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OF THE YEAR
RECORDINGS
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RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Malcolm
ARNOLD (1921-2006)
The Malcolm Arnold Edition - Decca Universal
Volume 1 – The Eleven Symphonies
DECCA UNIVERSAL 4765337 [5CDs: 77:16
+ 68:32 + 57:44 + 64:38 + 71:54] [RB]
An
incontestably matchless sweep. Indispensable
to anyone with an interest in the 20th
century symphony. Handley is an inspired
and majestic guide to works awesome in their
command of emotion from delight to terror.
... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Malcolm
ARNOLD (1921-2006)
The Malcolm Arnold Edition - Decca Universal
Volume 2 – Seventeen Concertos
DECCA
UNIVERSAL 4765343 [4 CDs: 79:33 + 69:03
+ 55:35 + 69:05] [RB]
Scintillatingly
superb and poetically poignant performances.
Crucial Arnold, handsome packaging and the
price is right. Get it while you can – discoveries
and rediscoveries aplenty. ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH BEETHOVEN:
A JOURNEY Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
CD1 [77:03] Piano Sonata in F minor,
Op.2 No. 1 (1795) [22:59] Piano Sonata in
A major, Op.2 No. 2 (1795) [27:27] Piano
Sonata in C major, Op.2 No. 3 (1795) [26:32]
CD2 [77:24] Piano Sonata in E flat
major, Op. 7 (1796-7) [27:20] Piano Sonata
in C minor, op. 10 No. 1 (1796-8) [17:48]
Piano Sonata in F major, Op, 10 No. 2 (1796-8)
[16:37] Piano Sonata in G minor, Op. 49
No. 1 (1795-98) [7:27] Piano Sonata in G
major, Op. 49 No. 2 (1795-96) [8:03] CD3
[72:20] Piano Sonata in D major, Op.
10 No. 3 (1796-98) [22:15] Piano Sonata
in C minor Op. 13, “Grande Sonate Pathétique”
(1798-99) [19:13] Piano Sonata in E major,
Op. 14 No. 1 (1798-99) [13:42] Piano Sonata
in G major, Op. 14 No. 2 (1798-99) [17:03]
CD4 76:30] Piano Sonata in B flat
major, Op. 22 (1799-1800) [25:01] Piano
Sonata in A flat major, Op. 26 (1800-01)
[19:38] Piano Sonata in E flat major, Op.
27 No.1 Sonata quasi una Fantasia (1800-01)
[16:18] Piano Sonata in C sharp minor, Op.
27 No. 2 Sonata quasi una Fantasia,
“Moonlight: (1801) [15:27] CD5 [75:11]
Piano Sonata in D major, Op. 28, “Pastorale”
(1801) [27:23] Piano Sonata in G major,
Op. 31 No. 1 (1801-02) [23:58] Piano Sonata
in D minor, Op. 31 No. 2 “The Tempest” (1801-02)
[23:47] CD6 [69:19] Piano Sonata
in E flat major, Op. 31 No. 3 (1801-02)
[24:40] Piano Sonata in C major, Op. 53
“Waldstein” (1803-04) [25:13] Piano Sonata
in F major, Op. 54 (1804) [11:21] Andante
favori in F, WoO 57 (1803) [8:01] CD7
[74:38] Piano Sonata in F minor, Op.
57, “Appassionata” (1804-05) [24:06] Piano
Sonata in F sharp minor, Op. 78 (1809) [10:02]
Piano Sonata in G major, Op. 79 (1809) [9:07]
Piano Sonata in E flat major, Op. 81a, “Das
Lebwohl” (“Les Adieux”) (1809-10) [17:55]
Piano Sonata in E minor, Op.
90 (1814) [13:21] CD8 [62:50]
Piano Sonata in A major, Op. 101 (1816)
[20:53] Piano Sonata in B flat major, Op.
106. “Für das Hammerklavier”
(1817-18) [42:04] CD9 [64:13]
Piano Sonata in E major, Op. 109 (1820)
[19:06] Piano Sonata in A flat major, Op.
110 (1821) [19:09] Piano Sonata
in C minor, Op. 111 (1821-22) [25:56]
Craig Sheppard (piano) Rec. live concerts,
Meany Theater, Seattle, Washington, USA.
January 2003- May 2004 DDD
ROMÉO RECORDS 7233/41 [9
CDs: 77:03 + 77:24 + 72:20 + 76:30 + 75:11
+ 69:19 + 74:38 + 62:50 + 64:13][JQ]
It’s
been a fascinating and very rewarding experience to make this Journey
with Craig Sheppard as my highly reliable and stimulating guide. I
urge those who take Beethoven’s piano music seriously to take this
Journey for themselves. ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Luciano
BERIO (1925-2003) The
Complete Sequenzas, Alternate Sequenzas CD1 Sequenza
I for flute, (1958) [7:56] Paula
Robison, rec. 1996 Sequenza II for harp (1963) [10:15]
Susan Jolles, rec. 1995Sequenza III for woman’s voice
(1965) [8:46]
Isabelle Ganz, rec. 1996Sequenza IV for piano (1966) [12:05] Aki Takahashi,
rec. 1999Sequenza V for trombone (1966) [5:02]
Stuart Dempster, rec. 1995Sequenza VI for viola (1967) [13:16] Garth Knox,
rec. 1995Sequenza VII for oboe (1969/2000) [7:36] Jacqueline Leclair,
rec. 2004 CD2 Sequenza VIII for violin (1976) [13:56] Irvine Arditti,
rec. 1995Sequenza IXa for clarinet (1980) [16:04] Carol Robinson, rec.
2000Sequenza IXb for alto saxophone (1981) [17:50] Kelland Thomas, rec.
1967Sequenza X for trumpet and piano resonance (1984) [15:16] William
Foreman, rec. 2001)Sequenza XI for guitar (1987/8) [18:42] Seth Josel.,
rec. 2003 CD3 Sequenza XII for bassoon (1995) [17:07] Noriko Shimada,
rec. 2001Sequenza XIII for accordion “Chanson” 1995) [10:10] Stefan Hussong,
rec. 2000*Sequenza XIVa for cello (2002) [11:38] Rohan de Saram, rec.
2004*Sequenza VIb for cello (1981) [15:34]
Rohan de Saram, rec. 2001*Sequenza VIIb for soprano saxophone (1995) [7:29]
Ulrich Krieger, rec. 2004Sequenza IXc for bass clarinet (1980) [13:37]
Alain Billard, rec. 2005 CD4 Sequenza XIVb for contrabass (2004)
[12:56]
Stefano Scodanibbio, rec. 2005*Rounds for harpsichord (1964/5) [2:08]
Jane Chapman, rec. 2005Gesti for recorder (1966) [5:20] Lucia Mense, rec.
1995Fa-Si for organ (1975) [9:47]
Gary Verkade, rec. 2005Les mots sont allés…for cello (1978) [4:03] Rohan
de Saram, rec. 2004Lied for clarinet (1983) [5:04] Comma for clarinet
(1987) [1:34]
Carol Robinson, rec. 2005*Psy for contrabass (1989) [1:57] Michael Cameron,
rec. date unknown Chanson pour Pierre Boulez for cello (2000) [2:46] Rohan
de Saram, rec. 2006*Gute Nacht for trumpet (1986) [1:04] Brian McWhorter,
rec. 2005 *first recording All Sequenzas are preceded by verses of Edoardo Sanguinetti
performed by Enzo
Salomane MODE 161/3 [4
CDs: 66:43 + 78:11 + 76:36 + 47:02] [AOz]
The
most complete collection of Sequenzas and related pieces, with
outstanding first performances – essential listening for any
serious Berio fan ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Elliott
CARTER (b. 1908) A Labyrinth of Time
Directed by Frank Scheffer Region Code: All zones NTSC Picture
Format: 4:3 Dolby Digital 2.0
IDEALE AUDIENCE INTERNATIONAL DVD9DS17
[90:00][CT]
Elliott
Carter’s unique status in today’s musical
world is beautifully realised in film by
Frank Scheffer … a masterful piece of film
making ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Paul DUKAS (1865-1935) Piano Sonata
in E flat minor (1899-1900) [43:49] Variations,
Interlude et Finale (sur un thème de Rameau) (1902) [17:33] La
plainte, au loin, du faune (1920) [4:25] Prélude
élégiaque (1909) [4:06] Manuel
de FALLA (1876-1946) Pour le Tombeau de Paul Dukas (1935)
[3:17] Joyce
Hatto (piano) rec. Concert Artist Studios, December 2004 (Sonata);
January 2005 (Variations); January 2006 (remainder)
CONCERT ARTIST/FIDELIO RECORDINGS CACD 92742 [74:22][JW]
If
you invested in Hamelin you owe it to yourself, and also to Dukas, to
seek out Hatto. ... see Full Review
RECORDING OF THE MONTH Erich
Wolfgang KORNGOLD (1897-1957) Violin
Concerto in D major, Op.35 (1945) [25:02] Samuel BARBER (1910-1981) Violin
Concerto, Op.14 (1939–40) [23:32] William WALTON (1902-1983) Violin
Concerto (1938-39, rev. 1943) [30:02]
James Ehnes (violin) Vancouver Symphony Orchestra/Bramwell Tovey rec.
22-23 February, 2006 (Korngold), 6-7 June, 2006 (Barber; Walton),
Orpheum Theater, Vancouver, Canada. DDD
ONYX 4016 [78:53][KS/MC]
Kevin
Sutton: Clearly at the head of his class … Ehnes
at his very finest … a taut sense of inner rhythm and a rhapsodic
way with a good melody.
Michael
Cookson: This generous Onyx recording from James Ehnes of three late-Romantic
violin concertos is superbly played and recorded, and deserves the
highest possible praise. ... see Full
Review
RECORDING OF THE MONTH Etienne
MÉHUL
(1763-1817) The Complete Symphonies of
Méhul CD1 Overture: La Chasse du Jeune Henri (1797)
[10.35] Symphony No. 1 in G minor (1808-9) [25:57] Symphony No. 2
in D major (1808-9) [27:33] CD2 Overture: Le Trésor Supposé
(1802) [4.28] Symphony No. 3 in C major (1809) [23:40] Symphony
No. 4 in E major (1810) [25:44]
The Gulbenkian Orchestra/Michel Swierczewski rec. Lisbon, Portugal,
19-23 December 1988. DDD
NIMBUS NI 5184/5 [64:05 + 53:52] [RB]
Méhul
has the capacity to delight still and these recordings are a
sublime avenue through which to approach this composer’s orchestral
music. ... see Full Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
The Piano Sonatas (plus fantasies, rondos)
Leon McCawley (piano) rec. Dec 2005, May
2006, Potton Hall, Suffolk
AVIE AV2105 [5CDs: 63.59 + 78:10 + 71:01
+ 61:22 + 70:32] [DD]
An
immense privilege … strongly recommended
…. one of the most enjoyable experiences
… bound to end up in my Records of the Year
... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Masao
OHKI
(1901-1971) Japanese
Rhapsody (1938) [12:57] Symphony No.
5 Hiroshima (1953) [39:08]
New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra/Takuo Yuasa
rec. Sumida Triphony Hall, Tokyo, 1-2 May
2005
NAXOS 8.557839[52:05] [AOz]
The
Hiroshima Symphony is a startling, bracing
and deeply felt meditation on the effects
of war – a lesson that still needs to be
repeated, again and again ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Pavel
PABST (1854-1897)
Piano
Concerto in E flat major Op 82 (1885) [32:58]
Sergei RACHMANINOV
(1873-1943) Rhapsody on a
Theme of Paganini (1934) [23:54] Pyotr
TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Fantasy
Overture: Hamlet Op. 67 (1888) [18:45]
Panagiotis Trochopoulos (piano) Belarusian
State Academic Symphony Orchestra/Marius
Stravinsky rec. 19 April 2005 (Pabst) and
7-8 February 2005 (Rachmaninov and Tchaikovsky)
CAMEO CLASSICS C-C9021CD [76:21] [DB]
Recommended
particularly for the Pabst — an unearthed
gem. … see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Antonio
SACCHINI (1730–1786) Œdipe à Colone
(1787) – An Opera in Three Acts based on the second of the three Theban
plays of Sophocles
François Loup (baritone) – Œdipe; Nathalie Paulin (soprano) – Antigone;
Robert Getchell (tenor) – Polynice; Tony Boutté (tenor) – Thésée;
Kirsten Blaise (soprano) – Eriphile; Kara Morgan (soprano) – Une Athénienne;
Jonathan Kimple (bass) – Grand Prêtre; Jason Kaminski (bass) – Un
Hérault; Philip Cave (tenor) – Un Coryphée; Opera Lafayette Orchestra
and Chorus/Ryan Brown rec. Vlarice Smith Performing Arts Center, University
of Maryland, USA, 13-15 May 2005
NAXOS 8.660196-97 [67:54 + 44:53][GF]
Played
with vitality and with singing full of character this is one of the
more thrilling finds within the operatic genre for quite some time.
... see Full Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Dimitri
SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) The
Golden Age (Zolotoy vek) Op. 22 (1928) (complete)
Royal Scottish National
Orchestra/José Serebrier rec. Henry Wood Hall, Glasgow, 23-26
May 2006.
NAXOS 8.570217-18 [76:41 + 67:01][AOz]
This
is a breathtaking recording in many ways.
It’s also complete and uncut and the notes
are good. Don’t hesitate – this is one that
needs to be listened to, even in this crowded
year of Shostakovich revelations. ... see
Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Karol
SZYMANOWSKI
(1882–1937) The
Complete Solo Piano Music
Sinae Lee (piano) rec. Royal
Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, Glasgow,
Sept 2002 - Feb 2005. Full track details
at end of review
THE DIVINE ART 21400 [4 CDs: 71:46 +
65:25 + 67:12 + 69:13] [RC]
Listeners
responsive to late-Romantic music who buy
this superb set will share my enthusiasm
for it. ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH
Anja Harteros – Bella
Voce
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Oh smania! O Furie! ... D'Oreste
e d'Ajace [6.25] from Idomeneo K. 366; Porgi, amor [3.25]
from Le nozze di Figaro K. 492; Temerari ... Come scoglio [5.43];
Ei parte - senti! Ah no! ... Per pieta, ben mio perdona all'error
[8.57] from Così fan tutte K 588; Ah, lo previdi! - Ah, t'invola
agl'occhi miei - Deh, non varcar K.272 [13.16]; Vado, ma dove?
O Dei! K. 583 [4.09]; Misera! dove son? L'aure del Tebro -
Ah! non son io che parlo, K.369 [6.49] Franz
Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Scena
di Berenice Hob.XXIVa;10 [12.20]
Cantata composra per la Signora Banti in Antigono di Pietro Metastasio
Anja Harteros (soprano)
Vienna Symphony Orchestra/Pinchas Steinberg rec. 7–11 December 2005,
Baumgartner-Casino, Vienna. DDD.
BMG-RCA RED SEAL 82876771432 [62.01] [ED]
May
her next solo discs explore other areas of her repertoire as
thrillingly as this one has. But, please, don’t make me wait
another seven years! ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Simon
Keenlyside - Tales of Opera Gioacchino
ROSSINI (1792–1868) Il barbiere di Siviglia: Largo
al factotum della città [4:56]; Guillaume Tell: Sois immobile
[2:25]; Jules MASSENET (1842–1912) Hérodiade: Vision fugitive
[4:23]; Giuseppe VERDI (1813–1901) Don
Carlo: Per me giunto è il di [8:17]; Un ballo in maschera: Eri
tu che macchiavi quell’anima [6:00]; La traviata: Di Provenza
il mar [4:16]; Ambroise THOMAS (1811–1896) Hamlet: O vin, dissipe
la tristesse [3:53]; Vincenzo BELLINI (1801–1835) I
puritani: Ah! Per sempre io ti perdei [5:22]; Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756–1791) Die Zauberflöte: Ein Mädchen
oder Weibchen [4:07]; Ruggiero LEONCAVALLO (1858–1919) Pagliacci:
Si può, si può [5:23]; Francesco CILEA (1866–1950) L’Arlesiana:
Come due tizzi accesi [3:36]; Peter
TCHAIKOVSKY (1840–1893) Pique Dame: Ja vas ljublju
[4:49]; Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART Don Giovanni: Dah vieni
alla finestra [2:09]; Zaide: Nur Mut, mein Herz, versuche dein
Glück [5:22]; Richard WAGNER (1813–1883) Tannhäuser: Oh, du mein
holder Abendstern [5:14] Simon
Keenlyside (baritone) Münchner Rundfunkorchester/Ulf Schirmer
rec. Bayerischer Rundfunk, Munich 29 May–2 June, 2006 SONY
CLASSICAL 82876884822 [70:12]
[GF]
A
splendid well-filled, well-sung and well recorded recital with
some of the finest baritone arias and with two rarities as an
extra bonus. Not to be missed! ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Viktoria
Mullova - Recital - Katia Labèque Igor
STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) Suite Italienne (transcribed
in 1933 for violin and piano by Stravinsky and Samuel Dushkin from
ballet Pulcinella, 1919-20) [15:06] Franz
SCHUBERT (1797–1828) Fantasy for violin and piano in C major, D934 (1827)
[24:26] Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937)
Sonata for violin and piano (1923-27) [16:51] Clara
SCHUMANN (1819-1896) Romance No. 1 in D flat major (Andante
molto) from the Three Romances for violin and piano, Op.
22 (1853) [2:29]
Viktoria Mullova (violin) Katia Labèque (piano) rec. 10-13 April,
2005, IRCAM, Paris, France. DDD
ONYX 4015 [59:25][MC]
This
is an excellently performed and recorded recital worthy of considerable
attention. ... see Full Review
BARGAINS
OF THE MONTH
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Etienne Nicolas
MÉHUL (1763-1817) Symphony
No. 1 in G minor (1808-9) [26.26] Symphony No. 2 in D major
(1808-9) [24.34] Les
Musiciens du Louvre/Marc Minkowski rec. Studio 103, Radio France,
Feb 1989 WARNER APEX
0927 49535
2 [58.29] [RB]
Excellent
Beethovenian symphonies - a real discovery if you are exploring
your way through classical period symphonies. ... see Full
Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Howard HANSON (1896-1981) Concerto
for Organ, Harp and Strings (1926) [16:09] Nymphs and Satyr Ballet
Suite (1979) [12:51] Fantasy Variations on a Theme of Youth for
Piano and Strings (1951) [11:00] Serenade for Flute, Harp,
and Strings (1945) [8:28] Summer Seascape No. 2 (1965)
[8:28] Pastorale for Oboe, Harp and Strings (1948-49)
[7:29] Joseph
Jackson (organ); Doris Hall-Galati (clarinet); Holly Blake
(bassoon); Gabriela Imreh, (piano); Andrew Bolotowsky (flute);
Adriana Linares (viola); Jonathan Blumenfeld (oboe); Jacqueline
Pollauf (harp) Philadelphia Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra/Daniel
Spalding rec. March 2005, First Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, USA DDD NAXOS
8.559251 [61:28] [PC]
Two
words remain: Encore! and More! ... see Full
Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Paul HINDEMITH (1895-1963) CD1 Concert
Music for Brass and Strings Op. 50 (1930) [16:11] Nobilissima
visione – Suite from the Dance Legend (1938) [25:00] Symphonia
serena (1946) [33:52] CD2 Clarinet Concerto (1947) [24:13]
Horn Concerto (1949) [14:55] Symphony in B flat for Concert
Band (1951) [17:04] Louis
Cahuzac (clarinet) Dennis Brain (French horn) Philharmonia
Orchestra/Paul Hindemith rec. Kingsway Hall, 19-24 November
1956. stereo. ADD EMI
CLASSICS 3 77344 2 [75:18 + 56:28] [RB]
Compelling
music-making in this handsomely presented EMI Classics set ...
see Full Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Bohuslav
MARTINŮ (1890-1959) Piano
Trio No.2 in D minor, H327 (1950) [15:07] Piano Trio No.3 in
C major, H332 (1951) [20:02] Cinq pièces brèves (Piano
Trio No.1), H193 (1930) [11:51] Duo No. 2 for violin and cello,
H371 (1958) [11:37] Angell
Trio rec. 22-24 October 1998, Studio 2, Bavarian Radio, Munich,
Germany. DDD SANCTUARY
CLASSICS RESONANCE CDRSN3075 [59:39] [MC]
Excellent
performances and when combined with the clear and well balanced
sound quality the disc makes a welcome reappearance ... see Full
Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Arvo PÄRT (b.1935) Triodion
(1998) [13:36] Tribute to Caesar (1997) [5:33] Nunc dimittis
(2001) [6:16]
Ode VII (Memento) from Kanon Pokajanen (1994) [7:37] I Am the True Vine
(1996) [7:37]
The Woman with the Alabaster Box (1997) [5:26] Dopo la vittoria
(1996/1998) [10:39] Bogoróditse Djévo (Mother of God and Virgin) (1990)
[1:28] Elora Festival Singers
/ Noel Edison rec. 19-21 May, 2006, St John Chrysostom Church, Newmarket, Ontario,
Canada.
DDD NAXOS
8.570239 [57:35] [GPu]
A
fascinating sound-picture of the later developments in Pärt’s
choral writing, well sung and well recorded … see Full
Review
BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Krzysztof
PENDERECKI (b.1933) Symphony No.7
Seven Gates of Jerusalem (1996)
Olga Pasichnyk, Aga Mikołaj (soprano), Ewa Marciniec (alto),
Wiesław Ochman (tenor), Romauld Tesarowicz (bass), Boris Carmeli
(narrator). Warsaw National Philharmonic Choir Warsaw National Philharmonic
Orchestra/Antoni Wit rec. 18-20 November 2003, Warsaw Philharmonic
Hall, Poland NAXOS
8.557766 [60:47][DC]
A
disturbingly moving and dramatic apocalypse
for your front room. ... see Full
Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Giacomo
PUCCINI (1858–1924) Madama
Butterfly (1904) Leontyne
Price (soprano) – Madama Butterfly (Cio-Cio-San); Rosalind
Elias (mezzo) – Suzuki, Cio-Cio-San’s servant; Richard Tucker
(tenor) – B.F. Pinkerton, Lieutenant in the United States
Navy; Anna di Stasio (mezzo) – Kate Pinkerton, his American
wife; Philip Maero (baritone) – Sharpless, United States
Consul at Nagasaki; Piero de Palma (tenor) – Goro, a marriage
broker; Robert Kerns (baritone) – Prince Yamadori, suitor
for Cio-Cio-San; Virgilio Carbonari (bass) – The Bonze, Cio-Cio-San’s
uncle; Arturo La Porta (baritone) – Imperial Commissioner;
Mario Rinaudo (bass) – The Registrar; Leo Pudis (bass) – Yakuside,
the uncle; Fernanda Cadoni (mezzo) – Mother of Cio-Cio-San;
Gianna Lollini (soprano) – The Aunt; Silvia Bertona (soprano) – The
Cousin; RCA Italiana Opera Orchestra and Chorus/Erich Leinsdorf
rec. 10–20 July 1962, RCA Italiana Studios, Rome SONY
BMG 82876 82622 2 [60:45
+ 68:44] [GF]
With
Price and Tucker in top form and Leinsdorf’s efficient unsentimental
conducting this budget version is a worthy addition to anyone’s
collection of Butterflies. ... see Full
Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Robert
SCHUMANN (1810-1856)
CD
1 Overture to Schiller’s Die Braut
von Messina (Bride of Messina),
Op. 100 (1850-51) [7:36] Symphony No.
1 in B flat major, Op. 38, ‘Spring’
(1841) [33:40] Symphony No. 2 in C major,
Op. 62 (1845-46) [36:41] CD 2 Overture
to Goethe’s Hermann und Dorothea,
Op. 136 (1851) [9:06] Symphony No. 3 in
E flat major, Op. 97, ‘Rhenish’ (1850) [35:56] Philharmonia
Orchestra/Riccardo Muti Symphony No. 4 in D minor, Op. 120
(1841, revised 1851) [31:43]
New Philharmonia Orchestra/Riccardo Muti
rec. Kingsway Hall, London, July 1978
(overtures); September, October 1978 (Sym.
1); October 1977 (Sym. 2); October 1977
(Sym. 3) and Abbey Road, London, September
1976 (Sym. 4). ADD EMI
CLASSICS GEMINI 09463 7149720 [78:14
+ 77:04] [MC]
If
I could have only one set of the Schumann symphonies in my collection
it would delight me to have these London performances from Riccardo
Muti on EMI Classics. ... see Full
Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957) Violin
Concerto in D minor Op. 47 (1903-5) Serenades Op.69:
No. 1 in D
major; No. 2 in G minor (1912-13) Six Humoresques Opp. 87,
89 (1917) Suite in D minor Op. 117 (1929) Miriam
Fried (violin) (Op. 47) Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra/Okko Kamu (Op. 47) Jaakko
Kuusisto (violin) (Op. 69) Kuopio Symphony Orchestra/Atso Almila (Op. 69) Leonidas
Kavakos (violin) (Opp. 87, 89)
Tapiola Sinfonietta/Juhani Lamminmäki (Opp. 87, 89) Jari Valo (violin) (Op. 117)
Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra/Juha Kangas (Op. 117) rec. Olari Church, Finland,
Nov 1996, May 1997. DDD WARNER APEX
0927 40606-2 [79:17]
[RB]
One
of the Apex jewels. Even seasoned Sibelians will want this one … generously
timed and spirited coverage. All for super-budget price. ...
see Full Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Karol SZYMANOWSKI (1882-1937)
Stabat Mater Op.53* (1926) [23:21] Litany to the Virgin
Mary Op.59** (1933) [8:01]
Symphony No.3 Op.27 Song of the Night*** (1916) [24:42] Elzbieta
Szmytka (soprano)*
Florence Quivar (mezzo)**
Jon Garrison (tenor)*** John Connell (bass)* City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus,
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra/Sir Simon Rattle rec. City Hall Birmingham,
3-4 April 1993, Stabat Mater, Litany; 1-2 October
1993 Symphony EMI CLASSICS
3 61592 2 [56:04] [DC]
I
dare you hear this recording of Szymanowski’s Stabat Mater -
now at mid price - and leave the shop without it. ... see Full
Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH
The Mystery of Christmas
Arr.
R. ANDERSON The Huron Carol [2:40] Robert
EVANS Ring-a the News* [3:09] Trad.
Arr. Noel EDISON O Come All Ye Faithful* [4:04] Harold
DARKE In the Bleak Midwinter* [5:37] Healey
WILLAN The Three Kings [2:59] Trad.
Dutch King Jesus hath a Garden [2:29] Franz
GRUBER Silent Night [3:10] Trad.
English arr. David WILLCOCKS Tomorrow Shall be my Dancing
Day [2:07] Arthur HONEGGER Laudate
Dominum* [2:22] Francis POULENC Quatre
Motets pour le temps de Noël [11:45] Trad.
French arr. David WILLCOCKS Ding-Dong Merrily on High*
[2:09] Elizabeth POSTON Jesus
Christ the Apple Tree [3:46] John RUTTER
What Sweeter Music* [5:00] Trad.
German The Linden Tree Carol [1:43] Benjamin
BRITTEN A Hymn to the Virgin [3:17] Trad.
Polish arr. Sir Malcolm Sargent Star in the South [3:20]
MENDELSSOHN arr. Noel EDISON Hark
the Herald Angels Sing* [3:14] John TAVENER
God is with Us – A Christmas Proclamation* [5:03]
The Elora Festival Singers/*Michael Bloss (organ)/Noel Edison rec.
The Church of St. Mary Magdalene, Toronto. June 1997. DDD
NAXOS 8.554179 [66:52][JQ]
This
will make an excellent Christmas present for a musical friend. Better
still, buy two copies and treat yourself too. ... see Full
Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Leopold
Stokowski - Orchestral Transcriptions Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Passacaglia and Fugue in
C minor, BWV 582 Overture (Suite) No. 3 in D major, BWV 1068:
II. Air, Air on a G String Was
mir behagt, BWV 208, "Hunt Cantata": Aria: Sheep may safely
graze Fugue in G minor, BWV 578, Little Fugue Komm süsser Tod,
BWV 478 Christ
lag in Todesbanden, BWV 4: Jesus Christus Gottes Sohn St. John Passion,
BWV 245: Aria: Es ist vollbracht! Clavierubung III: Wir glauben all'
an einem Gott, BWV 680 ‘Giant’ Fugue
Orgelbuchlein: Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 599 ANONYMOUS Two
Ancient Liturgical Melodies George Frederic
HANDEL (1865-1759) Messiah, HWV 56, Part I: Pastoral Symphony, "Pifa" Henry
PURCELL (1659-1695) Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626: When
I am laid in earth, "Dido's Lament" All arrangements by L. Stokowski Bournemouth
Symphony Orchestra/José Serebrier rec. Concert Hall, Lighthouse, Poole, UK, 29-30
June 2005. DDD NAXOS
8.557883 [67:51] [IL]
Sheer
magnificence. Heartily recommended. ... see Full
Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH The
Tallis Scholars - Renaissance Giants CD
1 Thomas TALLIS (c.1505-1585) Spem
in alium [9:58] John TAVERNER (c.1490-1545) Western
Wind Mass [32.18] Josquin DES PRÉS (c.1440-1521) Missa
Pange lingua [29:47] CD 2 Giovanni
Pierluigi da PALESTRINA (c.1525-1594) Missa Brevis
[21:38] William BYRD (1543-1623) Mass
for four voices [22:06] Tomás Luis
da VICTORIA (1548-1611) Requiem [35:26] The
Tallis Scholars/Peter Phillips (director) rec. Merton College
Chapel, Oxford:1985 Tallis, 1986 des Prés, 1986 Palestrina, 1984 Byrd.
Salle Church, Norfolk: 1993 Taverner. St.John, Hackney,
London: 1987 Victoria GIMELL
CDGIM207 [72:03 + 79:10] [DC]
Programming,
performance and production are well-nigh faultless. ... see Full
Review