ALPHABETICAL LISTING

Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony No. 3 [88'31]^ Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Symphony No 5 [28'42]² Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Symphony No 4 [58'34"]³ ^ Diana Eustrati (alto) Kölner Rundfunk-Sinfonie-Orchester/Eugen Szenkár rec. 5 March, 1951, Köln ² Berlin Staatskapelle/Eugen Szenkár. rec. 15 and 16 June, 1928, Berlin. ³ Christiane Sorrell (soprano) Symphonieorchester der Stadt Düsseldorf/Eugen Szenkár rec. live 13 May 1960, Düsseldorf ADD (mono) ARCHIPHON ARC136/38 [3CDs: 48:31 + 68:42 + 58:34] [AO]

Very different interpretations of Mahler, by a conductor whose vision of the piece was singular ... see Full Review

Gian Francesco MALIPIERO (1882-1973) Fantasie di Ogni Giorno (1953) [13:04] Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 3 (1948) [16:27] Notturno di Canti e Balli (1957) [19:05] Benjamin Owen, piano Louisville Orchestra/Robert Whitney Recorded in the Columbia Auditorium and the Macauley Theater, Louisville, KY in 1954, 1960 and 1966 respectively. Mono and Stereo. FIRST EDITION MUSIC FECD-0036 [48:56] [KS]

Musical pictures with an abstract mindset, when formality and structure is what truly keeps music alive. ... see Full Review

Loic MALLIE (b. 1947) Improvisations Dialogue des Flutes [7'40] Autour des Principaux [6'04] Quand les Pleins-Jeux s'emmelent [4'53] Les Anches <<solo>> [3'12] Dialogue de Cornets, Clarinette et Hautbois [6'56] Avanti: crescendo du pp au fff [7'35] Le doux delire des melanges creux [4'20] Un Cor Anglais bien <<francais>> et une Voix bien Humaine [11'44] Delires alleluiatique [4'55] Loic Mallie, organs Rec: St-Pothin de Lyon, 6th November 2004 DDD EDITIONS HORTUS 026 [56'55] [CB]

This is a marvellously different demonstration of a new organ of great interest. ... see Full Review

Heinrich August MARSCHNER (1795-1861) Der Vampyr (1827) Romantic opera in two acts Martin Engel (bar) ... Sir Humphrey Davenaut; Carol Farley (mezzo) ... Malwin; Josef Protschka ( ten) ... Edgar Aubry; Siegmund Nimsgern (bar) ... Lord Ruthven; Wolfgang Lenz (bass) ... Sir Berkley; Galina Pisarenko (sop) ... Janthe Chorus and Orchestra Sinfonica of Radio Italiana/Günter Neuhold Live recording at the Auditorio del Foro Italico, Rome, Italy, 26 January 1980 HOMMAGE 7001834-HOM [64:14 + 66:43] [RW]

A considerable bargain ... see Full Review

Jules MASSENET (1842-1912) Werther (1892) Andrea Bocelli (tenor) – Werther; Natale de Carolis (baritone) – Albert; Giorgio Giuseppini (baritone) – The Bailiff; Julia Gertseva (mezzo-soprano) – Charlotte; Magali Léger (soprano) – Sophie; Pierre Lefebvre (tenor) – Schmidt); Armando Ariostini (bass) – Johann; Diana Bertini (soprano) – Kätchen; Vittorio Prato (tenor) – Bruhlmann; Coro di voci bianche del Teatro Communale di Bologna, Orchestra del Teatro Comunale di Bologna/Yves Abel Recorded in the Teatro Manzoni, Bologna, 30 January – 5 February 2004, following live performances at the Teatro Comunale DECCA 475 6557 [73:06 + 56:33][ED]

Yves Abel leads a reading that is large in structure, meaty in tone and, therefore, neglects the essence of the drama ... see Full Review

Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) String Quartets Vol. 3 String Quartet in D major, Op. 44/1 (1838) [28:46] String Quartet in E minor, Op. 44/2 (1837) [25:59] Four Movements for String Quartet, Op.81 (1827-47) [20:09]: 1) Andante (Tema con Variazioni) in E major, Op. 81/1 (1847) [05:28]; 2) Scherzo in A minor, Op. 81/2 (1847) [03:28]; 3) Fugue in E flat major, Op. 81/4 (1827) [05:22]; 4) Capriccio in E minor, Op. 81/3 (1843) [05:51] Henschel Quartet rec. March 11-14, 2004, Studio 1, Bayerischer Rundfunk, Munchen, Germany. DDD ARTE NOVA CLASSICS 82876 60848 2 [75:40][MC]

Excellent performances from the Henschel Quartet. They would enhance any collection. ... see Full Review

Francisco MIGNONE (1897-1986) Festa das Igrejas (1940) [14.28] Sinfonia Tropical (1958) [19.22] Maracatu de Chico Rei (1933) [17.57] São Paulo Symphony Orchestra (OSESP)/John Neschling Recorded at the Sala, São Paulo, Brazil, February 2003 Notes in English, Portugues, Deutsch. BIS BIS-CD-1420 [72.40][PSh]

Brilliant, colourful music by a South American composer new to most of us, but someone we will want to get to know better. ... see Full Review

Claudio MONTEVERDI (1567-1643) Il Ritorno d’Ulisse in Patria. text by Giacomo Badoaro: highlights (1640) [76.32] Ladislau Anderko ... Giove Nikolak Simkowski ... Nettuno Rotraud Hansmann ... Minerva Margaret Baker-Genovesi ... Junone Sven Olaf Eliasson ... Ulisse Norma Lerer ... Penelope Kai Hansen ... Telemaco Margaret Baker-Genovesi ... Melanto Max von Egmond ... Eumenete Anne Marie Mühle ... Ericlea Junge Kantorei/Joachim Martini Concentus Musicus/Nicolaus Harnoncourt Recorded 1971 ADD Notes in English, Français, and Deutsch. Synopsis, no texts. WARNER APEX 2564 61508-2 [76.32][PSh]

A bargain preview of a masterpiece of early opera, and a recording to cherished along with a complete set. ... see Full Review

Cristóbal DE MORÁLES (c.1500-1553) Virgo Maria - Motets In illo tempore cum turba magna [02:35] In illo tempore stabant autem [05:03] Fantasia for lute [02:24] In illo tempore dixit Jesus modicum [06:27] In illo tempore assumpsit Jesus [03:14] Missus est Gabriel [05:50] Virgo Maria [06:15] Descendit angelus (lute) [03:57] Manus tuae Domine [03:14] Job, tonso capite, corruens in terram [06:22] Vae Babylon, civitas magna [04:05] Similie est regnum [04:02] Iam non dicam vos servos [03:53] Accepit Jesus panes [03:02] Clamabat autem mulier chananea [03:12] Quanti mercenari [05:22] Quanti mercenari (lute, organ) [02:25] Consortium Carissimi (Nadia Caristi, Lorenza Fogagnolo, Laura Scavazza, soprano; Elena Biscuola, Carla Saro, mezzosoprano; Paolo Costa, alto; Fabio Furnari, Stefano Benà, Marzio Milanato, tenor; Marco Scavazza, baritone; Garrick Comeaux, Giancarlo Borsetto, bass; Pietro Prosser, lute; Mauro Morini, tenor trombone, serpentone; David Yacus, tenor & bass trombone, dulcian; Vittorio Zanon, organ)/Dir: Vittorio Zanon Recorded in August 2003 at the Chiesa di San Salvaro e San Pietro di Lagnano, Verona, Italy DDD ASV GAUDEAMUS CD GAU 343 [71:30] [JV]

An excellent recording of fine specimen of the art of De Moráles, one of the most celebrated composers of the 16th century ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Violin Concerto No.3 in G major K216 (1775) [23.14] Sinfonia Concertante in E flat major K364 (1779) * [30.41] David Oistrakh (violin) Rudolf Barshai (viola)* Moscow Chamber Orchestra/Rudolf Barshai Recorded in Moscow 1959 (No.3) and 1960 AULOS MUSIC AMC2-028 [54.41][JW]

You can’t go too far wrong with Oistrakh and Mozart. Big-boned, dyed in the wool. Tempi relaxed, textures quite heavy, the ethos is masculine. Subtle shading is there but the prevailing spirit is of strong-limbed engagement ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Don Giovanni. Dramma giocoso in two acts. K. 527. Libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte First performed at the Nostic Theatre, Prague, 29 October 1787 Don Giovanni, Bryn Terfel (bar); Leporello, Ferruccio Furlanetto (bass); Don Ottavio, Paul Groves (ten); Masetto, John Relyea (bar); Anna, Renée Fleming (sop); Elvira, Solveig Kringelborn (sop); Zerlina, Hei-Kyung Hong (sop); Commendatore, Sergei Koptchak (bass) Metropolitan Opera Chorus Metropolitan Opera Orchestra/James Levine Production and set design, Franco Zeffirelli Costume design, Anna Anni Lighting design, Wayne Chouinard Stage director, Stephen Lawless Video Director, Gary Halvorson Recorded 2000 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 2 DVD VIDEO 00440 073 4010 GH [180:00][RJF]

This well sung performance in traditional sets and costumes will meet most needs and provide much enjoyment ... see Full Review

Helena MUNKTELL (1852-1919) Brännigar (Breaking Waves) Symphonic Poem (c. early 1890s) [11.09] Suite for Large Orchestra (c. early 1890s) [19.14] Valborgsmessoeld Poem Op.24 (published 1922) [11.27] Suite dalécarlienne/Dalsuite (Dala Suite) Op.22 [23.16] Gävle Symphony Orchestra/Tobias Ringborg Recorded in January 2005 at the Gävle Concert Hall STERLING CDS 1066-2 [65.32][JW]

A mixed bag - a fascinating rather than compelling mix of Mendelssohnian romance and the first nationalist-impressionist stirrings. ... see Full Review

Chris MURPHY Noir Tango; Desert Star; Cafe Noir; Filbert's Rag; Coffee and Candles; Bessie Smith; Time is an Ocean; Eddie's Mambo; Gospel Song; Moonlight Waltz; Grand Hotel; Arabesque Chris Murphy (violin) no rec details KUFALA MUSIC 25084 01602 [54:54] [RB]

Fans of the violin in all its survival-sensitive glory and adaptability will want to hear this disc. ... see Full Review

Hisato OHZAWA (1907 - 1953) Piano Concerto No. 3 Kamikaze (1938) [26’19"] Symphony No. 3 Symphony on the Founding of Japan (1937) [37’51"] Ekaterina Saranceva (piano) Russian Philharmonic Orchestra/Dmitry Yablonsky rec. Studio 5, "KULTURA" Russian State TV and Radio Company, Moscow, 7–11 Oct 2003. DDD NAXOS 8.557416 [64’10"] [JPh]

Not masterpieces but worthy of attention if you are on the lookout for rare repertoire which is not too difficult. ... see Full Review

Carl ORFF (1895 - 1982) Prometheus (1968) [127.19] Kratos (Power) – Josef Greindl Hephaistos – Heinz Cramer Prometheus – Roland Hermann Oceanus – Kieth Engen Io – Colette Lorand Hermes – Fritz Uhl Choir Leader – Edda Moser, Sophia can Sante, Raili Kostia Womens Chorus of Westdeutschen Rundfunks Kölner Rundfunk-Sinfonie-Orchester/Ferdinand Leitner Recorded 1972, Stereo studio recording. ARTS ARCHIVES 43007-2 [67.01 + 60.18] [RH]

An impressively authoritative recording of one of Orff’s finest scores. Prometheus is certainly not an easy listen; but deserves to be better known. I hope that this fine re-issue tempts more people into exploring the work. ... see Full Review

Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) Il tabarro (1918) Carla Petrella (soprano) Giorgetta; Antenore Reali (tenor) Michele; Glauco Scarlini (tenor) Liogi; Giuseppe Nessi (tenor) Tinca; Dario Caselli (bass) Talpa; Aldo Bertocci (tenor) Un venditore di canzonette (Ballad-Seller); Ebe Ticozzi (mezzo) Frugola; Orchestra Lirica di Torina della RAI/Giuseppe Baroni.
Rec. Turin in 1949. ADD WARNER FONIT 505467-6756-2-9 [54’10] [CC]

Obviously this cannot be a top recommendation. Certainly worth hearing, though, especially at the price. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) The Twenty-Four Preludes Opp. 23 and 32 (1901-1910) Joyce Hatto (piano) rec. Concert Artist Studios, Cambridge, UK, March 1999 and December 2001 CONCERT ARTIST CACD-9127-2 [77.12] [WH]

Beauty of sound, even in fortissimos, mastery of the Rachmaninov style through playing which seems totally at the service of the composer. Deeply satisfying performances. ... see Full Review

Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) The Complete Piano Music Howard Shelleyrecorded from 1982 to 1991 HYPERION 8-CD set CDS44041/8 Total duration: 7hrs 28 mins

Virtuosity of a very high order together with refinement and elegance, wit, expressive power, beauty and poetry. Subtlety of light and shade, dynamic and expression. ... see Full Review

Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) All Night Vigil (Vespers) Op. 37 (1915) Iris Oja, contralto Mati Turi, tenor Vladimir Miller, basso profundo (Intonations) Tiit Kogerman, tenor (Intonations) Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir/Paul Hillier Recorded 24-27 May, 2004 at the Dome Church, Haapsalu, Estonia HARMONIA MUNDI HMU 907384 [53:56] [KS]

On my ‘certainly worthy’ list ... a nice addition to any library and certainly a worthy interpretation but fairly far down on the desert island roster. ... see Full Review

Ottorino RESPIGHI (1879-1936) Arrangements for brass instruments by Peter LAWRENCE (b.1965) Fountains of Rome (1916) [15:19] Pines of Rome (1924) [20:02] Roman Festivals. (1929) [21:19] Junge Deutsche Blechbläsersolisten/Walter Hilgers rec. Stadhalle, Marbach, February 2002 GENUIN GMP 020107-1 [58:55] [IL]

For Respighi admirers (and others) a reserved recommendation to be filed under ‘Respighi curios’. In case this caveat might deter I will assure, in conclusion, that these are sympathetic transcriptions performed with style and enthusiasm. ... see Full Review

Gioachino ROSSINI (1792-1868) Overtures The Barber of Seville Overture (1816) [7.04] The Thieving Magpie Overture (1817) [9.16] La Cenerentola (1817) [7.23] Il Signor Bruschino Overture (1813) [4.34] The Silken Ladder Overture (1812) [6.27] William Tell Overture (1829) [11.58] Chicago Symphony Orchestra/Fritz Reiner Recorded in Orchestra Hall, Chicago, November 1958 BMG-RCA RED SEAL 82876 658442 [47.02][JW]

Not especially generous but this is Reiner and this is the Chicago Orchestra. ... see Full Review

Gioachino ROSSINI (1792-1868) La Cenerentola, Opera Buffa in Two Acts. Libretto by Jacopo Ferretti. First performed at the Teatro Valle, Rome, on 25^th January 1817 Angiolina (Cenerentola), Jennifer Larmore (mezzo); Don Ramiro, Raúl Giménez (ten); Dandini, Gino Quilico (bar); Don Magnifico, Alessandro Corbelli (buffa-bass); Alidoro, Alastair Miles (bass); Clorinda, Adelina Scrabelli (sop); Tisbe, Laura Polverelli (mezzo) Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London/Carlo Rizzi Recorded in Abbey Road Studios, London, in February 1994 WARNER CLASSICS 4509 94553-2 [76.18+76.13] [RJF]

A welcome return to the catalogue of an excellent performance. ... see Full Review

Anton RUBINSTEIN (1829-1894) Octet in D major for flute, clarinet, French-horn, violin, viola, cello, double bass and piano, Op. 9 [37:31] Quintet in F major for flute, clarinet, French-horn, bassoon and piano, Op. 55 (1855) [38:58] Consortium Classicum: Thomas Duis (piano); Robert Dohn (flute); Dieter Klöcker; (clarinet); Jan Schroeder (horn); Andreas Krecher (violin); Niklas Schwarz (viola); Armin Fromm (cello); Ulrich Schneider (double bass); Karl-Otto Hartmann (bassoon) Recorded 17-20 March, 2002 at Tonstudio van Geest, Heidelberg, Germany ORFEO C 422 041 A [76:46] [MC]

I would have liked to have reported otherwise but there is nothing to get worked up about here. Rare chamber music for the keenest explorers only. ... see Full Review

 

 

Detailed listing (last two days)]
[Part 1 New]  [Part 2 A-B] [Part 3 C-L]
[Part 4 M-R]  [Part 5 S-Z]
[Part 6 Misc A-L]  [Part 7 Misc M-Z]

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