PART 3
C-L

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]

Robert CASADESUS (1899-1972) Symphony No.1 Op.19 (1934-35) [26:56] Symphony No.5 Op.60 “sur le nom de Haydn” (1959-60) [20:00] Symphony No.7 Op.68 “Israel” (1967-70) [16:57] Natasha Jouhl (soprano); Alexandra Gibson (mezzo); Mark Wilde (tenor); Michael Druiett (bass) Gateshead Children’s Choir; Northern Sinfonia Chorus Northern Sinfonia/Howard Shelley Rec. Jubilee Hall, Gosforth, Newcastle, October 2003 CHANDOS CHAN 10263 [64:13][JW]

Performances excellent though in truth the music is variable. I warmed to the warmth and piety of the last, late symphony but the First is the strongest ... see Full Review

Marc-Antoine CHARPENTIER (1643-1704) Vêpres aux Jésuites Ouverture pour le sacre d'un évêque H.536 [3:20] Dixit Dominus, Psalm 109 H.204 [10:30] Sancti Dei per fidem H.361 [3:45] Laudate Pueri, Psalm 112 H.203 [11:10] Confitebor Tibi... In Concilio, Psalm 110 H.225 [15:07] Regina Caeli H.32 [2:15] Beatus Vir, Psalm 111 H.208 [18:14] Serve Bone H.35 [2:07] Nisi Dominus, Psalm 126 H.160 [9:48] Ave Maris Stella H.67 [7:51] Magnificat H.78 [14:53] Domine Salvum (plainchant) [1:37] Magali Dami, Natacha Ducret, Marie-Laure Chabloz (soprano); Charles Daniels (counter-tenor); Mark Tucker, Hans-Jürg Rickenbacher (tenor); Peter Harvey, Stephen Imboden (bass) Ensemble Vocal de Lausanne; Ensemble Baroque L’Arpa Festante, Munich/Michel Corboz. rec. Studio Desarzens, Radio Lausanne, January and June 1993. Remastered July 2005. CASCAVELLE VEL3088 [64:21 + 36:16] [GPu]

Much to admire in Corboz’s recordings of a ‘Vespers’ sequence of Charpentier’s works written for l’Église Saint-Louis, the chief Jesuit church of Paris … see Full Review

Rebecca CLARKE (1886-1979) Viola Music Viola Sonata (1919) [27:01] Passacaglia (on an old English tune) for viola and piano (c.1941) [5:17] Lullaby for viola and piano (1909) [4:37] Lullaby on an Ancient Irish Tune for viola and piano (1913) [2:36] Morpheus for viola and piano (c.1918) [7:18] Chinese Puzzle for viola and piano (1922) [1:28] I’II bid my heart be still for viola and piano (1944) [3:32] Untitled Piece for viola and piano (c.1918) [5:21] Dumka for violin, viola and piano (c.1941) [10:13] Prelude, Allegro and Pastorale for viola and clarinet (1941) [6:42] Philip Dukes (viola); Sophia Rahman (piano); Daniel Hope (violin); Robert Plane (clarinet) rec. 3-5 June 2004, Concert Hall, Wells Cathedral School, Somerset, UK. DDD NAXOS 8.557934 [78:54][MC]

This is a very splendidly performed and recorded disc from Naxos that will undoubtedly bring the music of Rebecca Clarke to a wider audience. ... see Full Review

Boult conducts Coates; Boult conducts Marches Eric COATES (1886-1957) The Merrymakers Overture (1923) [4:40] Summer Days Suite (1919) [11:35] From Meadow to Mayfair Suite (1931) [8:19] The Three Elizabeths Suite - March Queen Elizabeth (1944) [5:12] The Three Bears - Phantasy (1927) [9:44] March The Dambusters (1954) [4:02] Percy GRAINGER (1882-1961) Children’s March Over the Hills and far away (1918, 1928) [3:55] Frederick DELIUS (1862-1924) Marche Caprice (1890) [3:23] William WALTON (1902-1983) Hamlet: Funeral March (1947) [4:44] Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) The Wasps: March past of the kitchen utensils (1909) [3:04] Gioacchino ROSSINI (1792-1868) (arranged by Benjamin Britten) Soirées Musicales: March (1936) [1:28] Gustav HOLST (1874-1934) Suite in E flat Op.28 No.1: March (1909) [3:00] New Philharmonia Orchestra/Boult London Philharmonic Orchestra/Boult rec. Kingsway Hall, London, 9 November, 6 December 1976 (Coates); 15 August, 19 September, 13 November 1976 (other items). ADD LYRITA SRCD.246 [63.08] [RB]

Boult’s Coates and Boult’s marches. Surprises in both and stacks of character. ... see Full Review

Eric COATES (1886-1957) Suite: The Three Men (1935) [23:19] Concert Valse: Dancing Night (1932) [8:12] Two Symphonic Rhapsodies: I Pitch my Lonely Caravan; Birdsongs at Eventide/I Heard You Singing (1933) [5:06; 5:19] Idyll: Summer Afternoon (1924) [3:53] Ballet: The Enchanted Garden (1946) [21:11] Concert Valse: Footlights (1939) [5:50] Suite: Four Centuries IV Rhythm (20th Century) (1942) [6:57] March: London Bridge (1934) [4:31] London Philharmonic Orchestra/Barry Wordsworth rec. 1990s? DDD LYRITA SRCD213 [76.19] [RB]

One of the most handsome Coates collections, recorded con amore and performed with idiomatic dedication. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH François COUPERIN (1668-1733) 4 Livres de pièces de clavecin - Complete harpsichord music Michael Borgstede (harpsichord) rec. March-April 2004, January, February, June 2005, Maria Minor Church, Utrecht, Westvestkerk in Schiedam and Hervormde Kerk in Rhoon, Netherlands. DDD BRILLIANT CLASSICS 93082 [11 CDs:] [JV]

An impressive recording of Couperin's complete harpsichord music - Borgstede's interpretation fully answers the 18th century ideal of 'bon goût' ... see Full Review

Luigi DALLAPICCOLA (1904-1975) A Portrait Sonatina Canonica in mi bemolle, su ‘Capricci’ di Niccolò Paganini (1942-43) [11:22] Quaderno Musicale di Annalibera (1952) [16:37] Quattro Liriche di Antonio Machado per canto e pianoforte (1948) [8:15] Ciaccona, Intermezzo e Adagio per violoncello solo (1945) [16:14] Goethe-Lieder per una voce di mezzo soprano e tre clarinetti (1953) [7:51] Tre episodi dal balletto MARSIA (1949) [13:55] Susan Hamilton (soprano) Nicola Stonehouse (mezzo) Robert Irvine (cello) David Wilde (piano) Katie Lockhart (E flat clarinet) Colin Blamey (B flat clarinet) Marianne Rawles (bass clarinet in B flat) rec. December 2003, St Mary’s Parish Church, Haddington, Scotland; January 2005,St Silas the Martyr, Kentish Town, London; February 2005, Reid Concert Hall, University of Edinburgh; April 2005, Gartmore Parish Church, Scotland DELPHIAN DCD34020 [74:12] [JW]

Not for everyone as there are those who may find Dallapiccola somewhat unyielding. The performances and recording however are first class ... see Full Review

Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Images pour orchestre (1906-1911) [37:10] Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune (1894) [11:37] La Mer (1905) [26:24] Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia/Leonard Bernstein rec. Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, Roma, June 1989. Live recording. DDD DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON ENTRÉE 4775014 [75:52] [TP]

This is a disc for Debussy collectors and Bernstein fans only. ... see Full Review

Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Prélude a l'après-midi d'un faune (1892) [9:23] Nocturnes (1897-9) [24:31]* La mer (1903-5) [24:29] Berceuse héroïque (1914/5) [5:13] Women of the May Festival Chorus * Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra/Paavo Järvi rec. Music Hall, Cincinnati, January and February 2004 TELARC SACD-60617 [64:15][SV]

If you're new to the repertoire, and looking for this combination of pieces, this handsomely recorded album will serve very well. ... see Full Review

Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Pelléas et Mélisande – opera in five acts (1902) Libretto: Maurice Maeterlinck Pelleas – Jacques Jansen (tenor); Mélisande – Irene Joachim (soprano); Golaud – Henri-Bertrand Etcheverry (baritone); Geneviève – Germane Cernay (mezzo); Arkel – Paul Cabanel (bass); Yniold – Leila ben Sedira (soprano) Chorus Yvonne Gouverné Orchestre Symphonique/Roger Désormière rec. April-November 1941, Salle du Conservatoire, Paris Mélodies: Fêtes galantes; Chansons de Bilitis; Le Promenoir des deux amants; Proses lyriques (No. 2); Ballades de François Villon (No 3) – Maggie Teyte (soprano), Alfred Cortot (piano) rec. 12-13 March 1936, Studio No 3, Abbey Road, London Excerpt from Pelléas et Mélisande; Ariettes oubliées (Nos 1, 3, 5) Mary Garden (soprano), Claude Debussy (piano) rec. May 1904, Paris Digitally remastered at Abbey Road Studios 2006 – mono EMI CLASSICS GREAT RECORDINGS OF THE CENTURY 3457702 [3 CDs: 57.31+ 69.43 + 68.31] [RMO]

A superb rendition of the opera … see Full Review

Josquin DES PRÉZ (c. 1440-1521) Johannes MARTINI (c. 1440-1498) * Eneas DUPRÉ (15^th century) ** Elzéar Genet CARPENTRAS (c. 1470-1548) *** Masses CD 1 Missa Pange Lingua, Motets Missa Pange lingua [36:10] Christus mortuus est pro nobis/Circumdederunt me [2:16] Qui velatus facie fuisti [11:28] Pange lingua [3:52] O Domine Jesu Christe [10:22] Popule meus [5:36] Nos autem [3:24] DDD NAÏVE 8639 CD 2 L'homme Armé Masses (****) Missa L'homme armé super voces musicales [30:34] Missa L'homme armé sexti toni [34:59] DDD NAÏVE 8809 CD 3 Missa De Beata Virgine Missa de beata virgine [33:02] O virgo prudentissima [6:24] Stabat mater dolorosa [6:38] Ave Maria à 6 [4:32] Inviolata, integra et casta es, Maria [4:47] Tu solus qui facis mirabilia [4:09] DDD ASTRÉE 8560 CD 4 Missa Ave Maris Stella, Motets Missa Ave maris stella [23:32] Salve, regina [3:47] Gaude virgo, mater Christi [3:17] Alma Redemptoris mater/Ave regina celorem [5:51] Vultum tuum deprecabuntur [18:16] Ave maris stella [7:36] DDD NAÏVE 8507 CD 5 Missa Gaudeamus, Motets (****) Missa Gaudeamus [46:41] Recordare virgo Mater [4:06] Regina caeli [4:24] Ave maris stella [5:33] Virgo salutiferi [6:13] DDD NAÏVE 8612 CD 6 Missa Hercules Dux Ferrariae Perfunde Coeli Rore (1473) [7:20] (*)(****) Inviolata, integra et casta es [3:28] (****) Miserere mei, Deus [12:43] (****) Chi à Martello dio gl'il Toglia  [2:35] (**) Deus, in nomine tuo  [4:23] (***) Missa Hercules Dux Ferrariae  [30:55] (****) Rec. Sep1996 DDD NAÏVE 8601 A Sei Voci (Ruth Holton (soprano); Delphine Collot (soprano); Raoul Le Chenadec (counter-tenor); Jean-Louis Comoretto (counter-tenor); Thierry Brehu (tenor); James Gowings (baritone); Hervé Lamy (tenor); Bernard Fabre-Garrus (baritone)) Maîtrise des Pays de Loire (****) Les Saqueboutiers du Toulouse and Ensemble Labyrinthes (**/***) Michel Bouvard (organ) (***) Bernard Fabré-Garrus rec. Fontevraud Royal Abbey, France, Jan 1995 (CD3); Abbaye de l'Epau, France, Jan 1993 (CD 4) NAÏVE E8906 [6 CDs: 69:32 + 73:59 + 59:00 + 63:00 + 67:55 + 62:01][MS]

A set definitely to investigate. Recommended for  any lover of choral polyphony. Unlikely to be definitive – one senses A Sei Voci are still evolving their interpretations. Wholly positive contributions to the recorded repertoire nevertheless. ... see Full Review

Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) String Quartet No. 13 in G, B192/Op. 106^a (1896) [38:47]. Leoš JANÁČEK (1854-1928) String Quartet No. 2, Intimate Letters^b (1928) [25:49]. Artemis String Quartet. rec. Klaus-von-Bismarksaal, Cologne Radio, ^a 1-5 February 2003; ^b Stolberger Strasse Studio, Cologne, 20-22 June 2004. DDD VIRGIN CLASSICS 3533992 [64:36] [JW]

Very little in either performance appealed to me. Exaggeration taken to the level of violence - the result: caricature. ... see Full Review

Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) Requiem Op.89 B165 (1890) Gabriela Beňačková (soprano) Ida Kirilová (alto) Josef Protscka (tenor) Luděk Vele (bass) Prague Philharmonic Chorus Czech Philharmonic Orchestra/Václav Neumann rec. St. Vitus Cathedral, Prague, 1988 Sound Format; PCM stereo: languages; GB, D, F, SP: Subtitles; GB, D, F, SP: picture Format; 4:3: Region Code; 0 (worldwide): DVD 9 NTSC ARTHAUS 102 063 [97:00] [JW]

Neumann directs with impressive and only occasionally impassive control. This visual documentation of Neumann’s Requiem is valuable ... see Full Review

Ross EDWARDS (b.1943) White Ghost Dancing (1999) [7:30] Veni Creator Spiritus (1993) [15:51] Concerto for Guitar and Strings (1995) [18:36] Mountain Village in a Clearing Mist (1973) [14:50] Chorale and Ecstatic Dance (Enyato I) (1993) [13:51] Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra/Richard Mills rec. Federation Concert Hal, Hobart, December 2002, December 2003 ABC CLASSICS 476 227-0 [70:17][JW]

Another winner from the ABC stable – and played as ever with brilliance ... see Full Review

Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Piano Music Sonatina in G major (1887 rev. 1930) [4:08] Dream Children Op.43 (1902 orchestral version) [6:16] Une Idylle Op.4 No.1 (1884) [4:10] Carissima (1913) [4:14] May Song (1901) [4:16] Douce Pensée (Rosemary) (1882) [2:44] Echo’s Dance (adapted and transcribed from The Sanguine Fan, Op.81 No.7 Allegro) (1916) [2:11] Sérénade Mauresque: No. 2 of Three Characteristic Pieces, Op.10 (1899) [5:59] Enigma Variations, Op.36 (1899) [32:48] Ashley Wass (piano) rec. St George’s Church, Brandon Hill, Bristol, 30 January-1 February 2006. DDD NAXOS 8.570166 [66:58][JW]

The prize here is Elgar’s own piano transcription of the Enigma Variations. ... see Full Review

Heinrich Wilhelm ERNST (1814-1865) Music for Violin and Orchestra Fantaisie Brillante sur la Marche et la Romance d'Otello de Rossini for violin and orchestra, Op. 11 (pub.1839) [15:01] Concerto in F sharp minor for violin and orchestra, Op. 23 (Concerto Allegro-Pathétique) (pub.1850) [19:46] Elégie sur la mort d'un objet chéri for violin and orchestra, Op. 10 (pub. 1840) [6:17] Concertino in D major for violin and orchestra, Op. 12 (pub. 1839) [20:25] Rondo Papageno for violin and orchestra, Op. 20 (pub.1846) [9:01] Ilya Grubert (violin) Russian Philharmonic Orchestra/Dmitry Yablonsky rec. 14 December 2004, 1 May 2005, Studio 5, Russian State TV & Radio Company Kultura, Moscow, Russia. DDD NAXOS 8.557565 [70:30] [MC]

Grubert’s sound palette is impressive and his virtuosity remarkable. Ernst deserves a wider audience, especially in performances as excellent as these ... see Full Review

Thierry Escaich (b. 1965) Exultet - Oeuvres  Vocales Three Motets (1998) [5:57, 4:12, 2:20] Les Lamentations (du prophète Jérémie) (1998) [10:15] Terra Desolata (2001) [8:53] Exultet (2005) [6:47] Ad Ultimas Laudes (1993) [10:29] Dixit Dominus (2002) [4:01] In Memoriam (2002) [6:59] Thierry Escaich (organ); Pierre Eric Nimylowcyz , Gabriel Grosbard (violin); Françoise Rojat (viola); Tormod Dalen (cello); Caroline Delume (theorbo); Francois Saint-Yves (orgue positif); Bertrand Chamayou (piano); Florent Jodelet (percussion); Francois Desforges (timpani). Ensemble Vocal Sequenza 9.3/Catherine Simonpietri rec. Salle César Franck of the Schola Cantorum, Paris, (Terra Desolata and Exultet) 30 June 2005 and at St. Etienne-du-Mont, Paris, 26-28 June 2005 (all other works) Accord 476 9074 [61:88][WK]

Challenging but well-crafted works from a leading French modernist. ... see Full Review

Gabriel FAURÉ (1845-1924) Requiem op.48 (1900 version) (a) [32:54] Messe basse (b) [08:40] Maurice DURUFLÉ (1902-1986) Tu es Petrus op.10/3 (c) [01:03] Tantum ergo op.10/4 (d) [02:37] Francis POULENC (1899-1963) Mass in G (e) [20:03] Arleen Augér (soprano) (a); Benjamin Luxon (baritone) (a); Paul Smy (treble) (b); Mark Harris (treble) (e); Choir of King’s College, Cambridge (a, b, c, d); Winchester Cathedral Choir (e); John Butt (organ) (a, b)/Sir Philip Ledger (a, b, c, d); Martin Neary (e) rec.15-17 March 1982 (a, b); 17 December 1980 (c, d); 23-24 March 1987 (e); in King’s College, Cambridge (a, b, c, d); Winchester Cathedral (e) EMI CLASSICS FOR PLEASURE 0946 3 75906 2 1 [65:38][CH]

The Fauré Requiem yields to the earlier King’s version under Willcocks but the Poulenc is worth the price of the disc on its own. ... see Full Review

Ross Lee FINNEY (1906-1997) Fantasy in two movements for solo violin (1958) [20:20] Sonata No. 2 for violin and piano (1951) [12:35] Sonata No. 3 in A for violin and piano (1954) [19:59] Fiddle-doodle-ad: Eight American Folk Tunes for violin and piano (1945) [8:47] Miranda Cuckson (violin) Thomas Sauer (piano) rec. 12-13 November 2004, Patrych Sound Studios, NY. DDD CENTAUR CRC 2757 [63:48] [RB]

Finney: severe, fantastic and not averse to sparkle; superbly played and recorded. ... see Full Review

Johann Caspar Ferdinand FISCHER (1656-1746) Musica sacra Concertus de Santa Cruce (c.1701) [14:18] Missa Sancti Dominici [17:53] Lytaniae Lauretanae VI – Honori Visitationis B.V. Mariae (c.1711) [7:05] Vesperae seu Palsmi Vespertini pro toto Anno (c.1701) [20:34] IV Antiphonae pro toto Anno – Antiphona III Regina coeli laetare (c.1711) [3:58] Rastatter Hofkapelle/Jürgen Ochs rec. Hans Rosbaud Studio, Baden-Baden, October 2006. DDD  CARUS 83.172 [64:36] [JW]

Fischer was a resourceful and attractive composer – no innovator but no stick-in-the-mud Kapellmeister either. ... see Full Review

Jean FRANÇAIX (1912-1997) L’Horloge de Flore (for oboe and orchestra) ¹ (1959) [15:50] Quartet for Cor Anglais, Violin, Viola and Cello ² [14:20] Trio for Oboe, Bassoon and Piano ³ [17:08] String Quartet in G ⁴ (1934) [12:29] Lajos Lencsés (oboe ^{1, 3} and cor anglais ²) Radio-Sinfonieorchester Stuttgart des SWR/Uri Segal ¹ Parisii Quartett ^2,4 Françaix-Trio ³ rec. Karlsruhe SWR studios, May 1983 ¹, 21 October 1999 ², 17 February 2000 ³, Stuttgart SWR Kammermusik Studio 3 July 1998 ⁴ DDD CPO 999 779-2 [60:19][PCW]

Francaix’s music is, as ever, undemanding and attractive … see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH César FRANCK (1822-1890) Symphony in D minor (1886-1888) [35:06] Ernest CHAUSSON (1855-1899) Symphony in B flat (1890) [33:05] Suisse Romande Orchestra/Marek Janowski rec. Dinemec Studio, Gland/Geneva, Switzerland, July 2006 PENTATONE CLASSICS PTC5186078 [68:25] [CH]

I’m delighted to be able to recommended a version of the much maligned and often maltreated Franck Symphony that matches the great versions of the past. ... see Full Review

Christoph Willibald GLUCK (1714–1787) Alceste – Tragic opera in three Acts - Paris Version (1776) Admète - Donald Kaasch (tenor) Alceste - Catherine Naglestad (soprano) Évandre - Bernhard Schneider (tenor) Chorus Leader - Catriona Smith (soprano) High Priest of Apollo / Thanatos - (baritone) Voice of the Oracle - Nam Kim Soo (bass) Apollo - Motti Kastón (bass-baritone) Hercules - Michael Ebbecke (bass) A Herald - Wolfgang Probst (bass-baritone) Choir of the Stuttgart State Opera Stuttgart State Orchestra/Constantinos Carydis rec. Staatsoper Stuttgart, 2006 ARTHAUS MUSIK 101 251 [165:00][RM]

Overcome any prejudice against a modern production: this is powerhouse opera Stuttgart style. ... see Full Review

Louis Moreau GOTTSCHALK (1829-1869) Deuxième Banjo Op.82 (1853-54) [4:47] Solitude Op.65 (1855) [4:06] La Brise (c.1865) [4:01] Souvenir de la Havane (1859-60) [6:01] Le Chant du Martyr (c.1854) [6:15] Manchega (c.1851-52) [3:42] La Savane (1845) [6:20] Union – Paraphrase de Concert (1864) [8:44] Lambert Orkis (piano) rec. Coolidge Auditorium, Library of Congress, May 1982. ADD BRIDGE 9206 [43:56] [JW]

Performances richly enjoyable, redolent of opulent soirées and New Orleans salons and the calliope on the river. ... see Full Review

Peder GRAM (1881-1956) Orchestral Works Vol. 1 Overture in C major, op. 21 (1921) [9:57] Poème lyrique, op. 9 (1911) [9:06] Symphony no. 1, op. 12 (1914) [31:38] Prologue to a Drama by Shakespeare, op. 27 (1928) [13:22] South Jutland Symphony Orchestra/Matthias Aeschbacher rec. Musikhuset Sønderborg, 9-13 January 2006. DDD DACAPO 8.224713 [64:05] [RB]

Undeniably attractive – try the Poème Lyrique - but lacks total conviction. ... see Full Review

Giovanni Lorenzo GREGORI (1663-1745) Concerti grossi  piu Stromenti Op.2 (publ. 1698) [46:01] Alessandro STRADELLA (1644-1682) Sinfonie “in due cori” [1:58] Cantata per il santissimo Natale [9:01] Sonata di viole – concertino di due violini, el lueto, Concerto grosso di viole [7:15] Capriccio Basel rec. Kirche Heilig Kreuz, Binningen, September and October 2005 CAPRICCIO 71091 [64:21] [JW]

Capriccio Basel captured with fidelity … an original instrument ensemble … pithy and lyrical ... see Full Review

Eivind GROVEN (1901-1977) Hjalarljod, overture, Op.38 (1950) [6:05] Symphony No.1, Op.26 Innover viddene (Towards the Mountains) (1938, 1951) [28:39] Symfoniske slåttar nr.1, Op.43 (Norwegian Symphonic Dances No.1) (1956) (I. Brureslått [3:45]; II. Springar [3:31]; III. Gangar [7:40]) Faldafeykir (Symfoniske slåttar nr.2), Op.53 (Norwegian Symphonic Dances No.2) (1965) (I. Gibø-springar [3:51]; II. Taug gangar [5:10]; III. Sevlien (halling) [3:51]) Stavanger Symphony Orchestra/Eivind Aadland rec. Stavanger Concert Hall, Norway, October 2001. DDD BIS-CD-1312 [63:55][RB]

Blow away the cobwebs with this open air Nationalist music with a strong dance theme. ... see Full Review

HK GRUBER (b. 1943) Zeitstimmung (1996) [38:35] Rough Music (1983) [26:06] Perpetuum Mobile/Charivari (1981 rev. 1984/1999) [13:25] HK Gruber (chansonnier) Martin Grubinger (percussion) Tonkünstler Orchestra/Kristian Järvi rec. Vienna, February 2005, October 2004. BIS SACD1681 [78:06] [AOz]

Grab this recording for the authentic Gruber experience ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Patrick HADLEY (1899-1973) The Trees so High: Symphonic Ballad in A minor (1931) [34.07] Thomas Allen (baritone) Guildford Philharmonic Choir New Philharmonia Orchestra/Vernon Handley Gerald FINZI (1901-1956) Intimations of Immortality - Ode for tenor solo, chorus and orchestra (1949) [43.12] Ian Partridge (tenor) Guildford Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra/Vernon Handley rec. 1970s. ADD original recordings made in association with the Finzi and RVW Trusts (Finzi); RVW Trust (Hadley) LYRITA SRCD 238 [77:19] [RB]

Matchless versions of major works. Outstanding achievement by composers, performers and technicians. Substantial and frankly irresistible. ... see Full Review

George Frederic HANDEL (1685-1759) Solomon (1748) Ewa Wolak (mezzo) – Solomon Elizabeth Scholl (soprano) – Pharoah’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 NAXOS 8.557574-5 [81:06 + 79:01][JW]

Apart from a few somewhat constrained virtues this set is a big disappointment. ... see Full Review

Howard HANSON (1896-1981) Concerto for Organ, Harp and Strings (1926; for chamber orchestra 1941) [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 orchestrated 1950) [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] [JW]

A tempting and bargain priced programme, excellently performed and recorded. ... see Full Review

Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Die Jahreszeiten (1801) Gundula Janowitz (soprano) Werner Hollweg (tenor) Walter Berry (bass) Choir of the German Opera Berlin Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/Herbert von Karajan rec. Jesus-Christus-Kirche, Berlin, November 1972 EMI CLASSICS GEMINI 3714822 [79:16 + 74:00] [JW]

In the final analysis tends to over-scrupulousness in terms of orchestral lines and has uneven soloists and a disappointing chorus. ... see Full Review

Johann David HEINICHEN (1683-1729) Concertos and Sonatas Concerto a 4 for oboe, bassoon, cello and harpsichord in G [08:41] Sonata a 3 for oboe, viola da gamba and bc in c minor [06:21] Sonata a 2 for oboe and bassoon in c minor [10:53] Concerto a 4 for violin, viola da gamba and bc in D [10:46] Sonata a 3 for oboe, violin and bc in c minor [06:15] Sonata a 2 for oboe and bc in g minor [08:26] Sonata a 3 for violin, oboe and bassoon in B [07:50] Epoca Barocca (Alessandro Piqué (oboe); Margarete Adorf (violin); Hartwig Groth (viola da gamba); Ilze Grudule (cello); Sergio Azzolini (bassoon); Matthias Spaeter (archlute); Christoph Lehmann (harpsichord (organ)) rec. November 2003, Studio of Deutschlandfunk, Cologne, Germany. DDD cpo 777 115-2 [59:42] [JV]

This disc gives an idea of the splendour of music-making at the court in Dresden in the early 18th century - Musica Epoca delivers vivid and dynamic performances ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Ferdinand HÉROLD (1791-1833) La Somnambule (1827) Orchestra Victoria/Richard Bonynge rec. Iwaki Auditorium, Melbourne, Australia, July 2004 MELBA MR301087 [69:30][RW]

How could such fine music as this have remained neglected until now? ... see Full Review

Philippe HERSANT (b.1948) Concerto for cello and orchestra No.2 (1996-1997) [37:45] Heathcliff* (2005) [35:41] Cyrille Tricoire (cello) Orchestre National de Montpellier LR/Juraj Valčuha, Daniel Kawka* (conductor) rec. live, Montpellier Opera Berlioz – Le Corum, 30 January 2004 (Concerto), 10 February 2006 (Heathcliff). DDD ACCORD 442 8168 [73:23][DC]

Philippe Hersant’s music can tap into the emotions and set the brain fizzing with imagery and associations. ... see Full Review

Gustav HOLST (1874-1934) Choral Hymns from the Rig Veda (1908-12) [12.16] Purcell Singers/Osian Ellis (harp)/Imogen Holst Savitri - A chamber opera in one act (1908) [30.43] Janet Baker (mezzo), Robert Tear (tenor), Thomas Hemsley (baritone)/Purcell Singers/English Chamber Orchestra/ Imogen Holst Seven Partsongs [20.05] Purcell Singers/English Chamber Orchestra/ Imogen Holst The Evening Watch (1924) [4.26] Purcell Singers/Imogen Holst A Fugal Concerto (1922) [7.26] St Paul's Suite (1912-13) [12.33] St Paul Chamber Orchestra/Christopher Hogwood The Perfect Fool - ballet music (1923) [10.43] Egdon Heath (1928) [12.49] London Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Adrian Boult The Hymn of Jesus (1920) [21.46] BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus/Sir Adrian Boult A Moorside Suite (1928) [14.26] Grimethorpe Colliery Band/Elgar Howarth rec. 1961 (The Perfect Fool, Egdon Heath); 1962 (The Hymn of Jesus); 1965 (Choral Hymns, Savitri, Partsongs, The Evening Watch); 1973 (Moorside Suite); 1992 (Fugal Concerto, St Paul's Suite). ADD; DDD Budget price DECCA 470 191 2 [2 CDs: 74.15 + 75:13] [SH]

Definitive Holst from Decca’s glory days … the music is so fresh and, mostly, presented with authority. Magnificent ... see Full Review

Gustav HOLST (1874-1934) Two Psalms for choir, string orchestra and organ H117 (1912) [12:02] Six Choruses for male voices and string orchestra H186 aka Op.53 (1932) [20:29] The Evening Watch for mezzo, tenor and eight part choir H159 aka Op.43 (1924) [4:42] Seven Partsongs for female voices and string orchestra H162 aka Op.44 (1926) [23:44] Nunc dimittis for a capella chorus H127 (1915 rev 1979 I.Holst) [3:23] Holst Singers Holst Orchestra/Hilary Davan Wetton Isobel Collyer (sop); Joya Logan (mezzo); Christopher Mercer (tenor) John Birch (organ) rec. October 1988. DDD HYPERION HELIOS CDH55170 [64:38] [SH]

Wetton achieves a foot in the door of showing the wonder of Holst’s music and its relevance to music composed long after his death ... see Full Review

Gustav HOLST (1874-1934) Walt Whitman Op.7 (1899) [7:14] Suite de Ballet in E flat Op.10 (1899) [19:43] Suite in E flat Op.28 No.1 orch. Gordon Jacob (1909) [10:12] A Hampshire Suite Op. 28 No.2 orch. Gordon Jacob (1911) [11:18] A Moorside Suite orch. Gordon Jacob (1928) [17:01] London Philharmonic Orchestra/Nicholas Braithwaite rec. Watford Town Hall, 14 Jan 1988 (Whitman); July and 23 August 1993 (Suite E flat); 26 August 1993 (Hampshire, Moorside); Kingsway Hall, 7 March 1980 (Suite de Ballet). ADD (Suite de Ballet); DDD LYRITA SRCD.210 [63:31] [RB]

Not perhaps the most essential of Holst collections but invaluable at satisfying the Holstians’ curiosity. Three works in fully mature voice and two, professional, but not out of his most personal stock. ... see Full Review

Alan HOVHANESS (1911-2000) Khrimian Hairig, Op. 49 (1944-48) [07:58] Guitar Concerto, Op. 325 (1979) [31:58] Symphony No. 60 To the Appalachian Mountains Op. 396 (1985) [33:34] Lars Ranch (trumpet) David Leisner (guitar) Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra/Gerard Schwarz rec. Jesus-Christus-Kirche, Berlin Dalheim, Germany, 6-8 July 2005. DDD NAXOS 8.559294 [73:24] [PCW]

Deserves to be widely heard and the atmospheric Guitar Concerto is a real find … see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH John IRELAND (1879-1962) Tritons, symphonic prelude (c.1905) [10:29] The Forgotten Rite, prelude (1913) [7:07] Mai-Dun, symphonic rhapsody (1920-21) [11:23] A London Overture (1936) [11:57] Epic March (1942) [8:12] Themes from Julius Caesar (arr. Geoffrey Bush) (Scherzo; Cortège) (1942) [6:45] The Overlanders, suite (ed. Charles Mackerras) (Scorched Earth; Mary & Sailor; Open Country; The Brumbies; Night Stampede) (1946-47) [20:07] London Philharmonic Orchestra/Adrian Boult rec. 1960s. ADD recordings originally made in association with John Ireland Trust LYRITA SRCD 240 [76:04] [RB]

A classic John Ireland collection – magically done ... see Full Review

Amando IVANČIĆ (1727-1790?) Missa Solemnis [38:30] Regina Coeli [1:11] Salve Regina [3:31] Litania de B. Maria Virgine [21:38] Anna Mikołajcyzk (soprano); Piotr Olech (alto); Krzysztof Szmyt (tenor); Mirosław Borczyński (bass) Sine Nomine Concerto Polacco/Marek Toporowski rec. Evangelical-Reformed Church, Warsaw, March 2006. DDD Jasnogorska Muzyka Dawna Vol.13. DUX 0352 [59:15] [GPu]

Good performances of attractive music by a slightly older contemporary of Haydn … will appeal to all with an interest in the emergence of classical idioms … see Full Review

Charles IVES (1874-1954) String Quartet No.1: From the Salvation Army (1896) [21:46] Scherzo (ca.1907-14) [1:42] String Quartet No.2 (1911-13) [26:59] Blair String Quartet rec. Ingram Hall, Blair School of Music, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 5, 6, 8 March 2004. NAXOS 8.559178 [50:19] [JW]

The playing is involved and involving and conveys Ives’s journey from late Romanticism to modernism with conviction. ... see Full Review

Elena KATS-CHERNIN (b. 1957) Wild Swans Concert Suite (2003) [36’47] 1.Green Leaf [2:39]; 2. Eliza Aria [3:17]; 3. Brothers [1:50]; 4. Wicked Witch [1’51]; 5. Magic Spell Tango [3:42]; 6. Good Fairy [3:16]; 7. Knitting Nettles [3:17]; 8. Darkness in the Forest [3:43]; 9. Eliza and the Prince [3:55]; 10. Glow Worms [1:28]; 11. Mute Princess [3:50]; 12. Transformation [3:59] Piano Concerto No. 2 (2001) [18:23] 13. I [5:34]; 14. II [4:08]; 15. III [2:47]; 16. IV [5:54] Mythic (2004) [11:28] Jane Sheldon, soprano (1-12); Ian Munro, piano (12-16) Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra/Ola Rudner rec. 16-19 August 2004, Federation Concert Hall, Hobart, Tasmania. DDD ABC CLASSICS 476 7639 [66:41][JW]

Performances in this exhilarating TSO series … For exuberance, colour and vivacity this is one of the best ... see Full Review

Don KAY (b.1933) Tasmania Symphony – The Legend of Moinee [40:36] ¹ There is an Island (1977) [36:00] ² Christian Wojtowicz (cello) ¹ Australian Rosny Children’s Choir ² Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra/Richard Mills ¹ Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra/Georg Tintner ² rec. Hobart, Tasmania, 1992 ABC CLASSICS 467 5253 [70:36][JW]

A welcome reissue. Kay’s clear voice celebrates Tasmania in song with undimmed warmth and honesty. ... see Full Review

Gordon KERRY (b. 1961) Nocturne for double chamber orchestra (1995) [11:11] Concerto for cello, strings and percussion (1996) [14:31]* Bright Meniscus (1997) [8:54] Heart’s-Clarion for trumpet and strings (1988) [13:21]+ Harvesting the solstice thunders [12:35] Sue-Ellen Paulsen (cello)* Geoffrey Payne (trumpet)+ Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra/David Porcelijn rec. Odeon Theatre, Hobart, June 2000 ABC CLASSICS 4762268 [61:03] [JW]

Kerry’s is a strong and individual voice and he’s been outstandingly well served by his forces here. ... see Full Review

Charles KOECHLIN (1867-1950) Les Chants de Nectaire (1944) 1^ère série: 32 pièces d'après La Révolte des Anges de Anatole France, op. 198 [62:32] 2^ème série: Dans la Forêt antique, op. 199 [48:38] 3^ème série: Prières, danses et cortèges pour les Dieux familiers, op. 200 [60:28] Pierre-Yves Artaud (flute) rec. Temple Saint-Marcel de Paris, 1997-98. DDD SISYPHE 001 [3 CDs: 62:32 + 48:54 + 60:28] [RB]

Concentrated delight and grace in this neglected epic sequence for solo flute. ... see Full Review

Arranged by Leopold KOZELUCH (1747-1818) Wilt Thou Be My Dearie - and other Scottish Songs Wilt thou be my dearie [2.10]; The gloomy night [6.56]; Ye banks and braes and streams [6.16]; On a bank of flowers [2.38]; O Poortith cauld and restless love [6.20]; Whar hae ye been a’day [3.04]; Now spring has clad [4.57]; I’ve seen the smiling fortune [4.22]; O were I on Parnassus hill [3.23]; When merry hearts were gay [8.08]; Ye banks and braes of bonny doon [2.29]; Adieu ye Streams [3.30]; O saw ye bonnie Lesley [1.46]; Nae gentle dames [3.25]; True hearted was the sad swain [2.27]; Duncan Gray came her to woo [3.04]; O love will venture in [5.21]; Turn again thou fair Eliza [4.36]; Gone is my heart, for ever gone [3.48] Henk Lauwers (baritone) Diane Anderson (pianoforte) rec. 2002 (no other details supplied). DDD TALENT DOM 2910 76 [78.55] [GH]

I cannot recommend this disc unless you have a special interest. In a medium where the texts are vital these performances fail to match expectations. ... see Full Review

Franz LACHNER (1803-1890) Requiem Op.146 (1856, revised 1865) Marina Ulewicz (soprano) Ruby Hughes (soprano) Roxana Constantinescu (mezzo) Colin Balzer (tenor) Gerhard Werlitz (tenor) Günther Papendell (bass) Kammersolisten Augsburg/Hermann Meyer rec. live, Kirche St. Georg, Augsburg, March 2006.  CARUS 83.178 [59:15][JW]

Those eager for sidelined mid-nineteenth century choral works will take pleasure in this enterprising reclamation. Others may find Lachner’s choral idiom rather bland. ... see Full Review

Songs by Henry and William Lawes William LAWES (1602-1645) Gather your rosebuds while you may^1-3 [1:30] Henry LAWES (1596-1662) A Tale out of Anacreon^1,4* [3:51] Oh, that joy so soon should waste^1,4 [1:41] Sweet, stay awhile; why do you rise^1,4 [3:01] Rene SAMAN (fl. 1610-1631) Monsieur Saman his Coranto⁴ [1:31] Henry LAWES Amarillis, by a spring^1,4* [2:23] William LAWES Oh, let me still and silent lie^1,4* [3:28] Oh, my Clarissa, thou cruel fair^{1,4*,5^6} [5:10] Henry LAWES From the heav’ns now I fly^1,4* [2:07] William LAWES Corant from The Royall Consort^4,5*,6 [1:59] Henry LAWES Sweet Echo, sweetest nymph that liv’st unseen^2,4* [2:00] William LAWES Country Dance⁴ [0:55] Henry LAWES Oh sweet woods, the delight of solitariness^1,4* [2:25] Tavola: In quell gelata core una voce^1,4* [2:31] Loves Sweet Repose: Amidst the myrtles as I walk^1,4*,5,6 [5:28] No Reprieve: Now, now Lucasia, now make haste^1,4* [3:45] Cuthbert HELY (fl. 1620-1640) Fantasia⁴ [4:06] Henry LAWES Slide soft, you silver floods^1,4* [2:36] Cuthbert HELY Saraband⁴ [1:03] Henry LAWES When shall I see my captive heart?^1,4 [3:31] William LAWES Alman^4,5 [1:57] Corant^4,5 [1:11] A Dreame: I laid me down upon a pillow soft^3,4* [1:45] Corant^4,5 [1:13] Henry LAWES The Angler’s Song: Man’s life is but vain, for ‘tis subject to pain^1,4* [1:07] William LAWES When man for sin thy judgment feels^1,4 [4:57] Henry LAWES A Pastoral Elegie: Cease you jolly shepherds^1-3,4*,5,6 [3:37] ¹Robin Blaze (counter-tenor); ²Rebecca Outram (soprano); ³Robert Macdonald (bass); ⁴Elizabeth Kenny (lute, *theorbo); ⁵William Carter (lute, ^guitar, *theorbo); ⁶Frances Kelly (double harp) rec. All Saints Church, East Finchley, London. 3-5 May 2006. DDD HYPERION CDA 67589 [73:05][MG]

Brings to life English song in the early mid 17^th century requiring you to come to terms with its distinctive manner and style of performance … see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Peter LIEBERSON (b. 1946)
Neruda Songs (2005) [31:11] Si no fuera porque tus ojos tienen color de luna [5:04]; Amor, amor, las nubes a la torre del cielo [5:48]; No estés lejos de mi un solo día, porque cómo [6:23]; Ya eres mía. Reposa con tu sueño en mi sueño [7:26]; Amor mío, si muero y tú no mueres [7:10] Lorraine Hunt Lieberson (mezzo) Boston Symphony Orchestra/James Levine rec. 25-26 November 2005, Boston Symphony Hall NONESUCH 79954-2 [31:11] [AOz]

An artistic testament by two brave human beings confronting imminent separation and turning their anxieties into something which can, perhaps, help others when they, too, face such situations ... see Full Review

Franz  LISZT (1811-1886) Piano Concerto No. 1 in E flat, S.124 (1849) [19:06] Piano Concerto No. 2 in A, S. 125 (1849) [21:48] Totentanz, S. 126 (1849) [15:58] Fantasy on Hungarian Folk Themes, S. 123 [15:14] Oleg Marshev (piano) Aalborg Symphony Orchestra/Matthias Aeschbacher rec. Aalborg, February 2006 DANACORD DACOCD 651 [72:21][SV]

Once past the soloist's unvaried thumping at the start the first-rate Totentanz is the best thing on this program. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Années de pèlerinage – Suisse: Première Année – Suisse S160 (1855) Chapelle de Guillaume Tell [6:18] Au lac de Wallenstadt [3:06] Pastorale [1:47] Au bord d’une source [3:48] Orage [4:33] Vallée d’Obermann [14:07] Eglogue [3:35] Le mal du pays [5:50] Les cloches de Geneve [6:20] Scherzo and March S177 (1851) [12:42] Joyce Hatto (piano) rec. Concert Artist Studios, Cambridge, April 2003 (Années de pèlerinage); June 2003 (Scherzo and March) CONCERT ARTIST CACD 91622 [62:35] [JW]

Joyce Hatto characterises with vivid finesse and imagination ... vital and all-embracing playing ... see Full Review

Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Piano Sonata in B Minor, S178 (1852-3) [29:20] Tasso, Lamento e Trionfo – Symphonic Poem (1849), transcr. (1858) Carl Tausig (1841-1871) [19:21] Gretchen, from A Faust Symphony, S513 (1854), transcr. (1856, 1857) Liszt [16:08] Oleg Marshev (piano) rec. Aalborg, Denmark, February 2006. DDD DANACORD DACOCD653 [65:16] [PSe]

I’m not Liszt’s biggest fan, but Marshev has made me love what I merely admired, admire what I merely respected and, to cap it all, he’s even managed to make the boring bearable. ... see Full Review

 

Albert LORTZING (1801-1851) Zar und Zimmermann – romantic opera in three acts (1837) Raymond Wolansky (ten) - Peter the Great; Peter Haage (ten) - Peter Ivanov; Hans Sotin (bass/bar) - Van Bett; Lucia Popp (sop) - Marie; Herbert Fliether (bass/bar) - Admiral Lefort; Noël Mangin (bass) - Lord Syndham; Horst Wilhelm (ten) - Marquis de Châteauneuf; Ursula Boese - Widow Browe; Franz Grundheber - Officer Ballet and Chorus of the Hamburg State Opera Philharmonic State Orchestra Hamburg/Charles Mackerras rec. Hamburg, Germany, 1969. ADD Gyula Trebitsch, director Arranged for TV by Joachim Hess Picture format: NTSC 4:3 (Colour) Sound format: Dolby Digital Mono Region code: 0 Menu Languages: English, German, French, Spanish Subtitle Languages: English, German, French, Spanish, Italian ARTHAUS AHM 101269 [131:00] [RW]

Popp at her prime. Singing and characterization superb. Mackerras brings a touch of magic. Picture and sound very good ... see Full Review

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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]