ALPHABETICAL LISTING

 

Gustav MAHLER (1869-1911) Symphony No. 2 in C minor ‘Resurrection’ (1888-94) Isabel Bayrakdarian (sop) Lorraine Hunt Lieberson (mezzo) San Francisco Symphony Orchestra and Chorus/Michael Tilson Thomas Recorded live at Davies Symphony hall, San Francisco, June 23-26, 2004 SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY 821936-0006-2 [23’19+65’15] [TH]

Tilson Thomas did not get my spine tingling in the same was as Rattle or Klemperer ... see Full Review

Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony No. 8 (1906) [83.21] Alessandra Marc: Soprano I, Magna peccatrix, Elizabeth Norberg-Schulz: Soprano II, Magna peccatrix, Mater Glorioso, Sharon Sweet: Soprano III, Una Poenitentum, Vesselina Kasarova: Contralto I, Mulier Samaritana, Ning Liang: Contralto II, Maria Aegyptiaca, Ben Heppner, Tenor Doctor Marianus, Sergei Leiferkus: Baritone, Pater ecstaticus, René Pape: Bass, Pater profundus; Tolz Boys' Choir, Berlin Radio Chorus, Sudfunkchor Stuttgart, Bavarian Radio Chorus and Symphony Orchestra/Sir Colin Davis Recorded 7-8 July 1996, Philharmonie im Gasteig, Munich; Super Audio CD BMG RCA RED SEAL 82876 62834 2 [22.51 + 60.30][TB]

This RCA issue, while not a top recommendation recaptures the intensity of the performances at which it was recorded. ... see Full Review

Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen (1883?-5, orch. 1893?) Des Knaben Wunderhorn (1892-9) Josef Metternich (baritone), Radio Symphonie Orchester Berlin/Leopold Ludwig (Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen) Lorna Sydney (mezzo)m Alfred Poell (baritone), Wiener Staatsopernorchester/Felix Prohaska (Des Knaben Wunderhorn) MONO Recorded 1950 (Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen), 1951 (Des Knaben Wunderhorn) PREISER RECORDS 90536 [67.49] [EM]

This disc is a worthy competitor in a crowded marketplace ... and something of a pioneering recording .... worth getting for Wo die schonen Trompeten blasen alone! ... see Full Review

Frank MARTIN (1890-1974) Violin Concerto (1951) [19.21] Concerto for seven wind instruments, timpani, percussion and strings (1949) [20.30] Danse de la peur (1936) [14.16)
Michael Erxleben (violin), Adrienne Soos and Ivo Haag (piano duo) Orchester Musikkcollegium Winterthur/Jac van Steen rec. 23 October 2003 (Concerto for seven wind instruments); 15-17 January 2004 (Violin Concerto, Danse), Stadthaus, Winterthur. DDD MDG 601 1280-2 [64.25][TB]

Martin shows his strong and poetic mastery of the musical demands. ... a compelling collection in excellent sound ... see Full Review

Bohuslav MARTINŮ (1890-1959) Symphony No. 5 (1946) [23:45] Intermezzo (1950) [9:03] Oboe Concerto (1955) [15:51] Estampes (1958) [17:15] Marion Gibson (oboe) Louisville Orchestra/Robert S. Whitney Rec. Louisville, Kentucky, 1953, 1959, 1966, 1980. ADD FIRST EDITION FECD-0018 [65:54] [RB]

A disc essential to Martinů enthusiasts worldwide and an indispensable perspective of Martinů’s American years - just as much as Munch’s Boston Martinů 6. ... see Full Review

William MATHIAS (1934 -1992) Piano Sonata No.1 Op. 23 (1963) [15:03] Piano Sonata No.2 Op.46 (1969) [14:32] John PICKARD (b. 1963) A Starlit Dome (1995) [10:45] Piano Sonata (1987) [24:58] Raymond Clarke, piano Recorded in Djanogly Recital Hall, Nottingham University, 5-6 January 1998 DIVERSIONS RECORDS 24111 [66:06][JF]

An important contribution to 20^th century British Music. The Mathias are stunning examples of the genre and deserve a solid place in the repertoire. ... see Full Review

Toshiro MAYUZUMI (1919-1997) Pieces for prepared piano and strings (1957) [9:29] Samsara, symphonic poem (1962) [19:46] Essay for string orchestra (1963) [10:33] Benjamin Owen, piano Louisville Orchestra/Robert Whitney, Akira Endo rec. 1963, 1966, 1980, Louisville, Kentucky FIRST EDITION FECD-0030 [39:48] [RB]

Subtle and unusual music. ... essential to any Mayuzumi collection.... see Full Review

 

Peter MENNIN (1923-1983) Symphony No. 5 (1950) • [20:29] (I. Con Vigore [4:38]; II. Canto [8:23]; III. Allegro Tempestuoso [7:28]) Concerto for Cello and Orchestra (1956) • [25:51] (I. Allegro moderato [9:42]; II. Adagio [10:01]; III. Allegro vivace [6:08]) Symphony No. 6 (1953) • [25:38] (I. Maestoso; Allegro [7:56]; II. Grave [8:19]; III. Allegro vivace [9:23]) Janos Starker, cello Louisville Orchestra/Robert Whitney, Jorge Mester
Recorded: 1954, 1960, 1969, Louisville, Kentucky Executive producer: Matthew Walters Original supervising producer: Howard Scott Annotation: Peter Mennin, Frank J. Oteri and Fanny Brandeis Partial funding by Aaron Copland Fund for Music and National Endowment for the Arts world premiere recordings FIRST EDITION FECD-0013 [72:04] [RB]

A superb addition to the Mennin discography. Wonderful to have the dedicatees’ version of the Sixth and Starker’s pioneering recording. Serious Menninists must get this First Edition recording. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Olivier MESSIAEN (1908-1992) Turangalîla Symphony (1946-8) [76:59] Yvonne Loriod (piano); Jeanne Loriod (ondes martenot); Toronto Symphony Orchestra/Seiji Ozawa Recorded December 1967 ADD BMG RCA RED SEAL CLASSIC LIBRARY 82876 59418 2 [76:59] [JQ]

Right now I can’t think of a better way to experience this work than through this full-blooded yet sensitive reading ... see Full Review

Darius MILHAUD (1892-1974) Ouverture Méditerranéenne, for orchestra Op. 330 (1953) [6:38] Kentuckiana - Divertissement on Twenty Kentucky Airs (1948) [6:52] Cortège funèbre (1939) [14:00] Quatre chansons de Ronsard (1941) [9:43] Symphony No. 6 (1955) [29:18] Paula Seibel, soprano Louisville Orchestra/Robert Whitney, Jorge Mester rec. 1953, 1954, 1968, 1974, Louisville, Kentucky FIRST EDITION FECD-0031 [66:33] [RB]

This is an extremely attractive and varied introduction to Milhaud. I cannot imagine a more suitable prelude to an exploration of this composer’s work. ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Symphony No 31 in D Major, K.300a, ‘Paris’ [17’36"] Symphony No 35 in D Major, K.385, ‘Haffner’* [22’46"] Symphony No 40 in G minor, K.550** [37’18"] Symphony Nova Scotia/Georg Tintner Recording dates: 16 April 1989; *20 March 1991; **1 February 1994 DDD Tintner Memorial Edition Vol. 1 NAXOS 8.557233 [78’00"] [JQ]

No one investing in these well prepared performances will be disappointed. Georg Tintner proves to be a reliable guide to Mozart, as he was to Bruckner. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Piano Concerto no.17 in G major K 453 Piano Concerto no. 21 in C major K467 Ewa Pobłocka (piano) Leopoldinum (Wrocław Chamber Orchestra)/Jan Stanieda rec. 29-30 April 1995, Bydgoszcz Philharmonic Concert Hall, Poland. DDD CD ACCORD ACD 093-2 [56:22] [GPJ]

These performances made me aware that in Mozart’s concertos we have some of the greatest treasures, not just of music, but of the whole of Western civilisation. ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Cosi fan tutte - Dramma giocoso in Two acts. Libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte First performed at the Vienna Hofburgtheater, 26 January 1790 Fiordiligi, Sena Jurinac (sop); Dorabella, Alice Howland (sop); Ferrando, Richard Lewis (ten); Guglielmo, Marko Rothmüller (bar); Don Alfonso, Sesto Bruscantini (bar); Despina, Isa Quesnel (sop) Glyndebourne Festival Chorus Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Fritz Busch Recorded live, 5 July 1951, plus interpolations GUILD HISTORICAL - IMMORTAL PERFORMANCES - GHCD 2303-04 [79.42 + 70.05] [RJF]

This is an issue collectors and opera lovers should set alongside whichever favourite versions currently grace their shelves. It will not shame its neighbours. ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Idomeneo (1781) Philip Langridge (tenor) - Idomeneo; Yvonne Kenny (soprano) - Ilia; Jerry Hadley (tenor) - Idamante; Carol Vaness (soprano) - Electra; Thomas Hemsley (baritone) - Arbace; Anthony Roden (tenor) - High Priest; Roderick Kennedy (bass) - Voice of Neptune The Glyndebourne Chorus London Philharmonic Orchestra/Bernard Haitink. Rec. Glyndebourne. Director Trevor Nunn. NTSC. Regions 2-6. Dolby Digital. WARNER MUSIC VISION/NVC ARTS 5050467-3922-2-9 [181’00] [CC]

The combination of Trevor Nunn’s conception, with John Napier’s designs and David Hersley’s lighting makes a powerful impact. ... see Full Review

Josef MYSLIVEČEK (1737-1781) Six Symphonies Op.6 (1772) Symphony Op.1 No.5 in G minor Opera Overtures: Il Demetrio; Romolo ed Ersilia; L’Olimpiade; Montezuma; Il Demofoonte L’Orfeo Barockorchester/Michi Gaigg Recorded in the Stift Seitenstetten, Sommerrefektorium, December 2003 CPO 777 050-2 [56.29 + 49.41][JW]

A sensitive and invaluable disc... music played with care and imagination ... excellently crafted examples of the genre ... see Full Review

Ernesto NAZARETH (1863-1934) Tangos, Waltzes and Polkas Espalhafatoso (Boisterous) [2:30] Brejeiro (Mischievous) [1:57] Confidências (Confidences) [7:05] Escovado (Cunning) [4:11] Nenê (Baby) [3:20] Ameno Resedá [2:35] Turbilhão de Beijos (Whirlwind of Kisses) [6:54] Gaúcho [2:45] Plangente (Lamenting) [5:12] Topázio Líquido (Liquid Topaz) [3:16] Ouro Sobre Azul (Gold on Blue) [3:16] Sarambeque [2:59] Epônina [5:47] Escorregando (Going down well) [2:37] Tenebroso (Gloomy) [3:19] Odeon [3:09] Apanhei-te Cavaquinho (I have grabbed you, Cavaquinho) [2:33] Iara Behs (piano) Rec. Concert Hall of the Music Academy of North Rhine-Westphalia, Heek, Germany, November 2003. DDD NAXOS 8.557687 [63:24][PCW]

A Brazilian Billy Mayerl and none the worse for that - this disc could be just the thing to dispel the January blues. ... see Full Review

Andrzej PANUFNIK (1914-1991) Sinfonia Elegiaca (1957, rev. 1966) [21:47] (I. Molto Andante [8:37]; II. Molto Allegro [7:19]; III. Molto Andante [5:54]) Nocturne (1947, rev. 1955) [14:08] Rhapsody (1956) [15:45] Louisville Orchestra/Robert S. Whitney Executive producer: Matthew Walters Original supervising producer: Howard Scott Recorded: 1961, 1965, 1966, Louisville, Kentucky Annotation: Marco Shirodkar Partial funding generously provided by the National Endowment for the Arts world premiere recordings FIRST EDITION FECD-0017 [51:40] [RB]

Music that is gentle and terrible, serious and prayerful: Panufnik is one of those composers whose humanitarian philosophy one can perceive through the eloquent expression of his music. ... see Full Review

Arvo PÄRT (b.1935) Psalm 95, “Cantate Domino Canticum Novum...” (1996) [3.27] Berliner Messe (1992) [22.56] De Profundis (1980) [5.56] Summa (1977) [4.40] The beatitudes (1991) [7.51] Magnificat (1989) [7.22] Elora Festival Singers and Orchestra/Noel Edison Jurgen Petrenko, organ Recorded at Grace Church, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 25 May 2003. Notes in English and Deutsch. Recorded in 44/24 5.1 channel sound, also encoded in AC-3 and dts. DVD-Audio also playable on DVD-Video Players. Not playable on CD players. NAXOS 5.110052 [52.12][PSh]

Slightly churchy but still excellent Arvo Pärt, with little sense of enclosure in the surround sound. ... see Full Review

Wilhelm PETERSON-BERGER (1867 – 1942) The Ladies’ Album - The Complete Piano Music - Volume 1 A Gentry Tune; Valse burlesque; Canzonetta; Fuga; Valzerino; Law of the Vikings; Wedding March, Bridal March; The Ladies’ Album; Tone-Paintings: In the Forest – Chiming Bells – Seascape. Olof Höjer (piano) rec. Rosenberg Hall, Malmö College of Music, November-December 1999. DDD SWEDISH SOCIETY DISCOFIL SDC 1086 [72:45] [GF]

Olof Höjer is the ideal companion through Peterson-Berger’s landscape. ... see Full Review

Patrick PIGGOTT (1990) Piano Music Introduction by Malcolm Binns First Piano Sonata - Fantasia quasi una Sonata: 1 Allegretto; 2 Allegro; 3 Lento – De Profundis (In Memoriam). Eight Preludes and a Postlude (Third Set): 1 Animato; 2 Lento; 3 Allegretto; 4 Largamente; 5 Presto Commodo alla Bulgara; 6 Con Moto; 7 Lento ma non troppo; 8 Con Furia; 9 Postlude – In Tempo di Corteo Second Piano Sonata: I Allegro; II Andante (un poco agitato improvisando); 3 Quasi Variazioni: Andante (Tempo di Sarabanda) – Tema; 4 L’istesso Tempo; 5 Tempo di Minuetto (un pochissimo piu mosso); 6 Allegro Scherzoso; 7 Brioso (senza misura); Tempo Misurato (andante) L’istesso Tempo; III Allegro (molto animato) Malcolm Binns (piano) rec. Music Hall of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London, 26 Sept and 10 Oct 2004. DDD BRITISH MUSIC SOCIETY BMS430CD [70.44] [CSS]

It is certainly true that he wrote music of considerable virtuosity as will be seen from this brilliant and exciting long-awaited recording by Malcolm Binns for whom so much of Piggott’s music, including a fine one-movement Piano Concerto, was written and who provides a personal touch here in his introductory memoir... see Full Review

Walter PISTON (1894-1976) Serenata (for orchestra) (1957) [11:36] (I Con allegrezza [2:58]; II Con sentimento [5:32]; III Con spirito [2:56]) Symphony No. 5 (1956) [21:31] (I Lento. Allegro con spirito [8:48]; II Adagio [8:01]; III Allegro lieto [4:32]) Symphony No. 7 (1960) [20:48] (I Con moto [6:25]; II Adagio pastorale [10:02]; III Allegro festevole [4:09]) Symphony No. 8 (1965) [23:39] (I Moderato mosso [9:29]; II Lento assai [10:07]; III Allegro marcato [3:52]) Louisville Orchestra/Robert Whitney, Jorge Mester Recorded: 1959, 1964, 1974, 1975, Louisville, Kentucky Executive producer: Matthew Walters Original supervising producer: Howard Scott Annotation: James M. Keller, Nelson Keyes, Walter Piston, Marshall Portnoy Partial funding by Aaron Copland Fund for Music and National Endowment for the Arts. world premiere recordings FIRST EDITION FECD-0010 [77:07] [RB]

A most convenient and pleasing way of acquiring your missing Piston symphonies. A growing but fascinating severity pervades this music. ... see Full Review

Josef RHEINBERGER (1839-1901) Piano Trios: No.1 Op.34 (1862 revised 1867); No.2 Op.112 (1878); No.3 Op.121 (1880); No.4 Op.191 (1898) Trio Parnassus Recorded April 1991 and January 1992, Fürstliche Reitbahn, Bad Arolsen MDG 303 0419-2 [59.06 + 61.52][JW]

His craftsmanship and ear for colour and balance are always there to savour. ... see Full Review

Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) All Night Vigil (Vespers) (1915) [54:00] Raissa Palmu, soprano Erja Wimeri, contralto Eugen Antoni, tenor Finnish National Opera Chorus/Eric-Olof Söderström Rec. St. John Church, Helsinki, Finland, 1 April, 29-31 May, 5 June 2001. DDD NAXOS 8.555908 [54:00] [KS]

A shame it is that so sublime a work could not have received better treatment. Pull this one and do it again Naxos. Your public deserves better. ... see Full Review

Ottorino RESPIGHI (1879-1936) La Campana sommersa (The Sunken Bell) - opera in four acts (1925-27) Rautendelein ... Laura Aikin (soprano) Enrico ... John Daszak Ondino ... Roderick Earle The Faun ... Kevin Connors (tenor) Magda ... Alessandro Rezza The Curate ... Peter Klaveness (bass) The Schoolmaster ... Paul Kong (baritone) The Barber ... David Alegret (tenor) Sorceress ... Ewa Wolak (contralto) Orchestre National de Montpellier et Choeur Opéra Junior/Friedemann Layer Rec. live, 4 Oct 2003, Opéra Berlioz – (Le Corum) au Festival de Radio France et Montpellier ACCORD 2 CD 476 1884 [73: 40 + 69:39] [IL]

A fine recording of one of Respighi’s most successful and appealing operas. A must for all Respighi fans. ... see Full Review see also article

D’arcy REYNOLDS Five Preludes; Tweet Suite; String Quartet; Theme and Variations; The Past Keeps Changing Ariel String Quartet (William Barbini, Kineko Okumura, Igor Veligan, Julie Hochman) Laura Decher (soprano) Peter Josheff (clarinet) Vicki Ehrlich (cello) D’Arcy Reynolds (piano) Recorded at Old Saint Hilary’s Chuch, Tiburon, California, 2000 DHARMA GATE MUSIC 66449 35132 [52.09] [RH]

The pieces on this disc are well recorded and receive strong performances from all concerned. Anyone who wants to explore the music scene in Northern California should not hesitate to buy the record. ... see Full Review

Alan RIDOUT (1934–1996) Processions (1974) [15:29] The Fourteen Stations of the Cross (1978) [25:53] Easter Fanfare (1990) [2:43] Dance Suite (1969) [14:53] Five Pieces from Canticle of the Rose (1989) [14:14] Robert Crowley at the organ of Canterbury Cathedral Recorded: Canterbury Cathedral, May 2003 LAMMAS LAMM 161 D [73:28][HC]

Crowley obviously loves this music ... Excellent performances and very fine recording. ... see Full Review

Joaquín RODRIGO (1901-1999) Piano Music - vol. 1 A l’ombre de Torre Bermeja (1945) [5:03] Cuatro piezas para piano (1938) [12:16] Pastoral (1926) [2:04] Preludio de añoranza (1987) [3:30] Deux Berceuses (1923-8) [4:47] Bagatela (1926) [1:52] Cuatro estampas andaluzas (1946-52) [14:19] Sonada de adiós (1935) [3:57] Serenata española (1931) [5:06] Air de ballet sur le nom d’une jeune fille (1929) [3:08] Zarabanda lejana (1926) [2:54] Cinco piezas del siglo XVI (1938) [9:00] Fantasía que contrahace la harpa de Ludovico [1:30] Artur Pizarro (piano) Rec. Potton Hall, Suffolk in February 2003. DDD NAXOS 8.557272 [69:27] [PCW]

Captures the spirit of the music to perfection ... see Full Review

Gioachino ROSSINI (1792-1868) La Cenerentola [selection] Cesare Valletti (Don Ramiro), Saturno Meletti (Dandini), Cristiano Dalamangas (Don Magnifico), Ornella Rovero (Clorinda), Miti Truccato Pace (Tisbe), Giulietta Simionato (Angelina under the name of "La Cenerentola"), Vito Susca (Alidoro) Orchestra Sinfonica e Coro di Torino della RAI/Mario Rossi Recorded 18th Septemer 1949, Turin WARNER FONIT CETRA OPERA COLLECTION 5050467-1042-2-8 [75:35] [CH]

Cesare Valletti’s Don Ramiro would seem to be the main reason for acquiring this drastically cut version. ... see Full Review

Gioachino ROSSINI (1792 - 1868) Il Signor Bruschino (1811) [79.43] Text by G. Foppa after "Le fils par hasard" Florville - Alessandro Codeluppi Gaudenzio - Maurizio Leoni Sofia - Elena Rossi Signor Bruschino - Dario Giorgelè Filiberto - Antonio Marani Marianna - Clara Giangaspero Bruschino Figlio - Massimiliana Barbolini Commissario - Vito Martino I Virtuosi Italiani/Claudio Desderi Recorded in Auditorium Pandurera, Ferrara, Italy, 4 May 2002 Notes and in synopsis English and Deutsch, Track list. Italian Text, no translations. NAXOS 8.660128 [79.43] [PSh]

A good performance in excellent sound, but either buy the DG version or wait for the Schwetzingen performance on DVD ... see Full Review

Gioacchino ROSSINI (1792 – 1868) L’Italiana in Algeri Isabella – Luciana Valentini-Terrani (mezzo) Lindoro – Ugo Benelli (tenor) Mustafa – Sesto Bruscantini (bass) Taddeo – Enzo Dara (baritone) Elvira – Norma Palacios–Rossi (soprano) Zulma – Gigliola Caputi (mezzo) Haly – Alfredo Mariotti (bass) Chorus of the State Opera, Dresden Dresden Staatskapelle/Gary Bertini Recorded 1978 ARTS ARCHIVE 43048-2 [69.35 + 70.32] [RH]

This efficient but unloveable re-issue of Luciana Valentini-Terrani’s earlier recording is probably for her admirers only. ... see Full Review

Anton RUBINSTEIN (1829-1894) Piano Quintet in F major Op.55 Nikolai RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844-1908) Piano Quintet in B flat (Op. posthumous) Felicja Blumental (piano) members of the New Philharmonia Wind Ensemble: Gareth Morris (flute), John McCaw (clarinet), Nicolas Busch (horn), Gwydion Brooke (bassoon) Recorded Chelsea, London, August 1979 BRANA RECORDS BR 0019 [60.38] [JW]

Tremendously good fun and played with panache and great skill ... 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]

---