d’Or - Hymne au soleil Albert ROUSSEL (1869-1937) Jazz dans la nuit Gabrielle Ritter-Ciampi (soprano) Various unidentified accompanists Recorded 1923-29 MALIBRAN MR 548 [79.13] [JW]

A stylish light French soprano: poised and sustained she excelled in showpiece arias with her coquettish trills and accurate intervals often a pleasure to hear. … see Full Review

Artur RUBINSTEIN Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827): Piano Concerto No.5 in E flat major, Op. 73 "Emperor"* [37’50] Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897): hapsody in G minor, Op. 79 No. 2 [6’29"]; Intermezzo in B flat minor, Op. 117 No. 2 [4’31"]; Capriccio in B minor, Op. 76 No. 2 [3’33"] Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828): Impromptu in G flat minor, D899, No 3 [5’27"]; Impromptu in A flat major, D899, No 4 [6’32"] Frédéric CHOPIN (1810-1849): Nocturne in F sharp major, Op. 15 No. 2 [3’50"]; Étude in C sharp minor, Op. 10 No. 4 [2’01"]; Polonaise in A flat major, Op. 53 [6’58"] Artur Rubinstein (piano) *Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Eugene Ormandy Recorded in BBC Studios, Maida Vale, London, 29 November 1958 and *Royal Festival Hall, London, 14 June 1963 ADD BBC LEGENDS BBCL 4130-2 [78’16"] [JQ]

Shows clearly why Rubinstein was held in such high regard … give us a glimpse of the "Rubinstein magic" … see Full Review

Salon Orchestral Favourites III Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) Humoresque Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Chanson de Matin, Chanson de Nuit, Salut d'Amour Julius FUCÍK (1872-1916) Florentine march (1907) Benjamin GODARD (1849-1895) Berceuse Richard HEUBERGER (1850-1914) The Opera Ball: Intermezzo Emmerich KÁLMÁN (1882-1953) Die Csárdásfürstin: selection (1925) Karel KOMZÁK (1850-1905) Storm galop Fritz KREISLER (1875-1962) Liebesleid, Liebesfreud Jules MASSENET (1842-1912) Thais - Meditation (1894) Johann STRAUSS (1827-1870) The Dragon Fly: Polka Mazurka Oscar STRAUS (1870-1954) A Waltz Dream: Leise, ganz leise Franz von SUPPÉ (1819-1895) Devil's march Schwanen Salon Orchestra/Georg Huber Rec. Clara-Wieck Auditorium, Sandhausen, Germany, Nov 2002 NAXOS 8.557048 [63.45] [RW]

Dreamy and melancholy … enticing and leisurely drifting … engaging charm. … see Full Review

Schweizer Oktett Heimwärts [Swiss Folk Music]Walser / Evviva I Soci,Walser / Das Leben ein Traum, Walser / Mazurka aus dem Jura, Walser / Wehntalerpolka, Lohmann / Dreimäderlhaus am Obetor, Walser / Zum Carneval, Walser / Em Antonio sine, Walser / Limmat-Walzer, Burkard / Gallus-und-Evna-Walzer, Alder / Innerhoder Walzer, Alder / Nicht ganz allein, Walser / Alewander, Alder / Der Winzel kommt, Walser / Plaffeier Chilbimusig, Walser / Föif gage Drüü, Janett / Bibere-Walzer, Recorded at Evang. Kirche, Reutlingen-Gönningen on 4-6 March, 2002 DDD MGB CD 6187 [54:08] [PG]

An album showcasing the very highest quality of Swiss folk music, there is little that could be said other than it has indeed hit its mark. Delightful … see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH 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

Ferruccio Tagliavini (tenor) Famous Cetra Recordings 1939-54 Cetra recordings made between 1939-54 WARNER FONIT 5050466-3295-2-3 [3 CDs 69.37 + 60.54 + 66.02] [JW]

The honeyed expressive tenor records well and collectors will find much to confirm their admiration in this set. … see Full Review

Temple of Chastity - CODEX LAS HUELGAS - Music from 13^th Century Spain
Virgenes egregie; Salve sancta parens; Surrexit de tumulo; Rosa das Rosas; Castitatis thalamum; Benedicamus benigno voto; Catolicorum concio; Alpha bovi et leoni; Veni, redemptor gencium; Audi Pontus, audi tellus followed by improvisation; Salve regina glorie; Gaude, virgo plena Deo; Vella e mininna; Confessorum agonia; Ex illustri nata prosapia; Parit preter morem; Castrum pudicie/Virgo viget melius; Como poden per sas culpas; O Maria, virgo regia/Organica cantica; Maria, virgo virginum Mille Fleurs Recorded at the church St. Silas the Martyr, Kentish Town, September 2002. DDD SIGNUM CD 043 [59.38] [GH]

I have played this disc a great deal. Not without anomalies but there are many delightful things here. … see Full Review

The Thistle and the Rose – Music from the Carver Choirbook ANON: Missa Deus Creator Ominum for four voices; Mass for three voices; Magnificat for four voices
Capella Nova/Alan Tavener Rec. St. Mary’s Parish Church, Haddington, East Lothian, 7-9 Jan; 3 Apr 2003 GAUDEAMUS CD GAU 342 [65.13] [RH]

A welcome exploration, by Capella Nova, of some of the less well known works in the Carver Choir book, given in attractive performances. … see Full Review

Arturo TOSCANINI: All-American Concerts Charles Martin LOEFFLER (1861-1912): ‘Memories of my childhood’ (Life in a Russian Village) [13’06") Paul CRESTON (1906-1985): Choric Dance No. 2, Op. 17 [4’45"] Morton GOULD (1913-1996): A Lincoln Legend [16’18"] George GERSHWIN (1898-1937): Rhapsody in Blue* [16’05"] *Earl Wild (piano); Benny Goodman (clarinet) NBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Arturo Toscanini Recorded in Studio 8H, Radio City, New York on 1 November 1942 AAD Francesco MIGNONE (1897-1986): Festa das igrejas [20’54"] George GERSHWIN Piano Concerto in F** [30’41"] ** Oscar Levant (piano) NBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Arturo Toscanini Recorded in Studio 8H, Radio City, New York on 2 April 1944 AAD GUILD HISTORICAL GHCD 2256/7 [53’27"+53’47"] [JQ]

An issue which all those interested in twentieth century Americana should try to hear and which will be self-recommending to acolytes of Toscanini. … see Full Review

TUBA CARNIVAL Øystein Baadsvik Tuba Carnival Øystein BAADSVIK (b. 1966) Fnugg (2002) [3:24] Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741) L’Inverno (Winter) from The Four Seasons [8:28] Edvard Hagerup GRIEG (1843-1907) Anitra’s Dance (1874-1875) [3:27] Arild PLAU (b. 1920) Concerto for Tuba and Strings (1990) [17:54] Edvard Hagerup GRIEG (1843-1907), arr. Øystein BAADSVIK (b. 1966) Norwegian Dance No. 1 [4:51] Traditional arr. Staffan LUNDEN-WELDEN (b. 1964) Kesh Jig [3:35] Thomas STEVENS (b. 1938) Variations in Olden Style (d’après Bach) (1989) [5:16] Jean-Baptiste ARBAN (1825-1889), arr. Anna BAADSVICK Carnival of Venice [7:41] Vittorio MONTI (1868-1922), arr. Øystein BAADSVIK (b. 1966) Csárdás [4:25] Musica Vitae (leader: Dorota Siuda)/Bjorn Sagstad Recorded at Furuby Church, Sweden on 9-14 June, 2002 DDD BIS-CD-1285 [61:19] [PG]

A good album, and a very pleasant surprise, worthy of any collection. … see Full Review

Ingolf Turban (violin) Joseph ACHRON (1886-1943) À capriccio Suite Bizarre (Cycle des Rhythmes) Op. 41 Two Pastels Op. 44 Pensée de L Auer Niccolo PAGANINI (1782-1840) arr. Achron Caprices Nos. 9, 13-21, 24 (arr. by Achron 1919-23) Ingolf Turban (violin) Jascha Nemtsov (piano) Recorded Bayerischer Rundfunk, April and June 2003 HÄNSSLER CLASSIC CD 98.438 [62.59] [JW}

Both musicians are clearly enthusiastic and authoritative exponents of these Achron pieces. … see Full Review

Georgi VINOGRADOV (tenor) sings Arias, Duets and Songs GUILD - THE RUSSIAN LEGACY SERIES - GMCD 2250-53 [4CDs:77.08+74.11+64.18+73.33]

A comprehensive survey of recordings by the possessor of a stunningly voice - essential listening for anyone interested in voices. … see Full Review

Earl Wild at 88 - Recital Alessandro MARCELLO (1684-1750) Oboe Concerto in D minor - Adagio arr Wild Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Piano Sonata in F major K332 Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) 32 Variations in C minor WoO80 Mily BALAKIREV (1837-1910) Piano Sonata No. 1 in B minor Op. 5 (1905) Fryderyk CHOPIN (1810-1849) Four Impromptus No. 1 in A flat major Op. 29 No. 2 in F sharp major Op. 36 No. 3 in G flat major Op. 51 Fantasie-Impromptu in C sharp minor Op. 66 Earl WILD (b. 1915) Jarabe Tapatio Mexican Hat Dance arr. Wild Earl Wild (piano) Recorded in the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Buffalo, New York May 2003 IVORY CLASSICS 73005 [78.14] [JW]

The indestructible Earl Wild demonstrates once again why he is held in such admiration … an admirable and generous recital. … see Full Review

Arias de zarzuela barroca José Melchor de Nebra BLASCO (1702-1768) Para obsequy a la deydad, nunca es culto la crueldad, y Iphigenia en Tracia (1747) Overture, Llegar ninguno intente, Suspéndete tirano, Pieded, Señor, Amor aumenta el valor (1728) Triste carcel oscura, Ay! Amor! Clelia mia, Adiós, prenda de mi amor, Más fácil sera al viento Vincente Martín y SOLER (1754-1806) La madrileña o el tutor burlado (1778) Overture, Inocentita y niña Antonio Rodriguez de HITA (1724-1787) La Briseida (1768) Amor, solo tu encanto Luigi BOCCHERINI (1743-1805) Clementina (1786) Overture, Almas que amor ujetó María Bayo (soprano) Les Talens Lyriques Christophe Rousset Recorded May 2003 in the Lycée Fénelon Sainte-Marie NAÏVE E 8885 [70.18] [JW]

Above all, there are some rewarding discoveries to be made amongst the Zarzuela stars of the baroque. … see Full Review

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

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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