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]

 

Roberto Alagna – Viva l’Opera! see review for details rec. various locations, 1995-2006 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 4776563 [74.09 + 72.43] [RMO]

A wonderful experience from a singer at his peak ... see Full Review

Amorous in Music: William Cavendish in Antwerp (1648-1660) Anonymous Daphne [4:10] Strawberry leaves [1:33] Tickle my toe [1:48] John DOWLAND (1563-1626) Pavan (Taffelconsort) (1621) [4:18] Lamentatio Henrici Noel [4:10] Galeazzo SABBATINI (1597-1662) Congregavit Dominus aquas [4:10] Nicholaes a KEMPIS (c.1600-1676) Symphonia No.1 Op.2 [5:01] Leonora DUARTE (1610-1678) Sinfonia No.1 [2:29] William LAWES (1602-1645) Up, Ladies, Up [1:46] Suite in G minor [6:28] Gather ye rosebuds [1:49] Henry LAWES (1596-1662) Now Lucatia now make haste [3:52] Orlando GIBBONS (1583-1625) Fantasia No.2 from Koninklycke Fantasien [2:37] Matthew LOCKE (c.1621-1677) Lucinda, wink or veil those eyes [2:36] Oh the brave jolly gypsy [1:15] John JENKINS (1592-1678) Newark Siege [6:04] Galliard [2:55] Nicholas LANIER (1588-1666) No more shall meads [3:02] Peter PHILLIPS (1561-1628) Pavan Dolorosa [4:54] Galliard [1:35] Angharad Gruffydd Jones (soprano) Concordia/Mark Levy rec. Academiezaal, Sint-Truiden, 11-13 January 2006 ETCETERA KTC 4019 [67:05] [GPu]

A varied programme, planned with inventive intelligence, which benefits from thoroughly musical performances and good recording. A fitting tribute to an interesting connoisseur and patron of the Seventeenth Century … see Full Review

The Berlin Concert – Live from the Waldbühne: Plácido Domingo, Anna Netrebko, Rolando Villazon Giuseppe VERDI (1813–1901) Nabucco: Overture [8:15] Francesco CILEA (1866–1950) L’Arlesiana: È la solita storia¹ [4:59] Giacomo PUCCINI (1858–1924) Gianni Schicchi: O mio babbino caro² [3:21] Jules MASSENET (1842–1912) Le Mage: Ah! Parais! Parais, aster de mon ciel³ [4:13] Giuseppe VERDI Otello: Già nella notte densa¹² [10:40] Georges BIZET (1838–1875) Carmen: Entr’acte [3:38] Les Pêcheurs de perles: Au fond du temple saint¹³ [5:20] Gioacchino ROSSINI (1792–1868) Semiramide: Overture [12:24] Maria GREVER (1885–1951) Júrame³ [5:07] Franz LEHÁR (1870–1948) Giuditta: Meine Lippen sie küssen so heiss² [6:05 ]Ernesto DE CURTIS (1875–1937)Non ti scordar de me¹³ [3:56] Giacomo PUCCINI La Bohème: O soave fanciulla²³ [4:51] Pietro MASCAGNI (1863–1945) Cavalleria rusticana: Intermezzo [3:56] Furio RENDINE (1920–1987) Vurria¹ [4:18] Leonard BERNSTEIN (1918–1990) West Side Story: Tonight²³ [4:56] Encores: Gioacchino ROSSINI La danza³ [4:11] Giacomo PUCCINI La Bohème: Quando men vo² [3:36] Pablo SOROZABÁL (1897–1988) La tabernera del Puerto: No puede ser¹ [4:38] Giuseppe VERDI La traviata: Libiamo ne’ lieti calici (Brindidi)¹²³ [4:35] Franz LEHÁR Das Land des Lächelns: Dein ist mein ganzes Herz¹²³ Plácido Domingo (tenor)¹, Anna Netrebko (soprano)², Rolando Villazon (tenor)³, Orchester der Deutsches Oper Berlin/Marco Armiliato rec. live, Waldbühne Berlin, 7 July 2006 Picture format: NTSC Colour 16:9; Sound formats: PCM Stereo DTS 5.1 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 0734302 [110:00] [GF]

Three charming singing actors giving their audience a real treat, this concert is something to return to. ... see Full Review

Michael Bohnen (1887-1965) - Volume 3 Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Der fliegende Hollander: Die Frist ist urn [8:02] Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg: Was duftet doch der Flieder [4:07]; Gut'n Abend, Meister with Lotte Lehmann [8:35]; Wahn! Wahn! Überall Wahn! [6:26]; Gruss Gott. mein Junker with Ernst Kraus [8:44]; Euch macht ihr's leicht [3:48] Die Walküre: Lebt wohl. du kühnes. herrliches [6:59] Charles GOUNOD (1818-1893) Faust: O gib junges Blut with Robert Hutt [6:01];  Ja, das Gold regiert die Well [2:01]; Scheinst zu schlafen du im Stübchen [3:15]; Auf eilet!  with Lotte Lehmann and Robert Hutt [2:30] Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Rigoletto: Gleich sind wir beide [3:57] Ruggiero LEONCAVALLO (1858-1919) Bajazzo; Schaut her, ich bin's [3:35] Giuseppe PUCCINI (1854-1928) Tosca: Spät in der Nacht ist's [4:17] Bedřich SMETANA (1824-1884) Die verkaufte Braut: Weiss ich doch Eine with Robert Hutt [2:33] Michael Bohnen (bass-baritone) Unnamed orchestras and conductors rec. 1916-25 PREISER 89676 [76:00][JW]

The transfers have minimal wear and have not been over-filtered – they’re warm and natural sounding. Bohnen collectors will certainly want this latest instalment. ... see Full Review

A Celebration of Duo-Piano Music Emanuel CHABRIER (1841-1894) España [6:43] Isaac ALBENIZ (1860-1909) Rapsodia Española [10:45] Franz LISZT (1811-1886) Spanish Rhapsody (arr. Ferrucio Busoni) [15:54] Manuel INFANTE (1883-1958) Andalusian Dances [14:47] Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) Rhapsodie Espagnole [14:53] La Valse [12:04] Georges BIZET (1838-1875) Carmen Fantasy (arr. Abram Chasins) [8:22] Manuel De FALLA (1876-1946) Danse Espagnole No 1 (La vida breve) [2:30] Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) Variations on a Theme by Beethoven Op. 35 [17:19] Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) En Blanc et Noir [14:01] Francois POULENC (1899-1963) Concerto for Two Pianos [19:05] Valse-musette [2:12] Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Suite No. 2, Op. 17 [24:21] Fantasy Op. 5 [27:23] Reinhold GLIERE (1875-1956) Six Pieces [8:19] Anton ARENSKY (1861-1906) Suite, Op. 15 [13:12] Aram KHATCHATURIAN (1903-1978) Fantastic Waltz (from Three Pieces) [4:09] Madeleine Forte (piano) Del Parkinson (piano) rec. live, Morrison Center for the Performing Arts, Boise, Idaho, 1988, 1991, 1992 ROMÉO RECORDS 7252-4 [74:57 + 65:00 + 78:12][DB]

A great collection of duo piano repertoire, though with a rather flat soundscape … see Full Review

Convivencia Abdul Salam KHEIR Prayer Alfonso FERNANDES (fl. 16^th century) Tres moricas m’enamoran en Jaen Diego PSADOR (1509–1557) La manana de San Juan Hatim ibn SAID Burning Embers Enriques de VALDERRABANO (fl. 16^th century) Para discantar Lisan al-Din ibn AL_KHATIB Rainfall in Andalusia Luis MILAN (c.1500–1561) Romance de Moriana Joan Ambrosio DALZA (fl. 1508) Calata Spagnola Francisco SALINAS Rosafresca Luis de NARVAEZ (fl. 1530–1550) Passeavase el rey moro IBN-ZUHR (1091–1161) Blind to the Moonlight Anonymous Por Antequera suspira; Zaranil mahboub; Tres morillas m’enamoran en Jaen; Al alva verid, buen arrigo Catherine Bott (soprano) David Miller (vihuela, lute, guitar) Abdul Salam Kheir (Oud, vocals) Stephen Henderson (tar, tablah, tbilat, douf) rec. Angel Studios, June 2006 FRED LABEL FREDCD1 [60.00][RH]

A disc which wears its scholarship lightly; infectious performances shine new light on old songs and make new connections. ... see Full Review

Declarations – Music Between the Wars Leoš JANÁČEK (1854-1928) String Quartet No.2 Intimate Letters (1928) [26:01] Ruth CRAWFORD-SEEGER (1901-1953) String Quartet (1931) [11:53] Paul HINDEMITH (1895-1963) String Quartet No.4 Op.22 (1922) [26:24] Pacifica Quartet rec. Foelinger Great Hall, Krannert Centre, University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, September 2005 (Hindemith) and January 2006 (remainder) CEDILLE RECORDS CDR 90000 092 [64:38][JW]

Laudable although in the Janáček I missed the drama but the Hindemith and Crawford-Seeger are in the best of hands here ... see Full Review

Dedicated to Barrère André CAPLET (1878-1925) Feuillets d’album Rêverie (1897) [4:36] Invocation (c.1901) [3:01] Petite Valse (1897) [2:28] Henry WOOLETT (1864-1936) Sonata in B flat minor (1903) [24:58] Albert SEITZ (1872-1937) Chant dans la nuit (1901) [5:51] Eugène LACROIX (1858-1950) Quatre Pièces (1901) [14:24] Augustin LEFORT (1852-1925) Bourrée [2:15] Philippe GAUBERT (1879-1941) Romance (1905) [8:10] Eugène DAMARÉ (1840-1919) Les Marionettes (1900) [3:21] Leone Buyse (flute) Martin Amlin (piano) rec. Boston University Concert Hall, May 2004 CRYSTAL RECORDS CD715 [70:04] [JW]

These sympathetically recorded performances are highly purposeful and poetic and strongly evocative of the Parisian milieu ... see Full Review

en garde! Keigo FUJII (b.1956) Sonata for Mandolin and Guitar [15:47] Stephen Funk PEARSON (b.1952) Mountain Moor (1995) [8:31] Jaime M. ZENAMON (b.1953) Reflexões No.6 [9:32] Alfonso Carlos MIGUEL (b.1956) Back to Sirius [11:36] Maximo Diego PUJOL (b.1957) Café para dos [5:22] Astor PIAZZOLLA (1921-1992) Oblivion [3:43] Jean FRANÇAIX (1912-1997) Divertissement (1982) [8:26] Stefan Trekel (mandolin) Michael Tröster (guitar) rec. June 2006, ev. Kirche, Niestetal-Sanderhausen THOROFON/BELLA MUSICA CTH2469 [63:04] [DC]

A varied and imaginative selection of attractive repertoire and superbly brilliant and musical playing. ... see Full Review

Flying Kites - A Trafford Miscellany Sasha Johnson MANNING (b.1963)
Flying Kites for recorder and piano [3:15] Robert ELLIOTT (1932-2002) Piano Sonatina op. 2 [5:58] Robin WALKER (b.1953) Four Nursery Rhymes to texts by Thomas Pitfield for reciter, recorder and piano (2003) [3:26] Thomas PITFIELD (1903-1999) Xylophone Sonata [7:32]; The Skeleton Bride for reciter and piano [3:10]; Rain for reciter, xylophone and piano [1:15]; Bones for reciter and xylophone [1:29]; Bagatelle No. 3 for piano [1:55] David BECK (b.1941) A Dunham Pastoral for recorder and piano (2004) [6:01] John IRELAND (1879-1962) The Island Spell for piano (1912) [3:28]; Annabel Lee for reciter and piano (1910) [3:53] Martin ELLERBY (b.1957) River Dances for recorder and piano (2005) [12:19] James LANGLEY (1927-1994) Five Shakespeare Dances for recorder (1992) [9:06] Christopher COTTON (b. 1947) Rural Rondo for recorder and piano [4:52] Richard Baker (reciter), John Turner (recorder), Keith Swallow (piano), Damien Harron (percussion) rec. The King’s School, Macclesfield, 29-30 March 2005. DDD CAMPION CAMEO 2044 [60:52] [JW]

Strong on charm and melody; short on gloom and damp tidings. ... see Full Review

Fugas y Fandangos: Music for Two Guitars Manuel DE FALLA (1876-1946) La Vida Breve (1905): Dance I [3.34] (transcription: Emilio Pujol, arr. Mebes/Freire)El Sombrero de Tres Picos (1917): Miller’s Dance (Fandango) [3.56] (transcription: Susanne Mebes;  Joaquim Freire) Mario CASTELNUOVO-TEDESCO (1895-1968)The Well-Tempered Guitars, Op 199 (1961) [No. 3] Prelude and Fugue in a [5.36] [No. 4] Prelude and Fugue in E [4.34] [No. 5] Prelude and Fugue in b [7.08]Sonatina Canonica Op. 196 (1961) [10.56] [Preludio y] Fuga Elegiaca [Op. Post.] [4.03] Enrique GRANADOS (1867-1916) Goyescas (1911): Intermedio [4.33] (transcription: Emilio Pujol, arr. Mebes/Freire)El Fandango de Candil [7.58] (transcription: Susanne Mebes;  Joaquim Freire) Susanne Mebes, Joachim Friere (guitars) recorded 30 October 1994, Vers l’Eglise, Switzerland. Notes in English, Deutsch, Français. Photos of artists and composers LÉMAN CLASSICS LC44401 [52.41] [PSh]

A fine virtuoso guitar duo concert featuring unfamiliar original works for two guitars as well as arrangements, beautifully played and recorded. … see Full Review

Anne Gastinel (cello) Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Arpeggione, Sonatina and Lieder transcriptions for Cello and Piano Sonata for arpeggione and piano in A minor D.821 (1824) [25:29] ¹ Ständchen (from Schwanengesang) D.957, no.4 (1828) [3:53] ¹ An die Musik  D.547 (1817) [2:06] ¹ Sonatine for violin and piano in D major D.384 (1816) [13:31] ¹ Litanei auf das Fest Aller Seelen D.343 (1816) [2:54] ¹ Die Forelle D.550 (1817) [2:13] ¹ Der Doppelgänger (from Schwanengesang) D.957, no.13 (1828) [4:44] ¹ Auf dem Wasser zu singen D.774 (1823) [3:25] ¹ Täuschung (from Winterreise) D.911 (1827) [1:25] ¹ Der Müller und der Bach (from Die schöne Müllerin) D.795 (1823) [3:28] ¹ Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Cello Concerto in A minor Op.129 (1850) [22:03] ² Fantasiestücke for cello and piano Op.73 (1849) [10:44] ¹ Five pieces in folk-style Op.102 (1849) [16:01] ¹ Adagio and allegro for cello and piano in A flat major Op.70 (1849) [9:38] ¹ Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Sonata No.1 for cello and piano in E minor Op.38 (1865) [26:01] ³ Sonata No.2 for cello and piano in F major Op.99 (1886) [25:45] ³ Anne Gastinel (cello) ¹ Claire Désert (piano); ³ François-Frédéric Guy (piano); ²  Orchestre Philharmonique de Liège/Louis Langrée. rec. August 1998, Théâtre des Quatre Saisons, Gradignan, France (Brahms); May 2001, Théâtre des Quatre Saisons, Gradignan, France (Schumann chamber pieces); July 2001 Philharmonic Hall, Liège, Belgium (Schumann concerto); June 2005, Studio Tibor Varga, Sion, Switzerland (Schubert). NAÏVE V 5074 [63:12 + 59:26 + 51:85][GPu]

Three CDs which capture the poetic innerness of Gastinel’s reading of romanticism, and on which she benefits from some excellent partners and accompanists … see Full Review

Gesualdo - Death for Five Voices A Film by Werner Herzog Il Complesso Barocco/Alan Curtis; Gesualdo Consort of London/Gerald Place PCM Stereo; Region Code 0 Worldwide. No rec info. ARTHAUS DVD 102 055 [60:00][TP]

Doubtless fans of this director will be seething with contempt for my inability to appreciate his art. But there is a difference between art and artifice, and this coy parody of a documentary is definitely the latter. ... see Full Review

Great Tudor Anthems William BYRD (1543-1623) Laudibus in sanctis* [5:25] Justorum animae* [3:13] Thomas WEELKES (1576-1623) Hosanna to the Son of David [2:05]John TAVERNER (1490-1545) Dum transisset Sabbatum* [6:01] Thomas TOMKINS (1572-1656) My beloved spake*^1,3 [5:03] O sing unto the Lord³* [3:16] William BYRD Teach me, O Lord^2,3 [3:44] Cantate Domino [2:23] Ave verum corpus [3:55] Sing joyfully [2:33] Thomas TALLIS (1505-1585) Salvator mundi I [2:53] Thomas WEELKES When David heard [3:52] Gloria in excelsis Deo [3:14] Thomas TOMKINS Almighty God, the fountain [6:14] When David heard [4:35] Orlando GIBBONS (1583-1625) O Lord, in thy wrath [3:17] Hosanna to the Son of David [2:44] John BLITHEMAN (c.1525-1591) In Pace* [4:27] William MUNDY (c.1529-1591) O Lord, the maker of all thing* [2:35] attr. Robert WHITE (c.1538-1574) O Praise God^3* [3:27] ¹James Lindop, Robert Stringer (trebles), Stephen Shellard (countertenor), Simon Ravens (bass), ²Robert Stringer (treble), ³Raymond Johnston (organ), Worcester Cathedral Choir/Donald Hunt rec. Worcester Cathedral, 22-23 April 1992, *9-11 June 1993. DDD GRIFFIN GCCD4053 [75:05] [MG]

While some are more successful than others, these are all hearteningly committed performances. … see Full Review

Friedrich Gulda and Joe Zawinul – Music for Two Pianos Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Variations on a theme of Joseph Haydn Op.56b [20:14] Friedrich GULDA (1930-2000) Variations for two pianos and Band (1966) [16:34] * Joe ZAWINUL (b.1932) Volcano for Hire [4:25] Friedrich Gulda, Joe Zawinul (pianos) WDR Big Band Cologne/Jerry van Rooyen * rec. Philharmonie, Cologne, 20-21 May 1988. CAPRICCIO 67175 [42:15] [JW]

An invigorating affair but does quite qualify for the “gold plaque” rubric on the jewel case – “Des Kult-Konzerts.” ... see Full Review

Elīna Garanča (mezzo) Ruperto CHAPI (1851-1909) Las hijas del Zebedeo: Carceleras: “Al pensar en el dueño de mis amores” [04:56] Jules MASSENET (1842-1912) Werther: Werther… Werther (Letter Scene) [07:15] Jacques OFFENBACH (1819-1880) Les Contes d’Hoffmann: Vois sous l’archet frémissant – C’est l’amour, l’amour vainqueur [03:49] Gioacchino ROSSINI (1792-1868) La Cenerentola: Nacqui all’affanno e al pianto [07:35] with Katharina Flade (Clorinda), Heike Liebmann (Tisbe), Dominik Licht (Dandini), Mirko Tuma (Don Magnifico) Heitor VILLA-LOBOS (1887-1959) Bachianas brasileiras no.5: 1. Aria (Cantilena): “Tarde, uma nuvem rósea lenta e trasparente” anonymous arr. for string orchestra [06:22] OFFENBACH La Grande-Duchesse de Gérolstein: Portez armes” – Vous aimez le danger – Ah, que j’aime les militaires [05:13] with Rafael Harnisch (Fritz), Dominik Licht (Puck), Thomas Müller (Boum) ROSSINI L’italiana in Algeri: Per lui che adoro [05:40] with Matthias Beutlich (mustafà), Dominik Licht (Taddeo), Rafael Harnisch (Lindoro) Xavier MONTSALVATGE (1912-2002) Madrigal sobre un tema popular (El cant dels ocells) [05:12] with Peter Bruns (violoncello) Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Der Rosenkavalier: Trio & Duet (Act III): Maria Theres’! … Ist ein Traum [12:14] with Adrianna Pieczonska (Marschallin), Diana Damrau (Sophie), Dominik Licht (Faninal) Elīna Garanča (mezzo) Staatsopernchor Dresden, Staatskapelle Dresden/Fabio Luisi rec. Lukaskirche, Dresden, July 2006 DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON CD 00289 477 6231 [58:21][CH]

An exciting “snapshot” of a fast-rising star. ... see Full Review

Hear the voice Thomas TALLIS (1505–1585) If ye love me; Hear the voice and prayer Francis POULENC (1899–1963) Quatre petites prières de Saint François d’Assise Rudolf MAUERSBERGER (1889–1971) Herr, lehre doch mich; De profundis Josquin DES PREZ (1440–1521) Magnus es tu, Domine/Tu pauperum refugium Darius MILHAUD (1892–1974) Psaume 121 William BYRD (1543–1623) Ave verum corpus Carl ORFF (1895–1982) Sunt lacrimae rerum Pierre DE LA RUE (1460–1518) O salutaris hostia Peter CORNELIUS (1824–1874) Ach, wie nichtig, ach, wie fluchtig Marcus LUDWIG (b. 1960) Tenebrae Ensemble Armarcord (Wolfram Lattke, Dietrich Barth, Frank Ozimek, Daniel Knauft, Hoger Krause) with Jens Bauer (baritone) and Tobias Lange (bass) rec. September 1998, March 19999, Stiftskirche St. Petri auf dem Petersberg bei Halle. DDD APOLLON CLASSICS RK AP 10201 [58.04][RH]

The programme is well chosen, mixing the familiar and unfamiliar. So if you would like to hear some fine singing in a remarkable range of pieces, then do try this disc. ... see Full Review

Myra Hess (piano) Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Prelude in G major BWV 902 (1720) [4:04] English Suite No.2 in A minor BWV 807 (1715) [20:56] Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Piano Sonata No.62 in E flat major Hob.XVI:52 (1794) [21:15] Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Carnaval Op.9 (1834) [26:33] Myra Hess (piano) rec.  BBC Studios, London, 1950 (Schumann), 1956 (Bach), 1962 (Haydn) BBC LEGENDS BBCL 4201-2 [75:36][JW]

A matter of great pleasure that so much live and broadcast material has been issued by APR and the BBC of late. Long may that continue. Now let’s have all of Hess’s concerto collaborations with Boult. ... see Full Review

Impressions for Saxophone and Orchestra Mikis THEODORAKIS (b.1925) Cretan Concerto (1952, orch. 2005) [10:44] Adagio (1993) [3:44] Nikos SKALKOTTAS (1904–1949) Concertino (1939, orch. 2005) [11:38] Theodore ANTONIOU (b.1935) Concerto Piccolo (2000) [16:00] Minas ALEXIADIS (b.1960) Phrygian Litany [7:53] Vassilis TENIDIS (b.1936) Rhapsody of Pontos (1997) [13:24] Manos HADJIDAKIS (1925–1994) Mr Knoll [3:39] Theodore Kerkezos (saxophones) Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra/Myron Michailidis rec. Aristotle University Hall, Thessaloniki, Greece, December 2005 NAXOS 8.557992 [67:09][HC]

Kerkezos’s immaculate playing is a miracle and a real joy from first to last. This cross-section of music by contemporary Greek composers from different generations and artistic horizons may safely be recommended. ... see Full Review

International Connections – The Making of a Medium - Volume 16 Jennifer HIGDON (b.1962) Dash (2001) [4:22] Gernot WOLFGANG (b.1957) Reflections (1999) [14:28] Bright SHENG (b.1955) Tibetan Dance (2000) [9:59] Stephen CHATMAN (b.1950) Trio (2001) Wolfgang RIHM (b.1952) Gesangstück (2002) [25:30] Walter Verdehr (violin) Elsa Ludewig-Verdehr (clarinet) Silvia Roederer (piano) rec. First Presbyterian Church of Lansing, Michigan, November 2003 (Wolfgang and Higdon) and in the Witold Lutoslawski Concert Hall, Polish Radio, Warsaw, September 2003 (remainder) CRYSTAL RECORDS CD946 [64:19] [JW]

Crystal and the Verdehr have been on a long and rewarding trek through new music. They are just as fresh and enthusiastic as ever ... see Full Review

Italian Baroque Arcangelo CORELLI (1653-1713), arr. Torben SNEKKESTAD (b.1973) Concerto Grosso, Op.6 No.8 in G minor, ‘Fatto per la Notte di Natale’ (1714) [14:09] Giovanni Battista PERGOLESI (1710-1736) arr. Charlotte ANDERSSON (b.1973) Orfeo (1735) [15:59] Alessandro SCARLATTI (1660-1725) arr. Torben SNEKKESTAD (b.1973) Concerto Grosso No.1 (1740) [6:37]; Concerto Grosso No.2 (1740) [7:38] Giovanni Battista PERGOLESI (1710-1736) arr. Charlotte ANDERSSON (b.1973) Salve Regina (1736) [10:27] Copenhagen Saxophone Quartet: Torben Snekkestad (soprano saxophone), Maret Petersen (alto saxophone), Jeanette Balland (tenor saxophone); Charlotte Andersson (baritone saxophone); Mathias Hedegaard (tenor); Viggo Mangor (organ) rec. Hendriksholm Kirke, Copenhagen, March 2006 CLASSICO RECORDS CLASSCD 687 [55:05] [GPu]

Distinctive, even quirky and not for purists, but serious, intelligent music making which, in its adventurous arrangements throws new light on some masterpieces of the Italian Baroque… see Full Review

Hans Knappertsbusch - In Memoriam Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Siegfried Idyll [20:07] (rec. 8 May 1953) Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897)  Symphony No.4 in E minor Op.98 (1885) [40:54] (rec. 8 May 1953) Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Symphony No. 5 in C minor Op.67 (1808) [36:49] (rec. 9 April 1956) Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911) Kindertotenlieder (1901-04) [26:41] (rec. 9 April 1956) Anton BRUCKNER (1824-1896) Rehearsal of Symphony No. 8 with Interview with Knappertsbusch [7:30] Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major (1806) [32:12] (rec. 17 January 1954) Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856): Symphony No. 4 in D minor Op.120 (1851) [26:47] (rec. 4 November 1954) Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Parsifal (selection) (1882) [61:29] (rec. 5 August 1954) Lucretia West (mezzo) (Mahler) Wolfgang Windgassen (tenor) (Wagner: Parsifal) Martha Mödl (soprano) (Wagner: Parsifal) Josef Greindl  (bass) (Wagner: Parsifal) Wilhelm Backhaus (piano) (Beethoven concerto) Kölner Radio Symphony Orchestra (Wagner: Idyll; Brahms) Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Beethoven: Symphony; Mahler) Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra (Beethoven: Concerto) Dresden Staatskapelle (Schumann) Orchester of the Bayreuth Festspiele (Wagner: Parsifal) Hans Knappertsbusch TAHRA TAH606-609 [4 CDs: 61:32 + 71:34 + 59:21 + 61:29] [JW]

A sumptuously produced affair – the kind of thing Tahra does so well. For Kna admirers some important things here ... see Full Review

Latin Images Antonio LAURO (1917-1986) Natalia [1:44] Jose Manuel LEZCANO (b. 1960) Antonia Zarate [2:32] Raul Garcia ZARATE Wayno de Ancash [2:44] Agustin BARRIOS (1885-1944) La Catedral, Preludio:[1:54]; La Catedral, Andante religioso [1:33]; La Catedral, Allegro solemne [3:11]; Vals in D minor [4:43] Domenico SCARLATTI (1685-1757) Sonata in E minor, K 11 [1:40]; Sonata in E Major K. 380 [2:57] Fernando SOR (1778-1839) Andante Largo [4:59]Jose Luis MERLIN (b.1952) Evocacion [1:27]; Zamba [1:22]Frederico Moreno TORROBA (1891-1982) Torija [2:36] Manuel de FALLA (1876-1946) La vida breve (duo) [4:02] KIRCHNER Cancion (duo) [1:51] Ernesto LECUONA (1895-1963) La Comparsa [2:10] José Manuel Lezcano (guitar) rec. 2005 No catalogue number allocated to this disc. [41:27] [ZT]

This is an enjoyable recording with an interesting well-played programme, albeit rather short at 41:27. ... see Full Review

Kurt Leimer (piano) Kurt LEIMER (1920-1974) Concerto for the left hand (1948) [26:33] Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Panathenäenzug Op.74 (1927) [26:16] Kurt Leimer (piano) Philharmonia Orchestra/Herbert von Karajan, recorded 1954 (Leimer) Nuremburg Symphony Orchestra/Günter Neidlinger, rec. 1972 (Strauss) COLOSSEUM CLASSICS COL 9200.2 [52:41] Fryderyk CHOPIN (1810-1849) Piano Sonata in B flat minor Op.35 [20:34] Scherzo No.1 in B minor Op.20 [8:23] Etudes Op.10 (published 1833) [25:45] Douze Etudes Op. 10 (à son ami Franz Liszt) 1. No. 1 in C major, allegro 2. No. 2 in A minor, allegro 3. No. 3 in E major, lento ma non troppo 4. No. 4 in C sharp minor, presto 5. No. 5 in G flat major, vivace 6. No. 6 in E flat minor, andante con molto espressione 7. No. 7 in C major, vivace 8. No. 8 in F major, allegro 9. No. 9 in F minor, allegro molto agitato 10. No. 10 in A flat major, vivace assai 11. No. 11 in E flat major, allegretto 12. No. 12 in C minor, allegro con fuoco Etudes Op.25 (published 1837) [28:09] 12 Etudes Op. 25 (A Madame la Comtesse d'Agoult) 13. No. 1 in A flat major, allegro sostenuto 14. No. 2 in F minor, presto 15. No. 3 in F major, allegro 16. No. 4 in A minor, agitato 17. No. 5 in E minor, vivace 18. No. 6 in G sharp minor, allegro 19. No. 7 in C sharp minor, lento 20. No. 8 in D flat major, vivace assai 21. No. 9 in G flat major, allegro assai 22. No. 10 in B minor, allegro con fuoco 23. No. 11 in A minor, allegro con brio 24. No. 12 in C minor, allegro molto con fuoco Kurt Leimer (piano) rec. 1969 (Sonata); 1960 (Scherzo); 1962 (Etudes) COLOSSEUM CLASSICS COL 9201.2 [55:17 + 29:01][JW]

Leimer is now a forgotten talent both as executant and composer so these releases may help in righting one of these perennial wrongs. ... 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]