William
ALWYN (1905-1985) Symphony No. 5 Hydriotaphia
(1973) [14:27] Lyra Angelica - concerto for harp and orchestra
(1954) [28:12] Symphony No. 2 (1953) [27:22] 
Suzanne Willison (harp) Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra/David
Lloyd-Jones rec. Philharmonic Hall. Liverpool, 4-6 Jan 2005. DDD
NAXOS 8.557647 [69:52][DB]
Can
be placed alongside the composer’s and Hickox’s
discs ... its price as well as its performance
quality make it a valuable contribution to
the Alwyn discography. ... see Full
Review
David AMRAM
(b.1930) Symphony
– Songs of the Soul (1987) 30.24] Shir
L’erev Shabbat (excerpts) (1965) 12.24]
The Final Ingredient (excerpts) (1966)
[20.03] Radio Symphony Orchestra of Berlin/Christopher
Wilkins (Symphony, recorded Jesus Christus
Kirche, Berlin, 1999) Richard Troxell (tenor),
BBC Singers, Christopher Bowers-Broadbent
(organ)/Kenneth Kiesler (Shir L’erev Shabbat,
recorded St Paul’s Church, Knightsbridge,
London 2001) Deborah Selig (soprano); Pei
Yi Wang (mezzo); Sarah Elizabeth Williams
(mezzo soprano); Thomas Glenn (tenor); Brian
Pfaltzgraf (tenor); Nathan Phan (tenor); Jesse
Blumberg (baritone); Tyler Oliphant (baritone);
Mark Kent (bass)
University of Michigan Opera Chorus and Orchestra/
Kenneth Kiesler, (The Final Ingredient, recorded
University of Michigan, 2001)
NAXOS 8.559420 [63.12] [JW]
A
melting pot of Jewish musics, a polycultural
exploration that embraces disparate traditions
and does so with colour and verve. ... see
Full Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Kurt
ATTERBERG (1887-1974)
The Nine Symphonies CD1
Symphony No. 1 in B minor op. 3 (1912) [40:47]
Symphony No. 4 in G minor Sinfonia piccola
op. 14 (1918) [21:03] CD2 Symphony No.
2 in F major op. 6 (1913) [41:00] Symphony
No. 5 in D minor Sinfonia funebre op.
20 (1922) [34:23] CD3 Symphony No. 3 op. 10
in D minor Västkustbilder - West Coast
Pictures (1914-16) [37:05] Symphony No.
6 op. 31 in C major (1928) [31:06] CD4 Symphony
No. 7 Sinfonia Romantica, op. 45 (1941/2)
[28:56] Symphony No. 8, in E minor op. 48
(1944/45) [31:31] CD5 Symphony No. 9 Sinfonia
Visionaria op. 54 (1956) [40:45] Älven
– The River - Symphonic Poem op. 33
(1929) [19:50]
Satu Vihavainen (mezzo) (9) Gabriel Suovanen
(baritone) (9) NDR Chor; Prager Kammerchor
(9) Radio-Sinfonie-Orchester Frankfurt/Ari
Rasilainen (1, 4, 2, 5) NDR Radio Philharmonic
Orchestra, Stuttgart/Ari Rasilainen (3, 6,
7, 8) NDR Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, Hannover/Ari
Rasilainen (9) Rec. 1998-2003, Frankfurt,
Stuttgart, Germany. DDD Coproduction: CPO,
Hessischer Rundfunk, Norddeutscher Rundfunk,
Südwestrundfunk
CPO 777 118-2 [5 CDs: 61:55 + 75:34 +
68:18 + 62:43 + 60:35] [RB]
Sympathetically
recorded, magnificently conducted ... To Atterberg
enthusiasts current and future this box represents
riches unimaginable. ... see Full
Review
Carl
Philipp Emanuel BACH (1714-1788)
St.
Matthew Passion (1785)
Thomas Dewald (tenor); Daniel Jordan (baritone);
Jochen Kupfer (baritone) Zelter-Ensemble der
Sing-Akademie zu Berlin/Joshard Daus rec.
live, Berlin Philharmonie, Kammermusiksaal,
April 2004. DDD
CAPRICCIO 60113 [55.01][GH]
Full
credit to the performers and editor whose
efforts are not in vain and who deserve
rich applause for their handiwork and dedication.
... see Full
Review
Carl
Philipp Emanuel BACH (1714-1788)
Herrn Professor Gellerts Geistliche Oden
und Lieder CD
1 Trost der Erlösung [00:55] Am
Neuen Jahr [01:52] Bußlied [03:42]
Morgengesang [01:15] Der Weg des Frommen
[02:33] Trost eines schwermütigen Christen
[05:04] Der Schutz der Kirche [02:46] Das
Glück eines guten Gewissens [02:09]
Vom Worte Gottes [02:14] Die Liebe des Nächsten
[03:18] Die Liebe der Feinde [02:26] Geduld
[01:53] Die Ehre Gottes aus der Natur [02:48]
Abendlied [01:05] Prüfung am Abend
[06:14] CD 2 Weihnachtslied [02:27]
Passionslied [07:55] Osterlied [02:25] Lied
am Geburtstage [02:59] Preis des Schöpfers
[02:37] Bitten [03:04] Der 100. Psalm [01:36]
Das Gebet [05:07] Morgengesang [01:48] Wider
den Übermut [03:00] In Krankheit [04:13]
Der 88. Psalm [03:02] Vom Tode [03:47] Abendlied
[03:17] Das natürliche Verderben des
Menschen [03:21]
Dorothee Mields, soprano; Ludger Rémy,
fortepiano rec. Feb, April 2003, Studio
of Radio Bremen, Germany. DDD
CPO 777 061-2 [40:21 + 50:47] [JV]
A
selection from the collection of sacred
songs on texts of the German poet Gellert,
interpreted with great sensitivity by Mields
and Rémy ... see Full Review A selection
from the collection of sacred songs on texts
of the German poet Gellert, interpreted
with great sensitivity by Mields and Rémy
... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Complete
Church Cantatas, Vol. 28 Nun komm der
Heiden Heiland BWV 62 [17:47] Wohl dem, der sich auf seinen Gott,
BWV 139 [17:42] Ach wie flüchtig, ach vie nichtig, BWV 26 [14:48]
Du Friedefürst, Herr Jesu Christ, BWV 116 [17:15]
Yukari Nonoshita, (soprano) Robin Blaze, (counter-tenor) Nakoto Sakurada,
(tenor) Peter Kooij, (bass) Bach Collegium Japan/Masaaki Suzuki rec.
16-19 March 2004, Kobe Shoin Women’s University Chapel, Japan
BIS SACD 1451 
[68:44][KS]
I
was particularly impressed with the impeccable
diction, the utterly unaccented German,
and the lovely expression of each soloist.
A complete winner. ... see Full
Review
C.P.E.
BACH
(1714-1788) Keyboard
Concertos - Volume 14 Concerto
in A minor (1750) H 430 (W.26) [27.39] Sonatina
in C major ( 1765) H.460 (W 101) [16.55]
Concerto in E flat Major (1762) H.467 (W.40)
[25.26]
Miklos Spanyi (tangent piano) Opus
X/Petri Tapio Mattson; Miklos Spanyi rec.
Siuntio Church, Finland, June 2004. DDD
BIS-CD-1487 [71.12] [RH]
Collecting
this series ... then I need say little else.
If you want to sample then I seriously recommend
this disc as an excellent place to start.
... see Full
Review
Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
The Poet Musician Choral
Preludes from Orgelbüchlein: BWV 641,
640, 642, 636, 643 and 644 [7:46] Pièce
d'Orgue, BWV 572 [9:18] Kyrie-Christe -
Kyrie from Clavierübung III: BWV 669-671
[13:50] Trio Sonata No. 4 in E minor, BWV
528 [11:09] "An Wasserflüssen Babylon",
BWV 653 [5:52] Passacaglia and Fugue in
C minor, BWV 582 [13:38] "Vor deinen Thron
tret' ich hiermit", BWV 668 [5:04]
François Menissier (organ) rec.
Silbermann Organ 1741, St. Thomas Church,
Strasbourg, May 2000
EDITIONS HORTUS HORTUS 020 [67:25] [DS]
Menissier
is a major Bach performing artist who deserves
our attention ... see Full
Review
Georg Heinrich BACKOFEN
(1768-1830) Clarinet Concerto in B flat major
Op. 3 (1796-1816) [23:45] Clarinet Concerto in E flat major Op. 16 (1796-1816)
[20:42] Clarinet Concerto in E flat major Op. 24 (1796-1816) [24:06]
Dieter Klöcker (clarinet) SWR Rundfunkorchester Kaiserslauten/Johannes
Moesus rec. SWR Kaiserslauten, 29 Mar-2 Apr, 26-29 Apr 2004
CPO 777 065-2 [68:57][RB]
Masterworks?
Well, no but they are eminently entertaining and touching and administer
a few surprises along the way. ... see Full
Review
Leonardo
BALADA
(b.1933) No-res
(Nothing) (1974) [40.02] Ebony Fantasies – Cantata
(2003) [25.36] Dennis Rafter
(narrator) Chorus and Orchestra of the Comunidad de Madrid/José Ramón
Encinar Recorded in the Teatro Isabel Clara Eugenia, Madrid, July 2003
NAXOS 8.557343 [65.38][JW]
The
performances sound formidable. Kudos to Naxos.
I found most of this a miserable experience.
If that was the intention then the composer
has succeeded admirably. ... see Full
Review
Béla
BARTÓK (1881-1945)
Sonatas
for Violin and Piano – No. 1, Sz75 (1921)
[33'55]; No. 2, Sz76 (1922) [20'40].
Robert Mann (violin); Leonid Hambro (piano).
Rec. auditorium, Pequot Library, Southport,
Connecticut, USA, 1950s. mono ADD
BARTÓK RECORDS BR1922 [55'00] [CC]
Short
measure at 55 minutes, certainly, but this
is a wonderful CD. ... see Full
Review
Béla
BARTÓK (1881-1945) Piano Concerto No.
1, Sz83 (1926) [22'12] Piano Concerto No. 2, Sz95 (1930/1) [28'45] The
Miraculous Mandarin, Suite for Orchestra, Sz73 Op.19, (1927) [18'54]
a
Zoltan Kocsis (piano) Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra/György Lehel
Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra/Sir Neville Marriner a No recording
details given
CAPRICCIO SACD 71 044
[69'51][MC]
This
is a fine Bartók release from Capriccio, if not the preferred version
of each work. ... see Full Review
Arnold BAX (1883-1953) Tintagel (1919)
* [14:33] The Garden of Fand** (1916) [16:32] The Happy Forest
(1921)**[9:39] The Tale the Pine Trees Knew*** (1931) [16:38]
November Woods (1917)**** [16:48]
Royal Scottish National Orchestra/David Lloyd-Jones Recorded in the
Henry Wood Hall, Glasgow and *the Royal Scottish National Concert Hall
on *21-22 August 2002; **31 January 1996; ***June 1996: **** August
1995 DDD NAXOS 8.557599
[74:11][JQ]
It’s
been a pleasure to revisit these recordings
of some of Bax’s finest orchestral works.
... see Full
Review
Franz Ignaz BECK
(1734-1809) Six
Symphonies Op. 1: Sinfonia No. 1 in G
minor [12:24]; Sinfonia No. 2 in F [11:42];
Sinfonia No. 3 in A [9:06]; Sinfonia No. 4
in E flat [8:12]; Sinfonia No. 5 in G [11:29];
Sinfonia No. 6 in C [6:06]
New Zealand Chamber Orchestra/Donald Armstrong
rec. Brierley Theatre, Wellington College,
New Zealand, August 2001. DDD
NAXOS 8.554071 [59:00] [CH]
Sufficiently
rewarding to suggest that further exploration
of Beck may be in order. ... see Full
Review
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) The
Five Piano Concertos: Piano Concertos – No. 1 in C, Op. 15a (1795) [38'29]; No.
2 in B flat, Op. 19a (1798) [30'58]; No. 3 in C minor, Op.
37b (1800) [37'14]; No. 4 in G, Op. 58b (1806)
[34'38]; No. 5 in E flat, Op. 73, 'Emperorc (1809) [39'43].
32 Variations on an Original Theme in C minor, WoO80d (1806)
[11'13]. Mitsuko Uchida
(piano) Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestraac,
Concertgebouw Orchestrab/Kurt Sanderling. Rec. Herkulesaal,
Munich in July 1997a and November 1998cd; Concertgebouw,
Amsterdam, in November 1994b (No. 4 is a live performance).
PHILIPS
4756757 [3 CDs: 69'43 + 72'21 + 51'19][CC]
No
surprise that a musician of such integrity
and intelligence as Uchida has bided her
time when it comes to Beethoven. Yet this
set represents work in progress. ... see
Full
Review
Ludwig
Van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
String
Quartet in B flat major, Op. 18, No.6 ‘Lobkowitz’
(1798-1800) [24:38] String Quartet in E
flat major, Op. 127 (1822, 1824-25) [37:46]
Henschel Quartet rec. December 6-9,
2004, Studio 2, Bayerischer Rundfunk, German
Republic DDD
ARTE NOVA CLASSICS 82876 63996 2 [62:55]
[MC]
The
reputation of the Henschel continues to
go from strength to strength and their playing
serves Beethoven admirably with this superb
release. ... see Full
Review
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Piano Sonatas:- Sonata
in G major, Op. 31 No. 1 (1802) [24.20] Sonata in D minor, Op. 31
No. 2 ‘Tempest’ (1802) [21.57] Sonata in E flat major, Op.
31 No. 3 (1802) [21.23] Sonata in G minor, Op. 49 No. 1 (1797) [8.12]
Sonata in G major, Op. 49 No. 2 (1797) [8.19] Sonata in C major, Op.
53 ‘Waldstein’ (1804) [24.20] Sonata in F major, Op. 54 (1804)
[9.47] Sonata in F minor, Op. 57 ‘Appassionata’ (1804) [23.47]
Sonata in F sharp major, Op. 78 (1809) [10.06] Sonata in G major,
Op. 79 (1809) [9.35] Sonata in E flat major, Op. 81a ‘Les Adieux’
(1810) [17.22]
Kun-Woo Paik (piano) Rec 30th April – 8th May
2005, Wyastone Quays, Monmouth
DECCA 475 6909 [3 CDs: 58.03 + 58.46 + 63.43] [TB]
Kun-Woo
Paik will reward the enquiring and sensitive
listener ... interesting interpretations
and an abundance of technique. The insights
he brings are always worth hearing, though
there are more to be found besides. ...
see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
La
Lettre à Elise WoO 59 [3:10] Variations
on "God Save the King" WoO 79
[8:17] Andante Favori in F WoO 57 [9:25]
Sonata No. 14 in c-sharp minor, Op. 27,
No. 2 (Moonlight) [16:09] Bagatelle in E
flat, Op. 33, No. 1 [3:59] Bagatelle in
g minor, Op. 119, No. 1 [2:33] Bagatelle
in D, Op. 119, No. 3 [1:39] Bagatelle in
B-flat, Op. 119, No. 11 [1:55] Bagatelle
in G, Op. 126, No. 5 [2:38] Rage Over a
Lost Penny, Op. 129 [6:14] Variations in
F, Op. 34 [12:41]
Anne Queffélec, piano Recorded at
the Cité des Congrès in October
2004.
MIRARE MIR 9972 [69:00] [KS]
One
of the most charming piano recitals that
I have come across in years ... see Full
Review
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
String Quartet in A major, Op. 18, No.5 ‘Lobkowitz’ (1798-1800)
[31:46] String Quartet in B flat major, Op. 18, No.6 ‘Lobkowitz’
(1798-1800) [26:04]
Quatuor Mosaïques: Erich Höbarth (violin); Andrea Bischof
(violin); Anita Mitterer (viola); Christophe Coin (cello) Recorded
in April 1994, in Grafenegg Schloss ‘Alte Reitschule’, Austria.
DDD
NAÏVE E 8901 [57:40][MC]
These
are first class performances enhanced by a most natural sound quality.
Lovers of period-instrument performances need not hesitate. ...
see Full Review
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
String Quartet in E flat major, Op. 127 (1825) [33.43] String Quartet
in A minor, Op. 132 (1825) [41.16]
Hagen
String Quartet rec. Nov 2003, Schloss Mondsee (Op. 132); Mar 2004,
Minnesgångersaal, Wiesbach (Op. 127)
DEUTSCHE
GRAMMOPHON 00289 477 5705 [75.07][TB]
Performances
to challenge all comers in the catalogue,
and with the benefit of the best modern
sound. ... see Full
Review
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN
(1770-1827) Violin
Sonata No.3 in E flat major Op.12 No.3 (1797-98)
[18.52] Violin Sonata No.5 in F major Op.24
Spring (1801) [22.04] Violin Sonata
No.9 in A major Op.47 Kreutzer (1803)
[32.55]
Leonid Kogan (violin) Emil Gilels (piano)
Recorded live in Leningrad, March 29th
1964
DOREMI DHR 7845 [73.52] [JW]
Impressive
to have such a titanic meeting of musicians,
of equal standing but the deficiencies of
the violin sound mean that this disc will
be of a highly specialised appeal. ... see
Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE
MONTH Ludwig van
BEETHOVEN
(1770-1827) Complete
Works for Solo Piano – Vol. 2 Piano Sonatas:
No.1 in F minor, Op.2 No.1 (1793-95) [16’10]; No.2 in A major, Op.2
No.2 (1793-95) [22’33]; No.3 in C major, Op.2 No.3 (1793-95) [26’44];
No.19 in G minor, Op.49 No.1 (1797) [6’55]; No.20 in G major,
Op.49 No.2 (1795) [7’47]
Ronald Brautigam (fortepiano by Paul McNulty, 2001 after Walther &
Son c.1840) Recorded in Österåker Church, Sweden, August 2004
BIS SACD 1363
[81’04][TH]
My
breath was taken away by the mixture of superb instrument, vital,
energetic playing and crystal clear recording ... see Full
Review
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Diabelli
Variations, Op. 120 (1819-23, two performances).
Edmund Battersby (Graf fortepiano/piano). rec. Performing Arts Centre,
Country Day School, King City, Ontario, Canada, 23-29 Aug 2003. DDD
NAXOS
8.557384/85 [51'47 + 50'44][CC]
A
fascinating idea – two performances of the Diabelli, one on a modern
grand, the other on a 1997 replica of an 1825 Conrad Graf fortepiano.
Battersby is clearly a musical interpreter. ... see Full
Review
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Fidelio
(1814, sung in English) [111'00]
Christine Brewer (soprano) Leonore; Richard Margison (tenor) Florestan;
Robert Lloyd (bass) Rocco; Rebecca Evans (soprano) Marzelline; Peter
Wedd (Jacquino); Pavlo Hunka (bass-baritone) Don Pizarro; Christopher
Purves (bass) Don Fernando, Second Prisoner; Ashley Catling (tenor)
First Prisoner Geoffrey Mitchell Choir Philharmonia Orchestra/David
Parry. Text included. Rec. Blackheath Halls, London, on August 21st-25th,
2004. CHANDOS
OPERA IN ENGLISH CHAN3123 [67'40 + 43'20][CC]
A
fascinating set. Not a five-star product, despite its luxury packaging,
but definitely worth it for the unforgettable Leonore of Christine Brewer.
... see Full Review
Ofer
BEN-AMOTS (b.
1955) Hashkivenu – Song of the Angels (1994)a
[9:53] Celestial Dialogues (1994)b [28:49] Shtetl
Songs (1985/6)c [18:54] Psalm 81 (1989)d
[13:37] BBC Singers, Christopher
Bowers-Broadbent (organ), Kenneth Kiesler (conductor)a; Alberto
Mizrahi (cantor), David Krakauer (clarinet), Barcelona Symphony Orchestra,
Karl Anton Rickenbacher (conductor)b; Re’ut Ben-Ze’ev (soprano),
John Musto (piano)c; Permonik Children’s Choir, Petr Hladik,
Rostislav Mikeśka (percussion), Eva Šeinerová (conductor)d
rec. St. Paul’s Church, Knightsbridge, London, June 2001 (Hashkivenu);
Sala Sinfonica del Auditori, Barcelona, June 2001 (Celestial Dialogues);
Lefrak Concert Hall/ Colden Center for the Arts, Flushing, NY, December
2001 (Shtetl Songs) and Karvina, Czech Republic, 1998 (Psalm
81) NAXOS MILKEN
SERIES 8.559421 [71:41][HC]
Sheds
interesting light on the output of a younger composer whose well-made
and deeply sincere music was new to me ... see Full
Review
Niels Viggo BENTZON (1919-2000)
Symphony No. 8 Sinfonia Discrezione Op. 113 (1957) [44.20] Symphonic
Variations Op. 92 (1952) [17.55]
Gothenburg-Aarhus Philharmonic/Douglas Bostock rec. Artisten, Goteborg,
23-24 Jan 2005. world premiere recording (8); first CD recording (Variations).
DDD CLASSICO
CLASSCD 622 [62.15][RB]
Superbly
performed, recorded and documented Bentzon’s thorny Symphonic Variations
alongside a fine Danish symphony of the 1950s ... see Full
Review
Franz
BERWALD
(1796-1868) Tone
Poems Symphonic Poem: Reminiscence of the Norwegian Mountains
[9:24] Konzertstück for Bassoon and Orchestra (1827) [11:50] Etude for
String Orchestra: Wettlauf (Foot-Race) [8:45] Fantasiestück
for Orchestra: Ernste und heitere Grillen (Serious and Joyful
Fancies) [8:44] Overture to Drottningen av Golconda (The
Queen of Golconda) (1864) [7:55] Elfenspiel (Play of the
Elves) [8:46] Patrik
Håkansson (bassoon) Gävle Symphony Orchestra/Petri Sakari rec. Gävle
Concert Hall in September 2000
NAXOS 8.555370 [55:24][PCW]
For
those who know and love Berwald’s symphonies this should go straight
to the top of the wish-list … see Full
Review
Alexander
Porfir’yevich BORODIN (1833-1887)
Prince
Igor - highlights: 1. Overture; 2. I don’t like boredom
(Galitzky’s Recitative and Aria, Act I); 3. Dance of the Polovtsian
Maidens, Act II; 4. Daylight is fading (Konchakovna’s Cavatina, Act
II); 5. Slowly the day was fading (Vladimir’s Cavatina, Act II); 6.
There is neither sleep, nor rest (Igor’s Aria, Act II); 7. Choral version
of the Polovtsian Dances, Act II; 8. Polovtsian March, Act III; In
the Steppes of Central Asia
Angelina Shvachka (mezzo) (tr. 4), Dmytro Popov (tenor) (tr. 5), Mykola
Koval (baritone) (tr. 6), Taras Shtonda (bass) (tr. 2), Kiev Chamber
Choir/Mykola Hobdych National Radio Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine/Theodore
Kuchar rec. Large Concert Studio, National Radio Company of Ukraine,
Kiev, 12-16 Dec 2003. DDD
NAXOS 8.557456 [57:45][GF]
Three
exclamation marks: my personal top rating. I had expected good solo
singing and I wasn’t disappointed. ... see Full
Review
Thomas-Louis BOURGEOIS
(1676-1750/51) Cantates françaises Ariane,
cantata for solo voice, violin and bc [11:44] Le berger fidèle,
cantata for solo voice, viola da gamba and bc [11:49] L'Amour et
Psyché, cantata for two voices and bc* [18:54] Phèdre
et Hippolyte, cantata for solo voice, transverse flute, violin,
viola da gamba and bc [18:25]
Isabelle Desrochers, soprano; Thibaut Lenaerts, tenor (*) Ensemble Ausonia:
Georges Barthel, transverse flute; Mira Glodeanu, violin; Susie Napper,
viola da gamba; James Munro, violone; Julian Behr, theorbo; Frédérick
Haas, harpsichord rec. August 2004, Church of Franc-Waret, Belgium.
DDD
MUSIQUE EN WALLONIE MEW0422 [60:55][JV]
Cantatas
by an unknown French composer turn out to
be real discoveries to treasure - strongly
recommended ... see Full
Review
Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897)
Symphony
No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68 (1876) [50.25]
Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73 (1877)
[42.55] A Portrait of Semyon Bychkov [57.19]
WDR Sinfonie-Orchester Köln/Semyon
Bychkov rec. August 2002 (No. 1), April
2004 (No. 2), Kölner Philharmonie.
DDD
ARTHAUS MUSIK 101 243 [92:01] [TB]
The
sound is rich and warm and individual brilliance
is not lacking ... see Full
Review
Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897)
Symphony
No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68 (1876) [44.07]
Symphony No. 1, initial version of second
movement (before 1876) [8.35] Academic
Festival Overture, Op. 80 (1880) [9.40]
Scottish Chamber Orchestra/Sir Charles
Mackerras rec. January 1997, Usher Hall,
Edinburgh
TELARC CD-80463 [63.51] [TB]
The
violin sound lacks warmth and body. A pity,
since Mackerras brings plenty of attack
and drama with sensitive attention to details
of dynamic and some really distinguished
playing. ... see Full
Review
Johannes
BRAHMS
(1833-1897) Violin
Concerto in D Op.77 (1879) [34.29] Pyotr
Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Violin Concerto in D Op.35
(1880) [29.34]
Jascha Heifetz (violin) Chicago Symphony Orchestra/Fritz Reiner Recorded
Chicago, 1955 and 1957
BMG-RCA RED SEAL SACD 82876 67896 2
[64.16][JW]
Self-recommending
to Heifetz admirers but surely they have these performances already
and won’t need an SACD incarnation? ... see Full
Review
Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897)
Four-Hand Piano Music Vol. 14 Piano Quartet No. 2 in A major,
Op. 26 (arranged for piano duet - one piano, four hands) (1862) [45:52]
Five waltzes, from set of 16, Op. 39 (arranged for piano duo - two
pianos) (1865) [06:33]
Silke-Thora Matthies (piano) Christian Köhn (piano) rec. Clara-Wieck-Auditorium,
Sandhausen, Germany, 31 Oct-6 Nov 2000 DDD
NAXOS 8.554821 [52:24][MC]
Memorable
and sparkling performances from the winning combination and supreme
talents of Matthies and Köhn. ... see Full
Review
Benjamin
BRITTEN (1913-1976) Occasional Overture
(1946) [7.27] Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge, Op.10
(1937) [25.54]: (Introduction and Theme [1:57]; Adagio
[2:00]; March [1:09]; Romance [1:25]; Aria Italiana
[1:18]; Bourée Classique [1:36]; Wiener Waltzer
[2.48]; Moto Perpetuo [1.12]; Funeral March [3.32]; Chant
[1.35]; Fugue and Finale [7.24]) Prelude and Fugue
for 18-part String Orchestra, Op.29: (1943) [9.49]: (Prelude:
Grave [3.49]; Fugue: Allegro energico [3.24]; Coda: Grave come prima
[2.37]) The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra,
Op.34 ‘Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Henry Purcell’
(1946) [16.39] (Theme [2:03]; Variation A – The Flutes [0:31];
Variation B – The Oboes [0:59]; Variation C – The
Clarinets [0:39]; Variation D – The Bassoons [0:54];
Variation E – The Violins [0:39]; Variation F –
The Violas [0:54]; Variation G – The Cellos [1:11];
Variation H – The Double Basses [1.02]; Variation I –
The Harp [0.48]; Variation J – The Horns [0.48]; Variation
K – The Trumpets [0.32]; Variation L – The Trombones
and Bass Tuba [0.59]; Variation M – Percussion [1.55];
Fugue [2.45])
English Chamber Orchestra (Variations and Prelude and Fugue),
London Symphony Orchestra (Occasional Overture and Young Person’s
Guide), Steuart Bedford Recorded in All Saints Church, East Finchley,
London in April 1992 (Variations and Prelude and fugue)
and at the Barbican Centre, London in April 1991 (Occasional Overture
and Young Person’s Guide) DDD
NAXOS 8.557200 [59.50][EM]
Another
spectacular and poetic Britten collection
ex-Collins courtesy of Naxos I wholeheartedly
recommend this disc. ... see Full
Review
Benjamin
BRITTEN (1913-1976)
Symphonic Suites: Gloriana, Op.52a () [27:06] (The
Tournament [4:36]; The Lute Song [5:13]; The Courtly Dances:
I – March [0:52]; II – Coranto [1:22]; III – Pavane
[2:45]; IV – Morris Dance [1:05]; V – Galliard [2:00];
VI – Lavolta [1:25]; VII – March [0:57]; Gloriana
Moritura [6:51]) Four Sea Interludes and Passacaglia from
Peter Grimes, Op.33 [24:29] (I – Dawn [4:00];
II – Sunday Morning [3:59]; III – Moonlight [4:26];
IV – Storm [4:25]; Passacaglia [7:38]) Sinfonia
da Requiem, Op.20 [20:17] (I – Lacrymosa [8:46]; II
– Dies Irae [5:23]; III – Requiem Aeternam [6:08])
London Symphony Orchestra/Steuart Bedford Recorded in Abbey Studio
1, London, 15-17 July 1989 DDD
NAXOS 8.557196 [72.03] [EM]
Another
excellent Britten disc from Steuart Bedford
and the LSO on Naxos ... see Full
Review
Benjamin
BRITTEN (1913-1976)
Folk Song Arrangements – 2 Eight
Folk Song Arrangements for High Voice and
Harp [18:43]: (Lord! I married me
a wife [1:16]; She’s like a swallow
[2:43]; Bonny at morn [1:26];
Lemady [3:16]; Bugeilio’r Gwenith
Gwyn [2:20]; Dafydd y Garreg Wen
[3:04]; The False Knight upon the
Road [3:40]; Bird Scarer’s Song [0:56])
The Holly and the Ivy [3:18] King
Herod and the Cock [2:05] The Twelve
Apostles [6:10] The Bitter Withy
[5:08] Orchestral Arrangements [30:32]:
(Le roi s’en va-t’en chasse [2:13];
Fileuse [1:38]; Eho! Eho! [1:49];
La belle est un jardin d’amour [2:29];
Quand j’étais chez mon père
[1:52]); The Salley Gardens [2:49];
Little Sir William [2:52]; The
Bonny Earl o’Moray [2:38]; O can
ye sew cushions? [2:14]; Oliver Cromwell
[0:40]; The Plough Boy [ 1:58];
O Waly, Waly [3:22]; Come you
not from Newcastle [1:11]; The Salley
Gardens [2:43]
Philip Langridge, tenor (1-8, 10-12,
19-16); Osian Ellis, harp (1-8); Margaret
Feaviour, soprano (9); Judith Harris, mezzo
(9); Vernon Kirk, tenor (9); Graham Titus,
baritone (9); BBC Singers (Simon Joly) (9);
Wenhaston Boys Choir/Christopher Barnett
(10-12); David Owen Norris, piano (10-12);
Thomas Allen, baritone (13-18); Northern
Sinfonia/Steuart Bedford (13-26). rec. London,
Snape, Newcastle, January-June 1995. DDD
NAXOS 8.557222 [66.13] [EM]
Recommended
to any fan of folksong, or of Britten’s
always fascinating and brilliant, if occasionally
a little strange, music! ... see Full
Review
Salvador
BROTONS (b. 1959) Guitar Concerto Mare
Nostrum op. 78 (1999) [27:08] Sonata-Concertino for trombone,
strings, piano and percussion op. 82 (2000?) [15:25] Flute Concerto
op. 72 (1996) [23:10] Fantasia for horn and strings Op. 12 (1976)
[8:16]
Àlex Garrobé (guitar) Ricardo Casero (trombone) Daniel
Espasa (piano) Magdalena Martínez (flute) David Thompson (horn)
Orquestra Simfònica de Barcelona i Nacional de Catalunya/Salvador
Brotons rec. Auditori de Sant Cugat, Barcelona, May 2004. DDD
HARMONIA MUNDI HMI 987055 HDE [74:00][RB]
I
am glad I heard the music on this disc and
am happy to recommend it for its poetry and
high spirits. ... see Full
Review
Anton
BRUCKNER (1824-1896)
Symphony
No. 8 in C minor (1884-7, revised 1890, ed.
Robert Haas) [85:45]
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Amsterdam/Bernard
Haitink rec. live, Concertgebouw, Amsterdam,
18, 20 February 2005. DSD
RCO LIVE RCO 05003 [61:01 + 24:44] [JQ]
A
reading of nobility and integrity. A very
fine achievement indeed graced by superb playing.
... see Full
Review
Anton
BRUCKNER
(1824 - 1896) String
Quintet in f (original 1878 version) [43.04]
Franz SCHMIDT
(1874 - 1939) Piano Quintet in G (1926,
arr. Wührer) [33.43]
Vienna Philharmonia Quintet: Wolfgang
Poduschka, Alfred Staar, vv; Josef Staar,
Helmut Weis (Bruckner only), vlas; Wolfgang
Herzer, vc; Eduard Mrazek, piano (Schmidt
only) Recorded in the Sofiensaal, Vienna,
Austria, April 1974 ADD Notes in English.
DECCA ELOQUENCE 476 2455 [76.49] [PSh]
Excellent
performances and recordings of two very worthwhile
but unfamiliar works. The sound is exceptional,
at its best approaching SACD quality. ...
see Full
Review
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