RECORDINGS OF THE MONTH

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Luciano BERIO (1925 – 2003) Naturale (1985)^a [18:40] Chemins II (1967)^b [13:18] Morton FELDMAN (1926 – 1987) Rothko Chapel (1971)^c [23:12] The Viola in My Life II (1970)^d [9:46] Christophe Desjardins (viola); Jacqueline Ott (percussion)^a; Basler Madrigalisten^c: Collegium Novum Zürich^bcd; Jonathan Nott (conductor)^bcd Recorded: DRS Radiostudio 1, Zürich, March 2004 AEON AECD 0425 [65:14] [HC]

Desjardins is a formidable musician. Faultless technique hand in hand with generous musicality. A marvellous release ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH John Browne (fl. c. 1490) Music from the Eton Choirbook Salve regina I [13:25] Stabat iuxta [12:25] Stabat mater [15:56] O Regina mundi clara [13:55] O Maria salvatoris [15:44] The Tallis Scholars/Peter Phillips Recorded in the Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Salle, Norfolk, England. [No date given] GIMELL CDGIM 036 [71:25] [JF]

Near perfect music from the late fifteenth century sung in glorious style. A most moving and satisfying disc. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Morten LAURIDSEN (b. 1943) Lux Aeterna (1997) [26.33] Madrigali: Six Fire Songs on Italian Renaissance Poems (1987) [19.36] Ave Maria (1997) [6’38] Ubi caritas et amor (1999) [6.57]O Magnum Mysterium (1994) [6.40] Polyphony; Britten Sinfonia/Stephen LaytonRecorded the Temple Church, London on 31^st July and 1^st August 2003. DDD HYPERION CDA67449 [66.45] [JPh]

This Hyperion release is superb and the disc is a must. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911)
Symphony No. 8 in E flat Christine Brewer (soprano); Magna Peccatrix; Soile Isokoski (soprano) Una Poenitentiam; Juliane Banse (soprano) Mater Gloriosa; Birgit Remmert (mezzo-soprano) Mulier Samaritana; Jane Henschel (mezzo-soprano) Maria Aegyptiaca; Jon Villars (tenor) Doctor Marianus; David Wilson-Johnson (baritone) Pater Ecstaticus; John Relyea (bass) Pater Profundus City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus; London Symphony Chorus; City of Birmingham Symphony Youth Chorus; Toronto Children’s Chorus City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra/Sir Simon Rattle
Recorded live at Symphony Hall, Birmingham: 5, 8, 9 June 2004 DDD EMI CLASSICS 7243 5 57945 2 9 [77’38"] [JQ][TD]

Superbly performed by all concerned and expertly recorded by EMI’s engineers, I recommend this CD with great enthusiasm. [John Quinn]
Lean and direct ... intent on clarity and sense of direction ... an apparent lack of some grandeur and sense of occasion. I was not especially moved or inspired. ... absorbing and different and very refreshing . [Tony Duggan] ...see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Die Schöne Müllerin (Im Winter zu lesen: A cycle of poems by Wilhelm Müller (1794-1827)) Das Wandern; Wohin?; Halt!; Danksagung an den Bach; Am Feierabend; Der Neugierige; Ungeduld; Morgengruβ; Des Müllers Blumen; Tränenregen; Mein!; Pause; Mit dem grünen Lautenbande; Der Jäger; Eifersucht und Stolz; Die liebe Farbe; die böse Farbe; Trockne Blumen; Der Müller und der Bach; Des Baches Wiegenlied. Ian Bostridge (tenor); Mitsuko Uchida (piano)Recorded December 2003, Lyndhurst Hall, London. DDD EMI CLASSICS 5 57827 2 [63'48"] [AO]

Bostridge's first die Schöne Müllerin created a sensation in the song world. This new version, even more original and distinctive, confirms that the cycle will inextricably be linked with his name ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741) Music for the Chapel of the Pietà Concerto for violin, strings and continuo in F, RV 292 [9:20] Laudate pueri Dominum (Psalm 112) for soprano, strings and continuo, RV600 [23:29] Concerto for violin, organ, strings and continuo in F, RV542 [10:11] Concerto fatto per la Solennitá della S.Lingua di S.Antonio in Padova, 1712, for violin, strings and continuo in D, RV212 [16:12] Salve Regina (antiphon) for soprano, violin, strings and continuo, RV617 [8:56] Concerto for violin, cello, organ, strings and continuo, RV554a [11:45] Mhairi Lawson (soprano), Sarah McMahon (cello solo), Robert Howarth (organ) La Serenissima/Adrian Chandler (Director, violin) Recorded at the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Salehurst, East Sussex, England, 22–24 Nov 2004 AVIE AV2063 [79:58] [GPJ]

Nothing ‘academic’ about the performance of this music. Exuberant and often full of élan and humour. ... see Full Review

NEWCOMER OF THE MONTH Denis Matsuev -Tribute to Horowitz Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Années de Pèlerinage, Deuxième Année, S161 (1849) – Sonata, ‘Après une lecture de Dante’ [16’13]. Mephisto Waltz No. 1, S514 (1859-60) [11’23]. Hungarian Rhapsody, S244 No. 2 (1847, cadenza by Matsuev) [9’12]. Georges BIZET (1838-1875)/Vladimir HOROWITZ (1904-1984) Variations on a Theme from Carmen [3’21]. Gioachino ROSSINI (1792-1868)/Grigory GINZBURG (1904-1962) Fantasy on a Theme from Il barbiere di Siviglia [4’17]. Denis Matsuev (piano). Rec. Moscow, Russia, in October 2003. DDD BMG RUSSIA RCA RED SEAL 82876 61273 2 [44’25] [CC]

This is at times staggering virtuosity. Short measure at under 45 minutes, perhaps, but there are more notes here than in most 80 minute CDs ... see Full Review

 

 

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH

 

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH A L’Estampida - Medieval Dance Music Danse Real (French 14^th c) [2:45]; English Dance (13^th c.) [4:00]; Estampie Real: La Seste (French 13^th c.) [3:27]; Estampie Real: La Quarte (French 13^th c.) [1:57]; Estampie Real: La Septime (French 13^th c.) [1:51]; Estampie: Robertsbridge Codex (English 14^th c) [6:59]; Chomineiamento di Gioia (Istampitta) (Italian, 14^th c.) [5:20]; Lamento di Tristano (Italian 14^th c.) [7:07]; La Rotta (Italian 14^th c) [3:37]; Dança Amaorosa/Troto (Italian 14^th c) [5:41]; Salterello (Italian 14^th c.) 2:51]; La Manfredina/La Rotta della Manfredina (Italian 14^th c) [10:59]; Salterello (Italian 14^th c.) [4:25] The Dufay Collective: Paul Bevan, whistle, slide trumpet, pipe and tabor, percussion; Giles Lewin, vielle, repec, bagpipes, shawm, pipe and tabor; William Lyons, flute, shawm, recorders, bagpipes, symphony, pipe and tabor, percussion; Susanna Pell, vielle and percussion; Peter Skuce, organ, harp, and percussion; Raphael Mizraki, oud, vielle, dulcimer, gittern and percussion Recorded in June 1991 at St. Michael’s Church Blackheath, London. AVIE 0015 [61:05] [KS]

I can’t imagine any listener being disappointed in this infectious and delightful program. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770 – 1827) The Symphonies, Leonore Overture, No. 1, Op. 138 (1807) Leonore Overture, No. 2, Op. 72a (1805) Leonore Overture, No. 3, Op. 72b (1806) Fidelio Overture, Op. 72c (1814) Soile Isokoski (soprano); Rosemarie Lang (alto); Robert Gambill (tenor); René Pape (bass) Chorus of the Deutsche Staatsoper, Berlin Staatskapelle Berlin/Daniel Barenboim. Rec. May – July 1999, Grosser Sendesaal, Berlin. DDD WARNER CLASSICS 2564-61890-2 [6 CDs: 73.42 + 71.56 + 72.07 + 67.16 + 67.34 + 76.40] [JPh]

Snap this up whilst it is still available at this price or at least until someone at Warner Classics realizes what they have done. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Overtures Coriolan, Op.62 [8’10] Creatures of Prometheus, Op.43 [7’15] Ruins of Athens, Op.113 [5’53] Fidelio, Op.72 [7’27] Leonore 1, Op.138 [10’17] Leonore 2, Op.72 [13’40] Leonore 3, Op.72 [13’59] Egmont, Op. 84 [8’13] Chamber Orchestra of Europe/Nikolaus Harnoncourt Recorded ‘live’ (except Coriolan) in the Stefaniensaal, Graz, June 1993, in the Musikverein, Vienna, November 1993 and in the Concert Hall, Athens, April 1996 WARNER ELATUS 2564 61779-2 [76’09][TH]

There’s some great music here, so go and treat yourself. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Anton BRUCKNER (1824-1896) The Nine Symphonies and Helgoland Symphony No. 1 in C minor (1866 Linz version, Nowak edition) [49:44] Helgoland* (1893) [11:13] Symphony No. 2 in C minor (1877, Nowak edition as revised by Bornhöft and Carragan) [62:25] Symphony No. 3 in D minor (1877 version) [59:36] Symphony No. 4 in E flat (1878/1880 version) [68:23] Symphony No. 5 in B flat (Original version, 1878) [72:02] Symphony No. 6 in A (1881) (Nowak/Haas edition) [54:45] Symphony No. 7 in E (1883) [70:40] Symphony No. 8 in C minor (1890, Haas edition) [77:02] Symphony No. 9 in D minor (1896) [63:30] *Male voices of the Rundfunkchor, Berlin und Ernst Senff-Chor Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/Daniel Barenboim Rec. Philharmonie, Berlin and Deutsches Schauspielhaus Berlin (Symphonies Nos. 5, 7 only), 1990-1997. DDD WARNER CLASSICS 2564 61891-2 [9 CDs: 589:20: 60:57 + 62:25 + 59:36 + 68:23 + 72:02 + 54:45 + 70:40 + 77:02 + 63:30][PCW]

Barenboim’s set is the best value “complete” Bruckner around at the moment ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Maurice OHANA (1913 – 1992) Syllabaire pour Phèdre (1966/7)^a Cris (1968/9)^b Messe (1977)^c Llanto por Ignacio Sánchez Mejias (1949/50)^d Cantigas (1953/4)^e Signes (1965)^f Livre des prodiges (1978/9)^g Chiffres de clavecin (1968)^h Anneau du Tamarit (1976)ⁱ Sorôn-Ngô (1969/71)^j Sacral d’Ilx (1975)^k Deux pièces pour clavecin (1982/3)^l Carillons pour les heures du jour et de la nuit (1960)^m Mady Mesplé (soprano)^a; Hanna Schaer (soprano)^c; Isabel Garcisanz (mezzo-soprano)^ce; Michel Jarry (baritone)^d; José Luis Gómez (speaker)^d; Elisabeth Chojnacka (harpsichord)^hklm; Alain Meunier (cello)ⁱ; Geneviève Joy, Jacqueline Robin (piano)^j; Choeur de l’ORTF^abe; Choeur de Radio France^c; Ensemble "Ars Nova"^adef; Orchestra National de France^gi; Nouvel Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France^h; Marius Constant^af, Marcel Couraud^be, Guy Riebel^c, Theodor Guschlbauer^d, Stanislaw Skrowaczewski^g, Marc Andraeⁱ Recorded: Various venues, 1967, 1973, 1977, 1981, 1983 and 1987 ERATO 2564 61321-2 [77:45 + 70:25 + 70:51 + 63:53] [HC]

A highly personal, sincere and utterly honest composer who painstakingly ploughed his furrow regardless of any current fashion ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Etudes Symphoniques op.13 (including the 6 supplementary variations) [33:58], Bunte Blätter op.99 [34:51], Fantasiestücke op.12: 5. In der Nacht [04:06], 7. Traumes-Wirren [02:38] Sviatoslav Richter (piano) Recorded September 1971 except op.12, recorded live at the NHK Hall, Tokyo on 24^th February 1979. REGIS RRC 1186 [76:35] [CH]

Grab this! ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Sir Michael TIPPETT (1905-1998) A Child of Our Time (1939-41) Faye Robinson (soprano); Sarah Walker (mezzo); Jon Garrison (tenor); John Cheek (bass) City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Chorus/Sir Michael Tippett Recorded in Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 11-13 October 1991. DDD NAXOS 8.557570 [69’19"] [JQ]

Doubly welcome in centenary year. An indispensable purchase for all admirers of Tippett and all lovers of the English choral tradition. At the Naxos price an incredible bargain. Strongly recommended. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Teresa Cahill (soprano)
Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Das Rosenband op.36/1 [02:55], Nichts op.10/2 [01:38], Traum durch die Dämmerung op.29/1 [02:33], All mein Gedanken op.21/1 [01:12], Du meines Herzens Krönelein op.21/3 [02:24], Ach Lieb, ich muss nun scheiden op.21/3 [02:00], Schlagende Herzen op.29/2 [02:44], Die Georgine op.10/4 [03:44], Ich liebe dich op.37/2 [02:23], Meinem Kinde op.37/3 [02:39], Muttertändelei op.43/2 [02:25], Schön sind, doch kalt die Himmelssterne op.19/3 [02:26], Ruhe, meine Seele op.27/1 [03:38], Schlechtes Wetter op.69/5 [02:22], Heimkehr op.15/5 [02:17], Allerseelen op.10/8 [03:32], Die Nacht op.10/3 [02:59], Cäcilie op.27/2 [02:22] Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) In my Garden op.38/1 [01:52], To her op.38/2 [02:37], Daisies op.38/3 [02:19], The Pied Piper op.38/4 [02:45], Dreams op.38/5 [03:36], The Quest op.38/6 [02:13] Richard STRAUSS Mein Herz ist stumm op.19/6 [03:08], Gefunden op.56/1 [02:19], Hat Gesagt, bleibt’s nicht dabei op.36/3 [02:01], Das Rosenband op.36/1 [02:54], Nichts op.10/2 [01:34], Traum durch die Dämmerung op.29/1 [02:45] Teresa Cahill (soprano); Roger Vignoles (piano) Recorded 30^th and 31^st July at the Church of St. George the Martyr, London (first Strauss group), 14^th December 1981 at Broadcasting House, London (remainder) THE DIVINE ART - DIVERSIONS 24114 [76:11] [CH]

Glorious singing from an unjustly semi-forgotten artist. Recommended with great enthusiasm. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Composition Féminine - Music composed for Classical Guitar – from Baroque to Modern.
Germaine Tailleferre (1892-1983) Concerto for Two Guitars and Orchestra (c. 1961) Maria Luisa Anido (1907 -1996) Prelude pampeano [3:46]; Melodia de Argentina [1:58]; Aire de vidalita [2:57] Emilia Giuliani-GuglieLmi (1813 –c.1840) Variations on a Theme of Mercadante Op.9 [5:22] Ida Presti (1924-1967) Danse Rhythmique (1959) [4.25] Elisabeth R. Austin (b. 1938 ) Falcon Fantasy for guitar and orchestra [5.50] Camilla de Rossi (? – c. 1710) Sinfonia for Guitar – from the Oratorio The Sacrifice of Abraham [7:20] Chris Bilobram, guitar Christian Schumann, second guitar (Tailleferre). Reinhard Wolschina, piano The Orchestra of the Hochschule für Musik Franz Liszt rec. Hochschule für Musik Franz Liszt, 27–29 Sept, 13-18 Oct 2004. QUERSTAND VKJK 0422 [47.20] [JF]

A disc full of unheard treasures by six women composers. Every one of these works deserves to be in the repertoire. A gorgeous disc. ... see Full Review

 

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