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Juan Bautista José CABANILLES (1644-1712) Tientos y Passacalles Tiento 7° tono por A la mi re [06:16] Passacalles de 1° tono [04:45] Corrente Italiana [04:04] Tiento 1° tono en tersio a modo de Italia [03:17] Duo 'El galan que ronda las calles' al Santisimo Sacramento a 2 y continuo [05:14] Tiento 2° tono, partido de dos Tiples por G sol re ut [06:50] Tiento Lleno 5° tono por B quadrado [02:30] Tocata de mano izquierda 5° tono [02:24] Tiento de falças, 1° tono [03:21] Pasacalles de 3ro tono [06:09] Tiento Lleno de 1° tono [08:01] Gallardas de 1° tono [06:22] Pasacalles de 4° tono [01:58] Villancico 'Mortales que amáis', tono al Santisimo Sacramento, a 4 y continuo [06:28] Pasacalles de 1° tono [02:09] Tiento Lleno 2° tono [03:59] Jan Willem Jansen (organ) Los Musicos de Su Alteza/Luis Antonio González rec. June, August 1998, San Pablo, Saragosa; Church of Cariñena, Spain, DDD HORTUS 013 [75:05] [JV]

An interesting and musically impressive recording of music by a composer who is not that well-known ... see Full Review

Marc-Antoine CHARPENTIER (1643-1704) Messe à 4 chœurs et 4 orchestres, H4 [35:58] Jacques BOYVIN (1646-1707) Fond d’orgue-1er Ton, 1er Livre [1:28] Fugue Grave-1er Ton, 1er Livre [1:43] Récit Tendre- 1er Ton, 2e Livre [2:12] Prélude à deux Chœurs [2:58] Concert de Flûtes- 3e Ton, 2e Livre [3:03] Prélude-Grand Plein Jeu, 5e Ton, 2e Livre [2:43] Récit- 5e Ton, 2e Livre [1:56] Voix Humaine- 5e Ton, 1er Livre [1:49] Dialogue- 5e Ton, 1er Livre [2:46] Grande Dialogue à quatre chœurs- 5e Ton, 2e Livre [6:13] Agnès Mellon; Isabelle Poulenard (sopranos); Charles Brett; Alain Aubin (counter-tenors); John Elwes; Michel Laplenie (tenors); Philippe Cantor; Jean-François Gardell (baritones) Chœur Régional Nord-Pas-de-Calais/Jean Bacquet; Ensemble Jean Bridier; Ensemble Vocal Françoise Ηerr; Chœur Gabrieli/Claude Petillot; La Grande Écurie et la Chambre du Roy/Jean-Claude Malgloire; Odile Bailleux (organ) Organ of Abbaye de Saint-Michel en Thiérache, Aisne, France (Boizard, 1714, restored by T. Haerpfer, 1983) rec. Abbaye de Saint-Michel en Thiérache, France, June 1990 WARNER APEX 2564 61745-2 [62:53] [CAnt]

Some positive points do not redeem so many miscalculations ... see Full Review

Luigi CHERUBINI (1760-1842) String Quintet in E minor (1837) [32:10] George ONSLOW (1784-1853) String Quintet op.19 in E minor (1821) [21:59] String Quintet op.51 in G minor (1834) [24:56] Diogenes Quartet; Manuel van der Nahmer (cello) rec. Katholische Kirche St Johann Baptist, Schöngeising, 9-14 May 2004 world premiere recordings cpo 777 187-2 [79:59] [JWi]

This is a good and worthwhile disc but perhaps one that appeals mainly to those with specialised interests ... see Full Review

Domenico CIMAROSA (1749–1801) Il matrimonio segreto (1792) Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (bass-baritone) – Geronimo, a wealthy merchant; Julia Varady (soprano) – Elisetta, his daughter, promised in marriage to the Count; Arleen Auger (soprano) – Carolina, his younger daughter, secretly married to Paolino; Julia Hamari (mezzo) – Geronimo’s sister, a widow; Alberto Rinaldi (baritone) – Count Robinson; Ryland Davies (tenor) – Paolino, young clerk to Geronimo; English Chamber Orchestra/ Daniel Barenboim rec. September 1975, George Watson Chapel, Edinburgh, August 1976, Henry Wood Hall, London DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 476 5303 [3 CDs: 56:45 + 59:39 + 49:40] [TB]

One number after another fizzes with life and musical appeal, delivered in this performance with vocal confidence and assurance. ... see Full Review

Aaron COPLAND (1900-1990) Prairie Journal (1937) [10:55] Rodeo (Four Dance Episodes) (1942) [18:54] Letter From Home (1944) [6:23] The Red Pony - Film Music (Suite) (1948) [23:42] Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra/JoAnn Falletta rec. Kleinhaus Music Hall, Buffalo, New York, 31 January, 1 February 2005. NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS 8.559240 [59:55] [OW]

A disappointing issue from Naxos. Those wanting to add two rare Copland pieces to their collection should consider it. For a general recommendation, look elsewhere. ... see Full Review

John CORIGLIANO (b.1938) Phantasmagoria (1992) [22:14] To Music (1994) [5:09] Fantasia on an Ostinato (1985) [15:40] Three Hallucinations (1981) [15:09] Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra/Eri Klas rec. Tampere Hall, Finland, November 2004 ONDINE ODE 1058-2 [58:41] [DC]

Add two world première recordings to the excellent playing of the Tampere Philharmonic and a superb recording, and I have to give this CD the full thumbs up. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Ronald CORP (b. 1951) Forever Child and Other Choral Music Forever Child (2004) [12:20] Verbum Patri (2002) [1:53] Give to my eyes Lord* (2005) [4:01] May the Lord bless you* (2001) [3:16] Dover Beach (2003) [12:46] Weep you no more sad fountains* (1997) [2:24] Two part songs (1997) [3:18] Four Elizabethan Lyrics* (1994) [9:17] Lute-Book Lullaby (Sweet was the song) (1980) [1:30] Fear no more the heat o’ the sun (2004)[2:57] Missa San Marco (2002) [12:01] Requiem  (2004) [1:55] Voces Cantabiles/*Alexander Wells (piano)/Ronald Corp rec. All Hallows Church, Gospel Oak, London, 26, 28 November 2005. DDD DUTTON EPOCH CDLX 7171 [68:32] [JQ]

This CD has given me enormous pleasure from start to finish and is one of the most enjoyable discs to have come my way for a long time. ... see Full Review

Frederic COWEN (1852-1935) Symphony No.6 in E major The Idyllic (1897) [35:22] Samuel COLERIDGE-TAYLOR (1875-1912) Symphony in A minor (1896) [36:44] Aarhus Symphony Orchestra/Douglas Bostock rec. Frichsparken, Aarhus, 20-23 September 2005 CLASSICO CLASSCD 684 [71:50] [JW]

Laudable and expert, volume fifteen in the British Symphonic Collection is a triumph of programming and imagination ... see Full Review

Ignacy Feliks DOBRZYNSKI (1807-1867) String Quintet No. 1 in F Op. 20 (33:37) String Quintet No. 2 in a minor Op. 40 (35:52) Wilanow String Quartet (Tadeusz Gadzina (Violin 1); Pawel Losakiewicz (Violin 2); Ryszard Duz (Viola); Marian Wasiolka (Cello 1)) Tomasz Strahl (Cello 2) rec. 17-18 January, 29 February, 1 March 2000, Polish Radio Studio S2, Warsaw ACTE PRÉALABLE APO 0048 [69:36] [DB]

A greatly enjoyable disc of Beethoven-esque chamber music ... see Full Review

Avner DORMAN (b. 1975) Piano Works Sonata No. 1 Classical (1998) [15.28] Moments Musicaux (2003) [9.09] Prelude No. 1 (1992) [4.29] Azerbaijani Dance (2005) [6.12] Sonata No. 2 (2001) [12.21] Sonata No. 3 Dance Suite (2005) [14.56] Eliran Avni (piano) rec. Ozawa Hall, Tanglewood, Massachusetts, 6-7 September 2005 NAXOS 8.579001 [62.35] [GH]

Sonatas and Dances evince an eclectic music by this young Israeli-American, often virtuosic but brilliantly played and clearly recorded. ... see Full Review

Marcel DUPRÉ (1886-1971) Organ Music John Scott (organ) Organ of St. Paul’s Cathedral, London rec. 9-11 March 1986 (CD 1), 5-6 January 1998 (CD 2) HYPERION CDD22059 [50:25 + 70:33] [DC]

John Scott’s understanding and deft touch in Dupré make this collection a must-have. ... see Full Review

Maurice DURUFLÉ (1902–1986) Requiem, Op. 9 (1947) [39.42] (1) Suite pour Orgue, Op. 5 (1930) [24.03] (2) Kaaren Erickson (soprano) (1); Arthur Fiacco (cello) (1); Kent Trittle (organ) (2) Nancianne Parrella (organ) (1) Choir of St. Ignatius Loyola/Kent Trittle (1) rec. Church of Ignatius Loyola, New York, 21-23 April 1994, 25 March 1996 MSR CLASSICS MS1141 [63.45] [RH]

A disappointing recording, far better to go for a recording of Duruflé’s original version with orchestra and organ. ... see Full Review

Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) Symphonic Poems: Zlatý kolovrat (The Golden Spinning Wheel) (1896), Op. 109/B197a; Polednice (The Noon Witch) (1896), Op. 108/B196b; Vodník (The Water Goblin) (1896), Op. 107/B195c. Holoubek (The Wild Dove) (1896), Op. 110/B198d. Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra/Nikolaus Harnoncourt rec. Concertgebouw, Amsterdam,  a24-26 October 2001 (live); bDecember 1998 (live); cOctober 1999; dDecember 1997. DDD WARNER CLASSICS 2564 60221-2 [42:44 + 41:03][CC]

Now this is a real treat. Harnoncourt brings a refreshing slant to Dvořák’s wonderful tone-poems. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) Requiem, Op. 89 (1890) [94:59] Biblical Songs, Op. 99 – excerpts* (1894) [19:08] Maria Stader (soprano); Sieglinde Wagner (contralto); Ernst Haefliger (tenor); Kim Borg (bass) Czech Chorus, Prague Czech Philharmonic Orchestra/Karel Ančerl *Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (baritone); Jörg Demus (piano) rec., Rudolfinum, Prague, January, February 1959; *Studio Lankwitz, Berlin, April 1960. ADD DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON ROSETTE COLLECTION 476 5307 [72:40 + 41:34] [JQ]

This Ančerl version of the Requiem is something rather special and it constitutes a clear first choice ... see Full Review

Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Orchestral Miniatures Froissart Overture (1890) [14:02] May Song (1901) [4:04] Carissima (1913) [3:44] Romance for Bassoon and Orchestra Op. 62 (1910) [5:18] Three Characteristic Pieces Op. 10 (1882-4/1899): No. 1: Mazurka [3:14] Minuet Op. 21 (1897) [4:26] Three Characteristic Pieces No. 2: Serenade Mauresque [5:30] No. 3: Contrasts-The Gavotte [3:17] Chanson de Matin Op. 15 No. 2 (1889-90) [3:37] Chanson de Nuit Op. 15 No. 1 (1889-90) [4:26] Three Bavarian Dances (fr. Op. 27) (1895-97) [12:15] Preman Tilson (bassoon) New Zealand Symphony Orchestra/James Judd rec. 6-8 April 2004, Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington, NZ NAXOS 8.557577 [64:04] [GH]

A sturdy if somewhat lifeless rendition of some of Elgar’s smaller orchestral works ... see Full Review

Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Music for Violin and Piano Violin Sonata in E minor, Op. 82 (1918) [23:33] Romance for violin and piano, Op. 1 (1878) [4:29] Bizarrerie, Op. 13, No. 2 (1889) [2:14] Pastourelle, Op. 4, No. 2 (1884) [2:55] La Capricieuse, Op. 17 (1891) [4:05] Virelai, Op. 4, No. 3 (c.1890) [2:07] Mazurka Op. 10, No. 1 (from Three Characteristic Pieces for orchestra) (1889) [2:32] Idyll, Op. 4, No. 1 (1884) [2:51] Chanson de nuit, Op. 15, No. 1 (1897) [3:57] Chanson de matin, Op. 15, No. 2 (1897) [2:37] Salut d'amour, Op. 12 ‘Liebesgrüss’ (1888) [2:36] Offertoire - Andante religioso (1893) [4:19] Simone Lamsma (violin) Yurie Miura (piano) rec. 3-4 October 2005, Potton Hall, Suffolk, England. DDD NAXOS 8.557984 [58:17] [MC]

A fine recital from two promising chamber performers; names to follow. ... see Full Review

Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Violin Sonata in E minor Op.82 (1918) [23:33] Romance Op.1 (1878) [4:29] Bizarrerie Op.13 No.2 (1889) [2:14] Pastourelle Op.4 No.2 (1884) [2:55] La Capricieuse Op.17 (1891) [4:05] Virelai Op.4 No.3 (c.1890) [2:07] Mazurka Op.10 No.1 [2:32] Idyll Op.4 No.1 (1884) [2:51] Chanson de nuit Op.15 No.1 (1897) [3:57] Chanson de matin Op.15 No.2 (1897) [2:37] Salut d’amour Op.12 [2:36] Offertoire (1893) [4:19] Simone Lamsma (violin) Yurie Miura (piano) rec. at Potton Hall, Suffolk, October 2005 NAXOS 8.557984 [58:17][JW]

Strikingly alert and forward moving the Lamsma-Miura duo brings the sonata alive in a way bigger figures often signally fail to achieve. ... see Full Review

Sir Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) The Dream of Gerontius, Op.38 (1900) Philip Langridge (tenor); Catherine Wyn-Rogers (contralto); Alastair Miles (bass) BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus/Sir Andrew Davis rec. St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, 26 November 1997 Presenter: James Naughtie. Video director: Bob Coles NTSC 16:9. Region Code: 2,3,4,5.Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo WARNER MUSIC VISION 3984-22351-2 [110:00]

This committed performance of Elgar’s masterpiece is worthy of the music and of the noble building in which it was given. ... see Full Review
 

Gerald FINZI (1901-1956) Earth and Air and Rain (Thomas Hardy) (Summer Schemes [2:27]; When I set out for Lyonesse [2:17]; Waiting Both [3:43]; The Phantom [3:40]; So I Have Feared [2:39]; Rollicum Rorum [1:46]; To Lizbie Brown [4:23]; The Clock of the Years [4:54]; In A Churchyard [4:06]; Proud Songsters [3:06]) To A Poet (various) (To A Poet A Thousand Years Hence [5:21]; On Parent Knees [1:15]; Intrada [1:26]; Birthnight [1:49]; June on castle Hill [2:07]; Ode on the Rejection of St. Cecilia [5:57]) I Said To Love (Thomas Hardy) (I Need Not Go [1:39]; At Middle Field Gate in February [4:15]; Two Lips [0:53]; In Five Score Summers [1:47]; For Life I Had Never Cared Greatly [2:13]; I said to Love [3:16]) Howard Wong (baritone), Hein Boterberg (piano) rec. 21-23 January 2006, De Rode Pomp, Ghent, Belgium DE RODE POMP GENTS MUZIKAAL ARCHIEF Vol. 26 DDD RP/GMA 061 [64:59] [EM]

Wong really gets under the skin of these amazing songs, reaching an intensity that many singers can’t … Gripping stuff. ... see Full Review

John FOULDS (1880-1939) Le Cabaret, Op. 72a (1921) [3:31] Pasquinade Symphoniques No. 2 Op. 98 (1935) [6:34] April – England, Op. 48 No. 1. (1926: orch.1932) [7:09] Hellas, A Suite of Ancient Greece, Op. 45 (1932) [18:03] Three Mantras, Op. 61b (1919-1930) [25:49]. London Philharmonic Orchestra/Barry Wordsworth. No recording information given. DDD LYRITA SRCD212 [61:07] [JF]

It never ceases to amaze me that we have what can only be regarded as vitally important masterpieces hidden away for so many years. Rush out and buy this CD ... see Full Review

Giovanni GABRIELI (c1554/7-1612) Intonation for Organ on the 1st tone [0:29] Plaudite, psallite, iubilate Deo omnis terra [3:03] Intonation for Organ on the 9th tone [0:42] In ecclesiis [8:19] Intonation for organ on the 10th tone [0:50] O magnum mysterium [3:53] Intonation for Organ on the 11th tone [0:36] Hodie Christus natus est [3:01] Intonation of the Organ on the 8th tone [0:41] Three Mass Movements; Kyrie Eleison I (motet in 8 parts) [3:47] Christe Eleison (motet in 8 parts) Kyrie Eleison II (motet in 12 parts) Gloria (motet in 12 parts) [2:22] Intonation for Organ on the 7th tone [0:36] Deus, qui beatum Marcum [2:58] Sonata in the 9th tone for 8 parts [2:22] Canzon in the 9th tone for 8 parts [3:31] Canzon in the 7th tone for 8 parts [3:19] Ricercar for organ [2:29] Canzon in the 9th tone for 12 parts [3:55] Canzon in the 7th and 8th tones for 12 parts [2:49] Canzon in the 12th tone for 6 parts [2:55] Sonata for three violins and organ [3:50] Canzon in the 12th tone for 10 parts [3:17] Canzon in the 1st tone for 10 parts [3:04] Intonation for organ on the 2nd tone [0:29] Angelus ad pastores ait [2:54] Intonation for organ on the 3rd and 4th tones [0:41] Regina coeli laetare [2:06] E Power Biggs (organ) The Gregg Smith Singers The Texas Boys Choir of Fort Worth The Edward Tarr Brass Ensemble The Gabrieli Consort La Fenice/Vittorio Negri rec. San Marco, Venice, 15-27 September 1967. ADD SONY CLASSICAL 82876 78762 2 [72:38] [CB]

A fantastic example of the best of the questing spirit which characterised the re-awakening of interest in early music in the middle of the 20th century. A fascinating sound-document. ... see Full Review

Edvard GRIEG (1843-1907) Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16 (1868) [29:44]* Two Nordic Melodies, Op. 63 (1894-5) [12:57]+ Peer Gynt, Suites Nos. 1, 2 , Opp. 46, 55 (1875) [14:44]; [16:18] Lilya Zilberstein (piano) Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra/Neeme Järvi rec. Konserthuset, Gothenburg, May 1987; + June 1992; December 1992; * March 1993; DDD DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON ENTRÉE 477 5007 [74:11][DD]

This looked like a good collection when I spotted it in the sales rack a few weeks back but it’s a mixed affair with only the "Two Nordic Melodies" approaching top class. I dare say it will suffice as background but it lacks magic! ... see Full Review

Eduard GRIEG (1843-1907) Violin Sonata No. 1 in F major Op. 8 (1865) [20:27] Violin Sonata No. 2 in G major Op. 13 (1867) [20:14] Violin Sonata No. 3 in C minor Op. 45 (1887) [23:10] At Home: Op. 43 No. 3 [2:15]; Puck: Op. 71 No. 3 [1:45]; Lonely Wanderer: Op. 43 No. 2 [1:49]; Scherzo-Impromptu: Op. 73 No. 2 [2:36]; Grandmother’s Minuet: Op. 68 No. 2 [1:53]; Dance from Jölster: Op. 17 No. 5 [1:37] (arr. Joseph Achron) Hagai Shaham (violin), Arnon Erez (piano) rec. 8-10 October 2004, Henry Wood Hall, London HYPERION CDA67504 [76:20] [TB]

The two players bring to the music a spontaneous flow and a detailed yet carefree observation of Grieg’s performance instructions. ... see Full Review

Francisco GUERRERO (1528–1599) Tota pulchra es Maria a 6 (1570) [5.11] Ave Virgo sanctissima a 5 (1566) [3.27] Regina caeli a 8 (1584) [4.08] Surge Propera amica mea (Instrumental version) (1555) [4.53] Missa Surge Propera (1582) [24.45] In exitu Israel (1582) [15.55] Sydney Chamber Choir Orchestra of the Renaissance/Michael Noone rec. 14-17 June 1998, St. Scholastica’s Chapel, Glebe, Sydney ABC CLASSICS 476 9236 [59.01] [RH]

This is a disc where the fascinating repertoire never quite lives up to its promise. ... see Full Review

George Frideric HANDEL (1685–1759) Rinaldo (excerpts) (1710) [72.53] Ensemble Hypothesis: Leopoldo d’Agostino (recorder and direction); Sigurd van Lommel (counter-tenor); Cinzia Zotti (viola da gamba); Alain Cahagne (harpsichord and organ) rec. Charterhouse of Valbonne, 2002; College of Roquemaure and Church of Notre Dame des Pommiers, Beaucaire, 2004 SOLSTICE SOCD 230 [72.53][RH]

Unfortunately Ensemble Hypothesis’s lovely grasp of Handel’s music is rather lost. ... see Full Review

George Frideric HANDEL (1685–1759) Solomon - An Oratorio in three Parts [1748] Ewa Wolak (mezzo) – Solomon; Elisabeth Scholl (soprano) – Pharaoh’s Daughter, Queen/Second Woman; Nicola Wemyss (soprano) – Nicaule, Queen of Sheba/First Woman; Knut Schoch (tenor) – Zadok/Attendant; Matthias Vieweg (bass) – Levite; Junge Kantorei, Frankfurt Baroque Orchestra/Joachim Carlos Martini rec. live, Kloster Eberbach, Rheingau, Germany, 30 May 2004. DDD NAXOS 8.557574-75 [81:06 + 79:01] [GF]

A vital performance, excellently played and sung – and the score is presented uncut. ... see Full Review

Franz Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Symphonies - Vol. 31 Symphony No.18 in G major [13:56] Symphony No.19 in D major [12:29] Symphony No.20 in C major [17:41] Symphony No.21 in A major [16:53] Toronto Chamber Orchestra/Kevin Mallon rec. Grace Church-on-the-Hill, Toronto, 20-22 July 2004 NAXOS 8.557657 [60:59] [GPu]

A satisfying disc of early symphonies, a reminder of how ceaselessly inventive Haydn is, even in his ‘lesser’ works … see Full Review

Franz Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) String Quartet in G major Op.33 No.5 (1781) [17:07] String Quartet in E Flat major Op.33 No.2 (1781) [16:27] String Quartet in B minor Op.33 No.1 (1781) [20:31] Quatuor Terpsycordes (Girolamo Bottiglieri (violin); Raya Raytcheva (violin); Caroline Haas (viola); François Grin (cello)) rec. Salle de Musique, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, 20-23 November 2005 CLAVES 50-2608 [62:40] [GPu]

Very accomplished and enjoyable period-instrument recordings, which perhaps lack the final degree of spontaneity … see Full Review

Franz Josef HAYDN (1732-1809) String Quartets Op.9 String Quartet in D minor, Op.9 No.4 [20:14] String Quartet in C major, Op.9 No.1 [18:17] String Quartet in G major, Op.9 No.3 [15:41] String Quartet in E flat major, Op.9 No.2 [17:03] String Quartet in B flat major, Op.9 No.5 [21:20] String Quartet in A major, Op.9 No.6 [13:35] Buchberger Quartet: Hubert Buchberger (violin); Julia Greve (violin); Joachim Etzel (viola); Helmut Sohler (cello) rec. 26,28,29 October 2004 (nos.1 & 5); 9-10 December 2004 (nos.3 & 4); 26-28 May 2005 (nos.2 & 6) Evangelische Burgkirche Nieder-Rosbach, Germany. DDD BRILLIANT CLASSICS 92886 [55:48 + 53:27][GPu]

Good, assured and clear-sighted performances of Haydn’s first important set of quartets … see Full Review

Max HELFMAN (1901-1963) Di Naye Hagode (1948) [42:17] 1 Hag Habikkurim (1947) [17:30] 2 The Holy Ark, excerpts (1950) [12:16] 3 1 Theodore Bikel (narrator); Choral Society of Southern California; Los Angeles Zimriyah Chorale; Young Musicians Foundation Debut Orchestra/Nick Strimple; 2 Coro Hebraeico/Neil Levin; 3 Cantor Raphael Frieder; Slovak Chamber Choir; Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra/ Samuel Adler rec. 1 Royce Hall, UCLA, Los Angeles, June 2000; 2 St. Paul’s School, Hammersmith, London, July 2001; 3 Slovak Radio Hall, Bratislava, Slovak Republic, June 1998. DDD NAXOS 8.559440 [72:12] [GPu]

The title-piece of this CD is somewhat disappointing, but there is beautiful music to be heard elsewhere on the disc … see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Hans Werner HENZE (b. 1926) Voices for two voices and instruments (1973): Los poetas cubanos ya no sueñan; Prison Song; Keiner oder alle; The distant drum; 42 Schulkinder; Caino; Heimkehr; Grecia 1970; Legende von der Entstehung des Buches Taoteking auf dem Weg des Laotse in die Emigration; Gedanken eines Revuemädchens während des Entkleidungsaktes; Das wirkliche Messer; Patria; Screams (Interlude); Para aconsejar a una dama; Roses and revolutions; Schluss; Das Blumenfest Sarah Walker (mezzo), Paul Sperry (tenor) London Sinfonietta/Hans Werner Henze rec. Rosslyn Hill Chapel, January 1978. ADD First released on LP as Decca Headline HEAD19/20, 1980 EXPLORE EXP 0007/8 [49.42 + 47.13] [AOz]

These last few weeks, I’ve been blessed by a surfeit of excellent recordings, but this one really is special ... If all releases by Explore are as good as this, we are in for exciting times. ... see Full Review

Hans Werner HENZE (b.1926) Violin Concerto No.1 (1946) [26:57] Violin Concerto No.3 (1997) [33:24] Fünf Nachtstücke (1990) [9:09] Peter Sheppard Skærved (violin) Aaron Shorr (piano - Nachtstücke) Saarbrücken Radio Symphony Orchestra/Christopher Lyndon-Gee rec. 16-17 September 2004 (Concerto No.1), 14-15 September (Concerto No.3), Große Sendesaal, Saarbrücken, Germany. Fünf Nachtstücke rec. 12 December 2004, Potton Hall, Suffolk NAXOS 8.557738 [69:30] [JW]

Unfailingly eloquent with considerable power and command but things seem to hang fire too often. There’s also a distinct lack of internal dynamism ... see Full Review

Philippe HERSANT (b.1948) Violin Concerto (2003) [23:27] 1 Der Wanderer: for Chamber Orchestra and Men’s Voices (2002) [11:45] 2 Streams: for Piano and Orchestra (2000) [27:01] 3 1 Augustin Dumay (violin), Orchestre National de France/Jonathan Darlington; 2 Chœur de Radio France/Michel Trenchant; Orchestre National de France/Jonathan Darlington; 3 Alice Ader (piano), Orchestre Symphonique de la Radio Danoise/Thomas Dausgaard rec. 131 January 2004; 26 February 2004; 330 January 2004; recording locations not given Densité 21 DE 001 [60:02] [GPu]

Mostly rather melancholy, dark music from a French composer working in a resolutely tonal idiom with interesting results … see Full Review

Alun HODDINOTT (b.1929) Symphony No. 2, Op. 29a (1962) [26:55] Symphony No. 3, Op. 61b (1968) [21:28] Symphony No. 5, Op. 81c (1972) [11:03] abLondon Symphony Orchestra/aNorman Del Mar, bDavid Atherton; cRoyal Philharmonic Orchestra/Andrew Davis rec. aBishopsgate Institute, London 24-25 September 1967 (originally issued on Pye Virtuoso TPLS13013); bcKingsway Hall, London, bMarch 1972 (Decca SXL6570), cMarch 1973 (SXL6606). ADD LYRITA RECORDED EDITION SRCD331 [73:27] [DC]

Anyone interested in finding out if there is life beyond Tippett will find much to discover and enjoy here. ... see Full Review

Gustav HOLST (1874-1934) A Fugal Overture, Op. 40 No. 1, H151 (1922) [5:12] A Somerset Rhapsody, Op. 21 No. 2, H87 (1906-07) [9:01] Beni Mora - Oriental Suite, Op. 29 No. 1, H 107 (1909-10) [17:13] Hammersmith - A Prelude and Scherzo for Orchestra, Op. 52, H178, (1931) [13:00] Scherzo for Orchestra (1933-34) [5:29] Japanese Suite, Op. 33 (1915) [11:04] London Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Adrian Boult London Symphony Orchestra/Sir Adrian Boult (Japanese Suite) No recordings details provided. ADD LYRITA SRCD222 [61:48] [MC]

Remarkable technical prowess and refined musicianship. ... see Full Review

Gustav HOLST (1874-1934) A Winter Idyll (1897) [7.04] Cotswold Symphony in F, Op. 8 (1900): Elegy: In Memoriam William Morris [9.02] Indra, Symphonic Poem, Op. 13 (1903) [12.33] A Song of the Night for Violin and Orchestra Op. 19 No. 1 (1905) [8.45] Sita: Interlude from Act III, Op. 23 (1906) [5.49] Invocation for Cello and Orchestra Op. 19 No. 2 (1911) [9.28] The Lure, Ballet Music for Orchestra (1921) [8.40] Dances from The Morning of the Year Op. 45 No. 2 (1927) [13.45] Lorraine McAslan (violin) Alexander Baillie (cello) London Symphony Orchestra/David Atherton London Philharmonic Orchestra/David Atherton (Invocation) rec. 1982, 1993. ADD/DDD LYRITA SRCD 209 [75.58]
Gustav HOLST (1874-1934) Two Songs without Words, Op. 22 (1908): Country Song [4.26]; Marching Song [3.37] Fugal Concerto for Flute, Oboe and Strings, Op. 40 No. 2, (1923) [8.04] The Golden Goose Ballet Music, Op. 45 No. 1 (1926; arr. I. Holst 1969) [14.51] A Moorside Suite: Nocturne (1928; arr. I. Holst) [6.39] Double Concerto for Two Violins and Orchestra, Op. 49 (1929) [14.23] Lyric Movement for Viola and Small Orchestra (1933) [9.57] Brook Green Suite for Strings (1933) [7.12] Capriccio for Orchestra (1933; arr. I. Holst 1968) [6.02] William Bennet (flute); Peter Graeme (oboe); Emmanuel Hurwitz, Kenneth Sillito (violins) English Chamber Orchestra/Imogen Holst Recorded 1967 and 1970 ADD LYRITA SRCD 223 [75.11] [PSh]

Long unavailable music by one of our greatest composers, must buys for anyone seriously interested in British music or in Holst. ... see Full Review

Herbert HOWELLS (1892-1983) Sounds Atmospheric Psalm Prelude Set 1 No. 1 (1915) [5:59] Psalm Prelude Set 1 No. 2 (1916) [5:27] Rhapsody No. 3 in C sharp (1918) [7:34] Psalm Prelude Set 2 No. 1 (1938) [7:44] Saraband for the morning of Easter (1940) [5:50] Master Tallis’s Testament (1940) [6:24] Saraband In modo elegiaco (1945) [3:58] Partita (1971) (i) Intrata [5:16]; ii) Interlude [4:12]; iii) Scherzo and Epilogue [4:45]; iv) Sarabande for the 12th day of any October [4:30]; v) Finale and Retrospect [5:44]) Christopher Stokes (organ) rec. Manchester Cathedral, 21-23 July 2005. DDD LAMMAS LAMM 192D [67:29] [CB]

A very recommendable taster of some of Howells’s best organ compositions, all of which receive excellent performances. ... see Full Review

Daniel JONES (1912-1993) Symphony No. 6a (1964) [29:14] Symphony No. 9b (1974) [19:31] The Country Beyond the Starsc (1958) [30:48]. cWelsh National Opera Chorus; acRoyal Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Charles Groves; bBBC Welsh Symphony Orchestra/Bryden Thomson rec. aBishopsgate Institute, London, 15-16 January 1969 (originally issued on Pye Virtuoso TPLS13023), bBBC Llandaff, 10-11 February 1979 (from BBC REGL359); cAfan Lido, Port Talbot, Glamorgan, 22-23 May 1971 (from HMV ASD2739). ADD LYRITA RECORDED EDITION SRCD326 [79:35] [DC]

Heroically attempts to fill a deep, inexplicable void in the British music catalogue. ... see Full Review

Aaron Jay KERNIS (b. 1960) Symphony No. 1 Symphony in Waves (1989) [38:37] String Quartet No.1 (Musica Celestis) (1990) [32:35] New York Chamber Symphony/Gerard Schwarz, The Lark Quartet rec. 1990s. DDD. First issued as Argo ZRG 436 287-2 PHOENIX PHCD165 [71:13] [RB]

Another winner from Phoenix and Kernis. Let’s hope we soon hear more from this composer. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Franz LISZT (1811-1886)
Complete Piano Music - Volume 23
Piano Transcriptions of Beethoven's Symphonies 7 and 8, S464/R128: Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92 [38:46] Symphony No. 8 in F major, Op. 93 [24:58] Konstantin Scherbakov (piano)rec. Potton Hall, Westleton, Suffolk, 5-7 June 2002 (No.7); 5 October 2004 (No.8). DDD NAXOS 8.557856 [63:44] [TP]

Those who have been collecting this series will already be rushing into the stores to snap this issue up. Those who are as yet unfamiliar with Liszt’s Beethoven transcriptions should do the same.... see Full Review

Poul RUDERS (b.1949) Kafka’s Trial Opera in one act with a prelude (2005) Libretto by Paul Bentley after Kafka’s novel Kafka/Josef K. – Johnny van Hal (tenor) Miss Bürstner/Felice Bauer – Gisela Stille (soprano) Miss Montag/Greta Bloch – Marianne Rørholm (alto) The Inspector/Court Recorder – Gert Henning-Jensen (tenor) Deputy Manager/Businessman Block – Michael Kristensen (tenor) Interrogator/Uncle Albert – Johan Reuter (baritone) Jailer Franz – Hans Lawaetz (bass) Jailer William – Anders Jacobsson (bass) Bank Manager/Lawyer Huld – Bo Anker Hansen (baritone) Washerwoman/Hunchback – Hanne Fischer (mezzo) Flogger/Chaplain – Ole Hedegaard (tenor) Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Danish Opera/Thomas Søndergård rec. ‘live’, Copenhagen Opera House, 31 March, 4, 9 April 2005 DACAPO 8.226042-43 [64:21 + 60:56] [TH]

The musical side of things leaves the strongest impression with this opera ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Johann Wenzel KALLIWODA (1801-1866) Symphony No. 5 in B minor, op. 106 (1840) [27:44] Symphony No. 7 in G minor, WoO/01 (1841) [28:50] Overture No. 16 in A minor, op. 238 (1863) [11:42] Das Neue Orchester/Christoph Spering
rec. Köln, November 15-18, 2004 CPO 777 139-2 [68:29] [DJB]

This is unquestionably my discovery of the year and my disc of the year … see Full Review

Joseph Martin KRAUS (1756-1792) String Quartets: in G major VB2 187 Op.1 No.6 (1784) [21:07]; in C minor VB2 179 [7:42]; in E major VB2 180 [18:01]; in G minor VB2 183 Op.1 No.3 (1784) [10:22]; in B major VB2 181 Op1. No.2 (1784) [69:32] Salagon Quartet (Christine Busch, Kathrin Tröger (violin), Claudia Hofert (viola), Gesine Queyras (cello)) rec. SWR Studios, Stuttgart, 27-30 December 2005 CARUS 83.194 [69:32] [GPu]

An interesting selection – well-performed and recorded – of Kraus’s string quartets, a medium in which he is not perhaps heard at his very best … see Full Review

Frank Ezra LEVY (b. 1930) A Summer Overture (1997) [8:39] Cello Concerto No. 2 (2002) [20:12] Rondo Tarantella (2003) [15:53] Symphony No. 3 (1977) [20:10] Scott Ballantyne (cello) RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland/Takuo Yuasa rec. 27-28 September 2004, Dublin Concert Hall, Dublin, Ireland NAXOS 8.559234 [64:53] [DD]

Intriguing … I was struck by Levy’s melodic invention. People who find modern classical music beyond them would warm to this. Very enjoyable. More please! ... see Full Review

Thomas LINLEY (1756-1778) Music for The Tempest (1777) [23:19] Overture to The Duenna (1775) [5:33] In yonder grove (1773) [12:44] Ye nymphs of Albion’s beauty-blooming isle [12:03] Daughter of Heav’n, fair thou art (Darthula) [17:00] Julia Gooding (soprano) Paul Goodwin (oboe) The Parley of Instruments Baroque Orchestra and Choir/Peter Holman directed from the harpsichord by Paul Nicholson rec. unspecified location, August 1994 HELIOS CDH55256 [72:38] [JW]

Theatrically powerful sense of anticipation, inexorable crescendo and the sheer effect of it… performances are attractive and committed ... see Full Review

Carl LOEWE (1796–1869) Passion Oratorio (1847?) Nathalie Gaudefroy (soprano), Christianne Stojtin (contralto), Jacky da Cunha (tenor), Henk Neven (bass), Edwin Crossley-Mercer (bass – Peter) Ensemble Vocal des Heures Romantiques Ensemble Instrumental des Heures Romantiques/Udo Reinemann rec. live, 2 August, 2003, L’Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste, Villedieu-le-Château, France, Heures Romantiques au Pays de Monhodon 2003 Festival. DDD NAXOS 8.557635-36 [59:33 + 37:04] [JW]

It has its rough edges but preserves a performance that reveals that Loewe’s Passion contains a surety and sincerity that are very winning. ... see Full Review


Detailed listing (last five 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]
[Recommended recordings]



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