Alessandro
SCARLATTI (1660
- 1725) Messa per il SS.mo Natale, 1707 [Ad
Introitum] Bernardo PASQUINI (1637
- 1710) Pastorale (organ) [04:49] Alessandro
SCARLATTI Beata mater, motetto a 4 voci [04:22] plainchant
[Introito] Dominus dixit ad me [02:05] Alessandro
SCARLATTI Kyrie [04:32] Gloria [11:25] plainchant
[Prophetia] Lectio Epistolae beati Pauli Apostoli ad Titum
[01:30] Bernardo PASQUINI [Canzon
dopo l'Epistola] Fantasia (organ) [02:27] plainchant
Alleluia [02:22] [Evangelium] In illo tempore: Exit edictum
a Caesare Augusto [02:17] Alessandro SCARLATTI
Credo [08:35] [Ad Offertorium] Bernardo
PASQUINI Ricercare (organ) [04:01] O benedicte Jesu, motetto
(alto a basso continuo) [06:58] Alessandro
SCARLATTI Sanctus [01:37] plainchant
Benedictus [00:35]
Alessandro SCARLATTI/plainchant Agnus
Dei [02:42] [Ad Communionem] Bernardo
PASQUINI Canzona alla francese
(organ) [01:27] Francesco
FOGGIA (1604-1688) Congaudete jubilate,
motetto per soprano, 2 violini e basso continuo
[04:46] [Ad Finem] plainchant
Ite missa est [00:46] Bernardo
PASQUINI Toccata (organ) [01:52]
Ensemble vocale Festina Lente (Teresa Nesci,
Roberta Giua, Monica Piccininni, soprano;
Alessandro Carmignani, Gianluigi Ghiringhelli,
alto; Gianluca Ferrarini, Fabio Furnari, tenor;
Walter Testolin, Enrico Bava, bass) 
I Musici di Santa Pelagia (Michele Balma
Mion, Paola Nervi, violin; Daniele Bovo, cello;
Roberto Bevilacqua, viola da gamba, double
bass; Elena Cicinskaite, theorbo) Schola Gregoriana;
Maurizio Fornero, organ Dir: Michele Gasbarro
Recorded in 2002/3 at the Imperia House Recording
Studio, Italy
STRADIVARIUS STR 33646 [69:19]
[JV]
The
liturgical music by Alessandro Scarlatti hasn't
been given much attention - it is more conservative
in style than his oratorios or cantatas, but
well worth exploring, in particular with an
outstanding recording like this ... see Full
Review
Alessandro
SCARLATTI
(1660-1725) San
Casimiro, Rè di Polonia (1705?)
Olga Pasiiecznik (soprano) – Royal Pomp Jacek
Laszczkowski (counter-tenor) – Profane Love
Anna Mikolajczyk (soprano) - Chastity Marcin
Ciszewski (counter-tenor) - Humility
Krzysztof Szmyt (tenor) – Saint Casimir
Jaroslaw Bręk (bass, as part of closing
chorus along with the soloists) Zbigniew Pilch,
Marek Skuza (1st violin), Dymitr
Olszewski, Agnieszka Wolińska (2nd
violin), Piotr Rzeczycki (viola), Mark Caudle
(cello), Tomasz Iwanek (double-bass), Katarzyna
Tomczak (harpsichord), Anton Biroulia (theorbo)
Jerzy Żak (lute and conductor)
Recorded Nawiedzenia Church, Warsaw, April-May
1999
ACTE PRÉALABLE AP0025 [56:45] [GPu]
A
première recording of an interesting
oratorio, in a very enjoyable performance
... see Full
Review
Music
of Tribute, Volume 4: Scarlatti Domenico
SCARLATTI (1685-1757)
Sonata in G major, L 486 [4:53] Jean
FRANCAIX (1912-1997) Hommage à
Scarlatti [3:22] Domenico
SCARLATTI (1685-1757) Sonata in
B minor, L 33 [5:53] Marcelle
de Manziarly (1899-1989) Hommage
à Scarlatti [1 :19] Domenico
SCARLATTI (1685-1757) Sonata in
B flat major, L 396 [3:52] Vlastimir
NIKOLOVSKI (1925-2001) Sonata in
G [2:37] Domenico
SCARLATTI (1685-1757) Sonata in
C minor, L 360 [2:47] Charles-Valentin
ALKAN (1813-1888) Duettino (alla
D. Scarlatti) [1:51] Domenico
SCARLATTI (1685-1757) Sonata in
D major, L 415 [5:26] Raymond
LEWENTHAL (1926-1988) Toccata alla
Scarlatti [4:18] Domenico
SCARLATTI (1685-1757) Sonata in
A minor, L 314 [3:12] Marc-André
Hamelin (b.1961) Essercizio per
pianoforte [4:58] Domenico
SCARLATTI (1685-1757) Sonata in
F major, L 432 [6:20] Leopold
GODOWSKY (1870-1938) Concert-Allegro
[5:18] Domenico SCARLATTI
(1685-1757) Sonata in E major, L 21 [5:42]
Walter STEFFENS
(b.1934) Hommage à Scarlatti [4 :01]
György KURTÁG
(b.1926)
Hommage à D.S.
Viktoria Lakissova (piano) Recorded in
Sendesaal Radio Bremen, Bremen, June 2004
LABOR RECORDS LAB 7077 [66:37] [GPu]
A
well-played, thought-provoking and entertaining
anthology of pieces by – and in homage to
– Domenico Scarlatti. Warmly recommended …
see Full
Review
Arnold SCHOENBERG
(1874-1951) Friede auf Erden op. 13 (1911)
[9'54]; Farben op. 16 no. 3 (1909) [4'09]; Drei Volksliedsätze
(1929) [9'24]; Friede auf Erden op. 13 (1907) [9'33]; Kammersymphonie
für 15 solo-instrumente op.9 (1914) [20'26]; Verbundenheit op.
35 no. 6 (1930) [2'36]; Dreimal tausend Jahre op.50A (1949) [2'52];
De Profundis op. 59B (1950) [5.16]
Accentus Chamber Choir/Laurence Equilbey Ensemble Intercontemporain/Jonathan
Nott (Op. 9) rec. August 2002, Paris (Accentus); March 2005, Paris (Op.
9) DDD NAÏVE V5008 [64'07][AO]
Another
fascinating exploration by Accentus – superbly blended harmonies of
great sophistication ... see Full
Review
Franz
SCHUBERT
(1797-1828) Octet
in F major, D803 (1824) [63’30]
Mullova Ensemble: Viktoria Mullova, Adrian
Chamorro (violins); Erich Krüger (viola),
Manuel Fischer-Dieskau (cello); Klaus Stoll
(double bass), Pascal Moraguès (clarinet);
Marco Postinghel (bassoon), Guido Corti (horn)
Recorded at Polling im Innkreis, Austria (no
date)
ONYX 4006 [63’30] [TH]
To
my ears while faultlessly played it fatally
lacks in any sort of geniality or grace ...
see Full
Review
Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
Mass
No. 6 in E flat major, D950 (1825?)
Gundula Janowitz (soprano); Grace Hoffmann
(alto); Albert Gassner (tenor); Waldemar Kmentt
(tenor); Franz Crass (bass) Chor und Symphonie-Orchester
des Bayerischen Rundfunks/Rafael Kubelik rec.
live 22 March 1968, Herkülesaal der Residenz,
Munich. SACD
AUDITE 92.541 [53:46] [JQ]
Anyone
who doesn’t have a version of this work in
his or her collection could do far worse than
invest in this recording. ... see Full
Review
Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
Winterreise
D911 Dietrich
Fischer-Dieskau, baritone Alfred Brendel, piano The Rehearsal (bonus
documentary) Rec.: 1979, Siemensvilla, Berlin, Germany. Sound format:
LPCM stereo Picture format: 4:3 Picture standard: NTSC Region code:
0 Subtitles: GB, D, F, I, E
TDK DVWW-COWINT
[73:00 (Winterreise); 56:00 (The Rehearsal)] [KM]
A
must-have DVD for fans of Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
and Schubert’s lieder ... see Full
Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
Poets
of Sensibility - Vol 3: Der Tod und
das Mädchen; Der Leidende (3rd
version) Totengräberlied; Die
Mutter Erde; Der Liedende (2nd
version); Die Nonne; Täglich
zu singen; Klage (D371); Stimme
der Liebe; Seufzer; An eine
Quelle; An die Apfelbäume;
Die frühe Liebe; An den Mond;
Abendlied; Klage (D436); Auf
den Tod einer Nachtigall D201 and D399);
Auf dem Wasser zu singen; Lied in
der Abwesenheit; Der Liebende;
Minnelied; Der Traum; Seligkeit.
Wolfgang Holzmair (baritone) Ulrich Eisenlohr
(piano) rec. Munich, 30 November-5 December
2004. DDD
NAXOS 8.557568 [60:59] [AO]
Highly
recommended for Holzmair’s lyrical, naturalistic
style – the best disc in this series by far,
good enough for experienced collectors to
seek out ... see Full
Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
Impromptus
D.899[28:35], Impromptus D.935 [33:54] SCHUBERT/Franz
LISZT (1811-1886) Song transcriptions:
Ständchen S.560/7 [05:12], Auf dem Wasser
zu singen S.558/2 [03:51], Erlkönig S.558/4
[04:28]
Murray Perahia (piano) rec. 22-23 November
1982, Vanguard Studios, New York City (D.899),
18 December 1980, Columbia 30th
Street Studio, New York City (D.935], 27-28
November and 1-2 December 1998, Lyndhurst
Hall, Air Studios, Hampstead, London (Schubert/Liszt)
SONY CLASSICAL SK 94732 [76:25] [CH]
One
of the most beautiful piano records ever made.
... see Full
Review
Robert
SCHUMANN (1810-1856)
Piano
Sonata No. 1 in F sharp minor, Op. 11 (1833-35)
[32:11] * Piano Sonata No. 2 in G minor, Op.
22 (1833-38) [17:42] Papillons, Op. 2 (1828-31)
[13:46] Three Romances, Op. 28 (1839) [13:54]
Catherine Collard, piano Recorded Salon Honnorat,
Cite Universitaire, Paris, March 1978 Recording
Location/Dates Not Identified *
WARNER APEX 2564 61797-2 [78:04] [DS]
Compelling
music-making fully possessing Schumann’s gorgeous
musical lines, impetuosity and contrast of
action/enlightenment ... see Full
Review
Heinrich
SCHÜTZ (1585-1672)
Symphoniae Sacrae I (1629) CD 1 Domine, labia mea aperies (SWV 271)
[04:32] Cantabo Domino in vita mea (SWV 260) [04:28] Fili mi, Absalon
(SWV 269) [06:28] Paratum cor meum, Deus (SWV 257) [03:30] Anima mea
liquefacta est (1. Pars) (SWV 263) [04:20] Adjuro vos, filiae Jerusalem
(2. Pars) (SWV 264) [04:11] Jubilate Deo omnis terra (SWV 262) [05:48]
In lectulo per noctes (1. Pars) (SWV 272) [04:49] In venerunt me custodes
civitatis (2. Pars) (SWV 273) [04:48] O quam tu pulchra es (1. Pars)
(SWV 265) [04:03] Veni de Libano (2. Pars) (SWV 266) [04:06] In te,
Domine, speravi (SWV 259) [05:18] CD 2 Benedicam Dominum in omni tempore
(1. Pars) (SWV 267) [03:23] Exquisivi Dominum (2. Pars) (SWV 268) [03:15]
Attendite, popule meus (SWV 270) [08:06] Venite ad me omnes qui laboratis
(SWV 261) [07:15] Veni, dilecte mi (SWV 274) [05:34] Exultavit cor meum
in Domino (SWV 258) [04:30] Buccinate in neomenia tuba (1. Pars) (SWV
275) [03:23] Jubilate Deo (2. Pars) (SWV 276) [02:51]
Barbara Borden, Nele Gramß (soprano), Rogers Covey-Crump (counter-tenor),
John Potter, Douglas Nasrawi (tenor), Harry van der Kamp (bass) Concerto
Palatino: (Bruce Dickey, Doron David Sherwin, cornett, cornetto muto;
Johani Listo, trumpet; Peter Van Heyghen, Marcel Ketels, recorder; Thomas
Albert, Irmgard Schaller, violin; Charles Toet, Sue Addison, Harry Ries,
Wim Becu, trombone; Bernhard Junghänel, Regina Sanders, Birgit Siefer,
curtal; Stephen Stubbs, chitarrone; Klaus Eichhorn, organ) rec. October,
November 1991, Doopsgezinde Kerk, Haarlem, The Netherlands. DDD
ACCENT ACC 30078 [57:38 + 38:50][JV]
Splendid
performances of one of Schütz's most important collections of sacred
concertos - a most welcome reissue ... see Full
Review
Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH
(1906-1975) Symphony No.11 in G minor, op.103,
“The Year 1905” (1957) (I. Adagio (The Palace Square) [15:18]; II. Allegro
(The 9th of January) [19:46]; III. Adagio (Eternal Memory)
[15:19]; IV. Allegro non troppo (The Tocsin) [15:22])
Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano Giuseppe Verdi/Oleg Caetani Recorded live
at the Auditorium di Milano, Italy in March 2003
ARTS 47676-8 
[66:15][GPJ]
As
a live experience, it may well have been something very special; as
a recording intended for repeated hearings, it isn’t really competitive.
... see Full Review
Dmitri
SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975)
Concerto
for Piano, Trumpet and Strings in C minor, Op. 35a (1933)
[23'05]. Concertino for Two Pianos in A minor, Op. 94 (1953, arr. piano/chamber
orchestra Ilya Dimov) [9'48]. Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2
in F, Op. 102 (1957) [18'36].
Florian Uhlig (piano); aPeter Leiner (trumpet) SWR Radio
Symphony Orchestra Kaiserlautern/Jirí Stárek. rec. SWR
Studio Kaiserlautern, 2002-2004. DDD
HÄNSSLER CLASSIC CD93.113 [51'27] [CC]
Playing
time is low but the inclusion of the Concertino
arrangement makes this worth a listen. ...
see Full
Review
Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957)
Symphony No. 6 in D minor op. 104 [27:33] Symphony No. 4 in A minor
op. 63 [33:04] Royal
Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Thomas Beecham (6) BBC Symphony Orchestra/Sir
Thomas Beecham (4) rec. live, Royal Albert Hall, Prom, 15 Sept 1954
(6); Studio, Criterion Theatre, London, 4 Oct 1951 (4). mono. ADD Not
previously issued. Released in collaboration with the Sir Thomas Beecham
Trust in Support of the Scholarship Fund.
SOMM SOMM-BEECHAM 18 [61:23][JW]
The
finest Beecham Fourth that I know ... a Sixth no less fine and in much
better sound ... see Full Review
Jean
SIBELIUS
(1865-1957) The Legend of Jean Sibelius: Finlandia
(1899) [8'28]; Karelia Suite (1893) [17'09]; Violin Concerto
in D Minor (1903) [34'44]; The Oceanides (1914) [10'03]; Valse
Triste (1903) [4'42]; Andante Festivo (1922) [5'10]; En
Saga (1902) [18'03]; The Wood-Nymph (1894/5) [21'36]; Pohjola's
Daughter (1906) [13'10]; Tapiola (1926) [17'22]; Porilaisten
Marssi (1900) [2'14]
Raimo Laukka, (baritone), Leonidas Kavakos (violin) Lahti Symphony Orchestra/Osmo
Vänskä recorded 1990-2003 and 2005, Finland. DDD
BIS-CD-1557/58 [76'28 + 78'58][AO]
A
convenient collection of famous staples and lesser known versions
of old favourites by the pre-eminent Sibelius conductor of our time.
You can't go wrong with this. ... see Full
Review
Bedrich
SMETANA (1824-1884)
The
Bartered Bride (1866) Krusina - Neal Davies (baritone) Ludmila
- Yvonne Howard (mezzo) Marenka - Susan Gritton (soprano) Tobias Micha
- Geoffrey Moses (bass) Hata - Diana Montague (mezzo) Vasek - Timothy
Robinson (tenor) Kecal - Peter Rose (bass) Ringmaster - Robin Leggate
(tenor) Esmeralda - Yvette Bonner (soprano)
Royal Opera Chorus Philharmonia Orchestra/Sir Charles Mackerras
rec. 15-13 December 2004, Blackheath Concert Halls, London. DDD
CHANDOS CHAN 3128 [56.11 + 77.19] [TB]
Idiomatic
but not unbelievably eccentric. The whole
enterprise has much to commend it. The issue
revolves around the attitude towards ‘original
language’ and ‘opera in English’. ... see
Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Richard
STRAUSS (1864–1949)
Scenes from Salome and Elektra
Elektra (1909): Elektra’s Soliloquy:
Allein! Weh, ganz allein [9:34]; Recognition
Scene: Was willst du, fremder Mensch? [21:37];
Finale: Elektra! Schwester! Komm mit uns!
[9:42] Salome (1905): Dance
of the Seven Veils [9:04]; Final Scene: Ah!
Du wolltest mich micht deinen Mund [17:03]
Inge Borkh (soprano), Paul Schöffler
(baritone) (Elektra), Francis Yeend (soprano)
(Elektra), Chicago Lyric Theater Chorus (Elektra)
Chicago Symphony Orchestra/Fritz Reiner rec.
1956, 1954 and 1955. ADD
BMG-RCA LIVING STEREO 82876 67900 2 SACD [67:10]
[GF]
Don’t
miss this one! ... see Full
Review
Igor
STRAVINSKY
(1882-1971) The
Firebird (Suite, 1919 version) [19:16]
Petrushka (1947 version) [33:21] Fireworks,
op.4 (1908) [3:43]
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra/David Zinman
rec. Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, Baltimore,
Maryland, USA, March 6-7 1991
TELARC CD-80270 [56:36] [GPJ]
An
outstanding bargain. If you want a coupling
of these two great ballets, you’ll find it
hard to beat this one. ... see Full
Review
Karol
SZYMANOWSKI
(1882-1937) Piano Works
Volume 4 Nine
Preludes Op.1 (c.1896) [18:58] Variations
in B flat minor Op.3 (1901-3) [11:11] Mazurkas
Op.50 Nos. 17-20 (1924-5) [10:15] Two Mazurkas
Op.62 (1933-4) [5:44] Valse Romantique (1925)
[3:43] Piano Sonata No. 3 Op.36 (1917) [18:58]
Martin Roscoe (piano) Rec. Potton Hall,
Suffolk, UK in April 2003 DDD
NAXOS 8.557168 [68:51] [PCW]
Martin
Roscoe has proved a convincing exponent of
Szymanowski’s music ... see Full
Review
Sir
John TAVENER (b.
1944) Schuon
Lieder (2004) [62:19]
Patricia Rozario (soprano) Gillian McDonagh (Tibetan temple bowls) The
Schubert Ensemble Rec. 24-26 November 2004, St Michael’s Church, Highgate,
London. DDD BLACK BOX
BBM1101 [62:19] [ABi]
Overall
a must for fans of Tavener, but equally an
important work that is well worth exploring
further. ... see Full
Review
Peter
Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893)
David
Oistrakh Collection, Volume 6 Piano Trio in A minor, Op. 50a
(1881/2) [46'12]; Souvenir d'un lieu cher, Op. 42 (1878) – No.
1, Méditation in D minorb [9'24]; Valse-Scherzo,
Op. 34b (1877) [5'20]; Sérénade mélancholique in B
minor, Op. 26c (1875) [10'00].
David Oistrakh (violin) aSviatoslav
Knushevitsky (cello); aLev Oborin, bVladimir Yampolsky
(pianos) cUSSR
State Symphony Orchestra/Kyril Kondrashin. From Melodiya aD15696/707,
bD393/4, cD12982/5 rec. aMarch 1st
& 4th, 1948, b1948, c1945. ADD
DOREMI LEGENDARY TREASURES DHR7742 [71'03][CC]
A
joy to encounter performances of such character as these ... A fascinating
release from a company whose catalogue is of major historic importance.
... see Full Review
Peter Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY
(1840-1893) The
Seasons, Op. 37b (1875-76) – No. 6, Barcarolle in G minor
(June) [5'14]; Morceaux, Op. 19 – No. 4, Nocturne in D minorb
(1873) [5'24]; Trio in A minor, Op. 50 (1881-82) [48'08]; Sérénade
mélancolique in B minor, Op. 26a (1875) [10'43]
Boris Berezovsky (piano);
aDmitri Makhtin (violin); bAlexander Kniazev (cello)
Rec. live at La Roque d'Anthéron, 10 August 2004. Director: Andy
Sommer. LPCM Stereo 2.0. DTS 5.1. Dolby Digital 5.1. Region Code 0.
PAL players only. DVD-9. NAÏVE
DR2115 AV 103 [69'29] [CC]
Another
excellent DVD from this source. Almost as
much a joy to watch as they are to listen
to, thanks to the near-miraculous picture
clarity. ... see Full
Review
Pyotr
Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY
(1840-1893) Variations
on a Rococo Theme, for cello and orchestra,
Op. 33 (edited by Wilhelm Fitzenhagen) (1876)
[21.21] Romances:* The Exploit [03.25];
I opened the window [01.22]; Nocturne
in D minor, Op.19, No. 4 (arranged by Tchaikovsky
from piano piece, Op. 19 No. 4 (1873) for
cello and small orchestra) [05.16] Romances:*
Not a word… my friend [02.49]; Why?
[03.25]; Alone again as before [02.20];
Don’t ask [02.09] Andante cantabile
in D minor (second movement of String Quartet
No. 1, Op. 11 (1871) arranged by Tchaikovsky
for cello and string orchestra) [08.01] Romances:*
Lullaby in a storm [02.17]; No!
there was only one who knew [02.28]; Lullaby
[04.56]; Does the day reign [03.26]
*Various songs arranged for cello and orchestra
by Evgeni Stetsuk
Alexander Kniazev, cello Moscow Chamber Orchestra/Constantine
Orbelian rec. Great Hall, Moscow Conservatory,
Russia, 14-16 May 2005. DDD
WARNER CLASSICS 2564-62061-2 [63.43] [MC]
Warners
have a winning formula in these cello-centric and highly melodic Tchaikovsky
scores and transcriptions. A really desirable disc. ... see Full
Review
Pyotr
Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893)
Eugene
Onegin (1879) [141.43]
Nuccia Focile – Tatiana (soprano) Dimitri Hvorostovsky – Eugene Onegin
(baritone) Sarah Walker – Madame Larina (mezzo) Olga Borodina – Olga
(mezzo) Irina Arkhipova – Filipyevna (contralto) Neil Shicoff – Lensky
(tenor) Alexander Anisimov – Prince Gremin (bass) Francis Egerton –
Monsieur Triquet (tenor) Herve Hennequin – A captain (baritone) Sergei
Zadvorny – Zaretsky St. Petersburg Chamber Choir Orchestre de Paris/Semyon
Bychkov Recorded 1993
PHILIPS 475 7017 [70.36 + 71.07][RH]
I
have no hesitation a recommending this recording, especially as you
can get the set - complete with libretto - for around £18 ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Georg
Philipp TELEMANN
(1681-1767) Pastorelle
en Musique – opera/serenata (c.1712-21)
Caliste – Doerthe Maria Sandmann (soprano)
Iris – Barbara Fink (mezzo) Damon – Mathias
Hausmann (tenor) Amyntas – Lydia Vierlinger
(alto) Knirfx – Bernhard Berchtold (tenor)
Capella Leopoldina/Kirill Karabits Recorded
in concert, May 2005
CAPRICCIO
71 054/55 [62.48 + 43.01] [JW]
A
most worthwhile discovery presented with real
élan and scholarly intelligence ...
One of the best Capriccio releases I’ve reviewed
... see Full
Review
Georg Philipp
TELEMANN (1681-1767)
Heilig,
heilig, heilig ist Gott - Oratorio
(1747) Monika Mauch, soprano Ralf Popken,
altus Andreas Post, tenor Albrecht Pöhl,
bass Hanoversche Hofkapelle
Trompeten Consort Friedemann Immer Collegium
vocale Siegen/Ulrich Stötzel rec. 21-22
October 2004, Martinikirche, Siegen, Germany.
HÄNSSLER CD-98489[77:49] [KS]
A
fine performance though with reservations
about some of the singing ... much lovely
music to discover here. ... see Full
Review
Ludwig THUILLE
(1861-1907)
Piano
Concerto in D major (1882) [37:16] Symphony
in F major (1885) [41:27]
Oliver Treindl (piano) Orchestra Haydn
di Bolzano e Trento/Alun Francis rec. Auditorium
Konzerthaus J Haydn, Bozen, 3-6 June 2003,
7-9 June 2004. DDD
CPO 777 008-2 [78:47] [RB]
Splendid
and enthusiastic performances of unfamiliar
but pleasing works. If you like the Schumann
and Brahms you will find this disc delightful.
... see Full
Review
Michael TIPPETT
(1905
- 1998) The
Heart’s Assurance (1950) [18.04]; Boyhood’s
End (1943)[12.37]; Music (1960) [3.28]; Songs
for Ariel (1961) [5.13] Benjamin
BRITTEN (1913 - 1976) Canticle
1 (1947) [7.37] Henry
PURCELL (1659 - 1695)
If music be the food of love [2.03]; Music
for a while [3.23]; Sweeter than roses [3.28];
An evening hymn [3.54]; Epithalamium [2.41];
What shall I do [1.34];’Twas within a furlong
of Edinburgh Town [2.14]; Ah! How Sweet it
is to Love [1.55]; I attempt from Love’s Sickness
[1.51] Pelham HUMFREY
(1647 - 1674) A Hymn to God the
Father [2.45]
John Mark Ainsley (tenor) Ian Burnside (piano)
rec. The Warehouse, London, 29, 31 March,
1 April 2005
SIGNUM RECORDS SIGCD066 [72.46] [RH]
This
is a lovely CD and shows Ainsley’s vocal talents off well. ... see Full
Review
Mark-Anthony
TURNAGE (b.
1960) This Silence (1992/3) [15:35] True Life Stories
(1995/9)a [12:56] Slide Stride (2002)b [13:02]
Two Baudelaire Songs (2004)c [10:23] Eulogy (2003)d
[9:56] Two Vocalises (2002)e [5:40] Cantilena (2001)f
[10:45] Sally Matthews
(soprano)c; The Nash Ensemble; Ian Brown (piano)abe;
Gareth Hulse (oboe)f; Lawrence Power (viola)d;
Paul Watkins (cello)e; Lionel Friend rec. Henry Wood Hall,
London, October 2004
ONYX 4005 [78:34]
Some
have described Turnage’s music as brash or vulgar. His chamber music
is all subtlety and refinement. A splendid and highly rewarding release.
... see Full Review
Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901) Nabucco
(1842) Ambrogio Maestri
(baritone) - Nabucco; Andrea Gruber (soprano) - Abigaille; Paata Burchuladze
(bass) - Zaccaria; Nazzarno Antinori (tenor) - Ismaele; Nino Surguladze
(soprano) - Fenena; Carlo Striuli (bass) - High Priest; Enzo Peroni
(tenor) - Abdallo SONICS acrobatic dance group Coro del Teatro Municipale
di Piacenza Orchestra della Fondazione Arturo Toscanini/Daniel Oren.
Rec. live at the Teatro Municipale di Piazenza in 2004. Stage Director
and Design Paolo Panizza. Picture format 16:9. Region Code: 0. Sound
format PCM Stereo. Dolby Digital 5.1.DTS 5.1.
ARTHAUS 101 241 [130'00][CC]
Very
strongly recommended from just about all angles. ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901)
La Traviata (original
version of the premiere at La Fenice, 6 March
1853). Patrizia Ciofi (soprano) Violetta Valéry;
Dmitri Hvorostovsky (baritone) Giorgio Germont;
Roberto Saccà (tenor) Alfredo Germont;
Eufemia Tufamo (mezzo) Flora Bervoix; Elisabetta
Martorana (soprano) Annina; Salvatore Cordella
(tenor) Gastone; Andrea Porta (baritone) Baron
Douphol; Federico Sacchi (bass) Doctor Grenvil;
Vito Priante (baritone) d'Obigny; Luca Favaron
(tenor) Giuseppe
Chorus and Orchestra of the Teatro La Fenice/Lorin
Maazel. rec. live at the Teatro La Fenice,
Venice, 18 November 2004. Director Robert
Carsen. TDK
DV-OPLTLF [146'00] [CC]
A
thought-provoking and excellent Traviata in the original 1853 version.
The more one watches, the more it emerges as rich, rewarding and challenging.
A simply fantastic DVD. ... see Full
Review
Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901) Rigoletto
(1851) [113:05]
Robert Merrill (baritone) – Rigoletto; Anna Moffo (soprano) – Gilda;
Alfredo Kraus (tenor) – Duke of Mantua; Rosalind Elias (mezzo) – Maddalena;
Ezio Flagello (bass) – Sparafucile; David Ward (bass) – Count Monterone;
Anna Di Stasio (mezzo) – Giovanna; Piero Di Palma (tenor) – Borsa; Robert
Kerns (baritone) – Marullo; Mario Rinaudo (baritone) – Count Ceprano;
Corinna Vozza (soprano) – Countess Ceprano; Tina Toscano (soprano) –
A Page; Enzo Titta (baritone) – A Herald RCA Italiana Opera Orchestra
and Chorus/Georg Solti Recorded June 1963 at RCA Italiana Studios, Rome,
Italy. ADD BMG-RCA
RED SEAL 82876 70785 2 [53:33 + 59:32][GF]
The
most moving portrayal of Rigoletto ever committed to disc and the
voice I always imagine when talking or just thinking of Rigoletto.
... see Full Review
David
del TREDICI
(b.1937) Paul
Revere’s Ride (2005) [33'10] Christopher
THEOFANIDIS (b.1967) The Here and Now (2005) [10'05]
Leonard BERNSTEIN (1918-1990) Lamentation
from Symphony No.1 Jeremiah (1943) [29'55] Hila Plitmann
(soprano), Nancy Maultsby (mezzo); Richard Clement (tenor), Brett Polegato
(baritone) Atlanta Symphony
Chorus and Orchestra/Robert Spano rec. Symphony Hall, Woodruff Arts
Center, Atlanta, 14-15 May 2005. DDD
TELARC CD 80638 [73’18] [TH]
With
superb sound, this disc can be confidently recommended to those who
like their choral music devoid of spurious modernism. ... see Full
Review
Joaquín
TURINA (1882-1949) Piano
Music vol. 2 Romantic Sonata on a Spanish
Theme Op.3 (1909) [20:28] Fantasy Sonata Op.59 (1930) [12:34] Magical Corner – Parade in sonata form Op.97 (1941-6) [24:00] Concerto
without Orchestra Op.88 (1935) [10:45] Jordi
Masó (piano) rec. Jafre, Spain. July 2004. DDD
NAXOS 8.557438
[67:47][PCW/JW]
Patrick
Waller: Turina’s sonatas deserve the wider audience they will gain from
this disc; Jonathan
Woolf: Maso proves an adept interpreter. I’ve encountered him before
in this series and he is sure-footed and not inclined to exaggeration.
... see Full Review
Ralph
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS
(1872-1958) Toward the Unknown Region (1907)
[11’39] Willow-Wood (1909) [13’55] The Voice of the Whirlwind
(1947) [5’15] Five Variants of Dives and Lazarus (1939) [11’38]
The Sons of Light (1951) [19’24]
Roderick Williams (baritone) Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir and
Orchestra/David Lloyd-Jones rec. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. 20 Feb,
8 May 2005. DDD NAXOS
8.557798 [61’51][TH][CH]
Tony
Haywood: A hugely enjoyable release, intelligently
programmed and with high production values
... Christopher Howell: The last major RVW
gap filled, plus a work appearing on CD for
the first time. ... see Full
Reviews
Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS
(1872-1958)
Songs
of Travel (words by Robert Louis Stevenson) [24:03]: (The Vagabond
[3:24]; Let Beauty awake [1:57]; The Roadside Fire [2:17];
Youth and Love [3:34]; In Dreams [2:18]; The Infinite
Shining Heavens [2:15]; Whither must I wander? [4:14]; Bright
is the ring of words [2:10]; I have trod the upward and the downward
slope [1:54]) The House of Life (words by Dante Gabriel Rossetti)
[26:27]: (Love-sight [4:29]; Silent Noon [4:09]; Love’s
Minstrels [5:21]; Heart’s Haven [3:46]; Death in Love
[4:28]; Love’s Last Gift [4:15])Linden Lea (words
by W Barnes) [2:44] Four Poems by Fredegond Shove [13:53]: (Motion
and Stillness [2:01]; Four Nights [3:33]; The New Ghost
[5:15]; The Water Mill [3:04])
Roderick Williams (baritone)
Ian Burnside (piano) Recorded in Potton Hall,
Suffolk, 27-29 August 2004. DDD
NAXOS ENGLISH SONG SERIES 8.557643 [67.07]
[EM]
I
was tremendously impressed by this disc, which
exceeded the very high expectations I had
entertained. The singing is outstanding –
deeply intelligent, powerful and highly-charged.
... see Full
Review
Francesco
Maria VERACINI
(1690-1768) Sonata
No.1 in G minor, from Sonate a violino
solo e basso, Op.1 (1721) [17:58] Sonata
No.5 in C major, from Sonate a violino,
o flauto solo, e basso, (1716) [10:44]
Sonata No.1 in D major, from Dissertazioni…sopra
l’opere quinta del Corelli (?1760) [11:50]
Sonata No.6 in A major, from Sonate accademiche,
Op.2 (1744) [20:42]
John Holloway (violin), Jaap ter Linden
(cello), Lars Erik Mortensen (harpsichord)
rec. Propstei St. Gerold, Germany, September
2003
ECM NEW SERIES 1889 476 7055 [61:48] [GPu]
Early
and late sonatas by Veracini vivaciously and
sensitively performed, and well recorded ...
see Full
Review
Giuseppe
VERDI
(1813-1901) Ave
Maria [6:49] In solitaria stanza [3:47] Nell’orror di notte oscura [3:47]
More, Elisa, lo stanco poeta [2:53] Non t’accostare all’urna [4:09]
Stornello [1:51] Il tramonto [3:25] Ad una stella [2:58] Il mistero
[4:25] Lo spazzacamino [2:31] Il poveretto [2:34] La seduzione [2:48]
Brindisi (1st version – autograph score) [2:11] Chi i bei
dì m’adduce ancora [2:44] L’esule [8:18] Brindisi (2nd version
– published edition) [2:13]
Dennis O’Neill, tenor Ingrid Surgenor, piano rec. 27-29 October 1997,
St. Silas’ Church, St. Silas’ Place, London. DDD
NAXOS 8.557778
[57:24][JR]
Highly
recommended. Fans of Verdi and of tenors as
well as people who just love good singing
will find this a worthy addition to their
collections. ... see Full
Review
Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901)
Attila
- Opera in a prologue and three acts
(1846) Libretto by Temistocle Solera after
Zacharias Werner’s play Attila, König
der Hunnen. First performed at the Teatro
La Fenice, Venice, 17 March 1846 Attila, King
of the Huns, Nicola Ghiuselev (bass); Ezio,
a Roman general, Lybomir Videnov (bar); Odabella,
daughter of the Lord of Aquileia, Marie Krikorian
(sop); Foresto, a knight of Aquiliea, Boiko
Zvetanov (ten); Uldino, a young Breton, Attila’s
slave, Boris Bogdanov (ten); Leone, an ancient
Roman, Plamen Hidjov (bass)
Sofia National Opera Chorus Sofia State Philharmonic
Orchestra/Vladimir Ghiaurov
No recording date or venue given. First published
by Delta Music, Frechen, Germany 1997. A digital
DDD recording
CAPRICCIO EDITION OPERA 51 201 [69.21
+ 40.57] [RF]
The
singing and conducting might pass muster for
one night in the theatre but they do not meet
the requirements for enjoyable repeated listening
at home ... see Full
Review
Giuseppe
VERDI
(1813-1901) La
Traviata - opera in three acts (1853) Libretto by Francesca
Maria Piave after Alexander Dumas’ play La dame aux camellias.
First performed at Teatro La Fenice, Venice, 6 March 1853
Violetta Valéry, Montserrat Caballé (sop); Flora, Dorothy Crebill (mezzo);
Annina, Nancy Stokes (sop); Alfredo Germont, Carlo Bergonzi (tenor);
Giorgio Germont, Sherrill Milnes (bar); Gastone, Fernando Iacopucci
(ten); Doctor Grenvil, Harold Enns (bass); Baron Douphol, Gene Boucher
(bar); Marquis d’Obigny, Thomas Jameson (bar) Giuseppe, Camillo Sforza
(ten) RCA Italiana Opera Orchestra and Chorus/Georges Prêtre rec. RCA
Italiana studios, Rome, Italy, June 1967 With CD Extra containing libretto
with English, German and French translations available via CD-ROM drive
with systems requirements of Windows 98 SE or higher, 64MB of RAM, CD-ROM
drive RCA RED SEAL
MASTERWORKS OPERA SERIES 82876 70778 2 [71.36 + 53.08][RJF]
I
hope that that this issue portends a policy of making available many
of the fine recorded operas that are to be found in that combined archive
including many recordings that have few, if any rivals ... see Full
Review
Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901)
La
forza del destino, Melodramma in four acts (1869) Revised
1869 version. Original libretto by Francesco Maria
Piave based on the novel ‘Don Alvaro, o La fuerza de sino’ by Angel
Perez de Saavedra, Duke of Rivas. First performed at the Imperial Italian
Theatre, St. Petersburg, 10 November 1862. This edition was withdrawn
from Italian Theatres in December 1863. Revised with additions to the
libretto by Antonio Ghislanzoni and first performed at La Scala, Milan,
27 February 1869 Marquis of Calatrava, Richard Vernon (bass); Donna
Leonora, his daughter, Leontyne Price (sop); Curra, her chambermaid,
Diane Kesling (sop); Don Alvaro, lover of Leonora and of Royal Inca
Indian descent, Giuseppe Giacomini (ten); Don Carlo of Vargas, Leonora’s
brother, Leo Nucci (bar); Preziosilla, Isolo Jones (mezzo); Fra Melitone,
Enrico Fissore (bass-bar); Padre Guardiano Bonaldo Giaiotti (bass);
Mastro Trabuco, muleteer, Anthony Laciura (ten); Alcade. James Courtney
(ten); Spanish military surgeon, John Darrenkamp (ten)
Metropolitan Opera Chorus
Metropolitan Opera Orchestra/James Levine. Production by John Dexter
using set designs by Eugene Berman for the 1952 Met production. Costumes
by Peter J Hall. Video director, Kirk Browning. Audio Producer, John
F. Pfeiffer rec. live Metropolitan Opera, New York, 24 March 1984 Picture
format: NTSC/Colour/4:3 Sound formats: PCM Stereo. DTS 5.1. DOLBY digital
5.1 Menu language English. Subtitles in Italian (original language),
English, German, French, Spanish and Chinese.
DEUTSCHE
GRAMMOPHON 000440 073 4076 GH [2 DVDs: 180:00] [RF]
This
evening at the Met was always going to be
special ... see Full
Review
Giuseppe
VERDI (1813–1901)
Otello
(1887) Giovanni Martinelli (tenor) – Otello; Elizabeth Rethberg
(soprano) – Desdemona; Lawrence Tibbett (baritone) – Iago; Nicholas
Massue (tenor) – Cassio; Thelma Votipka (mezzo) – Emilia; Giovanni Paltrinieri
(tenor) – Roderigo; Nicola Moscona (bass) – Lodovico; George Cehanovsky
(baritone) – Montano Chorus
and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera, New York/Ettore Panizza Recorded
at the New York Metropolitan Opera, 12 February 1938 Reissue Producer
and Restoration Engineer: Ward Marston
NAXOS 8.111018-19 [75:00 + 75:00] [JQ]
A
legendary performance that is essential listening
for all lovers of Verdi’s music and for all
who relish a head-on theatrical experience.
... see Full
Review
Heitor
VILLA-LOBOS (1887-1959) Bachianas
Brasileiras - complete CD1 [73:10] Bachianas
Brasileiras No. 1 for an orchestra of cellos (1930) [19:50] Bachianas
Brasileiras No. 2 for chamber orchestra (1930) [22:16] Bachianas
Brasileiras No. 3 for piano and orchestra (1938) [31:04] CD2 [40:42] Bachianas
Brasileiras No. 4 for orchestra (1930, 1941) [20:27] Bachianas Brasileiras
No. 5 for voice and eight cellos (1938, 1945) [10:59] Bachianas
Brasileiras No. 6 for flute and bassoon (1938) [9:07] CD3 [62:22] Bachianas
Brasileiras No. 7 for orchestra (1942) [27:26] Bachianas Brasileiras
No. 8 for orchestra (1944) [24:48] Bachianas Brasileiras
No. 9 for string orchestra (1944) [10:08]
Rosana Lamosa (sop); Jose Feghali (piano); Anthony La Marchina (cello);
Eric Gratton (flute); Cynthia Estill (bassoon) Nashville Symphony Orchestra/Kenneth
Schermerhorn; Andrew Mogrelia rec. 14 May 2005, 7, 21, 23 Mar 2004.
Ingram Hall, Blair School of Music, Vanderbilt University, Nashville,
Tennessee, USA. DDD
NAXOS 8.557460-462 [3 CDs: 73:10 + 40:42 + 62:22][GF]
Another
feather in Naxos’s well-filled hat.. a treasure
trove of wonderful and too little known music.
... see Full
Review
Antonio VIVALDI
(1678-1741) Recorder Concertos
Concerto
in G minor, RV 103 1,4,6 [10:25]
Concerto in D major, RV 92 2,5,6 [10:15]
Concerto in G minor, RV 105 1,2,4,5,6
[8:45] Concerto in D major, RV 94 1,2,4,5,6
[10:50] Concerto in A minor, RV 108 2,3,5,6
[8:25] Concerto in C major, RV 87 1,2,3,5,6
[8:20] Concerto in G major, RV 101 1,2,4,5,6
[9:41]
László Kecskeméti (recorder),
László Hadady (oboe)1,
Attila Falvay2 and Katalin Párkányi3
(violins), György Olajos4
(bassoon), György Kertész5
(cello), Borbála Dobozy6 (harpsichord)
rec. Phoenix Studios, Budapest, 24-27 July
2003
NAXOS 8.557215 [66:41] [GPu]
Very
enjoyable performances of music which is more
various and subtle than one might expect ...
see Full
Review
Vincent
William WALLACE (1812-1865)
To my Star, Celtic Romance
La Louisiana, Waltz (1842) [4.14] Music Murmurings in the Trees, Romance
(1851) [6.07] Mazurka, Étude (1858) [3.26] L'Absence et le Retour,
Romance suivre d'une Grande Polka Brillante (1856) [9.09] To My Star
A Mon Etoile, Romance (1844) [3.26] La Rapidité, Second Étude
de Salon (1853) [5.28] La Force, Third Étude de Salon (1853)
[6.46] A Flower of Poland (Une Fleur de Pologne), Mazurka (1862) [3.42]
Nocturne Dramatique, Grand Nocturne (1848) [6.09] The Empress L'Imperatrice,
Waltz (1844) [2.36] The Shepherd's Lament (La Plaints du Berger), Idylle
(1950) [3.50] Souvenir of Spain (El Nuevo Jaleo de Jerez), Danse Nationale
(1856) [5.50] The Bee and the Rose, Morceau de Salon (1844) [2.03] Valse
Militaire (1837) [3.26] La Cracovienne, Grand Fantasie and Variations
(1842) [11.49] Rosemary
Tuck, piano St Silas Church, Kentish Town, London, May 3-4th
2005 CALA CACD 88044
[79:00] [RW]
Affectionate
performances within a sumptuous acoustic.
Reveals the charm of Wallace’s melody lines,
interesting rhythms and swirling undercurrents
of energy. ... see Full
Review
Karl
WEIGL (1881-1949)
Symphony
No. 6 (1947) [39:01] Old Vienna (1939)
[19:48]
Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin/Thomas
Sanderling (symphony); Alun Francis (Old Vienna)
rec. 20-24 Jan 2004, Jesus Christus Kirche,
Berlin (Symphony; 6-7 Sept 2004, Haus des
Rundfunks, Großer Sendesaal des RBB,
Berlin. DDD
BIS-CD-1167 [59:42] [RB]
Fascinating
music though not totally compelling in either case but the symphonic
manner is there without a doubt. Weigl is an intriguing composer ...
see Full Review
Judith
WEIR
(b.1954) Blond Eckbert (1993-4) Libretto
by the composer after Ludwig Tieck
Blond Eckbert – Nicholas Folwell (baritone) Bertha – Ann-Marie Owens
(soprano) Walther/Hugo/Old Woman -Christopher Ventris (tenor) A Bird
– Nerys Jones (soprano) Chorus and Orchestra of English National Opera/Sian
Edwards Original recording from Channel 4 soundtrack to the 1994 film
Blond Eckbert NMC
ANCORA D106 [65’09][TH]
Whilst
this CD is most welcome it is a piece that
benefits from being seen and a DVD really
would be the ticket ... see Full
Review
Healy
WILLAN (1880-1968)
Prelude
and Fugue in c (1908) [11’36] Chorale Prelude on a Melody by Orlando
Gibbons (1950) [3’31] Introduction, Passacaglia and Fugue (1916) [19’35]
Aria from A Fugal Trilogy (1950) [2’14] Five Preludes on Plainchant
Melodies (1958) [19’31] Passacaglia and Fugue No 2 in e (1959) [12’48]
Prelude on ‘Aberystwyth’ (1956) [2’57] Epilogue (1908) [5’22]
Patrick Wedd, organ rec., Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste, Montréal,
Canada, 26-28 February 2002. DDD
NAXOS 8.557375 [77’39] [CB]
An
interesting collection, and given the price
is well worth having. ... see Full
Review
Władisław
ŻELEŃSKI
(1837-1921) Piano Works
1 Deux
Morceaux, Op. 63: Toccata [5:27]; Idylle in
B major [4:47] Ode to Youth. Solemn March,
Op. 51 [9:51] Solemn March in Honour of the
Immortal National Bard Adam Mickiewicz [11:01]
Two Mazurkas, ‘A Madame Sophie Menteur’, Op.
31: No. 1 in C sharp minor [4:10]; No. 2 in
A major [6:10] Sonata in E minor, Op. 20 [32:41]
Joanna Ławrynowicz (piano) Recorded in
Warsaw, 2004-5
ACTE PRÉALABLE APO124 [74:13] [GPu]
Not
music of great individuality or originality,
but there is much to enjoy for those fond
of the piano music of the Nineteenth Century
... see Full
Review
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