ALPHABETICAL LISTING

Marc-Antoine CHARPENTIER (1643 - 1704) Te Deum, H. 146 (1692) [22.05] Dixit Dominus, H. 204 (1690) [8.58] Messe de Minuit pour Noël, H. 9 (1694) [28.47] Jane Archibald, Michele de Boer, Anne L’Espèrance, sopranos; Marion Newman, Nancy Reynolds, altos; Colin Ainsworth, James McLennan, David Nortman, tenors; Giles Tomkins, Esteban Cambre, basses Aradia Ensemble/Kevin Mallon Recorded at Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 6 January 2003 Notes in English and Deutsch NAXOS 8.557229 [59.50] [PSh]

A superb Te Deum, a slightly problematical Midnight Mass. ... see Full Review

Ernest CHAUSSON (1855-1899) Concert for violin, piano and string quartet Op.21 (1891) * Jean Marie LECLAIR (1697-1764) Sonata Op.9 No.3 Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Violin Sonata (1917) The Weiss Duo - Sidney Weiss (violin) and Jeanne Weiss (piano) with Coup d’Archet Quartet (Armen Anassian and Marina Munukian (violins) Andrew Picken (viola) Richard Naill (cello))* Recorded at Little Bridges Auditorium, Pomona College, June 2004 (Chausson) and at Kimball Hall in Chicago, live, in 1969 (remainder) CRYSTAL RECORDS CD835 [62.16] [JW]

It’s always pleasurable to encounter these two experienced chamber players and in spite of some clear drawbacks this disc will still appeal to their many admirers ... see Full Review

Frédéric CHOPIN (1810-49) Ballade No. 1 in G minor, Op. 23 (1835) Ballade No. 2 in F major, Op. 38 (1839) Ballade No. 3 in A flat major, Op. 47 (1841) Ballade No. 4 in F minor, Op. 52 (1842) Scherzo No. 1 in B minor, Op. 20 (1831) Scherzo No. 2 in B flat minor, Op. 31 (1837) Scherzo No. 3 in C sharp minor, Op. 39 (1840) Scherzo No. 4 in E major, Op. 54 (1842) Artur Rubinstein (piano) Rec. Manhattan Center, New York City, 25/26 March 1959 (Scherzos) and 28/29 April 1959 (Ballades) BMG CLASSICS RCA RED SEAL SACD 82876 61396-2 [71'24"] [PJL]

A jewel and not to be missed! ... see Full Review

Frédéric CHOPIN (1810-49) Nocturnes. Angela Hewitt (piano) Recorded in Reitstadel, Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz, Germany, 16-20 November 2003 DDD HYPERION CDA67371/2 [2 CDs: 132’53"] [BH]

Lovely and engaging playing ... a swirling energy that may give admirers of these works a fresh new viewpoint. ... see Full Review

Francesco CILEA (1866-1950) Adriana Lecouvreur (1902) Mirella Freni (soprano) - Adriana Lecouvreur; Peter Dvorsky (tenor) - Maurizio; Ivo Vinco (bass) - Principe di Bouillon; Ernesto Gavazzi (tenor) - L’Abate di Chazeuil; Alessandro Cassis (baritone) - Michonnet; Giuseppe Riva (bass) - Quinault; Osvaldo Di Credico (tenor) - Poisson; Patrizia Dordi (soprano) - Jouvenot; Sara Mingardo (contralto) - Dangeville Chorus and Orchestra of the Teatro alla Scala, Milan/Gianandrea Gavazzeni. All regions. Dolby Digital Stereo. English Subtitles. 4:3. 16/9 Anamorphic. Rec. Teatro alla Csala, Milan, in 1989. OPUS ARTE OA LS3011 D [159’00] [CC]

Cilea’s sense of dramatic timing, unerringly conveyed by the conductor. Difficult to say why this piece seems not to be fully accorded its due stature, especially when given as vividly as here. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Samuel COLERIDGE-TAYLOR (1875–1912) Violin Concerto in G minor Op. 80 (1912) [31'55] (1 Allegro maestoso — Vivace — Allegro molto [11'39] 2 Andante semplice — Andantino [8'28] 3 Allegro molto — Moderato [11'41]) Arthur SOMERVELL (1863–1937) Violin Concerto in G minor (1930) [32'59] (First Recording) (1 Allegro moderato e con grazia [18'21] 2 Adagio [6'44] 3 Allegro giocoso [7'47]) Anthony Marwood (violin) BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra/Martyn Brabbins rec. 24-25 Feb 2004, Greyfriars Church, Edinburgh. DDD The Romantic Violin Concerto – 5 HYPERION CDA67420 [65:03] [RB]

Make no mistake the Coleridge-Taylor is a vivacious and captivating work which I guarantee that you will come to love. The Somervell will instantly appeal to all lovers of the Brahms and of the British pastoral idyll filtered through the German romantic idiom ... see Full Review

Edward Joseph COLLINS (1886-1951) Ballet-Suite: The Masque of the Red Death (1932) [25:32] Irish Rhapsody (1927) [11:44] Set of Four (1933) [18:50] Royal Scottish National Orchestra/Marin Alsop Rec. Henry Wood Hall, Glasgow, Scotland, 16-17 October, 2002 (Masque of Red Death; Irish Rhapsody); City Halls, Glasgow, Scotland, 19-20 March 2003 (Set of Four). DDD ALBANY TROY657 [56:06] [PG]

Good works that deserve a better fate. Fans of Copland, Gershwin or any of the French Romantics will be certain to enjoy this music. ... see Full Review

The Piano Music of Copland, Creston and Zuckerman Aaron Copland (1900 -1990) Passacaglia (1921-1922) [5.41] Piano Fantasy (1955-1957) [28.10] Paul Creston (1906 -1985) Seven Theses Op.3 (1933) [9.37] Metamorphoses Op.84 (1964) [18.19] Mark Zuckerman (1948- ) On the Edges (1996) [11.15] Peter Vinograde, piano Not stated where and when recorded. 2001? PHOENIX PHCD 149 [73:02] [JF]

A fine retrospective of 20^th century American piano music. Five impressive pieces are given, each of which demand our attention. At least three of these works are masterpieces ... see Full Review

Arcangelo CORELLI (1653 - 1713) Twelve Sonatas for Violin and Continuo Instruments, Op. 5: Nos. 1-6 (1700) Lucy van Dael, violin; Bob van Asperen, harpsichord and organ Recorded at Dutch Reformed Church, Bennebroek, Netherlands, 7 November 2002 Notes in English and Deutsch. NAXOS 8.557165 [67.47] [PSh][EJ]

A fine beginning to the Op. 5, brilliant violin playing, beautifully recorded.[PSh] These are intelligent performances, and well worth buying, especially at budget price.[EJ]... see Full Review

Henry COWELL (1897-1965) Instrumental, Chamber and Vocal Music - Vol. 1 Piano Pieces [15:07] Quartet for flute, oboe, cello and harpsichord [10:51] Three Anti-Modernist Songs [6:55] Suite for violin and piano [11:03] Polyphonica for small orchestra (1930) [3:48] Irish Suite for string piano and small orchestra (1925) [16:39] Continuum/Cheryl Seltzer; Joel Sachs rec. American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters, New York City, Apr 1990. DDD NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS 8.559192 [65:46] [RB] Henry COWELL (1897-1965) Instrumental, Chamber and Vocal Music - Vol. 2 Homage to Iran (1957) [14:50] Piece for piano with strings (1924) [3:34] Vestiges [6:55] Euphoria (1929) [0:59] What's This (1915) [0:35] Elegie (1941) [5:16] The Banshee (1925) [2:05] Two Songs - Poems of Catherine Riegger [4:23] Six Casual Developments (1933) [5:16] Set of Five (1952) [16:32] Continuum/Cheryl Seltzer; Joel Sachs rec. Cooper Union, New York City, 1984; American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters, New York City, 1992. DDD NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS 8.559193 [59:44] [RB]

Two discs that are central to any Cowell collection - superb music-making from Continuum ... see Full Review

Henry COWELL (1897-1965) Hymn and Fuguing Tune No. 3 (1954) [7:01] Ongaku for Orchestra (1957) • [14:06] (I Gagaku [5:48]; II Sankyoku [8:18]) Symphony No. 11, Seven Rituals of Music (1954) • [21:38] (I Andantino [4:16]; II Allegro [3:23]; III Lento [3:19]; IV Presto [3:22]; V Adagio [3:24]; VI Vivace [1:35]; VII Andante [2:12]) Thesis (Symphony No. 15) (1961) [20:28] (Movement I: I Largo [2:15]; II Andante [3:45]; III Presto [1:36]; IV Allegretto [1:15]; V Allegro (Part One) [2:44]; Recapitulation (Part Two) [5:58]; Movement II I Moderato [4:04]) Louisville Orchestra/Robert S. Whitney Recorded: 1954, 1958, 1961, 1967, Louisville, Kentucky Executive producer: Matthew Walters Original supervising producer: Howard Scott Annotation: Henry Cowell, Lou Harrison, John Kennedy Partial funding by Aaron Copland Fund for Music, National Endowment for the Arts, Neil Cotiaux. • indicates world premiere recording FIRST EDITION FECD-0003 [63:26] [RB]

These performances are entirely Whitney-conducted and represent an essential part of any Cowell collection or indeed for anyone wanting to explore the variegated riches and strangenesses of the American symphony during the last century. ... see Full Review

Michael DAUGHERTY (b. 1954) Philadelphia Stories (2001) UFO (1999)^a Evelyn Glennie (percussion) Colorado Symphony Orchestra/Marin Alsop Recorded: Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver, November 2002 NAXOS 8.559165 [64:38] [HC]

No earth-shaking masterpieces here, but Daugherty obviously knows how to handle large orchestral forces ... see Full Review

Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) Mazurka for violin and orchestra Op. 49 (1879) [6:14] Rondo and orchestra Op. 94 (1893) [6:15] Seven Interludes for small orchestra (1867) [23:20] Silent Woods for cello and orchestra Op. 68/5 (1884) [6:05] Polonaise in E flat (1879) [4:59] Nocturne in B Op.40 (1875) [4:37] American Suite Op.98b (1894) [16:34] Five Prague Waltzes (1879) [8:40] Polka in B flat (1880) [1:58] Alexander Trostianski (violin) Dmitry Yablonsky (cello) Russian Philharmonic Orchestra/ Dmitry Yablonsky Rec. Studio 5, Radio House, Moscow in October 2003 NAXOS 8.557352 [78:42] [PW]

A well-filled disc with a cleverly arranged programme… this could fill a gap in anyone’s collection very nicely … see Full Review

Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) String Quartets Volume 7. No. 1 in A major, Op. 2/B8 (1862, rev. version 1888) [36’49]. No. 6 in A minor, Op. 12/B40 (1873, compl. Burghauser) [30’04]. Vlach Quartet Prague (Jana Vlachová, Karel Stadherr, violins; Petr Verner, viola; Mikael Ericsson, cello). Rec. Martínek Studio, Prague, 7-8 June (Op. 2); July 5^th-7^th (Op. 12), 2003. DDD NAXOS 8.557357 [66’53] [CC]

Recommended. Fine versions of quartets well worth exploring. ... see Full Review

Howard FERGUSON (1908-1999) Concerto for piano and string orchestra Op. 12 (1951) [24:10] Roberto GERHARD (1896-1970) Concerto for piano and strings (1961) [22:17] Alec ROWLEY (1892-1958) Concerto in D major for piano, strings and percussion Op. 49 (1938) [15:10] Christian DARNTON (1905-1981) Concerto in C major for piano and string orchestra (1948) [16:35] Peter Donohoe (piano and conductor) Northern Sinfonia rec. Jubilee Hall, Gosforth, UK, 25-27 Nov 2003 British Piano Concertos series NAXOS 8.557290 [78:12] [RB]

Four contrasting concertos all played with surging elan. The style is romantic for the Ferguson and Rowley while the Gerhard and Darnton are of more astringent fibre. Enthusiastically recommended ... see Full Review

Alfonso FERRABOSCO I (1543-1588) Alfonso FERRABOSCO II (1578-1628) Consort Music Dovehouse Pavan a 5 (II) [4.44] Almain a 5 (11) [2.17] Fuerunt mihi lachrime a 4 (I) [2.46] Solo e pensoso a 5 (I) [3.59] Fantasy No 6 a 6 (II) [2.29] Fantasy No 3 a 6 (II) [3.26] In Nomine No 1 (I) [2.55] In Nomine No 2 (I) [2.20] Fantasy No 14 a 4 (II) [3.15] Fantasy No 16 a 4 (II) [2.46] Ut re mi a 3 (1) [1.38] Di sei bassi a 6 (I) [3.20] Hexachord Fantasy No 1 a 5 (II) [3.41] Hexachord Fantasy No 2 a 5 (II) [3.55] Pavan in C a 5 (II) [4.07] Three almains in C a 5 (II) [3.16] Fantasy No 8 a 6 (II ) for three trebles [2.26] In Nomine No 2 a 6 (II) [3.41] Fantasia a 4 (I) [3.57] Susanne un jour a 5 (I) [3.25] Fantasy No 2 a 6 (II) [3.52] In Nomine through all parts a 6 (II) [6.02] Rose Consort of Viols: John Bryan, Alison Crum, Sarah Groser, Roy Marks, Susanna Pell, Peter Wendland. Recorded at Forde Abbey, Somerset, UK, 2 June 1997 Notes in Deutsch, English, Français. Colour photo of 5 of the 6 artists. CPO 999 859-2 [75.36] [PSh]

Beautiful sound from a chest of viols, "a pleasant experience much drawn out". ... see Full Review

César FRANCK (1822-1890) Fantaisie in C major op. 16 [13'47] Grand Piece Symphonique op. 17 [26'30] Prelude, Fugue et Variation op. 18 [10'14] Priere [12'45] Fantaisie in A major [14'07] Pastorale op. 19 [9'10] Final op. 21 [11'05] Cantabile [6'35] Piece Heroique [8'37] Choral No. 1 in E major [14'46] Choral No. 2 in B minor [14'12] Choral No. 3 in A minor [13'42] Marie-Claire Alain, organ Rec: St Francois-de-Sales, Lyon, May 1976. ADD WARNER APEX 2564 61428-2 [77'23 + 78'07] [CB]

Marie-Claire Alain's performances are still as well worth owning today as when they were originally released. These are committed, insightful readings of a very high quality. ... see Full Review

Wilhelm FURTWÄNGLER (1886-1954) Symphony No.2 in E minor (1947) Staatskapelle Weimar/George Alexander Albrecht Recorded Congress Centrum, Neue Weimarhalle, November 2003 ARTE NOVA 82876 57834 2 [52.40 + 28.54] [JW]

A symphony rich in counterpoint and chorale ... a direct line from Bruckner ... the orchestra proves worthy ... see Full Review

William Schwenk GILBERT (1836-1911) and Arthur SULLIVAN (1842-1900)
Ruddigore Martyn Greene - Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd Leonard Osborn - Richard Dauntless Richard Watson - Sir Despard Murgatroyd of Ruddigore Radley Flynn - Old Adam Goodheart Darrell Fancourt - Sir Roderick Murgatroyd Rose Maybud - Margaret Mitchell Ella Halman - Dame Hannah Deirdre Thurlow - Zorah Ann Drummond-Grant - Mad Margaret D’Oyly Carte Opera Chorus and Orchestra/Isadore Godfrey Recorded in London on 21 July and 24 August 1950. ADD NAXOS 8.110295 [66:07] [PG]

Predominantly directed towards hardcore G&S fans. For the casual fan, the New Sadler’s Wells recording from 1987 is probably a better choice. ... see Full Review

[Mozart] Camargo GUARNIERI (1907-1993) Symphony No. 5* (1977) [21’20”] Suíte Vila Rica (1957/58) [20’16”] Symphony No. 6 (1981) [20’36”] *Coro da Orquestra de Săo Paolo Săo Paolo Symphony Orchestra/John Neschling Recorded 14-19 April 2003, Sala Săo Paolo, Brazil. DDD BIS CD-1320 [62’49”][JQ]

It’s hard to think that Guarneri could be better served than by the present performers. I hope that Bis will now go on to complete the cycle of symphonies ... see Full Review

Rodolfo HALFFTER (1900 – 1987) Paquilitzli Op.46 (1983) [6:08] Obertura festiva Op.21 (1952) [7:10] Obertura concertante Op.5 (1932)^a [9:59] La madrugada del panadero Op.12a (1940) [15:18] Don Lindo de Almería Op.7b (1935) [19:18] María Elena Barrientos (piano)^a Orchestra of the Communidad de Madrid/José Ramón Encinar Recorded: La Sala de essayos de la Orquesta y Coro de la Communidad de Madrid, July 2001 NAXOS 8.557623 [58:00] [HC]

Colourful, attractive neo-classical scores lovingly played and neatly recorded ... see Full Review

George Frideric HANDEL (1685 – 1759) Cuopre tal volta il cielo (HWV 98) (3) Tu fedel, tu costante? (HWV 171) (1) Mi palpita il cor (HWV 132c) (2) Spande ancor mio dispetto (HWV 165) (3) Amarilli vezzosa (Il duello amoroso) (HWV 82) (1,2) Miriam Allan (soprano) (1) Christopher Field (alto) (2) Michael Leighton Jones (bass) (3) Arcadia/Jacqueline Ogeil Recorded 3, 5 March, 19-21 July 2004, Carmelite Monastery, Kew. TALL POPPIES TP173 [70.35] [RH]

A fine choice of cantatas from Handel’s Italian period let down by some disappointing singers ... the accompaniments are stylish ... see Full Review

George Frideric HANDEL (1685 – 1759) Athalia Athalia – Simone Kermes (soprano) Josabeth – Olga Pasichnyk (soprano) Joas – Trine Wilsberg Lund (soprano)
Joad – Martin Oro (alto) Mathan – Thomas Cooley (tenor) Abner – Wolf Matthias Friedrich (bass) Kölner Kammerchor Collegium Cartusianum/Peter Neuman Recorded November 8-19, 2003, Trinitatiskirche, Köln DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM MDG 332 1276-2  [56.49 + 65.55][RH]

A fine idiomatic performance of one of Handel’s stronger oratorios, though sung in English by mainly non-native speakers. ... see Full Review

George Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759) An Introduction to Handel’s Messiah A listener’s guide in words and music presented by Graham Abbott Musical examples taken from recordings conducted by Antony Walker, Charles Mackerras, Henry Wood, Malcolm Sargent and Thomas Beecham. ABC CLASSICS 476 289-0 [3 CDs: 53:42 + 52:45 + 53:11][PCW]

This set does what it says on the label well and, if you are in need, is a good introduction to the Messiah … see Full Review

John HARBISON (b. 1938) Four Psalms* (1999) [38.39] Emerson (1995) [12.21] Majie Zeller (soprano)* Lynn Torgrove (mezzo)* Frank Kelley (tenor)* David Kravitz (baritone)* The Cantata Singers and Ensemble/David Hoose Rec. 10-12 Nov 2000 (Four Psalms), 10-12 May 2002 (Emerson), Jordan Hall, New England Conservatory, Boston NEW WORLD RECORDS 80613 2 [51.02] [TB]

Music with a compelling atmosphere ... forces handled with imagination and always featuring a sure technique. ... see Full Review

Roy HARRIS (1898-1979) Kentucky Spring (1949) • [11:12] Concerto for Violin and Orchestra (1949) • [27:49] (Section One [8:43]; Section Two [10:00]; Section Three [5:14]; Section Four [3:52]) Symphony No. 5 (1942] [23:25] (1st Movement [4:36]; 2nd Movement [10:31]; 3rd Movement [8:20]) Gregory Fulkerson, violin Louisville Orchestra/Robert S. Whitney; Lawrence Leighton Smith (concerto) Recorded: 1960, 1965, 1985, Louisville, Kentucky Executive producer: Matthew Walters Original Supervising Producer: Howard Scott Annotation: Roy Harris and John Kennedy Partial funding by Aaron Copland Fund for Music and National Endowment for the Arts. world premiere recordings (Concerto; Kentucky) FIRST EDITION FECD-0005 [62:49] [RB]

Harris’s greatness and visionary zeal are reflected here providing the only recordings of these three fine works. Outstanding ... see Full Review

Jonathan HARVEY (b. 1939) Passion and Resurrection (1981/2) Stuart MacIntyre (baritone) - Jesus Andrew Mackenzie-Wicks (tenor) - Pilate Alison Smart (soprano) - Mary Magdalene Carolyn Foulkes (soprano) - 2^nd Mary Kim Porter (contralto) - 3^rd Mary BBC Singers Sinfonia 21/Martin Neary Recorded: (live) St John’s, Smith Square, London, March 1999 SARGASSO SCD 28052 [52:58 + 31:57][HC]

A major work by a major composer. Very well performed and recorded. ... see Full Review

[Franz] Joseph HAYDN (1732 - 1809) Complete Keyboard Music Volume 10: Airs, Variations and Dances Ronald Brautigam, fortepiano by Paul McNulty, 1992, after Walter, 1795 Recorded August 2002 at Länna Church, Sweden Notes in English, Deutsch, Français. Photo of the artist. CD 1 (BIS-CD-1323) [64.09] CD2 (BIS-CD-1324A) [64.21] CD 3 (BIS-CD-1324B) [68.05] [PSh]

A fascinating and entertaining look at unfamiliar works by a great master. ... see Full Review

 

Franz Joseph HAYDN (1732 - 1809) Andante with Variations in f, Hob XVII: 6 Sonata in C, Hob XVI: 35 Sonata in Eb, Hob XVI: 49 Sonata in c, Hob XVI: 20 Joanna Leach, square pianos by Stodart, Broadwood, and Longmam & Broderip. a’ = 415Hz ATHENE ATH CD2 [68.47]
Franz Joseph HAYDN Sonata in D, Hob XVI: 37 Sonata in c#, Hob XVI: 36 Sonata in F, Hob XVI: 23 Sonata in e, Hob XVI: 34 Sonata in D, Hob XVI: 51 Capriccio: Variations on "Acht Sauschneider Müssen sein" Hob XVII:1 Joanna Leach, Stodart square piano of 1823 a’ = 415Hz Notes in English. Photos of the artist. ATHENE ATH CD22 [71.09] [PSh]

Very fine performances of Haydn keyboard music on attractive instruments, unusual in our day, more common in Haydn’s time. ... see Full Review

Franz Joseph HAYDN (1732 - 1809) Fantasia in C, Hob XVII:4 «Do Bäuren håt kåtz valor’» (1788) [6.18] Sonata in Eb #59, Hob XVI: 49 (1790) [20.00] Sonata in D #60, Hob XVI: 50 (1794) [20.03] Sonata in D #61, Hob XVI: 51 (1795) [5.36] Sonata in D #62, Hob XVI: 52 (1798) [20.54] András Schiff, piano Recorded Teldec Studio, Berlin, Germany, January 1997 Notes in English, Français, Deutsch. Photos of the artist. WARNER ELATUS 2564 60807-2 [73.38] [PSh]

Perhaps the best Haydn playing we’ve heard yet, an overdue introduction to some neglected keyboard classics. ... see Full Review

Franz Josef HAYDN (1732-1809) VI Original Canzonettas, Hob.XXVIa: 25-30. Book 1 (1794) (Texts by Anne Hunter). (The Mermaid's Song [3'22"]; Recollection [6'06"]; A Pastoral Song [3'24"]; Despair [7'53"]; Pleasing pain [2'13"]; Fidelity [3'51"]) VI Original Canzonettas, Hob.XXVIa: 31-36. Book 2 (1795) (Texts selected by Anne Hunter) (Sailor's Song [2'17"]; The Wanderer [3'55"] Anne Hunter; Sympathy [3'07"] after Metastasio; She Never Told Her Love [3'07"] William Shakespeare; Piercing Eyes [1'32"]; Content [3'39"]) The Spirit's Song, Hob.XXVIa: 4 (c.1795) [5'06"] Anne Hunter  O Tuneful Voice, Hob.XXVIa: 42 (c.1795) [4'02"] Anne Hunter James Griffett (tenor);  Bradford Tracey (fortepiano) (Broadwood, London 1798) No recording venue given; recorded c.1981. from Teldec/Conifer AW6 42780 WARNER APEX 2564 61746-2 [54'09"][JPo]

A collection of songs in the most charming of manners. ... see Full Review

Arthur HONEGGER (1892-1955) Les Misérables (complete film score, 1934) Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra/Adriano Recorded in the Concert Hall of Slovak Radio, Bratislava, July 1989 NAXOS 8.557486 [59.00][JW]

A cornerstone recommendation ... idiomatically played and strongly recorded – warmly welcomed back to the fold and at budget price as well. ... see Full Review

Alan HOVHANESS (1911-2000) Concerto No. 7 for Orchestra, Op. 116 (1953) [20:35] (I. Allegretto [5:50]; II. Allegro [Jhala-Scherzo] [4:05]; III. Double Fugue [10:40]) Symphony No. 15, Op. 199, Silver Pilgrimage (1963) [20:53] (I. Mount Ravana [4:37]; II. Marava Princess [2:33]; III. River of Meditation [7:29]; IV. Heroic Gates of Peace [6:04]) Magnificat for four solo voices, chorus and orchestra, Op. 157 (1957) [29:47] (I. Celestial Fanfare [2:01]; II. Magnificat (chorus); [2:07]; III. Et Exsultavit (tenor); [1:51]; IV. Quia Respexit (soprano); [2:26]; V. Omnes Generationes (women’s chorus) [1:14]; VI. Quia Fecit Mihi Magna (baritone and chorus) [2:05]; VII. Et Misericordia (soprano); [2:17]; VIII. Fecit Potentiam (alto) [2:37]; IX. Esurientes Implevit Bonis (tenor and men's chorus) [2:27]; X. Suscepit Israel (women’s chorus) [1:14]; XI. Sicut Locutus Est (baritone and chorus) [3:26]; XII. Gloria Patri (chorus) [6:01]) Audrey Nossaman, soprano; Thomas East, tenor; Elizabeth Johnson, contralto; Richard Dales, baritone University of Louisville Choir/Walter O. Dahlin Louisville Orchestra/Robert S. Whitney Executive producer: Matthew Walters Original Supervising Producer: Howard Scott Recording engineer: Adjutor Theroux Mixing engineer: Harold Chapman Reissue mastering: Joe Gashwirt Mastering Annotation: Alan Hovhaness and Marco Shirodkar world premiere recordings FIRST EDITION FECD-0006 [71:35] [RB]

Listeners who search out lyrical and unusually rewarding music with a spiritual dimension need look no further. This is an outstandingly rewarding disc. ... see Full Review

Herbert HOWELLS (1892-1983) Rhapsodic Quintet for Clarinet and String Quartet (1919) [11’31"] Sonata for Clarinet and Piano (1946) [21’03"] Prelude for Harp (1915) [5’58"] A Near-Minuet for Clarinet and Piano (1946) [2’42"] Sonata No. 3 in E minor for Violin and Piano* (1923) [24’24"] mobius (Robert Plane, clarinet; Alison Nicholls, harp; Sophia Rahman, piano;*Phillippe Honoré and Lucy Gould, violin; Ashan Pillai, viola; Josephine Knight, cello) Recorded: St. Martin’s Church, East Woodhay, Hampshire, 1 December 2002 (Rhapsodic Quintet); Potton Hall, Suffolk, 26-27 October 2002. DDD NAXOS 8.557188 [66’05"] [JQ]

Casts fresh light on a composer who was much more than a writer of church music. I enjoyed it very much and I strongly recommend the disc ... see Full Review

Engelbert HUMPERDINCK (1854-1921) Hänsel und Gretel^a (1890-93) Elisabeth Grümmer (mezzo) Hansel; Elisabeth Schwarzkopf (soprano) Gretel; Else Schürhoff (mezzo) The Witch; Maria von Ilosvay (mezzo) Mother; Josef Metternich (baritone) Father; Anny Felbermayer (soprano) Sandman, Dew Fairy; Loughton High School for Girls Choir; Bancroft School Choir Philharmonia Orchestra/Herbert von Karajan. Hänsel und Gretel extracts: Suse, liebe Suse, was raschelt im Stroh^b; Brüderchen, komm tanz’ mit mir^b (sung in Italian); Ral la la … heissa Mutter, ich bin da! (Besenbinderlied)^c; Ein Männlein steht im Walde^d; Der kleine Sandmann bin ich^d; Abends, will ich schlafen gehn^d; Hurr hopp hopp hopp^e; Juchhei! Nun ist die Hexe tot (Witch Waltz)^f. ^bConchita Supervía (mezzo); ^bInes Maria Ferraris, ^dElisabeth Schumann, ^fMeta Seinemeyer (sopranos); ^fHelen Jung (mezzo); ^cGerhard Hüsch (baritone); ^borchestra/A. Albergoni; ^cefBerlin State Opera Orchestra/^cHanns Udo Müller, ^efFrieder Weissmann; ^dErnest Lush (piano) Synopsis included. From ^aColumbia 33CX1096/97, Fonotipia ^b120166, ^cHMV EH1024, ^dDA1439, ^efOdeon O-7796. . Rec. ^aKingsway Hall, London, on June 27^th, 29^th-30^th and July 1^st-2^nd, 1953, ^bMilan in 1928, Berlin in ^cJanuary 1937, ^efFebruary 15^th, 1929, ^dAbbey Road Studio No. 3, London, on August 28^th, 1935. NAXOS GREAT OPERA RECORDINGS 8.110897/8 [62’45 + 64’36] [IL]

Congratulations to Naxos on such a superb refurbishment of one of the true classics of the gramophone. ... see Full Review

John IRELAND (1879-1962) Sonata No. 1 in D minor for violin and piano (1908-1909): Allegro leggiadro [12.51]; Romance – in tempo sostenuto, quasi adagio [10.42]; Rondo – allegro sciolto assai [6.52] Trio No. 2 in E for violin, cello and piano (1917) [14.46] Sonata for cello and piano in G minor (1923): Moderato e sostenuto [9.09]; Poco largamente [6.38]; Con moto e marcato [4.56] The Holy Boy (1913, arr. 1919) [2.49] Daniel Hope (violin), Julian Lloyd Webber (cello), John McCabe (piano) DDD ASV GOLD GLD 4009 [69.23] [EM]

One simply can’t get much better than the performers here, all of whom are well-known for their dedication to English music and consummate musicianship. ... see Full Review

Joseph JONGEN (1873 – 1953) Piano Trio Op.10 (1897) [29:09] Piano Trio Op.30 (1907) [30:38] Erard Ensemble (Casper Bleumers, violin; Arjan Wildschut, viola; John Addison, cello; Edward Jenning, piano) Recorded: Maria Minor Kerk, Amsterdam, June 2003 PHAEDRA 92041 [59:47] [HC]

This fine and welcome release ... see Full Review

Aram KHACHATURIAN (1903-1978) Violin Concerto in D minor (1940) [36.38] Serge PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Violin Concerto No. 1 in D, Op. 19 (1917) [22.00] Alexander GLAZUNOV (1856-1936) Violin Concerto in A minor, Op. 82 (1905) [20.28] Julia Fischer, violin Russian National Orchestra/Yakov Kreizberg Recorded in the DSD system at DZZ Studio 5, Moscow, Russia, 13 May 2004 CD tracks Stereo 2.0, Surround Notes in English, Deutsch, and Français. Photos of artists. Hybrid SACD also playable on CD players. PENTATONE CLASSICS PTC 186 059 [79.24] [PSh]

A superb, beautifully recorded Glazunov and graceful, brilliant versions of the Prokofiev and Khachaturian works. ... see Full Review

Pavel KŘÍŽOVSKÝ (1820-1885) Rozchodná/Song of Parting (1850) Utonulá/The drowned maiden (1860)* Odvedeného prosba/The recruit’s prayer (1860) Pastýř a poutníci/The shepherd and the pilgrims *# Výpreak/Threshing (1860) Leoš JANÁČEK (1854-1928) Osudu neujdeš/You cannot escape your Fate (1878) Na košatej jedli/Two doves in a fir tree (1878-80) Klekánica/The Evening Witch (1900) Osamělá bez těchy/Lonesome without solace (1898 revised 1925) Veni sancta (1903) Constitues (1903)+ Ave Maria (1884) Tři mužské sbory/Three Male Choirs (1888)* Pět národních písní/Five Folk Songs (1912)*+ Q VOX (Petr Julíček (tenor) Tomáš Badura (tenor baritone) Tomáš Krejčí (baritone) Aleš Procházka (bass) with Vladimír Chmelo (baritone) * Martin Jakubíček (harmonium) + Pavla Bartoníková (harp)# Petr Fiala (artistic supervisor) Recorded in Brno, March-April 2004 ARCO DIVA UP 0068-2 231 [64.42] [JW]

Not all top-drawer Janáček but without question intriguing, not least for the Křížovský connection. ... see Full Review

Friedrich KUHLAU (1786-1832) The Piano Sonatinas – A Selection Sonatina Op. 20 No. 1 in C major Sonatina Op. 20 No. 2 in G major Sonatina Op. 20 No. 3 in F major Sonatina Op. 88 No. 1 in C major Sonatina Op. 88 No. 3 in A minor Sonatina Op. 55 No. 4 in F major Sonatina Op. 55 No. 5 in D major Sonata Op. 60 No. 1 in F major Sonata Op. 60 No. 2 in A major Erik Fessel (piano) Recorded at Assendrup, Østermark, April 1996 DANACORD DACOCD 622 [77.08] [JW]

Fessel plays adroitly and with simplicity .... certainly some charm in these miniatures ... see Full Review

Liza LEHMANN (1862-1918) Cherry Ripe [2’37"] from The Daisy Chain [12’47"] Bird Sings [9’16"] Magdalen at Michael’s Gate [3’34"] Evensong [2’35"] Endymion [7’15"] Music when soft voices die [2’25"] To a little red spider [2’47"] Dusk in the Valley [2’39"] The Lily of a Day [2’30"] When I am dead, my dearest [2’30"] Four Cautionary Tales and a Moral [17’00"] My true friend hath my hat [1’43"] Two Nonsense Songs from ‘Alice in Wonderland’ [5’22"] Janice Watson (soprano); Catherine Wyn-Rogers (mezzo-soprano); Toby Spence (tenor); Neal Davies (baritone); Steuart Bedford (piano) rec. Rosslyn Hill Chapel, Hampstead, London, 1–3 April 1997. DDD The English Song Series. Volume 8 NAXOS 8.557118 [75’00"] [JQ]

I think listeners will enjoy this disc. Well worth investigating, especially at the Naxos price. ... see Full Review

Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Dante Symphony Dante Sonata* Berlin Radio Chorus Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/Daniel Barenboim (conductor; piano*) Rec February 1992 (Symphony), Schauspielhaus, Berlin, July 1985 (Sonata), Neues Schloß, Bayreuth. DDD WARNER ELATUS 2564 61780-2 [66.33] [TB]

Barenboim’s way with both works shows the utmost dedication and conviction. ... see Full Review

Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Piano Sonata in B minor (1855) Légende No. 1: St François d’Assise prêchant aux oiseaux (1863) Légende No. 2: St François de Paule marchant sur les flots (1863) La Lugubre Gondola 1 (1882) Mephisto Waltz No. 1 (1860) Dubravka Tomsic, piano Recorded July 2001 at SUNY Performing Arts Centre, Purchase, New York IPO IPOC1001 [71.59] [WH]

Music-making of the utmost conviction, satisfying and apparently the outcome of a patient quest as to how best the realise the composer’s intentions. ... 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]

---