Camille
SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921)
Complete Organ Works and Motets Vol. 1 Veni
creator, Hymne pour quatre voix d'hommes
(1858) [7'12] Thème, variations
et Choral sur le Dies irae [6'22] Prélude
et fugue en re mineur op. 109 [9'18] Ave,
Maria (1914) [4'16] Laudate (1916)
[2'33] Troisième Fantaisie op.
157 (1919) [14'28] Franz
LISZT (1811-1886) Salve Regina
[4'24] Franz LISZT
transc. SAINT-SAËNS
La prédication aux oiseaux (1863)
[13'12] 
Vincent Genvrin, organ Choeur Sacrum/Andris
Veismanis Rec Riga Cathedral, Latvia, La Madeleine,
Paris (La predication...) 1997 DDD
EDITIONS HORTUS 011 [62'42] [CB]
The
idea of coupling the organ works of Saint-Saëns
with the Motets is a good one ... see Full
Review
Camille
SAINT-SAËNS
(1835-1921) Complete Organ
Works and Motets Vol. 2 - Samson et Dalila
à L'Eglise Premiere
Rhapsodie sur des cantiques bretons op
7 [6'19] Ave, Maria [2'23] Deuxième
Rhapsodie sur des cantiques bretons [6'13]
Elevation ou Communion op 13 [6'20]
Ave Verum [2'25] Offertoire-Sarabande
[3'02] Inviolata [4'43] O salutaris
[2'05] Interlude fugue [3'17] Tantum
Ergo [3'48] Praeludium en ut mineur
[3'20] Sub Tuum [3'22] Troisième
Rhapsodie sur des cantiques bretons [8'27]
Deus Abraham [3'39]
Vincent Genvrin, organ, Sylvie May (soprano),
Francoise Masset (soprano), Catherine Ravenne
(alto) Rec: l'eglise du Gesu, Toulouse 2003?
EDITIONS HORTUS 014 [59'30] [CB]
While
the music is not the best Saint-Saëns
ever wrote, this is a worthwhile release due
to the quality of performances and especially
the quality of the organ. ... see Full
Review
Camille
SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921)
Complete Organ Works and Motets Vol. 3 - 'Un
Mariage, un Enterrement, et un Salut au Saint-Sacrement'
Ave,
verum [5'27] Benediction nuptiale
op. 9 [5'34] Deus Abraham [3'32] Marche
Religieuse op. 107 [4’32] Improvisation
VI op. 150, Pro Defunctis [8'05]
Pie Jesu [2'40] Improvisation VII
[4'10] Quam dilecta [3'41] Trois
preludes et fugues op 99: mi majeur
[4'16] [5'40]; si majeur [4'55] [2'16];
mi bemol majeur [3'15] [4'41]
Vincent Genvrin, organ, Sabine Garonne
(mezzo-soprano), Francois-Nicolas Geslot (tenor),
Daniel Daure (french horn), Dominique Clement
(harp), Choir, 'Les Elements'/ Joel Suhubiette
Rec: Notre Dame de Taure, Toulouse, 6-9 May
1999 and La Madeleine, Paris DDD
EDITIONS HORTUS 015 [63'04] [CB]
Genvrin,
as usual, is quite up to the task; his energy
is spot-on. He plays with virtuosity and authority.
... see Full
Review
Camille
SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921)
Complete Organ Works and Motets Vol. 4 - 'Le
patriarche de la Belle Epoque' Deuxième
Fantaisie [13'56] transc. par Alex. Guilmant
Le Cygne [2'51] Prélude au
Déluge op 45 [9'06] Prélude
et Fugue en ut majeur op 109/3 [2'53]
[6'21] Improvisation 1 op 150 [11'31]
Cyprès op 156/1 [8'39] Improvisation
II 'Feria Pentecostes' op 150 [5'07] Prélude
et Fugue en sol majeur op 109/2 [2'38]
[3'29] Premiere Fantaisie [5'15]
Vincent Genvrin, organ Rec: Santa-Maria
la Real d'Azkoitia, (Spain), Riga Cathedral,
(op 109/2), and La Madeleine, Paris (Premiere
Fantaisie) 3rd, 4th October 1998 DDD
EDITIONS HORTUS 016 [71'46] [CB]
Overall,
despite the inconsistent nature of the music,
this series is highly recommendable for the
quality of the performances and instruments.
... see Full
Review
Camille SAINT-SAËNS
(1835-1921) Prelude and Fugue in E flat major
Op.99 No.3 (1894) [6:21] Elevation ou communion in E flat major (1865)
[6:47] Benediction nuptiale Op.9 (1868) [7:37] Fantaisie in E flat major
(1857) [5:22] Fantaisie in D flat major Op.101 (1895) [13:01] Improvisation
in E flat major Op.150 No.1 (1917) [9:42] Improvisation in C major Op.150
No.7 (1917) [3:37]
Joachim
Dorfmuller, Klais-Organ (1980) Altenberg Cathedral Recorded 1985 DDD
5.0 Surround sound
CAPRICCIO
SACD 71046 
[52:37][DB]
Saint-Saëns
enthusiasts should not hesitate to add this attractive disc to their
collections ... see Full Review
Jan
SANDSTRÖM
(b. 1954) Es
ist ein Ros entsprungen [4:30] Fredrik
HÖGBERG (b. 1971) Music for Strings [12:33] Anders
HULTQVIST (b. 1955) The queen went into the parlour eating
bread and honey [11:51] Jan FERM (b.
1963) Norbotten Rhapsody [19:15] Bo
NILSSON (b. 1937) Wiesenblümchen [9:00] Arctic
air [4:14] J.P. Nyströms (folk chamber ensemble) Göran
Eriksson, volin and bass; Markus Falck, violin and organ; Svante Lindqvist,
violin; Mats Olausson, violin and percussion.
Norbotten Chamber Orchestra/Petter Sundqvist Recorded December 17-19,
2001 and January 11-14, 2002 in Aula Aurora at Luleå Tekniska
Universitet. (Composition dates are not listed)
SWEDISH SOCIETY DISCOFIL SCD 1130 [60:01] [KS]
Overall
this is an excellent testament to the musical
efforts of the good folk up in Norbotten.
Long may they live! ... see Full
Review
Ahmed Adnan
SAYGUN
(1907-1991) Symphony
No. 4 Op. 53 (1976) [24.18] Violin Concerto
Op. 44 (1967) [33.13] Suite Op. 14 (1934)
[11.23]
Mirjam Tschopp (violin) Staatsphilharmonie
Rheinland-Pfalz/Ari Rasilainen rec. 2-6 June
2003, Ludwigshafen, Philharmonie, Germany
CPO 777 043-2 [68:56] [RB]
Saygun's
symphony and concerto will be enjoyed by those
who like their Berg, Hartmann and Alwyn. All
are superbly performed ... see Full
Review
Franz
SCHUBERT
(1797-1828) Symphony
No. 1 in D major, D 82 [25.35] Symphony No. 3 in D major, D 200 [24.32]
Symphony No. 8 in B minor, D 759 “Unfinished” [28.17]
Bamberg Symphony Orchestra/Jonathan Nott Rec. Joseph-Keilberth-Saal,
Bamberg; Symphonies 1, 3: March 2003, Symphony 8: December 2003. Co-production
with Bavarian Radio, Munich. DDD.
TUDOR 7141 [79.25][ED]
Having
heard this a few of times, I rather fancy
silence ... see Full
Review
Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
Symphony
no. 9 in C major, D.944 The Great C major
[53:57]Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897) Academic
Festival Overture, op. 80 [09:49], Alto
Rhapsody, Op. 53 [11:46]*
Dame Janet Baker (mezzo)*, John Alldis Choir*
London Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Adrian
Boult Recorded 4th, 13th
and 14th March 1972 (Overture),
28th-30th May 1972
(Symphony), 15th December 1970
(Rhapsody) in Kingsway Hall, London (Overture
and Symphony), No. 1 Studio, Abbey Road,
London (Rhapsody)
EMI CLASSICS 7243 562791 2 4 [76:02]
[CH]
An
essential interpretation of the Schubert,
with the classic Baker Brahms Rhapsody thrown
in. ... see Full
Review
Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
Symphony no. 9 in C major, D.944 The
Great C major [54:20] (2)
Luigi CHERUBINI (1760-1842) Anacréon:
Overture [09:30] (1) Peter
CORNELIUS (1824-1874) The
Barber of Baghdad: Overture [07:53]
(3)
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (1), BBC Symphony
Orchestra (2, 3)/Sir Adrian Boult Recorded
8th March 1963 in the Royal Festival
Hall, London (1), 11th August
1969 in the Royal Albert Hall, London (2),
26th September 1954 in the BBC
Studios (3)
BBC LEGENDS BBCL 4072-2 [72:05] [CH]
The
Schubert yields slightly to the EMI studio
version, but the couplings are new to the
Boult discography. ... see
Full Review
Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
The Trout, The Greatest Love and the Greatest Sorrow
Daniel Barenboim, Jacqueline du Pré, Itzhak Perlman, Pinchas
Zuckerman, Zubin Mehta, Andreas Schmidt, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Michael
Sanderling, Antje Weithaus. Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and
Chorus/Wolfgang Sawallisch Executive Producers: Hans Petri and Christopher
Nupen originally recorded 1969 and 1983 DVD - all regions
OPUS ARTE/ALLEGRO CN0903D 
[181:00][AO]
Two
important films that show how film can enhance understanding of music
... see Full Review
Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
Deutsche
Messe, D. 872 [40:28] Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART
(1756-1791) Ave verum corpus, K. 619 [3:01] César
FRANCK (1822-1890) Panis angelicus [4:05] Max
REGER (1873-1916) Mariä Wiegenlied from Schlicte Weisen,
Op.76, No. 2 [2:34] Charles GOUNOD (1818-1893)/J.
S. BACH (1685-1750) Ave Maria [2:35] Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Laudate Dominum, K. 339 [5:19]
Hansi Buchwinder
(soprano) Eric Ingwersen (organ) Tölzer Knabenchor/Gerhard Schmidt-Gaden
Original Studio Recording from 1974 remastered 24 bit/96 kHz
ARTS ARCHIVES 43011-2 [58:02] [JR]
Some
truly exceptional moments do not compensate
for the more prominent sections of mediocrity.
... see Full
Review
Clara
SCHUMANN
(1819-1896) Piano
Concerto in A minor, Op.7 (1834) (1. Allegro maestoso [7:08]; 2.
Romanze: Andante non troppo con grazia [4:52]; 3. Finale: Allegro non
troppo – Allegro molto [11:30])
Francesco Nicolosi (piano) Alma Mater Sinfonietta/Stefania Rinaldi Piano
Trio in G minor, Op.17 (1846) (1. Allegro moderato [11:02]; 2. Scherzo:
Tempo di Menuetto [5:23]; 3. Andante [6:33]; 4. Allegretto [7:26]) Francesco
Nicolosi (piano); Rodolfo Bonucci (violin); Andrea Noferini (cello).
rec. Concerto: 25-26 May, 2004, St Marcellino Church, Naples, Italy;
Trio 28 September 2004, Studio 52, Naples, Italy. Produced under the
auspices of the Fondazione Pasquale Valerio Per la Storia Delle Donne.
NAXOS 8.557552 [53:54][SA]
The
disc is another feather in Naxos’s cap. If you don’t know Clara Schumann’s
abilities then this disc is an excellent introduction at a tiny price.
... see Full Review
Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856)
Lieder Edition I Liederkreis, Op. 24 (1840) (Morgen
steh' ich auf und frage [01:19]; Es treibt mich hin, es treibt mich
her [01:16]; Ich wandelte unter den Baumen [03:54]; Lieb' Liebchen,
leg's Handchen auf Herze mein [00:48]; Schone Wiege meiner Leiden [04:15];
Warte, warte, wilder Schiffmann [02:00]; Berg' und Burgen schaun herunter
[03:56]; Anfangs wollt' ich fast verzagen [00:51]; Mit Myrten und Rosen
[03:54]) Romanzen und Balladen Op. 53: III. Der arme Peter
(1840) [05:08] Belsazar, Op. 57 (1840) [04:20] Dichterliebe,
Op. 48 (1840) (Im wunderschonen Monat Mai [01:53]; Aus meinen Tranen
spriessen [00:55]; Die Rose, die Lilie, die Taube, die Sonne [00:38];
Wenn ich in deine Augen seh' [02:05]; Ich will meine Seele tauchen [00:57];
Im Rhein, im heiligen Strome [02:29]; Ich grolle nicht [01:34]; Und
wussten's die Blumen, die kleinen [01:19]; Das ist ein Floten und Geigen
[01:30]; Hor' ich das Liedchen klingen [02:22]; Ein Jungling liebt ein
Madchen [01:15]; Am leuchtenden Sommermorgen [02:51]; Ich hab' im Traum
geweinet [02:29]; Allnachtlich im Traume [01:14]; Aus alten Marchen
winkt es [02:29]; Die alten bösen Lieder [04:54])
Thomas
Bauer, baritone; Uta Hielscher, piano Recorded 4-6 Oct 2004 at Reitstadtl,
Neumark/Oberpfalz, Germany
NAXOS
8.557075 [62:35][GPJ]
A
worthy, rather than satisfying Schumann CD ... see Full
Review
Joseph SCHWANTNER (b.
1943) A
Sudden Rainbow (1986) [13:01] Angelfire (2001)a [17:32] Beyond
Autumn (1999)b [17:31] September Canticle (2002)c
[17:12] Anne Akiko
Meyers (violin)a; Gregory Hustis (horn)b; James
Diaz (organ)c Dallas Symphony Orchestra/Andrew Litton Recorded:
Eugene McDermott Concert Hall, Morton H Meyerson Symphony Center, Dallas,
June 2004 HYPERION CDA
67493 [65:46] [HC]
These
performances by the musicians for whom these
pieces were written cannot be bettered. Superb,
immaculate and committed playing by all concerned,
making the best of this strongly communicative
music. ... see Full
Review
Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975)
Symphony
No. 13 in B flat minor, Op. 113, Babi Yar
(1962).
Sergei Aleksashkin (bass) Bavarian Radio Symphony
Orchestra/Mariss Jansons. Rec. January 2005.
No venue given. DDD Text and translation included.
EMI CLASSICS 5 57902 2 [60'14] [CC]
Mariss
Jansons has frequently struck me as a rather
over-rated conductor ... I am prepared to
rescind my evaluation on the strength of this
issue, however. ... see Full
Review
Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Complete
String Quartets, Volume 6 String Quartets:
No. 1 in C, Op. 49 (1938) [14'54]; No. 12 in D flat, Op. 133 (1968)
[29'02]; Piano Quintet in G minor, Op. 57 (1940) [32'52]
Sorrel Quartet (Gina McCormack, Catherine Yates, violins; Sarah-Jane
Bradley, viola; Helen Thatcher, cello) with Martin Roscoe (piano). Rec.
Snape Maltings Concert Hall on May 6th-8th, 2003
(Quartet No. 1); January 10th-12th, 2005. DDD
CHANDOS CHAN10329 [76'56][CC]
The
Sorrel play with exceptional technical security coupled with a real
feeling for the music ... see Full
Review
Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH
(1906-1975) Piano
Quintet in G minor, Op. 57a (1940) [30'55]. String Quartets
– No. 1 in C, Op. 49 (1938) [13'00]; No. 4 in D, Op. 83 (1949) [22'07].
Ewa Kupiec (piano)a;
Petersen String Quartet (Conrad Muck, Daniel Bell, violins; Friedemann
Weigle, viola; Henry-David Varema, cello). Rec. Studio 2, Bavarian Radio,
Munich on October 20th-23rd, 2003. DDD
CAPRICCIO 67 082 [66'19][CC]
A
mixed disc that only intermittently cuts the Shostakovichian mustard
... see Full Review
Sir
John STAINER (1840-1901)
The
Crucifixion (1887) A Meditation on the Sacred Passion of the
Holy Redeemer, for tenor and bass solo, SATB choir, and organ, with
hymns for congregational participation (Text selected and written by
Reverend J. Sparrow-Simpson, and revised by Michael Pilkington)
James Gilchrist (tenor) Simon Bailey (bass) Stephen Farr (organ) Choir
of Clare College, Cambridge/Timothy Brown rec. Guildford Cathedral,
Guildford, Surrey, England, 21-22 June 2004. DDD
NAXOS 8.557624 [66:47] [JW]
Gives
considered meticulousness to The Crucifixion
and deserves respect. ... see Full
Review
Richard
STRAUSS (1864-1949)
Salome
(1905) – Final Scenea; Dance
of the Seven Veils. Five Orchestral Songsa:
Cäcilie, Op. 27 No. 1 (1894) [1'58];
Wiegenlied, Op. 41 No. 1 (1899) [4'18];
Ich liebe dich, Op. 37 No. 2 (1896-8)
[2'13]; Morgen!, Op. 27 No. 2 (1894)
[3'45]; Zueignung, Op. 10 No. 1 (1885,
orch. 1940) [1'35]. Arrigo
BOITO (1842-1918) Mefistofele
(1868) – Prologo in cielob
[25'22].
aMontserrat Caballé (soprano);
bNicolai Ghiaurov (bass); bKonzertvereinigung
Wiener Staatsopernchor; bGumpoldskirchner
Spatzen; aOrchestre National de
France, bWiener Philharmoniker/Leonard
Bernstein. Rec. aMaison de la Radio,
Paris, in May 1977, bGrosser Musikvereinsaal,
Vienna in April 1977. ADD
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON ELOQUENCE 476 2467
[66'32] [CC]
The
inclusion of texts would have been good, but
on a purely musical level this remains amongst
the cream of the Eloquence catalogue. ...
see Full
Review
Richard STRAUSS
(1864-1949) Romance
in F AV75 [10:30] Cello Sonata in F Op.6 (1883) [27:18] Max
REGER (1873-1916) Cello Sonata No 2 in G minor Op.28 (1898)
[25:17] Petite Romance in D Op.79 No.2 [2:09]
Emmanuelle Bertrand (cello) Pascal Amoyal (piano) rec. Teldex Studio,
Berlin in February 2004
HARMONIA MUNDI HMC 901836 [65:27][PCW]
A
desirable release that I can recommend highly ... see Full
Review
Arthur
SULLIVAN
(1842-1900) Rose
of Persia (1899) a comic opera, words by Basil Hood Overture
di ballo HMS Pinafore overture The Pirates of Penzance overture The
Mikado overture The Yeomen of the Guard overture Macbeth overture Richard
Morrison (baritone) - Sultan; Richard Suart (baritone) - Hassan; Ivan
Sharpe (tenor) - Yussuf; Jonathan Veira (bass) - Abdallah; Ian Caddy
(baritone) - Grand Vizier; Sally Harrison (soprano) - Rose-In-Bloom;
Claire Henry (soprano) - Heart’s Desire; Marilyn Hill Smith (mezzo)
- Scent-of-Lilies; Marcia Bellamy (mezzo) - Dancing Sunbeam Southwark
Voices Hanover Band/Tom
Higgins Recorded at The Old Market, Hove, East Sussex, England, 27 January–2
February 1999. DDD CPO
777 074-2 [67:34 + 77:32] [RW]
There
is a strong cast who give excellent performances
with good diction. ... see Full
Review
Richard
WAGNER (1813-1883)
Tannhäuser:
Overture [13:47] (1) Robert
SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Symphony no.
3 in E flat, op. 97 Rhenish [31:43]
(2), Manfred: Overture [11:18] (3)
Franz LISZT (1811-1886)
Mephisto Waltz no. 1 [10:17] (4)
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (1, 3), "International
Symphony Orchestra" (2, 4)/René
Leibowitz Recorded in London in 1960 (2, 4),
9th January 1962 (4), 28th
December 1962 (1)
CHESKY RECORDS CD096 [67:48] [CH]
Don’t
miss this "Rhenish". ... see Full
Review
Robert
SCHUMANN (1810
– 1856) Lieder Vol. 2 Songs
from Twelve Poems from Rückert’s "Liebesfrühling",
Op. 37 [21:18]: Der Himmel hat eine Träne
Geweint♂ - O ihr Herren♀ - Ich
hab’ in mich gesogen♂ - Liebste, was
kann denn uns scheiden?♂♀ - Schön
ist das Fest des Lenzes♂♀ - Flügel!
Flügel! um zu fliegen♂ - Rose,
Meer und Sonne♂ - O Sonn’, o Meer, o
Rose♂ - So wahr die Sonne scheinet♂♀
Songs from Goethe’s "Wilhelm Meister",
Op. 98a [25:33]: Ballade des Harfners♂
- Nur wer die Sehnsucht kennt♀ - Wer
nie sein Brot mit Tränen ass♂ -
Heiss’ mich nicht reden♀ - Wer sich
der Einsamkeit ergibt♂ - Singet nicht
in Trauertönen♀ - An die Türen
will ich schleichen♂ - So lasst mich
scheinen, bis ich werde♀ Solo Songs
from Rückert’s "Minnespiel",
Op. 101 [17:07]: Meine Töne still
und heiter♂ - Liebster, deine Worte
stehlen♀ - Ich bin dein Baum, o Gärtner♂♀
- Mein schöner Stern!♀ - O Freund,
mein Schirm, mein Schutz♀
Thomas E. Bauer (baritone)♂, Susanne
Bernhard (soprano)♀, Uta Hielscher (piano)
rec. 10-12 Sept 2003, Kammermusikstudio, SWR-Stuttgart,
Germany
NAXOS 8.557074 [63:58] [GF]
Excellent
readings by young and fresh sounding singers
of some lesser known songs by one of the greatest
German Lieder composers. ... see Full
Review
Alexander
SCRIABIN (1872-1915) The Composer as Pianist The
Welte Mignon Piano Rolls Alexander Scriabin, rec. Moscow, 1910
Prélude, Op. 11 no. 1 [0:53] Prélude, Op. 11 no. 2 [1:47]
Poème, Op. 32 no. 1 [3:29] Etude, Op. 8 no. 12 [2:04] Désir,
Op. 57 no. 1 [1:32] Prélude, Op. 22 no. 1 [1:16] Mazurka, Op.
40 no. 2 [0:49] Prélude, Op. 11 no. 13 [1:48] Prélude,
Op. 11 no. 14 [0:47] Josef Lhevinne, rec. Freiburg, 1906 Nocturne
for the Left Hand, Op. 9 no. 2 [4:38] Constantine Igumnoff, rec.
Moscow, 1910 Sonate Fantasie, Op. 19 no. 2, 1st Movement [6:35]
Alexander Goldenweiser, rec. Moscow, 1910 Mazurka, Op. 40 no.
2 [1:02] Austin Conradi, rec. New York, 1921-22 Prélude,
Op. 11 no. 5 [1:50] Prélude, Op. 11 no. 3 [1:17] Prélude,
Op. 11 no. 4 [2:04] Prélude, Op. 11 no. 6 [0:51] Album Leaf,
Op. 45 no. 1 [1:47] Etude, Op. 2 no. 1 [3:26] Leff Pouishnoff, rec.
New York, 1926 Désir, Op. 57 no. 1 [1:30] Kresse Dansee,
Op. 57 no. 2 [1:01] Enigme, Op. 52 no. 2 [1:17] Poème, Op. 32
no. 1 [3:33] Magdeleine Brard, rec. New York, 1925 Nocturne for
the Left Hand, Op. 9 no. 2 [5:16]
PIERIAN
0018 [50:33][DS]
Simply
listen to these utterly compelling performances. I have the feeling
that I have knocked on the doors of Heaven ... see Full
Review
Ruth
CRAWFORD SEEGER (1901-1953)
Vocal, Chamber and Instrumental Works Suite
for Five Wind Instruments and Piano (1927 rev. 1929) [03:57; 02:52;
02:56] Jayn Rosenfeld, flute; Marsha Heller, oboe; John Craig Barker,
clarinet; Cynde Iverson, bassoon; Daniel Grabois, horn; Cheryl Seltzer
piano; Joel Sachs conductor Violin Sonata (1925-26) [05:09; 03:14;
05:58] Mia Wu, violin; Cheryl Seltzer piano Two Ricercari (1932)
Sacco Vanzetti; Chinaman Laundryman [05:05; 03:11] Nan Hughes, mezzo-soprano;
Joel Sachs piano. Prelude No. 1 (1924) Andante [01:14] Prelude
No. 9 (1928) Tranquillo [02:54] Study in Mixed Accents (1930)
[01:31] Cheryl Seltzer piano Diaphonic Suite No. 1 for Flute
(1930) [00:48; 02:20; 01:06; 00:51] Jayn Rosenfeld, flute Diaphonic
Suite No. 2 for Bassoon and Cello (1930) [01:25; 01:50; 01:03] Susan
Heineman, bassoon; Maria Kitsopoulos, cello
Three Songs (1930-32) [03:16; 01:54; 03:54]
Nan Hughes, mezzo-soprano; Marsha Heller, oboe; Erik Charlston, percussion;
Cheryl Seltzer piano; Continuum; Joel Sachs conductor rec. Jan 1991,
Oct 1992, American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters, NYC
NAXOS 8.559197 [56:30] [RB]
Not
for the faint of heart but fascinating music.
... see Full
Review
Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975)
Concerto
for Cello and Orchestra No.2 in G major, Op.126 (1966) [35:18] Symphony
No.12 in D minor, Op.112 (1960-61) The Year 1917 (in Memory of
Lenin) [43:36] Jonathan Ayling (cello)
London Shostakovich Orchestra/Christopher Cox. rec. "live"
St. Cyprian’s Church, Glentworth Street, London, NW1, 13 Nov 2004
DUNELM RECORDS DRD0234 [78:54] [PS]
A
"live" performance with all the
problems that raises but these considerations
are more than compensated for by the sense
of occasion conveyed by this very recommendable
release. ... see Full
Review
Dimitri
SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975)
Suite
No. 1 for Variety Orchestra (1938) [24.46] Overture on Russian
and Kirghiz Themes, Op. 115 (1963) [9.19] Jazz Suite No. 1 (1934)
[7.45] Novorossisk Chimes (1960) [2.32] Festive Overture,
Op. 96 (1954) [5.46] National
Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine/Theodor Kuchar rec. 8 June 2004, Grand
Studio, Ukraine Radio, Kiev BRILLIANT
CLASSICS SUPER AUDIO CD 7096 [50.45] [TB]
A
recently recorded compilation combining two
of the composer’s most colourful orchestral
works with music written for jazz band and
theatre orchestra. The results are as entertaining
as we might expect. ... see Full
Review
Douglas
STEELE
(1910-1999) Autumn Sequence
- The Music of Douglas Steele and his circle
CD1 Douglas
STEELE Four
piano pieces (1986) [8.39] (Slow Air;
In the Style of a Sarabande, Envoi;
Musical Box) Arnold
COOKE Five
songs of William Blake for baritone, recorder
and piano (1987) [11.08] Douglas
STEELE Three short songs (1972)
[4.25] (Rats; Lullaby
for Children in a Bed; The Fox)
Pieces for recorder and piano (2001) [8.57]:
Lament by Philip
COWLIN; Scherzetto by Martin
BUSSEY; Elegy by Stephen
HOUGH; Pupazzetto by Emma
HANCOCK Douglas
STEELE Songs (1938-78) [8.01] (Thrice
toss these Oaken Ashes in the Air; Blow,
blow thou Winter Wind; Under the Greenwood
Tree; The Land of Lost Content)
Douglas STEELE
Organ pieces (1945-81) [15.35] (On
Gibbons' Angel's Song; Arioso;
On Norman Cocker's Ryburn; Three
Pieces on Hymn-Tunes; On Liebster Immanuel;
On a Fragment from Lyra Davidica) CD2
Douglas STEELE
Autumn Sequence for speaker, soloists,
chorus and instrumental ensemble (1969) [26.16]
Carlisle Cathedral Youth Choir/David Gibbs
Carlisle Cathedral Choristers/Jeremy Suter
Dalston Handbell Ringers Stephen Hough (piano);
Richard Baker (speaker); John Turner (recorder
and bell); John Powell (baritone); Vanessa
Williamson (mezzo); Michael Hancock (tenor,
tambourine, piano); Peter Lawson (piano);
Susan Bettaney (piano); Jeremy Suter (organ)
Chetham’s Lower School Choir/Peter Hatfield
rec. Whiteley Hall, Chetham’s School of Music,
27 December 2002, 29 April 2003; Carlisle
Cathedral, 5-6 May 2004
CAMPION CAMEO 2040/41 [57:30 + 26:16]
[CF]
All
the performers sound as if they are having
fun and enjoying themselves, which Douglas,
in his ever so modest way, would have loved.
... see Full
Review
Max
STEINER (1888-1971)
The
Adventures of Mark Twain (film score)
(1944) [70.49]
Moscow Symphony Orchestra and Chorus/William
Stromberg rec. Mosfilm Studio, Moscow, February
2003
NAXOS 8.557470 [70.49] [SV]
This
fresh, vivid new recording of Steiner's score
for The Adventures of Mark Twain ... see Full
Review
Richard
STRAUSS (1864-1949)
Don
Quixote, Op. 35 (1896) Le Bourgeois
Gentilhomme - suite, Op. 64 (1916)
Enrico Mainardi (cello) Karl Reita (viola)
Berlin State Opera Orchestra/Richard Strauss
rec. Berlin, 1933 (Don Quixote) from
Decca-Polydor LY6087/91; 1930 from 95392/6.
ADD
DUTTON CDBP 9746 [72:11] [LF]
The
Strauss/Mainardi Don Quixote is one of the
greats ... here given its best possible presentation,
at budget price. Strongly recommended. ...
see Full
Review
Richard
STRAUSS (1864-1949)
Symphonia
domestica, Op. 53 (1902/3) [44'39]. Oboe
Concerto (1945) [24'49]. Eine Alpensinfonie,
Op. 64 (1911-15) [43'18]. Duett-Concertino
for Clarinet, Bassoon and Strings (1947)
[18'20]. Jonathan Small (oboe); Nicholas Cox
(clarinet); Alan Pendlebury (bassoon)
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra/Gerard
Schwarz. Rec. live at Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool
on June 3rd-6th, 1002
(Symphonia domestica), March 12th-14th,
2001 (Alpensinfonie), November 12th-14th,
2002 (Duett-Concertino). Oboe Concerto
studio recording, Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool
on January 24th, 2004. DDD
AVIE AV2071 [69'35 + 61'50] [CC]
What
an advert for the RLPO this set is! The cultural
life of Liverpool is clearly thriving ...
see Full
Review
Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949)
Songs
Marie McLaughlin (soprano); Graham Johnson
(piano) Recorded 28-20 April 1993. DDD
HYPERION HELIOS CDH55202 [63’03"]
[JQ]
This
is a thoroughly enjoyable recital, which has
given me great pleasure. I hope others will
enjoy it as much. ... see Full
Review
Igor
STRAVINSKY (1882
- 1971) Apollo
ballet (1928) [25:12] Agon ballet
(1957) [20:56] Orpheus ballet
(1963) [28:31]
London Symphony Orchestra/Robert Craft (Apollo
and Orpheus) Orchestra of St. Luke’s/Robert
Craft (Agon) rec. 1–4 July 1995 (Apollo);
3–5, 8 Jan 1995 (Orpheus), Abbey Road
Studios; SUNY, Purchase, New York, 1992 (Agon).
DDD
NAXOS 8.557502 [77.45] [JW]
Finely
chiselled and fleet performances bringing
out the ballets’ rhythmic dynamism without
stinting on their emotional candour ... see
Full
Review
Arthur SULLIVAN (1842-1900)
Cox & Box (1866) - a triumviretta - words by F.C.
Burnand
Box ... James Gilchrist (tenor) Cox ... Neal Davies (baritone) Bouncer
... Donald Maxwell (baritone/bass) Trial by Jury (1875)
- a dramatic cantata, words by W.S. Gilbert Plaintiff ... Rebecca Evans
(soprano) Defendant ... James Gilchrist (tenor) Counsel ... Matthew
Brook (baritone) Usher ... Neal Davies (baritone) Judge ... Donald Maxwell
(baritone) Forman ... David Thaxton (baritone) Chamber Choir of Royal
Welsh College of Music and Drama BBC National Orchestra of Wales/Richard
Hickox rec. Brangwyn Hall, Swansea, Wales, 11-12 December 2004. DDD
CHANDOS CHAN 10321 [68:19][RW]
All
soloists are strong and in good form: all
baritones are excellent with clear diction
and good expression. Hickox brings out the
nuances and his pacing is lively throughout
... see Full
Review
Thomas
TALLIS
(c.1505-1585) Spem
in Alium (1573) [12.19] Salve intemerata motet (<1520)
[23.09] Missa Salve intemerata (1537) [27.49] With all our
heart [3.11] Discomfort them, O Lord [Absterge Domine]
[6.36] I call and cry to thee, O Lord [4.12] Oxford
Camerata/Jeremy Summerly rec. in 4.0 48/24 Sound, All Hallows, Gospel
Oak, London, UK, 23 January 2005 Notes in English and Deutsch. Latin
texts with English translations. Photos of performers. DVD-Audio/dts/AC-3.
NAXOS 5.110111 [77.16] [PSh]
A
magnificent concert of choral masterpieces
for multiple choirs, with individual voices
accurately disposed in space. ... see Full
Review
Pyotr
Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY
(1840-1893) Violin
Concerto in D major Op.35 [36.53] Meditation
in D minor Op.42 No.1 [9.40] Danse
Russe from Swan Lake – Act III
Op.20 [4.28]
Joshua Bell (violin) Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/Michael
Tilson Thomas Recorded at the Philharmonie
between 27-31 January 2005 (Concerto recorded
live) SONY
CLASSICAL SUPER AUDIO SH 94829 [51.01]
[JW]
You’ll
find the concerto something of a novel experience
but as for me I’m off to listen to Heifetz,
Milstein, Oistrakh and Elman. ... see Full
Review
Pyotr
Il'yich TCHAIKOVSKY
(1840-1893) Piano
Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, Op. 23 (1875)
[34.12]* Concert suite from The Nutcracker,
arr. Pletnev [16.01]
Rem Urasin (piano) *Sydney Symphony/Janos
Fürst rec. 6 July 2004, York Theatre,
Seymour Centre, The University of Sydney,
and *17 July 2004, Sydney Opera House
ABC CLASSICS (AUSTRALIA) 476271-6 [51.16]
[SV]
A
document of the pianist, and a promissory
note on better things to come, but hardly
a basic library acquisition in a crowded catalogue.
... see Full
Review
Peter
Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840
– 1893) Eugene
Onegin (1879) Irina Udalova (mezzo)
... Larina; Maria Gavrilova (sop) ... Tatyana;
Yelena Novak (alto) ... Olga; Galina Borisova
(mezzo) ... Fillipyevna; Vladimir Redkin (baritone)
... Eugene Onegin; Nikolai Baskov (tenor)
... Lensky; Aik Martirosyan (bass) ... Prince
Gremin; Alexander Arkhipov (tenor) ... Triquet;
Vladimir Krasov (bass) ... A Captain; Alexander
Korotky (bass) ... Zaretsky; Vladimir Sokolovsky
(baritone) ... Leader of the peasant’s chorus
Chorus and Orchestra of the Bolshoi Theatre/Mark
Ermler. Recorded live at the Bolshoi Theatre,
Moscow on 18th October 2000. DTS
5.1 Stereo, DD 5.1, LPCM Stereo TDK
DV-OPEON [2 DVDs: 157:00] [JPh]
I
have not enjoyed an opera DVDs so much for
a very long time. If traditional productions
are for you, then try this one – you will
not be disappointed. ... see Full
Review
Mikis
THEODORAKIS
(b.1925) Axion
Esti 'Praise Be' (1960) [70:28] Canto
General (1971-74, 1980-81) [111:57] Liturgy
No. 2 For the Young Killed in Wars (1982)
[34:05] Symphony No. 3 (1981) [70:36] Sadduzäer-Passion
(1982) [53:17] Gothart Stier (bar); Gunter
Emmerlich (bas); Friedrich Wilhelm Junge (speaker);
Lakis Kamezis (bouzouki); Erik Kross (sanduri);
Beethoven-Chor des VEB Elektromaschinenbau
Dresden; FDJ-Chor der EOS Kreuzschule Dresden;
Kinder-Kammerchor der Dresdner Philharmonie;
Orchester der Hochschule für Musik 'Carl
Maria von Weber'; Lehrkräfter der Bezirksmusikschule
'Paul Büttner' Dresden/Mikis Theodorakis
(Axion); Alexandra Papadjiakou (alto);
Frangiskos Voutsinos (bar); Rundfunkchor Berlin/Lukas
Karytinos (Canto); Dresdner Kreuzchor/Martin
Flämig (Liturgy); Els Bolkestein
(sop), Rundfunkchor Berlin, Orchester der
Komischen Oper Berlin/Heinz Rögner (no.
3); Rundfunkchor Berlin; Friedrich Wilhelm
Junge (speaker); Joachim Vogt (ten); Jürgen
Freier (bar); Hermann Christian Polster (bass);
Berlin Symphony Orchestra/Hans-Peter Frank
(Passion) rec. live - first performance,
Komischen Oper, Berlin, 29 April 1982 (no.
3); other works rec. Berlin, 1980-1985. ADD
EDEL
- BERLIN CLASSICS - 0002802CCC [6
CDs: 70:28 + 67:15 + 44:42 + 34:05 + 70:36
+ 53:17] [RB]
Resolutely
populist music with occasional wanderings.
Revolutionary ballads, richly harmonised choral
writing and Latino rhythmic verve. A pellucid
clarity. There is no doubting Theodorakis’s
sincerity. ... see Full
Review
Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS
(1872-1958) A Sea Symphony (Symphony
No. 1) (1909) [63.54] Texts by Walt Whitman.
Joan Rodgers,
soprano; Christopher Maltman, baritone. Bournemouth Symphony Chorus
and Orchestra/Paul Daniel Recorded at the Poole Arts Centre, Bournemouth,
UK, 10 February 2002. Notes English and Deutsch. English texts, no translations.
Hybrid SACD Playable on all CD players
NAXOS
6.110016
[63.54][PSh]
A
simply overwhelming experience. The Sea Symphony can’t get any better
than this. ... see Full Review
Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901)
Falstaff
– opera in three acts after Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Henry V,
and The Merry Wives of Windsor. (1892) Libretto by Arrigo Boito
Falstaff – Leonard Warren (baritone) Ford – Giuseppe Valdengo (baritone)
Fenton – Giuseppe di Stefano (tenor) Alice Ford – Regina Resnik (soprano)
Anne Ford (Nannetta) – Licia Albanese (soprano) Dame Quickly – Cloe
Elmo (contralto) Meg Page – Martha Lipton (mezzo) Bardolph – Alessio
de Paolis (tenor) Pistol – Lorenzo Alvary (bass) Dr. Caius – Leslie
Chabay (tenor) Chorus
and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera/Fritz Reiner Recorded broadcast
of 26 February 1949.
GUILD HISTORICAL GHCD 2309/10 [62:31 + 68:27] [JR]
Some
incredible singing and playing ... see Full
Review
Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901) La forza del destino
Ernesto Dominici (bass) – Il Marchese di Calatrava;
Maria Caniglia (soprano) – Donna Leonora;
Carlo Tagliabue (baritone) – Don Carlos di
Vargas; Galliano Masini (tenor) – Don Alvaro;
Ebe Stignani (mezzo) – Preziosilla; Tancredi
Pasero (bass – Padre Guardiano); Saturno Meletti
(baritone) – Fra’ Melitone; Liana Avogadro
(mezzo) – Curra; Dario Caselli (bass) – Un
alcade); Ernesto Dominici (bass) – Un chirurgo;
Giuseppe Nessi (tenor) – Maestro Trabuco Orchestra
Sinfonica e Coro dell’E.I.A.R. di Torino/Gino
Marinuzzi Recorded at the Teatro di Torino
21 May, 23–29 May, 8 June 1941. ADD
WARNER FONIT 8573 82652-5 [74:08 +
78:17][GF]
One
of the most thrilling recordings of a Verdi
opera ever issued. ... see Full
Review
Giuseppe
VERDI (1813–1901)
Otello (1887)
Giovanni Martinelli (tenor) – Otello; Elizabeth
Rethberg (soprano) – Desdemona; Lawrence Tibbett
(baritone) – Iago; Nicholas Massue (tenor)
– Cassio; Thelma Votipka (mezzo) – Emilia;
Giovanni Paltrinieri (tenor) – Roderigo; Nicola
Moscona (bass) – Lodovico; George Cehanovsky
(baritone) – Montano
Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera,
New York/Ettore Panizza Recorded at the New
York Metropolitan Opera, 12th February
1938 Reissue Producer and Restoration Engineer:
Ward Marston
NAXOS 8.111018-19 [75:00 + 75:00] [GF]
An
essential interpretation ... should be in
every respectable opera collection, warts
and all. ... see Full
Review
Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901)
Rigoletto
- Melodramma in three acts
Libretto by Francesca Maria Piave based on
Victor Hugo’s drama ‘Le Roi s’amuse’.
First performed at the Teatro La Fenice, Venice,
on March 11th 1851 Duke of Mantua ... Ferruccio
Tagliavini (ten); Rigoletto, his jester ...
Giuseppe Taddei (bar); Gilda, Rigoletto’s
daughter ... Lina Pagliughi (sop); Sparafucile,
a villain available for hire as an assassin
... Giulio Neri (bass); Maddalena, his sister
... Irma Colasanti (mezzo); Giovanna, Gilda’s
Duenna ... Tilde Fiorio (mezzo); Count Monterone
... Antonio Zerbini (bass); Marullo, a courtier
Alberto Albertini (bar); Matteo Borsa, a courtier
... Tommaso Soley (ten); Count Ceprano ...
Mario Zorgniotti (bar); Contess Ceprano ...
Ines Marietti (sop)
Cetra Chorus. Orchestra Sinfonica di
Torino della RAI/Angelo Questa Recorded in
mono in Turin 22-24 February 1954
WARNER FONIT 50467-7907-2-8 [52.47 + 59.40]
[RJF]
Hearing
this again thrilled me as much as it did fifty
years ago. ... see Full
Review
Antonio
VIVALDI (1678-1741)
Complete Cello Concertos
CD1 [53.53] 1. RV 405 in D Minor; 2. 401 in C Minor; 3 RV 423in
B-Flat; 4.RV 399 in C; 5. Cello and Bassoon RV 409 in E Minor; 6. Movement
for Cello, RV 538 in D Minor. CD2 [73.25] 1. RV 403 in D; 2 RV
424in B Minor; 3. RV 422 in A Minor; 4. RV 402 in C Minor; 5. RV 412
in F; 6.RV 414 in G; 7.RV 414 in G; 8 RV 406 in D Minor. CD3
[59:02] 1. RV 411 in F; 2. RV 404 in D; 3.RV 420 in A Minor; 4.RV 407
in D Minor; 5.RV 417 in G Minor; 6. for violin, cello and orchestra;
RV 544 in F CD4 [62.43] 1. RV 418 in A Minor; 2 RV 408 in E Flat;
3. RV 416 in G Minor; 4. RV 419 in A Minor; 5. RV 413 in G; 6. for violin,
cello and orchestra; RV 547 in B Flat
Ofra Harnoy, cello Toronto Chamber Orchestra James McKay, bassoon
(CD1, tr. 13-15); Igor Oistrakh, violin (CD3, tr. 16-18; CD4 tr. 16-18);
Robert Dodson, cello continuo (CD1 and CD2); Mihai Tetel, cello continuo
(CD3 and CD4); Elizabeth Keenan, harpsichord (CD1, CD4 tr.1-15); Valerie
Weeks harpsichord/organ (CD2+CD3+CD4 tr. 16-18); Paul Robinson, conductor
(CD1-3 and CD4 tr. 16-18); Richard Stamp, conductor (CD4 tr. 1-15) rec.
CD1. April 6-7 1987, St. Timothy Church, Toronto; CD2. May 15, 26 1989,
St Timothy Church, Toronto; CD3. Feb. 6, 1992, St Timothy Church, Toronto,
July 24-26 1992, St George Church, Toronto; CD4. Feb. 4-6, 1994, St
Martin in the Fields Church, Toronto; Feb. 6, 1992, St. Timothy Church,
Toronto (RV 547) BMG
RCA RED SEAL 82876678862 [53:53 + 73:25 + 59:02 + 62:43]
[ZT]
Enthusiastically
recommended ... marvellously inventive music,
beautifully played by a superb cellist. Guaranteed
to provide hours of fulfilling musical experience.
... see Full
Review
Antonio
VIVALDI (1678-1741)
Concerti E Cantate Da Camera III Concerto
in C RV87 [08:10], Cantata Amor, hai vinto
RV683* [13:27], Concerto in F RV98 – "tempesta
di mare" [05:41], Cantata Lungi dal
vago volto RV680* [14:07], Concerto in
G minor RV103 [08:53], Cantata Vengo a
voi, luci adorate RV682* [10:14]
Laura Polverelli (mezzo-soprano)*, L’Astrée/Giorgio
Tabacco Recorded July and August 2000 (concertos),
November 2003 (cantatas), in the Istituto
di Musica Antica Academia Montis Regalis,
Mondovi, Italy
NAÏVE OP 30381 [60:26] [CH]
The
music really leaps off the page … Vivaldi
at his richest. ... see Full
Review
Antonio
VIVALDI (1678-1741)
Concerti trascritti per Organo Concerto
in Sol minore RV 328 (Allegro [6.11]; Largo
[2.40]; Allegro [4.28]) Concerto in Do Maggiore
RV 144 - Ciaccona [5.55] Concerto in La minore
RV 356, op. 3 no. 6, L’Estro armonico (Allegro
[4.37]; Largo (Solo e cantabile) ; Presto
[4.18]) Sonata in Mi minore RV 67 [3.29];
Concerto in Do Maggiore RV 180 –Il Piacere
(Allegro [5.19]; Largo e Cantabile [3.54] ;
Concerto in Re Maggiore RV 206 - Grave [6.24]
Concerto in Sol minore RV 333 (Allegro [7.30];
Andante cantabile [2.38]; Allegro [9.42])
Francesco Tasini (Organ) Organ of Chiesa di
Santa Maria di Gesso, Bologna, Italy (Dell’Orto
and Lanzini of Dolmelletto, Novara, 2003)
Recorded at Santa Maria di Gesso, Bologna,
Italy, 8 February 2004
TACTUS TC 672241 [69:52] [CAnt]
Tasini
succeeded in opening the windows of a baroque
hall. Strangely enough what he did not succeed
in doing was to bring the fresh air in. ...
see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Richard
WAGNER (1813-1883)
Tristan
und Isolde (1865) Nina Stemme (sop)
... Isolde; Plácido Domingo (ten) ...
Tristan; Mihoko Fujimora (mezzo) ... Brangäne;
René Pape (bass) ... King Marke; Olaf
Bär (bar) ... Kurwenal ; Jared Holt (ten)
... Melot; Ian Bostridge (ten) ... Shepherd;
Rolando Villazón (ten) ... Young Sailor;
Matthew Rose (bar) ... Steersman
Royal Opera House Chorus, Covent Garden
Royal Opera House Orchestra, Covent Garden/Antonio
Pappano rec. Nov 2004–Jan 2005, No. 1 Studio,
Abbey Road Studios, London. DDD Plus bonus
DVD
EMI CLASSICS 558006-2 [3 CDs: 78:57
+ 73:54 + 73:38 = 227:00] [MB]
If,
as rumour has it, this will be the last studio
recording of a major opera, then EMI have
ended the history of studio opera on a very
high note indeed. ... see Full
Review
Richard
WAGNER (1813-1883)
Götterdämmerung Siegfried:
John Treleaven; Gunther: Falck Struckmann;
Alberich: Günter von Kannen; Hagen: Matti
Salminen; Brünnhilde: Deborah Polaski;
Gutrune/Third Norn: Elisabete Matos; Waltraute/First
Norn: Julia Joun; Second Norn: Leandra Overmann;
Woglinde: Cristina Obregón; Wellgunde:
Maria Rodriguez; Flosshilde: Francisca Beaumont.
Symphony Orchestra of the Gran Teatre del
Liceu/Bertrand de Billy,
Barcelona 2004. Producer: Harry Kupfer DVD-all
regions OPUS
ARTE OA 0913 D [3 discs: 284:00] [AO]
A
tour de force by Salminen. His interpretation
of Hagen illuminates deeper levels of the
drama than are usually seen ... see Full
Review
Carl
Maria von WEBER (1786-1826) Overtures
Euryanthe
(1823) [8.38] Abu Hassan (1811) [3.32] Preziosa (1821)
[8.13] The Ruler of the Spirits (1811) [5.39] Oberon (1826)
[8.48] Jubel (1818) [7.46] Der Freischütz (1821)
[10.04]
Dresden
Staatskapelle/Gustav Kühn rec. March 1985, Lukaskirche, Dresden
CAPRICCIO SACD 71045
[66.16][TB]
These
appealing and well recorded performances can be enthusiastically recommended.
... see Full Review
Felix
WEINGARTNER
(1863-1942) Der
Sturm - Overture (1918) [11:53] Der Sturm - Suite (1918)
[12:17] Serenade for String Orchestra (1882) [12:06] Symphony No. 4
in F major op. 61 (1916) [31:03]
Sinfonieorchester Basel/Marko Letonja rec. Casino Basel Musiksaal 8
Sept 2003. DDD CPO
SACD 777 098-2 [67:49] [RB]
The
Serenade is a gem of rediscovery and the Symphony
a work of rural grandeur.
... see Full
Review
Friedrich WITT
(1770-1836) Orchestral Works
Symphony
No.6 Sinfonie torque (published 1808-09)
[24.39] Concerto for flute and orchestra (c.1806)
[[22.46] Symphony No.9 (published 1818) [26.14]
Susanne Barner (flute)
Hamburg Symphony Orchestra/Johannes Moesus
Recorded March 2004, recording location unspecified
MDG 329 1299-2 [74.07] [JW]
Seldom-heard
works brought to life with real panache. ...
see Full Review
Ernst
Wilhelm WOLF
(1735-1792) Symphony
in E flat major [16.51] Symphony in F major
[23.51] Symphony in C major (1786) [17.20]
Symphony in D major [[6.54]
Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra, Weimar/Nicolás
Pasquet rec. Concert Hall of the Franz Liszt
University of Music, Weimar, April 2003
NAXOS 8.557132 [64.56] [JW]
One
for those curious about followers of C.P.E.
Bach and admirers of the Mannheim aesthetic.
... see Full
Review
Philipp
WOLFRUM
(1854-1919) Sonate
op. 1 (1882) [19:58] Zweite Sonate
op. 10 (1883) [22:13] Dritte Sonate
op. 14 (1898) [35:49]
Martin Sander (organ) Rec. Civic Hall, Heidelberg,
27-29 August 2004. DDD
MDG 606 1319-2 [78:00] [BJ]
The
connoisseur of German Romantic music cannot
afford to be without this wonderful performance
of music too rarely heard all performed by
a true master. ... see Full
Review
Isang
YUN (1917
– 1995) Novelette
(1980)a [18:26] Trio (1972/5)b [13:20] Duo (1984)c
[14:12] Sonata (1991)d [20:59]
Kolja Lessing (violin)abd; Walter Grimmer (cello)abc;
Holger Groschopp (piano)bd; Maria Graf (harp)ac;
Roswitha Staege (flute)a Recorded: Studio 10, DeutschlandRadio,
Berlin, November 2000
CAPRICCIO 67116 [67:36] [HC]
All
these musicians obviously love the music.
Their performances are committed and serve
the music well. This cross-section of Yun’s
chamber music may be safely recommended. ...
see Full Review
Riccardo
ZANDONAI (1883-1944)
Violin
Concerto Romantico (1919) [30:10] Quadri di Segantini (L'Aratura;
Idillio; Ritorno al paese natio; Meriggio) RZ 225
(1931) [26:53] Stefano
Zanchetta (violin) Orchestra Haydn di Bolzano e Trento/Maurizio Dini
Ciacci (concerto); Giuseppe Grazioli (Quadri) rec. Auditorium,
Konzerthaus J Haydn, Bolzano, Nov 2003 (concerto); Haus der Kultur,
Feb 2000 (Quadri). DDD
CPO 777 107-2 [57:06] [RB]
Colourful
nationalist music atmospherically presented
and standing in the lineage of Dvorak and
Respighi. ... see Full
Review
Alexander
ZEMLINSKY
(1871-1942) Piano Music
Ländliche
Tänze Op.1 (1891) [14.49] Albumblatt
(1895) [2.46] Fantasien über Gedichte
von Richard Dehmel Op.9 (1898) [10.49]
Vier Balladen (1892-93) [13.44] Menuett
from Das gläserne Herz (1901
published 1903) [1.10] Skizze (1896)
[2.32] Ein Lichtstrahl – original version
(1901) [17.35]
Silke Avenhaus (piano) Recorded at the Rathausprunksaal,
Landshut, July 2003
NAXOS 8.557331 [63.26] [JW]
Avenhaus
has been accorded a good acoustic ... sensitive
musicianship. ... 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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