Elliott
CARTER (b.
1908)
A Labyrinth of Time 
Directed by Frank Scheffer, Featuring interviews
with Daniel Barenboim, Pierre Boulez and others.
Released 2004, filmed in New York with archival
footage from Berlin, Paris and other locales.
ALLEGRI FILM/IDEAL AUDIENCES INTERNATIONAL
DVD9DS17 
[90:00] [KS]
An
intimate portrait of an uncompromising musician
spanning a significant portion of his creative
life. A fine aid in understanding the challenging
and difficult music of a significant American
composer. ... see Full
Review
Luigi
CHERUBINI (1760–1842)
Symphony in D major (1815) [30:02]
Médée (Medea): Overture (1797) [7:49]
Faniska: Overture (1806) [7:39] Lodoïska: Overture (1791) [10:32]
Orchestra Sinfonica di Sanremo/Piero Bellugi
rec. July 2005, Casino di
Sanremo, Italy. DDD
NAXOS 8.557908 [56:07][MC]
Cherubini’s
Symphony in D major is unremarkable overall
but certainly worthy of the occasional outing.
Much attention has gone into this performance
and it becomes my first choice version. ...
see Full Review
Fryderyk
CHOPIN (1810-1849) Great
Pianists - Cortot: Volume 4 Piano Sonata No.2
in B flat minor Op.35 (1839) [17:01] Piano Sonata No.3 in B
minor Op.58 (1844) [23:22] Six Chants Polonaise Op.
74 (arr. Liszt S480/R145) No. 2. Frühling (Wiosna, Spring)
[2:34] No. 3. Das Ringlein (Pierscien, The Ring) [2:05] No.
5. Mein Freuden (Moja pieszczotka, My Joys) [3:23] Grande Polonaise
Brillante, Op. 22 [4:49] Polonaise No. 6 in A flat major, Op.
53, "Heroic" [6:30] Polonaise No. 7 in A flat major,
Op. 61, "Polonaise-fantasie" [9:43] Alfred
Cortot (piano) rec. London, June and December 1928 (Sonata
No.2); July 1933 (Sonata No.3); March 1939 (Chants Polonaise);
Camden, New Jersey, February 1923 (Grande Polonaise); London,
July 1933 (Polonaise No.6) and London, 1947 (Polonaise No.7) NAXOS
8.111065 [69:28] [JW]
A
valuable repository of some of the most charismatic and resourceful
Chopin playing on record. ... see Full
Review
Fryderyk CHOPIN
(1810-1849)
Great Pianists - Cortot: Volume 5 Ballade
No. 1 in G minor, Op. 23 (1835) [8:48] Ballade No. 2 in F major, Op.
38 (1839) [6:53] Ballade No. 3 in A flat major, Op. 47 (1841) [6:43]
Ballade No. 4 in F minor, Op. 52 (1842) [9:45] Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2
in E flat major (1830-31) [4:20] Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2 in E flat major
(1830-31) [4:16] Nocturne Op. 15 No. 1 in F major [4:33] Nocturne Op.
15 No. 2 in F sharp major (1830-31) [3:22] Nocturne Op. 27 No. 1 in
C sharp minor [4:40] Nocturne Op. 55 No. 1 in F minor [4:33] Nocturne
Op. 55 No. 2 in E flat major [4:35]
Alfred Cortot (piano) rec. Queen’s Small Hall, London 1929 (Ballades),
EMI Abbey Road Studio, London 1947, 1948, 1949 and 1951 (Nocturnes)
NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.111245
[62:29] [JW]
A
triumphant end for the Cortot-Chopin series. Good restoration work
allows us to hear these performances in all their disputatious
but teeming glory ... see Full Review
Domenico
CIMAROSA (1749-1801)
Il Credulo (1786) [56:25]*
Tiburno: Cesare Valleti (tenor); Don Catapazio:
Sesto Bruscantini (bass-baritone); Norina:
Dora Gatta (soprano); Madama Filinta: Elena
Rizzieri (soprano); Lesbina: Maria Luisa Giorgetti
(soprano); Filiberto: Mario Carlin (tenor);
Astrolabio: Franco Calabrese (bass) Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) ‘Aprite
un po’ quegli occhi’ (Le nozze di Figaro)
(1786) [05:03] ** ‘Madamini, il catalogo è
questo’ (Don Giovanni) ( 1787) [05:02]
** Gioacchino
ROSSINI (1792-1868) ‘Ecco il factotum’ (Il barbiere di Siviglia) (1816) [04:54]
** Vincenzo
BELLINI (1801-1835) ‘ Vi ravviso,
o luoghi ameni’ (La sonnambula) (1831)
[02:36] ** Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901) ‘Oh, de’ verd’anni
miei’ (Ernani) (1844) [04:51] ** *
Orchestra Sinfonico e Coro di Milano della
RAI/Alfredo Simonetti rec. May 17, 1956, Milan
** No orchestra/conductor details provided;
rec. 1952-1954, Turin.
ARCHIPEL ARPCD 0362 [79:06][GPu]
A pleasant
comic opera in a live recording from the 1950s,
though with poor sound plus five better sounding
arias by the excellent Bruscantini … see Full
Review
Arnold
COOKE (1906-2005)
Symphony
No. 1 (1947) [36:40] Concerto in D for string
orchestra (1948) [16:07] Jabez and the
Devil – Suite from the Ballet (1959) [18:02]
London Philharmonic Orchestra/Nicholas Braithwaite
rec. Watford Town Hall, 1 February 1989 (Sym);
Henry Wood Hall, London, 6 February 1988 (Concerto);
Kingsway Hall, London, 7 January 1974 (Jabez)
LYRITA SRCD.203 [70:53] [JF]
A
great start to what must surely be a re-appraisal
of Cooke’s orchestral music. An opportunity
for the vast majority of listeners to discover
this composer’s music for the first time.
... see Full
Review
Arcangelo
CORELLI (1653-1713)
12 Sonate a Violino
e Violone o Cimbalo Op. V
CD 1 Sonata
in D, Op. 5,1 [12:02]
Sonata in B flat, Op. 5,2
[10:23] Sonata in
C, Op. 5,3 [11:57]
Sonata in F, Op. 5,4
[10:31] Sonata in
g minor, Op. 5,5
[10:47] Sonata
in A, op. 5,6
[11:04] CD 2 Sonata
in d minor, Op. 5,7
[08:44] Sonata in
e minor, Op. 5,8
[11:16] Sonata
in A, Op. 5,9 [11:23]
Sonata in F, Op. 5,10
[09:19] Sonata in
E, Op. 5,11 [07:59]
Sonata in d minor, Op.
5,12 'Follia' [11:05]
Stefano Montanari (violin) Accademia
Bizantina/Ottavio Dantone rec.
April, August 2002, Sala del Refettorio di
S. Vitale, Ravenna, Italy
ARTS 47724-8 
[65:33 + 59:23][JV]
The
most dramatic and exciting recording of Corelli's
Opus 5 ... see Full
Review
Brian
Blyth DAUBNEY (b.
1929) October Roses 1.The
Lent Lily [2:19] 2. March [2:56] 3. A Rose for Lidice [5:08]
4. She hath an Art [1:26] 5. Autumn, the Fool [1:52] 6. Echo
and Narcissus [2:16] 7. The Frost [1:34] 8. Helen in Sparta
[2:47] 9. Goblin Song [2:21] 10. Mother Redcap [2:59] 11. Hospital
Grapes [2:54] 12. Young Friend [3:00] 13. The Singer [2:40]
14. I must go and sleep [2:37] 15. Absence [3:06] 16. Dirge
for a Lady [2:58] 17. John Anderson, my Jo [1:44] 18. Wantage
Bells [1:57] 19. Shed No Tear [2:55] 20. Natura Naturans [1:37]
21. The Storm [2:01] 22. The Lake Isle of Innisfree [3:19]
23. The Folly of Being Comforted [2:57] 24. The Sigh [4:33]
25. Lyonnesse [3:08] 26. The Fiddler of Dooney [1:35] 27. On
the Death of
Anne Brontë [4:05] 28. The Cloths of Heaven [1:39] 29. October Roses [1:26] 30.
Resurrection Spiritual [2:58] Anna
Dennis (soprano: 5-9, 15-20, 27-30); William Berger (baritone: 1-4, 10-14, 21-26)
John Talbot (piano) rec. Music Hall of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama,
London, May-June
2006 BRITISH MUSIC SOCIETY
BMS433CD [79:00] [GB]
What
a welcome issue this is from the enterprising British Music Society.
... see Full Review
Claude
DEBUSSY (1862-1918)
Petite suite (1889) [12:11] Marche
écossaise sur un thème populaire (1891)
[5:32] Six épigraphes antiques (1914)
[14:05] Symphonie in B minor (1880)
[9:25] La Mer (1905) [23:34]
Piano 4 Hands: (Joseph Tong; Waka Hasegawa
(piano duet)) rec. The Warehouse, London,
14-15 February 2006
QUARTZ MUSIC QTZ2048 [64:50][DC]
Piano
4 Hands prove admirable Debussy interpreters.
... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Claude
DEBUSSY (1862-1918)
La Mer: trois esquisses symphoniques (1903-05)
[24:51] Claude
DEBUSSY arranged for orchestra by
Colin MATTHEWS (b. 1946) Préludes
(1910-1912, arrs, 2001-06):- Brouillards (Book
II No. 1) [4:03] Ce qu’a vu le vent d’Ouest
(Book I, No. 7) [3:10] Minstrels (Book I No
12) [2:39] Canope (Book II No 10) [2:57] Les
sons et les parfums tournent dans l’air du
soir (Book I No 4) [3:53] La Puerta del Vino
(Book II No 3) [3:38] Général Lavine – eccentric
(Book II No. 6) [3:15] Feuilles mortes (Book
II No 2) [3:36] Les tierces alternées (Book
II No. 11) [3:12] La danse de Puck (Book I
No 11) [3:03] Le vent dans la plaine (Book
I No 3) [2:55] La fille aux cheveux de lin
(Book I No 8)*[5:00]
Hallé Orchestra/Mark Elder rec. 14–16 July
2006; *2 August 2006, BBC Studio 7, New Broadcasting
House, Manchester. DDD
HALLÉ CD HLL 7513 [67:24][JQ]
This
release is an out-and-out winner. ... see
Full
Review
Carl
Ditters von DITTERSDORF (1739-1799)
Sinfonia in D major, Grave D6 (1788) [19:46]
Sinfonia in A major, Grave A6 (1781)
[13:02] Sinfonia in E flat major,
Grave Eb9 (1782) [29:08]
Lisbon Metropolitan Orchestra/Álvaro Cassutto
rec. 20-23 September 2005, Igreja da Cartuxa,
Caxias, Portugal
NAXOS 8.570198 [61:56] [TB]
Dittersdorf
is undoubtedly a composer who continues to
deserve attention, and in that sense this
Naxos issue is a commendable enterprise. ...
see Full
Review
Gaetano
DONIZETTI
(1797-1848) Lucia di Lammermoor -
opera seria in Prologue and Two Acts (1835)
Lucia Ashton - Désirée Rancatore (sop); Sir Edgardo, Lord of Ravenswood
- Roberto De Basio (ten); Lord Enrico Ashton, Lucia’s brother - Luca
Grassi (bar); Raimondo, Lucia’s tutor and adviser - Enrico Giuseppe
Lori (bass); Lord Arturo Bucklaw, wealthy suitor of Lucia - Matteo Barca
(ten); Alisa, Lucia’s companion - Tiziano Falco (mezzo); Normanno, an
acolyte of Enrico - Vincenzo Maria Sarinelli (ten) Chorus and Orchestra
of the Donizetti Musical Festival of Bergamo/Antonio Fogliani rec. live,
Teatro Donizetti di Bergamo, Italy. October 2006 Director and Costume
designer: Francesco Esposito. Set designer: Italo Grassi Filmed in High
Definition. Presented in dts digital surround sound, Dolby, PCM 2.0.
Vision 16:9 Colour. NTSC Menu language English. Subtitles in Italian
(original language), English, German, French, Spanish, Chinese. Notes
and synopsis in Italian, English, German, Italian, French
DYNAMIC 33535 [143:00]
[RJF]
Although
the singing is not of the highest class it is more than adequate.
The straightforward staging focuses all attention on the story
and the wonderful melodic music. As such it is particularly welcome
... see Full Review
Gaetano
DONIZETTI (1797-1848)
Dom Sébastien Roi De Portugal - opera in five acts (1837)
Zayda, a Moorish girl - Vesselina Kasarova (mezzo); Dom Sébastien, King
of Portugal - Giuseppe Filianoti (ten); Dom Juam de Sylva, Grand Inquisitor
- Alastair Miles (bass); Abayaldos, a chieftain - Simon Keenlyside (bar);
Camoëns, a poet - Carmelo Corrado Caruso (bass); Dom Henrique - Robert
Gleadow (bass); Dom Antonio - Lee Hickenbottom The Orchestra and Chorus
of the Royal Opera House, London/Mark Elder rec. Royal Opera House,
London, 10, 13 September 2005; Ballet Music: Cadogan Hall, London, 11
September 2005. Concert performance using the critical edition of the
music published by Ricordi in 2003.
OPERA RARA ORC33 [3 CDs: 61.56 + 69.58 + 44.36][RJF]
If
my highest hopes for this recording are not fully realised, there remains
more than enough interest and satisfaction for me to keep returning
and investigating the many virtues and surprises of Donizetti’s final
opera. ... see Full Review
John
DOWLAND (1563?-1626) Dowland's
Tears: Lute Music Volume 2 Lacrimae Pavan [5.24]; Galliard
to Lacrimae [2.41]; Pavan (P16) [5.13]; The Earl
of Essex His Galliard [1.54]; Pavan (P18) [5.40]; Mr.Giles
Hobie’s Galliard [1.55]; Dowland’s Tears (I saw
my lady weep arr. North) [2.09]; Sir Henry Umpton’s
Funeral [5.56]; Sir John Langton’s Pavan [5.48]; Langton’s
Galliard [2.37]; Piper’s Pavan [5.16]; Captain
Digorie Piper’s Galliard [1.54]; Dowland’s Adieu (P30)
[4.58]; Galliard (P30) [1.59]; Mignarda (Henry
Noel’s Galliard) [3.00]; Lacrimae (alternative version)
[5.15]; Semper Dowland Semper Dolens [4.24] Nigel
North (lute) rec. St.John’s Chrysostum Church, Newmarket, Ontario,
Canada, 16-19 June 2005.
DDD NAXOS 8.557862 [66.03]
[GH]
An
excellent follow-up to the first. North competes with any other
lutenist. At Naxos’s excellent price this surely cannot be resisted.
... see Full Review
Odes
to Saint Cecilia
Giovanni
Battista DRAGHI (c.1640-1708) From harmony, from heav’nly
harmony (1687) [40:06] John
BLOW (1649-1708) The glorious day is come (1691) [31:21]
Suzie Le
Blanc (soprano) Joseph Cornwell (tenor) Michael Chance (counter-tenor)
Jozic Koc (bass) (Blow) Richard Wistreich (bass) (Draghi) The Parley
of Instruments/Peter Holman The Playford Consort/Richard Wistreich rec.
November 1994 HYPERION
HELIOS CDH55257 [71:43] [JW]
Fine
works, well performed if a trifle sedately.
The recorded sound catches the intimate as
well as the grand statements with clarity
and warmth. ... see Full
Review
Henri DUTILLEUX
(b. 1916) Complete
Solo Piano Music Sonata (1948)
[24:56] Trois Préludes (1973-88) [15:17]:
Au gré des ondes (1946) [11:44]; Hommage
à Bach [2:48]; Etude [1:16] Bergerie
(1947) [1:19] Tous les Chemins…mènent a
Rome (1961) [1:42] Résonances (1965)
[2:28]: Petit air à dormer debout [1:16];
Mini-prélude en éventail [1:06]
John Chen (piano) rec. Genesis Concert Hall,
Manukau City, Auckland, New Zealand, July
2005
NAXOS 8.557823 [61:23] [TH]
Chen’s
beautifully graded pianism is hypnotic…I look
forward to hearing more from him ... see Full
Review
Antonín
DVOŘÁK (1841-1904)
Symphonies: No. 7 in D minor, Op. 70 (1885)
[38:48]; No. 8 in G, Op. 88 (1888) [36:18]
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra/Václav Talich
rec. Abbey Road Studio No. 1, 23 November
1938 (No. 7); 23, 28 November 1935 (No. 8)
ADD.
NAXOS HISTORICAL 8.111045 [73:06][CC]
It
is difficult to find fault with an issue as
consistent as this one, so it is just left
for me to give my unqualified recommendation.
... see Full
Review
Antonín
DVOŘÁK (1841-1904) Symphony
No.8 in G major Op.88 (1898) [30:28]Slavonic Dance Op.46
No.1
B83 (1878) [4:16] Bedřich SMETANA (1824-1884)The
Bartered Bride – Overture (1866) [6:51] *Ma Vlast – Vltava (1874)
[11:49] New York Philharmonic-Symphony
Orchestra/Bruno Walter London Symphony Orchestra/Bruno Walter * rec. New York
1941 (Slavonic Dance and Vltava); 1947 (Symphony) and London, 1938 (Bartered
Bride) IDIS
6509 [53:27] [JW]
Some
of the tempo changes sound ill-considered if not downright arbitrary
and there’s a blustery feel to the whole thing ... see Full
Review
Edward
ELGAR (1857-1934) Symphony
No.2 in E Flat Major, Op.63 (1911) [48:03]
First take of Rondo (to cue 116) [4:18] Cello
Concerto in E Minor, Op.85 (1919) [25:11]*
London Symphony Orchestra/Sir Edward Elgar
Beatrice Harrison (cello), New Symphony Orchestra/Sir
Edward Elgar* rec. 1 April, 15 July 1927,
Queen's Hall, London; 23 March, 13 June 1928,
Kingsway Hall, London*. Mono AAD
NAXOS HISTORICAL
8.111260 [77:31][TP]
Essential listening
for Elgarians ... see Full
Review
Manuel
de FALLA (1876-1996)
The Complete Solo Piano Music
Miguel Baselga (piano) rec. 5-7 August 1996,
Danderyds Gymnasium, Sweden
BIS CD-773 [77:30] [CH]
The
only version of the complete original piano music and a very fine one.
... see Full Review
Giles FARNABY
(1562-1640) Complete Fantasias for
Harpsichord Fantasia (MB 6/FVB 320) [03:36] Fantasia (MB 8/FVB 323) [07:28] Fantasia (MB 5/FVB 82) [05:20] Unidentified part-song, arr. Farnaby (MB
7/FVB 333) [03:55] Fantasia (MB 4/FVB 489) [04:30] Fantasia (MB 12/FVB 343) [04:31]
Canzonet 'Construe my meaning', arr.
Glen Wilson [03:30] Fantasia (MB 13/FVB 347) [03:12]
Unidentified part-song, arr. Farnaby (MB
3/FVB 340) [04:14] Fantasia (MB 10/FVB 313) [04:08]
Canzonet 'Ay me, poor heart', arr.
Farnaby (MB 11/FVB 330) [02:39] Canzonet 'Witness, ye heavens', arr.
Glen Wilson [02:43] Fantasia (MB 9/FVB 270) [04:02] Loth
to Depart [04:41]
Glen Wilson (harpsichord) rec. October 2005,
'Schüttbau' in Hofheim-Rügheim,
Unterfranken,
Germany. DDD NAXOS
8.570025 [58:30][JV]
This
recording of his Fantasias shows that Farnaby
was a splendid composer whose music is captivating and highly original
... see Full Review
Orlando
GIBBONS (1583-1625) Hymns and Songs
of the Church Songs of joy [07:15] Songs of love
[13:12] Songs of sacrifice [08:58] Songs of lamentation
[10:19] Songs of triumph [10:47] Songs of unity [08:40]
Songs of faith [08:50] Songs of hope [03:41]
Tonus Peregrinus/Antony Pitts rec. 28–30 September 2004, Bromley Parish
Church; Finchcocks, Goudhurst, Kent, UK. DDD
NAXOS 8.557681 [71:42][JV]
Those
who are interested in religious music in general,
no matter from which time it comes, will find
this disc interesting ... see Full
Review
Joseph
GIBBS (1699-1788)
The Eight Violin Sonatas (publ. 1748)
Sonata No.1 in D minor Sonata No.2 in A major
Sonata No.3 in G major Sonata No.4 in flat
major Sonata No.5 in E major Sonata No.6 in
F major Sonata No.7 in A minor Sonata No.8
in E flat major
Sergei Bezkorvany (violin) Julian Dawson (harpsichord)
rec. 1988, location unspecified
CLAUDIO RECORDS CR 3606/07-2 [46:19 +
47:17][JW]
Enjoyable and small-scaled
performances that present Gibbs’s muse with
understanding. ... see Full
Review
Philip
GLASS (b.
1937) The Light (1987) [23:43] Symphony
No. 4 Heroes Symphony (1996) [46:26]
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra/Marin Alsop (conductor) rec. The Concert
Hall, Lighthouse, Poole, Dorset, 16-17 May 2006.
NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS 8.559325 [70:09] [DC]
Attractive,
and sympathetically performed. ... see Full
Review
George
Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759) Music for
the Chapel Royal Let God arise, HWV 256b [12:32] I
will magnify thee, HWV 250b [18:11] As Pants the hart, HWV
251d [11:54] O Sing unto the Lord, HWV 249a [11:19] Two movements
from As Pants the hart, HWV 251a [6:59]
Choir of the Chapel Royal Musicians Extra-ordinary/Andrew Gant rec.
Chapel Royal, St. James’s Palace, London, 18–20 July 2005. DDD
NAXOS 8.557935 [60:55][MK]
The
glorious distinction of being the first example of church music by Handel
to be recorded in the building and by the choir for which it was originally
intended. … see Full Review
George
Frideric HANDEL (1685–1739) Floridante
(1720/21) [163.42] Floridante
– Marijana Mijanovic (mezzo) Oronte – Vito Priante (bass) Elmira – Joyce
DiDonato (mezzo) Rossane – Sharon Rostorf-Zamir (soprano) Timante –
Roberta Invernizzi (mezzo) Coralbo – Ricardo Novaro (bass) Il Complesso
Barocco/Alan Curtis rec. Chiesa di San Silvestroa, Tuscania, nr. Viterbo,
September 2005 ARKIV
00289 477 6566 [3 CDs: 58.28 + 50.21 + 54.53][RH]
For
anyone wanting a fresh look at one of Handel’s stronger mid-period operas
then you need look no further. Whilst neither the opera nor the recording
are in the top flight, both have very much to recommend them. ... see
Full Review
George
Frideric HANDEL
(1685–1759) and John Christopher
SMITH (1712–1795) Tobit (1764)
Anna – Maya Boog (soprano) Sarah – Linda Perillo (soprano) Azarias/Raphael
– Barbara Hannigan (soprano) Tobias – Alison Browner (mezzo) Tobit –
Knut Schoch (tenor) Raguel – Stephan MacLeod (bass) Junge Kantorei Frankfurt
Baroque Orchestra/Joachm Carlos Martini Rec. live, Koster Eberbach,
Rheingau, Germany, 3 June 2001. DDD
NAXOS 8.570113-14 [76.22 + 80.00] [RH]
Think
of this as a recital disc. Just put it on
and enjoy some of Handel’s finest music in
attractive performances. ... see Full
Review
George
Frideric HANDEL (1685–1759)
Fernando, Re di Castiglia (1732)
[149.19]
Fernando – Lawrence Zazzo (counter-tenor)
Elvida – Veronica Cangemi (soprano) Dionisio
– Filippo Adami(tenor) Isabella – Marianne
Pizzolato (mezzo) Alfonso – Neal Banerjee
(counter-tenor) Sancio – Max Emanuel Cencic
(counter-tenor) Altomaro – Antonio Abete (bass)
Il Complesso Barocco/Alan Curtis rec. 20-28
April 2005, Tonhalle, St. Gallen, Switzerland
VIRGIN CLASSICS 3654832 [71.53 + 77.26]
[RH]
If
you are looking for a disc of perfect Handel
singing, then look elsewhere, but if you want
a highly dramatic presentation of one of Handel’s
more underrated operas then look no further.
... see Full
Review
Joseph
HAYDN (1732-1809)
Symphony No. 88 in G major, The Letter
V (1789) [22:03] L’isola disabitata:
overture (1779) [6:52] Symphony No. 101 in
D minor, The Clock (17xx) [26:10]
Osterreichisch-Ungarische Haydn-Philharmonie/Adam
Fischer rec. Haydnsaal, Schloss Esterhazy,
Eisenstadt, September 2006. DDD
MUSIKPRODUKTION DABRINGHAUS UND GRIMM MDG
901 1441-6
[55:18][MG]
State-of-the-art
historically informed performances on modern
instruments with fine transparency of texture
... see Full
Review
Franz
Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) String
Quartet op.3/5: 2. “Serenade” (arr.
Tilling) [03:07] [actually by P.
Roman HOFFSTETTER (1742-1815)]
(1) Divertimento for Orchestra no.3 [11:46]
(2) The Old Austrian People’s Hymn (arr. Tilling)
[01:21] (1) Variations in F minor [15:48]
(3) Symphony no.94 in G – “Surprise”: 2.
Andante [07:08] (4) Symphony no.104 in
D – “London” [29:40] (5)
Graunke Symphony Orchestra/Kurt Graunke (1),
Little Orchestra of London/Leslie Jones (2),
Richard Tiling [or Tilling?] (piano) (3),
Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra/Hans Natievsky
[or Matievsky?] (4), London Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir
Adrian Boult (5) no rec. info
SOUNDS OF EXCELLENCE PLATINUM 05122 [68:09]
[CH]
Boult
leaves you in no doubt that Symphony 104 is
important music. ... see Full
Review
Joseph
HAYDN (1732–1809) Die
Schöpfung (1798) Miah
Persson (soprano) – Gabriel, Eva; Topi Lehtipuu (tenor) – Uriel;
David Wilson-Johnson (baritone) – Raphael, Adam Salzburger
Bachchor Mozarteum Orchester, Salzburg/Ivor Bolton rec. live,
20–22 October 2005, Salzburg Mozarteum, Grosser Saal OEHMS
CLASSICS OC609 [52:20
+ 45:53] [GF]
A
quality product that should give great pleasure to all lovers of
this marvellous masterpiece. ... see Full
Review
Joseph
HAYDN (1732-1809) Symphony
No. 94 in G major, Surprise (1791) [20:44] Symphony
No. 101 in D major, Clock (1793-4) [25:46]Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897)Variations on a theme by Haydn,
Op. 56a (1874) [17:00] Wiener
Philharmoniker(Haydn), London Symphony Orchestra (Brahms)/Pierre
Monteux rec. Sofiensaal, Vienna, 20-21 April 1959 (Haydn),
Kingsway Hall, London, 8-9
December 1958 (Brahms). ADD LONDON 
452
893-2 [64:06] [MG]
Performances
of abundant character and continuous fascination … see Full
Review
Paul
HINDEMITH (1895-1963) Tanzstücke
op.19 (1920) [13:44] In einer Nacht op.15 (1919) [22:49] Klaviersonate
Nr. 3 (1936) [18:12] Christian
Seibert (piano)
rec. KvB Saal (WDR), 4-6 October 2005 CPO
777 171-2 [55:06] [DC]
Seibert’s
full tone and detailed and refined technique are given every chance
to develop in CPO’s excellent recording. ... see Full
Review
Gustav
HOLST
(1874-1934) Walt
Whitman Op.7 (1899) [7:14] Suite de Ballet
in E flat Op.10 (1899) [19:43] Suite in E
flat Op.28 No.1 orch. Gordon Jacob
(1909) [10:12] A Hampshire Suite Op.
28 No.2 orch. Gordon Jacob (1911) [11:18]
A Moorside Suite orch. Gordon Jacob
(1928) [17:01]
London Philharmonic Orchestra/Nicholas Braithwaite
rec. Watford Town Hall, 14 Jan 1988 (Whitman);
July and 23 August 1993 (Suite E flat); 26
August 1993 (Hampshire, Moorside);
Kingsway Hall, 7 March 1980 (Suite de Ballet).
ADD (Suite de Ballet); DDD
LYRITA SRCD.210 [63:31] [SH]
Buy
it. Enjoy the progress of genius from struggle
to mastery. Played without any showing off
but with a mastery to match that of the composer.
... see Full Review
Gustav
HOLST (1874-1934) Concerto
for Two Violins and Orchestra Op.49/H175 (1929) [14:54] St
Paul’s Suite Op. 29 No.2/H118 (1913) [12:26] Brook Green
Suite H190 (1933) [6:01] A Song of the Night for
Violin and Orchestra Op.19 No.1/H74 [8:14] Lyric Movement for
Viola and Chamber Orchestra H191 (1933) [11:32] A Fugal
Concerto for Flute, Oboe and Strings Op.40/H152 (1922)
[8:26] Janice
Graham (violin), Sarah Ewins (violin), Andriy Viytovych (viola),
Anna Pyne (flute), Philip Harmer (oboe) English Sinfonia/Howard
Griffiths rec. St Clements Church, Islington, London, November
2005 NAXOS
8.570339 [61:33]
[JW]
Even
at Naxos price I would avoid this and head straight for the Lyrita.
... see Full Review
Joaquim HOMS
(1906–2003) Orchestral
Works – Volume 1 Biofonia
(1982) [13:15] Presències (1967)
[23:15] Dos Soliloquis (1973) [13:48]
Variacions sobre un tema popular català
(1943, orch. 1948) [11:15]
Orquestra Simfònica de Barcelona i
Nacional de Catalunya/Juan José Olives
rec. Sala Simfònica de l’Auditori,
Barcelona, July 2005
COLUMNA MUSICA 1CM0169 [65:52] [HC]
These
performances and recordings are very fine
indeed, and certainly give Homs’ consistently
fine music its long-deserved due. ... see
Full Review
Richard HOWARD
(b. 1946) Prairie
Visions - a suite for piano
Richard Howard (piano) rec. Zenph Studios,
Raleigh, North Carolina, July 2006. DDD.
MSR CLASSICS MS1178 [62.51] [ED]
A
pleasant enough disc but not especially memorable
in terms of composition or playing … others
might feel differently. ... see Full
Review
John
IRELAND
(1879-1962)
Tritons,
symphonic prelude (c.1905) [10:29] The
Forgotten Rite, prelude (1913) [7:07]
Mai-Dun, symphonic rhapsody (1920-21)
[11:23] A London Overture (1936) [11:57]
Epic March (1942) [8:12] Themes from
Julius Caesar (arr. Geoffrey Bush)
(Scherzo; Cortège) (1942) [6:45] The
Overlanders, suite (ed. Charles Mackerras)
(Scorched Earth; Mary & Sailor; Open Country;
The Brumbies; Night Stampede) (1946-47) [20:07]
London Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Adrian Boult
rec. 1960s. ADD recordings originally made
in association with John Ireland Trust
LYRITA SRCD 240 [76:04] [JQ]
These
performances are required listening for all
Ireland enthusiasts and their appearance at
last on CD is greatly to be welcomed ... see
Full Review
Gordon
JACOB (1895-1984)
Symphony
No. 1 (1929) [34:18] Symphony No. 2 in C major
(1945) [32:01]
London Philharmonic Orchestra/Barry Wordsworth
rec. no information given. DDD world premiere
recording of Symphony No. 1
LYRITA SRCD.315 [65:19] [GO]
Full
marks to Lyrita for releasing this intriguing
and important CD. ... see Full
Review
Leoš
JANÁČEK (1854-1928)
The Makropulos Case (1924)
Cheryl Baker (soprano) - Emilia Marty; Neal
Davies (bass baritone) - Dr Kolenatý; John
Graham-Hall (tenor) - Vítek; Elena Xanthoudanis
(soprano) – Kristina; John Wegner (baritone)
- Baron Prus; Thomas Walker (tenor) - Janek
Prus; Graham Clark (tenor) - Count Hauk-Sendorf
English National Opera Chorus English National
Opera Orchestra/Sir Charles Mackerras rec.
live, London Coliseum, May 2006. DDD
CHANDOS CHAN 3138(2) [66:24 + 59:19][AOz]
There’s
still so much to give pleasure here … especially
if you want a clear, no-frills English-language
version.. ... see Full
Review
Philipp
JARNACH
(1892-1982) Piano Sonata II (1952) [24:02] Aria
for violin and piano Op.10a (1918-22) [5:15] Romancero 1 – Sonatina
for piano Op.18 (1924) [16:57] Three Rhapsodies – Chamber Duo for violin
and piano Op.20 (1927) [11:29]
Kolja Lessing (piano) Ingolf Turban (violin) rec. Funkhaus am Wallrafplatz,
Klaus-von-Bismarck-Saal, June 2004 (Op.10a and Op.20) and December 2005
CAPRICCIO CAP67188
[57:39] [JW]
Jarnach
has been well served here once again. ... see Full
Review
Joseph Jongen
(1873-1953) Messe
en l’honneur du Saint-Sacrement Op.130
(1945-1948) [34:06] Deus Abraham Motet
pour une messe de marriage W150 (1909)
[3:21] Pie Jesu No.1 of Deux
Motets W71 (1895) [2:49] Quid sum miser?
No.1 of Trois Motets W99 (1899) [4:43]
Flor
Peeters
(1903-1986) Missa Festiva Op.62
for choir and organ (1947) [27:31] Thomas
Gould (violin); Paul Provost (organ) London City Brass The Choir of
St John’s College,
Cambridge/David Hill rec. St John’s College
Chapel, Cambridge, 10-12 July 2006
HYPERION CDA67603 [72:50] [JF]
A
worthy CD that all lovers of ‘ecclesiastical’
music will want in their collection. In spite
of my reservations about the Jongen pieces
this presents two fine works by two great,
but relatively unknown Belgian composers.
... see Full
Review
John
JOUBERT (b.
1927) String Quartet No.2 Op.91 (1977)a [24:13]
Landscapes Op.129 (1992)b [22:13] Piano Trio Op.113
(1986)c [30:43]
Lyric Fantasy Op.144 (2000)d [8:58]
Piano Sonata No.1 Op.24 (1957)e [14:05]
Piano Sonata No.2 Op.71 (1972)e [24:46]
Piano Sonata No.3 Op.157 (2006)e [23:16] Brodsky
Quarteta; Patricia
Rozario (soprano)b; David Chadwick (violin)bc; Ann Joubert
(cello)bc; Mark Bebbington (piano)bcd; John McCabe (piano)e rec.
St. Mary’s Church, Walthamstow, February 2006 (String Quartet No.2) and Barber
Institute, Birmingham, July and August 2006 (other works) SOMM
SOMMCD 060-2 [77:20 + 71:06] [HC]
Fills
a considerable gap and amply demonstrates the breadth of Joubert’s
achievement as well as the human warmth and utter sincerity of
his music ... see Full Review
Vasily
KALINNIKOV
(1866-1901) Symphony
No.2 in A major (1895-97) [37:52] Intermezzo
No.1 in A major (1896-97) [4:57] Intermezzo
No.2 in G major (1896-97) [4:36] Serenade
for string orchestra (1891) [9:43] Nymphs
– a symphonic picture (1889) [10:10]
USSR Symphony Orchestra/Evgeni Svetlanov rec.
Moscow 1968 (symphony); 1990 (remainder)
MELODIYA MEL CD 10 00170 [67:16] [JW]
Direct
and powerfully energised performances, dedicated
to exploring Kalinnikov’s melodic and rhythmic
strengths. ... see Full
Review
Vasily
KALINNIKOV
(1866-1901) Suite
(1892) [39:11] Cedar and Palm – symphonic
poem (1897-98) [12:16] Bylina (c.1892-93)
[12:02]
USSR Symphony Orchestra/Evgeni Svetlanov rec.
Moscow, 1990
MELODIYA MEL CD 10 00169 [63:28] [JW]
Svetlanov
proves powerfully in control of Kalinnikov’s folk-and-romance sound
world. Everything sounds proudly vibrant and alive. ... see
Full Review
Michel LAMBERT
(c.1610-1696) Leçons de Ténèbres (1689) Disc One Première Leçon
Du Mercredi Saint for voice and continuo [20:35] Deuxième Leçon
Du Mercredi Saint for voice and continuo [15:02] Troisième Leçon
Du Mercredi Saint for voice and continuo [15:58] Première Leçon
Du Jeudi Saint for voice and continuo [16:52] Disc Two Deuxième Leçon
Du Jeudi Saint for voice and continuo [11:23] Troisième Leçon
Du Jeudi Saint for voice and continuo [15:27] Première Leçon
Du Vendredi Saint for voice and continuo [17:19] Deuxième Leçon
Du Vendredi Saint for voice and continuo [12:47] Troisième Leçon
Du Vendredi Saint for voice and continuo [13:59] Noémi Rime
(soprano); Nathalie Stutzmann (alto); Charles Brett (countertenor);
Howard Crook (tenor); Philippe Foulon (viola da gamba); Mauricio Buraglia
(theorbo); Ivète Piveteau (harpsichord, positive organ, director) rec.
October 1988, Abbaye de Royaumont, France. DDD VIRGIN VERITAS 0946
3 85789 2 5 [69:43 + 72:06][MS]
Beautiful
and intense music for Holy Week sensitively, passionately almost, performed
with focus and panache. ... see Full Review
Antoine
de LHOYER
(1768-1852) Duo Concertant in A major, op.
31 no. 1 (1814) [14:11] Duo Concertant in E minor, op. 31 no. 3 (1814)
[14:04] Duo Concertant in C major, op. 31 no. 2 (1814) [15:35] Duo Concertant
in D minor, op. 34 no. 2 (1819) [15:14]
Matteo Mela and Lorenzo Micheli (guitars) rec. Baroque Hall, Seminario
Arcivescovile, Ivrea, Turin, Italy, 13-14 January 2005.
NAXOS 8.570146 [59:04] [BB]
As
his works become more widely known, more often
and variously interpreted, I believe that
de Lhoyer will be seen as fully the equal,
and sometimes the superior, of better-known
early-Romantic guitar composers. ... see
Full Review
Franz
LISZT (1811-1886) Präludium und
Fuge über BACH [13:59] Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen [20:02]
Fantasie und Fuge über den Choral ‘Ad nos, ad salutarem undam’
[27:17] Gerhard Weinberger
(organ) rec. Passau Dom 30 April, 1 May 1984, 9 May 2005. DDD
CHRISTOPHORUS CHR77281 [61:18] [CB]
Weinberger’s
performances alone make this well worth having ... see Full
Review
Franz LISZT (1811-1886)
Three pieces from Harmonies poétiques et réligieuses, S173:
Ave Maria (1847-52) [6:28]; Pensées des morts (1847-52)
[12:24]; Pater noster (1847-52) [2:45] Via Crucis (The
way of the cross), for solo voices, chorus and organ, S53 (1876-78)
[42.44]
Brigitte Engerer (piano) Accentus/Laurence Equilbey rec. April
2006, Cité Internationale des Congrès de Nantes-Métropole, France. DDD
NAÏVE V 5061 [58:27][MC]
A
well performed release of the Via Crucis using the piano, but it would
not be my first choice. Outstanding playing from Engerer in the three
pieces from the Harmonies poétiques et réligieuses. ... see Full
Review
Zdeněk
LUKÁŠ (b.
1928) Concerto
for viola and orchestra Op.185 (1983) [23:50] Divertimento
for violin and viola Op.96 (1973) [13:40] Meditation for viola
and piano Op.116 (1975) [9:15] Jiří JAROCH (1920-1986) Fantasy
for viola and orchestra (1966) [13:52] Karel Špelina
(viola),
Antonín Novák (violin),
Josef Hála (piano)
Plzeň Radio Symphony Orchestra/Vít Micka (Concerto), Bohumír Liška (Fantasy)
rec. Czech Radio Plzeň February 1985 (Concerto), Czech Radio Prague April
1978 (Divertimento, Meditation); Czech Radio Plzeň October 1974 (Fantasy) ARCO
DIVA UP0090-2 131 [62:56]
[JW]
The
triple salute to two composers and violist has been realised with
character and imagination. ... see Full
Review
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]
Error processing SSI file
