ALPHABETICAL LISTING

Herbert Alsen (bass) (1906-1978) Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) see review for details Herbert Alsen (bass) Radio broadcasts recorded 1943-49 PREISER 90579 [74.13] [JW]

Alsen’s rich and resonant bass ... a refreshing disc ... see Full Review

Sir John Barbirolli (1899-1970) In Rehearsal and Performance Attrib. Franz Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Oboe Concerto in C Evelyn Rothwell (oboe) Vancouver Symphony Orchestra/Sir John Barbirolli Recorded in Vancouver, Canada, 1963 VAI DVD 4293 [60:00] [GPJ]

A tiny moment in the great man’s career, perhaps, but nevertheless a significant document in the history of 20^th century conducting – and oboe playing - traditions. ... see Full Review

Bethlehem Down - Carols by Holst, Warlock, Rutter and others
Trad. arr. RUTTER Deck the Hall BRITTEN The Birds French, arr. CARTER A maiden most gentle WARLOCK Balulalow Andrew CARTER Sweet was the song the Virgin sang English, arr. RUTTER Tomorrow shall be my dancing day BRITTEN Corpus Christi Carol HOLST Four Old English Carols WARLOCK Bethlehem Down English, arr. ROSSITER Sussex Carol HOLST Lullay my liking BRITTEN King Herod and the Cock HADLEY I sing of a maiden West Indian, arr. SLESSOR De Virgin Mary had a baby boy WARLOCK The First Mercy English, arr. RUTTER The Holly and the Ivy HEAD Star Candles Basque, arr. ROSSITER The Angel Gabriel CARTER Mistletoe Carol Philip Langridge, tenor Finchley Children’s Music Group/Grace Rossiter John Evanson (accompanist) Rec. chapel of St. George’s VA School, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, UK, April 2004. Proceeds from the recording to the charity HOPE for Children NAXOS 8.557581 [56.17] [WH]

A disc which will bring pleasure to all who hear it as well as supporting a thoroughly worthy cause. ... see Full Review

O Blessed Light. In Praise of the Holy Trinity PLAINSONG Benedicta sit, Benedicta sit Creatrix, O lux beata Trinitas Kenneth LEIGHTON (1929-1988) A Hymn to the Trinity (1974) Juan ESQUIVEL (c. 1563-after 1612) Duo seraphim (1608) Orlando di LASSUS (1532-1594) Tibi laus Philip WILBY (b. 1949) Vox Dei (1993) Peter PHILIPS (1560/61-1628) Tibi laus Giovanni da PALESTRINA (1525-1594) O beata et benedicta John SHEPPARD (c. 1515-1558) Libera nos Louis HALSEY (b. 1929) O lux beata Trinitas (1995) William BYRD (c. 1540-1623) Te Deum from The Great Service, O lux beata Trinitas Arthur WILLIS (b. 1926) The Praises of the Trinity* Francisco GUERRERO (1528-1599)
Duo seraphim, O lux beata Trinitas Nigel BUTTERLEY (b.1935) Flower in the Crannied Wall (1980) Tomas Luis da VICTORIA (1548-1611) Duo seraphim (1583) Michael Leighton JONES (b. 1947) O lux beata Trinitas Charles WOOD (1866-1926) Hail, Gladdening Light (1919) Choir of Trinity College, University of Melbourne/Michael Leighton Jones Philip Nicholls (assistant director and conductor*) Recorded at the Carmelite Monastery, Kew, Victoria, November 2003 ABC CLASSICS ABC 476 294-0 [66.42] [JW]

A welcome recital from this well established choir who convey a sense of continuum with honesty and commitment. ... see Full Review

JORGE BOLET rediscovered – LISZT RECITAL Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Liebestraum no.3, S.541 [04:54], Gnomenreigen (No.2 of Etudes de Concert, S.145) [03:15], Un sospiro (no.3 of Etudes de Concert, S.144) [05:39], Funérailles (no.7 of Harmonies poétiques et réligieuses, S.173) [11:32], La Campanella (no.3 of Grandes études de Paganini, S.140) [04:51], Waldesrauchen (no.1 of Etudes de Concert, S.145) [04:03], Grand Galop chromatique, S.219 [04:18], Rhapsodie espagnole, S.254 [13:51], Transcription of Wagner’s Tannhäuser Overture, S.442 [16:27] Jorge Bolet (piano)
rec. RCA Studio A, New York City, July 16^th 1973 (Tannhäuser), August 21^st-24^th 1972 (all others) BMG-RCA RED SEAL 82876 63310 2 [69:15][CH]

Powerful pianism which failed to engage this listener. ... see Full Review

Voices of our Time - Ian Bostridge Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Wehmut, D 772 (1822) [2.38] Text by von Collin Der Zwerg, D771 (1822) [5.13] Text by von Collin Nacht und träume, D 827 (1822/3) [4.15] Text by von Collin Der Musensohn, D 764 (1822) [1.51] Text by Goethe An die Entfernte, D 765 (1822) [2.59] Text by Goethe Am Flusse, D 911 (1827) [1.40] Text by Müller Willkommen und Abschied, D 767 (1822) [3.29] Text by Goethe Wanderers Nachtlied II, D 768 (1822) [2.30] Text by Goethe An die Leier, D 737 (1922/3) [4.26] Text by Bruchmann Am See, D 746 (1922/3) [1.47] Text by Bruchmann Im Haine, D 738 (1922/3) [2.30] Text by Bruchmann Erlkönig, D 328 (1815) [4.52] Text by Goethe Erster Verlust, D 226 (1815) [2.33] Text by Goethe [encore] Hugo WOLF (1860 -1903) Der Genesene an die Hoffnung (1888) [4.04] (All texts by Mörike) Der Knabe und das Immlein (1888) [3.19] Gebet (1888) [2.51] An den Schlaf (1888) [2.34] Neue Liebe (1888) [2.43] An die Geliebte (1888) [3.43] Begegnung (1888) [1.25] Nimmersatte Liebe (1888) [2.16] Peregrina I (1888) [1.56] Peregrina II (1888) [3.05] Storchenbotschaft (1888) [4.39] Abschied (1888) [3.14] Ian Bostridge, tenor; Roger Vignoles, Steinway piano Recorded at Théâtre Musical de Paris-Châtelet, France, 2000 [day/month not given] Notes in English, Deutsch, Français; track list; no printed texts; technical credits. Subtitles: English, Deutsch, Castellano, Français, Italiano. On screen extras; interviews with the performers commenting on the music. PAL 16:9 DVD-9 format. PCM Stereo 2.0, AC-3 digital 5.0, or DTS 5.0 sound. Region 0 “All Regions” CHÂTELET TDK RM ARTS DVD-VITB-EUR [91.00][PSh]

Stupendous singing performances very well recorded presented in a carelessly showcased disk. ... see Full Review

Enrico CARUSO (tenor) 1873-1921. The Complete Recordings Recorded 1902-1920 Full details of the contents of the 12 discs given at end of review BMG-RCA COMPLETE COLLECTIONS 82876-60396-2 [12 CDs: 71.58 + 70.07 + 69.08 + 69.00 + 72.44 + 71.12 + 71.44 + 71.55 + 72.26 + 72.37 + 67.08 + 73.10] [RJF]

A formidable legacy of great singing ... see Full Review

Enrico CARUSO - The Digital Comeback Original recordings of Caruso 1904-1920 in Victor Studios New York and Camden New Jersey. Milan recording (CD 3 tr. 1) November 30th 1902 Modern orchestral recordings, May 1999 (CD 1), January 2001 (CD 2), and April 2002 (CD 3). All in Vienna with Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra/Gottfried Rabl Computer adaptation and voice separation by Peter Kindl (CDs 1 and 2) and Robert Pavlecka (CD 3); Full details of the contents of the 3 discs are given in the review BMG-RCA RED SEAL 82876 64165 2 [3 CDs: 65.53 + 60.19 + 57.23][RJF]

A success ... see Full Review

Alicja Fiderkiewicz – celebrity recital César FRANCK (1822-1890) Prélude, choral et fugue Fryderyk CHOPIN (1810-1849) Impromptu No.2 in F sharp, Op.36; Impromptu No.3 in G flat, Op.51; Barcarolle in F sharp, Op.60; Nocturne No.7 in C sharp minor, Op.27/1 Paul HINDEMITH (1895-1963) Sonata No.3 in B flat Alicja Fiderkiewicz (piano) rec. 24 August 2004, Whiteley Hall, Chetham’s School of Music, Manchester. DDD DUNELM RECORDS DRD0230 [60'27] [RNB]

All in all, this is a well played recital, somewhat undermined by the recording quality. ... See Full Review

Wilhelm Furtwängler. Live in Lucerne - 26 VIII 1953 Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Violin Concerto Op.77 Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Symphony No.4 Op.120 Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Symphony No.3 Op.55 Eroica Symphony No.7 – Second Movement Rehearsal [6.08] Symphony No.9 – extract from the Finale [7.25]+ Yehudi Menuhin (violin) Elizabeth Schwarzkopf, E Cavelti, Ernst Haefliger and Otto Edelmann Orchestra of the Lucerne Festival Philharmonia Orchestra+
Recorded live in the Kunsthaus, Lucerne 1951-54, except the Brahms, a commercial HMV recording from 1949 TAHRA FURT 1088 [69.48 + 66.26] [JW]

Much here is stirring and magnificent ... see Full Review

Furtwängler: Great Conductors Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Symphony No.5 in C minor Op.67 Wilhelm FURTWÄNGLER (1886-1954) Symphonic Concerto – Adagio solemne* Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Parsifal; Prelude to Act I
Good Friday Spell (Act III) Edwin Fischer (piano)* Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/Wilhelm Furtwängler Recorded 1937-39 NAXOS 8.110879 [68.08] [JW]

Nobly conceived readings and vividly recorded ... see Full Review

Beniamino Gigli - The Gigli Edition, Vol. 8 Beniamino Gigli (tenor), Iva Pacetti (soprano), La Scala Orchestra/Carlo Sabajno, Franco Ghione, Dino Oliveri, Orchestra/John Barbirolli, Berlin State Opera Orchestra/Alois Melichar Recorded in Milan, London and Berlin 1933 – 1935 NAXOS 8.110269 [74:06] [GF]

You should add this one to the collection ... the only risk being that you will probably have to buy the preceding seven volumes as well. ... see Full Review

Jerry Hadley, tenor; Thomas Hampson, baritone: Operatic Duets Giacomo PUCCINI (1858 - 1924) La Bohème: "O Mimì tu più non torni (1895) [4.37] Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797 - 1848) Belisario: "Liberi siete, addio" (1836) [7.43] L’Elisir d’amore: "Venti scudi" (1832) [9.18] Lucia di Lammermoor: "Orrida è questa notte" (1842) [11.20] Giuseppe VERDI (1818 - 1901) Les Vêpres Siciliennes: "Quel est ton nom? Henri" (1854) [7.35] Don Carlos: "Le voila! C’est l’enfant!" (1867) [10.29] Georges BIZET (1838 - 1875) Les Pêcheurs de perles: "Au fond du temple saint" (1863) [7.34] Giacomo MEYERBEER (1791 - 1864) Dinorah: "Quand l’heure sonnera" (1859) [7.27] Johann STRAUSS II (1825 - 1899) Die Fledermaus: "Komm mit mir zun Souper" (1874) [3.38] Jerry Hadley, tenor; Thomas Hampson, baritone. Orchestra of the Welsh National Opera/Carlo Rizzi Recorded at Brangwyn Hall, Swansea, UK, August 1992 Notes in English, Français, Deutsch. Original texts and translations into English. WARNER ELATUS 2564 61362-2 [70.51] [PSh]

Two of the finest voices of our time sing some of the finest ensemble music of all time; how much better can it get? ... see Full Review

Francisco GOYA (1746—1828) Music of His Time see review for details NAXOS 8.558178 Arts and Music Series [70:03] [JL]

Little connection between Goya and the pieces apart from being "of his time". But you get a nice anthology with a good booklet at bargain price. ... see Full Review

Hymns from Oxford - Amazing Grace Amazing Grace [4’31] Jerusalem [2’48] Let us with a Gladsome Mind [2’30] Rock of Ages, Cleft for me [2’47] Onward Christian Soldiers [5’02] When I Survey the Wondrous Cross [5’02] The Day of Resurrection [2’18] Morning has Broken [3’13] Now Thank we all our God [2’44] Nearer, my God, to Thee [4’42] Holy, Holy, Holy! [3’17] Glory be to Jesus [2’49] Crown Him with Many Crowns [3’01] Jesu, Lover of my Soul [3’49] All Glory, Laud and Honour [5’46] Lead us, Heavenly Father, Lead us [1’59] O Jesus, I have Promised [3’22] Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrica [3’13] Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford/Stephen Darlington Clive Driskill-Smith, organ Rec: Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, July 2004 GRIFFIN GCCD 4047 [63’00] [GMS]

There are many highlights. Nothing is overstated or outlandish, and the singing has a very pleasing polished and bright sound. Highly recommended. ... see Full Review

Kartuli Musika – Music from Georgia Sulchan NASSIDSE (1927-1996)
Chamber Symphony No. 3 (1969) Igor LOBODA (b. 1956) Concert Ballade for Violin, Violoncello and Chamber Orchestra* Sulchan ZINZADSE (1925-1991) Miniatures for String Orchestra+ Corinne Chapelle (violin), Alexander Suleiman (violoncello)* Kozue Sato-Stiller (flute), Tobias Albrecht (bassoon) Evi Weichenrieder (celesta)+ The Georgian Chamber Orchestra Ingolstadt Markus Poschner Recorded in Asam Kirche Maria de Victoria Ingolstadt, 2-4 October 2002 GUILD GMCD 7279 [65.02] [JW]

This trio of Georgian works proves diverting listening. Influences are clear but individuality is still potent. ... see Full Review

Evgeny KISSIN (b. 1971) The Gift of Music A film by Christopher Nupen Documentary about the life and rise to fame of Russian pianist Evgeny Kissin. Includes musical excerpts by Liszt, Gluck, Beethoven, Schubert, Haydn, Paganini and Chopin. Specific works are not listed nor are individual timings provided. BMG DVD 09026 63642 9 [104:00] [KS]

An ability beyond his years ... seems to play with a perfection that hasn’t been achieved since the likes of Horowitz. ... technique to burn ... see Full Review

L’Art de Paul van Kempen - Volume. I Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Les Préludes (Polydor 1937) Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Symphony No.8 (Polydor 1940) Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) The Hebrides Overture (Philips 1951) Giacomo ROSSINI (1792-1868) Guillaume Tell (DGG 1951) Hector BERLIOZ (1803-1869) Benvenuto Cellini (DGG 1951) Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Piano Concerto No. 2 (DGG 1952) Adrian Aeschbacher (piano) Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/Paul van Kempen Recorded 1937-52 as noted above TAHRA TAH 512/513 [61.27 + 55.12] [JW]

This is another good slice of van Kempen’s commercial and studio discography. ... see Full Review

George London - 1953 Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Le nozze di Figaro (1786) - Se vuol ballare^a [3’25]; La vendetta^b [3’03]; Non più andrai^b; Vedrò, mentr’io sospiro^b [4’41]; Aprite un po’ quegl’occhi^a [4’08]. Concert Arias^b - Mentre ti lascio, K513 (1787) [8’02]; Per questa bella mano, K612 (1791) [7’46]; Rivolgete a lui lo sguardo, K584 (1789) [4’55]. Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Aida (1871) - Ciel, mio padre!^c [8’09]. Alexander BORODIN (1833-87) No sleep, no rest^d (1887, sung in Russian) [7’45]. Richard WAGNER (1813-83) Die Walküre (1870) - Leb’ wohl, du kühnes, herrliches Kind^d [15’20]. George London (baritone); ^cAstrid Varnay (soprano); ^abColumbia Symphony Orchestra/Bruno Walter (^aharpsichord); George Neikrug (cello, K612); ^cdBavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra/Hermann Weigert. Rec. ^abLos Angeles, California, on 7-8 May 1953, Bavarian broadcasts of 3^d, 5^c Oct 1953. mono ADD PREISER 90580 [71:10] [CC]

All lovers of great Wagner singing should own this disc. Do bear in mind that the delights of the rest of its duration are many, though. ... 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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