4x4 North-West
John REEMAN (b.
1946) Scena
[18:11] Anthony GILBERT
(b. 1934) String Quartet No. 4 (2001)
[20:54] David ELLIS
String Quartet No. 3 (2002) [27:16]
Duncan DRUCE
(b. 1939) String Quartet No. 4 (2005)
[11:44]
Manchester Camerata Ensemble (Reeman, Ellis,
Druce); Tavec Quartet (Gilbert) rec. St. Thomas
Church, Stockport, 17 March 2005 (Reeman);
Bollington Arts Centre, Cheshire, 29 March
2003 (Gilbert); Stockport Grammar School,
13 July 2004 (Ellis); Mellor Parish Church,
Stockport, 17 July 2006 (Druce). DDD
CAMPION CAMEO 2046 [78:55] [CT]
Campion’s
third CD of contrasting and striking string
quartets by composers with northern UK connections.
... see Full
Review
Hermann
Abendroth – In Memoriam Anton
BRUCKNER (1824-1896) Symphony No.7 in E major (1883)
[61:09] Pyotr Ilyich
TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Symphony No. 6 Pathétique (1892)
[48:37] Suite No.3 Op.55 [17:42] Berlin
Radio Symphony Orchestra, Leipzig Radio Symphony Orchestra
(suite)/Hermann Abendroth rec. live, 19 February 1956 (Bruckner);
live, November 1950 (Tchaikovsky Symphony); live, March 1951
(Tchaikovsky Suite) TAHRA
TAH604-05 [61:09 + 67:08] [JW]
A
splendid package … a worthy one ... see Full
Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH American
Choral Music Vincent
PERSICHETTI (1915-1987) Flower
Songs, Op. 157 (1983) [19:25] Charles
IVES (1874-1954) Psalm 90 (1923-24)
[11:06] John CORIGLIANO
(b. 1938) Fern Hill* (1960) [15:33]
Lukas FOSS (b.
1922) Behold, I build an House (1950)
[10:05] Aaron COPLAND
(1900-1990) In the Beginning* (1947)
[16:02]
Suzanne Mentzer (mezzo)* The
University of Texas Chamber Singers and Chamber
Orchestra/James Morrow rec. 21-22 January
2006, Bates Recital Hall, School of Music,
University of Texas, Austin. DDD
NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS 8.559299 [72:11][JQ]
A
very stimulating collection of fine performances
of mainly unfamiliar repertoire ... see
Full
Review
Aria – Opera
without Words Camille
SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) Fantasy
on Two Themes from Samson et Dalila (arr. Jean-Yves
Thibaudet and Randy Kerber) [6:55] Richard
STRAUSS (1864-1949) Ramble on the Last Love
Duet from Der Rosenkavalier (arr. Percy
Grainger) [7:27} Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) ‘O
mio babbino caro’ from Gianni Schicchi (arr.
Yvar Mikhashoff) [2:53] Erich Wolfgang
KORNGOLD (1897-1957) ‘Gluck, das
mir verblieb’ from Die Tode Stadt (arr.
Giovanni Sgambati) [6:06] Johann
STRAUSS II (1825-1899) Soirée
de Vienne – concert paraphrase on waltz themes
by Johann Strauss (arr. Alfred Grunfeld) [5:40] Giacomo
PUCCINI (1858-1924) ‘Vissi d’arte’ from Tosca (arr.
Yvar Mikhashoff) [3:25] Vincenzo
BELLINI (1801-1835) ‘Casta diva’ from Norma (arr.
Yvar Mikhashoff) [6:58] Christoph
Willibald GLUCK (1714-1787) Mélodie from Dance
of the Blessed Spirits (Orphée et Eurydice) [3:25] Giacomo
PUCCINI (1858-1924) Portrait of Madam
Butterfly – An operatic sonata-fantasy on themes
of Puccini (arr. Yvar Mikhashoff) [12:18] Richard
WAGNER (1813-1883) The Ride of the Valkyries from Die
Walkure (arr. Louis Brassin) [5:05] Jean-Yves
Thibaudet (piano) rec. 24-28 June 2006, Reitstadt, Neumarkt,
Germany DECCA
475 7668 [60:53] [DM]
Like
kids in a sweet-shop one is tempted to taste everything at once but
restraint is amply rewarded ... see Full
Review
Amedeo
Bassi Ruggiero
LEONCAVALLO (1857-1919) Vesti la giubba -
I Pagliacci [3:02] Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901) La mia letizia infondere - I Lombardi
[2:49] Arrigo BOITO (1842-1918) Giunto sul passo estremo – Mefistofele
[3:02] Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924)
Tra voi belle - Manon Lescaut [2:14] E lucevan le stelle
– Tosca [2:15] Ch´ella mi creda - La fanciulla
del west [2:44] In poverta mia - La Bohème [2:16]
O Mimi tu piu non torni - La Bohème [2:04] Recondita
armonia – Tosca [1:56] O dolci mani – Tosca [1:59]
Umberto GIORDANO (1867-1948) Orride steppe – Siberia [3:13]
T´incontrai per via – Siberia [1:42] Amor
ti vieta – Fedora [2:09] Un di all´azzurro spazio
- Andrea Chenier [2:01] Si, fui Soldato - Andrea
Chenier [2:18] Come un bel di di maggio - Andrea Chenier [2:20]
Canzone guerresca [2:04] Frederic D’ERLANGER
(1868-1943) Stanotte ha fatto un sogno... Il sogno è la
coscienza – Tess [5:09] Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901) Questa o quella – Rigoletto [2:13]
Luigi DENZA (1846-1922) Occhi di fata [3:09]
Titta Ruffo (1877-1953) – 1904 Pathés
Giacomo MEYERBEER (1791-1864) Sei vendicata assai –
Dinorah [2:16] Charles GOUNOD (1818-1893)
Stammi ad udir – Faust [2:12] Ambroise
THOMAS (1811-1896) O vin, discaccia la tristezza – Amleto
[3:04] Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901)
Per me giunto - Don Carlo [2:59] Ruggiero
LEONCAVALLO (1857-1919) Buona Zazà – Zazà [2:17] Zazà,
piccola zingara – Zazà [2:39] Tu sola a me rimami – Chatterton [2:05]
Umberto GIORDANO (1867-1948) La donna russa – Fedora [2:14]
O bella mia – Siberia [2:13] Augusto
ROTOLI (1847-1904) La mia sposa
sarà la mia bandiera [2:17]
Amedeo Bassi (tenor) unnamed accompaniments except the Giordano sides,
accompanied by the composer, rec. 1904-12 Titta Ruffo (tenor), last
ten sides, with unnamed accompaniments, rec. 1904
PREISER 89685 [75:10][JW]
Bassi
- uneven but at its best stylish and cultured musicianship. ... see
Full Review
Bonne
Chanson, Belle Époque Disc 1 Gabriel FAURÉ (1845-1924)
La bonne chanson (1892-94) [21:38] Une sainte
en son auréole Puisque l'aube grandit
La lune blanche luit dans les bois J'allais
par des chemins perfides J'ai presque
peur, en vérité Avant que tu ne t'en ailles
Donc, ce sera par un clair jour d'été
N'est-ce pas? L'hiver
a cessé Claude DEBUSSY
(1862-1918) Ariettes oubliées (1903)
[15:32] C'est l'extase langoureuse
Il pleure dans mon coeur L'ombre
des arbres Chevaux de bois
Green Spleen
Gabriel FAURÉ
Spleen [2:16] Green
[1:48] C'est l'extase langoureuse [2:46] Claude DEBUSSY
Cinq poèmes de Baudelaire (1887-89) [24:59] Le balcon Harmonie
du soir Le jet d'eau Recueillement
La mort des amants Disc
2 Claude DEBUSSY
Deux Romances [3:56]
Romance Les cloches
Les angélus (1891) [1:59]
Gabriel FAURÉ La
Chanson d'Eve (1906-10) [24:18] Paradis
Prima verba Roses ardentes
Comme Dieu rayonne L'aube
blanche Eau vivante Veilles-tu,
ma senteur de soleil Dans un parfum de
roses blanches Crépuscule
O mort, poussière d'étoiles Claude
DEBUSSY Chansons de Bilitis (1897) [9:22] La flûte de Pan La
chevelure Le tombeau des Naiades
Gabriel FAURÉ Le
Jardin Clos (1914) [13:06] Exaucement
Quand tu plonges tes yeux dans mes yeux
La messagère Je me poserai
sur ton coeur Dans la nymphée
Dans la pénombre Il
m'est cher, Amour Inscription sur le
sable
Corinne Orde (soprano) Jonathan Cohen (piano) rec. September 2005
to March 2006, location unspecified.
RODDARD RDD000 [68:51 + 52:31][DC]
Won’t
have you running for the hills. ... see Full
Review
James
Boyd (Guitar)
Shapes of Sleep
John DOWLAND (1563-1626) Fantasia (DP.72) [7:29]; Fantasia
(DP.7) [4:08]; Flow My Tears (transcribed Boyd) [6:08] Michael
TIPPETT (1905-1998) The Blue Guitar: Transforming [10:24]; Juggling
[3:21]; Dreaming [9:12] Benjamin
BRITTEN (1913-1976) Nocturnal After John Dowland Op. 70 [21:26]
James Boyd (guitar) rec. Snape Maltings Concert Hall, 31 October-2
November 2004.
No catalogue number given [62:11][ZT]
A
particularly fine recording, among more
recent releases Shades of Sleep is hard
to beat in this area of repertory. … see
Full
Review
Box of
Delights - British Light Music Gems Phyllis
TATE (1911-1985)
London Fields suite (1958) [13:14]
Samuel COLERIDGE
TAYLOR (1875-1912) Characteristic
Waltz No.3 (from Four Characteristic
Waltzes op. 22) – Valse de la Reine
(1899); Three Fours – valse suite
op. 71 (1909): Three Fours No.2 - Andante;
Three Fours No.5 – Andante molto
[4:30; 2:47; 4:12] Granville
BANTOCK (1868-1946) Russian
Scenes (1899) [14:18] Cecil
Armstrong GIBBS (1889-1960) Fancy
Dress Suite (1936) [17:22] Elisabeth
LUTYENS (1906-1983) En Voyage
– suite for full orchestra (1944) [15:02]
London Philharmonic Orchestra/Barry Wordsworth
(Bantock; Tate; Coleridge Taylor); Royal
Philharmonic Orchestra/Simon Joly (Gipps,
Lutyens) rec. 1980s. ADD
LYRITA SRCD.214 [71:32] [RB]
Continues
and re-establishes the Lyrita anthology tradition … see Full
Review
Carl
Braun Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) O Isis und Osiris - Die Zauberflöte [3:11] In diesen
heil´gen Hallen - Die Zauberflöte [4:11] Jacques
Fromental HALÉVY (1799-1862) Wenn ew´ger Hass, glühende
Rache - Die Jüdin [4:11] Ihr, die ihr Gottes Zorn - Die Jüdin [3:07]
Carl Maria von WEBER (1786-1826) Hier im ird´schen Jammertal - Der Freischütz
[1:45] Schweig, schweig - Der Freischütz [3:00] Albert
LORTZING (1801 - 1851) O, ich bin klug und weise - Zar
und Zimmermann [4:43] Auch ich war ein Jüngling - Der Waffenschmied
[4:18] Friedrich von FLOTOW (1812-1883)
Lasst mich euch fragen – Martha [2:29] Otto
NICOLAI (1810-1849) Als Büblein klein - Die lustigen Weiber
von Windsor [3:19] Richard WAGNER
(1813-1883) Mein Herr und Gott nun ruf´ ich Dich – Lohengrin [3:06]
Das schöne Fest - Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg [4:16] Abendlich
strahlt die Sonne - Das Rheingold [3:09] Was keinem in Worten ich
künde - Die Walküre [8:21] Nicht straf´ ich dich erst - Die Walküre
[3:21] Hier sitz ich zur Wacht – Götterdämmerung [4:00] Wie
aus der Ferne - Der fliegende Holländer [3:51] Mögst
du, mein Kind - Der fliegende Holländer [3:34] Mein
Herr und Gott – Lohengrin [2:45] Wilhelm
HILL Das Herz am Rhein [3:38]
Carl Braun (bass) Unidentified accompaniments rec. 1911-23
PREISER 89687 [74:25][JW]
A
noble voice but perhaps more static than colouristic ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH British
Horn Concertos Gordon
JACOB (1895-1984)
Concerto
for Horn and Strings (1950s) [20:35]
Malcolm
ARNOLD (1921-2006)
Concerto No. 2 for Horn and Strings,
Op. 58 (1956) [14:03]
York BOWEN
(1884-1961) Concerto for Horn,
string orchestra and timpani (1956)
[16:27] Ruth
GIPPS (1921-1999)
Horn Concerto, Op. 58 (1968)
[17:11] Gilbert
VINTER (1909-1969)
Hunter’s Moon (1943) [6:22]
David Pyatt (horn) London Philharmonic Orchestra/Nicholas
Braithwaite rec. Watford Town Hall, 10-21
Jan 1994 (Jacob, Bowen, Arnold); Henry Wood
Hall, London, 8-9 Feb 1994 (Gipps, Vinter).
DDD
LYRITA SRCD.316 [74:42] [JQ]
For
sheer listening pleasure this is one of
the best discs to have come my way for a
long time. ... see Full
Review
BARGAIN
OF THE MONTH The
British Light Music Collection 1 CD1 Sir
Malcolm ARNOLD (1921-2006) The Roots Of Heaven – Overture
(1958) [5:03] William ALWYN (1905-1985) Suite
of Scottish Dances (The Indian Queen; A Trip to Italy;
Colonel Thornton's Strathspey; The Perthshire Hunt – Reel;
Loch Earn – Reel; Carleton House; Miss Ann Carnegie's Hornpipe)
(1946) [6:37] Sir Malcolm SARGENT (1895-1967) An
Impression on a Windy Day (1927) [7:14] Clifton
PARKER (1905-1989) The Glass Slipper – Overture
[3:37] James LANGLEY (1927-1994) The
Coloured Counties [5:52] Gordon
JACOB (1895-1984) The Barber of Seville Goes
to the Devil Overture [4:29] Maurice
JOHNSTONE (1900-1976) Tarn Hows - A Cumbrian
Rhapsody (1949) [13:56] Alan
LANGFORD (b.1928) Two Worlds - Overture
[5:11] Sir Richard Rodney BENNETT (b.1936) Little
Suite (The Bird's Lament; The Widow Bird; The Ladybird;
Glow-worms; The Lark) (1965) [9:49] David
LYON (b.1938) Joie De Vivre - Overture (1972)
[6:50] CD2 Malcolm ARNOLD (1921-2006) Little
Suite No.4, Op.80a (orch. Lane) (Prelude; Siciliano; Rondo)
(1963) [7:30] William BLEZARD (b.
1921) The River (1969) [6:11]Adrian
CRUFT (1921-1987) Traditional Hornpipe Suite (Newcastle
and Navvie; Irish; Del Caro's; Oak Hill; Fisher's; Billy Bones)
[7:04] Eric FENBY (1906-1997) Rossini
On Ilkla Moor - Overture (1938) [6:35] Raymond
WARREN (b.1928) Wexford Bells - Suite on Old
Irish Tunes (1970) (Shepherds' Dance'; Lute Book Lullaby;
Christmas Jig; Wexford Bells) [10:30] Arthur
BUTTERWORTH (b.1923) The Path Across The Moors (1958)
[6:39] Anthony HEDGES (b.
1931) An Ayrshire Serenade, Op.42 (1971) (Allegro
moderato; Andantino; Molto vivace) [10:08] Paul
LEWIS (b.1943) An English Overture (1971)
[5:25] Philip LANE (b.1950) Suite
of Cotswold Folk Dances (1978) (Wheatly Processional; Constant
Billy; Brighton Camp; Jockie to the Fair; Ladies of Pleasure;
Princess Royal) [11:40] Royal
Ballet Sinfonia/Kenneth Alwyn; Gavin Sutherland rec. Whitfield
Street Studios, London, 1-2 April 1998; 24 June, 15 September
1999. DDD RESONANCE
CDRSB205 [70:11 + 74:08] [RB]
Light
music of euphoria and contentment ... see Full
Review
Maria
Callas - The Callas Conversations II: L’invitée
du dimanche
Television interview
filmed on 20 April 1969 at ORTF, Paris. Host: Pierre Desgraupes. Guests
include Elvira de Hidalgo, Francesco Siciliani and Luchino Visconti.
Arias by Puccini, Verdi and Rossini. Bonus features include a 1964
interview with Bernard Gavoty and rehearsal footage from the Paris
Opera from May of 1964.
EMI CLASSICS 3884579
[95:00] [KS]
Interesting
thoughts from one of opera’s biggest stars.
It would all be better if everyone else
just shut up and let her talk! ... see Full
Review
Chonguri
Sulkan
TSINTSADZE (1925-1992)
Chonguri (2005) [1:23] Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) (arr.
Thomas Demenga) Dal alte Jahr vergangen
ist [2:27] Herr Gott, nun scleuss; den Himmel
auf [1:53] Ich ruf’ zu Dir, Herr Jesu Christ
[3:36] Meine Seele erhebet den Herrn [2:05]
Gaspar CASSADÓ
(1897-1966) Danse du diable vert
[3:20] Frédéric
CHOPIN (1810-1849) Nocturne in
c-sharp minor Op. Post.(arr. Gregor Piatigorsky)
[4:10] Nocturne in E-flat Op 9 No. 2 (arr.
Thomas Demenga) [5:04] Gabriel
FAURÉ (1845-1924) Romance
[3:56] Aprés un rêve (arr.
Pablo Casals) [3:00] Berceuse (arr. Thomas
Demenga) [3:22] Anton
WEBERN (1883-1945) Drei kleine
Stücke [2:20] Zwei Stücke [4:53]
Franz LISZT (1811-1886)
La lugubre gondola [7:39] Darius
MILHAUD (1892-1974) Vocalise-étude
pour voix élevées [1:02] Thomas
DEMENGA (b. 1954) New York Honk
[2:14]
Thomas Demenga (cello) Thomas Larcher (piano)
Teodoro Anzellotti (accordion) rec. August
2004, Clara Wieck Auditorium, Sandhausen
bei Heidelberg, Germany
ECM NEW SERIES ECM 1914 [56:53] [DB]
Well-recorded
performances of an unusual instrumental
combination. … see Full
Review
Clarinet
Kaleidoscope – Volume
Two Sir
Malcolm ARNOLD
(1921-2006) Scherzetto
[2:40] Aubrey BESWICK
Lonely Voyager [2:19] Gavin
SUTHERLAND (b. 1972) Air für
Zwei [4:36] Philip
LANE (b. 1950) Divertissement
[9:00] Ernest TOMLINSON
(b. 1924) Little Serenade
[3:13] Matthew
CURTIS (b. 1959) Irish Lullabye
[3:14] David LYON
(b. 1938) Almost a Waltz [2:14]
Michael GRYSPEERDT
(1928-2000) Two Pieces Op. 26
[6:42] William
LLOYD WEBBER (1914-1982) Frensham
Pond [2:14] Gordon
JACOB (1895-1984) Four Short
Pieces [5:32] John
FOX (b. 1924) Six Sketches
for Clarinet and Piano [12:48] Leon
YOUNG (1916-1991) Stranger
on the Shore (arr. Gavin Sutherland)
[2:45] Billy AMSTELL
(1911-2005) Stick O’Liquorice
[2:40] Live Bonus
Track Nostalgia Too (medley
arr. Gavin Sutherland) [6:00]
Verity Butler (clarinet) Gavin Sutherland
(piano)
rec. January 2007, Prince Michael Hall,
Dean Close School, Cheltenham, UK. DDD
CAMPION CAMEO 2058 [66:57] [DM]
I
really wanted to like this disc but the
untidy playing and poor recording make listening
more effort than pleasure. ... see Full
Review
English Music for
Strings
Charles Avison
(1709-1770) Concerto in A Op.9 No. 11 [7:17] Henry Purcell (1658-1695)
Chacony in G minor for strings (realised, Britten 1947/48)
[6:37] Clive Jenkins
(b.1938) Pastorale and Allegro [7:23] William Walton
(1902-1983) Two Pieces for Strings from ‘Henry V’ - Passacaglia:
Death of Falstaff; Touch Her Soft Lips and Part (1943/44)
[5:24] Paul Lewis
(b.1943) Rosa Mundi (2002) [4:20] John Dankworth
(b.1927) Mariposas (1996) [10:49]Harold Darke
(1888-1976) Meditation on Brother James’s Air [6:34] Nigel Brooks
(b.1936) To My Love (Adagio for Strings) [5:18] Edward Elgar
(1857-1934) Salut d’Amour (1888) [3:12] Frank Bridge
(1879-1941) A Christmas Dance (Sir Roger De Coverley)
(1922) [4:21] Chamber
Ensemble of London/Peter Fisher (solo violin) rec. All Saints Church, Tooting
31 January, 1 February 2006
CAMPION CAMEO 2045 [62:16] [JF]
A
fine well balanced introduction to the glories of English String
Music. The most impressive piece is the Dankworth and the most
moving the Brook. ... see Full
Review
Fantaisie
Triomphale Alexandre
GUILMANT (1837-1911) Allegro [4:04] Méditation
sur le Stabat mater [7:55] Final alla Schumann sur
un noel languedocien [3:52] March-fantaisie sur deux
chants d’église [8:53] Camille
SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921) Cyprès et lauriers (1919)
[16:10] Charles GOUNOD (1818-1893) Fantaisie
sur l’hymne national russe [9:10] Eugène
GIGOUT (1844-1925) Grand choeur dialogue [5:09]
(transcribed for organ and Orchestra by Ropartz) Marcel
DUPRÉ (1886-1971) Cortège et Litanie (1921)
[5:22] Theodore DUBOIS (1837-1924) Fantaisie
triomphale (1899) [10:22] Ian
Tracey (organ) BBC Philharmonic/Rumon Gamba rec. Liverpool
Cathedral, 28-29 June 2006 CHANDOS
CHSA5048 [72:02] [IL]
Much
bombast, less substance and with no one stand-out theme to linger
in the memory. ... see Full
Review
Felix Femina:
13th Century Scottish Polyphony from the St. Andrews
Music Book Part One:
A Scottish Ladymass Hymn: Ave maris stella [3:47] Introit:
Salve sancta parens [3:10] Kyrie: Creator puritatis [5:41] Instrumental
[0:55] Gloria: Per precem piissimam [5:58] Gradual: Benedicta et venerabilis
[3:38] Alleluya: Post partum virgo [4:00] Sequence: Ave celi imperatrix
[2:43] Instrumental [0:46] Offertory: Recordare virgo mater [3:00]
Sanctus: Mater mitis vere vitis [4:38] Instrumental [0:44] Agnus Dei:
Factus homo [3:36] Communion: Beata viscera [0:46] Hymn/Prosa: Ave
Maria gratia plena viris invia [5:10] Part
Two Laudes Christo decantamus [6:53] Ave Maria gratia plena
[2:40] Instrumental: Sanctus: De vergine nato [2:00] Ave regina celorum
(chant) [0:55] Ave regina celorum (polyphony) [1:44] Instrumental:
Alleluya: Virga Jesse floruit [1:19] Communion: Simile est regnum
[0:58] Instrumental: Agnus Dei: Mortis dira [0:41] Alleluya: Ave Maria
gratia plena [4:54] Instrumental: Preter Rerum [1:22] Sequence: Hodierne
lux diei celebris in matris dei [5:45] Canty
(Libby Crabtree, Micaela Haslam, Anne Lewis)/Rebecca Taverner William
Taylor (wire-strung clarsach, symphonie) rec. 14-16 March,
2006, St. Mary’s Parish Church, Haddington, East Lothian, Scotland GAUDEAMUS CD GAU
360 [78:01][GPu]
Ethereal
performances of music from a valuable Scottish
manuscript … see Full
Review
French
Orchestral Music
Georges BIZET (1838-1875)
Carmen – Suite No.1 [10:43] Patrie – overture [12:33] * Roma – carnaval
[7:14] * Emmanuel CHABRIER
(1841-1894) Gwendoline – Overture [9:24] Joyeuse Marche [3:44] *
España – Rapsodie [6:05] # Gabriel
FAURÉ (1845-1924) Dolly – Suite Op.56 orchestrated by Henri
Rabaud [17:52] Camille SAINT-SAËNS
(1835-1921) Le Rouet d’Omphale Op.31 [9:22] *
Orchestre National de la Radiodiffusion Française, Royal Philharmonic
Orchestra *, London Philharmonic Orchestra #/Thomas Beecham rec. Salle
Wagram, Paris 1957-59; No.1 Studio, Abbey Road, London 1957 (Saint-Saëns;
Joyeuse); No.1 Studio, Abbey Road, London 1939 (España); Walthamstow
Assembly Hall, London 1956 (Patrie)
EMI CLASSICS GREAT RECORDINGS OF THE CENTURY 3799862 [77:35] [JW]
To
everything in this collection Beecham brings sensitivity, élan,
warmth and dynamism. No hesitation required. ... see Full
Review
Oscar
Fried – A Forgotten Conductor Carl
Maria von WEBER (1786-1826) Oberon – Overture (1826) [8:17] º Engelbert
HUMPERDINCK (1854-1921) Fantasie on Themes from Hänsel and
Gretel (1890-93) arranged Fried [18:11] ¹ Richard
WAGNER (1813-1883) Faust Overture WWV59 (1855) [11:12] ²
Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) An
Alpine Symphony Op.64 (1915) [40:13] ³
Berlin State Opera Orchestra, rec. c.1924 º Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra,
rec. 1928 ¹ Berlin State Opera Orchestra, rec. 1928 ² Berlin State Opera
Orchestra, rec. 1925 ³ Oscar Fried
MUSIC & ARTS CD 1167 [78:03][JW]
Admirers
will naturally gravitate to this … Fried’s discography is actually rather
circumscribed and so far as I’m concerned everything in it is valuable.
... see Full Review
Nicolai
Gedda – French Connections Hector
BERLIOZ (1803–1869) 1 – 6 Les nuits d’été, Op.
7 (1840-1841) [32:18] Henri
DUPARC (1848–1933) 7 Phidylé [5:23] 8.
Le manoir de Rosemonde [2:17] 9. Chanson
triste [3:34] Gabriel
FAURÉ (1845–1924) 10. Fleur jetée [1:42] Trois poèmes d’un
jour, Op. 21: 11. Rencontre [2:36] 12. Toujours [1:22]
13. Adieu [3:01] Claude DEBUSSY (1862–1918)
14. Beau soir [2:29] 15. Mandoline [1:32] Pelléas
et Mélisande, excerpt: 16. Mes longs cheveux descendent
(Love Scene act 3) [13:18]
Nicolai Gedda (tenor) Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra/Silvio
Varviso (tr. 1-6); Jan Eyron (piano) (tr. 7-15); Elisabeth Söderström
(soprano), Kim Borg (bass), Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra/Jean Fournet
(tr. 16) rec. Stockholm Concert Hall, 25 February 1968 (tr. 1-6);
4 January 1976 (tr. 7-15); 7 July 1960 (tr. 16)
BLUEBELL ABCD 096 [70:13][GF]
For
Gedda admirers an essential buy ... see Full
Review
Elizaveta
Gilels (violin) Jean Philippe
RAMEAU (1683-1764) Seconde
Livre de pièces de clavecin No.4 Le Rappel des Oiseaux arranged
Eugène Ysaÿe (1858-1931) [3:37] Seconde Livre de pièces
de clavecin No.7 Le Tambourin arranged Eugène Ysaÿe
(1858-1931) [4:18] Fritz KREISLER (1875-1962)
Sicilienne et Rigaudon in the style of Francoeur [5:46] Galina
BACEWICZ (1913-1969) Mazurka – Oberek [1:34] Isaac
ALBENIZ (1860-1909) Jota aragonesa arranged Samuel
Dushkin [3:17] Ottakar NOVAČEK
(1866-1900) Perpetuum mobile – Concert Caprice Op.5 No. 4 [2:36]
Ferdinand RIES (1846-1932) La Capricciosa
[3:53] Grigoras DINICU (1889-1949) Hora
Staccato (1906) arranged Jascha Heifetz (1901-1987) Georg
Philipp TELEMANN (1681-1767) Canonic Sonata No.1 for two
violins in G major [3:57] Jean Marie LECLAIR
(1697-1764) Sonata Op.1 No.1 for two violins in G major [7:34] Sonata
Op.1 No.3 for two violins in C major [11:31] Eugène
YSAŸE (1858-1931) Sonata for two violins in A minor (c.1914)
[21:39] Antonio VIVALDI (1678-1741)
Violin Sonata in A major RV 31 [7:49] Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Violin Sonata No.8 in C major
K296 (1778) [20:41] Violin Sonata No.17 in A major (1787) [27:11] César
CUI (1835-1918) Violin Sonata in D major Op.84 (c.1860-70)
[15:55] Elizaveta Gilels
(violin) Emil Gilels (piano): Vivaldi, Mozart, Cui, 1950-51 Lev Epstein
(piano): Rameau, Kreisler, Bacewicz, 1940-63 Abram Makarov (piano):
Novaček, Ries, Dinicu, 1948 Leonid Kogan (violin): Telemann, Leclair,
Ysaÿe, 1963 rec. Moscow 1940-63
MELODIYA MEL CD 10 01116 [68:25 + 69:37] [JW]
Surely
some of the best duo playing of its kind on
disc ... see Full
Review
Ivry
Gitlis Peter Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY
(1840-1893) Violin Concerto in D (1878) Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897) Violin Sonata No 3 in D minor, Op 108
(1888) – Movement 1 Bela BARTÓK (1881-1945)
Sonata for solo violin Sz117 – Movement 3 - Melodia Edward
ELGAR (1857-1934) La Capricieuse Op.17 Henryk
WIENIAWSKI (1835-1880) Polonaise Brillante in D major Op.4
Capriccio-Valse in E major Op.7 Camille SAINT-SAËNS
(1835-1921) Introduction et Rondo capriccioso Op.28 * Moritz
MOSZKOWSKI (1854-1925) Guitarre Op.45 No.2 arranged Sarasate
* Isaac ALBÉNIZ (1860-1909) Malagueña
Op.165 No.3 arranged Kreisler * Nicolò PAGANINI
(1782 – 1840) Violin Concerto No.2 in B minor Op.7 – La Campanella
only Ivry Gitlis
(violin) Orchestre de l’ORTF/Francesco Mander (Tchaikovsky) rec. 1965
Warsaw National Philharmonic Orchestra/Stanislaw Wislocki (Paganini)
rec. 1966 Tasso Janopoulo (piano) rec. 1962, 1968 Georges Pludermacher
(piano) rec. 1971, 1973 * NTSC System 4:3; format; DVD-9 (dual layer-single
sided); Sound Format: LPCM Mono 2.0 (PCM dual mono) Menu Languages:
English, French, German, Spanish
EMI CLASSICS DVB 38846994
[75:22][JW]
A
decade’s worth of Gitlis. A fascinating figure … thoughtful and inventive
individuality … characteristically idiosyncratic. ... see Full
Review
Myra Hess – Historic Broadcast Recordings
Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856)
Carnaval Op.9 (1834) [26:38] Johannes
BRAHMS (1833-1897) Piano Quartet in F minor Op. 34 (1861-64)
[38:36] Myra Hess (piano)
Griller Quartet rec. BBC Broadcasting House Studios, London, 13
October 1950 (Schumann), National Gallery, London, 25 August 1942 (Brahms)
APR 5646 [65:36]
[JW]
The
Brahms is a unique superb document. Hess collectors need this APR.
... see Full Review
Homages for Wind Adam
GORB (b. 1958)
Awayday (1996) [6:38] Kenneth
HESKETH (b. 1968) Diaghilev Dances (2002)
[15:07] Sir Malcolm ARNOLD
(1921-2006) Water Music, Op. 82 (1964) [8:08]
John McCABE (b. 1939) Canyons (1990-91) [13:24]
Buxton ORR (1924-1997)
A John Gay Suite (1972-73) [14:34]
Royal Northern College of Music Wind Orchestra/Clark Rundell rec.
18-19 March 2006, Studio 7, New Broadcasting House, Manchester
CHANDOS CHAN 10409 [58:34][DM]
Huzzas
all round! ... see Full Review
Jascha Horenstein – Broadcast
Performances from Paris 1952-66 Maurice
RAVEL (1875-1937) Piano Concerto in G major (1931)
[20:52] Monique Haas (piano) rec.
11 February 1952 Bolero (1928) [17:06]
rec. 1 July 1966 Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Symphony No. 1 in C major Op.21 (1800) [24:54]
rec. 31 October 1963 Symphony
No.7 in A major Op. 92 (1812) [37:57] rec.
1 June 1966 Symphony No. 8 in F major Op.93
(1812) [24:49] rec. 11 February 1952 Symphony
No.9 in D minor Op.125 "Choral" (1824) [66:59] Pilar
Lorengar, Marga Hoeffgen, Josef Traxel, Otto Wiener rec.
31 October 1963 Egmont
Overture Op. 84 - (1810)
[9:01] rec. 27 May 1954
Albert ROUSSEL (1869-1937) Le
Festin de L'Araignée Op. 17 (1912) [16:46]
rec. 1 June 1966 Bela
BARTOK (1881-1945) Concerto for Orchestra Sz116 (1943) [39:00]
rec. 19 December 1961 Jean
SIBELIUS (1865-1957) Symphony No.2 in D major (1902) [41:41]
rec. 19 November 1956 Igor
STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) Firebird Suite (Suite, 1919 version)
[20:04] rec. 3 April 1964 Symphony in Three
Movements (1942-45) [24:49] rec. 19 December
1961 Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) La Mer (1905) [25:46] rec.
1 June 1966 Richard
STRAUSS (1864-1949) Tod und Verklärung (1989)
[25:02] rec. 26
September 1961 Metamorphosen (1945) [26:47]
rec. 3 April 1964 Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Don Giovanni Overture (1787)
[6:22] rec. 11 February
1952 Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Symphony No. 4 in A, Op, 90 (1833) [25:32] rec.
26 September 1961 Johannes BRAHMS
(1833-1897) Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68 (1876) [44:58] rec.
12 or 19 December 1957 Tragic Overture (1880) [12;32] rec.
19 November 1956 Gustav
MAHLER (1860-1911) Kindertotenlieder (1901-4) [25:11] Marian Anderson (contralto) rec.
22 November 1956 Leos
JANÁČEK (1854-1928) Sinfonietta (1924)
[28:22] rec. 11 February 1952 Joseph
HAYDN (1732-1809) Symphony No. 100 in G major
‘Military’ (1794-5) [22:26] rec.
22 November 1956 Samuel BARBER (1910-1981) Violin Concerto Op. 14 (1941)
[21:23] Lola Bobesco (violin) rec.
13 November 1950 Sergei
PROKOFIEV (1890-1953) Symphony No. 5 in
B flat major Op. 100 [41:07] rec. 22 November 1956
ORTF National
Orchestra/ Jascha Horenstein
MUSIC AND ARTS CD 1146 [9 CDs: 65:45 + 63:55 + 61:50 + 74:22 +
73:27 + 70:35 + 77:03 + 77:11 + 75:12][JW]
So
much new to the market. Rare opportunities to hear Horenstein in Paris.
Not to be spurned lightly. ... see Full
Review
In
Tempo
Johann Sebastian BACH
(1685-1750) BWV 998 Präludium [3:00]; Fuge
[5:39]; Allegro [3:50] Sylvius
Leopold WEISS (1686-1750) Passagaille from Suite XIII
[6:28]. Fernando SOR
(1778-1839) Gran Solo Op.14 [8:40]; Sonata seconda Op.15b [8:16].
Joakim ZELMERLOOW:
from Six Bagatelles Op.1, Barcarola [2:02], Allegro con Spirito [1:21],
Cavatina [1:51]; El Angel Caido Op. 3 [6:30]; Capricci Dinamarca, Op.7,
Allegro Assai [2:10]; Allegretto [1:33]; Lento a poco largo [2:19];
Andante Ritmico [3:07]; Vivace [2:07]; Toccata [1:40]; A Mia Sorella
Op. 5 [4:03]; Chroma Op.10 [3:07]; Allegro al Dente Op.9 [2:03]
Joakim Zelmerlööw (guitar) rec. June-October 2006.
JZ 001 [70:48] [ZT]
This
is a unique recording with admirable qualities. ... see Full
Review
It’s
all about Rhythm Daniel
NELSON (b.1965) Miz Melody & the Resonant Rhythm Review
(1998) Tommi KÄRKKÄINEN (b.1969)
Paranoidia (2000) [3:40] Reine JÖNSSON (b.1960)
Läge (1992) [10:00] Ylva SKOG (b.1963)
Do you mind? (1999) [3:39] Arne LÖTHMAN (b.1954)
Cirkel av rött ljus (1994) [10:49] Peter
LYNE (b.1946) Septet (2002) [14:50]
Ingvar KARKOFF (b.1958)
Reggae Beats (1999) [3:47] Örjan HÖGBERG
(b.1953) It’s all about rhythm (2001) [15:53]
Nordic Chamber Ensemble, Sundsvall rec. 30 June, 1 July 2005, Tonhallen,
Sundsvall INTIM MUSIK
IMCD 100 [75:23][DC]
For
those who like their contemporary music post-modern and ‘figurative’
rather than fiercely intellectual and ‘abstract’. ... see Full
Review
Mariss
Jansons in Rehearsal (1997) Béla
BARTÓK (1881-1945) The Miraculous Mandarin Suite (1919-1928)
Rehearsal [35:09] Performance [19:51]
Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra/Mariss Jansons rec. Oslo, August 1997 Written/directed
by Morten Thomte An NRK production in association with RM Arts
ARTHAUS MUSIK 100 318
(PAL) [55:00][DM]
May
seem short measure but given the relatively light-hearted nature of
its content I'd say the filmmakers have pitched it just about right.
... see Full Review
Koussevitzky
and the Boston Symphony Orchestra – Live Recordings
1943-48. Volume 1 Richard
STRAUSS (1864-1949) Don Juan Op 20 (1888) [18:03]
Bela BARTÓK (1881-1945) Concerto
for Orchestra [with original ending] (1944) [35:29] Igor
STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) Ode – Elegiac Chant (1943)
[11:26] Carl Maria von WEBER (1786-1826)
Oberon- Overture (1826) [9:14]
Boston Symphony Orchestra/Serge Koussevitzky rec. Boston 30 December
1944 (Bartók): 8 October 1943 (Stravinsky): 4 March 1947 (Weber)
GUILD HISTORICAL GHCD
2321 [74:58] [JW]
The
first volume in what promises to be a very
collectable series from Guild. ... see Full
Review
La flûte
musicienne:
Danish music for flute and
orchestra Svend S. SCHULTZ
(1913-1998) La
flûte musicienne – Tre satser
for flojte og strygeorkester (1980) [15:58]
Ole SCHMIDT
(b. 1928) Suite for Flute, String Orchestra,
Harp and Percussion, Op. 21 (1964) [18:52]
Niels Peter JENSEN
(1802-1846) Flojtekoncert (ca.
1830) [32:16]
Rune Most (flute) Randers Kammer-Orkester/David
Riddell rec. February 2004 (location not given)
CLASSICO CLASSCD 618 [64:10] [DM]
Flute
lovers need not hesitate, and even if this repertoire isn’t your
thing this disc is well worth investigating for the Jensen alone.
... see Full Review
Jennifer Larmore – Great
Operatic Arias Francesco CILEA (1866–1950)
Adriana Lecouvreur 1. The torment of desire, exquisite
torture – Star of the Evening (O vagabonda stella d’oriente)
[4:18]; Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797–1848)
La favorita 2. Can I believe it? – Oh my beloved – I submit
to heav’nly powers! (O, mio Fernando) [8:02]; Giuseppe
VERDI (1813–1901) Il trovatore 3. Fierce flames
are raging (Stride la vampa) [2:54] Amilcare
PONCHIELLI (1834–1886) La Gioconda 4. My curse
upon you! – Love like mine is the light of creation (L’amo come
il fulgor del creato) [3:43]; Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756–1791) Don Giovanni 5. To what atrocity – That
ungrateful man betrayed me (Mi tradi) [5:46]; Richard
WAGNER (1813–1883) Rienzi 6. Oh righteous
God – Where was I? (Wo war ich?) [9:19]; Gaetano
DONIZETTI La favorita 7. You, most courteous
maiden – My beloved (Ah, mio bene) [10:26]; George
Frideric HANDEL (1792–1868) Semele 8. Hence,
Iris hence away! [3:40]; Gioachino ROSSINI
(1792–1868) Tancredi 9. Tell me, my beating
heart (Di tanti palpiti) [2:56]; Vincenzo
BELLINI (1801–1835) Norma 10. Take my children – See,
O Norma (Mira, O Norma) [10:49]; Giuseppe
VERDI Don Carlos 11. O hated gift (O don
fatale) [4:35]; Charles GOUNOD (1818–1893)
Romeo and Juliet 12. Juliet’s Waltz Song (Je veux vivre)
[3:44]
Jennifer Larmore (mezzo) Susan Patterson (soprano) (4, 10); Colin
Lee (tenor)(7); Fflur Wyn (soprano)(7) Philharmonia Orchestra/David
Parry rec. Blackheath Halls, London, 12-15 September 2006 All items
sung in English. CHANDOS
CHAN 3142 [71:27][GF]
The
small reservations I have expressed lose in significance against so
much accomplished singing and playing, which makes this a highly desirable
recital disc – not only for Jennifer Larmore fans. ... see Full
Review
Lotte
Lehmann - Lieder Recordings, Vol. 1 (1935-1937)
Lotte Lehmann (soprano)
Ernö Balogh (piano) rec. 17 October 1935 (1-11),
13 March 1936 (12-20), 16 March 1937 (21-32). ADD
NAXOS 8.111093 [78:51] [GF]
Undoubtedly
one of the greatest singers of the last century and this and its companion
discs give a good picture of her excellence as a Lieder singer ... 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]