Classical CD Review Archive - August 2005 part 3 C-L:Classical MusicWeb (UK]

Niccolò CASTIGLIONI (1932-1996) Piano Music Cangianti (1959) [10.56] Tre Pezzi (1978) [18.01] Come io passo l�estate (1983) [9.27] Dulce Refrigerium (1984) [9.08] Sonatina (1984) [7.19] HE (1990) [4.04]

Sarah Nicholls (piano) Recorded in Vestry Hall, West London, June and July 2004 METIER MSV CD 92089 [59.50] [JW]

Nicholls explores these diverse works with a surety and finesse that are admirable � and truly winning ... see Full Review

Francis CHAGRIN (1905-1972) Film Music Overture from Helter Skelter (1949) [6:34] From An Inspector Calls (1954) [3:25] From The Colditz Story (1954) [3:31] Suite from Greyfriars Bobby (1961) [11:42] From The Four Just Men (1959) [3:05] The Hoffnung Symphony Orchestra (1965) [5:19] Four Orchestral Episodes from The Intruder (1953) [11:11] From Easy Money (1947) [6:40] Suite from Last Holiday (1950) [14:19] Yugoslav Sketches from The Bridge (1946) [10:42]

BBC Philharmonic/Rumon Gamba Recorded: Studio 7, New Broadcasting House, Manchester, June 2004

CHANDOS CHAN 10323 [77:34][HC]

A most welcome and timely release, since 2005 is the centenary year of Chagrin�s birth. ... see Full Review

Matthew CURTIS (b. 1959) Orchestral Works (Volume II) Ring in the New (2004) [5.32] Romanza (1982) [6.42] Little Dance Suite (2003) [13.03] Irish Lullaby (2003) [3.16] Graduation Day (1988?) [7.14] Autumn Song (1985) [7.59] Sinfonietta (1999-2001) [27.10] Bon Voyage (2002) [4.56] Helen Keen (flute); Helen Kamminga (harp); Mike Allen, trumpet; Ian Scott, flute Royal Ballet Sinfonia/Gavin Sutherland rec. 24 Feb 2004, Phoenix Sound, Wembley; 5-6 July 2004, Whitfield Street Studios, London. DDD British Composer series CAMPION CAMEO 2035 [76.53] [EM]

An agreeable listen, charming and genial, but fairly easy and lightweight. ... see Full Review

Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Prélude à l�après-midi d�un faune, arr. Benno Sachs (1894/1920) [10.50] Sonata for violin and piano (1917) [13.41] Sonata for cello and piano (1915) [12.17] Sonata for flute, viola and harp (1915) [17.07] Syrinx (1912) [2.42]

Boston Symphony Chamber Players Rec October 1977 (Prélude), March 1970 (remainder), Symphony Hall, Boston DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON ELOQUENCE 476 7703 [56.58] [TB]

All three pieces beautifully performed by the Boston Symphony Chamber Players ... all masterpieces that could have been composed by no-one else. ... see Full Review

Frederick DELIUS (1862-1934) Orchestral Works, Volume 4 Marche Caprice (1889-90) [3:33] Recorded 19 December 1946 Brigg Fair (An English Rhapsody) (1907) [16:11] Recorded 26 November 1946 North Country Sketches (1914) [24:17] Recorded 14 February 1949 Over The Hills and Far Away (1897) [13:45] Recorded 7 February 1950 On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring (1912) [6:29] Recorded 8 May 1948 and 19 December 1946 Dance Rhapsody No. 1 (1908-09) [11:57] Recorded 29 October 1952 Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Thomas Beecham NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110984 [76:12] [JQ]

Performances superb without exception ... conducting consistently sympathetic, imaginative and idiomatic. These recordings are as essential to any Delian as they are self-recommending. ... see Full Review

Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797-1848) La Favorite - Highlights from the original French version. Libretto by Alphonse Royer and Gustave Vaëz. First performed at the Paris Opéra on December 2^nd 1840. Fernand, a novice monk in love with Leonor, Jean-Luc Viala (ten); Alphonse XI, King of Castille, Jean-Marc Ivaldi (bar); Léonore de Guzman, mistress of the King, Hélène Jossaud (mezzo); Balthazar, abbot of the monastery, Lionel Sarrazin (bass) Chorus and orchestra of the Centre de Musique d�Aquitaine/Jacques Pernoo Recorded as the sound track of an abridged version of the work for television to include the best of the score whilst preserving the dramatic continuity. No recording dates given. First published by Erato Disques in 1985. WARNER APEX 2564 622082-2 [62.17] [RJF]

I am pleased to welcome this disc. A bargain price introduction to an opera that has all the virtues of Donizetti�s melodic invention but which has sadly gone somewhat out of fashion ... see Full Review

Anton�n DVOŘ�K (1841�1904) The Golden Spinning Wheel Op. 109 (1896) [27�50"] The Wood Dove Op. 110 (1896) [20�49"] The Noonday Witch Op. 108 (1896) [13�32"] The Water Goblin Op. 107 (1896) [21�18"]

Berliner Philharmoniker/Simon Rattle. recorded live, Philharmonie, Berlin, 4�7 March, 23�25 April 2004. DDD EMI CLASSICS 558019-2 [48.47 + 34.58] [JPh]

Excellent modern performances recorded on the wing, in superb sound from Rattle and the BPO. Some will find the expansive pacing and luxuriant sound too rich a mixture ... see Full Review

Manuel de FALLA (1876-1946) El Amor Brujo (1924) [24.23] Alicia Nafé, soprano El Sombrero de Tres Picos (1917) [39.48] María José Martos, soprano La Vida Breve: Danza (1905) [3.31] Asturias Symphony Orchestra/Maximiano Valdés Recorded in 48/16 5.1 sound in Auditorio Príncipe Felipe, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain, 14 October 2002. Remastered to DSD for the SACD. Notes in English, Deutsch, Castellano. Spanish texts with English translations. DVD Audio + dts + Dolby Surround tracks NAXOS 5.110018 [67.50] Hybrid SACD 5.1, 2.0, 2.0. NAXOS 6.110018 [68.00] [PSh]

Very fine Tres Picos, ho-hum Amor Brujo and Vida Breve. Great sound. ... see Full Review

Gabriel FAURÉ (1845-1924) The Complete Songs � Volume 3 Puisque j�ai mis ma lèvre* [3�10] Tristesse d�Olympio** [5�34"] Hymne Op. 7, No.2** [2�16"] Sylvie Op. 6, No. 3* [2�19"] Poème d�un jour Op. 21* [5�45"] Nell Op. 18, No. 1*** [1�58"] Notre amour Op. 23, No.2 **** [1�52"] Le secret Op. 23, No. 3**** [2�16"] Chanson d�amour Op. 27, No. 1*** [2�05"] Fleur jetée Op. 39, No. 1* [1�26"] Les presents Op. 46, No. 1*** [1�56"] Shylock Op. 57*** [15�50"] Sérénade: Le bourgeois gentilhomme* [1�21"] La bonne chanson Op. 61***** [21�11"] Le ramier Op. 87, No.2** [1�50"] Le don silencieux Op. 92****** [2�20"] ****Dame Felicity Lott (soprano);****** Jennifer Smith (soprano);*John Mark Ainsley (tenor);*** Jean-Paul Fouchécourt (tenor);*****Christopher Maltman (baritone); ** Stephen Varcoe (baritone) Graham Johnson with Ronan O�Hora - Shylock only � (piano)
Recorded on various dates in 2002, 2003 and 2004. DDD The Hyperion French Song Edition HYPERION CDA67335 [72:42] [JQ]

This series is proving to be a significant addition to the Fauré discography. I welcome this CD as enthusiastically as I look forward to Volume Four and the completion of the project. ... see Full Review

Morton FELDMAN (1926-1987) Clarinet and String Quartet (1983) [43.26] Christopher FOX (b.1955) Clarinet Quintet (1992) [13.20] Roger Heaton (clarinet) Mieko Kanno and Davide Rossi (violins), Bridget Carey (viola) and Sophie Harris (cello) Recorded in the Church of St Silas, Chalk Farm, London, September 1999 METIER MSV CD 92082 [57.10] [JW]

Patterns, reflections, repetitions, colour, subtlety ... the extensive hypnosis of Feldman or the active localised dramas of Fox ... see Full Review

Giovanni Battista FERRANDINI (1710-1791) Catone in Utica, opera in three acts (1753)

Robert Crowe (Cesare), Sandra Moon (Emilia), Simone Schneider (Marzia), soprano; Johnny Maldonado (Arbace), alto; Kobie van Rensburg (Catone), Florian Simson (Fulvio), tenor Neue Hofkapelle München (on period instruments)/Christoph Hammer Recorded live October 2003 at the Cuvilliéstheater, Munich, Germany. DDD

OEHMS CLASSICS OC 901 [3 CDs: 63:37 + 60:57 + 63:21][JV]

The first recording ever of an opera by Ferrandini - the quality of the music and the performance make this release very recommendable ... see Full Review

Gerald FINZI (1901-1956) I Said to Love, Op. 19b (Words by Thomas Hardy) [13’34”] Let Us Garlands Bring, Op. 18 (Words by Shakespeare) [15’02”] Before and After Summer, Op. 16 (Words by Thomas Hardy) [32’43”] Roderick Williams (baritone); Iain Burnside (piano) Recorded at Potton Hall, Suffolk, England, 12-14 August 2004. DDD NAXOS 8.557644 [61’19”][JQ]

Confidently recommended ... For the newcomer an excellent and inexpensive introduction. The enthusiast will want to hear this exciting singer in some of Finzi�s finest ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH César FRANCK (1822-1890)
Rédemption^a (1871-2) [13:50]; Nocturne^b (1884, orch. Ropartz) [4:01]; Le Chasseur maudit^c (1882) [16:20]; Psyché^a (1888) [26:28]; Les Éolides^d (1876) [10:45]. ^bChrista Ludwig (mezzo); ^abcOrchestre de Paris/Daniel Barenboim; ^dL:Orchestre de la Suisse Romande/Ernest Ansermet. Rec. Notre Dame du Liban, Paris, ^aFeb, ^bcJune 1976, ^dVictoria Hall, Geneva, Jan 1967. ADD DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON ELOQUENCE 476 2800 [71:40] [CC]

An excellent compilation of Franckian gems. Very, very strongly recommended indeed. ... see Full Review

Ge GAN-RU (b.1954) Chinese Rhapsody (1992) [21.20] Wu for piano and orchestra (1986) [24.27] Six Pentatonic Tunes for orchestra [14.41] Margaret Leng Tan (piano) Royal Scottish National Orchestra/José Serebrier Recorded in Henry Wood Hall, Glasgow, October 2003 BIS SACD 1509 [61.16] [JW]

Superbly recorded and sumptuously played this is a most engaging showcase for Ge�s evocative music-making. Full of interest in all sorts of ways. ... see Full Review

Eugène GIGOUT (1844-1925) Marche Réligieuse en Mi bémol Majeur [3�32] Dix Pièces pour orgue ou piano-pédalier, Pièce No 24 and 94 From 100 pièces, Pièce No 83 From �L�Album Grégorien� , Pièce No 64 and 76 from 100 pièces Didier Matry, organ Rec: St Augustin, Paris, October 2004. DDD CALLIOPE CAL 9938 [62�42] [CB]

I have to admit to being disappointed with Gigout: too long, too repetitive, and rather square. Perhaps the pieces most commonly played are indeed the most interesting ... see Full Review

Mauro GIULIANI (1781-1829) Guitar Music Vol. 2 Sonata Eroica, Op 150 [13:19]; Variations on �Nume perdonami, se in tale istante� from Generali�s �I Baccanali di Roma�, Op. 102 [8:28]; Potpourri No. 2, Op. 28 [11:09]; Grand Potpourri No. 3, Op. 31 [14:46]; Potpourri No. 1, Op. 26 [14:15]; Fughetta, Op. 113 [2:33]; Six Variations on �I bin a Kohlbauern Bub�, Op. 49 [11:06] Marco Tamayo (guitar) rec. St John Chrysostom Church, Newmarket, Ontario, Canada, 4, 8 September 2003. DDD NAXOS 8.555850 [75:36][GF]

Maybe not essential listening but played with such obvious relish it is still worth anyone�s fiver ... see Full Review

Karl GOLDMARK (1830-1915) String Quartet Op.8 in B flat major (1860) [31.17] Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) String Quartet Op.13 in A minor (1827) [29.53] Klenke Quartet (Annegret Klenke: violin; Beate Hartmann: violin; Yvonne Uhlemann: viola; Ruth Kaltenhäuser: cello) rec. Hans Rosbaud-Studio, Baden-Baden, SWR 7-8 December 1998, 2-4 May 2001 SWR HÄNSSLER CLASSIC CD 93.077 [61.27] [CF]

A wonderfully poised account, intelligently phrased, intensely expressive while brilliant and light as a feather in the scherzo. ... see Full Review

François-Joseph GOSSEC (1734-1829) Messe des Morts (1760) Eva Csapó (soprano) Hildegard Laurich (alto) Alessandro Corbelli (baritone) WDR Radio Choir, Cologne Capella Coloniensis/Herbert Schernus Recorded in Wuppertal, Immanuelskirche, 1980 CAPRICCIO SACD 71 043 [66.02] [JW]

Not ideal then but it certainly enshrines many virtuous things. ... see Full Review

Enrique GRANADOS (1867-1916) Piano Music - Volume 8: Carezza-Vals (Caress Waltz), DLR VII:3 [6:32] Dolora, DLR III:7 [2:15] * Clotilde, DLR III:3 [2:15] * La sirena (The Mermaid), DLR VII:2 [3:37] Dans le bois (In the Forest), DLR III:11 [1:48] * Marcha Real (Royal March), DLR III:22 [3:26] * Soldados de cartón (Cardboard Soldiers), DLR III:21 [2:47] Elvira, DLR III:2 [3:52] * Album of Memories (22), Paris, 1888, DLR III:1 [43:28] Douglas Riva, piano rec. St. Martin's Church, East Woodhay, Hampshire, August 2002 World Premiere Recordings * NAXOS 8.557142 [70:00] [DS]

Riva's series has been a model of extensive research, idiomatic interpretation, and superb recorded sound. ... see Full Review

Mozart Carmargo GUARNIERI (1907-1993) Piano Concerto No. 1 (1931)* [19�46"] Piano Concerto No. 2 (1946)** [22�57"] Piano Concerto No. 3 (1964)*** [27�06"] Max Barros (piano) Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra/Thomas Conlin rec. Philharmonic Hall, Warsaw *20-21 Aug 2004; ** 24-25 June 2004; *** 4-5 Jan 2003 DDD NAXOS 8.557666 [69�49"] [JQ]

As attractive and enjoyable as it is enterprising ... I hope Naxos will follow up by giving us the remaining three piano concerti. ... see Full Review

Jesús GURIDI (1886-1961) Piano Music Danzas Viejas (1939) [5:42] Cantos populares vascos (1917) [7:40] Vasconia (1924) [13:18] Ocho apuntes para piano (1954) [15:38] Lamento e imprecación de Agar (1958) [8:30] Vals de Mirentxu (1915) [3:19] Tres piezas breves (1910): Amenecer [2:35]; Nostalgia [3:05] Victoria Aja (piano) rec. 30-31 July 2001, Estudio L'Auditorium de Anacrusi. DDD NAXOS SPANISH CLASSICS 8.557633 [60:04][RB]

Guridi's nationalistic mezzo-tints and pastels ... touchingly poetic gentle sketches. Nationalist atmosphere and smiling romance. ... see Full Review

George Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759) Organ Concerto in G minor Op.4 No.1 [16.04] Organ Concerto in G minor Op.4 No.3 [7.29] Organ Concerto in D minor Op.7 No.4 [16.38] Organ Concerto in A major HWV296a [17.20] Harp Concerto in B flat major Op.4 No.6 [12.22]

Christian Schmitt (organ) Charlotte Balzereit (harp) Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra/Nicol Matt Recorded Schlosskapelle Solitude, Stuttgart, Summer-Autumn 2004 BRILLIANT CLASSICS SACD 92605 [73.18] [JW]

More for admirers of the soloists and the group since enough mid-price traversals of the complete set exist to make this entrant seem less pressing on the wallet. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH George Frideric HANDEL (1685 - 1759) Giulio Cesare in Egitto, HWV 17 (1724) [208.00] Text by Nicola Haym after Bussani Giulio Cesare ... Graham Pushee, counter-tenor Curio ... Richard Alexander, bass Cornelia ... Rosemary Gunn, soprano Sesto ... Elizabeth Campbell, mezzo Cleopatra ... Yvonne Kenny, soprano Tolomeo ... Andrew Dalton, counter-tenor Achilla ... Stephen Bennet, tenor Nireno ... Rodney Gilchrist, counter-tenor Dancers of Opera Australia

Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra/Richard Hickox. Recorded at the Opera House, Sydney, Australia, June 1994 Notes in English, Deutsch, and Français. Colour photos of Graham Pushee in costume, and of Sydney Opera House. Detailed track listing. No text or translations. PAL 4:3 PCM stereo 2.0, Dolby Digital 5.1, dts 5.1. Disk 1, DVD-9; Disk 2 DVD-5. Subtitles in English, Deutsch, Français, Italiano. Region code 0 [all regions] Region 1 NTSC version available as Kultur Video D2911. EUROARTS 2053599 [146.00 + 62.00] [PSh]

The best Giulio Cesare I�ve ever experienced or am likely to. Close enough to perfection to merit only the highest level of criticism. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH George Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759)
Giulio Cesare � Highlights from the opera in four acts. (1724) Libretto by Nicola Francesco Haym after Giacomo Francesco Bussani. Giulio Cesare � Paul Esswood (counter-tenor) Cleopatra � Roberta Alexander (soprano) and Lucia Popp (soprano) [14] Cornelia � Marjana Lipov�ek (mezzo) Seste � Ann Murray (mezzo) Arnold Schönberg-Chor/Erwin G. Ortner Concentus musicus Wien/Nikolaus Harnoncourt Recorded in Vienna, April 1984 and May 1985. WARNER APEX 2564 62018-2 [58:26] [JR]

One of the best representations of one of Handel�s most successful operatic ventures. This one hour compilation of highlights goes by all too quickly. ... see Full Review

George Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759) Oreste, opera in three acts (HWV A11) Mata Katsuli (Ifigenia), Maria Mitsopoulou (Ermione), soprano; Mary-Ellen Nesi (Oreste), mezzo; Nicholas Spanos (Filotete), alto; Antonis Koroneos (Pilade), tenor; Petros Magoulas (Toante), bass Camerata Stuttgart/George Petrou Recorded January 2004 at St Veit, Waldenbuch, Germany DDD MDG 6091273-2 [76:38 + 69:49] [JV]

The first recording of a pasticcio by Handel, performed quite well by a relatively unknown cast � see Full Review

George Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759) Portraits of mezzo-soprano heroines: Teseo: Overture [4.18]; Dolce risposo (recitativo accompagnato) [3.23]; O stringerò nel sen (aria) [3.32]; Sibilando, ululando (aria) [3.56]; Dunque per vendicarmi (recitativo) [0.55]; Morirò (aria) [4.28] Hercules: Overture-Minuet [5.59]; Oh Hercules (recitativo accompagnato) [0.52]; The world, when day's career is run (aria) [3.46]; When beauty sorrow's liv'ry wears (aria) [3.03]; Resign thy club (aria) [4.03]; Cease, ruler of the day, to rise (aria) [3.29]; Sinfonia � Act III [3.16]; Where shall I fly! (recitativo accompagnato) [6.25] Radamisto: Air and Marche [2.27]; Quando mai (cavatina) [2.30]; Troppo sofferse (aria) [1.54]; Son contenta di morire (aria) [4.38]; Fatemi, o cieli, almen (aria) [5.46] Maria Riccarda Wesseling (mezzo) Lautten Compagney Berlin/Wolfgang Katschner Recorded in the Andreas-Kirche Berlin, October 2004 CLAVES 50-2504 [68.38] [JW]

There are plenty of soprano, mezzo and counter-tenor Handel recitals that are worthy of a place on ones shelves and I think this is another. ... see Full Review

Stephen HARTKE (b. 1952) Tituli (1999) [42.06] (1) Cathedral in the Thrashing Rain (2000) [18.21] (2) Hilliard Ensemble (David James (counter-tenor), Rogers Covey-Crump (tenor), Steven Harrold (tenor), Gordon Jones (baritone)) Andreas Hirtreiter (tenor) (1) Michelle Makarski (violin) (1) Lynn Varten (percussion) (1) Javier Diaz (percussion) (1) Donald Crockett (conductor) (1)Recorded February 2003, Mechanics Hall, Worcester, MA, USA ECM NEW SERIES 1861 4760512 [60.28] [RH]

Highly recommended ... a pair of works rooted in the music of today but exploring and evoking past worlds ... see Full Review

Johann Adolf HASSE (1699 - 1783) Requiem in E flat (1764) [42.27] Miserere in d, [21.36] Simona Houde-�aturová, soprano; Britta Schwartz, alto; Eric Stokloßa, tenor; Gotthold Schwarz, bass Dresdner Kammerchor Dresdner Barockorchester/Hans-Christoph Rademann

Recorded in the Lukaskirche, Dresden, Germany, 6 February 2005. Notes in Deutsch, English, Français. Photos of artists, texts with translations. CARUS 83.175 [65.04] [PSh]

A major discovery, the Requiem Mass Vivaldi never wrote. Every recording of music by Hasse makes you want to hear more ... see Full Review

Franz Joseph HAYDN (1732�1809) 24 Minuets, Hob.IX:16 (c.1790) [63�30"]

Philharmonia Hungarica/Antal Dorati recorded in Marl, Germany, September 1975. ADD

DECCA ELOQUENCE 476 7693 [63.30] [JPh]

Out-and-out dance music written for pure pleasure. The orchestra and the conductor take on the task with utter and evident relish. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Scottish and Welsh Songs [32:18] Trio Es-Dur Hob. XV: 36 [10:56] Six Original Canzonettas [19:38] Trio A-Dur Hob. XV: 35 [12:31]

James Taylor (tenor) M�nchner Klaviertrio (Donald Sulzen (piano); Rudolf J. Koeckert (violin); Gerhard Zank (cello)) Recorded at the Bayerischer Rundfunk, Studio 2, M�nchen on 18-20, 24 July 2002.

ORFEO C117051A [75:32][JR]

This recording is a must-have! Finding a better recording of these Haydn vocal works will be a challenge. ... see Full Review

Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) The Seasons (abridged) [86:32] Gabriella Gatti (soprano), Francesco Albanese (tenor), Luciano Neroni (bass) Orchestra Sinfonica e Coro Lirico dell�EIAR/Vittorio Gui Recorded 10^th-14^th June 1943 at the Teatro La Fenice, Venice Claudio MONTEVERDI (1567-1643) Arianna: Il lamento di Arianna [08:18] (1) Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Le nozze di Figaro: Porgi amor [04:08] (2) Carl Maria von WEBER (1786-1826) Oberon: Piangi mio cuor [04:32] (3) Gabriella Gatti (soprano), Orchestra Sinfonica dell�EIAR/Alfredo Simonetto (1), Fernando Previtali (2, 3) Recorded in August 1941 at the Teatro Nuovo of Turin Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART Die Zauberflöte: Possenti numi [03:16] (4) Gioacchino ROSSINI (1792-1868) Mosè in Egitto: Eterno! Immenso! Incomprensibil Dio! [04:42] (5), Il barbiere di Siviglia: La calunnia [04:10] (6) Vincenzo BELLINI (1801-1835) I puritani: Suoni la tromba [03:42] (7) Luciano Neroni (bass), with Giuseppe Manacchini (baritone) (7), Orchestra Sinfonica dell�EIAR/Mario Rossi (4), Alfredo Simonetto (5), Ugo Tansini (6, 7) Recorded 28^th October 1948 (4), 14^th October 1948 (5), 15^th June 1943 (6), July 1939 (7), at the Turin Conservatoire (4, 5), Teatro La Fenice, Venice (6), Teatro Nuovo of Turin (7) WARNER FONIT 5050467-7898-2-1 [64:50 + 55:29] [CH]

The first ever recording of "The Seasons", notable for the conducting of Vittorio Gui. ... see Full Review

Wilfred HEATON (1918-2000) The Heaton Collection - Volume Three Five Little Pieces (1955) [9:45] Trombone Concerto (1952) [26:11] French (2000?) [5:26] Annie Laurie (2000?) [8:59] Beulah Land (2000?) [12:07] Black Dyke Band/Dr. Nicholas Childs International Staff Band of the Salvation Army/Stephen Cobb Recorded 4^th April 2005, Morley Town Hall (Tracks 1 � 6 Black Dyke) 23^rd June 2004, Henry Wood Hall, London (Tracks 7 � 11 International Staff Band) DDD SP&S SPS 198 CD [62:53] [CT]

A rewarding further volume in an ongoing exploration of Wilfred Heaton�s music for brass band. ... see Full Review

Hans Werner HENZE (b. 1926) Symphony No. 10 (I Ein Sturm; II Ein Hymnus; III Ein Tanz; IV Ein Traum) (1997-2000) [38:13] Quattro Poemi (I Elogio; II Egloga; III Elegia; IV Ditirambo) (1955) [10:38] La Selva incantata - Aria et Rondo pour orchestre (1991) [11:35]

Orchestra National de Montpellier/Friedemann Layer rec. live l'Opéra Berlioz de Montpellier 14 Feb 2004 (symphony); 10 Sept 2004. DDD ACCORD 476 7156 [60:08] [RB]

An important anthology: his most recent symphony, a work of his confident feral fifties and a brilliant jeu d'esprit from the 1990s. ... see Full Review

Vagn HOLMBOE (1909-1996) Concerto No. 8 Sinfonia Concertante Op. 38 M.148 (1945) [19.07] Concerto No. 10 Træ Messing og Tarm (Wood, Brass and Gut) Op. 40 M.150 (1945-46) [17.46] Concerto Giocondo e Severo Op. 132 M.288 (1977) [10.40] Den Galsindede Tyrk (The Ill-Tempered Turk) ballet suite Op. 32b M.242 (1944-45) [19.28]

Aalborg Symphony Orchestra/Owain Arwel Hughes Recorded. Aalborghallen, Aalborg, Denmark, May 1998 (Opp. 32b, 132), June 1999 (Opp. 38, 40) BIS-CD-917 [68.16] [JW]

Standards of musicianship, scholarship and commitment are high ... deserving of accolade and admiring investigation. ... see Full Review

Gustav HOLST (1874-1934) The Planets Op. 32 (1917) (1. Mars, The Bringer of War [6:26]; 2. Venus, The Bringer of Peace [8:30]; 3. Mercury, The Winged Messenger [3:50]; 4. Jupiter, The Bringer of Jollity [7:51]; 5. Saturn, The Bringer of Old Age [9:03]; 6. Uranus, The Magician [6:05]; 7. Neptune, The Mystic [7:15]) Women of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus/Ann Howard Jones Atlanta Symphony Orchestra/Yoel Levi rec. Woodruff Arts Center, Atlanta, Georgia, 3-4 April 1997. DDD TELARC CD-80466 [49:00] [PG]

If you are looking to add a recording of Holst�s The Planets to your collection, this certainly would be an excellent choice. ... see Full Review

Alan HOVHANESS (1911-2000) Concerto for two pianos and orchestra (1954) [20.51]* Three Pieces for two pianos +: Mihr (1945) [9.25]; Ko-ola-u (1962) [2.19]; Vijag (1946) [3.44] Lousadzak � concerto for piano and orchestra (1944) [18.56]++ Martin Berkofsky (piano, on all pieces) with Atakan Sari (piano 2)* Globalis Symphony Orchestra/Konstantin Krimets Sergei Podobedov (piano 2)+ Nikolai Zherenkov (violin)++ Recorded at Mosfilm Studios, Moscow, March 2003 (Concerto for two pianos), House of Sound, Moscow, March and June 2004 (remainder) BLACK BOX BBM1103 [55.21] [JW]

Recorded sound sympathetic and warm ... a mandatory purchase for Hovhaness admirers ... see Full Review

Herbert HOWELLS (1892-1983) Missa Sabrinensis for soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, chorus and orchestra (1953) [76:10] Stabat Mater for tenor solo, chorus and orchestra (1965) [51:44] Janice Watson (sop); Della Jones (mezzo); Martyn Hill (ten); Donald Maxwell (bar); Neill Archer (ten) (Stabat only) London Symphony Chorus/Stephen Westrop London Symphony Orchestra/Gennady Rozhdestvensky rec. Blackheath Concert Halls, London, 7-9 Apr 1994 (Missa Sabrinensis); 10 Apr 1994 (Stabat Mater). DDD CHANDOS 2for1 CHAN 241-27 [76:10 + 51:44] [RB]

What more can one ask to lift you from the light of common day. ... see Full Review

Herbert HOWELLS (1892�1983) Lambert�s Clavichord - Twelve pieces for clavichord, Op. 41 (1927) Howells: Clavichord - Twenty pieces for clavichord or piano (1941, 1961) John McCabe (piano) Rec. 31 July - 1 Aug 1993. DDD Originally issued as CDA66689 HYPERION HELIOS CDH55152 [78:50] [RB]

Here is a reissue at bargain price of Howells' two clavichord portraiture sequences. They are sensitively played on the piano but with the tone and timbre of the clavichord constantly present. ... see Full Review

Tobias HUME (1575?-1645) The Passion of Musick, Poeticall Musicke The Soldiers Song [01:59] A souldiers Galiard [01:44] Fain would I change that note [02:46] Tobacco is like love [01:47] M.S. Georges delight [02:21] Cease leaden slumber [05:21] The passion of musick [03:48] What greater griefe [04:21] Captain Hume Lamentation [08:28] Captaine Humes Musicall Humors Hark, hark [02:02] I'm falling [01:21] Beccus an hungarian lord his delight [04:44] Captain Hume Pavin [08:32] A Souldiers resolution [04:11] Deth [05:21] Life [01:56] A Pavin [05:55] Nima Ben David, bass viol; Pascale Boquet, tenor and bass lute, theorbo; Damien Guillon, alto; Bruno Boterf, tenor Consort de la Belle Feullie: (Ariane Maurette, descant and bass viol; Andréas Linos, tenor and bass viol; Nima Ben David, bass viol; Pascal Gallon, bass lute) rec. April 2003, Chapel of the Hospital Notre-Dame de Bon Secours, Paris, France. DDD ALPHA 061 [66:43] [JV]

A worthy tribute to one of the most interesting composers in English music history - strongly recommended� see Full Review

Johann Nepomuk HUMMEL (1778-1837) Piano and Violin Concerto Op.17 (1804) [36.24] Violin Concerto (completed by Gregory Rose) (?1806) [27.29]

Alexander Trostiansky (violin) Polina Osetinskaya (piano) Russian Philharmonic Orchestra/Gregory Rose Recorded in Studio 5, Russian State TV and Radio Company Kultura, Moscow. September 2004 NAXOS 8.557595 [64.21][JW]

Naxos has cut the Gordian knot at budget price and despite some weaknesses you will certainly encounter two spirited works. ... see Full Review

Jacques IBERT (1890-1962) Film Music Macbeth (Suite, 1948); Golgotha (Suite, 1935); Don Quichotte (1933)

Jacques Tchamkerten (ondes martenot) (Golgotha) Henry Kiichli (bass) (Don Quichotte), Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra (Bratislava)/Adriano rec. Concert Hall, Slovak Radio, Bratislava, 5�6 July 1989 (Golgotha), 15 January 1990 (Don Quichotte), 17 � 18 January 1990 (Macbeth) NAXOS 8.557607 [77:19][GF]

This disc can be confidently recommended � not only to film-music buffs. ... see Full Review

Kamran INCE (b. 1960) Symphony No 3 Siege of Vienna (1994-5) [24:44] Domes (1993) [13:39] Symphony No 4 Sardis (1999-2000) [22:46]

Prague Symphony Orchestra/Kamran Ince rec. Dvoř�k Hall of the Rudolfinum, Prague, February 2001. DDD

NAXOS 8.557588 [61:09][PCW]

Gordon JACOB (1895 -1984) A Festival of Music An Original Suite (1928) [10:13] Overture "Ally Pally" (1975) [6:16] Fantasia for Euphonium and Concert Band (1969) [11:14] Concerto for Band (1967) [12:26] Music for a Festival (1950) [35:03] National Anthem arr. for Band (1953) [1:24]

L.Cpl. John Storey (euphonium) Regimental Band of the Coldstream Guards/ Major Graham O. Jones MBE Rec. The Chapel, Chelsea Barracks, 24-25 November 2004 SPECIALIST RECORDING COMPANY CD SRC 108 [76:39] [GO]

Enterprising ... a fitting tribute to Jacob from one of the UK�s leading military bands for his contributions to the medium over a period of some sixty years. ... see Full Review

Giya KANCHELI (b.1935) Simi [26.42] Mourned by the Wind (1984) [38.06]

Alexander Ivashkin (cello) Russian State Symphony Orchestra/Valeri Polyansky Recorded in the Grand Hall of Moscow Conservatory, September 2004 CHANDOS CHAN 10297 [64.59] [JW]

The fluid and the shocking are controlled with great understanding. A partnership that keens with commitment and bitter truthfulness. ... see Full Review

Erich Wolfgang KORNGOLD (1897-1957)Fairytale pictures and other orchestral music Violanta: Prelude and Carnival Op.8 (1916) [7.41] Schauspiel Overture Op.4 (1911) [13.27] Märchenbilder (Fairytale pictures) Op.3 (1910) [18.57] Straussiana (1953) [6.47] Theme and Seven Variations Op.42 [9.04] Tales of Strauss Op.21 (1927) orchestrated Franz Kopriva [11.01] Bruckner Orchestra Linz/Caspar Richter Recorded in Bruckner House, Linz, Austria, 20-24 February 2001. DDD ASV CD DCA 1108 [68.38] [CF]

A welcome disc of highly enjoyable music taking us beyond the obvious as far as Korngold�s output is concerned ... see Full Review

Ernst KRENEK (1900-1991) Monolog der Stella Op.57 (1928) [6.50] Ô Lacrymosa Op.48 (1926) [7.09] Durch die Nacht Op.67 (1930-31) [19.07] Die Nachtigall Op.68 (1931) [7.09] Wechselrahmen Op.189 (1964-66) [13.22] Two Silent Watchers Op.222 (1975) [4.26]

Ilana Davidson (soprano) Debra Ayers (piano) Recorded at the Purchase Performing Arts Centre Concert Hall, December 2003 CAPRICCIO 67 133 [57.16] [JW]

I can�t say it was unmitigated joy listening to his songs � I much prefer his operatic work � but Krenek�s is a powerful voice and it needs to be heard. ... see Full Review

Johann KROPFGANS (1708-c.1770) Sonata in G Major [11:51] Divertimento in F Major [13:37] Concerto in c minor [14:18] Divertimento in B-flat Major [13:32] Sonata in D major [11:49] Galanterie (John Schneiderman, lute; Elizabeth Blumenstock, violin; William Skeen, cello) Recorded April 11, 2004. Recording location not specified. PROFIL PH 05012 [69:19] [KS]

Constant LAMBERT (1905�1951) Romeo and Juliet - Ballet in Two Tableaux (1924/5) [29'51] Elegiac Blues - In memory of Florence Mills (1927, orch. 1928) [2:54] Piano Concerto for piano solo, two trumpets, strings and timpani (1924) [17:07] The Bird Actors Overture (1925, rev. 1927) [3:18] Prize Fight: Ballet in One Act (1924, rev. 1927) [9:12]

Jonathan Plowright (piano) English Northern Philharmonia/David Lloyd-Jones rec. Clothworkers� Hall, University of Leeds, 19-20 Dec 2004. DDD HYPERION CDA67545 [62:52] [RB]

Another fine Lambert collection with the best version of Romeo and Juliet and all the more valuable for recording premieres with intrinsic attraction especially the concerto and Elegiac Blues ... see Full Review

Peter Erasmus LANGE-MÜLLER (1850-1926) Once upon a Time Op.25 - extracts (1887) [43:21] Renaissance Op.59 - extracts (1901) [9:16] Songs by the Sea Op.54 (no date) [5:17] Late on a night so cold Op.64 (unpublished) World premiere recording [1:57] Viking Blood Op.50 - extracts (1900) [8:01] World premiere recording of the overture Susanne Elmark, soprano Michael Kristensen, tenor Johan Reuter, baritone Coro Misto

Aalborg Symphony Orchestra/Moshe Atzmon rec. December 2000 and December 2004, Aalborghallen, Aalborg, Denmark. DDD BIS-CD-1214 [69:01] [DB]

BIS is to be congratulated on filling an interesting gap in our knowledge of the late 19^th century Danish repertoire. Lange-Muller really belongs in the regular repertoire of Friday night is music night on Radio Two. ... see Full Review

Giovanni LEGRENZI (1626-1690) Sonate a due e a tre Opus 2 (1655):Trio sonatas 1655

Parnassi musici: (Margaret MacDuffie, Matthias Fischer (violin), Sergio Azzolini (bassoon), Stephan Schrader (cello), Diego Cantalupi (theorbo), Martin Lutz (organ)) Recorded in February 2003 at the Studio of the Südwestrundfunk, Karlsruhe, Germany. DDD CPO 777 030-2 [65:33] [JV]

An excellent recording of a historically important and musically captivating collection of trio sonatas by Legrenzi ... see Full Review

Franz LEHÁR (1870 � 1948) Zigeunerliebe (Gipsy Love) - Romantic operetta in three acts, First version (1910) Johanna Stojkovic (soprano) � Zorika; Dagmar Schellenberger (soprano) � Ilona; Zoran Todorovich (tenor) � Józsi; Bernhard Schneider (tenor) � Jonel; Ksenija Lukić (soprano) � Jol�n; Stefan-Alexander Rankl (tenor) � Kajet�n; Markus K�hler (baritone) � Dragotin; Raphaela Schulze (soprano) � Frau von K�rem; Andreas H�rl (bass) � Mihaly; Andrej Bielow (solo violin); Katerina Zlatnikov� and Agnes Szak�ly (cymbal) NDR-Chor, NDR Radiophilharmonie/Frank Beermann Recorded at NDR (North German Radio) Hannover, Grosser Sendesaal, January and September 2003 CPO 999 842 � 2 [52:24 + 66:48] [GF]

Lehár lovers should rush to the nearest record store and others, who are not directly allergic to operetta, should also lend this recording their ears. They will be in for several pleasing surprises. ... see Full Review

Franz LEHÁR (1870-1948) The Best of Franz Lehár Die Lustige Witwe (1905): Lippe schweigen [2.59] Schön ist die Welt (1930): Frei und jung dabei [2.43]; Schön ist die Welt [2.43]; Ich bin verliebt [3.10]Das Land des Lächleins (1929): Bei einem Tee à deux [3.18]; Dein ist mein ganzes Herz! [3.22]; Wer hat die Liebe [5.09] Paganini (1925): Gern hab� ich die Frau�n gesküßt [3.11]; Niemand liebt dich so wie ich [4.56]; Liebem du Himmel auf Erden [2.28] Der Zarewitsch (1927): Wolgalied [4.50]; Kosende Welien [3.43] Friederike (1928): Warum hast du mich wach geküßt [3.23]; Der Graf von Luxemburg (1929): Lieber Freund [5.48] Renate Holm (soprano) Werner Krenn (tenor) Orchester der Wiener Volksoper/Anton Paulik Eva (1911): Wär� es auch nichts als ein Augenblick [3.40]; Zigeunerliebe (1910): Hör� ich Cymbalklänge [3.38] Pilar Lorengar (soprano) Vienna Opera Orchestra/Walter Weller rec. Dec 1970 (cond. Paulik), Nov 1970 (cond. Weller), Sofiensaal, Vienna DECCA ELOQUENCE 476 2703 [60.02] [TB]

A pleasing reissue, even if it does come without texts and translations. ... see Full Review

Oskar LINDBERG (1887-1955) Tre dalmålningar (Three Dalecarlian Paintings) op. 1 [18:09] Festpolonäs Op. 13 [8:37] Hemifrån (From Home) tone poem Op. 34 (1933) [16:28] Leksandssvit (Leksand Suite) Op. 41 [17:03] Gesunda tone poem Op. 54 (1947) [16:00]

Gävle Symphony Orchestra/Michael Bartosch Rec. 14-17 Mar 2005, Gävle Concewrt \Hall, Sweden. DDD STERLING CDS-1067-2 [76:37] [RB]

Relaxed and relaxing Swedish pastoral nationalism from one of the idiom's leading Swedish practitioners. ... see Full Review

Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Masterpieces Dante Symphony, R426, (1857) [47�26�] A La Chapelle Sixtine R445, (1862) [17�39�] Les Preludes R414, (1854) [16�46�] Orpheus R415, (1854) [11�23�] Tasso R413, (1849) [19�26�] Hungaria R420, (1854) [21�32�] Hungarian Rhapsody No.1 G359/1 (1839) [11�59�] Hungarian Rhapsody No.2 G359/4 (1841) [10�21�] Hungarian Rhapsody No.3 G359/3 (1841) [8�30�] Hungarian Rhapsody No.4 G359/2 (1842) [11�13�] Hungarian Rhapsody No.5 G359/5 (1843) [10�11�] Hungarian Rhapsody No.6 G359/6 Pester Carneval (1845) [13�27�] Piano Concerto No. 1 in E Flat major (1849) [18�19�] Piano Concerto No. 2 in A major (1857) [20�58�] Totentanz for Piano and Orchestra (1849) [15�42�] Wanderer Fantasie after Franz Schubert (before 1852) [22�00�] Fantasie on Beethoven�s Ruins of Athens (1852) [11�08�] Grande Fantaisie symphonique on Berlioz�s L�lio (1834) [24�35�] Fantasia on Hungarian Folk-tunes (1852) [15�15�]

Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus/Hartmut Haenchen Hungarian State Orchestra/Janos Ferencsik (Symphonic Poems). Budapest Symphony Orchestra/Andras Korodi (Hungarian Rhapsodies) Jeno Jando (piano) Budapest Symphony Orchestra/Andras Ligeti (Piano Concerti, Totentanz and Fantasies) Rec. unknown except Concertgebouw Amsterdam 1995. (Dante Symphony; A la Chapelle Sixtine). DDD

CAPRICCIO 49 450 [5 CDs: 65�05� + 68�42� + 65�42� + 54�12� + 72�58�][JPh]

Reasonable performances but there are substantially better recordings around which if bought separately, might cost a little bit more, but would give a much more satisfactory selection ... see Full Review

Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Années de pèlerinage � Suisse: Première Année � Suisse S160 (1855) [51'45]: Chapelle de Guillaume Tell [6'43]; Au lac de Wallenstadt [3'07]; Pastorale [1'30]; Au bord d�une source [3'56]; Orage [4'50]; Vallée d�Obermann [15'53]; Eglogue [2'50]; Le mal du pays [6'36]; Les cloches de Genève � Nocturne [6'14] The complete opera paraphrases after Charles Gounod (1818�1893): Les Adieux � Rêverie sur un motif de �Roméo et Juliette� S409 (1867) [8'30]; Valse de l�opéra �Faust� S407 (1861) [10'14]; Les Sabéennes � Berceuse de l�opéra �La Reine de Saba� S408 (1865) [4'40] Stephen Hough, piano. rec. Henry Wood Hall, London, 18-19 January, 21, 25 September 2003. HYPERION CDA67424 [75:20] [JF]

I heartily recommend this version ... it masterfully achieves that just balance of lyricism and pyrotechnics so necessary to the successful playing of this music ... see Full Review

Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Nuages Gris (Grey clouds) 1881 [3:45]; La lugubre gondola I (The funeral gondola I) 1882 [4:07]; Unstern (Evil star) 1880-1886 [5:35]; Vallée d�Obermann (1848-1854) [15:24]; Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Sonata No.30 in E major, Op.109 [20:51]; Panayiotis DEMOPOULOS (b.1977) Tetractys for solo piano 2000 [8:18] Panayiotis Demopoulos, piano. rec. Whiteley Hall, Chetham�s School of Music, Long Millgate, Manchester, 18 April, 28 May 2003. DUNELM RECORDS DRD0213 [58:00] [PS]

Panayiotis Demopoulos, as can be heard from this well recorded disc of Liszt and Beethoven has made considerable progress as pianist and composer. ... see Full Review

Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Pr�ludium und Fuge ůber das Thema B-A-C-H [14�32]; Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen � Präludium nach J.S. Bach [7�57]; Variationen ůber den Basson continuo des ersten Satzes der Kantate �Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen, Angst und Not der Christen Tränenbrot� und des �Crucifixus� der h-Moll-Messe von J.S. Bach [19�07] J.S. BACH arr LISZT Drei Bach Bearbeitungen: Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir� nach dem Eingangschor der Kantate BWV 38 [5�24]; Adagio aus der 4. Sonate fűr Violine und Cembalo BWV 1017 [3�59]; Einleitung und Fuge aus der Kantate �Ich hatte viel Bekűmmernis nach dem Schlu�chor �Das Lamm, das erwűrget� BWV 21 [6�02] J.S. BACH Passacaglia BWV 582 [14�42] Michael Schönheit, organ rec. Merseburg Dom, 27-28 October 2004 DDD MUSIK DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM MDG 906 1334-6 [72�37] [CB]

This is an extremely valuable release of Liszt�s music played on the organ for which much of it was conceived; the first recording since the instrument�s restoration. ... see Full Review

2023 Approaching 60,000 reviews and more.. and still writing ...	Search MusicWeb Here