PART 6
Misc. A-L

[Click here for a list of reviews from the last five days]

Click for alphabetical listings by composer:
[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]

[This month's Recommended recordings]

 

Alla Turca Johann Joseph FUX (1660-1741) Partita “Turcaria”, K.331 [8:31] Ave Regina, K.205 [4:33] Sonata al Santo Sepolcro, K.376 [3:41] Alma Redemptoris, K.185 [4:51] Sonata for flute, two violins and basso continuo [10:52] Laetare turba caelitum, E.80 [6:06] Sonata da chiesa, E.320 [5:38] Ave Regina, K.206 [3:05] Alma redemptoris, K.187 [3:40] Carlo Agostino BADIA (1672-1738) Cantata “La Fenice” [15:09] * Antonio CALDARA (1670-1736) Sinfonia No.12 “La passione di Gesù Signor Nostro” (1730) [5:05] Ensemble Caprice: Matthias Maute (recorder, flute, director); Sophie Larivière (recorder); Olivier Brault (Baroque violin); Chloe Meyers (Baroque violin); Susie Napper (cello); Guy Ross (theorbo); Ziya Tabassian (percussion); Alexander Weinmann (harpsichord, organ) Monika Mauch (soprano) rec. 3, 4, 5 April, 2005, Église Saint-Augustin de Mirabel, Québec, Canada. DDD * World premiere recording ATMA CLASSIQUE ACD2 2347 [71:11][MS]

Invigorating yet subtly beautiful vocal and instrumental pieces expertly and sensitively played; variety, authority and projection … new and enthralling time and again… See Full Review

Carlos Álvarez en concierto Georges BIZET (1838–1875) Carmen:1. Suite No. 1 [12:31] 2. Votre toast, je peux vous render [4:06] Giuseppe VERDI (1813–1901) Don Carlo: 3. Per me giunto … O Carlo, ascolta … io morro, ma lieto in coro [8:33] Il trovatore: 4. Il balen del suo sorriso [4:48] Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797–1848) La favorita: 5. Vien Leonora [6:31] Jerónimo JIMÉNEZ (1854–1923) Las bodas de Luis Alonso: 6. Overture [6:05] Agustín Pérez SORIANO (1846–1907) Guitarrico: 7. Suena guitarrico mío [3:44] José SERRANO (1873–1941) La canción del olvido: 8. La cancion de Leonello [3:46] Francisco ALONSO (1887–1948) La Linda tapada: 9. Borrico corre ligero [4:44] Reveriano SOUTULLO (1884–1933) Juan VERT (1890–1931) La del Soto del Parral: 10. los cantos alegres [5:40] Federico Moreno TORROBA (1891–1982) Luisa Fernanda: 11. ¡Ay, mi morena, morena clara! [4:52] 12. Por el amor de una mujer [3:19] Carlos Álvarez (baritone) Orquesta Sinfónica de Castilla y León/Miquel Ortega i Pujol rec. live, Palacio de Festivales de Cantabria, Santander, Spain, 8 August 2001 RTVE 65149 [68:48] [GF]

If I want to go back to this disc it will be primarily for the zarzuela arias and, pace señor Álvarez, the Jiménez overture ... see Full Review

The American String Project 2006 Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) String Quartet in C minor Op. 18 No. 4 (1798-1800) (arr. Barry Lieberman) [25:34] Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) String Quartet No. 12 Op. 123 (1968) (arr. Barry Lieberman) [27:19] Pablo SARASATE (1844-1908) (arr. Stephanie Chase) Caprice Basque Op. 24 (1881) [6:02] Romanza Andaluza Op. 22 No. 1 [4:52] Zigeunerweisen Op. 20 (1878) [9:20] The American String Project (Eriko Sato (leader – Beethoven), Maria Larinoff (leader – Shostakovich), Stephanie Chase (leader – Sarasate)) rec. live, 8 June 2006, Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall, Benaroya Hall, Seattle, Washington MSR CLASSICS MS 1226 [73:08] [JS]

A disc whose ambitious aims are not achieved in practice ... see Full Review

Victoria de los Ángeles - Tokyo Recitals 1988–1990 Victoria de los Angeles (soprano) Manuel Garcia Morante (piano) rec. live, Tokyo, 25, 31 December 1988, Sala Camerata; 10, 13 May 1990, Symphony Hall Texts included COLUMNA MÚSICA 1CM0161 [67:21] [GF]

For anyone wanting a disc from the last period of Victoria de los Angeles long career this is a safer proposition than the Barcelona recital. ... see Full Review

Victoria de los Ángeles - Concert inaugural de Catalunya Música Victoria de los Angeles (soprano), Manuel Garcia Morante (piano) rec. live, Palan de la Música Catalana, Barcelona, 10 May 1987 COLUMNA MÚSICA 1CM0175 [77:17] [GF]

I don’t think it was a good idea to release this disc, which adds little to the overall picture of one of the loveliest sopranos from the last century. ... see Full Review

Back from Oblivion Dieudonné DAGNELIES (1825–1894) Fantasie Variée [12.25] Simon PROCTOR Agadio, from Ophicleide Concerto [7.19] Jules DEMERSSEMAN (1833–1866) Introduction et Polonaise, Op. 30 [8.27] Edward ELGAR (1857–1934) Romance, Op. 62 [5.20] Gotthelf Heinrich KUMMER (1795–1870) Variations for Ophicleide [7.48] Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873–1943) Vocalise, Op. 34 [3.58] George Frideric HANDEL (1685–1759) O Ruddier than the Cherry [3.00] Edvard GRIEG (1843–1907) Ich liebe dich [2.25] Hycinthe KLOSE (1808–1880) Air Varié [11.57] Astor PIAZZOLLA (1921–1992) Oblivion [4..43] Nick Byrne (ophicleide) David Miller (Piano) rec. Australian National Academy of Music, September 2006 MELBA MR 301111 [67.16] [JQ]

A highly enjoyable and entertaining recital which reveals the immense possibilities of a neglected instrument ... see Full Review

Ballet Evergreens Peter Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) “The Sleeping Beauty” Ballet Op. 66 (1890): Waltz [4:31]; “Swan Lake” Ballet Suite Op 20 (1876): No. 1 Scene [3:08]; No. 2 Waltz [7:16]; “The Nutcracker” Suite Op. 71a (1892) [23:24] Léo DELIBES (1836-1891) “Sylvia” Ballet (1876): Les Chasseresses [3:16]; Pizzicato [1:56]; Valse Lente [2:15] Adolphe ADAM (1803-1856) “Giselle” Ballet (1841) – Waltz [4:26] Carl Maria von WEBER (1786-1826) Invitation to the Dance Op. 65 (1819) [9:00] Amilcare PONCHIELLI (1834-1886) “La Gioconda” Opera (1876) – Dance of the Hours [8:33] National Ballet Orchestra/Pietro Garda rec. Milan, 1980 REGIS RRC 1286 [74:37][JS]

Lively and competent without being remarkable. Performances and recordings that have been exceeded elsewhere, but possibly not all on one disc ... see Full Review

Baroque Trumpet Concertos Giuseppe TORELLI (1658-1709) Sinfonia for Trumpet in D major, G.4 (1693) [3:11] Tomaso Giovanni ALBINONI (1671-1751) Oboe Concerto in D minor, Op. 9, No. 2 (1722)* [10:45] George Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759) Suite in D major, HWV 341, ‘The Famous Water Piece’ (1733) [7:45] (I. Overture [1:44]; II. Gigue: Allegro [1:50]; III. Air [1:48]; IV. March (Bourrée) [1:07]; V. March [1:17]) Johann Friedrich FASCH (1688-1758) Concerto a 8 in D major, FWV L:D1 [6:04] George Frideric HANDEL Oboe Concerto No. 3 in G minor, HWV 287 (1703?)* [8:20] Domenico GABRIELLI (1651? 1659?-1690) Trumpet Sonata No. 4 in D major [5:36] Georg Philipp TELEMANN (1681-1767) Oboe Concerto No.21 in F minor, TWV 51:f1* [8:07] Sonata in D major, TWV 44:1 [8:43] * arranged for trumpet by Andreas Eichele/Thomas Reiner Thomas Reiner (trumpet) Southwest German Chamber Orchestra Pforzheim/Sebastian Tewinkel rec. Matthäuskirche, Pforzheim, Germany, 23-24 March 2006; 18-20 May 2006; 26-27 February 2007. DDD. Booklet with notes in English and German. NAXOS 8.570501 [59:15][GPu]

Pleasant, but somewhat under-characterised performances … see Full Review

Boult Conducts George BUTTERWORTH (1885-1916) Two English Idylls [4:58 + 4:32]The Banks of Green Willow [5:33]A ‘Shropshire Lad’ Rhapsody [8:35] Peter WARLOCK (1894-1930) An Old Song for small orchestra [5:56] Patrick HADLEY (1899-1973) One Morning in Spring - Rhapsody for small orchestra [3:54] Herbert HOWELLS (1892-1983) Procession [4:51] Merry-eye* [8:50] Elegy for viola, string quartet and string orchestra* [9:05] Music for a Prince*: Corydon’s Dance [7:11]; Scherzo in Arden [5:17] *Herbert Downes (viola); Desmond Bradley, Gillian Eastwood (violins); Albert Cayzer (viola); Norman Jones (cello) London Philharmonic Orchestra, New Philharmonia Orchestra/Sir Adrian Boult rec. 1970, 1979, 1977. ADD LYRITA SRCD.245 [68.46] [JW]

Here’s a compilation of real stature sourced from Lyrita’s vaults and presented in accustomed upland splendour. One not to be missed ... see Full Review

A Bridge To Bach Orlando GIBBONS (1583-1625) Lord of Salisbury Pavane and Galliard [4:33] Jan Pieterszoon SWEELINCK (1562-1621) Mein Junges Leben Hat Ein End [6:45] More Palatino [3:30] Fantasia (G Dorian) [7:35] Unter der Linden Grüne [4:19] William TISDALL Pavana Chromatica (Mrs. Katherin Tregian's Paven) [6:27] Thomas TOMKINS (1572-1656) A Sad Pavane for These Distracted Times (1647) [5:18] Pavane (1650) [2:44] Voluntary (1647) [2:36] Johann FROBERGER (1616-1667) Ricercare VI [3:03] Ricercare XIII  [3:47] Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Fuga Op. 131 (1826) [6:45] Giles FARNABY (c.1563-1640) Loth to Depart [4:11] Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Sinfonia in F Minor [3:43] Andrew Rangell (piano) rec. Gardner Museum, Boston, June 2006 BRIDGE 9216 [65:23][JW]

Rangell’s playing is intensely engaging but might prove equally enraging ... see Full Review

Cæcilia-Concert: Buxtehude & Co. Johann Philipp Krieger (1649-1725) Chaconne (from Sonata in F) [4:49] Matthias Weckmann (c.1619-74) Sonata IX [6:20] Dietrich Becker (1623-71) Sonata a 3 [7:44] Dieterich Buxtehude (1637-1707) Sonata in D, BuxWV 267 [8:49] Matthias Weckmann Sonata VI [4:04] Dietrich Becker Sonata a 2 [8:50] Johann Theile (1646-1724) Sonata a 4 [4:40] Dieterich Buxtehude Aria: More Palatino, BuxWV 247 [13:52] Dieterich Buxtehude Sonata IV Op. 2, BuxWV 262 [8:54] Matthias Weckmann Sonata VIII [3:00] Matthias Weckmann Sonata V [5:06] Cæcilia-Concert (Fiona Russell (cornetto/cornettino); Adam Woolf (tenor trombone); Wouter Verschuren (dulcian); Kathryn Cok (reproduction Ruckers harpsichord and portative organ); Annabelle Ferdinand (violin)) rec. Laurentiuskerk, Mijnsheerenland, Holland, 10-11, 13 November 2006. DDD. Booklet with notes in English, Dutch and German. Challenge Classics CC72179 [76:18] [BW]

Very good performances and recording but, apart from two pieces by Buxtehude, there is not a great deal of variety in the music ... see Full Review

Maria Callas – The One and Only Arias from Gianni Schicchi, La Boheme, Tosca, La Wally, Adriana Lecouvreur, Andrea Chenier, Madama Butterfly, Turandot, Rigoletto, La Traviata, Il Trovatore, I Vespri Siciliani,  Ernani, Aida, La Sonnambula, Norma, Lucia di Lammermoor, Il barbiere di Siviglia, Orpheo ed Eurydice, Carmen, Romeo et Juliette, Werther, Samson et Dalila, Massenet, Louise & Faust - see review for details EMI CLASSICS 3963412  [78.35 + 78.34] [RH]

Not an ideal survey of Callas's career, but at under £12 for 2 well filled CDs you do get a lot of Callas for your money ... see Full Review

De Fragilitate: Piae Cantiones (16^th Century) Hymns from Mediaeval FinlandDe Nativitate [18:49]: (Angelus emittitur [1:23]; Salve flos et decor [4:16]; Verbum caro factum est [2:06]; Congaudeat turba fidelium [1:52]; Parvulus nobis nascitur [2:59]; Personent hodie [1:30]; Nobis est natus hodie [2:26]; Paranymphus adiens [2:17]) De Passione [7:39]: (Iucundare iugiter [2:05]; Aetas carmen melodiae [3:38]; Aetas carmen melodiae [1:56]) De Fragilitate et Miseriis [9:29]: (Kurja, paha syntinen [4:44]; Mars praecurrit in planetis [1:43]; Cum sit omnis caro foenum [3:02]) De Vita Scholastica [12:11]: (Scholares convenite [3:35]; Zachaeus arboris [1:35]; O Scholares discite [4:37]; Sum in aliena provincia [2:24]) De Tempore Vernali [9:52]: (Ad perennis vitae fontem [2:15]; In vernali tempore [2:42]; Tempus adest floridum [1:40]; Kaikki maailma riemuitkohon [3:15]) Zefiro Torna (Cécile Kempenaers (voice); Els Van Laethem (voice); Timo Väänän (voice, kannel - a Finnish traditional plucked string instrument of the zither family); Jowan Merckx (recorder, bagpipes, bells); Liam Fenelly (fiddle, viola da gamba); Frank Van Eycken (percussion); Jurgen de bruyn (lute, voice, artistic leader)) Antwerp Cathedral Choir/Sebastiaan van Steenberge rec. 1-3 June, 2007 kademiezaal Sint-Truiden, Belgium. DDD ETCETERA KTC 4023 [58:00] [MS]

Beautiful and delicate music from Finland between 1000 and 1600 CE expertly and sensitively played ... see Full Review

Fabio Di Casola (clarinet) Musica per clarinetto solo Pietro DAMIANI (b.1933) Elegia e Burlesca (1980) [7.46] (1. Elegia [5.23]; 2. Burlesca [2.23]) Hans Ulrich LEHMANN (b.1937) Mosaik for Solo Clarinet (1971) [6.49] Michael JARRELL (b.1958) Assonance for solo clarinet (1984) [9.48] David Philip HEFTI (b.1975) O, star! for Solo Clarinet (2003) [11.01] Rene GERBER (b.1908) Prelude and Fugue on the name 'BACH' for solo clarinet (1979) [7.51] (1. Prelude [4.14]; 2. Fugue [3.37]) Mario PAGLIARINI (b.1963) Alcuni particolari oscuri for solo clarinet (1983) [4.39] Gion Antoni DERUNGS (b.1935) Drei Stucke fur Klarinette solo, op.71 (1977) [12.18] (1. Fantasia [4.00]; 2. Quasi Ciacona [4.36]; 3. Scherzo [3.41]) Andre JOLIVET (1905-1970) Asceses pour clarinet (1965-70) [16.34] Fabio Di Casola (clarinet) rec. Radiostudio Lugano, Basel, Zurich 1991-2006 MUSIQUES SUISSES MGB CTS-M 103 [77.23][LB]

An interesting CD for modern clarinet specialists. A very fine artist who has done well to bring contemporary Swiss composers to the fore. ... see Full Review

Sergiu Celibidache in Rehearsal and Performance Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Til Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche Op.28 (1894-95) Rehearsal [32:57] Performance [15:30] Nicolai RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844-1908) Sheherazade Op.35 (1888) [49:56] SWR Radio Symphony Orchestra, Stuttgart/Sergiu Celibidache rec. Stuttgart 1965 (Strauss) and 1982 (Rimsky-Korsakov) Picture Format NTSC 4:3; Sound Format PCM Stereo; Languages German, English, French, Spanish; Region Code 0 (Worldwide); Disc Format DVD9 EUROARTS DVD 2060368 [104:00][JW]

An interesting character study – of control, relaxation, terseness and more floridly encouraging praise. ... see Full Review

Shura Cherkassky (piano) Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor Op.16 [30:50] Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) Concerto for Piano, String Orchestra and Trumpet No. 1 in C minor, Op.35 [21:54] Abram CHASINS (1903-1987) Three Chinese Pieces [8:34] Francis POULENC (1899-1963) Toccata (from Three Pieces) [2:04] Igor STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) Circus Polka [3:47] Ludwig Van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Bagatelle in G minor Op.119 No. 1 [2:14] Shura Cherkassky (piano) Harold Jackson (trumpet) Philharmonia Orchestra/Herbert Menges rec. Abbey Road Studios, London, November 1954 – April 1955 (Concertos); March 1956 (Chasins, Poulenc, Beethoven); 10 August 1955 (Stravinsky) MEDICI MASTERS MM013-2 [70:04][EMc]

Medici continue their imaginative investigations Shura Cherkassky reissue in a recital of twentieth century piano works ... see Full Review

André Cluytens – Rarities Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Violin Concerto No. 2 in E major BWV 1042 [20:21] ¹ Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Violin Concerto No. 2 in G minor Op.63 (1934-35) [24:28] ² Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856) Cello Concerto in A minor, Op. 129 (1850) [22:28] ³ Johanna Martzy (violin)/New York Philharmonic Orchestra/André Cluytens rec. live, New York, 10 November 1957 ¹ Michael Rabin (violin)/Cologne Radio Symphony Orchestra/André Cluytens, rec. live, Cologne, 28 January 1957 ² Maurice Gendron (cello)/Orchestra National de la RTF/André Cluytens rec. live, Paris, 1 January 1952 ³ ARCHIPEL ARPCD 0298 [67:21] [JW]

Given the discographic novelty here this will be a most attractive proposition to specialists. ... see Full Review

Destination London – Music for the Earl of Abingdon Carl Philipp STAMITZ (1745-1801) Trio in G [13:51] Johann Christian BACH (1735-1782) Quartet in C, op. 19,1* [13:54] Carl Friedrich ABEL (1723-1787) Trio in G, op. 16,4 [08:19] Franz Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809) Trio in C (H IV,1) [08:26] Willoughby, Earl of ABINGDON (1740-1799) Country dances (1784): Capriccio I in C 'The Cure for the spleen' [01:01] 'Much ado about nothing' in D [00:41] Johann Christian BACH Quartet in D, op. 19,2* [13:20] Franz Joseph HAYDN Trio in G (H IV,2) [08:46] Wilbert Hazelzet, Marion Moonen (transverse flute); Bernadette Verhagen (viola) (*); Barbara Kernig (cello) rec. August 2006, St Andreas Kirche, Brodersby, Germany. DDD BERLIN CLASSICS 0017982BC [68:20] [JV]

High quality musical entertainment from England in the second half of the 18th century ... see Full Review

Jacqueline du Pré: A Celebration of Her Unique and Enduring Gift Who Was Jacqueline du Pré? [56:17] Brahms Interlude [12:00] Interview with Jacqueline du Pré [14:55] The Trout Remembered by Jacqueline du Pré [1:16] Remembering Jacqueline du Pré [56:00] Lighting Cameraman: David Findlay Film Editor: Peter Heelas Written and directed by: Christopher Nupen NTSC All regions. 2007 ALLEGRO FILMS A07CND [210:00] [MM]

This DVD is essential for all wanting to rekindle the joy of the familiar, while encountering a new and intimate portrait of this great and beloved artist. ... see Full Review

El fuego: Renaissance Music from Italy and Spain Juan ARAÑÉS (d. c.1649) Chacona:A la vida bona (1624) [3:16] Adrian WILLAERT (c.1490-1562) Sempre mi ride (1548) [1:51] Francisco GUERRERO (1528-1599) A un niño llorando (1589) [3:56] Pastores (1589) [2:09] Pedro GUERRERO (b. c.1520) La perra mora [2:13] ANONYMOUS (c.1500) Niña y viña (c.1500) [1:54] ANONYMOUS (c.1550) A Florentine Dance Suite (c.1550) [4:25] Ben venga maggio La Comarina (Saltarello) En questo ballo Zorzi (Saltarello) Lo mio padre El tu tu (Gagliarda) Costanzo FESTA (c.485-1545) Madonna, io mi consumo (1543) [2:38] Manuel MACHADO (c.1590-1646) Dos estrellas le siguen [3:06] Nicola VICENTINO (1511-c.1576) Canzon da sonar ‘La bella’ (1572) [3:18] Claudio MERULO (1533-1604) Canzon 23 à 5 (1608) [1:42] Giovanni Giacomo GASTOLDI (c.1554-1609) L'innamorato (1591) [2:56] Antonio de CABEZÓN (c.1510-1566) Je fille quant dieu me donne de quoy (1578) [1:40] Cristofano MALVEZZI (1547-1599) Intermedio IV: Sinfonia (1589) [1:33] Intermedio V: Sinfonia (1589) [1:50] Intermedio V: E noi con questa bella diva (1589) [4:25] ANONYMOUS (c.1556) Riu, riu, chiu (1556) [2:18] Matheo FLECHA (the elder) (?1481-?1553) Dindirindin [2:15] El fuego (1581) [11:34] La Compañia: (Sara Macliver (soprano), Danny Lucin (cornetto, mute cornetto, director), Mitchell Cross (soprano shawm, tenor dulcian), Glenn Bardwell (tenor sackbut), Bob Collins (tenor sackbut), Simon Rickard (bass dulcian), Elizabeth Pogson (violin), Victoria Watts (viola da gamba), Laura Vaughan (viola da gamba), Rosemary Hodgson (vihuela de mano, renaissance guitar, renaissance lute, theorbo)); Linda Kent (chamber organ), Christine Baker (percussion), Denis Close (percussion) rec. September 2005, April 2006, Ian Roach Hall, Scotch Cottage, Melbourne Texts and translations included ABC CLASSICS ABC 476 5955 [59:13][GPu]

An enjoyable Australian miscellany of renaissance music, for voice and instrumental ensemble, from Spain and Italy … see Full Review

Fantaisie fantasme Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue, BWV903: Fantasy (1717-30) [8:14] Jonathan KEREN (b.1978) Fantaisie, mais 2 Fantastrophes: First Fantastrophe (2007) [4:48] Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Fantasies, Op.116: Intermezzo in a minor (1892-3) [4:21] Arnold SCHOENBERG (1874-1951) Six Little Pieces, Op.19/1-3 (1911) [3:59] György LIGETI (1923-2006) Musica Ricercata: 6^th movement (1951-3) [0:49] Leos JANÁČEK (1854-1928) Sonata ‘1.X.1905’: The Presentment (1905) [7:25] John CAGE (1912-1992) Sonata No.5 for prepared piano (1946-8) [1:34] Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Fantasy in c minor, K475 (1785) [13:47] CAGE Sonata No.12 for prepared piano (1946-8) [3:32] JANÁČEK Sonata ‘1.X.1905’: The Death (1905) [6:59] LIGETI Musica Ricercata: 8^th movement (1951-3) [1:06] SCHOENBERG Six Little Pieces, Op.19/4-6 (1911) [2:18] BRAHMS Fantasies, Op.166: Capriccio in d minor (1892-3) [2:44] KEREN Fantaisie, mais 2 Fantastrophes: Fantaisie (2007) [4:23] Fantaisie, mais 2 Fantastrophes: Last Fantastrophe (2007) [3:47] BACH Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue: Fugue (1717-30) [6:40] David Greilsammer (piano) rec. April, 2007, Studio L’Heure bleue, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. DDD. Booklet with notes in French and English. NAÏVE V5081 [76:36][BW]

Very good playing and recording but the very mixed programme put me off and will deter many from buying this CD. Watch out for Greilsammer in a more unified programme, especially if it includes Mozart … see Full Review

Four Hands/Four Feet HANDEL Arrival of the Queen of Sheba J.S. BACH Air in D (Orchestral Suite no. III, BWV 1068); Badinerie (Orchestral Suite no. II, BWV 1067) GUILMANT  Cantilène Pastorale MERKEL Psalm Sonata for Two Organists FAURÉ Pavane ELGAR Pomp and Circumstance March no. IV in G ALBINONI Adagio BOURGEOIS Serenade for Organ Op. 22 WAGNER Ride of the Valkyries Max Kenworthy; Nicholas Grigsby (organ) rec. no date given NO LABEL NO NUMBER [c.49:00][RB]

A winning disc of organ pops ... see Full Review

Angela Gheorghiu - Live from La Scala Jean-Paul MARTINI (1741-1816) Plaisir d’amour [4:26] Alessandro SCARLATTI (1660-1725) O cessate di piagarmi (1683) [2:52] Alessandro PARISOTTI (1815-1913) Se tu m’ami [3:30] Christoph Willibald GLUCK (1714-1787) O del mio dolce ardor (1770) [3:52] Vincenzo BELLINI (1801-1835) Malinconia, ninfa gentile (1829) [1:29] Vanne o rosa fortunata (1829) [2:24] Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797-1848) Me voglio fa’na casa [2:33] Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901) Stornello (1869) [1:48] In solitaria stanza (1839) [4:32] Brindisi II (1845) [2:23] Charles GOUNOD (1818-1893) Serenade (1857) [3:53] Georges BIZET (1838-1875) Chant d’amour (1872) [3:33] Jules MASSENET (1842-1912) Elegie [2:33] Alfred ALESSANDRESCU (1893-1959) Cind perdeaua dragii mele [2:23] Diamandi GHECIU (1892-1980) Si daca [3:06] Tiberiu BREDICEANU (1877-1968) Floricica de pe apa (1917) [1:43] Bade, pentru ochii tai (1923) [3:03] Vai, badita, dragi ne-avem (1905) and Dragu-mi-l, mandro, de tine (1920) [3:32] Gherase DENDRINO (1901-1973) Te iubesc! (1954) [3:46] Francesco Paolo TOSTI (1846-1916) A vucchella [2:33] Alan Jay LERNER (1918-1986) / Frederick LOEWE (1901-1988) I could have danced all night (1956) [2:18] Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924) O mio babbino caro (1918) [3:12] Angela Gheorghiu (soprano) Jeff Cohen (piano) rec. 3 April 2006, La Scala opera house, Milan, Italy. DDD EMI CLASSICS 3 94420 2 [63:33][MC]

Gheorghiu’s star continues to shine bright … her broad-ranged voice remains in excellent heart. I wish that I had been there at La Scala. Brava! ... see Full Review

Emil Gilels Legacy - Volume 5 Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Piano Sonata in C minor K.457 (1784) [21:17] Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Piano Sonata, op.57, in F Minor Appassionata (1805) [20:56] Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Piano Sonata No.2 in D minor Op.14 (1912) [17:03] Sergei RACHMANINOFF (1872-1943) Moment Musical Op. 16 No.5 [3:37] Mily BALAKIREV (1837-1910) Islamey (Oriental Fantasy) (1869) [8:18] Isaac ALBENIZ (1860-1909) Recuerdos de viaje - Malaguena Op.71 No.6 [2:56] Navarra (1909) [4:30] Emil Gilels (piano) rec. live, Florence, 11 June 1951 with the exception of the Albeniz; live, Moscow, March 1957 (Malaguena) and January 1954 (Navarra) DOREMI DHR-7795 [78:48][JW]

An uncommonly exciting slice of Gilels’ music-making. ... see Full Review

Eugene Goossens conducts Russian orchestral classics Nikolai RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844-1908) Russian Easter Festival Overture op. 36 (1888) [14:38] Alexander SCRIABIN (1872-1910) Poem of Ecstasy op. 54 (1905-8) [19:28] Mili BALAKIREV (1836-1910) Islamey - Oriental Fantasy (1869, 1902 orch. Alfredo Casella, 1907) [9:42] Modest MUSSORGSKY (1839-1881) Pictures at an Exhibition (1874, orch. Maurice Ravel, 1922) [33:23] Philharmonia Orchestra/Eugene Goossens (Rimsky, Scriabin, Balakirev) Royal Philharmonic Orchesta/Eugene Goossens (Mussorgsky) rec. Kingsway Hall, London, 13-14 February 1956 (Rimsky, Scriabin); 8 February 1956 (Balakirev); 26, 28 September 1957 (Mussorgsky) ADD. stereo MEDICI ARTS MM009-2 [77:47] [RB]

A generous collection ... Goossens in repertoire well suited to his prodigious and eloquent imagination... see Full Review

Grandes Messes du XXe siècle Louis VIERNE (1870-1937) Messe solennelle, pour deux orgues et choeur op 16 (1900) [22:39] Jean-Pierre LEGUAY (b.1939) Missa Deo Gratias, pour soprano solo, choeur mixte, deux orgues, deux trompettes, deux trombones et percussions (en exécutant) (2000) [30:26] Philippe Lefèbvre (Vierne); Jean-Pierre Leguay (Leguay) (grand orgue) Yves Castagnet (orgue de choeur) Maîtrise Notre-Dame de Paris/Nicole Corti rec. Notre-Dame de Paris, 2006, 2007 HORTUS 055 [53:07] [CB]

Among the current crop of recordings of the Messe Solenelle, this scores highly ... see Full Review

Hilary Hahn – A Portrait Documentary [107:00] Including performances: Erich KORNGOLD (1897-1957) Violin concerto in D major, Op.35 (1945) [26:17] Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Sonata for piano and violin in G Major K.301* [14:39] Hilary Hahn (violin) Natalie Zhu (piano)*, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin/Kent Nagano rec. Berlin, Philharmonie, 24 March 2004; Munich, Philharmonie im Gasteig, 12 December 2005*. Ratio 16:9. Widescreen. All regions. Region code: 0 (worldwide) Sound formats: PCM Stereo, DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1. Menu language: English DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 00440 073 4192 [147:56][TP]

For Hahn's fans only, then, and – Korngold aside – perhaps not for all of them. ... see Full Review

Philippe Hirschhorn – live performances 1967-77 Niccolò PAGANINI (1782-1840) Violin Concerto No. 1 in D major Op. 6 (1817) [32:31]⁶ Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Violin Concerto in D major Op.77 (1878) [40:39]² Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) Sonata No 1 in G minor, BWV 1001 (c.1720) [22:55] Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Violin Sonata No. 3 in D minor, Op. 108 (1888) [22:32]¹ Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) Tzigane – Rapsodie de concert for violin and piano (1924) [9:10]¹ Alban BERG (1885-1935) Violin Concerto (1935) [24:35]³ Jean SIBELIUS (1865-1957) Violin Concerto Op. 47 (1903 rev. 1905) [30:33]⁴ Peter TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Violin Concerto in D major, Op.35 (1878) [36:35]⁵ Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Five Melodies for violin and piano Op.35b [11:32]¹ Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835–1921) Caprice d’après l’Etude en forme de valse Op.52 No.6 arranged Eugène Ysaÿe [7:21]⁰ Philippe Hirschhorn (violin) with Helmuth Barth (piano) recorded in Schwetzinger, 1974¹ Orchestre National de Belgique/René Defossez, recorded live at the 1967 Queen Elizabeth of Belgium International Violin Competition⁶ Sudfunk Sinfonie Orchester Stuttgart/Jiri Starek, recorded live in June 1974² Lidiya Leonskaya (piano) recorded live at the 1967 Queen Elizabeth of Belgium International Violin Competition⁰ New Philharmonia Orchestra/Uri Segal, undated³ Cologne Radio Symphony Orchestra/Uri Segal, recorded live October 1974⁴ Bamberg Symphony Orchestra/Ferdinand Leitner, recorded live May 1977⁵ DOREMI DHR 7906-08 [3 CDs: 79:16 + 80:36 + 78:35]

Nothing here substantiates the well-meant hyperbole that Hirschhorn was “probably one of the finest violinists of the century.” ... see Full Review

I Saw Three Ships Christmas Music from Gloucester Cathedral Gloucester Cathedral Choir/Andrew Nethsingha Robert Houssart (organ) rec. Gloucester Cathedral 19, 20, 24 January, 2 February 2007. DDD Texts and translations included AVIE AV2122 [76:03] [JQ]

This very enjoyable CD represents an excellent seasonal purchase. ... see Full Review

Improvisata – Sinfonie con titoli Antonio VIVALDI (1678–1741) Sinfonia in C ’Improvisata' (RV 802) [03:23] Giovanni Battista SAMMARTINI (1700/01-1775) Overture (Sinfonia) in g minor (J-C 57) [09:11] Carlo MONZA (c.1735-1801) Sinfonia detta 'La tempesta di mare' in D (ed. F. Biondi) [05:45] Luigi BOCCHERINI (1743-1805) Symphony in d minor, op. 12,4 'La casa del diavolo' (G 506) (rev. Antonio de Almeida) [19:15] Giuseppe DEMACHI (1732-after 1791) Sinfonia in F 'Le campane di Roma' [16:02] Europa Galante/Fabio Biondi rec. November 2004, Fondazione Teatro Regio di Parma, Auditorium Paganini, Parma, Italy. DDD VIRGIN CLASSICS 3 63430 2 [53:38][JV]

Original choice of repertoire and impressive performances ... see Full Review

Karajan en Italie Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Symphony No. 41 in C major ‘Jupiter’ K551 (1788) [27:59] Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) Symphony No. 2 in D, Op. 73 (1877) [38:20] Piano Concerto No. 2 in B flat major Op. 83 (1881) [46:22] Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Symphony No. 9 in D minor Op. 125 Choral (1824) [68:06] Béla BARTÓK (1881–1945) Piano Concerto No.3 (1945) [23:17] Géza Anda (piano) Teresa Stich-Randall (soprano); Hilde Rössl-Majdan (contralto); Waldemar Kmentt (tenor); Gottlob Frick (bass) Orchestra of RAI, Turin (Mozart, Bartok) Orchestra of RAI, Rome (Brahms, Beethoven) Herbert von Karajan rec. Turin and Rome 1953-54 TAHRA TAH611-13 [3 CDs: 66:59 + 68:06 + 70:14] [JW]

Karajan’s first Italian visits during the years 1953 and 1954. The repertoire is essentially standard – only the Bartók is somewhat off the beaten ... see Full Review

Serge Koussevitzky and the Boston Symphony Orchestra Live Recordings 1943-1948 - Volume 2 Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) Symphony No. 5 in D (1943) * [35:49] Modest MUSSORGSKY (1839-1881) A Night on the Bare Mountain (1867) (orch. Rimsky-Korsakov) ** [10:54]; Khovanshchina – Prelude (Dawn over the Moscow River) (1880) (orch. Rimsky-Korsakov) [6:14] Peter Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Francesca da Rimini, Op. 32, Symphonic Fantasy after Dante (1876) [24:49] Boston Symphony Orchestra/Serge Koussevitzky rec. ‘live’ *4 March 1947; **30 December 1944; 1943-1948 GUILD HISTORICAL GHCD 2324 [78:13][JQ]

Another reminder of how formidable was the partnership between Koussevitzky and the orchestra he led with such distinction for a quarter of a century ... see Full Review

Let us lift up our heart - 19^th Century Church Music Samuel Sebastian WESLEY Let us lift up our heart [18:09] Sir John STAINER I Saw the Lord* [6:59] Sir John GOSS The Wilderness* [9:08] If We Believe that Jesus died* [3:48] Sir Frederick OUSELEY O Saviour of the World* [2:25] Sir John STAINER How Beautiful upon the Mountains [2:48] Thomas WALMISLEY Remember O Lord [13:12] Samuel Sebastian WESLEY Cast Me Not Away [5:03] Henry SMART Magnificat in G* [5:45] Nunc Dimittis* [3:43] Chichester Cathedral Choir/Alan Thurlow; John Birch (trs 7, 8) Jeremy Suter (organ) Ian Fox (organ) (trs 7, 8) rec. Chichester Cathedral, 1976, ADD (trs. 7; 8); * 1984. DDD GRIFFIN GCCD 4059 [71.04][MK]

A re-issue of recordings made in a bygone era … see Full Review

Long Road Home J.S. BACH (1685-1750) (arr. Barnewitz)Mach dich, mein Herze, rein from St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 (1727) [6:47] William Barnewitz (horn); Ursula Oppens (piano) Conradin KREUTZER (1780-1849) Das Mühlrad, Op. 72 (?) [5:45] Joyce DiDonato (mezzo); William Barnewitz (horn); Carol Anderson (piano) Richard STRAUSS (1864-1949) Andante for Horn and Piano, AV86A (1888) [4:28] William Barnewitz (horn); Ursula Oppens (piano) Alphorn, AV 29 (1876) [4:31] Jennifer Holloway (mezzo); William Barnewitz (horn); Carol Anderson (piano) Franz SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Auf dem Strom, D 943 (1828) [10:02] Anne-Carolyn Bird (soprano); William Barnewitz (horn); Carol Anderson (piano) Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Quintet for Piano and Winds, K. 452 (1784) [24:11] Ursula Oppens, piano; Margaret Butler, oboe; Todd Levy, clarinet; Ted Soluri, bassoon; William Barnewitz, horn "Lungi da te, mio bene", Sifare’s Aria, Act II, Mitridate, Re di Punto, K.87/74A (1770) [9:10] Eglise Gutierrez (soprano); William Barnewitz (horn); Carol Anderson (piano) Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897) (arr. Barnewitz-Oppens) Wiegenlied, Op. 49, No. 4 (1864-68) [1:49] William Barnewitz (horn); Ursula Oppens (piano) rec. August 2006 in Stieren Hall, Santa Fe Opera, Santa Fe New Mexico (Bach, Strauss andante; Schubert, Brahms) and November 2006 at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (other tracks). DDD AVIE AV2126 [67:44] [LW]

This disc is recommended, then, and not only for horn aficionados. I can only hope that we will be hearing more from William Barnewitz. ... see Full Review

 

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