Charles CAMILLERI (b.1931)
Four
Greek Songs for clarinet and piano Dirge
11.09.01 for clarinet and piano Duo
Sonata for bass clarinet and piano Divertimento
No. 2 for clarinet and piano Shomyo
for solo clarinet Three Folk Songs
from Malta for clarinet and piano Trio
No. 2 for clarinet, cello and piano 
David Campbell (clarinet) Julian Jacobson
(piano) Zoë Martlew (cello)
MERIDIAN CDE 84470 [68.13] [RB]
Intriguing
- a composer embracing modern techniques in
rewarding synthesis with his early and continuing
association with Mediterranean folksong....
see Full Review
Elliott CARTER
(b.
1908) Homages and Dedications
Luimen
‘for the Nieuw Ensemble’ (1997) Scrivo in
vento ‘for Robert Aitken’ (1991) Con leggerezza
pensosa – Omaggio a Italo Calvino (1990) Changes
‘for David Starobin’ (1983) Esprit rude, Esprit
doux II ‘for Pierre Boulez’ (1994) Bariolage
‘for Ursula Holliger’ (1992) Inner Song ‘for
Heinz Holliger’ In memory of Stefan Wolpe
(1992) Immer Neu ‘for Ursula and Heinz Hollinger’
(1992) Gra ‘for Witold Lutosławski’ (1993)
Enchanted preludes ‘for Santen’s birthday’
(1988) 90+ ‘for Goffredo Petrassi’ (1993)
Canon for 4 – Homage to William ‘for Sir William
Glock’ (1984)
Nieuw Ensemble/Ed SpanjaardRecorded in October
and December 1994 in Zyfflich, Köln,
Funkhaus, Kleiner Sendesaal, Germany and in
October 1999 in Maria Minor Church, Utrecht,
Netherlands DDD
DISQUES MONTAIGNE MO 782089 [69:45] [PG]
Fans
of contemporary composition, the atonal or
the esoteric will adore this. Elliott Carter’s
work presented as intended. … see Full
Review
Elliott CARTER (b.1908)
Holiday
Overture (1944 rev. 1961) [9.40] Symphony
No. 1 (1942 rev. 1954) [29.05] Piano Concerto
(1964-65) [23.46]
Mark Wait (piano) Nashville Symphony Orchestra/Kenneth
Schermerhorn rec. Blair School of Music, Nashville,
Tennessee, 15 Sept 2002, 27 Oct 2002
NAXOS 8.559151 [62.43] [RB]
Enjoyable
in the extreme ... will especially please
those still on the lookout for lyric-convulsive
Americana of the 1940s. ... see Full
Review
Mario
CASTELNUOVO-TEDESCO
(1895 - 1968) Ciprssi,
Op. 17 (1920) [8.23] Il raggio verde, Op.
9 (1916) [6.03] Alghe, Op. 12 (1919) [4.33]
I naviganti, Op. 13 (1919) [6.10] Lucertolina
(1916) [1.20] la Sirenetta e il pesce turchino,
Op. 18 (1920) [8.20] Passatempi, Op. 54 (1928)
[7.06] Vitalba e Biancospino, Op. 21, (1921)
[6.18] Questo fu il carro della Morte, Op.
2 (1913) [5.17] Epigrafe, Op. 25 (1922) [5.40]
Cantico, Op. 19 (1920) [6.54]
Jordi Masó, piano Recorded 27
June 2002 at the "Auditorium," Jafre,
Spain.
NAXOS 8.555856 [66.52] [PSh]
A
must for Castelnuovo-Tedesco fans and students
of Latin piano music, worth a hearing to everyone
... see Full
Review
Fryderyk CHOPIN
Piano
Concerto in F minor Op. 21 Scherzos: No. 1
in B minor Op. 20 No. 2 in B flat minor Op.
31 No. 3 in C sharp minor Op. 39 No. 4 in
E major Op. 54
Felicja Blumental (piano) Innsbruck Symphony
Orchestra/Robert Wagner Recorded New York,
1960 (Scherzos); Concerto undated
BRANA RECORDS BR 0010 [71.58] [JW]
A
most worthwhile retrieval and a salute to
a musician of significant stature. … see Full
Review
Fryderyk CHOPIN
(1810-1849)
Complete Mazurkas B
flat (1825), G (1825), Opp. 6, 7, 17, 24,
30, 33, 41/1 Opp. 41/2-4, 50, 56, 59, 63,
a minor "Emile Gaillard" A minor "Notre Temps",
Opp. 67, 68, D (1832), B flat (1832), C (1833),
A flat (1834)
Joyce Hatto (piano) Recorded 15th March
1992, 27th April 1997, Concert Artist Studios
2 CDs - available separately
CONCERT ARTIST/FIDELIO RECORDINGS CACD 9116-2,
9117-2 [73:29+73:56]
Recital of 26 Mazurkas. Op.
6/2, Op. 7 1-5, Op. 17 Nos. 2 and 4, Op. 24
Nos. 1-4, Op. 30 Nos. 1-4, Op. 33 Nos. 1,
3 and 4, Op. 50 Nos. 2 and 3, Op. 56/3, Op.
59 Nos. 1-3, Op. 63/2
Sergio Fiorentino (piano) Recorded at
various locations (Hamburg, Paris, London,
Greenwich and Guildford during the period
July 1958 to February 1966)
CONCERT ARTIST/FIDELIO RECORDINGS CACD 9200-2
[77.17] [JW]
Fiorentino
and Hatto reveal the complexities and ambiguities
and both approach from subtly different vantage
points. They each impress for that very reason.
… see Full Review
Fryderyk
CHOPIN
(1810-1849) Polonaise
in A major Op. 40 No. 1 (1826) Polonaise in
A flat Op. 53 (1826) Sonata No. 1 in C minor
Op. 4 (1828) Rondo in A flat Op. 16 (1828)
Introduction and Variations on a Theme from
Hérold’s Ludovic (Variations
Brillante) in B flat Op. 12 (1833) Allegro
de Concert in A major Op. 46 (1832-41)
Sergio Fiorentino (piano) Recorded Hamburg,
Paris, London and Guildford, 1955-65
CONCERT ARTIST/FIDELIO RECORDINGS CACD 9227-2
[76.05] [JW]
A
recital of unexpected and little known pleasure
… see Full
Review
Domenico
CIMAROSA
(1749 - 1801) Sinfonia
"L’Italia in Londra" (1779) [7.05]
Sinfonia "Cajo Mario" (1780) [8.49]
Sinfonia "I due supposti Conti"
(1784) [8.33] Concerto in Bb
for harpsichord and chamber orchestra [19.58]
Elzbieta Stefanska Lukowicz, harpsichord.
Edited and cadenzas by Giovanni Ballola. Saverino
MERCADANTE (1795 - 1870) Concerto
#2 in e for Flute and Strings, Op 57 (1819)
[19.50] Concerto in Bb for clarinet
and chamber orchestra Op 101 [16.38] Concerto
in d for horn and chamber orchestra [6.46]
Kurt Leister, clarinet; Maxence Larrieu,
flute; Hermann Baumann, horn The Masterplayers/Richard
Schumacher Rec. 1978 by Nuova Fonit Cetra,
location not given. Originally released on
LP. ADD Notes in Italiano and English. www.masterplayers.org
WARNER FONIT 5050466-2642-2-0 [44.40 +
43.19] [PSh]
Some
very worthwhile music and some very skilled
playing but not necessarily at the same time
… see Full
Review
Gloria COATES
(b 1938) String
Quartet No. 2 (1972) String Quartet No. 3
(1975) String Quartet No. 4 (1976) String
Quartet No. 7 Angels (2000) String
Quartet No. 8 (2001-2002)
Kreutzer Quartet Philip Adams (organ) in String
Quartet No. 7 Michael Finnissy (conductor)
in String Quartet No. 7 Rec. at the Church
of St John’s, Loughton, Essex, Church of St
Mary de Haura, New Shoreham, West Sussex 2000
(Nos. 2-4) and 2003 (Nos. 7 and 8) String
Quartets Volume 2
NAXOS 8.559152 [64.37] [JW]
Coates’
idiosyncratic sound world will appeal to many;
others will find it forbidding. I certainly
admire the performances and the ambition …
see Full Review
Frédéric
CHOPIN (1810-1849)
Variations
on "Là ci darem la Mano"
from Mozart’s "Don Giovanni", Op.
2 (1827) Fantasia on Polish Airs, Op. 13 (1828)
Krakowiak, Grand Rondeau de Concert, Op. 14
(1828) Andante Spianato and Grande Polonaise,
Op. 22 (1831/1834)
Natasha Paremski, piano Moscow Philharmonic
Orchestra/Dmitry Yablonsky Recorded at Moscow
Radio Studio No. 5, February 2003
BEL AIR MUSIC 2031 [65:15] [DS]
Highly
entertaining and totally idiomatic music-making
… Yablonsky gives one of his best-recorded
performances to date, and the young Natasha
Paremski is clearly an outstanding pianist
we will be hearing from again in the future.
… see Full Review
GAUTIER de COINCY
(1177
- 1236) Miracles of Notre-DamePoems
in praise of the Virgin set to medieval popular
songs Amours
(c. 1218) [22.43] Va Viele [18.40] Chançonetes
[3.01] Conductus [3.48] Royne Celestre [6.37]
The Harp Consort, directed by Andrew Lawrence-King
Notes and translations in English, and Français.
Texts in Old French (langue d’oïl?).
Text translations available in Deutsch and
Español from: www.harmoniamundi.com
Recorded at L’Abbaye de Saint-Michel-en-Thiérache,
Aisne, France, 18 June 1999.
HARMONIA MUNDI USA HMU 907317 [70.07]
[PSh]
Medieval
songs played with great virtuosity and a variety
of sound textures; an audiophile’s delight
… see Full Review
Alexander
DARGOMYZHSKY (1813-1869)
Rusalka
- opera in four Acts (1848-1855) Natalia/Rusalka,
Natalia Mikhailova (sop); Miller, Alexander
Vedernikov (bass); Prince, Konstantin Pluzhnikov
(ten); Princess, Nina Terentyeva (m.sop);
Olga, Galina Pissarenko (m.sop) 
Grand Choir of the USSR Radio and TV Tchaikovsky
Symphony Orchestra of Moscow Radio/Vladimir
Fedoseyev Recorded Melodiya 1983 From the
collection of the Russian State Foundation
of Radio and TV Silver Edition
RELIEF CR 991059 [2CDs: 76.14+76.41]
[RF]
Vedernikov:
steady, strong, even and well-focused … an
outstanding contribution; Mikhailova: a lyric-dramatic
voice plenty of variety of colour and vocal
heft in abundance … an interesting and enjoyable
work generally well performed and recorded
… see Full
Review
David DIAMOND
(b.1915) The String Quartets
- Volume 3 String
Quartet No. 1 (1940) [16.15] String Quartet
No. 5 (1960) [25.44] String Quartet No. 6
(1962) [22.47]
Potomac String Quartet rec. St Luke's Church,
McLean, Virginia, USA, June, Nov 2002 DDD
ALBANY RECORDS TROY 613 [66.00] [RB]
Freshly
exciting performances from the dedicated Potomac
quartet. Indispensable to followers of the
string quartet's progress. ... again well
up to exalted standards ... see Full
Review
Gaetano
DONIZETTI
(1797 – 1848) Don
Pasquale - dramma buffo in three acts
Norina…Eva Mei (soprano) Don Pasquale…Alessandro
Corbelli (bass) Ernesto…Antonino Siragusa
(tenor) Dottor Malatesta…Roberto de Candia
(baritone) Un Notaro…Giorgio Gatti (bass)
Chorus of the Teatro Lirico–Cagliari/Paolo
Vero
Orchestra of the Teatro Lirico–Cagliari/Gérard
Korsten Recorded at the Teatro Lirico, Cagliari,
February 2002.
TDK CDM-OPDP 2CDs [75.43+42.12]
[RM]
A
good recording. The DVD format may well overcome
the weaker points of this CD version. … see
Full Review
Gaetano DONIZETTI
(1797-1848) Don Pasquale - comic
opera in three acts Norina…Eva
Mei, Don Pasquale…Alessandro Corbelli, Ernesto…Antonino
Siragusa, Dottor Malatesta…Roberto de Candia,
Un Notaro…Giorgio Gatti
Orchestra and Chorus of the Teatro Liricio,
Cagliari/Gérard Korsten Staged by the
Teatro Comunale – Bologna Recorded at the
Teatro Comunale, Cagliari in February 2002
TDK
DVD VIDEO DV-OPDP [121 mins: opera; 31
mins: special features] [IL]
A
visual delight, a sparkling production with
fine comic performances from Mei, Corbelli
and De Candia. … see Full
Review
John DOWLAND
(1563-1626)
"Selected Lute Music" Galliards
and Fancies
Jakob Lindberg, lute, orpharion (*) Recorded
in 1994 at Djursholms Kapell, Sweden DDD
BIS–CD-300824 [75:00] [JV]
A
well-chosen and well-played selection of pieces
for the lute by one of the greatest composers
in English history ... see Full
Review
Marcel DUPRÉ
(1886-1971)
Works for Organ: Volume 13 Zephyrs
Improvisation reconstructed by Rollin Smith;
Six Antiennes pour le temps de Noel Op. 48
(1952); From ‘Seventy-Nine Chorales’ Op. 28,
Nos. 21, 22, 23, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66;
Visions Op. 44 (1948); Organ Symphony No.
2 Op. 28 (1929)
George Baker (organ) Organ of the Perkins
Chapel, School of Theology, Southern Methodist
University Dallas, Texas
NAXOS 8.554542 [67.29] [GH]
Wonderfully
evocative and superbly ‘orchestrated’ …a light
begins to shine in the darkness. … see Full
Review
Antonín DVOŘÁK
(1841-1904) Symphony
no. 9 in E minor, op. 95 – "From the
New World", Overture: "In Nature’s
Realm", op. 91, Overture: "Othello",
op. 93
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra/Karel Ančerl
Rec. Dvořák Hall of Rudolfinum, Prague,
December 1961 (opp. 95 and 91), February 1962
(op. 93)
SUPRAPHON SU 3662-2 011 [70:27] [CH]
This
is increasingly held to be the finest "New
World" ever. … see Full
Review
Antonín DVOŘÁK
(1841-1904)
Symphony
No. 9 in E minor From the New World,
B178 Op.95 (1893) [42'34"] Serenade in E for
String Orchestra, B52 Op.22 (1875) [28'06"]
Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra/Rafael Kubelik
Recorded at a public concert in the Herkulessaal
of the Munich Residenz on 25 May 1977 (Op.22)
and 20 June 1980 (Op.95)
ORFEO C596 031B [70'49"] [JPo]
Good
sound and unidiosyncratic … the "lilt" of
the music is so well caught and conveyed that
one can barely refrain from swinging arms
and conducting in company. … see Full
Review
Antonín DVOŘÁK
(1841-1904)
Piano
Concerto in G minor, Op.33 (1876) The Golden
Spinning Wheel, Op.109 (1896)
Pierre-Laurent Aimard (piano) Royal Concertgebouw
Orchestra/Nikolaus Harnoncourt Recorded at
the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, 20-26 October
2001
TELDEC 8573 87630-2 [67’52] [TH]
Gorgeous
… played straight but with great intensity…
passion, grace and fire in equal measure.
The recording is rich and detailed … see Full
Review
Antonín
DVOŘÁK
(1841-1904) Piano
Quintet No. 2 in A major Op. 81 (1888) Robert
SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Piano Quintet
in E flat major Op. 44 (1842)
Martin Kasík (piano) Wihan Quartet
Recorded at the Lichtenstein Palace, Prague
in April and May 2003
ARCO DIVA UP 0055-2 131 [63.58] [JW]
A
strong welcome to a nicely annotated and warmly
recorded brace of quintets from a genuinely
and musically exciting source. … see Full
Review
Antonín
DVOŘÁK
(1841-1904) Piano
Quintet in A major Op. 5 (1872 rev. 1887)
Piano Quintet in A major Op. 81 (1887)
Ivan Klánský (piano) Vlach Quartet
Prague Recorded Martínek Studios, Prague,
November 1999 and June 2000
NAXOS 8.555377 [61.42]
Unsettled,
constantly mobile … attractively but not over
indulgently expressive. … see Full
Review
Louise FARRENC
(1804-1875)
Piano
Music: Air russe varié, Op. 17; Trente
Études, Op. 26 (Selections); Allegro
molto in F minor, No. 22; Presto in B flat
minor, No. 19; Andante espressivo in D major,
No. 7; Allegro moderato in G major, No. 4;
Adagio in F sharp minor, No. 10; Andantino
in B minor, No. 8; Allegro in D minor, No.
30; Allegro non troppo in A minor, No. 3;
Moderato. Fuga a due soggetti in E major,
No. 12; Valse brillante, Op. 48; Nocturne,
Op. 49; Variations brillantes, Op. 15
Konstanze Eickhorst, piano Recorded at
Kleiner Sendesaal SFB, May 2002
CPO 999 8792 [60:01] [DS]
Farrenc’s
musical inspiration was more in the range
of Hummel and Reicha, which makes her music
highly desirable if not absolutely essential
… see Full Review
Morton FELDMAN
(1926-1987)
First
Piano Sonata (to Bela Bartók) (1943)
[5’51]. Preludio (1944) [2’28]. Self-Portrait
(1945) [3’46]. Three Dances (1950) [6’56].
For Cynthia (195?) [0’41]. Two Pieces for
Three Pianos (1966) [19’11 + 1516].
Debora Petrina (piano).No rec. info. DDD
OgreOgress OO2003a [54’56] [CC]
This
is a fascinating document, invaluable for
all students/followers of Feldman. … see Full
Review
Zdenĕk FIBICH
(1850-1900) Symphony
no. 1 in F, op. 17 (1876-1883), Symphony no.
2 in E flat, op. 38 (1892), Symphony no. 3
in E minor, op. 53 (1898), At Twilight, op.
39 (1893), A Springtime Tale, op. 33* (1880)
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra/Karel Šejna,
with * Drahomíra Tikalová (soprano),
Karel Kalaš (bass) and the Prague Philharmonic
Choir
Recorded in the Domovina Hall, Prague (except
Symphony no. 3) and the Rudolfinum, Prague
(Symphony no. 3) on February 27th
1950 (Symphony no. 1), May 28th-30th
1950 (Symphony no. 2), January 23rd,
24th and 27th 1961 (Symphony
no. 3), April 11th 1950 (At Twilight),
1950 (A Springtime Tale)
SUPRAPHON SU 3618-2 902 [2 CDs: 60:15+73:21]
[CH]
Enthusiastically
recommended to lovers of romantic symphonies.
… see Full Review
Niccolo FIORENZA
(d.
1764) Concerti
Per Flauto (c.1726-1728)Concerto in A
minor for recorder, two violins and continuo8
Concerto in G minor for recorder, three violins
and continuoConcerto in C minor for recorder,
three violins, viola and continuoConcerto
in F minor for recorder, three violins, viola
and continuoTwo Trio Sonatas for two
violins and continuo*Trio Sonata in D minor
(1726) Trio Sonata in B minor (c. 1726)Festa
Rustica/Giorgio Matteoli (director, recorder
and cello*)
Recorded at the Oratorio della Madonna
della Neve, Pontida, Bergamo, Italy. No recording
dates given. DDD.
GAUDEAMUS CD-GAU-331 [65:26) [MC]
Lyrical,
appealing, often very beautiful and extremely
rare music. … see Full
Review
Gunnar
de FRUMERIE (1908
- 1987) Cello
Concerto, Op. 81 (1984) [24.20] Mats Lidström,
cello Violin Concerto, Op. 19 (1976)
[26.00] Tobias Ringborg, violin Symphonic
Variations for Orchestra, Op. 25 (1941)
[18.05] Norrköping
Symphony Orchestra/Lü Jia Notes in Swedish
and English. Photos of composer and artists.
Recorded at Louis deGeer Hall, Norrköping,
Sweden, 5 May 2000
CAPRICE CAP 21644 [68.25] [PSh]
Delightful, substantial
new Romantic music beautifully performed and
recorded. … see
Full Review
Gunnar de FRUMERIE
(1908-1987)
Pastoral
Suite for flute and piano Op. 13a (1933)
[11.26] Piano Trio No. 1 Op. 7 (1932, rev.
1975) [15.29] Four Etudes for piano
Op. 28 [13.32] Piano Quartet No. 1 in C minor
Op. 23 (1941) [28.24]
Mats Widlund (piano) Tobias Carron (flute)
Ulrika Jansson (violin) Pascall Siffert (viola)
Ulrika Edström (cello) rec. 2-6 Oct 2001,
22 Feb 2002, 21 Aug 2002, Studio 2, Radiohuset,
Stockholm. DDD Musica Sveciae Modern Classics
No. 13
PHONO SUECIA PSCD 713 [68.51] [RB]
An
often life-enhancing outdoor vision. Buy with
confidence ... these works will leave you
wanting more please ... and soon. ... see
Full Review
Philippe GAUBERT
(1879-1941) Vol. 1 Complete
chamber music with Flute Madrigal
(fl, pf) (1908) ** Trois aquarelles (fl, vc,
pf) (1915) - Par un clair matin; Soir d'automne;
Serenade**** Divertissement grec (2 fl, harp)
(1908) +* Soir païen (voice, fl, pf)
(1908) *** Tarantelle (fl, ob, pf) (1903)
+*** Piece romantique (fl, vc, pf) (1926)
**** Medailles antiques (fl, vn, pf) (1916)
- Nymphes a la fontaine; Danses +# Suite (fl,
pf) (1921) - Invocation (Danse des pretresses);
Berceuse orientale; Barcarolle; Scherzo-valse
**
Fenwick Smith and Jacques Zoon, fl., Sally
Pinkas, pf., Jayne West, sop., Andrew Pearce,
vc., Ann Hobson Pilot, hp., John Ferrillo,
ob., Malcolm Lowe, vn. Rec. ***December 17,
2001; ****February 3, 2002; #February 4, 2002;
**January 26, 2003; Joel Gordon; Sonic Temple,
Roslindale, Massachusetts; *August 16, 2001;
Tim Martyn; Seiji Ozawa Hall, Tanglewood,
Lenox, Massachusetts + premiere recording
NAXOS 8.557305 [61.10] [CMT]
I
cannot imagine more satisfying performances
of these convincing miniature delights … see
Full Review
Georg GEBEL d.J. (1709-1753)
Christmas
Oratorio (Musikalische Andacht am Heiligen
Christ-Abende, 1748) [36:23] New Year’s Oratorio
(Musikalische Andacht am Neuen Jahres-Abende,
1748) [32:53]
Monika Mauch, soprano; Kai Wessel, alto; Nico
van der Meel, tenor; Peter Kooy, bass Cantus
Thuringia; Capella Thuringia/Bernhard Klapproth
Recorded June, 2003 in the Evangelische Kirche
St Bonifatius, Ditfurth, Germany. DDD
CPO 999 993-2 [69:26] [JV]
Two
oratorios for the Christmas season which offer
an interesting and worthwhile alternative
to the usual repertoire … see Full
Review
Umberto GIORDANO
(1867-1948)
Andrea
Chéniera (1896)
[106’21]Beniamino Gigli (tenor) Andrea Chénier;
Maria Caniglia (soprano) Maddalena di Coigny;
Gino Bechi (baritone) Carlo Gérard;
Giulietta Simionato (mezzo) Countess di Coigny;
Vittoria Palombini (mezzo) Madelon; Maria
Huder (soprano) Bersi; Italo Tajo (bass-baritone)
Roucher; Giuseppe Taddei (baritone) Fouquier-Tinville,
Fléville; Leone Paci (baritone) Mathieu;
Adelio Zagonara (tenor) Abbé, L’Incrdibile;
Gino Conti (bass) Majordomo, Dumas, Schmidt;
Chorus and Orchestra of La Scala, Milan/Oliviero
de Fabritiis.Andrea Chénier (1896)
Un dì all’azzurro spaziob
[4’04]; Io non amato ancorc
[3’06]; Nemico della Patriad
[3’27]; La mamma motrae
[4’30]; Sì, fui soldatof
[2’50]; Come un bel dì di maggiog
[2’56].bGiacomo Lauri Volpi, cAntonio
Cortis (tenors); dCesare Formichi
(baritone); eClaudia Muzio (soprano);
fFrancesco Merli, gAureliano
Pertile (tenors); b-gorchestraFrom
aLa voce del padrone DB5423-35,
HMV bDB2263, cDA1154,
gDA1185, Columbia dCQX16522,
eLCX28, fD14705. Rec
aMilan in November 1941, bJuly
1934, cSeptember 19th,
1930, dSeptember 1st,
1927, eJune 5th, 1935,
fMarch 6th, 1928, gJanuary
30th, 1930. ADD
NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110275/6 [128’34: 53’41
+ 74’53]. [CC]
A
fascinating release from just about every
angle, therefore. This Chénier will
not disappoint. … see Full
Review
Umberto
GIORDANO (1867-1948)
Fedora.
Opera in 3 Acts (1897)
Fedora, Eva Marton (sop); Loris, José
Carreras (ten); de Siriex, a diplomat in Paris,
János Martin (bar); Olga, Veronika
Kincses (mezzo) Hungarian Radio and Television
Symphony Orchestra and Chorus/Giuseppe Patané
No recording data given, but believed recorded
and first released in 1986
SONY CLASSICAL SM2K 91138 [2CDs: 44.58+49.40]
[RF]
Flawed
but a potentially attractive alternative to
the Decca version which includes Del Monaco’s
crude portrayal of Loris. … see Full
Review
Alexander GLAZUNOV (1865-1936)
Symphony
No. 4 in E flat major, Op. 48 (1893) Symphony
No. 8 in E flat major, Op. 83 (1906)
BBC National Orchestra of Wales/Tadaaki
Otaka Rec. 27 April 1997 (No. 4), 15 January
1998 (No. 8)
BIS CD 1378 [75.11] [TB]
Strongly
characterized and distinctively Russian themes
… beautifully and sensitively played … what
a fine orchestra this is. There could be no
better introduction to Glazunov’s symphonic
world … see Full
Review
Rheinhold Moritzovich
GLIERE
(1875-1956) Third
Sextet for two violins, two violas
and two cellos in C Major op.11 (1905) [29:27]
Octet for four violins, two
violas and two cellos in D Major op.5 (1900)
[25:58]
Laurencius Dinica, Violin; Stephan Schulze,
Violin; Walther Kussner, Viola; Wolfgang Talirz,
Viola; Christoph Igelbrink, Cello; Mathias
Donderer, Cello (both works); Kotowa Machida,
Violin; Christoph von der Nahmer (Octet only)
Recorded December 19-21, 2002 at the Andreas
Kirche, Berlin
MUSIK DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM MDG 308 1196-2
[55:39] [SA]
Unashamedly
romantic … Gliere learned a great deal from
Arensky … draws upon Russian folk melodies
… see Full Review
Leopold Godowsky
(1870 - 1938) Piano Music
Volume 6: Schubert Transcriptions, Arrangements
& Paraphrases Passacaglia
(1928) [19.10] Franz
Peter SCHUBERT (1797 - 1828) Songs
transcribed by Godowsky, Ballet Music from
Rosamunde (1923) [3.30] Moment musical, Op
94 #3 (1922) [2.06]
Konstantin Scherbakov, piano Recorded
at 24 bit resolution in Potton Hall, Suffolk,
UK 4 December 2002 Notes in English and Deutsch.
No photos.
MARCO POLO 8.225187 [69.34] [PSh]
A
fine performance of a "new" piano
masterpiece ... see Full
Review
Georges Charles
GOUNOD (1818-1893)
Faust.
Opera in Five Acts Faust, Raoul Jobin
(ten); Méphistophélès,
Ezio Pinza (bass); Valentin, Martial Singer
(bar); Marguerite, Licia Albanese (sop); Siébel,
Lucielle Browning (sop); Marthe, Thelma Votipka
(m.sop); Wagner, John Baker (bar)
Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan
Opera, New York/Sir Thomas Beecham Private
recording made for Raoul Jobin of the ‘Met’
tour broadcast, from Boston, on 15th
April 1944. Issued by arrangement with ‘The
National Library of Canada, to whom Jobin
bequeathed the master acetates Bargain Price
GUILD HISTORICAL IMMORTAL PERFORMANCE SERIES
GHCD 2258-59 [2CDs: 75.35+74.41] [RF]
This
makes it possible to admire Pinza and Beecham
and that opportunity alone is worth the price.
… see Full Review
George GROSSMITH
(1847-1912)
The
Grossmith Legacy
Leon Berger (bar), Selwyn Tillett (piano)
Rec. St Mary's Rectory, Beddington, Surrey,
1995-6
DIVINE ART 2-4109 [74.12] [RW]
Grossmith,
clearly influenced by Savoy but gifted … settings
that are catchy and flow with good rhythm.
… see Full Review
Joseph HAYDN
(1732-1809)
Piano
Sonatas: Hob.XVI/1 in C, XVI/3 in C, XVI/4
in D, XVI/7 in C, XVI/8 in G, XVI/34 in E
minor, XVI/37 in D, XVI/44 in G minor, XVI/46
in A flat
Maria Bergmann (piano) SWR recordings,
Hans Rosbaud-Studio Baden-Baden, 1961-1976
HÄNSSLER CLASSIC CD 93.081 [76:03]
[CH]
Maria
Bergmann is perhaps an interesting figure,
but as a taste of Haydn sonatas this is rather
uneven. … see Full
Review
Joseph
HAYDN
(1732-1809) The
Seasons (Die Jahreszeiten) Hob XXI; 3 (1799-1801)
Sung in English Elsie Morison (soprano) –
Nancy Alexander Young (tenor) – Lucas Michael
Langdon (bass) – Simon
Beecham Choral Society Royal Philharmonic
Orchestra/Sir Thomas Beecham Recorded between
November 1956 and April 1958
SOMM-BEECHAM 16-2 [2 CDs: 143.40] [JW]
Some
of the original residual hum is audible when
driven at high level but it won’t interfere
in your listening pleasure. There is always
satisfaction to be taken in Beecham’s Haydn.
… see Full
Review
Franz Joseph HAYDN
(1732 - 1809) The
Seven Last Words of our Saviour on the Cross,
Seven Sonatas with Introduction and Conclusion;
Hob XX 1B (III Nos. 50-56) (1786) [65.46]
Borodin String Quartet: Mikhail Kopelman,
Andrei Abramenkov, vv; Dmitri Shebalin, vla;
Valentin Berlinsky, vc. Recorded athe Grand
Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, December
1984. ADD Notes in English
CDKM 1007 [65.46] [PSh]
An
intense, rhapsodic, and beautifully recorded
(live) performance ... see Full
Review
Paul HINDEMITH
(1895-1953) CD1 Concerto
for Orchestra Op.38 (1925) [12.26] Konzertmusik
for piano, brass and harps Op.49 (1930) [24.18]
Symphony Mathis der Maler (1934) [27.28]
CD2 Symphonic Dances (1930s) [29.29]
Theme and Variations The Four Temperaments
(1940) [26.59] CD3 Symphonic Metamorphosis
after Themes by Carl Maria von Weber (1943)
[20.26] Ballet Overture Amor und Psyche
(1944) [7.08] Symphony Die Harmonie
der Welt (1951) [36.06] Interview - Paul
Hindemith in Japan [2.35] Monique Haas (piano)
(Konzert) Hans Otte (piano) (Temperaments)
Berlin Philharmoniker/Paul Hindemith rec.
1954-57, Berlin Dahlem, Jesus-Christus-Kirche,
mono
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 474 770-2 [3CDs: 64.21+56.33+66.35]
[RB]
This
DG box is essential fare for the Hindemith
specialist. Bravo, Universal and DG! ... see
Full Review
Paul HINDEMITH
(1895-1953)
CD1
Symphony Mathis der Maler (1934) [26.57]
Trauermusik for viola and orchestra
(1936) [8.38] Symphonic Metamorphosis after
Themes by Carl Maria von Weber (1943)
[20.01] CD2 Konzertmusik for strings
and brass (1931) [17.21] Der Schwanendreher
Concerto after old folk songs for viola
and small orchestra (1935) [26.58] Nobilissima
Visione - suite (1938) [22.13] CD3 Symphonia
Serena (1946) [31.20] Symphony Die
Harmonie der Welt (1951) [35.09] Geraldine
Walther (viola) (Trauer; Schwanendreher)
San Francisco Symphony Orchestra/Herbert Blomstedt
(CD1 and 2) Gewandhausorchester/Herbert Blomstedt
(CD3) rec. 1987-91, Davies Symphony Hall,
San Francisco; 1996-97 Gewandhaus zu Leipzig.
DDD
DECCA TRIO 475 264-2 [3CDs: 56.08+66.57+67.01]
[RB]
At
Trio prices instantly and robustly recommendable
... a superbly recorded substantial and meatily
symphonic representation of Hindemith ...
see Full Review
Tyzen HSÍAO
(b.1938)
1947
Overture (1986) [20.25] Piano Concerto
in C minor op.53 (1992) [34.16] Symphony Formosa
op.49 (1994) [14.30] Cello Concerto in C op.52
(1991) [25.58] An Angel from Formosa [4.30]
Violin Concerto in D op.50 (1991) [27.39]
Moscow State Chorus/Vladimir Kontarev
(1947) Anatoly Sheludiakov (piano) Kiril Rodin
(cello) Alexander Trostiansky (violin) Russian
Federal Orchestra/Vakhtang Jordania rec. Jan
1999 - July 2000, Radio Palace Hall, Moscow
ANGELOK1 CD-9912/13 [2CDs: 69.29+58.18]
[RB]
Hsíao's
late 19th century style is marked out by Rachmaninov,
Delius, Tchaikovsky, and Dvorak ... music
easy to like and in the case of the concertos
for violin and cello works extremely well
... see Full Review
John IRELAND
(1879-1962)
Vexilla
Regis: Hymn for Passion Sunday (1898)
[11.54] Greater Love Hath No Man (1912,
orch. 1924) [6.51] These Thing Shall Be
(1937) [22.12] A London Overture (1936)
[13.26] The Holy Boy: A Carol of the Nativity
() [2.40] Epic March (1940) [9.13]
Paula Bott (sop) Teresa Shaw (alto) James
Oxley (ten) Bryn Terfel (bass-bar) London
Symphony Chorus London Symphony Orchestra/Richard
Hickox rec. 24-26 Apr 1990, St Jude on the
Hill, Hampstead, London
CHANDOS CLASSICS CHAN X10110 [67.11]
[RB]
Frankly
glorious … the grand and idealistic John Ireland.
The ceremonial is to be found alongside some
superb choral singing.... see Full
Review
BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Leoš
JANÁČEK
(1854-1928) The
Cunning Little Vixen (in English) Libretto
by Leoš Janáček, English translation
by Yveta Synek Graff and Robert T Jones Forester
– Thomas Allen (bass) Mosquito/Schoolmaster
– Robert Tear (tenor) Forester’s Wife/Owl
– Gillian Knight (soprano) Vixen – Lillian
Watson (soprano) Priest/Badger – Gwynne Howell
(bass) Pásek, innkeeper – John Dobson
(tenor) Harašta, a poacher – Nicholas Folwell
(baritone) Fox – Diana Montague (mezzo-soprano)
Innkeeper’s Wife - Elizabeth Bainbridge (mezzo-soprano)
Hens, Forest creatures and Voices
Royal Opera House Chorus, Covent Garden Orchestra
of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden/Simon
Rattle Recorded Abbey Road, London, June 1990
CHANDOS CHAN 3101(2) [2 CDs: 96.47] [JW]
Chandos
are doing us proud in their selective and
astute reclamation of such material. … see
Full Review
Albert KETÈLBEY
(1875-1959) Tangled
Tunes Historical Recordings 1912-1933:
Men
of England (1926) A. W. Ketèlbey’s
Concert Orchestra and Chorus. (rec. December
1929) Tangled Tunes Parts 1 -4 (1914)
The Casino Orchestra conducted by the composer.
(rec. June 1914) In Holiday Mood: On
the Promenade; Down the Stream;
The Illuminated Fête (1938) Grand
Orchestra conducted by Louis Voss. (rec.1938).
The Phantom Melody (1912) Jean Schwiler
(cello) with the composer at the piano. (
rec. April 1912) My Heart Still Clings
To You (1913) Edgar Coyle (baritone) with
the Columbia Studio Orchestra conducted by
the composer (rec. December 1913) Silver-Cloud
(An Indian Maiden’s Song) (1915) The Regal
Orchestra conducted by the composer (rec.
circa 1915) Wildhawk (An Indian Romance)
(1914) The Regal Orchestra conducted by the
composer (rec. June 1914) A Sunday Afternoon
Rêverie (1931) The Westminster Light
Symphony Orchestra conducted by Claude Ivy
(rec. 1931) Canzonetta (1912) The Regal
Orchestra conducted by the composer (rec.
December 1912) Wonga (An Oriental Intermezzo)
(1916) The Regal Orchestra conducted by the
composer (rec. July 1916) Christmas
(Medley Fox Trot) (1925) The Edison Bell Dance
Orchestra directed by Henry Wood (rec. October
1925) The Vision of Fuji-San (1930?)
The Odeon Symphony Orchestra of Paris conducted
by Gustav Cloëtz (rec. circa. 1933) Knights
of the King (1930) The Regimental Band
of H.M. Royal Horseguards conducted by Lt.
W.J. Dunn M.C. (rec. October 1930) In a
Monastery Garden (1915) A. W. Ketèlbey’s
Concert Orchestra with Nellie Walker (contralto)
and chorus conducted by the composer (rec.
November 1927) All recordings made in London
unless otherwise stated
NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110870 [64:33] [IL]
Another
beguiling, nostalgic wallow …sit back, relax
and enjoy these over-ripe renditions. … see
Full Review
Wojciech KILAR
(b.1932) Missa
Pro Pace (1999) [67.28]
Zofia Kilanowicz (sop) Jadwiga
Rappé (alto) Charles
Daniels (ten) Piotr
Nowacki (bass) Lower
Silesian Opera Choir/Alan Urbanek
Witold Lutosławski Philharmonic, Wrocław/Marek
Pijarowski St
Mary Magdalen Cathedral, Wrocław, Poland,
14 Sept 2002. DDD
DUX 0434 [67.28] [RB]
Kilar
the servant of his universal aspirational
message ... sincere, tonal, communicative
without the barriers of elitist ...isms ...
see Full Review
Ståle KLEIBERG
(b.1958)
Lamento:
Cissi Klein in memoriam (2000) [14.37]
Symphony No. 1 The Bell Reef (1991)
[17.27] Symphony No. 2 Kammersymfoni
(1997) [24.13]
Trondheim Symphony Orchestra cond. Eivind
Aadland (Lamento); Rolf Gupta (2); Christian
Eggen (1) rec. Olavshallen, Trondheim, Norway,
6-7 Aug 2001 (Lamento); 12 Oct 2000 (2); 20
Apr 2001 (1) DDD
AURORA ACD 5032 [56.29] [RB]
Extremely
impressionistic-melodic scores ... a natural
fluency synthesising the Ravelian heritage
to original effect. Recommended. ... see Full
Review
Herman
D KOPPEL
(1908-1998)
Symphony No. 3 Op. 39 (1944-45)Symphony No.
4 Op. 42 (1946)Aalborg
Symphony Orchestra/Moshe Atzmon Recorded at
Symfonien, Aalborg, June and October 2001
(Symphony No. 3) and August 2000 (Symphony
No. 4)
DACAPO 8.226016 [64.21] [JW] [JPh]
Idiomatic
performances and clear recording add to the
attractiveness of these unsettled and unsettling
works.[JW]
I am delighted to welcome this disc as an
example of a mid-twentieth century composer
who deserves to be much wider known and respected.
[JPh] … see Full Review
Friedrich KUHLAU
(1786-1832)
Grande
Sonate concertante, Op. 35 Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Introduction
and Variations on "Trockne Blumen"
Franz SCHUBERT (1787-1828)
arr. Leopold JANSA (1795–1875)
6 Lieder: Ständchen; Der Lindenbaum;
Das Fischermädchen; Die Tauben post;
Am Meer; Gute Nacht
duo cantabile Hans-Jörg Wegner (flute)
Christiane Kroeker (piano) Recorded October
2002, NDR, Landesfunkhaus Nds. Kleiner Sendesaal
THOROFON CTH 2476 [77.00] [RH]
A
well played disc of flute music from the Romantic
era, unfortunately lacking an undeniable masterpiece.
… see Full Review
Fredrich Ludwig Aemilius
KUNZEN (1761-1817)
Piano
Music: Musical Pastime for the Fair Sex (1798);
Sonata in C sharp minor (1789-1791); Musical
New Year’s Gift for the fair sex (1799); Divertimento
in A major (1788); Scherzando in G major (1789);
Larghetto in G major (1794)
Thomas Trondhjem (piano) Recorded at the
Royal Academy of Music, Århus, May 2002.
DDD
DA CAPO 8.224228 [64.43] [GH]
A
sonata in the then serious and contemporary
style alongside unassuming music written for
the amateur … Trondhjem’s superb phrasing,
ornamentation, subtle pedalling and recreation
of light and shade in keyboard sonorities.
… see Full Review
Meyer KUPFERMAN
(1926-2003) Tuba
Concerto (1982, rev. 2002) Going Home,
for guitar quartet (1994) Into the
Breach (2002) Percussion Symphony
(1997) Structures (2001) Edwin
Diefes (tuba), Roberto Limon, William Anderson,
Oren Fadar, Marc Wolf (guitars) Czech National
Orchestra, conductor Paul Freeman Oregon Percussion
Ensemble, conductor Charles Dowd (Symphony)
Stony Brook Contemporary Players, conductor
Matt Ward (Structures) No recording
venues or dates DDD
SOUNDSPELLS CD 135 [2 discs, 71’54+43’33]
[TH]
I
rate this music very highly. Refreshing and
challenging … no reliance on gimmickry or
electronics, just beautifully crafted and
solidly organised. A stimulating and rewarding
issue … see Full
Review
Rued LANGGAARD
(1893-1952) Aubade
(Morgenständchen) BVN 23 (1907) Sonata
No. 3 BVN 312 (1945-49) Short Violin Sonata
BVN 372 (1949) Sonata No. 4 Parce Nobis,
Jesu! BVN 376 (1949) Écrasez l’infâme
BVN 385 (1949) Andante Religioso BVN 407 (1950)
Serguei Azizian (violin) Anne Øland
(piano) Recorded at Lyngby Parkkapel, September
2001 and Danmarks Radio, Studio 2, September
2002 Violin Sonatas Volume 2
DA CAPO 8.226006 [66.05] [JW]
Langgaard’s
voice that exerts a worryingly strong pull
on me – and maybe on you as well. … see Full
Review
William LAWES (1602-1645)
Knock’d on the head – Music for Viols Consort
Sett a6 in F major [11:09] Lyra viol trio
in D minor [09:55] Hark jolly lads, Catch
a3 [02:02] Come my lads, Catch a3 [01:14]
Consort Sett a6 in G minor [13:13] Whither
go ye, Catch a3 [02:24] The wise men were
but seven, Catch a3 [01:24] Lyra viol trio
in D major [06:51] Consort Sett a6 in B flat
major [10:37]
Concordia: Mark Levy (director, treble viol,
lyra viol)
Veli-Markus Tapio, treble viol, lyra viol;
Joanna Levine, tenor viol, lyra viol; Emilia
Benjamin, tenor viol; Reiko Ichise, bass viol;
Alison McGillivray, bass viol; Gary Cooper,
organ Rec. 22-25 September 2001, Orford Church,
Suffolk, England, DDD
METRONOME MET CD 1045 [59:02] [MC]
There
is much to admire and enjoy in this Metronome
release which is hard to resist. Recommended
without hesitation. … see Full
Review
You
can sample, download or purchase this disc
Henri
LAZAROF
(b 1932) Tableaux
(after Kandinsky) for Piano and Orchestra
Violin Concerto (1985-86) Symphony No. 2 (1990)
Garrick Ohlsson (piano) Yukiko Kamei (violin)
Seattle Symphony/Gerard Schwarz Recorded at
the Seattle Centre Opera House, January 1990
and January-April 1992
NAXOS 8.559159 [72.11] [JW]
Excellent
performances make a persuasive case for these
works not all of which are immediately ingratiating.
… see Full
Review
Franz LISZT
(1811-1886) Harmonies
Poètiques et Réligieuses (1845-52)
David Barela (piano) Rec. 2003 DDD
DGB RECORDS 29757 28022 [77.57] [TB]
Can
be counted a ‘near miss’. … 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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