PART 6
Misc. A-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]

4x4 North-West John REEMAN (b. 1946) Scena (2002)^a [18 :11] Anthony GILBERT (b. 1934) String Quartet No.4 (2002)^b [20 :54] David ELLIS (b. 1933) String Quartet No.3 Op.70 (2002)^a [27:16] Duncan DRUCE (b. 1939) String Quartet No.4 (2005)^a [11:44] Manchester Camerata Ensemble^a; Tavec String Quartet^b rec. (live) St Thomas Church, Stockport, March 2005 (Reeman); Bollington Arts Centre, Cheshire, march 2003 (Gilbert); Stockport Grammar School, July 2004 (Ellis) and Mellor Parish Church, Stockport, July 2006 (Druce) CAMPION CAMEO 2046 [78:55][HC]

A very fine release with four appealing works that clearly deserve to be heard more than once. I enjoyed it enormously. ... see Full Review

Believe in Love – Rare French and Italian Opera Arias Charles GOUNOD (1818–1893) Sapho (1851) - O ma lyre immortelle [5:29] La Reine de Saba (1862) - Plus grand, dans son obscurité [5:30] Franco FACCIO (1840–1891) Amleto (1865) - Dubita pur che brillino [3:40] Carlos GOMES (1836–1896) Salvator Rosa (1874) - Alla infelice suora–Volate, volate [4:13] Charles GOUNOD Cinq Mars (1877) - Nuit resplendissante [5:01] Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835–1921) Étienne Marcel (1879) - O beaux rêves évanouis! [3:43] Charles GOUNOD Le Tribut de Zamora (1881) - Que me dis-tu? [4:40] Amilcare PONCHIELLI (1834–1886) Marion Delorme (1885) - M’è tolto, ahimè, d’essere felice [3:45] Umberto GIORDANO (1867–1948) Andrea Chenier (1896) - La mamma morta [3:47] Ruggero LEONCAVALLO (1857–1919) Chatterton (1896) - Benedetta dal ciel [2:09]
Zazà (1900) - Mamma! Io non l’ho avuta mai! [3:07]; Va via! [2:27] Francesco CILEA (1866–1950) Adriana Lecouvreur (1902) - Io son l’umile ancella [3:03] Umberto GIORDANO Siberia (1903) - Ah! Finalmente! [2:33] Francesco CILEA
Gloria (1907)- Amare! Amar! [2:27]; O mia cuna fiorita [3:05] Pietro MASCAGNI (1863–1945) Isabeau (1911) - Venne una vecchierella [3:18] Sì (1919) - Sortita di Sì [3:24] Elizabeth Whitehouse (soprano) Orchestra Victoria/Richard Bonynge rec. 14–18 February 2005, Robert Blackwood Hall, Monash University Arts Centre MELBA MR 301104 SACD [67:25] [GF]

Readers with an interest in some operatic by-ways will find much to enjoy here. All the readings are well considered and finely executed. ... see Full Review

Leon Björker – Bass Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756–1791) Die Zauberflöte 1. Herr, ich bin zwar Verbrecherin [6:31] 2. O Isis und Osiris [3:17] 3. In diesen heil’gen Hallen [4:08] Don Giovanni 4. Don Giovanni, a cenar teco [6:43] Richard WAGNER (1813–1883) Tannhäuser 5. Gar viel und schön ward hier in dieser Halle [4:45] Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg 6. Nicht doch, Ihr Meister [4:02] Giuseppe VERDI (1813–1901) La forza del destino 7. Il santo nome di Dio Signore [7:26] Requiem 8. Confutatis maledictis [4:56] Ture RANGSTRÖM (1884–1947) Kronbruden (The Crown Bride) 9. Stig Mattsson, jag har kallat på dig [4:41] Kurt ATTERBERG (1887–1974) Fanal 10. Vart sjönk vårt människovärde hän [3:12] Charles GOUNOD (1818–1893) Roméo et Juliette 11. Dieu qui fis l’homme [6:10] Carlos GOMES (1836–1896) Il Guarany 12. Alfin giungemmo all’ospitale tetto [2:22] 13. Che siate I benvenuti [5:50] 14. Gentile di cuore [3:10] 15. Cecilia, esulta. Resto ai nostril lari–Salve possente Vergine [5:46] Leon Björker (bass) Helga Görlin (soprano), Simon Edwardsen (tenor), Einar Andersson (tenor) (tr. 1); Sigurd Björling (baritone), Folke Jonsson (bass) (tr. 4); Conny Molin (baritone) (tr. 6); Brita Herzberg (soprano) (tr. 7); Jussi Björling (tenor), Hjördis Schymberg (soprano), Göta Allard (soprano) (tr. 11); Copnny Söderström (tenor), Henriette Guermant (soprano), Sigurd Björling (baritone), Arne Ohlson (tenor), Gösta Björling (tenor), Georg Svedenbrant (baritone) (tr. 12-15); Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus/Issay Dobrowen (tr. 8); Royal Orchestra (and Chorus)/Herbert Sandberg; Nils Grevillius; Sixten Ehrling; Leo Blech rec. Concert Hall, Stockholm (tr. 8), Royal Opera House, Stockholm, 1934–1959 BLUEBELL ABCD 102 [74:12][GF]

All in all this disc offers such magnificent bass singing that it should be in every respectable vocal collection.... see Full Review

Box of Delights Phyllis TATE (1911-1985) London Fields (1958) [13:14] Samuel COLERIDGE-TAYLOR (1875-1912) Four Characteristic Waltzes, Op.22 (1899) – Valse de la reine [4:30] Three-fours – Valse Suite, Op.71 (1909) arranged by Norman O’Neill No.2 Andante [2:47]; No.5 Andante molto [4:12] Granville BANTOCK (1868-1946) Russian Scenes (1899) [14:18] Cecil ARMSTRONG-GIBBS (1889-1960) Fancy Dress – Dance Suite Op.82 (1935) [17:22] Elisabeth LUTYENS (1906-1983) En Voyage, suite for full orchestra (1944) [15:02] London Philharmonic Orchestra/Barry Wordsworth Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Simon Joly (Lutyens) rec. Tate: March 1988, Walthamstow Town Hall, August 1989, Henry Wood Hall; remainder in Henry Wood Hall, August and September 1989. DDD LYRITA SRCD214 [71:32] [JW]

Banish humdrum days with this delightful collection ... see Full Review

The British Book Judith WEIR (b. 1954) String Quartet (1990) [13:27] Edward ELGAR (1857–1934) String Quartet in E minor Op.83 (1918) [26:11] Peter Maxwell DAVIES (b. 1934) Little Quartet No.1 (1980) [8:50] Little Quartet No.2 (1977, rev. 1987) [4:03] Reinhold-Quartett rec. MDR Chorsaal, Augustplatz, Leipzig, April, December 2005 GENUIN GEN 86065 [52:59] [JS]

The overall impression is favourable, especially the Weir and Maxwell Davies. ... see Full Review

British Composers Conduct on Acoustic Frederic COWEN (1852-1935) The Butterfly's Ball Overture (1901) Symphony Orchestra/Cowen rec. 1916 [3:27] Frank BRIDGE (1879-1941) The Sea - suite (1910-11) London Symphony Orchestra/Frank Bridge rec. 1923 [17:17] Gustav HOLST (1874-1934) Beni Mora - Oriental site (1909-10) London Symphony Orchestra/Gustav Holst rec. 1924 [13:57] Charles Villiers STANFORD (1852-1924) Songs of the Fleet op.117 (1910) Harold Williams (baritone) London Symphony Orchestra/Stanford rec. 1923 [22:13] Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Fringes of the Fleet (1917) Charles Mott, Frederick Henry, Frederick Stewart, Harry Barratt (baritones) Symphony Orchestra/Elgar rec. 1917 [14:09] Landon RONALD (1873-1938) In An Eastern Garden (No.2 from The Garden of Allah) (1920) [4:23] Arthur Beckwith (violin) Royal Albert Hall Orchestra/Landon Ronald rec. 1920 DUTTON CDBP 9777 [76:13][RB]

An historically important collection of special interest to British music enthusiasts and academics. ... see Full Review

British Music for flute, oboe and piano Eugène GOOSSENS (1893-1962) Pastorale et Arlequinade for flute, oboe and piano (1924) [6:58] Madeleine DRING (1923-1977) Trio for flute, oboe and piano (1968) [9:56] Richard Rodney BENNETT (b. 1936) Sounds and Sweet Aires for flute, oboe and piano (1985) [12:55] Edward McGUIRE (b. 1948) Three Dialogues for flute and oboe (1966) [5:10] Rhian SAMUEL (b. 1944) Shadow Dance for flute, oboe and piano (1984) [4:36] Thea MUSGRAVE (b. 1928) Impromptu for flute and oboe (1967) [4:59] Malcolm ARNOLD (1921-2006) Suite Bourgeoise for flute, oboe and piano (c.1939-40) [11:56] Nancy Ruffer (flute); John Anderson (oboe); Helen Crayford (piano) rec. St. Silas Church, Chalk Farm, London, 18–19 July 2005 (Bennett; McGuire; Samuel; Musgrave); Potton Hall, Suffolk, 18 May 2006 (Goossens; Dring; and Arnold). DDD DUTTON EPOCH CDLX 7181 [57:50][[MC]

Dutton have released a well performed and recorded disc of delightful British Music for flute, oboe and piano. ... see Full Review

Pablo Casals: Encores and Transcriptions 5 (Complete Acoustic Recordings 3) Fryderyk CHOPIN (1810-1849) Nocturne in E flat arr. Popper [3:52] Frederick CROUCH (1808-1896) Kathleen Mavourneen [2:56] Thomas MOORE (1779-1852) Believe me if all those endearing young charms [3:06] Edward ELGAR (1857-1934) Salut d’amour [2:29] Katharine Tynan HINKSON Would God I were the tender apple blossom [3:08] David POPPER (1843-1913) Gavotte in D, Op. 23 [4:05] Anton RUBINSTEIN (1829-1894) Romance in E flat [2:59] Edward MACDOWELL (1860-1908) To a Wild Rose [2:47] Giovanni SGAMBATI (1841-1914) Serenata Napoletana, Op. 24, No. 2 [3:16] Teresa Clothilde Del RIEGO (1876-1968) Oh, dry those tears [3:23] Max BRUCH (1838–1920) Kol Nidrei [9:03] Alexander GLAZUNOV (1865-1936) Mélodie arabe, Op. 20, No. 1 [3:15] Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Adagio from Concerto in D [4:36] Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Serenade, Op. 67, No. 6 [2:25] Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Sapphische Ode [3:27] Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Mélodie  Op.42 No.3 [3:10] Autumn Songs. Op. 37, No. 10 [3:55] Georg Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759) Minuet [2:22] Cesar CUI (1835-1918) Berceuse, Op. 20, No. 18 [3:09] Johann Sebastian BACH  (1685-1750) Adagio from Adagio and Fugue in C BWV 564 arr. Siloti [4:16] Enrique GRANADOS (1867-1916) Intermezzo from Goyescas - arr. Gaspar Cassadó [4:41] Pablo Casals (cello) Walter Golde (piano); Romano Romani (piano); Edouard Gnedron (piano) Unnamed orchestral accompaniment rec.1920-25 NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.110987 [76:22] [JW]

A great series for lovers of mouthful titles. And the longer it proceeds – to all our musical benefit – the more complicated it gets. ... see Full Review

The Cold Dancer – Contemporary String Quartets from Scotland Kenneth DEMPSTER (b. 1962) String Quartet No.4 The Cold Dancer (2005) [12:22] James CLAPPERTON (b. 1968) The Great Divorce (1990) [16:03] Judith WEIR (b. 1954) String Quartet (1990) [13:23] William SWEENEY (b. 1950) String Quartet No.3 (2004) [36:34] The Edinburgh Quartet rec. no information available, published 2006 DELPHIAN DCD 34038 [78:24] [HC]

Much very beautiful music to be heard here. ... see Full Review

Don Quixote in Spanish Music Joaquín RODRIGO (1901-1999) Ausencias de Dulcinea (1947-8) [12:24] ¹ José García ROMÁN (b.1945) La resurrección de Don Quijote (1993-4) [16:45] ² Francisco Asenjo BARBIERI (1823-1894) Don Quijote (1861) [9:46] ³ Jorgé Fernández GUERRA (b.1952) Tres momentos de Don Quichotte (2004-5) [18:06] Gerardo GOMBAU (1906-1971) Don Quijote velando las armas (1945) [9:11] Orquesta y Coro de la Comminidad de Madrid/José Ramón Encinar, with  Lillian Moriani, Victoria Marchante, Celia Alcedo (soprano); María José Suárez (mezzo); Antonio José Lopez (baritone) ¹;  Víctor Arriola (violin) ²; Fernando Cobo (tenor) ³. rec. 13-22 July 2005, Sede de la Orquesta y Coro de la Communidad de Madrid, Hortaleza, Madrid NAXOS 8.570260 [66:12][GPu]

A pleasant exploration of some Spanish musical responses to Don Quixote introduces us to some unfamiliar works in a well-paled and well-recorded programme … see Full Review

Festive Mass at the Imperial Court of Vienna 1648 Girolamo FANTINI (c.1602-1675) Imperial Sonata No.1 (c.1638) [3:12] Andreas RAUCH (1592-1656) Atollite Portas, Principes (1634) [5:15] RAUCH Jubilate Deo for Four Choirs (c.1648) [3:31] Christoph STRAUS (c.1575-1631) Missa Veni Sponsa Christi (c.1620-30): Symphonia-Kyrie-Gloria [8:36] Giovanni PRIULI (1575-1629) Venite Exultemus in 8 parts (c.1620) [2:31] STRAUS Missa Veni Sponsa Christi:Credo [8:06] Antonio BERTALI (1605-1669) Sonata I (c.1640) [2:12] RAUCH Benedicite for Four Choirs (c.1648) [5:59] STRAUS Missa Veni Sponsa Christi: Sanctus-Benedictus [2:35] PRIULI O Quam Dulcis in 8 parts (c.1620) [3:43] RAUCH Pater Noster for Three Choirs (c.1648) [4:06] STRAUS Missa Veni Sponsa Christi: Agnus Dei [1:55] BERTALI Sonata II (c.1640) [2:01] RAUCH Cantate Domino for Five Choirs (c.1648) [5:59] FANTINI Imperial Sonata No.2 (c.1638) [2:25] Yvonne Seymour (soprano); Margaret Cable (mezzo); Rogers Covey-Crump (tenor); Phillip Daggett (tenor); Ian Partridge (tenor); David Collins (tenor); Stephen Varcoe (bass); Roger Langford (bass) Yorkshire Bach Choir; Yorkshire Baroque Soloists; Baroque Brass of London/Peter Seymour rec. 11-13 July 1989, Chapel of St. Mary and St. Eviralda, Everingham ALTO ALC 1006 [62:44][WK]

A reissue from 1989 demonstrating both some fine little-known music and the expertise of the Yorkshire Bach Choir at its best. ... see Full Review

The Golden Age of Light Music – Amor Amor - Music for Romance - see review for details rec. 1940-56 GUILD LIGHT MUSIC GLCD 5133 [78:24] [JW]

Another notch then on Guild’s Light Music bedpost - insinuating romance from a less than burnished time. ... see Full Review

The Golden Age of Light Music: Continental Flavour see review for full listing rec. 1930-56 GUILD LIGHT MUSIC GLCD 5132 [77:03] [JW]

Another successful entrant in this increasingly exhaustive and sometimes exhausting series ... see Full Review

Great Tenor Arias Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) La donna e mobile (Rigoletto) [3:34] Alfredo Kraus (ten) Philharmonia Orchestra/Julius Rudel (rec.1979); Celeste Aida (Aida) [4:49] Jose Carreras (ten) Vienna Philharmonic/Herbert von Karajan (rec.1980); Di quella pira (Il Trovatore) [2:02] Franco Corelli (ten) Chorus and Orchestra of Rome Opera House/Thomas Schippers (rec.1965); Ingemisco (Requiem) [3:43] Luciano Pavarotti (ten); Orchestra of La Scala, Milan/Riccardo Muti (rec.1987) Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) Recondita armonia (Tosca) [2:53] Placido Domingo (ten) National Philharmonic/Eugene Kohn (rec.1990); E lucevan le stelle (Tosca) [2:59] Carlo Bergonzi (ten) Orchestra of Rome Opera House/Thomas Schippers (rec.1965) Che gelida manina (La Boheme) [4:29]Nicolai Gedda (ten) Orchestra of Rome Opera House/Thomas Schippers (rec.1964) Dovunque al mondo (Madame Butterfly) [2:59] Jussi Bjoerling (ten), Mario Sereni (bar) Orchestra of Rome Opera House/Gabriele Santini (rec.1961); Nessun dorma (Turandot) [4:10] Jose Carreras (ten); Strasbourg Philharmonic/Alain Lombard (rec.1978) Pietro MASCAGNI (1863-1945) Viva il vino spumeggiante (Cavalleria rusticana) [3:08] Jose Carreras (ten) Julia Hamari (mezzo) Ambrosian Chorus, Philharmonia Orchestra/Riccardo Muti (rec.1980); Tutto ho tentato (L’amico Fritz) [3:11] Luciano Pavarotti (ten); Chorus and Orchestra of Covent Garden. Gianandrea Gavazzeni (rec.1968) Franz LEHÁR (1870-1948) Gern hab ich die Frau’n geküsst (Paganini) [3:17] Nicolai Gedda (ten) Bavarian Symphony Orchestra/Willi Boskovsky (rec.1977); Da geh’ ich zu Maxim (Merry Widow) [2:53] Nicolai Gedda (ten); Graunke Symphony Orchestra/Willy Mattes (rec.1967) Georges BIZET (1838-1875) La fleur que tu m’avais jetée (Carmen) [4:16] Jon Vickers (ten); Paris Conservatoire Orchestra/Rafael Fruhbeck de Burgos (rec.1970) Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Un’ aura amorosa (Cosi fan tutte) [4:44] Alfredo Kraus (ten); Philharmonia Orchestra/Karl Böhm (rec.1963) Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797-1848) Fra poco a me ricovero (Lucia di Lammermoor) [3:38] Alfredo Kraus (ten); Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Nicola Rescigno (rec.1984) Francesco Paolo TOSTI (1846-1916) Marechiare [3:25] Ruggero LEONCAVALLO (1857-1919) Mattinata [2:06] Giuseppe di Stefano (ten); Orchestra/Gian Mario Guarino (rec.1961) Rudolf SIECZYNSKI (1879-1952) Wien, du Stadt meiner Träume [4:51) Placido Domingo (ten); English Chamber Orchestra. Julius Rudel (rec.1986) Friedrich von FLOTOW (1812-1883) Ach so fromm (Martha) [2:47] Fritz Wunderlich (ten); Berlin Symphony Orchestra/Berislav Klobucar (rec.1960) CLASSICS FOR PLEASURE 0946 3 82618 2 7 [70:23][TH]

Few complaints regarding choice of music and performances ... see Full Review

Heavenly Harmonies - Three Trebles from Blackburn Cathedral Claudio MONTEVERDI (1567-1643) Currite populi [03:14] Maledetto sia l'aspetto [01:18] Alessandro GRANDI (c1577-1630) O quam tu pulchra es [03:05] Marc-Antoine CHARPENTIER (1643-1704) Panis angelicus (H 243) [01:25] Thomas TOMKINS (1572-1656) A Fantasy [03:03] George Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759) Rodelinda (HWV 19): Art thou troubled (after Dove sei) [04:30] Semele (HWV 58): Where'er you walk [04:26] Messiah (HWV 56) He shall feed his flock [04:50]; How beautiful are the feet [02:15] Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Magnificat in D (BWV 243): Et exultavit [02:47]Gottfried Heinrich STÖLZEL (?) (1690-1749) Bist du bei mir [02:44] Johann Sebastian BACHWas mir behagt, ist nur die muntre Jagd (BWV 208): Schafe können sicher weiden [04:19] Henry PURCELL (1659-1695) Voluntary in G (Z 720) [02:45] Evening Hymn (Z 193) [03:48] Joseph CORFE (1740-1820) My misdeeds prevail against me [02:59] Maurice GREENE (1696-1755) Arise!, Shine, O Zion, anthem: The Gentiles shall come to Thy light [01:10] Matthew LOCKE (c1621-1677) O Domine Jesu Christe/ [01:42] Anon. Sweet was the song (Egerton-ms) [01:35] James NARES (1715-1783) Rejoice in the Lord o ye righteous [04:28] Peter CORNET (c1560-c1626) Fantasia [02:21] Maurice GREENE Lord, let me know mine end, anthem: For man walketh in a vain shadow/ [01:14] Joseph CORFE I will magnify thee, O Lord [02:30] Thomas Augustine ARNE (1710-1778) Where the bee sucks [02:32] William CROFT (1678-1727) Voluntary in d minor [01:56] Pelham HUMFREY (1647-1674) A Hymn to God the Father [02:29] Michael ARNE (1740/41-1786) Care flies from the lad that is merry [01:22] Richard DERING (c1580-1630) Gaudent in coelis [01:44] Daniel Adams, James Holding, Thomas Croxson (trebles), Richard Tanner, Greg Morris (organ) rec. March, April 2002; August 2004, Blackburn Cathedral, UK. DDD LAMMAS LAMM194D [72:44] [JV]

This disc is mainly interesting for the singing of the three trebles, whereas the interpretation of the music is not always satisfying … see Full Review

Improvisata Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741) Sinfonia “Improvisata” in C major [3:23] Giovanni Battista SAMMARTINI (c.1700-1775) Overture (sinfonia) in G minor J-C 57 (c.1740s) [9:11] Carlo MONZA (c.1735-1801) Sinfonia detta “La tempesta di mare” in D major edited Fabio Biondi [5:44] Luigi BOCCHERINI (1743-1805) Sinfonia No.6 “La casa del diavolo” (1771) revised Antonio de Almeida [19:15] Giuseppe DEMACHI (1732-after 1791) Sinfonia “Le campane di Roma” in F major [16:03] Europa Galante/Fabio Biondi (violin/director) rec. Fondazione Teatro Regio di Parma, Auditorium Paganini, November 2004 VIRGIN CLASSICS 3 63430 2 [53:38][JW]

Authoritative, intelligent and entirely successful performances  ... see Full Review

Jewish Operas Volume 2 David SCHIFF (b. 1945) Gimpel the Fool (excerpts) (1985) [23.39] (1) Elie SIEGMEISTER (1909-1991) Lady of the Lake (excerpts) (1985) [17.36] (2) Hugo WEISGALL (1912-1997) Esther (excerpts) (1993) [11:07] (3) Gimpel – Gary Moss (baritone) (1) Elka –Megan Besley (soprano) (1) Goat – Alissa Mercurio (soprano) (1) Apprentice – Michael Gallant (tenor) (1) Rabbi – Nicholas Phan (tenor) (1) Badkhn – Theodore Bikel (speaker) (1) Isabella – Carol Meyer (soprano) (2) Blumberg - Robert McPherson (baritone) (2) Ernesto – Marcus DeLoach (baritone) (2) Esther – Juliana Gondek (soprano) (3) Xerxes – Ted Christopher (baritone) (3) University of Michigan Opera Orchestra and Chorus/Kenneth Kiesler (1) Seattle Symphony/Gerard Schwarz (2, 3) rec. (1) Hill Auditorium, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, January 2001; (2) Batsyr University Chapel, Seattle, May 2000; (3) Benaroya Hall, Seattle, May 1999 NAXOS 8.559450 [54.22][RH]

A fascinating disc. One well worth exploring if you are interested in 20^th century opera. My only real complaint was that it was too short and could have been twice as long. ... see Full Review

Walther Kirchhoff (1879-1951) Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Das Rheingold (1869) - Immer ist Undank Loges Lohn [4:04] Das Rheingold (1869) – Über Stock und Stein zu Tal [4:03] Lohengrin (1850) – Nun sei bedankt [2:33] Lohengrin (1850) – Atmest du nicht mit mir die süssen Düfte [2:53] Lohengrin (1850) – Höchstes Vertrau’n [3:47] Lohengrin (1850) – In fernen Land [3:59] Lohengrin (1850) – Mein lieber Schwan [4:01] Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (1868) – Fanget an! [3:20] Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (1868) – Morgenlich leuchtend [3:37] Rienzi (1840) – Allmächt’ger Vater, blick herab! [3:22] Die Walküre (1870) – Winterstüwichen dem Wonnemond [2:56] Siegfried (1876) – Dass der mein Vater nicht is [7:25] Siegfried (1876) – Freundliches Vöglein, dich frage ich [4:16] ¹ Götterdämmerung (1869-74) – Zu neuen Taten, teurer Helde [11:04] ² Götterdämmerung (1869-74) – Helle Wehr [3:12] ² ³ Götterdämmerung (1869-74) – Brünnhilde! Heilige Braut [3:31] Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Un ballo in maschera (1859) – O sag’ wenn ich fahr’ [3:03] Walther Kirchhoff (tenor) Olga Schramm-Tschörner ¹ Margarete Bäumer ² Alfred Göbel ³ Unidentified accompanists rec. 1914-32 PREISER 89686 [72:25][JW]

Impresses by virtue of his powers of characterisation. ... see Full Review

Erich Kleiber Carl Maria von WEBER (1786-1826) Euryanthe: Overture (1823) [9:10] Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Symphony No. 33 in B flat major K.319 (1779) [20:01] Pyotr TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Symphony No. 6 in B minor Op.74 ‘Pathétique’ (1892) [46:30] Kölner Rundfunk-Sinfonie-Orchester/Erich Kleiber rec. Funkhaus, Saal 1, WDR Cologne, 20 January 1956 (Weber), 23 November 1953 (Mozart), 28 March 1955 (Tchaikovsky) MEDICI ARTS MM003-2 [75:51] [DC]

The orchestra might not be the greatest Kleiber ever conducted, but there is a sense of the musicians consciously raising their game for the old master ... see Full Review

The Art of Lang Lang Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 in c-charp minor [9:05] Liebestraum, S. 541 No. 3 [5:46] Peter TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Piano Concerto No. 1 in b-flat minor Op. 23 Allegro con fuoco [7:18] Lu WENCHENG (1898-1981) Autumn Moon on a Calm Lake (arr. Chen Peixun) [4:08] Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Kinderszenen Op. 15: Traumerei [3:18] Frederic CHOPIN (1810-1849) Nocturne in D-flat Op. 27 No. 2 (Live) [6:41] Piano Sonata No. 3 in b minor Op. 58 Finale. Presto non tanto [5:29] Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Piano Sonata in C, K330 Allegro moderato [6:35] Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Piano Concerto No. 2 in c minor, Op. 18 Adagio sostenuto [12:27] Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43, variation 18 [2:49] Lang LANG and Lang GUO-REN Horses [2:52] Yellow River Piano Concerto: Prelude: The song of the Yellow River Boatmen [3:30] Lang Lang (piano) Orchestras, conductors, and recording venues not given DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 442 9484 [69:48] [DB]

A showpiece to a new popular talent … see Full Review

The Language of Love - Songs of the troubadours and trouvères ANONYMOUS (13^th Century) Por coi me bait mes maris? [2:23] Dansse Real* [3:05] La Tierche Estampie Roial [3:08] En un vergier [6:56] La Quarte Estampie Royal [2:50] En ma forest [3:12] Bele Doette [9:04] La Prime Estampie Royal [3:40] Giraut de BORNELH (c.1140 – c.1200) Reis glorios [7:32] Gaucelm FAIDIT (c.1170 – 1230) Lo rossinholet salvatge [9:50] Colin MUSET (fl. 1200) Volez oir la muse Muset?* [6:50] Bernart de VENTADORN (c.1130 – c.1200) Can l’erba fresch’ [6:18] Duo Trobairitz: Faye Newton (soprano, symphonie*); Hazel Brooks (vielle) rec. 17-18 February, 2005, St. Andrew’s Church Toddington Gloucestershire, United Kingdom. DDD HYPERION CDA67634 [64:55] [MS]

An excellent and carefully performed set of French troubadour and trouvère music; sparse, highly melodious and performed with great gentleness and candour … see Full Review

Legendary British Performers (Classic Archive) ANONYMOUS Have you seen but the white lily grow Filmed in Paris, 26 December 1972 Alfred Deller and Mark Deller (counter-tenors); Desmond Dupré (lute/guitar) John BLOW (1649-1708) Ah, Heav'n! What is't I hear? Filmed in Paris, 26 December 1972 Alfred Deller and Mark Deller (counter-tenors); Desmond Dupré (lute/guitar) Henry PURCELL (1658-1695) Sound the trumpet Filmed in Paris, 26 December 1972 Alfred Deller and Mark Deller (counter-tenors); Desmond Dupré (lute/guitar) Philip ROSSETER (1567-1623) What then is love but mourning? Filmed in Paris, 26 December 1972 Alfred Deller and Mark Deller (counter-tenors); Desmond Dupré (lute/guitar) Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (from Cantata BWV147) Arr.Myra Hess, Filmed in London, 20 October 1954 Myra Hess (piano) Adagio (from Toccata, Adagio & Fugue, BWV564) Filmed in London, 20 October 1954 Myra Hess (piano) Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Sonata No. 31 in A flat major, Op. 110 Filmed in London, 20 October 1954 Myra Hess (piano) Frank BRIDGE (1879-1941) Go Not, Happy Day Filmed in London, 7 May 1964 Peter Pears (tenor); Benjamin Britten (piano) Benjamin BRITTEN (1913-1976) Down by the Salley Gardens Filmed in London, 7 May 1964 Peter Pears (tenor); Benjamin Britten (piano) The Plough Boy Filmed in London, 7 May 1964 Peter Pears (tenor); Benjamin Britten (piano) Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor, K478 - Andante Filmed in London, 7 May 1964 Benjamin Britten (piano); Emanuel Hurwitz (violin); Cecil Aronowitz (viola); Terence Weil (cello) Antonín DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) Scherzo capriccioso, Op. 66 Filmed at the Free Trade Hall, Manchester, 30 January 1962 Hallé Orchestra/Sir John Barbirolli Enrique GRANADOS (1867-1916) Goyescas: Intermezzo Filmed in London, 4 February 1962 Jacqueline du Pré (violoncello); Iris du Pré (piano) Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Song Without Words in D, Op. 109 Filmed in London, 4 February 1962 Jacqueline du Pré (violoncello); Iris du Pré (piano) Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) Allegro Appassionato in B minor Op. 43 Filmed in London, 4 February 1962 Jacqueline du Pré (violoncello); Iris du Pré (piano) Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Après une lecture du Dante - Fantasia quasi Sonata Filmed in London, 26 October 1961 John Ogdon (piano) Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Impromptu in A flat major, D899 No. 4 Filmed in London, 15 January 1956 Solomon (piano) NTSC System 4:3; Colour Mode BW; Disc Format DVD9; Sound Format LPCM Mono 2.0 (PCM dual mono) sound remastered for DVD; Menu Languages E, F, D, E Filmed in London/Paris 1954-1972 Directed by Patricia Foy, Phil Bates, Walter Todds, Jacques Brialy EMI CLASSICS DVB 38846192 [100:12][CF]

The birth-pangs of music on television laid bare see but there’s enough here to enjoy the music and the performances for what they are, legendary gems. ... see Full Review

Lotte Lehmann – Lieder Recordings, Vol. 2 (1937-1940) Robert SCHUMANN (1810–1856) 1. Alte Laute, Op. 35, No. 12 [2:29] Johannes BRAHMS (1833–1897) 2. Botschaft, Op. 47, No. 1 [2:08] 3. Das Mädchen spricht, Op. 107, No. 3 [1:17] 49 Volkslieder: 4. No. 25 Mein Mädel hat einen Rosenmund [1:40] Carl SJÖBERG (1861–1900) 5. Tonerna (Visions) [2:25] CALCOTT (?-?) 6. Drink to me only [3:06] Hugo WOLF (1860–1903) 7. Gebet [2:47] 8. Nun lass uns Frieden schliessen [1:55] 9. Frühling übers Jahr [1:45] 10. Auf ein altes Bild [2:24] 11. In der Frühe [2:14] 12. Auch kleine Dinge [2:18] 13. Und willst du deinen Liebsten sterben sehen [2:24] 14. Peregrina I [1:52] 15. Der Knabe und das Immlein [2:47] 16. Heimweh [2:51] Robert SCHUMANN 17. Er und sie, Op. 78, No. 2 [3:48] 18. So wahr die Sonne scheinet, Op. 37, No. 12 [1:51] 19. Unterm Fenster, Op. 34, No. 3 [1:26] 20. Familien-Gemälde, Op. 34, No. 4 [3:31] 21. Ich denke dein, Op. 78, No. 3[2:39] Franz SCHUBERT (1797–1828) Winterreise, D 911: 22. No. 23 Die Nebensonnen [2:26] 23. No. 13 Die Post [2:07] 24. No. 18 Der stürmische Morgen [0:45] 25. No. 5 Der Lindenbaum [4:08] 26. No. 20 Der Wegweiser [4:14] 27. No. 15 Die Krähe [2:59] 28. No. 21 Das Wirtshaus [4:32] 29. No. 19 Täuschung [1:17] 30. No. 22 Mut! [1:27] 31. No. 17 Im Dorfe [2:46] 32. No. 8 Rückblick [2:32] Lotte Lehmann (soprano) Lauritz Melchior (tenor) (17–21); Ernö Balogh (piano) (1–6); Paul Ulanowsky (piano) (7–16, 22–32); orchestra/Bruno Reibold (17–21) rec. 16 March 1937 (1–6), 6 January 1939 (7–16), 30 January 1939 (17–21), 26 February 1940 (22–32). ADD NAXOS 8.111094 [78:50][GF]

This disc is a must for every lover of German Lieder ... see Full Review

Lotte Lehmann – Lieder Recordings: Vol. 3 (1941) Robert SCHUMANN (1810–1856) Frauenliebe und –Leben, Op. 42 (1840) [20:23] Dichterliebe, Op. 48 (1840) [27:03] Franz SCHUBERT (1797–1828) Winterreise, D 911 (1827), excerpts [30:22] No. 1 Gute Nacht [4:23] No. 3 Gefrorne Tränen [2:49] No. 4 Erstarrung [2:54] No. 6 Wasserflut [3:25] No. 10 Rast [4:07] No. 11 Frühlingstraum [4:13] No. 12 Einsamkeit [2:41] No. 16 Letzte Hoffnung [2:26] No. 24 Der Leiermann [3:20] Lotte Lehmann (soprano) Bruno Walter (piano) (Schumann); Paul Ulanowsky (piano) (Schubert) rec. Los Angeles, 24 June 1941 (Frauenliebe); 13 August 1941 (Dichterliebe), 14, 19 March 1941 (Winterreise) NAXOS 8.111244 [77:48][GF]

My admiration for Lehmann in lieder is not only undiminished – it has grown further. The close recording leaves almost no barrier between the singer and the listener and in this case lends the songs a rare intimacy. ... see Full Review

George London Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756–1791) Le nozze di Figaro 1. Aprite un po’ quegli occhi [4:04] Don Giovanni 2. Là ci darem la mano [5:32] 3. Finch’ han dal vino [2:49] 4. Deh, vieni alla finestra [2:06] Jacques OFFENBACH (1819–1880) Les contes d’Hoffmann 5. Scintille diamant! [3:49] Charles GOUNOD (1818–1893) Faust 6. Vous qui faites l’endormie [2:55] Giuseppe VERDI (1813–1901) Aida 7. A te grave cagion m’adduce, Aida [8:01] Modest MUSSORGSKY (1839–1881) Boris Godunov 8. Boris’s monologue [5:47] Alexander BORODIN (1833–1887) Prince Igor 9. Prince Igor’s aria [7:40] Pyotr TCHAIKOVSKY (1840–1893) Eugene Onegin 10. Eugene Onegin’s aria [4:22] 11. Opera’s closing scene [9:33] Richard WAGNER (1813–1883) Die Walküre 12. Wotan’s farewell and closing scene [15:12] George London (bass-baritone) Irmgard Seefried (soprano) (2), Erich Kunz (baritone) (3), Astrid Varnay (soprano) (7), Valerie Bak (soprano) (11) Orchester des Wiener Rundfunks/Max Schönherr (1-3, 5, 6, 8), Orchester des Wiener Staatsoper/Karl Böhm (4), Orchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks/Hermann Weigert (7, 9, 12); Richard Kraus (10, 11) rec. 18 October 1951, Vienna (1,3, 5, 6, 8); 6 November 1955, Vienna (4); 5 October 1953, Munich (7), 3 October 1953, Munich (9), 30 June, 5 July 1954, Munich (10, 11), 1953, Munich (12) trs. 2-4, 10-11 sung in German; the rest in the original language ARCHIPEL ARPCD0365 [71:58] [GF]

A pleasure to hear such steady and attractive singing. Admirers of this great Canadian should give it a try but the technical quality leaves much to be desired ... 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]

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