Gustav Mahler
(1860 - 1911) Symphony
#1 "Titan" (1896) [48.57] 
Utah Symphony Orchestra/Maurice Abravanel
Recorded in the Mormon Tabernacle, Salt Lake
City, UT, USA, 1 June 1974. Notes in English:
track list, technical staff credits. On disk
extras: technical documentary; tribute to
Maurice Abravanel, composer biography; "remembering
the Utah Symphony Orchestra;" speaker
set-up utility. DVD-Audio 2.0; 5.1. DVD 2.0
and 5.1 AC-3 Dolby Surround ADD 
DVD-Audio
playable on all DVD players.
SILVERLINE CLASSICS 288238-9 [48.57] [PSh]
Dignified,
detailed, but still passionate Mahler, exquisite
recorded sound ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Gustav
MAHLER (1860-1911)
Des
Knaben Wunderhorn
Thomas Hampson, baritone, Wolfram Reiger,
piano Rodney Greenberg, director Théâtre
Musical de Paris, Châtelet, 25 October
2002 DVD-9 Region: All RM ASSOCIATE/THÉÂTRE
MUSICAL DE PARIS – CHÂTELET/MEZZO "Voices
of Our Time" TDK
DVD DVVTTHEUR [91.00"] [AO]
"Song
is a metaphor for the giving of the soul",
says Hampson, and the Wunderhorn poems helped
Mahler express ideas dear to him. Altogether,
an unmissable, enriching experience. ... see
Full Review
Gustav MAHLER
(1869-1911),
arr. Rainer RIEHN Kindertotenlieder [26:03]
Richard WAGNER (1813-1883)
arr. Jan MAEGAARD Fünf Gedichte von
Mathilde Wesendonk [19:44]
Marianne Rørholm, mezzo-soprano
Randers Chamber Orchestra/David RiddellRecorded
at Værke, Randers on 9 April and 4 June,
2000 DDD
CLASSICO CLASSCD 430 [45:47]
For
listeners who seek emotional depth and reflected
reality in their music, this album can be
touching and beautiful all at once. ... see
Full Review
Johann
Christoff MANN
(1726 - 1782) Sonatas
per il CembaloGeorg
Christoff WAGENSEIL (1715 - 1777) Divertimentos
da Cembalo
Roderick E. Simpson, harpsichord (sampling
MIDI synthesizer) and editor. Recorded in
Boise, Idaho, USA, November 1996 Notes in
English
INITIUM CD-A001/2 2-CD [62.40 + 70.11]
[PSh]
Excellent
keyboard music from a previously unrecorded
18th century composer ... see
Full Review
Frank MARTIN (1890-1974)
Petite
Symphonie Concertante for harp, harpsichord,
piano and double string orchestra (1944-5)
[21:21] Maria Triptychon for soprano,
violin and orchestra (1968) [21:39] Passacaille
- version for large orchestra from Passacaille
for organ [13:31]
Eva Hunziker (harp) Germaine Vaucher-Clerc
(harpsichord) Doris Rossiaud (piano) Orchestre
de la Suisse Romande/composer Irmgard Seefried
(sop) Wolfgang Schneiderhan (violin) Orchestre
de la Suisse Romande/composer Berlin Philharmonic
Orchestra/composer rec. ADD mono - 3 Sept
1970, Geneva (symphonie; Maria); 30 May 1963
(Passacaille)
JECKLIN-DISCO JD 645-2 [56:51] [RB]
The
whole product breathes authenticity and authority
in putting across Martin's sincerity and devotion
to his Truth. Absolutely essential for all
Martin devotees. ... see Full
Review
Bohuslav
MARTINŮ (1890-1959)
Symphony
No. 3 H.299 (1944) [29.07] Symphony No. 4
H.305 (1945) [33.40]
Czech PO/Jiří Bĕlohlávek rec. 8-11
Sept 2003, Dvořák Hall, Rudolfinum, Prague.
DDD
SUPRAPHON SU 3631-2 031 [63.00] [RB}
All
in all this is an auspicious launch for the
first fresh new Martinů cycle of the
new century. ... see Full
Review
Bohuslav MARTINŮ
(1890-1959)
Le
Raid Merveilleux - Ballet Mécanique
H.159 (1927) [16:48] La Revue de Cuisine
- Ballet pour six instruments H.161 (1927)
[17:59] On tourne! - Ballet in one act
H.163 (1927) [29:57]
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra/Christopher Hogwood
rec. Dvořák Hall, Rudolfinum, Prague,
15-17 August 2003, 7 Feb 2004. DDD
SUPRAPHON SU3749-2 031 [64:59] [RB]
Indispensable
to Martinů lovers - especially those
fond of the earlier works. This is rare material
done idiomatically
and with an authentic zest. ... see Full
Review
Joseph MARX
(1882-1964)
Natur-Trilogie
(1922-5):- 1. Ein Symphonische Nachtmusik
(1922) 2. Idylle - Concertino über
die pastorale Quart (1925) 3. Eine
Frühlingsmusik (1925)
Bochum SO/Steven Sloane rec. Maximilianpark,
Hamm, Germany, 11-15 June 2002. DDD Complete
Orchestral Music: Volume 1.
ASV CD DCA 1137 [64.19] [DS]
Over
60 minutes of benign and non-coherent doodling
is a bit much for one sitting ... see Full
Review
Felix MENDELSSOHN-BARTHOLDY
(1809-1847)
Symphonies for strings - on period instruments
CD
1 Symphony No. 7 in d minor [21:37] Symphony
No. 8 in D (version with winds) [30:08] Symphony
No. 12 in g minor [22:27] CD 2 Symphony No.
9 in c minor [28:46] Symphony No. 11 in F
[40:35]
The Hanover Band/Roy Goodman Recorded
in 1992 and 1993. DDD
RCA BMG 74321 987132 [74:13 + 69:22] [JV]
This
reissue of five of Mendelssohn’s string symphonies
gives a pretty good impression of the qualities
of these works … see Full
Review
Nikolai MIASKOVSKY
(1881-1950) Cello
Sonata No. 1 in D major Op. 12 (1911) [18:52]
Cello Sonata No. 2 in A minor Op. 81 (1938)
[20:49] Cello Concerto in C minor Op. 66 (1944)
[29:38]
Alexander Rudin (cello) Victor Ginsburg (piano)
Musica Viva Orchestra/Andrei Golovin rec.
1981, 1984, 2003.
CELLO CLASSICS CC1012 [69:30]
[RB]
Utmost
poetic tenderness ... treads that fine and
slippery line between sentiment and sentimentality
... see Full
Review
Robin MILFORD (1903-1959)
Fishing
by Moonlight and other songs
Julian
Sperry, flute; Julian Milford, piano; Clare
Finnimore, viola; Carys Lane, soprano
Guildhall
Strings/Robert Salter Rec. Big School, Christ’s
Hospital, Horsham, West Sussex, 26-28 May
2003. DDD HYPERION CDA67444 [69:48]
[RB]
A
gentle and modest addition to the catalogue
of English music ... see Full
Review
Ludwig
MINKUS
(1826-1917) (arr.
John Lanchberry, after Marius Petipa) La
Bayadère - (Ballet in three
acts) Nikiya…Altynia Asylmuratova Solor…Irek
Mukhamedov Gamzatti…Darcy Bussell The Bronze
Idol…Tetsuya Kumakawa The High Brahman…Anthony
Dowell The Rajah…David Drew
Artists of the Royal Ballet Orchestra of the
Royal Opera House/John Lanchberry Recorded
at The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, in
1991
TDK
DVD DV-BLLB [123 mins] [IL]
An
exotic and colourful production with some
superb dancing by the leads but with some
uneven support and rather uninspired sets
and costumes. ... see Full
Review
LIONEL MONCKTON (1861-1923)
La Cingalee (1904),
The Arcadians (1909), Quaker Girl (1910)
Pirjo Levandi (sop), Jeanne Servchenco
(sop), Mariliina von Uexküll (sop), Julie
Lill (cont), Oliver Kuusik (ten), Annika Tonuri
(mezzo sop), Mart Sander (bar) Chorus and
Bel Etage orchestra/Mart Sander Recorded at
the State Philharmonic Society's Concert Hall,
Tallinn, Estonia; Spring 2002 and Autumn 2003
DIVINE ART 2-4110 [69:08] [RW]
This
recording is a worthwhile collector's item.
No recordings are to be found in the catalogue
of two of the works represented....
see Full Review
Georg Matthias MONN
(1717 - 1750) Concertos
in keyboard (Harpsichord) and Sonatas for
Organ Georg Christoph
WAGENSEIL (1715 - 1777) Concerto
for Harpsichord and String Orchestra in C
(c.1762) [15.16] Johann
Christoph MANN (1726 - 1782) Menuetto
and Trio for Fortepiano, #1, in Bb.
[7.36]
Roderick E. Simpson, editor and synthesist,
with "I Suoni Assaggiati" Recorded
1998 in Boise, Idaho, USA. Notes in English.
INITIUM CD-A004 [68.58] [PSh]
Roderick
Simpson reveals to us some of Prussian State
Library’s glorious musical treasures ... see
Full Review
Claudio MONTEVERDI
(1567
– 1643) Orfeo
La Musica – Natalie Dessay (soprano)Orfeo
– Ian Bostridge (tenor)
European Voices; Las Sacqueboutiers
Le Concert d’Astrée/Emmanuelle Haim
(harpsichord, organ, regal and direction)
Recorded 15-22 January 2003, Paroisse Notre
Dame du Liban, Paris
VIRGIN VERITAS 7243 5 45642 2 2 [45:05
+ 51:08] [RH]
A
fine recording which will appeal to Bostridge
admirers; those looking for an attempt to
recreate Monteverdi’s original sound-world
may be disappointed. ... see Full
Review
Wolfgang Amadeus
MOZART (1756-1791)
Concertos
for Wind: Clarinet Concerto in A, K622
(1791) [29’19). Sinfonia concertante in E
flat, K297b (1778) [30’05]. Oboe Concerto
in C, K314/285d (1778) [20’11]. Bassoon Concerto
in B flat, K191/186e (1774) [18’00]. Horn
Concerto No. 4 in E flat, K495 (1787) [14’57].
Anthony Pike (clarinet); John Anderson
(oboe); Richard Berry (K495), John Thurgood
(K297b) (horns); Julie Price (bassoon); English
Chamber Orchestra/Ralf Gothóni. Rec.
Gateway Studios, Kingston upon Thames in February
2002 (K622), St Paul’s Church, London, N1
in May 2000.
AVIE AV0035 [59’39 + 53’27] TWO
for the price of ONE post-free
Retailing
at budget price, this is well worth snapping
up. Authenticists might not agree with everything,
but surely even they would get sucked in to
the spirit of it all. ... see
Full Review
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
Le
Nozze Di Figaro. Opera buffa in four
acts - Highlights Figaro, Renata Girolami
(bass); Susanna, Judith Halász (sop);
Count Almaviva, Bo Skovhus (bar); Countess
Almaviva, Marina Mescheriakova (sop); Cherubino,
Michelle Breedt (m. sop); Marcellina, Gabriele
Sima, (sop); Basilio, Michael Roider (ten);
Dr. Bartolo, Janusz Monarcha (bass); Barbarina,
Orsolya Sáfár (sop);
Hungarian National Chorus, Nicolaus Esterházy
Sinfonia/Michael Halász Rec. Phoenix
Studio, Budapest, 26th October
to 4th November 2002 Super Audio
CD with5.1 Surround Sound and DSD 2 channel
stereo 
NAXOS
6.110014 [68.15]
Highlights
from a version with plenty of movement in
the act 4 finale and the added pleasure of
delicious melody throughout. ... see Full
Review
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
Le
Nozze di Figaro - opera buffa in four
acts. appendix of two alternative arias Figaro,
Renata Girolami (bass); Susanna, Judith Halász
(sop); Count Almaviva, Bo Skovhus (bar); Countess
Almaviva, Marina Mescheriakova (sop); Cherubino,
Michelle Breedt (m. sop); Marcellina, Gabriele
Sima, (sop); Basilio, Michael Roider (ten);
Dr. Bartolo, Janusz Monarcha (bass); Barbarina,
Orsolya Sáfár (sop);
Hungarian National Chorus Nicolaus Esterházy
Sinfonia/Michael Halász Rec. Phoenix
Studio, Budapest, from 26th October
to 4th November 2002
NAXOS 8.6600102-04 (3CDs: 71.54 + 61.58
+ 52.48] [RJF]
In
this performance I miss the lightness of touch
and turn of the wrist that should illuminate
the humorous core of the work ... see Full
Review
MOZART
IN TURKEY (Die
Entführung aus dem Serail) Belmonte
(Tenor) Paul Groves Konstanze
(Soprano) Yelda Kodalli Blonde
(Soprano) Désirée
Rancatore Pedrillo (Tenor) Lynton Atkinson
Osmin (Bass) Peter Rose Pasha Selim
(Speaker) Oliver Tobias
Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Choir/Sir Charles
Mackerras Opera directed and filmed by Elijah
Moshinsky Film produced and directed by Mick
Csáky The opera highlights can be played
as a special feature, lasting 64 minutes.
DVD
Opus Arte OA0891D [88'04"] [JPo]
As
a production this disc gives a very reasonable
synopsis of the whole; it would be nice to
think that a DVD of the whole opera was in
preparation. ... see Full
Review
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756
- 1791) Mozart Edition Volume
24 – Concert Arias and Songs see review for
details
BRILLIANT CLASSICS 99731 [8 CDs: 49.30
+ 64.39 + 47.11 + 55.10 + 60.20 + 47.39 +
54.49 + 47.53] [RH]
I
cannot recommend this set too highly; at super-budget
price it is an ideal way to explore the highways
and byways of Mozart’s genius. ... see Full
Review
Wolfgang Amadeus
MOZART (1756-1791)
Abendempfindung
an Laura, K.523, Kantate: Die ihr des unermesslichen
Weltalls Schöpfer ehrt, K.619 Franz
Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Ein kleines
Haus, Hob.XXVIa/45, Lob der Faulheit, Hob.XXVIa/22,
Das Leben ist ein Traum, Hob.XXVIa/21, Geistliches
Lied, Hob.XXVIa/17 Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Sechs
Lieder von Gellert, op.48, Maigesang, op.52/4,
Gesang aus der Ferne, WoO 137, Zärtliche
Liebe (Ich liebe dich), WoO 123, Wonne der
Wehmut, op.83/1, An die Hoffnung, op.94
Robert Holl (bass-baritone), David Lutz (piano)
Recorded 27-30 October 1997, Evangelisch Lutherse
Kerk, Haarlem NL
CHALLENGE CC 72054 [67:30] [CH]
An
interesting programme sung by a fine voice
and a sensitive interpreter ... see
Full review
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
Requiem
K626 (1791) 200th Anniversary
Performance Commemorating Mozart’s Death (version
by J. Eybler, F. J. Freystädtler and
F. X. Süssmayr in a new edition by H.
C. Robbins Landon). Arleen Auger (soprano);
Cecilia Bartoli (mezzo); Vinson Cole (tenor);
René Pape (bass); Konzertvereinigung
Wiener Staatsopernchor; Wiener Philharmoniker/Sir
Georg Solti.
Includes service readings and film, ‘The Story
of the Requiem’ [7’00]. Directors: Humphrey
Burton (music); Michael Weinmann (Liturgy).
Audio Producer: Christopher Raeburn. Aspect
Ratio 4:3. Region Code NTSC 123456. Text and
translation included. Rec. St Stephen’s Cathedral,
Vienna, on December 6th, 1991.
DECCA
071 139-9 [93’00; Requiem 57’00] [CC]
The
setting is indeed grand. St Stephen’s Cathedral
in Vienna was the ideal place to celebrate
the 200th anniversary of Mozart’s
death. And how fascinating to watch Sir Georg,
here an old man. Thoroughly recommended. ...
see Full
Review
Georg MUFFAT
(1653-1704)
Complete Clavier Works Partita
in d minor [03:51] Partita in d minor [14:14]
L’Amerande, Prelude in F [01:02] Partita in
F [11:55] Partita in F [10:24] Gigue in G
[01:15] Partita in C* [17:13]
Siegbert Rampe, harpsichord (Bernhard
von Tucher, 2002, after anonymous instrument,
Bavaria/Austria, c.1650), clavichord (*) (Jörg
Gobeli, 2000, after anonymous South-German
instrument, c.1670) Recorded in August 2003
at the Oranienburg of Schloss Nordkirchen,
Germany
MDG 341 1213-2 [60:34] [JV]
The
first recording of the keyboard partitas by
Muffat – a very important release, both for
historical and musical reasons ... see Full
Review
Thea MUSGRAVE
(born 1928) Concerto
for Clarinet & Orchestra (1968) The
Seasons (1988) Autumn Sonata* (Concerto
for Bass Clarinet and Orchestra) (1993)
Victoria Soames (clarinet and *bass clarinet)
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra/Thea Musgrave
Rec. Glasgow City Hall, April 1996 DDD
Clarinet Classics CC0035 [73:14] [PVW]
The
Bass Clarinet Concerto is the most striking
of the pieces recorded here but all are well
worth exploring … a highly successful disc
… see Full
Review
Modest MUSSORGSKY
(1839-1881) Boris
Godunov. Opera with Prologue and 4
Acts in the version revised and orchestrated
by Nikolai RIMSKY-KORSAKOV
Boris, Pimen, and Varlaam, Boris Christoff
(bass); Marina and Fyodor, Eugenia Zareska
(mez); Grigory, Nicolai Gedda (ten); Rangoni
and Schelkelov, Kim Borg (bass); Simpleton,
Wassili Pasternack (ten); Shuysky, Andrej
Bielecki (ten); Xenia, Ludmilla Lebedeva (sop)
French National Radio Orchestra, Russian Chorus
of Paris/Issay Dobrowen Recorded 7th
–21st July 1952 in the Théâtre
des Champs-Élysées, Paris Appendix.
Studio recordings of Fyodor Chaliapin as Boris
Godunov. Recorded Queens Small Hall, London,
May 1926 and Kingsway Hall, London, June 1931
NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110242-44 [3CDs: 64.35
+ 68.12 + 71.39] [RJF]
I
have no hesitation in recommending this restoration
of a seminal performance. ... see Full
Review
Tony
NOAKES
(b.
1935) SONGS
- VOLUME 2 Piano (Helen Burke) (1998)
The Cat Heard the Cat-Bird (John Ciardi) (1979)
Lullaby 1 (Anne Smith) (1998) Lullaby 2 (Thomas
Dekker) (1998) Phenomenal Woman (Maya Angelou)
(2002) Old Man (Madeleine Dann) (1988) Parting
(Madeleine Dann) (1988) Over the Coffin (Hardy)
(2001) The Ruined Maid (Hardy) (2001) Fare
Well (De la Mare) (1982) Shepherd Boy (Louie
Horne) (1986) Autumn Fun (Louie Horne) (1994-5)
April Joy (Louie Horne) (1994) Dance to My
Piping (Louie Horne) (1992) Balow (anon. 16th
century) (1974) At Grez-sur-Loing (Norman
Cusack) (2002) Muse Frustrated (Bridget Hodgkin)
(2002) The Nightingale and the Glow-worm (Cowper)
(1999) The Bargain (Sidney) (1998) Testament
of Youth: A Song Cycle (Vera Brittain, Roland
Leighton, William Noel Hodgson) (1986-9) Epitaph
(Lady Catherine Dyer) (1983)
Phillida Bannister, contralto Richard Black,
piano Recorded at Andrew Giller's Studio,
Raveningham, Norfolk.
Stewart Orr Sound Services SOSS CD 339 [75.31]
[NH]
An
interesting addition to the genre, Tony Noakes
has a real eye/ear for a poet's text and produces
settings with both integrity and emotion well
to the fore. Recommended. …….see Full
Review
JACQUES
OFFENBACH
(1819-1880) La Périchole.
Opéra bouffe in 3 acts. Highlights
La Périchole, Régine Crespin
(sop); Piquillo, Alain Vanzo (ten); Don Andrès
de Ribiera, Jules Bastin (b. bar); guadelena,
Rebecca Roberts, (sop); Berginella, Eva Sourova,
(sop); Mastrilla, geneviève Baudoz
9mez)
Chorus of l’Opera du Rhin. Orchestre
Philharmonique de Strasbourg. Cond. Alain
Lombard Recorded in the Palais des Fêtes,
Strasbourg. February 1976
WARNER APEX 2564 61500-2 [66.57]
[RJF]
It
is 67 minutes of unalloyed joy. I strongly
recommend it. ... see Full
Review
Giovanni Battista
PERGOLESI (1710-1736)
Lo
frate 'nnamorata (1732)
Musical
comedy in Three Acts.Libretto Gennarantonio
Federico Marcaniello (Baritone) Alessandro
Corbelli Ascanio ( Soprano) Nuccia
Focile Nena (Soprano) Amelia Felle
Nina (Contralto) Bernadette Manca
di Nissa Luggrezia (Mezzo-Soprano)
Luciana D'Intino Carlo (Tenor) Ezio
di Cesare Vanella (Soprano) Elizabeth
Norberg-Schulz Cardella (Mezzo-Soprano)
Nicoletta Curiel Don Pietro (Baritone)
Bruno de Simone
Orchestra
of Teatro alla Scala, Milan Conductor: Riccardo
Muti Filmed at a live performance on 28 December
1989 Sung in Italian with English subtitles
DVD Opus Arte OA LS3005D (La Scala
Collection).Total length 2hr.50 min.19secs
[JPo]
This
production is welcome as a musically historical
document, and gives an insight into the development
of opera as an art form.... see Full
Review
Seppo POHJOLA
(b. 1965) String
Quartet No. 3 (2000) [14:14] New York New
York (2001) [13:04] Game Over (1996)
[19:04] A Night at the Opera (2002)
[6:25] Liebelei (2001) [11:41]
Minttu Pesu (sop) Zagros Ensemble/Dmitri
Slobodeniouk rec. Aug-Sept 2002, Kuusankoski
Hall, Helsinki. DDD
ALBA ABCD 187 [65:06] [RB]
An
extremely promising first disc. ... see Full
Review
Lucien
POSMAN (b.
1952) O!
Zon (1997)a Songs of Experience
(1986)b Five Songs of Experience
(1989)c Symfonie één
(1997)d Rimsky-Korsakov Quarteta;
Mikhail Lukonin (baritone)b; Victoria
Evtodieva (soprano)c; Dmitry Makhovikov
(clarinet)c; Yuri Serov (piano)bc;
St. Petersburg State Academic Capella Symphony
Orchestrad; Edward Serovd
Recorded: St. Catherine Lutheran Church, October
1999 (O! Zon), November 1999 (Five
Songs) and January 1999 (Songs of Experience);
and State Academic Capella Concert Hall, December
1999 (Symphony)
DE RODE POMP RP/GMA 002 [73.42] [HC]
This
release offers a well-planned and enjoyable
composer’s portrait. Well worth investigating.
... see Full Review
Francis POULENC(1899
– 1963) La
Voix humaine (1958)
Julia Migenes (soprano) Orchestre National
de France/Georges Prêtre Rec: February
1990
WARNER ELATUS 2564 60680-2 [45:04] [HC]
I
had not heard La Voix humaine for a long time,
and I was delighted to hear it again in an
entirely convincing reading such as this one.
... see Full Review
Sergei PROKOFIEV
(1891-1953)
Piano
Concerto No. 1 in D flat major, op. 10 [15:27]
Nikolai Lugansky, piano Royal Scottish National
Orchestra/Alexander Lazarev Symphony No.
5 in B flat major, op. 100 [43:31]
National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain/Yan
Pascal Tortelier Rec. live Royal Albert Hall,
London, 8 Sept 2003 (No. 1); 9 Aug 2003 (No.
5) DDD
WARNER CLASSICS 2564 61551-2 [59:08] [KS]
A
document of what must have been a very impressive
live concert ... not certain that they live
up to an international standard. A hedged
recommendation ... see Full
Review
RECORDING OF THE MONTH Sergei
PROKOFIEV (1891-1953)
Sonata
No. 2 for violin and piano in D, Op. 94a [24:10]
Eugène YSAŸE
(1858-1931) Sonata No. 3 in d minor
"Ballade" for unaccompanied violin,
Op. 27, no. 3 [6:59] Ernest
CHAUSSON (1855-1899) Poème,
op. 25 [14:41] Camille
SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) Sonata
for violin and piano no. 1 in d minor, op.
75 [23:51]
Jack Liebeck, violin Katya Apekisheva, piano
Rec. Wathen Hall, St. Paul’s School, England,
25 May, 2 July 2003. DDD
QUARTZ QTZ 2002 [70:00] [KS]
Brilliant
performances. Recommended without a moment’s
hesitation. ... see Full
Review
Sergei
Rachmaninov plays and conducts Volume
I Sergei RACHMANINOV
(1873-1943) Piano
Concerto No.2 Op.18 in C minor* Isle of the
Dead Op.29 Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini*
Sergei Rachmaninov (piano and conductor) Philadelphia
Orchestra Leopold Stokowski * Recorded 1929
and 1935
VISTA VERA VVCD 00021 [72.08]
Volume II Franz SCHUBERT
(1797-1828) Serenade arr LISZT Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Sarabande
from Partita No.4 BWV 828 Partita No.3 for
Violin BWV 1006 – Preludio, Gavotte, Gigue
Alessandro SCARLATTI
(1660-1725) Pastorale arr TAUSIG
Louis DAQUIN
(1694-1772) Le Coucou George
Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759) Aria
and Variations (The Harmonious Blacksmith)
Wolfgang Amadeus
MOZART (1759-1795) Theme and Variations
AND Rondo alla turca from Sonata K311 Christoph
Willibald von GLUCK (1714-1787) Melodie
from Orfeo ed Euridice arr SGAMBATI,
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN
(1770-1827) Turkish March arr Anton
RUBINSTEIN 32 Variations in C minor
WoO80 Violin Sonata Op.30 No.3 in G major*
Sergei Rachmaninov (piano) Fritz Kreisler
(violin)* Recorded 1919-42
VISTA VERA VVCD 00023 [63.25]
Volume III Franz LISZT
(1811-1886) Hungarian Rhapsody No.2 –
cadenza by Rachmaninov Gnomenreigen – Concert
Etude No.2 Fritz
KREISLER (1875-1962) Liebesfreud
Liebeslied Claude
DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Golliwog’s
Cakewalk from Children’s Corner Moritz
MOSZKOWSKI (1854-1925) La Jongleuse
Ignacy Jan PADEREWSKI
(1860-1941) Minuet Op.14 No.1 Georges
BIZET (1838-1875) Minuet from L’Arlesienne
Suite No.1 Camille
SAINT- SAËNS (1835-1921) The
Swan arr SILOTI Edvard
GRIEG (1843-1907) Elfin Dance from
the Lyric Pieces Op.12 Violin Sonata No.3
Op.45 in C minor* Sergei Rachmaninov (piano)
Fritz Kreisler (violin)* Recorded 1919-42
VISTA VERA VVCD 00025 [63.51]
Volume IV Fryderyk CHOPIN
(1810-1849) Ballade No.3 Op 47 in A flat
major Scherzo No.3 Op.39 in C sharp minor
Nocturne No.9 No.3 in E flat major Mazurka
Op 68 No.2 in A minor Nocturne No.15 No.2
in F sharp minor Waltz Op.18 in E flat major
Waltz Op.34 No.3 in F major Waltz Op.42 in
A flat major Mazurka Op.68 No.2 in A minor
Waltz Op. 64 No.1 in D flat major Waltz Op.64
No. 2 in C sharp minor Waltz Op.64 No. 3 in
A flat minor Waltz Op.70 No.1 in G flat major
Waltz Op. posth. In E minor Waltz Op.69 No.2
in B minor Sonata No.2 in B flat minor Op.35
Sergei Rachmaninov (piano) Recorded 1919-35
VISTA VERA VVCD 00026 [73.19]
Volume V Sergei RACHMANINOV
(1873-1943) Piano Concerto No.3 Op.30
in D minor* Symphony No.3 Op.44 in A minor
Sergei Rachmaninov (piano and conductor) Philadelphia
Orchestra Eugene Ormandy* Recorded 1939-40
VISTA VERA VVCD 00028 [71.06]
Volume VI Sergei RACHMANINOV
(1873-1943) Piano Concerto No.1 Op.1 in
F sharp minor* Piano Concerto No.4 Op.40 in
G minor* Vocalise Op.34 No.14 orchestrated
RACHMANINOV
# TRADITIONAL Powder
and Paint arr. RACHMANINOV+
Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY
(1840-1893) Troika from The Seasons -
November Humoresque Op.10 No.2 in G major
Waltz Op.40 No.8 in A flat major Lullaby Op.16
No.1 arr. RACHMANINOV
Sergei Rachmaninov (piano) N. Plevitskaya
(mezzo-soprano)+ Philadelphia Orchestra/Eugene
Ormandy* Philadelphia Orchestra/ Sergei Rachmaninov#
Recorded 1923-42
VISTA VERA VVCD 00036 [71.20]
Volume VII Alexander
BORODIN (1833-87) Scherzo Modest
MUSSORGSKY (1839-1881) Hopak from
Sorochintsy Fair arr. RACHMANINOV
Nicolai RIMSKY-KORSAKOV
(1844-1908) The Flight of the Bumble-bee
arr. RACHMANINOV
Alexander SCRIABIN
(1872-1915) Prelude Op.11 No.8 Sergei
RACHMANINOV (1873-1943)
Preludes Op.3 No2, Op.23 No.5, Op.23 No.10,
Op.32 No.3, Op.32 No.5, Op.32 No.6, Op.32
No.7, Op.32 No.12 Melodie Op.3 No.3 Polichinelle
Op.3 No.4 Serenade Op.3 No.5 Humoresque Op.10
No.5 Oriental Sketch Polka de V.R. Barcarolle
Op.10 No.3 Moment Musicaux Op.16 No.2 Daisies
Op.38 No.3 Lilacs Op.21 No.5 Etude-tableaux
Op.33 No.2, Op.33 No.7, Op.39 No.6 Sergei
Rachmaninov (piano) Recorded 1920-40
VISTA VERA VVCD 00037 [69.09]
Volume VIII Franz SCHUBERT
(1797-1828) Sonata for Violin and Piano
D574* Impromptu Op.90 No.4 Wohin? Arr. RACHMANINOV
Das Wandern arr. LISZT
Der Kontrabandiste arr. TAUSIG
Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Spinning
Song (Lieder ohne Worte Op.67) Etude Op.104b
Nos 2 and 3 Scherzo from ‘A Midsummer Night’s
Dream’ Claude
DEBUSSY (1862-1918)
Gradus ad Parnassum (from Children’s Corner)
Robert SCHUMANN
(1810-1856) Carnaval Op.9 Sergei Rachmaninov
(piano) Fritz Kreisler (violin)* Recorded
1921-42
VISTA VERA VVCD 00039 [66.12] [JW]
A
pianophile without Rachmaninov’s recordings
should not really sleep at night. ... see
Full
Review
Joseph Joachim RAFF
(1822-1882) Works for
Violin and Piano Vol. 3 Aus
der Schweiz Op.57 (1848) Sonata No 3 Op.
128 (1865) Sonatillen Op.99 Nos. 4-7 (1861)
Duo Op.63 No.1
Ingolf Turban (violin), Jascha Nemtsov (piano)
Rec. Kammermusikstudio im Funkhaus Berg, Stuttgart,
July, October 2002. DDD
CPO 999 769-2 [61:45] [PCW]
In
every way this is a most successful disc...
part of a valuable project which deserves
a long-term place in the catalogue... see
Full Review
Einojuhani RAUTAVAARA (b.
1928) Concerto
for Harp and Orchestra (2000) [Pesante, 9.59
+Adagietto, 5.17 +Solenne, 7.54] [23.11] Symphony
No. 8, "The Journey" (1999) [Adagio
assai, 11.30 +Feroce, 3.04 +Tranquillo, 6.00
+Con Grandeza, 8.35] [29.09]
Marielle Nordman (harp) Helsinki Philharmonic
Orchestra/Leif Segerstam Rec. Finlandia Hall,
January 2001 (Harp Concerto) May 2001 (Symphony
No. 8)
ONDINE ODE 978-2 [52.30] [LN]
A
disc well worth hearing, and having. ... see
Full Review
Ottorino
RESPIGHI
(1879-1936) Metamorphoseon.
Modi XII. Tema e variazioni (1930) [26:50]
Rossiniana. Suite per Orchestra (1925)
[21:49] Burlesca per Orchestra (1906)
[6:14] Passacaglia in do minore di Giovanni
Sebastiano Bach (1930) [13:42]
Wuppertal Symphony Orchestra/George Hanson
rec. Stadthalle Wuppertal, 6-7, 18-20, 25-27
September 2000
MD+G MDG 935 1030-6 [69:23] [SV]
Hanson
leads with stylish assurance, and the Wuppertal
Symphony, though perhaps not well-known, sounds
absolutely first-class in all departments
... see Full
Review
Philip RHODES
(b.
1940) With a Mountain
View - Music with Appalachian Roots Two
Appalachian Settings for String Quartet
(1) Mountain Songs (A Ballad Cycle)
for High Voice and Piano (2) Fiddletunes
(No. 1) for Solo Violin and Synthesized
Strings (3) Reels and Reveries (Variations
for Orchestra) (4)
The Veblen String Quartet (1); Phyllis
Bryn-Julson (soprano) (2); Anne Mayer (piano)
(2); Hector Valdivia (violin) (3); Owensboro
Symphony Orchestra/Michael Luxner (4) Recorded
June 6, 2002, Carleton Concert Hall, Northfield,
Minnesota, USA (1); October 31, 1976, Carleton
Concert Hall, Northfield, Minnesota, USA (2);
March 20, 2001, Carleton Concert Hall, Northfield,
Minnesota, USA (3); October 3, 1992, RiverPark
Center, Owensboro, Kentucky, USA (4)
CENTAUR CRC2597 [63.40] [RH]
A
disc of music by American composers Philip
Rhodes exploring his own Appalachian roots.
... see Full Review
Philip RHODES (b.
1940) Visions
of Remembrance (1) Museum Pieces for
Clarinet and String Quartet (2) Autumn
Settings for Soprano and String Quartet
(3) Divertimento for Small Orchestra
(4)
Carole Wilson (soprano) (1) Loraine Manz (mezzo-soprano)
(1) Phyllis Bryn-Julson (soprano) (3) James
Livingston (clarinet) (2) Carelton Contemporary
Ensemble/William Wells (1) The Louisville
String Quartet (2) Speculum Musicae String
Quartet (3) St. Paul Chamber Orchestra/Dennis
Russell Davies (4) Recorded March, 1979, Carleton
Concert Hall, Northfield, Minnesota, USA (1);
1974 (2); 1973 (3); 1974 (4)
CRI CD758 [62.25] [RH]
A
fine showcase for works by Philip Rhodes dating
from the 1970s; this disc reissues a group
of recordings originally produced on vinyl.
... see Full Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Ferdinand
RIES (1784
– 1837) Symphony
No. 7 in A minor Op. 181 (1835) Symphony
No. 8 in E Flat, Wo0 30 (1822)
Zurich Chamber Orchestra/Howard Griffiths.
Rec. 2-7 May 2002, Neumunsterkirche, Zurich,
Switzerland. DDD
CPO 999 904-2 [67.16] [JPh]
I
recommend this disc without reservation, and
look forward to hearing the others in this
superbly played, conducted and recorded series.
... see Full Review
Jan van der ROOST
(b.
1956) Concierto
de homenaje (1996)a Concerto per
Tromba (2001)b Rhapsody (1995)c
Fabio Zanon (guitar)a; Ole Edvard
Antonsen (trumpet)b; Jacob Slagter
(horn)c; I Fiamminghi Chamber Orchestraab;
Symphonic Band Lemmens-Institutec;
Rudolf Werthenab, Jan van der Roostc
Recorded: Sint-Martens-Latem, March 2002 and
Lemmens Instituut, Leuven, March 1997
PHAEDRA 92039 [59:02] [HC]
If
you do not know any of his music, then, this
is the best possible introduction to Roost’s
music. Well worth investigating. ... see Full
Review
BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Gioachino
ROSSINI (1792-1868)
La
Cenerentola - opera buffa in two acts
Angiolina (Cenerentola), Jennifer Larmore
(mezzo); Don Ramiro, Raúl Giménez
(ten); Dandini, Gino Quilico (bar); Don Magnifico,
Alessandro Corbelli (buffa-bass); Alidoro,
Alastair Miles (bass)
Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House,
Covent Garden, London/Carlo Rizzi Recorded
in Abbey Road Studios, London, in February
1994
WARNER APEX 2564 61503-2 [74.48]
[RJF]
This
generously timed and tracked selection of
highlights from an exhilarating performance
is thoroughly recommended. If it tempts you
to purchase the full recording you will enjoy
that too. ... see Full
Review
Anton RUBINSTEIN
(1829-1894)
Quintet
for piano, flute, clarinet, horn and bassoon,
in F major, op. 55 (1855) Nikolay
Andreyevich RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844-1908)
Quintet for piano, flute, clarinet,
horn and bassoon, in B flat, op. posth. (1876)
Felicja
Blumental (piano) Members of the New Philharmonia
Wind Ensemble, London Recorded at Chelsea,
London, August 1979. AAD
BRANA RECORDS BR0019 [60:38] [MC]
A
fine re-release from Brana ... well worth
exploring and should bring significant rewards
to the lover of late-Romantic chamber music.
... 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