PART 5
S-Z

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]

 

Stellan SAGVIK (b. 1952) Missa Maria Magdalena (1994) Annika Skoglund (mezzo) – Mary from Magdala; Olle Person (baritone) – Jesus from Nasaret; Hannah Holgersson (soprano) – Martha; Carl Unander-Scharin (tenor) – Evangelist; Liselotte Lindgren (contralto) – Angel; Staffan Alveteg (bass) – Joseph from Arimathea; Björn Blomberg (tenor) – Disciple/Pharisee; Maria Magdalena Motet Choir; Stockholm Chamber Choir; Ralph Gustafsson & Mathias Kjellgren (organ); The county of Stockholm Wind Symphony/Ragnar Bohlin rec. live, Maria Magdalena Church, Södermalm, Stockholm, 10 April 2005 with completions on 14 April NOSAG CD 137 [77:21][GF]

Apart from some longueurs this mass must be counted as an important work and the Credo especially is something to return to ... see Full Review

SCARLATTI: Alessandro, Francesco e Domenico - Polyphonic Music of the Scarlatti Family Domenico SCARLATTI (1685-1757) Missa quatuor vocum (Missa di Madrid): Kyrie [04:34] Gloria [05:52] Magnificat anima mea [13:40] Missa quatuor vocum: Credo [07:20] Francesco SCARLATTI (1666-after 1741) Miserere mei, Deus [25:06] Domenico SCARLATTI Missa quatuor vocum: Sanctus - Benedictus [02:31] Agnus Dei [02:27] Alessandro SCARLATTI (1660-1725) Salve Regina, op. 2,10 [09:02] Ex Tempore/Florian Heyerick rec. September 2005, Sound Recording Centre Steurbaut, Ghent, Belgium. DDD ET'CETERA KTC 1298 [70:46] [JV]

An interesting and captivating recording of sacred music by members of the Scarlatti family ... see Full Review

Samuel SCHEIDT (1587-1654) Wies Gott gefällt SSWV 188-190 [17:10] Kommt her, ihr gesegneten - Dialogus SSWV 220 [8:37] Freu dich, des Weibes deiner Jugend SSWV 181 [6:15] Warum betrübst du dich, mein Herz SSWV 554 [9:16] Christo, dem Osterlämmlein SSWV 551-552 [5:50] Nun lob mein Seel den Herren SSWV 555-557 [16:38] Ist nicht Ephraim mein teuer Sohn SSWV 553 [5:59] Ich bin die Auferstehung SSWV 547 [3:15] Nun danket alle Gott SSWV i7 [6:45] La Capella Ducale: Monika Mauch (soprano); Constanza Backes (soprano); Ralph Popken (alto); Werner Buchin (alto); Wilfried Jochens (tenor); Markus Brutscher (tenor); Harry van der Kamp (bass); Wolf Matthias Friedrich (bass) Musica Fiata: Roland Wilson (cornetto, alto cornett, tenor cornett, recorder); Arno Paduch (cornetto, recorder); Ralph Poken (recorder); Peter Stelzl (alto and tenor trombones); Detlef Reimers (tenor trombone); Wim Becu (bass trombone); Christoph Hamborg (tenor trombone); Anette Sichelschmidt (violin, viola); Christine Moran (violin, viola); Andreas Pilger (viola); Paula Kibildis (viola); Hartwig Groth (violone); Lee Santana (chitarrone, archlute); Axel Wolf (chitarrone); Christoph Anselm.Noll (organ, regal, spinett)/Roland Wilson rec. 21-23 January, 2004, Christuskirche, Brühl, Germany. DDD CPO 777 145-2 [79:47][MS]

Unusual yet highly pleasing repertoire expertly and beautifully played. ... see Full Review

Othmar SCHOECK (1886-1957) Choral Music Trommelschläge Op. 26 (1915) [4:40] Der Postillon Op. 18 91909) [8:39] Dithyrambe Op. 22 (1911) [8:48] Wegelied Op. 24 (1913) [3:24] Für ein Gesangfest im Frühling Op. 54 (1942) [3:24] Kantate Op. 49 (1933) [15:19] Vision Op. 63 (1949) [6:59] Rückblick (Zu einer Konfirmation) (1948) [2:52] Spruch Op. 69 No. 1 (1941) [1:32] Einkehr Op. 69 No. 2 (1951) [2:34] Die Drei WoO No. 39 (1930) [4:24] Zimmerspruch WoO No. 43 (1948) [2:18] Maschinenschlacht Op. 67a (1953) [5:32] Gestutzte Eiche Op. 67b (1953) [2:08] Martin Homrich (tenor), Ralf Lukas (bass-baritone), Steffen Schleiermacher & Justus Zeyen (pianos), Frank Zimpel (organ), Bernd Angerhöfer (tuba), Eckart Wiegräbe, Lutz Grützmann & Fernando Günther (trombones), Gerd Schenker and Sven Pauli (percussion) MDR-Rundfunkchor MDR-Sinfonieorchester/ Mario Venzago (tr. 1-7), Howard Arman [tr. 8-14) rec. Sendesaal of MDR, Leipzig, December 2006 (tr. 1-7) and January 2007 (tr. 8-14) CLAVES 50-2701 [74:46] [JW][RB]

Some of these choral works still have the power to cause difficulties [JW] ... This sometimes disturbing, sometimes beguiling cross-section of Schoeck’s choral music [RB]... see Full Review

Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Symphony No. 9 in C major, D.944 Great (1828) [50:07] Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Waldseligkeit Op 49 No. 1 [2:46] Liebeshymnos Op.32 No.3 [2:39] Verführung Op.33 No.1 [8:41] Winterliebe Op.48 No.5 [1:30] Peter Anders (tenor) Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/Wilhelm Furtwängler rec. Berlin, 6 December 1942 and 15 February 1942 (Strauss) MELODIYA MEL CD 10 01108 [65:46] [JW]

In this Melodiya series there are many performances stamped with greatness and if you lack them these well transferred reissues may prove attractive. ... see Full Review

Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) “Wanderer Fantasy” (arr. Joseph James) (2007) [21:28] Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) “Fantasie” (arr. Joseph James) (2007) [31:45] English Chamber Orchestra Members of the Schubert Ensemble/Orlando Jopling rec. Air Lindhurst Studios, London, 7-8 February 2006 (Schubert); 19-20 September 2005 (Schumann) DDD SIGNUM CLASSICS SIGCD095 [53:24][PC]

While the playing is technically fine and the physical sound extraordinary, giving these works a broader canvas takes away the intended intimacy of their original setting.  Nothing new is illuminated.  ... see Full Review

Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) CD 1 [73:48] Mass in A flat D678* (1819-1826) [47:34] Mass in C D452** (1816) [25:40] CD 2 [70:44] Mass in E flat D950* (1828) [56:52] Tantum ergo D962** (1828) [3:53] Offertorium D963* (1828) [9:47] Helen Donath, Lucia Popp (sopranos); Brigitte Fassbaender (mezzo); Francisco Araiza, Adolf Dallapozza, Peter Schreier (tenors); Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (bass) Chor und Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks/Wolfgang Sawallisch rec. *1980 ADD/DDD, **1981 DDD EMI CLASSICS GEMINI 3815192 [73:48 + 70:44][DM]

A performing tradition best described – not unkindly – as ‘old fashioned’. Massive, sonorous, somewhat foursquare. ... see Full Review

William SCHUMAN (1910-1992) Symphony No. 3 (1941) [27:28] Symphony No. 5 Symphony for Strings (1943) [17:54] Judith (1949) [22:22] Seattle Symphony Orchestra/Gerard Schwarz rec. S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium, Benaroya Hall, Seattle, WA, September 2005 (3); Seattle Center Opera House, 20 January 1991 (5); 5, 7 January 1992 (Judith). DDD NAXOS 8.559317 [67:44] [JQ]

This is a very valuable disc and a worthy follow-up to Schwarz’s previous discs of Schuman symphonies ... see Full Review

Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Liederalbum fur die Jugend Op. 79 (1849) [49:15] No. 1 Der Abendstern (Evening Star) [2:18] No. 2 Schmetterling (Butterfly) [0:51] No. 3 Frühlingsbotschaft (Spring Message) [0:57] No. 4 Frühlingsgruss (Spring Greeting) [1:45] No. 5 Von Schlaraffenland (From the Land of Cockaigne) [1:52] No. 6 Sonntag (Sunday) [1:50] No. 7 Zigeunerliedchen I (Gypsy Song I) [0:58] No. 8 Zigeunerliedchen II (Gypsy Song II) [1:35] No. 9 Das Knaben Berglied (The Boy’s Mountain Song) [1:58] No. 10 Mailied (May Song) [1:07] No. 11 Käuzlein (Owlet) [2:13] No. 12 Hinaus ins Freie (Out in the Open) [1:18] No. 13 Der Sandmann [2:08] No. 14 Marienwürmchen (Ladybird) [1:35] No. 15 Die Waise (The Orphan) [2:10] No. 16 Das Glück (Happiness) [0:52] No. 17 Weihnachtlied (Christmas Song) [1:48] No. 18 Die Wandelnde Glock (The Moving Bell) [2:04] No. 19 Frühlingslied (Spring Song) [2:45] No. 20 Frühlings Ankunft (Spring’s Arrival) [1:33] No. 21 Die Schwalben (Swallows) 1:06] No. 22 Kinderwacht (Watching over Children) [1:14] No. 23 Der Sennen Adschied (Herdsman’s Farewell) [2:04] No. 24 Er ist’s (It is He) [1:20] No. 25 Spinnelied (Spinning Song) [1:47] No. 26 Das Buben Schützenlied (The Lad’s Shooting Song) [1:00] No. 27 Schneeglöckchen (Snowdrops) [1:25] No. 28 Lied Lynceus der Türmers (Song of Lynceus the Watchman) [2:07] No. 29 Mignon [3:34] Lieder und Gesange I Op. 27 (1839-40) [8:49] No. 1 Sag an, O lieber Vogel mein (Tell me. O my little bird) [1:40] No. 2 Dem roten Röslein gleicht mein lieb (My love is like a red, red Rose) [1:16] No. 3 Was soll ich sagen? (What shall I say?) [2:53] No. 4 Jasminenstrauch (The Jasmine Bush) [0:43] No. 5 Nur ein lächender Blick (Only a Smiling Glance) [2:13] Sibylla Rubens (soprano); Stefanie Iranyi (mezzo); Thomas E. Bauer (baritone); Uta Hielscher (piano) rec. 26-28 January 2006, Bayerische Rundfunk Studio 1, Munich. DDD NAXOS 8.557076 [58:04][WK]

A mostly charming set of some Schumann songs that need to be better known. ... see Full Review

Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Cello Concerto in A minor, Op.129 (1850) [24:30] Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Serenade No.1 in D, Op.11 (1859) [48:26] Natalia Gutman (cello) Mahler Chamber Orchestra/Claudio Abbado rec. Teatreo Cavallerizza and Teatro Municipale Romolo Valli, Regiio Emilia, March-April 2006. DDD DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 476 5786 [72:56] [OW]

Exceptional performances grace an unusual and stimulating coupling ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Francis George SCOTT (1880-1958) Moonstruck – The Songs of F G Scott 1. Milkwort and Bog-cotton [2.32]; 2. Crowdiknowe [1.36]; 3. Moonstruck [2.37]; 4. The Eemis Stane [2.03]; 5. The Sauchs in the Reuch Heuch Hauch [1.12]; 6. Ay Waukin, O [3.52]; 7. Amang the Trees [1.26]; 8. The Discreet Hint [1.36]; 9. Je descendis dans mon jardin [2.22]; 10. Florine [1.46]; 11. Lourd on my hert [1.22]; 12. The Watergaw [2.26]; 13. Country Life [1.14]; 14. Wheesht, Wheest [1.31]; 15. O, wha my babie-clouts will buy? [2.04]; 16. My wife's a wanton we thing [1.33]; 17. The Inumerable Christ [3.06]; 18. I wha aince in Heavens' Heicht [1.24]; 19. An Apprentice Angel [2.08]; 20. Hungry Waters [1.49]; 21. Te Deil o'Bogie [2.48]; 22. To a Lady [2.32]; 23. Cupid and Venus [2.33]; 24. The Old Fisherman [2.24]; 25. Im Tiroler Wirsthaus [1.02]; 26. In Time of Tumult [2.05]; 27. The Man in the Moon [2.07]; 28. First Love [1.46]; 29. Empty Vessel [1.13]; 30. The Wren's Nest [1.09]; 31. Love of Alba [1.53]; 32. The Wee Man [1.10]; Total running time: [62.26] Lisa Milne (soprano) Roderick Williams (baritone) Iain Burnside (piano) rec. The Warehouse, London 13-14 March, 15-16 July 2006. DDD SIGNUM CLASSICS SIGCD 096 [62:26][CSS]

This is a Must! ... see Full Review

Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Symphony No.5 in D minor, Op.47 (1945) [50:06] Symphony No.9 in E flat major, Op.70 (1965) [27:07] Russian National Orchestra/Yakov Kreizberg rec. DZZ Studio 5, Moscow, April 2006 PENTATONE PTC 5186 096 [77:16] [TH]

Try before you buy ... see Full Review

Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) Jazz Suite No.1 (1934) [8:21] (a) Jazz Suite No.2 (1938): Movement VI - Waltz 2 [3:49] (b) Vincent Youmans arr. Shostakovich: Tahiti Trot from “Tea for Two” Op. 16 (1928) [3:31] (c) The Gadfly Suite Op. 97a (1955): Two excerpts [8:43] (d) Piano Concerto No. 1 in C-minor Op. 35 (1933) [21:07] (e) Piano Concerto No. 2 in F-major Op. 102 (1957) [19:17] (f)The Unforgettable Year 1919 Suite Op. 89a (1951): The Attack on Beautiful Gorky [7:32] (g) Dmitri Alexeev (piano) English Chamber Orchestra/Jerzy Maksymiuk (e-g) Philadelphia Orchestra/Mariss Jansons (a-c) Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields/Sir Neville Marriner (d) rec. March 1996, Giandomenico Studios, Collingswood, New Jersey (a-c); October-November 1986, No.1 Studio, Abbey Road, London (d); May 1983, St. John’s Smith Square, London (e-g) CLASSICS FOR PLEASURE 382 2342 [72:49] [WK]

A generous and varied disc for those looking for the Shostakovich concertos ... see Full Review

Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) String Quartet No. 8 in C minor, Op. 110 (1960) [20:26] Six Poems by Marina Tsvetaeva, Op. 143 (1973, arr. contralto and string quartet by Auerbach, 2005) [19:31]. Lera AUERBACH (b. 1973) Cetera desunt (String Quartet No. 3) (2006) [21'10]. Zoryana Kushpler (mezzo) Petersen String Quartet (Conrad Muck, Daniel Bell (violins); Friedermann Weigle (viola); Henry-David Varema (cello)). rec. Deutschland Radio Studio K10, 2-4 November 2005, 14-15 March 2006, 29-30 May 2006. SACD DDD CAPRICCIO 71 104 [61:07] [CC]

A fascinating disc. The programming shows real individuality; the recording is top-drawer, the playing first class and the music both raw and sophisticated. Do try to hear this ... see Full Review

Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Cello Concerto No.1 (1959) [28:59] Cello Sonata (1934) [28:09] Han-Na Chang (cello) London Symphony Orchestra Antonio Pappano (conductor & piano Sonata) rec. 12 June 2005, No.1 Studio, Abbey Road, London (Concerto); 19 June 2005, Lyndhurst Hall, Air Studios (Sonata) EMI CLASSICS 3 32422 2 [57:09] [DC]

If you want your view on Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No.1 altered for good then this is the place to come ... see Full Review

Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) The Tale of the Priest and his worker Balda: music to the cartoon film by Mikhail Tsekhanovsky op. 36 (1933-34) [54:53] Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District - Suite from the Opera op. 29a (1932) [6:41] Dmitri Beloselsky (Balda), Fyodor Bakanov (Imp), Sergei Blalashov (Priest), Dmitri Ulyanov (Devil) Moscow State Chamber Choir Russian Philharmonic Orchestra/Thomas Sanderling Russian State TV & Radio Company Kultura, Studio 5, Moscow, May 2005 (Lady Macbeth), May-June 2005 (Balda), DDD DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 477 6112 [61:34] [IB]

For the adventurous or curious Shostakovich fan a must. ... see Full Review

HISTORICAL RECORDING OF THE MONTH Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957) Violin Concerto Op. 47 (1903 rev. 1905) [30:37] En Saga, Op.9 (1892/1902) [20:08] Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Coriolan Overture Op.62 (1807) [9:00] Georg Kulenkampff (violin) Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/Wilhelm Furtwängler rec. Berlin 7 February 1942; 27 June 1943 (Coriolan) MELODIYA MEL CD 10 01109 [59:49] [JW]

Adherents of the concerto should have this Kulenkampff, along with the Ignatius, Wicks, Neveu and Heifetz. Others should get it anyway in whichever incarnation they may find it. ... see Full Review

Sir Charles Villiers STANFORD (1852-1924) Symphony no.4 in F major, op.31 (1888) [42:49] Symphony no.7 in D minor, op.124 (1911) [28:23] Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra/David Lloyd-Jones rec. 2-3 June 2006, The Concert Hall, Lighthouse, Poole, Dorset, UK NAXOS 8.570285 [70:52][CH]

On the whole these new versions can supersede the Handley performances. ... see Full Review

Johann STRAUSS II (1825-1899) Cinderella (Aschenbrödel) - ballet in 3 Acts (1899) Choreography by Renato Zanella Orchestral score by Joseph Bayer Vienna State Ballet and Orchestra/Michael Halász rec. live, Wiener Staatsoper, Vienna, 21-22 December 1999 Region 0; Ratio 4:3 EUROARTS 2055928 [122:00][RW]

This variation from the traditional Cinderella story is effective and works admirably. ... see Full Review

RECORDING OF THE MONTH Richard STRAUSS (1864–1949) Salome, Op. 54 (1905) Final Scene 1. Ah! Du wolltest mich nicht deinen Mund küssen lassen, Jochanaan! [15:56] Capriccio, Op. 85 (1942) Final Scene 2. Interlude: Mondscheinmusik [3:14] 3. Morgen mittag um elf! [15:51]Vier letzte Lieder Op. posth. (1948) 4. Frühling [3:10] 5. September [4:42] 6. Beim Schlafengehen [5:11] 7. Im Abendrot [7:35] Nina Stemme (soprano) Gerhard Siegel (tenor) (1), Liora Grodnikaite (mezzo) (1), Jeremy White (bass) (2), Richard Clews (horn solo) (5), Peter Manning (violin solo) (6) Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden/Antonio Pappano rec. Studio No. 1, Abbey Road, London, on 1-2, 4-5, 11 September 2006 EMI CLASSICS 3787972 [56:22] [GF]

This is a disc that should find a place in every Strauss lover’s collection ... see Full Review

Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Die Frau Ohne Schatten (1919) Die Kaiserin - Luana DeVol (soprano) Der Kaiser - Peter Seiffert (tenor) Die Amme - Marjana Lipovsek (mezzo) Barak - Alan Titus (baritone) Sein Weib - Janis Martin (soprano) Der Geisterbote - Jan-Hendrik Rootering (baritone) Chor der Bayerischen Staatsoper Bayerisches Staatsorchester/Wolfgang Sawallisch Ennosuke Ichikawa, stage director Filmed live at the Aichi Prefectural Art Theater, Nagoya, Japan, 1992 Region Code: 0 (Worldwide); Sound formats: DD5.1 • DTS 5.1; LPCM Stereo; Sacem; Picture Format: NTSC (4.3) TDK DVD DVWW-OPFROS [183:00][JS]

This Die Frau Ohne Schatten is a must-have for all who, like me, have an unreasoned Schwärmerei for the work. ... see Full Review

Igor STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) The Flood (1961) [21:17] Abraham and Isaac (1962) [11:18] Variations (1963) [5:04] Requiem Canticles (1965) [14:27] Charles WUORINEN (b. 1938) A Reliquary for Igor Stravinsky (1974) [17:12] David Wilson-Johnson (baritone) Peter Hall (tenor) Stephen Richardson (tenor) Susan Bickley (soprano) London Sinfonietta/Oliver Knussen rec. London, 1994. DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 447-068-2 [69:18][AOz]

Serialism developed by Stravinsky in a distinctively personal way ... see Full Review

Igor STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) Oedipus Rex - opera-oratorio in two acts (1927) [57:09] Symphony of Wind Instruments (1920, rev 1947) [9:04] Peter Pears (tenor); Martha Modl (soprano); Heinz Rehfuss (bass-baritone); Otto von Rohr (bass); Helmut Krebs (tenor); Werner Hessenland (narrator) (Rex) North-West German Radio Cologne Symphony Orchestra/Igor Stravinsky rec. 8 October 1951, Cologne. Mono. ADD ARCHIPEL ARPCD0228 [59:67] [SH]

Heartbreaking stuff and great in every sense. ... see Full Review

Jan Pieterszoon SWEELINCK (1562-1621) Psalms from Geneva Toccata in a [5:03] Psalm 140 [7:03] Toccata in G [2:48] Psalm 23 [7:49] Toccata in C [3:55] Psalm 116 [6:31] Fantasia Chromatica in D [7:30] Psalm 36 [10:40] Echo Fantasia in C [8:34] Chorale ‘Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr [4:10] Chorale ‘Puer Nobis Nascitur’ [3:19] Masaaki Suzuki (organ) rec. Shinko-Kyokai (Reformed Church of Japan), Kobe, December 1995. DDD BIS CD-1614 [69:28] [CB]

Suzuki’s very personal way of playing can’t distract from the fact that there is a great musician at work here. ... see Full Review

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH Karol SZYMANOWSKI (1882-1937) Violin Concerto No.1 Op.35 (1916) [26:09] Violin Concerto No.2 Op.61 (1932-33) [22:13] Nocturne and Tarantella Op.28 (1915) orch. Grzegorz Fitelberg [11:51] Ilya Kaler (violin) Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra/Antoni Wit rec. Philharmonic Hall, Warsaw, September 2006 NAXOS 8.557981 [60:12][JW]

Excellent sound, intelligently argued performances and instrumental finesse - a handsome bargain at whatever price bracket. ... see Full Review

Karol SZYMANOWSKI (1882–1937) The Complete Solo Piano Music Sinae Lee (piano) THE DIVINE ART 21400 [4 CDs: 71:46 + 65:25 + 67:12 + 69:13] [SA]

There is no excuse for hesitation …. a truly rewarding experience. The unique sound world of this genuinely original composer. ... see Full Review

Karol SZYMANOWSKI (1882-1937) Violin Sonata in D minor Op.9 (1904) [24:12] Berceuse d’Aitacho Enia Op.52 91925) [4:24] Mythes Op.30 (1915) [23:34] Romance Op.23 919100 [6:31] Notturno and Tarantella Op.28 (1915) [12:28] Chant de Roxane – from King Roger – transcribed by Pavel Kochanski (1924) [5:35] Miriam Kramer (violin) Nicholas Durcan (piano) rec. Potton Hall, Westleton, Suffolk, June 2005 NAXOS 8.557748 [76:45][JW]

Strongly personalised views but my preferences are for the more aristocratic but sensitive Pławner and the high voltage Mordkovich. ... see Full Review

Emil TABAKOV (b. 1947) Concerto for two Flutes and Orchestra (2000)^a [27:08] Concerto for Piano and Orchestra (2003)^b [34:23] Patrick Gallois, Philippe Bernold (flutes)^a; Jean-Philippe Collard (piano)^b; Bilkent Symphony Orchestra/Emil Tabakov rec. Bilkent Concert Hall, Turkey, May-June 2005 NAXOS 8.570073 [61:31][HC]

Performances by top-rank soloists nicely supported by a very responsive composer-conducted orchestra … all very fine, and well recorded but this hugely promising release proved a disappointment. ... see Full Review

Giuseppe TARTINI (1692-1770) Violin Concerto in E major D.50 [15:07] Violin Concerto in D major D.96 [12:57] Violin Concerto in G major D.80 [15:13] Violin Concerto in B minor D.125 [13:15] Violin Concerto in D major D.28 [16:34] Ariadne Daskalakis (violin) Cologne Chamber Orchestra/Helmut Müller-Brühl rec. DeutschlandRadio, Sendesaal des Funkhauses, Cologne, October 2005 NAXOS 8.570222 [73:05] [JW]

There are plenty of good things here ... grace and lyrical purity ... see Full Review

Boris TCHAIKOVSKY (1925–1996) Symphony No.1 (1947) [32:17] Suite: The Murmuring Forest (1953) [13:26] Suite: After the Ball (1952) [16:54] Volgograd Philharmonic Orchestra/Edward Serov (symphony); Saratov Conservatory Symphony Orchestra/Kirill Ershov (suites) rec. Volgograd Central Concert Hall, June 2006 (Symphony No.1); Great Hall, Saratov Conservatory, June 2006 (Suites) NAXOS 8.570195 [62:38] [HC]

The Symphony stands out as an accomplished work of substance - a serious, sincere composer ... see Full Review

Piotr Il’yich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) The Nutcracker Op 71a Ballet Suite (1892) [22:51] Symphony No. 4 in F Minor Op.36 (1877) [42:33] Eugene Onegin – Waltz Op.24 (1879) [6:09] Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/ Thomas Beecham rec. Salle Wagram, Paris, Kingsway Hall, London 1957-58 (Symphony); 1953-54 (Nutcracker); Studio No1, Abbey Road, London 1959 (Waltz) EMI CLASSICS GREAT RECORDINGS OF THE CENTURY 3800162 [71:49] [JW]

Collectors will remember this collection. Its appearance now as a GROC is more than welcome and entirely deserved. ... see Full Review

Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Piano Concerto no.1 in B flat minor op.23 (1874-75, rev. 1889) [33:29] Nikolai Karlovich MEDTNER (1880-1951) Piano Concerto no.1 in C minor op.33 (1914-1918) [34:42] Liebliches Kind!, from Nine Goethe Songs  op.6 (1904-1905), transcribed for solo piano by Yevgeny Sudbin [01:46] Yevgeny Sudbin (piano) Sāo Paulo Symphony Orchestra/John Neschling rec. February 2006, Sala Sāo Paulo, Brazil BIS SACD-1588 [71:16] [CH]

A terrific performance of the fascinating Medtner First Concerto, and a refreshingly un-rhetorical view of the Tchaikovsky. ... see Full Review

Georg Philipp TELEMANN (1681-1767) Complete Violin Concertos - Volume 2 Violin Concerto in C major TWV 51:C3 (1724) [7:30] Violin Concerto in G minor TWV 51:g1 (1713-14) [6:41] Violin Concerto in B minor TWV 51:h2 (before 1716) [5:48] Violin Concerto in G major TWV 51:G7 [11:25] Violin Concerto in A minor TWV 51:a2 (1728) [8:53] Violin Concerto in B flat major TWV 51:B1 Pisendel Concerto (1719) [11:32] Violin Concerto in A major TWV 51:A4 [11:42] Elizabeth Wallfisch (violin and director) L’Orfeo Barockorchester rec. Sendesaal des SWR Studios Karlsruhe, September 2004 CPO 777 089-2 [64:21] [JW]

The consistently high standards set in the opening volume have been singularly well met here in finely-recorded and stylistically aware traversals ... see Full Review

Georg TINTNER (1917-1999) Violin Sonata (c1941-1944) [23.03] * Variations on a Theme of Chopin (1934) [11:29] Prelude, "Sehnsucht" (Longing) (c1938) [2:54] Auf den tod eines Freundes (On the death of a Friend) (c1932-33) [3:17] Piano Sonata in F minor (c1932-33) [10:13] 2 Fugues (1939): Fugue in G major [2:16]; Fugue in C minor [1:28] Trauermusik (Musica Tragica) (1941) [6:23] Helen Huang (piano); * Cho-Liang Lin (violin) rec. Glenn Gould Studio, CBC, Toronto, Canada, 8-10 June 2005. DDD. NAXOS 8.570258 [63:04][ED]

These excellent performances present Tintner as a serious and principled composer. ... see Full Review

Francesco Paolo TOSTI (1846-1916) Romanze – Popular Love Songs by Francesco Paolo Tosti Aprile [3:12]; Ideale [3:16]; Malià [2:26]; Rêve [3:08] ; That day! [3:57]; Infidélité [2:37]; Non t'amo più! [4:52]; La Serenata [3:11]; Chanson de l'Adieu [2:35]; L'ultimo bacio [2:04]; I dare to love thee (1892) [2:25]; Mattinata [2:50]; Si tu le voulais [1:54]; T'affretta [3:04]; Luna d'estate [1:57]; Goodbye! (1880) [4:31]; Vorrei morire [4:17]; Pour un baiser [1:46]; Segreto [4:50]; Ninna nanna [3:47]; L'alba sepàra dalla luce l'ombra [2:19]; ‘A vucchella (1907) [2:41] Yves Saelens (tenor); Inge Spinette (piano) No recording details EUFODA 1365 [67:41] [JW]

One for the song enthusiast, but one who’s also arrayed with a smattering of classic Tosti performances on 78. ... see Full Review

Roberto VALENTINI (c.1671-1747) Sonata I C Major [3:05] Sonata IX C Minor [6:11] Sonata XII C Major [5:40] Sonata X E Minor [4:57] Sonata VI G Major [5:43] Sonata III G Minor [6:51] Sonata VIII C Major [6:35] Sonata XI F Major [5:41] Sonata VII A Minor [7:17] Sonata II D Major [4:09] Sonata V G Minor [6:21] Sonata IV F Major [7:56] Ensemble Mediolanum: Sabine Ambos (alto recorder); Felix Koch (cello); Wiebke Weidanz (harpsichord) rec. August, 2006, Lutheran Church of Florstadt, Germany. DDD RAMÉE 0701 [70:27] [MS]

Graceful and elegant music played with insight and style by experts who bring freshness and drive to a largely unknown Leicester musician who made good. … see Full Review

Francesc VALLS (ca.1671-1747) (Introit): Confitebor tibi, psalm 138 (137) [5 :29] Missa quarti toni (1709) [16 :48] (Introit): Lætatus sum, psalm 122 (121) [4 :22] Missa primi toni (1709) [17 :30] (Cant final): Credidi, propter quod locutus sum, psalm 116 (115) [5:23] Exaudi nos: Alexandrina Polo, Meritxell Olaya (sopranos) ; Elisenda Arquimbau, Montserrat Bertral (altos) ; Albert Riera, Damià Carbonell (tenors) ; Xavier Pagès (baritone); Arnau Rodon (cornetto); Meritxell Ferrer (bass); Josep M. Martí (theorba); Santiago Mirón (viool); Mireia Ruiz (organ)/Joan Grimalt rec. 19-20 July 2006, Church of St Pere de Terrassa, Spain LA MÀ DE GUIDO LMG 2074 [49 :42][DC]

In terms of an authentic approach Exaudi nos might actually be said to have been a little too successful. ... see Full Review

Ferenc VECSEY (Franz von VECSEY) (1893-1935) Caprice fantastique Morceaux (3): No 1, Rêve (1912) [3:26] Conte passioné (1913) [5:42] Valse triste [2:42] Chanson triste (1913)  [2:19] Morceaux (3): No 2, Menuette (1912)  [3:00] Prelude and Fugue for Violin solo – andante (1914)  [4:08] Prelude and Fugue for Violin solo – allegro (1914) [5:08] Souvenir for Violin and Piano (1913) [1:56] A toi (1921) [1:49] Devant un Tombeau (1921)   [8:49]Nuit du Nord (1921)  [3:41] Morceaux (3): No 3, Humoresque (1912)   [1:04] Valse lente (1933)  [3:31] Caprice fantastique (1933) [3:47] Pourquoi (1921) [3:02] Caprice for Violin No 2 "Cascade" (1916-17) [3:23] Chanson nostalgique (1933) [2:18]Max REGER (1873 - 1916) Schlichte Weisen (60), Op. 76: No 52, Maria Wiegenlied arranged Vecsey (published 1934) [2:15] Niccolò PAGANINI (1782 - 1840) Concerto for Violin No 2 in B minor, Op. 7 "La Campanella": Allegro maestoso arranged Vecsey (published 1934) [6:26] Vilmos Szabady (violin), Zsuzsana Homor (piano) rec. Hungaroton Studio, Hungary, October-November 2005 HUNGAROTON CLASSIC HCD 32333 [69:47] [JW]

Joins the discs devoted to other violin-composers who swam in the post-Kreisler age and expands appreciation of a long forgotten player.  ... see Full Review

Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Ernani - lyric drama in four parts (1843) Ernani, the bandit - Marco Berti (ten); Don Carlo, King of Spain - Carlo Guelfi (bar); Don Ruy de Silva, a Spanish grandee - Giocomo Prestia (bass); Elvira, Silva’s niece and loved by Ernani - Susan Neves (sop); Don Riccardo, the King’s equerry - Samuele Simoncini (ten); Jago, equerry to Silva - Alessandro Svab, (bass) Orchestra and chorus of the Teatro Reggio, Parma, Italy/Antonello Allemandi Performed in the Critical Edition by Claudio Gallico rec. live, Teatro Reggio, May 2005, annual Verdi Festival Director, Set and Costume designer: Pier’Alli Presented in dts digital surround sound, Dolby, PCM 2.0. Vision 16:9 Colour Menu language: English. Subtitles: Italian (original language), English, German, French, Spanish, Chinese. Notes and synopsis: Italian, English, German, Italian, French DYNAMIC 33496 [126:00][RJF]

Whilst the singing confirms the current shortage of true Verdian voices, the production and staging overcome those weaknesses and provide a satisfactory performance of an under-performed opera full of the composer’s compositional melody and vitality. ... see Full Review

Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Un ballo in maschera - opera in three acts (1859) Riccardo - Carlo Bergonzi (ten); Amelia - Birgit Nilsson (sop); Renato - Cornell Macneil (bar); Ulrica - Giulietta Simionato (mezzo); Oscar - Sylvia Stahlmann (sop); Silvano - Tom Krause (bar); Samuel - Fernando Corena (bass); Tom - Libero Arbace (bass) Orchestra and Chorus of the Academia di Santa Cecilia, Rome/Georg Solti rec. Santa Cecilia, Rome, July 1960, July 1961. ADD DECCA CLASSIC OPERA 475 8278 DM2 [67.53 + 59.58][RJF]

This re-issue joins a very competitive mid-price market with other performances with better-balanced casts and more sympathetic conducting still finding pride of place. ... see Full Review

Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Macbeth - opera in 4 Acts (1865 revision) Macbeth - Renato Bruson (bar); Lady Macbeth - Maria Zampieri (sop); Banquo - Robert Lloyd (bass); Macduff - Neil Schicoff (ten); Malcolm - Claes H Ahnsjö (ten); Lady in Waiting - Lucia Aliberti  (sop); Doctor - Pietteri Salomaa (bass) Chorus and Orchestra of the Deutschen Oper Berlin/Giuseppe Sinopoli No recording venue or date given PHILIPS OPERA CLASSICS 475 8393 PM3 [3 CDs: 52.16 + 32.47 + 77.19][RJF]

Against the stiff competition of the two-disc rival issues from Abbado on DG and Muti on EMI this re-issue has few if any virtues. ... see Full Review

Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Simon Boccanegra - Melodrama in a Prologue and Three Acts. (Revised 1881 Edition) Simon Boccanegra, a sometime corsair and Doge of Genoa - Thomas Hampson (bar); Maria Boccanegra, Simon’s daughter known as Amelia Grimaldi - Cristina Gallardo-Domas (sop); Jacapo Fiesco, a Genoese nobleman - Ferruccio Furlanetto (bass); Gabrielle Adorno, a Genoese gentleman in love with Maria - Miroslav Dvorsky (ten); Paolo Albiani, a courtier - Boaz Daniel (bar); Pietro, another courtier - Dan Paul Dumitrescu (bass) Orchestra andChorus of the Vienna State Opera/Daniele Gatti rec. live, Teatro Communale, Florence, 21 October 2005 Stage Director: Peter Stein. Set designer: Stefan Meyer. Costume designer: Moidele Bickel Sound format: DD 5.1. DTS 5.1. LPCM stereo. Picture format: 16:9 anamorphic Introductory essay in English, German and French Subtitles in Italian (original language), English, German, French and Spanish TDK DVD VIDEO DVWW-OPSIBOW [137:00][RJF]

Stein’s focused production and Hampson’s very fine singing and acting as Boccanegra combine to make this Vienna recording very recommendable. ... see Full Review

Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Verdi Heroines - Macbeth (1847) Nel di della vittoria... Vieni! t'affretta... Or tutti sorgete [7:50] La luce langue [4:10] Una macchia è qui tuttora [11:18] Ernani (1844) Surta è la notte ... Ernani, Ernani, involami [6:16] Don Carlo (1867)Tu che la vanità [10:46] Otello (1887)Mi parea. M'ingiunse di coricarmi... Mia madre aveva una povera ancella... [5:19]Piangea cantando... [7:14]Ave Maria, piena di grazia [4:36] Aroldo (1857)O Cielo! Dove son io? [9:46] Don Carlo O don fatale [4:44] Aida (1871)Ritorna vincitor! [7:08] Maria Callas (soprano) Philharmonia Orchestra/Nicolo Rescigno (Macbeth, Ernani, Don Carlo - Tu che la vanità) Orchestre de la Société des Concerts du Conservatoire/Nicola Rescigno rec. 19-21, 24 September 1958, No.1 Studio, Abbey Road, London (Macbeth, Ernani, Don Carlo - Tu che la vanità); 17-27 December 1963, 20-21 February 1964, Salle Wagram, Paris except (Aida) April 1964, Salle Wagram, Paris. EMI CLASSICS GREAT RECORDINGS OF THE CENTURY 3 80020 2 [79:12] [DC]

To fans this is an inevitable ‘must have’, and they won’t be disappointed. … see Full Review

Giuseppe VERDI (1813–1901) Requiem (1874) [94:55] Elisabeth Schwarzkopf (soprano); Oralia Dominguez (mezzo); Giuseppe Di Stefano (tenor) Cesare Siepi (bass) Chorus and Orchestra of La Scala, Milan/Victor de Sabata rec. 18-22, 25-27 June 1954, Teatro alla Scala, Milan Appendix: Victor de Sabata Conducts:- Giuseppe VERDI Aida Prelude to Act 1 [4:45] La traviata Prelude to Act 1 [4:16] Prelude to Act 3 [4:18] I vespri siciliani Overture [9:08] Ermanno WOLF-FERRARI (1876–1948) I Quattro rusteghi Intermezzo, Act 2 [4:31] Il segreto di Susanna Overture [3:04] Gioacchino ROSSINI (1792–1868) William Tell Overture [13:15] Ottorino RESPIGHI (1879–1936) The Fountains of Rome [14:44] Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Aida) rec. 12 April 1939, Alte Jacobsstrasse Studio, Berlin; Orchestra Stavile Dell’Accademia di Santa Cecilia, Rome; rec. Teatro Argentina, Rome, 1 March 1948 (Traviata), 7 February 1947 (Vespri), 27 February 1948 (Wolf-Ferrari and Rossini), 13-14 January 1947 (Respighi) NAXOS 8.111049-50 [73:41 + 79:15][GF]

Anyone who loves Verdi’s Requiem should have Sabata and Toscanini as the extremes and at least one version that stands somewhere in between … ... see Full Review

Heitor VILLA-LOBOS (1887-1959) Instrumental and Orchestral Works CD 1 1. Bachianas brasileiras No. 3 (1938) [29:12] 2. Mômoprecóce - Fantasy for piano and orchestra (1931) [23:26] CD 2 3. Fantasia for soprano saxophone and chamber orchestra  (1959) [10:31] 4. Concerto for guitar and small orchestra (1951) [17:32] 5. A próle do bébé No. 1 (1918) [15:52] 6. Festa no sertão (1936-7) [5:08] 7. Alma brasileira (1925) [5:17] 8. A lenda do caboclo (1920) [4:09] 9. Impressões seresteiras (1936-37) [6:27] Cristina Ortiz (piano) (1,2, 5-9), John Harle (saxophone) (3), Angel Romero (guitar) (4) New Philharmonia Orchestra/Vladimir Ashkenazy (1,2) Academy of St Martin in the Fields/Sir Neville Marriner (3) London Philharmonic Orchestra/Jesús López-Cobos (4) rec. 1976-77 (1,2: ADD), 1990 (3: DDD); 1985 (4: DDD); 1974 (5-9: ADD) EMI CLASSICS GEMINI 3815292 [52:52 + 65:42] [DM]

The music is uneven in terms of quality and performance but the delectable Mômoprecóce and much of the music on the second disc is well worth adding to your collection ... see Full Review

Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741) Music for Mandolin and Lute Concerto for 2 mandolins, strings and basso continuo in G major, RV 532 [10:39] Trio for violin, lute and basso continuo in G minor, RV 85 [9:18] Concerto for mandolin, strings and basso continuo in C major, RV 425 (1725) [9:24] Concerto for viola d’amore, lute, strings and basso continuo in D minor, RV 540 (1740) [11:04] Trio for violin, lute and basso continuo in C major, RV 82 [9:34] Concerto for 2 violins, lute and basso continuo in D major, RV 93 [9:48] Rolf Lislevand (mandolin and chitarra barocco (lute)) Unnamed ensembles rec. April 1996 (RV 85; 540; 82; 93); June 2006 (RV 532; 425), Studio Tibor Varga, Sion, Switzerland. DDD NAÏVE OP30429 [59:54] [MC]

Lislevand displays his impeccable credentials on this superbly performed and recorded release of Vivaldi mandolin and lute works from Naïve. ... see Full Review

Richard WAGNER (1813–1883) Overture, The Flying Dutchman (1843) [9.57] (1) Lohengrin, Prelude to Act 1 (1848) [9.24] (2) Wesendonck Lieder (1857-58) [19:59] (3) Tristan und Isolde: Prelude and Liebestod (1859) [16:39] (3) Kirsten Flagstad – talk on singing Wagner Kirsten Flagstad (soprano) (3) Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Thomas Beecham (1, 2) BBC Symphony Orchestra/Sir Thomas Beecham (3) rec. Royal Festival Hall, 22 November 1954 (1); 25 November 1953 (3); Studio 1, Maida Vale, London, 21 December 1952. ADD SOMM SOMM-BEECHAM 20 [67.33][RH]

Somm give us, in the best possible condition, some of Sir Thomas Beecham’s last Wagner performances. ... see Full Review

Richard WAGNER (1813-1883) Lohengrin (1850) Lohengrin - Klaus Florian Vogt (tenor) Elsa von Brabant - Solveig Kringelborn (soprano) Heinrich der Vogler - Hans-Peter König (baritone) Ortrud - Waltraud Meier (mezzo) Friedrich von Telramund - Tom Fox (baritone) King’s Herald - Roman Trekel (baritone) Berlin EuropaChor Akademie Mainz Chorus of the Opéra National de Lyon Deutsches Sinfonie-Orchester/Kent Nagano Niklaus Lehnhoff, stage director Filmed live at the Festpielhaus Baden-Baden in 2006 Bonus feature: Never Shalt Thou Ask of Me: A documentary film by Reiner E. Moritz, including interviews with Nikolaus Lehnhoff, Stephan Braunfels, Bettina Walter, Kent Nagano and leading members of the cast [68:01] Region Code: 0 (Worldwide) Sound formats: LPCM Stereo If in a PAL region, ensure your DVD player and TV are NTSC compatible. OPUS ARTE DVD OA 0964 D [279:00][JS]

Very highly recommended for those not allergic to updated Wagner. ... see Full Review

Richard WAGNER (1813–1883) Die Walküre, Act 3 (1870) Astrid Varnay (soprano) – Brünnhilde; Leonie Rysanek (soprano) – Sieglinde; Sigurd Björling (baritone) – Wotan; Brünnhild Friedland (soprano) – Gerhilde; Liselotte Thomamüller (soprano) – Helmwige; Elfriede Wild (mezzo) – Waltraute; Ruth Siewert (contralto) – Schwertleite; Eleanor Lausch (soprano) – Ortlinde; Hertha Töpper (mezzo) – Siegrune; Ira Malaniuk (contralto) – Grimgerde; Hanna Ludwig (contralto) – Rossweise; Orchester der Bayreuther Festspiele 1951/Herbert von Karajan rec. live, Festspielhaus, Bayreuth 12 August 1951. ADD EMI CLASSICS GREAT RECORDINGS OF THE CENTURY 0946 3 80024 2 0 [68:01][GF]

With three superb singing-actors and Karajan in exuberant mood this issue should be in every Wagnerian’s collection. Not to be missed! ... see Full Review

Samuel Sebastian WESLEY (1810-1876) Anthems Ascribe unto the Lord (1851) [12:57] O give thanks unto the Lord [8:02] Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace (c.1850) [4:06] Wash me thoroughly (c.1840) [4:20] O God, whose nature (1831 revised 1870) [3:08] Let us lift up our heart (c.1839) [18:35] Blessed be the God and Father (c.1835) [7:05] Cast me not away from Thy presence (1848) [4:28] The Wilderness (1832) [12:22] Choir of Clare College Cambridge/Christopher Robinson James McVinnie (organ) rec. St Michael’s Church, Tenbury, July 2006 NAXOS 8.570318 [75:14] [JW]

A real tonic ... 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]