RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Camille
SAINT-SAËNS (1835–1921) Chamber Music
CD 1 Septet in E flat major for piano, trumpet, two violins, viola,
cello and double bass, Op 65 (1880) [16'34] Tarantelle in A minor
for flute, clarinet and piano, Op 6 (1857) [6'22] Bassoon Sonata in
G major, Op 168 (1921) [12'04] Piano Quartet in B flat major, Op 41
(1875) [29'51] CD 2 Piano Quintet in A minor, Op 14 (1855) [30'32]
Oboe Sonata in D major, Op 166 (1921) [11'05] Clarinet Sonata in
E flat major, Op 167 (1921) [15'57] Caprice sur des airs danois
et russes for piano, flute, oboe and clarinet, Op 79 (1887) [10'51]
The Nash Ensemble
Septet: Ian Brown (piano); Mark David (trumpet) Marianne Thorsen (violin);
David Adams (violin); Lawrence Power (viola); Paul Watkins (cello);
Duncan McTier (double bass) Tarantelle: Philippa Davies (flute); Richard
Hosford (clarinet); Ian Brown (piano) Bassoon Sonata: Ursula Leveaux
(bassoon); Ian Brown (piano); Piano Quartet: Ian Brown (piano); Marianne
Thorsen (violin); Lawrence Power (viola); Paul Watkins (cello) Piano
Quintet: Ian Brown (piano); Marianne Thorsen (violin); Benjamin Nabarro
(violin); Lawrence Power (viola); Paul Watkins (cello); Benjamin Nabarro
(violin); Oboe Sonata: Gareth Hulse (oboe); Ian Brown (piano) Clarinet
Sonata: Richard Hosford (clarinet); Ian Brown (piano); Caprice: Ian
Brown (piano); Philippa Davies (flute); Richard Hosford (clarinet);
Ian Brown (piano); Gareth Hulse (oboe) Recorded in Henry Wood Hall,
London, on 15–17 and 28–30 July 2004 HYPERION CDA67431-2
[65'04 + 68'40][MC]
A
wonderfully presented release that is highly
recommended. One of my records of the year.
... see Full
Review
Aulis SALLINEN
(b.
1935) Shadows
op. 52 (1982) [8:48] Symphony No. 8 Autumnal
Fragments op. 81 (2001) [24:02] Violin
Concerto op. 18 (1968) [18:03] The Palace
Rhapsody op. 72 (1995) [16:56]
Jaakko Kuusisto (violin) Staatsphilharmonie
Rheinland-Pfalz/Ari Rasilainen rec. 29 Nov-4
Dec 2004, Ludwugshafen, Philharmonie. DDD
CPO 999 972-2 [67:52] [RB]
The
latest in Sallinen's symphonic line plus an
urgent recommendation for The Palace Rhapsody
which for all its operatic origins has symphonic
momentum ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Esa-Pekka
SALONEN
(b. 1958) Foreign
Bodies (2001) (Part 1: Body Language
[9:52]; Part 2: Language [6:03]; Part
3: Dance [3:39]) Wing on Wing (2004)
[25:56] Insomnia (2002) [21:14]
Anu Komsi; Piia Komsi (sopranos) Finnish
Radio Symphony Orchestra/Esa-Pekka Salonen
Recorded Kulttuuritalo, Helsinki, Finland,
September 2004. DDD
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 00289 477 5375 [66:54]
[CT]
Three
impressive major works by composer/conductor
Salonen in magnificent performances. A triumph
all round and highly recommended.... see Full
Review
Domenico
SCARLATTI (1685-1757)
Keyboard
Sonatas: B flat major, K 545; F minor,
K 466; F minor, K 365; D major, K 435; B minor,
K 87; C major, K 487; F sharp minor, K 448;
D major, K 492; G minor, K 30; G major, K
455; G minor; E major, K 20; A major, K 429;
G minor, K 426; G major, K 427; B minor, K
197; B minor, K 27; A major, K 24.
Yevgeny Sudbin, piano Released March 2005
BIS-CD-1508 [75:45] [DS]
An
essential recording for every Scarlatti enthusiast
not allergic to the piano in this repertoire
... see Full
Review
Alessandro
SCARLATTI
(1660-1725) Le
Violette (1694) [2.26] Giovanni
PERGOLESI (1710-1736) A Serpina
pencerete from La Serva Padrona [5.38]* Confusa,
smarrita from Catone in Utica [3.31] Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Das
Traumbild K530 (1787) [6.27] Die kleine Spinnerin
K531 (1787) [1.50] Felix
MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Auf Flügeln
des Gesanges Op.34 No.2 (1835) [2.38] Fryderyk
CHOPIN (1810-1849) The Handsome
Lad Op.74 No.8 [2.31] Lithuanian Song Op 74
No.16 [2.28] Dumka [1.18] The Warrior Op.74
No.10 [2.35] Stanislaw
MONIUSZKO (1819-1872) The Little
Fish [1.37] The Spinning Girl [1.33] Stanislaw
NIEWIADOMSKI (1859-1936) Indele
and Mendele [2.30] Richard
STRAUSS (1864-1949) Ständchen
Op.17 No.2 [2.20] Morgen Op.27 No.4 (1894)
[3.13] Die Nacht Op.10 No.3 (1880) [2.31]
Arnold SCHOENBERG
(1874-1951) Gigerlette – Cabaret Songs
(1900) [2.14] Der genügsame Liebhaber
– Cabaret Songs (1900) [2.39] Kurt
WEILL (1900-1950) Youkali – Cycle
des Chansons Cabaretistiques (1934)[5.42]
Buddy on the Nightshift – Propaganda Songs
No.5 (Songs for the War Effort) (1942) [3.09]
Heitor VILLA-LOBOS
(1887-1959) Bachianas Brasileiras No.5
A.389 – Aria (Cantilena) [6.20]** Bachianas
Brasileiras No.5 A.389 – Martelo [4.36]**
Annette Celine (soprano) Felicja Blumental
(piano) except Annette Celine (soprano)/Rome
Radio Symphony Orchestra/Alberto Zedda * Annette
Celine (soprano)/eight cellos** No recording
dates or locations
BRANA BR0020 [69.41] [JW]
It’s
pleasurable to hear Blumental in an unusual
role as accompanist. And Celine does some
things well. A mixed bag. ... see Full
Review
Johann
Hermann SCHEIN (1586-1630)
Israelsbrünnlein (1623) Weser-Renaissance:
Susanne Rydén, Constanze Backes, soprano; Marnix De Cat, alto;
Hansjörg Mammel, Knut Schoch, tenor; Harry van der Kamp, bass;
Thomas Ihlenfeldt, chitarrone; Manfred Cordes, organ (*)/Dir: Manfred
Cordes Recorded in January 2003 at the Studio of Radio Bremen, Germany
DDD CPO 999 959-2
[53:07 + 48:13] [JV]
An
outstanding and impressive recording of a
monument in the history of German music ...
see Full Review
Franz SCHREKER
(1878-1934) The Complete
Surviving Recordings of Schreker conducting
The
Birthday of the Infanta Suite (1908
revised 1923) – two recordings Orchestra of
the Berlin State Opera, recorded c.1924 and
c.1927 Ein Rokoko-Tanzspiel (1908
revised 1920) Orchestra of the Staatskapelle
Berlin, recorded 1926 Kleine Suite für
Kammerorchester (1929) Berlin Philharmonic
Orchestra, recorded 1932 Der Ferne Klang
(1912) – Waldszene and nächtlicher
Reigen (Act I) Maria Schreker (soprano)/Berlin
Staatskapelle, recorded 1927 Das Spielwerk
(1929) Scene der liese – Sei
ruhig Alter Maria Schreker (soprano),
Charles Kullmann (tenor) Reichs-Rundfunk,
Berlin, recorded 1932 Die Gezeichneten
(1918) Und wenn’s mehr ware
Maria Schreker (soprano)/Orchestra of the
Staatsoper, Berlin, recorded 1928 Der
Schatzgräber (1920) – Wiegenlied;
Klein war ich noch Maria Schreker
(soprano)/Orchestra of the Staatsoper, Berlin,
recorded 1927 Der Schatzgräber
(1920) – Act III Nachtgesang and
Zwischenspiel Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra,
recorded 1923 TRADITIONAL
Der rote Sarafin
(Russian Folk Song) Irving
BERLIN
Russisches Wiegenlied Maria Schrecker
(soprano)/Orchestra, recorded 1930 Edvard
GRIEG (1843-1907)
Peer Gynt Suite Berlin Philharmonic
Orchestra, recorded 1932 Georges
BIZET (1838-1875) L’Arlésienne
–orchestral suite No.1 arranged Bizet L’Arlésienne
–orchestral suite No.2 arranged Guiraud Orchestra
of the Staatsoper Berlin, recorded 1926 L’Arlésienne
–orchestral suite No.1 arranged Bizet L’Arlésienne
–orchestral suite No.2 arranged Guiraud Berlin
Philharmonic Orchestra, recorded 1928 All
items conducted by Franz Schreker
SYMPOSIUM 1271-1273 [3 CDs: 70.59 + 66.52
+ 69.22] [JW]
An
important well-documented set. The opportunity
to encounter Schrecker in the round, to appreciate
his conductorial strengths and be enriched
by the recordings he has left to posterity
... see Full Review
Franz
SCHREKER
(1878-1934) Christophorus,
der "Die Vision einer Oper"
in two acts (three scenes), prelude and postlude
(1924-27) [112’28"] Meister Johann: Hans
Georg Ahrens (bass) Lisa, his daughter: Susanne
Bernhard (soprano) Christoph: Jorg Sabrowski
(baritone) Anselm: Robert Chafin (tenor)
Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra and Opera
Chorus/Ulrich Windfuhr Sung in German rec.
live Opernhaus Kiel, June 2002-March 2003.
DDD
CPO 999 903-2 [62’51" + 39’37"]
[ED]
Although
from weightier times, the Schreker idiom eventually
becomes oppressive, and not a little tedious
– facts this performance cannot quite hide.
... see Full
Review
Franz
SCHUBERT (1797
– 1828) Die
schöne Müllerin (1823)
Elja Puukko (baritone), Risto Lauriala
(piano) Recorded in Esbo Church, 10th – 11th
February, 2004
ALBA ABCD 193 [66:51] [GF]
I
wouldn’t choose Puukko’s recording every time
but in its own right and within the limitations
the artist has set himself, it is a fully
valid interpretation. ... see Full
Review
Franz
Peter SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
Die
schöne Müllerin (1823).
Roman Trekel (baritone); Oliver Pohl (piano).
Rec. Jesus-Christus-Kirche, Berlin-Dahlem,
15-18 Nov 2004. DDD Text included
OEHMS CLASSICS OC511 [60'08]
The
clean intervals of 'Des Müllers Blumen'
reveal the problem. Much attention to detail,
fine technical prowess but not that final
engagement necessary to grip the listener
... see Full
Review
Franz
Peter SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
Sacred Music see
review for details
Rundfunkchor Berlin, Rundfunk-Sinfonie-Orchestra,
Berlin Celina Lindsley, soprano, Magdalena
Hajossyov, soprano, Gabriele Schreckenbach,
alt/contralto, Peter Schreier, tenor, Werner
Hollweg, tenor, Walton Gronroos, bass, Bernd
Casper, piano Recording venue and dates not
provided DDD 
CAPRICCIO SACD 71 050 [66:14] [MC]
The
performances invite considerable praise and
when combined with the integrity of Schubert’s
music this becomes a very desirable release.
... see Full
Review
Erwin
SCHULHOFF (1894
– 1942) String
Quartet No. 1 (1924) [14:34] Divertimento
(1914) [22:25] Five Pieces (1923) [13:30]
Schulhoff Quartet (Milan Setena, Michal Kostka,
violins; Filip Waulin, viola; Jonas Krejci,
cello) Recorded: Domovina Studios, Prague,
November-December 2003 and September 2004
VMS MUSICAL TREASURES 138 [51:07] [HC]
As
far as I can judge, these performances by
the Schulhoff Quartet are excellent, carefully
prepared, committed and fully convincing,
splendidly bringing off the various facets
of Schulhoff’s music. Very fine recorded sound.
... see Full
Review
William
SCHUMAN (1910-1992)
Symphony
No. 4 (1941)* [24’50"] Orchestra Song
(1963)** [2’59"] Circus Overture (1944)**
[7’53"] Symphony No. 9 ‘Le fosse ardéatine’
(1967)*** [27’43"]
Seattle Symphony Orchestra/Gerard Schwarz
Recorded at the S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium,
Benaroya Hall, Seattle *Sept 2003, March 2004;
**March 2004; ***Nov 2003; February 2004 DDD
NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS 8.559254 [63’25"]
[JQ]
Fine
music by a composer who really had something
to say. I await further instalments with impatience
and recommend this CD urgently. ... see Full
Review
Robert
SCHUMANN (1810-1856)
Symphony
No. 2 in C, Op. 61 (1846) [37.24] Symphony
No. 4 in D minor, Op. 120 (1853) [30.42]*
Orchestre des Champs-Elysées/Philippe
Herreweghe rec. Cité des Congrès,
Nantes, January 1996; *Salle Wagram, Paris,
December 1996
HARMONIA MUNDI FRANCE MUSIQUE D'ABORD
HMA 1951848 [68.06][SV]
Herreweghe
makes us hear these scores afresh, simultaneously
projecting their full symphonic stature. Warmly
recommended ... see Full
Review
Robert
SCHUMANN (1810-1856)
Piano
Concerto in A minor, op. 54* [33:50] Piano
Quintet in E flat, op. 44** [30:09]
Alicia de Larrocha (piano) London Symphony
Orchestra/Sir Colin Davis*, Tokyo String Quartet**
Recorded July 5th 1991, EMI Abbey
Road Studio 1, London*, 13th-14th
December 1991, Manhattan Center, New York
City**
BMG-RCA RED SEAL 8287665830 2 [64:19]
[CH]
A
beautiful collaboration with Davis; the quintet
is somewhat disconcerting. ... see Full
Review
Robert
SCHUMANN
(1810-1856) Davidsbündlertänze
– Books I and II Op.6 (1837) [38.09] Kreisleriana
Op.16 (1838) [32.36]
Jerome Rose (piano) Recorded at CUNY
Graduate Centre, New York, June 2001
MONARCH CLASSICS M20062 [70.45] [JW]
Rose
possesses a cool toughness, allied to commanding
resources, perhaps a touch aloof ... see Full
Review
Kurt SCHWERTSIK
(b.1935)
Sinfonia-Sinfonietta
5 Sätze für Orchester op. 73 (1995-96)
Konzert für Violine und Orchester
No. 2 Albayzin und Sacromonte op.
81 (2000) Dennis Russell Davies, conductor
Goldlöckchen op. 74 (1997)
Libretto von Donald Sturrock, basierend auf
Roald Dahl's "Goldilocks", deutsche Übersetzung
von Kurt Schwertsik)
Kurt Schwertsik, speaker and conductor
Christian Altenburger (violin) Vienna Radio
Symphony Orchestra/Dennis Russell Davies rec.
Goldenen Wiener Musikvereinsaal, 12 June 1996
(Sinfonia; Festival Klangspuren, Schwarz Tirol,
29 Sept 2000 (concerto); Millenniumskonzert
im Mozarteum Salzburg, 31 Dec 1999; Royal
Concert Hall, Glasgow 18 Dec 1997
OEHMS CLASSICS OC 342 [78:12] [RB]
Music
that is fresh and smilingly reaches out to
the listener. Fascinating and mesmerising
even when the intention is simply to entertain.
Very well worth hearing ... see Full
Review
Dimitri
SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975)
Symphony
No. 11, The Year 1905, Op. 103 (1957)
Royal Scottish National Orchestra/Alexander
Lazarev rec. 22-23 January 2004, Usher Hall,
Edinburgh
LINN
RECORDS CKD247 [60.33] [TB]
This
well mastered disc assumes a worthy position
in the RSNO/Shostakovich at tradition, confirming
the orchestra’s standards and international
credentials.... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH
(1906-1975) String Quartets 1-15
Taneyev Quartet Recorded in the Glinka Hall,
Leningrad, 1968-78
AULOS AMC2 0551/6 [6 CDs: 50.29 + 54.06
+ 70.09 + 68.57 + 56.16 + 62.27] [JW]
One
of the greatest of all cycles of these quartets
... in many ways its claims on the collector
go beyond even that recommendation. Aulos
has surpassed itself ... the highest recommendation
... see Full
Review
Jean
SIBELIUS
(1865-1957) Symphony
No. 5 in E flat major Op. 82 (1915, 1916,
1919) [29:07] Symphony No. 6 in D minor Op.
104 (1919) [25:35] Tapiola Op. 112
(1926) [17:26] London
SO/Robert Kajanus (Opp. 82, 112) Finnish National
Orchestra/Georg Schnéevoigt (Op. 104)
rec. 22-24 June 1932, No. 1 Studio, St John's
Wood, London (Op. 73); 3 June 1934 (Op. 104);
29 June 1932. ADD. Original sound recordings
made by the Gramophone Company. MONO
THE DIVINE ART 27801 [72:14]
[RB]
Highly
listenable and spruced-up versions of classic
Sibelian recordings ... see Full
Review
Louis
SPOHR
(1784-1859) String
Quartet No. 32 in C major Op. 141 (1849) [34.31]
String Quartet No. 34 in E flat major Op.
152 (1855) [31.35]
Moscow Philharmonic "Concertino"
String Quartet Recorded in Studio 1, Russian
State TV and Radio Company Kultura, Moscow,
December 2003
MARCO POLO 8.225307 [66.06] [JW]
Rather
more for the Spohr completist than for the
generalist ... not at his most convincing
here in performances that don’t do quite enough
to assist ... see Full
Review
Sir
John STAINER (1840-1901)
The
Crucifixion (1887)
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] [MC]
Lovers
of English choral music will relish this highly
attractive release. ... see Full
Review
Igor STRAVINSKY (1882-1971)
Petrushka (1911 rev.1947) [34:30] The Rite of Spring (1913
rev.1947) [33:30] Suisse
Romande Orchestra/Ernest Ansermet Recorded in Victoria Hall, Geneva,
29th-30 th November 1949 (Petrushka), October
1950 (Rite) LIVING
ERA AJC 8554 [68:15][CH]
A
particularly warm welcome for “Petrushka”
but some reservations over the “Rite”. ...
see Full
Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Thomas
TALLIS (c.1505-1585)
Spem
in alium [12:14] Salve intemerata [23:10]
Missa salve intemerata [28:11] With all our
heart [3:15] Discomfort them, O Lord [6:38]
I call and cry to thee, O Lord [4:11]
Oxford Camerata/Jeremy Summerly Recorded at
All Hallows, Gospel Oak, London from 21-23
January 2005.
NAXOS 8.557770 [77:19] [KS]
A
complete winner. Buy it soon; it is a spiritual
experience. ... see Full
Review
Sir
John TAVENER (b.1944)
Lament
for Jerusalem [49’16"]
Patricia Rozario (soprano); Christopher Josey
(counter-tenor) Sydney Philharmonia Choirs
Australian Youth Orchestra/Thomas Woods Recorded
July 2003 at Trackdown Scoring Stage, Sydney.
ABC CLASSICS 476 160-5 [49’16"] [JQ]
A
work of haunting beauty, fastidiously crafted.
Admirers of Tavener’s unique musical voice
need not hesitate. ... see
Full Review
Boris TCHAIKOVSKY
(1925-1996) Boris
Tchaikovsky Edition: Vol. 2 Piano Sonata No.
1 (1944) [12:46] Piano Sonata No. 2 (1952)
[17:37] Eight Piece for Children (1952)
[9:34] Pentatonica (1952) [4:01] Natural
Modes (1993) [5:06] Sonatina (1946) [3:38]
Olga Solvieva (piano) rec. Mosfilm Studios,
Moscow, 23 Sept, 22 Oct 2004
ALBANY TROY749 [55:00] [RB]
Will
appeal strongly to those who already know
the composer. Their interests are very well
served by both Solovieva and Albany. Music
most provocatively characteristic in the sonatas
and sonatina. ... see Full
Review
Peter
Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY
(1840 - 1893) Swan
Lake, ballet in four acts, Op 20 (1876)
[107.00] Choreography by Rudolf Nureyev, after
Ivanov/Petipa. Wiener Symphoniker/John Lanchbery
Odette/Odile - Margot Fonteyn Prince
Siegfried - Rudolf Nureyev
Mitglieder des balletts der Wiener Staatsoper
Sets and Costumes: Nicholas Georgiadis; Direction:
Truck Branss Filmed at the Staatsoper, Vienna,
Austria, 15 October 1966 [sic]. Sound recording
by Ateliers am Rosenhügel, Vienna, Austria,
5 October 1966 [sic]. DVD 9 NTSC colour 4:3
region 0 [playable in all regions] PCM Stereo
48/16 2.0. dts 5.0 surround sound.
Menu language, English. No subtitles or captioning.
Advertising for other programs in the series.
DEUTSCHE
GRAMMOPHON UNITEL 073 4044[115.00] [PSh]
A
must-have video for balletomanes, but for
the rest of us it might not be the best choice
for our only version to own. ... see Full
Review
Michael
TIPPETT (1905-1998)
Divertimento
on Sellinger's Round for chamber orchestra (1954) [18:27] Little
Music for string orchestra (1946) [10:38] Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields/Sir
Neville Marriner (recorded in Henry Wood Hall, Southwark, 14/15/18 February
1995) Sonata for Four Horns (1955) [13:43] Michael Thompson
Horn Quartet (recorded in Henry Wood Hall, Southwark, 12/14 May 1995)
Ritual Dances from 'A Midsummer Marriage' (1956) [28:51]
Bournemouth Symphony
Orchestra/Rudolf Barshai
(recorded in the Concert Hall, Poole Arts Centre, 25/26 November 1984)
EMI CLASSICS 5-86587-2
[71:47] [PJL]
These
performances are all in the top flight. They
do not disappoint. Nor do the recordings,
which are among EMI's digital best. ... see
Full Review
TON-THAT
Tiêt (b.1933)
Les
Sourires de Bouddha
Les Eléments/J Suhubiette rec. Flaran,
France, 23 Sept 2002. DDD
EDITIONS HORTUS 027 [19:17] [RB]
The
faint-hearted will have to be very faint of
heart not to like this. Interesting and likeable
but not compelling. ... see Full
Review
Toivo TULEV
(b. 1958) Quella
sera (1996) [11:10]; Gare de l'Est
(1999) [10:54]; Adios/Srī
Rāma in memoriam (2003) [13:25];
Isopo (2003) [7:21]; Be Lost in
the Call (2003) [11:34]
NYYD Ensemble/Olari Elts rec. Eesti
Raadio Studio One, 21 Nov 1998 (Quella);
11 Apr 2003 (Lost); Estonia Concert
Hall, 5,8 Feb 2004 (Isopo); 25 Feb
2004 (Adios); 26 Feb 2004 (Gare)
EESTI RAADIO ERCD047 [54:54] [RB]
Casts
a strong contemplative spell. ... see
Full Review
Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901)
Songs:
Non t’accostare all’urna [04:31], Il poveretto
[02:52], More, Elisa, lo stanco poeta [02:42],
Stornello [01:42], L’esule [07:33], La seduzione
[03:27], Deh, pietoso, oh Addolorata [04:26],
Il tramonto [02:52], La zingara [02:10], Perduta
ho la pace [04:50], Ad una stella [03:38],
Lo spazzacamino [02:14], Nell’orror di notte
oscura [03:29], In solitaria stanza [03:35],
Il mistero [04:08], Brindisi [02:05], E’ la
vita [01:18], L’abandonée [03:09]
Norah Amsellen (soprano), Lydia Jardon
(piano) Recorded in the Auditorium du Conservatoire
Georges Bizet, Paris, 11th-13th
July 2004
AR RÉ-SÉ AR 2004 8 [61:54]
[CH]
Musica
da camera given the full operatic treatment;
some may find it more appropriate than I did.
... see Full
Review
Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901)
La
forza del destino - Melodramma in
four acts. (Original version) Libretto
by Francesco Maria Piave based on the novel
‘Don Alvaro, o La fuerza de sino’ by Angel
Perez de Saavedra, Duke of Rivas. First performed
at the Imperial Italian Theatre, St. Petersburg,
on November 10th 1862
Marquis of Calatrava, Roderick Kennedy (bass);
Donna Leonora, his daughter, Martina Arroyo
(sop); Curra, her chambermaid, Alison Truefitt
(sop); Don Alvaro, lover of Leonora and of
Royal Inca Indian descent, Kenneth Collins
(ten); Don Carlo of Vargas, Leonora’s brother,
Peter Glossop (bar); Preziosilla, Janet Coster
(mezzo); Fra Melitone, Derek Hammond Stroud
(bass-bar); Padre Guardiano Don Garrard (bass);
Fra Trabuco, muleteer, Kenneth Bowen (ten);
Alcade. Philip O'Reilly (ten); Spanish military
surgeon, David Fieldsend (ten) BBC Singers
BBC Concert Orchestra/John Matheson
OPERA RARA ORCV 304 [3 CDs: 68.08 + 57.33
+ 31.03] [RJF]
Gauntness
and brutality ... a stark ending with multiple
deaths. An ensemble of singers fully immersed
and versed in the Verdi idiom. A welcome and
thoroughly recommendable recording ... see
Full Review
Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901)
Otello
- Tragic opera in four acts. Libretto by Arrigo
Boito based on Shakespeare’s play. Otello,
a Moor, commander in chief of the Venetian
fleet, Jon Vickers (ten); Desdemona, his wife,
Mirella Freni (sop); Iago, an ensign, Peter
Glossop (bar); Emelia, Iago’s wife, Stefania
Malagú (mezzo); Cassio, a captain under
Otello. Aldo Bottion (ten); Roderigo, a Venetian
gentleman, Michel Senéchal (ten); Lodovico,
Venetian ambassador, José Van Dam (bas-bar);
Chorus of the Deutschen Oper, Berlin Berlin
Philharmonic Orchestra/Herbert Von Karajan
Filmed in Munich and Salzburg, Durer Studios,
August 1973 Sound Recording, Berlin Philharmonie,
December 1972 Set design and costumes by Georges
Wakhevitch Director and Artistic Supervisor:
Herbert Von Karajan Presented in PCM Stereo/5.1
DTS Surround Sound. NTSC/Colour/4:3
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON DVD VIDEO 000440 073 4040
GH [140:00] [RJF]
Unitel’s
trio of principals, all well used to their
roles from the Salzburg staging, and working
with Karajan and his orchestral forces, are
hard to beat in this most vividly dramatic
of Verdi’s operas. ... see Full
Review
Tomás Luis DE VICTORIA
(1548-1611) Second Vespers of the Feast of the Annunciation
[Versicle and Response] Deus, in adiutorium meum intende [01:04] [Antiphon]
Missus est Gabriel - [Vesper Psalm] Dixit Dominus à 8 - [Antiphon]
Missus est Gabriel [06:19] [Antiphon] Ave Maria - [Vesper Psalm] Laudate
pueri Dominum à 8 [05:36] [Motet] Ave Maria à 8 [04:39]
[Antiphon] Ne timeas Maria - [Vesper Psalm] Laetatus sum à 12
[06:49] [Motet] Ne timeas Maria à 4 [02:58] [Antiphon] Dabit
ei Dominus - [Vesper Psalm] Nisi Dominus à 8 - [Antiphon] Dabit
ei Dominus [06:34] [Little Chapter] Ecce virgo concipiet - [Response]
Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariae [01:32] [Hymn] Ave maris stella à
4 - [Versicle and Response] Ave Maria, gratia plena [06:57] [Magnificat
antiphon] Gabriel angelus - [Magnificat] Magnificat à 8 - [Magnificat
antiphon] Gabriel angelus [10:28] [Versicle and Response] Dominus vobiscum
- [Collect for the day] Deus, qui de beatae Mariae Virginis - [Versicle
and Response] Dominus vobiscum - Benedicamus Domino [02:23] [Votive
antiphon] Regina coeli à 8 - [Versicle and Response] Gaude et
laetare - [Votive antiphon collect] Deus, qui per resurrectionem Filii
[05:53] [Litany of Loreto] Kyrie eleison à 8 [07:32] The Exon Singers/Matthew
Owens Recorded in January 2004 in the Chapel of Giggleswick School,
North Yorkshire, UK. DDD DELPHIAN DCD 34025
[68:46][JV]
Music
by De Victoria presented in a liturgical setting
... rather questionable ... see Full
Review
Antonio
VIVALDI
(1678-1741)
Concertos for Violin and Strings Op.8 Nos
1-4 The Four Seasons (published 1725)
* [39.05] No.1 Spring RV269 No.2 Summer RV
315 No.3 Autumn RV 293 No.4 Winter RV 297
Fritz KREISLER
(1875-1962) Concerto in One Movement –
after the first movement of the Concerto for
Violin and Orchestra in D major Op.6 by Niccolò
PAGANINI (1782-1840) [17.14]
Benjamin Schmid (violin and conductor *) Camerata
Salzburg * Mozarteum Orchestra/Hubert Soudant
Recorded in the Grosser Saal Mozarteum, Salzburg,
September 2001 (Vivaldi) and July-October,
2001 (Kreisler)
OEHMS CLASSICS OC 303 [56.20] [JW]
I’ve
come across some weird couplings in my time
but this one’s the bee’s pyjamas ... see Full
Review
Richard WAGNER (1813-1883)
Der
fliegende Hollander: The Flying Dutchman
(1843) Franz-Josef Selig (bass - Donald);
Astrid Weber (soprano - Senta); Jorg Durmuller
(tenor - Georg); Simone Schroder (contralto
- Mary); Kobie van Rensburg (tenor – Donald’s
steersman); Terje Stensvold (baritone – The
Dutchman)
WDR Rundfunkchor and Prager Kammerchor
Cappella Coloniensis/Bruno Weil rec. Westdeutscher
Rundfunk Köln, 13-15 June 2004, Philharmonie
Essen, Germany DDD
DEUTSCHE HARMONIA MUNDI 82876 64071 –21 [73:26
+ 52:20] [EM]
Fascinating
from a historical and musicological point
of view and a fine production to boot. ...
see Full
Review
Richard WAGNER (1813-1883)
Lohengrin (1850)
Wolfgang Windgassen (tenor) Lohengrin; Eleanor Steber (soprano) Elsa
von Brabant; Hermann Uhde (baritone) Friedrich von Telramund; Astrid
Varnay (soprano) Ortrud; Josef Greindl (bass) Heinrich der Vogler; Hans
Braun (baritone) Herald; Gerhard Stolze (tenor) First Noble; Josef Janko
(tenor) Second Noble; Alfons Herwig (baritone) Third Noble; Theo Adam
(bass) Fourth Noble Bayreuth Festival Chorus; Bayreuth Festival Orchestra/Joseph
Keilberth. Recorded in July/August 1953 in the Festspielhaus, Bayreuth.
First issued as Decca LXT 2880/84. Reissue Producer and Restoration
Engineer: Mark Obert-Thorn.
NAXOS 8.110308-10 [262’37: 78:14 + 71:49 + 69:30][CC]
This
is not the only incarnation of this performance
yet for this price and with this quality of
transfer, the Naxos
stands alone. ... see Full
Review
Richard
WAGNER (1813
– 1883) Tristan und Isolde.
A
Music-Drama in Three Acts (1857–59) Wolfgang
Millgram (tenor) – Tristan; Lennart Forsén
(bass) – King Marke; Hedwig Fassbender (soprano)
– Isolde; Gunnar Lundberg (baritone) – Kurwenal;
Magnus Kyhle (tenor) – Melot; Martina Dike
(mezzo) – Brangäne; Ulrik Qvale (tenor)
– A shepherd, A young sailor; John Erik Eleby
(baritone) – Helmsman)
Kungliga Operans Manskör (Royal Swedish
Opera Male Chorus); Kungliga Hovkapellet (Royal
Swedish Opera Orchestra)/Leif Segerstam
rec. Konserthuset (the Concert Hall), Stockholm,
14-19 June 2004
NAXOS 8.660152-54 [63:41 + 78:25 + 70:07]
[GF]
A
very well conducted and played performance,
a bit unevenly sung but convincingly acted.
It is on three budget-priced discs ... see
Full
Review
Carl Maria von
WEBER
(1786-1826) Clarinet
Quintet in B flat J182 (1815) [28:41] Trio
for flute, cello and piano in G minor J259
(1819) [20:25] Piano Quartet in B flat J76
(1809) [23:54]
The Gaudier Ensemble: Richard Hosford (clarinet),
Jaime Martin (flute), Marieke Blankestijn
(violin I), Lesley Hatfield (violin II), Iris
Juda (viola), Christoph Marks (cello), Susan
Tomes (piano). Rec. Potton Hall, Suffolk,
February 2004 DDD
HYPERION CDA 67464 [73:10] [PCW]
Weber
only wrote three chamber works - here they
all are, beautifully played and well recorded
on one highly desirable disc ... see Full
Review
Egon
WELLESZ (1885-1974)
Symphony
No. 4 Op. 70 (1951-1953) [27:56] Symphony No. 6 Op. 95 (1965) [23:18]
Symphony No. 7 Op. 102 (1967) [18:58]
Radio Symphonieorchester Wien/Gottfried Rabl Recorded: Grosser Sendesaal,
Funkhaus ORF, 13-16, 26-27 Nov 2001. DDD
CPO 999 808-2 [70:44][JF]
Essential
twentieth century symphonic repertoire. A fine production by CPO. ...
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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