Charles-Valentin
ALKAN (1813-1888)
Le
Festin d'Esope Etude Op. 39 No. 12 [9:08]
Saltarelle Op. 23 [3:10] Franz
LISZT (1811-1886) Venezia e
Napoli from Années de pélerinage
[18:13] Transcendental Etude No. 11 [9:34]
Sergei PROKOFIEV
(1891-1953) Romeo and Juliet
Op. 75 [34:39] 
Igor Roma (piano) rec. 13-14 June 2001, Het
Cenakel, Tilburg, Netherlands
CHALLENGE CC 72154 [74:14] [DB]
Well-played
and recommended, especially for the Alkan.
... see Full Review
Hendrik
ANDRIESSEN (1892-1981) Variations
and Fugue on a theme of Johann Kuhnau (1935)a [13:28]
Symphony No.3 (1946)b [24:37] Variations on a theme
of Couperin (1944)c [12:57] Symphony No.1 (1930)d [13:14]
Ricercare (1949)e [10:35] Symphony No.2 (1937)f [16:59]
Symphonic Study (1952)g [11:07] Symphony No.4 (1954)h [24:07] Adriaan
Bonsel (flute)c; Netherlands Radio Philharmonic
Orchestra; Jaap van Zwedena, Jean Fournetbgh,
Willem van Otterloocf, Albert van Raalted,
Edo de Waarte rec. May 2005 (Kuhnau Variations, Ricercare),
September 1968 (Symphony No.3), January 1965 (Couperin Variations),
May 1947 (Symphony No.1), January 1969 (Symphony No.2), September
1962 (Symphonic Study) and May 1982 (Symphony No.4) ETCETERA
KTC1307 [64:42 + 63:21] [HC]
This
beautiful set is wholeheartedly recommended to all those who love
symphonic music from the first half of the 20th
century, have a liking for French music of the inter-war years and who
admire, say, Vaughan Williams' music. Not to be missed. ... see Full
Review
Malcolm
ARNOLD (1921-2006)
Little Suite No. 1, Op.53 (1955)
[8:32] Concerto for 28 Players, Op.105
(1970) [20:23] Little Suite No. 2,
Op.78 (1963) [8:43] Variations for Orchestra
on a Theme of Ruth Gipps, Op.122 (1977)
[11:11] * A Manx Suite, (Little Suite
No. 3), Op.142 (1990) [9:05] *
City of London Sinfonia/Richard Hickox rec.
St Jude on the Hill, Hampstead, London, 12-13
July 1996. DDD * premiere recordings
CHANDOS CHAN 9509 [58:00][RB]
Hickox
and Chandos at their very best. ...
see Full Review
Milton
BABBITT (b.
1916) Soli e Duettini Around the Horn
(1993) [9:33] Whirled Series (1987) [15:28] None But The Lonely
Flute (1991) [06:12] Homily (1987) [03:46] Beaten Paths
(1988) [04:38] Play It Again, Sam (1989) [06:36] Soli e Duettini
(1989) [10:19] Melismata (1982) [18:45]
The Group for Contemporary Music rec. September 1994, March 1995, American
Academy of Arts and Letters, New York, USA.
NAXOS 8.559259 [75:17][WH]
I
wish I could respond more positively to this music; no doubt many collectors
will do so. Everything is stunningly delivered in superbly natural sound.
Some very difficult music. ... see Full
Review
Carl
Philipp Emanuel BACH (1714-1788) Concerti
per il Cembalo Concerto in G (Wq34/H444) [22:32] Concerto in
C minor (Wq5/H407) [24:46] Concerto in A minor (Wq26/H430) [22:11]
L'arpa festante/Rien Voskuilen (harpsichord) rec. July 2003, Klosterkirche
Altenberg, Germany. DDD
CARUS 83.184 [70:10][JV]
Three
fine keyboard concertos by C.P.E. Bach in imaginative and energetic
performances ... see Full Review
Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Violin Concerto
No.1 in A Minor BW 1041 [13:11] Concerto for
two Violins in D Minor BWV 1043 [13:42]* Violin
Concerto No.2 in E Major BWV 1042 [15:25] Brandenburg
Concerto No.5 in D Major BWV 1050 [21:20]#
Daniel Hope (violin), Marieke Blankestjin (violin)* Jaime
Martin (flute)#, Kristian Bezuidenhout (harpsichord and organ)
Chamber Orchestra of Europe. rec.
31 October-2 November 2005, St Paul's Church, Deptford, London. DDD
WARNER
CLASSICS 2564 62545-2 [63:37][TP]
This
album has much to recommend it; Hope, with his thoughtfulness and his
sparkling E Major concerto, has the edge. ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Johann Sebastian BACH
(1685-1750) The Bach Cantata Pilgrimage: Volume
7 Cantatas for The Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity Es
ist nichts Gesundes an meinem Liebe, BWV 25 [17:42] Jesu,
der du meine Seele, BWV 78 [23:05] Wer Dank
opfert, der preiset mich, BWV 17 [16:24] - Malin Hartelius (soprano);
Robin Tyson (alto); James Gilchrist (tenor); Peter Harvey (bass) The
Monteverdi Choir English Baroque Soloists/Sir John Eliot Gardiner rec.
Abbaye d'Ambronay, France, 24 September 2000 Cantatas for the Feast
of St. Michael and All Angels Nun ist das Heil, und die Kraft, BWV
50 [3:15] (Occasion unspecified) Herr Gott, dich loben
alle wir, BWV 130 [15:30] Es erhub sich ein Streit,
BWV 19 [20:24] Man singet mit Freuden vom Sieg,
BWV 149 [18:21] Malin Hartelius (soprano); Richard Wyn Roberts
(alto); James Gilchrist (tenor); Peter Harvey (bass) The Monteverdi
Choir English Baroque Soloists/Sir John Eliot Gardiner rec. Unser Lieben
Frauen, Bremen, 29 September 2000
SOLI DEO GLORIA SDG 124 [57:27 + 57:44][JQ]
In
every respect this set lives up to the very
high standards of previous issues in the series.
It's essential listening for all lovers of
Bach's cantatas. ... see Full
Review
Johann Sebastian
BACH
(1685-1750) Klavierübung
Part 1, Opus 1, Partitas (6) for keyboard,
BWV 825-830 (1725-1731) 2CDs [120.05]
Fernando Valenti (harpsichord) rec. 1984.
No notes; each partita is a single track.
Cover photo of performer.
FERNANDO VALENTI no number [51.43 + 68.22]
A Performer's Guide
to the Keyboard Partitas of Bach, by Fernando Valenti
(1928-1990). Yale University Press, 1989. 128pp; musical illustrations,
index. 7.5 x 10.5 inches. ISBN 0-300-04313-9.
£30 [PSh]
A
book and a recording indispensable to Valenti
fans, of vital interest to all harpsichordists,
and of deep value for all Bach lovers. ...
see Full Review
Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
Concerto in la minore BWV 593 da Vivaldi [12:43] Concerto in re minore
BWV 596 da Vivaldi [11:42] Trio in do minore BWV 585 da una Sonata a
tre di Johann Friedrich Fasch [5:43] Concerto in do maggiore BWV 595
dal primo movimento del Concerto in do maggiore del Principe Johann
Ernst von Sachsen Weimar [4:25] Trio in sol maggiore BWV 586 da Georg
Philipp Telemann [4:29] Concerto in sol maggiore BWV 592 dal Concerto
in sol maggiore del Principe Johann Ernst von Sachsen Weimar [8:08]
Aria in fa maggiore BWV 587 da François Couperin: Les nations, Sonade
l'imperiale [4:22] Concerto in do maggiore BWV 594 da Vivaldi (Concerto
in re maggiore Grosso Mogul RV 208) [19:01]
Alessio Corti (organ) rec. Chiesa di Santa Mario Segreta, Milan, date
not known. DDD CONCERTO
CD2006 [70:33] [CB]
Excellently
judged tempi .. stylish and musical playing ... see Full
Review
Sir
Arnold BAX (1883-1953)
Sonata for viola and piano (1922) [22:37] Concert Piece for viola and piano (1904) [12:30] Legend for viola and piano (1929)
[9:26] Trio for violin, viola and piano (1906)
[14:29]
Martin Outram (viola), Laurence Jackson (violin), Julian Rolton (piano)
rec. 20-22 February 2005, Potton Hall, Suffolk. DDD
NAXOS 8.557784 [61:03][TB]
There
is no question that the Viola Sonata ranks as the most significant
composition among those collected here, and it is worth the price
of the disc on its own. ... see Full
Review
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN
(1770-1827) Piano Concerto No.1, Op.15 in
C major (1800) [38:50] Piano Concerto No.2, Op.19 in B flat major (1795)
[30:30] Piano Concerto No.3, Op.37 in C minor (1800) [39:46] Piano Concerto
No.4, Op.58 in G major (1805) [37:41] Piano Concerto No.5, Op.73 Emperor
in E flat major (1810) [43:01] Choral Fantasia, Op.80 in C minor
(1808) [21:06] Daniel Barenboim
(piano) John Alldis Choir, New Philharmonia Orchestra/Otto Klemperer
rec. EMI Abbey Road Studios, London, November 1967. ADD
EMI CLASSICS GREAT RECORDINGS OF THE CENTURY 3 61525-2 [3 CDs: 69:25
+ 77.28 + 64.13] [DRD]
A
Great Recording but definitely not for everyday. A fascinating set presenting
these constantly rewarding works ... see Full
Review
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Wellington's
Victory, Op. 91 (1813) [15:20] Franz
LISZT (1811-1886) Battle of the Huns (Hunnenschlacht)
(1885) [15:28] Hungarian March to the Assault (1843, 1875) [4:39]
Cincinnati Symphony
Orchestra/Erich Kunzel rec. 10 September 1982, Music Hall, Cincinnati,
Ohio. DDD TELARC
CD-80079 [35:41][RB]
Sonic
spectacular with musical virtues ... see Full
Review
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN
(1770-1827) The Ten
Violin Sonatas CD 1 Sonata No. 1 in D Major, Op. 12, No. 1 (1797-98)
[20:48] Sonata No. 3 in E-flat Major, Op. 12, No. 3 (1797-98) [18:38]
Sonata No. 9 in A Major, Op. 47 Kreutzer (1803) [37:49] CD 2 Sonata
No. 2 in A Major, Op. 12, No. 2 (1797-98) [16:53] Sonata No. 5 in F
Major, Op. 24, Spring (1801) [23:05] Sonata No. 6 in A Major, Op.
30, No. 1 (1803) [22:22] Sonata No. 8 in G Major, Op. 30, No. 3 (1803)
[17:25] CD 3 Sonata No. 4 in A Minor, Op. 23, (1801) [21:42] Sonata
No. 7 in C Minor, Op. 30, No. 2 (1803) [24:45] Sonata No. 10 in G Major,
Op. 96 (1812) [27:00] Corey
Cerovsek (violin) Paavali Jumppanen (piano) rec. 14-25
June, 27-31 August 2006, Salle de Musique, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland.
DDD CLAVES CD
50-2610/12 [3 CDs: 77:26 + 79:59 + 73:39][MC]
Not
my first choices in this repertoire but consistently satisfying performances
from Cerovsek and Jumppanen marked by their selfless dedication. ...
see Full Review
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Violin Sonatas:
No. 7 in C minor Op. 30/2 (1801-02) [29:35] No. 8 in G major Op. 30/3
(1801-02) [18:42] No. 9 in A major Op. 47 Kreutzer (1803) [34:20]
No. 10 in G major Op. 96 (1812) [29:14] Pyotr
Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Piano Trio in A minor Op.50
(1882) [43:06] Pinchas
Zuckerman (violin) Jacqueline du Pré (cello) Daniel Barenboim (piano)
rec. Berlin 1972; Abbey Road, London 1973 (Tchaikovsky)
EMI GEMINI CLASSICS 3 65224 2 [77:51 + 77:42][JW]
The
Zuckerman-Barenboim readings are somewhat problematic and the Tchaikovsky
trio equally so. Over to you. ... see Full
Review
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) String
Trios, Volume 1 String Trio in E flat, Op. 3 (c1794) [39:42]; Serenade
(String Trio) in D, Op. 8 (1797) [27:02]
Attila Falvay (violin); János Fejérvári (viola); György Éder (cello)
rec. Phoenix Studio, Budapest, 7-10 January 2005. DDD.
NAXOS 8.557895 [66:44][CC]
It
is true that this disc mirrors the content of the Leopold Trio on
Hyperion (CDA67253) and cannot in the final analysis match it. But
that is a full price offering, and for a fiver the three Hungarians
provide ample enjoyment. ... see Full
Review
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Sonata
No.4 in E flat major Op.7 [26.24] Piano Sonata No.11 in B flat major
Op.22 [22.24] Piano Sonata No.30 in E major Op.109 [17.05]
Samuel Feinberg (piano) No recording information given
CLASSICAL RECORDS CR 076 [67.53][JW]
Important
documents of a musician of the highest spiritual qualities ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN
(1770-1827) Piano
Sonatas 8-18, 21-27
David Allen Wehr rec. 2003/4
CONNOISSEUR SOCIETY CD4262 (Vol. 2) [78.15
+ 79.40]; CD4263 (Vol. 3) [79.05 +
79.10] [PSh]
Exquisite
Beethoven by one of the finest pianists currently
before us, recorded in laboratory quality
sound. ... see Full
Review
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
Symphony No. 6 in F major, Pastoral, Op.68 (1808) [43:39] Franz
LISZT (1811-1886) Three Hungarian Rhapsodies: No.
1 in F minor (orch. Doppler, Liszt) [8:38]; No. 2 in C Sharp minor (orch.
Müller-Berghaus) [8:37]; No. 3 in D major (orch. Doppler, Liszt) [7:41]
NBC Symphony Orchestra/Leopold
Stokowski Sounds of Nature - Illustrated discussion by Leopold
Stokowski [5:51] rec. 18-19 March 1954 (Liszt), 13 January, 10 February
1955 (Beethoven), Manhattan Center, New York, USA. AAD
CALA RECORDS CACD0545 [74:28] [MC]
Stokowski
continues to divide opinion and with this idiosyncratic interpretation
of the Pastoral most will either love it or hate it. I loved the
interpretation but not the sound. ... see Full
Review
Sir Lennox
BERKELEY (1903-1989)
Berkeley conducts Berkeley Mont
Juic, Op. 9 (with Britten,
1937) [11:04]; Serenade for Strings,
Op. 12 (1939) [13:19]; Divertimento in
B flat, Op. 18 (1943) [18:46]; Partita,
Op. 66 (1964-54) [12:38]; Sinfonia concertante, Op. 84 - Canzonettaa(1973)
[2:58]; Symphony No. 3, Op. 74 (1969) [15:17]
aRoger Winfield (oboe). London Philharmonic
Orchestra/Sir Lennox Berkeley rec. 1971-75.
No location information. ADD
LYRITA RECORDED EDITION SRCD226 [73:57]
[RB]
Indispensable
to Berkeley admirers ... see Full
Review
Hector
BERLIOZ (1803-1869) Symphonie
fantastique Op.14 (1830) [52:53]* Le Carnaval
Romain Op.9 (1844) [9:45]* Overture from Benvenuto Cellini Op.23
(1834-8) [10:36]* Kölner
Rundfunk-Sinfonie-Orchester/Gary Bertini rec. Köln Philharmonie,
4-8 May 1993, 24-25 March 1994*. DDD CAPRICCIO
71094 
[73:14]
[TP]
A
carefully prepared and beautifully played account of Berlioz's
first symphony, but missing some of the fantasy. ... see Full
Review
Christoph
BERNHARD (1628-1693) Geistliche
Harmonien Wohl dem, der den Herren fürchtet
[05:18] Herzlich lieb hab' ich dich, o Herr [04:27] Ich sahe an alles Thun [11:47] Anima
sterilis quid agis [04:37] Heute ist Christus von den Toten auferstanden [03:37]
Wahrlich, wahrlich, ich sage Euch [04:39] Herr, wer wird wohnen
in Deiner Hütten [03:11] Reminiscere miserationum
tuarum, Domine [06:41] Unser keiner lebet ihm selber [03:13] Ach, mein herzliebes Jesulein [03:47] Aus der
Tiefe ruf' ich, Herr, zu dir [05:56] Da pacem Domine
[03:20]
Soloists of the Rheinische Kantorei and Das Kleine Konzert (Veronika
Winter, Nele Gramß, (soprano); Hennig Voss, (alto); Henning Kaiser,
(tenor); Ekkehard Abele, (bass); Ulla Bundies, Anne Röhrig, (violin);
Anette Sichelschmidt, Gabrielle Kancachian, (viola); Hartwig Groth,
(violone); Michael Dücker, (lute, chitarrone); Joachim Held, (chitarrone,
guitar); Bernward Lohr, (harpsichord); Christoph Lehman, (organ))/Hermann
Max rec. January 2004, Studio, Deutschlandfunk, Cologne, Germany.
DDD CPO 777 046-2
[61:24][JV]
This
disc shows Bernhard is much more than a theorist - it offers some of
the best music of the German 17th century in excellent performances
by an ensemble of experts ... see Full
Review
Georges
BIZET (1838-1875)
Carmen (1875)
Raymonde Visconti, Georges Thill, Marthe Nespoulous, L'Orchestre Symphonique
de Paris/Elie Cohen rec. Paris 1927-9
DIVINE ART 27809 [60:30 + 51:37] [JW]
Wrong
to limit this to a one-man set. Thill is the
most marvellous singer here but there are
at least two other performances of some stature.
... see Full
Review
Sir Arthur BLISS
(1891-1975)
Mêlée
fantasquea (1921, rev. 1937
and 1965) [13:06]; Routb
(1920) [7:24]; Adam Zero Suiteb - No. 2, Dance of Spring; No. 4, Bridal
Chamber; No. 5, Dance of Summer (1946)
[8:54]; bHymn to Apollo (1928,
rev. 1964) [10:23]; Serenadec(1929)
[25:52]; The World is charged with the
grandeur of Godd (1969) [13:31]
bRae Woodland (soprano); cJohn
Shirley-Quirk (baritone); dAmbrosian
Singers; dLSO Wind and Brass Ensemble;
abcLondon Symphony Orchestra/abSir
Arthur Bliss, cBrian Priestman,
dPhilip Ledger. rec. 1971. ADD
LYRITA RECORDED EDITION SRCD225 [79:13]
[RB]
Desirable
and remarkably generous - must not be overlooked
by any serious Bliss enthusiast. Unusual works
not accessible elsewhere.... see Full
Review
Arthur
BLISS (1891-1975)
Ceremonial
Prelude for orchestra and organ (1965)
[5:26] Welcome the Queen (1954) [7:20]
A Song of Welcome (1954) [16:08] Miracle
in the Gorbals - suite (1944) [23:04]
Music for Strings (1935) [24:26]
Simon Preston (organ); Joan Sutherland (soprano);
John Cameron (tenor); BBC Chorus; Philharmonia/Bliss;
New Philharmonia/Bliss (Prelude) rec. live,
Westminster Abbey, 28 December 1965 (Prelude);
Kingsway Hall, London, 11 May, 10 June, 26
(Miracle), 27-28 January 1954. ADD.
EMI CLASSICS BRITISH COMPOSERS 0946
3 70564 2 4 [76:58] [RB]
First
and foremost for Bliss completists. Bliss
as master of the occasional-ceremonial and
as the fierily inspired craftsman ... see
Full Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH Arthur
BLISS (1891-1975)
Orchestral works
see review for details rec. 1970-79
EMI CLASSICS BRITISH COMPOSERS 5865892
[79:23 + 74:43] [RB]
An
unmissable and generous set ... vitally essential
Bliss. ... see Full
Review
Ernest
BLOCH (1880-1959)
Cello Music Meditation
Hébraïque for cello and piano (1924) [6:44] From Jewish Life
for cello and piano (Prayer, Supplication, Jewish
Dance) (1924) [10:17] Suite No. 1 for Solo Cello (1956-7) [14:26]
Suite No. 2 for Solo Cello (1956-7) [22:18] Suite No. 3 for Solo Cello
(1956-7) [14:21]
Parry Karp (cello) Francis Karp (piano) rec. Gilbert Recording Studio,
Los Angeles, CA, 5 January 1990 (suites); 15 August 1992. ADD
LAUREL LR-865CD [68:19][JW]
Excellent
performances - an important document for Bloch adherents. ... see Full
Review
Marcus
BLUNT (b.1947) Aspirations - piano music The Life Force [Sonata No.3] (1988 revised 1994) [6:59]
Seven Preludes (1967-69) Passacaglia [2:20] Theme [1:14] Variation
(Jiglet) [0:28] Homage to Scarlatti [2:41] Homage to Scriabin [2:17]
Homage to Scriabin II [1:13] Adieu! [0:38] Iona Prelude (1982) [3:05]
Iona Caprice (1982) [0:40] Sonata No.2 (1977 revised 1998) [12:36] Three
Nocturnes Malta Nocturne (1987) [1:42] November Nocturne (1993)
[1:42] Nocturne on the name Frank BayFoRD (2001) [2:21] Sonata No.1
(1971-72 revised 1997) [11:28] Prelude on a fugue theme by J S Bach
(From the Well Tempered Clavier Book II � No.5 in D major) [1:40] Three
Fantasies Fantasy on SCRiABin (1992 revised 2001/03) [6:19] Fantasy
on the name GABRiEL FAURÉ (2001) [2:52] Fantasy on the name MURRAy MCLaCHLan
(2006) [3:05]
Murray McLachlan (piano) rec. Whiteley's Hall, Chetham's School of Music,
Manchester, May 2006
DUNELM RECORDS DRD 0269 [65:21][JW]
Most
enjoyable, attractively recorded, played with typical sensitivity by
a pianist fully in sympathy with the music�s demands and nature-mystic
moments. ... see Full Review
Oistrakh
and Rostropovich
Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897) Violin Concerto
in D major Op.77 (1878) [37:42] Double Concerto for violin, violoncello
and orchestra in A minor Op.102 (1887) [31:53] USSR National Anthem
[1:11] David Oistrakh (violin)
Mstislav Rostropovich (cello) Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra/Kirill Kondrashin
rec. Royal Festival Hall, London, September 1963 (Violin Concerto, Anthem);
Royal Albert Hall, October 1965 (Double Concerto)
BBC LEGENDS BBCL 4197-2 [72:05] [JW]
A
richly enjoyable brace of performances. ...
see Full
Review
Johannes BRAHMS
(1833-1897) Piano
Concerto No. 2 in B flat major, Op. 83 (1881)
[46:48] César
FRANCK (1822-1890) Les Djinns
(1844) [11:59] Franz
LISZT (1811-1886) Concerto Pathétique
in E minor (1886) [20:49]
Joshua Pierce (piano); Bohuslav Martinů
Philharmonic Orchestra/Kirk Trevor. rec. 28-29
May, 10-11 December 1999, Concert Hall of
BMF/Zlin, Czech Republic.
MSR CLASSICS MS1148 [79.37] [WH]
Does
not totally succeed in power, endurance, tenderness,
playfulness as listening to alternative readings
demonstrates only too well. ... see Full
Review
Benjamin
BRITTEN (1913-1976)
Gloriana, op.53 (1953)
[146:51] Sarah Walker (mezzo) - Queen
Elizabeth I; Anthony Rolfe Johnson (tenor) - Essex; Jean Rigby (mezzo)
- Lady Essex;
Neil Howlett (bass) - Lord Mountjoy; Elizabeth
Vaughan (soprano) - Lady Rich; Alan Opie (baritone)
- Sir Robert Cecil; Richard van Allan (bass)
- Sir Walter Raleigh; Norman Bailey (bass)
- A Blind Ballad Singer; Adrian Martin (tenor)
- The Spirit of the Masque; Malcolm Donnelly
(baritone) - Henry Cuffe
Chorus and Orchestra of the English National
Opera/Mark Elder Stage Producer: Colin Graham
Video Director: Derek Bailey rec. live, London
Coliseum, 1984 NTSC 4:3. Colour. Region Code
All. PCM Stereo. Subtitles English, French,
German, Spanish
ARTHAUS
102 097 [146:51] [MG]
If
you're looking to make a first purchase of
Gloriana this should be your choice as it's
the closest recorded representation of the
full operatic experience. ... see Full
Review
Joshua Pierce - Music for Piano and
Orchestra Benjamin
BRITTEN (1913-1973)
Young
Apollo for piano and string orchestra, Op. 16 (1939) [7:36]
Darius MILHAUD (1892-1974) Le Carnaval
d'Aix, fantasy for piano and orchestra (1926) [17:57] (Le Corso
[1:16]; Tartaglia [1:19]; Isabelle [1:19]; Rosetta [2:12]; Le bon et
le mauvais tuteur [1:53]; Coviello [0:34]; Le Capitaine Cartuccia [2:19];
Polichinelle [0:28]; Polka [1:29]; Cinzio [1:32]; Souvenir de Rio [2:02];
Final [1:39]) Gerald FINZI (1901-1956)
Eclogue for piano and string orchestra, Op. 10 (c. 1920,
rev. 1940s) [8:56] Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949)
Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme - Orchestral Suite Op. 60 (1920)
[34:33] (Ouverture to Act 1 [3:57]; Minuet [1:32]; The Fencing Master
[1:51]; Entrance and Dance of the Tailors [4:52]; Lully's Minuet [2:06];
Courante [2:47]; Entrance of Cleonte [4:16]; Prelude to Act II, intermezzo
[3:02]; The Dinner [10:08]) Joshua
Pierce (piano) Slovak State Chamber Orchestra, Zilina/Kirk Trevor Slovak
Radio Symphony Orchestra of Bratislava/Kirk Trevor (Finzi: Eclogue)
rec. Britten, 27 Jan 2004; Milhaud, 26 Jan 2004; Finzi, 31 March 2005;
Strauss, 24 Jan 2004. DDD
KLEOS CLASSICS KL5137 [69:03] [WH][RB]
An
interesting programme and a welcome change
from the usual fare. No reason not to invest
in this excellent disc if the programme appeals [WH]
This is an unusual and well assembled collection
that should appeal to the adventurous listener [RB]
... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Max BRUCH (1838-1920)
Violin Concerto No.1 in G minor, Op. 26 (1864-68) [23:40] Romance for
viola and orchestra in F major, Op. 85 (c. 1911) [8:23] Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Violin Concerto in
E Minor, Op. 64 (1844) [26:56] Janine
Jansen (violin, viola) Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra/Riccardo
Chailly rec. live, 5-9 September 2006, Gewandhaus, Leipzig, Germany
(live performances).
DDD DECCA 4758133 [59:05] [MC]
Janine
Jansen fully deserves her exalted reputation and doesn't put a foot
wrong with this excellent Decca release of two staples of the violin
concerto repertoire. ... see Full
Review
Anton
BRUCKNER (1824-1896) Symphony No 8 in
C minor (1890 ed. Nowak) ((i) Allegro moderato [17:02] (ii) Scherzo:
Allegro moderato - Trio: Langsam [16:48] (iii) Adagio: Feierlich langsam;
doch nicht schleppend [26:27] (iv) Finale: Feierlich, nicht schnell
[25:32]) World Philharmonic
Orchestra/Carlo Maria Giulini rec. Konserthus, Stockholm, 8 December
1985 Picture format NTSC 4:3; Sound Formats PCM Stereo, DD 5.1, DTS
5.1; Region Code 0; Disc Format DVD 9;
EUROARTS 2051368 
[94:00][PCW]
Much
as I admire Giulini's conducting, I don't think this would be a better
purchase than Boulez's DVD made in St. Florian ... see Full
Review
Fritz
BRUN
(1878-1959) Symphony
No. 9 (1950) [43.22] Aus dem Buch Hiob (Symphonic Poem) (1906)
[17.55] Moscow Symphony
Orchestra/Adriano rec. November 2005, Mosfilm Studios, Moscow. DDD
GUILD GMCD 7306 [61.17] [GH]
Despite
its familiar late-romantic language this is
tough and knotty music but it is well worth
attempting to understand. ... see Full
Review
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