ALPHABETICAL LISTING

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Elizabeth MACONCHY (1907-1994) Complete String Quartets Hanson String Quartet (Quartets 1-4) Bingham String Quartet (Quartets 5-8) Mistry String Quartet (Quartets 9-13) Rec. St, Martin’s Church, East Woodhay, 19-21 April 1989 (Quartets 1-4) Radley College, Abingdon, 28-30 March 1989 (Quartets 5-8); Radley College, Abingdon, 5-7 April 1989 (Quartets 9-13) DDD FORUM FRC 9301 [3 CDs: 59:00 + 69:27 + 64:02] [CT]

One of the most valuable reissues of British music in recent years and an out-and-out bargain to boot. ... see Full Review

Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony No.4 + Symphony No.5 in C sharp minor (1901-1904) Lieder und Gesänge aus der Jugendzeit – selections * Erinnerung,
Scheiden und Meiden, Nicht wiedersehen! Ich ging mit Lust durch einen grünen Wald,
Ablösung im Sommer, Hans und Grete, Frülingsmorgen, Starke Einbildungskraft Desi Halban (soprano) *+ New York Philharmonic Orchestra Bruno Walter (piano * and conductor) Recorded Carnegie Hall, New York, 1945 (Symphonies) and Los Angeles, 1947 (Songs) SONY CLASSIC RECORDINGS 515301-2 [2 CDs 67.33 + 61.04] [JW]

Classic Mahler recordings ... 4 sounds fine in its latest incarnation but the real difference is the Fifth using those original 16" discs. Highly recommended ... see Full Review

Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Das irdische Leben [2:57] Aus! Aus! [2:48] Rheinlegendchen [2:56] Der Tamboursg’sell [5:34] Wenn mein Schatz hochzeit macht [3:35] Ging heut’ Morgen übers Feld [4:19] Ich hab’ ein glühend Messer [3:06] Die zwei blauen Augen von meinem Schatz [4:45] Um schlimme Kinder artig zu machen [2:13] Nicht Wiedersehen [4:28] Starke Einbildungskraft [1:07] Zu Strassburg auf der Schanz [4:01] Scheiden und Meiden [2:23] Nun will die Sonn’ so hell aufgehn [5:34] Nun seh’ ich wohl, warum so dunkle Flammen [3:57] Wenn dein Mütterlein [3:31] Oft denk’ ich, sie sind nur ausgegangen [3:06] In diesem Wetter [5:44] Ralph Kohn, baritone Graham Johnson, piano Recording information not listed DDD OPERA OMNIA OP2840 [66:04] [PG]

Performances very well done, and if you are among Mahler’s "true believers" you will love this album. For those outside of that camp, this album is not truly essential. ... see Full Review

Tigran MANSURIAN (b. 1939) Monodia "...and then I was in time again..." (1995)^a Concerto for Violin and Strings (1981)^b Lachrymae (1999)^c Confessing with Faith (1998)^d Kim Kashkashian (viola)^acd; Leonidas Kavakos (violin)^b; Jan Garbarek (saxophone)^c; The Hilliard Ensemble^d; Münchener Kammerorchester^ab; Christoph Poppen^ab Recorded: Himmelfahrtskirche, Sendling, München, November 2001 and Propstei St. Gerold, January 2002 ECM NEW SERIES 1850/1 (472 784-2) [46:58 + 34:04] [HC]

An unquestionable ring of authenticity ... superbly played and recorded ... I regret that it was not possible to include more of Mansurian’s deeply-felt music. ... a magnificent release ... see Full Review

CURIOSITY OF THE MONTH Steve MARGOSHES Sawing to New Heights with Steve and Dale: Music for Saw and Piano by Steve Margoshes see review for details Dale Struckenbruck (Saw) Steve Margoshes (piano) Recorded (?2003) 4TAY 4025 [48.26] [JW]

The lure and peril of the musical saw: the queasy intonation, the slapstick and the pathos ... see Full Review

Bohuslav MARTINŮ (1890-1959) Mirandolina (1953-54) - a comic opera in three acts to a libretto by the composer after Carlo Goldoni's play La Locandiera (1753) Mirandolina, locandiera - Daniela Bruera (sop) Ortensia, commediante - Tereza Mátlová (sop) Deianira, commediante - Elena Traversi (mezzo) Fabrizio, cameriere di locanda - Massimiliano Tonsini (ten) Il Conte d'Albafiorita - Simon Edwards (ten) Il Cavaliere di Rippafratta - Enrico Marabelli (bass-bar) Il Marchese di Forlimpopoli - Simone Alberghini (bass) Servitore del Cavaliere - Simeon Esper (ten) National Philharmonic Orchestra of Belarus/Riccardo Frizza Rec. 24, 27, 30 Oct 2002, Wexford Festival Opera, BBC Radio 3. DDD SUPRAPHON SU 3770-2 632 [67:02 + 37:10] [RB]

For Martinů admirers and those who trace 20th century opera down a path which does not take itself over-seriously and yet which has heart and charm. ... see Full Review

An introduction to …Pietro MASCAGNI (1863-1945) Cavalleria rusticana aStefka Evstatieva, bLina Bruna Rasa (sopranos) Santuzza; aGiacomo Aragall, bBeniamino Gigli (tenors) Turiddu; aAlzbeta Michalková (contralto), bGiulietta Simionato (mezzo) Mamma Lucia; aEduard Tamagian, bGino Bechi (baritones) Alfio; aAnna di Mauro, bMaria Marcucci (mezzos) Lola; aSlovak Philharmonic Choir; aCzecho-Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra (Bratislava)/Alexander Rahbari; bLa Scala Chorus and Orchestra/Milan/Pietro Mascagni. Written by Thomson Smillie; Narrated by David Timson Musical quotes from a8.660022, b8.110714/15. Commentary rec. Motivation Sound Studios, London. No date given. NAXOS OPERA EXPLAINED 8.558080 [76’41] [CC]

Cavalleria rusticana: a thoroughly enjoyable combination of sin and sanctity … These discs bear repeated listening ... see Full Review

Pietro MASCAGNI (1863-1945) Isabeau – Dramatic Legend in Three Parts (1911): Extracts: Part I – Il Mattino: Voi siete il Re, Tu ch’odi le mie grida, Mentre piango tu inneggi? Part II – Il Meriggio: Intermezzo, O popolo di vili, Part III – La Sera: Venne una vecchierella a la mia corte, Dormivi?… Sognavo! Marcella Pobbe (Isabeau), Rinaldo Rola (Re Raimondo), Pier Miranda Ferraro (Folco), Orchestra Sinfonica di Sanremo/Tullio Serafin Recorded in January 1962 at San Remo Giacomo CARISSIMI (1605-1674) Piangete aure, piangete Giovanni Battista PERGOLESI (1710-1736) Se tu m’ami Giovanni PAISIELLO (1740-1816) Donne vaghe (from "Le virtuose ridicole") Marcella Pobbe (soprano), Giorgio Favaretto (piano) Recorded 8-10 July 1959, Rome WARNER FONIT 5050467-1045-2-5 [56:42] [CH]

On the strength of these extracts "Isabeau" demands revival, and this may be Pobbe’s major contribution to recorded opera. ... see Full Review

Jules MASSENET (1842-1912) Werther – Opera in Four Acts (1887) Nicolai Gedda (Werther), Victoria de los Angeles (Charlotte), Mady Mesplé (Sophie), Roger Soyer (Albert), Jean-Christophe Benoit (Le Bailli), Christos Grigoriou (Johan), André Mallabrera (Schmidt), Voix d’enfants de la maïtrise de l’O.R.T.F, Orchestre de Paris/Georges Prêtre Recorded 6^th, 7^th, 9^th-14^th, 16^th November 1968, 10^th-12^th June 1969 at the Salle Wagram, Paris EMI CLASSICS Great Recordings Of The Century 5 62627 2 [2 CDs: 68:49 + 53:08]

This issue will be prized by admirers of the two principals, but there are drawbacks ... see Full Review

William MATHIAS (1934-1992) Ave Rex, Op. 45^a (1969) [12’50]. Elegy for a Prince, Op. 59^b (1972) [16’59]. This Worlde’s Joie, Op. 67^c (1974) [48’43] ^bSir Geraint Evans (bass-baritone); ^cJanet Price (soprano); ^cKenneth Bowen (tenor); ^cMichael Rippon (baritone); ^aWelsh National Opera Chorus; ^aLondon Symphony Orchestra, ^bcNew Philharmonia Orchestra/^bDavid Atherton, ^cSir David Willcocks. Rec. ^aKingsway Hall in January-February 1973 (from Decca SXL6607); ^bWatford Town Hall, London, on April 14^th, 1977 (Argo ZRG882); ^cAbbey Road Studios, London, on February 2^nd, 3^rd, 5^th and 6^th, 1976 (HMV ASD3301). ADD LYRITA RECORDED EDITION SRCD325 [71’12] [CC]

This Worlde’s Joie: its appearance a real cause for celebration. Great strength ... a work to treasure. The ideal complement to the Mathias concertos CD. Recordings that do the greatest of service to Mathias’ music. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Colin MATTHEWS (b. 1946) Sonata No. 5 Landscape Cello Concerto No. 1 Hidden Variables, Memorial, Quatrain, Machines and Dreams Alexander Baillie (cello) London Sinfonietta Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra/John Carewe London Symphony Orchestra/Michael Tilson Thomas Recorded at the Grosser Sendesaal, Berlin, October 1984 (Sonata No. 5); Watford Town Hall, August 1985 (Cello Concerto No. 1); Barbican Centre, January 1991 (Machines and Dreams); Abbey Road Studios, London, July 1995 (Hidden Variables, Memorial and Quatrain). DDD NMC ANCORA NMC D101 [58:11 + 50:27] [CT]

Several of Colin Matthews’s most striking orchestral works return to the catalogue in a valuable two-disc set ... see Full Review

John Blackwood McEWEN (1868-1948) String Quartets Volume 3 String Quartet No. 8 in E flat major (1918) String Quartet No. 2 in A minor (1898) A Little Quartet 'in modo scotico', No. 15 (1936) Chilingirian Quartet Recorded Snape Maltings Concert Hall, Suffolk, 3-5 May 2002 CHANDOS CHAN 10182 [60.27] [JW]

McEwen’s quartet admirers will snap this up – and we await the next instalment with greedy enthusiasm. ... see Full Review

Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) String Quartets: Volume 1 String Quartet Op.12 in E flat major (1829) [23.38] String Quartet Op.posth.80 in F minor (1847) [24.46] Henschel Quartet Rec. Studio 2, Bavarian Radio, Munich, 10-12 December 2001. DDD ARTE NOVA 74321 96521 2 [48.54] [CF]

The way in which these players capture with natural ease the essence of Mendelssohn makes one anticipate the second volume with mouth-watering relish. ... see Full Review

Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-47) String Quartets Vol. 2 String Quartet (No. 2) in A minor, Op. 13 (1827) [29:29] String Quartet (No. 5) in E flat major, Op. 44 No. 3 (1838) [33:49] Henschel Quartet Recording: November 13-15, 2003 Bavaria-Studio, Munich, Germany ARTE NOVA CLASSICS 82876 57744 2 [63:29] [MC]

I can confidently recommend his superb release without reservation. ... see Full Review

Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-47) Choral Works see review for details Recording: 2002: Kloster Bronnbach, Wertheim, Germany (a cappella works) Studio der Württembergischen Philharmonie, Reutlingen, Germany (choral works with orchestra) SUPER AUDIO CD. This SACD can also be player on CD players. DDD BRILLIANT CLASSICS 92207 [72:11] [MC]

A great introduction to the choral works of Mendelssohn and wonderfully performed too. ... see Full Review

Felix MENDELSSOHN-BARTHOLDY (1809 - 1847) Elias (Elijah) (1); Paulus (St. Paul) (2) Christine Schäfer (soprano) (1) Juliane Banse (soprano) (2) Cornelia Kallisch (alto) (1) Ingeborg Danz (alto) (2) Michael Schade (tenor) (1, 2) Wolfgang Schöne (baritone) (1) Andreas Schmidt (bass) (2) Gächinger Kantorei Stuttgart Prager Kammerchor (2) Bach-Collegium Stuttgart (1) Czech Philharmonic Orchestra (2) Helmuth Rilling (conductor) Recorded 3-7 Sept 1994, Liederhalle, Stuttgart (1); 17-19 Nov 1994 Rudolfinum Dvořák Hall, Prague (2) BRILLIANT CLASSICS 99953 [4 CDs: 65.16 + 62.56 + 72.25 + 58.46] [RH]

A reissue of Rilling’s 1994 recordings which were well received when originally issued and are equally welcome now at budget price. ... see Full Review

Olivier MESSIAEN (1908-1992) Turangalīla Symphony (1947-49) Yvonne Loriod (piano) Jeanne Loriod (ondes martenot) Toronto Symphony Orchestra/Seiji Ozawa rec. Dec 1967. ADD BMG RCA RED SEAL 82876 59418 2 [76.59] [RB]

A confident reading by a conductor prepared to make unequivocal statements. A classic of recorded sound. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Giacomo MEYERBEER (1791-1864) Margherita D’Anjou. Melodramma Semiseria in Two Acts Margherita D’Anjou, (widow of Henry VI of England), Annick Massis, (sop); The Duke of Laverenne, (Grand Senechal of Normandy), Bruce Ford, (ten); Isaura, (Laverenne’s wife), Daniela Barcellona, (mezzo); Carlo Belmonte, (A general banished by the Queen, in the service of Glocester), Alastair Miles, (bass); Riccardo, (Duke of Glocester), Paul Putins (bass); Michelle, (a French physician), Favio Previati, (bass); Geoffrey Mitchell Choir London Philharmonic Orchestra/David Parry Recorded at Henry Wood Hall, London. October 2002 OPERA RARA. ORC25 [3CDs: 61.25+56.14+53.40] [RJF]

An outstanding addition to the recorded catalogue ... see Full Review

Ernest John MOERAN (1894-1950) Violin Concerto [Allegro moderato, 13.31 +Rondo. Vivace – Alla valse burlesca, 9.41 +Lento, 10.01.] [33.18] Lonely Waters [9.19] Whythorne’s Shadow [6.30] Cello Concerto [Moderato, 11.12 +Adagio, 7.22 + Allegretto deciso, alla Marcia, 10.02] [28.41] Lydia Mordkovitch, violin. Ulster Orchestra/Vernon Handley, (Violin Concerto, Lonely Waters, Whythorne’s Shadow). Raphael Wallfisch, cello. Bournemouth Sinfonietta/Norman Del Mar, Cello Concerto. Rec. Dorset 1986, Belfast 1990. DDD CHANDOS CHAN 10168 X [78.03] [LN]

Two well-matched concertos superbly performed and recorded all at an affordable price. ... see Full Review

Claudio MONTEVERDI (1567-1643) Madrigals Book 2 (1590) (Complete) Delitae Musicae/Marco Longhini Recorded in the Chiesa di San Briccio, Verona, Italy, July 2001 NAXOS 8.555308 [62.24] Madrigals Book 3 (1592) (Complete) Delitae Musicae/Marco Longhini Recorded in the Chiesa di San Pietro in Vincoli, Azzago, Verona, Italy, May 2002 NAXOS 8.555309 [69.06]

Don't hesitate; buy and enjoy and look forward to Book Four. ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) The Complete Works for Piano, Vol. 2 Piano Sonatas: in D major K.284, in C major K.309, in A minor K.310 Joyce Hatto (piano) Recorded February 23rd 1995 in the Concert Artist Studios, Cambridge CONCERT ARTIST/FIDELIO RECORDINGS CACD 9052-2 [67:04] [CH]

The second instalment in a Mozart cycle which belongs among the finest. ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) The Complete Works for Piano Vol. 3 Sonatas: C major K.330, A major K.331, F major K.332 Joyce Hatto (piano)
Recorded February 16th 1995 and January 3rd 1999, Concert Artist Studios, Cambridge
CONCERT ARTIST/FIDELIO RECORDINGS CACD 9053-2 [64:35] [CH]

Once again, faithful and very musical versions of these sonatas, worthy to be compared with many more blazoned names. ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) The Complete Works for Piano Vol. 4 Sonatas: D major K.311, B flat major K.333, C minor K.457 (preceded by the Fantasy in C minor K.475) Joyce Hatto (piano) Recorded April 17^th 1995, Concert Artist Studios, Cambridge CONCERT ARTIST/FIDELIO RECORDINGS CACD 9054-2 [69:34]

Volume 4 of Joyce Hatto’s cycle of Mozart sonatas continues to offer rich rewards. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
The Complete Works for Piano Vol. 5 Sonatas: C major K.545, B flat major K.570, D major K.576, F major K.533/494 Joyce Hatto (piano) Recorded January 6^th-7^th 1995, Concert Artist Studios, Cambridge CONCERT ARTIST/FIDELIO RECORDINGS CACD 9055-2 [70:38] [CH]

The concluding disc in the cycle seems to me the finest of all and a fine demonstration of the ideals Joyce Hatto learnt from Clara Haskil ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Piano Concerto No. 22 in E flat major, K482 [36:28] Piano Concerto No. 23 in A major, K 488 [27:07] Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/Daniel Barenboim, piano and conductor Recorded in the Siemensvilla, Berlin, January 1989 DDD WARNER ELATUS 2564 61174-2 [63:35] [KS]

A beautifully played, reasonably priced, well-documented corporate redundancy that you should be neither anxious nor ashamed to own. ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Complete Quintets Vol. 5 Quintet for clarinet, 2 violins, viola and cello, in A major, KV 581 Quintet for horn, violin, 2 violas and cello, in E flat major, KV 407 Ensemble Villa Musica Ulf Rodenhauser (clarinet) Radovan Vlatkovic (horn) Recorded at Fürstliche Reitbahn Bad Arolsen, 26-28 November 2003, DDD MUSIKPRODUKTION DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM MDG 304 1184-2 [53:24] [MC]

Excellent performances and sound quality make this an extremely enjoyable and desirable release. Well worth adding to any collection! ... see Full Review

Carl NIELSEN (1865-1931) Prelude to Act II Saul and David [5.35] Rhapsody Overture FS123 A fantasy voyage to the Faeroes [9.31] The Mother FS94 - Prelude Scene 7 [4.00] Little Suite for Strings Op. 1 FS6 [16.30] Pan and Syrinx - pastorale Op. 49 FS87 [8.36] En Sagadrøm FS46 [8.44] Maskarade: Overture; Prelude to Act II; Dance of the Cockerels [14.08] Odense Symphony Orchestra/Tamás Vetö rec. Feb-May 1988, Odense Concert Hall, Carl Nielsen Salen. DDD REGIS RRC1166 [67:38] [RB]

A vividly characterised anthology of the lighter Nielsen ... see Full Review

Krzysztof PENDERECKI (b. 1993) Violin Sonata No. 1 (1953) [7.46] Miniatures (1959) [3.56] Cadenza for solo viola (1984) (trans. by Christiane Edinger, 1987) Violin Sonata No. 2 (2000) [36.57] Ida Bieler, violin and Nina Tichman, piano Recorded at Konzertgalerie II Bagno, Burgsteinfurt, 2, 11, 12 June 2003. DDD NAXOS 8.557253 [55.59] [NL]

Playing with total commitment and no little skill ... marvellous advocates. The recorded sound is excellent. ... see Full Review

Krzysztof PENDERECKI (b. 1933) Ubu Rex - Opera Buffa (1990-91) in a prologue, two acts and an epilogue Libretto by Jerzy Jarocki and Krzysztof Penderecki based on the play 'Ubu Roi' by Alfred Jarry (1873-1907) - sung in the original German Pa Ubu - Pawel Wunder (ten) Ma Ubu - Anna Lubanska (mezzo) King Wenceslas - Jozef Frakstein (bass) Queen Rosamunde - Izabella Klosinska (sop) Boleslas, son of the King - Anna Karasinska (sop) Ladislas, son of the King - Jeanette Bozalek (sop) Bucksheelas, son of the King - Rafal Bartminski (ten) Tsar - Mieczislaw Milun, Rafal Siwek (basses) Bandog - Piotr Nowacki (bass) General Lassie - Piotr Dymowski (bass) Stanislaw Leszczynski, peasant - Andrze Witlewski (bass) Chorus of Polish National Opera, Warsaw/Bogdan Gola Orchestra of Polish National Opera, Warsaw/Jacek Kaspszyk live Teatr Wielki, Polish National Opera, 2 Oct 2003. DDD
stage director: Krzystof Warlikowski Set and Costume Designer: Malgorzata Szczesniak CD ACCORD ACD 133-2 [51.:58 + 69:48] [RB]

A significant and handsomely produced set. For anyone intrigued by contemporary opera, by the prolific output of Penderecki and by modern comic-satirical opera this is an essential purchase. ... see Full Review

Ciro PERRINO (b.1950?) "L’Isola" Listen To the Silence [2.55] Listen To the Water, the Wind and Your Footseps [3.08] Accept and Understand the Silence [2.32] Take all the Silence Offers [2.27] Silence Is the Language of Love [2.58] Silence Is the Peace of the Ego [2.0] Silence Is Music and Harmony [2.34] Silence Is Truth and Prayer [2.24] In Silence Meet the Master [2.39] In Silence Breathe God [3.12] Every Journey Starts From Close By [3.04] The Walls Are In Your Mind [3.02] Open Your Being (Existence) [2.15] Every Moment Is This Moment, Now, Here [3.07] Abandon Your Ego and Mine [2.34] Accept, Grow, Mature [2.40] Be Simple, Be Your True Self [2.04] the Wise Make Mistakes and Smile [2.14] Understand Who You Are and Be That Being, Then You Are Everything [2.37] When You Are Fully Aware Your Journey Is Over [3.23] Ciro Perrino, composer, arranger, conductor, editor. "All albums have been recorded and mixed at Studio Mulinetti by Alberto Parodi, Marco Canepa & Maurizio Tonelli." Instrumentalists not named. No notes ZENITH CAFE no issue number [53.41] [PSh]

A nice background music album with interesting sonic textures, unusually well engineered ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Montague Phillips (1885-1969) Revelry Overture Op.62 (1937) Moorland Idyll Op. 61 (1936) Four Dances from ‘The Rebel Maid’ (1916-1917) Symphony in C minor (1911 rev. 1924/25) A Surrey Suite Op. 59 (1936) A Shakespearean Scherzo – ‘Titania and her Elvish Court’ (1934) Arabesque Op. 43 No.2 (1927) Sinfonietta in C Op.70 (1943) BBC Concert Orchestra/Gavin Sutherland Recorded at the BBC Studio 1 Maida Vale 19-20^th January 2004 DUTTON CDLX 7140 [75.25] [JF][SL]

Recommended to all lovers of English music and all who love music that is tuneful, well composed and thoroughly enjoyable. Sound quality and playing excellent ...[JF]
No duds here. For anyone who enjoys tunes with a dose of nostalgia, this is definitely a disc to have. .. [SL]. see Full Review

Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Romeo and Juliet - scenes from the ballet - suite arranged by Michael Tilson Thomas (1936) [78.10] San Francisco Symphony Orchestra/Michael Tilson Thomas rec. Sept 1995, San Francisco. DDD BMG RCA RED SEAL 82876 59424 2 [78:10] [RB]

An outstanding representation of the ballet for collectors who would rather have a very generous sampling instead of the whole thing. ... see Full Review

Henry PURCELL (1659-1695) Complete Secular Solo Songs Barbara Bonney and Susan Gritton (sopranos); James Bowman (alto); Charles Daniels and Rogers Covey-Crump (tenors); Michael George (bass) Mark Caudle and Susanna Pell (bass viols); David Miller (theorbo, archlute) The King’s Consort/Robert King Recorded on 28-30 September, 1-6 October 1993 and 28-29 March 1994 HYPERION CDS44161/3 [3 CDs: 69'35 + 76'45 + 76'28] [JW]

An authoritative, comprehensive and intelligent set, by musicians of character and discernment, backed by a company that knows the value of the enterprise. ... see Full Review

Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Piano Concerto no.2 in C minor, op.18 Johann Nepomuk HUMMEL (1778-1837) Rondo Brillant on a Russian Folk Theme, op.98 Felicja Blumental, piano Orchestra of the Vienna Musikgesellschaft/Michael Gielen (Rachmaninov), Prague Chamber Orchestra/Helmut Froschauer Recorded at the Musikvereinsaal, Vienna, 1957 (Rachmaninov), 1970 (Hummel) BRANA BR0012 [46:54] [GPJ]

Stylish playing, orchestral contribution of a very high standard ... recordings typical of their time ... see Full Review

Horatiu RADULESCU (b. 1942) Lao Tzu Sonatas "being and non-being create each other" Second Piano Sonata Op. 82 (1991) "you will endure forever" Third Piano Sonata Op. 86 (1992/9) "like a well … older than God" Fourth Piano Sonata Op. 92 (1993) Ortwin Stürmer (piano) rec. 14/15 April, 22 July 2002, Studio 2 des Bayerischen Rundfunks München. DDD CPO 999 880-2 [55'45] [RNB]

Radulescu’s sound-world, expertly presented by Ortwin Stürmer in good engineering, is certainly unique. The experience of listening was enough to encourage me to explore further ... see Full Review

Joaquín RODRIGO (1901-1999) Concierto pastoral for flute and orchestra (1978) Dos miniatures andaluzas for string orchestra (1929) Adagio para instrumentos de viento (1966) Fantasía para un Gentilhombre (1978) arranged for flute by James Galway Joanna G’froerer (flute) Asturias Symphony Orchestra/Maximiano Valdés Recorded at the Auditorio Principe Felipe, Asturias, June 2002 Complete Orchestral Works Volume 8 NAXOS 8.557801 [62.36] [KS]

A fine collection of delightful music ... Bravo to Naxos for being the most innovative and adventuresome record label in the business. ... see Full Review

Gioacchino ROSSINI (1685 - 1757) Overtures: L’Italiana in Algeri, Der verlorene Akkord, La Gazza Ladra, Il Barbiere di Siviglia, L’inganno felice, La Scala di Seta, Otello, Tancredi, La Cenerentola arranged by Vaclav SEDLAK (1776 - 1851) and Guillaume LEGRAND (1770 - 1845) Consortium Classicum Rec. 2003. MUSIKPRODUKTION DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM MDG 301 0393-2 [67.43] [RH]

A charming selection of early 19^th century arrangements of Rossini overtures, beautifully played. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Gioacchino ROSSINI (1792-1868) La pietra del paragone (1812). Agata Bienkowska (mezzo) La Marchesa Clarice; Anna Rita Gemmabella (mezzo) La Baronessa Aspasia; Anke Herrmann (soprano) Donna Fulvia; Raffaele Costantini (bass) Il Conte Asdrubale; Alessandro Codeluppi (tenor) Il Cavalier Giocondo; Dariusz Machej (bass) Macrobio; Gioacchino Zarrelli (baritone) Pacuvio; Teru Yoshihara (baritone) Fabrizio; Czech Chamber Chorus; Czech Chamber Soloists, Brno/Alessandro di Marchi (harpsichord). Rec. live in Kurhaus Bad Wildbad, Germany during the Rossini in Wildbad Festival on July 21^st, 24^th and 27^th, 2001. DDD Notes and text included. NAXOS OPERA CLASSICS 8.660093-95 [3CDs: 161’21: 68’28 + 21’07 + 71’46] [CC]

A multitude of thanks are due to Naxos for this, proof positive that there is infinite joy to be gleaned from Rossinian by-roads. ... see Full Review

Edmund RUBBRA (1901-1986) Symphonies: No. 2 in D, Op. 45^a (1937) [34’28]; No. 7 in C, Op. 88^b (1957) [35’59]. Festival Overture, Op. 62^c (1947) [7’19] ^abNew Philharmonia Orchestra/Vernon Handley; ^cLondon Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Adrian Boult No rec info. ADD LYRITA RECORDED EDITION SRCD235 [77’47] [CC]

If any disc can confirm the stature of Edmund Rubbra as symphonist, this is it. With a healthy playing time this is a major issue. All lovers of Rubbra’s music should jump at the chance of picking up a copy. ... see Full Review

Anton RUBINSTEIN (1829-1894) Orchestral works: Volume 2 Ouverture triomphale Op.43 (c.1860) [12.40] Sérénade russe No.1 Op.93 (arr. Karl Müller-Berghaus) (c.1875) [7.43] Valse caprice (arr. Karl Müller-Berghaus) [6.44] Trot de cavalerie (arr. ?) [2.46]Symphony No.2 ‘Ocean’ Op.42 (1851) [40.10] Wuppertal Symphony Orchestra/George Hanson Rec. Stadthalle, Wuppertal, Germany on 21-24 July 2003 MDG 335 1240-2 [70.38] [CF]

Hanson’s full-blooded account is convincing and well-paced despite some hard-driven tempi. The sound in the city’s town hall provides ambience and brightness, as well as fine balance. ... 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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