PART 4
M-R

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]

 

Gian Francesco MALIPIERO (1882-1973) Fantasie di Ogni Giorni (1953) [13:04] Concerto No.3 for Piano and Orchestra (1948) [16:27] Notturno di Canti e Balli (1957) [19:05] Benjamin Owen (piano) Louisville Orchestra/ Robert Whitney rec. Louisville, 1954 (Fantasie), 1960 (Concerto) and 1966 (Notturno) FIRST EDITION FECD 0036 [48:56] [JW]

Pioneering performances of occasionally inscrutable works. ... see Full Review

Tomás MARCO (b. 1942) Concierto del agua (1993)* [25:04] Oculto carmen (1995) [5:59] Laberinto marino (2001)# [23:39] Sinfonietta No.1 (1999) [23:31] Gabriel Estarellas (guitar)*; Dimitar Furnadjiev (cello)# Orquesta Sinfónica Ciudad de Oviedo/Gregorio Gutiérrez rec. Auditorio Principe de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain, September 2003 VERSO VRS2032 [78:31] [HC]

These performances of highly enjoyable music appear really very fine … so is the recording. This well-filled release provides a fair overview of Marco’s recent works. Concierto del agua and Laberinto marino deserve much more than the occasional hearing. ... see Full Review

Bohuslav MARTINŮ (1890-1959) La Revue de Cuisine (1927) [15:33] Sextet (1929) [15:48] Four Madrigals (1937) [20:56] Nonet (1959) [16:39] Ensemble Villa Musica rec. Furstliche Reitbahn, Bad Arolsen, April and November 2002 and December 2005 (La Revue, Nonet) MUSIKPRODUKTION DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM MDG 304 1439-2 [69:30] [JW]

Very disappointing  ... see Full Review

Peter MAXWELL DAVIES (b. 1934) Naxos Quartets String Quartet No. 5, Lighthouses of Orkney and Shetland (2004) [20:32]; String Quartet No. 6 (2004/5) [35:07] Maggini Quartet (Laurence Jackson, David Angel (violins); Martin Outram (viola); Michal Kaznowski (cello)). rec. Potton Hall, Suffolk, 26-28 May 2005. DDD NAXOS 8.557398 [55:39] [WH]

Readers hesitant about "contemporary" music and ready for a challenge are warmly encouraged to try this disc. ... see Full Review

Simon MAYR (1763–1845) L’Armonia (1825) [44.06] Cantata sopra la morte di Beethoven per soli (1827) [15.24] Talia Or (soprano) Altin Piriu (tenor) Nicolay Borchev (bass) Simon Mayr Choir Ingolstadt Georgian Chamber Orchestra/Franz Hauk rec. Asamkirche Maria de Victoria, Ingolstadt, 15–18 September 2005 NAXOS 8.557958 [59.30][RH]

Mayr is one of those figures who is only gradually coming back into view. We are in Naxos’s debt for this disc of two of his attractive occasional works. ... see Full Review

Etienne-Nicolas MÉHUL (1763-1817) L’Irato ou l’Emporté – opera-comique in one act (libretto by Benoît-Joseph Marsollier) (1801) Ouverture du Ballet de Pâris à Grand Orchestre (1793) Miljenko Turk (baritone) – Scapin, servant of Lysandre Cyril Auvity (tenor) – Lysandre, in love with Isabelle Pauline Courtin (soprano) – Isabelle, daughter of Pandolphe Alain Buet (bass) – Pandolphe, uncle of Lysandre Svenja Hempel (soprano) – Nérine, servant of Isabelle Georg Poplutz (tenor) – Balouard, pedant Bonner Kammerchor; L’arte del mondo/Werner Ehrhardt rec. 18 September 2005, Bundeskunsthalle, Bonn CAPRICCIO 60128 [64:20] [GPu]

A seductive recording, vivacious and witty, of a delightful opera-comique by a composer who still awaits a full-scale reassessment … see Full Review

Olivier MESSIAEN (1908-1992) Complete Works for Piano, Vol. 1
Paul Kim (piano) rec. January 2001, Patrych Sound Studios, New York City CENTAUR CRC 2567/2568/2569 [64:00 + 78:37 + 64:37] [DC]

This avian collection is very much a safe recommendation, and in many cases will top the competition. ... see Full Review

Olivier MESSIAEN (1908-1992) Complete Works for Piano, Vol. 2 Vingts Regards sur l’Enfant-Jésus (1944) [123:08] Paul Kim (piano) rec. January 2002, Patrych Sound Studios, New York City CENTAUR CRC 2627/2628 [53:19 + 69:49][DC]

I still can’t imagine Messiaen would have wanted more ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Ernest John MOERAN (1894-1950) Sinfonietta (1944) [23:16] Symphony in G minor* (1937) [44:24] Overture for a Masque (1944) [10:36] London Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Adrian Boult New Philharmonia Orchestra/Sir Adrian Boult* rec. 1968, 1970, 1975. ADD LYRITA SRCD.247 [78:55] [RB]

Classic versions still unmatched and now stealing with nonchalant confidence the poll place in the Moeran discography ... see Full Review

Thomas MORLEY (c.1557-c1602) Sacred Music The First Service Venite [05:22] Te Deum [07:52] Benedictus [05:57] Credo [05:23] Magnificat [07:15] Nunc dimittis [03:04] How long wilt thou forget me? [03:59] Burial Service I am the resurrection and the life [04:02] Man that is born of a woman [04:02] I heard a voice from heaven [01:41] De profundis clamavi [04:38] Eheu, sustulerunt Domine [02:53] Domine, non est exaltatum cor meum [07:26] Domine, Dominus noster [03:09] O amica mea [05:17] Ferdinand's Consort/Stephen Bullamore Edmund Aldhouse (organ) rec. February 2005, Lincoln Cathedral, UK. DDD PRIORY PRCD834 [73:25][JV]

The only recording entirely devoted to Morley's sacred music - it's a shame these performances don't do full justice to these fine works ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) The Piano Concertos CD.1: [52:15] Piano concerto No.9 in E flat major "Jeune homme", KV.271 (1776) [31:34] Piano concerto No.14 in E flat major, KV.449 (1784) [20:39] CD.2: [73:20] Piano concerto No.11 in F major, KV.413 (1782/3) [22:02] Piano concerto No.15 in B flat major, KV.450 (1784) [23:38] Piano concerto No.19 in F major, KV.459 (1784) [27:12] CD 3: [68:28] Piano concerto No.25 in C major, KV.503 (1786) [29:09] Piano concerto D major No. 26 "Coronation", KV.537 (1786) [30:14] Rondo A major, KV.386 (1782) [8:45] CD 4: [77:21] Piano concerto No.12 in A major, KV.414 (1782) [24:41] Piano concerto No.13 in C major, KV.415 (1782/3) [26:49] Piano concertoNo.21 in C major, KV.467 (1785) [25:39] CD 5: [69:25] Piano concerto No.5 in D major, KV.175 (1773) [21:46] Double concerto No.10 in E flat major, KV.365 (1779) [24:28] Triple concerto No.8 in F major, KV.242 (1776) [23:07] CD.6: [71:59] Piano concerto No.22 in E flat major, KV.482 (1785) [33:17] Piano concerto No.24 in C minor, KV.491 (1786) [28:09] Rondo D major, KV.382 (1782) [10:19] CD.7: [75:31] Piano concerto No.6 B major, KV.238 (1776) [19:46] Piano concerto No 20 in D minor, KV.466 (1785) [31:26] Piano concerto No.23 in A major, KV.488 (1786) [24:15] CD.8: [73:56] Piano concerto No.7 in C major, KV.246 (1776) [21:43] Piano concerto No.16 in D major, KV.451 (1784) [23:16] Piano concerto No.17 in G major, KV.453 (1784) [27:53] CD.9: [61:49] Piano concerto No.18 in B major, KV.456 (1784) [32:49] Piano concerto No.27 in B major, KV.595 (1791) [28:58] CD.10: [63:56] Harpsichord concerto No. 1 in F major, KV.37 (1767) [18:12] Harpsichord concerto No.2 in B major, KV.39 (1767) [16:48] Harpsichord concerto No.3 in D major, KV.40 (1767) [12:20] Harpsichord concerto No.4 in G major, KV.41 (1767) [13:29] CD.11: [34:15] Harpsichord concerto After J.C. Bach in D major, KV.107 Nr.1 (1765) [14:19] Harpsichord concerto After J.C. Bach in G major, KV.107 Nr.2 (1765) [10:21] Harpsichord concerto After J.C. Bach in E flat major, KV.107 Nr.3 (1765) [9:33] Viviana Sofronitzki (forte piano and harpsichord) Linda Nicholson (forte piano) in K242, K365 Mario Aschauer (forte piano) in K242 Musicae Antiquae Collegium Varsoviense/Tadeusz Karolak rec. Warsaw, December 2004-March 2006. DDD Forte pianos by Paul McNulty PRO MUSICA CAMERATA 041-051 [11 CDs: 52:15 + 73:20 + 68:28 + 77:21 + 69:25 + 71:59 + 75:31 + 73:56 + 61:49 + 63:56 + 34:15][DRD]

Listening to this collection has been very enjoyable. I commend this set to all interested in hearing this great music on instruments of Mozart’s period ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Piano Concerto no.20 in D minor K.466 [31:23] * Piano Concerto no.25 in C major K.503 [31:53]** Dino Ciani (piano) Orchestra Sinfonica di Torino della RAI/Piero Bellugi*, Orchestra "Alessandro Scarlatti" di Napoli della RAI/Sir John Barbirolli** rec. 28 January 1972, Turin*, 25 January 1968, Naples** ARTS ARCHIVES 43082-2 [64:29] [CH]

Piano buffs wishing to hear a pianist who might perhaps have played a leading role in our musical lives will be glad to hear his collaboration with Barbirolli. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756–1791) Elisabeth Schwarzkopf singt Mozart-Arien 1. Le nozze di Figaro: Giunse alfin il momento … Deh vieni, non tardar 2. Don Giovanni: Vedrai carino 3-4 Le nozze di Figaro: Porgi amor; Voi che sapete 5 Don Giovanni: Crudele? … Non mi dir 6 Le nozze di Figaro: Non so più cosa son 7 Idomeneo: Zeffiretti lusinghieri 8 Don Giovanni: Batti, batti, o bel Masetto 9 Le nozze di Figaro: Dove sono 10 Don Giovanni: In quali eccessi ... Mi tradi, quell’alma ingrata 11 Il re pastore: L’amerò sarò costante 12-13 Die Entführung aus dem Serail: Welcher Kummer herrscht in meiner Seele;  Martern aller Arten Elisabeth Schwarzkopf (soprano), Philharmonia Orchestra/John Pritchard (1–9), Josef Krips (10); Wiener Philharmoniker/Josef Krips (11-12), Herbert von Karajan (13) rec. London, 1 July  (4, 8), 2 July (1, 2, 6), 4 July (3, 5), 9 September (9), 16 September (7) 1952; in Vienna, 23 October (13), October (12); 2 November (11) 1946, 26 September 1947 (10) PREISER RECORDS 93444 [73:26] [GF]

I admire the whole recital tremendously and recommend it strongly to every listener with even a remote interest in Mozart-singing - or singing in general. ... see Full Review

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Horn Concerto No.1 in D major, KV412^a [9:03] Horn Concerto No.2 in E flat major, KV417^b [14:30] Horn Concerto No.3 in E flat major, KV447 ^a [15:41] Horn Concerto No.4 in E flat major, KV495 ^b [16:43] Notturno in D major for four orchestras, KV286^c [16:00] Barry Tuckwell (horn) London Symphony Orchestra/Peter Maag. rec. ^aKingsway Hall, London, November 1959, ^bApril 1961, ^cWalthamstow Assembly Hall, London, December 1959. ADD DECCA ELOQUENCE 476 9700 [71:44]
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Horn Concerto No.1 in D major, KV412 [8:07] Horn Concerto No.2 in E flat major, KV417 [12:56] Horn Concerto No.3 in E flat major, KV447 [13:59] Horn Concerto No.4 in E flat major, KV495 [16:03] Jonathan Williams (Horn) Chamber Orchestra of Europe/Alexander Schneider. rec. 1986. COE RECORDS CD COE 805 [51:05] [OW]

Both of these discs are worth acquiring, the Tuckwell particularly, and are generously priced. ... see Full Review

Modest MUSSORGSKY (1839-1881) arr. RAVEL Pictures at an Exhibition [30:53]* Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) La valse (1920) [12:13]* Igor STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) The Firebird (1909-10): Suite [20:10]** Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano della RAI*, Orchestra Sinfonica di Torino della RAI**/André Cluytens rec. live, 3 February 1962*, Milan, 30 April 1962, Turin** ARTS ARCHIVES 43055-2 [60:03][CH]

One novelty to the Cluytens discography and some highly communicative, if not always immaculate, music-making. ... see Full Review

Josef MYSLIVEČEK (1737-1781) Music for Strings, Volume 1 Six Sinfonie Concertanti, Op. 2 (string orchestra arrangement) (c. 1767):- Sinfonie Concertanti No. 6 in C major, F6 [9:54]; No. 1 in B flat major, F1 [10:09]; No. 2 in E major, F2 [14:55]; No. 5 in D major, F5 [11:09]; No. 3 in G major, F3 [10:51]; No. 4 in A major, F4 [11:38] Uralsk Philharmonic Orchestra/Gary Brain rec. September 2004, Kazakh Theatre, Uralsk, Kazakhstan. DDD TOCCATA CLASSICS TOCC 0023 [68:47] [MC]

Rare and interesting scores from Mysliveček but I have strong reservations about the standard of performance and recorded sound. Sadly not a release that I will return to. ... see Full Review

Joaquin NIN-CULMELL (1908-2004) 12 Cançons Tradicionals Catalanes Harmonitzades per a Soprano i Piano (1957) [28:21] Homenaje a Frederic Mompou: Què li darem (1990) [1:54] Sis Tonadas Catalanes del Volum IV (1952) [9:34] Cançons Tradicionals Harmonitzades per a Cor a Capella (1956-57) [6:16] Missa Brevis En Honor de Santa Rosa de Lima y del Cristo de Salamó (1998) [9:33] Joaquin NIN CASTELLANOS (1879-1949) Mensaje a Debussy (1929) [7:41] Cançons per a un Cor Femení i Piano (1926) [4:36] Assumpta (soprano); Pau Casan (piano); David Malet (organ); Cor de Cambra Dyapason/Montserrat Bonet rec. June 2005, Church of Sant Antoni de Padua, Barcelona and September-October 2005, Studio Albert Moraleda, Llerona COLUMNA MUSICA 1CM0146 [66:07][GPu]

An enjoyable collection of works by two fascinating ‘Spanish’ figures, essential listening for anyone with an interest in modern Spanish music … see Full Review

Claus OGERMANN (b. 1930) Sarabande-Fantasie (1990) [14:32] Duo Lirico (1986) [27:53] Preludio and Chant (1979) [18:35] Nightwings (1975) [4:18] Yue Deng (violin) Jean-Yves Thibaudet (piano) rec. Capitol Studios, Los Angeles, 18-19 February 2006 DECCA 4758400 [65:29] [KS]

Music making that would make Bill Evans and Ella Fitzgerald smile in approval, this collection of jazz-tinged melancholy music is long on appeal. ... see Full Review

Giovanni Pierluigi da PALESTRINA (1525/26-1594) Offertoria, from Offertoria totius anni secundum Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae consuetudinem (Rome 1593) Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge/Richard Marlow rec. Chapel of Trinity College, Cambridge, 6-8 July 1999 CHANDOS CHACONNE CHAN 0732 [68:18][DC]

Exquisitely sung and beautifully recorded ... see Full Review

Giovanni Pierluigi da PALESTRINA (c.1525-1594) Third Book of Lamentations: In Coena Domini (Maundy Thursday) [26:49]; In Parasceve (Good Friday) [24:41]; Sabbato Sancto (Holy Saturday) [27:17] Choir of Westminster Cathedral/Martin Baker rec. 10-12, 14 July 2006, Westminster Cathedral, London. DDD HYPERION CDA 67610 [79:16][MS]

Sorrowful music with its emotions integral to the notes, not imposed by overt effect, well performed by an English choir aware of European traditions ... see Full Review

Andrzej PANUFNIK (1914–1991) Homage to Polish Music Old Polish Suite (1950, rev. 1955) [10:16] Concerto in Modo Antico (1951, rev. 1955)^a [14:13] Jagiellonian Triptych (1966) [8:47] Divertimento after Janiewicz (1947, rev. 1955) [11:31] Hommage à Chopin (1949, orch. 1966)^b [13:10] Igor Cechoco (trumpet)^a; Hanna Turonek (flute)^b Polish Chamber Orchestra/Mariusz Smolij rec. W. Lutosławski Concert Studio, Polish Radio, Warsaw, 8-9 June 2005 NAXOS 8.570032 [57:58][GH]

An altogether curious disc demonstrating a facet of his work that has been almost entirely unknown. Performances are excellent, stylistically aware …the recording is vivid and brings the music to life. ... see Full Review

Laurent PETITGIRARD (b. 1950) Les Douze Gardiens du Temple (2004) [26:29] Poème pour grand orchestre à cordes (2002) [12:03] Euphonia (1989)^a [28:31] Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine/Laurent Petitgirard Ljubljana Radio Symphony Orchestra^a/Laurent Petitgirard rec. Salle Franklin, Bordeaux, France, September 2005 and (live) Ljubljana, May 1992 (Euphonia) NAXOS 8.570138 [67:03] [HC]

Petitgirard’s music does not break any new ground, but make no mistake - it is highly personal, superbly crafted and strongly expressive. Too fine to be ignored. ... see Full Review

Astor PIAZZOLLA (1921-1992) Michelangelo 70 (arr. Bernard Chmielarz) [3:09] Tres piezas para orquesta de camara (arr. José Bragato): (I. Preludio: Lento [8:22]; II. Divertimento: Allegro molto [6:32]; III. Fuga: Allegro [2:56]) Concierto del angel (arr. Chmielarz/Bragato/Frankowski): (I. Milonga del Angel [6:56]; II. La muerte del Angel [3:00]; III. Resurrección del Angel [8:36]) Oblivion (arr. Grzegorz Frankowski) [4:14] Revolucionario (arr. Grzegorz Frankowski) [4:56] Bonus track: DVD Teledisc of Piazzoforte Project (Video) Piazzoforte: (Kevin Kenner (piano); Pawel Wajrak (violin); Maciej Lulek (violin); Ryszard Sneka (viola); Konrad Górka (cello); Grzegorz Frankowski (double-bass)) rec. 28-29 September 2005, Cracow Music Academy, Poland. DDD DUX 0548 [49:03][MC]

The performances just don’t come anywhere close to communicating the special mystery of the tango. ... see Full Review

Astor PIAZZOLLA (1921–1992) Solo Ballet Tango [12:05]: Introduction – La cite [3:21]; L’Amour [2:58]; Cabaret [1:28]; Solitude [2:33]; Grand final [1:44]; Chiqulin de Bachinm [3:05]; Adios Noniño [5:12]; Pedro y Pedro [5:13]; Ledia’s Game [3:48]; Flora’s Game [7:46]; Sunny’s Game [3:18]; Oblivion [3:36] Richard Galliano (bandonéon, accordion) rec. 1992 WARNER MILAN 399044-2 [44:29] [GF]

Colourful, rhythmic, melancholy, melodic music of the tango master Piazzolla, congenially played by the superb Richard Galliano ... see Full Review

Wenzl PICHL (1741-1805) Sinfonia in C major, ‘Calliope’ (1768/9) [14:26] Sinfonia in B flat major, ‘Melpomene’ (1768/9) [19:08] Sinfonia in E major, ‘Clio’ (1768/9)  [17:53] Sinfonia in D major, ‘Diana’ (?1768/9) [21:35] Toronto Chamber Orchestra/Kevin Mallon rec. 2-5 January 2005, St.Anne’s Church, Toronto NAXOS 8557761 [73:02] [GPu]

Delightful, subtle music by a minor master of the classical symphony, whose work well merits revival, especially in performances as sympathetic as these … see Full Review

Prinz Louis Ferdinand von PREUSSEN (1772-1806) Complete Piano Trios Vol.2 Trio op. 3 in E flat major (ca.1799/80) [32:06] Quartet op. 6 in F minor* (ca.1803) [37:29] Trio Parnassus (Yamai Yu (violin), Michael Groß (violoncello), Chia Chou (piano)) Thomas Selditz (viola)* rec. 9-11 November 2005, Fürstliche Reitbahn Bad Arolsen MUSIKPRODUKTION DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM MDG3031361-2 [69:35] [DC]

A treasure trove of rich invention, and hard to imagine better performances. ... see Full Review

Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Peter and the Wolf - A Musical Tale for Children Op.67 (1936) [28:02] (Introduction [2:12]; Early one morning ... [1:01]; On a branch of a big tree [1:31]; Just then, a duck came waddling round [2:15]; Suddenly, something caught Peter's attention [1:55]; Grandfather came out [2:26]; No sooner had Peter gone [3:07]; And now, this is how things stood [4:11]; Meanwhile, Peter made a lasso [1:53]) Just then . . . [2:28]; And now . . . imagine the triumphant procession! [4:58]) Benjamin BRITTEN (1913-1976) The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra - Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell Op. 34 (1946) [19:48] (Spoken introduction [0:59]; Theme (Allegro maestoso e largamente) [0:26]; Woodwind [0:22]; Brass [0:22]; Strings [0:24]; Percussion [0:25]; Full Orchestra [0:20]; Flutes and piccolo [0:32]; Oboes (Lento) [1:12]; Clarinets (Moderate) [0:45]; Bassoons (Allegro alia marcia) [0:59]; Violins (Brillante: alia polacca) [0:53]; Violas (Meno mosso) [1:09]; Cellos [1:24]; Double basses [1:00]; Harp (Maestoso) [0:49]; Horns (L'istesso tempo) [0:54]; Trumpets (Vivace) [0:33]; Trombones and bass tuba (allegro pomposo) [1:09]; Percussion (Moderato) [1:51]; Fugue (allegro molto) [3:15]) Richard Baker (speaker) New Philharmonia Orchestra/Raymond Leppard Alan RAWSTHORNE (1905-1971) Practical Cats - An Entertainment for speaker and orchestra (1954) [23:45] (Overture (Presto) [2:21]; The Naming of Cats (Allegretto) [2:55]; The Old Gumbie Cat (Allegro) [5:19]; Gus: the Theatre Cat (Allegro moderate) [4:17]; Bustopher Jones: the Cat about Town (Andante pomposo) [3:23]; Old Deuteronomy (Andante teneramente) [4:11]; The Song of the Jellicles (Molto vivace) [1:17]) Robert Donat (speaker) Philharmonia Orchestra/Alan Rawsthorne rec. Kingsway Hall, London, 24, 28-29 Sept 1954 (orchestra), and No. 3 Studio, Abbey Road (Rawsthorne) and at All Hallows, Gospel Oak, 27-28 August 1971 (Prokofiev; Britten). ADD CLASSICS FOR PLEASURE 3822302 [71:52] [EM]

Although I am slightly hesitant about the Prokofiev on this disc, the Britten is excellent and the Rawsthorne outstanding. ... see Full Review

Giacomo PUCCINI (1858–1924) Turandot (1926) Luana DeVol (soprano) – Turandot; Joseph Ruiz (tenor) – Altoum; Stefano Palatchi (bass) – Timur; Franco Farina (tenor) – Calaf; Barbara Frittoli (soprano) – Liù; Lluis Sintes (baritone) – Ping; Francisco Vas (tenor) – Pang; David Alegret (baritone) – Pong; Philip Cutlip (baritone) – A Mandarin; José L. Casanova (tenor) – The Prince of Persia; Polifonica de Puig-Reig; Cor Vivaldi: Petits Cantors de Catalunya; Orquestra Simfonica I Cor del Gran Teatre del Liceu/Giuliano Carella Directed for stage by Núria Espert; Set design: Ezio Frigerio; Costume design: Franca Squarciapino; Lighting design: Vinicio Cheli; Choreography: Marco Berriel; Directed for TV and Video by Pietro d’Agostino rec. live, Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona, 24, 27 July 2005 Bonus: Luana DeVol – Following the Dream Sound Formats: DD 5.1, DTS 5.1, LPCM Stereo; Picture Format: 16:9 TDK DVWW-OPTURL [132:00; 19:00 (bonus)] [GF]

I may want to hear Barbara Frittoli’s two arias in the future but otherwise I am pretty sure that this set will be collecting dust. There are several preferable alternatives. ... see Full Review

Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Six Moments Musicaux op.16 (1896) [28:19] Modest MUSSORGSKY (1839-1881) Pictures at an Exhibition (1874) [37:08] Lilya Zilberstein (piano) rec. 8-10 November 2004, location not given HÄNSSLER CLASSIC CD 98213 [65:27] [CH]

Many collectors will want this excellent disc for the relatively rare Rachmaninov but they will, I am sure, be glad to have the Mussorgsky too. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Trio élégiaque No. 1 in G minor (1892) [12:39] Trio élégiaque No. 2 in D minor, Op. 9 (1893) [44:44] Valeri Grohovski (piano), Eduard Wulfson (violin), Dmitri Yablonsky (cello) rec. 6-7 September 2005, Potton Hall Suffolk NAXOS 8.557423 [57:23] [TB]

Make no mistake; this is one of the most successful recordings of chamber music one could wish to encounter, and to have it available at budget price is a cause for celebration... see Full review

Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Symphony No. 2 in E minor (1906-7) [52.50] Scherzo [5:01] Dances from Aleko (Women's Dance; Men's Dance) [4:14 + 4:50] Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra/Paavo Järvi rec. 30 April-1 May 2006, Music Hall, Cincinnati, Ohio, DDD TELARC CD-80670 [69.57] [RB]

A great deal to please and exhilarate in this new version from magnificently recorded version from Telarc. ... see Full Review

Alan RAWSTHORNE (1905-1971) Symphonic Studies (1938) [20:11] Overture: Street Corner (1944) [5:32] Piano Concerto No. 1 (1942) [20:10] Piano Concerto No. 2 (1951) [31:24] Malcolm Binns (piano) London Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir John Pritchard (Studies; Street Corner) London Symphony Orchestra/Nicholas Braithwaite rec. 1977, 1979. ADD LYRITA SRCD.255 [77:26] [RB]

This generous Rawsthorne disc is packed tight with three major works and the most famous of his concert overtures ... see Full Review

Ottorino RESPIGHI (1879-1936) Christus – Biblical Cantata (1898-99) Carlo Gaifa (tenor) – St. Matthew Roland Hermann (baritone) – Christ Gastone Sarti (bass) – Judas Coro della Radiotelevisione della Svizzera Italiana Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana/Marco Balderi rec. live, Auditorium RTSI, June 1991. ADD LA BOTTEGA DISCANTICA BDI125 [66:34] [JW]

Respighi clearly wanted to flex some compositional sinew. ... see Full Review

Ned ROREM (b. 1923) Double Concerto for Violin, Cello and Orchestra (1998) [32:21]After Reading Shakespeare (1981) [21:53] Jaime Laredo (violin); Sharon Robinson (cello) IRIS Orchestra/Michael Stern rec. 4 April 2004, Germantown Performing Arts Center, Tennessee (concerto); 23-24 March 1982, Astoria Studios, New York (Shakespeare) NAXOS 8.559316 [54:14] [GPu]

Two rewarding works of essentially traditional beauty, in authoritative performances … 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]
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