ALPHABETICAL LISTING

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Camille Saint-Saëns (1835 - 1921) Symphony #3 in c, Op 78 "Organ Symphony" (1886) [35.57] Frederick Minger, organ Baltimore Symphony Orchestra/Sergiu Comissiona Recorded National Presbyterian Church, Washington, D.C., USA, 1980. Cesar FRanck (1822 - 1890) Symphony in d, M.48 (1888) [38.58] Houston Symphony Orchestra/Sergiu Comissiona Recorded Jesse Jones Hall, Houston, TX, USA, April 1982. Notes in English, track-list and artists and technicians roster. On screen extras: Speaker set-up utility, background documentary, composer bios. DVD Audio 2.0 and 5.1. DVD 2.0 and 5.1 AC-3 Dolby Digital Surround DVD-Audio playable on all DVD players SILVERLINE CLASSICS 288231-9 [74.55] [PSh]

Brilliantly performances of difficult and spectacular orchestral music, gorgeous recorded sound ... see Full Review

Ahmed Adnan SAYGUN (1907-1991) Symphonies No. 3 Op. 39 (1961); No. 5 Op. 70 (1984) Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz/Ari Rasilainen Recorded at the Ludwigshafen Philharmonie, November 2002 CPO 999 968-2 [62.30] [GH]

Symphonic music sometimes dark and passionate and often dazzling with orchestral brilliance and virtuosity which can easily hold its own with the works of Western masters ... see Full Review

Othmar SCHOECK (1886-1957) Concerto quasi una fantasia for violin and orchestra in B flat major Op.21 (1911/12) * Concerto for horn and orchestra Op.65 (1951) Stefi Geyer (violin) Tonhalle Orchester/Volkmar Andreae, recorded February 1947 * Dennis Brain (horn) Collegium Musicum Zürich/Paul Sacher, live recording 4 May 1956 JECKLIN EDITION JD 715-2 [49.29] [JW]

A great deal of highly persuasive lyricism, and sensitive cantilena ... the rarity value of Dennis Brain in the Horn Concerto can’t be over-estimated. ... see Full Review

Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Symphony No 9 in C major D944 The Great (1828) Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/Günter Wand Rec. live, no other recording information. DDD BMG RCA CLASSICS 82876 59425 2 [52:40] [PCW]

To my surprise, Wand’s Schubert does not smile a lot … not the greatest of memorials to this conductor ... see Full Review

Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Symphony No. 8 in B minor, D759 "Unfinished" [26.47] Symphony No. 9 in C Major, D944, "The Great" [48.22] Spoken introduction by Georg Tintner [4.30] Symphony Nova Scotia/Georg Tintner Rec. live 12 December 1990 (8); 10 February 1988 (9) DDD Tintner Memorial Edition Vol. 2 NAXOS 8.557234 [79’ 41"] [EM]

At bargain price ... one does not have to make any apologies or excuses in making this a top recommendation. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Robert SCHUMANN (1810 – 1856) Symphony No. 1 in B Flat major The Spring, Op. 38 (1831) Symphony No. 2 in C Major, Op. 61 (1848) Symphony No. 3 in E Flat The Rhenish Op.97 (1850) Symphony No. 4 in D Minor, Op.120 (1851) Tonhalle Orchestra, Zurich/David Zinman Recorded 13 – 16 October 2003 in the Tonhalle, Zurich. ARTE NOVA 82876 57743-2 [65.39 + 57.38] [JPh]

If you see Schumann as a radical, a bit of a firebrand pushing back the barriers of symphonic thought, then Zinman is definitely for you. Would compete with alternative sets at any price ... see Full Review

Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Concertos Cello Concerto in A minor Op. 129 (1850) [21:58] Violin Concerto in D minor (1853) [33:47] Konzertstuck for four horns and orchestra in F major Op. 86 (1849) [17:53] Piano Concerto in A minor Op. 54 (1841 rev. 1845) [30:46] Fantasie for violin and orchestra in C major Op. 131 (1853) [13:34] Introduction and Allegro Appassionato in G major for piano and orchestra Op. 92 (1849) [16:08] Introduction and Allegro in D minor for piano and orchestra Op. 134 (1853) [12:59] Julius Berger (cello); Hansheinz Schneeberger (violin) (concerto); Francis Orval, François Tommasini, Robert Desprez, Robert Janssens (horns); Klára Würtz (piano) (Concerto); Ruggiero Ricci (violin) (Fantasie); Peter Frankl (Introduction and Allegros) Südwestfälische Philharmonie/Florian Merz (violin and cello concertos); Orchestra of Radio Luxembourg/Pierre Cao (Op. 86); Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie/Arie van Beek (concerto); Gewandhausorchester Leipzig/Kurt Masur (Op. 131); Bamberger Symphoniker/Janos Fürst (Opp. 92; 134) rec. 1970s ADD; 1994 DDD (Op. 129 and D minor concerto) BRILLIANT CLASSICS 92277 [73:54 + 73:27] [RB]

These two discs are packed tight with music. The collection has the attraction of completeness even if there are a few rough edges ... see Full Review

Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Piano Concerto in A minor Op.54 Kinderszenen Op.15 Papillon Op.2 Toccata in C major Op.7 Arabesque in C major Op.18 Yves Nat (piano) Lamoureux Orchestra/Eugene Bigot Recorded Paris, March 1933 (Concerto) and September 1954 (remainder) ARCHIPEL ARPCD 0215 [66.33] [JW]

Why do some people like Yves Nat’s Schumann? Some of the answers are here, if you choose to seek them out. ... see Full Review

Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) The Complete Piano Works, Vol. 11 Novelletten, Op. 21 (1838) "Geister Variations" on a Theme in E flat (1854) Franz Vorraber, piano Recorded Kloster Kreuzburg, Germany, July 2002 THOROFON CTH 2523 [70:41] [DS]

Vorraber has much to impart to Schumann enthusiasts with his distinctive interpretations ... see Full Review

Robert SCHUMANN The Songs of Robert Schumann - Volume 3: Loreley Op. 53 no. 2 Jasminenstrauch Op. 27 no 4 Sag' an, o Lieber Vogel mein Op. 27 no. 4 Die Kartenlegerin Op. 31 no 2 Blondels Lied Op. 53 no. 1 Frauenliebe und Leben, song cycle Op. 42 Geisternahe Op77 no. 3 Die Soldatenbraut Op. 64 no 1 Schneeglocken Op. 96 no.4 Stiller Vorwulf Op. 77 no. 4 Gesungen Op. 96 no 4 Himmel und Erde Op. 96 no.5 Sieben Lieder von Elisabeth Kulman Op. 104 plus the spoken Nachschrift Gedichteder Konigin Maria Stuart Op. 135 Juliane Banse with Graham Johnson Rec. 1999 DDD HYPERION CDJ 33103 [73 56] [DCFW]

Banse brings to these exquisite songs a pathos that is unbearably beautiful. CD of the month? No. CD of the year? No. CD of the decade? That's more like it! ... see Full Review

Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906 – 1975) Chamber Symphony No. 1, Op. 110a (arr. From String Quartet No. 8 by Rudolf BARSHAI) 1960. Chamber Symphony No. 2, Op. 73 (arr. From String Quartet No. 3 by Vladimir MILMAN) 1946. Rodian SHCHEDRIN (b. 1932) Music for the city of Cöthen (1822) Karl Amadeus HARTMANN (1905 - 1963) Concerto funèbre for Violin and String Orchestra (1939) Igor STRAVINSKY (1882 - 1971) Concerto for Strings (1946) Alfred SCHNITTKE (b. 1934) Suite in the Old Style (transcription by V. SPIVAKOV and M. MILMAN). 1972 Arvo PÄRT (b. 1935) Collage on the Theme of B-A-C-H (1964) Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten (1976) Edison DENISOV (1929 - 1996) Variations on a Canon of Haydn Virtuosi of Moscow/Vladimir Spivakov. Recorded 1988 - 1993. DDD RCA RED SEAL ARTISTES REPERTOIRE 82876 502682 [76.01 + 75.36]. [JPh]

Can be purchased safely, secure in the knowledge that much enjoyment may be had from its contents. ... see Full Review

Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906 - 1975) Hamlet – complete film score (1964), Op. 116 / 116a Russian Philharmonic Orchestra/Dmitry Yablonsky.Rec. Studio 5, Moscow State Broadcasting and Recording House, February 2003. DDD NAXOS 8.557446 [62’28"][JPh]

This is music of the composer’s maturity and, make no mistake about it, is generally superb. ... see Full Review

Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957) Complete Songs Five Christmas Song Songs, Op. 1; Arioso, Op. 3; Seven Songs of Runeberg, Op. 13; Seven Songs, Op. 17; Two Songs, Op. 35; Six Songs, Op. 36. Five Songs, Op. 37. Five Songs, Op. 38. Six Songs, Op. 50. Eight Songs of Josephson, Op. 57. Eight Songs, Op. 61. Six Songs: No. 3, The Kiss, Op. 72; No. 4, The echo nymph, Op. 72; No. 5, Der Wanderer und der Bach, Op. 72; No. 6, A hundred ways, Op. 72. Six Songs, Op. 86. Six Songs, Op. 88. Six songs of Runeberg, Op. 90. Serenade (1888). Segelfahrt (1899). Row, row duck (1899). Hymn to Thaïs (1900). Erloschen (1906). Narciss (c. 1918). Small girls (1920). King Christian II — Serenade, Op. 27. Pelléas et Mélisande (Les trois soeurs aveugles), Op. 46. Twelfth Night: Come away, Death; When that I was. Tom Krause (bar)/Irwin Gage (piano) Elisabeth Söderström (sop)/Vladimir Ashkenazy (piano) Carlos Bonell (guitar) rec. Kingsway Hall, London Dec 1978-Nov 1981 ADD DECCA 476 1725 [4CDs: 57:04+ 55:33 + 69:53 + 58:59] [RB]

This was always a noble recording enterprise both in conception and execution. Its fame has not dimmed. ... see Full Review

Sigismond STOJOWSKI (1870-1946) piano works Jonathan Plowright (piano) rec. Henry Wood Hall, London, 20-22 oct 2003. DDD HYPERION CDA67437 [77.42] [RB]

This is by no means salon piano-stool stuff. Stojowski's currency was counted out in talent-matched ambition as well as commercial pragmatism ... see Full Review

Barbara STROZZI (1619-1664) Cantates L’Astratto (Voglio sì, vò cantar) (from op. 8) [09:08] Non pavento io di te (from op. 6) [04:08] Lamento: Appresso a i molli argenti (from op. 7) [11:04] Lamento: Su’l Rodano severo (from op. 3) [12:05] Luci belle (from op. 8) [05:47] Moralità amorosa [03:45] Judith Nelson, soprano; Christophe Coin, cello; John Hutchinson, triple harp; William Christie, harpsichord Recorded in December 1982 at the Château de Sauvan, Mane, France ADD HARMONIA MUNDI HMX 290114 [46:01] [JV]

A most welcome reissue of one of the first recordings of cantatas by Barbara Strozzi ... see Full Review

Karol SZYMANOWSKI (1882-1937) King Roger - opera in three acts Op. 46 (1918-24) Libretto: Jaroslaw Iwaskiewicz, composer Roger II, King of Sicily - Wojtek Drabowicz (bar) Roxana - Olga Pasiecznik (sop) Edrisi, Arab Sage - Krzystof Szmyt (ten) Shepherd - Piotr Beczala (ten) Archbishop - Romuald Tesarowicz (bass) Deaconess - Stefania Toczyska (mezzo) All Polacca Youth Choir/Sabina Wlodarska Chorus and Orchestra of Polish National Opera/Jacek Kaspszyk rec. Teatr Wielki - Opera Narodowa, Warszawa, 27-29 Jan 2003. DDD CD ACCORD ACD 131-2 [79.11] [TB]

This new recording is an important document and sets a benchmark standard. ... see Full Review

Arthur SULLIVAN (1842 - 1900), W.S. GILBERT (1836-1913) The Yeomen of the Guard: Overture [4.55], Act I [46.34], Act II [32.23]Orchestral excerpts from operettas [20.06] Martyn Green (Jack Point), Darrel Fancourt (Sergeant Meryll), Leonard Osborn (Colonel Fairfax), Richard Watson (Wilfred Shadbolt), Muriel Harding (Elsie Maynard), Ann Drummond-Grant (Phoebe Meryll), Ella Halman (Dame Carruthers), Donald Harris (Sir Richard Cholmondeley), Neville Griffiths (Leonard Meryll, First Yeoman), Geoffrey Sanders (Second Yeoman), Deidree Thurlow (Kate) D’Oyly Carte Opera Company, New Promenade Orchestra/Isidore Godfrey Recorded 18^th July 1950, London ADD NAXOS GREAT OPERETTA RECORDINGS 8.110293-94 [2CDs: 1:43:58] [EM][PG]

An authentic recording from the glorious days of D’Oyly Carte ... see Full Review [EM]

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840 - 1893) Romeo and Juliet, Overture-Fantasia in b (1870) [28.38] Concerto for Piano & Orchestra #1 in bb, Op 23 (1875) [34.07] John Ogdon, piano Symphony #5 in e, Op 64 (1888) [45.24] London Symphony Orchestra/Pierre Monteux Recorded live at the Grosser Konzerthaussall, Vienna, Austria, 31 May 1963 Notes in English: track list, artist and technical credits. On disk extras: composer biography, technical documentary ADD DVD-Audio playable on all DVD players. SILVERLINE CLASSICS 288 228-9 [108.09] [PSh]

One of the finest Tchaikovsky disks ever produced, sound and performance, equally a must-have for seasoned collectors as well as those just starting out ... see Full Review

AUDIOPHILE RECORDING OF THE MONTH Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840 - 1893) Swan Lake Ballet Op 20 (1875/7) [104.46] Utah Symphony Orchestra/Maurice Abravanel Recording location and date not given [1967?] On disk extras: photos and documents of artists; memorial tribute speech by Ardean Watts [16.00]; "remembering the Utah Symphony Orchestra 3.00];" Composer biography; Technical documentary [6.00]; Speaker set-up utility. DVD-Audio 2.0 and 5.1. DVD 2.0 and 5.1 AC-3. ADD Playable on all DVD players SILVERLINE CLASSICS DVD-AUDIO 288235-9 [104.46 + 25.00] [PSh]

The greatest Tchaikovsky, brilliantly performed, a pinnacle of recorded surround sound ... see Full Review

Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893): Symphony No. 6 in B minor (Pathétique), Op. 74 (1893) [43’12"] Francesca da Rimini, Fantasy for Orchestra, Op. 32 (1876)* [24’48"] Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra/Neeme Järvi Rec. Gothenburg Concert Hall on 23 & 24 Jan 2004 and *1 Sept 2003 BIS – SACD – 1348 [69’02"] [JQ]

In a fiercely competitive field I fear I can’t give this a strong endorsement. ... see Full Review

Boris TISHCHENKO (b. 1939) Symphony No. 7, Op. 119 (1994). Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra/Dmitri Yablonsky. Live rec. Grand Hall, Moscow Conservatory on February 26^th, 2002. DDD NAXOS 8.557013 [52’42] [CC]

This is a live performance of an important piece … Jazz overtones appear from time to time … It is not every day in my reviewing work that I hear a piece that I immediately want to hear again, but this is one. ... see Full Review

Henri TOMASI (1901-1971) Ballade for saxophone and orchestra (1938) [15.31] Frank MARTIN (1890-1974) Ballade for saxophone and orchestra (1938) [14.45] Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) orch. A HOEREE Habanera for saxophone and chamber Orchestra [3.04] Astor PIAZZOLLA (1921-1992) adapted Theodore KERKEZOS Tango Suite for saxophone and orchestra (Preludio; Fuga; Misterio; Fuga; Oblivión; Adios Nonino; Libertango) [22.00] Dimitris DRAGATAKIS (1914-2001) Ballade for saxophone and strings () [2.56] Pedro ITTURALDE (b.1929) orch. Javier ITTURALDE Czárdás for saxophone and orchestra [7.35] Theodore Kerkezos (saxophone) London PO/Roberto Minczuk rec. London 8-9 Nov 2003 NAXOS 8.557454 [66.13] [RB]

Tomasi's mercurial mastery to the songful Dragatakis to the exuberant Czardas to the sober Martin to the tango world of Piazzolla. Very attractive ... see Full Review

Veljo TORMIS (b.1930) Vision of Estonia II:- The Ballad of Mary's Land (1969) [5:13] Reflections with Hando Runnel (1981) [5:41] Days of Outlawry (1971) [6:03] God Protect Us from War (1984) [5:50] Journey of the War Messenger (1984) [5:33] Let the Sun Shine! (1984) [1:50] Voices from Tammsaare's Herdboy Days (1977) [9:41] Forget-Me-Not (1993) [4:25] Men's Songs I and II (1964, 1965) [10:38 + 12:31] Estonian National Male Choir/Ants Soots rec. Estonia Concert Hall, 16-19 May, 23 Oct 2002. DDD ALBA NCD 20 [67:48] [RB]

Attains the highest standards. Sibilants, consonantal gutturals and accentuated vowels are shaped with precision, coordination and a relish for meaning.... see Full Review

Kalervo TUUKKANEN (1909-1979) The Loggers (Tukkijoella) Overture Op. 1 (1934 rev. 1956) [5:58] Serenata Giocosa Op. 4 (1944) [25:21] Evening Song Op. 9 No. 3 (1944) [4:32] Midsummer Dance Op. 9 No. 4 (1944) [2:53] Little Suite for strings to the play Pilvi (Cloud) (1940 rev. 1960) [8:14] Romantic Moments for strings (1941 rev. 1960) [10:06] Tempus Festum (1950) [6:19] Joensuu City Orchestra/Hannu Koivula rec. Carelia Hall, Joensuu, 20-25 March 2003. DDD ALBA ABCD 189 [64.04] [RB]

Meat and drink to anyone wanting some gently impressionistic, romantic, Scandinavian music. Recommended ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) The Nine Symphonies A Sea Symphony* (1909) [65’43"] Symphony No. 2 "A London Symphony" (1914) [46’20"] A Pastoral Symphony (Symphony No. 3) ** (1921) [38’03"] Symphony No. 4 in F Minor (1935) [33’58"] Symphony No 5 in D (1943) [41’53"] Symphony No. 6 in E Minor (1947) [34’25"] Sinfonia Antartica (Symphony No. 7) *** (1952) [44’01"] Symphony No. 8 in D Minor (1955) [28’34"] Symphony No. 9 in E Minor (1958) [38’39"] Concerto Accademico for Violin and Orchestra in D Minor**** (1925) [15’59"] The Wasps: Overture (1909) [8’59"] Three Portraits from "The England of Elizabeth" (Suite adapted by Muir Matheson) (1955) [17’26"] Concerto for Bass Tuba and Orchestra in F Minor ***** (1954) [12’19"] * Heather Harper (soprano); John Shirley-Quirk (baritone); London Symphony Chorus ** Heather Harper (soprano); William Bennett (flute); Roger Lord (oboe); Anthony Camden (cor anglais); Gervase de Peyer (clarinet); Anthony Halstead (horn); Osian Ellis (harp); John Georgiadis (violin); lexander Taylor (viola); Douglas Cummings (cello) *** Heather Harper (soprano); The Ambrosian Singers; Sir Ralph Richardson (speaker) **** James Oliver Buswell IV (violin)
***** John Fletcher (bass tuba) London Symphony Orchestra/André Previn Recording dates and venues not given. Recording dates from other sources: Sea, 1970; London 1972, Concerto Accademico, 1969; Wasps, 1972; Pastoral, 1972; 4, 1969; 5, 1972; Three Portraits, 1968; Concerto for Tuba, 1972; 6, 1968; 9, 1971; Antartica, 1967; 8, 1968. London. ADD
Previously issued as RCA Gold Seal GD90500/01/03/06/08/10. Originally issued on LP 1968-1972. BMG-RCA RED SEAL 82876-55708-2 [6 CDs: 65’43" + 71’18" + 72’13" + 72’16" + 73’09" + 73’ 02"] [JQ]

Wonderful, life-enhancing music. I enjoyed this set enormously from start to finish ... one of Previn’s finest achievements in the recording studio. Recommended with great enthusiasm. ... see Full Review

Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872 - 1958) Symphony #6 in e (1947) [37.43] Recorded University of Utah Music Hall, Salt Lake City, UT, USA 1966 Five Variants on ‘Dives and Lazarus’ (1939) [12.39] Recorded in Salt Lake City, UT, USA, 1967 Dona Nobis Pacem (1936) [34.39] Blanche Christiansen, soprano; William Metcalf; baritone; University of Utah Choir Recorded in the Mormon Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, UT, USA, 1966 Flos Campi Suite for Viola, Small Orchestra & Wordless Choir (1925) [19.03] Sally Peck Lentz, viola; University of Utah Chamber Choir Recorded in Salt Lake City, UT, USA, 1967 Utah Symphony Orchestra/Maurice Abravanel Notes in English, full engineering credits and track list. ADD On disk extras: Composer biography, photos and documents of artists, memorial tribute speech by Ardean Watts; "remembering the Utah Symphony Orchestra;" Technical documentary; Speaker set-up utility. DVD-Audio playable on DVD players. SILVERLINE CLASSICS 288239-9 [104.00] [PSh]

Generally excellent performances of exceptional music, disappointing sound quality ... see Full Review

Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Un ballo in Maschera. opera in three acts - Highlights Riccardo, Richard Leech (ten); Amelia, Michele Cridèr (sop); Renato, Vladimir Chernov (bar); Ulrica, Elena Zaremba (mez); Oscar, Maria Bayo (sop); Silvano, Roberto Scaltriti (bar); Samuel, Peter Rose (bass); Tom, Gwynne Howell (bass) Orchestra and Chorus of Welsh National Opera/Carlo Rizzi Recorded in the Brangwyn Hall, Swansea, Wales in February 1995 WARNER APEX 2564 61504-2 [76.02] [RJF]

As an introduction to Ballo this generous tracked 76 minutes might be adequate. ... see Full Review

Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) La Traviata (1853) Licia Albanese (soprano) Violetta Valéry; Jan Peerce (tenor) Alfredo Germont; Robert Merrill (baritone) Germont; Maxine Stellman (mezzo) Flora Bervoix; Johanne Morland (soprano) Annina; John Garris (baritone) Gastone; George Cehanovsky (baritone) Duopol; Paul Dennis (bass) Marquis d’Obigny; Arthur Newman (bass) Doctor Grenvil; chorus; NBC Symphony Orchestra/Arturo Toscanini. Broadcast performance from New York City in November 1946. AAD MUSIC AND ARTS CD4271 [163’52]

Toscanini’s Traviata retains its fascination, and its power. ... see Full Review

Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741) Pellegrina’s Delight – Sonatas and Chamber Music for Oboe Sonata for oboe and bc in c minor (RV 53) [12:03] Sonata for oboe, organ, violin, chalumeau [bassoon] and bc in C (RV 779) [14:16] Sonata for violin [oboe] and bc in g minor (RV 28) [11:54] Sonata for 2 violins [oboe, violin] and bc in e minor, op. 1, 2 (RV 67) [07:29] Concerto for transverse flute [oboe], violin, bassoon and bc in g minor (RV 106) [10:05] Sonata for violin [oboe] and bc in B flat (RV 34) [07:27] Sonata for oboe, violin, bassoon and bc in C (RV 801) [11:54] Gail Hennessy (oboe), Rodolfo Richter (violin), Sally Holman (bassoon), Katherine Sharman (cello), Peter McCarthy (violone), Nicholas Parle (harpsichord, organ) Rec. Nov 2002, St Andrew’s Church, Toddington, Gloucestershire, UK. DDD SIGNUM RECORDS SIGCD037 [75:13] [JV]

An enjoyable recording which contains a piece which was only recently recognized as an authentic work of Vivaldi ... see Full Review

Antonio VIVALDI (1678 - 1741) Juditha Triumphans Judith – Gloria Banditelli (mezzo-soprano) Abra – Maria Zadori (soprano) Holofernes - Judit Nemeth (mezzo-soprano) Vagans – Annette Markert (mezzo-soprano) Ozias – Katalin Gemes (mezzo-soprano) Savaria Vocal Ensemble Capella Savaria/Nicholas McGegan Recorded 1990, licensed from Hungaroton BRILLIANT CLASSICS 99961 [61.00 + 64.44] [RH]

A welcome reissue of McGegan’s 1991 recording which is a fine place to start exploring this lovely work. ... see Full Review

Richard WAGNER (1860-1911) Der fliegende Holländer Hildegard Behrens - Senta Matti Salminen - Daland Franz Grundheber - The Dutchman Riamo Sirkiä - Erik Anita Välkki - Mary Jorma Silvastri - Steersman Ilkka Bäckmann - Director Savonlinna Opera Festival Orchestra and Chorus/Leif Segerstam Savonlinna Opera Festival 1989 DVD-9 Region: 2,3,4.5.6 NVC ARTS/YLEISRADIO-TV1. WARNER MUSIC VISION 9031-71486-2RM [139.00"] [AO]

The simplicity of this film reflects the Savonlinna ethos. It is unpretentious, almost to the point of seeming superficially casual. Musically and artistically, however, the standards are very high indeed. ... see Full Review

Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Siegfried [abridged]: Act 1 - Scene 1: Prelude^a; Zwangvolle Plage!^b; Hioho! Hioho! Hau’ ein! Hau’ ein!^c; Als zullendes Kind zog ich dich auf^c; Soll ich der Kunde glauben^c; Scene 2: Heil dir, weiser Schmied^d; Dein Haupt pfänd ich^d; Scene 3^e: Fühltest du nie im finstren Wald; Nothung! Nothung! Neidliches Schwert; Hoho! Hoho! Hahei! … Schmiede, mein Hammer. Act 2 - Scene 1^f: In Wald und Nacht; Deine Hand helitest du vom Hort?; Scene 2: Dass der mein Vater nicht ist^g; Du holdes Vöglein!^g; Haha! Da hätte mein Lied^h; Scene 3: Wohin schleichst du eilig und schlau^h; Da lieg’ auch du, dunkler Wurm!ⁱ; Hei! Siegfried erschlug nun den schlimmen Zwergⁱ. Act 3 – Scene 1^j: Prelude; Wache, Wala; Stark ruft das Lied; Dir Unweisen ruf ich ins Ohr; Scene 2^k: Kenntest du mich, kühner Spross; Zich hin!; Scene 3: Selige Öde auf sonniger Höh’!^l; Das ist kein Mann!^l; Heil dir Sonne!^m; O Siegfried! Siegfried!ⁿ; Ewig was ichⁿ; Dich lieb ichⁿ; Ob jetzt ich dein?ⁿ. ^ceghiklnLauritz Melchior, ^bcdhHeinrich Tessmer, ^eAlbert Reiss (tenors); ⁱNora Grubn, ^mnFlorence Easton (sopranos); ^jMaria Olszewska (contralto); ^fhEduard Habich (baritone); ^dfFriedrich Schorr, ^kRudolf Bockelmann (bass-baritone); ^{a-i, k,l}London Symphony Orchestra/^{a-d, fhl}Robert Heger, ^egikAlbert Coates, ^jVienna State Opera Orchestra/Karl Alwin; ^mnOrchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden/Robert Heger
Performance background and plot synopsis included. From HMV ^a-dDB1713 and 1578/81, ^eD 1690/1, ^fDB1582, ^gD1692, ^hiD1693, ^jDB1533/4, ^kDB1694, ^lD1836/7; Rec. ^a-d,fLondon, ^a-dMay, ^fMay 21st, 1931, ^lMay 12^th, 1930, ^mnMay 29^th, 1932, ^egQueen’s Hall, London on May 16^th-^g17^th, 1929, ⁱMay 17^th and ^ik22^nd, 1929, ^hMay 21^st, 1931, ^jVienna in 1929.
NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110091/92 [151’30: 79’04 + 72’26]. [CC]

Products such as this are increasingly valuable. The ‘Golden Age’ of singing should be remembered. If you have ever shied away from Siegfried’s magnificent edifice, now would be a good time to investigate ... see Full Review

Richard WAGNER (1813 -1883) Der Ring des Nibelungen: Götterdämmerung Siegfried: Albert Bonnema Gunther: Hernan Iturraide Alberich: Franz-Joseph Kappelmann Hagen: Roland Brecht Brünnhilde: Luana DeVol Waltraute: Tichina Vaughn 1^st Norn: Janet Collins 2^nd Norn: Lani Poulson 3^rd Norn: Sue Patchell Woglinde: Helga-Rós Indridadóttir Wellgunde: Sarah Castle Floshilde: Janet Collins Staatsorchester Stuttgart/Lothar Zagrosek Stage Direction: Peter Konwitschny Stage and Costume Designer: Bert Neumann Dramaturgy: Julianne Votteler TV and Video Direction: Hans Hulscher, Producer: Dieter Schickling Recorded live at the Staatsoper Stuttgart, 3^rd October 2002 and 12^th January 2003 EUROARTS TDK 10 5209 9 DV-OPRDNG [2DVDs: 267 minutes] [BK]

TH commented that the Chereau Ring would be his choice over the performances that he reviewed, at least until the Kupfer/Barenboim Bayreuth production is released on DVD. I concur completely … see Full Review

Graham WATERHOUSE (b. 1962) Praeludium Op.32 (1992)^a Three Pieces for Solo Cello Op.28 (1996)^b Contraventings Op.46a (1998)^c Le Charmeur de Serpents Op.39 (1997)^d Scherzino Op.24/2 (1994)^e Bow ‘n blow (1996)^f Vezza (1995)^g Gestural Variations Op.43a (1997, rev. 1998)^h Toccatina Precipitando Op.24bis (1985, rev. 1998)ⁱ Markus Schön (clarinet)^cfhi; Agnès Marc (recorders)^d; Graham Waterhouse (cello)^bfghi; Michael Wendeberg (piano)^aehi Recorded: Erholungshaus der Bayer AG, Leverkusen, July 2000 and February 2001 CYBELE 660.601 [70:31] [HC]

Superbly played throughout ... serves Waterhouse’s well written and attractive music well. ... see Full Review

Margaret WEGENER (b.1920) A Sympathy with Sounds - Choral Music by Margaret Wegener Chudleigh's Company/Patrick Larley Alan Horsey (organ) rec. Christ Church Oswestry, 28 Feb 2004. DDD TAPE THAT 4054A23A 05302 11 [69:17] [RB]

A welcome successor to the CD of her songs. Wegener's music sits with distinction under the benevolent shade of that of Finzi, Howells, and Warlock ... see Full Review

Jacques WILDBERGER (b. 1922) Tempus cadendi, tempus sperandi (1998/9)^a Commiato (1997)^b An die Hoffnung (1978/9)^c Sylvia Nopper (soprano)^c; Georg Martin Bode (narrator)^c; SWR-Vokalensemble Stuttgart^a; Amati Quartett^b; Sinfonieorchester Basel^ac; Heinz Holliger^ac Recorded: Schweizer Radio DRS2, Stadtcasino Basel, May 2002 (Tempus cadendi) and April 2003 (An die Hoffnung); and Studio Zürich, September 2002 (Commiato)
MGB CTS-M77 [54:58] [HC]

Wildberger’s music may not yield all its secrets easily, but it vastly repays repeated hearings, especially when served by well prepared and committed readings ... see Full Review

Takashi YOSHIMATSU (b. 1953) The Age of Birds Op.25 (1986) Cello Concerto Centaurus Unit * Op.91 (2003) Chikap Op.14a (1981, rev. 2003) * Peter Dixon (cello) BBC Philharmonic/Sachio Fujioka Rec. Studio 7, New Broadcasting House, Manchester, November 2003. DDD CHANDOS CHAN 10202 [65:27] [PCW]

Music straddling East and West which is beautifully played and full of interest ... highly recommended ... 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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