Latest
from Toccata classics Specialist
collector material! Veljo TORMIS Works
for Men's Voices;
Ester MÄGI Orchestral
Music;
Vytautas BACEVICIUS Piano concerto and Symphonies;
John Joubert Song Cycles. To
celebrate their first 25 recordings all titles
at a special price of £10.99 until end
of October.
Latest
from Onyx £12.00 Postage Paid ELGAR
Violin
Concerto Ehnes,
Amanada Roocroft
recital Tchaikovsky, Debussy, Strauss
None but the Lonely Heart
Michael
BALFE (1808-1870) The
Maid of Artois - A Romantic opera
in 3 acts
£2 reduction - now £24 see
review
BOOK
REVIEWS
THE
GRAMOPHONE CLASSICAL MUSIC GUIDE 2008
Publ.
Haymarket large paperback; 1414 pp. ISBN 0-860-24962-X
[IL]
The Penguin Guide
to Recorded Classical Music 2008 Ivan
March, Edward Greenfield, Robert Layton and
Paul Czajkowski (London: Penguin, 2007) 1588pp.
Paperback ISBN 978-0-141-03336-5 rrp £25
but currently £17.50 ($19.80) from Amazon
UK and US [BW]
The
omissions are maddening but this continues
to be an essential tool for the serious collector
of recorded classical music … see Full
Review
LATEST
CD REVIEWS
Wednesday October
31st
Johann Sebastian
BACH (1685-1750)
Sonatas
and Partitas for Solo Violin and Cello Suites
(played on lute) 
Nigel North (lute) rec. July 1993, March 1994,
October 1995, March 1996, St Martin’s Church,
East Woodhay CDs also available separately
as: CDK013; CDK029; CDK049; CDK055.
LINN CKD 300 [4 CDs: 69.15 + 67.33 + 63.50
+ 71.30] [KMc]
A
lovely must-have set for fans of Bach or the
lute … a huge pleasure to listen to … see
Full Review
Edward ELGAR
(1857-1934)
Symphony
No. 1 in A flat Op.55 (1908) [48:37] Symphony
No. 2 in E flat Op. 63 (1911) [51:16]
London Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Adrian Boult
rec. 1968. ADD 2 CDs for the price of 1
LYRITA SRCD.221 [48:37 + 51:16] [JW]
In
truth then not essential – but very valuable
... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Franz
LISZT (1811-1886)
St.
Elizabeth (The Legend of Saint Elizabeth)
- oratorio for soloists, chorus and orchestra,
S2 (1857-62) Kolos Kováts - Hermann,
Landgrave of Thüringen (bass) Erzsébet
Komlóssy - Countess Sophie, his wife
(mezzo) Sándor Sólyom-Nagy -
Landgrave Ludwig, their son (baritone) Éva
Andor - Elizabeth, his fiancée, later
his wife (soprano) József Gregor -
Frederick II of Hohenstaufen (bass) Lajos
Miller - Hungarian magnate (baritone) György
Bordás - the Seneschall (baritone)
Dušan Turinič - the child Ludwig (contralto)
Eugenia Kraičirová - the child Elizabeth
(soprano)
Bratislava Radio Children’s Chorus Slovak
Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra/János
Ferencsik rec. 14-17 July 1973, Reduta Concert
Hall, Bratislava, Slovak Republic. AAD Sung
in German with full English texts and essay
HUNGAROTON CLASSIC HCD 11650-51 [69:48
+ 68:41] [MC]
A
remarkable performance and recording fully
deserving its return to the catalogue ...
see Full
Review
Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART
(1756-1791)
Piano Concerto No. 19 in F major K459 (1784)
[27:48] Piano Concerto No. 24 in C minor K491
(1785-86) [28:18]
Clara Haskil (piano) Lausanne Chamber Orchestra/Victor
Desarzens rec. Théâtre de Beaulieu,
Lausanne, October 1957 (K459) and June 1956
(K491)
CLAVES 50-2617 [56:13] [ED]
Has
niche appeal for Haskil enthusiasts ... see
Full Review
Joseph-Guy
ROPARTZ
(1864–1955) Piano
Trio in A minor (1918)a [38:31]
String Trio in A minor (1934)b
[21:43] Prélude, marine et chansons
(1928)b [12:39]
Alexis Galpérine (violin), Cécilia
Tsan (cello), Jean-Louis Haguenauer (piano)a;
Ensemble Stanislasb Recorded :
Salle Poirel, Nancy, 1995 (Piano Trio, Prélude)
and July 2006 (String Trio)
TIMPANI 1C1118 [73:09] [HC]
This
most welcome addition to Ropartz’s expanding
discography is yet another feather in the
caps of Timpani and the Stanislas. Not to
be missed ... see Full
Review
Jean SIBELIUS
(1865-1957) Karelia
Overture, op.10 (1893) [7:32] Serenade
No. 1 in D for violin and orchestra, op.69a
(1912) [6:09] Serenade No. 2 in G minor
for violin and orchestra, op.69b (1912) [6:11]
The Wood Nymph (Ballad), op.15
(1895) [21:05] Scènes historiques,
Suite No.1, op.25 (1899) [17:28] (1 All’Overtura
[(4:25]; 2 Scena [5:25]; 3 Festivo
(Bolero) [7:38]) Finlandia,
op.26 (1900) [8.39]
Sakari Tapponen (violin) Gothenburg-Aarhus
Philharmonic/Douglas Bostock rec. 12-14 January
2007, Frichsparken, Aarhus. DDD
CLASSICO CLASSCD 733 [67:34] [BBr]
I
wish I could welcome this ClassicO CD, for
this is an interesting disc, but this music
needs a firmer hand in control. ... see Full
Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Giuseppe
VERDI (1813-1901)
Luisa Miller - tragic melodrama
in three acts (1849) Count Walter, local landowner
– Raffaele Arié (bass); Rodolfo, Count
Walter’s son – Luciano Pavarotti (tenor);
Frederica, Duchess of Ostheim and Walter’s
niece – Cristina Angelakova (mezzo); Wurm,
Count Walter’s steward – Ferruccio Mazzoli
(bass); Miller, a retired soldier – Matteo
Manuguerra (baritone); Luisa, Miller’s daughter
– Gilda Cruz Roma (soprano)
Chorus and Orchestra Sinfonica RAI di Torino/Peter
Maag rec. live, RAI auditorium, Turin. 6 December
1974. ADD
ARTS MUSIC - ARTS ARCHIVES 43088-2 [57.07
+ 79.40] [RF]
This
excellent live performance features Pavarotti
at the height of his vocal powers, surrounded
by a good cast and with a sympathetic Verdian
on the rostrum. The live occasion frisson
draws the best from all concerned. ... see
Full Review
Antonio
VIVALDI (1678-1741)
Il Cimento dell'Armonia e dell'Inventione
op. 8 Vol.
I Concerto in E, op. 8,1 'La Primavera'
(RV 269) [9:39] Concerto in g minor, op. 8,2
'L'Estate' (RV 315) [10:11] Concerto in F,
op. 8,3 'L'Autunno' (RV 293) [11:02] Concerto
in f minor, op. 8,4 'L'Inverno' (RV 297) [8:20]
Concerto in E flat, op. 8,5 'La Tempesta di
Mare' (RV 253) [8:12] Concerto in C, op. 8,6
'Il Piacere' (RV 180) [8:29] Stefano Montanari
(violin) Accademia Bizantina Ottavio Dantone
(conductor) Rec. September 1999 at the Sala
del Refettorio di S. Vitale, Ravenna, Italy
ARTS
47564-8 [57:07]
Il Cimento dell'Armonia e dell'Inventione
op. 8 Vol. II Concerto in d minor,
op. 8,7 (RV 242)* [08:00] Concerto in g minor,
op. 8,8 (RV 332)* [09:10] Concerto in d minor,
op. 8,9 (RV 454)** [07:31] Concerto in Bes,
op. 8,10 'La Caccia' (RV 362)* [08:45] Concerto
in D, op. 8,11 (RV 210)* [11:47] Concerto
in C, op. 8,12 (RV 449)** [09:04] Stenano
Montanari (violin*) Paolo Grazzi (oboe**)
Accademia Bizantina/Ottavio Dantone rec. September
1999, Sala del Refettorio di S. Vitale, Ravenna,
Italy ARTS
47565-8 SACD [55:42] [DC]
High
octane ear food: music and performances that
you will want to listen to more than once
– in spades. ... see Full
Review
De
Fragilitate:
Piae Cantiones (16th
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
Cesare
Siepi Giuseppe VERDI
(1813–1901) Ernani:
1. Infelice! e tu credevi [3:39] Nabucco:
2. Tu sul labbro dei veggenti [4:54]
Arrigo BOITO (1842–1918)
Mefistofele: 3. So lo Spirito che nega
[3:07] Giuseppe VERDI
I vespri Siciliani: 4. O tu,
Palermo [4:18] Don Carlo: 5. Ella giammai
m’amo! [8:12] Amilcare
PONCHIELLI (1834–1886) La Gioconda:
6. Si, morir ella de’ [4:38] Vincenzo
BELLINI (1801–1835) La sonnambula:
7. Vi ravviso [3:03] Gioacchino
ROSSINI (1792–1868) L’Italiana
in Algeri: 8. Le femmine d’Italia [3:22]
Il barbiere di Siviglia: 9, La calunnia
[4:22] Wolfgang Amadeus
MOZART (1756–1791) Don Giovanni:
10. Deh vieni alla finestra [2:16]
Paolo TOSTI (1846–1916)
11. L’ultima canzone [4:41] 12.
Non t’amo più [4:46] 13. Malia
[3:08] Luigi DENZA
(1846–1922) 14. Occhi di fata
[3:23] Paolo TOSTI
15. Serenata [3:17] Augusto
ROTOLI (1847–1904) 16. Mi sposa
sara la mia bandiera [4:56] Renato
BROGEI (1873–1924) 17. Visione
Veneziana [3:34] Vincenzo
BILLI (1869–1938) 18. E canta
il grillo [3:12]
Cesare Siepi (bass)
Orchestra Sinfonica Radio Italiana/Arturo
Basile (1-6); unknown (7, 9, 10); Alfredo
Simonetto (8), remaining items unknown rec.
1947-1948
NIMBUS Prima Voce NI 7942 [72:59] [GF]
There
have been few better basses around during
the last sixty years and hearing Cesare Siepi
in his mature youth is a treat indeed. ...
see Full Review
Tuesday
October 30th
Johann Sebastian
BACH (1685-1750) Bach to Cuba Brandenburg
Concerto No. 3 (1st Movement) [4.15]
Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 (1st Movement)
[3.14] Suite No. 3 BWV 1068 (Aria) [4.01] Suite No. 2 BWV
1067 (Badinerie) [1.20] Brandenburg Concerto No.3
(3rd Movement) [5.40] Brandenburg
Concerto No.5 (3rd. Movement) [5.30]
Suite No 2 BWV 1067 (Rondeau)
[1.34] Brandenburg Concerto No 4 (3rd
Movement) [5.11] Suite No 3 BWV
1068 (Gavotte) [4.57]
Tenerife Symphony Orchestra/Emilio Aragon rec. live, Juan Ramos,
Auditorio de Tenerife, 14-17 June 2006
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 477 7031GH [41.00][LB]
An
interesting and worthwhile project which becomes rather tedious at times.
However a good 'fun' treatment of Bach. ... see Full
Review
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Violin
Concerto in D, Op. 61 (1806) [45:49] Violin Sonata No. 9 in A, Op. 47
“Kreutzer” (1802) [38:18]
Vadim Repin (violin) Martha Argerich (piano) Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/Riccardo
Muti rec. Vienna Musikverein, Grosser Saal, February 2007; Lugano, Auditorio
“ Stello Molo” RSI, June 2007. DDD
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 477 6596 [45:49 + 38:18][KS]
Repin
has thought this music through completely and put his own stamp on it,
a stamp that stands to become more and more collectible as this fine
artist matures! One of the most satisfying Beethoven recordings to hit
the shelves in some time ... see Full
Review
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Mass in
C major, Op.86 (1807) [47:27] Elegisher Gesang, Op. 118 (1814)
[7:31] Meeresstille und Glückliche Fahrt, Op. 112 (1815) [7:38]
Henriette Schellenberg
(soprano); Marietta Simpson (mezzo); Jon Humphrey (tenor); Myron Myers
(bass) Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus/Robert Shaw rec. 6-7 November
1989; 7-8 May 1990, Symphony Hall, Atlanta, Georgia Texts and translations
into English included. DDD
TELARC CD-80248 [63:17][LW]
Anyone
who cares about Beethoven or nineteenth-century choral music should
at least hear one of these versions of the Mass in C ... see Full
Review
John
GARTH (1721-1810) Six Concertos
for Cello and strings Op. 1 (published 1760): No. 1 in D [17:08]; No.
2 in Bb [11:57]; No. 3 in A [14:12]; No. 4 in Bb [13:57]; No. 5 in D
minor [16:57]; No. 6 in G [19:26]
Richard Tunnicliffe (cello), The Avison Ensemble.
rec. 10-13 December 2006, The Picture Gallery,
Paxton House, Berwick upon Tweed
DIVINE ART DDA25059 [45:33 + 50:36][JS]
Maybe
these discs do not fill a major gap in the range of recorded music,
but in performances such as these the present Concertos give immense
pleasure. ... see Full Review
Felix
MENDELSSOHN-BARTHOLDY (1809-1847)
Violin Concerto in E minor Op. 64* (1844) [29:10] Claude
DEBUSSY (1862-1918) La Mer (1905) [24:33]
Pinchas Zukerman* (violin) Kölner Rundfunk Sinfonie-Orchester/Carlo
Maria Giulini rec. 15 January 1971, Klaus-von-Bismarck-Saal, Cologne
PROFIL PH06010 [53:43][JQ]
Overall
these are valuable performances and I’m glad to have them in my collection.
... see Full Review
Richard
STRAUSS (1864-1949) An Alpine
Symphony, Op. 64 (1915) [56:00]
Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin/Nagano rec. 2006, Philharmonie,
Berlin, Germany Concert: Ellen Fellmann (director) Documentary: Rolf
Rische (writer), Oliver Becker (director) Soundtrack: DD 5.1/DTS 5.1/PCM
stereo Picture: 16:9 (NTSC) Region: 0 Language: English Menu: English,
French, Spanish, Japanese Subtitles: French, Spanish, Italian, Japanese
ARTHAUS MUSIK 101
437 
[108:00] [concert: 56:00, documentary: 52:00][DM]
Essential
viewing for all Straussians. ... 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
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
Thomas Schippers
Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Symphony No.5
in B flat major, Op.100 [43:55] Philharmonia Orchestra/Thomas Schippers
rec. Kingsway Hall, London, 11-14 May 1957 Gioachino
ROSSINI (1792-1868) L'assedio di Corinto Overture [9:39] London
Symphony Orchestra/Thomas Schippers rec. All Saints Church, Tooting,
London, 30-31 July, 1-28 August 1974 Antonio
VIVALDI (1678-1741) Sinfonia "al Santo Sepolcro"
in B minor, R169 [7:03] Francesco DURANTE
(1684-1755) Concerto No.5 for String Orchestra in A major [8:49]
Antonio SALIERI (1750-1825) Axur,
re d'Ormus Overture [3:16]
Orchestra Alessandro Scarlatti/Thomas Schippers rec. Naples, July 1955
MEDICI MASTERS MM012-2
[72:54][EMc]
A
fascinating memento of a talent cut short too soon. … real musicality
and real individuality ... see Full Review
Soavi
accenti Claudio MONTEVERDI (1567-1643)
Zefiro torna [06:22] Ch'iome
d'oro [03:17] Lamento della ninfa [06:12]
Dario CASTELLO (c.1590-c.1630)
Sonata XII per due soprani e trombone [07:37]
Giacomo CARISSIMI (1605-1674)
Apritevi, inferni, cantata [08:49] Dario
CASTELLO Sonata XI per due violini e trombone [05:30] Giacomo CARISSIMI Vanitas Vanitatum,
oratorio [18:08] Claudio MONTEVERDI Tempro la cetra*
[09:42]
Harmony of Voices (Vokalharmonin) (Ulla-Carin Börjesdotter (soprano),
Lena-Susanne Norin (mezzosoprano), Leif Aruhn-Solén, Johan Linderoth
(tenor), Ove Petterson (bass), Ann Wallström, Stefan Lindvall (violin),
Joel Sundin, Rastko Roknic (viola*), David Gammelgård
(cello), Mattias Frostenson (violone), Anders Ericson (theorbo, guitar),
Karl Nyhlin (archlute*), Fredrik Malmberg (harpsichord, organ))/Fredrik
Malmberg rec. October 2006, Hölö Church, Sweden. DDD
PROPRIUS PRSACD 2037
[65:51][JV]
The
brilliance and the emotional character of the repertoire is well communicated
by this Swedish ensemble ... see Full
Review
Monday October 29th
Johann
Christian BACH (1735-1782) Symphonies
Concertantes Johann Christian BACH
(1735-1782) Volume 1 Symphonies Concertantes:- Eb
major with Two Violins and oboe C33a [18.02]; G major
with Two Violins and cello (C32) [19.29] Eb major with Two Violins
and Cello C40 [19.48] The Hanover Band/Anthony Halstead rec. Rosslyn
Hill Chapel, December 1995
CPO 999 348-2 [57.21] Johann Christian
BACH (1735-1782) Volume 2 Symphonies Concertantes:-
in Bb major with Violin and Cello (C46) [21.40] F major
with oboe and bassoon C38 [11.40] D major with Two violins
C35 [18.29] The Hanover Band/Anthony Halstead rec. Rosslyn Hill Chapel,
3-9 July 1997 CPO 999
537-2 [52.26] Johann Christian
BACH (1735-1782) Volume 3 Symphonies Concertantes:-
E major with Two Violins, cello and flute C44 [14.06] Eb
major with two clarinets, Bassoon, Two Horns and flute (C41) [16.50]
A major with violin and cello (C79) [14.07] Flute Concerto in
D major - Larghetto -1st movement (C34) [6.54] The Hanover
Band/Anthony Halstead rec. Rosslyn Hill Chapel, 3-9 July 1997
CPO 999 538-2 [52.37] Johann Christian
BACH (1735-1782) Volume 4 Symphonies Concertantes:-
C major with Two Violins and Cello (36b) [14.47] Eb major
with flute, oboe and bassoon (C37) [11.59] G major (C inc 5)
with two Violins, cello and flute (C76b) [16.45] Violin Concerto in
C major (76b) [21.23] The Hanover Band/Anthony Halstead rec. Rosslyn
Hill Chapel, 9-11 July 1998
CPO 999 627-2 [65.42] Johann Christian
BACH (1735-1782) Volume 5 Symphonies Concertantes:-
C major with Two Violins and Cello (36a) [25.15] D major with
Two flutes, two violins and cello (C39) [13.54] Eb major with
Two Oboes, Two horns, two Violins and Two Violas (C40) [14.53] The Hanover
Band/Anthony Halstead rec. Rosslyn Hill Chapel, 22-24 September 1999
CPO 999 628-2 [54.47]
Johann Christian BACH (1735-1782)
Volume 6 Symphonies Concertantes:- Bb major
with Oboe, Violin, Viola and cello and fortepiano (C48) [25.57] C
major with Flute, Oboe, Violin, cello and orchestra (C43) [19.24]
Fortepiano Concerto with two violins and cello (C60 B) [20.31]
Cadenza in Major (attrib to J.C.Bach) for Oboe, violin and Cello
[2.57] The Hanover Band/Anthony Halstead rec. Rosslyn Hill Chapel, 3-5
September 2001 CPO 999
845-2 [69.33] Box of the above six CPO CDs: CPO 777 292-2
[GH]
J.C.
Bach – music that is charming, easy on the ear, cleverly composed and
beautifully performed ... see Full
Review
Edwin CARR
(1926-2003) Auckland 71: Ode (1971)
[11.08] Heath
Lees (narrator); Chamber Choir of the Orpheus Choir of Wellington New
Zealand Symphony Orchestra/Edwin Carr Seven Elizabethan Lyrics
(1980) [14.04] Schola Polyphonica New Zealand Symphony Orchestra/Edwin
Carr Piano Concerto No.2 (1986) [20.47] Sally Mays (piano) West
Australian Symphony Orchestra/Geoffrey Simon The End of the Golden
Weather (1996) [13.01] New Zealand Symphony Orchestra/Marc Taddei
rec. Wellington Town Hall, November 1986, Radio New Zealand (Ode; Lyrics);
Australian Broadcasting Commission, Basil Kirke Studio, Perth, date
unknown (Concerto); Symphony House, Wellington, December 1998, Radio
New Zealand (End)
KIWI PACIFIC CD SLD-111 [59:30][BB]
Well-crafted,
thoroughly enjoyable music written by a composer who knew how to please
both his public and his performers. ... see Full
Review
Friedrich KUHLAU
(1786–1832) Grand Trio in B minor, Op. 90 (1828)
[18.37] Trio in D major, Op. 13, No. 1 (1815) [16.17] Trio in G minor,
Op. 13, No. 2 (1815) [7.53] Trio in F major, Op. 13, No. 3 (1815) [9.03]
Trio in E minor, Op. 86, No. 1 (1827) [19.45]
European Flute Trio (Maxence Larrieu, Carlo De Matola, Antonio De Matola)
rec. 14-15 January 2004, Executive Studio, Naples, Italy
NAXOS 8.570220 [71.50][RH]
Do
try the disc, you will hear some charming music and some superb flute
playing. ... see Full Review
Jean-Marie
LECLAIR (l’Aîné) (1697-1764) Complete
Flute Chamber Music Sonata in C, Op.1/2 (1723) [15:35] Sonata in
e minor, Op.9/2 (1737-8) [12:20] Sonata in G, Op.9/7 (1737-8) [12:17]
Sonata in e minor, Op.1/6 (1723) [11:54] Trio Sonata in D, Op.2/8 (1728)
[8:34] Sonata in G, Op.2/5 (1728) [9:30] Sonata in C, Op.2/3 (1728)
[9:37] Sonata in b minor, Op.2/11 (1728) [6:29] Sonata in e minor, Op.2/1
(1728) [11:11] Deuxième récréation de musique in g minor, Op.8 for two
flutes and continuo (ca. 1737) [26:19]
Fenwick Smith (flute); John Gibbons (harpsichord); Laura Blustein (cello);
Laura Jeppesen (viola da gamba, Op.2/8); Christopher Krueger (flute,
Op.8) rec. 16-17 November 2003, 3-4 April 2005, 15-16 June 2005, 30
October 2005 and 11 December 2005, Sonic Temple, Roslindale, MA, USA.
Booklet with notes in English and French
NAXOS 8.557440-1 [60:40 + 63:06][BW]
Very
decent performances which just lack a degree of variety. The Récréation
is a real find, but overall the music is hardly inspired enough for
a 2-CD set and the recording is not ideal … see Full
Review
Modest
MUSSORGSKY (1839-1881) Pictures
at an Exhibition (1874, orch. Ravel 1922) [33:32] Pyotr
Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) Symphony No. 4 in F minor,
op. 36 (1877) [42:40]
Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse/Tugan Sokhiev rec. July 2006,
Halle aux Grains, Toulouse. DDD
NAÏVE V5068 [76:12][DJB]
In
blazingly brilliant sound, this recording meets very intense competition
in both works and comes out a winner … see Full
Review
Giacomo
PUCCINI (1858-1924) La fanciulla
del West (1910) [127:07]
Birgit Nilsson (soprano) - Minnie; Joäo Gibin (tenor) - Dick Johnson;
Andrea Mongelli (baritone) - Jack Rance; Nicola Zaccaria (bass) - Jake
Wallace; Renato Ercolani (tenor) - Nick; Antonio Cassinelli (bass) -
Ashby; Enzo Sordello (baritone) - Sonora; Florindo Andreoli (tenor)
- Trin; Giuseppe Costariol (baritone) - Sid; Dino Mantovani (baritone)
- Bello; Dino Formichini (tenor) - Harry; Antonio Costantino (tenor)
- Joe; Leonardo Monreale (bass) - Happy; Giuseppe Morresi (bass) - Jim
Larkens; Gabriella Carturan (soprano) - Wowkle; Carlo Forti (bass) -
Billy/Castro; Angelo Mercuriali (tenor) - Pony Express Rider Chorus
and Orchestra of the Teatro alla Scala, Milan/Lovro von Matačić
rec. July 1958, Teatro alla Scala, Milan. no libretto; notes and detailed
synopsis in English, French and German
EMI CLASSICS 0946 3 81862 2 9 [56:43 + 70:24][CH]
An
excellent performance that doesn’t quite touch the heart-strings. …
see Full Review
Giacomo
PUCCINI (1858–1924) Arias
Turandot: 1. Signore, ascolta! [2:30] 2.
Tu che di gel sei cinta [3:30] Madama Butterfly: 3. Un bel
di vedremo [5:26] 4. Tu, tu, piccolo iddio! (Death of Butterfly)
[2:40] Manon Lescaut: 5. In quelle trine morbide [2:50] 6. Sola,
perduta, abbandonata [4:39] Gianni Schicchi: 7. O mio babbino
caro [2:46] Tosca: 8. Vissi d’arte [3:40] La bohème: 9. Mi
chiamano Mimi [5:17] 10. Donde lieta usci (Mimi’s
Farewell) [3:27] Le villi: 11.
Se come voi piccina [5:17] La rondine:
12. Chi il bel sogno di Doretta [3:02]
Montserrat Caballé (soprano) London Symphony Orchestra/Charles Mackerras
rec. March-April 1970, Kingsway Hall, London Texts and English translations
included EMI CLASSICS
CDC-7 47841 2 
[44:02][GF]
This
may not be the best operatic recital on disc but it definitely enters
the finals. ... see Full Review
Nikolay
RIMSKY-KORSAKOV (1844-1908) Piano
duos Scheherazade, Op. 35 (1889) (arr. Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov)
[46:28] Sadko, Op. 5 (1870) (arr. Nadezhda Nikolayevna Rimskaya-Korsakova)
[11:52] Capriccio Espagnol, Op. 34 (1888) (arr. Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov)
[15:20] Artur
Pizarro, Vita Panomariovaite (piano duo) rec. 30 September, 1-2 October
2006, Teatro São Luiz, Lisbon, Portugal
LINN RECORDS CKD 293
[74:20][DM]
This
is the sort of repertoire the majors tend to ignore, so Linn must be
commended for recording it in the first place. A thoroughly invigorating
Capriccio Espagnol, makes this worth investigating. ... see Full
Review
Antonio
VIVALDI (1678–1741) The Four
Seasons Concerto in E, op. 8,1 'La Primavera' (RV 269)*
[09:35] Concerto in g minor, op. 8,2 'L'Estate'
(RV 315)* [10:49] Concerto in F, op. 8,3 'L'Autunno'
(RV 293)* [10:12] Concerto in f minor, op. 8,4 'L'Inverno'
(RV 297)* [08:40] Concerto for strings and bc in D (RV 124) [06:20]
Concerto for recorder, strings and bc in G (RV 437)* [08:15] Concerto
for recorder, strings and bc in c minor (RV 441)* [10:16]
Dan Laurin (recorder) (*) Arte dei Suonatori rec. October 2005, Church
of the High Catholic Seminary, Goscikowo-Paradyž, Poland. DDD
BIS SACD-1605 [65:40][JV]
'Re-creation'
rather than 'interpretation' of Vivaldi's Four Seasons ... the standard
of playing of soloist and ensemble is impressive ... 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
Friday October 26th
Ludwig
van BEETHOVEN
(1770-1827)
Violin Sonata No.5 in F major Op.24 'Spring' (1801) [25:08] Violin Sonata
No.7 in C minor Op.30 No.2 (1802) [28:17] Violin Sonata No. 9 in A minor
Op.47 ‘Kreutzer’ (1803) [35:53] Violin Sonata No.10 in G major Op.96
(1812) [29:01] Yehudi
Menuhin (violin), Jeremy Menuhin (piano) rec. No.1 Studio, Abbey Road,
London, October 1985, July 1986 (7 & 10)
EMI CLASSICS 3817562 [61:04 +57:26] [JW]
Deeply
humane and musically rewarding … failing to summon up the tonal
glories of youth but conferring instead accumulated wisdom and
perception ... see Full
Review
Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897)
Symphony No.1 in C minor, op.68 (I. Poco sostenuto - Allegro [13.12];
II. Andante sostenuto [8.06]; III. Un poco allegretto e grazioso [4.30];
IV. Adagio - Allegro ma non troppo [16.13])
Boston Symphony Orchestra/Guido Cantelli rec. 27 March 1954, WGBH-FM
Boston broadcast. ADD
PRISTINE AUDIO PASC083 [42:01] [BB]
I
could not live without this performance. I wouldn’t want it as
my sole recording but alongside Boult and Horenstein it can certainly
hold its own ... see Full
Review
Morton
FELDMAN (1926-1987)
Three Voices (1982) [49.26]
Marianne Schuppe (voice) rec. April 2006, Studio Fossbergstrasse 2,
Berlin, Germany COL
LEGNO WWE1CD 20249 [49.26] [KM]
For
die-hard Feldman fans … see Full
Review
Louis
Moreau GOTTSCHALK
(1829-1869)
Symphonie No. 2, ‘À Montevideo’, RO 257 (1868/1869) [11:13] Célèbre
Tarantelle pour piano et orchestre, Op. 67, RO 259 (1868) [6:07]
Escenas Campestres Cubanas – Opéra en 1 acte, RO 77 (1859/1860)
[13:23] Variations de concert sur l'hymne portugais du Roi Louis
I, Op. 91, RO 289 (1869) [12:32] Ave Maria,
RO 10 (arr. R. Rosenberg for voice and orchestra) (c. 1864)
[5:56] La Casa del Joven Enrique por Méhul – Gran overture,
RO 54b (arr. Gottschalk for three pianos, 10 hands and orchestra)
(1861) [11:07] Symphonie romantique, ‘La nuit des tropiques’
(A Night in the Tropics), RO 255 (1859) [16:14]
Michael Gurt (piano) (RO259, 289) Anna Noggle (soprano); Darryl Taylor
(tenor); Richard Ziebarth (bass-baritone) (RO77) Melissa Barrick (soprano)
(RO10) John Contiguglia, Richard Contiguglia, Angela Draghicescu, Chin-Ming
Lin, Joshua Pepper (pianos) (RO54b) Hot Springs Festival Symphony Orchestra/Joshua
Rosenberg rec. 7, 11-12, 14-15 June 2006, Hot Springs Youth Center,
Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas. 3-12 June 1999, Horner Hall, Hot
Springs Civic and Convention Center, Arkansas (RO255). Texts and translations
provided NAXOS AMERICAN
CLASSICS 8.559320 [76:32] [DM]
As
good an introduction to Gottschalk’s œuvre as any ... see Full
Review
Edvard GRIEG
(1843-1907) String Quartet in g minor, Op.
27 (1878) String Quartet No.2 in F major (1891, completed by Julius
Röntgen) Fugue in F minor (1861) Andante con moto in c minor
for Piano Trio (1878, perf. 1908, pub.1978)
Jet Röling (piano) Raphael Quartet (Ronald Hoogeveen, violin; Ramy Koch,
violin; Zoltan Benyacz, viola; Henk Lambooij, cello) rec. April 1993,
English Church, Begijnhof, Amsterdam. DDD. Booklet with notes in English
REGIS RRC1279 [78:29]
[BW]
A
good performance of the First Quartet … a sympathetic completion
of the Second Quartet, all equally well played and recorded. One
of many recommendable Regis chamber-music CDs … see Full
Review
Gustav
MAHLER
(1860-1911)
Symphony No.7 (1904-1905) [82:35] Wolfgang
Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791) Symphony No. 41 in C major, K551
‘Jupiter’(1788) [29:12]
London Philharmonic Orchestra/Klaus Tennstedt rec. live, Usher Hall,
Edinburgh, 29 August 1980 (Mahler); Royal Albert Hall, London, 13 September
1985 (Mozart). ADD
BBC LEGENDS BBCL4224-2 [64:22 + 46:49] [OW]
A
worthy addition to the growing Tennstedt catalogue; fans and Mahlerites
should investigate, others should sample the Mozart first ... see Full
Review
Charles Villiers STANFORD (1852-1924)
Clarinet Sonata, Op.129 (1911) [18:44] (1) Fantasies Nos. 1 and 2 for
Clarinet and String Quartet, (1921, 1922) [11:39; 14:37] (2) Three Intermezzi
for Clarinet and Piano, Op.13 (1879) [8:06] (3) Piano Trio No. 3, Op.158
‘Per aspera ad astra’ (1918) [20:59] (4)
Robert Plane (clarinet) (1, 2, 3), Gould Piano Trio (Lucy Gould (violin)
(2, 4), Alice Neary (cello) (2, 4), Benjamin Frith (1, 3, 4); Mia Cooper
(violin) (2), David Adams (viola) (2) rec. 17-19 December 2006, Potton
Hall, Westleton, Suffolk, England. DDD
NAXOS 8.570416 [74:05] [MC]
Naxos
continue their Stanford survey with this attractive release. Four
scores feature the clarinet and there’s the world première recording
of the Piano Trio No.3 ... see Full
Review
John
TAVENER
(b. 1944)
Song for Athene – for solo violin and strings (1993) [6:47] Dhyana
– A Song for Nicola for solo violin and strings (2007) [6:16] Lalishri
for solo violin and orchestra (2007) [34:35] Ralph
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) The Lark Ascending (1914,
revised 1920) [15:56]
Nicola Benedetti (violin) London Philharmonic Orchestra/Andrew Litton
rec. Henry Wood Hall, London, June 2007
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 4766198 [64:02] [JW]
The
feminine muse as ever proves fruitful for Tavener ... see Full
Review
Evelina
Puzaite - Moments Musicaux
Zoltán KODÁLY (1882-1967)
Dances of Marosszek (1930) [12:41] Mikalojus
Konstantinas ČIURLIONIS (1875-1911) Prelude Op. 12
No. 1 [1:51]; Prelude VL 241 [1:02]; Prelude VL 187 [1:81]; Prelude
VL 298 (Impromptu) [0:45]; Mazurka Op. 3 No. 3 [1:33] Franz
LISZT (1811-1866) Trois Études de Concert S.144 [23:31] Sergei
RACHMANINOV (1873-1943) Moments Musicaux Op. 16 [31:52]
Evelina Puzaite (piano)
rec. Potton Hall, Suffolk, 22-24 January 2007
LANDOR RECORDS LAN281 [75:14] [JS]
Ms
Puzaite shows obvious abilities and promise, and has produced a
debut album which is thoroughly enjoyable in itself. I look forward
to future recordings ... see Full
Review
Santander
International Music Festival 2006
Manuel de FALLA (1876-1946)
“ Montañesa” from Four Spanish Pieces (1909) (arranged by Cándido
Alegría (1887-1976)) [5:34] Joaquín RODRIGO
(1901-1999) Concierto de Aranjuez (1938-9) [25:01] Sergei
RACHMANINOV (1871-1943) Symphony No 2 in E Minor Op 27 (1907)
[60:01] Maria Esther
Gusmán (guitar) Royal Orchestra of Seville/Pedro Halffter rec. live,
Palacio de Festivales, Santander, 10 August 2006
RTVE MUSICA 65272 [31:21 + 61:26] [JS]
An
enjoyable concert when heard live, and that the performances are
never less than competent and at times much more than that but
I cannot recommend them for repeated listening ... see Full
Review
Thursday October 25th
Michel
de la BARRE (1675–1745) Music
for Louis XV – Ten Suites for two flutes [7e Livre,
1721] 10e Suite in d minor [05:36] 11e Suite in G [06:32] [9e
Livre, 1722] 1er Sonate in B flat [06:35] 2e Sonate in G [06:11]
[10e Livre, 1722] 16e [Suite] in F [07:09] 17e [Suite] in C
[05:14] [11e Livre, 1724] 18e Suite in g minor [06:44] 19e
Suite in B flat [07:53] [12e Livre, 1725] 20e Suite in b minor
[08:28] 21e Suite in D [05:55] John
Solum, Richard Wyton (transverse flute) rec. August 2006, parish
hall, St Matthew's Church, Bedford, N.Y., USA. DDD MSR
CLASSICS MS 1191 [66:23] [JV]
A
missed opportunity to show the qualities of La Barre's duets for
two flutes ... see Full Review
RECORDING
OF THE MONTH Bela
BARTÓK (1881-1945) Music
for Strings, Percussion and Celesta (1936) (I: Andante tranquillo
[6:51]; II: Allegro [7:38]; III: Adagio [6:12]; IV: Allegro molto
[6:40]) Concerto for Orchestra (1944) (I: Introduzione-Andante
non troppo-Allegro vivace [10:54]; II: Giuco delle coppie- Allegro
vivace [7:15]; III: Elegia –Andante non troppo [8:34]; IV: Intermezzo
interrotto-Allegro [4:38]; V: Finale – Pesante-Presto [9:53]) Boston
Symphony Orchestra (Music), NBC Symphony Orchestra (Concerto)/Guido
Cantelli rec. 27 March 1954 (Music); 29 January 1949 (Concerto).
ADD Pristine Audio XR remastering by Andrew Rose June-July 2007 PRISTINE
AUDIO PASC081 [68:36] [SH]
You
must have this CD. It’s the very reference model of the works in
sound so close to real that it’s truly amazing. Simply essential
... see Full Review
Havergal
BRIAN (1876-1972) Symphony
No. 2 in E minor (1930-31) [53:28] Festival Fanfare (1967)
[1:44] Moscow
Symphony Orchestra/Tony Rowe. DDD rec. Mosfilm Studio, Moscow,
May 1996 NAXOS
8.570506 [55:12] [CC]
I
keep on asking myself is there no end to Brian's invention? We
are privileged to be able to hear these scores at all, and it is
good that the Moscow Orchestra gives its all. We need much more
of the same ... see Full Review
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (1875-1912) Piano
Quintet in G minor Op.1 (1893) [26:23] Ballade in C minor for violin
and piano Op.73 (1907) [13:00] Clarinet Quintet in F sharp minor
Op.10 (1896) [29:56] Nash
Ensemble (Richard Hosford (clarinet); Ian Brown (piano); Marianne
Thorsen (violin); Malin Broman (violin) (Piano Quintet); Benjamin
Nabarro (violin) (Clarinet Quintet); Lawrence Power (viola); Paul
Watkins (cello)). rec. Henry Wood Hall, London, 26-28 January 2007. HYPERION
CDA67590 [69:20] [JF]
An
excellent recording of stunning yet little known repertoire ...
see Full Review
Patrick
GOWERS (b. 1936) 1. Veni,
Sancte Spiritus (2000) [6:31] 2. Cantata (1991) [28:02] 3.
Adagio for organ [10:08] 4. Chester Lullaby [4:00] 5. Toccata
for organ (1970) [9:06] 6. Fugue for organ (1988) [6:23] 7.
Libera me [2:14] 8. An Occasional Trumpet Voluntary for
organ [3:20] David
Davies (1), Stephen Farr (2,3,5,6,8) (organ) Guildford Camerata/Guildford
Cathedral Choir (1) Guildford Philharmonic Orchestra/David
Hill (2), Stephen Farr (1,4,7) rec. 9 May 2005, 4, 5, 31 January
2006, Guildford Cathedral LAMMAS
LAMM196D [69:48] [JQ]
A
generous selection of Patrick Gowers’ music has been gathered together
conveniently in one very recommendable CD ... see Full
Review
Alfred
SCHNITTKE (1934-1998) Sonata
No. 1 for Cello and Piano (1978) [21:47] Improvisation for
Solo Cello (1993) [10:16] Sonata No.2 for Cello and Piano (1993-94)
[15:25] Musica Nostalgica for Cello and Piano [3:30] Epilogue (from
the ballet Peer Gynt) for cello, piano and tape (1993)
[23:49] Torleif
Thedeen (cello) Roland Pontinen (piano) rec. Nybrokajen 11,
Stockholm, Sweden, November 2003 (Epilogue), March 2003 (others) BIS
CD-1427 [76:12] [JWi]
BIS
continues its commendable support for Schnittke and post-Soviet
contemporary music generally. An interesting and worthwhile collection,
with a high standard of both playing and recording ... see Full
Review
Igor
STRAVINSKY (1882-1971) Violin
Concerto [20:47] Le Sacre du printemps [32 :57] Bela
BARTOK (1881-1945) Divertimento for String Orchestra
[24:38] Arthur
Grumiaux (violin) Kölner Rundfunk-Sinfonie-Orchester/Ferenc
Fricsay rec. Festival of the Ruhr, Recklingshausen,
Germany, 8 July 1951 (concerto) Funkhaus, Saal 1, WDR Cologne:
5 October 1953 (Sacre) Funkhaus, Saal 1, WDR Cologne: 4 May
1953 (Bartok) MEDICI
MASTERS MM020-2 [78:26] [EMc]
Fricsay
is always interesting to hear. A well-planned reissue, containing
some memorable performances in generally excellent sound ... see Full
Review
Madeleine
Mitchell - Violin Songs Edward
ELGAR (1857-1934) Chanson de Matin Op.15 No.2 (1899)
[3:07] Chanson de Nuit Op.15 No.1 (1897) [3:30] Salut d' Amour
Op 12 (1888) [3:08] Alban
BERG (1885-1935) Die Nachtigall (1907) transcribed
Madeleine Mitchell [2:12] Frank
BRIDGE (1879-1941) Mélodie (1911) [3:44] Morceau
Caracteristque (1907-08) [6:55] Amaryllis (1905) [2:18] Romanze
(1904) [4:28] Spring Song (1912) [2:20] Moto Perpetuo (1900)
[1:46] Berceuse (1901) [2:46] Maurice
RAVEL (1875-1937) Berceuse sur le Nom de Fauré (1922)
[2:42] Sergei PROKOFIEV (1893-1953) Cinq
Mélodies op.35b (1920 transcribed 1925) [12:56] Jules
MASSENET (1842-1912) Méditation from Thaïs (1894)
[4:47] Lili BOULANGER (1893-1918) Nocturne
(1911) [2:56] Aaron COPLAND (1900-1990) Nocturne
(1926) [5:20] Francis
POULENC (1899-1963) Violon (1939 - transcribed Madeleine
Mitchell) [2:04] Franz
SCHUBERT (1797-1828) Ave Maria D 839 (1825) arranged
by Johannes Palatschko [5:32] Richard
STRAUSS (1864-1949) Morgen Op.27 No.4 (1894 orchestrated
1897) [4:16] * Madeleine
Mitchell (violin) Andrew Ball (piano) Elizabeth Watts (soprano)
* rec. Potton Hall, Suffolk, May 2007 DIVINE
ART DDA25063 [76:50] [JW]
Mitchell’s
more intimate playing brings its own rewards ... see Full
Review
Peter
Seiffert - Italian Opera Arias Umberto
GIORDANO (1867–1948) Fedora: 1. Amor ti vieta [1:50] Gaetano
DONIZETTI (1797–1848) Don Pasquale: 2. Com’è gentil [4:07]
L’Elisir d’amore: 3. Una furtive lagrima [4:57] Giacomo
PUCCINI (1858–1924) Gianni Schicchi: 4. Avete torto! … Firenze è come
un albero fiorito [3:12] Francesco
CILEA (1866–1950) Adriana Lecouvreur: 5. La dolcissima
effigie [2:13]; 6. L’anima ho stanca [2:02] Giuseppe
VERDI (1813–1901) Il trovatore: 7. Di quella pira [1:59] Amilcare
PONCHIELLI (1834–1886) La Gioconda: 8. Cielo e
mar! [4:40] Umberto
GIORDANO Andrea Chenier: 9. Colpito qui m’aveta … Un
di all’azzurro spazio [5:40] Giuseppe
VERDI Aida: 10. Se quell guerrier io fossi … Celeste
Aida [4:57] Giacomo
PUCCINI Turandot: 11. Nessun dorma [3:56] La
Bohème: 12. Che gelida manina [5:19] Pietro
MASCAGNI (1863–1945) Cavalleria rusticana: 13. Mamma,
quel vino è generoso [4:54] Peter
Seiffert (tenor), Chorus (2, 7, 11) and Orchestra of Deutsche
Oper Berlin/Ralf Weikert rec. 15-21 May 1993, Christuskirche,
Berlin-Oberschöneweide Texts and translations included EMI
CLASSICS 55010 [49:51]
[GF]
Competition
is formidable in this repertoire but Seiffert stands up well against
many of his rivals. His nuanced, tasteful and well considered readings
are attractive ... see Full Review
Travels
with my Lute Luis
MILAN (c.1500–after 1561) Fantasia;
Pavana Alonso MUDARRA (c.1508–1580) Fantasia Luys
DE NARVAEZ (c.1500–after 1550) Mille regrez; Un
baxa de contrapuncto Antonio
DE CABEZON (1510–1566) Differencias Francesco
SPINACINO (?–after 1507) Recercare Francesco
DE MILANO (1497–1543) 2 Ricercari Simone
MOLINARO (c. 1567–c. 1615) Fantasia XV; Fantasi
I John DOWLAND (1562–1626) What
if a day; The Right Honorable Earl of Essex his Galliard; Fantasia William
BRADE (1570–1630) Des Rotschencken Tantz Johannes
Hieronymus KAPSBERGER (c. 1575–c. 1661) Toccata
VI; Gagliarda III Johann
Sebastian BACH (1685–1750) Preludium; Gavotte en
Rondeau Silvius Leopold
WEISS (1686–1750) Passacaille Carl
Friedrich ABEL (1723–1787) Arpeggio Norbert
BURGMULLER (1810–1836) La Chevaleresque Claude
DEBUSSY (1862–1918) La fille au Cheveux de lin Arr.
Sven BERGER (b.1938) Sa Som stjarnan; Springlat
fran Lima Gaspar SANZ (1640–1710)
/ Santiago DE MURZIA (late 17th century) Marizapalos Ryosuke
Sakamoto (Renaissance lute) rec. 10–13 August 2005, Dala-Jarna
Church, Dalarna MUSICA
REDIVIVA MRCD013 [62.57] [RH]
Sakamoto
has a strong technique and much promise. I
look forward to hearing more from him when
he matures and develops ... see Full
Review
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